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

[Tortilla the Hun]

"What're you looking for them for anyways? Much as I enjoy the airs of this place its not exactly the safest spot for a get together. I did see a tomb colonist go past not too long ago, though I was digging at a different spot then, might he be one of your colleagues?"

As much as Ptolemy tried to comfort the man, Aidan had a compelling feeling he wouldn't be able shake the feeling of unease so long as they remained in the Quarter. "I'm afraid we've, well, fallen out of touch and we'd very much like to know how they're doing. Now, this colonist, exactly what did he look like?"

 

[DarkRawen]

While Thomas was no expert, he had interacted enough with rubbery men to understand some of the movement of the tentacles. It also helped that this one was making it bloody obvious, pointing at everything, reminding him of the article he still had in his pocket. He was about to offer his thoughts on it. However, Thomas stepped away as soon as Cutter approached, looking at them, but not being close enough to hear much. From what he could see, however, they couldn't find a use for what the rubbery man had found. Then Priscilla arrived, urging them to move on.


"Gentlemen and Nigel, according to our Constable friend, our best bet on finding our unfinished culprit would be the quarter. If no one else has a better lead might I suggest we get there post haste?"

He narrowed his eyes, not replying, just looking at her from that same distance. Thomas had to pay attention, yet he had to make sure he didn't disappoint the Lady Poet again. Saying anything would probably lead to another rant from one of the two other humans of the group, which was more than a little aggravating. He did wonder, however, why no one had thought to ask someone if they had seen a large unfinished man around, he could swear he had seen some gossips outside the church.

They probably did that already, else they've really been wasting their bloody time.

"Come on, chaps. The game is afoot, and the hunt is on. We have prey to bag."

Thomas went up to the rest of the group when he heard that, quietly, clearly not happy to be there. Of the group, the only one who hadn't bloody insulted him was the rubbery man, and that one couldn't even speak. Just as quiet, in both a lack of words, and movement, he kept following them.

 

[IFS]

"I'm afraid we've, well, fallen out of touch and we'd very much like to know how they're doing. Now, this colonist, exactly what did he look like?"

"Like all those bandaged fellows look I suppose, didn't get the best look since he was a ways off through the mist, I think he had a cane though," the man said with a shrug "At any rate he looked to be heading back to the edge of the quarter."

The man pointed to indicate where he meant, then hesitated and corrected himself slightly, he seems to think before speaking again, glancing briefly over his shoulder at the camp behind him.

"From the look of it I'd say he was coming from the old temple too, we've wanted to get at that place for a while now but some other group took up residence," he said, pointing now in the opposite direction from before "No idea who they are, but you're best off looking for your friend at the Quarter's edge, safer that way."

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Church group

They soon arrived at the edge of the quarter, the mists growing thick as the hour grew late and the wind whimpering softly as only the feeble winds of the neath did. The lights of a cottage could be seen off to one side, and the ruins of the quarter itself stood out in places, crumbled shadows in the mist.

Viktor could make out the group arriving from his position at the cottage, though the mists concealed him well enough they would certainly spot him if they drew closer to the building.

 

[SamtheDeathclaw]

The man gave them surprisingly good info- their compatriot Viktor was here, and that temple likely held the spirifers they were looking for.
"No idea who they are, but you're best off looking for your friend at the Quarter's edge, safer that way."

So, Viktor beat us here, at least. And if he was headed back from that temple, I'd bet that's where we need to go as well. But if the gentleman- who seemed rather deadly, if I am to be honest- had to retreat, perhaps we'd best be meeting up with him first, Ptolemy mused.

"Thanks, old chap. You've been most helpful. Aiden, shall we take this gents' advice and see if we can't find our raggedy friend on the edge of the Quarter? Maybe he's had more luck than we."

He glanced at the digger once more. "Thank ye kindly, friend. We were just about at our wits' end looking for these friends of ours."

 

[Green Shoes]

Mickey arrived at the quarter with the others, keeping close to Priscilla and his eyes of Thomas. His senses somewhat dulled, he could barely make out any recognizable features of the quarter, save a small cottage. Hoping that they stuck within the light, Mickey nevertheless balled his fists, save they were ambushed by either the prey they sought, or some unknown danger.

Calling out to the others, he hoped at least one of them knew their way around, or possessed finer eyesight than he did.

"I am not familiar with this place. Do we know where we are going?"

 

[IFS]

Aiden and Ptolemy made their way back to the edge of the quarter to find the rest of the group waiting for them, their passage eased by the thinning of the quarter's mists in places, rendering Viktor visible from his station and leading to the group being wholly reunited. The hour was growing ever later, and they were nearing the confrontation with the Spirifers and the Soul eating Unfinished man, hopefully that was all that lay in wait for them.

 

[Quintley]

"I am not familiar with this place. Do we know where we are going?"

Nigel shrugged. Moustache seemed to have some kind of plan, which likely involved shooting somebody. This seemed like a reasonable strategy to Nigel, although it considered that the gun - size notwithstanding - may prove less effective against a person made of clay.

Nigel was about to convey this point to the rest of the group when it noticed a couple of mildly ominous figures approaching through the mist, at which point it hid behind Mickey again.

 

[sage42]

"I am not familiar with this place. Do we know where we are going?"

Priscilla peered through the fog trying to find a landmark. "I would presume the light, my dear Mickey. It seems like a starting point at least." She spoke as she turned her head to the Clay Man. She noticed Nigel duck behind the large man. She turned her head back and noticed the two figures in the distance. Do I dare call out or shall I let them try to leave. Decisions, decisions. She made up her mind. "Cutter, Mickey, Thomas I suggest readying yourselves. We have no idea weather these two are amiable or not." She warned the three in a whisper. "Or if they have friends nearby." She called out to the two figures next. "You two gentlemen. Approach us slowly, if you are friends then we can part ways peacefully."

 

[DarkRawen]

Deciding that they've had enough visiting churches, the other people in the group went towards the quarter, Thomas following along a little behind. He'd been there before on a number of occasions, though it was more a place that was somewhat familiar, than somewhere he spent a lot of time. If nothing else, he knew some of the short-cuts through it. The mist limited what he could see, and he got closer to the group, taking care not to lose them.

"I am not familiar with this place. Do we know where we are going?"

We better.

To be honest, he wasn't familiar with this part of the quarter, and his instincts told him that it was not somewhere he'd like to get lost, however, he couldn't actually see much more than outlines of what surrounded them. Not far from them, two people could be seen.

"Cutter, Mickey, Thomas I suggest readying yourselves. We have no idea whether these two are amiable or not. Or if they have friends nearby."

"I don't need you to tell me that, lady,"

he muttered back, though there was no trace of annoyance or anger in his voice, just wary and calmly aggressive, as his focus was spent on the approaching people. Neither was large enough for him to feel afraid, but they could still be armed. Dangerous. He growled, and reached into his vest and pulled out a skyglass knife from seemingly nowhere. If he didn't need it now, chances was he'd need it later. His hand gripped the blade, though his stance wasn't suspicious, no one could see that he was ready to attack unless they could see the knife.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

Aidan was a little relieved at the prospect of joining a familiar, albeit not particularly comforting face in this investigation. The chemist taxied Ptolemy off into the direction the older gentleman indicated, waving out of politeness before departing. "Do you think Viktor found anything in that temple? I mean anything of import? Or, at the very least something a little more substantial than just the general whereabouts? It'd be a real shame if he was just poking around the same as we've been throughout this entire investigation."

The pair quickly approached a cottage and could make out a figure standing near. Aidan continued with a fair amount of wariness, but breathed a sigh of relief to see that it was only Viktor. The relief was very minor, however as he had had no real interaction with the bandaged man. In fact, Aidan hadn't said a single word to him, at least not in a conversation, and the only time Aidan could recall Viktor mentioning him was with a shallow and crass observation that the chemist didn't care to hear. With every step towards the cottage, the chemist was liking the idea of interacting with his raggedy colleague less and less. At this point, he felt that joining up would, at least on his part, would be strictly as a result of necessity than ease of mind.

"You two gentlemen. Approach us slowly, if you are friends then we can part ways peacefully."

A familiar voice had called from beyond the cottage before Aidan could do so much as greet Viktor, and another, even greater wave of relief washed over him. Casually stepping past the raggedy man, giving only a small smile and wave to acknowledge his presence before calling out to the group of figures in the mist. "Err, Miss Glass, is that you? It's us, Aidan and Ptolemy. F-from the meeting. Oh, an-and Viktor is here too. That wouldn't happen to be the rest of our colleagues traveling with you...w-would it?"

 

[SamtheDeathclaw]

"Do you think Viktor found anything in that temple? I mean anything of import? Or, at the very least something a little more substantial than just the general whereabouts? It'd be a real shame if he was just poking around the same as we've been throughout this entire investigation," Aiden asked as they walked.
"Not a clue, good fellow, not a clue. Though if he went alone to a whole gang of spirifers, he would likely be repulsed easily, despite his apparent strength in matters of combat. Perhaps he was going to seek the rest of us for backup, as it were?" Ptolemy shrugged. "Or perhaps I'm underestimating him, and he murdered the whole lot by his lonesome and is returning for his wages."

A voice emerged from the mist as they approached Viktor.
"You two gentlemen. Approach us slowly, if you are friends then we can part ways peacefully."
Aiden replied before Ptolemy could, saying, "Err, Miss Glass, is that you? It's us, Aidan and Ptolemy. F-from the meeting. Oh, an-and Viktor is here too. That wouldn't happen to be the rest of our colleagues traveling with you...w-would it?" He couldn't be more obviously nervous if he tried.
"Three gentlemen, thank you kindly. Though, Miss Glass, such harshness from such a beauty is unexpected," Ptolemy said with a wink as he and Aiden emerged from the mists. "I see serendipity seems to have strung us all together, despite our probably divergent methods. Unless we all went and threatened the same spirifer. Unlucky chap, if so. At any rate!" Ptolemy took a breath.

"Our investigation has lead us to a temple nearby, which our friend Viktor seems to have just returned from. In that vein, Viktor, don't suppose you'd care to share what you've learned?" Ptolemy asked turning to the ragged figure.

 

[Terratina.]

"Just keep heading that way and you'll reach the Quarter's edge in no time. Just watch out for devils and the like."

Viktor grunted some thanks to the man and continued on his way, debating the merits of visiting the former Dean. His mood soured when he saw an all too familiar group of people. The woman, whatever her name was, seemed to be somewhat overly cautious - was there something about the Forgotten Quarter's air that disagreed with her?

Then there was the pile of dried clay which walked and talked - they were all the same anyway - and the rowdy mutt and the gun-lugging gentlemen, and the bespectacled beansprout and, finally, the two animals: the rat and the squid. So much for a peaceful walk through the Quarter. The bandaged man gave little acknowledgement of the gaggle of geese, however, they were all too glad to approach him.

"...In that vein, Viktor, don't suppose you'd care to share what you've learned?"

Of course, it had to be the rat who addressed him. Viktor's reply was gruff, "The soul-eating Unfinished Man is just another employee of a spirifer gang. Goddamn hyperbole."

He produced the scrap of paper he received from the Devils.

Viktor's mouth curled into a grim smile as he continued, "Directions for their hideout, however you seem to be aware of it already. I assume we murder the scum and capture this 'menance' now?"

The Tomb Colonist leant heavily on his cane as he asked the question, his other hand on his hip.

 

[sage42]

"Err, Miss Glass, is that you? It's us, Aidan and Ptolemy. F-from the meeting. Oh, an-and Viktor is here too. That wouldn't happen to be the rest of our colleagues traveling with you...w-would it?" Priscilla heaved a sigh of relief. Allies at least. Good. Perhaps this soul-eating Clay Man will be easier to deal with. "Yes they are the rest of or companions Mister Aidan. It's good to see some friendly faces." She said with a smile as the two men emerged from the for. Well....two men and the rat as Ptolelmy pointed out.

Three gentlemen, thank you kindly. Though, Miss Glass, such harshness from such a beauty is unexpected. Priscilla laughed at that. "I apologize my dear Ptolemy, the fog can shroud the clearest of minds when it comes to sight."

I see serendipity seems to have strung us all together, despite our probably divergent methods. Unless we all went and threatened the same spirifer. Unlucky chap, if so. At any rate! Our investigation has lead us to a temple nearby, which our friend Viktor seems to have just returned from. In that vein, Viktor, don't suppose you'd care to share what you've learned?" Priscilla raised and eyebrow at that. She turned her head to Viktor, as his bandages formed around his grim smile.

"The soul-eating Unfinished Man is just another employee of a spirifer gang. Goddamn hyperbole. Directions for their hideout, however you seem to be aware of it already. I assume we murder the scum and capture this 'menace' now?"

Priscilla had to frown at his last question. 'Murder' corpse? Really? Do try to be a little more sophisticated with your wording please. She thought. "In not so many words yes. I would prefer to keep at least one of the spirifer alive. One could lead us to more, which means a safer Neath for everyone." And a bigger commission for me.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

Edward M. Cutter, Esq.​

When they arrived in the Forgotten Quarter, the misty fog that covered the streets had gotten thicker in the late evening, and the group approached a cottage at the very edge of the quarter itself. Due to the time, and the lack of visibility, Edward felt vulnerable and cautious, glancing around them even as he drew Victoria and got ready to load her.

It wasn't long before they were approached by several figures, but he picked them out of the mist before even attempting to shoulder his Elephant Gun, and when he recognized them, he relaxed even as Miss Glass told them to be ready. Raising one hand and doffing his hat, he smiled a little.

"You needn't worry, Miss Glass. It seems to be Viktor, Mr. Pottinger and Ptolemy. Good show, gentlemen. I see you found a lead that pointed you to the Quarter as well. Good show indeed." he said with an approving nod.

As the three reassured the group that they were indeed the other Special Constables, Ptolemy shared what he learned in his own investigation with Aidan.

"Our investigation has lead us to a temple nearby, which our friend Viktor seems to have just returned from. In that vein, Viktor, don't suppose you'd care to share what you've learned?"

Viktor's reply was accompanied by a grim smile and a scrap of paper.

"The soul-eating Unfinished Man is just another employee of a spirifer gang. Goddamn hyperbole. Directions for their hideout, however you seem to be aware of it already. I assume we murder the scum and capture this 'menance' now?"

Despite a small frown, Miss Glass seemed to agree, adding that capturing one of the spirifers would be a good idea, and would lead them to more. Much like rats in their nests. At that thought, however, he mentally apologized to Ptolemy, who was a very gentlemanly rat indeed.

"Agreed. But I think that we should likely split our efforts. Mickey and I should focus on this Unfinished Man, since we're the best equipped of the group to handle that kind of threat. The rest can focus on the spirifers, and hopefully capture one to give us an idea of where more would be." he suggested, looking at them all.

 

[Quintley]

"Mickey and I should focus on this Unfinished Man, since we're the best equipped of the group to handle that kind of threat. The rest can focus on the spirifers, and hopefully capture one to give us an idea of where more would be."

Nigel had only been vaguely following the conversation, but this suggestion caught its attention. It slowly looked around the group. If Moustache and Mickey were taking on the big clay man, the rest of the group would have to deal with the gang of spirifers. That left the Glass lady, the angry man in bandages, the angry man without bandages, the nervous man who was neither angry nor had any bandages, and a small rat. Nigel was not especially impressed. If the situation called for a fight, it would likely fall upon Nigel to defend the group, considering its superior marshal prowess. Nigel hoped that the spirifers were few in number, and timid. It shot a rather skeptical look at Moustache, but didn't protest.

 

[Green Shoes]

Mickey made no sign of recognition as the group met up with the others, preferring to keep a watchful eye on the area, and in particular Priscilla and Nigel; they seemed the least adept to handle themselves, and the clay-man would prefer if they were kept alive. Noting what the Tomb-Colonist said, Mickey reflexively stored the new order in his mind: they were to kill, not capture, the unfinished-man, and attempt to subdue one of the spirifers.

Waiting patiently between Priscilla and Cutter, Mickey began to clench and un-clench his fist, wondering how much damage it would do on another clay-man. Hoping the others knew what they were doing, he addressed the Tomb Colonist, who seemed to be the one with the most authority.

"I'm happy to go when you are. Lead on."

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"Shouldn't we, don't you think, not put our focus primarily towards killing these people?" Aidan asked timidly, not quite liking the sadistic inclinations some of these people were hinting at. "We're essentially members of the constabulary, we should be more concerned about apprehending criminals, not corpses. Can't we just work on finding a relatively peaceful resolution here, or at most a means of subduing them without unnecessary bloodshed? Isn't this about seeing to it that these criminals are turned over to the authorities? Not be put to death by this...this...kill squad that a few of you seem so ready to turn us into?"

 

[Terratina.]

"I'm happy to go when you are. Lead on."

Viktor nodded, "Follow me then."

With the beginnings of a plan, the bandaged gentleman was more than happy to lead the others to the spirifers' den. He began walking, not caring if the others kept up with him or not. Well, until he heard a little mouse squeak.

"Shouldn't we, don't you think, not put our focus primarily towards killing these people?..."

'Blasted fool.' Viktor thought. Did the spectacled lad not realise what exactly they would be killing? Criminals no one would miss. The Tomb Colonist quickly turned on his heel and walked towards Aiden. Once within distance, Viktor then put his hand on the spectacled lad's shoulder and glared at him - almost like a strict teacher.

"What peaceful solution?" Viktor snarled, "These are spirifers; they steal souls for a living. Worse than those infernal Devils and their honeyed words. Do you think they care about their victims? Do you think they would care about a so-called 'peaceful solution'? They signed their own death warrants as soon as they entered the d-mned business. Do you not understand, boy?

He sighed, "They will fight. Better to end it sooner rather than later, yes?"

After that, Viktor turned around and trudged onwards. The ninny negative Nancy be d-mned.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"Do you not understand, boy?"



Aidan was never quick to anger. In fact, he took pride in his ability to maintain a tame temperament. But those words really rattled his cage. With his fists clenched at his sides and his brow furrowed in frustration, he turned sharply to face Viktor's back, burning holes into the back of the bandaged man's head with his gaze. "I think I understand perfectly the atrocities these people are capable of. I think, Mister Goldschmidt-Schirmer, I understand more than most the extent these people are willing to go in order to get what they want. It was very clear to me when I was stabbed in the back, left to bleed in an alleyway. When I was killed and then robbed of something that was very dear to me, something that has most probably been lost to me for all eternity because their greed and complete lack of empathy. They took my soul. They took my peace of mind, my home. My life. Nevertheless, do you want to know what they couldn't take from me? My goddamned sense of decency. So you'll have to excuse me if that's something I wish to retain. I'll have no hand in needless bloodshed. But don't worry, I'll try to refrain from letting my humanity get in the way."

 

[Quintley]

"I'll have no hand in needless bloodshed."

From it's admittedly limited experience, Nigel had come to the conclusion that the best way to deal with two angry, squabbling individuals is to back away slowly and become very interested in the scenery. That said, they were on a mission here, and shouldn't start the fight before some enemies turned up. Plus, the scenery was rather drab.

Sidling up behind him, Nigel gingerly prodded the shoulder of the ranting bespectacled man, and held up its hands in a placating and vaguely sympathetic gesture. In a further attempt to change the topic from the ethics of combat, Nigel tried to interest the man in one of the vials of clay shavings it had collected from the church.