[WFRP] The Hour After Midnight (II)

[LCP]

Lothar & Illiiya

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"No," said Ilsa, rather too quickly - she picked them up herself before Lothar could help out. "I'm fine," she added, after an awkward pause.

Dumping them inside and closing the door after them, she turned back to Lothar and Illiiya.

"That'd be Martin... Marple... mar-something?" she said. "That isn't a he. Her real name's Magda." She gave an amused half-smile. "One of the commoners who works for Klaus' folk. The temple of Verena taught her letters, and she writes their pamphlets for the printers. I had one read to me once. She's good."

She shrugged. "If they aren't telling people my name, maybe I'll go along of their plan. Can't say I don't want to see the Lector given a shake." She paused. "Klaus said it'd be anonymous. He's a man of his word," she added, the tiniest bit defensively.

[goblinpaladin]

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Lothar shook his head with a grin. He didn't seemed fazed by the rejection- rather that he expected it. "I figured it was a fake name. Nah, I'm sure Klaus is as honest as they come, but there's a Templar in town. 'Martin' and maybe Klaus could bend under that, y'know?"

He scratched the back of his neck and looked awkward. "Wouldn't want things getting uncomfortable for you."

[LCP]

Lothar & Illiiya

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"You always this chivalrous, Mr Fischer?" she said, mockingly - making it sound like a bad word.

"I can look after myself," she said, tying up her horse's reins as it stood placidly by, one dark eye on the newcomers. "Witch hunter or his folk come prying around here, I can shift my things, leave town. It ain't like Delberz is such a brilliant place to be right now."

[Another_Poet]

Raffy at the Crow

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Raffy takes in Pieter with a certain sense of resignation. It's not that he wasn't expecting to see the man here - it's just that he always forgot how much he disliked his company until he went and opened his mouth.

Oh, hi, Rafale. Nice hat. Maybe you peasants do have a sense of style, after all."

The Sparrowhawk just regards him coolly and waits for the point.

I'd rather chew broken glass than admit this, but I owe you an apology. At first, I thought your idea about the rats being responsible for the murders was complete nonsense. I'm still skeptical, but now I'm at least willing to consider it.

He doesn't change his expression. "I'm listening."

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter and Raffy

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"I went to one of the murder scenes," Pieter explained, his face growing somber. "I found a loose board in one of the walls, near the floor. Looks like it had been chewed by rats. It even had dried blood on it. There was a hole behind it, wide enough for my arm, but I couldn't tell how deep it went."

He lowered his voice even more.

"Did you see the corpses, Rafale? I did, yesterday. I think we'd look exactly like that if we hadn't escaped the rats last night. No human hands could do something like that to a body. If it's really the rats, then the answer lies beneath our feet."

[Another_Poet]

The Sparrowhawk at the Crow

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For a young fellow, Raffy does a good job of looking serious, grim, and unreadable when needed. But at Pieter's words the Ranaldite can clearly see the look of surprise cross the Sparrowhawk's face. There is a change in posture and Raffy almost opens his mouth to speak. Then the poker face comes back a second later.

It's not the description of the bodies that does it, it's when Pieter mentions he went to a murder site.

Raffy takes a moment to answer. It seems like he is thinking. When he does speak, he says: "That's very interesting Pieter. Perhaps you should inform the Captain of that directly, since you and me don't work together."

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter & Raffy

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"The captain barely knows me," replied Pieter. "I'm not sure he'll even recognize me, let alone trust my word. He hired you, not me. Listen, we may not get along, but we have to work together. You possess a status I don't have and you know things I don't. Right now there's not much I can do on my own."

He paused before entering the Crow.

"So, where've you been? Find anything worth mentioning?"

[BloodyAngel]

Lothar and Illiiya

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Illiiya tilted her head curiously, giving the woman a disjointed gaze.

What was in those bags?

[LCP]

Lothar & Illiiya

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"Rabbits," said Ilsa, flatly. "Been hunting rabbits."

[BloodyAngel]

Illiiya + Lothar

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You must have caught a lot... W-why so concerned that we'll see them?

[Exeson]

Ithelus, Raffy and Pieter

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Spotting the two Ithelus makes to walk over but it is clear from the tone of their conversation that things are not too cordial at the present time. Shaking his head Ithelus walks over, 'Pieter, I can come with you to see the Captain if you want. I think what you say makes sense, when I got the doctor to look at one of the bodies he said there was evidence of... gnawing...' He begins to walk towards the guardhouse, motioning with his hand for Pieter to follow. The fact that he doesn't even give Raffy the time of day might not be entirely accidental either.

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter, Raffy and Ithelus

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"Hello, Ithelus." Pieter shifted uneasily. "Um. Sorry about Illiiya earlier, I lost control. I'll apologize to her." Quickly he changed the subject: "As for seeing the captain, it's pointless. Even if he believes me, I have nothing new or conclusive to tell him. We still need to go deeper." He glanced down. "Literally. We must find another way to the tunnels. That's where the enemy is, I'm sure of it now."

[LCP]

Lothar & Illiiya

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"Because they're mine," said Ilsa, with a curt tone. She glanced sideways at Lothar. "Your friend's a curious one, isn't she?"

[Another_Poet]

Raff, Ith and Master P

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"The captain knows already," says Raffy bluntly as the two start to walk away. "Ithelus, we should talk..." he glances at Pieter. "In private."

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter, Raffy and Ithelus

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Pieter rolled his eyes. Didn't they trust him yet? All those secrets were making the investigation even more difficult than it already was.

"Fiiiiine then. Since I'm not needed here, I may as well get something to drink. If you want some, say it now, first drink is on me. Later, I think we'll all need to talk."

He walked into the Crow, went straight to the bar and ordered a tankard of cheap ale.

[Exeson]

Ithelus, Raffy

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Ithelus ***** his head after Pieter walks into the Crow. 'Go on then.'

[Another_Poet]

Raffy the Sparrowhawk plus Ithelus the Ithelhawk

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Raffy takes a step closer to Ith, but not enough to threaten his personal space. He leans in and assumes a low voice.

"Lothar said something interesting to me," he says. "He said he thinks Pieter may be working against us. He comes out of nowhere... he's the only one who saw the slaves, and got us down in the tunnels where we were nearly killed. At the time I didn't listen because Pieter got bit too. But..."

He looks around. "Today I went to a murder site. I found evidence that the rats are the ones committing the murders. Enough evidence that even Cap'n Marius is convinced. Pieter never liked that theory before. When I was talking to the Captain I got the feeling we were being watched... Now Pieter suddenly tells me he thinks the rats are behind it and that we need to go back down those tunnels together. He described everything I did today as if he had done the same thing at a different murder site. Maybe he did.... but I wouldn't go following him anywhere dark without witnesses."

He leans back a little bit and waits for Ithelus' reaction.

[Exeson]

Ithelus and Raffy

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Ithelus nods, 'That is a good point. Thing is if it is true you need more evidence. Can't help you until then.' He pauses, 'Did you manage to smooth things over with Maria?'

[Another_Poet]

Raffy the Sparrowhawk

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Raffy nods. "Yeah, I'm not saying we need to lynch him. Just watch yourself."

When Ithelus asks about Maria, Raffy gives a shrug. "As best as I could. Illiiya came back and apologised. That normal?"

His tone leaves it uncertain whether he means normal for Illiiya, or normal for elves.

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter at the Crow

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I am not bitter, Pieter tried to convince himself. I'm sure it's something personal. Maybe Rafale thinks Ithelus is a girl and wants to ask him out? Hey, maybe Ith will even say yes.

He drained half of his ale in a single swig.

Very mature, Pieter. You should fish for rumors while you're here.

"So," he grinned at the barman, loud enough for others to hear. "Heard about the pamphlet nailed all 'round town yesterday? Very brazen, uh?" He chuckled. "Von Kemberbad must be foaming at the mouth. Don't want to be the one who wrote this if he gets caught."


OOC:

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Gossip test (41) to learn what people around here think about the Society's pamphlet: (d100)[27]

[LCP]

Pieter

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A few of the lean regulars looked his way - the Crow was not a talking man's tavern, but Pieter's practised affability seemed to disarm their natural surliness.

"You ain't heard about the new one, then?" said the nearest of them, with a lopsided, yellow-toothed smile. "Saw someone nailin' one up today. They're sayin' it's fiercer by far."

[BloodyAngel]

Illiiya + Lothar

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People are d-dying every night. We are trying to stop it. Is that n-not enough reason to be... curious? Illiiya said without pause, keeping her strange gaze locked on the girl, though she seemed far off, almost as if she was only half there. I did n-not mean to.... insult you.

[-Sentinel-]

Pieter

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The initiate's eyebrows shot up.

Klaus, you idiot. Could you possibly pick a worse time to start your little revolution?

"Nope. Didn't hear of it. Like there ain't enough trouble already..."

He sighed and took another swig from his mug.

[LCP]

Lothar & Illiiya

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"Well, no offence taken," said Ilsa, evenly. Behind her, the horse whickered softly, seeming a little disturbed by the elf's stare... or perhaps just her presence.

[BloodyAngel]

Illiiya + Lothar

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You are most welcome... m-miss. She said with that same far-off look in her eyes... her stutter seeming more a strange habit than anything else, So is there n-nothing you can do to help us along our way? Information? W-we are trying to help people.

You do not care for these people... you only wish to impress your worthless humans. You know who is to blame... stop wasting your time with rabble.

Leave me alone. Every time I act as you do... people grow angry with me. Pieter even struck me!

And for that, he will suffer. Or will you instead cow for them, like a beaten dog? Pathetic.

I hate you.

Cower, then. Be all they want you to be... and watch the whore turn them all against you. They do not care about you.

Please stop... She muttered softly to no one... seeming to come to her senses, and look about ashamedly.

Seeming ashamed, she stepped back, her hands clasped tightly together... and let Lothar speak. No matter how she tried, she could not help but feel like she only made things worse.

[LCP]

Illiiya & Lothar

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"Well, that's a noble thing, I'm sure," said Ilsa. "If I see anything, I'll be sure to come tell you."

[Exeson]

Ithelus and Raffy

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Ithelus shrugs, 'With her, who knows? I'll keep an eye out for Pieter.' He nods towards the Crow. 'Shall we?'

[Another_Poet]

Raffy & Ithelus

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'With her, who knows? I'll keep an eye out for Pieter.'

"I think we're homing in our killer. Look... I can't say Maria is clear of suspicion but the rats are the immediate threat. Marius wants to stir them up, do something to fight back. Tonight and tomorrow, with everyone in town killing rats...."

He lowers his voice and looks around the sunny street corner to make sure no rodents are crawling along the gutters or in the shadows.

"The murderer might have to change tactics, tip their hand, even show their face. If it's Maria we'll know soon enough. I think it's someone else though... she doesn't have it in her to deal in violence. If you can tell Illiiya to bide her time for a night and a day, we'll have the killer in our hands I think, and she can do what she must. If she can just wait a little."

'Shall we?'

Raffy bolsters himself to have to endure Pieter again and nods, heading toward the tavern door.

[goblinpaladin]

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Lothar rubbed the back of his neck, grinning ruefully. "She's odd, Illiiya, but has keen insights into... things." He spared the elf a smile, before nodding to Ilsa. "Was just wanting to you think careful-like before spreading your story about, that's all. Things in this damn city are dangerous enough without addin'... spontaneous burnin'."

He cleared his throat. "Anyway. We best be off, then."

OOC:

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We should find this former acolyte of Verena.

[LCP]

The Crow

Inside the Crow, Pieter heard the door go - looking round, he saw Ithelus and Raffy come inside, the sour-faced regulars trying to look as if they couldn't care less while at the same time sneaking sideways stares at the elf.

A short while afterwards, Lothar and Illiiya appeared, the mud on the ex-soldier's boots advertising that they had been to the east side of town - the barflies' carefully suppressed gawking doubled, most of them hiding their faces in their tankards as they looked up under their eyebrows at the two alien creatures in their drinking-hole.

OOC: Spoke to GP via gchat, he said to meet up with you other chaps first. Together again!