View source for 4497/Hiding in Pain Sight

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2016/09/01
|Location=City of Ravnica <Rav>
|Synopsis=Yunomi is no longer in Ravnica -- a group of investigative adventurers search SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA for a sign of the missing mage.
|Cast of Characters=272, 42, 385, 215, 325, 482, 947, 525, 300, 1037
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yunomi has Left Ravnica. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It was a quick thing for a mage to discover all the possible places the multiple portals she openend when she fled Presentation Day could have gone to -- certainly to safe havens. One dumped out near Dun Realtai, another in downtown Frederick, Maryland. Several lead to different locales in Ravnica, including back to her overgrown lab. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And curiously, one dumped in a place seemingly unconnected, far from Richard Stadler's Americas and from the city-world of Ravnica: behind the exit point there was an alleyway, leading between buildings, anyone who passed through the portal would find themselves in a busy city, modern, in the midst of rebuilding. A bridge looms in the distance, a busy port around them. http://i.imgur.com/fCXSUKQ.jpg<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staren looks at the images of the portals. One jumps out at him, and oddly, it's not anyplace that he knows has any established connection to Yunomi: The random city with the bridge is one of the places the Caverns of Prophecy showed him when he sought knowledge about Yunomi. Staren pauses by that portal, looking at it for a bit, and then: "Alley-oop!" he leaps through.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then he activates the disguise bead. It will probably make him look like a soldier or SWAT team member or something -- That he's heavily armored isn't covered by the illusion -- only that he's not human and from another world. This might not have been the best time to bring the armor, in retrospect. He might have to remove it to avoid attracting attention, but he can at least wait until he's confirmed the city isn't at war or something. Be dumb to take the armor off only to have to put it right back on, after all.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staren is dumped out in front of the bridge. There is music blasting from someone's radio (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoYY8Yuc334) nearby as the waves from the harbor gently lap at the side of the port side. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A few people hurrying about to get out of a possible incoming rain give a curious look to Staren, and one gent yells out to him: "Oi, Mate! Shatterdome's closed!" and gives a barking laugh as he makes his way away on a bike. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THe bridge still looms, like the bones of an ancient monster rising out of the morning fog.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>With Staren finding that one of Yunomi's portals shows some promise in pursuit of Yunomi, Elner blips back to the presentation plaza to see which portal he meant - and then Yuna, Jiina, Marina, and Erina are teleported back from the catacombs as well, with Yuna leading the Matrix of Light through the portal in question.<br><br>Elner's first priority upon arrival is to scan the area, looking for warpgates; the little robo-faerie's immediate second priority is to scan again for life signs which are recognizably close to Ijiwaru's - additional magic-eaters.<br><br>While Jiina, Marina, and Erina switch into their respective civilian guises, Yuna stays in her Light Suit for the time being, looking around the portal's immediate surroundings and trying to think like Yunomi might. If she were on the run from friend and enemy alike, having just made a credible attempt on the life of a close friend and trusted teacher, and likely being hunted by virtually everybody ... which way would she go? At the same time, Yuna keeps in mind that Yunomi is a tanuki - more than likely she'll want to go someplace natural ... although, Yuna considers, that may be a secondary concern. Yunomi is first and foremost on the run, and odds are she KNOWS the magic-eaters have joined the hunt for her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Yunomi has left the building... OK, Ravnica.<br><br>And Iria's on the move after her. Ever since things have gone awry with her experiment, Iria's eagerly been trying to prove that whatever happened wasn't Yunomi's fault. And now, thanks to the help of Staren, it looks like they finally have a lead on her. As she heads towards the portal, Iria's saying to herself, "Hang in there, Yunomi! We're coming to help you!"<br><br>And then Iria tightens her cape a little before taking a deep breath and finally running through the portal. Where she lands is anyone's guess, but she just wants to get through there so she can resume the search for her ally. At the same time, she's hoping that Ijiwaru doesn't cause any problems, but who knows what might happen with him?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A lead!<br><br>While not interested in what Ijiwaru had to say on the radio, Rhapsody had been listening to everyword. It was taking everything in her to hold back from just raging at the radio. So, when Staren calls, Rhapsody follows. Arriving to the Shatterdome, the dragon's eyes go wide as she stares, "How could I -forget-..." she says, mentally slapping herself for forgetting about this particular interest from a while back. "This is -very- possibly where she is," the dragon muses, keeping near Yuna for now. "I should have brought some drones.." she mutters to herself again.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Sir Bedivere of Dun Realtai has remained shockingly calm about the issue of the potential traitor in their midst. Even with Ijiwaru's constant goading, he has listened, but never quite brought himself to respond to such obvous baiting.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Taking advantage of heightened emotions appears to be one of the hunter's tools, as useful as a snare or a blade. He's made a policy of non-response to the wretch, while simultaneously listening very carefully to what Ijiwaru has to say, just in case there's any hint of foul play.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;It wouldn't surprise him. Politics are devastating whether they're in the gilded courts of Camelot, or the machinations of these Ravnican Guilds.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;As he arrives at a brisk walk, the knight wears his usual plate armour and white cloak, sword sheathed at his waist. He carries no shield, and... a... is that a bunny he's carrying in a crook of an arm?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Yup. That sure is a big black fluffy bunny with glowing gold eyes. It's cute and kind of creepy at the same time, watching where they're going with eyes rounded and intent. It's probably safe to assume it's Not Really A Bunny. It just sort of dangles there and lets the knight carry it.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Right straight into a modern cityscape, no less. Swallowing his distaste, Bedivere steps in through the portal, steeling himself for the inevitable noise and rush of modern-day life. The rabbit in the crook of his arm seems to... flow, somehow; its form distorting like smoke, and finally settling into the form of an extremely grumpy-looking black cat, crouched on Bedivere's elbow.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hush," the knight murmurs, not even looking down at the creature. "It will not hurt you."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;It is full of iron,&gt; the cat sulks, in a voice soft and smoky and not at all human.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"It is no more pure than my armour. Hush." He tousles one of the cat's ears before dumping the animal(?) onto the ground. The cat flicks its tail imperiously and trots along at the knight's heels, wide gold eyes wary as it watches the city around it.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He steps forward to follow Staren toward the person on the bicycle. He looks up to the bridge, a free hand rising to shield his eyes from the sun. It isn't familiar to him, and holds no significance. His gaze drops to sweep the rest of the area, frowning as he draws up to Rhapsody and Yuna. "I admit, it is not familiar to me, but if you feel she is here..." He shrugs, clanking softly. "Then I suppose we are on the correct trail."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staren tilts his head slightly and shrugs at the passerby, then turns to the others that have arrived behind him. If they didn't see him change, they might wonder who he is (the illusion includes a face-concealing helmet), but the voice is obviously him: "Two of the visions showed very different architecture -- a dark city with gothic architecture, and someplace with brick bridges crossing artificial waterways and torches for lighting -- but the other vision, besides that bridge, showed run-down apartment buildings that might be in this city. We should look for the slums." He looks to Rhapsody and pulls a tablet from his bag, and some insect-sized spy drones. "I've got you covered on that, but... Do you know where this is? I don't see what this place has to do with Yunomi..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The tablet shows four images as he speaks:<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;http://i.imgur.com/yBkR54f.jpg<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;http://i.imgur.com/WBeWhYJ.png<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The bridge nearby, and<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;http://i.imgur.com/970TDKp.jpg<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What does this place have to do with Yunomi, indeed? <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The passersby in the morning seem to give curious looks at the strangers, a few ask if the circus is in town. One or two give little waves, and the more curious stop look at them before continuing ont heir way. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Shatterdome looms out in the fog, beyond the port proper, and as the fog clears the tell-tale "sails" of one of the most famous buildings on the island shows itself, the harbor in rebuild. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And the wall beyond in tear-down mode.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The dragon gives a nod, "The Shatterdome is the clue. This is where ... mm.." she realizes something, but shakes off the thought. "This is where the Striker Eureka based, and where Herc and Chuck Hansen lived," she says, hoping the people here would remember those specific names. It didn't seem like too long ago when the two were around the Union. "I'm not sure what their status is now," she adds before looking at the images, sighing at the first one. "The first portal is in the undercity of Ravnica, looks like a Dimir sector. I'm not sure about the other places, unfortunately.." Then back to the matter at hand. "If she's here, and the Shatterdome is closed? It would be a pretty good hiding place. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>"I can get to the Shatterdome quickly enough if I fly," Yuna offers, "and Elner's sensors ..." She pauses, shaking her head slowly. "Or maybe not. Given how heavy some of the machinery there was, Yunomi may have found a way to hide from some of our sensors. Especially if she was going to hole up here for a while and wait for things to cool down back in Ravnica. Either way, that *is* our best bet, so - Erina?"<br><br>The member of the Matrix of Light who currently looks like a fashionably dressed teen with stiff twintails reverts to her android form, and a moment later, Erina has combined with Yuna's Light Suit to bestow upon her Flight Form. "Shall I fly on ahead?" Yuna asks, taking to the air - but just hovering until the others agree (or argue against the group splitting up, for that matter).<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Once Iria's gotten a better glimpse at her surroundings and taken in everything, she looks to the others, only to pause when someone comments on the workmanship on her cape. "It's not ruined, it was made like that! Why, don't ask!" She sneers a little, before looking to Yuna and listening to her. After she's done talking, Iria speaks.<br><br>"I don't have my glider with me, otherwise I'd go with you." She smiles a little as she looks at a nearby building and draws her grappling hook. "So I'm afraid I'm gonna have to go rooftop climbing! I'll catch up with you and everyone else there, OK?" She prepares to fire her grappling hook at the building's roof, but waits to hear the opinions of the others too.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As soon as Rhapsody mentions names, Staren remembers. "Ohhhhhhhhh! Right! ...So one of them /is/ in Ravnica... huh. What do the images mean... Ugh, is this what seers deal with /all the time/? Working from partial clues all the time would drive me /nuts/... I'd probably come up with all sorts of wrong conclusions..." He offers the tablet and a drone to Rhapsody -- The other few drones buzz off into the sky, and Staren turns to walk at a fast pace towards the Shatterdome.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:947|Eclipse (947)}} has posed:'''<br> Eclipse felt quite out of place here. Even the smells were quite bizarre to her. But some of the others seemed familiar with the area, so she wouldn't have to worry about getting lost in the "concrete jungle". And it even seemed that there was a good idea of where they might be looking. "The Shatterdome," she commented. "Some sort of... colosseum?" That's what the name suggested to her at least.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The silver-haired knight seems content to wait somewhat in the background, watching the others and occasionally glancing out to the Australian coastline beyond. Bedivere doesn't intrude -- he doesn't know Yunomi that well, and these people probably have a better idea of the significance of this place.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;More than that, all of them suddenly piling in at once would probably send Yunomi running again. So he'll wait until they've got a plan, for the most part.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He might also be staring at Rhapsody just a little, because dragons are pretty cool.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"This world is under siege by giant monsters." Staren explains. "The Shatterdome is where the local giant robot pilots sortie from. Or it /was/... If it's closed, does that mean this world is safe now?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A shake of the guildmaster's head is given to Eclipse. "Not quite. Large constructs were stationed in the Shatterdome. Their purpose was to fight off monsters of equal size. I have not heard what happened to this location.. I'm rather surprised by this fact.." As Yuna starts to fly up, the dragon moves to follow, wings sprouting from the back of her trench. Magic clothes are so wonderful, the wings sprout through with no issue. "I'm right behind you, Yuna."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The only thing any drones might be able to pick up is that there are a lot of workers in the Shatterdome, systematically taking it apart, bit by bit. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The wall is in similar condition, broken apart (some with deep scratches in it), and then a few locals stop an peer curiously at the group. Womeone walking a pram pauses, and looks to the grouping. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Doing a bit of sight-seeing?" she inquires politely, "been a while since we've had proper tourists from outside... not much to see since the world's gone recovery. Can I point you in the right direction?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>Then again, thinks Yuna, there was more than one Shatterdome in that world besieged by Kaiju, wasn't there? She remembers bringing El-Line to some of those fights - and being substantially outmassed by the giant monsters. It really did take the Jaegers, massive as *they* were ...<br><br>Well, a Shatterdome is a Shatterdome, and it certainly is as good a place to start looking as any. Yuna is just about to take flight when the lady with the carriage stops them - and Yuna actually flails a bit, caught between 'take flight' and 'wait what?' impulses, before she steadies herself and manages a proper, polite bow to the woman. "I think I know where we need to go, but ... have you seen a girl about my age, maybe a bit older? Brown eyes with hints of gold, brown hair with bangs maybe colored red and blue? She may have looked like she was trying to avoid people?"<br><br>It can't hurt to ask, right?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ah, a little?" Rhapsody answers the woman before Yuna takes point in asking her question. The dragon looks hopeful for an answer, but considering the last few weeks, well.. it may not turn out that way. "Anything odd would be helpful. Something you may have seen recently that doesn't fit in with everything else.." Shapeshifter, after all.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>The moment the woman walks up, Iria immediately hides her grappling hook under her cape. She folds her arms impatiently, looking up towards the sky with her eyes. Apparently, they were going to attract attention sooner or later and it's finally happened. Right now, Iria just wants to move out and try to find Yunomi, namely since she hates it when people stop to question 'strangers.' It can easily lead to excessive conversations in her opinion, and if there's one thing Iria lacks, it's patience!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Inga is running a bit late, having spent far too much time fighting with herself about wether to bring her horse. She didn't want Jodis to be in danger, but she might need the help keeping up... evidentally, she'd decided to leave her horse behind, strolling through the portal at her usual pace, cursing quietly to herself as she catches up to the others. She's a bit surprised to see the familiar form of Sir Bedivere in full armor with a recognizable...being...as his companion. A bunny!? D'awwww... <br><br> "Sorry I am late," she says, looking between Bedivere and Staren, the only people here she is really familiar with. To all others, she gives a nod of greeting.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"I trust you mean 'aside from ourselves,' good lady." Bedivere can't help a bit of a jest at his own expense, along with the ghost of a smile. He's aware of how much he stands out in a world like this; a figment from the past ages of many modern eras.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The cat lingers about his ankles, staring at the woman with an imperious flick of its tail.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Also, because pretty much everyone else is asking questions and whatnot, so he has no real need to. The rabbit he had been carrying has meanwhile been put down and become a cat sitting at Bedivere's ankles. The Black One swivels his head around, winking at Inga.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staren looks at the woman, but Yuna speaks before he does. He's a bit relieved at the woman's comment that this world is already familiar with the multiverse, so any weirdness won't necessarily raise alarms immediately. He stops as he hears another voice. "Oh, hey, Inga! Do you need, um, a lift?" He makes a carrying gesture with his arms. "Maybe you can provide some more insight into all this, I'm probably not doing a very good job of being the Seer on this quest, heh."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Nah, haven't seen anyone with tha' kinna hair since... well. Since before the Shatterdome closed for good. Used to be a girl who was sweet on one of them Jaeger pilots -- I worked in logistics." The woman gives a small smile, and she shakes her head "But yeah, nah, haven't seen anyone like that around here. Syndey's a big town though. Might be she stayed behind when 'e left, dunno." the woman considers, glancing all around them and looking at Bedivere (and his pretty hair!), and then back to the dragon. "Why? D'ya lose someone?" she questions, leaning back on her tennies. "Might be y'should check a driver's liscence database or somethin'? Maybe with the police? Y'got any pictures?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The fact this woman just described Yunomi, a little, is interesting. "Ah, that's just the person we are looking for, actually. She probably hadn't been here for a while but... we think she may have come here. We're really worried about her," she adds before considering the offer given. "... I actually do have a picture on me... maybe that's not a bad idea.."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Inga looks to what is now a cat, catching the wink. She smiles and winks back. Well, this would be interesting. <br><br> Inga nods to Staren. "I would appreciate that. I would not want to slow you down, but I did not want to risk my horse by bringing her," she says, moving toward Staren. She pats him lightly on the shoulder and gives him a smile in regard to him functioning as the Seer. "You've done well enough Staren, " she says. But she'll take it from here. <br><br> Inga looks to the woman they are speaking with, the pupils of her eyes rapidly expanding as she releases the restraints on her Sight. She'll watch the strands of wyrd, check the past to see if the woman she speaks of is actually Yunomi. <br><br> A picture works too, though. And it's probably less creepy than being stared at by a witch.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staren smiles, and lifts Inga in a princess carry, jogging back over to the group.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>Having a crush on one of the Rangers actually sounds somewhat familiar to Yuna, but she doesn't give away much of a reaction. "I doubt the police would have seen her," the battlesuited blonde replies with a wry grin, "but it might be worth checking - we'll inquire with them. Thank you very much!"<br><br>That said, though, the Shatterdome still seems like the best bet - and when Yuna hears Ijiwaru laughing on the radio?<br><br>Forget subtlety, she just takes off, going from a relative standstill to a respectable fraction of the speed of sound and heading straight for the Shatterdome, with Elner flying after her, the robo-faerie beginning a fresh set of sensor sweeps.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Ignoring subtlety, and having no patience left, Iria shoots her grappling hook at the building once again, before utilizing her acrobatic skills to go from rooftop to rooftop, using her hook only when she needs to. After hearing Ijiwaru on the radio, she knows something's really wrong here and she wants to find Yunomi before Ijiwaru does. And if she encounters Ijiwaru, there's going to be hell to pay!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Bedivere offers no immediate response, but when the woman describes Yunomi's hairstyle with some accuracy, that brings him to arch a brow in clear interest. He wants to say that yes, they lost someone, but something tells him it's better to remain quiet on that front.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"Thank you," he offers simply, inclining his head to the woman in respectful gesture. To her helpful suggestions, though, he only shakes his head. No idea what a database is, no pictures, the local law enforcement probably won't be helpful.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The woman did describe Yunomi pretty closely, and she pauses, watching as Yuna takes off in a hurry, so fast that the wind kicks up in the chilly air and the wee tot in the pram begins to cry. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh! Oh, Andy, it's all right." she chides gently, pulling the baby up and coddling him a moment, watching as Iria takes off and... she looks to the remaining members of the group. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"... was it something I said?" she questions, then shakes her head "In any case, nah, haven't seen her since, but not a lot of the ladies who worked in the Shatterdome had jobs after the drop, so... might be that they went off to Redfern."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We're in a hurry." Staren answers to the woman. "Thanks for your help. Hang on." And then he runs after the others.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The dragon blinks, "Ah, Redfern?" she inquires now, not familiar with the name. "I'm .. sorry I have only been here, maybe, once before. Can you tell me what that is?" she asks, blinking at her radio with a worried expression before looking back at the woman. "And can you tell me which way it is?" suddenly the guildmaster looks worried about something.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br>Inga is scooped. She holds onto Staren and sighs. It's a bit sad how used to this she is. <br><br> "So, she was here but not recently. I do not sense any magic being used in that direction...I do not think this is the way. If you could give me a few moments...I could consult the runes," she says, which is slightly difficult while bouncing around as Staren runs.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh. Staren stops running and sets Inga down. "Alright. Be right back." He then jogs back to the bystander, showing her the image of the run-down apartments on another tabler. "Excuse me miss, have you seen this place?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The woman is comforting the baby, and she looks at the picture, and it seems to click. "OH! Nah, yeah! That's Redfern all right. If you head downtown and take one stop outbound, it'll take you right into the section of the city. IT's a bit rough... but you bunch look like you can handle yeselves." she compliments the group, and gives a slight smile, glancing to them all. "I Hope you find your friend. Seems like she's missed then."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:947|Eclipse (947)}} has posed:'''<br> Eclipse is about to go rushing off after Yuna, but the others' discussions stop her. It seemed likely that they were looking in the wrong place, then. If they were out in the wilderness she might have been able to help more- she had some experience at wilderness tracking, but not city tracking! Staren, however, seemed to have a new idea- and this one seemed to have worked out. "That seems a likely place, then."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A place where Yunomi may be, the picture matches, and Ijiwaru cackling on the radio, "Thank you, miss, THANK YOU!" Why does she call out? Because she has already started running, then FLYING, following the directions that the woman gave. The guildmaster is -moving- pretty quick. "Ijiwaru I swear if you do anything..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>All it really takes is Rhapsody flying in a direction other than the Shatterdome for Elner to pull Yuna's attention back towards the group - and since Jiina and Marina *hadn't* left the group, Elner knows exactly what Yuna missed. Besides, all of the life signs at the Shatterdome read as standard-for-this-world human, or close enough to it.<br><br>Yuna only looks a little bit sheepish as she soars back, trying to catch up with Rhapsody. "So what do we have ... ?" asks the blonde, raising her voice just enough to be audible to Rhapsody over their respective headwinds.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Upon realizing she's heading the right way, Iria quickly taps into her communicator. "Hey, Kei, is my glider ready yet?" A pause, then she smirks. "Awesome! Send it over!" And then, Iria's unique glider thing appears. She gets on it and sits down, starting it up and heading into the air with it. "Who says bounty hunters need ships to fly?" A smirk, then she realizes she'd best pick up the pace, at which point she goes into faster mode by using it more like a hang glider. "Let's hope we can find Yunomi soon," Iria comments to the others as she catches up. "I'm really getting worried with that Itchy-moron guy here!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The group makes their way towards Redfern. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Redfern is an inner-city housing development that's experienced some gentrification... in some parts. Most of it was run down, rusting. Kids played in the street, cars whizzed past blasting music. The rain is threatening. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's not long until the teams might find a housing block that looks exactly like the one Staren had a picture of. IT's a pretty quiet area, though somewhat abandoned. There doesn't seem to be a lot of people, and there are signs up that state that this block will be the *new* Issiah Burns development, now accepting applications for residency! How exciting.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The next time Bedivere looks away from the cityscape's skyline, everybody's leaving in a hurry. He furrows his brow in evident confusion, and the cat beside him flows smoothly into the shape of a very large war horse. Bedivere vaults astride, and the Black One thunders after the entourage.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He runs a lot faster than a horse that big should be able to.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Crouching low over the púca's neck, the Black One draws up evenly to Staren and Inga, holding his position beside them. "Up, both of you!" Bedivere calls. "This will be faster."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Inga scoops up her runes and quickly packs them away, tucking them back into her belt. <br><br> Inga looks back toward Sir Bedivere on Black One and nods, extending her hand toward Bedi so he might help her up onto the horse. "Why thank you Bedivere, and Black One," she says. It's somewhat more diginified than being carried the whole way. Especially since it seems severaly people in their party can /fly/. For the hundreth time perhaps, she wished being a Bee granted the power of flight!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sure, okay. Staren will climb up and help Inga on. "So, what's the deal with this horse anyway?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once they make it to Redfern, Staren asks, "Do you detect any magic here? Also, do you think maybe I should show a local the unidentified image? Maybe it's an old waterway here..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once at the spitting image of the photograph, Rhapsody holds back the urge to just call out. The reason? The radio message, again. Right now, she circles once, trying to spot any door that looks broken into or otherwise. "C'mon, where are you...?" she muses to herself. If that falls short, she'd start looking for the development office, anyplace that would accept applications! <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Yuna catches up, and possibly the others, she explains her haste, "I heard Ijiwaru lauging on the radio a little bit ago. He ... might be here too. It's just a guess but.. honestly, why else would he just laugh like that and turn off the band to avoid questions? Just ... keep your eyes open for -anything-..<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>"I heard him laughing too," Yuna nods to Rhapsody, slowing to a hover next to the Izzet guildmaster. "And turning off his radio means we can't get a fix on his transmission source ... assuming that would do any good."<br><br>She lets out a breath, shaking her head, and seems to pay little heed to the fact that she's hovering over the development like some high-tech guardian angel. "Elner, see if you can pick up anything out of the ordinary. Assume Yunomi's concealing herself as much as she can - suppressing her ambient mana aura, things like that. And assume the magic-eaters are ... well, about as obvious as Ijiwaru was at the meeting."<br><br>The robo-faerie bobs slightly as if to nod, and begins scanning. Yuna doesn't simply wait for the results, but flies over the partially-abandoned housing block; if any of the playing children happen to look up and wave to her, Yuna smiles brightly and waves back to them before continuing on her search pattern ... basically looking for potential hideaways, although if she spots Yunomi herself - or any magic-eaters - Yuna's likely to act, depending on exactly what she sees.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:947|Eclipse (947)}} has posed:'''<br> Eclipse finds herself looking questioningly at the sign in front of the building. "...what do the words say?" she asks the others, tapping on the side of the sign with one claw. It might be important. She didn't spend much time in cities, but she knew that a lot of information in such places was put in written forms. As she couldn't read, this presented a problem.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Once she's settled on Black One, Inga can process what the runes have told her. "My runes point to this place called Redfern...but we must be wary! They warn of danger," she says, shouting to be heard as the ride. <br><br> Perhaps times for some protection spells! At least once they stop moving, or she might end up stabbing someone other than herself by mistake!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Iria flies as close to Yuna as she can. She dons her binoculars briefly before looking to Yuna and shaking her head. "Can't see anything from here. But I've got a gut feeling that tells me we're getting close." She scowls at the mention of Ijiwaru. "If that fool is here, though, he better hope his life insurance is paid up if he's done anything to Yunomi!" Her teeth grit. "If he as much as looks at her cross-eyed, I'll make him regret the day he was born!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>As the group heads into Redfern, a beat up local car seems to catch up to the group of them at the ground. If... catch up is the right word. It doesn't seem like the person that steps out is /with/ them, but she does walk over, cargo pants and jacket over a stylish t-shirt with a stylized picture of an American flag on it. She seems to consult a map, look up, and then spot the electic group. "Hey, hey!" She says, waving her hand. "Are you the walking tour? I didn't miss much, did I?" She says, her sunglass'd covered face grinning slightly, brunette pony tail pulled back behind her head.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The beat up, Redfern building (http://i.imgur.com/970TDKp.jpg for those just joining us) are in need of repair. Wires are running everywehre between internet, cable, and electricity and even old phone lines. Buildings in need of paint, rusty, rickety railings, and most of the names here seem either local or Arabic. Most just have a last name listed on bells in faded ink. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is one though, an end unit, with Miko Ryan written on it in practiced script, very neat handwriting, and much fresher than the surrounding labels.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The Black One thunders on toward Redfern, hooves like pistons and striking sparks from the pavement despite a distinct lack of horseshoes. A creature of the Fair Folk would not suffer himself to be shod with iron or even steel. He has no need of it.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"He is not a horse," Bedivere calls over his shoulder. "He is a púca, a creature of the Otherworld, and he owes me a favour."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;A series of favours, really,&gt; the war horse clarifies, tilting his head and fixing Staren with one smoky gold eye, black mane flying behind him.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He slows enough that he doesn't represent a danger to the civilians around him, picking his way through the crowds until he can reach Rhapsody once more, keeping a respectful distance from the dragon, tossing his head.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Bedivere slides off the side, helping Staren and Inga as necessary, turning to look to the derelict area. Half a glance is cast back to the púca; without a word, the creature's form dissolves into smoke again, reforming this time as a big, shaggy wolfhound, long face and all. Like his other shapes, he's still black as coal, with those smoky golden eyes. This time he pads at Bedivere's side, folded ears pricked forward.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Not to find a way in, but to seize the Magic-Eaters if they bust in on them doing anything ill-considered. Notably, the knight does not draw his sword. He frowns, though, folding his arms as he considers the abandoned building and its rusting doors, trailing past them with a careful look paid to each.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;This one does not understand why mortals have such love of cold iron,&gt; the púca sulking along at his heels. &lt;This one does not think it looks nearly as elegant as gold and silver. This one--&gt;<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hush." Bedivere tilts his head, studying a facing door that has nothing much left of it in the way of paint. It has plenty of rust and dirt, though. With a cautious tap on the door, he waits; there's possibly someone living here. But there's no answer, and he can't read the sign.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He continues on, coming to the last unit and squinting at the sign.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Although he can't read the script on that, either, at least not well because it isn't in /Welsh/, it's notably different from the others. "Héa," he calls softly, to the others. "I think there is something of note here."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We like cold iron because it kills fey. Nothing personal, but mortals and fey seldom get along." Staren points out.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The illusion doesn't disguise him as heavily as on other worlds -- the look of armor on this world is probably pretty close to his own, although his ears and tail are hidden and the details of the armor's weapons may be obscured a bit.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He looks at the door on the end for awhile. "Hmm." ... "...You know, this feels like a trap. Why would she write a name that can be connected to her, instead of, like, Jane Smith or Sarah Brown or something, unless she wanted us to go inside?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He'll send insect-size camera drones to check the windows of this unit, instead.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>Walking tour? Yuna's not even walking; she gives the American-seeming woman (who else would wear an American flag on their shirt?) a curious look, then a casual wave, before flitting around to where the 'Miko Ryan' door label was spotted.<br><br>Only now does Yuna drop her transformation - Erina detaching from her Light Suit and reassembling, followed by the Light Suit itself flickering out of existence and her Hikari uniform appearing in its place. She doesn't like being weaponless with the Magic-Eaters presumably on the loose, but she'd rather at least look like a civilian at the moment.<br><br>As for Staren's paranoia? Yuna turns to look at him. "I would hope that Yunomi used a recognizable name because she's hoping somebody she trusts will find her. I mean, there are only a handful of people who'd even recognize that name as referring to her, right ... ?"<br><br>She raises a hand to ring the doorbell. Somebody can stop her if they're so inclined.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>The glider returns to where it came from automatically, while Iria drops to the ground, landing in a crouched position, before moving in behind Yuna. She looks to the girl and says, "Do what you have to, I'll cover you!" Her eyes narrow even more. "I have a feeling we're on the right track here, I hope I'm right!'<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staren does try to stop her. "If there's a seperate real yunomi and fake yunomi running around, perhaps. But I'm faily certain she's being posessed, and in any case the imposter seems to have access to her knowledge and skills."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...I'm not saying we blow up the building or anything, geeze. Just that we be extra-careful." Staren adds.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>It would seem the folks walking about have come upon something! From her lofty vantage point, the guildmaster takes note of this and starts to decend, quietly hoping even more that they find more than an empty room where a Certain Someone may have just been. If he had, and did find Yunomi though, wouldn't he be gloating about it? Once she lands, and has a look at the door name, and sees Yuna press the doorbell, she waits, literally holding her breath for no reason other than suspense...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Inga holds on, moving faster than she's comfortable but there's nothing to be done about it. She does not want to fall behind. She most certainly needs help down from the horse, taking a moment to settle her skirts before taking her staff. <br><br> Inga looks to Staren and his comment about iron. She blinks. Sometimes she forgets that Staren as all the tact of a brick. Inga sighs, then moves cautiously toward the buildings. She reaches to her belt and pulls out her small knife. "I have been warned that we are in danger," she reiterates. "I hope you will permit me to cast a protective spell on you Bedivere, as I am the one who will be patching you up again if you get hurt. Preventative measures, you know," she says, glancing to him as she slices a line down her forarm. Blood rises, and she flicks it first toward Staren, who is accustomed to her magic and should at least be expecting it. <br><br> "If it is a trap, perhaps I should go first," she offers.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They have come upon something. The buzzer inside rings, BUUUZZZZP. BUUZZZZZP. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There doesn't seem to be anyone home. There is, however, the feeling of something magical inside for those who could sense it. <br><br>TThe drones would find the windows shut -- not unsual against a cooler day in Sydney. There are black out curtains on the inside, though through a crack one could see, possibly, the image of a Danger Tanuki poster on the wall. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The apartment doesn't seem occupied by anything living, not even a hosueplant.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The púca doesn't answer Staren's observation. It's too busy grumbling and sulking under its breath even as it noses about for any clues of interest. Nothing smells out of the ordinary, though, aside from the obvious juxtaposition of nice handwritten signs on really run-down building.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Bedivere takes a step back from the front of the flat to let the others come closer, folding his arms again and frowning at the rusted door. He has no drones and no cameras, no robots or interesting toys to make investigation any easier. All he has are his instincts, and a fledgling magician's senses.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He's not sure he wants to find out what's beyond that door with his supernatural senses cast wide open.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Bedivere's response to Inga is a resigned sort of sound in the back of his throat. He really doesn't like it when Inga works her magic, because the spilling of blood for his sake -- and that's the crux, there; /for his sake/ -- is something he's wholly uncomfortable with.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"Perhaps I should go first if it is a trap. I am a knight, and a trained combatant," he protests, to the Wisewoman. "It is my duty to act as shield for--"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Something's ringing. He looks to the door, baffled.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh. Right. Modern homes have those kinds of things. Mechanical witchcraft, right?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, the púca flows about Inga's ankles, in the shape of a cat once more. It looks up at her with those glowing Otherworldly eyes, whiskers bristling. &lt;This one feels that there is something in there. Something of the Otherworld.&gt;<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"Aye, I feel it too," Bedivere murmurs, rubbing at one forearm with the opposite hand. "But I do not know what. Best someone more familiar with such things investigate..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>There's no answer to the doorbell; Yuna frowns a bit, then reaches out to try the doorknob. If it's locked, she's not going to force it. If it's trapped ...<br><br>Well. If Yunomi would rig a potentially deadly trap, then Yuna will have to trust her allies to make sure it doesn't wind up being *actually* deadly, won't she?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>The woman looks around at the group as they walk through. "Has to be the walking tour." She mutters to herself, looking up to the flying people, and those walking, and those using drones. "All these people just scream 'tourists getting lost." She notes, jogging slightly faster to catch up with the rest of them, and giving a wave to Yuna as she waves down. "All right, all right, where are we headed first? It says this place has some historical buildings..." She says, before walking over to the house they're headed at.<br><br>A hand moves across the name written down. "This doesn't look like it, though. This paint looks new..." She says, turning to walk to the window, and peer into the door. "And I'm sure I saw that poster before at a gift shop somewhere recently. Are you sure we're in the right place?" She says, noting Yuna's testing the door.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>"Be careful, Yuna," Iria says as she draws her rifle underneath her cape, moving closer to the other side of the door. "We don't know what's back there, but I don't think we're gonna like it." She debates giving a verbal warning, but doesn't want to risk scaring anyone away or out of hiding. Then she hears the woman and looks to her. "Might I ask who you are?" She asks, raising an eyebrow.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THe knob jiggles, and falls out. The deadbolt is easy enough to try and disengage, if someone has the right spell or set of skills get to it...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ring Ring goes the doorbell. No response. While Rhapsody can't feel the magic inside like the others, she can spot the poster inside. "She was here..." she muses more to herself than anyone else. As Yuna tries the door, she gets back to waiting. This suspense was killing her. WHY DID IJIWARU LAUGH ON THE RADIO? That question alone is driving the tension of all this pretty high.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...Very well." Staren steps aside to allow Bedivere first entry.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If the party takes too long to find a way to deal with the deadbolt, he draws his plasma sword and melts it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>Yuna winces as the knob just falls out of the door, and crouches to retrieve it. Maybe she can lodge it back in somehow ... but at the moment, she's a little more concerned about what's inside the surprisingly protected apartment. "Elner, if there are no wards or anything, can you teleport inside, check for clues? I don't want to actually break in if Yunomi's not here ..."<br><br>She's still wondering why Ijiwaru laughed, too. Somewhere, maybe worlds away, he --<br><br>Worlds away.<br><br>"We're in the wrong place ... ?" whispers Yuna, the blood draining from her face. "Elner, get in there fast, see if there's *anything* - !" Yunomi probably HASN'T left any clues that would point to her actual hiding place, but if she was here, maybe there's at least evidence to that effect. As it is, if people are going to force the door despite Yuna's preferences? She's at least going to get out of the way.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Inga gives Bedivere a look. Generally, she is more than happy to let him be a knight and all that entails, but if someone needs to check if a room is immediately deadly, Inga is a wise choice. It might well take her out of this mission, but at least no one would /die/. Not permanently. <br><br> She flicks her blood magic to Bedivere, a crimson mist forming a barrier so fine it only shimmers in just the right lighting. <br><br> Inga looks down to Black One, nodding in agreement. <br><br> As others try the door, Inga sighs and makes her way over. "I have a spell," she explains. But then Staren has a plasma sword and she motions for him to go right ahead.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>The woman looks over to Iria, cocking her head slightly. "Oh, sorry. Jane Roe." She says, extending her hand. "So, what, is this a themed walking tour?" She says, geasturing around. "I mean, you have a gun." She's pointing to Iria. "And you can fly, and your... like... a dragon?" She says, looking to Rhapsody in a questioning tone. "I mean it's obvious you guys are doing /something/ on this street, all dressed like this." She says, looking back to the door as the knob falls right off. "Oh! it's like an escape room." She says, reaching into her jacket, and pulling out a small piece of hanger wire. "See, you fold it up..." She says, sliding it into the hole, gently around the deadbolt, and sliding it open with a click.<br><br>"See? Easy!" She says, grinning again, and holding the door open. "Anyone first? You seem really tense to get in." She says, pointing to Yuna and Rhapsody.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Enough is enough. The suspense is driving the poor dragon nearly insane. The moment the door is dealt with, Rhapsody steps forward, takes a deep breath, and then reaches out with a hand to push the door open while the -other- hand takes hold of her blue spell-blade, ready to use a charge of the defensive spell within at a moment's notice.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The knight pulls a face when Inga flicks her own blood at him. He's never going to get used to that, and it's still creepy and unsettling to him every single time. At a motion from the Wisewoman, he strides forward, kicking the door open. It doesn't take a lot of effort--<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Rhapsody's already flashed past him, into the apartment. Bedivere blinks, somewhat owlishly, shrugging at Inga. 'Well, I tried,' the gesture seems to say. So he resolves to stay near the Wisewoman, he and his creepy Otherworldly pet.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Sighing a little, Iria ignores the handshake offer as she says, "Just call me Iria. We're here looking for a friend of ours who we believe to be in danger." She narrows an eye as the hanger wire is used to open the door. "I don't know who you are, Ms. Roe, but I'd suggest you stand back, we've got something big we're dealing with here." She steps towards the open door, ready to throw off her cape if need be so she has more maneuvering ability.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The door is open! IT'S... <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not a trap. The modest flat doesn't seem too out of the ordinary for the most part. There are posters, books. A drawing desk. A model on a shelf of the Jaeger, Striker Eureka. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The kitchen is stocked, as if someone was recently there. A mug is hanging upside-down in the dish drain, still having a little water dripping from it that might be a few hours old. A coffee pot had tepid water, and the package from an Instant Ramen packet was left carelessly on the counter. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The more people look aroud through... <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The tilted art desk had a few images of Danger Tanuki pinned above it, but on it there were plans for the shield generators beneath the platform on Presentation Day. Multiple notebooks are strewn around the place, some open to pages. Some open to sketches. A hand-drawn image of Niv-Mizzet himself graces the wall, and hand-written beneath it: (Z-&gt;)90° - (E-N²W)90°t=1, tap to return to hand. How much mana does THAT ability cost?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Once the door is open, Inga moves inside, careful not to trip over a cat if he is still hanging around by her feet. She's conscious of the hulking bishonen shadow following nearby. Frowning gently, Inga moves around the room, noting the signs of recent habitation. The numbers and the picture on the wall mean absolutely nothing to her, so she wanders to the sink to brush her fingers against the mug. She lets loose her Sight, looking for any residual threads of wyrd that usually cling to objects people have recently used, opening herself to a vision if one is to be had. Perhaps a glimpse might show her where Yunomi has gone.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A long look around, eyes darting from one spot to another. Sight of her own father causes the dragon to pause a moment, sighing the next, remembering that a Red Star had gone out and still hadn't returned. She was here, no doubt of it, but did she leave cause they got to close, or because someone else did. There had to be a clue somewhere. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After managing to tear her eyes away from the poster, she moves about, glancing at notebooks and other things. Spotting the shield generator, she flips through the notebook for a second before her head tilts and she looks back at the poster, and the flavor text. She knew that riddle. She also remembers how it was used once before. "... This is going to look -really- weird, folks," she notes before tugging at the poster to turn it 90 degrees clockwise..<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:947|Eclipse (947)}} has posed:'''<br> Eclipse watches Jane, wondering what exactly she's doing here. She might have been hiding something, but was she really an enemy or an ally? At this point it didn't matter too much. She was involved, and if she didn't already know what the group was up to, she did now, especially as they entered the apartment. She takes a careful look around. "Someone has certainly been here. Perhaps they will return?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>Well, it's not like Yuna has any better ideas for what to do at the moment. She's pretty sure that the young woman who helped them break into the apartment is NOT Yunomi in disguise; there are too many subtle differences, and if Yunomi were shapeshifted for disguise purposes, those differences would be far more pronounced. Still, the state of the kitchen hinting that somebody's been here recently is mildly reassuring, and the image of Niv-Mizzet is ...<br><br>Yeah, somehow she figured that it was part of what had Yunomi out of sorts. Rhapsody's getting ready to experiment with something, and Yuna - after brief consideration - transforms BACK into her Light Suit, just so she's a little safer in the face of whatever might be about to happen.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Iria removes her cape and tosses it into the air, where it's beamed back to where her glider went, and then proceeds to enter in her armored bodysuit, wanting to have more maneuverability if things go wrong as she enters. Yes, she's got her rifle at the ready, but that's only in case of emergency. "If anyone's here," She whispers, "Just look out!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The shield generators... so she's been here since she was posessed..." Staren looks from the papers, to Inga. "Is it possible for you to track her from here, with divinations?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The knight follows after Inga, although he remains close enough to protect her if anything should leap out of the shadows at them. That doesn't seem to be the case, but that doesn't make him any less suspicious. He's always suspicious when there's magic involved.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Also, these Magic-Eater guys are pretty unsettling even by Bedivere's own standards.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite his unease, the knight is calm as he moves from place to place, following Inga and filing away the details for himself. There are plenty of things here, but something about it is lifeless, and seems almost staged... as though this place were rarely used, if ever, or at least not for quite some time.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Although the púca stays close to his ankles, the Black One is also looking out, the soft glow of his eyes reflecting from the floor. His little kitty nose is running overtime, sensing for anything that might seem out of sorts.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Bedivere himself is reluctant to open his own senses. Anything threatening could be damaging to him in a way he has no means to defend himself against, and besides that, he'd trust Inga's senses far more than he'd trust his own.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;She's been doing that kind of thing all her life. He's only been doing it for the past year or two, and he wouldn't want to miss anything critically important. Or even moderately important.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;His eyes follow Rhapsody through the room, lingering as well on the sketch of Niv-Mizzet. He doesn't know the dragon, but the care lavished on the likeness suggests a certain fondness... even if the rest is gibberish to him.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"Someone has been here," he murmurs, "but not for a long time yet." His armour clanks softly as he watches Rhapsody with interest. What on earth is that dragon doing, besides interior decorating...?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>The woman waits for the rest of them to enter the apartment, looking slightly annoyed at the time it was taking. "I've paid good money for this to /someone/. I didn't think it was going to be this crowded." She says, following around them. But after she gets a good look at the apartment, she loses that frown, and grins. "Oh, right! See, I told you, one of those room thingies. It's a puzzle to get in here, and now we have to look at the clues to figure out what's next... Like that poster? Oh, you know what to do." She says, to Rhapsody, before frowning. "Though... umm... I don't get it, was it an equation, or..." She says, leaning forward to the poster.<br><br>Then she looks around again. "I think they got the ambience right, though. It's the spitting image of a safe house from the spy movies. Lots of writing, not a lot of furniture, old food and coffee?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inga opens herself up to the mug. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THe mug was used by a blonde haired woman, wearing a gray T-shirt with some sort of dog chomping on a strange, long object. The woman is holding the mug, which was then full of strong, bitter, black coffee as she made her way across the room, and flipped through some of the papers. She had picked up a pencil, and made a few alterations to a different image in a notebook before glancing up towards the window, parting the curtains and glancing outwards before she lets them close. She wanders back to the poster of Niv-Mizzet, sipping her coffee as she regards it with an air of sadness. She's tall, lanky, not at all the same build as Yunomi -- but Inga would be able to see the flash of a blue aura-tail behind her, just an instant, easy to miss. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I will find you. Even if the telescope doesn't work... I've got a plan." she states to the poster. Her voice is different, coming from the back of her throat and nasal.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Rhapsody turns the image, the image seems to come to a form of life. Instead of colorless grayscale on paper, the colors seem to draw in, like ink flowing through water, painting Niv-Mizzet in living color, brilliant blues and reds. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rhapsody is also close enough to see that they're not solid lines forming her father's figure -- but a long, long chain of numbers.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The generators are dated, with handwritten updates in Yunomi's native hand, starting back in January of last year, with notes about the power couplings, how much to draw from the Nexus itself, where would be the best place to put them, potential weak spots. The generator images are largely hand-drawn, with some marks showing where she erased. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There are dozens more notebooks and sketchpads laying about, and a couch where someone had been sleeping. There was a red and blue rose laying across the back of the couch, along with some trashy gaming novel.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When the poster turns to color all of a sudden, Rhapsody nearly drops the poster. Still, seeing all of the numbers in a row has her curious. She only notices them after she has a nother moment looking at her father in such a wonderful image. Once she shakes out of the moment, "Staren," she calls, setting the poster down. "Look," she says next, motioning at the chain of numbers. "I.. I don't know what these are, but something is embedded into the image. All these numbers.. do you have any ideas..?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Those faded, violet eyes flick to the couch, where a spot of unexpected colour catches Bedivere's attention. Frowning slightly, he leans down to pick up the rose. It's red on one side and blue on the other in a way no natural bloom would be, and...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He recognises it. There's no mistaking that flash of understanding in his eyes, or the way his expression softens for a fleeting instant.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"She was here," he murmurs softly, holding it up so both he and Inga can see it; he knows the Wisewoman would recognise it. "I know she was here. She would not let another wear this. This rose is from Dun Realtai. Master Merlin gave it to her..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;With excess care, he hands the flower to Inga. "Might this offer you a sharper image, Wisewoman...?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Inga holds up a finger toward Staren, asking him to stop talking. She's entering a vision. "Shhh!!" she says, to everyone. Inga tries not to be pushy unless it is important. This is important, and she is pretty sure everyone will want to hear it. <br><br> Because she is well practiced in doing just this, Inga describes her vision as it plays out. Her voice is quick but distant. Quick but concise. "Blonde woman in a grey t-shirt with a dog decorating. Strong, bitter coffee. Flipping through papers--making alterations. She moves to the window, looks outside then moves away. Looks to the picture of the dragon, sadness fills her. A hint of a tail, present in aura only-- "I will find you. Even if the telescope doesn't work...I've got a plan." Voice different. Nasal. <br><br> She falls quiet, then shakes her head. Tame as far as her visions normally go, but it still takes Inga a moment to come back into the here and now. <br><br> Then, she answers Staren. "Yes, I can. That is her writing there, yes?" she asks, seeing if one of her others friends could confirm. "I could use it in a tracking spell." <br><br> Then Inga spots the rose. "...The Order of the Rose..." she says, nodding to Bedivere, taking it. "This will work even better," she said. The object had meaning to them both, which would strengthen the connection. <br><br> Inga shudders and opens herself up again to the wyrd...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>The brunette tourist crosses her arms as everyone seperates to look at different things, dragon going to the poster, the riflewoman going to the couch. And then she talks funny, to which the tourist, almost predictable, whips out a smartphone and clicks 'record' when she starts talking. "What, blond? That doesn't look like the woman you have in that picture." She says, geaturing to the photo someone was showing around. "And was she looking for... the dragon?" She says, pointing finger moving over to the poster, steping over to that. "Was there... Oh, numbers!" She says, clicking the icon on her phone that makes a bit of a camera click. "What do you think they mean? I can search online for it; a lot of this stuff is online." She notes.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>Yuna ponders quietly for a moment. "That was Yunomi's other goal, wasn't it - finding Niv-Mizzet, bringing him back from wherever he is ..." She does notice the numbers streaming from the rotated poster, but there's no way she can make heads or tails of the magical hypermath.<br><br>By contrast, Inga's ... 'relaying' of whatever she saw is somewhat easier for Yuna to follow; if she had a moment before Inga takes the rose and tries again, Yuna would reach up to give her shoulder a squeeze. "Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:947|Eclipse (947)}} has posed:'''<br> "Tracking through magic?" Eclipse says. "I suppose in a place like this, it would work better than sniffing her out," she states with a bit of a smirk. Not having much of an idea of what to do with the poster, she watches the tourist again. "You should be careful with that," she advises the woman. "Enemies are on this trail as well. This knowledge should not fall into the wrong hands."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staren looks at the numbers. "Raised to the power of ninety degrees? The heck?" He mutters to himself, but then Inga goes into a vision. "A blonde woman? That doesn't sound like a disguise Yunomi would use... I think she has a thing against blondes..." If, by chance, one of the Danger Tanuki posters shows her fighting the Blonde Horde, he points to it. "Then again, perhaps she's over it now." He shrugs, "I've never actually seen her handwriting. Raised to the power of ninety degrees... i is ninety degrees up. Raised to the power of i? I don't think that's defined... No, it must be something else..." He turns the paper sideways.Z-&gt; becomes N I V, reading downward. "Wait..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...Niv-Mizzet equals one? I can't tell if that means he's superlative, or perhaps something more profound by identifying him as the ideal geometric unit. Like everyone else has to be measured by him..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A light sigh escapes the dragon, "No no, Staren, not those numbers, the longer chain, see?" she asks, motioning at all of them. "I'm not entirely sure what it could be, though. If one of you has an idea, I'm all for it, cause really, this is up Ryxinel's alley, not mine.." she muses before standing, taking another long look around. What else could be in the room, she wonders? She would leave that particular bit to the others. A sidelong glance is given Yuna as she points something out. That, coupled with the notes she saw in one of the books, "... I, yes, she and Ryxinel both have been researching, allbeit seperately," she notes, pausing, realizing something. "...wait. The kickstart.." her mind races for a moment, then she just blurts out, "Do you think she wasn't trying to start the shrine, but MOVE it? If it had worked, she... would she have tried it on the Red Star next?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The second time Inga journies into the wyrd, it is a very different scene, further in the past. Panic. Heavy breathing, anger and pain. Just after the Presentation, Yunomi had went through a portal into the Undercity and /fled/. Tumbling through rot farms. A rusting spike as she scrambled beneath a drain grid had caught her arm and ripped it open, a long gash following down, slicked up with greenish muck. The smell was awful, sewers and rot combined with pain and the burn of infection. Little light, less safety until she scrambles out of a drain, and to the hidden seas beneath Ravnica's city streets. And then the screaming. Yunomi's own screaming of pain, of frustration, of sorrows felt in the depth of her soul. The rose was carried with her throguh the underdark, even as she went to a different location, hidden amongst pools of sulfur and green, glowing wastes, looking to the flower, and giving sad smiles, ears pricking forward as she trudged on. A lizard-man is traded a shiny rock-turned-weapon for a coase, metal blade -- and selfcauterization occurs. Pain. Burning. Sadness. Fear. So much fear that it makes her stomach churn <br><br>-------------- <br><br>One of the notebooks on the art desk is opened to a page, and the following is inscribed on it: WE RANK ALPERS<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Drawl up ova handshakes VIII. Rend a clearance beatification? One pent nut ape theatrically log -- I clout bacon, I pop disembowels an wrath informant, whim? I don't think so. Statewide film hi ash fourteen lap hewn. Woof raid undertaken nod. Moon gig certifications testy shy innumerability off. Ma, packaged forewarnings, but icy I doth swished hem imperatively itch telephony reconfiguration tab or hook film. The Blinding Eternities will destroy me if I can't access them.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>"Well, the whole point of what Yunomi was trying with the shrine was meant to move the shrine's resident kami into the new shrine in the New Namamura Quarter of the Izzet Sector, wasn't it?" Yuna asks Rhapsody. "And kami are - divine spirits. Niv-Mizzet is also an EXTREMELY powerful spirit, as a dragon ..."<br><br>"So if the method of assisting a spirit in translocating from one place to another worked on the kami of Namamura," Elner adds, "there'd be no logical reason why it couldn't also work to bring Niv-Mizzet back from wherever he is now, if she could get a fix on that 'wherever'."<br><br>Yuna nods slowly. "Yeah, that seems - ambitious, to be sure, but if it *worked* ..." She lets out a breath. "Here I thought it was all about protecting Namamura, and she freaked out when she lost Kaeruhime while her back was turned. But she's just as dedicated to bringing Niv-Mizzet back ... that's why she went so far. Not out of grief, not out of revenge, but pure honest desperation."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>"It's starting to make sense now," Iria says as she looks over what's been found and what Yuna's been saying. "Unfortunately, that's just a small portion of the whole puzzle. We've got a lot more to deal with here." She narrows her eyes as tears start to well up, feeling like the more things make sense, the more stressful it becomes for her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insert long pause here. The dragon -slowly- turns toward Yuna.. "Say that... again?" To be fair, the guildmaster knew ABOUT the nexus but the information Yuna just gave? She had no clue. "She was trying to -transfer- her?" stare. "There's no way she killed the spirit, then. Why run a test when you KNOW it will fail?!" Another piece of evidence for mental pocket. She rubs at her head a little, after saying it though. "That still doesn't answer who the blazes killed the spirit..." wait, she's not blaming Ijiwaru suddenly? Maybe something in the back of her mind is turning over while her conscious mind isn't...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>The Tourist seems to be rapidly typing something into the phone, lost in thought. "Goddamn it, I'm /rusty/ at these things. You know you have computers run these now adays." She says, before making a distracted wave in her hand. "Oh, she could have. Throws people off until they have to act... I could download an app, but that seems like cheatting.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...The Blinding Eternities. That's what planeswalkers travel through, right? I think Theo went there to look for him after he disappeared..." The rest is in code that isn't immediately obvious to him. "Bringing Niv-Mizzet back... ugh, as great as that is, it sheds no clues as to what's going on with her /now/..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> This time it is harder. Inga does not watch a vision from afar. She experiences. In the vision, she is there. Time folds and pulls her through. The sights, the sounds, the smells...oh, the /smells/. The feeling of panic. It is only due to her training that she is able to distance herself at all. <br><br> Shaking, Inga tries to narrate the vision again. It is more difficult this time, her voice shaking, wincing when she Sees Yunomi hurt, running and screaming in pain and frustration. Inga describes it as she can, clutching the rose that Yunomi had used to give her comfort. <br><br> It sweeps over her then recedes like a wave, leaving Inga feeling tossed about like driftwood in the surf. She begins to fall backward, her head spinning.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>Yuna shrugs at Rhapsody, "Were you listening to what she said during the test activation, before the 'real' demonstration that led to Yunomi attempting her coup? She actually talked about the procedure she was attempting ... there was a barrier around the shrine, but she also talked about establishing the connection and transferring ..."<br><br>She trails off, closing her eyes and trying to remember for sure just what was said.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Bedivere is watching carefully as Inga gives herself up to the wyrd again, and he's already moving before she's begun to sag backward, catching her gently and propping her up on her feet, easing her over to sit down. "Carefully, Wisewoman. That is enough for now, I think." He gives her shoulder a pat, making sure she can sit upright before backing away to give her space.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;More notebooks. One marked with "THE NEXUS" in tape lay off to the side. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Outside, a van pulls up. Unmarked, two or three people coming out of it. Anyone able to sense magic may feel themselves being drawn in that direction -- like a vaccuum sucking at hair.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>The tourist frowns, biting her lip. "I think... I think it's a letter... That would make sense, wouldn't it? See, these words, right here..." She says, frowning to herself, eyes looking up toward the slightly open curtain. "Uh-Oh." She says, walking toward the windows, but not mobing the curtian? "Is that... that looks like a van. Does this place have any trouble with gang violence? Are those police?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Uncertain about the latest puzzle, and not one able to really, clearly, solve puzzles, the dragon moves about the room and spots "THE NEXUS" ... well that's a big red flag in her mind and she quickly takes hold of it. About that moment, though, the van pulls up. Even with Rhapsody's lack of magical ability, she can STILL feel them simply because dragon. "... They're here.." she growls before quickly grabbing the poster, tilting it, and putting it back up on the wall the way she found it. THE NEXUS notebook is tucked away quickly. That's when she starts looking around. There's no back entrance is there? Back Window? ANYTHING?! She isn't sure how it will look to the rest of Ravnica if she is acting on a lead and didn't share what she had.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Inga lets herself be lead to the chair, doll-like, sitting but not necessarily /here/. It is taking Inga longer to come back from this one. The stem of the rose is rolled gently back and forth between her fingertips. Her eyes still stare off into nothing, almost catatonic. <br><br> She turns her head toward the window, brow furrowing slightly. She takes her walking stick and uses it to help her to her feet, drifting toward the front door and the van now parked outside.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>Vans pull up every day, don't they? But most of them don't get that kind of reaction out of, for instance, Rhapsody. Yuna's already in her Light Suit so she doesn't need to transform; she doesn't bother manifesting a weapon just yet - although if Ijiwaru himself walks in, all bets will immediately be off. If it's *other* magic-eaters ... well, if Yunomi isn't here to be found, it's less of an issue.<br><br>Hopefully.<br><br>Yuna looks at the' tourist,' taking a breath. "They're not police, and they're no more tourists than we are. They're probably looking for the same girl that the rest of us are, but they don't mean her well at all - their leader is probably inclined to kill her given a chance, but has been 'bound' by an oath to bring her back to Ravnica for trial. I'm not sure how tightly that oath is going to bind him if he gets a chance to kill her, though ..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The back window is /far/ too small for the Dragon to exit out of. Especially with that dragonkadonk. There is a model Thianel on the desk, nearly fallen to the back, marked 'PIDGE PROTOTYPE'. Other notebooks, sketchbooks marked with GENERATOR NOTES, GREENHOUSE PLANS, 'BEACH VACATION IDEAS' 'SHATTER NOTES' were beneath the NEXUS notebook. A variety of topics, likely all coded in puzzles. There is a side window, though, that leads out to a vacant lot -- it's within plain sight of the van, though. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's a small, currently very crowded one-room flat.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Ensuring his charge is not actually unconscious, Bedivere and the púca both look to the door; the latter before the former. No doubt the Otherworldly creature can sense the magic that swirls about them. Even the knight may, though.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"Aye. They are here." He closes his eyes, hands resting on the chair back where Inga sits. "Best we not give them any trouble. It will be easier for everyone involved, I think. Deflect, dismiss. There is no reason to fight him, because he does not have her, and anyway, it may create trouble for her if we skirmish with his ilk at this time."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Most likely he expects no one is going to listen to him, but hey, he has to say something.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The Black One is coiled about his ankles, hackles standing on end and every whisker bristling, but the creature remains silent. Well, except that low growling, anyway. But that's so soft it could be missed.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After looking all about, and scooping the other notebooks up, (Thank god for that Trenchcoat having a lot of pockets. What Izzet can't use more pockets?) the dragon takes one last look at the tiny window, sighs, and slumps into the couch. She's stuck and there isn't a damn thing she can do to avoid being seen. Head in hands happen. SHE DOES NOT WANT TO HELP THAT MAN. "ngh.."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>The tourist's face falls for a moment. "Wait, what are you talking about? They're hunting for someone? Here? But... is this part of the game? It has to be, right?" She says, looking toward the window. "I mean, it's... wouldn't be a little stupid, otherwise, just three people? I meanm there's a lot of gang violent over here. What if one of them get mugged? Or all of them do? I mean, none of them could call back, and it's not like nine millimeter ammo is uncommon." She says, sniffling slightly as she reaches behind her, procuring a pistol and a silencer from a well concealed holster, beginning to screw it on. "And... and I just... don't know how I'd react to that, if the police came by and I was the only one here. I'm just a tourist! I thought this was all part of the game!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Iria glances out the window long enough to see who's arriving, and she doesn't like it one bit. She tries to find something to take cover behind while she loads a clip into her rifle. "Looks like trouble's arrived! I knew this was gonna happen though, but at least I came prepared!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There are four in total, wearing what looks like riot gear, as if expecting trouble. The leader of them stood about five foot nine in his boots, and he comes to the door, sees it's been opened... and rings the bell. BZZZZZ. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Miss Ryan? Are you in?" comes a delicate sounding voice, not used to speakking English. Definately not speaking with an Australian accent.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Bedivere sweeps the rest with his eyes, something approaching resignation settling on his long features. So, Ijiwaru, or at least Ijiwaru's people, have arrived. They're going to know that this party is also searching for Yunomi.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He looks down to the Black One, gone quite silent by now, curled about his ankle with back arched and whiskers bristling and smoky gold eyes wide.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The knight reaches up and rubs at his face with one gauntleted hand, the leather pads of the heavy gauntlets cool against his skin. "I believe our situation has just become more complicated," he murmurs softly.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He's not going to answer the door, though. Does he look like the name on the door? Nope. He looks like he got separated from the local renaissance faire.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"What should we do?" His violet eyes flick to Rhapsody, questioning.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Inga pauses near the doorway, her eyed suddenly widening. Some self-preservation instinct has kicked in. She looks over her shoulder, blinking, then back at the door. She doesn't need to have a vision to know these people are trouble. Will it come to a fight, then? She could get herself out of here, but she can't take anyone with her. <br><br> She turns to the others. "Shall I answer the door?" because standing here looking panicked isn't going to accomplish much.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>Yuna glances around briefly, doing a head-count. Herself, Rhapsody, the 'tourist,' Iria, Inga, Sir Bedivere - well, that's too many people for Elner to teleport out at once, and Rhapsody might be big enough to complicate a group teleport anyway. Still, two groups ... could be manageable. "Elner could possibly teleport us back to the portal," she suggests, "but it'd take going in two groups, maybe three. Do we want to try sneaking out, or ... ?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> "Do not worry about me, I can go to the World Tree," she informs Yuna, as if that was a perfectly reasonable and helpful sentence. "I suggest you let me speak with them. I might be able to read something from them that could help us," she adds quietly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>The tourist pauses for a moment. "Could you teleport people out one by one- Oh, they're not going to wait for much longer. Did any of you bring something quiet?" She says, heading over to the door itself, and turning her head, throwing her voice in an accent that is suddenly convincingly Australian. "Just a minute!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BSSSZZZZT. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Miss Ryan? We can hear voices inside-- are you all right? We have a couple of questions for you regarding a /missing persons/ report--" they're not even trying to hide their accents. There's a soft 'clack' sound. A weapon hums to life. "Is everything all right?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>"I think we best get outta here. Is there another way out?" She looks around nervously. "If not, well, we'll figure something out, OK?" She looks to Yuna. "I mean, if you wanna teleport us out, go ahead, but I'm sure I could maybe sneak out through a window or something and regroup elsewhere?" She looks to the door again. "I'd just like to get the hell outta here before they get in here!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With the news that 'They're Here', Staren looks around for other exits and has his drones outside leave the window to see who's coming. He's okay with fighting if they want a fight, but... Yunomi's not here, so there's only so much to fight over. He whispers over the radio, 'Teleporting works fine for me... I can carry a few others, how about you? Everybody hold hands?'<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:947|Eclipse (947)}} has posed:'''<br> Eclipse frowns. "No more time for thinking," she says. "However we go- we should go."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The instant he hears weaponry being prepared, Bedivere's hand clenches into a fist, enough that the rattle of articulated steel plates and the creak of leather reinforcement is audible. He does not draw his sword, though. He will not attack them unless they should attack first. That is not his way.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He doesn't move; merely watches the door, eyes locked on the hole where the deadbolt had been. The utter stillness with which he stands might even be unnerving to some of the others, as they get nervous... but he is like the eye of the storm, unmoving.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"I will support you, as I support her." This is given softly to Rhapsody. "I will not bare steel on them unless they should threaten any here."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The Black One is still watching around his ankles, gold eyes round, every whisker bristling. He's stopped growling, at least.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>And a weapon is being readied. The 'clack' and the powering-up hum are all Yuna needs to hear to be certain of it. And if there's a missing-persons report that's been filed, true or false ... "Elner," she stage-whispers, "get me and Rhapsody back to the portal; Staren, can you get the rest of the group out in one go?"<br><br>Elner starts to protest, then focuses. If Rhapsody's only equivalent to three people's mass or less, it'll work, but if the dragon is bigger than that (and how'd she fit inside if she is?) then it *won't* - and they're running short on time to juggle who transports whom.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>When talk of teleportation comes up, the Guildmaster finally snaps out of it. "Yuna, it has to be -now- before they see me," she whispers, with a pleading look, "Please."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>The tourist sighs, as she reaches into a pants pocket, pulling out a small cylinder, and pulling it's pin away. "Would you people hurry up and make a decision? And maybe next time come to Austrialia as /Australians/?" She notes, ready to drop the canister that happens to read 'SMOKE'.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Well, while teleporting is being arranged, Inga starts tossing possibly relevant items into her pouch that holds way more than it should.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We didn't know it was Australia at the time." He hands the 'tourist' a tablet. "Obviously you're not what you seemed. Call us!" He taps Inga and Iria on the shoulder. 'Put your hands on my shoulders, we need physical contact.' Then he turns to Bedivere and the 'Tourist'. "I can take one more." He holds out his hand and starts glowing. The teleporter is going to activate soon!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Looking to Staren, Iria nods her head. "As long as you can get us outta here in one piece is all that matters!" She places her hands on Staren's shoulders. "Just hurry up and get us away from this place!" Her impatience really shows here.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>That's all the cue Elner needs. Rhapsody is teleported back to the portal in the alley; Yuna disappears in the same blink of light. Elner could probably have handled another person or two but there was literally no time to keep arranging things; the best Elner can do is 'grab' some of the notebooks that might be handy to investigate.<br><br>And as soon as they rematerialize, Yuna just *hugs* the Guiildmaster for a long moment. (Any teleported notebooks are currently in her 'inventory,' thanks to Elner's quick thinking.)<br><br>As for Erina, Jiina, and Marina? Well, the latter two never left the area around the portal, and when Yuna de-equipped Flight Form, Erina just took to the sky and got out of most people's field of vision. She probably departed the local airspace when she spotted the van - possibly (hopefully) before being spotted herself.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With the teleportation done, Rhapsody was ABOUT to do something, but Yuna's hug prevents anymore 'red' from lashing out at something nearby. All the way back at the original portal? She just buries her head against Yuna, not breaking down emotionally, but completely, and mentally, exhausted. "I .. she was there, damnit.."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The knight looks up as Staren gestures for him to take hold, but the silver-haired knight only shakes his head. He's eyeing the door somewhat speculatively, and the unused state of the apartment. One can almost see the wheels in his head turning, eyes narrowing very slightly.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"Go," he hisses to the others, an urgency in his tone. He's striding for the door. "I will buy you all time."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;So he makes his way to the door, modest and unassuming as he ever is, despite the steel that clanks with every step. Hopefully he's not gambling on a fool's errand, and he can get out of this alive.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Bedivere waits an extra heartbeat or two, enough time for those with teleportation abilities to whisk their allies to safety. He waits long enough until he's certain that Rhapsody is gone.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;And then he moves to the door, opening it and squinting, because it's bright out there, at the Magic-Eaters outside the door.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yes? Are you the--" He trails off, as though genuinely confused. "Oh, my apologies. You are not the landlord? I was told the landlord would meet me here; I am to understand this unit has been empty for some time, and was to be rented out." He frowns, the very picture of gentlemanly concern. "I am from another world, and thought to do some travelling, with an inexpensive place such as this for a place to lay my head, but..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He's very convincing, managing to convey both innocent concern and a willingness to comply.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Inwardly, he's reciting the Eight Virtues, because what he really wants to do is punch one or all of these guys. But he is very, very good at controlling himself. And he smiles, although the expression is a little reserved. "You look like you know this neighbourhood well. Perhaps you can recommend a better place? I admit, it is a bit more run-down than I had been expecting."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>The tourist pauses for a moment, raises an eyebrow, and sighs, as Bedivere starts to talk. The pin slowly gets placed back in the grenade, the pistol slowly get's uncocked, both are stowed away, and she steps back. She takes a breath, closes her eyes for a moment, and suddenly her expression is one of annoyance as she calls out in that same Australian accent. "Is that the landlord already? I thought you said he'd be coming bloody earlier. I've been waiting for the last hour, and I'm goddamn hungry."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:42|Staren (42)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Staren grabs the Eclispe's hand as the four of them teleport to the alley as well. Bedivere will have to fend for himself then!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:215|Iria (215)}} has posed:'''<br>Once Iria's finally made it back to the portals with the others, she looks back towards the area they came from, and tears begin to well up in her eyes. "Dammit, it's not fair!" Iria yells as she kneels down and punches the ground angrily. "I thought we were going to find her, and instead all we get is more mysteries to solve!" She begins to cry. "Yunomi, wherever you are, don't give up! We're gonna find you!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:525|Inga (525)}} has posed:'''<br> Because it is time to do something crazy, Inga strolls up to the door and peeks around Bedivere. "You're late--oh. I'm sorry we thought..." Inga sighs. "Just when I thought we would get this all settled, I have some serious concerns about that mysterious stain on the ceiling..." Inga says. She takes Bedivere by the arm casually, looking to the men outside. "Is everything alright?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"... you're not fooling anyone." comes an irritated voice from the back, who gets elbowed backwards a little further. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Our apologies," the one in charge gives a bow. "We were told that there was a person living here who could give us information... though... it appears some of her belongings are still here." he states, glancing past them and into the room. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But if the landlord is coming, please, give them our card. We would like to examine the belongings for any sign of her. She is very important to her father, and he would like her back." he states, and hands over -- with both hands -- a card with just a contact frequency on it. "Thank you, Sir. Ladies." <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And they turn to leave.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, during the hug, a CERTAIN VOICE has to make itself known over the radio. the dragon grits her jaw, sighs, and pulls away from Yuna, "I have to deal with him. Thank you Yuna, you ... did something just now that you may not realize the significance of. The Guilds -voted- to cooperate, and if I'm seen not? That could be an issue later. Anyway," she pulls out all the notebooks she brought, "Hand these out to the others.." The one she KEEPS is Mana Nexus and one other. "Now excuse me, I have an explosion to make," she notes, drawing the red spellblade before ducking through the portal.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The silver-haired knight frowns, folding his arms. "Is that so? I was informed the unit had been abandoned, and that it would be ready for a new tenant by the end of the month." Doing paperwork for Psyber is an excellent way to introduce him to how things work in the modern era. Of course, residency wasn't so different even in Camelot, for rich landowners, although it's a lot easier for people to move around these days...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"By all means. These are not my belongings." Mentally, Bedivere hopes that the others got what they needed out of this apartment, because the Magic-Eaters probably won't give them up now. Cold dead hands, etcetera. "A card? Certainly."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Bedivere accepts the card with two hands, but that's just because he isn't certain what it is until he has a chance to look at it. It's transferred to a pocket at his belt with a smoothness that borders on sleight of hand. "I will be certain to turn that over to the landlord the moment they arrive."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;His ability to patiently play the fool with a smile is pretty impressive, but then again, he had survived the pit of vipers that was Camelot's court. These chumps are child's play.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"Thank you." Another bland smile, and he even offers a friendly wave to the Magic-Eaters. "Good luck. I hope you find whomever it is you're searching for."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Bedivere waits for a full minute after they leave, mentally counting off sixty seconds.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Then he turns to Inga and the tourist. "Well," he murmurs, letting out a breath. "That was different. Shall we return home, Wisewoman? And is there a place I can bring you to, my lady?" This, to the tourist, because he doesn't know what her name is. There's nothing more he can do here.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>"Are they here for all the crap the last person left? Hey, you better come back soon! You'll clean this place up, right? He left racid goddamn coffee everywhere!" She says, indignant, looking over to the kitchen. Oven probably had a gas line... some metal in the microwave... Hmm. That could work. She keeps up the yelling as she moves to dig through drawers, before placing it in the microwave, and then reaching behind the oven to yank the gas line out.<br><br>"Hmm?" She says, looking up to Bedivere. "Oh, that's fine." She says, giving another grin. "I never did find the tour group, and I put a deposit on the damn thing." She's back to an American accent. "You think I'm wasting that? I'd hurry out, by the way."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:'''<br>Yuna nods to Rhapsody, letting the dragon pull away and taking the notebooks from her. Any notebooks Elner got will be added to the stack that are handed out - and Yuna does keep a few to go through herself. Not that she might be able to get a lot out of them; she still sucks (badly) at English.<br><br>And it takes a great deal of her own self-control not to snark directly at Ijiwaru over the radio. It wouldn't help the situation, and if he knows how to trace her signal, the fact that she's still in Sydney would probably not play all that well.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:482|Sir Bedivere (482)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;The tourist is given a bit of a squint, as though Bedivere were trying to place just who the woman is. She isn't familiar, though, and he doesn't know very many people from more modern eras. He frowns, though, once she drops the accent.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;He himself is back to business, with all the purpose and urgency that his amiable act didn't have. When the tourist mentions a tour group and a deposit, the knight smiles blandly. "Is that so? I have no intention of claiming or renting this miserable hovel."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Nobody will, because the tourist seems to want to torch it. Well, better her than Ijiwaru and his goons, anyway. Bedivere inclines his head briefly, before hastening to the wall, delicately untacking the poster of Niv-Mizzet, rolling it up neatly and efficiently, and tucking it into his belt, beneath his surcoat, where it can't be seen.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Hopefully it won't get too crushed.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;"Off we go, then. Wisewoman. My lady." This, to the tourist, whom he eyes a moment. No, she's on her own. "Good luck."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;Somehow, he's sure she's on their side. With that, he'll duck out of the apartment, the Black One at his heels -- before flowing smoothly into the shape of a great black war horse, and those left behind are let to climb on the massive animal's back.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;And off the Black One sets, thundering for the warpgate, neatly threading his way between tourists and locals.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:300|Richard Stadler (300)}} has posed:'''<br>Lastly, the tourist. She wrinkles her nose as everyone leaves, as the gas starts to fill the apartment. A few button presses on the microwave, and she casually walks toward the door itself, opening it and stepping outside. It was very important not to walk away quickly. Then people knew something was up. Granted, there wasn't any sort of /specific/ timer to this, but metal in a microwave meant sparks, then meant fire, electrical socring, and once enough gas was in the apartment...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And a large kaboom, and fire. The rest of the research the artwork and the apartment are consumed in fire. And it takes the fire department a good, long time to get out to the scene, since the magic eaters had blocked off the roads anticipating more... conventional trainsportation to be used in an escape. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ijiwaru leans on a police divider. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And just smiles toothily.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:272|Yunomi Stadler (272)}} has posed:'''<br>OOC AND HERE ARE THE PUZZLES FOR THE LOG: DNIMERIF EHT<br><br>Seton sih ni cipot no tnelis ylgnitartsurf si vin. Ereh saw eh nehw ti raeb tndluoc i, mih to kaeps ot naht retteb dluow i gnihton sereht enog seh taht won dna. Mih ta lley ro. Ohw seod taht ot rieht tneduts?! Siht fo trap ot segam deveihca tsom eht dna tnaillirb tsom eht dekcip eh naht rehto gnihtyna.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Plum blossoms usually wither in the heat of a dragon's flame. To steel the flower, would they steal the blossom? <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Aha! The tempest in a teacup will become a firestorm, but only if the ashes can ignite. A teacup in place of a crucible. The heat would destroy it. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;WE RANK ALPERS<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Drawl up ova handshakes VIII. Rend a clearance beatification? One pent nut ape theatrically log -- I clout bacon, I pop disembowels an wrath informant, whim? I don't think so. Statewide film hi ash fourteen lap hewn. Woof raid undertaken nod. Moon gig certifications testy shy innumerability off. Ma, packaged forewarnings, but icy I doth swished hem imperatively itch telephony reconfiguration tab or hook film. The Blinding Eternities will destroy me if I can't access them. <br><br>And the link for the number cryptograms: http://imgur.com/a/gsni5<br> <br>
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