A New Tutus: Chapter 1 [IC]

[Chained Birds]

Ash

Ash closely inspects the paper with her investigative eye, before leaving it available to the rest. She then proceeds to wait at the table for Awen to arrive back with her fox in tow.

"So, why were you selected as our leader Miss Awen?"

Ash's eyes lock onto Awen's, as though she is looking for any hints of hesitation or dishonesty.

"If you don't mind me asking?"

[5a Violista]

Awen
[Great Curve, Block 52, inside 5]

There's not just hints of hesitation. There's quite a bit of hesitation. "I..." Awen looks down and to her left, trying to decide what to say. Why was she chosen above these clearly better-qualified people? It's not the kind of hesitation that tries to hide something; rather, it's the kind of hesitation used to make a decision. "I...I don't really know. I just was."

She shrugs.

[Chained Birds]

Ash

Ash sighs.

"Hmm, anyways. I suppose we should go to the mayor's place soon.

Is anyone too busy to do it immediately?"

She says, addressing the others.

[Mousedigits]

Kiern
"I'm have no qualms with leaving now."

[DaOldeWolf]

"Me neither, we can leave at any time. But who would have though this place could be the base? Even if some restoration seems to be done at a later time. I was expecting more than this." He let it out being still feeling underwhelmed.

"Still, we didn't come here for luxuries." Soul reminded him.

[Chained Birds]

Ash (Ashley)

"Bon à entendre. Though I should at least tell you guys my name, as my appearance is not my best identifier. I go by Ash, or Ashley if you're not into the whole brevity thing."

[5a Violista]

Awen
[Great Curve, Block 52, inside 5] => Leaving already?

Awen again decides she'll get a broom first thing after they return here. Also, hire a good locksmith to put on a good lock on all the doors here, and to get a key for each one of them. After all, they can't just rely on jammed and difficult-to-open doors in a base. "I'll just find somewhere to place all my things, first, then we'll go." She motions at her backpack and the other things she placed on the table. After all, she can't go see the Mayor looking like someone living off the streets.

She sets down Reynard, who runs off back to the shadows and watches Soul from there. She finds a good spot in another room to place them, against the wall. Awen puts whatever's small enough or valuable enough into her pockets, and leaves everything else there. Then, she double-checks to make sure she has that letter she needs to deliver to the Mayor. Can't forget that; it's important.

She returns, going to the door, ready to leave (or even leaving the building, if everyone else was also ready; and her fox darts out with her). She repeats each of the names of everyone aloud, trying to commit them to memory. It's only a few people; not that hard."Okay, so...Ashley, Soul, and...I don't think I caught your names." She points at Frisk and Kiern. "Just that you're a from the Church and you're from the D'Arln." She motions to each respectively. Ash didn't say where she was from, though. Or, if she did, Awen didn't catch it.

[Mousedigits]

Apologies. My name is Kiern, Paladin of the Church (though no-one seems to think it.)
I hope i'm not overplaying the formality, here.

[DaOldeWolf]

As Frisk had already presented himself before. He waited as the presentations were over.

[kreenlover]

The streets are dark as you walk in your group towards the mayor's office.
Once more it strikes you how the city is holding its breath; once more it strikes you that all is almost too still.
Then you have arrived and a secretary is ushering you all into a small waiting room.
After a few minutes wait she motions for you to open the door, and leaves.
Behind a desk a broad shouldered man with a strong jaw sits. He leans forwards in his chair and steeples his fingers as the door on the other wall swings closed. Behind his desk is an impressive collection of bookshelves.
"You are the new team, correct?"

[Mousedigits]

"That would seem to be the case, Your Honor.

[5a Violista]

Awen

Awen nods, and continues, “And we‘re ready to help in whatever you need.“

Then, she adds, “I also have a letter for you, from Carmen Brot.“ She reaches into her pocket to where the letter to the mayor is, and hands it over to him.

[Chained Birds]

Ash

Giving a bow of sorts, the lady with a trench coat smiles at the question.

"Everything is dependent on everything that is going to be said here today. If I like what I hear, then I will gladly be a part of this "team". If not, then I'll do my part to help this land in my own way, as I've been doing for some time.
So, I hope you can elaborate more on what must be done sir."

[kreenlover]

The man laughs slightly at Kiern's response.
"I think you have me confused with somebody else. I'm not someone you call "Your Honour" I'm quartermaster Nasar"
He stands and shakes hands with everyone.
"Pleased to meet you all. I'm glad that you're here, if not to become part of the team, at least to listen to the proposal"
He sits again, and offers a box of cigars.
"Basically, the proposal is this. We need somebody to help us keep the peace in this city, to do the things that, by the law, we are bound not to do. Now, some of you may balk at that, but I mostly mean going places where we can't bringing the Cabals to heel, and stopping those who have not broken any laws yet, but who are still a threat to the safety of the city. You know the type; cultists, dissidents, those who are preparing dastardly deeds"
The cigars are a minor relaxant; soaked in some kind of magical goo it always makes those who smoke them feel a lot happier, more relaxed, and confident. Those who aren't smoking one just feel the need to sneeze at the fumes.

[Chained Birds]

Ash

Ash takes on of the cigars, but puts it away in her coat.

"So you want us to be a team of vigilantes? Seems sketchy."

[DaOldeWolf]

"And what is there for us?" Soul demands to know.

Frisk makes a movement with his hand in front of Soul as if telling him to remain silent. "Is there any reason to be so secretive about this whole thing? "

[Mousedigits]

My apologies, your- Kiern falters slightly. Nasar. As for the job, I would be honored to help the city in this manner. If the city needs help, a Paladin will always be at its assistance.
For anyone who is wondering why Kiern is going along with something that "we [Nasar and his associates] are bound not to do," keep in mind that Kiern is Lawful GOOD, not LAWFUL good. He understands that sometimes the government needs to do things like this, and, being good, he cannot give up on an opportunity to help the people. (I hope I'm playing LG right. )

[kreenlover]

Nasar looks around at everyone.
"Yes, and no. You will be bound by the law, yes. However, in certain cases the law will look the other way, if that is what is needed. I guess, hmm. Perhaps I didn't phrase it quite correctly"
He looks at the eidolon then arches an eyebrow at Frisk.
"Talkative eidolon you have there. Now, what is in it for you is this; you get to help the city, you get to promote peace between the Church and the Families, and you get housing and pay. Sound good?
"Now, as to what it is you're going to be doing; its more of a special operations squad. Thats really what these teams are called. You handle what the regular police can't, and you handle it in the best way to handle it. Killing others, actual crimes, all of those are not allowed. Interfering with regular justice, kidnapping, anything even faintly smacking of corruption, well, thats not allowed either. Do you see where I'm going with this?"

Spoiler: ooc

Show

You can play lawful good like that if you wish.
Also, spoilers are great
I feel that they interrupt the flow of the game less.

So, I guess I didn't phrase that very well. You're basically going to be a SWAT team, more or less. Special operations, spy stuff if needed, taking on tasks that kiddies with only NPC levels and no plot armour would get wrecked by. There is some small elements of vigilante-ism in there, but mostly it wouldn't be

[Chained Birds]

Ash

"So there are other teams too? I wonder what makes them special by comparison to our potential team.

Anyways, from what you've described it doesn't sound as bad as what I thought. Just so long as I can still do my own work on the side without much interruption, I'd be fine with this."

She then mumbles something about having to tell someone about moving out to a new place. She then sighs.

She addresses the rest of the group.

"At least the greater good might give us some extra money to do our own personal goods on the side, so that's something. And having another place to crash is fine too. I guess I'm signing up with mister Paladin over there."

She smiles and points to Kiern.

[Mousedigits]

"I would be honored to work with you, Miss... Ash, is it? As for the rest of the group, It is good to work with all of you, too. So, Quartermaster Nasar, what might our first assignment be, once we are ready for it?

[DaOldeWolf]

"I see. I would be honored to assist in making this a better place." He was mostly satisfied by the chance of getting to represent the family on this matter.

[kreenlover]

"For now there is a relatively minor issue. It seems that a small cult has arisen in the Undercity. We've been hearing rumours for a while now, but none of our agents have been able to track them down. All we know is that their agents are often found recruiting at the Cursed Swine, a gambling hall of less than savoury quality. Its up to you how you bring them down. Just, find out whether they need to, and then do so. You can call in assistance if need be, but we won't be helping you with the planning. The Mayor's idea is that new ideas are what we need to get jobs like this done, unconventional ideas. Thats another reason why we've put together these teams, and filled them with groups such as yourselves; diverse people with diverse interests.
"Any more questions?"

[5a Violista]

Awen
Mayor's Office

For the sake of conservation of detail: Awen's fox remains outside the office. For some reason, foxes don't really like offices.


Awen nods, and finally speaks. "Of course; we'll do that." Awen has read stories about cults before. They're always terrible. This sounds like a perfect sort of thing to do. Being here with the Quartermaster, and Awen's attitude seems more formal. This would have been a moment where she would have had a wide smile; instead, she just gives a terse nod.

"I don't have any other questions," she responds, looking at the other members of her team to see if they have something to add.

[Mousedigits]

No more questions for me. We shall root out the enemies of the faith and put them to rest.

[Chained Birds]

Ash

"The Cursed Swine eh? What a wondrous place to go when you are looking for villains to apprehend. Got to be smart about it though."

[kreenlover]

"Excellent then. I'll leave you all to go back to your headquarters, or to sleep elsewhere as you choose. If need be, we also have room here. I think that you should meet back here tomorrow morning at first light so I can give you some equipment"

[5a Violista]

Awen
Mayor's Office

Awen nods. "Yes, thank you. I'll be here tomorrow first thing," she says.

Unless stopped for some reason, she turns and leaves back towards the old, dirty house with her fox tagging along. She may go alone or with others - (depending on what their players say).

However, she takes a slight detour on the way back - just slight enough to buy a broom before returning back. After all, sleeping in such a messy place without doing anything about it would be a disgrace. (Witches love their brooms, don't they?)

((If someone wants to converse with her on the way back there, then feel free and we can roleplay a nice conversation or something.))

[Mousedigits]

"All right, then. I S'pose I'll go back to the HQ." Kiern turns to walk out the door, heading to the HQ.

Upon reaching it, he notices just how filthy the place is.

"Can't have this, can we? Surely, the Gods can help me with this."

He fires up a spell in his right hand (Prestigitation) and starts using it to clean the house, one square foot every 6 seconds. Anyone who comes back to HQ before he's finished can help, and anyone who comes after he's done will come to a sparkling clean house.

[Chained Birds]

Ash

"I suppose poking our noses around the swine tonight would be a bad idea? Oh well, I suppose there is some work to be had at our new refuge."

Ash does actually wander with Awen.

"Perhaps I may have called you out on stuff you really weren't sure about a while ago. I should apologize, but that would be admitting I was at fault to question your leadership (Which I wasn't). I do hope you won't be a simple figurehead for our group, bobbing your head around to the whims of our superiors."

[5a Violista]

Awen
While out taking a detour

“It‘s fine,“ she responds, shaking her head. “I only found out about it myself earlier today, and I‘m sure I have as many doubts about me being a leader as you have.“ She laughs and smiles. “Just earlier today. I‘m still having trouble believing this isn‘t just another dream, and I‘ll wake up tomorrow morning and find that I just stayed up too late reading stories again, before going back to mopping floors and dusting bookshelves.“

Awen sighs wistfully. “I mean, this is the sort of thing I‘ve always read about, always dreamed about - I sincerely hope it‘s real.“

She stops walking momentarily to turn her eyes right towards Ash. “Ashley, I really want to be a good leader. I want you to promise me you‘ll help me be one.“


At a later time some time after the detour

Later, when Ash and Awen finally return with the broom, Awen is dumbstruck that the rooms are spotless clean. How...? And so quickly, too.

((Kreenlover, I can‘t find how much a broom costs. Should I just assume 3 copper coins or so?))