texas ♔ don't want to face the fears we've met

[heavensend]

WHO || Anastacia, Avaleen, Thea, Riddick [Closed]
WHAT || The Knights try to track down some missing Shadowkind
WHERE || Houston, Texas
WHEN || April 9th [back dated]
HOW || Actionspam. Single thread, don't worry about maintaining tagging order.

The Church of Good Hearted Souls is a nondenominational church, located in a poorer district of Houston. The neighborhood itself doesn't disguise the fact, but the streets that they walk through to reach the church are populated almost exclusively by Shadowkind, of all types. Dwarves, elves, gnomes, even a minotaur shuffle past, many of them making their way in and out of tenement buildings that have seen better days. The occasional humans that break up the mix often wear clothing more suited to a fantasy village - and those who don't sometimes have hairstyles that give them away as less than totally modern. The Church itself doesn't even remember a conventional church or temple in any way - it seems to have been built into a squat brick building, hollowed out to make room for folding chairs, since pews seemed to be outside their price range. "All faiths welcome" proclaims a sign out front, and another replaceable sign below it is flipped to read "Sister Deborah is in". 

Comments

[delicere]

There is still hope, is there not? [Trying for an encouraging smile as without hesitation, she reaches to grasp Sister Deborah's hand.]

Perhaps if you could tell us where we might find Lilijune, she could tell us something that might lead to their safe return.

[silvermaid]

[ the woman's hand is ice cold to the touch, more chilling than a corpse, and she draws her hand away with polite smoothness.

"She's here, in the basement. She's afraid to come out. Her brother was the last to go missing, and I haven't been able to get her to say two words on the subject. She's terrified."

anastacia frowns sympathetically. ] Maybe we can convince her to speak with us. It seems worth a try. [ sister deborah gestures towards the stairwell to the left. "You're welcome to." ]

[delicere]

[Surprise flashes briefly in her eyes at that touch but it's nothing to wipe the openness of her smile from her features as Ava turns her attention on Ana.]

Perhaps once she realizes we're trying to return her brother to her? [Still the ball of optimism as she moves to follow Ana and Deborah down to the girl.]

[silvermaid]

[ anastacia meets avaleen's gaze with a sad little smile, still optimistic on her account, but tempered by her own experiences. deborah leads them to the stairs, opening the door and switching on the light.

"I'll leave the two of you to it. She is not always open with me." anastacia starts down the rickety steps, into the unfinished basement, which smells of mildew. old washing machines line the walls, and it's packed with cardboard boxes. some are open enough to reveal books or papers within. ]

[delicere]

[As they enter the basement, Avaleen's gaze sweeps over the area (I guess really thoroughly with that Spot Nat 20) annnd... yeah that's the tag until I know what that yields.]

[heavensend]

Hello...?

[ there's no response, but avaleen notices a little shape huddled behind a wash basin, curled up in on herself ]

[delicere]

[Ava catches Ana's gaze and nods in the direction of the ball in the corner of the room but rather than approach, she moves towards one of the boxes full of books, pulling one out and blowing the dust from the cover.]

I often wonder if my mother read to me when I was a child. What sort of books she might have read.

[silvermaid]

[ the book is called 'Pharaoh of the Gods' and seems to be about Horus-Re, the Egyptian sun god. anastacia follows suit on avaleen's tactic, turning away from where the gnome hides, as she muses: ] They didn't really read books where I came from, it seems. I didn't even know how to read when I first came through the Veil. Knowing what I do now, I imagine my mother was more likely to tell stories from memory.

[delicere]

[As she flips open the book, Ava continues to watch the young gnome out of the corner of her eye, looking for some sign that she might even be listening.]

Is family coming through the veil uncommon?

[silvermaid]

It's the exception, not the rule. [ the gnome seems to have uncurled herself enough that she can glance her eyes peeking out at them ]

[delicere]

[She offers Ana a thoughtful look, eyes dropping back to the book again, lines furrowing her brow as her fingers grace the pages.]

What is a... [Tripping over the word hideously;] Pharaoh?

[Her gaze sliding towards the gnome, hopeful of engaging her interest.]

[silvermaid]

I... think it's the name of an ancient sort of King in one of the lands here.

[delicere]

[Her gaze once more slides towards the Gnome on the floor, Ava trying for a small smile as she tries to engage her (IDEK if I need to roll for this?! Diplo sounds wrong but /rolls anyway; 17.]

Do you know, if that's correct?

[silvermaid]

[ she speaks up meekly from her hiding place. "I think so." ]

[delicere]

[Tension eases from her shoulders, Avaleen's smile widening a little tho she doesn't step closer.]

Have you read many of the books down here?

[heavensend]

[ the girl shakes her head, and wipes her nose on a sleeve. ]

It doesn't look like anyone has. Almost a shame.

[delicere]

Why would anyone keeps books in a basement to gather dust rather than allow them to be enjoyed... [More a spoken thought than any sort of question, Ava once more turning to look at the Gnome who appears to be showing a little more interest in them.]

Doesn't all this dust and damp bother you?

[heavensend]

[ she shifts uncomfortably in place.

"I... guess. I just-- I don't want--" ] It's alright. You can say it.

[ "I didn't want anyone to find me." ]

/lost a notif

[delicere]

Do not fear, little one. We shall keep your secret. [Offering her a small yet warm smile.] Are you... hiding from somebody in particular?

[silvermaid]

[ she sniffs, rubbing her nose on her sleeve.

"The-- the people who took my brother," she cries mournfully. ]

[delicere]

[Ava dares to take a step closer yet rather than reach for the gnome, she crouches down on the floor near her so she can be on her level, speaking in a gentle tone.]

Were you there when it happened?

[silvermaid]

[ she looks nervously up at anastacia, but she offers her a warm smile too. ] It's alright. [ nervously, she says "I was supposed to meet my brother on the corner, but I was late. I cut through the alley to get there faster, so they didn't see me. I hid and watched them grab my brother. They threw a sack over him and beat him, then carried him away." ]

[delicere]

[Concern etches across her features for what the gnome must have seen, what she had felt in that moment and she can't help but reach out to lay a gentle hand on her arm.]

They took him with them, this is a promising sign. There is still hope that perhaps we might be able to return him to you. [Trying for encouraging.] We know it must be difficult for you to think about it, but if you could be very brave and tell us anything you remember? It would be very helpful.

[silvermaid]

[ "They ... they were tall people. Like you." ]

[delicere]

Do you remember anything else? Were they all dressed the same perhaps, in a uniform or did any of them have any pictures on their bodies? [Yes she means tattoos. (Do I roll?! Gather Info; 20 total).]