Ray Heart (Completed/Finished)

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Thorne Glowbrew
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At this point it was too dangerous to continue with the plan of burying this demon plant or whatever. It had a decent amount of dirt covering the creature; it could probably do the rest of the job itself if it had the intelligence to speak. Thorne then glanced around, seeing guards moving to eventually surround him. Now there were two options that Thorne thought of, three if you included him getting arrested. He could either fight these men in a full-frontal confrontation, or he could try and run past them. Thorne wasn’t exactly the type for combat, he was more a subterfuge and stealth type of person, so he went with the running option. The guards would lose view of him momentarily. Another second later, one of the guards would hopefully have a boot planted in their face as Thorne would try and hop in and out of his dimension and onto the guards’ heads, hopefully until he could get to the street and make a run for it. Naeve was probably safer with the priest anyway. He might need to check to see if that theory was correct though later.
 
Time: 12:00 AM
Day: Tuesday
Weather:
Light snow. Freezing cold.
Those Involved: @Wiggin @slifer @Elvario @Ur Degaton @Skyhunter @TheEccentric @CaptainLiterally @EldridSmith @Nero Kunivas @Valkan @The Last Curse
TooLongDidn'tRead: Kaz and Nyxus are on the run from jail, Thorne is on the run from Rook Estate security, Kyrian is seeking church sanctuary, and the rest are chilling in jail and/or derping.

Note From The Author: (windows open and close. Those that don't post are generally assumed to be standing dazed.)
Post Listening:



Ray City Jail

Verity's pleas coupled with Solomon's encouragement got through to the knight overseeing the evolving situation as comrades buzzed throughout the HQ. However, the earth whirlpool impeded the Knight's ability to safely cross to where the Knights were jailed. After what felt like a much longer time than it actually was, the whirlpool finally slowed to a stop. The ground of the prison was now mostly sand with chunks of stone jutting out at odd angles. Several more knights appeared on scene to join the one on watch. The younger knight was shoved aside by more senior knights who started hauling what prisoners that remained out of their cells to be privately held and questioned about the events that just transpired in separate rooms.

Not enough time had passed to verify anyone's stories, and those that chose to stay behind rather than fling themselves into a potential death trap were not seen as having character as much as having sense. Obviously gleaning no information of use in their pursuit of the potential jail break, the knights shoved everyone back into cells that were not broken so they could focus their efforts on the Yeothal Gang manhunt which was all the buzz overheard by knights talking about it as the prisoners were escorted about. Since Yeothal was not captured during the Tavern bust, it was assumed he may have had a hand in this sudden development, but that's as much as the imprisoned gathered.

The cells Solomon, Verity, Gattas, Emanthe, Aramil, Kallias, were no more comfortable than the last. If anything, these cells were further away from where the knights congregated, so they were more easily ignored and forgotten. Due to the jail break, it would likely take even longer for the knights to verify stories and start releasing people. They were obviously going to be locked up for the knight. Gattas could hear the whimpering of his children as they shivered in the cold next to him. Although Verity was locked up with other knights sworn to service with the same oaths as she, being the only woman in a cell full of bigger/stronger men without her powers was somewhat troubling. No one was able to truly achieve comfort on the cold stone, in the smelly air, or with the filthy matts.


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Rook City Estate

The plant would continue to squirm and scream as Thorne left it to start warping around the guards that charged him. Fortunately for him, the guards were unable to keep up with or properly predict his warps in the confusion of the situation. Unfortunately, the plant break from of the wad of earth envoloping it allowing its scream to blast out overwhelming and true. The guards that had moved too close passed out in the presence of the sound while those just beyond that close range had to stop and cover their ears. By this point, archers had appeared from one of their stations and put a few arrows into the shrub. Its final cry went out as Thorne was passing the spiked fencing of the Rook Estate. Unlike the more fleshy guards, Thorne was afflicted with a discomfort that wracked his entire body and most specifically the arm he had repaired earlier that day by the Dryad. (thorne is at half health ((-7)) or lower until he receives magical healing. His damaged arm is just as injured as it was before). With the expiration of the shrub came a silence that made the snow audible again along with the creaking and 'pain' in Thorne's bones.

As thorne warped out of the estate, he would be intercepted by the 2 guards outside the fencing that had bid their time. One guard managed to thrust his spear at just the right place to leave a glancing blow to Thorne's right leg (-2 health) before Thorne was able to evacuate the area.

Kyrian was able to safely spectate the situation from a bit off as he had started making is way to his church. To make up for aiding him with the screaming plant, Kazm kept piling the snowfall on Kyrians head. Both Kyrian and Thorne would notice individuals clad in black on the rooftops overlooking the scene below. The figures moved out of sight once Kyrian and Thorne noticed them. While Kyrian had a strong sense he was being watched (by something other than creeper patron), Thorne would know he was being hunted once again.

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Sewer Time

Nyxus and Kaz would be surrounded by all the other escapees after the earth stopped shifting. The stone walls of the sewer were now more sand than the stone brick that had been there before.

"Thanks, Mole,"

Yeothal said as he congratulated a filthy looking bald man in a coat that was too large for himself. Yeothal then moved to the head of the gathering of men to quickly take control of the situation as those standing around started to grow restless. Bob was among the men that moved up to be closer to Yeothal's side suggesting a certain hierarchy of those in the group.

"Listen up men and newbies. We are all fugitives of the law now. It'll not take long for the knights to come stumping around down here to see what became of their precious prisoners. For those wondering, we were betrayed. The tavern was a setup by our previous employer. Time for revenge will have to wait. But you can bet on it coming and coming soon. For now, follow me. It's dangerous down here even without the knights potentially showing up to harass us. Those of you new to this sort of thing, you are welcome to join us Mercantile in the Yeothal gang. Otherwise, feel free to head your own way. I don't have the time to convince you"

After saying his peace, Yeothal and his men loyal to him immediately started jogging off down the dark, stinky, wet sewer. The walk ways were ever so slightly flooded by the melted snow fall in recent days. Made the men that stumbled after Yeothal make a considerable noice as they splashed along. As loud as it was, there was a louder echo of splashing behind the group. Some men stopped long enough to look back. Red beady eyes from a hoard of rates gazed back. The mean in the rear of the pack were overrun and their screaming propelled those in the front faster.

As a side note, Nyxus noted a few glowing blue mushroom in a wall of the sewer. Their tantalizing gleam was enticing.

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As this strange reptile man explained his name wasn't strange reptile man and that it was Nyxus, Kaz immediately had a friendly grin across his face. Rather than try and fight the lizard the deranged Bloodhawk instead placed a hand out to Nyxus for him to shake, his burnt arm actually. " Since we are giving names then, I like you! Name's Kaz, Kaz Bloodhawk. " He looked sincere as well as trustworthy, although his injuries said otherwise.

Kaz stared at Nyxus for a moment with a raised brow and looked at his arm he extended rather than his actual injured arm. " Oh don't worry about this, I can't feel it. BUT don't take that as I can't fight with it. " Kaz gave a little chuckle as he meant it as a joke. " I can still rip eyes and tongues out with it. " He continued to chuckle lightheartedly. The Bloodhawk had a strange sense of humor but he didn't seem like a enemy. Then hearing how they got down here, Kaz, regardless if Nyxus shook his hand or not, patted his chest and pointed ahead of them where the group of men were huddled.

" These fine strange men got us out. I say we should thank them and follow after them. I've been down here before and barely got out with two other people, my good friend Kyrian and another guy. " Kaz laughed a little, reminiscenting about that time he almost got killed. But he began to think about who was that third guy, he couldn't remember his name but he found him too good natured and green. " Anyways, we almost died and didn't know where we were going. These people seem to know where they're going. We should stick with them for now, friend. " Kaz suggested with a grin as he began to follow after this group, walking through human waste and other things that should be unspoken about. " I feel like I've seen this group before, I think I kicked one of their asses... " Kaz muttered to himself, leaving behind Nyxus, kicking away waste.

Mentions: @The Last Curse
 
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There was no hope for escape in Gattas' eyes when that swirling mass of stone and dirt manifested nearby his cell. The pressure of his family beside him easily suppressed the urge to run off and escape, to plan his revenge against the Knights. Actions like that were more common for the younger Gattas, but the crusty fellow that he is now bears great responsibility. Turning to his children, he softly caressed their shivering minds with reassuring words. He wouldn't dare to escape, but the least he could do is try to get them a better place of rest. "OI, AM FINE WITH ALL YER INVESTIGATIN' AND INTERROGATIN', BUT WHA' KIND O' KNIGHTS WOULD TRAP KIDS IN SMARMY CELLS? AH KNOW YA AIN'T SUSPECTIN' THEM MUCH, SO JUST LET 'EM OUT! IF THAT AIN'T ALLOWED, THEN LEAST BRING THEM SOMEWHERE WARM AND PEACEFUL-LIKE!", the anger-filled voice of a father passed through the metal bars, echoing into the ruin of a prison. He made sure to rattle the bars with his arm, flinging the door open, but he didn't take a step to exit.

Finished with his complaint, he turned to his family with an apologetic but strong face. They feared the situation just like any family would, and as a father, he needed to alleviate them of this. He stared at the golden arm-band close to his wrist, attempting to channel a smidgen of power into it. If that didn't work, his attempts to ponder the activating word would last a certain number of minutes, hoping it would absorb the ambient magic in the atmosphere. Hidden within his arm-band is a stash of dried food and stored water, enough to last several weeks, months maybe if rationed properly. The Knights might not attend to their oath of peace and compassion after all, so he'll try his best in their stead to feed his kin.
 
Navea couldn’t hear the priest over the plant, but she could make out his intentions quick enough by the hand he gave to help her up. She hastily wiped the dirt off her hands before accepting his help and running after him. Navea ran blindly after the priest, barely caring that she didn’t know who he was. All she wanted to do was stop the ringing in her ears.

Finally, after several minutes of walking, her thoughts cleared and her consciousness had returned. But in the place of the ringing was a dreadful sensation rippling up her spine. Apprehension. Something was wrong.

It was only then she realized that Thorne was not behind them. Shit. Where had he gone? She couldn’t just abandon him. But… maybe she would make things worse. Like get another target on her back. She set her jaw firmly and continued to blindly follow the priest. Hopefully he didn’t have anything to do with the sick feeling in her gut.

Mentions:
@silfer
@
 
Nyxus.jpg
Mentions: @Skyhunter
Nyxus took Kaz's hand and gave it a firm shake. Though they said otherwise, Nyxus was still certain that the man needed some medical attention; such wounds did not clear up on their own. Though it seemed Kaz wasn't bothered by the state of his arms, providing a smidgen of relief for Nyxus. Despite his concerns and the unsavory setting around him, Nyxus still managed to keep an amiable air about him, flashing a small smile to his new acquaintance, "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you too, Kaz."

His encounter with Kaz was abruptly interrupted by a familiar figure further down the sewers. As he took a closer look, Nyxus saw that it was the same sketchy man back at the Cringing Cockatrice: the one who got him into this whole ordeal. Nyxus listened closely as the man explained the situation, only becoming more vexed as they went on. All along, Nyxus had just walked into a setup between this gang and the guards and was unfortunately lumped with them, which lead to his arrest and eventual imprisonment. To make matters worse, he was unwillingly removed from prison and now rendered a fugitive - turning his relatively small misdeed into a full-blown offense. All of which happened within a single day, Nyxus having absolutely zero control over it.

If he hadn't visited that tavern, none of this wouldn't have happened. He could've been in another city: completing contracts, honing his abilities, getting ever so close to re-taking his throne. But here he was, standing in a smelly sewer with equally pungent criminals, now a fugitive of the law, all just because of a stroke of bad luck. Nyxus hoped it would not get any worse than this, but a small part of him knew very well that it could - and it most certainly will.

After the man's speech, Nyxus watched as the group around him started to move ahead. Normally he would've gone the other way: he wouldn't want to be lumped with these scoundrels again, but he really had no choice. They clearly had more knowledge of the city than him, and it was unwise to wander in an unfamiliar environment alone - especially without weapons or a source of magic. On top of that, it seemed his fellow fugitive Kaz was following them as well. Nyxus figured he should follow them for now, though he had no intention in thanking them; he was better off in that jail cell.

He shook his head in shame and reluctantly started to trail the group, hand reaching out to call to the Bloodhawk, "Oi, Kaz. Wait up." Nyxus called out, pushing past the stragglers with haste. He only stopped his advances when his eyes caught sight of a familiar blue glow just ahead of him. As he came closer to the source of the glow, he noticed the all-too-familiar mist of spores emanating from a cluster of luminescent mushrooms. Nyxus did not need further inspection; in front of him was the cherished catalyst for his magic - Ethercaps.

He had no time to study the age or quality of the fungus, hearing rapid splashing behind him. To his horror, Nyxus saw a hoard of ravenous rats - rapidly encroaching upon him and the group ahead of him. He grabbed a large handful of Ethercaps and stuffed them away in his pockets, bolting away from the vicious vermin. As he finally caught up to Kaz, he only said one thing to him:


"RUN!"
 
Kaz Bloodhawk- Sewer gang

The Bloodhawk followed after this group of criminals since they did help him escape from the stone and metal cage he was stuffed into, he wanted to get out free, find Kyrian so he could get healed then maybe find that red skinned woman to get some sort of job. Kaz twisted his head around trying to find that blood mage, unable to locate him, either he was dropped somewhere else or he didn't join them in this cesspool of waste and disease. Now that he thought about it, he had two different choices he could act upon, he could try to find that blood mage after being healed or go find some sort of job from that red skinned woman.

Kaz didn't really know what to do at this point now that he thought about it, the blood mage might not even teach him how to wield his own blood as a weapon, especially since Kaz fought him earlier that day then jumped on him to give him a minor beatdown just barely a minute ago when he was stuck in that cage. The red skinned woman route may be what he has to do now, he can later find that blood mage or learn blood magic another way. Kaz now knows it's possible for a male to learn, what's to say there isn't multiple out there already.

He heard his name be called to wait up and turned to Nyxus, now recognizing his voice from their previous conversation, " What is it, Nyx? " The Bloodhawk asked with curiosity, holding his normal arm with his long burnt hand to try and add some comfort to it. Only to see the lizard man in front of him to spot some strange glowing fungus in the sewers now that he noticed it, but the sound of squeaking and water splashing caught his attention, just as Nyxus ran pass him after swiping the glowing mushrooms telling him to run. Kaz sighed deeply, more out of annoyance than anything, he turned and followed after Nyxus, pushing through some of the Yeothal Gang-members. " Damn it, wait up Lizard man, these rats are fast! Oi, the rest of you should start running too! "

Mentions" @The Last Curse
 
The snow was piling up all around him, and Kasm was acting like an idiot again, trying to pile snow on him, as if he had time for that. To alleviate some of the cold, Kyrian pulled his hood up, cinching it tight to keep out the snow as he walked briskly towards the church. He looked behind him and spotted the girl following him. She had a fighting spirit. Good. "He'll either catch up or he'll be taken by the guards. We couldn't wait for him, otherwise the guards would have come for us too." Kyrian told Naeva, slowing down only enough so that she would be at his side before setting off again at a quickened pace, as it was both late and cold.

Glancing all around him before looking upward, he spotted black-clad figures watching them for a heartbeat before swiftly leaving, a sight that made his heart drop. He wasn't a fool- he knew that something was wrong. Either he had healed some dumbass...or it was related to the two ragamuffins he had found acting in a manner that would get them killed. He suspected it was the two young'ns he had found, considering the other one had been drunk and had been on a dangerous mission. "We're being followed. Stay on guard." Kyrian whispered to Naeva, his hands rifling through his bag for necessary herbs and such to cast his spells, his more deadly herbs appearing in hand along with his knife for his curses. Even after years of not being underwater the paranoia was still there- and rightfully so considering what he had just saw. His steps became quicker, but he stuck to the same course, giving the boy a chance to catch up with them. He dearly wanted to leave Thorne in the dust, but he couldn't do evasive maneuvers without his conscious screaming at him.

@Wiggin @CaptainLiterally @Novama
 
@Elvario

(this is an exchange prior to current events and should not be used for determining character(s) current locations or activities)

Ray City Knight HQ Interrogation Room

Verity would find herself in the interrogation room of the Knight HQ. One of a handful, the room saw plenty of use in an average week. Blood splatter remained in a few places where the knights or prisoners became overly "hands-on" with the discussion. There were no windows and only one door into the room. Made of solid wood with banded metal, it was a formidable stopper for any mundane use of force. Aside from Verity, there was also a solid wood table, worn and scarred from countless interviews with many a non-compliant interviewee, and a couple chairs in similar repair.

Although the interrogation room was kept warmer than the cells, Verity may still feel a chill brought on by the heavy metal manacles around her wrists. Stripping her of her supernatural powers and not being particularly comfortable or flattering to wear, the manacles functioned with a gnomish lock that made tampering with them risky business. Of the interrogations Verity had been a part of in the past, she had never seen anyone take the cuffs off short of some form of dismemberment. The one reprieve about the room was that it was far away from any humanoid waste that stank up the cells. Any soiling done in this room was generally mopped up at the investigators' requests.

Sitting across from Verity was Arnold Wilhelm. Generally two knights interrogated at once. It was unclear whether Arnold was over confident in his abilities, under estimating Verity, or if it was decided already that Verity knew nothing they needed. She had worked with him a time or two in the past. Very professional despite some personality flaws. Wasn't easy to know much more than that even for Verity. All the investigators kept mind shielding magic items on their persons or had a partner that could provide such support. While the shackles generally did the trick on those with mind powers, there were incidents in the past where particularly silver tongued captives somehow caused unexpected problems. The trade off of the magic items is it tends to make the wearer emotionally frozen.

Arnold must be wearing one of the items. His blank expression human face of a seasoned cop in his 30's was like a still painting and his voice was eerily monotone.

"Verity, I'd like to think we have some rapport, so I'm hoping you will make this easy on me if you are innocent of the charges. It says you were present at the museum the night the baroness VonRichten was assaulted. The recorded testimony of events suggests you claimed you received a tip off in advance of the incident and went over there to investigate. Your abilities would not seem suited to thwarting armed conflicts by multiple assailants without aid. What possessed you to go to the museum that night without informing other members of the order so a more efficient team might be dispatched?"

Without emotion, it was difficult to tell whether or not Arnold believe Verity innocent or not. His questioning followed a typical pattern. Verity would be able to strengthen her alibi or back herself into a corner by answering. Arnold, meanwhile, was jotting notes with charcoal and paper and would likely take down whatever she said as well.
 
Solomon looked around his cell as the other knights ignored them. There had to be a way to destroy the anti-magic cuffs that bind him. He didn’t want to spend the night in a dank, dirty cell like some criminal. He could probably smash them against them against the walls of the cell, but that might draw unwanted attention from the guards, and it might not even work anyways. He took in a deep breath before sitting on the ground, his back against the cold stone wall. He couldn’t escape as that would make him a wanted criminal. The guards wouldn’t listen to anything any of them have to say. Unless by some miracle a lawyer or higher authority magically appears to let them free, he was trapped. He wouldn’t make a fool of himself by screaming and hollering for his release, he had too much pride to do something so humiliating. Again…
 
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Thorne Glowbrew
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Godammit, Thorne had people watching him again. He didn’t have much time to be annoyed with that realization, as the feeling of a spear cracking his leg bone immediately interrupted his thoughts. His arm was also aching again. It probably was due to the plant dying back in the mansion, not as if he couldn’t do anything about it. It was extremely difficult to sneak into an area when the package being delivered was a beacon to your location.

On the bright side, Thorne had escaped the guards for now. He wasn’t going to make the mistake of seeing a cheap healer any time soon, so he might as well find a place to camp up while he recovered. The sewers were off limits, who knew what type of hobo would try to shank him to get a quick meal? He might as well try and teleport on top of a roof to get a vantage point and be able to see enemies coming. An open roof wouldn’t provide him with much cover though, so his best bet was probably something like a nearby clock tower. Thorne would make his way by teleporting up to a roof, and then transported between other roofs to find a location to recuperate in.
 
(Past Events)
Verity

Interactions: -

It was a bit odd to have ended up on the other side of the interrogation room, but it was still as she remembered it to be. Everything was set-up to look imposing, but it couldn't quite do the task. The only thing that really bugged her were the handcuffs. Going around without having her powers made her feel naked and incomplete.

When she spotted that only Arnold Wilhelm was going to be sitting across from her at the table, she realised she at least wouldn't have to deal with a good-cop bad-cop routine, unless he were to suddenly develop a split personality. She did, however, notice he'd drugged himself out of any emotions, so even her skills without magic would be tough to utilise.

The first question, luckily, was easy enough to answer. “Ah, my dear colleague, you said it yourself, I went there to investigate, rather than to solve something. All I learned was that 'something' was apparently going to happen. I hadn't an inkling of what it might be, or even if that bit of rumour was true. For a time, I even brushed it off as one of the many baseless rumours I come across, but I somehow couldn't shake it off, so rather than falling asleep peacefully, I figured I'd at least check it out, just to be sure. I had never expected the Baroness to be there, let alone for some thugs to try attacking her, otherwise I'd have definitely called in some colleagues to deal with it. The very worst I imagined could happen there would've been a fistfight between some half-drunk idiots or some fools attempting to rob the place, and even I, in my limited physical capabilities, could've solved such a scenario. I never would've suspected this all-out attempted murder. I debated calling in other knights the moment things went sour, but the people already present, including our colleague Solomon, were surprisingly capable of getting the situation resolved. Once I confirmed the Baroness was taken to safety by her personal guard, I figured I'd investigate before the trail went cold, while our colleagues arrived short after.”
 
@Elvario

(this is an exchange prior to current events and should not be used for determining character(s) current locations or activities)

Ray City Knight HQ Interrogation Room

Arnold diligently moved his pencil as Verity spoke. After she finished and he shortly behind her, the investigator continued his line of questioning.

"After verifying the situation had escalated to actual crime and relaying events to the knights that arrived on scene to handle the evolving situation, what did you do next and why?"

His face still lacked emotion, but a subtle eyebrow shift alerted Verity from prior interactions that he believed he was onto something with his current leading of the conversation over the other night's events.
 
(Past Events)
Verity

Interactions: -

Verity perked up at the question, then looked at him a bit puzzled. Wasn't it obvious? “I went to investigate, of course. How can someone not be curious when a baroness gets attacked in a museum in the middle of the night? I learned from peaking into the mind of one of those involved that whomever might have hired them had visited the Cringing Cockatrice at least once, and might return there to finish paying them, but I couldn't confirm it, nor did I manage to figure out when this exchange might happen. I debated asking the other knights to set-up watch there, but I ran into the owner of the place, the goblin Gattas, who offered to help out.” She tapped her on the table. “Now, here is why we might differ in opinion a bit. You see, I'm not predominantly concerned with catching Yeothal and his gang. They're just minor players that can be replaced with countless other small gangs and thugs. If this was a game of chess, they're a pawn at best. I want to know who hired them, but I fear they are well-connected, considering how many strings they've been pulling. That's why I went on to have a look at the Cringing Cockatrice first, to see what I could make of the situation. I figured that the more I could do independently, the less likely it was that whomever hired them was going to figure out that I was investigating them. That's also why I went to speak to baroness VonRichter the next day, who can confirm my presence at the Rook estate. I figured I'd at least try to see if I could find a motive for the attack, as the Yeothal gang seemed to have purely out for monetary gain, which further solidified the fact that someone else was masterminding this.” She sighed. “Turns out that was too optimistic, as they used that against me by setting it up so that we got into the current mess. It really looked like Yeothal was about to crack on whomever had hired him, but then you guys stormed the Cringing Cockatrice. The timing of that is way too suspicious. Having both the people you hired and the ones that try to figure out who you are arrested in one swoop...” She clicked her tongue. “I can't believe I fell for that.” She then locked eyes with the bland eyes of the half-drugged interrogator. “If there's any chance for it, I'd suggest using this to our advantage. Whomever hired Yeothal might feel safe after this, so they might let their guard down. If any of Yeothal's gang is still out there, you might be able to shadow them until they get in contact with whomever hired them, whether that is due to Yeothal's men wanting revenge or due to whomever hired them to wish to finish cleaning up any loose strings.”
 
@Elvario

(this is an exchange prior to current events and should not be used for determining character(s) current locations or activities)

Ray City Knight HQ Interrogation Room

Arnold looked at her with a blank stare for a while before jotting down some additional notes.

"Thank you for your cooperation. I'm sure the knights will work toward your speedy processing. Is there anything else you would like to put down on record?"

At this point in the interrogation, it was clear the other knight had gotten all he needed or wanted, but it was customary to ask the question he did at the end. For the guilty, it occasionally gave them just enough rope to hang themselves with. To the innocent, it gave some degree of closure, one more outlet to vent during a predominantly stressful time like a therapist during a psyche session.
 
Time: 10:00 AM
Day: Tuesday
Weather:
snowing (small flakes at a constant pace). cold.
Those Involved: @Wiggin @slifer @Elvario @Ur Degaton @Skyhunter @TheEccentric @CaptainLiterally @EldridSmith @Nero Kunivas @Valkan @The Last Curse
TooLongDidn'tRead: Kaz and Nyxus are chilling with the gang, Thorne, kyrian, and Naeva found a church, and the rest are enjoying Eldritch Knight hospitality.

Note From The Author: (those who post in scene get served their lemonade from lemons they squeezed)((everyone with the exception of Thorne and Kaz, who healed only to half health, full healed over the night)
Post Listening:


Gattas's Offer

It was early the next morning when Gattas was dragged from his cell, plucked from sleeping or freshly roused family, and plopped onto the wooden chair one one side of the interrogation room. It was quickly determined is stature was lacking, so a block of wood was scrounged up and placed under him so he could sit more comfortably at the table. The room smelled considerably better than the cell and was warmer than the cell. Away from the breeze and snowflakes that crept into the cell, he might have wished his kids could be here instead. He was not waiting long before another knight came into the room. Unlike the standard issue, this knight was more comfortably dressed in leathers and wool. Clearly a knight more accustomed to a bureaucratic role in the city.

"Mr.Windle, I apologize on behalf of my colleagues for any perceived mistreatment to you or your family. It is truly a most unfortunate time. However, I'll be frank with you. You being of goblin heritage and operating the prime location for the gathering of many a scum and villian has already put you on the list of those hoping to pin guilt and punishment so this matter may be resolved quicker. What's worse, the Yeothal gang was actually arrested on premises presumably conducting business with potential Knight sympathizers. Truly a regrettable and scandalous situation. I should also apologize that your establishment was burnt to the ground during the sting operation."

The man spoke matter-of-factly but there did appear to be sincerity in his words. Obviously, this man was more accustomed dealing with citizens than the other knights.

"Unfortunately, Mr.Windle, the bad news for you continues. The knights intend to press you until you acknowledge guilt in associating with criminals and facilitating and harboring illegal operations. They intend to hold you and your family in that cold, dirty prison until you do something rash or you give in for the sake of your family.

However,

Mr. Windle, I'm here with another option. Looking over the testimonies provided, I believe in your innocence and believe your current and ongoing treatment may be entitled to some degree of compensation."

The man then pulled out a document and unfurled it for Gattas, his dark, flawless skin showing he never knew a hard day's manual labor in his life. A true bureaucrat. The document had documented a few different articles of note, which the man speaking with Gattas went over.

"Before you is a contract that will grant you the temporary status of Honorary Knight. With this status, you will be allowed to work with the investigative team currently trying to apprehend the Yeothal gang. You will be utilized as an undercover operative and be given certain legal immunities during the course of the investigation and future operations. While you work with the law to bring in those responsible for your family's misfortune, your family will be moved to the Eldritch Knight dormitory where they will be provided for and made comfortable.

At the end of your service, assuming a conclusion is reached in the Yeothal gang and you perform satisfactory, you will be given a lump sum which willl allow you to restore your tavern, but make it better than before. It may even reach a quality that will attract the sort of clientele that bring more money with them than problems. Alternatively, you may seek full acknowledgement and become an Eldritch Knight in service to Ray City.

All you have to do is sign and we can release your family immediately"

The deal seemed too good to be true and the man's sales pitch was dripping sweet like honey, but Gattas's children were waiting, shivering in a freezing cell and the document said precisely what the man said. The ink and quill to sign placed ever so conveniently by Gattas's good arm. The bit the man did not state out loud was the bottom clause, which Gattas read,

"..in the event Gattas Windle fails to perform satisfactorily in his role as knight operative, all privileges and statuses will be immediately revoked, he will be returned to jail where he will await trial for all accrued criminality and his family will be relocated to the streets and made subject to vagrancy laws and penalties..."

Solomon's Offer

Solomon was placed roughly at the wooden table in the interrogation room. The momentary solace was actually comfortable compared to the overcrowded cell with fellow knights that had nothing to say. Their maintained silence seemed more implicative of guilt than innocence, so one more reason not to spend anymore time with them than necessary.

A well dressed bureaucrat knight entered the room. His pleasant smile that early morning was too cheery and it made the manacles on his wrists feel like they were chafing more. Didn't help that there was little restful sleep to have in this cells.

"Good morning, Knight Aquila. One Lazaran Kilgore spoke with officers and was able to vouche for you and back up your alibi for various activities yesterday. Quite daring of you to change your appearance to slip into the slums and infiltrate the gang. Typically knights that enter there on official business don't make it out alive."

The man seemed like a fan in his enthusiasm but quickly caught himself and got back to the point of their meeting.

"Knight Aquila, you are to be released immediately after our meeting, however, I have one matter of business to discuss with you before that. While your actions were perceivably gallant and justified, they broke protocol. After the museum assault was passed to the squad of knights that arrived on scene to process the case and crime, your role should have ended. Some sticklers may even suggest you should have made a separate report for HQ so it could be processed in addition to those actually tasked with the handling of the Yeothal gang to verify the evidence from multiple perspectives. However, that is an aside to the main issue of independent action that led to the assumption you turned rogue and/or may have been working in tandem with the Yeothal gang."

Solomon's handler let all that sink it for processing. Despite being a fan, the conversation held a certain weight to it. Solomon didn't recognize this man as anyone who could issue punishment, but he gave off a human resources vibe that made the whole situation feel like a coaching session and that his words were actually those of a superior officer.

"To make amends you are being reassigned as official guardian to Knight Verity. It's a temporary post, but admittedly its a handful. As internal affairs, she does not have many friends among her colleagues and she has more than enough enemies. Her guilt and involvement has also not been cleared as it pertains to the Yeothal Gang. Her abilities make it difficult to trust and verify. Additionally, her own testimony and choice of actions leaves much to be desired. The only reason she will not remain behind bars, frankly, is her work , her REAL work, demands her attention, and you are conveniently available, so you have been assigned as babysitter to ensure she keeps her nose in just the cases that do concern her and her talents. You can deny the position, but you will likely be demoted and have certain magical research archive privileges revoked. If you accept, you'll be given a promotion that makes you Verity's superior. In addition to pay increase, you'll be given more funding and resources for your own personal magic research."


A contract on a firm stock of paper was placed in front of Solomon with ink and quill. The document detailed his increased benefits and rank and the extra responsibilities taken on to earn them.


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City Slums

Nyxus and Kaz along with the rest of the escaping men followed Yeothal and his gang out of the sewers. Narrowly outpacing the rats and sneaking by knight patrols, the gang reach street level and crept through the city to the slums. It was there that the red head leader led them into an abandoned building out of the snow and cold. It was drafty, but far less smelly than the sewer and the building warmed up quickly with the mass of men hanging out within its walls. A few barrel fires were lit and soon the place was as cozy as any other. If you had no better home, at least. The following mid-morning,

"As I was saying in the sewer, you men are now part of the Yeothal gang. It's up to you if you stay, but just know you have a place among our number so long as this city and its laws view and hold you unfavorably. To those of you who stick around, I restate my promise that we will have our justice. As a parting tip to those who wish to leave: steer clear of the general population. Where the 'good' folk are, that's where you'll find the knights. While we are in this cesspit called the slums we are practically untouchable. Our defense strategy is quite simple: No knights come to the slums. If they did, they don't make it out of the slums. If they come in a large enough number to acctually accomplish something, we'll know of their coming a mile out and be gone before they arrive. It's as simple as that."

Yeothal had hopped up on a table and was fairly charismatic and convincing as he spoke to the crowd of fugitives. His words clearly resonated with many of the men who nodded their heads in agreement. Bob, the man Kaz had spoke with early was near Yeothal with his back to him, acting like a body guard of sorts to ensure the leader had space to speak to the men without getting crowded in the building. A heavy club was in his hands. Where bob got the club from was obvious, but it was apparent that Yeothal's gang were different cut from the average riff raff. They were Mercantile. Resourceful and cunning with at least one good talent that put them a cut above. For many of Yeothal's gang that were members prior to the escape, you could tell in the way many of them held themselves that they would be reliable in a scuffle even if the only thing you could count on was they wouldn't run away when things got too hot.

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House of Kazm

Kyrian and Naeva made it safely to Kyrian's church and out of the snow. There were afew candles lit and a small fire being tended to by a single shivering priest. The funds for the house of worship were never great, but they seemed especially scarce during the winter months since additional funding needed to go to heating. It was a vicious cycle also. A cold cathedral meant fewer worshippers would brave the elements to freeze when they could worship and stay warm at home just fine. However, the mostly vacated House of Kazm had the advantage of many empty rooms for guests and few around to ask questions.

Naeva may have been surprised by the sizeable building dedicated to a lesser known 'deity' like Kazm, but the lesser known fact was the cathedral used to be dedicated to the main diety of Ray City until it was passed off to lesser gods and their worshippers in exchange for getting a bigger and more prestigious cathedral built closer to central Ray City. As such, the cathedral was severely lacking in many areas of maintenance and upkeep. The saving grace for the faith was that Kazm attracted the sort of worshippers that didn't much care how run down and decrepit the building was so long as it kept Knights and proper folk away... Just then, a random hobo skittered past Kyrian without pants. It was Taz. Taz was a regular who swore Kazm told him once that pants were for the godless and that true believers were liberated. Liberated from their pants and as consequence liberated in mind and heart as well...or at least that's what he claimed.

The morning after would bring with it a few baked potatoes for breakfast, a cackling mad man from somewhere in the building (likely without pants again), and Thorne. Believing he eluded the ninjas, he found the House of Kazm and deemed it a sufficient place to hide for the night. However, The church was begin watched. Thorne was in need of magical healing still to fix his cracked bones. He also needed to sort out what to do next in relation to those who hounded him.

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(Past Events)
Verity

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Verity was a tad bit disappointed when Arnold didn't even give off the slightest hint of what he thought, but such was the result of his drug addiction interrogation means and methods. She did have a few other things to say. “Yes. I'd like to confirm that Gattas intended to aid the knights, so whatever shady deals might have happened in his establishment weren't likely to be something he wanted or planned to happen. Besides, I doubt he'd be stupid enough to knowingly let such shady people into the same building as the one in which his family lives. I'd also like to say that I asked Emanthe and Aramil to accompany me for my security and that they were otherwise barely involved. Emanthe was at the wedding at the Rook estate when I ran into him, so the guests there should be able to confirm he has no prior involvement... Oh, and it seems like our colleague Solomon had the same idea as me, trying to investigate independently to avoid alerting the people that might be involved, with the same unfortunate outcome.” She still hadn't quite forgiven Solomon for trying to sabotage her own investigation, nor had she forgiven him for almost starting a fight with their own colleagues, but her conscience wouldn't let her remain silent.

[Assuming this part of the interrogation is after the jail escape.] After a short bit of doubting, she spoke up. “If you want me to peak into the minds of any of the Yeothal gang that might still be here, or anyone suspicious in general, I will. I could probably get some information out of it. Surely seeing our colleagues vanish into a random hole in the ground bothers you as much as it bothers me, right? If not, I'd personally like to be kept up to date with what happened to them at the very least.” Seeing how Verity wasn't the one on drugs in this conversation, there was some genuine concern in her voice.
 
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Navea was mostly silent for the duration of the journey. She spent the time pondering deep and hard on if helping Thorne was worth any of this trouble as she felt snowflakes beginning to stick to her lashes. Even if her "fight" with the assassin had rescued the masked mercenary that night, they were bound to be killed within the next week at the hands of black-clad ninjas, screaming plant harlots, or whatever else Ray might throw at them. Each and every step she took was entirely against her will despite her ability to walk away at any given moment. She'd like to think it was honor binding her to her mission, but Navea knew too well that it was her own safety that kept her by the priest's side. If she were to stray from her savior, it was likely she could be silenced in a matter of minutes by their pursuers. At least that's what her gut kept telling her.

Her conscious was dangerously quiet no matter how far away they walked from the fiasco at the courtyard. Yes, the nagging notion that she should go back for Thorne existed, but it was quieted by her relief at gaining distance from her recent debacle. It would be a shame if he was killed, but then again, most of her problems at the moment would disappear as a result.

A weak, feeble idea slithered it's way into her consciousness after her previous thought regarding Thorne. An idea that just might get her out of this bitter cold. An idea that could gain her favor in the minds of a powerful group involved in the Ray City underground.

She sighed as she pushed the thought away. There was no feeling of remorse for thinking up such a ploy, as she had no plans of executing it any time soon and that was enough to quench her shame. And it was much easier not to feel guilty for her mutinous thoughts when the results of her own actions lay in the cold that was currently freezing her fingers blue. Besides; Thorne hadn't asked her to get involved. If she did betray him and he somehow survived, she'd gain another enemy. And that was something she couldn't afford.

Because it's height was disguised into continuity by the snow-covered sky, Navea only registered the scale of the church when she entered through the doors beside Kyrian. Although expired, it's previous majesty shone through the debris and cobwebs with it's grand architecture. How had the church eluded her knowledge for so long? It looked abandoned, therefore it was pretty much hers for the taking. Such a place would provide a wonderful-

A man ran past her, lacking a very essential piece of clothing. You'd think after growing up in the shadows of Ray City, she'd have gotten used to indecency from crazy people. Yet, she had obviously avoided becoming accustomed to such behavior.

The cold, hanger, and annoyance at everything involved in her current circumstance had reached it's limit. She mustered all she could to expel the exasperation she felt from her voice before addressing her savior.

"Thank you for your hospitality!" she said to the priest, taking his hand in both of hers as a gesture of gratitude. "I apologize on Thorne's behalf for any danger I may have introduced to you by my presence, and I hope you'll learn to forgive Thorne for it. I will be sleeping now."

She dropped his hand, turned, and quickly shot a deadly glare at the crazy man before finding a secluded pew to collapse on for the night.


Mentions:
@Wiggin
@silfer
 
Kaz Bloodhawk

Eventually Kaz could smell the fresh air of Ray City, well better air than what was in the sewers, this time this escape went better than the last one he endured. A improve for sure! Maybe next time won't be as bad. As they were escaping Kaz pushed Nyxus ahead of him to get out as he did his best to kick the rats away, until Nyxus was out Kaz quickly made his way up and got on out, being the last to leave.

Kaz was quietly laughing. Exhausted, sore, injured, cold, kinda pissed off that he doesn't have shoes on. Just like home, good times. He had his head thrown back to open his lungs as he eventually caught his breath, seeing his breath in the cold cold air. He straight his posture afterwards and patted Nyxus on his back having a confidant and excited smile. " Good job on not dying back there, my lizard friend. You might just make it. " Kaz was of course joking, the cocky and confidant tone in his voice being a indicator.

When the group began to move, Kaz followed suit giving Nyxus another pat on his back as he followed after them, there wasn't anywhere else to go right now. He was injured badly and needed his wounds checked out or healed. He needed a new set of clothes to replace his current rags. And a bath because now thats twice in 2 days he has been slinking in the sewers. Kaz held his injured arm with a quiet groan, it was beginning to sting, possibly due to exposure to the cold. In a strange way he liked the pain, he was sorta a glutton for it which was why his body was littered in scars. Maybe even why he like fighting so much, who knows with this guy.

Eventually as they reached a temporary sanctuary, the warmth within helped Kaz relax, he felt better now that he could rest properly. Looking to his new scaly friend he pointed at the wall " I'm going to sleep over there. " there wasn't anything besides solitude from the others, Kaz made his way to the wall and slunk down onto his bottom, he didn't realize how exhausted he was until he sat down. He sighed and crossed his legs over each other and laid his head back against the wall, his makeshift Pancho keeping warm. He closed his eyes and immediately was out.

The following morning, Kaz was awoken by the sounds of charismatic and public speaking. He could see the leader of this gang of criminals up on some furniture speaking to them all. Kaz stood up and groaned a little,, his body hurting a bit but he could withstand it. He walked over to the gathering group and listened, having his arms crossed as he was waking up. " Wow. That guy is charismatic and convincing. " Kaz stated under his breath as he looked to the front seeing Bob there, " And there's that Bob guy or what I think he'd look like. " Kaz kept talking to himself. " Alright Kazy boy, you know what you have to do. Get your arm healed so we can go do stuff. " He whispered to himself as he pushed his way through thr crowd getting to the front to try and speak to Bob. When he was able to reach the front to speak to him, it was pretty obvious Kaz Bloodhawk stood out thanks to his different and unusual eye colors. " Oi. Psssst. Bob, its me, Kaz. " Kaz whispered loudly. " You got anyone here who can fix my arm. "

Mentions: @The Last Curse
 
Solomon stared at his handler for a good long while. His hands on the table as he tapped methodically, deep in thought. Out of all the scenarios he saw happening, this was definitely not one of them. Going rogue for the sake of a mission is one thing, but being offered a promotion instead of punishment is something else entirely.

“Alright I except your deal. Anything is better than being demoted after all. Verity is definitely a capable knight and I know her heart is in the right place. Perhaps helping her is more beneficial than galavanting off on my own.”

Solomon briefly got up to stretch as sitting down in that stone walled cell did not do wonders for his back.

“Is there anything else you wish to discuss with me?”

Solomon would be lying if he said he wasn’t relieved at the outcome of the situation. Being teamed up with verity would allow him to utilize her investigative skills. He was no slouch when it came to investigating, but he was by no means a detective or professional in the field of forensics.