Mysterious Disappearances - RPLOG
Participants
Date
21/10/476
Log
A fine early afternoon in Firmament, the weather cooler now that the end of the year is upon Promise. Still, not many beings choose to brave the midday sun in their travels about the city, save for one spot. Saints' Square is packed with beings, mostly carrying non-perishable goods of some sort to booths set up alongside the statues where they are collected and inventory taken. Various members of the Sweetwater nobility and Church oversee the whole process, knowing that this is a good chance for public relations. A small refreshment table has been provided off to one side, but it would appear only those who have donated at allowed to partake, and not too much at that.
Public relations? Ya....that's what most of the nobles where here for. Angus flashes a smile to the beings coming up to the collection booth, his friendly demeanor coming out as for once the fox is unarmed. "Sheesh....there is a representative of each house out today at this thing...Wonder if they will even contribute anything to this." The fox mutters as he eyes up the other nobles, looking to see if he new a few of them by name and face.
Emmett seems to be his usual good-spirited yet tired self; though he's not manning the booths and tables today, frankly he looks like he's been putting in some labor. The young priest hauls in a crate of supplies for one of the Church-run booths though and wipes his brow. "Think that's it for now. Guess I can mingle a bit," he remarks with a smile, and he starts to take a look around. Ah, there's someone. He lifts a hand and waves to Angus, panting a little.
Mirana walks out of the church proper, having come for a check up, every week now, and she isn't having the easiest of time getting around. She smiles wide though, though her back is killing her! She gives a few waves to people, more then slightly proud of the family creast around her neck, and the Priest patch on her shoulder. She stops and pants a moment, "Not.. not long now." she says to herself before she notices Angus and Emmett. She starts her slow waddle over to the pair!
Alef is busy working at the moment, not lifting crates, thank the Creators, that would have killed her by now, but tending a merchents booth and thanking the people who bring donations, having added a large cut of her recent crowns profits from working for the merchents to the drive, "Thank you for your donations maim, please help yourself to the refreshments and Creators bless you~" Nodding her head as a hand pats her shoulder, the person to take over for her arriving. She gets up without complaint and walks into the crowd to mingle.
Indeed, everything appears to be going swimmingly well. As noon approaches, preparations are made for an impromptu noon mass off to one side of the square so as not to interrupt the proceedings too much. The crowd only continues to thicken with those seeking to give - perhaps it's a good show of faith that so many are willing to help in this time of need, even in this limited capacity. It's a bit of a squeeze in parts, but not so much that it's impossible to mingle about for now.
Angus smiles as he notices Emmett approaching him. "Hello there Priest." He teases the goat as he nudges him with his elbow. His ears perk up as he notices the merchants booth, and he turns to emmett. "Excuse me for a second." Giving the goat a nod he walks up to the booth and deposits a bag of crown right in front of the merchant as he gives Alef a nod in greeting.
Angus spends 1000 Crown for RP reasons.
Emmett lets out a little chuckle in delight. "Angus," he says in greeting with a nod. He waves his hand a little, a gesture suggesting he's certainly alright with the momentary interruption; he offers a smile to Alef and a curious glance, stroking his chin. But for now, he directs his attention toward Mirana, waving a greeting. "Well, hello there!" he says to her. "Haven't gotten to chat with you much since I joined up, but perhaps now's as good a time as any, eh?"
Mirana looks over as Angus completely ignores her, then again, with what she has heard, maybe that is for the best. Instead her attention focuses on Emmett, "Help me get to a bench please..." she says with more then a slight groan in her voice, holding the small of her back. "And no, haven't had much talk lately, I don't get out too much right now." she says, "How have you been?" Then she notices Alef and gives a quick wave before looking to Emmett, her would be savior?
Alef Smiles as Angus makes his donation. "Creators Bless you." Nodding and walking away from the booth. "How you doing Angus? I havent seen you in a while, everything been ok Sir? not getting shot any are you?" smiling gently, waving to Mirana and smiling as she talks to the goat priest.
As everyone mingles, the noon mass is just about to start when Angus is approached by one of the priests who'd been collecting donations earlier. "Lord Solacious? A moment, please? Would you mind watching over a wagonload of goods down to the soup kitchen by the edge of the shanties? It'll only take a moment, and you can probably be back in time for the important parts of the mass.
"We do need someone on each delivery run - not that any trouble is expected on the route, but mostly to make sure there're some eyes on the lot at all times. If you could just see it down safely and make sure it's properly stored away and taken stock of, that would be great. Feel free to take anyone you'd like with you - there's probably enough room in the back for that."
Angus nods in greeting to the priest. "Oh? Why of course. Anything to help the church." He gives the priest a bow before he turns to Alef. "Oh no, haven't gotten shot in a few days. And would you like to accompany me on this task?" He asks of her as he moves up to Emmett and Mirana. "Hello there Sister, would you and Emmett like to help the church transport a few things over to a soup kitchen near the edge of Shanty town?"
Emmett winces as he realizes Mirana might not be in the best of shapes. "Oh goodness, yes, of course," the goat says to her, offering an arm around her back in support. "I've been just fine myself. Doing whatever I can around town to help folks out. Sometimes I get, you know, sort of the problem people, the ones who need help but don't know how to accept it? I'm constantly wondering what sort of approaches I can take to make myself more, er... approachable, I guess." Angus's invitation catches his attention. "Errr. Y-yes, I would personally love to. But I am not so sure she should make such a trip. She needs to sit," he claims. Of course, that priest did mention seating room on the wagon...
Mirana gives a slight sigh of relief as she is supported up a bit, then looking over to Angus as he talks of help moving supplies. Mira smiles, "Anything to.. mmm.. to help out, and I'll sit on the way, doctor Jeremy says I'm doing fine." she says, moving slightly away from the delightful support of Emmett's arm.. much to her back's regret, but she'll deal, what is a little back pain to a pheonix... at least that is her thinking. "Lead the way brother." she says, giving a wave to Alef as well. She ponders a second, "When we get there, give me a moment, in the wagon that is." she says, ready to try and keep up with Angus.
Alef moves quickly to help support Mirana as well "Of course, il join in and help. just might not be able to lift as much, but il do my best." Nodding gently "Of course, you just sit in the wagon and rest as much as you can." giving angus and Mirana a nod and offering her hand to Emmett "Pleasure to meet you sir, im Alef." ready to help Mirana get to the wagon and into it when they move on.
Everyone gets in, and after a final stock-taking on this end, everyone's on their way, leaving the hustle and bustle of the Square behind. The day continues to be clear and the sun shines all the brighter as the driver leads the wagon and plodding pack animals down the road, stone paving turning to dirt as one gets further away from the gates and draws close to the shanties.
At length, the soup kitchen in question draws into view, the familiar high walls and sturdy gates on constant guard against the ever-present threat of looting that's so prevalent amongst the local populace. Oddly enough, there doesn't seem to be anyone at the gates, made all too clear when the driver calls out and gets no reply.
"Odd," the fellow says. "Where's everyone? They usually come running within moments of me arriving at the back, even if they aren't serving anyone today. I don't dare stop here for long..."
Angus leans back against the side of the cart as they enjoy the ride, giving his sister a smile. "So, how have you been Mira?" He asks his sister curiously. But when the driver calls out and gets no reply he frowns. The fox was in now way unarmed, his dagger and pistol still on him as he looks around. "That....is rather weird." He mutters, wondering what could be going on.
Emmett seems a little concerned that Mirana's seemingly so gung-ho about this, but who is he to argue? So he smiles and helps her along. "And hello, Alef," he says, shaking firmly. "I'm Emmett. Actually been recently accepted as a priest here, though I'm very active so I haven't had nearly as much time as I ought to get to know people." They stop; there's a problem. Emmett peeks out. "What in the world? That is strange. You'd think even the gangs would be flipping head over heels for free lunch. Er... So it might be dangerous, eh?" He frowns, peeks into his pack, and rummages through it, looking through his tools. "I'm tempted to suggest investigating."
After being helped into the cart, Mira takes a moment to pray to Shaila, using the distraction of prayer to switch out her gem, then, settle into the cart to rest while they wheeled away. She'd stayed quiet and resting slightly the whole time, till she hears there is something wrong. She might be slow of movement, but her math was none the harmed for her physical condition. Her staff glows a moment as she whisperedly recites the Pethagrian Therom for just a moment to get enough air around her to help her stand easily, leaning on her staff as she walks toward the back of the cart, looking around, "Unusual, isn't this place usually guarded?" she asks. "And I'd think the beings here would come running at the chance for food."
Alef sits beside mira and Emmett, making small talk with the priest and the noble's, summing up how shes mostly been working for the merchents for the last month or so to earn mercentile experance and crowns, how she met Mirana at the market and didnt know she knew Angus. but at the mention of trouble she frowns, swaping the gems in her pendant and picking up her staff. getting out of the back. "I dont like this..." Going through the rotes as a layer of earthstuffs and a zephyr of wind form around her.
"There usually is, ma'am," the driver says in reply to Mirana's musings. "You can hear them out front most times of day, doubly so since it's about lunctime now. I don't like the looks of this - it's giving me the jitters, and the animals aren't liking it much, either. Don't know what you folk want, but I want to head back as soon as possible."
Angus draws his pistol and his dagger, lowering both to his waist as he frowns. "Mira, please stay with the wagon. Alef or Emmett could you stay with her please?" Turning to the Driver he nods. "If anything happens, head right back to the church we will meet you there." that said he starts walking towards the guardspost, making sure to keep track of anything that seems to be out of place as he moves.
Emmett hmms, considering this. "That might actually be wise," he states, pulling out a utility knife, a big wrench, and a couple of... odd Creator devices, likely familiar to Mirana especially. "Why don't you go with Angus, Alef?" he suggests. "You look pretty well-armed there with your staff and maths. I was always -terrible- at that," mutters the goat. He starts assembling his twirligig thingy, positioning it strategically beside the wagon for the time being.
Mirana looks down to the ground, and was about go investigate herself, but, she looks to Angus. "Brother... alright, Mirana will stay with the cart." Then she looks to Emmett, eyeing him over. She using a small bit of air math to get down on the ground, "Just going over there to take care of.. something." she says, hoping not too many questions are asked, and motioning to the other side of the quart, "No... no peaking.." she says blushing a bit. However, once hidden she decides her choice in gems wasn't a good one, and switches them out, before, using a bit of effert to accellerate a change into a Jackal... at least looking like a portly male Jackal.
As Angus and anyone following approach the guardhouse at the rear door, it's empty, the gate unlocked. There are signs of recent habitation - scuff marks on the ground, a duty roster pinned up at the back, a pack of cards tucked away in a corner and uniforms in a couple of small lockers - but no one at all. It's almost as if folks had been spirited away mid-activity.
Angus gazes into the guardhouse...and it's cleanliness and order disturb him. The only time he had ever scene it this clean in any guardhouse was when an inspection was due... "....This, is not right. No guardpost would be empty like this." He mutters as he sheaths his dagger and walks up to check the roster.
Emmett is polite enough to allow Mirana to do... whatever it is she needs to do behind the wagon! So in the meantime, he tinkers with his twirligig a little, pulls out a pistol and loads it, nodding. "That should do," the goat fellow remarks. "And have a shield ready to deploy on a moment's notice." He pets his twirligig fondly, chuckling. "Everything okay, Mirana?" he calls.
Mirana caughs a moment, and in her normal voice, "Yes, everything is fine.. just.. need to tinkle is all.." she says blushing a bit at the small fib.. she did need to go, but what woman in her shape wouldn't. She murbbles a bit under her breath before, trying to deepen her voice and sound like she has a cold, comes out to the front of the wagon, "What.." ahem ahem, "is going on? Need a hand?" she asks, walking up to the gates after Angus.
There's nothing odd about the guard roster - it would be less worrying if it were just the guards missing. Their details are sketched out clearly, allowing for round-the-clock coverage of the entire soup kitchen against the ne'er-do-wells of the place, but they aren't here, and neither are the many others who keep the place running, nor as Mirana has noticed, the poor lining up to be fed. What is discovered next depends on where everyone decides to investigate.
Angus tears the roster down and folds it up, placing it within his pocket to do a little investigating later on. He checks a few of the lockers, wanting to see what was missing before he turns around at the voice. "This is offical crown buisness." He mutters in a commanding voice to the unknown jackal as he holsters his pistol and steps outside. "Empty, I'm going to check around." He shouts to Emmett and Mira, not seeing her but hoping that she actually listened to him as he turns back to inspect the beds.
Emmett looks confused, blinking a few times. "Hey. Hey, wait a minute!" he calls to the jackal fellow(?). The goat fellow jogs over to catch up. "Where'd you come from? You one of the locals?" Short and to the point, really. He has his pistol holstered as well by this point, though he's fiddling with his wrench idly in his hand.
Mirana gives a few more caughs, "I'm with.. the local guard, if you want to talk crown business." Then acts like she notices Angus for the first time, "How can I help Sir?" she asks, looking around, "It would seem that something odd happen sir, I'll take a look around the main floor." she says walking her way carefully and slowly into the main portion of the soup kitchen to look around.
The beds are as one might have expected - a few made, most recently slept in and the hard cots left that way. Even the indentations from heads in the crude pillows are still there. Various personal effects from the guards are strewn about, although it's hard to tell whether it's from mundane messiness or panic at something.
The main portion of the kitchen is empty, the benches and tables devoid of the usual rabble whom would be there this close to lunch. Thankfully, it doesn't seem that anyone's cooked lunch yet, but there are veritable mountains of dirty dishes in trolleys waiting to be wheeled in for washing, and the remnants of the breakfast menu are still about. Seems like whatever happened, one could guess the approximate time at which it happened.
Angus frowns as he hears that the jackal was from the local guard. "then mind explaining this?" He asks a little harshly, something was bugging him about this. And it was just making him a little bit annoyed. The beds were as he expected, which causes him to be even more suspicious as he stands up to move over to the kitchen entrance. "Nothing, lets get out of here. Something isn't right." As soon as he notices Emmett he blinks, and then curses. "Emmett, why did you leave the cart?" He asks, not waiting for an answer as he draws his pistol and rushes back to the Wagon.
Emmett is starting to look nervous and uncomfortable, even from his position by the wagon. He takes a slow, deep breath. "It's one guy. Angus has Alef. And besides, I can support from behind. What if it's not one guy? Aagh..." He calls back behind the wagon, "Mirana, did you see that big jackal fellow? Something's fishy about him. Mirana?"
Mirana grits her teeth a moment, using some air math to throw her voice, trying to make it sound like it was coming from the wagon, "Yes, he showed me his badge and patch, leave him be." she says, then rolls her eyes, maybe this wasn't a good idea, last time she just disappered no one noticed. In he rmore gruff voice, she tries to continue her disguise. "It happened in the morning, just after breakfest." She says as she walks out, "I'm going to scout around the shanties, you lot should be getting back." he says, walking slowly into an alley.... and giving a sigh, letting go of the disguise, and walking out, "Can't a girl get some privacy, what did you find brother?"
"We need to leave. Now." Is Angus response as he walks up to the back of the cart and scans the nearest alleyways. "Guardpost is empty, looks like they were getting ready for an inspection. Which is what worries me, I snagged their roster so we know who's missing but we need to get this wagon out of a possible ambush as fast as possible."
The driver doesn't need convincing. Once everyone's safely in, he's off as quickly as the dirt road will allow, back to Firmament where Angus can turn in his report.
