Will 'o the Piper
“You're using them as lines and sinkers?” Sigmund grumbled, suddenly displeased with Charles. “Are you mad? These are kids. Kids for crying out loud.” The rook understood that using the children was the most convenient way to get to the bottom of the disappearances, but this did not go down well with the rook's code.
“Go home!” Sigmund roared at the boy that had been knocked out of his trance, and walked up to the kid with the scariest face he could manage. If nobody was going to speak their language to the kids, Sigmund would go with the tactics he knew best; intimidation and force.
An iron snake's head enveloped around Sigmund his fist, and quickly burst forward to one of the kids. In his head, Medusa giggled, as the weapon clutched inside the child's night robes and snatched a helpless body straight towards Sigmund. “Shut up, vile snake.” He bit at his spirit, as he put the kid under his arm and aimed his hookshot at the second child, a girl. This one he snatched by the arm, “Cursed darkness.” Sigmund cursed underneath his breath. Medusa cackled wickedly.
“Even kids? Seriously?” Sigmund growled at Medusa, who didn't even notice Sigmund's deprecation in her delight. With both kids under his arms Sigmund ran back to the closest house, and without warning, used his strength to kick in the door. The door flew straight into the living room, with Sigmund following up and without even a shred of consideration walked straight into the bedroom; put the kids down with the (no doubt shocked) inhabitants, then closed the bedroom door and stuck a chair underneath it.
“Charles, Eidren, you two better get to the bottom of this, we're not putting anymore of these brats at risk.”
A Clayman's Finale
“Wow, wow, wow, lady.” Lux almost gasped for air faced with the sudden hostility from Noelle. She had been... Forceful before, but this was a completely unexpected turn of events. Fortunately, one of the present holders had a solution; one Noelle was most fit for considering her flying abilities.
“The girl's right.” Lux added to Adeline's suggestion, then reassured Noelle, “Don't worry about the mission,” Sparks jumped between Lux' fingers, “It'll be over quick as lightning.”
“From nervous teacher to dashing hero... Who'd have thought.” Koko taunted in Lux' head, something the Bishop did his best to ignore. Instead he he turned to Adeline and Maria, two holders he hadn't introduced himself to yet. “Lux Turrez, mercenary and recruitment.” He spoke friendly, though hastily, after which he quickly stepped up to Salia and offered her a shoulder to lean on. “Good to see you're still alive. Though I imagine you've seen better days. Here, lean on me, it's time for a role reversal.”
The moment Salia'd accept or reject, Lux started walking. Not only because of the angry dragon lady, but if the royal guard was here again, whatever was going on must've been urgent...
Free Billy
Eowyn was grateful and ashamed that Remia was far better equipped for crowd control duties than she was. Though of course, she couldn't summon Sleipnir without giving the crowd the scare of their lives. The horse didn't understand the nuances of crowd control, however. “A warrior commands respect.” It stated simply, “A display of strength should supersede their meek wills. As well, I have collected more intelligence from the solemn Kuroi. She has identified the holders.”
“I see, thank you Sleipnir.” Eowyn spoke, before relaying the spirit's report of Mari's findings to the rest of the team. “Mari has found the two holders. A gray-haired woman, as well as one in a group of men. She said they have darker skin than the rest of the beach-goers, so please be careful when you see them.”
“Again exhibit a deficiency in initiative.” Sleipnir judged harshly, “Our opponent is in front of us. You lack a warrior's resolve.”
Eowyn, shuddered by her spirit's words. It was true she didn't know what to do, but Eowyn did not think unnecessary violence or displays of strength would be for the good of the mission. Instead, she accepted Quartz' proposal. At least, Eowyn wanted to, before it, along with Arlette, got snatched away by a random woman.
“Don't worry, she's with me!” Eowyn shouted as a small wall of people formed itself between Arlette and the rest of the holders, hoping her voice would be loud enough. Eowyn looked at Remia apologetically, asking if she could help retrieving Arlette. After all, just like Nathair and Eowyn, Arlette just wasn't fit for wrestling through this tumultuous crowd...
