brussels ♔ violate the natural order

[silverguardian]

WHO || Matt, Avaleen, Baal, Bubblegum, Nyna
WHAT || The Knights are sent to investigate mysterious deaths that might be gang-related
WHERE || Brussels, Belgium
WHEN || Late March, 2016 [backdated]
HOW || Actionspam

With five dead members of a gang whose members are composed of entirely non-human Shadowkind, Belgium police are concerned that a gang war is about to break out, with accusations flying towards an anti-Shadow gang in the same inner-city neighborhood in Brussels.  The Knights are sent to get to the bottom of this, and to that end, they've arrived in the city and made their way towards the section of town where the deaths have been occurring...

Comments

[delicere]

[Ava looks far less relaxed to be in an area where Shadowkind are being murdered. Her unnaturally blue eyes lowered as they move together, trying to get a sense of their surroundings and quietly paranoid about anyone paying too much attention to their party. (Spot 27).]

It may serve us well to speak with the local Merchants... [Yes. She means shop owners.] I am sure they would be just as eager as we are to see these murders stopped. [So optimistic.]

[silverguardian]

[ nyna reluctantly left any armor behind, and is dressed in jeans and a short sleeved gray sweater, but she wears a long beige coat over it to conceal the sword that hangs at her hip, refusing to go without it. as they move through the streets, baal notices them drawing some unfriendly looks from a few locals lingering in the streets - all human. avaleen notices that each of them sports a similar tattoo somewhere on their visible skin - a black and yellow symbol that doesn't look like anything in particular. ] Not a bad idea.

[byyourleave]

[He sees those looks, logging them into the back of his head. He keeps his voice low and his thumb easily hitched on the pocket of his jeans to look relaxed to those watching, when it's more to keep his gun more accessible if he needed to reach for it.]

That is a good plan, my dear. Normally, I would say we could cover more ground if we split up, but I'm thinking we should not for the moment.

[delicere]

[Avaleen's discomfort is etched across her features, immediately understanding what Baal is implying, just from what she has seen so far.]

I think that might be best for now, yes. [Another look around, her gaze falls on the nearest shopfront.] And perhaps we might benefit from one of us standing near the entry to act as a lookout. [A beat.] As a mere precaution, of course.

[monosaccharide]

[Bonnie holds her head high, meeting any looks she catches with a glare. She is a princess and she will not be cowed by a few dirty looks. But she also doesn't volunteer to stand guard. There's having pride, and then there's knowing your strengths, and Bubblegum's is not... strength.]

Gotta start our investigation somewhere.

[silverguardian]

Perhaps one of our more... local looking members. [ looking at u baal and matt. between the elf, the aasimar, and the candy haired princess, this group screams shadowkind ]

[byrned]

What, and charm the pants off them? Yeah I don't think that'll be too hard.

[delicere]

I think it best not to engage. [Her gaze shifting to the tattooed men who have been watching them.] If possible.

[byyourleave]

You go in and talk, I will stay out here with the ladies just in case they need someone to diffuse the situation.

[monosaccharide]

[Bonnie frowns, shifting her bag on her back and tilting up her chin.]

This lady is more than capable of diffusing her own situations, and anyway, I'll be going inside too.

[delicere]

While I certainly appreciate your sense of chivalry, Sir Baal, I have much faith in the abilities of all present. Both men and women. [Offering a small smile.

Turning her attention to PB. ] If you would like to accompany Sir Byrne inside and - [Eyes lighting on Nyna.] Feel free to go wherever you feel you may be of most use. I shall remain out here as well.

[silverguardian]

[ she considers a moment, before nodding ] I'll go in.

[byyourleave]

My apologies, it was not my intention to insult your abilities. I only meant it in the way of having one who is not Shadowkind here at the door as well as inside.

[He licked his lips, not wanting to upset his team members so early in the mission.]

[monosaccharide]

Believe me, if I didn't know how to handle insults to my ability as well as the biases of others, I wouldn't have lasted long in this world.

[Mostly she handles both of them by getting angry and sciencing the shit out of things.

She pushes open the door and heads inside.]

[silverguardian]

[ the little store is all but deserted, and not particularly well kept. aisles lined with food also have sticky floors, and there's one middle-aged human with tufts of wiry black hair over his ears at the register. ]

[byrned]

[ Matt heads on in and looks about. (spot nat 20) before looking to the guy at the counter and raising a hand ]

Hey mate how's it going?

[silverguardian]

[ the guy shoves a pack of candy he was eating out of under the register and looks over them.

"Can I help you?" he asks, gruffly ]

[delicere]

[Meanwhile, outside, Ava allows her hand to cover Baal's, offering him what is intended as a warm, reassuring smile as she casts her gaze up and down the street, looking for any signs of trouble and trying to pick up on what is being said, either in the shop or out on the street. (Spot 24, Listen 25).]

[byyourleave]

[He gives her a small smile of thanks, and then also looks around (Spot 13).]

[monosaccharide]

Actually, we were hoping we could help you. [Bonnie steps forward.] We've heard there's been trouble around here lately. We specialize in stopping trouble. [Diplomacy 33]

[silverguardian]

What she said. [ the man raises an eyebrow.

"You're talking about the deaths, are you?" he shakes his head. "Rough business. Gangs are getting out of hand." ]

[byrned]

Yeah? Guess you see a lot of that coming in and out of here, right?

[silverguardian]

[ he frowns deeply. "Yeah, but ... never been murders like this since I moved here twenty years ago. Gruesome business." ]

[monosaccharide]

It must be rough. [Bonnie gives him a sympathetic look.] Did you know any of the victims?

[silverguardian]

[ "Personally? Not more than seeing them a few times around the store. There's people out there who try to drive the Shadowkind away from business here. Can't say I approve, but what am I gonna do about it?" ]