The Moonlit World

[Michale CS]

As they moved, Lucifer asked.

"So. I'll be dropping by the Nosferatu first. They always know something. "

"Those guys give me the creeps, but there's one thing I can say about them, they're honest. Even though it's possible with magic to hide what they are, they don't. No apologies, either." In the back of Patricia's mind, however, lingered the trepidation. Fae blood was especially potent, even mildly hallucinogenic, to vampires of any type. It didn't exactly give her a warm fuzzy feeling that they were going to the clan whose horrific appearance made keeping what they were a secret more of a joke than anything.

@Saint Guillotine

 

[Ringmaster]

Nosferatu.

Black Court, taking to the shadowy intrigues with a degree of base cunning that made dealing with them a wary matter. Among the children of Cain as the named clans collectively called themselves, they were the ones Lucifer dreaded most to talk to. He dealt with them as warily as the Fae. Well.... He amended his statement, looking at Patricia from the corner of his eye.

Not all Fae perhaps.

His breath suddenly began to show in the form of steam. What glass was around began to frost over, Lucifers eyes dialating as his breathing became ragged. He bit his finger, focusing on the pain as the Goblin conductor cackled.

They were getting close to the Undercity.

Here, there be Dementors.

And as the train sped past, those black wraiths watched silently before speeding off into the tunnels.

@Michale CS

 

[Michale CS]

Here, there be Dementors.

And as the train sped past, those black wraiths watched silently before speeding off into the tunnels.

"I suppose it only gets worse from here. I don't think I've ever had to come here before, either. I'm sure I would have remembered it, but I still have gaps in my memory from the obliviate charm that wizard used on me..."

@Saint Guillotine

 

[Ringmaster]

Down the train went, Lucifer opting for taking out two chocolate kisses, one for Patricia and one for himself as a counter to the Dementor influence. That was always a nightmare for him each time passing through, though thankfully he'd learned over the years discipline and mental fortitude. Faith in large amounts and a healthy dose of stubbornness also contributed to his frame of mind, but regardless the Goblin Train sped on.

To the world known simply as the Undercity.

A world beneath New York City, part magical and part physical, it evaded the Mundanes and yet was responsible for so much of their nightmares directly. Here, the rules of the Old World was very much in effect and the noise of electrical generators, shrieks and other jabber made for a rambunctious exit as the pair descended from the train, Lucifer automatically giving his hand to assist Patricia down as he looked around.

"The Undercity... Honestly, this is my second time here. First time I ever came to one, was with my teacher. Las Vegas, as a favor to the local Freeholding Lord. She did all the talking, I mostly just stood by and watched."

@Michale CS​

 

[Michale CS]

"The Undercity... Honestly, this is my second time here. First time I ever came to one, was with my teacher. Las Vegas, as a favor to the local Freeholding Lord. She did all the talking, I mostly just stood by and watched."

"Well, I'm just your insurance policy. Lead on, and I'll do my thing when I need to do it." Patricia replied, looking around curiously. "It doesn't feel as... distant as I thought it would be. This means there's a goodly number of Fae around, probably Unseelie, which is marginally more dangerous..."

@Saint Guillotine

 

[Ringmaster]

"Well, I'm just your insurance policy. Lead on, and I'll do my thing when I need to do it." Patricia replied, looking around curiously. "It doesn't feel as... distant as I thought it would be. This means there's a goodly number of Fae around, probably Unseelie, which is marginally more dangerous..."

@Saint Guillotine

Fae and so much more. A few wizards from the looks of the humanoid ones, some less discernible beings that Lucifer avoided, a goodly number of goblins...So many. The Undercity, dangerous as it was had a certain charm to it that the Troll Market lacked. It was something in the atmosphere, that despite the ramshackle appearance of this place, the Old World only celebrated in stories for the Mundane was well and in force here below.

For a moment, Lucifer was reminded why as a frog looking creature with the build of a troll lashed its tongue out, swallowing a flitting fairy as it crunched its snack and moved on with its work, helping to move massive crates out of one of the train cars with others.

After all, there were more than a few who had business down below in the Undercity besides them.

@Michale CS @Anybody who wants to join.​

 

[Michale CS]

Patricia nearly drew her sword at the fairy death, but she merely balled her fists and looked sternly at Lucifer. "Let's get going before I manage to lose my temper." Although, behind her back she tossed a minor fairy hex that would make that frog-troll temporarily quite allergic to fairy for a day or so. Some sort of justice had to be done.

"Where is it we are going anyway? You don't just come down here for a nice stroll..."

@Saint Guillotine

 

[Ringmaster]

"Like I said....The Nosferatu."

Through the streets, through the crowds they headed as eventually, it thinned and they were able to move without really bumping into anyone. Down here, weapons were worn openly and now and then, figures in full plate armor would be seen, with claymore swords on their backs and rifles in their arms, all with the emblem of a yellow, serpentine eye- The mark of the Undercity Ruler.

Around this point, the cries of people screaming for help echoed in their hearing, coming from the left. Lucifer sniffed the air and his eyes flashed red.

"Mundanes."

He turned instantly to head towards it. Patricia, in her role would know it to be a bad idea...Down here, laws were not the same as those above. The Old World was dark and twisted and she'd know that better than most. Let him go...Or try to stop him?

@Michale CS​

 

[Michale CS]

"Mundanes."

He turned instantly to head towards it. Patricia, in her role would know it to be a bad idea...Down here, laws were not the same as those above. The Old World was dark and twisted and she'd know that better than most. Let him go...Or try to stop him?

Her own instinct was to go, and really, she had no clue how to find the Nosferatu without him around. She said quietly, "So, we doing this quietly or are we going to make waves to see if that brings the Nos out? It's a good chance any mundies down here knew what they were getting into, but if you're going after this, I'm following."

Of course, she did this while not making any move to stop him... voting with her feet as it were.

@Saint Guillotine

 

[Ringmaster]

Her own instinct was to go, and really, she had no clue how to find the Nosferatu without him around. She said quietly, "So, we doing this quietly or are we going to make waves to see if that brings the Nos out? It's a good chance any mundies down here knew what they were getting into, but if you're going after this, I'm following."

Of course, she did this while not making any move to stop him... voting with her feet as it were.

@Saint Guillotine

He didn't slow down, instead stepping to the right to let her walk besides him in silence.

Through the allies they went, the rumble of the streets and screams eventually leading them to the following place. An expanse of street, filled by a jeering and cheering crowd. The smell of blood was rife and in a cage was locked up at least six people...Mundanes, a mixture of homeless and runaways. People who wouldn't be missed as the following cried out.

"AND A NEW RECORD! 3 MINUTES AND 23 SECONDS, SURVIVING THE GAUNTLET! PLACE YOUR BETS, COME ONE COME ALL!"

One of the caged folks, what looked like a teenage girl sobbed dryly as she placed her hands over her ears to drown out the noise. Lucifer was furious in a way Patricia had rarely seen him. If he did act, it was going to be violent and already his hand was drifting to the handle of Saint Guillotine. Pure violence would draw everyone against them....It was up to her, to try to shift things in a more agreeable avenue.

@Michale CS​

 

[Michale CS]

One of the caged folks, what looked like a teenage girl sobbed dryly as she placed her hands over her ears to drown out the noise. Lucifer was furious in a way Patricia had rarely seen him. If he did act, it was going to be violent and already his hand was drifting to the handle of Saint Guillotine. Pure violence would draw everyone against them....It was up to her, to try to shift things in a more agreeable avenue.

Patricia stepped forward, and looked over those in the cage, as if assessing puppies in the pet store. She turned slowly, then pointed behind her to the cage. "How much for all of them? I think My Lady would be pleased with the purchase." And indeed, Titania, the fickle wife of King Oberon, was known to traffic in mortals now and then. Why steal babies and wait for them to grow up? This was the modern age. Of course, by and large she didn't, and when she did she was known to take pity on them and teach them well, sometimes giving them Fae gifts if she felt generous.

This was some severe bravado from Patricia, but it was the best move she could think of that wouldn't get them both killed - there were just too many and this was probably within the rules of the Undercity - She really wished that she'd paid better attention when Titania's aide had gone over this with her years ago.

She hadn't mentioned who her Lady was yet, but she did let a bit of her Seeming go, so that those who knew the presence of Fae would know what faction at least she represented.

@Saint Guillotine

 

[Ringmaster]

Patricia stepped forward, and looked over those in the cage, as if assessing puppies in the pet store. She turned slowly, then pointed behind her to the cage. "How much for all of them? I think My Lady would be pleased with the purchase." And indeed, Titania, the fickle wife of King Oberon, was known to traffic in mortals now and then. Why steal babies and wait for them to grow up? This was the modern age. Of course, by and large she didn't, and when she did she was known to take pity on them and teach them well, sometimes giving them Fae gifts if she felt generous.

This was some severe bravado from Patricia, but it was the best move she could think of that wouldn't get them both killed - there were just too many and this was probably within the rules of the Undercity - She really wished that she'd paid better attention when Titania's aide had gone over this with her years ago.

She hadn't mentioned who her Lady was yet, but she did let a bit of her Seeming go, so that those who knew the presence of Fae would know what faction at least she represented.

@Saint Guillotine

The sideshow barker stopped, leaning down to listen before laughing as he rose up and declared.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HAVE I GOT SOMETHING FUNNY FOR YOU! WE'VE SOMEONE HERE WHO WANTS TO BUY OUR STOCK! AND NOT JUST ANYONE- QUEEN TITANIA'S VOICE IN NEW YORK CITY, OF THE ISLAND OF AVALON ITSELF- Dame Patricia."

He leered and his eyes flicked upward as they glowed slightly at the sight behind her.

"....And she brought a friend I think everyone here recognizes."

All eyes turned. Some swore, others laughed...A few slipped away quietly but the general mood if the sudden room they were giving Lucifer was any indication, was that of scorn and slowly, growing anger as the barker continued.

"Now its not so much a question about money- We deal with something else down here. We trade favors, we trade magic- Souls, if you got em."

He winked coyly and spoke slyly.

"Now depending on what you offer us, maybe I'll consider it. On condition that its entertaining as well as enriching- You're robbing all of us here of our fun."

A roar from the Gauntlet echoed as he continued in a blase manner.

"And our friend is still hungry too."

@Michale CS​

 

[Michale CS]

"Now depending on what you offer us, maybe I'll consider it. On condition that its entertaining as well as enriching- You're robbing all of us here of our fun."

A roar from the Gauntlet echoed as he continued in a blase manner.

"And our friend is still hungry too."

"How about a wizard?" She asked, grinning. "But... I can understand if you think such quarry would be too tough for you to capture. On second thought, he might be out of your league. Ah, well..." Patricia shrugged, and made as if she were to turn away. If they buy this, then I'll be rid of that thrice-damned wizard.

​

*** Flashback ***
"But what am I to do with him, M'lady?" She held out the proffered bottle still.
"I care not. You are a capable servant. Hold him, until you find something that may serve him true justice for attacking My representative."
"Hold onto him? But M'lady..."
"Surely, keeping a bottled wizard on a mantlepiece is not too much of a burden for my aide?"
"N-no M'lady. Your Will be done. I will think hard about what justice will serve him best, and hold him until then."
"Then the matter is settled. On to other matters..."
***
​

@Saint Guillotine

 

[Ringmaster]

That got his interest and he grinned, stepping off his podium as he snapped his fingers. The troll guards instantly pushed the box away as a new betting poll opened, featuring pit fights. The barker ignored it as he spoke.

"If you have it, its a deal. These suckers for that wizard...Without any of his or her tricks of course."

He winked and extended his hand for a shake before adding blandly.

"Also, if you could get red, black and brooding over there to relax, I'd appreciate it. Some of my boys are trigger happy."

@Michale CS​

 

[Michale CS]

"If you have it, its a deal. These suckers for that wizard...Without any of his or her tricks of course."

He winked and extended his hand for a shake before adding blandly.

"Also, if you could get red, black and brooding over there to relax, I'd appreciate it. Some of my boys are trigger happy."

She looked at Lucifer. "Please back down. We'll get through this." The unspoken bit was that she'd have to intervene in a way that was a lot less civil if he didn't, with great regret if she had to - also, because she wasn't sure she could restrain him if she tried.

"See, that's the bit. I've got him literally bottled up. In a genuine Djinn bottle. I let him out, best I can do is order him not to use his powers. But since he's a wizard not a djinn, I'm not terribly sure how well that will stick. Like I said, if it's too tough..." At that last, she brought out the Djinn bottle.

"...only I can let him out you see. Once I do, I'll command him to run and not return to mist form, but do you really want to deprive him of all his tricks? What's the fun?" This, was a total bluff. She had no idea if the Djinn magic would have hold over the wizard, the one thing she did know is that he didn't have the material components on hand to change back to mist form again. She was betting on their pride at this point.

@Saint Guillotine

 

[Ringmaster]

Regardless, Lucifer dropped his hand away from his sword.

The barker cackled and tossed the key to Patricia.

"Here ya go! Don't spend em all in one place, ahahahaha!"

And off he went, the situation diffused. The six people in cage trembled...The runaway looked cautious.

"You...Thanks. But...Why did you do that?"

@Michale CS​

 

[Michale CS]

"Here ya go! Don't spend em all in one place, ahahahaha!"

And off he went, the situation diffused. The six people in cage trembled...The runaway looked cautious.

"You...Thanks. But...Why did you do that?"

True to her word, once they were turned over, she opened the bottle, and commanded the wizard to run. Faced with Lucifer and Patricia on one side, and the Undercity residents on the other - He ran. Did he get away? That's debatable, as he left Patricia's line of sight very quickly, the others in pursuit.

"Because we're suckers." She shrugged, reaching for the cage then recoiling. "Lucifer, it's cold iron. Could you do the honors?"

And presuming he did, she continued. "Listen, I don't have time to escort you all the way back, so I'm sending some friends to guide you. With them pointing the way, you should be good to go. Once you're back above, Go to Central Park. Don't think this ends your little odyssey. The Druids will take care of you until I can get back and decide what happens next. Do as I say..." Patricia leaned in. "Because, as bad as this might have been for you, not repaying a debt to a Fae, is far, far, worse. These guys would just kill you, maybe torture you a little. What I and My Lady are capable of?..." She just shook her head, her point made.

Then, with a whistle, she bade her Fairy Mites to lead the captives away from the Undercity. Of course, she would nod to Lucifer and hopefully have him help her escort them back to within line of sight of the train station. Hopefully it wasn't too much lost time.

"Well, there goes my demonic insurance policy..."

@Saint Guillotine

 

[Ringmaster]

A single swing of Saint Guillotine severed the lock easily. The fairy mites and them, did the rest. Watching them board, Lucifer smiled...Somewhat relaxed now as he turned to Patricia and smiled.

"That was a good thing you did. I almost lost my temper but you managed to diffuse it. Still, even though it was that little-man."

He amended his words with a wince, old habits hard to break as he spoke.

"Never mind. Anyway, lets keep moving."

Away from the station once more, he frowned as they walked before letting out a sigh.

"I didn't think about how I'd be perceived here to this extent. I apologize if it drags your name with it."

@Michale CS​

 

[Michale CS]

"That was a good thing you did. I almost lost my temper but you managed to diffuse it. Still, even though it was that little-man."

He amended his words with a wince, old habits hard to break as he spoke.

"Yeah, don't think about it too hard. I've got six people to figure out what to do with when I get back. I'm fae, after all, and they do owe me. If I don't follow up, My Lady will be pretty torqued." She sighed. "Sometimes I'm too soft-hearted for my own good."

Away from the station once more, he frowned as they walked before letting out a sigh.

"I didn't think about how I'd be perceived here to this extent. I apologize if it drags your name with it."

"They probably think you're my hired muscle. And to an extent, you are. Though... sometime, we should have ourselves a little spar. Wooden... no not wooden, uh, resin swords?" Patricia tried to make light of it.

"So... now that we're starting over again, which way to the Nos?" Patricia asked, a bit more wary of her surroundings than ever.

@Saint Guillotine

 

[Ringmaster]

He made a mental note to arrange payment later, opting to save that conversation for another time. That and while she said it was soft hearted, he was thinking about that imprisoned wizard, sold over. He should have intervened, but honestly...While he looked on it as his duty to help people when he was a priest, as a private detective?

He could afford to look the other way. It was inhuman, it was dark but it was part of him. Fae didn't bother with such necessities.

One reason why he was glad he brought her. They might need that mentality.

All of a sudden, Lucifer and Patricia would get bumped deliberately.

By the following.

A massive troll in makeshift armor and an axe as large as Lucifer himself as he grinned mirthlessly.

"You bumped right into me. Whatever happened to Mr. Manners nowadays, eh? You upworlders think you're better then all of us? Come down to see the sights, gawk at the zoo?!"

His voice was raising with every word till he practically roared the last in their faces.

@Michale CS​