The Mysterious O - RPLOG
Participants
Date
4/12/478
Log
It is quiet here, this close to shanty town. While Firmament may be a noisy, bustling place, the shanties are the dim shadow of the city. What few beings are visible move quietly and furtively, trying to avoid open areas. The place indicated on the small, plain invitations is an old warehouse. The place must have been an early attempt at building shanty town into something more, but it is obvious that things did not really work out. There are two floors at least to the structure, but no windows open up on the main floor and all the visible windows up higher are broken and boarded shut. The wide main doors are firmly shut, probably barred from within and the only other entrance seems to be a low side door.
Zuri strides down the alleyway leading towards the out-of-the-way warehouse confidently. While the small salamander is very much the kind to dress overly-formal for such an event, he's opted to wear his street garb instead on account of the part of town he is in. He tugs the lapel on his coat back into alignment as he comes to a stop in front of the door. He looks side to side, then leans towards the door to knock.
Bazalt frowns as he walks along, looking Quite confused. "I get the weirdest things.. first it was to that Spirit part-thing.. now.. this place?..Better have good food" he mumbles, Spotting Zuri."oh-hey! you got a letter-thing too?" he asks, walking up beside him.
Natska quietly adjusts her jacket as she walks down the street towards the building, arm in arm with Cassidy. The jaguar is smiling, and her tail curls back and forth. "He always picks... interesting... venues, doesn't he?"
Cassidy gives Natska's arm a little squeeze, nodding. "Yes, he does. But I shouldn't be surprised, I guess. If you want to appeal to people, throw a feast in the shanties. I'm sure the people here would love it," she says as walks alongside the jaguar, tail flicking behind her.
Zalthar makes her way from a less desirable part of town, dressed to the nines. It looks like she's even got a new cloak for the occasion "Bazalt, I didn't expect to see you here." she notes, looking about at the gathered group. "Who is 'he', exactly?" the lynx asks towards Natska, tilting her head curiously.
A few other beings have gathered at the side door into the warehouse. They seem to be from just about everywhere and of all clans and species, but here they all are.
Zuri's knock is answered in short order. The door opens wide to reveal an enormous gorilla being in a suit that is decisively too small for him. "Invitations, please," he growls, staring at the gathered beings with dark beady eyes.
Zuri turns to look at the others as they approach, his tusky smile widening as he recognizes his friends. "Hey everyone! Did you get invites too?" He turns aside and raises a finger as if to answer Zalthar, but the door opening catches his attention and interrupts his train of thought. He turns to the gorilla and offers him that same big bright smile. "Yes sir! Here you go!" He digs into his coat pocket and retrieves the invite, passing it over and waiting to be allowed in.
Bazalt Blinks "He?.. who-Oh.Hey..Si-Zal" he nods. he looks a the Gorilla and Frowns "Hrrnn..Wish I knew what I was invited too.."He says before pulling it out and handing it over. "so..." he looks over the otehrs Gathered. "how.. are you?..I.. gues?.." he sighs and shrugs.
"Our host, of course," Natska replies, tipping her hat to Zalthar. She grins, then steps up to the door and offers her invitation before heading in.
Cassidy offers up her own invitation as she nods. "Of course, Zuri. We'd hardly be here if we didn't get invitations," she says, glancing towards Natska. "So close to our own party date, as well. Ah well, they are different enough that it shouldn't matter." She adjusts her hat and steps in with the jaguar once her invitation is handed over.
Zalthar reaches into her handbag and pulls out the letter, rubbing it between tumb and forefinger as she waits. handing it over to the gorilla as quickly and smoothly as possible, and heads inside, following close behind the group that she knows. "Should make for quite an evening."
The Gorilla takes invitations wordlessly, barely even looking at the bits of paper and allows each being to pass.
Inside, the old warehouse has been cleaned up a bit and long tables filled with food line the walls with a large open space left for mingling and, presumably, dancing, though there are no musicians playing just yet. There are many beings wandering up and down the tables plucking food of all sorts from laden trays and there seems to be know end to the fine drinks being poured. The warehouse, though busy, is by no means crowded and there is plenty of room for everyone to claim whatever tasty treat they might like. Oversized waiters in ill fitting outfits like the door-ape roam the hall, filling drinks and replenishing trays. There does not really seem to be any kind of theme here. Aside from food. Food might be considered a theme.
Zuri wastes no time. The moment he is let inside he quickly assesses the situation with the treats and appetizers spread all around. He quickly slinks over to one of the bigger tables, finds himself a little plate, and fills it with a selection of cold cuts, bits of fruit, and a chocolate-covered confectionary of some kind to top it all off. He returns to the group of his friends with plate in hand and mouth already full of things to chew on.
Bazalt Blinks "wellthis is rather gran-"he Watches Zuris sip off and then back, chukling as the mander returns stuffing his face. "Hah.. You going to share that plate?" he asks, smiling, "So...Free food? no Strings? nothing wrong with the food?" he asks, looking about "I Find this....Strange.."
Natska reaches out and pats Bazalt on the shoulder. "Just don't make any bargains, and try to enjoy yourself. I've been to a few of these and the food is always delicious." She grins at Zuri as she watches the salamander grabbing things, then helps herself to a plate and some choice selections. "That is a nice outfit," she compliments Zalthar, smiling.
Cassidy glances around the building, humming thoughtfully before nodding at Natksa's words. "Yes. Be careful what you agree to here," she says before following along to start filling her own plate with tasty treats and foods, ears perking and swiveling idly.
Zalthar smiles back at Natska "Why thank you, I rather alike yours as well, Miss..." she tilts her head towards the jaguar, before getting herself a small plate, mostly of chicken and cheese "I'll keep that in mind, thank you."
The food is excellent. Possibly even better than excellent. While nothing seems to be overly fancy, it seems like everything is perfectly spiced and every bite is more satisfying than the last as the oddly thuggish waiters circulate through the crowd, always keeping plates and glasses full. No one has stepped up to proclaim themselves the founder of the feast so far, but from time to time, one of the waiters will climb a stairway leading to a second floor. Perhaps the host of this party will arrive from up there.
"Great party, huh?" an obviously inebriated young fox says, staggering up to Cassidy, "Can't *HIC* remember when I had wine this good!"
Zuri blinks at Bazalt. He pushes his plate full of deliciousness onto the wolf's hands while picking out the chocolate confectionary for himself. "It's free food Bazalt. And good one! Go ahead and give it a try, and I'll go grab another plate for myself." He giggles at the rather drunk fox before walking around him towards the table again, once again picking out a plate and filling it with food for himself.
Bazalt BLinks at the Arricval on teh plate "Heh-Zuri..yo didnt have to, I WAS going to get some myself.. but.. thank you" he smiles and nods to him "Thanks alot.." He Frowns slightly when the fox approaches making a mental note not to try the wine. "Mrrrmm well try not to enjoy it too much, eh Pal?" he says softly before nomming a few bits of fruit off the plate-Zuri had good taste.
Natska shifts her plate to one hand offers her hand to Zalthar. "Natska Solacious. And this is my wife, Cassidy." She smiles, then nods at the drunk fox. "I imagine! These feasts are always fantastic."
Cassidy slowly takes in the guests as she nibbles away, nodding at Zalthar. "Yes, good day. I am Cassidy Solacious, as she said. Nice to meet you," she says before turning her eyes towards the tipsy fox. "And hello to you, too. The wine is good, isn't it? I might have to try some later, but everything is usually good at his parties."
Zalthar smiles and bows ever so slightly, accepting the hand "The pleasure is all mine. I am Zalthar." she responds, before turning to Cassidy "And it is an honor to meet you as well." The fox gets a look from the lynx. Not one of disgust, but more of caution and indicating that she'd much prefer to be as far away from the canine as possible.
The drunk fox weaves a little bit. "Damn," he says, to Natska, "Ya married all three of em? S'pretty impressive." He seems to be having trouble focusing, but is still pretty happy as his wandering gaze takes a walk across the group. "Whose party?" he asks, his face suddenly screwed up in concentration, "You know who inv- invi- whoshe party this ish?"
Bazalt shakes his head "I.. Dont know who's party it is, no..The host however has an great choice in food-I must say, simply wonderful!" he smiles and nods. "hrrmm I think i'll try..." he says before picking some other pice of food off his Plate and nomming it happily.
Natska giggles at the fox's comment and grins, then gives Cassidy's arm a small squeeze before sge gets back to her food. "Mmmm. Given the excellent quality of the food and drink, the out of the way location sure to inspire hunger and envy, and the secretive nature of the host, I would have to guess that the mysterious 'O' is mister Olloch, or at least someone acting in his honor."
Cassidy tilts her head towards Natska. "Yes. He's a spirit. He's always got good food, and since there's so much of it here, I'm assuming he himself is behind it," she says before glancing towards the drunk fox. "If there -were- three of me they'd all be Natska's, yes. But there is only one of me!"
Zalthar seems to have wandered over to the table with the silverware, taking a close look at the designs. How it's made, any partictular styles they have, all of that is taken into account. She does keep both ears tuned around her though, listening for movement.
"Oh?" comes a thick voice at a nearby table, "I am flattered, but this is none of my work." An enormously obese boar turns from the table with a huge plate laden with food. "Good evening, dear friends," he gives a nod to Zuri, "Zuri."
Meanwhile, the drunken fox has managed to weave himself away to harass someone else.
Zuri is on his way back with his new plate of food. He's happily chomping down on that chocolate pastry, but quickly scarfs it down as he spots the big boar. He licks his lips clean and dashes over to the spirit's side, smiling up at him. "Hi Mister Olloch! Nice to see you here!" He tilts his head sideways. "This isn't your doing? Well, you must have a copycat then, this is totally your style. And the food's pretty good, top quality!" He grins widely, his two little tuskies briefly becoming well visible. "Oh well, guess this time you get to enjoy the festivities as an actual guest instead of just giving out all the free food yourself."
Bazalt BLinks "Olloch.. wait.. teh one who's weird party I was invited to bef-oh.." he waves to the Spirit and blinks "I think this night just got a whole lot weirder." he noms yet anotehr Piece of food and nods "ZUri's right-Great food however..Dunno If it beat the Quailty from that spirit part however.." he Frowns "I might need a few more bites before I can debate that.." he shrugs and glances over at Zalthar, shooting her a questioning look.
Natska gives Olloch a bright smile and inclines her head. "Well! My apologies, then! Not one of your followers, either? They would have certainly done you justice." She looks around. "I wonder if we will meet our host."
Zalthar smiles and turns faces the spirit, bowing slightly "A pleasure to meet you." She ponders and looks around, taking another bite of the plate of food, looking slightly nervous.
"No?I am surprised then," Cassidy says, raising a brow. "I didn't think anyone else would be bringing food like this to a place like the shanties. It's an unusual thing, certainly. It's tasty all the same, though. I wonder who IS behind it, then."
Olloch shakes his head, setting his multiple chins shaking. "Could be one of mine," he admits, shoveling down handfulls of food, "I don't dictate their actions. I am very hands off with my friends. I just come when they call." He nods at the buffet, "Or when there is an excellent spread."
"Back off tubby!" comes a shout from somewhere in the crowd, "I'm not drunk enough to go anywhere with you!" It is everyone's inebriated fox friend! He seems to be having a bit of an altercation with one of the burly waiters, a huge gator in an undersized suit. The Alligator seems to be doing his best to keep his temper in check and to lead the combatitive drunk away.
Zuri wiggles his snout at Olloch as he listens, nodding at his words. "Yea! Can't miss out on a party like this." He turns to look at his friends in turn as they speak, and finally at the fox as his confrontation with the waiter picks up in tone. He takes another bite of the finger foods he selected before commenting. "Huh.. well, someone's going to get tossed out of the party early like that. Shame when folk can't handle their drink. Or their food for that matter."
Bazalt binks "uh- Guys we.." he spots the fox and moves closer the Nastska and Cassidy, whispering to them. "not just the fox, look.. other.. slightly drunk or.. drowzy people.." He frowns "I...dont like this-not.. right.." He suddenly stops eating his food and Frowns, Gone from relaxed to tense in a second.
Natska quietly chuckles and gives the portly boar a nod, then nibbles at her food as she watches the scene. When Bazalt tenses up she gives him a big nod. "Something wrong?"
"And did anyone call you, then?" Cassidy asks before glancing towards Bazalt, following her wife's gaze towards the wolf. "Hmmm? What's up?" She asks, glancing around at the other guests, a little thankful she hadn't partaken in any drinks of her own.
Zalthar sets the plate back down, still half-full and, while everyone is distracted looking at the fox, she slips out through the entrance, her tiny stature and light frame making it much easier to dissappear unnoticed.
It does not take long for the burly waiter to wrap up the angry fox and lead him to a back door. Guy is too soused to put up much of a fight anyway. Most of the crowd even applauds as he is led away to sleep it off somewhere.
"No," Olloch says to Cassidy around a mouthful of food, "No more than I am in any place where obscene amounts of food and alcohol are being consumed."
Zuri seems rather unconcerned about the whole fox episode, turning his attention back to his friends and to his plate of food. He picks another cut of meat and chomps down before speaking up. "Yea, it isn't the first time Mister Olloch has showed up without being called, right? He's always been around to help us out here and there." He glances towards the open space that seems to have been reserved as some kind of dance floor. "You know, I wonder if there will be some entertainment later on. Food's all well and good but it would be nice to have some music as well."
Bazalt Frowns And shakes his head "people are goingmissing, look around-there are less then when we entered.. call me.. suspisous.. But I dont think they'r taking them away to lay Down.." he frowns and places his plate down on a table. "Hrnn.I.. dont.. linke this.." he says, Crossing his arms as he looks about teh warehouse.
Natska tilts her head and ear ear flicks, then the jaguar turns and looks around the room. "... huh!" After a moment she finishes her plate, then touches Cassidy's elbow. "Do you want to sneak around to the back door and have a look?"
"Hmmm, alright," The fennec says to the spirit before glancing back towards Natska. "Maybe we should! I wouldn't want to discover something unseemly is happening under our noses. I doubt it's anything to be concerned about, but... Better to make sure," she says, finishing off her own meal and setting the plate down.
There are rather fewer people than there were at the start of the festivities. But that does not necessarily mean that there is foul play afoot. Now that their attention has been called to it, it is fairly evident that when a partygoer has become overly tipsy or fuddled from over indulging, they are lead quietly, and in some cases carried, toward the back door. Perhaps there is a resting room back there? Or maybe they are just being removed from the warehouse altogether.
Olloch just gives a happy wave and goes back to eating.
Zuri looks between Natska, Cassidy and Bazalt, and finally starts glancing around to the rest of the partygoers. "Huh.. " He scorfs down another cut of meat before stepping close to Bazalt, putting his plate next to his on the table. "Well, if you guys want to see what's going on we could sneak out back, sure. Should be easy enough. 'sides, might be more food back there." He glances towards his plate and snatches a quarter-orange he had stashed there so he can nibble on something on the go. "Lead on then."
Bazalt nods to the other "honestly I want to be wrong.. But.. you never know. and it anything it just seems too.../odd/." he Sighs and Frowns "better safe Than sorry.. right.. or something like that?"
Natska nods her head, then smiles cheerfully and starts making her way through the crowd. She circles a bit as she goes, so as to not be walking in a straight line, then pauses and waits for a moment until the cost seems clear and sets a path to the door.
Cassidy follows along after Natska at a leisurely pace, taking her wife's arm in hers so as to make it look like they were just taking a little walk around. She didn't want to give off anything TOO suspicious yet. Even if it was likely just a way to get people out before they caused a ruckus.
No one stops the group on their slow march to the door.
There is a bit of commotion from the crowd as a huge crocodile in a suit that fits him much better than any of the waiters stuffed into theirs appears on the balcony. "Welcome, friends!" he roars to the crowd, "How is the food? The drink? I am sorry to keep you all waiting." The Croc is not young, and his face is crisscrossed with scars and he has a rather remarkable underbite and some prodigious tusks.
Zuri follows the other three towards the door, only darting to the side to grab a scrumptious looking orange before returning to his meandering path towards the back door. As the crocodile announces himself he turns to the side to look at him, analyzing him carefully and noting his prominent facial features. He takes another bite of his orange and slinks towards Bazalt. "There he is I suppose." He says in a hushed whisper.
Bazalt also Grabs a Snack on teh way, nodding to Zuri. "Yeah..." he trails off and Frowns, noting the mans Scars and tusks, Strange things they were... The wofl glances back at Olloch and frowns even more. "hrrn..let us hope it's noting..and i'm simply overly worried.."
Natska flashes Cassidy a grin after she spots the host, but doesn't wait around for a speach. She keeps making her way towards the door, intent on at least getting a peek at the other side.
Cassidy glances up towards the host for a moment before nodding at Natska and reaching out to attempt to open the door. She doesn't plan on going through it- Not yet, but she does want to take a peek.
The Croc continues his spiel while the crew slips to the rear door. Outside is a dark alley. It is empty save for a pair of empty carts and a large water buffalo guard. He does not seem to notice the group.
Zuri peers out the door, then leans close to Bazalt. "See, nothing here." He says in a hushed voice. "They were probably just taking 'em home. Or to the nearest shelter where they could sleep it off." He wiggles his snout, then takes another bite of his orange. "Unless you wanna search around I suggest we go back and listen to the host. And maybe get some chocolate cakes."
Bazalt Frowns and Squints at the Carts. "Hrrnn...It almost seemed to me that it happened to everyone takes hte drink.." the wolf rubs his head and sighs. "I.. suppose..still..I feel better for checking.." he says, Still quite tense.
Natska gives Bazalt a nod. "Yes," she says, then reaches out and taps the bison on the shoulder. "Excuse me! Did you see our friend Todd? Fix, about yea high? A little inebriated?"
Cassidy glances towards the others for a moment before putting on a smile and smoothing down her jacket as she stands next to Natska. She didn't plan on doing more than just looking, but being a little extra thorough couldn't hurt! She watches the bison for any kind of physical reaction that might accompany any words.
The guard jumps and spins with a glower "What?" he growls, "Guests ain't supposed to be back here unes- uni- without a waiter! If your friend came back here he's already been carted off. Prob'ly at the city gates already."
Zuri blinks. He looks from the guard, to the empty cart, and back to the guard again. "Ooh, I see. They've been carried off to the city gates. Huh.. but why.." He wiggles his snout. "No way that's just to get them to rest it off." Another bite of the fruit, just in case. "Mmm..."
Bazalt frowns "why.. the Gates? Todd lives in the city" he nods frowns and glances behind them, just incase. "it.. dosnt make not.. not to me atleast..."
Cassidy tilts her head to the side. "We just wanted to check up on him. Why're you carting people off, anyway? Usually places just leave them to find their own way home. What's the protection back here for, anyway?" She asks, settling her hands on her hips.
The water buffalo gets that look common to thugs everywhere. "I don't gotta answer questions," he says with a frown and the threat of violence on his brow, "I just do what the boss man says." He juts his chin back into the warehouse. "You take it up with him. Now get outta here."
Zuri nods. "I actually think that's a good idea. Let's go have a chat with the being in charge." He peels a bit more of his orange and takes another bite. "Sidesh, all the delishush food ish inshide." The salamander walks back into the warehouse, waiting for his friends to once again take the lead.
Bazalt nods slowly, frowning "I see...Well thank you.." he Sighs and shakes his head. "howdo we want to go about this?.. call him out?.. Try to talk descretly?..." he looks between them, rubbing his head.
Natska frowns. She gives the buffalo the look, then nods her head and turns to look at Cassidy. "Well. Do you think he'd be more inclined to talk with a squad of city guards here?"
"Hmmm... Alright," Cassidy says with a frown, turning to move back into the building. "Discrete would be better. At first at least," she says with a nod before looking towards Natska. "Mmmm. Probably, but not yet. Let's see if he wants to -avoid- a scene first, before we start one."
The guard growls, but folds his arms and goes back to his post. The scarred, well dressed Croc has finished his speech and has started to mingle with the crowd.
Zuri turns to Natska and Cassidy. "If this fella really is one of Olloch's we probably don't want to antagonize him. Let's just find out what's going on first, and uh... try not to pick a fight. There's a lot of guards around after all." He seems content to let the others keep leading.
Bazalt Blinks "so he does follow Olloch?" he nods slowly. "Ok...Yeah fightings a... bad Idea.." he says looking around.
"Yes, no fighting if we can avoid it," Cassidy says, tucking her hands into her pocket. "Just a nice chat. Zuri, you're a caller, aren't you? Maybe you should do the talking?" She suggests, eyeing the salamander. "He might be more open with you."
Natska gives Cass a smile and shakes her head. "No, but if he thought it'd avoid a scene he might talk. It's fine though."
One of the thugs stuffed into a suit whispers something in his boss's ear. The Croc only nods and shoots a glance over at the group, then he excuses himself from his current conversation. "Please," he calls out to everyone, "Enjoy the food. I'm afraid I must leave you, but I am sure that my boys here will keep you fed and entertained." He waves to a group of slightly better dressed thugs who have taken up a position off to one side of the open warehouse and begun to play some only slightly off key music. Then the Croc turns and walks toward a side door, his thugs falling in behind.
Zuri looks at Baz again. "I said -if- he is one. Olloch did not confirm it and..." He pauses, looking at Cassidy sideways. "Well yes, I am, but that isn't a guarantee of anything. I guess I can try.." He turns to face the croc, only to see him being ushered out by the thugs. "Uh... hum.. I have a feeling we should probably make ourselves scarce for now." He smiles. "Pleasure seeing you again, we'll catch up later." And with that he slinks back into the crowd, and eventually out of the warehouse.. plus an armful of cream cakes.
Bazalt Frowns "I... want to see this through...I might try to Tail him If I can...." he shakes his head "I dont like this....At all.." he shakes his head and Frowns as he makes his way. "It's... not over-theres got to be more too it? What would he wnat from them?.."
Cassidy furrows her brow, scowling as the croc departs. "Yes, if you can, tail him," she says, nodding at Bazalt. "I'm going to tend to some things with Natska. Ask around and see if we can find any clues elsewhere."
It might be past the point where anyone can follow the Crocodile. But this was certainly strange. Maybe there will be more to learn in the very near future.
