WEEK 2

[umbralant]

WEEK 2

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The first week is over, and two of your number are gone. Everything related to the case has been cleaned up, with nary a knife left at the Main Square nor a trace of the mud shapes that once painted the clock tower walls, although some stray graffiti still dots some storefronts.

However you may feel about the entire debacle on Friday, there’s no doubt that something has changed about the atmosphere, although whether it’s something tangible or just a trick of the mind is hard to say. Maybe it’s nothing. Either way, there are more palpable changes to the city, with some of the fog retreating away from a few of the surrounding areas, uncovering new buildings and streets along the way. The night, however, remains unchanged as always save for the slow waxing of the moon, leaving it bright and full as early as Thursday night. Regardless of if you take it as an omen or not, at least that means the streets will be lit up fairly well for the week, provided some inconvenient cloud cover doesn’t slide right in.

[[Welcome to Week 2! Note that new areas have been added, and can be found under the Week 2 tab on our Locations page. Once again, feel free to make top levels at your discretion, and remember to note it in your header if you plan on investigating any locations. You can also privately contact The Lady or Rembrandt.]]

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[bawcock]

[ Sometimes you just gotta grab chute snake and damn the consequences! Except when it backfires spectacularly and chute snake bites back—literally.

He's fought plenty of monsters. Even been bitten by them, but it's never been like this. He doesn't stop himself from crying out, though he does recoil and try to pull his arm back. ]

[apothecares]

[Alfyn came originally for the banging sounds, but the scream-- that has him diving for the chute. He's too big to get in but... there! He's able to get his arm in enough to snag a jerking ankle and give a heave up. Hopefully the owner of the ankle being dragged out of the chute doesn't fight him too badly, since even with his strength this angle isn't the best.]

Hold on, hold on, I gotcha!

[bawcock]

[ He's not expecting the sudden jerk nor the shout, though he doesn't fight as he's dragged out. As soon as he's on the ground, he instinctively grabs his injured hand and holds it close to his chest, covering it from view.

He's panting a little as he speaks. ] Yeah... yeah. Thanks for the assist, I might've bitten off a little more than I could chew in there.

[apothecares]

[Alfyn lets out his own relieved breath once Erik is out and clear in case whatever caused the shout (Alfyn greatly doubts it was just being in the chute, not when he can see the hand cradling) decides to make a second reappearance. He keeps one eye on the chute and crouches to be more on Erik's level.]

Not a problem, friend. You need me ta look at your hand...?

[bawcock]

[ His hand definitely feels off. No... wait. It isn't just his hand, is it?

He closes his eyes before taking a look down. There's no blood, anything more is hard to tell between his gloves and the fact that one hand is covering the other. ]

Thanks, but it doesn't seem too bad. I can't even see any blood. [ That burning feeling isn't going away though. He doubts having anyone tend to it will do much, so...

... He gets to his feet and leans down to look into the chute again. ]

[apothecares]

[Alfyn pressed [x] doubt as much as he possibly can, as a protagonist]

...Are ya sure? Didn't even take your glove off.

[Sorry bud, but Alfyn's going to grab the back of his shirt and tug him back a couple feet.]

I really don't think that's a good idea.

[bawcock]

[ !?

Uh, hey, he does appreciate the first time but he was just looking that time!! ] Hey, come on! I'm not about to crawl back in there without a plan, I'm not exactly eager to lose my life here.

[ Crossing his arms. Sorry, sorry, now that hand is firmly hidden under his arm. ] Actually, could you do me a favor?

[apothecares]

Even if ya don't go head first in there, [He'll be kind and not say "again" to Erik's face] somethin' else might come out.

[He'll be quiet himself for a second, trying to let that sink in, before he responds.] Depends on what the favor is, but sure.

[bawcock]

No, I've got a feeling my scaly friend is a little too shy for that.

[ Shrugging his shoulders 'cause he doesn't wanna gesture. Onto the favor! ] Anyway, think you can go get Seteth for me? He said something about being able to help out the injured with his power.

[apothecares]

[Alfyn’s first instinct is to insist but I’m an apothecary— except he’s limited here. He doesn’t have his normal healing magic. He doesn’t have any of his concoctions, or potions, or tonics, and no plants or monsters to scavenge and make any. His teeth grit in frustration, this was exactly what he wants to avoid. While he’s around, nobody should go without treatment—

Except Seteth can heal. There’s at least one other person here who they can rely on, at least until Alfyn can get some materials together.

Squaring his shoulders, Alfyn nods to Erik, determination and good cheer restored.]

I’ll do it. You gotta promise in return that you won’t go in there at all while no one else is here.

[bawcock]

[ As soon as Alfyn agrees, he visibly relaxes. ]

I promise. Besides, it's not like that thing's going anywhere. Especially not after nearly getting ransacked by some random bandit.

[apothecares]

I’ll be back in a flash then! Just hold tight!

[and with a smile he’s off! To hopefully not have to sprint over the whole town to find one person, but certainly determined enough for it.]

[bawcock]

[ Predictably, as soon as Alfyn leaves Erik turns back to the chute.

Predictably, he goes back in. ] ... Sorry about this, but I need to get back in there.

[umbralant]

[Welcome back to the chute, Erik. The creature hasn't moved at all, it's still nested into the chute, although now it's alert. As soon as it sees Erik again, it gets ready, prepared to strike once again. Even though only its blue eyes can be seen clearly, what little can be seen in the darkness indicates it will bite again, if given the chance.

Better keep yourself away from those fangs this time, Erik!]

[bawcock]

There you are! [ No worries, he's not all that eager to get bitten again. Once was enough, thanks. The only reason he's here now is because he's not sure if he was poisoned.

If he was, then the best thing to do is find out what kind of poison it was. So.

Yeah.

He holds his hand out. There's a flash of light and then, a blade appears in his palm. Don't mind him as he tries to stab ol' blue-eyes with it! ]

[umbralant]

[The creature doesn't move at all when the blade appeared -- it was going to defend the mail vent it hanged out in, and that was that! Before it could make a move, the blade stabbed it. It hissed in response, backing off to be out of the blade's reach. It's too dark inside the chute to notice if there's anything like blood or similar, the eyes are hidden when the creature covers it with one of its arms, like it feared it'd get an attack right there.

Looks like you're not driving this thing out that easily, Erik! It's not attacking right now due to the blade in your palm right now, but it's matter of time before it happens!]

[dominioned]

[ While a hissy not-quite snake and Erik are having a standoff, a new challenger enters the scene. The sound of hurried footsteps may not be heard, but the gloved hand that reaches to pull Erik out of the chute with a vice grip will be noticed either way. ]

What exactly do you think you're doing?

[bawcock]

[ He's right about to go for another stab when he feels a hand on his ankle.

Damn, he's out of time—

Except, no, that's not quite it. Once he's out of the chute, he looks up and expects to see Alfyn again. When he sees Rembrandt, he's kind of... floored. ] Wait, you?

[ No, no, that's not the important thing here. Neither is Rembrandt's question, 'cause he gets up to his feet and clenches his fists. ] What are you doing? I thought you guys were content to sit back and watch us, so what happened?

[dominioned]

We are. Up and until you decide to intrude on our territory. Nor would it do us any good if you decided to forfeit your life on your own. [ There's a couple of things flying here, but by the sounds of it they're all equally important. He glares at Erik, unmoving until he catches sight of that arm, however tucked away out of sight it is. For a moment there's a flash of red in his eyes that's way too bright to be a trick of light. ]

..you contacted it, didn't you.

[bawcock]

[ Their territory, huh? He's not sure why this place specifically qualifies as that, but ok. At the comment about forfeiting his life, he crosses his arms. ]

That's not exactly what was going on. [ Or if it was, he had no idea. From the looks of it, that thing was recoiling from him rather than coming after him. That made it seem like it was in more danger than he was.

He's a second away from saying just that when he sees the flash of red. ] You can tell?

[ His fingers curl and he instinctively wants to hide his arm but, actually... Maybe he shouldn't do that. Instead, he holds his hand out (the one that was bitten) and reaches for Rembrandt. ]

[dominioned]

Of course, contrary to general opinion I am more than just the "muscle" or her "mook".

[ Instead of recoiling, he grabs that arm and pulls Erik close. This isn't what it looks like, but he murmurs something in the thief's ear before pushing him away. ]

If you survive the day, you may just be her new favorite.

1/2

[bawcock]

[ Wait, what? He was pretty damn sure Rembrandt was going to slap his hand away, not drag him in close. Which he definitely hates. He immediately starts stepping and leaning away as much as possible, at least until he catches the whisper.

What?

At first, he's too stunned to do much more than stumble backward and blink comically. ]

[bawcock]

[ But he eventually catches himself. He doesn't wanna be either of your favorites, Dist and Cumore can keep that position thx. ]

What do you mean if I "survive"? This... this mark or whatever it is isn't actually going to kill me, is it?

[dominioned]

[ Wow, his taste is better than the Lady's okay. He crosses his arms then brings a hand to his chin. ]

I wouldn't say kill is the correct word, but you would cease to exist as you do now. The fact that you continue to bicker is promising, however.

[bawcock]

[ Both y'all suck so it doesn't matter anyway!! Also, what kinda person just grabs someone, plz 2 respect boundaries. ]

Cease to exist, huh... [ He frowns down at the dark material tinting his fingers. Yeah... yeah, he could see that happening. Briefly, his expression turns melancholy before he clenches his fist and looks up at Rembrandt.

This guy is always so talkative. ] In other words, I'd probably become like one of those things we keep seeing around.

Is that the same thing that'll happen to anyone who takes the Lady up on her offer?