RedAuron

[Widersia] Big Dom’s Champion

Marcus gritted his teeth as he hit the floor. The gunshot went off and he braced for the pain, only for nothing to happen. He opened an eye and realized he'd actually managed to avoid the shot.

The spirit medium clamored to his feet as the gunman was dispatched. As he glanced around it looked like most of the goons had been killed. Marcus was acutely aware that he was a novice compared to some of these people but he still could assist. His hand tightened on the hatchet he'd been given and he rushed Belle.

He doubted he'd be able to fight the ringleader by himself but at the very least he could support Hwicce. Marcus attempted a quick swipe with the weapon.

Actions:
1. Stand up
2. Move to Belle
3. Swift Soul Hunter: [Fighting Style: Axe] F, [Penetrating] F, [Accurate] F - Grade F - Cooldown 0

[Widersia] Big Dom’s Champion

Marcus watched in shock as his axe fell apart in his hands after the attack. The training he'd done clearly not accounted for the weathered weapon he carried. He glanced back in time to catch the axe that Piero had thrown him. It was only when he turned back that he realized his mistake and saw the pistol pointed at him point blank. The spirit medium had taken his eyes off the enemy and he felt death close in around him. With no other option Marcus threw himself to the ground in a desperate attempt to avoid a lethal shot.

Actions:
1. Dodge!
2. Dodge!!
3. Dodge!!!

[Widersia] Big Dom’s Champion

Marcus blinked as he tried to follow the horse-woman's explanation. The idea of her 'following' felt odd but perhaps she had been threatened? Hadn't there been laughter? Before he could ask more questions though the spirit medium heard clapping. His eyes widened when he realized not only had this the mysterious 'Bell' shown himself but he'd brought a whole crew of thugs. "I don't suppose we could talk-" he muttered to himself only to stop when Bell ordered them to attack. Figures, he mentally remarked

His face hardened as he prepared himself for combat. Marcus hated fighting but he'd quickly learned in this world that hesitation would get you killed. The spirit medium's grip on his axe tightened as he sprinted towards the enemies. He wasn't sure how effective pistols were in this world but it seemed the deadliest target.

Marcus charged forward and swung his axe at the pistol wielding thug with all his might. After that he realized he was now surrounded so he took a step back and prepared to deflect the first attack with his axe.

Actions:
1. Sprint: [Fast] F - Move to the goons
2. Soul Hunter: [Fighting Style: Axe] E, [Penetrating F] - Grade E - Cooldown 0 - Attack pistol goon
3. 'Counter Attack' defense

[Widersia] Big Dom’s Champion

"It actually worked," Marcus whispered in mild shock as the man dropped his weapon. He'd actually done it! Okay, yes, it was also probably the sight of Hwicce's weapon and all the others. Still, he was going to take this as a victory.

Marcus stepped into the room and kicked the weapon away, although he doubted Milo would attempt to use it. He turned to the horse-girl not quite sure how to address her. Eventually he decided to follow Piero's lead. "Glad to see you unharmed Miss Bellaflora. Give us a second and we'll have you unchained." He glared at Milo, "won't we?"

Marcus gave the would be kidnapper (horsenapper?) a moment to produce the key and free the captive. He waited until she was unchained before he spoke again. "Miss Bellaflora could you tell us what happened?"

[Widersia] Big Dom’s Champion

Marcus stopped in his tracks when he moved close enough to see the woman chained. His eyes widened as he realized that she was the 'Comet' they had been asked to retrieve. As he stood there things started to click into place. All the signs of a 'noble woman' he had seen in the stable. He had assumed it was someone involved in the theft but now he realized it was more likely the target herself.

A target that was still captured he realized as he focused on the task at hand. It was obvious that Milo held Comet hostage, although from the threats she made it seemed the chain kept her there more than the cudgel the kidnapper held.

The spirit medium looked to the others and if no one offered a plan he took the initiative. He attempted to sneak up to the door unnoticed. If he managed that he threw open the door, axe in hand.

"Milo Wick, it's over! Come out with your hands up!" He shouted. Inwardly he cringed, that had sounded a lot cooler on the police dramas.

Actions:
1. Sneak up: [Stealth] F - Grade F - Cooldown 0 - Sneak up to the door
2. Throw the door open
3. Let's be Friends: [Persuasion] F, [Insight] F - Grade F - Cooldown 0 - Convince Milo to surrender

[Widersia] Big Dom’s Champion

To the outside observer Marcus might have looked odd, if a bit insane. The spirit medium seemed to be engrossed in a conversation with himself. He nodded and said a few words in one direction only to turn and discuss another topic with no one visible around him. After several moments he waved his hand in dismissal and cleared his throat.

"My friends mostly confirmed what we discovered. Milo and Bell were apparently the hot topic of the office." After that Marcus repeated everything the haunters had told him.

As they exited the tunnels into the lower parts of the city Marcus could feel the shift in the city. Relatively new the area the difference was unexpected and he placed a hand on the handle of his axe to reassure himself. The spirit medium was somewhat surprised how easy it had been to find their target. It no doubt helped that they had guides that knew the city so well. Marcus had noted the broken lantern first but soon noticed the other clues.

Once they were close enough to hear voices he slowly pulled his axe out from it's case. He looked around and turned to Gears. "Do you think you could find another street and get to the other side? They might bolt when we approach. Better to cut off any escape route now," Marcus whispered to the Calabrese muscle. He reasoned that if anyone were to try to navigate the city she'd be the best choice, she most likely knew the streets better.

His eyes glowed as he looked at a Haunter. 'If one tries to escape into the buildings tail them. Once they stop moving just find a street and wait for me,' he mentally instructed.

His bases thoroughly covered Marcus nodded to the others as he slowly approached. He hoped to hear as much of their conversation as he could before the voices noticed their presence.

Actions:
1. Ask Gears if she'll try to go around to flank the voices.
2. I See Dead People: [Telepathy] F, [Sixth Sense: See Spirits] F - Grade F - Cooldown 0 - Instruct a Haunter to tail anyone who flees.
3. Sneak up: [Stealth] F - Grade F - Cooldown 0 - Sneak up on whoever is talking.

[Widersia] Big Dom’s Champion

Marcus rubbed the small bit of wax on his hand that he'd uncovered between his fingers. It wasn't a big clue, obviously this Milo had received messages from someone, but it did imply there was something official about who he'd been recruited by.

The thread also seemed small although why it was here puzzled him. "Surely Bell didn't come here personally? That would have drawn attention. Maybe this Milo was given a uniform?" He mused aloud, unsure himself of his own theory.

The burned note and the message uncovered with charcoal however were anything but small though. Marcus' eyes widened as he read theam. This was undeniable proof that this Milo guy had not only worked with Bell, but intended to go see him again.

The spirit medium glanced at the guard that had accompanied them. "It's obvious this person took a bribe. Can you give us a description of Milo Wick? We are going to need to talk to him about his actions."

After Marcus got his answers he looked around. "Sounds like we know where to go next. We might be able to find this Milo guy if we hurry." When the others were ready to leave the subtle glow returned to the spirit medium's eyes. If the spirit medium spotted any haunter along the way he ordered them to follow him. Marcus wasn't sure how long it had been but he doubted the others would wait long. With luck some of his haunters would have finished their task and he'd be able to get any information once they were somewhere private.

Actions:
1. Let's be Friends: [Persuasion] F, [Insight] F - Grade F - Cooldown 0 - Convince Havel to give us a description of Milo
2. I See Dead People: [Telepathy] F, [Sixth Sense: See Spirits] F - Grade F - Cooldown 0 - Look for the Haunters and motion for them to follow Marcus.

[Widersia] Big Dom’s Champion

The spirit medium's eyes widened as he listened to Madam Cask. That sounded like actual information, actual good information! Marcus merely nodded along as not only did they get a name but permission to investigate. He was somewhat relieved Cask had chosen not to accompany them. If anyone had something of importance to mutter unknowingly, she seemed the best target.

"That was a good question," he whispered to Elora once they were escorted out of the room.

Marcus squeezed into the small bedroom, along with the others on the investigation. With their 'escort' there was little room to manuver. For a second he thought to complain before he realized it wouldn't amount to anything. Instead he focused on the room to discover anything of value quickly.

"What are the odds that clay matches the stuff found on the wheel of the carriage?" He mused aloud as he noted the dried substance on the boards.

He dunked his hand into the washbasin on the off chance the cloudy liquid hid anything.

Afterwards, his attention was drawn to the form on the desk. Marcus recalled stuff like this from crime novels. He looked around the room for some sort of lead or charcoal. If he found any he rubbed it across the sheet so that the message imprinted on it might be legible.

[Widersia] Big Dom’s Champion

Marcus had done his best to keep up his friendly appearance, someone in the group had to. When Gears shared the info however not even the friendly spirit medium could help himself. He let out a deep sign before he muttered, "that's just great". The cop shows hadn't prepared him for how frustrating interrogations could be.

His annoyance now clear Marcus tried to figure out what question he could ask that this manager might even try to answer. "Fine. Was there anything left in the carriage by the client, or anything unusual about the carriage when they dropped it off?"

He also glanced between Gears and the guards he'd seen early. It was possible the Haunters would get some info, but he wasn't sure the Calabrese members would walk out without something more concrete. Marcus really hoped it wouldn't come to blows.

Actions:
1. Use the ability: Let's be Friends: [Persuasion] F, [Insight] F - Grade F - Cooldown 0

[Widersia] Big Dom’s Champion

Marcus's eye twitched as he listened to the clerk. It took all his focus to maintain his pleasant smile. The employee had answered every question they'd asked but had seemingly gone to great lengths to make sure those answers were useless. For a second he wondered if the man actually knew more if the Brass Lantern policies were designed specifically for situations like this. With an internal sigh Marcus realized it didn't matter. He could only hope the Haunters would get more information.

Perhaps the only thing they'd learned was that this Bell had accomplices. Which wasn't a big surprise. Stealing Comet felt too big for one person to do.

Before the spirit medium could ask more questions he heard voices from deeper in the building. Marcus internally sighed again, the time for questioning might soon be at an end. The employees might have been civil with Calabrese poking around, he wondered if the people in charge though would extend the courtesy.

Since Elora had spoken up Marcus held his tongue for now and waited to see what would happen.