Meanwhile in a small section of New Wickborough, in a cozy little potion shop, Gossick was busy cleaning the place. The place was out of the way and he had to pay bills, but it at least helped him get by. After all, with the magic craze going on in the country, many people were now interested in potions, even those incapable of magic bought them.

Carefully, he arranged all the different colored bottles on the shelves, arranging them by color; if you wanted customers, making the place look visually appealing was as important as cleanliness.

Soon, after a few finishing touches, his shop was open yet again.

@Patches
@MercuryNH
@Ember Storm

Daud, seeing how things are growing a bit tense, clenches his fist around the shaft of his halberd, eager to use it on these sybarites. First it was Mercury being stopped by a guard, now Gustrag himself was approaching the group. Sighing, he began to see where things may take a turn, and wanted to make sure if it did turn to violence, that he'd have all the help he could get.

Turning to Gregor, he mumbled to him. "Handle Gustrag for a moment, I'm bailing the girl out."

With that, he left Gregor to himself, and approached the guard and Merc, his halberd going 'clunk!' with each other step. As he reached them, he stepped between the two, forcefully becoming a massive steel wall separating the two. Looking down at the guard, he stepped forward, forcing him to back off. Wordlessly, he just stared down at him, peering sternly through his visor, waiting for the guard to leave the girl alone. That is until he barked a single order out.

"Leave."

@Patches
Kordan was very quick to join her. The man was on his front, and a swift kick would send him tumbling to his back, only to look up at the flaming eyes of the pyromancer above him. The bilgemuck around him was nasty and sour, and almost boiling from Kordan's magic as the mage put his foot on his chest. Extending his hand imperiously, flames would roar from his blazing hand to form a searing, hissing stream of plasma that ended a few inches from his neck.
Go ahead, Yoshimi. Ask him all the questions you want. He starts feeling like he doesn't want to talk, and I'll start setting sensitive bits on fire."
Again with the controlling those constructs... It was almost like light and mist had a baby with Kordan's mean, mean imagination.

Again with this.

The front of the store shook as Mikey tripped and slammed his shoulder against the window, struggling to lug around a collection of papers rolled into long tubes as he barely maintained his balance. He reached back with his left hand, propping the tubes up while he felt for the door's handle. It took a few seconds, but as soon as he pushed down on the handle, the door swung open, and Mikey fell backwards onto his back. Swoosh. His paper rolls were flung across the floor, unravelling in midair to reveal a set of intricate drawings when they settled. Mikey lifted his body forward and stood up slowly, groaning in pain.

"Ah, damn it, sorry!" He stammered, "This again- I wasn't planning on, Oof- Making such a rough entrance." The man stood tall and patted his pants flat. The sound of clattering metal and plastic rang out as he brushed his hands across his cargo pants. Just how much crap was this guy carrying around? "Hope I didn't break, anything, uh..." Mikey rushed over to his blueprints and scrambled them up in a rush, re-adjusting the tape that held them in shape. "Anything of... Importance." He scanned the length of the doorway, examining each of the hinges carefully before turning back to Gossick with an unsure smile.

Jenso had been enjoying his day, walking around the many stores within New Wickborough. It wasn't uncommon for thieves or troublemakers to roam this neighborhood. He didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary as he wandered around. "Man, this is boring.." He muttered to himself. Nothing exciting had happened all day, and it bothered him. Of course, he didn't want any trouble to break out, but he certainly loved action. He heard loud noises coming from Gossick's potion shop, which grabbed his attention. He turned to Mikey who just fell, and bolted over. He got a wide grin on his face as he approached. Finally something was happening! He peered into the building through the door opening. "Hey, what's going on here?!" He shrieked cheerfuly.

Mikey spun around and clutched his blueprints tightly. "Nothing! Nothing at all! I'm fairly certain that I didn't break anything," Mikey mumbled, turning back to Gossick. "Right! I'm here for reasons!" He announced adamantly, "How bold is your stock, mister... Um.." Mikey stopped and lowered his eyelids. He hadn't even thought to introduce himself or ask for the shopkeep's name! And now there was some other stranger in the shop. Just another pair of eyes he had to keep away from his precious research, wasn't it?

@Afro Samurai
"Well, guess I ain't got anythin' better to do." Lucy stands up and walks out the door, expecting Mazone to follow.

As they walk down the street, Lucy turns to Mazone. "I've always been interested in other cultures. You in the mood ta talk 'bout your home country? I'm sure you've got some interestin' stories."

@Patches
@Ember Storm
As the two guards stormed in, the one that tired to lay suppressing fire into Johnny would find doing so while simultaneously dodging swings from Johnny's Wakazashi to be quite difficult. Especially considering that he was using a rifle. Maybe he'd be better off parrying with that thing?

Johnny managed to grunt a "It ain't nothin' personal" to the guard as he kept his rapid swings up.

@tex
@Jensoman
As the papers flew around the room, several of the bottles that Gossick had managed to so carefully arrange began to fall off their shelves. With a sharp gasp Gossick made a beeline for them before they hit the ground. Then, in a swift motion, he caught them, one three between the fingers of his right hand, two in his left, and one balanced between his shoulder and neck.

Well wasn't this a interesting sight. He didn't get customers like this everyday, ones so wild. Putting the bottles on a nearby table displaying his wares, putting the one on his shoulder down last to prevent it from falling and breaking, he finally answered, speaking in an almost bored sounding monotone, strangely unphased despite his jolt of action earlier. I haven't the slightest idea what's going on here. But if you're here to buy something, I am having a sale on bloodroot.

Bloodroot was popular among healers. It could work as a blood thinner and a coagulant depending on how it was treated and applied. Despite the name, it is more of a tuber than a root.

@Patches
@Nashie
Astrid pulled her thumb off the bowstring, loosening her grip on the nock of the razor arrow and letting it fly towards their assailants. If they had enough time to register the arrow in flight, they might notice how the head began to sharpen itself as it flew, the Liquid Rune activating as it was launched through the air. Without waiting to see if it hit, Astrid threw her cloak of Mist at her opponents, intending to blind them as she somersaulted to the left.

@Patches

@tex

Jenso stared at Mikey and Gossick and blinked. He relaxed and seemed dissapointed. He had hoped to run into someone who was trying to rob the store, but perhaps he just had too much imagination. He shrugged casually. "Well, looks like everything is alright here..." Jenso muttered, overlooking the many potions. He'd heard that these were popular nowadays, but didn't know much about them himself. "What other kinds of potions do you have?" He asked Gossick.

Mikey stepped away from Jenso and closer to Gossick's selection. "Blood root? Not interested. I was more curious as to whether or not you have anything a little less, uh... Pedestrian." Mikey said quietly, trying to muffled his voice from Jenso's ears. He wasn't quite sure how Gossick would react, either, but the random straggler seemed a little less than trustworthy. That is to say, he seemed a little too trustworthy.

@Ember Storm
By the Twin Gods... Gregor said, just now noticing the obese villain and guard making his way over to them. He knew the man didn't like him, so this couldn't end well.
@MercuryNH
@hefewy
Now Daud had made a move to confront the guard confronting Mercury. Things were not going so smoothly.
Thinking on his feet, Gregor looked to Duff. He had less than a minute to explain his plan, so he acted quietly and quickly.

I'll handle this. Act casual, act like a bodyguard. If everything fails, I'm going to flashbang them. I'll give you the signal he said, making a quick blink of light in his hands with magic. Gustrag was getting closer by the moment. That's the signal... From then, flag down Merc. We make a run for the gardens. From there-

From there you what, Mr. Gregor? a Gustrag said, now within speaking distance between the two, causing Gregor to snap his head towards him and the angry looking guard. Party guests began to look at Duff and Gregor, many going silent. Gregor was silent as well, as Gustrag began to speak again. No, go on. From there you what? I'd like to hear it.

From there... We go to the gardens for a smoke and drink. It's a good view. Gregor said, his classy attitude from before starting to crumble.

@MercuryNH
@hefewy
Those who weren't staring at the tension between Gregor, Duff, and Gustrag, were now staring at the tension between the guard, Daud, and Mercury. A few people within the crowd began mumbling to one another.
Weren't those two accompanying that Gregor guy?
Who are they? I've never seen them? Are they on the invitations list?
An Old Path Member? Aren't they criminals now?
I'm gonna be outside til this blows over.

The large beastkin guard scowled at Daud, not happy with being handled like this. Shooting a cocky smirk at Mercury, he looked back to Daud. "Who do you think you are?" With a quick swipe of his hand, he batted at Daud's helmet. Not a powerful or strong swing, it would likely make Daud's helmet go crooked. More insult than injury.

---

On the other end of things, in the chaos in the underground labs, things were still chaotic.

@Blizzardofoz123
"I'm not a fan of torture but..." Yoshimi mumbled, before pounding her fist on the ground for emphasis, before questioning the man. "Who's in the holding cells? WHere are they?!"

The interrogation subject however, scowled, hissing in pain, "You think... He'll let me live if I tell you? I'm dead either way. The guard began to activate a rune in his belt, with the minimal use of his hands that he had.

Yoshimi's initial thoughts were of confusion as to what he was doing. Then, as she heard a quiet, subtle clicking noise, she gasped Kordan! Get off of him. It's a bomb!

@Nashie@Ember Storm
Johnny's swings and display of bladework, managed to stop the guard from firing at him, even leaving a few deep wounds. Falling down, the wounded guard was dispatched.

Meanwhile, the guard that Astrid hit with her arrow managed to survive the hit, but was pained enough to stop his advanced. Looking around, he drew his side arm, looking for the archer.

@tex
Pedestrian? Are you looking for something combat oriented? Gossick said outload, not quite picking up on Mikey trying to be subtle with his words. If combat is what you're looking for, I'm wondering what you're using it for.
After all, he couldn't just sell to a shady looking person planning doing some unkind things in the streets of New Wickborough. While Gossick wasn't exactly a legal tender of weapons, out here in the poorer districts, it didn't quite matter.

@Jensoman
Now turning his attention to the other man, Gossick motioned over to a rack of potions, each with their own price tags, some of them on sale. In his monotone, he explained "Medical, rapid healing, magic enhancement, rune batteries, combat oriented potions. Take your pick."

@Patches
Duff kept his cool, as any bodyguard worth his salt would. Even so, he stood with one side facing away from the walking ball of lard, his left hand on the grip of the Type IX slung low on his left thigh; a revolver would be a much more manageable firearm than the rifle slung over his shoulder. He knew he was a better shot than that guard was. Without magic, he had honed his skills to near perfection, something many casters used magic to help with. If he got the first shot off...

No. Now wasn't the time. Gregor could think fast and think hard, and his flashbang might just have much less of an effect on Duff anyways thanks to that resistance he had built up. If the flashbang went off, that was Duff's time to draw and fire. Sure, they weren't Voidtips, but they were still solid lead in .455 calibre. Weren't many humans at all who could withstand a bullet of that size wreaking havoc on their vital organs. Do what needs to be done, Gregor, he thought, aiming the mental command at Gregor as if the man could hear it. I've got yer back, mate.

@Patches

---

Mikey rose his left and and waved it dismissively. "No! I'm not looking for anything combat oriented, ehm.." He turned to Jenso and held his breath for a moment. The man seemed uninterested in the mundane arts of magic, which is exactly how he'd describe his research. "Rune Batteries, preserved Amalgam flesh, Liquid Runes, anything obtuse that you might have in stock," Mikey droned on, listing off anything he could think of off the top of his head. "And machinery, parts in particular, though I doubt you'd have anything like that. The UM would likely be more keen on... Stuff, ah," Mikey paused and looked over Gossick's shelves as he waited for a response. He'd never worked with potion crafting before. Alchemy seemed irrelevant to his research, a stepping down into his neighbour's basement. There were some things that people shouldn't be messing with, after all, lest they lose a finger, or eight.

@tex @Patches

Jenso turned to Mikey as he seemed to get more interested in their conversation. It seemed like Mikey intended to build something, and he was curious to find out what it was. It seemed that Mikey was quite secretive about the matter, though. Was he doing something illegal? "So...what'cha gonna build?" Jenso asked Mikey. He didn't bother being subtle. If Mikey was up to no good, perhaps he would be able to tell by his response. If he wasn't, at least he might have something to do.

"I come from nobility. If you call that 'culture', it'd be a shame. All the "noble" people do in my country is quarrel about who deserves what and whose birthright supersedes another. It's all arbitrary if you ask me." His voice sung with a proper hum that denoted his noble upbringing. Each vowel crisply pronounced, each syllable hit with just the right emphasis.

"So, I left it all and became a wanderer. Life has otherwise been mundane. Although there was this one time I won a man's hand in a bet."

@Yomojo

@Afro Samurai
"Won his hand? In marriage? Huh, didn't know ya swung that way." Lucy joked, elbowing the man gently in the ribs.

"Haha, no, but seriously, tell me 'bout this noble upbringin' you had. I was raised by a couple'a fisherman, so I've never had experience with stuff like that. Read 'bout it once in a while, but first person accounts I find more interestin'." Lucy continued the conversation, casually glancing around at the people and places they were passing by. Not keeping an eye out for anything in specific, but keeping an eye out none the less. She was aware that the company she was keeping would probably turn heads, and she wanted to make sure none of those heads decided to do anything dumb.

Mazone oozed comfort. Sure, he was in a foreign land--and he heard all the stories about how foreign folks are proverbially 'eaten alive' by townsfolk, but he wasn't too worried. He figured he could handle three or four rabble-rousers without a problem. At least he hoped he could. No medical insurance meant a whole lot of doctor's bills and probably some borrowing of money from some unsavory folks that he wouldn't be able to pay back in time. These kinds of things often lead to broken fingers, and how could he use his beloved swords if he had no thumbs?

"Well. There are rules: bow in the presence of a lord or lady; "Yes, m'lord", "No, m'lord." Military children like myself never dreamt of making friends with the king or queen's son. Sure, we were invited to the balls and treated like nobility, but that was only because our fathers had likely done a few favors for the kings--or even some upstart noble who thought she had claim to a royal seat--either way, we were a different kind of nobility. We weren't considered noble because of our birthright or our heritage, but because of our service. Once our usefulness to a certain king or queen was up, we were gone too. Most of 'noble' life is standing around at fancy balls talking pleasantries with someone who is likely to betray you once an opportunity comes. It makes one weary over time. My father grew old and shriveled before he was 50--his vigor, his youth, all stripped from him. I didn't want to live like that, so I left."

@Yomojo