The Technologists Strike Back - Fled Fleshcrafter - RPLOG
Participants
Date
21/11/479
Log
"No! NO!" comes a horrified cry from the outskirts of the open marketplace, "They couldn't leave! They didn't! I am telling you, you are making a mistake!"
Two town guards are struggling with a chunky boar in noble finery who seems to be trying to drag them to an empty patch of ground where a large tent recently stood. It looks like the Fleshcrafters have moved along and left behind a dissatisfied customer.
Ssen isn't entirely looking for trouble today but seems to find it somehow none the less. The little moth girl was busy running laps around the market, dodging through the crowds and around bystanders when she manages to stumble right out into what could only be described as a kerfuffle. The moth slows herself to a stop and blinks up to the unusual scene with a blank expression, unsure of how to read into it. She fails to grasp that the fact she's only standing a few feet away may indeed implicate her in the issue.
"What's the problem here?" Rixo asks, having largely just been passing through, as she is wont to do. "Did someone get robbed?" She asks, looking between the boar and the guards.
It was indeed another busy day in the market. Among the crowded stalls, Ioph stood near an Alchemist's store, inspecting the healing properties of some concoction made from herbs they brought from Shralesta. For some reason, the towering plant was very intrigued about it. Yet, snapping out of her focus, she turned around, looking towards the confusion. She wasn't too far from it, but she couldn't make much sense of what was going on considering all the other people in front of her.
Flora, for her part, is flicking her tail lightly behind, scratching behind her head as she watches the going-ons. She's had to pass on her morning market-walk today due to some stuff surrounding her project.
Still, she's quick to move towards the origin of the ruckus, her brow raised lightly.
Galve happened to be at the store that Ioph was in, stocking up on alchemical supplies and picking up a small list of things for infirmary back at the church when he noticed the commotion.
"Just look!" the tubby boar cries, refusing to be dissuaded by the guards, "You have to look! You have to find them! You can't just leave me like. . . like this!"
The boar starts to openly weep, snorting and blubbering while the guards look on in embarrassment. "Sir," one finally hazards, "I'm not sure I understand the problem. The Fleshcrafters come and go all the time. If you needed to see them, i am sure that they will be back in a few weeks."
Galve gathers the list's and his own purchases, dispensing the crown required and handing over a small pouch for the other. He took it all into a leather shoulder bag and exited the shop, passing Ioph on the way out. "What seems to be the problem?" He asks the plant, hoping she might know more about it than he did.
Ssen worries slughtly that things might escalate despite the lowering of the tone to a sadder scene. The moth busies herself looking uninterested, taking several steps back to cool down from her excerises. Oddly for the normally silent insect she begins to hum, building up a quiet but audible little tune behind her mask
Rixo lifts her hand, rubbing at her chin for a moment before nodding. "I think I see the problem. How long ago did you last see them?" She asks of the boar. "That will give me a good idea of how fast I need to run to catch up to them! I am certain that I can find them, if they've packed up and gone ahead."
Ioph could only imagine, but she did look towards the Sheep, calmly saying, "Hmm. I believe that person -may- have wrongly used a fleshcrafter, I'm not so sure though." The plant slowly moved a couple of steps forward towards the crowd, getting closer to the boar and the guards. "Excuse me, sorry about that." She said as she happened to accidentally push someone else on her way.
Flora sighs and nods lightly as she makes her way through the mass of people, carefully steering her golem ahead to avoid touching most anyone. Soon enough, she's at the front, looking between the guards and the boar, as well as the other various beings. "Would Mister Boar like to explain?" she ventures after a short pause.
"Y-y-yesterday," the boar groans, "B-but they promised they would be here! It was only supposed to be for the night! It was a j-j-joke!" It would have been an incredibly expensive joke. . . who could this pig be?
The guards, now that their charge is no longer dragging them about are starting to edge away as the gawking crowd grows.
Galve nods. He'd heard a little here and there and read about fleshcrafters..... but never seen one in person nor in operation. He followed the plant and then through the swath cut by Lady Longtail and her golem.
Ssen continues to hum as she picks out the apparent problem solvers, eyes settling on the tall plant lady for a long period before she edges towards Flora and her shiny Golem kitty friend. The humming increases in volume as she draws up next to Bastet, the Moth trying to keep everyone nice and calm with the inate power of her voice so the issue could be solved sharpish. Not through helpfulness but more that the apparent rich fool blubbering pathetically instilled her with a sort of disgusted pity and she deerly wished he'd shut the heck up
"Yesterday... Well. That might be difficult then. Have they already been here today and left again? Or are they running late, perhaps?" The Panda asks of the boar, glancing around the market. "Hmmmm. This complicates things. I might be able to ask around to see if anyone has heard them, or seen them."
"Why would you even take part on such mad joke. Hmph. As if you people playing with things you don't know wasn't a problem already." Said ioph, taking a couple of steps towards the Boar. "Either way. Mister. Who are you and why can't you just wait for them to come back if it was.. 'Just a joke'?" Clearly, the plant creature didn't seem excited with this situation as she gazed into the man's eyes. Still, something about this boar and this story seemed a bit off to her.
"A... Joke?" Flora asks, looking more than a little incredulous at the idea of fleshcrafting as part of a joke. "Flora doesn't get it," she finally offers, perhaps a little bluntly, as she looks between the various beings, scratching her head lightly. "Still... Flora figures that investigation would probably be good, yes. Maybe they're still in the area, maybe they're not, but Flora figures it might help, yes."
The blubbering boar seems to calm down a bit, looking around for the source of that strange humming. "B-but they promised!" he protests, "I even paid in advance!" The boar trails off, pulling a lacey handkerchief from a pocket and noisily blowing his nose. When Ioph asks his name he looks embarrassed and ashamed, his eyes flickering to the gathering crowd. "I-I'd rather not say," he says, looking between Ioph and Flora, who he seems to recognize, though he is unfamiliar. Which is only to be expected with the fleshcrafter involved.
There are a few stalls and shops nearby where people might have seen something. A small bakery sits across the street, a farrier down the way a bit and a few small tents, closed up for lunch are scattered about here at the market's edge. Odds are good that a beggar or two might have seen something, if one has the right connections and the right incentives. It is obvious that the two guards are out of their depth here.
Galve gets the gist of the situation, but otherwise doesn't know much more than the others. He pushes a little closer, so that he could address the boar directly. "What did they promise, sir" he asks, quietly and discreet, barely loud enough for the other Freeswords and lady Longtail to hear, but lost easily amongst the hum of the crowd.
Ssen signs the words [gender swap] with as much snide attitude as she can into hand movements. She's happy that the whimpering has stopped though and allows the humming to pitre off as she reaches out to pat Bastet on the head.
Rixo sets her hands on her hips for a moment before turning and wandering off. One of the best places to ask, she figures, is near the gates. Anyone coming in or out with that kind of cargo would need to use a ship or the gate itself, and the docks could wait.
Ioph tilted her head a little bit, looking over to Lady Longtail as Galve talked to the boar. "Hmm. I kind of remember you. Kind of. I think we've met in the Inn, about once or twice. I may have been slightly drunk, but putting that aside, do you think this is worth investigating?
"Yes. Miss plant was drunk, yes. Flora advised miss plant to not tell too much about her job, because it'd mean she could be taken off-world, yes," she notes, shrugging lightly as she looks at the boar, before flicking her tail again. "Mysteries exist to be solved, yes?" she offers after a short while, gesturing for someone to get the boar a chair. "What does mister boar remember?" she offers, as she looks around the square, trying to pin-point a likely beggar.
There are not any chairs to be had here in the open market, but the boar seems to be back in control of himself and straightens up, throwing back his shoulders. "What do you mean, what do I remember?" he asks, "I already told you! I came here last night to the Fleshcrafters. That Coyote and his Mole assisstant. They changed me to look like this for the sake of my joke and I paid them for their services and for a repeat performance to return to my normal self today! They assured me that they had no plans to leave any time soon! Then, I came back this morning only to find the entire business gone! After that, I ran straight to the guard! I demand they be found and made to fulfill our bargain!"
Beside the bakery, it being one of the few permanent structures out here, There is a dark narrow alley. It seems like a likely spot for a beggar to hide from the afternoon sun and passing policemen.
At the gates, far from the hustle and bustle of the market, it is a slow time of day and a pair of guards lazily watches the trickle of beings coming in and out of the city.
Galve raises an eyebrow. "A coyote and a mole? Well... that's a starting point, if anything... You said it was for some kind of... prank? What kind of prank?" He asks, trying to get some more information from the uptight pig.
Ssen giggles, a soft clicking sound eminating from from her throat at the rather silly story. As far as she was concerned the whole rambunction function was a bit unvalled for and dreply hilarious but there may be some reward in it so she decideds to quietly follow the more quizically minded beings for hope that she can help soon.
Rixo shuffles over towards one of the guard, waving as she approaches. "Hello there! I don't suppose you've seen a coyote and a mole come through the gates today? Coming or going, really. Probably with some kind of wagon or cart. Merchant type?"
"Joke or not, I'm going to look around." Said Ioph, picking up her pace as she headed over to the bakery. She was slightly hungry, so why not stop by, pick up something tasty and ask if anyone had seen anything out of the ordinary? Sounds like a win-win. Stepping into the bakery, she looked around to see if anyone could help her and if they had anything which caught her eye.
"Coyote and mole... The regular fleshcrafters then, yes," Flora concludes as she gestures at the alleyway. "Anyone joining Flora? Flora figures the beggars might've seen a thing or two, yes," the she-cat concludes after a pause, a flick of her ears, as she taps her golem, and guides it along into the alleyway.
The boar looks uncomfortable and glances from side to side, as if afraid of being caught in something shameful. "My sister," he says, "She is utterly insufferable! My parents have tried for months to coax her into a suitable marriage, but she has utterly refused to even see any of the suitors they have chosen. She went so far as to fabricate a suitor for herself, sending herself letters from a Lord Byron Boarsworth!" He rolls his eyes and folds his arms. "I honestly can't believe our parents fell for it," he continues, "So I decided that it was about time we did away with Lord Boarsworth for once and for all and I answered an invitation." His piggy snout splits in a grin. "Made an absolute ass of myself last night at a fancy dinner party. You should have seen the look on her face when Byron Boarsworth actually showed! HA! She'll never hear the end of it!" He frowns down at his finery and hefty form. "And neither will I if something isn't done soon!"
At the gates, the two guards look at each other, then to Rixo. "Coyote and Mole?" one of them, a large badger, asks, scratching his head, "Nah, Miss, can say as I have. But we've only been on duty since an hour after sunrise. Your friends mighta left earlier, I suppose."
The bakery is a small, but cheery little shop with loaves and pastries of all shapes and sizes on display. A round little armadillo with a cheery smile is at work behind the counter. "Let me know if you need any help," he says with a little wave, flour floating from his thick arms.
There is not much to see in the shady alley, except a snoring bundle of rags curled up beside a stack of crates.
Galve nods. "So I see.... the fleshcrafter operators... they aren't the shady sort, are they? Are the running an official operation?" He asks, amused with the story but trying to maintain a serious tone.
Ssen follows after Flora, skipping alongside the feline's automata, strangely attached to it. As they neer the alley she reaches for a coinpurse in her pocket, grasping it and giving it a firm shake to attempt to rouse the sleepy being in the blankets with the unspoken promise of cash monies
"Hmmmm... Well, thank you for the help," Rixo says, frowning softly and glancing around. "Do you know anyone that might be around here that WOULD have seen anyone coming or leaving this morning?"
Surprisingly, Ioph smiled at the armadillo, which was something difficult coming from her. Must've been the smell of fresh pastries. The tall plant-like being asked in a slightly cheerful tone, "Hey there, good afternoon! I'm in the mood for something sweet, but I can't quite decide, can you help me out? And on a sidenote, mind if I ask if you a thing or two about something else?"
Flora, on the other hand, is a little less gentle, pulling out a measuring-stick and physically nudging the sleeping figure in his bundle of rags, even though she, too, has a few coins ready, and depending on the being in the bundle, something else to offer as well. Still, she waits for the being to wake, besides the occasional prod with her measuring-stick.
"They were very professional," the Boar informs Galve, "That Coyote was all business. I mean, I could tell he wanted my money, but he was also very proud of his machine. And the mole didn't really seem like the fly-by-night sort."
The guards at the gate look at each other and shrug. "Couldn't say, miss," the badger says, "The gates are closed at night, but folks can still use the little door. I don't think anybody left with a wagon before we was here."
The little armadillo waddle out from behind the counter, wiping flour from his hands and arms. "Happy to be of service," he says in a warm tone, "The strudel is spot on today, if you like a bit of apples and cinnamon."
In the alleyway, the ragged bundle staggers to its feet, revealing a rather thin, pinched rodent. "Whaddya want," snarls the rat, turning his back to the wall. He holds one hand up in an motion of surrender, but his other hand is conspicuously invisible, somwhere in the tatters of his clothing.
Galve nods. "Alright....Anything out of the ordinary that might have happened?" He asks, still trying to piece together what happened. "I'm not too familiar with fleshcrafters... how big is one?"
Ssen looks up to Flora, rather confused about the need of stick for alarm purposes. She strokes one hand over the smoothest part of The kitty cat Golem she can reach and inhales a deep breath. She begins to talk, her voice quiet but smooth and well meaning. "Would like to ask some questions about the big tent, do you know where it went Mister?" She asks, looking up at his face, one hand behind her back just as he had one hidden too, making sure he knew she was fully on to what he may be up to despite her lack of weapons back there
"Calm, yes. Flora just has some questions," she notes, as she pulls out a silver coin, worth half a crown. Certainly enough to eat for a good while, if he's not concerned about the quality. Probably even a warm bed at an inn for a night or two.
She places the coin on the ground, before stepping back, gesturing for Ssen to step back... Only to hiss clearly, and show her teeth when Ssen touches the cool, black metal of her golem... Seems she's -really- not a fan of that...
Rixo closes her eyes, nodding for a moment. "Alright. Very well. Thank you for your time," she says, giving a little bow before setting off again, towards the traveler's tavern situated outside the gates. Tavern gossip was always a good place to seek information.
"Sure, I'll have a slice, how much for it?" Ioph asked, walking closer to the counter, adding. "By the way, mister, what I wanted to ask is if you knew where did the fleshcrafters go or if you noticed something strange with them recently. Seems a friend of mine is looking for them but they packed their things pretty early." She gently asked, looking into the armadillo's eyes for a moment.
The boar stares at Galve. "Anything out of the ordi-" he starts, then snorts, "I walked into the tent as one thing and walked out as this! That is pretty out of the ordinary!" The pig shakes his head, though. "I never saw the thing," he confesses, "It was all covered by a big canvass. Seemed pretty big, though. They had me stand in a changing room sort of box, thing."
The gateside tavern is quiet this time of day. The all nighters have finally been cleared out and the evening crowd has not rolled in yet. The only people around are the tavern owner, who is scrubbing at a particularly stubborn stain on a long table, and a single patron napping by the fireplace.
The baker smiles and nods at the request, bustling back around his counter to wrap a chunk of pastry in paper. "One copper scepter," he says, passing it across the wooden countertop. He frowns at the question, though. "Now you mention it, yeah," he says, "Don't know much 'bout the owner. That Coyote fella? But Monty is always a regular in here when the pair of 'em are in town. I got his morning usual all ready for him today, but he never showed. Not like him to leave town without a bag of my jam rolls."
The rat looks suspiciously between Flora and Ssen. "What big tent?" he asks, guardedly, "You mean them fleshycrafters cross the way? Yeah, I seen their tent afore."
Galve nods again, piecing it together. "Some kind of magical device... alright, so you've done this before?"
Ssen snatches her hand back from Bastet warily, taking her eyes off the rat to look up at Flora sadly, large eyes drooping with an understanding, apologetic sense of melancholy. That done she cocks her head back towards the Rodent, "This morning? Here yesterday, gone now, we require knowledge about their direction of travel."
Rixo clicks her tongue. "It's never this empty. Oh well." She shrugs and steps up to the bar, taking a seat. "A tankard of ale and some information, if you've got it. I'm looking for a coyote and a mole that might've passed through recently. Seen or hear anything like that?"
"Odd." Ioph looked rather puzzled, picking up her coinpurse and passing a a copper scepter and a silver coin along with it. "Thank you. That one is for your kindness. I'll try to find out what happened with the duo and... I may return for some of those jam rolls tomorrow, have a good one!" She smiled, stuffing her coinpurse into her pocket. Unwrapping part of the slice and having a bite of it as she walked out of the bakery.
Flora nods, as she slides the coin forward with her paw. "Any idea where it went?" she adds, pulling another copper coin out of her pocket. Enough for an extra meal, at least.
She seems to pause for a moment, before relaxing lightly, and giving the coin a small flip, landing in the rat's lap. "Flora would assume that's more than enough for any help for now, yes?" the cat notes, tail flicking behind her. "Two days of lodging, two days of decent food," she concludes, with a genuine smile.
The boar frowns at Galve. "What kind of heathen do you take me for?" he asks, "As if someone would use something as strange as the Fleshcrafter more than once! It is a terribly strange experience." The stocky pig folds his arms and snorts. "Why are you interrogating me!?" he asks, "I just want them found so I can get back to being myself again."
In the bakery, the armadillo nods, accepting the coin. "If you find 'em," he says, "You take care of Monty. He's good people."
"You mean the ones with the crazy striped tent?" The barman asks Rixo, "No, didn't see them. But I think I saw their cart in the wee hours today. Tried to get out the gate, but they were locked up still. Driver threw a fit. Rabbit, he was. Turned the cart around and said he would come back later. Ain't seen him again though."
The thin rat looks warily at the other beings in the alley as the coins clink at his feet. "They was took," he says bluntly, "Middle of the night. Real fast too! Four guys in hood came and jumped em while they was sleeping. Suckers didn't stand a chance." He scoops up the coins that Flora tossed on the ground. "You didn't hear it from me," he says, "But I hear them Techno-whatsits are back in town." He then turns and slips away down the alleyway and is gone.
Galve raises an eyebrow. "I'm just as ready as you are. And if someone has absconded with the device... this might be a problem.... if they weren't here when they said they would be... we can only assume the worst." He says, his expression serious.
Ssen listens blankly, glad for the information but unable to express a reaction for she wasn't sure whether or not we wanted the people beaten up or whether or not the technowhatsits were bad news. She waits for thw rat to skeddadle and looks up to Flora, little hrad cocked sharply, "Assume you know about techno-whatsits? bad techno-whatsits or good ones?"
"So they're probably still in the city, hm?" Rixo nods along, sliding a couple of coin on the bar. "Thanks for the tip. I'll turn my search inward once more," she says, pushing herself up and smoothing down her robe. "With luck I'll find them. Else I might just be waiting for them to try to leave again."
Ioph walked out of the bakery and into the nearby alley, noticing the other 'problem solvers', not taking too long to have another bite of the slice of apple strudel. Walking in, she firmly stated, "So, how did you all go? I found out that Monty, one of the owners who frequent the bakery didn't take his pastries as he usually does before leaving, which one of the attendants thought was pretty out of the ordinary."
A flick of the tail, a shake of the head, a sigh. "Bad Technologists. Very bad, yes. Does miss Ssen understand what the church does, and more importantly, why?" the she-cat offers, before shaking her head again, and gesturing out of the alleyway.
"The church protects beings from technology that beings aren't ready for as a whole, yes. The technologists... Flora doesn't know a lot about them, but from what Flora knows... It's not pretty, no."
While things may not be completely clear, one thing is absolutely positive: The Fleshcrafter and its operators have been taken by the Technologists. Only time will tell what will come of this.
