NM Part 5

The group finds themselves in the Wark and Kupo tavern, the lost souls referred to only as 'they' still clawing at the door to the safe haven. While you try and get some rest and work out a guard duty roster for the night you're still left to ponder the papers taken from the Sheriff's office. Among them a note for the Sheriff to appear at the William 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.

Hunched down and resting against the wall by the barred door, Alba's ears twitch and jump, splayed wide to mirror the profound displeasure on her face. "I shall take the first watch," she says, pitching her voice to carry to the ends of the taproom. "It would be wise if two claimed each watch; better to guard the night with four eyes and four ears." Falling silent again, her lip curls faintly, and she throws up an elbow to *THUMP* against the heavy beam blocking the door, after a particularly savage burst of scratching. "Your *head* in my mouth," she mutters, the words said in the manner of a mild threat.

Ka'Len nods to Alba, "a sound ide-what?" He stares at her after the muttering and then shakes his head a little while flicking through the pages. "I'm not sure I want to face the criminal just yet. Lets go looking for the boy tomorrow or the ring perhaps?" He settles down with his back tucked into a corner while trying to make himself comfortable, but not too comfortable. Not that the scratching is really going to let him get much sleep regardless.

Sebastion is comforted by Alba's insistance in taking up the first watch, though he doesn't move from the spot he picked. He seems to be perfectly willing to sit and observe the door and windows as much as Alba is. The comfort is shown in visible relaxation, though his sword his still on his lap. He runs his finger over the flat surface of it, as if petting a really sharp cat. "The ring," he suggests, "It's a scavenger hunt, but the criminal may be very unhappy to see us, if he's anything like these things." 'These things' being the former people clawing at the door.

Remi was quietly strumming his Lute for a while, trying to calm himself down some, but has since stopped to let everyone try and get some sleep- having curled down on the ground as well. He peeks out with one eye open for a few moments, a single ear perked as well as he listens to the various suggestions, and then just nods some, agreeing, before trying to settle down enough to atleast catnap.

The summoner himself is oddly quietly, not realy moving and not really doing much. In fact it appears he might actually be asleep and leaning back his staff tucked up aginst one arm and the summoner completely out of it already, clearly exhausted from the day really. Yet he suddenly speaks up slowly, "It is in a sense, we seem to have a good idea where to start looking for four of the stories we need to complete. It will be a long day tomarrow and right now our biggest race coming up is against starving. Rest well."

Bob floats lazily about the room. At the subject of food he looks to Marduke "Should be safe to eat the food in here, always has been before. I mean I don't remember anyone dieing from it at least." He lands on the bar and is otherwise silent.

The night for the most part is uneventfull, while 'they' continue to claw and pound on the door and shutters whatever force that makes this place a safe haven continues to keep them at bay. After awhile the sounds die out and that same muted sunlight begins to filter back into the room. The tolling of the nearby belltower heralding the dawn.

Alba comes awake all at once, a dagger whispering out from its sheath, ears snapping upright and alert. Having slept uninterrupted following her watch, she seems at least partially more relaxed than before... likely the lack of clawing things is large part of the reason. Levering herself to her feet, the Viera slinks toward the pile of goods collected from the pantry, dividing out a portion of salt-beef, bread, and hard, sharp cheese for each.

Towards the end of the night Ka'Len took his turn at the watch. He had been just about ready to wake everyone when the bell goes off and there's a light snort, "well nevermind then." A nod is given Alba and he looks at the food before sniffing at it quietly, "alright so I'd say eat and we'll go exploring, we'll eat better when we come back later. Don't want things to get.. I don't know, infected, by taking them out or anything. I'm probably not making sense."

Sebastion wakes up, picking up his sword, when the bell tolls. He grimaces. He had pulled off the scar in his sleep, exposing the tattoo that creeps up the left side of his neck to his jaw. He affixes the scarf loosely back over the lower half of his face, pulling it down a bit to show his mouth, and stands up slowly. He yawns loudly and heads over to get his meal before they head out again. "The Pawn Shop, right?" he confirms with everyone, just to clear his brain gunk.

Remi managed to get through his own guard duty well enough earlier that night, and now wakes up again, curled on the floor, arms wrapped around his Lute as if the instrument somehow provides comfort. At the bell, he stirrs though, and slowly starts to sit up, rubbing his eyes before he peers around... And lets out a breath, happy it's dawn again.

Bob pops up from the bar and floats about the room. "Ah Smitty's Pawn Shop. West side of town in the slums.. baaaad neighborhood. Well at least it used to be, think everyone's dead there now. Good a place as any to start."

"Then it is likely their shades remain ill-tempered," Alba says with a careless half-shrug. Brushing the remains of her meal from her hands, she uncoils and casts her dark-eyed gaze about the room. "So. Shall we see what surprises Father Antlion yet keeps in wait for us?"

Ka'Len finishes eating as well and dusts off his hands before he walks over to the door. The young man takes a breath and then gives himself a shake before he murmurs, "lets just hope it's not something too nasty, though I'm sure it will be." He unbolts the door and then creeks it open a little, peering out then and if everything looks quiet he'll open the door the rest of the way and take a step out.

Sebastion gives a bemused chuckle at the word 'antlion,' and reaches up to pull the scarf over his mouth and nose, having finished his meal. He picks up the sword he set down a moment ago, and prepares to depart with everyone else, ready to find this Pawn Shop. He seems wary, but no more than the group was when they first arrived.

Remi managed to eat as well, quickly and efficiently, having learned long ago to grab a bite when he can in survivalist situations. Slinging his Lute across his shoulder afterwards and straightening his clothes, he starts following after the others, squinting a bit at the daylight outside as he steps out onto the street, "Hey Bob, does anything scary come out during the day much? Like that clown?" He asks.

Marduke wakes up slowly and pushes off to his feet and gets himself food. Glancing about he just nods slowly and shrugs his shoulders, rather relaxeda bout it all it seems. A glance to Alba and nods, "Lead the way then, im good with wherever." Picking up the book to carry it along. A glance to Ka'Len, "Wards are probably strong enough during the day. bodies are in the houses maybe not sure and not about to find out."

Bob looks to Remi "Ummm don't think so, course it's been awhile. At least if there is I don't remember. But yeah, Pawn shop Ahoy!" He seems to smile as he floats out the door.

Alba remains on guard during their journey toward the pawn shop, eyes and ears never still, one hand wrapped about the hilt of one of her heavy, curved daggers. Conversation remains her weakest skill, as she prowls through the streets, speaking up only now and again to take direction from the skull.

Ka'Len isn't much for conversation himself, though he gives Marduke a long look then turns it upon the buildings. There's a shudder before the man moves on a bit quicker. "Let's hope that it's a nice long day. After lastnight I don't think I'm going to sleep comfortably for a whle."

Sebastion glances aside at Ka'Len, briefly, as he hears those words. The man in the armor makes a thoughtful 'hrmph' noise, examining their surroundings quietly and cautiously as they travel. He doesn't anything to input for conversation, though. Remi glances at Ka'Len and nods, agreeing, "Yah... Me either.." Before he falls silent again and just stays in the middle of the group, looking around and his ears swiveling this and that, trying to pay attention to what's around them, hoping everything will stay quiet but trying to be ready all the same.

"A luxury." Offers Marduke with a rather grim tone to his voice. Yet that is all he offers on that subject as he keeps his own eyes out making their way to the pawn shop. "The real question is, do we have any clue what to do with the ring once and if we find it?" A glance to the others.

Like before their travel takes them to the Y-Intersection begining at the town hall, this time Bob floating down the lefthand path. The road is simple cobblestone as the group passes several small businesses, a Curio shop, an Apothicary amoung them. Finally after passing a church the party enters the slums. These building are worn and dirty, having seen the ravages of time more than the rest of the city. Bob floats past the Drooling Marlboro tavern, last known location of the remaining Toriss brother, an air of malevolence hangs about that building hinting about what might be lurking inside. Your 'guide' finally stops in front of a rather unassuming building, the universeal pawn shop sign hanging over the door. Like all the buildings in town the windows are shuttered but the door is not boarded over.

"Perhaps there is an inscription upon the ring," Alba muses as they reach the door to the Pawn shop, slipping up to place her back to the wall beside it. "Regardless. We shall see what we may." The door is opened, and after sparing a moment to check the immediate inside for obvious dangers, she waves the rest within.

Ka'Len looks at Marduke, slowing a step before he shakes his head, "I've the feeling that it will present itself to us. Or at least I hope it will." The tavern is given a wary look as they pass by and then he takes a few moments to examine the outside of the pawnshop before slipping in once Alba waves them within.

Sebastion follows in with the rest, waiting so that he's the last one to enter. With Alba entering first, he acts to cover the rear of the group, thinking tactically. He keeps the sword raised, and looks for anything in the mists. Like errant clowns. A grimace shows on his face, thinking about it. Perhaps it had affected him more than he's letting on...?

Remi stares at the Drooling Marlboro as they pass it, ears splaying at the evil feel that seems to come right off it... Before he distracts himself as they arrive at their destination, looking up at the pawn shop instead and watching Alba open the door before he carefully starts to step inside. Hoping the fact the first person who went in wasn't attacked means it's safe.

Marduke hmms a moment, "If it was that simple." He offers with a faint smile, "Let us find the ring first and then go from there. Look for any ledgers of buys and sales, and the shelves. Though this is a ring, probably locked up, keys to." shrugging his shoulders as he opens the door and steps into the pawn shop. "Watch out for clowns."

Alba slips in behind the others, wandering about the counter by the till, fingerclaws trailing over the countertop as she examines the items on display. "Such places," she murmurs, half to herself, "there seems to be such sadness within them. To trade cherished things, simply to put bread in the mouth of a child... Ai. Wetlanders."

Ka'Len's hand strays to the hilt of his sword, but he doesn't pull it. However as Marduke brings up the clown he shudders a little bit and looks around before he breaths out, "I'm hoping there's nothing worse than them." He pauses, head tilting towards Alba's words before he starts to actually look at the items that have been stored in the building. "Never thought about that.."

Sebastion slips into the pawn shop, still as silent as before. He dutifully begins searching for wherever this ring is supposed to be, mild distraction in his eyes. He doesn't bother with the conversation, but he does give Marduke a disapproving look on the comment about clowns.

Remi stays near the entrance/exit even after stepping inside, just looking at all the items that are on display without touching any, though he does glance at Alba at her statement and looks thoughtful for a moment. Afterwards, he pipes up some, "What were we looking for again?"

Marduke sighs softly as he runs his hand along a shelf looking for a ring. "Lost more then sad. This whole place has a sad feeling, lost, and angry. It is said that the reason undead attack the living with such anger is that they are being who cannot live, and have not died. They resent the living for the lives they can still live. This place has that feel, for all it has lost. Yet here, this place. Not always does one sale to feed a child, the reasons people come to shops is varied, from just old stuff, to thieves selling stolen goods, and of course to feed a child." A shake of his head as he offers a sad smile moving to another shelf.

The pawn shop is pretty standard as they go. Shelves of various items line the walls and a caged-in counter dominates the far wall. A quick search of the shelves reveals a few items that stand out. A surprisingly well-maintained curved Mithril Dagger, a high-quality Violin, and a pair of hand-carved Chess pieces made apparently from Ivory. A white Knight and White pawn. Unremarkable in and off themselves though standing out since the rest of the set is absent. The door of the back counter made of steel bars with a rather sturdy-looking lock.

During her search, Alba's gaze rests on the dagger for a good while, her eye tracing its workmanship and quality quite appreciatively. Though it seems to pain her somewhat, however, eventually she moves away. "It is a lovely gift, Father Antlion," she murmurs, "but I shall not chance it until we are done here." The steel door, rattled once, experimentally, the Viera's nose wrinkling in frustration. "Likely it will be where precious metals and the like are... Perhaps there is one of us, skilled in teasing such locks open?"

Ka'Len's eyes wander over the items. Each of them drawing his appreciation and he starts to reach towards the ivory knight then pauses as he overheards Alba. Looking towards her then the young man frowns before shaking his head while moving to join her. "No sadly not.. perhaps one of the keys will fit the lock?"

Sebastion's eyes are drawn by the chess pieces. He gazes upon them, eyes lingering for a while. His brow furrows faintly, a hand reaching out... he hesitates, and lets his hand drop to the side, when attention is drawn to something more relevant, and he realizes

Ka'Len was looking at the chess pieces. He looks off at the door behind the counter as it's brought up, brows raising. His taciturn mood doesn't waver. Since he still doesn't have anything to offer, he reaches to pick up the chess pieces between his fingers, if they aren't in a display or something, and turn them over in his hand curiously.

Remi peeeeeeers at the violin for a long time, his interest in it a given, the Bard studying its features in detail. He suddenly shakes his head a bit however, as if trying to get rid of the urge he undoubtedly has, and finally manages to tear his gaze off it to look at the door, before shrugging a bit and stepping forward some, "If one of the keys doesn't fit, I can try picking it."

Marduke glances over each item in turn, "Each item has memories and stories that would go with them." Yet he doesn't seem all that terribly interested in each item, eyes still looking around. "No ledger at the counter then I take it?" He offers moving to head over to the counter, "Alba is right, we should not be taking anything. We may be back though, these items may have other special values."

The keys are clearly labeled as to what door they open. None of them fitting the pawn cage's lock. The chess pieces looking like ordinary pieces, worn through use but well-made and at one time likely worth alot of money. Both are engraved at the base with a symbol of crossed swords behind a shield. There is a ledger on the counter, unfortunatly it is closed and is on the counter inside the metal cage. Bob simply floats around absently, having nothing to add to the investigation.

Alba throws a speculative look at the skull, one eyebrow arching. "...Quiet, you are, for one who refuses to admit he is truly dead," she murmurs, stepping away from the steel-barred door. "Tchah... so we must chance the displeasure of the owners of this shop... Remi?" Looking to the bard, then nodding at the door, the suggestion is made clear.

Ka'Len remains quiet as he moves to the side so that Remi can attempt the door though he murmurs afterwards, "I should've brought one of the guns that Mordecai's been teaching me to use. I could attempt to pop it then likely." "Looks like a family crest," Sebastion remarks off-hand to no one in particular about the symbol he sees under the chess pieces, "Or a crafter's mark." He spares a few more moments of examination, and then looks over at the others. A mild wilt of disappointment on his brows, and a hopeful raise again as he looks over to Remi, waiting for his success (or failure) with the lock.

Remi just nodnods at Alba and then steps forward, towards the door... A hand slipping into a pocket and coming out with a pair of thin, metal rods. Whatever use they would normally have, their current one is to try and pick the lock. The Bard not paying attention to anything else anymore as he gets to work, quietly humming as he does to apparently help him concentrate as he tries to use one of the rods as a tension bar to attempt to unlock the door while the other rakes across the tumblers.

"Or clues, pieces to the puzzles we have. The key to the pawn shop may be in another building." Marduke offers with a soft sigh and holds a hand to his head considering. "If we can't get past the lock lets consider taking the items and moving to another building." Pulling up the book though he is carrying and flipping it open, glancing through each chapter just in case something showed up. Then glancing over to Remi to watch the lock picking.

The lock is old, but still strong. Though it does eventually give way to Remi's efforts with a quiet *clunk* and the door swings open easily enough. The cabinets in the cage are filled with more unusual items, some potions well past their prime, various gemstones, but no jewelery. The ledger is worn but readable, the final entry in the book being that he'd appraised a simple gold ring brought to him by a man named Davis. There's a note to send his offer to buy the ring from him to the Town Church.

Alba flips through the leger, studiously ignoring the gems and clearly off potions, nodding to herself as her eyes flick over the final entry. "Very well... the Church, this will be the next waystone upon this path." Pausing to nod her thanks to Remi, resting a hand upon the bard's shoulder, she slips clear of the crowd, waving the point of her knife toward the door... and pauses, looking from her dagger, to the shining mythril one winking on its rack. Making a highly annoyed sound at the back of her throat, she stops dead, wavering in her resolve to pick the thing up.

Ka'Len mills about quietly and finds himself by Sebastion, looking at the chess pieces as he ponders quietly. "They certainly stand out.." he murmurs before looking at Alba when she mentions the church. There's a quick nod and after a quick glance around he starts towards the door and pulls it open before looking back at the wavering. "Tempting it seems.."

Sebastion doesn't bother putting the chess pieces back where he found them, nor does he spare much interest for the gems. If anything's going to be cursed, it's going to be the shiny things, right? The chess pieces are put away in a pack he's been carrying with him, you know, to carry gil and other crap like that, while he gives an aloof shrug to himself. Like before, he's the last one through the door, more concerned about sudden surprises trying to get them from behind.

Remi looks perfectly innocent as the door swings open and he smoothly re-pockets the lockpicks afterwards. Smiling towards Alba then, he watches curiously as the book is retrieved, and then starts to follow everyone back out... Only pausing when the others do, and following their gaze with an arch of his brow. The violin managing to catch his interest again as he looks at it.

Marduke just shakes his head slowly as he smiles faintly, "careful, more often the items with the greatest value seem the least." To Sebastion and glances to Alba as he passes her, "It is a nice dagger, but be weary of greed." A shoot over to Remi, 'you as well, and good job with the lock. Lets head to the church, we wasting daylight." Moving towards the door.

Wether the items are taken or not the group eventually moves on. The church isn't far, acting as the boundry between the slums and the rest of the city. The wide doors opening easily enough revealing the typical church interior. Rows of pews lead up to an alter drapped in tattered silk, candles somehow still lit illuminate the room in a soft glow. The building gives a sense of peace to those that enter, this being one of the safe Havens that Bob spoke of earlier.

The only thing marring the scene is the skeleton laying face-down on the floor near the church's donation box a crossbow bolt sticking tip-first from it's back. By the way it's dressed the body was that of a Church Deacon. As the group looks on a translucent blue spirit appears in the room similar to the gate guard Alba and Sebastion saw before but dressed in the same garb as the skeleton. The spirit looks about heedless of the group and seems to drop somthing into the donation box before turning and before to walk away but stopping suddenly and facing the door. "What are you doing here? I did what you asked.. he'll never find the ring in time for the wedding. I want no more to do with this.. this underhanded scheming, and for what? So you can keep your family's 'purity', this is greed pure and simple." His eyes widen and he takes a step back. "What are you doing!? I did what you asked! No!" The spirit lurchs forward and falls, landing atop the skeleton and fading away.

Alba mutters under her breath the entire way from the pawn shop to the church, the bright mythril dagger bouncing restlessly in her hand, its sheath secured in place of the iron one at her back. Upon reaching the chapel building, she clears her throat. "It is perhaps wise if we disturb little, if this place is to remain safe. Perhaps I am in error, but I care not to know that we have ang--" And the Viera trails off, eyes widening as the ghost-drama begins to play out before them, the dagger in her hand gone still, knuckles white as she clenches it in tight fingers.

Ka'Len had begun to nod to Alba, but like her he freezes a bit. There's a quick glance to where he assumes the unseen attacker was and then afterwards the young man edges closer to the donation box. "Likely wrong.. but maybe, just maybe, he put it in here?" There's a quick glance at the skeleton before he shudders and starts trying to open the box to peer within.

Sebastion was quiet, no surprise, the entire way toward the Church. The sense of peace when they enter the building nearly staggers him, for some reason, his eyes squinting. He's an awfully tense fellow, and never quite peaceful, so he's not quite used to the sensation, and grumbles about it either way, at least until he sees the sight of the ghost. He reaches up to pull his scarf down, sheathing his sword, and approaching the skeleton. He kneels nearby, and lids his eyes. "Perhaps the deacon here is the reason this place is peaceful," he says, "There is no protection of the spirits here, I think, so..." He lets out a sigh. Sounds mildly sad, a rare emotion out of him. He stands upright soon after. "I'm starting to believe that there may be more corrupted souls in this place than just that elusive criminal," he speculates, "Or the ring is where the criminal is, if it's not here."

Remi blinks some as everyone takes the items that interest them, and after a few moments hesitation on his part, he just shruggas and ends up taking the violin... Figuring that if the items are cursed, one of them or all of them being taken won't make much of a difference. Following after the others then, idly studying the instrument as he walks, he only looks up as he stands by the church entrance and hears the ghost's voice. The Bard suddenly looking startled, and taking a quick step back, ending up peeking out from behind Alba. At least until the scene ends, and he looks at the skeleton instead, frowning quietly.

Marduke stops as he leans into his staff, eyes looking over the church. A glance to Alba, as she speaks only to be distracted like the rest by the sudden scene. Yet the moment the ghost vanishes he steps over and kneels by the skeleton and sighs softly, a tear in his eyes. "Troubled and torn, your spirit will never be at peace by your actions in life. Yet you were a man who followed the church, find your path again and help lead us to redeem that which holds you in death." Sighing softly as he looks the skeleton over and offering a prayer. Standing up he glances to Ka'Len, "Any luck?" A glance towards Sebastion and shakes his head, "The lands, most likely blessed would still keep their blessing. though his spirit may help." Glancing back to the skeleton, "He wanted us to see his last moments"

Stepping over the fallen Deacon the Donation box is opened, it is empty except for a single gold band. Removing the band from the box shows an inscription on the inside. "To Marissa Turner, may our love form a bond for all times."

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