NM Part 4

RECAP: After finding the town library and discovering the book that contains the group's 'story' the party has met a floating skull simply calling itself Bob that appears to be a resident of the town. After telling them where they are and what they must do to leave the city they then had a brief encounter with another of the region's denizens.. the Clown. After recovering from the initial shock the party is left looking at the book's table of contents, which read. "Justice Unfound, A work Unfinished, A Duel Unresolved, Love Unrequited, A Family Undone."

Alba stares at the book on the table with evident distrust, ears folding back. "...Tchah," she spits, crossing her arms. "Tales are to be read, not lived." Leaning against the counter, shoulders hunched and head lowered, she stares out the window the clown was spotted through, refusing to look again at the book. "...But I suppose we lack for choice, in this place. Which chapter shall be read first?"

Ka'Len stares at the window for a bit longer before slowly starting to walk over to it. He peers out and then steps back again quickly before shaking his head, "Lets check one of the buildings then and uh... figure out what we're supposed to be doing I... guess?" He looks at Alba then before chewing on his bottom lip, "when all else fails start from the beginning."

Sebastion has been relatively quiet about the clown. Beyond the initial startle everyone else displayed, he didn't seem overly affected by it. It did made him tense; as a soldier, his default reaction to a scare is to get ready to stab something, so he's got that overall uneasy feel that everyone else does, in his own way. "Agreed," he says, after Ka'Len's words.

Remi keeps glancing at the window the clown appears at, bunny ears splayed and looking fidgety, not looking all of this one bit. He still manages to pay some attention to the conversation around him, though, and at the other's words, he nodnods, adding to Ka'Len's statement, "I guess we should go to whatever other building is closest to here, and go from there. I don't wanna wander around outside more than I have to."

Marduke is rubbing his head with a sigh and just shakes it. "One thing after another here it seems really." glancing to the book, "Well seems to be for you to carry Ka'Len. I suspect searching the other areas and seeing if there is anything said in the first chapter will help." Leaning into his staff and just glancing around with a sigh.

Bob just floats there as the group talks. "Well doesn't matter what order you take them in, just gotta finish them all. Might wanna get a move on though, you don't have alot of time till it gets dark. I suppose you found the Inn already? Couldn't have missed it it's the first major building you find when coming into town. Well when the sun goes down you best be high-tailing it back there before.. they come out."

"...They." Alba's eyes dart over to the skull, narrowing for just a moment in irritation. "...*They.*" And she pushes off the counter, making for the door. "If there is a 'they' that emerges after dark, then I have no wish to face it. Come. We go."

Ka'Len looks at Bob and he mutters, "they.... right I'm with Alba." He looks at the book, at Marduke and then back before sighing and grabbing it in one hand while putting the other on his sword hilt. "Right, if we face something nasty I'm dropping the book, someone else better grab it then." The young man starts towards the exit while nodding to Remi, "closest building it is."

Sebastion gives an extended look at Bob. His brow furrows, and then he draws his sword out again. He just grumbles to himself, evidently discontented by the news that there may be monsters out and about. Or other things, which are equally stabbable he would figure. He's not particularly conversational at this juncture.

Remi doesn't look too happy at the mention of 'They', and can be heard quietly muttering, "Yah, no 'They' please..." Before he adjusts the strap of his Lute, flexes all his fingers, and then makes to follow after the others, trying to look brave.

Marduke shakes his head slowly to Sebastion, "If they could of been delt with a blade they would of been delt with a long time ago I am sure." Pushing off from his staff as he glances around, "We don't have much time then it would appear. Ka'Len does the first chapter say anything?" Turning to head towards the door, "Closest building is a good idea."

Emerging from the Library the area is noticably darker as the sun hangs a bit lower in the hazy sky. The street signs show that the closes buildings are the Town hall, the Sherrif's Office, and the Armory.

Alba glances to one side, then the other, pausing for a moment to consider options. "...That way," she says, pointing to the Sherriff's Office. "We may learn more of what we face within the dwelling of the lawkeepers." With the sun on its way to setting, the Viera's coiled-spring tension seems greater and greater, as though waiting for the smallest push to explode into violence.

Ka'Len looks around and then up at the sky before he frowns a little bit, "you don't think maybe we should make an early night of it..." He looks around and then at Marduke before flicking the book open to the first chapter so that he can skim the page quickly while following after Alba, though after a moment's thought he turns and offers it to Marduke, "no reason for me to carry it. I think it's just keeping it with us that's important."

Sebastion glances at Marduke briefly, the words causing a thoughtful look in the soldier's green eyes. He replies, after some of their walking and after they leave the library, "In that case, I will hold it anyways. It will give me comfort. And it could be used for things other than combat." He waits for them to make a decision, though he does look up to the sky and gives an agreeing 'hrn' at Ka'Len's suggestion.

Remi peers up at the darkening sky suspiciously for a moment, before going back to watching his step after he follows after those before him towards the Sherrif's Office, studying the building curiously as he approaches, "So which bit of the book applies to that place, you think?" He asks.

Marduke steps back from Ka'Len as his eyes go to the book, clearly not wanting to really be the one carrying that thing. he sighs softly and holds out his hand, "Very well. Just seemed last time the book screamed at somebody else who touched it didn't it?" Raising his eyebrows and regardless of book or not turns to follow after Alba, "We don't want to split up either, and honestly, I don't think any of us here could get her to change her mind." Pointing to Alba with a touch of a smirk. A glance to Sebastion and a nod, "I understand."

The Sheriff's office is a fairly small building compared to a place like the Library. The door sticking for a moment by with enough force it pops open revealing the musty interior. A rack of swords and polearms rests against the wall just inside the door, the weapons speckled with rust from disuse but still serviceable. A desk with a ledger and other papers sits against the right-hand wall while a pair of cell door dominates the left. Sitting on a shelf at the back of the room are 5 large glass jars. Four of them containing what at one point would have been Human heads. Though they've long since shriveled and mummified. Bob floats around lazily. "Ah the Toris brothers. Worst Bandits in the history of Draver's Valley. Sheriff and his boys caught 4 of them before the event hit town, guess they never managed to bring the 5th to Justice."

Alba creeps into the Office, throwing a distrustful gaze over everything her eyes find, though the story of the bandits causes her to arch an eyebrow. "These bandits, what was their preferred crime?" she muses, poking the ledger with a long fingerclaw, to see if the other books about town are forbidden; a thought which, given the emptiness of the library, probably isn't far off the mark. "...It is likely we wish to collect what tomes and papers we may, and hurry back to the inn. I simply do not wish to waste the night in idle terror of what lurks outside."

Ka'Len slips in after Alba and he looks at the shrivled heads before blowing out a breath, "and why would they put their heads in a jar.. that's just..." He looks for the right word for a few moments before shaking his head, "macabre." He looks at Alba then, nodding before stepping over to inspect the papers and collect what doesn't crumple.

Sebastion walks up to examine the jars with less disgust and more mild curiosity. The story had caught his interest, in particular, because of the supposed title of the first chapter. He reached up with a free hand to ruffle his own hair as he thought about it. "Then I gather the first order of business is to find the fifth brother." He reaches up to tap at the empty jar, curious about it. "He could be anywhere in this foggy town, if he's even here," he realizes, tiredly and a bit agitatedly.

Remi looks wide-eyed at the jars, looking slightly pale too. Tearing his eyes away from them though, trying not to look again, he instead listens to Bob, putting on a thoughtful expression as the fifth brother is mentioned. Glancing at Sebastion then, he nodnods in agreement, adding, "Yah, that's what I was thinking... Figured the brother must still be out there somewhere... Prolly as some mean ghost."

Marduke has the book and flips it open to glance over the first chapter thoughtfully to see if anything there is writen. "You know I have this nagging feeling we are going to need some ink." He offers with a hmm and glances up to see what in there. Bleching a bit with a sigh, "That is something new even for me." Eyes looking over the jars and sighs, and staying near the door. "We should hurry, the sun is near setting."

The book remains empty, it's pages blank except for the one denoting the name of the chapter. Bob drifts about the room seemingly at random. "Oh he's still around alright, Toris brothers were a mean bunch, worked in Extortion, Highjacking, Rape, Murder, Arson, Rape, Muggings, Fixing Chocobo Races, and Rape." The notes on the desk seem to be the sherrif's notes on the case of the brothers, noting that he beleived the final one to be holed up in the Drooling Marlboro pub on the city's western side. Amoung the other papers on the desk is a note to appear at the Willaim Hess Murder Trial at the town hall, a missing persons notice for a 12 year old boy at the request of the Marlon Family, and a note to check a local pawn shop for a stolen wedding Ring.

Alba takes up the ledger, nodding to Ka'Len as the swordsman takes up the papers. "Very well," she says shortly. "We return to the inn, now. There is much we may learn from these writings... and much to be warned of. Where it is thought the last of these brothers made their lair, for one." The Viera spares a look out the window, and strides with purpose toward the door.

Ka'Len frowns a little bit and murmurs, "missing boy and stolen wedding ring.. not sure how important the last would be but.. perhaps the boy might be something to keep in mind too." He follows the look then motions to the door, "lets get back before it gets too much darker. I don't much relish the idea of finding out who or what 'they' are."

"You said r... Hrn." Sebastion almost pointed out the obvious. Evidently he caught onto the point of the emphasis, and grimaced pretty hard behind that scarf. 'Yuck, those kinds of criminals,' his face might indicate. He shakes his head slowly, and turns his attention to the others as they begin to speak of going back to the Inn. He turns to follow without a second thought, sparing only a cursory lookover to the room as he departs.

Remi blinks slowly at the list of crimes the bandit brothers were known for, and after a moment simply states, "... Glad most of them are gone, then..." And he risks a brief peek at the jars, shaking his head. Afterwards, he goes to help Alba and Ka'Len gather up any useful papers, and nods in agreement with Ka'Len, "Yah, going back sounds good. We can maybe figure these out in peace then. Hopefully."

Marduke hmms a moment as he turns to take his leave, "Love unrequieted Ka'Len, the ring will most likely be related to that. The missing boy family undone. Sure there will be more clues, this was a good stop, and I suggest we jog instead of walk." Turning to head out the door. "Tomarrow will be a long day, and keep a eye out for some ink. Just in case."

Emerging from the Sherrif's Office the wind has picked up as the sky has Darkened further. Bob drifts about turning in slow circles.. "Ohhhhh this isn't good. Get a move on folks!" As the wind whips through the empty streets the haze gets thicker, begining to turn into a full-blown fog. Shadow's lengthen and seem to stretch and twist in unnatural ways, giving you the feeling that they're actually watching you. As you move back towards the Wark and Kupo the doors on some of the sealed houses begin to rattle and bang as though somthing were pounding on them from the inside.

From a rapid slink to a ground-eating lope, Alba picks up the pace indeed, dagger in one hand scrimshaw charm held by its thong between two fingers in her other hand. Whether or not she makes it to the Inn's door first, she slams her back against the outer wall, hurriedly gesturing the others in before her. "Hurry! Hurry!"

Ka'Len looks around only briefly and then he breaks into a run after Alba whilet he hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Upon reaching the door he yanks it open and motions for everyone to get inside while looking out along the road, "they're coming... lets move it people. C'mon c'mon!"

Sebastion is most certainly not the fastest of the group. He is not, however, the slowest person ever. He breaks into a run, easily able to jog and keep up with the others without outright sprinting. He's probably the last to actually reach the Inn, but he's unlikely to lose the others on the way. He's quick to get inside the Inn, with wide eyes, not inclined to stay outside where things are starting to get ugly.

Remi starts moving at speed as everything suddenly gets scary outside, his face holding a slightly panicked expression, but the Bard atleast still having the presence of mind to conjure up the start of a fireball as he moves, a slight glow cupped in the palm of one hand, ready to be thrown as a proper orb of flame at anything hostile that jumps out. Though for the most part, he just tries to get through the door that's opened before him.

Marduke is already moving to break out into a run, eyes glancing by some of the buildings. "Wards... spirit wards, that is why it was off. They are wards for souls..." storing the information away as he makes his way to the inn carrying the book along with him held tight in his arms.

Reaching the Wark and Kupo Bob shoots through the door like he'd been shot out of cannon. "Close the Bloody door!" The rest of the group enters the Inn and the door is closed and sealed with a heavy crossbeam. Outside the wind whips and howls, rattling the shutters and causing the lamp outside the door to swing and sway casting odd flickers of light through gaps in the shutters to dance along the floor and walls. Then it all stops, the wind dies off and the rattling and banging from the doors on the surrounding buildings cease. This peace last only a few moments though before a new sound is heard, a sound like the shuffling of feet, fingers clawing over the wood of the door, and the low mournfull moaning from an unknown number of tortured souls.

As the beam is settled into place, Alba prowls the front of the common room, knife and charm still in hand, ears back, dark eyes wild with fear and rage. When the wind dies off, she pauses, straightening a bit... only to drop into a low crouch as whatever is outside tries to get in. Flattened ears twitch at every scratch, every thump, and her posture takes on the look of nothing more or less than a cornered predator, nerving herself up for an all-or-nothing clash with what waits outside.

Ka'Len catches Marduke's words and files the information away while the papers are clasped to his chest. Backing away from the door as everything rattles he gnaws on his lip. The silence does nothing to relax him thouhg and for good reason as his nightmare is fullfilled. The young man breaths out before he looks at Alba and after amoment slides away from her lest the panic cause her to lash out. "Bob.. how long is this going to last for?"

Sebastion does not have a single moment of relaxation after they've shut themselves inside the Inn. He picks a spot somewhere opposite of Alba in the room, sword held ready with both hands. When he starts hearing the scrabbling at the door, his hands tighten on the handle of the sword. At least he picked a tactical place to stand, just in case.

Remi moves to the middle of the room and stays there, looking pale and wide-eyed, ears splayed way low, and one arm outstretched, palm out, tracking across each boarded window in view, ready to blast it the moment one of the things outside would break through. The Bard obviously not enjoying all this one bit.

Marduke steps inside and out of the way so the door can be closed. Shaking his head he walks over to a table and sits down, catching his breath and trying to lose some tension. He puts the book on the table and leans back crossing his arms already thinking, "Morning, it will stop at morning with the rising of the sun I suspect." Eyes looking to the book and shaking his head as he mutters, "What in the folly happened here?"

Bob drifts through the room "Ah relax they can't get in here, the Inn is one of the Sanctuary spots in town. The lost souls can't enter the building so long as the door stays closed and barred." He nods in Marduke's direction "Bingo, the sun rises and this poor shades go back to thier holes for the day. As for what happened.. well mabye if I can get a bit of my mind together I can tell you that.. I think."

"For a good while after Bob makes his assurances, Alba remains where she is; crouched, knife out, and very much in a stabby frame of mind. Once the assurances penetrate, however, she eases, fractionally, casting the skull a glare over her shoulder. "...Sanctuary," she rasps, clearing her throat to speak up. "There are more of these places? Tell us where."

Ka'Len nods slowly and he looks at the windows and door before taking a seat finally and beginning to shuffle through the papers. "Once we hear the story we'll need to try and rest and set a watch. I.." He pauses and looks at Sebastion and Alba then at Remi, "maybe one of you three would be best to go first."

Sebastion starts to relax as Bob explains, though he doesn't seem overly happy with this turn of events. He retrieves one of the chairs to set it up, so he can sit and watch the door and a couple of the windows. "I've got first watch," he volunteers, helpfully, though he sounds moderately gruff about it, as if he already had the idea in the first place. He glances over to Ka'Len, briefly.

Remi only relaxes a tiny bit at the skull's assurances that those things can't get inside the inn, still refusing to leave the middle of the room, really, and keeping his guard up. Glancing at Bob then, he waits for him to explain what happened to this town, and also glances at Ka'Len, nodding some, "... I prolly won't sleep."

Marduke just shakes his head slowly, "I suspect that is the case. Souls trapped within buildings only able to come out at night, a town haunted. Unfinished stories wanting to be told lost in time bound to a book unwriten. A flying skull with no memories named bob, and to top it all off a clown." Shaking his head, "This place has one hell of a curse." Eyes looking to the book as he considers it thoughtfully, "I suspect, this book may be part of the key to finishing those five stories and finding the pieces to Bob. I also suspect with a bit of ink and a quill we might be able to do a little editing ourselves. The dead body upstairs was writing, makes me suspect there is power in that. Write parts of the story for our success where we might otherwise fail. Im not sure yet." His rambling done and mostly talking to himself trying to sort some things out. Blinking he glances up and nods around, "Try to get some sleep."

Bob swivels around to look to Alba "Ummm.. the Church on the west side of town just before the slums, and the Marlon Estate at the far end of the east side of town. There might be others but those are the only ones I remember right now." The skull moves to settle itself onto the bar.

Alba slowly uncoils from her crouch, knife bouncing in hand as the shades continue to moan and scrabble outside the Inn. "...Mn," she says, nodding slowly. "...Very well. Then we shall wish to hear the tale of this place, the moment it returns to.... mind." A puzzled glance is thrown to marduke, the supposition met with careful consideration, but unremarked upon for the moment. "Father Antlion's jaws are greater than we feared, it seems... Let us hope that we act swiftly and smartly enough that he does not feast upon his guests."

Ka'Len tilts his head towards Marduke, frowning a little and then he looks at Remi, "me either, but we need to try. Without sleep we'll make mistakes and mistakes here would be really... unpleasant." Looking to Bob again he murmurs, "alright, tell us what you remember about what happened if you would then.." He stops and looks at Alba, "you and I think of things at the same time often it seems." There's a little snort and then he rubs his neck while trying to get comfortable with his back against one of the inner walls of the inn.

Remi nodnods a bit at Ka'Len, before reaching behind his back to grab his Lute and swinging it forward into his lap. He starts plucking at the strings then, playing an ever so quiet tune, mostly just to calm himself, while he waits for Bob to get to talking. Marduke just shakes his head slowly and closes his eyes as he considers, "Well for now im going to bed. Wake me up when you want me to take a watch. Though something tells me we should be fine for the night, just don't go outside." Resting back in his chair laying the staff against his chest, still clearly ready should it be needed.

Bob seems to think for a moment "Well I don't remember exactly what happened, for reasons we've already discussed. But somthing bad happened here, somthing bad enough for the Spirits to litterally cut this place off from the rest of the world. The residents damned to live out thier days with whatever the city was sealed off to keep from the rest of the world. But the door swings both ways.. the books are the key to getting out. Finish your story and the way out opens to you. Umm that's about it for the moment."

...And to finish our story," Alba mutters, dropping against the wall nearest the door, resting her arms on her knees, "we must do... what? Certainly it will not be enough merely to write 'And they all escaped,' so... What is it Father Antlion does not wish for us to do?"

Ka'Len sucks on his lip and he starts to shuffle through the papers once more. "Right now? Something lets see about following the clues we've got. The kidnapped boy and the stolen ring. I'd prefer to hold off on the criminal for now.. but that's just because."

"'Justice Unfound' is the first on the list, isn't it? I would think it would be better to try them in order," Sebastion comments, from his seat, without looking away from the door or the windows. The scratchy noises keep his attention much easier than the group.

Remi listens to everyone's conversation,and only pitches in after Sebastion speaks, quietly commenting, "I think it was said we don't have to do them in a particular order, as long as we do them... I just don't want to cross the whole town to get somewhere while there might be a clue right next to us." The Bard meanwhile still quietly strumming his Lute, trying to create a somewhat relaxed atmosphere.

Marduke shrugs his shoulders, 'I think we need to fix the problems describe, fix the love, fix the justice, fix it all. In a sense we may have to undo the curse on this place or at least enough to let us out." Shaking his head and sighs closing his eyes again, "It is very rare for the spirits to abandon a place completely. This honestly has my curiosity now what happened here."

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