The Adorable Archfae - vol. 01

You slide through the sewer grating and drop into the darkness below. The sound of your landing echos off the walls but there is enough noise down here that the men and woman in front of you do not notice.

The sewer tunnels are absurdly spacious and you are able to stick to the shadows while tailing the large group, just in case any of them happen to turn around. The are dressed in dark clothing, mostly black jeans or work pants, with t-shirts or tank tops to try and keep cool in the heat wave. All of them appear to be unarmed.

The chase drags on for longer than you would like as their prey frequently changes direction when they approach a fork. You cannot quite make out the appearance of the individual they are chasing but it is clear they are alone and feel threatened.

Tired and sweaty, you fail to notice the group slowing down and when you turn to follow them around the next corner you slam into the back of one of them and are knocked to the cold moist ground. Looking ahead you see that their target has run down a dead end and is backed into a corner. They are hunched over with their hands on their knees trying to catch their breath. Their basketball shorts and t-shirt are soaked with sweat. You would guess the man is in his late 20's, early 30's. He has a shaved head and a couple days of beard growth.

None of the individuals that were chasing this man even appear slightly winded. They seemingly forget about the original target and all turn to face you. A man works his way through the group and offers a hand to help you back to your feet. You are not at all surprised to see it is the same man you spoke to in the alley earlier in the evening.

"Didn't think I'd be seeing you again so soon. You really should have called to make an appointment though."

Well this was great. She should have stuck with the free couch. She grits her teeth but accepts the hand. She needed to lowe their guard if she was going to get out.

'Well Brian told me you want to take back the streets. That got me thinking.' She had to keep herusual sarcasm out of her voice, or this would go south. 'So when I saw someone who looked like they needed help I decided to jump in. Though a little dissapointed, you told me Micha wasn't the one dragging people into sewers.

The leader of the group looks back to the man they were chasing. When he returns his gaze to you he breaths out a sign of frustration and shakes his head. "I realize this doesn't look particularly good, but believe me, we are the good guys here. This man is confused and scared because was he taken from his home and dragged down here. We're rescuing him. The people that took him are not gentle. He is scared and not listening to reason because he thinks we're trying to take him back. If you are as invested in our mission statement as you say you are, then perhaps you should be the one to speak to him. Convince him to come above ground. That's all we want. We're not forcing anyone to do anything. Help us get him out of here, out of danger, and the two of you can go off on your own wherever you want. We just don't want him to be recaptured again."

The men and woman part, giving you a passage to the frightened man at the end of the tunnel. He is still breathing heavily and has a wild look of fear in his eyes, but he does not speak to confirm or deny what this man is telling you.

'Rescuing him from who?' She eyes the group cautiously, looking for the trick.

She makes no attempt to move forward as the group part. She didn't want to get trapped in a dead end with a bunch of goons behind her. Sadly it meant that they would all hear what was said between herself and the man. First important thing, get him out of the bad position he was in.

'You heard them mate. And whether they're telling the truth better you come over to me and we can chat with a tunnel behind us, instead of staying there with no escape route.'

The man is hesitant. His eyes dart from the group that chased him and back to you several times before he starts vigorously shaking his head up and down in the affirmative. He practically sprints to your side and offers a smile before he opens his mouth and barks. That's right. He barks like a dog. Several quick high pitched yelps that perfectly mimic the sound of a yippy little terrier. His eyes keep darting upward indicating that he at least understood everything that was being said and is on board with the plan to head up above ground.

Lex bites her tongue against making a sarcastic remark about how explaining is far easier than chasing. While trying to keep a stoic face she can't hide her surprise as the man barks. She tries to see if it is as surprising to the others even as she pulls herself up.

'Perhaps I should leave with him, he seems not fond of you guys for some reason.' The sarcasm was back. 'You just wanted him on the surface right? And then I can call you at some point about that dinner. When I find some change.'

All eyes are on you as you speak. No one makes a move to stop you or the man from walking toward the nearby ladder. You nudge the chased man forward to climb up first.

"Aren't things always a little more complicated than they seem? Fate seems to have intertwined our destines." The leader of the group tells you. "When we next meet, I'll answer all of your questions. I promise. In return, I hope you'll be more trusting at that time." He gives you a tip of the imagery hat and his group begins to walk off down the direction they came from in the sewer. As you start to climb the ladder, he shouts back one last time "I don't want to give you the wrong idea by walking away. We're not slinking back to our underground lair, if that is what you are thinking. Just giving you guys your space. We'll go topside a few blocks down. Have a wonderful night."

The cool yellowish red rays of the setting sun spill into the sewer as the barking man pushes up the manhole with ease. He motions for you to follow and gives another yelp of a bark.

Perhaps the man was speaking the truth. Or perhaps he felt gaining her trust by letting one of their victims go would be better in the long run. She scoffs at the idea of fate. No such thing. Just really irritating coincidences.

As they came up topside she looks around to try and get her bearings, figuring out if she could take the guy back to Brian's, and explain her disappearance. But then the guy was off, heading somewhere, but clearly wanting her to follow. She sighs and starts to do so. Onward then Lassi. Hopefully wherever she was being taken would give her answers.

You give chase after the man for what feels like hours. He seems to have nearly infinite amounts of stamina and despite the sweat dripping off his body, he never slows down. After running for blocks in the heat you are more than ready to give up when he suddenly skids to a stop.

Looking around you see that you have come a long way from Brian’s neighborhood. No one is out on the streets here. There are no broken or burnt out street lights. All of the cars parked on the street are luxury sedans and none of them are more than a few years old. The man you have jokingly dubbed Lassi barks a few more times while motioning his head to the house you both stand before.

You consider walking up the steps and knocking on the finely crafted wooden door but never get the chance. The door is thrown open and a woman in her early 60’s comes running down the steps to embrace the man in a tight hug. He barks several times in response.

"Oh my gosh, Micah. I was so worried. You’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days." The woman keeps an arm wrapped around the man and turns to address you. Her expression turns to one of slight distaste as she looks you up and down. "I suppose I have you to thank for my son’s safe return home?" She awkwardly looks up and down the street to see if any neighbors are watching the exchange. "Do you require some sort of monetary reward? I have my check book inside if you’ll just wait out here for a minute. I hope you understand."

Wait what. Micah? That was who was supposedly in charge of the men. Now she was really confused. She considers asking the lady what was up with the barking, but is immediately distracted by the mention of a reward. If the lady was offering she wasn't going to turn it down. Though the mention of a chequebook was troubling, having no bank account. Perhaps she could sweet talk someone into the bank to having it cashed out immediately.

'Well I just wanted to make sure he got home safely, but a little bit would be appreciated.' She should probably try and act not completely money grabbing. She pauses wondering if she should mention he was being chased by people, but right now she wasn't sure who fit where in this scheme of things.

The woman gives a simple nod and tells you she will be back in one moment. She takes her son inside and lightly closes the door behind her. After a minute, Micah can be seen in the window looking back out at you. His barks are muffled by the glass but you can still hear them. It has been a very strange night but Micah's goofy happy smile is nice to see.

The woman returns with a filled out check and hands it to you. It is made out to ‘Cash’ and is for $1,000.

"I hope that is adequate." She turns her head as you both hear the phone ringing from inside the house. "Thank you, again. I truly am grateful but I must get that."

Lex;s eyes widen as she see the amount. Perhaps there was some benefit to this helping others buisness. 'It certainly is. I'll leave you to reuniting with your..with Micah, and the phone.' She quickly goes to make her exit. The woman was probably about to natter for ages to some friend or something. But what if she wasn;t. What if it was something to do with this entire Micah and dragging people to the sewers buisness?

Lex curses as she ducks down a side way after checking no-one is watching. If she was going to be caught it may aswell be as not her. People in this mess knew her face too much already for her liking.

'Alright you bloody piece of metal, do your thing. She mumbles as she tries to draw on whatever was in the circlet under her hat. After a few moments she sigh. 'Please?'

That seems to do it a few moment later she;s trying to remind herself how to fly as she heads to the garden to try and eavesdrop.

You carefully and silently land on a sturdy looking awning overhanging the deck area in the backyard. Lucky for you, the kitchen window is open and you can quite easily hear her end of the phone conversation.

"Yes, yes, he's home now.... Some street urchin dropped him at the front door... Yes... I didn't get her name... That's right... Yes, alright... Still just barking, I'm afraid... I'll get him cleaned up and in bed and will let you know in the morning... Goodnight."

Still just barking. That suggested it was recent. Had they been experiment of those they kidnapped and he got caught up by something?

That whoever was on the phone wanted to know her name was concerning. Most didn't care about the people on the streets, that was one of the few perks, to be invisible.

She wasn't going to get anymore today it seems, and if she already like this she may as well get some flying practice as she headed back to Brian's. She didn't like breaking promises. too many people did. Still if she took her time to get used to flying that would be fine. It was just practice, not patrol or anything, she tells herself as she heads off.

While being invisible was a perk of life on the streets; the incredible aerial view of Crowfall was a much more exhilarating perk of playing hero. Looking down on the city brings a sense of peace and for most of the journey you are perfectly content to enjoy the view as you neither hear nor see any signs of trouble. Not that you were looking or anything.

You soar a little lower as you come back onto Brian's block and something finally catches your eye. A man with a hood pulled up around his head stands on a roof with his foot preventing the roof access door from closing. Not the most suspicious sight on its own, but you decide to circle around and continue to watch.

The man is obviously nervous. His head rapidly looking in every which direction screams lookout. And a bad one at that. On a hunch you swing by the alleyway and find a white cargo van parked at the bottom of the fire escape. A getaway vehicle.

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Dice pool limit: 5

Optional Threat Rating
Approach or subdue the lookout without attracting attention: 2

Well that was interesting. And concerning. She hoped they weren't after the siblings, and it was just a robbery or something. She somehow doubted it with the day she'd had.

She lands on a opposite roof, ducking into covering as she tries to focus. Last time she had been transformed she could..there, she could sense some stubborn weeds that had grown in the cracks of the roof and had yet to fall to the dismal industry of Crowfall. Now if she could just figure out how to do this.

She closes her eyes, imagining the weeds growing, becoming strong, longer and vinelike, before wrapping around the lookouts mouth and legs, to quiet and knock him down at the same time. As she visualises her mouth moves on its own, speaking old Fae words to encourage and manipulate the plants, as they move to follow her bidding.

The lookout hears the plants well before he sees them. He head starts to dart around in every direction at the sound of the weeds rapidly growing and stretching into sturdy vines. When he finally spots them it is already too late. Vines jump forward and wrap themselves around the young man. They drag him back until his entire body is trapped against the bricks. His screams of protest are completely silenced by the vines that cover every inch of his face except for his wide fear filled eyes.

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Dice pool limit: 5

Optional Threat Rating
Approach or subdue the lookout without attracting attention Success
Interrogate the lookout: 2