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

[withasouvenir]

Not much. [ she pushes her hair out of her face in agitation, grey eyes hard and her jaw set. ] Some of the residents think it's a government conspiracy, but Tommy Eldritch is sure it's not, and I'm gonna have to agree with him. During one of his shows, someone called in claiming to be behind the disappearances. He said it was his "duty and destiny" to clean up the "monsters in the streets". [ her lips press together and having to repeat those words makes her stomach heave, disdain clear on her features. ]

[delicere]

[Avaleen flinches at the word Monsters, eyes flickering to the ground as she shifts uncomfortably, struggling to give voice to her words on the back of what Thea has just said but she nods, clearing her throat as she meets the gaze of the others.]

We spoke with the sister of one of the victims. It does sound as though... Well, he was a gnome. [Choosing not to repeat what she'd heard them call him.] She was able to give us a description of their clothing... Or, hats. Black with, wide brims.

[heavensend]

I've seen things like this before in my time. Self-styled monster hunters, targeting anyone and anything non-human, regardless of who they are or what they've done.

[withasouvenir]

Vigilantes, yeah. They haven't found any bodies yet, though.

[ which doesn't seem like it's much of a good thing in her eyes, but hey. when you've been kidnapped and held hostage as many times as thea queen... ]

[silvermaid]

Then there's a chance they're still alive. A chance that grows slimmer every day.

If we find these men, there's no certainty that we're going to be able to get them to tell us where they're keeping them. But if we could follow them back there...

[withasouvenir]

How? We can't lay in wait in every house or on every street corner. [ it's not disparaging of anastacia's comments, just seeking of clarification on the logistics. ]

[silvermaid]

No, but...

They're looking for non-human Shadowkind, aren't they? Alone, likely, at night, highly visible?

I'm talking about being bait.

[withasouvenir]

Are you nuts? [ she knew this was the direction it was heading in and still she is not pleased by it. ] That's too dangerous.

[ and frankly, if they do get anastacia, thea doesn't trust herself to be capable enough to make sure she gets back safe. ]

[notafraidofthedark]

[Yeah, Riddick doesn't like that idea at all either, speaking up as he crosses his arms across his chest] I don't think it'd be a good idea for our mission leader to go gettin' herself kidnapped.

'Sides, if it's gonna to be at night, I've got the best shot at gettin' seen. [Riddick is a big guy, but a cloak offers a lot of cover, and his eyes would get him noticed quickly.]

[silvermaid]

And you're also an intimidating looking person, Riddick, who they might not think was worth the risk. We can try it... but if they don't come for you, then I'll try next.

[withasouvenir]

[ thea's highly uncomfortable with both of these plans, but she doesn't voice her dissent again. it's not a bad plan and if it works it will certainly lead them to the kidnappers, but that doesn't mean she likes the idea of one of them being kidnapped. ]

[delicere]

I believe Sir. Riddick might have a point? [Mission leader and all that, Ava trying to hide her grimace as she forces her back to straighten.] Perhaps... It would be best if... I were to be... bait?

[And her Wis check of 22 to go with her Crit Save on her Will Save suggests she knows this is a dangerous plan but... she's still volunteering as tribute.]

[silvermaid]

Are you sure you're ready for something like that? [ it's not condescending at all, the way she asks, just a genuine concern as she turns to look at ava, a gentle reminder that this is going above and beyond for a squire on her first real mission ]

[delicere]

[From the way the muscle in her jaw twitches, the short answer is no but Ava's gaze slides over all three before settling on Ana with a tight smile.]

I am sure that if anything should go wrong, that the three of you will do what is needed. [She hesitates a moment then adds.] If it may lead us to the whereabouts of the young girls brother? I would like to be helpful any way that I can.

[withasouvenir]

[ thea's going to let anastacia field this because she's, you know, mission leader and all. and thea hates every plan regardless. ]

[heavensend]

We won't let anything happen to you, do you understand? [ her words are quieter, weighted with a promise, but also acceptance of her offer ]

[delicere]

[Avaleen exhales the breath she's been holding, the lips that are pressed into a grim smile twitching as she bobs her head in understanding.]

I know.

[silvermaid]

Then we shouldn't waste any time. The rest of us will take up positions where we can monitor you safely... and we'll have you emerge somewhere conspicuously alone at night.

[withasouvenir]

[ thea nods like "what she said". aggressive self-worth issues caused her to forgo bringing a bow in addition to her katana, but she brought binoculars so she will have some eagle eyes when this goes down. ]

[heavensend]

[ to here! ]