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

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".

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

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

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?

[ 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." ]

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

[ she sniffs, rubbing her nose on her sleeve.

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

[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?

[ 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." ]

[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.

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

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).]

[ "There were two of them. Men. They had... they had hats." anastacia glances at avaleen ] Big hats? Little hats? [ "Black hats. Black hats with big brims." ]

[Avaleen looks to Ana, as if hoping this might mean anything to her at all before trying to prod the young gnome further.]

This is all very helpful, I assure you. [Trying for another encouraging smile.] Did they say anything to each other that you might have heard, even if it did not make any sense to you at the time?

[ "They were... calling him names. Telling him he was... disgusting." anastacia blanches at that, and says gently: ] Listen - we're here to stop those men from doing this to anyone else. Thanks to you, I think we have a chance of finding them." ]

[It's immediately evident that her words hit a nerve with Avaleen, a tension running through the blonde's body, words failing her as Ana speaks and Avaleen swallows past the lump that wells in her throat.

A hand moves out to rest on the Gnomes shoulder, her voice pitched low as she murmurs;]

I am terribly sorry for what has happened to you and your brother. [Giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze and taking Ana's response as her cue to rise, Ava smoothing out her skirts and buying herself a moment to push her own feelings back down.]

[ "Just... just promise you'll help," she says. ] You have our word on it. [ anastacia swears it firmly, before gesturing to avaleen for them to retreat to the stairs. once there, she says: ] What do you think?

I think the people of this world have very much to learn. [Lips pressed together as Avaleen offers a rare, pained look before she manages to shake it off.] But - [Knowing what Ana really means.] Perhaps Sister Deborah will know who these men in black hats might be.

And if not... [ she frowns slightly ] We can hope the others learned something that helps this make sense.

[There's a hesitance in her eyes as a question dances on her lips, Avaleen's mouth pulling into a thin line, brow creases as she twists her hands into knots and she casts a look back towards the room, the little gnome who hid in the shadows, waiting until she was sure they were out of earshot before giving voice to her words.]

Do you think... there is hope for her brother?

In my experience, incidents like this - where there's a capture, rather than a murder on the spot - are often about ... taking them alive, to be enslaved. I know that's no longer legal here in America, but I also know that... doesn't stop everyone.

[Her expression grave, Avaleen merely nods, eyes on the ground as she watches where she walks.]

You think the people who did this are likely human? [Wanting confirmation for what she already believes herself.]

I think it fits a pattern of hatred I've seen far too many times, yes.

[She looks momentarily lost in a memory, a rare hardening to her eyes as she gives a curt nod, pushing it back down as she fills her lungs and lifts her gaze to Ana with a clearing of her throat.]

Should we, speak with Sister Deborah or reconvene with the others?

I think we should see what they found out, first. Just... in case.

[Confusion flashes in her eyes but Avaleen doesn't say anything, merely nodding her understanding as they leave the basement behind.]

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

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