The Ball - Roleplay Thread

[Dark Alleycat]

Walking into the foyer as if he had not a care in the world,brushing past the uniformed guild guard as if he didnt exist, came a man dressed in a spotless white silk shirt with a black vest with intricate silver knotwork designs covering it.Black trousers and black cowboy boots with silver caps almost complete the ensemble. At the strangers hips ride a pair of well worn leather holsters,however the pistols one might expect are absent,instead replaced with a deck of cards in one,and a hip flask in the other. Over all this is a leather duster style long coat of a dusky gray hue. As he steps past people,a small rectangle of gleaming copper is seen attached to the back of the duster,but its purpose is unclear.

Walking over to the buffet table he helped himself to a plate of food with a smile and a nod to all he passed,accompanied by a rogueish wink to Hayzel and Tuesday before stopping about 6' from Black and his companion.

With a soft chuckle he beams a dazzling smile at Lily before nodding at Black,though his eyes never leave Black's. Clearly more a gesture to a Liked and respected rival then anything threatening.

Turning back to Lily "Since me ol' friend here has clearly failed to remember his manners,allow me to introduce myself lass. You can call me Al". The traces of an irish accent still linger in the man's voice,though seemingly diminished by time.

Edited July 28, 2011 by Dark Alleycat

[Iamwyrd]

Seeing the princess become busy with the newcomer, Mr. Wyrd slipped out the back to try to see what was going on outside. After searching for a few minutes he finally found the emergency exit out the back. He opened the door and peered to his left and his right to see if anybody was watching, but he could only see two of those long coated men standing at the end of the alleyway entrance. It was really dark the other way but he wanted to see the body badly. So he trecked on down the dark alley.....

Pulling out his Flint and timber, he made a small torch that only produced a small amount of light, maybe a three foot radius of light. After it was made he heard one if the guards yell, "resser after him." Pointing in his direction, they began to run down the alley, one of the guradsmen producing an oil lantern as they ran. Mr. Wyrd not knowing what was going on, fled deeper into the alley. Bad idea, just arriving here just over 5 hours ago now, he has no idea where he was going. He turned around a corner and ran into someone and was knocked clean on his bottom. When Mr. Wyrd looked up, he seen a man standing infront of him dressed in a doctors outfit. The man then spoke, "Nicodem has been waiting for you. Haha!!" The man then threw some sort of liquid onto Mr. Wyrds face which seemed to instantly make him sleepy.........Mr. Wyrd slipped into a deep sleep...........

When he awoke he was in a room. In this room was a sink, a bed, and a toilet, it seemed like a jail cell, except that it wasn't. There was a window, and a normal door. Mr. Wyrd walked over to the door and reached for the handle when it flew open and hit him square on the forehead. The last thing he heard was a dopy voice say, "aw, I sholdve' knocked furst, Mister nicodem is gona' be mad." Then Mr. Wyrd blacked out again.....

When he awoke this time, it was to a splash of cold water to his face. Abruptly awoken he looked around real fast, noticing a fat man in a suit coat, torn pants, and a bowler cap with an unlit cigar in his mouth. In front of Mr. Wyrd was the man who had the mechanical leg, the man that gave him the invitation. "You...you are the man from the states!!" Mr. Wyrd said. "I sure am my dear boy, and I told you we shall meet again. You'll have to excuse my dear Mortimer, he isn't all there and has no manners. But anyways, I know why you are here my friend, and I can help you. But first, that stone the princess gave you." Wondering to himself, how did this man know who gave him this stone, and how did he know who she was? "That sir is a soulstone, it captures the soul of the dying and fuels it source of power, which in tow fuels everybody's power here in malifaux. Yes everybody who comes through that breach gains some power, they may never unlock it, and they may never even know about it. Most people who come through the breach are convicts, who have come here to mine soulstones so they can be set free. Which doesn't really happen, most of them die in the mines, fueling soulstones which may never be found. But anyways enough gabbing, follow me back to the city so we can inspect that corpse and get you a full stone." The man grinned at Mr. Wyrd who replied, " we can't go back the guard are everywhere." "Oh.....forgive my rude comings, I haven't introduced myself, I am Nicodem, the undertaker. My job is to get the dead to the crypts. Well that's what I have them believe." He smiled again and led Mr. Wyrd to the front door, before they exited Nicodem said, " now don't fear anything you see out here. Everything out here is from myself and Dr. Douglas. They wont bite as they are mine to control." With a smile Nicodem opened the door to a vast open area, an area full of the walking dead. Mr. Wyrd almost fainted at the sight, he was flabbergasted at everything he saw. Dead canines, men who looked as though they were crushed by a cave in, samurai undead. It was beautiful, "this is what you want, isn't Mr. Wyrd?" Mr. Wyrd turned to nicodem with a tear in his eye, "this has been my life's dream." As a dead canine approached him and he patted it on its decaying head, chunks of skin falling off as he patted. "All of these listen to you?" Mr. Wyrd said, "yes, I have every single one under my control, it is a strain on the mind, but that is what these are for." He produced a soulstone from his pocket and crushed it and absorbed its essence. Mr. Wyrd watched in aw as the essence circled all around Nicodem to finally get absorbed into his eyes. "There we go, shall we tally forth back to the village?" Nicodem said, "yes sir!!" Mr. Wyrd replied.

[Tuesday]

"Oh, probably," Tuesday mumbled in response to the Neverborn lady, keeping her eyes across the room where Corduroy was poking at reflections in the punch. "The Guild do love their firearms." She only glanced over once or twice as the soulstone was exchanged, thinking it was something better done elsewhere but not about to complain.

She glanced up as they were approached by someone asking about cards. Not quite sure what he meant-- balls never being one of her common activities-- she just pulled out her invitation and hoped that was the right paperwork. "Is everything alright, sir? The party seems to be going well from over here."

[xxXhayzelXxx]

Wondering where that strange man went, Hayzel slipped into the nearest bedroom and changed into something a little more suitable for hunting. She laced up her boots, and tied back her hair, whilst detaching the skirt of the dress from the corset, revealing leggings underneath. Good job she always comes prepared, she thought to herself as she stuffed the silken skirt under the bed.

Opening the window she clicked her fingers, and she disappeared into the shadows.

Finding Mr Wyrd and the body and a mystery man she couldn't quite see, was rather easy. She flew up behind Mr Wyrd and tapped him on the shoulder. With another click of her fingers she appeared from the darkness and nodded to the secondary man who she knew to be Nicodem.

"Nicodem, its always a pleasure." She said, her voice oozing sarcasm.

"Princess" came the reply with a courteous bow.

"Are you going somewhere Mr Wyrd?" She quizzed.

[Doctor Amos]

"Oh, probably," Tuesday mumbled in response to the Neverborn lady, keeping her eyes across the room where Corduroy was poking at reflections in the punch. "The Guild do love their firearms." She only glanced over once or twice as the soulstone was exchanged, thinking it was something better done elsewhere but not about to complain.

She glanced up as they were approached by someone asking about cards. Not quite sure what he meant-- balls never being one of her common activities-- she just pulled out her invitation and hoped that was the right paperwork. "Is everything alright, sir? The party seems to be going well from over here."

Amos smiled warmly. "Your dance card, m'lady. I mean to ask you for a dance." He outstretched his hand to keep himself as far a distance from her as possable while still offering his hand, as a gentleman. With his other hand, he swept his hat back in a grand display. In the background, the player's music continued in a droll, monotonous way that had more in common with a child's music box than a grand ballroom.

[Iamwyrd]

Wondering where that strange man went, Hayzel slipped into the nearest bedroom and changed into something a little more suitable for hunting. She laced up her boots, and tied back her hair, whilst detaching the skirt of the dress from the corset, revealing leggings underneath. Good job she always comes prepared, she thought to herself as she stuffed the silken skirt under the bed.

Opening the window she clicked her fingers, and she disappeared into the shadows.

Finding Mr Wyrd and the body and a mystery man she couldn't quite see, was rather easy. She flew up behind Mr Wyrd and tapped him on the shoulder. With another click of her fingers she appeared from the darkness and nodded to the secondary man who she knew to be Nicodem.

"Nicodem, its always a pleasure." She said, her voice oozing sarcasm.

"Princess" came the reply with a courteous bow.

"Are you going somewhere Mr Wyrd?" She quizzed.

"Sorry princess, you seemed distracted by the other guest so I left. But upon leaving I was chased by guardsmen who kept screaming resser at me. After I turned a corner I ran into who Nicodem told me was Dr. Douglas. So forgive me for not waiting I was just so anxious to see the body. So I guess its time to spill the beans. My name is Iam Wyrd, I was a nurse so to speak until I was thrown out for doing expieraments on the patients. Then I worked at a morgue for awhile, but it wasn't really a lagite morgue, just a table cooked up in my basement. I would sneek out every night and dig up a fresh grave, then I would kidnap someone and transplant organs to the dead from the living to see if I could reanimate them. But the organs would just die hours later. So I heard of malifaux a place of magic, that was what I was missing, magic. So princess again I apologize for leaving without you, but this kind gentleman has shown me my dream."

Nicodem blushed, alittle and said, "princess its always a pleasure to be in your presence. But I do apologize for interrupting anything going on between you too, but I have been watching the man back in the states, he has a power deep within him that must be unlocked, its a power for death And undeath that may even surpass mine in time. It is nothing like kirai's power, but for the power of flesh and spirit, It is surreal. So please follow us back to town if you will so we can fill his stone, so I can begin his training."

Training.......what could nicodem mean by that.......training. The word kept running through his head as they stood there. Training. Could this be it, could this be what I was looking for, the power to rule undeath.

Mr. Wyrd grinned the most creepy grin you could have imagined. "We better hurry, you two have to get back to the ball so the other guests don't worry." Said Nicodem.

[Tuesday]

Tuesday blinked at the explanation, not really having expected it. "Oh.. Well, I do appreciate the offer, sir.. but I'm not much of a dancer." She nodded downward, toward her brass prosthetics. She'd understand if they'd gone unnoticed thus far-- being carefully etched and shaped so the outer casing resembled a pair of ladies' boots anyway. She kept one eye on Corduroy throughout, seeing it start to converse with another guest and its notepad.

[Deadpool]

Pushing past the guildsmen, in an almost rude fashion, walked in the next arrivals. The first was a man dressed in malifaux attire. He didn't really dress up for the event wearing black dress pants, a black vest over a red, and black skin tight shirt, with the sleeves pushed up to the elbow. His first mask, which covered his whole head except his eyes, was all red with black eye sockets seamless with his shirt. His second mask which was wore around his neck, this mask was more of a masquerade mask, made of all brass with no eye holes.

The second man who came in right behind the first, was slightly shorter wearing more drab, work attire. He wore dark grey slacks, with smudges of paint, and grease. His plain white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to hide the stains, and khaki suit vest. "Dan'o,"presumeably his name, was embroidered on his vest. His mask rested upon his head, it was unique in the fact that it was a pair of goggles with a nose piece. Connected to the back was a odd contraption that had to listening horns that cover his ears, and a small amount of noise coming from them signaled it was a music player of some kind. A guildsmen followed thru the enterance after escorting the two men to the ball, cause of the latest commotion. The first man in red burst out, "IT'S NOT A PARTY IN MALIFAUX TILL SOMEONE DIES!" The guildsmen, and a few of the others with grim humor laughed at this.

Corduroy, Tuesday's loyal manniquin, noticed a girl starting to whisper to her friends. Corduroy raced over to pick up on the coversation. The girl was a guild informant's daughter who brought her as a guest. She was well mannered, but odviously loose lipped.

"Oh, girls the first one my dad told me about him. His name is Deadpool, he is some freak from earthside. He had terminal cancer after serving for the guild as a skilled killer. He was giving a choice, either die or be experimented on, and mabee live. He ended up going crazy, and getting multiple personalities. and now the say he can like regenerate his wounds, and he is virtually un killable, do to the soul stone in his chest that is now part of his genetic makeup." A few of the girls snickered, then she continued. "The other one, is some hired help for Hoffman. He's obviously a nobody, other than that, as he is wearing his work coths here, hehe." A choir of girls join in on the giggle.

After, Corduroy went back to Tuesday, relayed the information she had gathered thus far in the night. Tuesday read and most of the information did not catch here attention, till the last bit of information came up. Tuesday glaced over at the two men as Deadpool showing off his many weapons, and bragging about his many war stories to the guildsmen, she noticed something strange. She had seen in the two men's vest they carried the same handkerchief as her. It was black with two interwoven gears in the corner. She remembered the night Ramos him gave her her handkerchief. He told her,"I personally give these to those who are die hard to the anarchist movement. And are willing to die for the cause." Tuesday then turned, and whispered to Corduroy, "tonight is looking to be very interesting."

Edited July 29, 2011 by Deadpool
I ran out of Fresca!

[elril]

The tall spectacled gentleman takes off his copper glasses, and replaces them with a leather half-mask that covers the upper portion of his face. I wander over to the punch bowl and ladle up a cup of punch. Taking a sip, I shrug and then look around. Hoping no one notices, I pull a small glass bottle out of one of my coat pockets, the contents of which seem to actually shimmer and glow. This ambiance is spread to the punch and I refresh my cocktail from the "enhanced punch".

Muttering to myself "if only I could do something about the band now..." Shaking off a regret of something I cannot change I approach the door, thanks the guildsman for his protection and then abruptly slam the door shut with him outside.

Scanning the room, I determine that the dance floor is definitely one sided. <Shrug>. I approach the young lady speaking the apothecary(?) "Hello Madam, I notice that you are currently engaged, but I wonder if your friend is willing to dance" gesturing to her mannequin. "I know some of them are quite skilled dancers indeed."

[Doctor Amos]

Amos smiled again, bowing his head. "Of course, as you wish." He swept his hat back up, and then took a sweep across the room. Others had left, including the odd woman who had swept in. The four-piece stopped abruptly, only to begin again in a halting, piercing rhono. He then turned to face the balding man. "Sir. One might do better in a dress, as the dresses seem to be taking to Stausses'. Or wait until the place is all cleared out and simply indulge the siren's call of the punchbowl."

[Tuesday]

"Corduroy, what is this? You've got to work on that penmanship.." Tuesday looked over the notepad the Mannequin handed her, quickly dismissing it but hanging on to the page for later. Right now, it looked like a puppy and a slice of cake. But who knew how a construct's mind worked. She glanced up as two people pushed past the guard, thinking they looked familiar but unable to remember from where. She ignored it for now, taking another step back for safety's sake before being quickly distracted by another man.

"Really?" She stared for a moment at the request, then glanced at Corduroy, who was scrawling something on the pad again. It turned it over-- a shoe and a heart. "That's a yes, probably. Go on then, have fun." She motioned the excited Mannequin over, leaning toward the man as it dragged him to the dance floor. "Careful."

Edited July 29, 2011 by Tuesday

[Kagelong]

Suddenly, there had been a man sitting in a chair.

He was nondescript, wearing a plain but pristine suit in a shade of grey that could only be described as boring, and his face was covered by a plain white mask.

He stood up from his seat, and made his way around the room presenting business cards to everyone willing to take one, nodding, shaking hands, and refusing offers of food or drink in as polite a fashion possible.

Mr. Kage Long, Associate of Leveticus' Captivating Salvage and Logistics.

Items of Interest Procured, Protected, or Retrieved.

[Dark Alleycat]

As he scanned the card,the man who had introduced himself as Al quietly chuckled "Looks like I am not the only one come here with the hope of prospective work eh? But maybe work has come to find me without me havin to look" As he says this he pulls out a slim black velvet half-mask shaped to look like a panther's visage,slipping it on before the man loudly calling himself Deadpool had the chance to see more then his back.

The gambler and gunman known in some circles as Alleycat then turned towards the main hall. "Friends of your's Black?"

[Absolution Black]

Black had been surprised to see KArn appear in the room, though he realised he shouldn't have. This whole evening looked like a who's who of desperados, freaks and the strangest that Malifaux had to offer. He nodded to the Neverborner as everyone else in the room stopped what they were doing for a few seconds, but in treu Malifaux fashion they returned to their own little worlds within seconds.

He was about to move towards KArn when he was suddenly grabbed by a woman he recognised as Hayzel, the Neverborn Princess. She landed a kiss on his cheek, her hands reaching to give Lydia the biggest hug he'd seen. Now this was interesting, thought Black, two high up Neverborners in a room of humans. Just who exactly has been organising this, and why?

There was a commotion about a shot and a murder but to be honest, Black couldn't care less. As long as it wasn't him or Lydia that was under threat he would let the authorities sort that out, it wasn't his job until someone paid him to do it. He noticed the man walk in and head in their direction, and he struggled to place the face at first before realising it was Al. He would know that faint Irish brogue anywhere.

He exchanged the usual perfunctory greetings and small talk, as Guild officers patrolled through the rooms.....strange how they were here so quickly, Black thought, his suspicions growing. Al diverted his attention to the two newcomers, Deadpool and a friend. Black cursed. So he wasn't the only gun for hire at the party......Just what was going on?

He scanned the room quickly, noticing that both Wyrd and Hayzel had disappeared and two others had arrived: a man that appeared to have gunpowder residue across a tear in his coat, and a strange man that just seemed to appear in a chair...he hadn't seen him at all. He whispered into Lydia's ear, and turned to Al.

"will you excuse me for just one second? I'm sure Lydia here will enjoy your company"

Without waiting to be excused, Black made his way over to KArn, who had remained by the fireplace, calmly watching the proceedings.

"so, Its been a while" He stated, "This had better not be one of your tricks, remember what happened the last time...."

[Dumb Luck]

There. With a smug grin on his face, Dumb Luck looked upon his handiwork. Clean as a whistle! He could eat his dinner off it! Being a Gremlin though, he wasn't too picky about these things. Despite the food still obviously ground up into the carpet, the creature discarded his brush and took up his serving tray again. Upon hearing Dr Amos' chat up lines, a sickly feeling grew in his gut. Dumb Luck couldn't help but let out a series of wretching noises.

Through the legs of the crowd, the Gremlin spotted a gentleman handing out business cards. What concerned him was that the guy was turning dowqn every offer of food or drink! Seeing this as a personal challenge, Dumb Luck started to follow the man poking him every now and then to sample his wears.

[Dark Alleycat]

Al nods as Black goes towards Karn,before flashing Lily another dazzling smile and reaching down to produce the deck of cards from the holster on his hip,winking roguishly at her as he begins shuffling the cards and causing them to dance and spin across his hands in a well practiced manner.

While doing this obviously brought a smile of delight to Lily,it also meant that just about anyone that looked in his direction would see the cards dancing and moving,his hands manipulating them with a almost supernatural grace...and would ignore his eyes now darting about the room,taking note of likely lines of fire,avenues of attack and escape. The Alleycat knew that Black knew him well enough to not leave a lovely lady alone in his presence for too long unless either she was completely smitten,or there was likely trouble in the very near future. And somehow he suspected in this case it would turn out to be both. Besides, you didn't get a reputation for having more then nine lives by not being prepared in advance.

Though probably no one but Lily was close enough to hear it,the copper rectangle on his back began emitting a very low hum,as of gears winding.

"So tell me Lass,where did ye meet Mr Black? I hadn't heard about him being back in town"

[Absolution Black]

Lydia flashed Alleycat a smile, knowing that she had him figured out already.

"Why sir, my name is Lydia, not Lily silly!" she faked a giggle, keen to keep up her charade of the naive guest.

"Ooh i do believe I made a rhyme!"

She watched Black out of the corner of her eye, as he approached the large figure near the fireplace. She knew all about Alleycat's reputation as a gambler, gunman and ladies man, and was prepared for anything he would throw at her.

"I've known Absolution for a few weeks now, we are going steady" She smiled, flicking her hair slightly.

She hated wearing this mask as it stopped her using her charms to the maximum, but she knew that revealing her eyes would shock the guests already here. Well, some of them. Though by the appearance of some of the attendees, they probably wouldn't even raise an eyebrow!

"So, you do card tricks?" She purred. "show me one and I'll let you buy me a drink!"

She was all the while watching the others in the room, her hand ready to reach under her dress at any time to grab the short knife strapped underneath......

[elril]

While some of the constructs employed at the star are quite skilled at dance, apparently corderoy was not, but more than made up for it with enthusiasm. Elril spins around the room for the length of two songs before excusing himself, rubbing his elbow and shoulder. Approaching Tuesday, he introduces himself "Evening madam, I believe you are from the star?", "based on your companion of course. I thought all the beautiful ladies there could dance, but did I hear that you did not?" Elril offers Tuesday a glass of the punch, as it glows gently.

While chatting with Tuesday, Elril looks casually around the rooms. Seeing several obvious gunmen Elril is glad he wore is coat, though curious why they are here. Noticing Karn near the fireplace he is even more curious. Wonder if he was the original invitee or came upon the invite... Should make things interesting. Lastly, this house was huge, I wonder what else is around here.

[Dark Alleycat]

Alleycat smiled beneath the panther mask "Well It was a guess after all. A delicate flower such as yourself was obviously too rare and special to be a rose.Combine that with your beautifully pale skin,the first thing that came to mind was a night blooming Lily"

With a chuckle,he spreads the cards across his palm. "Well there are a couple tricks with cards I can do,but for this situation...I think that an older trick might be best. Perhaps one that might give us a glimpse of what is to come. Draw a card lovely Lydia,if you would be so kind"

He leans in with a quiet whisper,barely audible,and only to Lydia "and if trouble gets startin,the pepperbox in my right coat pocket will be more useful then the stilletto your wantin to reach for"

Seeing Lydia's eyes widen slightly in surprise,Alleycat smiles and says softly "If you have spent much time in Absolution's company,you can't be a stranger to trouble. Sure'an its devilishly hard to hide a firearm in a thigh holster and walk the way you do" followed by a wink.

Edited July 29, 2011 by Dark Alleycat

[xxXhayzelXxx]

Climbing up the drainpipe again, allowing herself back into the room where she hid her skirt, she quickly found her clothing and reassembled her dress. Tightening the corset, loosening her hair and reapplying her make-up even though she didn't need too, (but that was what human women did) she made sure her mask was fixed properly and made her way downstairs.

She could hear things were in full swing, yet alarm bells were ringing. She knew something wasn't quite right. She sniffed a little and instantly smelt the vile stench of the Guild. Retching slightly, and trying to tame her temper, she gracefully glided down the stairs. Sure enough there were some of the Guard being shut outside.

How dare someone invite those disgusting Guild! This seemed atrocious to her. She looked around anxiously for Abs, he knew what kind of danger could happen if the Guild tried to capture her like before. Shuddering to herself as the excitement of a fight rippled through her body, she breathed in a deep breath, and exhaled long and slowly.

She went over to DumbLuck and asked for a drink, then drank it all in one gulp. She saw Lydia, grabbed another drink from the Gremlin and made her way toward her and the odd man who was immersed in his tricks.

"Oh Lydia! What a wonderful dress! Would you care for a drink sir?" She said handing him the glass.

"Lydia, I really need to powder my nose, would you join me for a gossip?" she giggled, whilst her eyes pleaded with Lydia.

[karn987]

The large man smiled as he saw the princess, frowning as she scolded him about the lack of a mask. Trying to get a word in, he soon found himself with a mask in his hand and a kiss on his cheek. Frowning he flipped it over, it was a plain white mask with only one eye. Some thing black lines spiraled off from the outter edge of the eye and up to the ear of it.

Hearing the scream from outside his ears twitch slighty at it, his expression almost seeming to savor the fear in the tone. Excusing himself from the Princess he begins to make his way out of the room, dodging people effortlessly as he goes until he nearly runs down the dour figure of Black.

Black: "so, Its been a while" He stated, "This had better not be one of your tricks, remember what happened the last time...."

"It's been far to short of a while Black... and thats not my problem, I told you to stay off my streets."

He glares at the smaller human and bares the tips of his fangs, his hair seeming to raise up slightly.

"What trick? I told you before, I didn't lite the powder kegs. They were already alight when I got there and what did you expect me to do?"

He snorts quietly.

"And I was invited.......... or so I assume. A messenger had an invitation for me."

He holds up an evelope, a few dots of crimson marking one corner of it. Tucking it back inside his coat he looks back down at Black from one of his eyes.

"So what was the scream'n all about? You taking out your frustrations on innocents again? Or maybe just lost another hand of cards?"

He smirks, a long tail uncoiling from under his jacket and now sweaping along the ground behind him. A wicked looking barb on the end gleams in the fires light, reflecting almost as if it was metal yet it is clearly bone.

[xxXhayzelXxx]

Taking Lydia's hand as they excuse themselves from Al, they make their way to the bathroom. On their way they pass Karn. "wait here" Hayzel says under her breath.

They make it into the bathroom where Lydia demands to know whats going on.

"They took my cat" Hayzel growled, gaining an eyebrow raised look from Lydia.

"They took your... cat? Can't you just get another one?!" exclaimed Lydia.

"No, you don't understand. Without Zebadee I am very vulnerable. And the fact that Zebadee's collar is made out of pure soulstone silk, pink silk may i add, and that she is my baby, makes me very very mad." Hayzel babbled on.

"Okay! start at the beginning." Sighed Lydia.

"Well short version. Guild dont like the fact that i have such a control over the Neverborns. And the fact that I do tend to go mad when i see red, and end up killing a few in the mean time, hasn't really helped. So there is a warrant on my head." Hayzel said happily.

"The host ensured that I would not be attacked here, unfortunately, but it seems that someone has other plans. I have seen the guards here, at the front door! What am I to do? Risk myself getting captured to try and rescue the only thing that can protect me? Or do I risk my babys life for a party?" I don't want bloodshed... okay i lie, ofcourse i want blood shed, but not of my friends! Plus Karn is here and we know what he is like when a fight occurs..."

[Absolution Black]

Seeing the tail slip out from under the clothing, Black gave a small smile and grasped the other man's hand in a shaking motion, exclaiming out loud.

"Its been so long My old friend, come you must tell me all about that trip to India"....

Then leaning in close he whispered,

"Lets not start anything here KArn, We both know we are worth more to each other alive. besides, I don't like the amount of Guild swarming in here..."

He flicked his head in the general direction of the officers patrolling the room...

"And I still haven't forgotten that....incident. Someone almost killed me and I lost a good friend that night. If I find out it was you, We may not meet in such.....friendly....circumstances next time"

He watched as the flicker of understanding crossed the other's face, and the Neverborn nodded, signalling they should continue to talk elsewhere.

Black let go of KArn's hand and smiled, once more talking in the louder voice.

"Of course, We must talk on this further. Maybe you would care to walk?"

He swept his arm in front of him and gestured the other to proceed. As the Neverborn walked past, he once more whispered into the pointed ear,

"And you know not to call those streets yours, they are hers, and hers alone. If she finds out about your....insubordination, she won't be best pleased... Just saying".

he watched the anger simmer on the other's face as he passed, before waving to Lydia who was speaking to Hayzel, and they were walking towards them......

[karn987]

Seeing the tail slip out from under the clothing, Black gave a small smile and grasped the other man's hand in a shaking motion, exclaiming out loud.

"Its been so long My old friend, come you must tell me all about that trip to India"....

Then leaning in close he whispered,

"Lets not start anything here KArn, We both know we are worth more to each other alive. besides, I don't like the amount of Guild swarming in here..."

He flicked his head in the general direction of the officers patrolling the room...

"And I still haven't forgotten that....incident. Someone almost killed me and I lost a good friend that night. If I find out it was you, We may not meet in such.....friendly....circumstances next time"

He watched as the flicker of understanding crossed the other's face, and the Neverborn nodded, signalling they should continue to talk elsewhere.

Black let go of KArn's hand and smiled, once more talking in the louder voice.

"Of course, We must talk on this further. Maybe you would care to walk?"

He swept his arm in front of him and gestured the other to proceed. As the Neverborn walked past, he once more whispered into the pointed ear,

"And you know not to call those streets yours, they are hers, and hers alone. If she finds out about your....insubordination, she won't be best pleased... Just saying".

he watched the anger simmer on the other's face as he passed, before waving to Lydia who was speaking to Hayzel, and they were walking towards them......

Karn's tail lashes dangerously at the mention of "she", his posture stiffening. Slowly the tail withdraws back up into his coat, wrapping around his waist again.

His voice drops to a dangerous hush.

"They are my streets Black...she can come and fight me for them if she wants..... what do you even care? Your human, don't get involved with the politics of Monsters."

Growling quietly he whirls away from Black and marchs towards the door, nearly barely through a few people. He barrels his way out into the street, grabing his long collar and pulling it up closer to his head to hide his ears. He looks back impatiently for Black. Spieing the man calmly making his way he turns to look down the street, tilting his head back to sniff the air.

[Absolution Black]

Black followed the other man through the door into the streets outside, pausing long enough to inform Lydia of his whereabouts. He remembered Hayzel telling KArn to wait inside, and winced at how angry she was going to be.

With a relaxed gait, Black sauntered across the cobbles to stand next to KArn, feeling the coolness in the night air. He watched as the other sniffed the air, as if searching or identifying something. He left him doing this for as long as it seemed necessary, before he spoke.

"We won't be able to stay out here for long, theres too many Guild around. And that gets me agitated".

He subconsciously felt for the revolvers he had hidden under his suit jacket. It had been a trauma getting them in past the bouncers outside, but a quick flash of a smile from Lydia and the distraction was complete, and they were inside, and fully prepared.

He pulled out the invite and re-read it. It was printed in gold on a cream background and very to the point. He couldn't discern who or what the host would be from the message, and this house was in the more salubrious area of Malifaux, an area he had rarely entered.

He replaced the invite back into his pocket just as a guard turned the corner. Spotting Black in the streetlight he shouted over that he wasn't supposed to be outside, they were under orders to keep everyone inside. Black grinned...Trust KArn, he had a habit of not being seen when he wished it!

He sideways glanced at KArn, who simply stood there watching the guard getting closer. Black whispered as stealthily as possible out of the corner of his mouth,

"Seems like I'm got. I'll leave it to you to do some.....investigating. Much as it pains me to say it, I think we will be working together on this one. Come find me inside once you know something. I'll try and keep as many safe as possible....."

With that Black waved to the guard, and began the slow trudge back to the house...