Menaces and Mysteries: A Fallen London RP (closed, started)

[Tortilla the Hun]

Oh dear god, what does he think he's doing?! Aidan frantically questioned internally. Sure it's easy for him to run headlong into danger, as light on his feet as he is, but what bloody options are there for me?

"Err...greetings, gentlemen," was all the Aidan could muster up as he slowly rose from behind the gravestone. His gaze shifted between the figures, greatly disliking their menacing appearance. A small glint was visible - a ring on one man's finger, possibly from an association with the sort he was looking for. Aidan had a feeling from their demeanor, they wouldn't outright admit any form of affiliation. He thought a little prodding might be in order if he was to get any information from them. "Yes, we are indeed looking for a spirifer. However, we're looking for a service that's...well, more local. I mean I've no doubt their pay is sizeable, it's really the locale that I find off-putting. I heard the sort that keeps around there are truly wretched, just absolutely revolting. And the smell in the streets is nauseating, and simply horrendous. Probably the the buildup of bile and raw sewage in the gutters. But I'm sure you fine fellows haven't had the misfortune of dealing with the likes of that lot, have you?"

 

[sage42]

Priscilla smiled as the reporter walked out the door with her companion in tow. Good. that's one problem dealt with. She turned and bowed her head to Mickey. "Thank you my dear Mickey. I dread to think what that reporter will write with the material she already has let alone what else she could have gotten." She spoke sincerely. She didn't want that reporter getting anymore facts than she already did. This was going to paint the group in a bad light already.

"Gentlemen, my lady, I believe we have other matters to attend to. Shall we?" She turned to Cuter before he left. "In a moment Sir Cutter. I did promise the reporter an interview. You, Thomas, and Nigel go on ahead to Ladybones road, I'd like Mickey to stay here and escort me there as soon as we're done." She told him with a sweat smile to Mickey.

She then turned and made after the reporter before she got impatient. Priscilla found her waiting on the church steps. "Well my dear I did promise an interview and here I am. I can make no such promises from my colleagues however. Some simply may not wish to talk, one can't, and I have an odd feeling the other would rather be left alone at the moment." She told the reporter, and that was probably the last whole truth Priscella would tell. Mickey and Cutter would probably know better than to talk to this woman, Nigel couldn't, and Thomas would probably just kill her talk her belongings and leave her to come back alone in an alley somewhere. She was tempted to let that happen.

 

[DarkRawen]

Things seemed to calm down after Thomas had let go of the bloke, all that remained of hostility looked to be glaring. Thomas glared back, eyes settled on the short constable.

You smug bastard.

He did pay somewhat attention to what the others spoke about, the not-so-lawful-priest was trying to comfort Nigel, Priscilla and the clay man were still dealing with the reporters, while Cutter spoke to the constables, both parts agreeing that they were working for the purpose of finding the truth in this mess, or whatever. The bloody morons! Not Cutter, but the constables, what did they think they were doing, interrupting others doing their job, trying to chase them away.

Constables always get involved when they're not needed, don't they? Bloody hell.

"Gentlemen, my lady, I believe we have other matters to attend to. Shall we?"

Finally, this whole discussion was over, and Thomas stood upright again. Cutter glanced over at him, looking somewhat pleased. He probably thinking he'd managed to control Thomas or something, but Thomas let it go. This wasn't the time to find more reasons to be angry for, not when he already had assaulted someone once. If that runt kept grinning at him, though... Thomas decided to follow Cutter outside instead.

"In a moment Sir Cutter. I did promise the reporter an interview. You, Thomas, and Nigel go on ahead to Ladybones road, I'd like Mickey to stay here and escort me there as soon as we're done."

"I'm not going to listen to you, lady, so don't try to tell me what to do," Thomas remarked back, annoyed. "Your kind only knows how to gossip and make yourself small and helpless. Only one woman gets to tell me what to do, and that's not the likes of you. I'm only going because I've got nothing better to do."

 

[IFS]

Simon was been confused by the gift of the rock, but accepted it, nodding "Thank you Nigel, and good luck with your investigation," he said, glad to see the Rubbery man was unhurt "And please, feel free to stop by sometime for a sermon once the church is repaired."

"Gentlemen, my lady, I believe we have other matters to attend to. Shall we?"

The tall constable nodded, though his expression was impassive, and he remained silent as the group left. The short constable shot a final glare at Thomas and then followed the others lead. After they had departed the two approached Simon and began to speak in hushed tones.

Outside the church the journalists were waiting, both smiling as Priscilla approached them, though the man's demeanor seemed more business like than the woman.

"Well my dear I did promise an interview and here I am. I can make no such promises from my colleagues however. Some simply may not wish to talk, one can't, and I have an odd feeling the other would rather be left alone at the moment."

"I'm not going to listen to you, lady, so don't try to tell me what to do. Your kind only knows how to gossip and make yourself small and helpless. Only one woman gets to tell me what to do, and that's not the likes of you. I'm only going because I've got nothing better to do."

This remark brought a scowl to the female journalist's face, and her fists clenched around the notebook she held, though she quickly relaxed and resumed her usual expression.

"I had no idea you were married, tell me what does your wife think about you seeking work with the dept?" she said, approaching Thomas "Surely she must be worried."

The well dressed man, Miles as the woman had called him, sighed and turned to face Priscilla "You'll have to forgive her, always looking for new angles," he said, smiling warmly at Priscilla as he pulled out a notebook of his own "I'm certain your own take on the matter will be more than sufficient for our article though, so if you don't mind could you give your name, and the department's current views and leads on the investigation? If you'd rather remain anonymous that's quite alright."

Spoiler: Watchful details

An observant individual might take notice of the edge of a tattoo on the woman's neck, not much is visible as most of it is covered by her clothing, but it seems to be Clathermont's work, a particular tattoo parlor known for encoding messages in their tattoo's to be carried by couriers and agents in the Great Game.

The Great Game - The Great Game is played between the Bazaar's Masters, the surface cities, and other powers. Spies and assassins are their pawns.

 

[Green Shoes]

Mickey followed slowly behind Priscilla as she walked to the reporter, though failed to conjure a snappy comment or veiled threat to hurl at the journalist like the others. Looking over at Cutter, he cracked a smile, before looking back over at the reporter. He spoke with a pleased acceptance; any work was good work.

"I figured I would make a good wall. So...now we find the Unfinished man?"

Mickey felt nothing but slight intrigue as to dealing with the so-called culprit. The others seemed to have faith in his strength, and that was enough for him. He trusted their judgement, though he couldn't help feeling reassured by Cutter's imposing firearm.

Picking up on the journalists scolding words to Thomas, he looked over and spoke to him. Mickey was to be relentless in his efforts to be civil with all involved; figuring that it would be a far more efficient, not to mention enjoyable, employment.

"You have a wife? What's her name?"

Mickey couldn't picture the sort of woman that would accompany such an anger-ridden man, so he figured he must at least have some decency in him. As he walked, another question struck his mind, though he was saving it for when he caught up with the others.

How does one consume a soul?

Hoping that Nigel or another intellectual would know, Mickey remained waiting patiently behind Priscilla, playing the part of bodyguard to perhaps an important official.

 

[sage42]

"I'm not going to listen to you, lady, so don't try to tell me what to do. Your kind only knows how to gossip and make yourself small and helpless. Only one woman gets to tell me what to do, and that's not the likes of you. I'm only going because I've got nothing better to do."

Priscilla raised an eyebrow at that remark. So there is someone who can stand his company. Interesting. She thought ignoring the rest of his insult. If it could be called that. She let a smile come to her face as she turned back to the reporter. He wasn't wrong after all.

"You'll have to forgive her, always looking for new angles, I'm certain your own take on the matter will be more than sufficient for our article though, so if you don't mind could you give your name, and the department's current views and leads on the investigation? If you'd rather remain anonymous that's quite alright."

Priscilla's eyes flicked to the woman as her companion spoke. She noticed something along the woman's neck. Not clothing though, a inked on mark. A Tattoo. Clathermouth's If she wasn't mistaken. Even more interesting. she thought turning back to Miles. "I'm afraid it would be best to stay anonymous. In any case our departments current views are rather limited. Apparently the priest as been too distraught to talk to much of anyone, and he was the only one in the church when the incident happened. Well save the culprit naturally." She half-lied. It was technically true the priest hadn't talked to many and she didn't know if he was the only one there. Things had gotten out of hand before she had been able to question Simon.

"And our only lead right now is that there have been several incidents at a few graveyards throughout the city, which other members of our department have already investigated. That and activity of Spirifer's on Ladybones Road." Again half truth. Only one had been searched that she knows of and they had other places than Ladybones. "Are there any other questions I may answer?" She wondered. She would stand here and answer as many questions as he would like but she did have other things to do.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

Edward M. Cutter, Esq.​

Edward turned to face Priscilla properly when she replied.

"In a moment Sir Cutter. I did promise the reporter an interview. You, Thomas, and Nigel go on ahead to Ladybones road, I'd like Mickey to stay here and escort me there as soon as we're done."

He met that with a tip of his bush hat and he nodded to Mickey.

"Keep Miss Glass safe, Mickey my lad." he told the Clay Man, patting his shoulder encouragingly.

However, he froze in mid-pat when he heard Thomas speak up in his so-far-usual charming fashion. The man was insufferable, rude, and clearly didn't understand what it meant to be a gentleman, so Edward couldn't help but feel that he failed to try and get that across to him.

"I'm not going to listen to you, lady, so don't try to tell me what to do. Your kind only knows how to gossip and make yourself small and helpless. Only one woman gets to tell me what to do, and that's not the likes of you. I'm only going because I've got nothing better to do."

Turning, Edward crossed his arms and glared daggers at the thug.

"We will be speaking of this later, Sir Thomas. Now simply isn't the time or place. Come along then." he said firmly.

His stance barely relaxed as he started to stride out, not paying any attention to either journalist. He had other matters to attend to as he led the way to Ladybones Road.

 

[Quintley]

Nigel had been a little intimidated by the thinly-veiled insults flying back and forth between the various irritable persons, and so tried to look as busy as possible examining the outside of the church door. There really wasn't much of interest. Regardless, Nigel drew out a small, somewhat damp notebook from one of its various pockets, and made a quick sketch of the church exterior. The diagram resembled a wobbly rectangle with a large question mark on one side. Nigel had never been that artistically inclined.

"In a moment Sir Cutter. I did promise the reporter an interview. You, Thomas, and Nigel go on ahead to Ladybones road, I'd like Mickey to stay here and escort me there as soon as we're done."

Nigel's musings over its sketch were interrupted by what sounded worryingly like a plan. The prospect of being caught in the middle of Moustache and Angry's bickering wasn't exactly ideal, but Nigel was keen to get away from the church. There was something off about the journalists. If they were journalists. It seemed unusual for a reporter to make a point of offering anonymity straight away...and was there really a story here? The attack on the church had been written about already.

Well, either way, there probably wasn't anything Nigel could do. Mickey looked more than capable of handling any trouble if the journalists turned out to be problematic. Nigel hurried off after Moustache.

 

[Terratina.]

"...Bringing the Clay man itself would be even more delightful, I would even say we might be in your debt then."

The Devils' response twisted Viktor's face into a sardonic smile. Someone strong? There was plenty to choose from, take the other recruits for instance: Edward, Thomas - they thought themselves big and tough, didn't they? And then there was the Clay Man. Dress him up and huzzah, the formidable soul-devouring Unfinished Man - the terror of the Neath! Well, one of them anyway. It was an amusing thought but would the Devils be fooled? Unlikely.

Viktor was really spoiled for choice here: someone, the Unfinished Man, or 'all of the souls it had touched' - as the Amused Devil had put it. The first option was clearly the most viable, however, there was the problem of who to offer up, who to subject to those blasted horns, those four-legged beasts and those Devils. Though some had annoyed Viktor because of their antics at the little meet 'n' great, they hadn't earned the entirely of the Tomb Colonist's wrath, not just yet.

A chuckle escaped his mouth, "A steep price, but I could possibly provide you with new, strong prey."

 

[DarkRawen]

"I had no idea you were married, tell me what does your wife think about you seeking work with the dept? Surely she must be worried."

"You have a wife? What's her name?"

Thomas smirked, almost amused. What was the reported lady thinking about now? Not to mention, what the hell was the clay man doing, asking about business not his... well, business. Why was everyone getting nosy about what he said and did either way? He had told them to leave him alone, yet they did everything but that.

"Hah. Wife. That's a good one." He then growled. "She's not my wife, so stop talking about things you don't know anything about."

Bloody hell. Now they know there's a she.

Still, a lot of people had a she in their lives, a sister, a mother -once he had had both of those- or just simply a friend. He noticed Cutter's annoyance with him, and waited till they were a bit away from the reporters and the church. Then, he got closer to Cutter, sort of angry, and completely confused. "What is it now?!" he asked. "I haven't done anything wrong."

 

[IFS]

"Yes, we are indeed looking for a spirifer. However, we're looking for a service that's...well, more local. I mean I've no doubt their pay is sizeable, it's really the locale that I find off-putting. I heard the sort that keeps around there are truly wretched, just absolutely revolting. And the smell in the streets is nauseating, and simply horrendous. Probably the the buildup of bile and raw sewage in the gutters. But I'm sure you fine fellows haven't had the misfortune of dealing with the likes of that lot, have you?"

"Don' like the smell of brimstone eh? Perfectly understandable," the one with the ring said, chuckling as they drew closer, the other seemed a bit confused but shrugged and followed along "I suppose I might know a gent who could take a soul off yer hands."

"What're you thinking?" the other hissed at him, grabbing him roughly by the shoulder. The first pushed him off, retorting "Relax, worst comes t' worst we hit him with a shovel and leave 'im in a hole."

The other seemed frustrated but accepted this, following the first as they emerged from the mist to stand before Aiden and Ptolemy. They were a rugged looking pair, tall and muscled each with their fair share of scars. The ring wearing one seemed to have a great many freckles though it was hard to tell what with the dirt covering each of them. They were dressed in rather worn clothes with their sleeves rolled up.

"Now," the one with the ring said "I'm not a spirifer myself, understand? But I might know where t' find one, course I'd have t' take you to him myself, can't have you running off t' the constables once you know where he is."

"Boss isn't going to be happy about you leaving," the other said "diggings hard enough with the three of us."

"Relax, the boss'll be plenty happy when I return with a cut from the deal."

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Are there any other questions I may answer?"

Miles took quick notes of her previous answers "Just a few more, if you don't mind I was wondering what your personal thoughts on this menace are. Do you think it is real? What precautions should Londoners take to protect themselves?"

He spoke evenly and clearly, and when he finished he smiled warmly at her while waiting for her response, though he did shoot an occasional glance at Mickey, seeming to size up the clay man. Other than these glances though he did not seem troubled by the clay man's presence.

"She's not my wife, so stop talking about things you don't know anything about."

The woman smirked at his reply "Not your wife? Hmm, what then, lover? Employer perhaps?" she pestered as she followed after him. Miles gave a loud 'ahem' and she sighed and broke her pursuit, heading back towards him, though on seeing he was occupied with Priscilla she turned her attentions to Mickey.

"So the strong silent type huh?" she said as she approached him, pen in hand "No ones asked you your thoughts yet have they?"

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The rest of the church group was on their way to Ladybones Road, which was fortunately only a short walk away, a walk made easier by the relative lack of bustle. No hangings had occurred today, and while there were always men and devils milling about before the Brass Embassy, as well as various odd sorts gossiping outside of Clathermonts or around the noose the streets were largely empty. The church of St. Dunstans, marked as where the spirifers had been caught, stood tall and silent with its doors boarded up for the moment.

(The group may arrive whenever they wish, this is just so they know what they're arriving at when they do)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"A steep price, but I could possibly provide you with new, strong prey."

The portly devil seemed immensely cheered by this, his expression turning delighted and malicious "Excellent, excellent, no tricks though!"

The amused devil chortled "Oh ho, so now you're happy to speak with him, such a moving change of heart!"

The portly devil glared daggers at him for a moment, then turned back to Viktor pulling out a brass horn and tossing it to the tomb-colonist, "We'll be about the quarter all day and next, bring someone by then, I don't care how you lure them here but when you have simply blow this and we will come for our payment."

"It would be appreciated if you could make sure they didn't bring any guns," the deviless said, smiling softly at him.

The amused devil, still grinning broadly, spoke up over the two "Now then, we must hold up our end of the bargain," he rode closer, pulling out a scrap of paper and a pen, writing a set of directions on it then handing it to Viktor "Maps of the quarter are unreliable, but this should lead you to a den of spirifers, I believe they employed your 'menace' as protection not long ago, I do wonder how that's working out for them... be careful though they are well defended. Oh and don't disappoint us, should you fail to satisfactorily hold up your end of the bargain..." the devils yellow eyes seemed to flicker "well I'll leave that to your imagination."

With that the trio spurred their horses and charged off through the quarter, in pursuit of their prey once more. Soon enough brass horns could be heard in the distance once more, as the sounds of hoofbeats faded.

 

[sage42]

"Just a few more, if you don't mind I was wondering what your personal thoughts on this menace are. Do you think it is real? What precautions should Londoners take to protect themselves?"

Priscilla smiled and thought a moment, appearing to consider his questions. Oh he's good. Well I suppose those whom work for the Masters themselves must be.. "Personally I see this as nothing more than a get rich quick scheme. A fairly elaborate one to be sure, but sadly in the seedier parts of the Neath souls are quiet valuable. I do see it as very real. After all every legend, tall tale, and story has some truth too it. And in the Neath that truth may be larger than we realize at times. My advice for precautions, as cliche as it might be, to stay indoors, keep the windows shut tight, and make sure that should anyone make it into their homes uninvited to get out and make for the nearest constables station." She finished. Yes her explanation may have been the most used warning in any law enforcement branch, but what else could she say? Avoid giant men of clay and stone that appear to be flaking off bits?

"Now Mr. Miles I'm afraid my large friend and I must be off, we mustn't keep our colleagues waiting." She said with a smile as she began to walk away. Just before she passed Miles though she stopped and whispered, "And, as a last piece of advice, I would tell your 'friend' to keep her collar straight and buttoned." before walking towards Ladybones Road.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

Edward M. Cutter, Esq.​

Edward looked over at Thomas as he approached, clearly irritated at the hunters own evident disapproval.

"What is it now?! I haven't done anything wrong."

Sparing a huff, he shook his head.

"Your definition of not having done wrong clearly casts a wider net than mine. You disrespected Miss Glass out-of-hand. Regardless of what kind of woman she is, she is still a lady, and deserves both courtesy and respect. A gentleman would know this." he said firmly, before regarding Thomas with a quirked brow, "In fact, I'm rather curious as to what your idea of a 'gentleman' is Sir Thomas, because if this is what a 'gentleman is to you, then there has clearly been a misunderstanding."

As soon as he finished speaking, they reached Ladybones Road and the Church of Saint Dunstans, the area marked on the map back at the Department Headquarters. When they reached it, Edward couldn't help but notice the lack of street traffic, on foot or in carriage.

He frowned at that, but thankfully it wasn't long before they were rejoined by both Priscilla and Mickey. He strode up to meet them and nodded, motioning to the Church with one hand.

"Glad to see the interview wasn't long. This is the place, the Church of Saint Dunstans, where another spirifer attack occurred it seems. Perhaps anyone who witnessed the attack can give us a lead on the Unfinished Man." he suggested.

 

[Green Shoes]

Thomas' retort didn't bother Mickey as much as his former behavior did. The Clay Man was prying somewhat, and he openly accepted the fact that it was likely the angry recluse didn't want to talk. It did, however, comfort him somewhat that he wasn't married. That would simply be another facet of relationships Mickey was incapable of understanding. With a quick shrug in Thomas' general direction, his attention was drawn back to the reporter, who was addressing him directly.

Looking down at her, he struggled to figure the right thing to say, if to say anything at all. The others seemed somewhat adept at word-play and evasive phrasing; an attempt to copy them would probably result in something terrible. Folding his arms, he simply shook his head.

"No. Nobody has asked me my thoughts."

As he and Priscilla joined back with Cutter and Thomas, Mickey quickly motioned to the clearly boarded doors. If they were to question anyone, they would need to enter. With little tack or subtlety, he motioned to the church, speaking to Cutter. So far, he enjoyed the mans company the most; he seemed direct and straightforward, qualities that Mickey deeply appreciated. Priscilla was certainly nice to him, though Cutter had so far given more direction than her. Thomas, well. Mickey wasn't sure if he would listen well to any instruction given by the man.

"Do you need to get inside?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"Your definition of not having done wrong clearly casts a wider net than mine. You disrespected Miss Glass out-of-hand. Regardless of what kind of woman she is, she is still a lady, and deserves both courtesy and respect. A gentleman would know this."

"I'm not a bloody gentleman," Thomas replied, glaring. "I never claimed I was." He folded his arms. If he hadn't, he might have lashed out after the next thing Cutter said.

"In fact, I'm rather curious as to what your idea of a 'gentleman' is Sir Thomas, because if this is what a 'gentleman is to you, then there has clearly been a misunderstanding."

Thomas' facial expression changed from slightly hostile to frighteningly dark. "You want to know what my idea of a gentleman is?" he asked, with a calm that appeared to be something completely different than it was supposed to be. "A gentleman is nothing but an uptight, condescending bastard who pretend to be courtesy itself," he started, eyes kept on Cutter's. His voice got louder as he spoke, more aggressive.

"Give that damn bastard the chance, though, and they'll lash out on everyone whom don't behave according to their own idea of how one should act! They're the kind who'll easily beat submission into their own kids, because they're too bloody pathetic to get respect otherwise!"

It was clear that he spoke from experience, and while there was a hint of hurt in his eyes, he grinned, morbidly. "Do you think I want to be a damned gentleman, sir Cutter? Do you think I have any reason to want to be associated with those kinds of people?" He stopped smiling, just looked at the man with a serious expression on his face.

"I'd rather be a thug than a gentleman, at least then I don't have to bloody act like I'm something better than what I am. As for how I speak to Lady Glass; that's none of your damned business. If she wants me to speak to her with more respect, then she's gonna have to give me a bloody reason to."

 

[sage42]

Priscilla walked onto Ladybones road with a genuine smile on her face. The hustle and bustle of the people on the streets, as slow as it was, was still an invigorating thing. The men and women owned the Bazzarr, well, to an extent, the Master's owned them. Sooner or later she would be one of them. Or the woman behind one of them preferably. But that was still a ways off. She and Mickey found Sir Cutter and the others in moments. They were the only ones in front of the church.

"Glad to see the interview wasn't long. This is the place, the Church of Saint Dunstans, where another spirifer attack occurred it seems. Perhaps anyone who witnessed the attack can give us a lead on the Unfinished Man."

"An excellent idea Sir Cutter. And Mister Micky raises an excellent point, an investigation of the inside might prove fruitful. We can do both actually, we can split our group further. One group shall go to the nearest constabulary and inquire after whomever was in the area at a time. The other can stay here and investigate." She suggested to each of her companions. She already had ideas of whom to go where, she or Nigel should be split, they could both catch things the other would miss. Thomas and Mickey were probably the two most dangerous in a fight, and she and Sir Cutter were both gifted with silver tongues. How nicely things had arranged themselves. Now she had to decided whom would go where. Then Thomas spoke up.

"I'd rather be a thug than a gentleman, at least then I don't have to bloody act like I'm something better than what I am. As for how I speak to Lady Glass; that's none of your damned business. If she wants me to speak to her with more respect, then she's gonna have to give me a bloody reason to." And that settled her mind. She knew how to split the teams. "You wish for me to give you a reason to respect me, Mister Thomas? Very well." She turned to Sir Cutter, Nigel and Mickey. "Mickey, could you be a dear and open the door, please? Sir Cutter, Nigel would you object to questioning those who were around at the time? And Mickey when your done with the door, could you go with them? I wish to have some alone time with Mister Thomas." She said turning her gaze to the thug.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

Edward M. Cutter, Esq.​

It was clear that the hunter had hit a nerve with Thomas, as he turned to him with a dark, serious expression and went on to explain his viewpoint on Gentlemen: That they were nothing more than abusive men that put on a front to cover their multitude of sins, and it sounded as if the man spoke from experience when it came to 'Gentlemen' lashing out at their own children.

"I'd rather be a thug than a gentleman, at least then I don't have to bloody act like I'm something better than what I am. As for how I speak to Lady Glass; that's none of your damned business. If she wants me to speak to her with more respect, then she's gonna have to give me a bloody reason to."

It was then that both Mickey and Priscilla spoke, and Cutter had trouble actually turning to face her. His face had frozen into an expression of disappointment and sorrow as he looked Thomas in the eye. While Mickey asked if they needed to go inside, Priscilla suggested a plan of action.

"An excellent idea Sir Cutter. And Mister Micky raises an excellent point, an investigation of the inside might prove fruitful. We can do both actually, we can split our group further. One group shall go to the nearest constabulary and inquire after whomever was in the area at a time. The other can stay here and investigate."

Then she turned to Thomas and asked for a moment alone with him. Edward managed to finally turn to her and speak, his voice solemn.

"Yes, of course, Miss Glass, that is an excellent idea. However, first..." he said, before looking back to Thomas.

"I'm truly sorry you got the impression that that was what defined a gentleman. But you're wrong. A gentleman, a true gentleman is a man who holds himself to a higher standard, and not because he believes himself better than others. A man of integrity, dignity, and honor. Someone who looks both friend and foe in the eye, fair and evenhanded in his dealings, and both kind and courteous to others. You see, a gentleman is just as much defined as what he doesn't do, as what he does. He doesn't carelessly resort to violence, he isn't needlessly rude or disrespectful. That, Thomas, is what a gentleman is, and that is what I try to be." he said.

With a single nod, he turned and strode to the front of the Church. When he was joined by both the Nigel and Mickey, he motioned to the doors and looked up at the Clay Man.

"Mickey, if you would? And be gentle, if you can. It is a Church, after all." he told him.

 

[SamtheDeathclaw]

"Relax, the boss'll be plenty happy when I return with a cut from the deal," the man assured the other man, moving to lead Ptolemy and Aiden to a spirifer he knew, apparently. Ptolemy had his doubts, and assumed they were about to get robbed and murdered.

"Well, o' course, ya know my pal and I'll want to be alone when negotiating with this spifirer bloke, but I can promise you yer due payment. Wouldn't dream of stiffing such an upstanding gent, no sir, no sir," Ptolemy clucked as they moved along. It'd be rather difficult to get any info out of the spirifer if the man wanted to stay in the room.

Ptolemy scampered up Aiden's legs on onto his shoulder, where he whispered into Aiden's ear, quietly as he could, "Let me do the talking, eh? I rather distrust this fellow."

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"Now, I'm not a spirifer myself, understand? But I might know where t' find one, course I'd have t' take you to him myself, can't have you running off t' the constables once you know where he is."

Well, this is going leagues better than I had expected, Aidan thought with no small amount of relief. He put on a smile as Ptolemy began to speak again before scampering back atop the shoulder of the chemist, who was doing his best to maintain his composure. There was absolutely no telling what this little venture would have in store for him, and the odds of their impromptu meeting with the spirifer all coming down on his head were far too high for his liking.

"Let me do the talking, eh? I rather distrust this fellow."

We can certainly agree on that, my friend...

 

[IFS]

"Well, o' course, ya know my pal and I'll want to be alone when negotiating with this spifirer bloke, but I can promise you yer due payment. Wouldn't dream of stiffing such an upstanding gent, no sir, no sir,"

The man nodded several times "Good good, now follow me an' don't stray," he said, before leading them back through the graveyard and out of it. Since the fall London's roads had been rearranged into a confusing labyrinth, and the path the man took did little to ease the confusion, an observant individual might remember the twists and turns but even then it might prove difficult to follow.

Their guide himself seemed to know the route by heart though, and soon they arrived at a door in a dark alley. From the smells and sounds they weren't far off from the markets of Spite. Their guide knocked on the door several times, it opened a crack and he carried on a brief whispered conversation with the man who opened it.

The door shut again and their guide turned back to face them, stepping aside so that they could go through the door "Well the spirifer will see you now, don' worry it doesn't hurt," he said "Or so I'm told, hell perhaps you'll feel relieved to be rid of your wretched soul."

Spoiler: Details for the careful listener

Only a few fragments of the whispered conversation can be made out, what can be heard is as follows:

"Hey, I've ... sell his soul."

"... took him here? You ... followed ... a constable?"

"If ... I'll smash his ... though 'e's got ... with him."

"... Mr. Cups ... his soul?"

"Ask him yourself, ... once its out ... taking the usual ... delivery."

"Yes yes ... send him in."