[quest] When the Clock Strikes One Pt. 2

[Mysteria]

The moon is oddly bright, the entire slums blanketed by this strange pale white. Even the entrance seems to stand out in the light; which casts dark shadows upon the mouth of the undergrounds arches. There is no sign of guards or any civilians around the area, the only signs of life are those who dared traveled out to this place.


The entrance to the underground seemed open to enter; An those who entered by the beckon of the letter would find themselves walking through a long hallway that had seen better days. The pillars holding everything together so it seemed as it lead out into a much larger carved out space. The entire place lit up by torches; giving off ambit light for the group to see. The room offering several openings to adventure further, however all held no light past this point. There were two halls leading west, two halls leading south and two halls headed east, each opening giving no sign of direction.

'Papa'

 the sound of someone sobbing can be heard, If searched a young boy can be found. He looks some what injured by the way he is holding himself, crouched and hidden between two fallen pillars. Beside him a wood sword and busted out lantern. Glass everywhere around the rocks where it seemed like he had fallen. The boy obviously frightened.

“ Wh-whoos there?!  He shouts to the group, now seeing that he is not alone any more and quickly picks up his wooden sword and holds it out in front of him in defense, unsure who these people were or if they were friendly.

[Claire]

Claire had travelled too far that day- despite the call of the note she longed to be home. She was unsure if sleep would be able to come to her however, her body was alight with adrenaline. The young woman was dressed heavily and mannishly, the high collar of her shirt woven loose around her throat, half of her growing hair bound back in a bun while the rest fell loose against her neck, a heavy cloak wrapped around her shoulders, torch in hand.

It seemed like a lifetime ago that she was last in these tunnels as she crossed through, one hand gripping hard at the pommel of her sword as she wove along to the note’s instructions. If she had to explore very hard, she would return home to her warm bed and to-

The cry of a child stops her cold. What was a kid doing here? Was this a trick? She turns her head in the direction of the noise, hair whipping about her face, before she takes off in the direction of the call. The light soon brings her to the child and she hangs back, looking for any signs of a trap.

“...here.” Claire sighs after a moment, crouching and holding her thickly gloved hand out to the boy. “I’m not going to hurt you, kid.” she pauses, patting the satchel on her belt for food. “My name is Claire. What’s your name?”

[Roxanne]

The trip to the entrance to the underground didn't take all that long for the half demon who, of course, made use of her god given talents. No, not her boobs, the other ones. Her wings carried her almost silently through the night to her destination. Roxanne had an odd feeling about the note. It didn't really seem like Aria to simply slip a note under her door, never mind the fact that the thief-turned-duchess has never graced the small the cabin with her presence. No, this seemed suspicious and as such, the red head arrived in her half form. She had chosen to wearing her usual working outfit and carried a dark leather satchel full of odd supplies, including lunar flowers and various odd potions. Her katana was strapped around her waist, two long daggers were hidden in each of her boots and she had smaller throwing daggers tucked into the band around her upper arm.

Arriving at the tunnels, Roxanne followed the directions on the note, her nose twitching as she picked up a familiar scent. Aside from the expected smells of damp stone, mold and rats, there was also the scent of humans. The sound of voices reaching her ears as she made her way along the tunnel. Roxanne kept one hand on her hilt as she eased into what seemed like a large central room. The half demon noticed Claire first, heard her as she introduced herself to the small boy. A frustrated sigh under her breath followed. Killing the wanted outlaw would have to wait.

She approached the two humans cautiously, her wings held close against her back and her tail held up slightly above the floor. Roxanne was more than aware of how both of them might react but she wasn't about to make herself any more vulnerable. "Might I be of assistance? I won't hurt you either. I have some bandages in my bag, I can help wrap your injuries." Roxanne spoke softly, her voice carrying well enough in the stone chamber. She dug in her pack and held up the the roll of linen bandaging along with a vial of lunar drops.

[Deleted]

Gabriel realized how close he was to the location that the letter told him to go, after grabbing his sack and his staff he was ready to head out from the inn and go to the underground entrance. Walking through the doors at the Inn where Gabriel been staying he started running through the night without breaking a sweat. After running for a bit of time and making a few wrong turns he finally reached the underground entrance.



Slinging his sack over his shoulder and holding his staff with one hand he took a look at his surroundings before slowly walking through the entrance and into a hallway preparing himself for any type of altercation to happen he continued walking through the place as he continued looking at some of the structures noticing that it may have been an important location in the past, now everything is breaking apart as he walks towards one of the pillars, just as he was about to touch the pillar with his heightened senses he heard someone or something mutter.



noticing that there were others here then just him he quietly moved towards the noise prepared to fight, as he got closer he was able to get a clear view of what seemed like 2 others and a child, without lowering his guard he approached them “ well then what do we have here? “ Gabriel said out loud so the people could hear him. seeing that the kid was injured without caring for the other two he quickly moved next to the kid and start seeing how injured he was as he saw one of them hold bandages. Crouching over the kid putting his staff almost parallel to the ground “ What happened over here?” Gabriel asked in an urgent tone as he waited for someone to answer him.

[Deleted]

Kail had gotten the letter for some kind of help or assistance or help. He had gotten most of his major equipment together and came loaded for bare. He brought his lightning blade, his new bow, several knives, and his winnged shield. The only things he did not take with him was his Mana Railgun and his Mythril Spear. The crossbow might have been better then the bow, but his weapon was rather powerful and he was worried that he might cause a cave in. As he approached the group he saw a young boy with a wooden sword that was pointed out to defend himself. The blond sees Claire walk up to give the boy some aid as well as Roxy. He then sees Gabriel as well with this group. He slowly walks up and for most of the others, it would be rather surprising since most of them never saw him fully armed and armored. As he was wearing his Blackskull Drake armor and he had been able to repair the chest piece. All he needed was a helmet and facemask that would not impeed his glasses. For the moment he would let the others do the talking for him and he would just need to listen to what was going on. Silence and observaion were the best tools right now since he was not too totally sure on the situation.

[Louie Kanto]

He was finally doing something worth while; Good for you Louie! Doing something right in the world and doing something for yourself! He thought proudly while hanging from the outside window seal of his paid for room at the Gallows. Louie swung into his room through the window; threw the note down onto the horribly un-made bed and began to undress. Once nude, he placed on the ring he had bought earlier that day. Once the ring was placed on his finger, Louie’s features began to change.

His pecks became larger into breasts, while his frame formed and molded into that of a more slender more feminine quality. Even his jawline and facial features changed to make him passable to be a woman. A shit eating grin wiggled across new plump pink lips that developed all thanks to the powers of the ring. “ Oh that's right; I’m drop dead gorgeous. I’m keeping you, you little beaut. “ Louie chuckled, musing to himself while putting on a new set of clothes that would fit better than his other clothes.

Which oddly enough was nearly the same as what he always normally wears. Which looking in the mirror; he could probably pass for being his sister which was good sense he wasn’t sure who was summoning this fellow whom he had robbed just earlier! Dressed in a long forest green coat. A black top and dark forest green pants with brown leather boots that come up to mid of her calf of his leg. Hair still done in dreadlocks; pulled back into a large ponytail of dreads. With haste Louie picked up her bladed staff, equipment bag that had a large selection of herbs along the healing verity, a pipe,some rope, and strangely enough a lot of fruit. The last thing she picked up before the letter on the bed; A bracket that clamped onto her wrist. With a satisfied smile, Louie exited the room exactly how he came in before, except this time leaving as a new form of him…er…Herself!

Running along the roof tops being the easy part, finding the entrance to the place was a different challenge. Eventually Louie just had to follow the only other soul that she could see in a mile radius. A male that looked rather rushed, and also well prepared wondering around the lower distract at night. Odd, must be the guy? She thought; following him silently from far back until finally seeing the entrance herself. A big grin appearing as she stalked from above and watched him enter the underground and disappear beyond the doors.

Quietly She followed behind; entering the underway and stopping when light was noticeable up ahead. Plus she could hear more than one person in this place. The hell? What kind of crazy shit was she about to get herself into? See already thinking like a woman! Too much thinking! Louie shook her head and took a deep breath, adventuring further after recognizing some voices and entering the larger cavern. There he saw the layout of the entire room; Taking note of everything before looking over at the others that huddles around what looked like a young boy that was injured. He recognized the two female faces; however doesn’t say a word as she approaches the group acting worried.

“ What happened here? “ Louie asked the nearest person that she approached, a young blond man that seemed well enough prepared for an all out attack at any time. She paused for a moment; thinking carefully on the situation and what to say. After all, someone had to have sent the letter; the second thing that didn’t sit well with her was the injured child; Why was there a child in a place like this at this time of night? Something didn’t seem to add up and curiosity killed the cat as they say.

“ You know what, scratch my first question, why is there a kid down here at this hour? “

[Mysteria]

The scrawny boy wobbled where he stood; Bare feet covered in dirt, dressed in rags like a slum child from the third district. Matted hair with dried clumps of mud so the color was mix between mud-brown with twigs or patches of blond, but the roots were chestnut brown even in the light of the torches that lined the cavern's wall. The boy still clenched his hand around the wooden sword's hilt, his knuckles turning white from how tight his finger's gripped the handle. The splintered, worn out point of the sword's blade pointed at each person that entered the cavern.

 The boy was frightened. The fear obvious on his face; However, the moment Claire approached his body tensed and he froze in place. He stared at the stranger with caution. He seemed caught off guard by the friendly approach and lowered his 'weapon' to where the 'sword' would rest it's tip on the ground. Once he was certain they were not here to harm him, he  lowered his guard further and let the sword and hands drop down to his side.  His face dirty, flustered, and drenched with tears as he reluctantly wiped what remained on his shirt sleeve. His eyes wide as he looked at Claire when she asked for his name.

" My..My..My..My Name? " The boy stuttered, his voice cracked from his crying earlier. His brown eyes shifting from Claire to Roxy who approached second and began offering assistance in bandaging his injured knee. The poor boy's eyes blinking as he looked down at the open wound on his knee cap, blood lightly seeping out. " I fell on these rocks here trying to find my papa. They took him! I SAW them take him and drag him in here! " The boy scrambled with his thoughts and words, turning his torso to point behind him down a hall. " They took him. " He began to tear up and wiggle his bottom lip before continuing. " Please, will you help me get my papa back?! " Now he tears filled up his eyes and began streaming down his face again, doing his best to hold them back as he looked at everyone within the group.

" That's why you are here right?! Because you saw them take him and the other people too right? " The boy babbled, sniffling and wiping what he could of his tears away with his sleeve's. 

[Deleted]

Looking at the people in the room slowly he noticed that there was a few more people who came into the same area, wondering if it was because of the letter Gabriel got was actually set to multiple people. He knew one of the 2 people that walked into the group. As he was about to say Hello to Killian, the second person started asking questions.



Right before he was about to answer him the kid began to speak as Gabriel instantly focused on the kid and what he was saying, hearing how someone or thing took his dad Gabriel felt sorry for the kid. But after hearing what the kid said Gabriel thought it might have been the work of cultists or something similar, since this was quite a isolated and ruined area “don’t worry kid we’ll do our best to find him and the rest of them, i promise” Gabriel said without hesitation . Whether that was true or not though gabriel still didn’t know as he never met most of these people before. Saying it was just a way to give the kid a bit of relief since there was no point in making the kid worry any more. but if the kid was in this bad state who knows if his father and the other people who was taken was even still alive.



After looking over the kid one last time, Gabriel finally stood up looking at everyone “ what should we do now? We can’t really just leave the kid here, but taking him with us might be as dangerous, doesn’t look like we have much time for introductions but i’m Gabriel by the way” speaking in a somewhat blunt and crass manner gabriel continued to stare at the group waiting for an answer.

[Louie Kanto]

Well shiiiit…. Louie’s eyebrow began to twitch. What kind of cultist bullshit was this?! The letter, now a kidnapping? Louie looked down at the letter in ‘her’ hand? Oh thats right! He was portraying a chick right now, no dingle berry. He had tits now and with those tits he had to think, Think like no woman has done before!

First off obviously the person he decided to pickpocket was clearly a bad choice. Mental note added and now moving on to the next obvious thing that came to mind. This was a rescue mission, something that ‘he’ didn’t volunteer for. The guy he knocked out did!! This was his letter after all! So this really wasn’t his concern? Right? After all there was only one face within the room that looked familiar.

Louie grumbled, taking a few steps back towards the entrance of the tunnel. Crumpling the letter in her hands with gritted teeth. Well this was fun! But there were better things to do than to waist time on saving a poor kids family, tough luck wish them the best! Louie was about to walk away when about that time, this blond ‘Righteous Knight’ decided to begin volunteering them for this ‘job’.

Louie spun around on her heels stopping in her tracks. Even with the dim light, Louie glared at Gabriel who finally decided to stand. Her lips pressed in a frown as she gave a audible sigh. “ Really? Obviously the kid isn’t afraid to risk his own life. That's why he is down here in the first place.” Louie scoffed, placing a hand on her hip.

“ Well, I guess I’ll be the first to say someone saw your parents being taken… That's why we are all here…Right?”

Louie spoke, taking a few steps back towards the group to stand beside the other blond with longer hair. “ I mean that is why everyone is armed and down here at the same time, right? “ She asked, her arm extending to hold out her hand to show it balled into a fist, letting the crumpled letter drop to the dirt floor. . “ So I’m assuming kid you are going to pay us or a reward is going to be involved. Which is all I need to know to get involved. With that, I’m Louise!” Louise grinned, bringing her arm straight back before swinging it out to her side to slap the long hair blondes ass. A quick squeeze and then she let go, walking forward to inspect the area and ground. The busted up lantern being the first thing she picked up to inspect.

No fuel? Possibly had poured out on the dirt floor when the kid fell. Louise grumbled, looking over to the others in the group. Noticing the lunar flower drops in Roxy’s hand as she was handing it out to the kid. Her eye’s going wide. “ A kid that size only needs four drops, you wanna make that kid face his demons? “ Louise chuckled, while walking over to Gabriel.

“ Also next time ask if everyone wants to go on an adventure for free… “ Louise spoke softly as she walked past Gabriel, giving him a wink and walked to the south’s hallway entrance. “ Well lets look for signs of recent traffic, foot prints, signs of struggle, you know the direction the baddies took your Pa?”

[Deleted]

Kail listens to everything and just ponders a bit and the hears that this kid's dad was taken by some kind of group of people. He then hears Gabriel on voicing his opinion on leaving the kid here. Before he could speak a rather boistress voice speaks up and well it was something a bit different then what this woman had said. "Gabe, let me add on to what she said. If a kid hears that he has to stay put, he's not going to listen. Especially the fact that he has a "Weapon" as it shows a rather adventurious spirit. The other thing to take into consideration, if there was a group that took his dad. What if another group comes and gets this kid. Plus there other shaddowy groups down here that would like a young boy to play with if you catch my drift" he said and sounded as though he had experince in the matter. For him it was simple RPG logic that he had to unfortunetly apply to the reality that he was in. Then the woman next to him mentions something about hearing or getting down her about the kidnapping.

"I doubt it was the kid that sent those letters, whoever it was. They were educated enough to write and the skripting on it. Was rather refined not something a child would have, unless it were a noble of the highist crust. But besides though if this is a cult or thieves......we can just plunder there shit and sell it" said Kail as he was going on with his thoughts. As he was trying to sound like he was the only person that had a plan or something. "My reason for joining, my curiousity and some treasure. I mean if you get a letter, might as well jump in.....WHAT THE HELL" said Kail as he yelped slightly when his ass was slapped by Louise. It was more of a surprise then anger, since he had been around the likes of of Shy before. "Honestly, Louise if you liked my ass so much. Maybe I should have worn my tight leather pants tonight" he said to the woman with a bit of sarcasim. But turned to the kid as he tried to think ahead "Hey kid, I know your over your head. But which way did they take your dad and how long ago was it" he asked trying to factor somethings in on how to find these asshats.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne turned her head as another would be adventurer joined their group. And another. And another. This was beginning to turn into a expedition party, by the looks of it. She kept her mouth shut as the kid answered their questions and the group talked amongst themselves as to what they should do. She didn’t recognize Gabriel or Louise, at least first, but gave a nod to Kail and a brief grin.

Introductions were to be had though. "I'm Roxanne, a half demon. If you've got a problem with that, speak up now," she spoke, her tone friendly enough and her tail twitching idly. It was pretty obvious she wasn't human as she was currently in her half form. Her large black wings were folded against her back, her eyes had a cat like look about them and her fangs gave her a lisp when she spoke. But she didn't want to assume and felt it fair to at least give everyone there a heads up.

As ‘Louise’ spoke up, Roxanne looked the woman over. There was something familiar about the strange woman that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. When the other red head moved closer, the half demon finally got a good read on her scent and her lavender eyes widened. Roxanne smirked at Louise, tapping her nose lightly and giving the ‘woman’ a wink. She wasn’t sure why he was disguised, but she’d recognized Louie’s scent anywhere.

Holding up the bottle of Lunar drops that he mentioned, Roxanne shook her head. “I know how lunar drops work, Lou,” she said, shortening the name, “I wasn’t going to give him the whole bottle,” she finished, wryly.

The half demon chuckled as she watched Louise and Kail, letting out her own low whistle of appreciation. She wondered what Kail would think if he knew he was flirting with a guy, as she was pretty sure the blonde was straight. The half demon had no intention of saying anything, getting her amusement from it as well.

Instead, Roxanne nodded in agreement when Kail mentioned not being able to safely leave the kid here, tagging onto Gabriel’s earlier comment. "Taking him with us could be just as dangerous, for us and for him. He's a distraction and we'll be responsible for his safety, which we cannot guarantee," she added. "As for why I'm here, I'm a mercenary by trade and curiosity is my middle name. So, when I received my mysterious note, I thought perhaps it might be from my current employer and came to investigate," the half demon explained, vaguely.

Roxanne rubbed her hands together lightly and the blew gently across her palms. A small flock of about ten flaming butterflies, each one as big as a dinner plate, formed and began to spread out around the room. Now the group would have plenty of light with which to look for clues, not that she needed it personally. She could see in the dark just fine. The half demon herself began to explore the area slowly, not bothering to hide her obvious sniffing.

[Claire]

Claire groans, rubbing a hand over her face. She was too exhausted to do this, there are several things waiting at home that are not cold and full of people and dirty. With a quick movement she scoops the boy up, tucking her arm under his legs as she stands up. “Okay, <kid>, you’re a mess.”

She sighs, turning her head back to the rest of the group. If they were all fine with plunging into the depths of the underground on a lost dad, that was fine with her. They all seemed to be getting along fine anyway. If it wasn't the middle of the night she'd be all for this little adventure, but circumstances being what they were sleep and better company clearly had the priority. “I’m going to take him up to the inn, a kid shouldn’t be down here.” she looks down at the kid, smiling a little. “I’ll make sure you get food and they’ll look for your dad, okay? We can call for help at the inn too, they’ll find him.”