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Post by Stix on Jul 28, 2008 13:31:14 GMT -5
The group escorts the ailing deva through the chaos of the Hive Ward, the gridiron streets of the Clerk's Ward and past the familiar silhouette of the Open Shell, and into the Guildhall Ward.
An armored Harmonium patrol stands in front of The Other Place, talking with a white-skinned aasimar in silky diaphanous robes of blue and silver....
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Post by john on Jul 28, 2008 20:07:22 GMT -5
John grunts, and continues to shoulder the burden of the dying Deva.
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Post by TheGratefulNed on Jul 28, 2008 21:21:15 GMT -5
Gl'Fnak leads the deva through the Cage, once they get closer to the Guildhall Ward - the Cipher's home turf as it were - he cuts a few minutes off their trip by leading them down a narrow alley and between some movable merchant stalls. Despite his much smaller stature, the tiefling provides a stable shoulder for the injured aasimon he's supporting. Upon seeing the Hardheads and aasimar outside The Other Place, Gl'Fnak tilts his head up to the celestial. "This gate near the Gymnasium, be more specific."
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Post by exile on Jul 29, 2008 22:13:28 GMT -5
Hadrian turns an inquiring eye on The Other Place as the establishment comes into sight, curious as to the reason behind the roadside interrogation or whatever other brutishness the Harmonium was up to. He kept pace with the group however, lagging behind only for a moment.
“And then theres the matter of the gate-key, cutter…” he muttered seemingly to himself. He had been unaccountably quiet through their labored march thus far, drawn into troubled introspection.
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Post by Uathach Blackmantle on Jul 30, 2008 0:06:34 GMT -5
Wraith hangs back behind the deva, warily watching the gathering of Harmonium officers outside the Other Place. Odd that they should be there. The sight of them as they questioned the blue robed Aasimar made her wonder; what was going on? She keeps a firm hand on Aerin's shoulder, who stands close to her side, huddled beneath the folds of his baladrana. Every now and then the mute child dares a furtive glance at his surroundings.
"I wonder what they're doing here." She muses outloud, to no one in particular. "They don't seem the sort to seek off-duty relaxation." Compressing her lips thoughtfully, Wraith shifts the weight of her satchel into a more comfortable distribution across her shoulders and back.
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Post by john on Jul 31, 2008 10:23:32 GMT -5
"Likely dealing with a rash of disappearances. Seeing as how this is where I was when I ended up in the Abyss."
John offers this by way of explanation, but contributes little further. He doesn't know enough about this specific gate to offer further help.
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Post by TheGratefulNed on Jul 31, 2008 11:52:03 GMT -5
The Cipher looks back to the female tiefling, "even severe, ostentatious Hardheads like to kick back from time to time. But they look to be here on business."
Craning his neck to see in front of the bleeding aasimon's chest, Gl'Fnak looks at John momentarily. He locks his pitted, ebon eyes on the Taker's mutilated face, "do you know what the key was? And do you have any reason to think you were intentionally hipped there?"
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Post by john on Jul 31, 2008 12:03:51 GMT -5
"I don't believe so, unless someone was unhappy with my sudden run of success in the blood pit. Several matches and no losses. They haven't even staggered me."
"As for the key, I don't know what it could be, honestly. I could ask my manager about it at some point after I finish with this fellow." He gestures to the badly wounded Aasimar.
"Ghour was, after all, the one who sent me here."
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Post by Uathach Blackmantle on Jul 31, 2008 12:29:14 GMT -5
"Likely dealing with a rash of disappearances. Seeing as how this is where I was when I ended up in the Abyss." John offers this by way of explanation, but contributes little further. He doesn't know enough about this specific gate to offer further help. Wraith echoes, frowning. "It seems that someone from every part of the city has been disappearing lately. First in the Hive, and now here. I wonder if this is all related?" She peers between the men and the wounded deva standing before her.
"What do you know about all this?" She enquires of Hadrian and Hilathic, turning slightly to look at them. |
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Post by exile on Jul 31, 2008 13:02:36 GMT -5
“What do I know?” Hadrian turned his unfocused gaze on Wraith for a moment, blinking in confusion. “No more than most, and far less than some I should think, sister. I can tell you that I don’t see any grand connections in all of this, but perhaps the dark of it is lost on me. I doubt the missing Hivers all passed through The Other Place though. This smells of something else; surely Sigil is a big enough burg to hide a different intrigue around every corner.”
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Post by john on Jul 31, 2008 14:21:31 GMT -5
"I think Hadrian is right on that. The disappearances I'm talking about would probably only be happening here, since this is where the gate is. Or was."
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Post by Uathach Blackmantle on Jul 31, 2008 21:15:53 GMT -5
Wraith shrugs helplessly. "I must be paranoid then." She mutters. Drawing Aerin closer, the tiefling woman arranges the hood of his cloak to better shield his face from Sigil's icy air. "But when you mentioned "Abyss" my first reaction was to assume the occurances here were related to the bizarre cases I've been investigating in the Hive." Her steady gaze returns to the Hardheads questioning the Aasimar.
"Lead on." She urges the deva and the men supporting him. "Your condition won't improve the longer we tarry here."
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Post by hilathic on Aug 5, 2008 21:00:39 GMT -5
At this point Hilathic chooses to remain quiet. Let the others lead. There was no meaning to any of this anyways, of that Hadrian was remarkably correct.
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Post by Stix on Aug 12, 2008 16:51:28 GMT -5
"...And there he is, now," says the aasimar to the Harmonium, all of whom turn to look at John.
"I'm glad to see you're alive -- my profuse apologies, cutter," he says, quickly stepping forward, serene and flowing even in his concern. "We had no idea the gate was there; the room has been walled off since your incident."
The lead officer, a brawny human in studded plate mail, looks to John. "Why don't we hear his side of the story?" he says to Iarmid, waving to stay any further words from the Cipher.
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Post by john on Aug 12, 2008 19:12:38 GMT -5
John shrugs his shoulders and says, "What do you want to know, exactly? It was a portal to the Abyss, I ended up in a room full of fiends of various sorts, and it was only by the assistance of you deva you're watching die as we speak that I got out of it. I unfortunately owe him a life debt, so I'll have to defer any more questions until I help him complete his mission."
His voice is a rasp as he says all this, words forced from his shattered face with effort, his expression worked in a grimace of pain as the exposed flesh and bone shifts with each syllable.
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Post by TheGratefulNed on Aug 14, 2008 14:46:50 GMT -5
In response to Wraith's comments about the recent disappearances, the Cipher matter-of-factly states, "if there's a connection, it'll reveal itself when we need to see it."
Leading onward, they near the small crowd outside The Other Place. Gl'Fnak offers an acknowledging nod to his faction-mate but remains silent until John has replied. Ignoring the Harmonium's inquisition, the tiefling looks up to the blood-spattered celestial that's using him as a crutch. "This gate you're looking for, near here or further on?"
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Post by Uathach Blackmantle on Aug 14, 2008 15:01:41 GMT -5
In response to Wraith's comments about the recent disappearances, the Cipher matter-of-factly states, " if there's a connection, it'll reveal itself when we need to see it." Wraith nods, offering a relieved smile. "Then I am glad the two may be unrelated. It's been a trial enough as it is." The tiefling's mouth twitches as though she wants to say more, but she wisely bites her tongue, keeping her own counsel. Her troubles would have to wait until after they'd safely escorted the Celestial home. Drawing Aerin closer, she beckons for Hilathic to walk beside her, and follows in the Aasimon's shadow. Her fellow fiendling had been more than just an anchor in previous months. He'd been one of her's - and Aerin's - closest friends. She didn't want to lose sight of him - or Hadrian for that matter - in the ride to come. She too ignores the questioning of the Harmonium patrolman, fussing with Aerin's cap and baladrana to keep herself busy, and her mind occupied. She'd spilled enough irrelevant chant as it is. |
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Post by Stix on Aug 19, 2008 0:35:01 GMT -5
John shrugs his shoulders and says, "What do you want to know, exactly? It was a portal to the Abyss, I ended up in a room full of fiends of various sorts, and it was only by the assistance of you deva you're watching die as we speak that I got out of it. I unfortunately owe him a life debt, so I'll have to defer any more questions until I help him complete his mission." His voice is a rasp as he says all this, words forced from his shattered face with effort, his expression worked in a grimace of pain as the exposed flesh and bone shifts with each syllable. " A moment, before you go," Iarmid requests, signaling with one finger before excusing himself and going back indoors. After the aasimar is out of sight, the lead Harmonium officer gives John a sidelong glance. " It doesn't sound like a criminal matter," he says to his fellows. " Just irresponsible negligence." Correct me if I'm wrong," he adds to John. Leading onward, they near the small crowd outside The Other Place. Gl'Fnak offers an acknowledging nod to his faction-mate but remains silent until John has replied. Ignoring the Harmonium's inquisition, the tiefling looks up to the blood-spattered celestial that's using him as a crutch. " This gate you're looking for, near here or further on?" " A bit further," the deva says weakly. " Just on the other side of the Gymnasium. I have the key." |
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Post by john on Aug 19, 2008 10:02:48 GMT -5
John says, "No, I don't think there was any intent behind this. Excuse me."
John follows Iarmid a moment later, his exposed bone making him grimace as he goes back into The Other place, as it were.
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Post by Stix on Aug 19, 2008 13:02:03 GMT -5
The Hardhead nods. "Let's be on our way," he says to the rest of his patrol. The three nod to the citizens, taking a last concerned look at the deva before they disappear around a corner.
At the door, John stops short of Iarmid, who is once again on his way out. Beneath one arm he carries a satchel of black velvet embroidered with a golden starburst pattern; on nearly bumping into the Taker, he offers it forward. "Please accept this as compensation, with my apologies. Your belongings are inside."
(Though there's clearly something in the bag, it's not large enough from the outside to hold John's armaments.)
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