The show must go on part 2 - RPLOG
Participants
Date
12/4/477
Log
After the initial commotion at Saint's Square and later on, the guard house, the group has picked u a few more folks, for their own reasons, as they speed onwards to the wayhouse by the gates in search of more clues as to what might have happened to the orchestra's instruments, priceless works of art worth thousands, if not tens of thousands of crowns. Clearly there has been foul play at work, for three wagon wheels were sawn partway through, causing a delay that forced them to stay the night outside the walls.
The wayhouse in question started off a small fortified tavern where those who found themselves stuck outside city gates after dark, with shadows all around, could find some semblance of safety, with food, drink and shelter a close second. Over the years, the compound has grown, an outer wall over the inner one, the addition of stabling and shedding for travellers' vehicles, more comfortable accommodation, and even a well. It's probably in one of the sheds that Zora's wagon train spent the night...
While taking a bite out of a conveinent biscuit stashed away for hungry times, Dio prepares to do the very same to CRIME. The lion joins the crime solving party, tower shield clanking across his back with each step while a hand steadily grips a dangerous spear. Looking at the other mystery solvers, the lion lowers his weapon. "Alright," he proudly proclaims. "So from what I've been told, we got some instrument stealers o' somethin'. Suppose we should start askin' aroun' a bit to see if anyone saw some suspicious activity?"
Glein would roll his eyes if he could, but just shakes his head instead. "We've apparently feline thieves in play. We're heading to this wayhouse to learn what we can about any possibily in the area." He says, bringing on hand behind him to make sure his weapons were 'ready' and that they wouldn't be difficult to get ahold of between the large pack on his back and the cloak covering both as well as himself.
Bite shakes her head to Dio and hisses "So to fill you in, the instruments were stolen. We asked what happened and apparently they had been late due to some sort of wheel issue, which convienently made them late for their appointed time in the gate, and forced them to stay outside the city. Some felines who apparently don't work at the wayhouse according to the guard helped them with their wagons and cargo, and today, when they arrived, the instruments were missing, one of the wagons was covered in dust and had an odd smell, the crates had excess glue on them, and the lovely swan is offering a reward for their return. Let's go find out about these felines, and how they managed to do this if they aren't supposed to be working, and find out who was supposed to be on duty?" The serpent stretches as she finishes explaining things and looks to the others before she proceeds onwards.
Cassidy tugs up her cowl, but not the mask, as she approaches the warehouse, wrinkling her nose. "I certainly want to get to the bottom of this, yes. Curiosity alone is killin' me!" She gives a polite nod to Dio as she eyes the place over. "Think we'll end up in a scuffle?"
A mumble, a flick of Flora's tails. She's moving along with the group and muttering softly while she looks over the group, offering a slight hiss in Dio's direction, before looking at the rest of the group. She's currently following the rest of the goup, her tails flicking again while she mulls over these facts in her mind.
The shed lies off to the wayhouse's side, and a frenzy of activity greets everyone as they step in: about four worried-looking beings poring over the various vehicles, boxes and barrels, sometimes opening one of the larger ones, clearly looking for something. The one nearest by the entrance, an otter, looks up as everyone arrives.
"More folk? We aren't up to putting away any wagons or carts for now - the boss, she has us looking for those who were supposed to be on shift last night. They just...vanished." She shakes her head. "They're good kids, wouldn't do that and why would one give up a steady job in these times? We're still looking over the place for them, but all this stuff is really heavy. Anyways, come back later if you need your cart put away properly or something, all right?"
While listening to the bits and pieces of information, Dio consumes the rest of his biscuit in a few short bites. "Thanks fer the explanation there. Some big bunch stealin' somethin' with that much value. I sure 'ope we don't end up in a tussle o' sorts, but if we do, it's best to be prepared. Criminals o' this type, ya can never be too sure ya know." Hearing a hiss in his direction, the lion scratches and tilts his head. "I ain't sure what problem ya got with me, lass. I always try to be nice to people an' such, an'... Ah well, suppose I did somethin' dumb, but we got a job to do."
Arriving at the shed along with the others, Dio peeks inside before heading on in, observing the hustle and bustle. "Sorry to barge in, but we're 'ere on an investigation o' sorts. It's possible that these missin' crew members are related to our thieves. On a hunch from what I've been told, perhaps our thieves knocked out the proper staff members an' hid 'em somewhere while they stole all those instruments. This may be a bit o' a strange question, but if ya were a criminal an' ya wanted to stash away some beings 'ere at the wayhouse, where do ya think ya'd put 'em so no one would see 'em?"
Unable to stop himself from groaning and facepalming, Glein sighes. Looking around, he sees that the whole yard's been torn up in movement while the workers tried to find their missing companions. There'd be little chance of finding any means to track their feline culprits, but if they could find the missing workers, they might be able to get some descriptions. "Could you describe them for us please? I think we might be able to help if we had some idea of what to look for." He offers, figuring they'd be more willing to help their investigation, if the group helped the worker's own.
Bite shakes her head and recants herself once more. "Sssweeties you don't have a group of cats working here at the wayhouse do you? They helped house important valuablle insturments and wagons for a performer who traveled a long way here from the north, and she's really upset. We need those instruments back. Do you by chance store spare wagons around here that might have been swapped for the real one, or perhaps someplace odd that they might have gathered dust and a peculiar smell?" she quizzes as she looks things over.
Cassidy frowns a little, folding her arms. "Missing? Yes, if you can tell us what they look like, I'd be happy to help look for them! I do hope nothing bad has happened... Usually when people vanish like that, it's not a good sign!"
Far behind the rest of the group is one of Flora's golems, a smaller, simpler model, keeping watch of everything in the area as per Flora's instructions.
The smaller feline is flicking her tail lightly, watching the happenings quizzically and mumbling. "Flora would like to know what these felinse looked like, and Flora would also like to know what the missing people looked like, yes," she mumbles, pulling out a sketchbook and a lump of charcoal.
The otter looks appropriately shocked at the idea of kidnapping, but thinks a moment. "Would probably stash them away somewhere in here, if you mean it that way...no end of places to hide folk in, and wouldn't want anyone to spot you dragging an out-cold fellow around, would you? They were mostly good 'uns, small folk as in mice and small birds, so could be in a corner, in one of the bins or barrels, although I hope that's not the case, then they'd suffocate...and as for a smell..." this one requires a little more thought. "A smell? Come to think of it, when we were passing by the side entrance on the way to the front, smelled something heavy an' sweet...like sugar water or sap, only more so. Was going to mention it to the boss, thought one of the stock might have sprung a leak, but got sidetracked when we realised them folk were missing..."
With that, she gives a brief description of the missing stevedores to Flora, enough to reliably draw a sketch by.
Dio listens to the otter and nods his head. "Yer right. No criminal worth their salt would create witnesses like that. But if they did want to move the bodies 'round, they could've used the barrels an' such 'ere to move 'em 'round the building. Perhaps if we can find a witness that saw a group o' felines movin' barrels an' such 'round, we might get a bit closer to our goal." Hearing another clue, the lion's ears perk up! "Could be just somethin' strange, but everythin' is worth investigatin'. I'll go check out that side entrance if ya don't mind. Hopefully some searchin' here will turn up yer missin' co-workers." With a small wave, Dio takes off towards the indicated side entrance to locate that mysterious smell.
Glein sighes, and shrugs. "I'll keep the lion from causing trouble. And who know, might need someone a little smaller than he is to check out something." He says, pointing at Dio, and following after.
Bite follows Dio hastily, summoning an elemental companion as she does so just in case things get bad. The elemental tails them but avoids getting close to things it shouldn't. The feline with the tower shield is followed rather closely, having proven their worth as a blockade in the past.
Cassidy tilts her head, shuffling back a few steps. "I'll keep my ears open. If you need any help, I'll come running! But you've got enough people going, so in the meantime I think I will remain here with the other employees and keep an eye out. Make sure nothing else happens over on this end. Let me know what you find out!"
Another flick of Flora's tails as she continues sketching, large enough to identify each being and smiling lightly. "Flora will be wandering around, yes, checking things out," she mumbles, sketchbook still out as she draws absolutely everything, and well, touches pretty much everything as well.
The golem follows along with her, and Flora continues her exploring post-haste.
Indeed, Dio's nose is true. With most everyone following the lion's feline sense of smell, save a few who stay behind with Cassidy, he leads them around the stalled carts and wagons to the side entrance that was mentioned. It hasn't been used in quite some time, the bar heavily set in place, and the goods that have been placed there are largely non-perishable.
As everyone approaches, the odd smell grows, and it's evident that many beings have been here quite recently - clean spots lie aplenty in the covered dust. Several newer barrels have been placed along the backs of a wall, their lids ajar, and the warehouse workers waste no time in running ahead and prying open the lids, revealing their missing colleagues - bound, gagged and dishevelled, but not seriously hurt.
"Aha!" Dio exclaims as he lifts the lid off one of the barrels, revealing a poor being inside. "Glad we found 'em this quickly. 'old on lads, we're 'ere to 'elp ya out." The lion removes one of the barrel bound beings and helps remove any gags or restraints. "Glad to know we ain't dealin' with the murderous type at least. Now then, any o' ya lads up to givin' us description o' whoever did this to ya? We're on an investigation to find a group o' felines that managed to steal some expensive instruments an' such."
Glein helps another, looking over what was used to bind and gag them. Looked to be the same sorts as used by the workers here. "Whoever did this used materials already here. They sought to keep their tracks as small as possible by using as little outside resources as possible." He says, undoing the bindings. "The binding method is similar to what some folks who deal with ropes would use in a quick but sturdy binding."
Bite sees that the victims are well at hand, and instead examines the surrounding area for all these mystereous clean spots of dust. She searches for clues, keeping an eye out in case someone doesn't like that hey're looking around at all. "Well tracks, but I can't tell exactly how many. There's hair here too!" she hisses and giggles. This wasn't unexpected.
Cassidy idly tugs at her bowstring, glancing around. "Did you guys find anything back there," she calls out. Her eyes flit towards Flora for a moment as the feline wanders off before making her own way towards the group, having decided that her side of the building was quiet enough.
Flora mumbles softly as she methodically wanders the different hallways, questioning absolutely everyone on the things they've seen, whether there were odd things, and if they have any further information. On the whole, the feline is both listening to the answers, looking for tells, and of course, letting the golem accompanying her force smoke from its maw, to add a little more 'persuasion' to her questions if anyone decides to withold information she could use.
The freed workers are more than happy to recount their tale to Flora - apparently, they'd been lazing about on the night shift, playing cards due to there being nothing to do when suddenly everyone suddenly felt very sleepy...not all of them went out at the same time, though, and one of the smaller mice is able to give a description, albeit a bit fuzzy, of three cats he managed to catch glimpses of in brief flashes of lucidity between being manhandled about like a sack of potatoes. "They were wearing clothes like us, ma'am, but didn't wear them like they were used to them, if you know what I mean. Look a bit like you too, if you don't mind me saying so, something in the shape of the face. Next thing I knew, I was in that bin - dunno for how long, since I couldn't see the light of day."
"Wait," the otter practically squeals. "Those folk that you mentioned - they left just before you lot -" she points at the group - "turned up! Fancy folk with a fine wagon, were heading west along the main road away from the city...did seem weighed down, but didn't think they were up to anything until you lot came running...
Think you might be able to catch up with them, if I lend you the cart we use for making trips into town...maybe you can catch up with them, since they were really bogged down. If yer right and word gets out this kinda heist happened here, we're gonna be ruined."
More clues, and now they were even closer to the truth. When one of the workers comments about Flora's face, he looks at her for a few moments, recalling the recent talk about her recent noble appointment. Connection? Perhaps, but the only thing that matters is catching them! "Thank ya all fer yer information, but we got some thieves to catch!" The lion exclaims, banging the base of his spear against the ground. "Prepare that cart. Let's get goin' before they get too far."
