@Patches
@Nashie
"What an abhorrent... paskiainen!" Astrid swore, reading over the cover of the documents. Her hands shaking out of anger, she reached out for the booklet in Johnny's hands. Someone had to see these. Someone big. Someone high up in one of the many other Caster groups in the world. Perhaps she would have to go back to the Old Keep with this. "Cowboy," she said softly, lividly, "Ssall we spread blood tonight? Punissment for enacting a fate worse dhan deadh on dhese unwilling people?" Her zeal from her time in the Old Path was returning tonight for this fight. "I am dhe swiftest of ssadows, dhe hidden blades, dhe spiller of dhe blood of my enemies. Where ssall my blades be pointed?" She hissed it out in an almost silent scream.

@Patches @tex
"Hey, what if some animal casters got together an' formed their own group? You must know at least a few, Nino. It'd be the most adorable faction in New Wickborough. You should think 'bout it." Lucy said, also leaning back a bit into a more relaxed position. She took a scan of the place, taking inventory of the people there. She caught one or two looking at Nino, their body language indicating they were thinking of approaching, but Lucy caught their eye, a glare dissuading them from being so bold.

"Whada you think, Quinn? Wouldn't that be a great idea?" she offered to the boy. "Buncha furry little casters prancin' 'round town, dispensin' justice?" Lucy chuckles at the thought.

@Ember Storm
Haven't thought that far ahead, friend, but I have been through worse situations and gave out relatively unscatched. Like that time in Yiskin... Or that time in the Gishka Empire... Or that time in South Kokotha... If I recall the map correctly, the gardens should lead to the backroom. Just hope the VIPs don't have their guard up.

The gardens were a simple balcony, overlooking the lake below, several hanging plants, potted plants, and grassy turf, recently watered.

@hefewy
Might have something hidden about it. Some function like a key. Gregor said, taking cover behind a large vase, stopping just for a moment. As the party descended into chaos, not everyone was shooting at them, but it was still important to keep their heads down. Settle down here, some people are coming. Gregor said as he drew his shotgun, a simple blunderbuss, now equipped with light runes making it just as good as more advanced weapons.

The card Mercury had stolen was a simple badge, about the size of a ID card, and about as thick as a coin. On it, was the symbol of a skull wearing a crown, a simple of two interlocking diamonds on its forehead; the symbol of the Children.

@hefewy
Not one for finesse I see? That's fine. But at least your having fun. Gregor said. I like that. Noble knight lookin' out for us unarmored folk!

Coming down the way was a group of the Children's guards, coming to end the chaos in the party. Find Gregor! Kill the other three!
Who let him in? The situation is compromised. We can't let them get to the elites.

Get ready. Gotta squad headed our way.

---

@Blizzardofoz123 @Ember Storm @Nashie
Guess I need to lighten up. Yes, the Children are evil, but that is just what I'm afraid of. They're not gonna show us mercy, so one little slip up is all it'll take for us to go through hell. Adjusting her gloves a bit, she followed after him to where Johnny and Astrid were.

Yoshimi took a normal path to the two, taking the path Johnny and Astrid had taken. What's that you have? She said pointing to the file. Smells like a filthy hospital in here... Let's try to look for those runes soon?

@Patches

Duff looked around, quickly spotting a small ridge that overlooked the path they were on. "I'll be up there," he said. "Let's give these fucks a good beatin', eh? Teach 'em t'never mess with an Aborranian." Scrambling up the small crest, he spun around, dropped to a knee, and dug a pair of stripper clips out of that pocket. The one with his special ammunition. Ten rounds of Voidtipped ammunition went into the Cavalry Special's integral magazine and the bolt was slid shut. "I've got yer cover fire from up here. Don't get yerselves killed." He was grinning. Time to dance.

Mazone stunted his singing and capped it all off with a dazzling flourish of his mauve trenchcoat and a small dance number on the tables. He was sure to get some odd reactions--but it was all intentional. Those who didn't respond, who didn't give him side-eye, were the ones he had to worry about the most. Those were the ones who knew how to handle outspoken and unruly foriegners, they were the ones who knew the ins and outs of any torture dungeon and had contacts of any shady bandit clan looking for a quick buck. Those who did react--who did give him side-eye--were normal patrons like himself. Those were the ones he didn't have to worry about. His ease returned to him after he got down off the table, he (thought) he figured out who the troublemakers were and so now he could rest easy; they couldn't hide from him anymore.

He went to get himself a drink.

[color=mauve]"So, Quinn is paying? Bonjour. I'll have the strongest thing you've got on tap."[/color] His proper and elegant tone had died and given way to a relaxed swagger.

@Yomojo @tex @Patches

@Ember Storm
Normally, Johnny would be pretty creeped out by the way Astrid was talking about spilling blood, but for these sons of bitches, Johnny could make an exception.

@Patches
"Oh, it ain't much" Johnny began, the sarcasm in his tone thick enough to cut with a bread knife. "Juss' evidence that Gustrag's tryin'a make artificial fucking amalgams."

That would be the first time anyone present had ever heard Johnny drop an F bomb. Let alone growl one through clenched teeth.

@Patches
@Blizzardofoz123
@Nashie

Astrid turned to the newcomers and nodded her affirmation of Johnny's explanation. "We find dhe rune... and also dhis forced Amalgamate. We kill all in our padh. Dhe Amalgamate... if it wants to help, it can. Odherwise, we should end its misery..." She turned to Kordan. "Rocketman?" she ventured, "Be as loud as you need to now. Dhey know we are here. Dhe time for stealth is over." She raised a wickedly curved blade clenched in her left fist. "Let dhem burn." she finished through gritted teeth.

@Patches

With the magic flying, Mercury takes Gregor's cue and ducks into cover as well. She takes shelter behind a large potted plant, doing her best to stay curled up and out of the line of fire until their pursuers are within striking distance. The air bolts she can throw are strong, but not nearly as strong as her punches.

"Well, can't say I've been in this much trouble before..."

There were rarely times where she'd properly put her life on the line for anything, but given what she'd learned about the Children, this was a risk worth taking. Electricity begins to arc between her fingers as her enemies draw nearer.

@Yomojo@Afro Samurai@patches

---

The prospect of being a mascot for anyone or any group of ones, attacked his stomach from every angle. He wretched audibly as Quinn suggested it and shook his head. Lucille's idea had a strangely appealing ring to it though. Nino's ears torqued. He was attentive for all 3 seconds that he considered her idea, before dismissing it with a low pitched meow. "Other animal casters? Blehg, I've come across no such thing, myself. Even in the presence of other mammals my size, I have no interest in dispensing any sort of justice, Lucille," Nino grunted, standing up and padding his way to the opposite side of the table. "My life could certainly use a little more... Panache. Whether it be Justice, terror, or the thrill of adventure..." Nino thought it over again, wiggling his eyes from left to right like he was chasing an invisible string across the breath of their table. "Mmmmmrrmmm..."

@tex @Afro Samurai @Patches
"After today, don't think Quinny boy's gonna pay for your drinks. And don't even ask if I will. But after ya get your drink, come join us at the table." she pats the table the group is sitting at, calling over to Mazone.

"Well, you're always complainin' about how people treat ya..." Lucy continued, turning her attention back to Nino "You could make more of a coalition, get some other animages and start raisin' awareness of ya. Learn how to treat 'em and what to do with 'em if your pet gets a brand." Lucy became more thoughtful as she continued speaking. "Y'know, the more I think of it, the better the idea seems. Should give it some thought, Nino." she says to the pacing kitty as a waiter comes up to their table, setting each person (or cat)'s drink down in front of them. Lucy takes her colorful, multi-layered glass and leans back, taking a drink.

@Afro Samurai
Wait what? I ain't payin'. I ain't got any money. Well... Actually he did. But he couldn't let this new guy know that and mooch off of him further. I say whoever suggests others pay for drinks has to pay for drinks. He said, argumentative as ever.

@tex
@Yomojo
HEy, if you don't like being a mascot or searching for others of your kind, so be it, I don't see you suggesting other ideas, kitty cat. Scoffing, he added But my buddy here is right. Just because you haven't seen any, doesn't mean they aren't out there. I think those dogs at the Special FOrces have a guard dog with a brand.

@Ember Storm@Ember Storm@Nashie@Patches
The newest revelations about Gustrag's true intentions were... well, to Kordan's sick and twisted mind, welcome. The Children had just gone from villains, to super villains. The lack of value for human life they showed, the sheer levels of depravity they had to sink to... It sent a wide, telling smile over his face, as he thought about what he got to do next.

"Little lady, I think you and me are gonna get along just fine... You just gave me the magic words."

Looking to the cowboy and Yoshimi in turn, he smiled, before his armored arm burst into blue, ghostly flames, his hair beginning to spike up and flow in the heat and electricity. For the first time that night, Kordan let his emotions flow, the magic pouring out of him pure and hot as he let it burst out of his eyes, the blue irises alighting in supernatural blaze.
"You all might want to find the rune. I can cover the part where this place burns to the ground... I'll be behind you all, just move fast. You don't want me to catch up!"

@Patches

Daud, still experiencing his adrenaline rush, let out another hearty guffaw. "Let them come! I'll leave none standing!"

Gripping his halberd tightly, he steps forward to greet the guards approaching, excited to let himself loose on them. He could practically feel his magic struggling to get out, the anticipation of battle giving him a battle-high.

@Ember Storm
I'll just be down here, getting shot at. Gregor shouted, taking pot shots at a few mooks, a slight grin on his face over the prospect of taking down a few of these goons. Sure, he may have been a criminal himself, working in the underground, cheating big businesses out of their money. But at least he wasn't one of the Children! Try not to harm valuables, I want some of them!

Gregor did wonder how Duff was going to handle these people. Without magic, he'd expect him to be outmatched. More than often though, there was more than meets the eye.

@MercuryNH
The bolts successfully hit their targets, the combination of storm and light magic from range successfully taking out the guards. Nice work, keep it up. He said, taking cover to regain his senses, as Mercury continued her assault. Can't say that this is a common occurrence. Gregor said, getting out of cover. But it ain't uncommon.

@hefewy
The path was mostly cleared, a few more guards coming down the way, easy work for the long range of Duff.

This one was really energetic. Almost too much so... Gregor wondered if he would've been bettered on the sewer team, but it didn't quite matter anymore.Daud, you lead the way. I'll tell you where to go. Gregor said, motioning forward, pistol in his hand, Straight forward, the second door on the right should be it. Duff will keep us covered I hope.

---

@Nashie
@Ember Storm
Making Amalgamates? she said, furrowing her brow. The whole anti-noncaster attitude the Children had was one thing, but to want to make Amalgamates was another. We can't just stand around and let this go underway. She said, recalling what the guards said from earlier... Astrid seemed to have the same idea too. The thing in the holding cells, think that might be one of them?

@Blizzardofoz123
Try not to burn any of the papers here. She said to Kordan, with a smirk, she claimed The more information about this place that gets out, the better. Feel free to burn any of the Children though.

As she looked around the room, she inspected a map on the wall, detailing the floor plans of the basement. If we're here, then the holding cells should be directly north... It's awfully quiet. SO look out. Punching her left palm with her right fist, making a loud clanking sound, Yoshimi seemed to be reinvigorated from before. Come on. She said, opening the door to the hall, leading to the holding cells.

@Patches
Duff looked through down the iron sights of his prized rifle, regulating his breathing. Shot at was still better than shot, he figured, and began his work. With the rounds he had loaded, no magical armour would stand a chance, and it would take heavier gear than even the Old Path wore to stop his bullets normally. They were hot.

Duff spied a member of the Children trying to sneak her way through the ferns to the left of the main skirmish. He exhaled, and with it came the retort of his rifle. His aim good, he didn't even wait to watch her fall. The Voidtip would pierce any magical defenses she employed and drain her of further abilities, even if it wasn't fatal. She'd be out of the fight either way.

Duff would work to keep his teammates out of danger, stopping only to reload and move a bit to keep his cover-fire relevant. This had always been his best work: keeping his friends safe and his enemies dead, and he did it well.

@Patches
@Ember Storm
@Blizzardofoz123
"Now, ah ain't no fan of killin' people..."

Johnny began, tucking away a few of the most pertinent documents and drawing his six shooter.

"But if it'll stop this crazy bastard from torturin' more people, ah reckon I can forgive a few notches on mah pistol."

Johnny took one more look over the operating area, looking for anything that might be useful or contain useful information. After he'd grabbed anything of that nature, or determined that there were no such items, the often easygoing cowboy would turn around for the door, a look of grim determination in his eyes.

@Patches
@Nashie
Astrid had her hands full of swords. "I believe so, Yoshimi," she said softly, creeping down the hall. "It might have enough sense of self left dhat it wants to help. Dhis would be good." She peeked through the door, making sure there was no one else down the hall before skirting through. It was empty, as far as she could tell. Still, her senses prickled. On alert, she whispered back to the other three. "I will not stop you if you want to take point. I have a bad feeling about dhis place..."

If one of them did take point, her bow was a plenty decent weapon, and she was good with it. Otherwise, she would continue slowly down the hall, eyes and ears trained and alert for the slightest sign of an enemy... still didn't help if any had camouflage.

@Ember Storm@Nashie@Patches
Once Johnny had grabbed every note and document that seemed damning, Kordan waited for the rest of them to file into the hallway. Once everyone was safely out of the room, he'd shut the door behind them, and turn to the lovely room, so full of flammable furniture and sewer gas. Cracking his fingers, he just smiled, before he lit the place up like a bonfire. A living nova of fire surged out, little gremlins of spark and ash turning the place into a roiling inferno around him, the place curling and blackening, warping under the incredible supernatural heat. The flame seemed to revere him.. respect him. It left him alone. Satisfied with his work, he'd reach to the red hot doorknob and open the door, shutting and freezing it behind him so that the fire he'd started would take time to spread... they probably hd ten or so minutes before it burned through his icy barrier.

"I suggest you all hurry up if you plan to talk to the thing." He said, bringing up the rear.

@Patches
@Ember Storm

"Gladly, my friend!" Daud shouted, gleefully watching the others fight. But as a man of action, he was of course looking for his fair share.

At Gregor's command however, Daud gives him a nod, before lowering his halberd, spear-tip pointed in the direction Gregor pointed him in. Finally quieting down, however, he begins his quick, but steady, march down the hallway. With each heavy stomp of his foot as he jogged through the manor, he steadily braced himself for an attack at any moment, ready to defend his comrades to his full ability.

@Nashie@Ember Storm@Blizzardofoz123
Years of Gustrag's work destroyed all in one motion, hopefully handicapping the Children's progress for now, the group now moved on to the next area, the holding cells.

"I'm not too much a fan of killing either, Johnny, but I won't hesitate against these monsters. If this artificial amalgamate can speak, we'll hopefully have another ally."

The holding cells were a large room, several empty cages and shipping containers throughout the room. Cold and empty, seemingly devoid of life. "...No one's here?" Yoshimi said, looking around the room. Looking for the amalgamate in question. "But I can feel it. Residual magic all over. She looked to the others, You can sense it too, can't you?" None of the cages seemed to have anything in them.

But, before her question could be finished, a voice spoke up, standing on the balcony of the room, overlooking the group. Wearing a cloak and mask, a plain white one resembling a person's face. From their voice, they were female, speaking in a rather calm and collected voice "Trespassers, should learn to stay out of things that don't concern them... Especially things they do not understand."

---

@hefewy@Ember Storm
Glad I got the two of ya Gregor said, moving forward, motioning to Mercury to follow. Duff being their eye up above and Daud as their shield. Gregor kept his eyes open for the next area, before pointing Daud in a new direction. This way! He said, motioning to the next area. The VIP area, now accessed through brute force.

From what could be seen, the entrance room to the VIP hall was a dinning room of sorts. Food was sorted out, as well as a few material objects. Some sort of meeting was had here, but since the attack, the meeting had been cancelled. There was signs of the members fleeing, to else where in the manor. One member of it remained though, sitting at the end of the table, chewing on a piece of meeting. Tall, white hair, wearing a suit.

But Daud would recognize him as the one he met in the old town. The immortal Xenan.