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]

[And as the one person here who doesn't need to hide, Ava offers a tight grin in Ana's direction before moving out into the open with a flashing sign above her head that yells 'bait'.

Well that or just ready to cast 'Light' when everyone is hidden. Same dif.]

[silvermaid]

[ assuming riddick is hiding somewhere as well...

for awhile, there's nothing, but eventually, two men come striding out of an alley not far down, dressed in black cowboy hats, and walking with the pronounced swagger of true texas cowboys. they move slowly down the street, as if just casually out for a stroll. ]

[delicere]

[With a pretty epic spot check of 28, Ava sees the men coming towards them, immediately recognizing the hats that the young gnome girl had told them about (Wis 23) and guessing this was her chance to get noticed. Resisting the urge to cast a furtive glance back at Ana (WS 27 - what is with these overly awesome rolls for random crap) Ava crouches, reaching for a round, smooth rock about the size of her fist and casting a spell that drowns the area around her in bright light.]

[heavensend]

[ the men see that, exchange looks and slight nods, and then start that way, but one of them holds out an arm in front of the other's chest, glancing in thea's direction. ]

[withasouvenir]

[ thea seems to notice she's been made, and slowly presses the button on her phone that causes a fake call to get out of creepy dates. her phone rings, and she jumps like she's startled, glow from the phone illuminating her before she "answers" it. ]

Where are you? I've been waiting in this shady alley forever and there's like creepy Shadowkind everywhere. [ she huffs, seeming to listen as she edges out of the alley. (bluff 23) ] No! I'm not waiting anymore, I'll meet you there.

[ with another huff and a haughtiness to her gait, she flounces off in the opposite direction. hopefully that's enough to convince them they have the all clear. ]

[silvermaid]

[ they look pretty suspicious, and keep their distance for a bit to sort of watch and see what avaleen does when thea clears out, pretending to stop and talk a ways off, but glancing her way now and again. ]

[delicere]

[The ringtone is enough of a surprise to Avaleen that she drops the spell (WS 13) and takes a step away from the source, watching Thea as she makes her loud exit. Realizing what's happening (SM 26) Ava does her best to at least appear worried by the other girls words and presence for the sake of the other men (Bluff 19).]

[silvermaid]

[ eventually, the two of them seem to come agreement... and vanish down a side alley. anastacia cranes her neck to try to see where they went, but there's no sign of them for a few minutes at least. ]

[delicere]

[As if somehow sure that she's failed to ensnare them, Ava (and man do you know how limiting spells that might draw attention to a person are for a level four divine spellcaster /mud), Ava proceeds to cast light again because it was that or create water kids and all I could see was her soaking herself by doing that one.]

[silvermaid]

[ they were just

walking around the block, it seems, because abruptly the two men step out between two buildings close by, and proceed to approach her with slow menace.

"Well, look at you. Where'd you learn a trick like that, sweetheart?" one of them asks, as the other chews around a toothpick. ]

[delicere]

[She doesn't really need to feign her fear, Ava tensing as the two men approach, teeth worrying her lower lip as the rock in her hand glows brightly.

Her words get caught in her throat as she resists the urge to look in the direction where she knows Ana is hiding (WS 21). Unnatural blue eyes looking up at the men.]

I'm not entirely sure, sir. [Lying has never been one of her strong suits so she opts for the truth.] I have no memories of my life before coming here... it's just something I know how to do but not how.

[silvermaid]

[ anastacia tenses as she watches, particularly as one of the men begins walking around behind her as the one speaking keeps her attention.

"So you're from the land of monsters and magic," he sneers. "And what does that make you, Blue Eyes?" ]

[delicere]

I'm - [She tries to follow the movement of the one making his way behind her but instead keeps focus on the one in front, trusting the others to have her back should anything go wrong.]

Not entirely sure of that either, sir...

[heavensend]

[ "She's not sure," he says, punctuating it with a cruel laugh. "Don't even know what you fucking are, is that what you're saying to me?" ]

[delicere]

[With an almighty Will Save (27) Avaleen straightens, sticking her chin out as she attempts to address the men without fear or uncertainty.]

I do not see how what I am or where I am from should be of any consequence to you, sir.

[heavensend]

[ they both burst out laughing, and the one in front of her steps closer, leering down at her. "Yeah, well, sweetheart, that's where you're wrong. I'm doing the Lord's work when it comes to people like you." he nods slightly, and the man behind her abruptly attempts to put a bag over her head while the other guy grabs her (grapple 18) ]

[delicere]

[Bless. With that opposed grapple check of um. 8. The men overpower Avaleen with ease, the blonde letting out a startled cry as they bundle her up.]

[withasouvenir]

[ thea's been sneaking around the other block to come back, but probably hears avaleen's cry? (listen 18) at least this time she's channeling a fucking shadow as she approaches (hide nat 20, move silently 20 total), so she probs won't fuck everything up again even if she doesn't hear anything yet. ]

[silvermaid]

[ anastacia got a 17 and a 20, and the men don't notice them following as they lift her up and break down an alley carrying the girl. they actually don't go too far, before they approach a doorway, rap on it brusquely, and it opens for them. they disappear inside, door slamming behind them. ]

[withasouvenir]

[ once the door slams shut, thea hurries over to anastacia, eyebrows knit together in concern. ] What now?

[delicere]

[While Ava knew something like this was probably coming, the fear in her voice as the bag muffles her cries is very real. Unfortunately however, a fighter she is not but still she continues to try and struggle free from the men who keep her from escaping. (Opposed Grapple 12. Bless.)]

[silvermaid]

[ the man readjusts his grip on her as she almost wriggles free, since he apparently wasn't expecting that resistance (grapple 17).

"Quiet, or we'll knock you the fuck out, creature," he growls.

outside, anastacia steps back to look at the building, and get a feel for it. faded lettering indicates that it was once a lightbulb factory, but those days look long gone. most of the windows are so dirty that they look caked shut with age. ] Maybe there's another way in.

[withasouvenir]

[ thea glances around (spot 22) for a different way in?? maybe a window that isn't completely unsalvageable. ]

[silvermaid]

[ oh hey there's a window up there that looks like its ajar. but they'll need a boost which means someone will have to be left behind 8( which is what's happening to riddick look at these smooth gming skills. time for a climb check ladies. ]

[withasouvenir]

[ smoother than a fresh jar o' skippy, tbqh. thea points out the window to anastacia and riddick. her climb was a 16 so she's pretty firm and confident in her ability to squeak through the window quietly. (move silently 24) ]