Scene #9769: Hound of the Baskervilles-1

Owner	Pose
Foundation Scions	'Junior Investigator Matilda Bouanich' is a phrase that's been said on-repeat by none other than the title's namesake, since the recent promotion and duty-alteration. This change in duty, of course, means that she can be offered-out missions, though not solo-assignments, of course, to one in her very-low (minimal, even) rank; but real missions none-the-less! Far from overseeing community service, today, an assignment's fallen onto her lap with little additional time to prepare, and general reluctance from the Foundation itself. No matter! She's on the case! . . . Matilda has voiced an invitation and ask-for-help in the disguised-shape of 'A chance to see her at work,' for a mission that will take her to the tiny hamlet of Postbridge, just abutting what, in some decades time, will be the ruggedly scenic Dartmoor National Park- not that it isn't just as rugged, and just as scenic, in the year 1912. The weather is cool and cloudy, with brisk wind in the rare spots not sheltered by hedgerows and windbreak trees- still, it ripples across the long grasses of cow pastures, meadows, and fallow fields. Matilda has been somewhat vague on the details of the mission- they seem to be a bit emergent and uncertain, to her, still, when she communicates about it, but it's clear that by the time she's asked around for others who are 'interested' (a bit of nudging assistance, and more bodies to stand on her side of things), she's already there, in Postbridge, having spent a decent while snooping around the location. What she's said, then, and what was presumably all she knew, was 'Local people have heard many cases of strange howlings deep in the night, reported sightings of a very-large black dog, and seen livestock animals, as well as neighbors, begin to go missing. C'est terrible!' It's through a warp-gate that everyone arrives on their own, the gate itself is naturally occurring, that sits at the burned-out entrance doorway of what used to be an old roadside inn before a years-past catastrophic fire, and now, recently, has various marker-posts placed up around it, declaring it the site of a dangerous arcane phenomenon, courtesy of the St. Pavlov Foundation. It's just as likely to have aided resistance to the notion.
Foundation Scions	For how the posts seem already slightly weathered, they're clearly a month old at the minimum- perhaps that burst of Foundation activity served as a catalyst for locals to think to try and bring the Foundation in on this troublesome occasion. It's an hour's walk along the countryside road, through the farmed and hilly landscape of Devon, Matilda's prior instruction of 'Proceed right down the road, and not leftwards, trust me, you do not want to make that mistake and back-track so much longer!' tells the way to go. Even just by walking across it, the road feels ancient. Nothing, not the stone fences layered-over with moss and twigs, nor the wind-gnarled trees, is new, and nothing, save for the plants themselves, seems newly-grown. An hour's walk isn't long enough to see another soul out and about, though as it goes, and hillside cottages grow more common, fireplace smoke is the first sign of life. Matilda is first visible, standing atop a stone fence, allied by a familiar (to some) Zeno scout, none other than Leilani, painting this job as one handed-off to girls that organizations don't particularly like. Surrounding them, in a faint hemisphere, is a cluster of generally-upset townsfolk- that is to say, four of them, with a few people clustering further down the road, and a pair of children watching from a stream-lining tree they've climbed. "-Like I have already-said, I assure you, the Foundation will have this quite well-in-hand-" "Like when they sent the men in white who chased out those 'Hairy Hands' last year? Took 'em long enough that, I'll say! This hasn't been any faster! When's the howling going to stop?" Says a man, older, generally-distraught looking. "Leave the poor thing alone, the two of them said they'd chase the beast away, already!" A woman, this time, just as distraught, if not more-so. "There's no beast to be chased off, the black hound is just a fable. It's wolves, plain as day, brought to run wild for hunting by some lord, and who's to care if some calves go missing in the night. Pfah!" Another older, angrier man, lingering back a bit with crossed arms. "Yeah, but it isn't just some calves, Mister Baker, it's the Evans', both of them, and Miss Taylor's oldest." The first man says, again, and the woman nods, relenting, upset. It's the same loop that's been said a few times, by Matilda's apparent exasperation, but the Elites trudging into earshot has a hush befall the group. It gives Matilda a chance to breath, and wave-over the others, and the local residents, similarly, take the moment to step back from the crowding semicircle. Surprised, is Matilda's tone, when she says, "Hein? You made it- so soon?" then, louder, to the others, "Of course further-help has arrived! It is as I said- the St. Pavlov Foundation considers this to be a very serious matter! Now, er, shall we go over it once-more, and share facts..?"
Tamamo	Tamamo's knit sweater and long skirt combo could plausibly fit in a lot of 20th century locales, particularly in cool weather, and if she's bundled up a bit too aggressively for the time of year, she doesn't show it. So, the weather's fine, but an hour's walk is a considerable ask. There are a lot of things to do in an hour! If Tamamo didn't have the chance to walk arm-in-arm with Lilian the whole way she'd consider it a rather bothersomely distant warpgate without vehicular assistance. As is, she's perfectly content -- given that there's no present violence they're hurrying to deal with -- to stroll through ancient countryside meadows with her wife, pointing out this or that plant along the way, going on a long digression about 'black tea' and the curiously stubborn ideas surrounding it she's heard from some Westerners in the same part of the world (if not actually the same decade), vocally pondering the origins of the road they're on and the tavern they've left behind, and remarking (a bit cryptically) about every little thicket or hill-burrow that might be home to 'spirits' (yet not mentioning animals). She's still on Lilian's arm when they meet the locals, and meet up with Leilani and Matilda. Tamamo calls out, "Junior Investigator Bouanich! We have arrived. Oh, and these are...?" She introduces herself as, "Chevalier Mizukume Rook, presently assisting the Foundation," and goes on to ask, "Can you detail just how long this has been happening, and when each disappearance has occurred? The locations are quite important, as well, and we should be best served by visiting the sites last seen. Junior Investigator Bouanich, have you already attempted a reading?" And facing the other way, to the woman who nodded, "Would 'Ms. Taylor' happen to be yourself...?"
Team Timekeeper	Clearly this is a mission given to girls that organizations really like and respect! The pink-haired and guileless Zeno scout sure is telling herself that, because golly this would be a really upsetting day if it wasn't. It's already so stressful, but she's boldly persevering to show that she's up to the task! "A-ah-- well, Mister, we're already here, aren't we? We're-- yep, already on the case! We'll have it all figured out in... no time...." Not standing upon the fence, Leilani looks like she is being devoured by the crowd (of four people, one of whom is sympathetic). Her shrill voice is easily swallowed up by anyone talking over or even just incidentally across her, and the tip of her bow sways far over the top of her head, like a little snorkel jutting above water. "If there's a beast, we're sure to find it, yeah! Investigator Matilda and I are the best at... oh, hey!" The only visible sign of her movement until she escapes, the waggle of her bowtip tilts with her torso, weaving out of the (very tiny) crowd. Her professional image is sabotaged by the fact that she gets up on her tiptoes and waves both hands overhead to greet the newcomers. "Hello! Aloha! Wow, I really wasn't sure you were coming. Well, everyone, now you can rest extra-assured! The Foundation's taking this so seriously that they've even sent bonus backup to cover every possibility quicker!" "I am not sure I have met your companion." "Oh, I'm Private Leilani, Zeno Armaments Academy graduate! Oh, and member of Team Timekeeper! E komo mai kakou, Missus Princess!" Leilani does a silly little salute, in that it's a perfectly ordinary salute and she just looks inherently silly. Slightly away from the townsfolk, Leilani fidgets with the compass hanging from a cord around her waist, rocking her weight anxiously between her feet. "I got sent here to help Matilda, but when I got here, everyone already seems to kind of not like the Foundation all that much...? So it's kinda...? Awkward....." Shuffling back closer like she's a stray kitten, "So has anyone actually seen the beast...? Or, know anyone who has? Oh, oh, could you point us to where it took people from?"
Regulus	Regulus volunteered to help for two reasons. One reason was that it'd be in Dartmoor National Park which meant that it'd be in her old home nation of jolly old England and it means Regulus gets to be a little less homesick! Or more homesick! She's not sure what will happen but she wants to go back 'home' for a bit even if this area isn't really 'home' since she's a City Girl, it's not like it isn't an area she has explored before. So she's ready to have feelings about being back here. Honestly, going straight to London might be TOO MUCH for her poor precious heart. The other reason is that she promised Matilda extra community service for specifically Matilda and that means helping her with her job so she gets a good grade on her first job. Regulus is determined to get Matilda an SSS ranking Legendary Junior Investigator Report Card. Regulus is wearing her red jacket and captain's cap and her blue miniskirt and polkadotted scarf, but she's swapped her sunglasses for her normal glasses today, changing things up smallishly. "A big dog? That's what this is all about?" Regulus asks, thinking it over. "They say that small mysteries often lead to bigger mysteries..." This is part of Regulus pumping herself up that this isn't silly nothing work and also her trying to reassure herself that she won't end up chased by a giant dog when this is all over and probably cry about it. ''Leilani'' Regulus mood brightens, not that it already wasn't sparkling. "Leilani!" She says. "Wow! This is going to be our first mission together now that we're both on Team Timekeeper! Lovely to meet you, love! A fine Aloha to you too." Regulus returns the silly little salute because it's Leilani doing the saluting. Regulus only returns the silly salutes even if it's only because the person saluting is a little silly. ''Everyone already seems to kind of not like the Foundation all that much...?'' Regulus brightens. "Perhaps I could help! I don't like the Foundation either so--" She pauses and then wrinkles her nose. "I mean, I ''didn't'' like the Foundation so maybe I can commiserate! Through complaining!" ''The black hound is just a fable. It's wolves, plain as day--'' Regulus approaches, sympathetic. "I understand, the Foundation is so humdrum slow that it's an age to get anything done, but they're here now so we might as well let them get to it now that all the t's have been crossed and all the i's have been dotted. The sooner we gather information, the sooner we can chase off those wolves--fable or not--and help you lovely people out!" She offers her winning Regulus smile.
Sarracenia	Walking long distances is not something that Sarracenia does if she can avoid it. And, she usually can. Sarra was advised that entering this world would require them to blend in, so she has donned clothing appropriate to this era of England. She still isn't walking, though. She has instead acquired a period appropriate automobile in appropriately garish red and gold that is...made of wood? Polished and lacquered wood, of course. It is quite possible it is a vehicle from the Sundew Kingdom, but it looks right at home in this era. Sarra certainly took note of how old things looked around here, but didn't really stop to take a closer look. The car rumbles noisily up to the crowd as they discuss the situation, and Sarra turns off the car before she steps out of the driver's seat, wearing an elegant red dress that doesn't look too out of place and a black longcoat along with black driving gloves. She still has her small crown on and her burgundy red lotus hairpin atop her shining copper hair, but if asked about either they are merely accessories she enjoys wearing. The princess regards the crowd a moment as Matilda suggests they go over details again, then nods to Matilda. "Agreed. Though the situation is now well in hand. I am...Sarracenia. I am here to assist the Foundation in whatever ways I can. Whatever beast, be it real or imagined, mundane or magical, is causing you trouble, we will have it dealt with in short order." she says. She then smiles to Matilda. "It is good to see you again, Miss Matilda. I am not sure I have met your companion." she says, looking to Leilani. Once Leilani has introduced herself, Sarra instinctively starts to introduce herself. "P...ah...Sarracenia Sundew." she says, having to head off going into her usual introduction again and pausing half way into starting a curtsey. She is still a moment as her brain processes what 'normal' people do in these situations, and she finally holds out a gloved hand. "It is nice to meet you." When Tamamo arrives, Sarra looks a bit uncomfortable. It is hard when you know that someone who is overall very kind and classy does not have a high opinion of you, something that Sarra could delude herself into not realizing until that shopping trip to fuel Arthur's space ship. "Missus Rook." she offers with a small, cautious smile. "...and Missus Rook." she adds for Lilian after a moment. "I hope you are both well." Regulus being here gives Sarra some small amount of comfort. At least Regulus doesn't hate her -too- much. "And hello again, Miss Regulus. It seems we just keep bumping into each other." she says with a small smile.
Lilian Rook	Even if Lilian did congratulate Matilda for the promotion, shanghai Sonetto into her birthday because of it, then get Sonetto to also congratulate Matilda for the promotion, she still kind of thinks that any 'field mission' involving Matilda, much less one that she's invited others to, feels like an unbearably precious little stage rehearsal for a big play, and so she has to tag along with her wife, because that's just a bonding activity. Since setting off, the fact that she is legally affiliated with the Foundation doesn't actually enter her mind again until she can hear the disgruntled townsfolk complain about it. The time in between is spent babbling on about how close it is to the Exeter South Urban Center in her world, how she always wanted to see Dartmoor and wondered if it made it out as well as North Riding, what kind of Critters could possibly be found in these woods, every random bit of heritage law trivia she can remember about surviving architecture, including paving, random facts about travel at the height of the tea trade, and how she'd modelled the tavern in Cinnuint for the SRS, taking up all the road time by being insufferably verbal-snuggly with Tamamo. 'Hein? You made it- so soon?' "Hmm? I didn't think we went any more quickly than usual." Lilian says, innocently uninvested. 'Of course further-help has arrived!' Then she puts up her eyebrow, tilts her head forward, and gives Matilda a 'look'. One that says 'Oh, so we're help now?' 'Can you detail just how long this has been happening, and when each disappearance has occurred? The locations are quite important, as well, and we should be best served by visiting the sites last seen.' It's a good a reminder as any that Lilian had paid (a little) attention to the secondhand mission briefing she secured. Even though she's totally sure it's something quaintly stupid (because Matilda was assigned to it), she carried her sword at her waist the entire way here, and simply forgot. She removes her elbow from its resting place in the crossguard as if she were getting out of bed. 'Hello! Aloha! Wow, I really wasn't sure you were coming.' "Leilani!" Lilian's professionalism remains very much in the 'mixed' zone when she stops to wave. She at least breaks off from Big Walk formation and approaches her. 'I got sent here to help Matilda, but when I got here, everyone already seems to kind of not like the Foundation all that much...? So it's kinda...? Awkward.....' "I'm surprised. Is it your first time dealing with it?" says Lilian, who is baselessly adamantly that everyone detests the Foundation everywhere. She tries her best encouraging pat to Leilani's shoulder, steps forward again, and says to the 'crowd', "Commander Lilian Rook, Team Timekeeper, Foundation oversight. You're not being charged, much less by the hour, so please cooperate with our investigator and leave things to the professionals." Lilian realizes, slightly too late, that she's already slipped into her 'work tone'. She then finds it bleaky amusing how much she takes the exact same one with all three organizations she's done field work for now. "The howling will stop the next time it happens at the latest, and ideally before. We're already equipped for every possibility, so let's begin with the facts, shall we?" Really, all she intends to do is to put credibility behind Matilda (by being older, taller, visibly armed, and having a pushy LEO tone down pat), but she glances at Matilda a couple of times in a way that seems to imply 'being instructional' as well. She motions her over when she has a moment, too.
Foundation Scions	Matilda walks along the stone fence, presumably to not give up that focal position of being taller than any of the townspeople present, but it's still simply a true fact that Matilda Bouanich likes to be up high! Freed, more-so, from the crowd, she's visible by more than just her head, and her bobbing little side-ponytail. She's dressed in her new, oversized-jacketed uniform, and, less color-scheme fitting, is herself carrying Connaître les Papillons at her side. Held in her hands, scarily, is her crystal ball. Her balance is quite good to carry that up there! > Lilian gives Matilda a 'look'. Matilda, sheepishly, mouths out an unmistakable 'Merci beaucoup,' to the Look. She throws more appreciate glances around, too. Sarracenia's car is a sight, townsfolk whistle, and the two kids perched up in a tree hoot excitedly, hoping for a little horn-toot in response. Cars aren't an unknown, in this year, or this location, but they still signal 'a rich tourist is coming through,' and it isn't an every-day occurrence. People make way for her to stop, and crowd around for a closer look once she has. Whispered amongst the crowd is, "Lord above, if I'm not mistaken, don't the most of them look to be-" "Yup, it sure looks that way. How's anything going to get done with that lot of-" "Shush, now, if this is an 'arcane' matter, it's only fitting the Foundation send out that type, isn't it?" It fades into grumbles. 'I understand, the Foundation is so humdrum slow that it's an age to get anything done,' "Isn't it ever! Say, you there, with the car-" The speaker goes to pat it, and hesitates, it's surely expensive, "You see the 'Hairy Hands' while driving in? The detached sort, that try and grab your steering wheel out from your grasp? No, thought not- you can thank the Foundation for that, it only took them a year to send someone out!" He shakes his head, dissaproving, despite ostensibly pointing to something the Foundation did fix.
Foundation Scions	'We're already equipped for every possibility, so let's begin with the facts, shall we?' In part, Lilian's presence is, obviously, more respect-able than Matilda's, as well as her and Leilani together- but it's also a measure, now, that there's more that the 'Foundation' sent than there are locals, that it's a big deal, and that the vocal human townsfolk are matched (or outmatched) by the number of arcanists present. They nod, and the conversation is, noticeably, more productive. 'Would 'Ms. Taylor' happen to be yourself...?' A nod from 'Miss Taylor' (a widow, it seems, by the name) answers Tamamo, and then, on the topic of her eldest- "He's a young man, my Edward, not like those Evans's. He's hale, he's a strong and helpful sort, without a reckless bone in his body, and surely not one to vanish on all of us. A beast wouldn't want him for anything, I just can't see it!" Her son, and she's not eager to consider the possibility of a grisly fate. Quieter, "I don't know what I'd do without him, too." 'So has anyone actually seen the beast...?' "I saw it, swear I did- a great big thing, more the size of a bull than a hound, but silent as a wisp, it lept 'cross a path, late in the evening- stared right through me with those empty eyes. Black hounds, they're likely to stop your heart ticking, with just a glare-" He looks down at himself, nervous, "I count myself lucky, I do. But I saw it- and it howled as it ran off!" Others nod at that part, the howls aren't disputed. Still. 'Oh, oh, could you point us to where it took people from?' That comes with collective silence. It falls to Miss Taylor, once more, to fill in details, "Nobody's heard anythin' much from the Evans's, but it's not as if their home's been ransacked. They live a ways more out, nearly up under the tor," She gestures a ways away, towards the highland region the road points towards, "Far as anyone can figure, this week, something must have happened, along their ways." "The beast got to 'em, the both of them. The howling was bad, and then it wasn't again, till Edward-" "There's no beast, it's wolves, I tell you, we should've sent for hunters." "Hush, you, you!!" Matilda, a bit upset, hurriedly, interjects for Tamamo- "Ah-hem, I, of course, have conducted two readings, one on the elderly Mrs, and Mr. Evans." With a pause, and a little bit of a grave Look, to say without saying, "There were no results to their whereabouts." 'I can't divine the dead'. "Ms. Taylor? Please, if you have some small token of your son's, I, surely, could determine where he is, and what the way to find him is! I- assure you, I am a top-notch and highly reliable diviner! No curse will befall you for the matter!" Miss Taylor clutches something close to her chest, and grows more upset, and scared- she shakes her head. Obviously, she has something, grabbed from earlier, when Matilda no doubt first asked- but the hesitance is firm. Matilda repeats, gentle-pleading, "Ms. Taylor... it would be a great help."
Lilian Rook	'Lord above, if I'm not mistaken, don't the most of them look to be-' 'Yup, it sure looks that way. How's anything going to get done with that lot of-' "Beg pardon?" Lilian takes the dare and turns to look at the crowd anyways. The way she looks down her nose at people taller than her makes it a bit of a non-argument. "Does someone here have a problem with women?" 'You see the 'Hairy Hands' while driving in?' Lilian blatantly opens her mouth just to say something about Sarracenia. 'The detached sort' She closes it again. 'He's a young man, my Edward, not like those Evans's. He's hale, he's a strong and helpful sort, without a reckless bone in his body, and surely not one to vanish on all of us.' 'I saw it, swear I did- a great big thing, more the size of a bull than a hound, but silent as a wisp, it lept 'cross a path, late in the evening- stared right through me with those empty eyes.' The fact that Lilian expected to be sitting with Tamamo and watching Matilda run around in a field makes the 'work'-ness of this sit all the heavier. It brings to mind the last time she got bucket duty with questioning people in the Third Circle about alleged Antegent activity within the wall. How long ago was that? Four years? Five? She'd look like she was daydreaming if the way she wears her sword weren't so starkly different from the Junior Investigator at the helm. Back to her resting position, Lilian absentmindedly, runs two fingers against the hilt like stroking a cat. 'There's no beast, it's wolves, I tell you, we should've sent for hunters.' "If it's wolves, then I'll put them down myself and you can take a picture. Now let her finish." Lilian says, more than a little testy. 'There were no results to their whereabouts.' Lilian sighs. More than just 'work', if Matilda is right, it's now a human, moral obligation. Rolling her shoulders once and settling them a little lower, Lilian steps forth, focuses more than usual on eye contact, and says with a lowered voice, "Ma'am, Miss Bouanich has been employed with us for years before becoming an investigator. I've seen her do it a dozen times before. You'll get it back before we go anywhere." Faintly surprised that she's already retrieving her brand new ID, Lilian shows it just to say, "If you don't, mail in and tell them that someone with this ID number stole it from you and threaten to press charges. I mean it."
Regulus	Regulus doesn't hate Sarracenia at all. She has no reason to hate Sarracenia. She's been annoyed at Sarracenia but Regulus has been annoyed at Vertin and Sonetto too and they're her favorite people in the multiverse. Sarracenia might be royalty but, like, is she really? Like sure she's apparently in charge now but it doesn't feel real actually it feels a bit like declaring one is a pirate when they don't even have a ship and NEVERMIND THAT but the point is Sarracenia just strikes her as a bit of a weirdo and everyone's a bit of a weirdo. Her wooden car is more a subject of fascination no matter how garish it is because that's like some flintstones shit or something. How does it work? What's its deal? She wants to take it apart and find out but she has to do the best job ever today instead. 'Hey Sarracenia," Regulus says. "I guess it has been happening a bunch lately huh? I didn't know you were getting into working with the Foundation." ''No, thought not- you can thank the Foundation for that, it only took them a year to send someone out!'' Regulus wonders how this works with the Storm because the Foundation is sort of outside the Storm timeline right so how did it exist in her world as like a known governmental force all this time and how is it doing that here and Regulus stops trying to think about this before she gives herself a headache. Maybe she needs to ask Sonetto or the people handling her Foundation training before she gets an aneurysm trying to puzzle it out for herself. For now she tries to adopt the attitude that Lilian suggested to brag about Team Timekeeper and make it sound cool. "Well they sent the big guns this time, Team Timekeeper! So we'll be sure to get it done--The Commander's never let anyone down." She looks to Lilian almost like in a 'how's that?' sort of way. Gosh, she hopes that they can actually save someone rather than clean up the mess too late, but saying that seems like a BAD IDEA in front of Miss Taylor. "It ran off...? Maybe they're not totally out of control..." ''I tell you, we should've sent for hunters.'' "Well if it's hunters you need, Leilani's a crack shot with her bow." She looks towards Matilda as she suggests... Ah... Regulus bites her lip so she doesn't look utterly dejected to hear that. ''Miss Taylor clutches something close to her chest--'' "Ms. Taylor... That's a real important memento you've got there, right? Could you tell us about it?" She is trying to think what Vertin would do. She'd be patient and try to understand and ask about the stories and she wouldn't ask for the item so quickly, right? "It obviously means a lot to you. You went right for it."
Tamamo	A car would have made things quicker, but then there wouldn't have been a stroll. Tamamo doesn't, in these circumstances, pay as much mind to Sarracenia as Sarracenia does her, for several reasons. She doesn't seem to pay too much mind to Regulus, either -- or rather, doesn't appear to, but there was a little quirk of a smile at her offer to help by complaining, for just a moment. 'You see the 'Hairy Hands' while driving in?' Filed away for later. Tamamo overhears everything, without great pains to hide it, and those aren't happening here. She is so good at pretending otherwise! It's not polite to acknowledge. Even if it's a lot less pleasant than the stroll, she can take that time listening to Lilian talk about the tea trade like it was recharging what she needs to get through the rest of-- 'There were no results to their whereabouts.' --a grim business. Tamamo nods to Matilda, "Thank you, Junior Investigator Bouanich. Well, then..." Greeting Leilani, and taking the time to hear everyone speak, Tamamo eventually puts together, "You need not give up anything, Ms. Taylor, and if you should let us borrow some item, you can be certain it will be handled delicately, and promptly returned." Her own skills don't involve any risk of damage, and she's assuming Matilda's work the same. But, that should've been the assumption in the first place, so this reluctance... should be handled with gentle tones, as well, while she feels out the shape of it. "It would be the swiftest way to find a trail that left no print." 'There's no beast, it's wolves, I tell you, we should've sent for hunters.' "Better that it be so, for we would then find prints and scrapes to follow. A healthy young man would not disappear without a trace. However, should we find none of these, I shall be more inclined to believe there was a great and silent-trodding beast." Leaving a bit of space open, by the way she stands, for Ms. Taylor to choose to offer something up, Tamamo gives her a partial out, "If we have no closer means, then visiting the Evans' residence should be our next step. I can perform my own reading, there, whatever we do find." Her divinations can't find the dead, but they can reconstruct a crime scene. Not that she's really had to do that since... "When was it, Twin Peaks...?" she murmurs.
Team Timekeeper	"They say that small mysteries often lead to bigger mysteries..." "Critters are critters! Lots of normal folk can't handle even the simplest ones. We're not catching carbuncles out here, eheh." Leilani is much more inclined to go in on a hi-five with Regulus than a salute! Regulus isn't a soldier! "I don't like the Foundation either so--" Is this a winning strategy? Leilani's smile freezes halfway, sweatily unsure whether to encourage or discourage this. A moment's more consideration reminds her that Regulus's misconduct is going to fall either on Matilda or on Vertin, but never on her, so she puts a hand to her chest and sighs in relief. "Is it your first time dealing with it?" Hand shielding her mouth, Leilani leaaaans forty-five degrees sideways to conspire with Lilian. "It's always the Foundation that deals with face to face civilian stuff like this! Er... I guess the officers and stuff do too, but, well, they didn't put me on the officer track. But now with Team Timekeeper, I've gotta learn to put a good face forwards...!" With a friend (Regulus) present, and an unrelated military professional also present, Leilani can at least imitate having any amount of steel in her spine. This mostly means that she gets shushed into silence and emphatically nods along with questions being asked, but eventually, some of the responses are actually relevant to her skillset! "I don't know what I'd do without him, too." "Don't worry ma'am! We'll find him for sure!" Baseless confidence! This will never ever come back to bite her. She explains, enthusiastic about the local Lore, "Oh, the Hairy Hands were an arcane phenomenon a while back, I looked 'em up before heading out here. It turned out to be a supersized colony of Catcher-Crawlers all sharing one web, and the little fellas looked like hands when the wind'd blow them around! So we've got no hints about anything malicious or spectral or anything that mighta came from that." "Black hounds, they're likely to stop your heart ticking, with just a glare-" Leilani yelps, then stifles it. "We-ell, good job practicing safety measures, citizen! A big critter like that couldn't help but leave arcane traces to track, so once we find the start of the trail, it's-- good as handled, yep!" "There's no beast, it's wolves, I tell you, we should've sent for hunters." Leilani rubs the back of her head, scrunching up her pigtails. "I am a hunter, actually. I can shoot an olitiau out of the air at a thousand meters on my first try! Wolves, monsters, spirits, we're ready to handle it all!" "Ms. Taylor... it would be a great help." Restlessly barging up against the civilian unwillingness to accept military aid, Leilani rubs her knuckles together while bouncing on the balls of her feet. "It'd be the quickest way to find him and make sure he's safe, ma'am! Matilda's divinations don't damage anything, she's a real pro. Speaking of--" Spyglass at the ready and compass dangling by her hip, Leilani sidesteps like a crab towards the hill where the Evans's house is. "How 'bout you see if there's anything to get off Edward, and I'll look around to pick up a hint of an attack near the house? Um-- if either of us get in danger, we'll yell really loud!"
Regulus	Regulus turns her salute into a hi-fivehalfway through and just now sees it as a special secret move between them. She even offers Leilani a SECOND hifive swinging back around the other way. She's always doing this shit with APPLe with like five extra steps on top. "Your face is really good already, you just gotta trust in it and let your natural good-faceness shine. Friendly, energetic, and cute. You got a lot going for you here." ''I am a hunter, actually'' "See? told you." Regulus agrees. "That's actually seriously incredible, Leila." A thousand meters... Is a lot of meters!
Tamamo	'I am a hunter, actually. I can shoot an olitiau out of the air at a thousand meters on my first try!' "That is most reassuring." She doesn't know what that is, but a moving target at a thousand meters is still enough to be impressive. Unless it's something like a whale. On discovering that grabby not-hand creatures are just ordinary 'critters,' here, Tamamo decides to ask about large flying critters, later. Of course, her sword-wife is more impressive, still, but she has to give proper encouragement to others. Mhm. Tamamo is buoyed by right action. 'Um-- if either of us get in danger, we'll yell really loud!' "Oh, please be certain to leave your radio on 'transmit,' Private Leilani."
Sarracenia	Sarra didn't realize how much spectacle a car would be when she brought it, but as someone who loves attention she is happy to get some. She isn't sure what the children want at first, but when she does realize it she cheerfully honks the horn at them a few times and does not discourage the townsfolk from looking more closely at it, answering questions about it when asked. The 'Hairy Hands' is not a question the princess was expecting, though. "The...what?" she asks, confused, then blinks when he points out what the Foundation did. "Well...better late than never, right?" she says, trying to smile. 'Hey Sarracenia' Sarra shrugs lightly with a smile. "Well, I can hardly claim to be an aspiring heroine if I do not get involved in worthy causes. And seeing you has been an added bonus so far." Sarra listens attentively as each townsfolk adds their opinion or observations, then looks over at Ms. Taylor as Matilda asks for that token. Sarra's expression turns more serious as it is revealed that Mrs. and Mr. Evans could not be scried. But, Sarra's track record of heroic inspiration feels like it is in the negatives after the thing with Riku recently. So, she leaves that to everyone else for now. She just nods along with the others' assurances. 'I tell you, we should've sent for hunters.' Sarra hmphs, then goes back to her car and opens the trunk. She reaches in, while actually reaching into her purse out of view of the crowd, then pulls out...a two-handed sword of shining steel with a rose motiff to it. She closes the trunk then faces the crowd. She grips it in both hands and rests it with the point down. "If they are merely wolves, then we will have no difficulty with them. If they are not merely wolves...we will still have no difficulty with them." she says, then lifts the sword again and slides it into its scabbard. Surely a 6 foot tall woman seemingly easily wielding a sword rivaling her height will alleviate some of the worry. "Just tell us where to go and we will see these creatures brought to justice."
Lilian Rook	<J-IC-Scene> Tamamo says, "Oh, so it is you, private Leilani! This is our first meeting in person, perhaps." <J-IC-Scene> Tamamo says, "They do seem rather upset, though this is understandable, as people have disappeared." She doesn't say 'been killed.' "Or is it more than that...?" <J-IC-Scene> Leilani says, "Yes ma'am! Just over the radio! I bet it's pretty scary for them, but really, we'll probably find them as soon as we get working properly." <J-IC-Scene> Regulus says, "They seem nice, I'm sure we just gotta understand their grumps." <J-IC-Scene> Lilian Rook says, "Sweet little Regulus. You have a lot of catching up to do." <J-IC-Scene> Regulus says, "What? Catching up on what?" <J-IC-Scene> Lilian Rook says, "The public doesn't want you to understand their grievances. Understanding them makes you come off insincere or weak." <J-IC-Scene> Lilian Rook says, "Either you're lying, and thus 'the government', or you're serious, which means you're just someone like them. And they don't want someone like them." <J-IC-Scene> Regulus says, "Well I can't turn back time and make us get here faster." <J-IC-Scene> Lilian Rook says, "They'll piss and moan, but they understand the basic principle of getting what you pay for." <J-IC-Scene> Lilian Rook says, "If it took us forever to show up, then it's 'because we're the big guns, coming to your tiny little town', obviously." <J-IC-Scene> Regulus says, "Oh shit you're right I could've said we're the Elite Team Timekeeper Squad." <J-IC-Scene> Lilian Rook says, "You should. Or else I'll look like a soldier babysitting toddlers." <J-IC-Scene> Regulus says, "Nooo gotta at least be teenagers...!" <J-IC-Scene> Sarracenia starts to say something, then realizes she is also in this group. <J-IC-Scene> Regulus says, "I feel like I'm learning secret Paladins lore." 'Well they sent the big guns this time, Team Timekeeper! So we'll be sure to get it done--The Commander's never let anyone down.' Well. Good enough for now. From Regulus. It's nice to be followed around (sic) by someone who can get with the picture. 'It ran off...? Maybe they're not totally out of control...' "Regardless of the reason, if something's been killing cattle, much less abducting or killing people, our response is firmly the same." Lilian says to Regulus. "You weren't assigned to follow me for wildlife conservation." Anyone being assigned to her at all is a huge fat lie, so it's obviously to create a narrative tone. It's theatre. Regulus makes a perfectly good 'hopeful and compassionate new officer' to play off of. "This is about protecting lives and livelihoods." 'If we have no closer means, then visiting the Evans' residence should be our next step. I can perform my own reading, there, whatever we do find.' "That'd be a tremendous help either way. A healthy young man doesn't just set out from home and then not bother coming back for no reason." Lilian says. "We may as well entertain all possibilities while we're out here. I don't want to leave this unresolved just for not having any magic involved." 'When was it, Twin Peaks...?' Much quieter, Lilian sighs, yearnfully. "What a time that was. I have dreams, now and again, about that hotel."
Lilian Rook	'It's always the Foundation that deals with face to face civilian stuff like this! Er... I guess the officers and stuff do too, but, well, they didn't put me on the officer track.' "I see." Lilian murmurs. She does, in fact, see. "So the Foundation's people are the sorry fucks who have to smile and nod and say 'we'll get right on it sir' by design." Of course, she means 'the arcanist ones'. "You're young," says the twenty-six year old. "So you can't get away with coming across as too good for them. Your best bet is to use terms and verbiage they don't quite understand and breeze through the social context like it's yours and not theirs. Act like your boss or your mentor already gave you strict instructions on everything to do, and you're a young prodigy who doesn't really understand why she'd change plans even if they asked. 'Overeducated teenager who just does what her superior says' is difficult for common people to grapple with." Yes that's from experience. Shut it. 'It turned out to be a supersized colony of Catcher-Crawlers all sharing one web, and the little fellas looked like hands when the wind'd blow them around!' Lilian has no idea what a Catcher-Crawler is, but still finds the explanation mildly fascinating enough to look like she does. 'A big critter like that couldn't help but leave arcane traces to track, so once we find the start of the trail, it's-- good as handled, yep!' Lilian turns to look at Tamamo. In a kind of 'conferring professionals' tone, not quite quiet, she says "If it isn't wolves, and if it isn't someone putting up a front to cover criminal activity, it'll be a hellhound of one sort or another. I don't know why one would be all the way out here in the south though." 'If they are merely wolves, then...' Lilian presses her hand over her mouth. "Oh my god she's so embarrassing." she hoarse-whispers to the side.
Tamamo	'We may as well entertain all possibilities while we're out here.' "Naturally. We may even discover unrelated incidents, though that does seem doubtful, as yet." What with the howling. Unless... 'What a time that was.' Tamamo shares a little, private smile. 'If it isn't wolves, and if it isn't someone putting up a front to cover criminal activity...' A faint frown. "There is always some cause, as we will find." Surely a 6 foot tall woman seemingly easily wielding a sword rivaling her height will alleviate some of the worry. 'Oh my god she's so embarrassing.' Tamamo's sooo polite about this. Her smile is only a little strained, and not saying anything that would embarrass people in front of the grieving civilians.
Foundation Scions	'Does someone here have a problem with women?' A round of 'What? Of course not.'s murmurs out from the group, as it always does, to that question- "A lot of you's look to be arcanists, is all. Figures as much, but you're in the wrong place. This is a normal matter if I've ever seen one, nothing to be handed-off like this. Pfah." The angry man actually spits on the dirt, for that one. His expression is neutral, for him, but the gesture, unpleasant. 'If it's wolves, then I'll put them down myself and you can take a picture. Now let her finish.' The angrier man quiets up at that, and puts his hands, palms-forwards, in front of himself. "You do that, fine. If that's how it's to be, better be your hide on the line that whatever lord set them free." He takes a few steps back from Lilian, eyeing the sword. How she carries it is different than how Matilda does, and he's nervous. 'I am a hunter, actually. I can shoot an olitiau out of the air at a thousand meters on my first try!' "Not without a rifle, you can't," says the angry man, quickly elbowed off by the older guy, with "What, haven't you seen the sorts the Foundation can send out? They're a strange lot, bet she can't do it without an archer's spell, of some sort." "You ever seen an olitiau?" "Cousin of mine did, scared the ghost out of him." "Pfah. Bet he's a drunkard, then." Grumbling amongst themselves, seems easier to the local sorts than grumbling about the current task, or towards the Elites and arcanists. Figures. 'It ran off...? Maybe they're not totally out of control...' "Black dogs, they don't come to eat you, not well and truly. They'll frighten you to death, and bite you, and drag you and your soul down to Hell, but they aren't a hungry sort." He's well and truly rattled, recounting it. Is this a fable? There haven't been more accounts of critters like that running rampant here than usual, per the briefings. This, hopefully, is the only one, or ones. 'Just tell us where to go and we will see these creatures brought to justice.' "Swords, again, and an archer?" Rubbing the back of his head, the angry man backs further off. 'So the Foundation's people are the sorry fucks who have to smile and nod and say 'we'll get right on it sir' by design.' Matilda, a little tired, and a little glum, adds, "Perhaps, this is why the Foundation is so fond of face-masks..." She'd rather, a bit, the opportunity to hide behind one for this!
Foundation Scions	'We may even discover unrelated incidents, though that does seem doubtful, as yet.' From the trees, at that, a kid calls- "Spot went missing!" "A dog! Big friendly one, he's no good at herding in the cows!" "Y-yeah! But, he's a good dog! Bet he's off fighting the black hound!" "Yeah!" 'You'll get it back before we go anywhere' 'Matilda's divinations don't damage anything, she's a real pro.' 'It would be the swiftest way to find a trail that left no print.' Again, she shakes her head at the Elites- "It's not so precious as t' not risk harm, or theft, in fact, she gave the others their articles back. But, her spell didn't work. What's to be of the Evans's, no one can say. Are they dead an eaten? Is my Edward the same?" Halway through, she seems to realize the folly in that worry, that it's one of avoiding hearing confirmation, in expectation that it will be the same. She mouths, after, "Lord protect him," and goes quiet for more of the deliberations. 'We may as well entertain all possibilities while we're out here.' It's that pressure, right as everyone is laying 'well, we'll spend more time doing something else to get the answers', that the scared widow calls out, "Wait! Wait. The Evans's, they live so far. If," a pause, trembly-scared, "If something's happened, if it's the fastest way, then that's how it's to be." She takes what she'd been clutching to her chest, and holds it out- a doll, cloth and straw-filled, with mismatched button eyes, that, surely, Edward hasn't held in years and years and years. It's a mother's cherished artifact of a child, and surely half of why it, of all things of his, was what she'd brought, is for the comfort it affords her to hold. But, even if the memories and ties between it are stronger and fresher for her, than for Edward... "Merci- er, thank you, Ms. Taylor." Matilda's getting, under a facade, a bit more nervous. Not wanting to waste any more time, she hops ('hup!') down to the dirt of the road, from up on that silly wall, crystal ball still cradled. "If you'd stay holding the doll, and, put your hand on top of the crystal orbuculum, I will beckon-forth a vision." Miss Taylor hesitates, again, like the ball will have some sort of static electricity, or staining taint, or seal some fate, but touches it with squinted-shut eyes. Murmured out, across, is "Oh boule de cristal, montrez-nous où trouver leur Edward, s'il te plaît..." The ball glows, catching the overcast light of this mid-day gloom, and mists within it swirl and shift. Miss Taylor sees it too, working, showing images, clarifying-out to a thicket, dense and shaded, aside a path- it's indistinct, but landmarks-enough to wayfind there, especially with Leilani's help. Edward, a young man, younger than Matilda, but perhaps only just, lies, breathing, but bloodied and injured (though not gravely), in that thicket, alone. There's no signs of danger, or much struggle, save for broken branches around, from something's entrance into the thicket. Matilda and Miss Taylor gasp at the same time, the both of them (though, asymmetrically) relieved for the ritual to have shown someone alive, and to have actually worked. Surprising both of them, Miss Taylor wraps Matilda into a quick hug, and then takes a few steps back, to try and wipe tears welling up from her eyes. Before Matilda can be the rallying cry to go get moving, Miss Taylor is- "Go on! Get him home!"
Regulus	Regulus is learning a lot of secret Paladins lore today. Is it okay for Lilian to be sharing so many secrets about the Paladins? Or is it that the Paladins have so much secret lore that she'll never learn it all even if she shares everything... ''And seeing you has been an added bonus so far.'' Regulus isn't sure just how worthy of a cause is chasing down wolves that are stealing cattle is, like sure maybe some people died and that's real tragic and they do have to be stopped if that's what's going on, but it isn't exactly an epic tour of heroic duty here. It's normal helping people work, not exactly Hero Work, is it? Maybe there's some overlap. Besides, Regulus is a little more confused by the 'seeing you has been an added bonus' comment because she didn't think she was on such good terms with Sarracenia. She didn't HATE her but that's not exactly being the best of mates either. Regulus likes being liked, though, so she's not about to complain but she's not sure what to say to that either. She can't say 'it's a bonus to see you' because she doesn't quite see Sarracenia like that, they're like positive acquaintances at best, but after mentally blanking for a moment she adds, "Well glad I could improve your day," which is true enough. She is a little uneasy about overpromising though. She just doesn't want to be more encouraging than discouraging without writing a blank check here. Yeah, she's sure they can handle wolves. Lilian could probably handle that in her sleep, but real people might be hurt or worse. ''You weren't assigned to follow me for wildlife conservation.'' But Regulus can step into a role, even if she's not an accomplished stunt double like Bette. "Ah, don't worry ma'am, I won't lose track of our priorities." ARGUING about the role Lilian assigned her would be embarrassing and she owes Lilian so it doesn't bother her too much. "But it means they're likely to run when they see a group like this rather than ambush us, right?" ''Act like your boss or your mentor--'' Regulus is uncertain she could do this even if she tried. At least for very long. But she does file this away for later. She should try to figure out how to work best with Lilian now that she's in an advisory position. They've already 'collabed', so to speak, before but now things are ''official''. And it's Regulus's job to smooth out the edges and make sure everything goes smoothly in the end. ''This is a normal matter if I've ever seen one--'' "And yet we're here." Regulus says, trying her best to be sterner. "No use complaining now." ''Black dogs, they don't come to eat you--'' "I've never seen a proper hellhound before, but there's a first time for everything." Regulus murmurs. "Though it could be trying to warn you away from danger." Maybe there's something else out there and the dogs are just warning them away? It's hard to say for sure from this. ''Perhaps, this is why the foundation is so fond of face-masks.'' "You know, now that you say it.." Regulus frowns. "Though you can still see their mouths sometimes." ''Is my Edward the same'' Lord she hopes not. It'd be nice if there could be a happy ending this time. ''The artifactr'' Regulus stares at the doll for a moment and says, "Thank you, Ms. Taylor." Regulus bobs her head, feeling queasy-worried. ''Edward'' Regulus manages a smile again. "Nice job, Matilda. It looks like we best hurry!" Her eyes trail over to Sarracenia's wacky turtle powered wooden car.
Lilian Rook	'A lot of you's look to be arcanists, is all.' Lilian doesn't even need to open her mouth to let everyone know that she thinks this guy might actually be brain damaged. It silently shows in the tilt of her chin and the upward tension in her cheeks. Everyone else understood that they were offered an out. 'If that's how it's to be, better be your hide on the line that whatever lord set them free.' It's only a coincidence that Lilian habitually touches the end of her scar right then. She was brushing her hair behind her ear, and gave in to rumination. "Business as usual." she says. 'Swords, again, and an archer?' "Please excuse her. She's an imbecile." says Lilian, her contempt redirected for the time being. Unfortunately, she knows exactly where Sarracenia got that sword, so she feels embarrassed by proxy. "She's an impressionable nobleman's daughter. She won't be needing it." she says, about someone older than she is. Fortunately, with Sarracenia driving here, that's very easy to believe. "And Junior Investigator Bouanich is my student." That part is literally true! 'No use complaining now.' She nods vaguely in Regulus' direction though. Gosh it's nice when they can read the room. 'Perhaps, this is why the Foundation is so fond of face-masks...' 'You know, now that you say it..' "I suppose they're mere mortals in the end." Lilian says, blandly. "Looking them in the eye while they do it takes a certain sort." 'Is my Edward the same?' Lilian breathes out slowly, more for her benefit than anything. "You know the answer to that ma'am." she says, quietly. "If he is then there's no point in waiting. If he isn't, then time is of the essence." 'If something's happened, if it's the fastest way, then that's how it's to be.' She allows herself just a tiny sigh of relief. Even if her own heart is beating faster with infectious anticipation, now. 'Go on! Get him home!' "Sundew! Drive the car or we're commandeering it!" The switch is instant, Lilian is already barking towards the girls, her hand-signs more or less intuitive to get going and where to split. "Leilani! Matilda! You're both navigating! Regulus, car! Leilani, car! Bouanich, get her the directions; you're coming with me! Tamamo, we're teleporting as soon as you're ready for emergency medical aid!" She stops only for a split second, glancing once between the two obvious points. "Regulus, you'll have to drive if she can't or won't. She's not Foundation; do what you have to and I'll deal with the complaints later. Go!"
Sarracenia	'Well glad I could improve your day,' Regulus might be confused, but Sarra has met far too few people who could disagree with her, meet her, and then still treat her decently. This is about as close to friend as Sarra gets to people who don't hate her. So, Sarra beams a smile at the positive reply. 'Swords, again, and an archer?' 'Please excuse her. She's an imbecile.' And, true to impressionable nobleman's daughters everywhere, Sarra scoffs. "Swords are more than adequate for dealing with wolves!" she exclaims, confused and insulted. Lilian herself has a sword! 'Go on! Get him home!' 'Sundew! Drive the car or we're commandeering it!' Sarra blinks in surprise, caught in the middle of her own relief at Edward being alive. "No one drives my car except me!" she exclaims. In her haste, she ends up just shoving the sword into her purse, then hops in her car and starts it up. "Right! Hold on, Edward!" Sarra is admittedly no skilled driver, but she does at least know how to drive. Once everyone is loaded up, the car's engine revs (its power supply yet to be confirmed!) and it takes off at speeds that a car of this era and a wooden car should not be able to reach.
Tamamo	'A lot of you's look to be arcanists, is all.' "'Look to be' is as it is," says the divine incarnation by her enlightened wife. 'Perhaps, this is why the Foundation is so fond of face-masks...' "One can learn the skills to do without, though it is not for all." 'Spot went missing!' 'A dog! Big friendly one, he's no good at herding in the cows!' "Well, now. And did Spot go missing without a bark heard, as well?" That would fit with everything else. A disappearance, but if there was fighting, it wasn't where anyone could hear it. She takes what she'd been clutching to her chest, and holds it out- "Thank you, Ms. Taylor. I understand the difficulty." A smile isn't quite right for this somber mood, and hers is barely there. Edward, a young man, younger than Matilda, but perhaps only just, lies, breathing, but bloodied and injured... "Oh, thank goodness." She examines the area, then looking outward. 'Go on! Get him home!' "Let us go with some haste. Lilian, dear, would you please look ahead? Private Leilani, I trust your eyesight matches your aim?" She doesn't have much to say about hellhounds at the moment, and she waits until the locals can't see her to say what else was on her mind. "In short, to calm those upset, it is best to give them a sense of normalcy. To be 'an arcanist' is, to the people of this world, to be strange, and this does not provide them such a sense. Even in other worlds, where a hunter is known to be one using a rifle, it is not of great aid to suggest wielding bow or sword, where these are seen as weapons of the past. Worse, even, that it be a weapon that has never been used for dealing with wolves. A spear would have been a slightly better choice, but only slightly." This is ostensibly directed at everyone, though it's a safe bet that it isn't really. "What you can do with your skills is not at issue, as I am only speaking of appearances. I need not repeat Lilian's words, though she is correct, that most are best aided in their hearts by calm professionalism. Ordinary people -- the sane but powerless -- do not wish for the curse of 'interesting times.' They wish for the appearance that all is well-handled -- rote, even, to the point of being a bit dull. They wish for dangers to be known." She lets that hang for a moment before saying, "This is likely not such a case. We have mysterious deaths, injury, and missing animals. Take my words to mean this, 'one does not wish for a doctor to say, "that was weird."'" 'Tamamo, we're teleporting as soon as you're ready for emergency medical aid!' "Of course, dear. You may take me there as you please. I have seen that we have time to act."
Team Timekeeper	"Oh, please be certain to leave your radio on 'transmit,' Private Leilani." "--Oh! Yeah, that'd be better! Thanks!" "Your best bet is to use terms and verbiage they don't quite understand and breeze through the social context like it's yours and not theirs." "Oh, geez." Leilani scratches at her cheek awkwardly, Z-sound whistling a bit through her teeth. An hour ago, it was her and Matilda against the world, and she pretty much immediately forgot any semblence of her military attitude training that had been hammered into her. A proper soldier being here is pretty reassuring, but also just makes her feel like she's back in school anyways.... "I'm not so good at that! Er, appearing super confident when I'm not, to trick people-- not that it's a bad thing! My poker face's just terrrrible, ha! I'll work on it." "Not without a rifle, you can't," Apparently this is one topic that Leilani feels blisteringly confident on, though, because not only does she start aggressively asserting facts to the most hostile townsperson, it's the most firm she's spoken to them all day. "Pfuh! As if! The only advantage firearms have compared to a proper weapon is that they're easier for some untrained nobody to pick up and start firing! No-- a longbow like mine, when compared across extreme ranges, is far less affected by drag and wind direction than a rifled bullet is, so not only is it more accurate, but it also loses less of its proportional speed over time! The exit velocity of a bullet might be much higher, but when looking at practical measurements like penetrative depth and poundage, a high draw weight bow easily matches or exceeds standard issue military firearms! Naturally, the direct tactile feedback of having your fingers on the projectile itself rather than a trigger utilizes your senses more effectively when intuiting factors difficult to calculate like surface curvature or high arc gravitational influence or--" "Swords, again, and an archer?" The swords are now automatically Leilani's allies. Herself with a machete in addition to her bow, Matilda with her Trideag sword, Lilian with Night Mist, and Sarracenia with her sword-- this is a proper group, actually! "Perhaps, this is why the Foundation is so fond of face-masks..." "Oooh, maybe...." Leilani, coming down from her rant and now becoming embarrassed at having done it, commisserates with Matilda. "Always thought it was a little funny how it's you guys who cover up your faces." "Y-yeah! But, he's a good dog! Bet he's off fighting the black hound!" Leilani perks up, suddenly alert. "H-hey, that might actually be true. Dogs have super keen senses for critters even when they're hiding themselves with arcanum. What color's Spot? ... Oh, or maybe he got taken too...." "Oh boule de cristal, montrez-nous où trouver leur Edward, s'il te plaît..." Leaning over to peer at Matilda's divination in interest, Leilani sharply gasps when the image of Edward appears in the ball. For the first time seeming like a trained professional, she immediately unloads several pieces of equipment onto the ground, drawing her machete to quickly slice a navigatory array into the soft earth. The carved lines in the soil shift by degrees around her compass, dragging its needle off of north, while Leilani quickly scans around with her spyglass, zeroing in with uncanny familiarity on a slightly-distinguishable stone structure seen at a glance in the crystal ball. Snatching up her compass, now thoroughly off-north, Leilani grips the top of Sarracenia's car to catapult herself inside, sliding into the middle back seat. "Got the location! Get on the road, then bank two o'clock towards the woods!"