Fantasy Hunter's Moon [IC] [CLOSED]

[Breadman]

"We can acquire a map from the library or local municipality." Theodore answered "The former will be easier to get to than the latter. Doubt the duke's men aren't watching official buildings for us. Once we have the map and have picked a target, I'll get to mixing."

 

[K0mori]

Mariette looked over the scene with a keen eye, apparently formulating a plan. She then leaned over the table and calmly explained her thoughts. "I believe I can lure one of the officers away from the others without causing a panic," she said quietly, eyeing the baristas with disdain. She would not allow herself to accidentally divulge the plan to any passers by. "If this works, he'll want to step outside or use the washroom; we can't all follow him or else it will be suspicious. I'll stay seated here, either way. If it goes wrong..." she trailed off and instead tapped the rapier at her side. "You two run off. I'll draw their attention and then escape on my own. I can outrun them."

A moment later, service arrived at their table, and Mariette ordered a dark, aromatic tea that she would really only be able to smell, but it was merely for appearances anyway, and pulled out her grimoire as if it were a casual read. It wasn't long before the tea arrived and the Countess picked the cup up, taking a long, calming indulgence in its fresh scent before discreetly pouring a small amount into the center of the old tome's pages. It had been a while since she had used anything except blood to cast a spell, as other medias were far less effective at transmitting the dark intentions into manifest curses, but this was a very simple spell with little chance of anything going wrong. For what little was required, she merely nicked her thumb on one of her fangs before hiding them again, and smearing the reddish humor into the wet blotch. She then focused on one of the officers and began to mouth words as her fingers slid over the aging pages:

Infernal bell at the hammer and anvil, ringing without cease or cause... little demon, beat your drum, drive him to hysteria...

If it worked, it would produce a gradually worsening tinnitus in the officer's left ear, ruining his ability to concentrate on his conversation. Perhaps he would then excuse himself...

 

[Infab]

Parloir du Vice-roi - Misc. Roll
Mariette = 7. Chance Roll: Success. Vampiric Elite moves away from group, heads outside.
​

The officer that Marriete focused on seemed not to be affected at first, but then appeared to be bothered by a noise in his ear. He shook his head a few times, pressing his hand to his ear, before eventually looking to his comrades and thumbing over his shoulder towards the door. He said something, which the group couldn't hear, but could tell that he was going to step outside as the other three officers decided to remain where they were. The affected officer stood, taking his rifle and slinging it onto his back, before pushing his chair under the table they were sitting at and walking towards the door. As a pair of workers entered, the officer walked outside.

 

[Dmaster]

She stepped into the establishment and gave it a once-over, not one to take in interior decorating when it was often the people within these places that took the majority of her attention. Quaint and cozy as it might have been they were here on business, and as tired as this ordeal made her Camille couldn't give in to fatigue just yet. Unfortunately she lacked the ability to see the auras that Aleister and Mariette picked up on, so she only had outward appearances to rely on when it came to information gathering. The men in uniform were given a gaze of scrutiny, but ultimately she couldn't exactly place each individual's loyalty to the Duke. Perhaps if she were in Escaria and understood the people better her investigative skills would be more of use, but unfortunately this was not the case.

The huntress sits herself at the open table and pulls back her hood to reduce suspicion, usually removing it once they were indoors if she cared to remember. "Depends on just how in-depth you want the questioning to be." she said, leaning forward to rest her arms on the table. Perhaps it was a rude gesture but she wasn't exactly in a particularly fine establishment, the collective table manners of the enlisted were a void of all semblance of etiquette. "Threatening violence might get exactly what we want, though in an area of town as crowded as this it would be difficult to pull off." Camille reasons, only to look to the Countess as she flips through the grimoire and whispers to herself. Once Mariette finished casting her spell Camille subtly turned her head so that she could see the victim of the dark magic in the corner of her eye. To no one's surprise the man got up and excused himself, getting the Marquess to curl her lips a bit. "Tres bien. Well, it would be incredibly odd for all three of us to get up and pursue. Due to my lack of 'charm' I think it best I stay here and monitor the rest of his group, oui?"

 

[K0mori]

Mariette seemed neither surprised nor enthused that her hex had worked. She simply watched the man depart before giving a nod to Aleister. Since the Countess and the Marquess had both volunteered to stay, it would be Aleister's job to follow their mark out of the cafe.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Aleister remained casual in his seat as he took note of the man leaving, sparing him only the slightest glance as he walked past before he looked back to the others. "Oui, I rather think this shouldn't be too difficult. Trapping the unsuspecting in a conversation is an old talent of mine," he said with a little smirk. "I'll do what I can peacefully. If you wish to come out and assist eventually, you can track my aura, though this could take a little time depending on what kind of man I am dealing with. Lets just hope this gentleman is of a... refined persuasion...."

He gave both women a nod again and pulled his cloak up over his head, slinking away from the table without fanfare. Aleister weaved in and out of the patrons of the cafe before disappearing outside.

It was not difficult to spot the officer. Aside from the man's aura, his uniform stood out among the small rush of street goers moving back and forth throughout the street, most eager to get to their destinations without distraction. The man was off to the side of the street in the shade with his visored cap low over his face, standing beside the cafe holding the side of his head as whatever spell Mariette had worked on him kept him rattled. Aleister gave the officer a quick study as he stepped outside, trying to get a measure of the man simply from his appearance and stature. It was not hard to determine someone's general traits based on how they carried and presented themselves, but there were always unknowns and exceptions. You could rarely tell everything about a person simply from what you could see. If he was lucky, then this man would be not too unlike himself in some aspect, in which he could latch on to that point and establish a connection. The real question was if the man would go along with it.

A potential opener was discovered as Aleister closed the distance, spotting the chain of the man's pocket watch at the pocket over his left breast. It was a simple ordinary nickel chain, but there was a flower-like little stud on the lip of the pocket where the chain was attached to his jacket. There was only one watchmaker which outwardly identified itself in such way where most would be indistinguishable from each other - Smithwick. A rather respectable Atracan watchmaker from the capitol.

Using this as a leverage point, Aleister removed his own pocket watch from the inside of his jacket and flipped the device open. He quickly offset the time and then put on an expression of mild befuddlement as he casually ambled up near the officer.

"Mmm... pardon, sir, but do you know the time? I recently came into town today and I do believe the carriage ride upset the orientation of my watch," he said with a polite smile, then taking notice of the man's watch design and launching into a point on that matter, complimenting the officer's taste in watches. He gave the man a not too inconspicuous glance over and stood at a friendly distance, though if seduction could be utilized, that would almost certainly be the fastest route. Aleister was quite familiar with the ways to lull someone into such relaxed comfort. If the feeling or suspicion was right, he'd put himself in such an open position, but would avoid it if necessary as it could also quite easily tun a conversation to its demise.

 

[K0mori]

Watching Aleister leave the cafe and tracking his aura toward their mark, Mariette discretely lowered her hand below the table. After a moment or two of the men standing near each other, Mariette snapped her finger and broke the spell which was irritating the officer before lifting the tea to her lips again and taking in more of its aroma. Her eyes flicked upward over the rim of the teacup in Camille's direction. For one of the only times in this whole expedition, the two women were alone in each other's company.

"Mademoiselle," Mariette said with an utterly grim intonation, setting the cup down quietly while still keeping watch for eavesdroppers before leaning forward and speaking quickly: "I must tell you this: that accursed sword which belonged to Velin... The knowledge of its location was beyond the reach of this expedition. The Senior Inquisitor paid a terrible, terrible price to obtain it; she was visited by none other than the demon prince Sazak in her dreams, and pledged to surrender her very being to him- body and soul, to be given over once the Duke has fallen. Valeria has already sought a loophole as well, asking Ethraeil to kill her at the moment a fatal blow is dealt to the enemy.

"I know this because Sazak struck a deal with me as well, but I've come to my senses, at long last. I was to protect his future vessel from harm until the transaction was complete, in which case I would be rewarded with the kingdom I have long dreamed of creating. But... In Grimsby," she said, her expression turning from cold and distant to rather dire, "in the midst of all this treachery, I came to a sudden self-realization. I used to hate you hunters and Inquisitors for your lack of mercy, and in fact, I still do. But now... Now I look into myself, and I understand why you hate my kind. I've become what I always believed I would never be. And if I continue on this path I risk becoming what Cassandra represents: nothing but violence and greed wrapped in the most fragile of excuses." The Countess leaned back in her chair and reached into her overcoat before retrieving an envelope with a wax seal. She placed it on the table before Camille. "Do you know why I am telling you this? It's because I have a bit of a favor to ask of you, if you will entertain it."

"I want you to kill me, mademoiselle- not because I am a vampire, but because my soul is wicked, and I deserve to be sent to Hell."

 

[Dmaster]

Camille watched Aleister leave with a rather neutral expression on her face, anticipating Mariette to go with him yet surprised to learn that they would both be staying at the table. It was quite likely she missed that detail, and now she was in a position where she had to not give the Countess too much of her attention gor obvious reasons. In part the vampire staying at the table with her was an advantage, as the Marquess had neglected to order a drink and sitting alone at such a large table with no refreshment of her own was bound to raise questions. Even still, it did nothing to put her at ease.

Yet when she was engaging in conversation Camille looked to Mariette with a slightly bothered look on her face, a look that shifted to bewilderment and anger the more details were shared with her. Her plan had been to avoid eye contact and speaking to her, yet now the Countess could not be ignored. "Valeria dealt with a demon..?!" she hissed, clenching her hands into fists to restrain herself. Incompetent as she wqs if she was willing to sacrifice herself for the world over it was a noble endeavor. However there was still plenty that could go wrong. "Hrm... Another complication among many, but I trust the lich may do something about it when the time comes. At the very least I won't be confused over the future murder attempt." Camille reasons.

"I am not the least bit surprised that the demon's words might find purchase in your mind. Even after getting the power you craved I could tell you weren't satisfied." she said, scowling and sucking her teeth in. Just why was she telling her all of this? More games? Playing both sides yet again? The Marquess had little patience left for these endeavors, and far more important things to worry about.

Just then her question was answered and the request was extended, her eyes widening and her posture stiffening. Her future enemy was requesting a death at her hands, over finally seeing things her way. For a time, Camille was speechless, yet soon her gaze grew sympathetic and sullen as she looked upon Mariette.

"You are wrong about me, madame. I do not operate without mercy." she says, tone almost a whisper. "I see vampires for what they are; once-humans deluded with power and the burden of immortality. Even as a pureblood such gifts have a price to them. I do not hunt to bring enemies torturous pain or purge innocents. I aim to bring tortured souls a fitting end that circumstances have robbed them of, stopping them before they rob defenseless mortals of the lives they covet." Camille explains. "I may come off as abrasive or rash in my opinions on your affliction, but I find it better to feed delusion than break them out of their insanity. Which is why... it is all the harder to kill them when those last vestiges of humanity show themselves one final time. If I am lucky they cackle madly as they are staked and burned to a cinder, yet many are still so fearful of death despite their countless years over me."

"You do not strike me as the type to have been born a wicked woman, Mariette... To preserve the idea of who you once were I will grant you as painless a death I can muster. Do know that I will take no pleasure in it."

 

[K0mori]

Mariette was silent for a while after explaining herself, as if the words were her entire world. In a way, they were.

She didn't even want to respond to much of what Camille was saying. No matter how justified she might be in the end by killing Mariette to prevent her from further descending into moral ambiguity, there was an entire journey of a century and a half that Camille simply wasn't around for. The "last vestiges" of humanity that she spoke of were more or less Mariette's primary personality traits for well over a hundred years. She spoke of some vampires who were already lost when the huntress ended their lives, but others who were frightened or simply resigned, each of whom were struggling to maintain a hold on the meaningfulness in their lives. For Mariette, it was her wine, her civic duties, and her friendships with other vampires... were these passions not worthwhile?

Camille was agreeing to Mariette's fatal request. That didn't make her a compassionate or merciful person, as for all those other vampires she killed, how many had come to accept the end? How many might have had decades, or even centuries, of worthwhile life left to live? And what if Mariette had never left the vineyard? Would Camille have been compassionate to find her and kill her there, as she likely would have tried otherwise? She sighed; it didn't really matter. Mariette did leave the vineyard. She lost sight of herself and her values, clawing at a dream she had denied for all her life, only to look back at the game board she had so effortlessly crossed to realize how despicable she had really been, each fallen pawn a reminder that if one can't remain true to themselves, then dreams perish even as they manifest. Mariette didn't need a compassionate killer, she just needed to die, and to do so after seeing the Duke thwarted, if at all possible.

She gestured at the envelope on the table. "Inside that envelope is a message to the others. If we go through with this, then it will likely need to be accomplished in secret, not just because I suspect the other would want to intervene, but because I want to save them the mental image of my final death. If only I were still an ordinary vampire, I could simply walk into the sunlight, but alas... You will have to behead me and then burn the parts separately. The letter will hopefully be an adequate enough explanation of why it had to be this way."

 

[Dmaster]

As efficient as a hunter Camille was plenty of vampires in Escaria could slip through the cracks. Her methods often isolate those vampiric nobles that have made a name for themselves in some way, so it stands to reason that she may have never encountered Mariette if she simply stayed to her vineyard. Yet what kind of life was that? Chained to her estate, never to explore the world that continues to change and abandons you. Perhaps the Countess was right to seek out greater change, to fight for her freedom yet her ambitions unchecked allowed her to hurt innocent people, and even put the balance of the world in jeopardy. If Camille only knew Mariette's full story, she would see that in another life how she might have ended up the same way she did. Everything she did now was to live in spite of an unfulfilled life, a life where she would be forgotten.

Ultimately to the Marquess it did not matter just how many worthwhile years a vampire had left in them, as they all existed on borrowed time. In her eyes killing them before they went mad with their delusions of grandeur was the safest option for everyone. The justification had always been that their affliction was cheating death itself, and such an undertaking was done to keep what little balance existed in the world.

With a sigh she took the letter into her hand, sliding it across the table before putting it in her coat pocket. "Yes I am certain many would not support this idea. I will see to it that the task goes on without complications." she says, looking back to the Countess. "Did you wish to go back to Escaria for this? Once the threat the Duke represents is taken care of we could return to your estate, if that is where you prefer it to be done."

 

[K0mori]

A somber look came over Mariette as Camille asked if she wished to die at home. Having already sent word to her steward, Juste, that she would not return from Atraca, Mariette hadn't considered that idea. Then she realized why: "to take me there would tempt me too much," she replied. "It's not just a home I'd be saying goodbye to... My friends, human and vampire alike, would want to dissuade me. However," she added, her expression becoming less dour, "I would greatly appreciate it if you could return my ashes to La Cygne."

 

[Dmaster]

She gave a nod of understanding, arms lazily resting on the table once again as she considered the additional request. "Then that is what I shall do. I will see to it that they are where they belong when this is all finished." Camille said, her eyes rather distant for a few moments. "You... also have my word that I will not investigate La Cygne further. Your friends will be safe from scrutiny so long as they keep to themselves and don't gain infamy." the huntress admitted. Perhaps she did have plans to dismantle the entire society that existed there at one point, but what Mariette was doing was not to be taken lightly. She would not pursue the matter further when there were many more vampires that proved to be greater threats back home.

 

[K0mori]

Mariette's eyes lit up as Camille made her pledge. "That's... That's why I came here, all along. Did I ever tell you that? They wanted me to find and convince you to leave us in peace." She straightened up and smiled for the first time in days. "This... all of this... was meant to happen." She took up the table napkin and dabbed her watery eyes. She quickly regained control of her emotions before continuing. "Thank you, Camille. But before anything else, we need to ensure that Duke Ashwood and Sazak's plans are halted. I'll be throwing myself at them harder than ever, now that we've settled this."

 

[Dmaster]

Camille wasn't sure how to react to the rush of emotion that hit the Countess, understanding that this was a situation that was not to be taken lightly yet still unable to draw a proper conclusion on the vampire. "I had no idea, truthfully. Perhaps it was meant to be in the end." she agrees with a slow nod. To see Mariette reinvigorated got her to smirk, such determination appearing to be rather infectious in her spirit. "So long as we give all that we have, they stand no chance. I will not give up either, we owe it to the world to perform as best we can."

 

[Infab]

The conversation between Aleister and the vampiric soldier continued on outside, as the pair got to know one another a bit better. A few secrets were divulged, both of importance and of trivial matters (thought Aleister was particularly intrigued by those as well.) The important secrets that were divulged: the pair of Valeria and Wesley were likely being held in the estate in a dungeon of some sort. It was already likely that the sword was in the estate, since the Duke would want it to be close to him. Archer would be near the Duke during the festival, as would Cassandra, which meant it was likely that the group would encounter them at some point.

Another bit of information learned was that the Duke planned to potentially execute Valeria after the festival. That meant that the group had a limited time to enact a plan of some sort. The estate was at the center of the city, in the middle of a large park surrounded by a high metal and brick fence. Guard posts were stationed around the fence. They would have to either sneak in, or find another way into the estate grounds and estate itself.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Aleister listened with great intent, finding himself - surprisingly - mildly intrigued regarding the man's own personality and thoughts. The information he was able to draw from the officer was alarming but rich, and he continued to ease the conversation along into extracting information and laying on the flattery. Which was hardly difficult, given that most of it was sincere. That made things all the more easier. He found himself more and more drawn to the man in some ways, and the idea came to mind that perhaps he could find the desired entertainment he craved while also performing the needed work of subtle interrogation. Being both vampires already established a sizable base for some camaraderie.

With the minutes going by and more useful information being collected, Aleister decided to expand his ploy to encompass business and pleasure. It wasn't much longer before Aleister and the officer were on their way up to the inn rooms above the cafe.

All the while, he kept what he learned in mind, and continued to probe a little more on how the Duke was conducting things for the festivities. What sort of events would occur, what sort of defenses were in place, and if there were other... supernatural allies in their midst.

 

[Viper Actual]

Galina continued to listen to Ethraeil and Theodore as the two of them discussed their plan. "How can I help?" She asked, finally speaking up.

 

[Infab]

Parloir du Vice-roi - Misc. Roll 2
Aleister = 6. Chance Roll: Successful. Vampiric Soldier recruited as ally.
​

Quinn Astor, as the vampiric soldier was named, was quite easy to persuade as it turned out. He offered to provide a few uniforms like his own for some of the group to use to enter through the fence into the estate grounds. From there, the group would have to find their way through the estate (without being spotted by Cassandra or Archer) to wherever the others were being held. That was the most that he could do, really, on short notice.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Aleister spent some leisurely time alone with Quinn. The rooms here were quite small - and somewhat cozy - though ultimately it mattered little. Monsieur Astor had turned out to be more than just an entertaining companion. Beyond the information he had already garnered from the man, Quinn was a willing associate to help them in their mission - which Aleister kept appropriately vague, in case Quinn happened to be equally skilled as he in these shady dealings. It was, he mused, entirely possible that he was being led on.

That didn't seem to be the case, thankfully. Aleister shared some of his lamb's blood with the man afterwards, and he was positively delighted to see that Quinn also found it to be rather delectable. The taste was mild, neither too bland or rich. Not always appealing to some for that very reason.

Aleister loitered in front of the mirror for a moment as he adjusted his clothes, ensuring his cravat was properly tied and that his hair wasn't out of place. It was a small blessing in this moment that vampires healed quickly, for it would be embarrassing if someone saw any stray bite marks. He shrugged his coat back on and departed, giving Monsieur Astor a fond goodbye as he made his way back downstairs. Hardly more than an hour had passed, and Aleister was pleased to see that Mariette and Camille remained at their table.

He returned to his seat as if he had been gone only for a few minutes. "That was a promising affair, I dare say," he said with a wide grin. "I think I learned some interesting things, too - and perhaps found a willing associate to assist us in these maters."

Aleister quietly explained to the two women everything he had learned, omitting some of the unnecessary details of how.

"Utilizing the uniforms will be an excellent method of entry, I think. For some of us. Those without will likely have to enter through the sewers, perhaps, or through other aspects of trickery or deception."

 

[Breadman]

Theodore thought for a moment on how to put Galina's skills to use. Truth of the matter was, he wasn't too familiar much with what she could do. Perhaps she had talents he or the inquiry weren't fully aware of.

"Like I said, acquiring the map can be simple. But, we still need information if we are to make the right move. Your scouting and subterfuge skills would be invaluable for this. Find and pick what you believe would make good targets for us to bomb were we to go with this plan. Preferably with the least loss of life for innocents as possible."

"But I may be working on a limited scope of your skillset mademoiselle. Anything else you believe you can contribute with is welcome."

 

[Viper Actual]

It was true. Galina didn't really speak much of her...gift. Though in this situation scouting would indeed be the most useful thing she could do. Sensing the potential near-death of their comrades wouldn't be useful as that meant they had mere minutes left to live. She looked at Theodore and nodded. "I'll scout ahead then. Once I have found at least three different locations I will return here with haste." She paused for a moment before speaking up again. "Could you perhaps show me how to use the bomb when I get back?"

 

[Breadman]

A odd request, but Theodore nodded.

"Classes will be open as I mix them." He joked "I'll do local observation in the meantime. Should be back in a few hours."

 

[Viper Actual]

Galina smirked and nodded. "See you soon then," she said to Theodore and Ethareil.

Leaving for the streets outside Galina moved about carefully. For the moment she had to ignore the thoughts on her mind. Especially those about the bomb. In a way it was a bit funny; a Tsavanian royal carrying out a bombing on Atracan soil. She could already hear her family either scolding her for it or celebrating the act.

Making sure to avoid patrols Galina spent a good thirty minutes scouting for military targets near the festival but also targets half-way between the festival and the estate.

 

[Infab]

The most obvious location for a bomb against a military target in the city was the military garrison on the eastern side of the city. Practically a large fortress, a bulk of the military might in Peltragow was centered inside the garrison while a chunk of it wandered the city. If one were to place a bomb in or near the garrison, it would prove to be an effective distraction. The issue would actually be getting close to it, as there were far more soldiers here than in other locations around the city.

Another target that Galina managed to scope out was a large military vessel floating at the docks. It was smaller than the ironclad that the group had faced in the harbor of Porthcrawl, but still seemed to be heavily armed. A well placed bomb on the deck, placed inside the ammunition cache aboard the vessel, or attached to the underside of the ship could prove for a spectacular detonation as well as distraction. The issue there would be the same as the garrison. Getting close to the vessel. There were several soldiers and sailors on the ship itself as well as the dock next to it, with one or two scouting out the waters around the ship for anyone that would attempt to board the craft.

The final target that Galina successfully scoped out was rather simple. One of the large guard houses scattered about the city. They were relatively easy to get to and lurk around. A major issue with such a target however was the risk for collateral damage. There were often other buildings nearby these guard houses, and several people often passed by or through them. Civilians could be killed in the process of detonating the bomb. The option seemed like a last resort idea at most.

 

[joshuadim]

Ethraeil looked over the options that have been found for their potential distraction, pondering upon which course of action to take. The garrison seemed promising, although reaching it would be another story entirely. But perhaps they need not approach from the surface. "If we can use a sewer line to get under the garrison, we might be able to place explosives underneath without ever being seen. Though I imagine we'd have to get through grates and whatnot. The ship is also promising, but getting to it would be another story entirely. We cannot approach from the waters nor from the land without easily being spotted, and the guardhouses are too close for comfort to civilians. The garrison is our best option in my opinion." Ethraeil stated to Galina and Theodore.