[color=lightgreen][center][h3][i][b]Day 2: 06:31:01 Polavian Standard Vodka Distillery, Novy Jork, Capital Province, Republic of Polavia [/b][/i][/h3][/center][/color] [color=#39FF14][center][b][h3][i]Rowan Morgana[/i][/h3][/b][/center][/color] Rowan had jumped into action wielding her broom as the vessel and weapon it was. She spun and attacked applying bo staff techniques as she wielded the broom into battle. The broom itself glowing as she kept the mana collection spell running as she fought by channeling mana into the broom. The broom’s glow got brighter with every dog she hit. A fierce snarl curled her lip as she spun and attacked the ghost hounds trying to stop her from getting the witch that had summoned them. Rowan focused on what she needed to do to help the team get out of the factory. She didn’t understand what Upswing’s role in this was but she didn’t trust him after hearing he was here for her. He seemed to join their side as they worked to take out Yelenka. Being able to hit something helped Rowan’s mood some. She began looking around as she took out the last ghost dog. She had still not managed to get her frustration and anger out completely. She was ready to beat on something else. The fight seemed over for now much to her disappointment. The team had managed to open a small window between the forces looking for them so that they could make good their escape. There were still PSA goons firing at them trying to stop their escape. Felix charged for the entrance to the gift shop as he took out another couple of PSA goons. She heard him call out, [color=fff200]"Okay, exit through gift shop it is then!"[/color] Rowan ran in the direction of the entrance to the gift shop. Any tourists or employees had long since fled due to the fighting. She smiled as she saw two PSA goons pop up from behind a gift shelf and began to target the team. She still had her hands on her broom and used some of the stolen mana from the ghost dogs to send two lightning bolts their way. They ducked but their armor attracted the electricity as they ducked. She smiled in satisfaction as she watched their twitching bodies drop to the floor. [color=#39FF14] "It is nice to feel productive. They were annoying me. I’m just taking out the trash."[/color] Most of the team didn’t stop running as they took the PSA waiting for them. A few of them grabbed things on the way through. She smiled and stopped long enough to grab two large bottles of the vodka on display in the gift shop. She opened her backpack and quickly shoved them inside. She started to close up her backpack when her eyes landed on boxes of vodka filled chocolates. She snagged two small boxes and forced them into the bag as well. She then closed it up and quickly slid it back on. She picked up her broom and followed the others out of the gift shop. As they emerged outside, she heard sirens in the distance and closing fast. There was the crackle of flames and smoke pouring into the air from the factory. She followed and hopped on her broom as they cleared the front door. Her broom would allow her to move faster and more smoothly up and over obstacles. She followed after Felix. She almost whined when Oksana had suggested they take one of the nice cars sitting in the parking lot. Felix said they didn’t have time and directed them to head towards the closest housing block. She understood they didn’t have time as the sirens were almost to the factory. Oksana gave voice to her thoughts. [color=6ecff6]"Fuck! We're not shooting police, Felix!"[/color] Oksana yelled, as they made their way out of the factory grounds. They didn’t have time to get to one and get it hotwired and exit before the local police could stop them. They had nothing against the local police. They didn’t want to shoot the good guys who actually tried to serve the community. She poured more mana into her broom and followed behind Felix, her broom easily going up and over the fence as she pulled up next to him and kept pace with him. [hr] [color=lightgreen][center][h3][i][b]Day 2: 06:51:02 Novi Grad, Novy Jork, Capital Province, Republic of Polavia [/b][/i][/h3][/center][/color] Rowan followed Felix as they turned into a crumbling apartment block that had seen better days.She had hopped off her broom and was carrying it in one hand. The crumbling structure was in desperate need of maintenance but was strong enough to have weathered whatever local shoot outs and gang actions it had seen. People in need of shelter still entered the building and obviously lived here. The team ran up the stairs moving deeper into the building. They passed a drunk man that was sprawled out in a hallway on the first floor. Rowan’s nose wrinkled, grateful she had her mask still on. She was pretty sure this place would smell like mildew, rot, garbage, and piss. They came across a section that looked like part of the ceiling was collapsing. This section appeared abandoned probably because no one else was stupid enough to move into the part of the building which might collapse on them. Felix moved to the apartment door there which looked like it was barely hanging on to the hinges. Felix had taken something out and appeared to be trying to see what was going on when Oksana went past him and kicked the door open. They all trooped in behind them with the last person closing the door behind them. She could hear gunfire and sirens in the area but they were not necessarily moving closer to their location. [quote]Oksana called out [color=00aeef]“Clear.”[/color] [/quote] [quote]Felix was guarding the door as they all trooped inside. Felix finally let his posture relax and turned to Oksana as he leaned against the wall. [color=fff200]"What a mess. Who was that, Roxy? And she knew Borys? Gods!"[/color] [/quote] Oksana: [quote][color=6ecff6]"Yelena Strulovich. Warlock."[/color][/quote] Rowan was paying attention to the conversation. The name didn’t ring any bells for her. But then that seemed to be normal for her while she was visiting the shining state of Polavia. Her lip curled in disgust and frustration. She blew out a breath and tried to let the pent up anger go. Felix: [quote][color=fff200]"Well, Borys didn't kill her, for sure. She blinked out. We'll see her again. Scary bitch, her and half the PSA want our heads."[/color][/quote] Rowan snickered as she turned her attention to Felix.[color=#39FF14] “Well aren’t you Captain Fucking Obvious!” [/color] Before Rowan could comment further Oksana jumped back in. [quote]Oksana: [color=6ecff6]"Yeah, warlocks are. We did well. Borys thrived on that. Silas kept us all alive. And Rowan is still public enemy number one. We know that. But what else is new. Upswing, was it? This is normally how it goes. Welcome to the team."[/color][/quote] Rowan’s head snapped towards Oksana. [color=#39FF14]“Wait a fucking minute! Welcome to the team? Didn’t this guy say he was hunting me too?”[/color] Rowan turned her attention on Upswing. [color=#39FF14]“I appreciate that you joined us to get out of there. I need to know if I am going to have an issue with you. Are you really joining the team? Or are you still planning to hunt me? Because if that is the case, let’s get this shit out of the way.” [/color] Rowan waited to hear Upswing out and reluctantly let it go for now. She still wasn’t sure she could fully trust him but it was what it was for now. The enemy of my enemy was a friend after all or isn’t that how the saying goes? She shook her head and began to look around the apartment. Rowan sighed as she couldn’t help comparing it to Babushka’s barn. The barn somehow felt friendlier and nicer compared to the abandoned dilapidated apartment. She would not be sitting on that sofa. It was covered in questionable stains that gave her the heebee jeebees just thinking about what might be on it. Oksana broke out the spell paint. She planned a trip back to the barn. She asked if anyone wanted anything. Rowan raised her hand. [color=#39FF14]“Please bring me back another change of clothes. There is also more ammo for the Mossberg and my pistols. Can you bring what is left? There are also some small gold bars and DSR Cash left in my duffle bag, if you think it would be worth bringing. I am not sure if the black market would accept it.”[/color] Oksana went to work with the paint and Rowan turned her attention to the space they were in. She sighed and took off her hat, mask, and cape. She used a clean spell on them and set them aside. She then began digging through her pack to see what she had left. [hr] Oksana came back and began passing out clothes and gear that people had asked for. Rowan caught what was thrown her way. She folded them and set them on top of her cape. She continued to pull things out and set them down in a row as she took inventory. She listened as she worked. Oksana:[quote] [color=6ecff6]"So, Pavel, if I know him, is almost permanently at the Grand Polavian, off Palinka Street. Opposite the massive Town Hall. You can't miss it. But he won't be back until the evening. He does business across the city. He's a fixer."[/color] Oksana leaned against the table with the tourist map of Novy Jork on it.[/quote] Felix: [color=fff200][quote]"We're this close to the end. We need to get to Pavel, and call it a day, Roxy, we are way, way over our heads. Hunting down whatever..."[/quote][/color] Oksana: [quote][color=6ecff6]"Oh, so let me see. It doesn't matter. They're going to hunt Rowan to the end of the earth. And you."[/color] She poked a finger against his chest, sighing, as she looked to Borys, Silas, Upswing and Rowan, sighing.[/quote] Rowan frowned as she looked over at Oksana. [color=#39FF14]“Do I need to call you Captain Fucking Obvous now?” [/color] Rowan rolled her eyes as Oksana continued. Oksana: [quote][color=00aeef]"Paperwork to get us out is helpful, but we are getting into constant gunfights, being chased by police, PSA, a Tier One caster unit from the DSR. Now Upswing wants to find Rowan. I imagine it's to do with the psychoactive shit they were planning on putting in vodka bottles. Well. If that was a trial run, what the fuck are those bastards up to?" [/color][/quote] Rowan pulled out some potion vials she had in her backpack since they had discussed that they wouldn’t be all that useful due to ways the police and other operations could see through or detect illusion disguises. She still had two of those illusion disguise potions. Oksana: [color=00aeef][quote]"I want a day without getting shot so we can figure out what is going on. Pavel knows if your Babushka farted, so he might have some answers. Or at the least, where I might be able to go to get some answers. Even if you lot run." [/quote][/color] Rowan snorted as she listened to Oksana.[color=#39FF14] “Me too! I would love a day where no one took shots at me and demanded that I be turned over for torture like I was a piece of luggage. I would kill for a nice bed, clean room, and a bath. But here we are.” [/color] She went back to sorting through her gear for what would be helpful. [quote]Felix flicked his fingers through the tourist map, shrugging. [color=fff200]"Okay. Well, we're civies now. We could blend in. CCTV isn't hot around here. So it gives us room to breathe, let's go on that, Roxy. Figure out a plan...we can do that at least until we see Pavel and we can talk then about what next."[/color] He looked down at the map, putting hand to chin, thinking.[/quote] [@starlance] Felix and Oksana were standing next to each other and reviewing the map that they had placed on the table. She listened as her eyes flicked over what she had left. She still had ammo for her pistol. She still had two magazines since she had not used it much. She sighed and stood up leaving her possession in a tidy pile on her cape. She handed the two bottles of vodka she had liberated to Borys. [color=#39FF14]"I found those on the way out."[/color] She smiled at him. She went to look at the map and join the conversation. [quote]Felix flicked his fingers through the tourist map, shrugging. [color=fff200]"Okay. Well, we're civies now. We could blend in. CCTV isn't hot around here. So it gives us room to breathe, let's go on that, Roxy. Figure out a plan...we can do that at least until we see Pavel and we can talk then about what next."[/color] He looked down at the map, putting hand to chin, thinking.[/quote] [hr] Oksana: [color=6ecff6][quote]"A few things would be handy. Ideas?"[/quote][/color] Felix: [color=fff200][quote]"More potions would be good."[/quote][/color] Rowan sighed and nodded.[color=#39FF14] “I can brew more but I will need to pick up some supplies. What kind of potions are you thinking of?”[/color] Oksana: [color=6ecff6][quote]"Here. Alejka Czarownika. Sorcerer's Alley. Best newts this side of the mountains. They take cash."[/quote][/color] Rowan smiled with a glint in her eye. [color=#39FF14] “Oh yes! I am going with whoever is going. I will need to see what they have before I can say what I can make. Price for ingredients will be a factor as well.” [/color] She rubbed her hands gleefully. Felix: [color=fff200][quote]"Good. That's a visit. Also, food. I'm fucking starving. Those PSA militants have nothing on their bones. Something for lunch at least."[/quote][/color] Rowan nodded with that statement. [color=#39FF14]“Good call Felix. The granola bars wore off long ago. I am hungry too.” [/color] She just watched the back and forth as Oksana tried to extoll the virtues of a place called the Milk Bar.[color=#39FF14] “That sounds like a bar for cats. They serve milk? It should be perfect for you Felix.” [/color] She smiled as she gave Felix a rash of shit. The discussion turned to what the team needed. [color=#39FF14]“Did you bring back what little ammo was left for the Mossberg and my pistol? I have two magazines left for my pistol. I didn’t use it much. I have some DSR cash and some gold bars. Is there a place that would exchange gold for Polavian cash?” [/color] Oksana: [quote][color=6ecff6]"There's still a market here on Kotlin Street. It has a black market, where you can buy almost anything. Including Western bootlegs. There's a guy here, Janek, who also sells Vessels. For the right price, he can find you anything."[/color] Oksana pointed to the map again, noting that well, in a capital city, came some seriously, seriously spicy shit to add to arsenal. [color=6ecff6]"For the right price. We haven't got much cash. So anything to make it go further, or, an ability to get some more, would be handy. I'm not into robbing banks."[/color][/quote] Rowan pondered what she had left. [color=#39FF14] “I have a few of those illusion potions left. I have one healing potion left if someone else would like it. We could sell them or trade them for what we need at the black market to make our cash go further.” [/color] Felix: [quote][color=fff200]"Fair enough. Unless you're willing to do some very unethical shit with your craft. And last thing we need is more attention, so whatever it is, be careful."[/color] Felix noted, looking across the map, before thinking more generally.[/quote] Rowan just smiled and shook her head. She thought Felix was being a little naive. They might have to get into some morally gray areas to get what they need. That didn’t mean she was willing to steal from nice old grannies but the local thugs who terrorized their neighbors. Yeah she would be happy to help them empty their pockets. She agreed that they needed to be careful not to draw attention to themselves. But might makes right is the way of the underworld and the poorer areas of the world. Oksana: [quote][color=6ecff6]"Anyone else have any ideas? We need to make a list."[/color][/quote] Rowan nodded. [color=#39FF14] “Depending on what we can afford and what ingredients they have. Brewing potions will be cheaper than buying them. I will have to purchase a cheap soup pot or something like that to brew enough in. Again I have a few of those small gold bars and two of those illusion potions left we can sell. We can play Robin Hood and wait for local thugs to harass or shake down some local merchants and step in and relieve them of their money. We are going to need money to buy ammo. That is not going to be cheap. I am not sure what the going rates are here. I agree that a car would be nice. I also agree if we are going to steal one. Let’s pick one from a rich person that won’t miss it as much. It would make traveling incognito easier for us. A van would be even better since there are five of us. We could use it as a mobile base of operations. Some food for the road would be good too.” [/color] Rowan waited to hear what the others came up with before she jumped back into the conversation. [color=#39FF14]“We need information too. We need to pay attention to what the rumors on the street are. We need to find out what is going on with the PSA and try to follow up on any rumors about Manticore. It would also help if we find out if the underground is looking for us too or just the PSA.” [/color] [hr] Rowan had decided to strike out on her own after the team meeting broke up. She kept her combat boots on but had already used a clean spell to remove any gunk left from their fight at the vodka factory. She was now wearing jeans, her black combat boots, and a dark purple hoodie with the phrase “good witches raise hell” in a bold kitschy font emblazoned across the front. She had pulled the braids out of her hair. Her hair was a riot of cascading curls that moved in shades of red with hints of gold. It made her look different from her work look. It softened her features and made her appear more feminine and approachable. She had skillfully applied some minimal make up from a small bag she kept in her backpack. She used makeup to help change the lines of her face. Eyeliner elongated her eyes and added dark wings to the sides. Foundation covered her freckles and darkened her skin just a little. She used the contouring makeup to add deeper shadows to her cheeks giving her a more hallowed out look. One of her goals was to buy some hair dye while she was out. She needed some mundane ways to change and alter her appearance that didn’t rely on magic. She didn’t pull the hood up because she felt she would attract more attention that way than simply walking around like she belonged. She was grateful that Oksana didn’t bring her any of her more fashionable clothes. She would have stuck out like a flashing neon sign in this neighborhood. She had left her pistol under the floorboards with the long guns. She had her whip tucked into her hoodie pocket. She had emptied her backpack of everything so she could use it as a shopping bag. She had some gold, some DSR paper money, and a little Polavian money that she had managed to exchange when she first got to the country. She had her combat knife and spare wand tucked into her waistband and hidden by her hoodie. Rowan slipped out of the dilapidated crumbling residential block and headed deeper into the district. She moved purposefully away from the area around the vodka distillery. She walked with purpose at a ground eating pace like she had somewhere to be but not fast enough to draw attention. She kept her eyes open and paid attention to what was going on around her. She stopped about five blocks from their hideout to jot down a quick map and directions into a pocket notebook with her list on it. She wanted to be sure she could make her way back to the hideout. She had just tucked the notebook into her pocket when the sound of raised voices came to her ears. She looked around and on the opposite corner was a little convenience store. The type that sold some groceries, liquor, and cigarettes and catered to the surrounding neighborhood. Other locals hightailed it away from the situation, obviously intent on avoiding any kind of confrontation with the small group of thugs standing at the door. One was watching the street and scowling at anyone looking their way. One was watching what was happening inside the store. Obviously there was at least one more inside the store. Rowan heard a feminine voice that sounded elderly [color=ed145b]“I told you I don’t have any more than that! You already took anything I might earn this month.” [/color] She heard a cocky male voice reply. [color=8dc73f]“Then you should work harder. Now hand over what’s in the till.” [/color] Rowan knew she should probably walk away. She didn’t need any attention but she found couldn’t do it. She kept picturing if this was Oksana’s grandmother. She had been a nice little old lady. For all she knew this woman was someone else’s babushka. You don’t mess with babushka. She was still itching for a fight and had some rage to work out. This would do nicely. Her wicked smile would have made the Grinch proud as she began stalking across the street. Her smile grew as she noted the very nice black luxury Mercedes sitting at the curb. The tough guy at the front door noticed her and puffed up and tried to look intimidating. He stepped into her path as she approached the door. She couldn’t help but be amused at the tough guy wannabe gangster wearing the cheesy flashy polyester tracksuit and polished kicks. He had a heavy gold chain around his neck. Thug one: [color=8dc73f]“The store is closed, keep walking bitch. This doesn't concern you.” [/color] Rowan titled her head to the side and noticed the other guy out front was watching what was happening and moved to back up his partner. She pointed to the sign and open door.[color=#39FF14] “The sign clearly says its open. I have had a bad day. Why don’t you step aside and go on your way.” [/color] The other thug laughed as he thought her response was funny. [color=8dc73f]“Bitch get to stepping or we will have some fun with you before we let you go.” [/color] Rowan’s eyes narrowed.[color=#39FF14] “I see.” [/color]She spun on her heel clocking the thug in front of her in the head knocking him to the ground. She pulled her combat knife in a fluid motion and spun to attack his partner. Surprise was on her side. She had a wicked smile as she fought. The one she had kicked in the head was out. His partner was managing to keep up so far but had managed to land a few hits. He was stronger than her. Thug two: [color=8dc73f]“Bitch you have no idea who you're messing with.” [/color] Rowan threw her head back and laughed. [color=#39FF14]“That’s my line. I’d tell you to go to hell, but I doubt you could make the commute."[/color] Rowan managed to stab the combat knife into his throat after exchanging a few more blows with him. She spat at him and turned her attention to the one inside. She casually kicked the other thug in the head hard enough to make sure he stayed down. She entered the store. Now that she could see what was happening she got angrier. There was only one left. He slapped the old woman standing behind the counter. He was threatening her with a pistol. [color=8dc73f]“I told you no excuses. Give me what you have.”[/color] The old woman was in tears. She was trembling as her hands fumbled with the register. Rowan had seen enough. She pulled her whip out in one smooth motion. She flicked it, sending the whip to spiral around the pistol. She yanked the pistol out of the man’s hand. The man spun with a look of rage and surprise on his face. [color=8dc73f]“Who the hell are you?” [/color] Rowan sneered as she answered. [color=#39FF14]“Your doom.”[/color] She flicked the whip so that it wrapped around his neck and channeled lightning through it. She smiled as she watched him twitch on the floor. [color=#39FF14]"Your parents aren’t the only ones you’ve disappointed. You don’t mess with Babushka!"[/color] She quickly dispatched the thug. She then turned her attention to the elderly shopkeeper. Rowan’s voice gentled. [color=#39FF14]“Are you okay miss?”[/color] The elderly woman’s lip trembled and a dark bruise was already welling up on her face. There were large handprint sized bruises on her arm as well. Tears fell and a look of terror crossed the elderly face as she looked at the thug. [color=ed145b]“They will be back. They always come back. Are you going to hurt me?” [/color] Rowan sighed as she looked into those terrified eyes. She put her whip away. [color=#39FF14]“I didn’t go through the trouble of helping you to hurt you. At least today they won’t be back. Mind if I use your dumpster? I should clean up my mess.” [/color] The elderly woman clearly didn’t trust her yet. She simply nodded and appeared to be in a state of shock. She shook her head and used her back up wand to levitate the bodies and drag them into the alleyway behind the store. She had moved the third thug to the alley before stabbing him through the throat as well. She cast a clean spell to clean up the blood. She pulled all the gold jewelry and watches off them. She pulled the like new fancy sneakers off their feet and set them aside. She dug through their pockets and collected three knives and two sets of brass knuckles. She had already pocketed the pistol the leader had carried. She smiled as she pocketed a nice amount of Polavian cash along with the keys to the black Mercedes. She made sure the bodies were in the dumpster before using her wand to channel fire. She made sure the bodies burned quickly and hotly leaving nothing but charred bones and ash. She used wind magic to disperse any smoke to hide what she was doing. Once she was done she went to the Mercedes and opened the trunk. She tossed in the sneakers that she hoped some of the guys on the team could wear. She was not bringing the tacky track suits though. She had to draw a line somewhere. She smiled imagining Felix decked out in Thug Chic. Maybe she shouldn’t have been so hasty. Well too late now. She cleaned up the signs of a fight outside the store. She then went to check on the elderly lady. The elderly woman was sitting at the cash register wringing her hands. Her eyes followed Rowan’s every move. Rowan sighed.[color=#39FF14] “Look, you remind me of a friend’s babushka. I couldn’t stand by and watch them do that to you.” [/color] The elderly woman’s eyes seemed to clear up as that seemed to strike a cord for her. She sniffled. [color=ed145b]“My grandchildren don’t visit me anymore. Neither do my children.” [/color] Rowan sighed and rubbed her eyes.[color=#39FF14] “I am sorry to hear that. Do you want me to close the door? What else can I do for you?”[/color] The elderly woman seemed to be coming out of her shock now. [color=ed145b]“I should do something for you. Thank you for helping me. I am sorry… that I thought you were with them or a rival gang.” [/color] Rowan gave her an honest smile. [color=#39FF14]“Well I am something else altogether. If anyone comes looking for them, tell them the truth. You gave them what they asked for and they left.” [/color] Rowan’s eyes glinted with dark mirth. [color=#39FF14]“They were begging for a beat down and got what they deserved for terrorizing a babushka. They had no manners. I mean I would have offered to brew them a potion but I don’t think a competency potion would have helped them.” [/color] She shrugged as she finally saw a smile on the elderly woman’s face. [hr] Rowan had tea and lunch with the lovely babushka. It turned out that the woman lived above the store. Once she got over her fear and understood that Rowan was truly not going to harm her. She was a gracious host. The woman kindly let Rowan grab some supplies from her store. The elderly woman enjoyed having some company. She traded recipes with Rowan. She let her borrow her kitchen to do some cooking. She made some food that she could pack away for tomorrow. The elderly woman’s store had a great deal of what she needed. She used the thug’s cash to pay for the ingredients she needed. The kind lady even let her borrow her shower to dye her hair black. It was about the only color that would cover her dark red hair easily. The old lady let her park the Mercedes in her garage. She promised to return and check on her tomorrow. She still needed to check out the black market and round up the rest of her ingredients. Maybe she could use the old lady’s kitchen to brew her potions? She walked back to the hideout with her backpack full of muffins for breakfast tomorrow, some homemade sandwiches, a thermos of tea, and some extra cash. She wanted to see if Oksana had located the black market yet.