switzerland ♔ the words tightening around my throat

[silverguardian]

WHO || Nyna, Cara, Felicity, Stiles
WHAT || The Knights are sent to hear about a prospective job from an art collector
WHERE || Bern, Switzerland
WHEN || April 13th, 2015
HOW || Actionspam

The streets of Bern swell with the myriad sights and scents of its industry: the wood and polish of carpenters' shops, tantalizing aromas wafting from dozens of bakeries, and the heavy oil scent of artists.  Meanwhile, hundreds of rich colors give the district an appearance of a holiday festival.  The townhouse of Asheron Coyl comes into view, perched on a small rise that overlooks the street.  A low fence covered in vines abuts the street.  A gate opens onto a flagstone path that wends past frozen flower beds, fountains, and sculpted shrubs to the front doors.  A bell hangs next to the gate, reading "Please ring bell" in several languages.  With an 11 disguise check, Nyna didn't really bother to dress all fancy, opting instead for her paladin armor, sorry guys.   She can be the sexy bodyguard.  

Comments

[allmydreams]

[As they all tumble out, the reality of it all starts to settle in. It hadn't, in the painting, probably because it didn't feel very real to begin with. She glances over at where Stiles has Nyna, trying to save her even though there's nothing to save and she knows that this isn't how it should have happened. But she pulls it together, just for now, because they aren't done yet (will save 23). She can let the weight of it crash down on her when they're back at the castle.

She turns to the other man, who came out of the painting with her, and somehow, manages to remember who it was they were going to save in the first place (wisdom 18).]

Mr. Archerus?

[behindcloseddoors]

Huh? I-- what is-- [ he shakes his head, but finally looks to felicity, before his eyes skid over to nyna and stiles ] Who are you? What happened? Is she-- my God...

[mordsith]

[Cara, though often cold and too serious for her own good can see Nyna now and the way that Stiles is trying to cling to some shred of hope for her.

While Felicity handles this gentleman, Cara moves to Stiles and places her hand over his.]

There is nothing more you can do for her. She fought bravely and I am sure she would have been touched at your efforts to help her.

[allmydreams]

[Felicity just steps between him and Nyna, allowing him to focus on her face rather than worry about their fallen friend. She's not as steady as she could be, but she's still keeping that professional air together (diplomacy 15).]

Sir, we're from the Karthur Institute. Do you remember receiving a painting delivery today?

[behindcloseddoors]

[ the man grimaces instantly. ] Seeing as how it trapped me in that hell, I would certainly think so.

I know who sent it, too. I'd recognize that style anywhere.

His name is Imron Gauthfellow. And he'll pay for this.

[allmydreams]

[Damn straight he will. In fact, Felicity would like to personally shoot him in the face herself, but she knows that's probably not something the boss would approve of.]

Do you know where to find him?

[behindcloseddoors]

He lives not far from here. What do you intend to do?

[allmydreams]

[She pauses for a moment, before shaking her head.]

I don't know. I have to talk to my boss, but he's killed at least two people today. I definitely don't want him running around where he can do it again.

[They have connections in the police department, so that might be something. She reaches for her phone because she needs to call this in, but she gives the other man a very thin smile.]

If you could get us an address that would be great.

[behindcloseddoors]

[ he rattles it off for her, a place right in the same district ] The sooner you deal with him, the better. I have reason to believe he may have harmed a friend of mine, Tharivol, one of his servants. I'd like to see the man found safely, if it's not too late.

[allmydreams]

[She plugs that address into her phone, before nodding in agreement.]

We'll see what we can do. Excuse me.

[And with that, she'll step out of the room to call Wynn and fill him in on what's going on.]

[wynn]

[ wynn's horrified to hear about nyna, and tells them he'll send someone to reclaim her body and bring it home, so that the clerics can make their best attempt with her as soon as possible. he's equally disturbed by stories of pocket dimensions inside paintings where people are trapped and turned into horrible purgatory worm monsters, so while he says that he will contact the local authorities, he fears that they won't move fast enough to save this tharivol, and suggests that they take the initiative to go track down this imron as soon as they can, in case there's a chance of saving the man.

to that end, however, he's clearly concerned about just the three of them going on, especially after losing one of theirs and offers to send back-up, if they're willing to wait until the next morning. it will give them some time to rest and heal up as well. ]

[allmydreams]

[Felicity will absolutely take that back up, thank you boss. She will agree to those terms because she thinks they all need the break to regroup and process, before making her way back into the main room to address Cara and Stiles.]

Wynn is sending someone to get Nyna so that the clerics can start working on her as soon as possible. He's also going to send back up so that we can deal with Gauthfellow, but he wants us to wait until morning.

[Which hopefully is amendable to both of them. She doesn't know Cara that well, but Stiles is a kid and she wants to give him a break if she can.]

[mordsith]

[Cara is fine with the option presented to them. With the loss of Nyna, they need to rest and regroup. She nods, agreeing in silence as she tries to remain near Nyna's body to ensure she is never alone.]

[killingtodeath]

[Stiles just nods numbly, barely registering the words. He's still sitting there with Nyna, not really making much motion to get up.]

Should we..? I mean, we can't just leave her here. Do we move her?

[allmydreams]

[There's a beat as she thinks that over. They probably shouldn't impose on the victim any more than they already have, but getting a dead body into a hotel would be tricky. She glances over to Archerus (diplomacy 9 action point says nat 20, 27 total).]

Is there somewhere we could wait, just until our they come to collect her? I'm not sure it's safe for us to travel with her, and we don't want to leave her. We'll be out of the way, I promise.

[behindcloseddoors]

Of course, of course. I've plenty of room here if that's what you require. [ he gives the body an uncomfortable look but clearly isn't about to argue with his would-be saviors. ] She can... she can remain here if you'd like, as well, while you deal with him.

[allmydreams]

[She shakes her head with a small smile.]

I don't think that will be necessary. My boss is sending someone to bring her back to our clerics to see if anything can be done for her. We just need to wait here for the rest of our team and then we'll be out of your hair.

But thank you.

[killingtodeath]

[There's a visible sag of relief in Stiles' form as Felicity says they'll wait here for the others. He didn't want to argue about how he wanted to stay with her, didn't want to leave her alone. So he just sits, looking down at her and wondering if this ever would have happened if he hadn't knocked on her door.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ he nods. ] My servants will at least show you to some rooms where you can rest for now. Please. Make yourselves at home.

[ the servant from earlier will in fact take them to said guest rooms. if they want to reconvene before sleep to discuss anything, they may do so! otherwise just tag going to sleep~ ]

[allmydreams]

[Aside from hugging Stiles hard because that last leg of the mission was awful and he seems like he needs it (and Felicity needs it too), she doesn't really have anything and is going to sleep. Unless Stiles wants to talk to her in which case she will stay and talk.]

[killingtodeath]

[He probably needs to talk, but he's just not in the mood for it. He'll just "sleep" and by that I mean mostly lay awake and think about things way too much.]