Fantasy Steamhaven: Land of the Lost

[Cartoonicat]

His lips curled into a quirky little smile, "I'd pay good money to see that." He turned her in a circle, giving Lianna a glimpse of the crowd around them. "Considering they've been alive for centuries, vampires probably know a lot of forgotten dances." Blaine seemed genuinely curious. He turned that curious gaze onto Lianna. "Do you think Supernaturals and humans will ever get along?"

The shot Blaine took must have caught up with him to be asking such a question so publically, yet even if the music were quieter and the ears around them sharper, most of the other guests were too drunk to really care what they were overhearing.

- Answer him
- Shush him
- Act like you didn't hear him
- Stop dancing
- Other

 

[ArcticFox]

"No, never. That is one thing I can say for certain." Lianna answered immediately. "We can't coexist, there's too much bad blood between us." She gritted her teeth for a moment. Even if somehow, miraculously humans managed to make peace with the supernaturals, Lianna would never be one of them. At least, this is what she had always told herself. Images of detective Payne and Samael flashed in her mind and she smiled sadly, maybe she was getting soft.

 

[Cartoonicat]

Blaine watched her intently. "Bad blood... I guess you're right," he said. "Grudges are hard things to bury." While he didn't question the sad smile, he'd undoubtedly seen it considering his attention to detail. Instead of comment, Blaine squeezed her hand and spun her in a slow circle. It gave Lianna time to compose herself, should she need it.

What remained of the dance floor were mostly couples, although a few small groups and individuals that were sober enough to stay on their feet remained. It prompted the band to relax the tempo into something more intimate. Lianna could slow dance with Blaine at their current distance or step closer.

- Dance normally
- Dance closer
- Stop dancing
- Other

 

[ArcticFox]

The music had slowed down, but Lianna was reluctant to step closer to Blaine. They had just met and even if she told him she trusted him, that was entirely true. There were three people she trusted in Steamhaven and only one of them had accompanied her to the gala. Dancing close to Dan had seemed so natural, but she was a bit reserved with Blaine still, keeping the same distance, but slowing the pace down.

 

[Cartoonicat]

For the first few moments, Blaine maintained a smile. However, the longer they danced, the more forced it grew. His eyes flicked to other parts of the room, distracted. After stumbling once from dragging his feet, he smiled apologetically. "I don't usually dance to this kind of music. It's, uh..." Boring, his expression said what his mouth did not. The pair slowed and he let go of Lianna's hand. "Maybe we should explore the rest of the Gala."

Blaine didn't look interested in slow dancing, but Lianna could stay and find a new partner to dance with if she wanted to dance until the end of the Gala. She'd missed out on Violette's companion's lecture, but there were still things to do in the lobby, such as personal shopping or helping Dan out with his booth. Lianna only had time for one activity.

- Stay and dance
- Ask to see Blaine again
- Go to the lobby
- Other

 

[ArcticFox]

"You go ahead, I'm gonna find Dan." She smiled, letting go of Blaine. It was high time she got him out of whatever trouble he managed to drag himself into. And she didn't believe it for a moment that his booth business was going smoothly.

 

[Cartoonicat]

As suspected, Dan's booth business was going... to likely be shut down soon if he didn't stop diving into long-winded explanations that only clients in his field would understand. "And, combined with the user's strength and the propulsion system spring, the force of impact may result in enough 'kinetic' energy to rupture, say, a spleen depending on the target location." The three women in fancy dress he spoke to stared blankly, eyes wide.

"I just wanted to know if they were customizable," said one woman.

Lianna could step in for some damage control or leave Dan to handle it. Based on the full boxes behind the booth and a heavily cluttered selling space, he hadn't closed many deals on his own.

- Help Dan make sales
- Walk around and advertise Dan's booth
- Browse the other booths
- Other

 

[ArcticFox]

"Oh, Dan." Frowning, Lianna approached the booth. As soon as she got close to the prospective customers, she threw on a smile. She wasn't much of a salesperson, but she could be charming when she wanted to. Walking between people and taking their orders and improvising on their questions, she hoped to help Dan close some deals. After all, it's not like she could harm his thriving business.

 

[Cartoonicat]

With Lianna taking orders and answering the simple, less technical questions, while Dan continued lecturing about schematics and uses, the pair managed to gather a small crowd of customers before the Gala came to a close. They sold nowhere near what they should have but Dan didn't seem to mind. If anything, he looked pleased as he passed over a box of purchased goodies to their last buyer of the night.

He turned to Lianna with a wide smile, oblivious to their loss of profit. "That went well."

Around them, booths began packing up. Lianna could rush to browse the booths or stay and help Dan pack up.

- Agree
- Disagree
- Lecture him about sales
- Help pack up
- Browse the booths
- Other

 

[ArcticFox]

"That went okay, Dan." Lianna shook her head, "But I'm glad you had fun." With that said, she helped him pack up the stuff so they could get a move on. The night was fun, but all goods things had to end. She would rather this party continued for the rest of her life, but she knew that tomorrow she had to a stakeout to plan.

 

[Cartoonicat]

By the time they packed up Dan's booth and caught a carriage back to their homes, paid for by her mentor, the night had caught up with Lianna. Alcohol, rich food, and all that dancing left her limbs heavy and her feet threatening to drag with each step.

The carriage dropped Lianna off at her home first, Dan holding the door open for her to step out of the large carriage cart and onto the sidewalk. He motioned for the driver to wait before addressing Lianna. "I've thanked you a lot tonight, but I am happy you convinced me to go," he said, "and even happier that you accompanied me. Did you enjoy the Gala?"

- Yes
- No
- Give a vague answer
- Ignore his question
- Other

 

[ArcticFox]

When the carriage arrived in front of her home, Lianna snapped out of her thoughts. The doors were opened for her and met with Dan's glad expression, she couldn't help but smile. She had been doing a lot of smiling that night.

"I'm glad I convinced you to go as well." She said, taking his hand warmly, "And that I came along. It had been a wonderful evening and I think both of us needed it." She sighed, "I guess, it's back to work now, right?"

 

[Cartoonicat]

Dan looked at their clasped hands and his smile reached his eyes, crinkling small crows' feet at the corners. "Indeed, but work will not be so bad," he said. "The Gala proved highly inspiring! Throughout the night, I brainstormed at least 3 new inventions and several upgrades to existing contraptions. You can look forward to some new prototypes."

To ask Dan about his inventions would be akin to asking him to stay the night, considering how long-winded he got when talking about his research. Lianna had enough spare blankets to make a makeshift bed on the floor since Patrick currently occupied the couch - and was likely waiting for her inside - if she wanted to invite Dan in. Otherwise, she could drop the subject and let him return back to the Hub.

Vice versa, if Lianna were to suddenly get cold feet in regards to her and Patrick, bunking with Dan and the girls in the basement wouldn't be too uncomfortable. Lianna would just have to suffer sharing a worn cot and smelling like Dan's workshop in the morning.

- Invite Dan to stay
- Go inside alone
- Stay at the Hub
- Other

 

[ArcticFox]

"I'm excited to try them out." She said, letting go of his hand slowly. Hesitating a bit, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Good night, Dan, I'll see you in the morning." Lianna smiled and moved away. She had some promises to keep to a certain blacksmith that night.

 

[Cartoonicat]

While Lianna and Dan were close, he'd never reacted so startled to her gestures of affection; instead of smiling like a big brother - or eccentric uncle - his lips parted in surprise. Lianna could see the slightest tint of pink on his cheeks. Perhaps attending the Gala together had changed things. Perhaps it was her hesitation when letting go of his hand or when leaning in to peck his cheek. Perhaps it was both.

Perhaps nothing had changed at all, and it all just seemed that way after an exhilarating night.

Dan climbed back into the carriage and waved from the window. "Sleep well," he called as the carriage pulled away, "I will see you tomorrow! Don't forget your notes from the Gala!" His voice faded with each passing second, devolving into silence as the carriage drove out of sight.
---
Upon entering her house, Patrick's head poked out from the kitchen archway. Every time she came home, she seemed to find him in the kitchen. "You're back," he stated the obvious. A few cluttering sounds later, he stepped into the room. Cracked a grin, looking her up and down. "You look like you had fun."

It would be the first time Lianna saw herself all night but, glancing in the mirror on the nearest wall, she'd find her hair in frizzy disarray and her face covered in a dewy sheen. What makeup powder she'd applied prior, if any at all, had not kept her skin oil-free throughout the party.

- Get embarrassed
- Laugh it off
- Tease him back
- Insult him
- Ignore him
- Other

 

[ArcticFox]

Raising an eyebrow at Patrick's teasing, Lianna stepped to the mirror to take a look at herself. She snorted out a laugh, "Well, I certainly look like I had fun. And I did too, but now a bath is due." She glanced briefly at Patrick, giving him a lopsisded smile, "And you should join me."

 

[Cartoonicat]

At her proposition, Patrick's grin grew mischevious, "Sounds like a fun way to save water." He sealed the deal with a short kiss.

Things did not go as planned - at least, not at first. Patrick was far too big to share a bath with comfortably, and his metallic arm felt like ice in comparison to the hot water. It added laughter and a certain charm to the experience. By the time the pair retired to Lianna's bedroom, what first-time nerves they may have held had all been giggled away. It wasn't the most romantic night, but it was cute and funny and comfortable and, after the silliness subsided, quite passionate.
---
Patrick had fallen asleep not long afterward and his sleeping form took up a large chunk of Lianna's bed. He was also quite the blanket-hog. With little room and little covers, Lianna found it hard to get comfortable enough for sleep. She could try pushing Patrick aside or waking him up, or she could kill time until he rolled over on his own. She could also try sleeping anyway, but chances of dozing off were slim, even if she was exhausted.

- Push Patrick over
- Wake Patrick up
- Sleep on the couch
- Try sleeping
- Go somewhere
- Other

 

[ArcticFox]

The night had concluded in the same manner that it went - it was thrilling and relaxing at the same time. Lianna unwound finally, and it was a long time coming. However, she was not at all happy with their sleeping arrangements. She could have chosen a smaller roommate. Raising her hand to poke him in the ribs, Lianna hesitated, then sighed and got up from bed, stretching away the soreness. She went into the kitchen to grab a glass of water and look out the window at the moonlit night. If Patrick didn't roll over on his own in the meantime she would have to wake him up, she was quite territorial over her bed.

 

[Cartoonicat]

Looking out her kitchen window, Lianna would see the alleyway parallel to her home washed in shadow, and a glimpse of the intersecting streets lit with dim moonlight. The full moon had passed and when the new moon arrived in a few days, Steamhaven would be plunged into complete darkness - a vampire's playground.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened as she finished her glass of water and returned to bed. Patrick had rolled on his side, giving Lianna enough room to get comfortable. Finally, she drifted off to sleep.
----
Morning rays seeped through her window, warming the room. Patrick was gone and a note left on the pillow indicated he'd gone to work. An already obvious deduction; Perhaps he worried she'd assume he ran off after their night together.

Lianna had the day to prepare for later that night, where a group of five, including herself, would venture into the woods - one of the most dangerous places known to Steamhaven. So far Lianna had recruited Clem, Aunt Muriel, and Dan to the party.

- Recruit the last party member
- Look for Violette's contract at the Hub
- Do something else
- Other

 

[ArcticFox]

The next morning, after having a good long sleep, Lianna donned on her more casual clothes and her weapons and took a stroll toward the Hub. She planned to find and sign Violette's contract and also to stop by Clara, to check if she changed her mind on joining their little spying mission. Or if any of the young monks and nuns decided to show up. She did not have high hopes, but she needed to check, just in case. If no one else wanted to come, the four of them would need to manage it.

 

[Cartoonicat]

It was a good thing several Hunters were notaries, or Lianna would be traversing the city to find someone able to witness her signing. She located the contract on the job bulletin, pinned to the corkboard holding up other open job requests for the Hunter community. Once that was done, all she needed to do was slip the contract into an envelope, stamp it with official Hunters' Hub seal, and drop it in the To-Be Sent post box taken care of by volunteers each morning. The whole ordeal had taken about 10 minutes.

Finding Clara, however, took significantly longer. She wasn't in the basement, the lobby, or any rooms on the first floor for that matter. Lianna did see Clara's catty entourage chatting in the corner, though. Perhaps they'd know something.

- Approach the entourage
- Search the second floor
- Search the roof
- Search outside the Hub
- Don't bother
- Other

 

[ArcticFox]

After dealing with the contract, which she would need to act on, provided the vampire spying didn't get her killed, and after half on hour of search for Clara, Lianna was about ready to give up and turn back home. But a feeling of unease made her approach Clara's friends. She did not like them, and she did not like Clara, but she sincerely hoped that nothing bad had happened to her. After all, she wasn't in such a good state a couple of days ago.

"Hello ladies." Lianna greeted, polite, but reserved, "Do you maybe know where's Clara?"

 

[Cartoonicat]

Instead of two, there were three: A new girl, perhaps too frail to be a proper Hunter, with pale blonde hair and a baby blue dress, stood with the pair Clara often spent time with. The girls looked to be gossiping, the way their eyes shifted back and forth cautiously, their lips curled into conspiratorial grins. As Lianna approached, they straightened. Only the new girl looked truly nervous about being overheard.

"Since when have you been friends?" Said the girl with gold-blonde hair. Beside her, the redhead stifled a grin and whispered something in her ear. "Ah, that's right. I heard you have a thing for supernaturals. Wolves, specifically."

They seemed far cattier than Lianna remembered. Practically hostile. And loud - several other Hunters had turned to watch the exchange, prompted by the blonde's cacophonous tone.

- Ask about Clara again
- Argue with her
- Slap her
- Remain calm
- Find Clara on your own
- Don't bother with Clara
- Something else

 

[ArcticFox]

"What a fine bunch you are." Lianna narrowed her eyes, watching at the women with derision. "A fellow Hunter got severely injured, and all you can do is make inappropriate jokes. Where were you at the night of the blood moon? Hiding somewhere no doubt, careful not to stain your pretty clothes. You disgust me."

She turned away from the gathered women and to the other Hunters that were near by. "Has anyone seen Clara recently?"

 

[Cartoonicat]

The first woman scowled, the second looked affronted, and the third just watched the exchange with wide eyes. They didn't combat her accusations; what Lianna said was likely true and there were plenty of witnesses in the Hub to back her up.

As for the other Hunters, some completely ignored the question and went back to their business. Others murmured amongst themselves. Nobody seemed eager to discuss Clara; then again, she did slaughter a good number of their comrades during the blood moon. Only one person, an old man who was likely a retired veteran, actually answered her: "She visits the roof quite a bit nowadays. Best try that first, I'd think."

- Thank him
- Berate the other Hunters
- Head to the roof
- Other