[Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/5RY6ghJ.png[/img][hr][hr][b][colour=6f4a50]Event:[/colour][/b] Metropolis [b]|[/b] [b][colour=6f4a50]Location:[/colour][/b] Wánggǎng, ReTan[hr][hr][/center]

[b]Part 2[/b]

[color=FD5E53]"Listen to me very carefully Mr. Bao. You haven't told us [b]nearly[/b] enough for us to be satisfied. These men are not going away until you give us more information, so you better start talking while they're still in a lenient mood. WHO is your master, and WHAT does he do? I need you to give more clues so I can convince these guards to let you go. You'd like that wouldn't you?"[/color] Yalen punctuated his statement by shaking Bao's head a little bit.

'Mr. Bao' stiffened when Yalen grabbed him so forcefully, before his mind was fried with emotions that were not his own. In response to the Meattan's chemical stimulus, his lips started to pucker, before breaking into an uncontrolled smile.

Yalen continued, delivering his threats, and Xiulan duly translated, though it was difficult to tell if she had gotten the tone correct. The man knew what they were, however, for he was not stupid. He listened on, even as he was shaken, and an enormous, vacant, tooth-filled grin split the lower half of his face. Then, his mouth opened, and he laughed.

He laughed.

And he laughed.

And he [i]laughed[/i].

"你问我谁是我师父?" he suddenly blurted, voice going cold and icy. Xiulan began to translate: [color=a2d39c]"You ask me who is my master?"[/color], but his grin was a sick thing now: sick and toothy. "Aaaaah haha! Aha! Aaaahahahaaaa!!" In the background, the last rays of the sun dipped below the rooftops. All around Yalen came the drawing of powerful magics, most of all from Lady Yang. "你看不到我的主人，但他看到了你!" (You do not see him, but he sees you!)

An outward explosion of kinetic energy erupted from the Servant and slammed into Yalen. Then, suddenly, the house was full of energies: over a dozen in the attic and the cellar, and they were [i]strong[/i].

Lady Yang was already in action, stepping forward and barking out orders. [color=848484]<<"Chen, Zhang, and Dai, between us and the house. Cai and Feng, pacify the prisoner!">>[/color] She strode forward, casually reaching out to catch Yalen with Kinetic magic and set him on his feet.  [color=848484]<<"You pieces of shit: we have you now.">>[/color]

When Yalen was thrown back by the kinetic shockwave he was instantly reminded of the time he blew those demons in Eskand sky-high. He didn't hit a tree this time however thanks to Lady Yang's timely rescue. Whatever he or is companions though about the police in Rettan, it was a fact that they were well trained and quick to react, and for that he was grateful.

[color=FD5E53]"One of you help Cai and Feng secure the old man! Everyone else with me! We're going in!"[/color] Yalen shouted while pointing at his teammates

Maura stood on the sidelines, her eyes fixed on the unfolding chaos. Her heart pounded as she watched Yalen get thrown back with a powerful wave of kinetic magic, only to be caught by the Grey Ghost captain. The air crackled with magical energy as her fellow students rushed in to reinforce the situation at the House. Despite the chaos, Maura couldn't help but feel disappointed in the Grey Ghosts' sloppy work. Deception and trickery seemed to easily overcome them, which left her feeling frustrated.

As Cai and Feng attempted to pacify the prisoner, Maura's mind raced with ideas. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned the power of her secret magnetic arts, and her hand twisted as she focused intensely on the old man's blood, warping it as she brought it under her control. The old man's body began to contort, and he writhed in pain.  [colour=C0C0C0]“绑定他。紧紧。需要他活着。- Bind him, tightly. Need him alive.”[/colour] Maura watched as the Grey Ghosts quickly bound him, a bit of metal between his teeth to prevent him from biting his tongue, and bringing a sense of relief to the chaotic scene outside.

Maura swiftly took charge, her mind racing with her plan unfolding mentally. She turned to Wu Long, her voice clear and purposeful. [colour=C0C0C0]"Now is the time for subtlety, not spectacle. Let the others handle the show"[/colour] she instructed, nodding towards the pair of Grey Ghosts. [colour=C0C0C0]"他担保。帮助别人 - We have him under control. Reinforce the others."[/colour]

As they made their way toward the others, Maura slipped behind the prisoner, concealing her actions as she spoke softly and urgently to him. [colour=C0C0C0]"你和旅行者一起工作？是则点头。- Do you work with the Traveller? If so, nod your head."[/colour] With a quick and precise movement, she snapped one of the ropes binding him, hoping he understood her meaning despite any language barrier. She held her breath, waiting for his response.

Mr. Bao didn't seem to understand Maura. Her accent was rather thick. He squinted, trying to, but was happy to start trying to undo his bindings.

Maura waited for Mr Bao's response, watching his face for any signs of recognition or understanding. She tried to keep her voice calm and friendly, hoping to put him at ease.

As she waited, she continued to loosen his bindings, making sure to keep her movements slow and deliberate. She didn't want to alarm him or make him feel like she was trying to trick him.

As it appeared that he wished to speak, she gently started to unfasten the gag preventing him from doing, using the universal sign of ‘sh’ not to drew attention to them. [colour=C0C0C0]“你和旅行者在一起吗，朋友? - Are you with the Traveller, friend?”[/colour]

Mr. Bao squinted, pausing for a long moment, and she could all-but physically [i]sense[/i] the wheels turning behind his eyes. Then, a dim sort of recognition dawned on his face. [b]"是的！对对对"[/b] (Yes! yeah yeah yeah!) he exclaimed in an excited whisper. [b]"我为这个人工作。"[/b] (I work for them) He nodded eagerly. [b]"你也是？"[/b] (You too?) His voice lowered conspiratorially, expression grateful and desperate and eyes darting about warily at the others, including the Exemplar.

When he nodded in response to her question, she smiled, relieved. She tugged on her ear twice times as she took a deep breath, then continued. [colour=C0C0C0]“好的，发送消息。今晚。在主要港口集合。- Good. Pass on a message. Tomorrow night. Meet me at the Main Port”[/colour]

She moved to make eye contact with him, hoping to convey sincerity and trustworthiness with her expressions. She quickly sketched a rough map of the port between them on the stone, gesturing with her hand to indicate its shape. Then, she drew a small X on the map to mark the location of the meeting spot, making sure to emphasize it with a few swift strokes of her finger.

[colour=C0C0C0]"理解？- Do you understand?"[/colour] she asked, looking at Mr. Bao expectantly, hoping that he would comprehend the message and not suspect any ulterior motives.

Mr Bao is on guard, sceptical of Maura's intentions. He challenges her with a passphrase, asking her:
"你是什​​么人，你要去哪里？ - Who are you, and where are you going?".
Maura is caught off guard.  Thinking quickly, she responds to Mr Bao's inquiry in a calm and measured manner, stating: "我是一名旅行者，我前往需要我的地方 -  I'm a traveller and I travel to where I am needed".

Mr. Bao fairly radiated suspicion, but he accepted Maura's answer with a deferential nod. [b]"谢谢你，朋友。这里绝对需要你。你的好意不会被遗忘。"[/b] (thank you, friend. You are definitely needed here. Your kindness will not be forgotten.) He paused and managed a tight smile. [b]"我们中很少有人反对政府的压迫。我们没有他们那么强大，但我们会获胜，因为我们的事业是正义的。感谢您意外的帮助。我会把这个交给我的上级。"[/b] (Few of us stand against the government's oppression. We are not as powerful as they are, but we will prevail because our cause is just. Thank you for your unexpected help. I will pass this on to my superiors.)

Maura followed through her plan as she loosened the main binding on the old man. [i]Now to cast the die[/i].

[color=a2d39c]"谢谢。谢谢你，船长！你就像他们说的那样坚强," (Thank you. Thank you, captain! You are as strong as they say.)[/color] exclaimed Xiulan, but Zhu Kai was on guard again within moments. His eyes, along with those of Wu Long and Trypano, snapped towards a near-distant rooftop. Perched atop it, silhouetted in the dying glow of the recently-set sun, was a tall, lean figure in a mask. White hair flowed from behind it and one could swear there was a smile, though the stoic porcelain face had not visibly changed one bit. [color=696969]"轮到我了," ([i]My[/i] turn,)[/color] it exclaimed, and then Captain Zhu was lifted into the air. They could feel him drawing massive amounts of energy. The Goldcloak was easily above 8.00 on the RAS, but it was little use. His skin began to peel most grotesquely, but he did not scream. Xiulan was hurled backwards like a ragdoll. Maura was nearly knocked from her wheelchair and her prisoner fell over onto his side. Trypano braced herself and Wu Long held steady, unflinching against the kinetic onslaught. Kaureerah, however, was nowhere to be seen or sensed.

As Maura and Mr Bao were finishing up, an enormous explosion shook the ground and sent them both tumbling to the side. Maura quickly regained her composure, trying to assess and focus on the situation. Her attention was drawn to the crumpled form of Captain Zhu lying on the ground, his body appearing to be peeled like an onion, and clearly in critical condition. She glanced between Mr Bao and Captain Zhu before leaving the prisoner unattended and hurrying over to examine the captain's injuries. With practised ease, she began to use her binding magic to heal him, murmuring reassuring words as she worked. [colour=C0C0C0]"Stay with us, Captain Zhu"[/colour] she urged, determined to save him from his injuries.

There was a larger fight happening now, though, and he was knocked onto his side with a yelp. It was after that that Maura found herself headed for someone in far greater need. When she managed a glance over her shoulder in his direction, he was gone. Instead, there was Kaureerah, glaring straight at her. She shook her head, started moving rapidly away, and disappeared

Meanwhile, Wu Long reappeared, his clothes tattered, left arm covered in burns, lip split, and body bloodied in multiple places. His chest heaved with exertion and energy crackled around him. [color=ed1c24]"He was... a freak of nature, or... perhaps [b]not[/b] nature,"[/color] the Exemplar admitted, allowing some of his energy to bleed off as he surveyed the damage surrounding him. Frustrated, he shook his head, muttering curses in Retanese. [color=ed1c24]"Whatever he was, he was [b]strong[/b], though. He had me on... you would say 'the back foot'?"[/color]

Help had now arrived, in the form of Red Menders and Orange Caps, and they were already tending to the wounded and ensuring the safety of all nearby persons. Behind them came squads of repairmen, ready to set to work on the plaza. Xiulan fluttered about the group, making sure that they were all attended to and alright. The only ones missing appeared to be Rikard, Kaureerah, and Yalen, and she asked after them frantically as Captain Zhu conferred with his men, including Zhou, who was missing most of his clothes and speaking with incredulous, grateful urgency. [color=a2d39c]"我希望我们至少抓住了一名嫌疑人," (I hope we caught at least [i]one[/i] suspect)[/color] the Captain grumbled, casting about, but matters were wrapping up now.

Then, as if someone up on high had been listening to him, Yalen and Rikard returned, each with an unconscious prisoner slung over their shoulders. They dumped these unceremoniously at the Exemplar's and Captain Zhu's feet. [color=a187be]"Got some badguys for you,"[/color] The younger of the two students crowed, and Xiulan blushed as she translated. Then: [color=a2d39c]"Anyone has seen Kaureerah? Ze eeaiko girl?"[/color] Her voice and bearing were growing increasingly urgent. The songstress was still missing.

Nobody had, it seemed, nobody except Maura, if she was willing to say anything, that was…

As the chaos of the aftermath settled and the injured tended to, the realization dawned on them that Kaureerah was missing. Maura's voice was timid as she spoke up, feeling guilty for the failure to keep track of the old man. [colour=C0C0C0]"Whilst we were occupied with healing Captain Zhu to save his life, the old man took advantage of the situation and ran away. Kaureerah said she was going to try to look for him for me, as she can run a lot faster."[/colour]

Yet, the eeaiko remained missing, and nobody else seemed to know very much. For one skilled enough, her familiar signature might've stood out among the humans. Eyes turned to the tethered until Xiulan formalized the request. [color=a2d39c]"Yaren, Abder,"[/color] Xiulan put it to voice, [color=a2d39c]"Can you find her?"[/color]

[color=FD5E53]"We can try."[/color] Yalen confirmed. He nodded to Abdel and began the search using his sixth sense.
[color=FD5E53]"She's moving around... that direction."[/color] Yalen pointed towards the general direction of the port. [color=FD5E53]"She's moving kind of slowly. Something might be wrong with her."[/color]

Abdel crossed his arms, his torso still sore after a good heal, as he reached out with his range. He had more trouble than Yalen to pinpoint her location, [color=9e0039]“She's hurt.”[/color] he remarked, [color=9e0039]“Very agitated! Like the Skuggvars when they got angry.”[/color] worried, her looked toward Yalen, [color=9e0039]“Should help her?”[/color]
With Yalen's approval, Abdel attempted to heal the external wounds with some binding.

It was a few minutes later when Kaureerah appeared around a corner, her walk slightly faster than before. She gave them a tired, reassuring smile and heaved a big sigh of relief, still pawing gingerly at her side. [color=DEB887]"Hellau, frens!"[/color] she chirped. She was still rather beat up. [color=DEB887]"Eye em very saurry. Eye tried te cetch hem, baut he waus too straun."[/color] She shook her head in frustration. [color=DEB887]"Eye shood bee maur ef e feeghter."[/color] She came to a stop in front of them, arms wrapped around herself guiltily, hoping for some healing.

Wu Long exchanged a look with her and he smiled faintly, reassuringly. [color=ed1c24]"You did what you could. These people were very strong. I fear that there are many more of them and they are looking to make a big move soon."[/color] he shook his head and addressed them all. [color=ed1c24]"I see the White Knights coming now."[/color] He gestured into the distance, to where white-robed figures riding white horses entered the plaza. [color=ed1c24]"They will want statements from you. Then, you should return to your dwellings and rest. If our government does not wish to make use of your talents, then I will,"[/color] he declared boldly. [color=ed1c24]"Tomorrow will be a busy day."[/color]

Maura approached Kaureerah with a remorseful expression on her face. She acknowledged her own mistake, [colour=C0C0C0]"We should have been more careful watching him. Thank you for trying to fix it."[/colour] Moving closer, she extended her hands towards Kaureerah in a gesture of goodwill to help heal her up. However, she quickly realized the presence of the boys and gestured towards a more secluded spot. [colour=C0C0C0]"We perhaps should go somewhere more private, there are boys around."[/colour] Her tone was hushed and cautious, indicating the need for secrecy in their conversation.

[color=DEB887]"Et es aukay,"[/color] the eeaiko responded with an understanding smile. [color=DEB887]"Eye felled es well."[/color] She took Maura's suggestion, too, and they moved some ways from the others. Kaureerah's demeanour didn't change very much, surprisingly. She seemed more... hurt than accusatory. [color=DEB887]"Eye well bee hauness wet yoo. Eye do naut lek lyeng. Why woold yoo let hem goo? He es a baud men. Wee wuark soo haurd too cetch hem!"[/color] Her voice started to rise. [color=DEB887]"He coold hert peepaul. He hert [i]mee![/i]"[/color] She seemed really quite distressed.

Maura listened with empathy, not being quick to reply despite the temptation, to show she was understanding and listening to Kaureerah. [colour=C0C0C0]"We understand that you're upset and that you don't trust him. But sometimes, in order to catch the big fish, we have to use the smaller ones as bait.”[/colour] She used a little finger, wiggling it as her other hand came to ensnare it. [colour=C0C0C0]“If we catch them, we can prevent them from hurting anyone else, including you."[/colour]

She took a hold of Kaureerah’s hand, bringing it close as she continued her healing. [colour=C0C0C0]"We understood how you felt, Kaureerah. Seeing Mr. Bao treated that way was difficult in the beginning for me, too. If we had tried to take him by force, like the Grey Ghosts did, it would lead to more violence again and put innocent people at risk. But sometimes in order to catch the bad guys, we have to play a different game. By letting him go, we have the opportunity to track him back to his allies and take down the whole gang on our terms. It's a risky move, but we believe it's the best one for the safety of everyone involved."[/colour]

[colour=C0C0C0]"We know how much catching Mr. Bao meant to you, in order to stop innocents from being hurt, and we want to help you achieve that goal, but we have to be strategic in our approach. It's not an easy decision, but it's the right one for the people we're trying to protect."[/colour]

Kaureerah's expression changed a couple of times as Maura spoke, from distrusting to bemused, to thoughtful, and finally to a reluctant sort of understanding. [color=DEB887]"Soo then yoo're naut e trauveeler spy?"[/color] She breathed a sigh of relief. [color=DEB887]"Eye woold naut sey enythen, auf coorse. Eye woold give yoo te chence too esplen eet."[/color] She glanced about warily and, for a second, the surrounding sound deadened, even though it wasn't something quite so obvious as an antisonic bubble. [color=DEB887]"Yoo traussed mee wet te trooth. Eye well trauss yoo."[/color] She brushed some indigo hair from her face. [color=DEB887]"Eye hev my dauts eboot thes whool theng, thes goovermen, thes Trauveeler, end eeven eboot saum oof aur teem meembers."[/color] She shook her head tightly. [color=DEB887]"Yoor seecret es sef weth mee aunless yoo doon't waun et te bee."[/color]

Maura smiled as she gave a playful grin. [colour=C0C0C0]“Why do you think we are so loud? Come to my room at lights out tonight to discuss more.”[/colour]

It was right about then that Qadira yanked Abdel precipitously forward and right up to the two young women who'd been standing and talking in hushed voices. Kaureerah was the first to turn, eyes widening in alarm. She appeared quite afraid of the skuggvar as it tried butting up against her, making eager whining noises and halfheartedly licking and snapping close a spot of dried blood on her skirt. With an animal sort of fear, she began to backpedal.

The animal began to try and nip the skirt as if trying to eat it, though the Eeiako didn't seem keen on letting the Skuggvar do her thing. Still, Qadira would keep on insisting until Abdel intervened, [color=9e0039]“Did ...”[/color] he pointed at her blooded skirt, [color=9e0039]“you have a fight with him, by any chance?”[/color] he reached out to try and stop his beast from continuing its harassment, but it kept on going, albeit without anymore forcefulness than its initial curiosity. It wasn't a whole lot of blood, after all. Low droning noise came from its vibrating body.

Kaureerah nodded frantically. [color=DEB887]"Se sauk kewool!"[/color] she cried.  [color=DEB887]"Se sauk kewooool!"[/color] She shook her head to clear it, hiding behind Marua out of some sort of instinct.  [color=DEB887]"Yes! Yes! Eye faught hem! Hee keeked my ess!"[/color] She continued to avoid the animal and anyone skilled in internal Chemical magic who could scan her would sense absurd levels of cortisol and adrenaline coursing through the poor eeaiko girl.  [color=DEB887]"Hee waus bleeden froom te beeten hee took befaur!"[/color] She let out a little yelp of terror as the eager animal pursued her around Maura, nearly knocking the Torragonese out of her wheelchair.  [color=DEB887]"Plees!! Plees get eet auweey!!"[/color]

Abdel, mortified by the reaction of the fish-girl, blurted out a suggestion, [color=9e0039]“Throw the skirt!”[/color] very smooth, [color=9e0039]“And wash up!”[/color] extra smooth. Still, he reached out to tug onto Qadira's unseen leash via bloodwarping.

As Maura and Kaureerah were talking, Abdel's dragon came to rudely interrupt them, and the Eeaiko started running around the chair and using Maura as a shield, [colour=C0C0C0]“Jump into the water trough to remove the scent.”[/colour]

Kaureerah did not need to be told twice. She tore the skirt off, revealing stockings of a strange fabric beneath, and bolted for a nearby fountain, diving cleanly into the water, where she felt a good deal safer.  [color=DEB887]"Eye em saurry! Eye cennaut!"[/color] She was hyperventilating.  [color=DEB887]"Yoo cen trauck hem! Use te cloothes!"[/color] It was at roughly that point that Captain Zhu approached them. [color=a2d39c]"You come wiss me, please. Meet Captain Zhao."[/color] He regarded them uncertainly for a moment, the look breaking through his normally authoritative bearing, as if unsure they would understand him, but not quite able to ask.

Qadira hastily scurried toward the ripped skirt and took a few, whiffs before licking it. Abdel hurried to stop her from eating the whole thing. With the Skuggvar now satisfied with its finding and the mark laced with its saliva, it could finally focus on the actual trail.

But before they could go adventuring, they had to meet the illustrious Captain Zhao!

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