Northern Winds [NC-17] (IC)

[Stygian]

The husky glanced the illusion, turing his head to look at it from several directions, and then sighed. Settling his head in his palm and tapping his temple, he licked one of his fangs and then snorted.
   'Well, that isn't neccessarily all bad. If we presume that the place will be rather full, then we'll have a lot of cover and potential exits,' he said calmly. 'Ash doesn't care much for common people, but she wouldn't just kill a crowd like that for any reason I can think of. And even if she focuses on our minds alone, we can still get around that.' He sat back up again and looked at the little display of the building as if he were gazing right through it. 'So we hopefully won't have to bother with any guards she might have along with her that much.'

- -

For a while, the spider just sat there eying Cog seriously, not moving an inch. Then, she took back the booklet and wrote something very quickly. She slid it over to him slower the next time, as if for emphasis.
   Laertes is here, it read.

[Cogidubnus]

 Cog took a sip of his drink and looked down quickly at the booklet. It was only a few words, but Cog stiffened as he read them, and he set his mug down a little harder than he should have. He took a deep breath, silent, and gave a sharp look at the spider girl.
"Yes. I know." he said, his voice carefully soft. "That's why I'm here." Cog narrowed one eye and carefully let his hand drift over to his sword. "And you knowing that brings up all sorts of questions." he said, just a bit of menace in his voice.
Cog started at her. Someone entered the cafe and sat down, and another person passed their table on the way to the counter, getting another mug of something to drink. A cloud briefly passed over the afternoon sun, and a sudden silence in the room left only the sound of percolating coffee, the popping noise oddly loud.
Cog mulled for a moment, and let his hand slip from his sword, and set it deliberately on the table. "But I don't think you want to kill me. Which makes me suspect you aren't one of his. Still." he murmured, picking his mug up again. "How you know Laertes is here and how you know I care is a mystery to me, but..." Cog narrowed both of his eyes. The light from outside glittered off his shades. "What does that have to do with this?"
Cog passed the notebook back to her, muttering something under his breath.

[Stygian]

It took a moment, the spider looking as if she was listening to something else, or perhaps thinking, before she fixed her eyes on Cog again, and this time looking at him with such unhesitant seriousness that it was hard not to flinch. She wrote, without looking down at the booklet. At least not with her two main eyes, that was.
   After a few seconds, she passed the little notebook over to him. I am traveling with Laertes, it said. I know what is between you two. This has everything to do with his dedication. He has come here because of power and Sebastian can lead him to it.

- -

For a while, the husky sat there, just pondering it seemed and out of touch with what went on around him. Then he looked back up at the others.
   'Well, I can not gain any better knowledge from my eyes inside, so I say that we proceed as such; we approach from within the crowd in disguise, keep close to the second exit here,' he said and pointed to one end of the little illusion, 'you stay behind with the others, Mel, and you go in with me, Edge.' He fixed his eyes on the rat. 'She knows you, and she won't expect anything sudden. Now, whether or not we could have something up our sleeve, we can discuss. But for the most part, let's try and see this one through calmly as we can, allright?'

[Aisha deCabre]

After Aisha had joined the group, she felt the urge to keep her head down in case what they were talking about would be picked up on...but her hand fell away from the edge of her hood just as she could see and sense the one whom she now knew as Mel casting an illusory barrier over the bunch of them.  Then she quirked her eyebrows as an image of the club's interior appeared on the table; a pretty good one at that.

The panther's eyes wandered over the map before them as she finished eating her ice cream, while also listening to the disguised Stygian go over it and the plans that he had formed.  Her ears were pinned over her skull with a thoughtful hum.  If the place was going to be fairly full, the shapeshifters should theoretically have little problems walking in.

As soon as Aisha was sure that she memorized the copy of the layout, just in case, she glanced to the others for confirmation.  "That still leaves us at the door then?  Me...Gareeku, wherever he is," she paused with a concerned glance outside, hoping nothing had happened to him, before turning back.  "And...what's-his-face.  Cogidubnus.  The back-watchers."  She smirked and cautiously ran a finger over the edge of the blade at her belt.  After all, if there was a job doing, it was worth doing right.

[Cogidubnus]

 Cog took a deep breath as he read over the little booklet, a scowl forming on his face, and he slid the little papers back over to her. He resisted the urge to look out at the cafe, and instead kept his eyes on the spider. She was with the Jackal. He picked up his mug again, and began to drink, staying silent for a long while.
Minutes passed before he spoke, steam curling up from his cup. "I see."
Cog murmured something under his breath, and set his cup down. "Two things. If he's focused on this Sebastian fellow, perhaps he isn't focused on me. He may not even know I'm here. Does he?" Cog asked, looking at something over the spider's shoulders. "And who, exactly, is 'Sebastian'?" he said, taking a drink.

[Stygian]

The spider blinked, sudden confusion dashing across her face. It passed in the blink of an eye, replaced immediately with boorish realization. For a second she looked pensive. Then she smiled, and bit down with her upper lip so that her fangs came into view, and folded her hands, putting them up by her head so as to mimic a pair of large ears. The resulting imitation was rather comical.

- -

From her point of view, monitoring the ones inside the apartment, Keaton could find out much but still surprisingly little useful. Richard and Marya's 'guests' were mostly calm and watchful, the tension between the two parties clear but very muted now that they had all settled. Through the music she could hear talking, most of which was obviously just to pass the time. Still, both of those responsible for most of it, the wolf who had introduced herself as 'Ace' and Marya, were giving off subtle vibes that were in stark contrast to the lightness of the conversation. Especially Ace seemed quite on edge, a sharp edge of irritation and wariness cutting through her emotions like a blade. The otter, Carey, who had declined a drink stood around, pretending not to notice, listening to the music and looking out the windows.
   The most worrying point though, was Laertes. Even though he smiled, having slipped back the sleeves of his flowing shirt to reveal his large and strong hands and arms, clearly hardened by much exercise, and placed himself at the drums in the corner of the room, there was something unsettling about his very presence. Keaton could sense no emotions from him whatsoever, and that made his apparent unshakable calm seem all the more like a mask over something else. It was hard not to wonder why adventurers like him and the other two would just stop to socialize with a pair of strangers right in the middle of things like that.

[Cogidubnus]

 Cog looked at the spider woman out of the corner of his eye, quirked an eyebrow, and jerked suddenly, laughing as he leaned forward. A bit of coffee dribbled off his chin, the wolf wiping it away quickly as he swallowed and smiled, baring long, white fangs. He turned and looked at her, still grinning.
"Oho. Well then, that does change a few things." he said, setting his cup down. "Well. I suppose he does know I'm here, then, if he's watching the bat. Still. If he's - "
Cog stopped, the grin falling from his face, suddenly quieting. He sat silent for a moment, and making a face he reached for his cup.
"Does the bat know Laertes is here?" he said, taking a sip. "From what I've seen of the bat, Laertes could be very bad news for him. People who depend on darkness magics seldom last long with him. Abilities like that Jackal's are very rare and seldom expected. And rather effective. For someone like Stygian...well." he said, making another face and sipping his drink.

[Mel Dragonkitty]

Mel acknowledged her assignment with a nod, continuing to casually swivel her counter stool around as she finished her treat. Her eyes stopped on Aisha. "We have some shopping to do before it opens." She hopped off the stool and stepped to the feline's side. "Nothing against your outfit, Aisha, but the doorman will never let you in unless you are dressed to party. We'll find a boutique and get you a dancing dress."

[Stygian]

As the husky's eyes turned toward Aisha, he raised his eyebrows and looked almost surprised for a moment. However, when he saw the reaction Mel's comment brought from the panthress, his eyes narrowed and he smirked. 'That sounds like an excellent idea,' he said. 'We should catch up with Keaton and the wolf before things start up here too. Not that we are in such a hurry, but...'
   The dog slipped off his seat and stood. 'I should like to see to my inventory, and to find some new threads. I've been on the road for a while,' he said, and looked to Edge. 'And you?'

[Aisha deCabre]

As Aisha awaited an answer to her inquiry, though it sounded more or less rhetorical, her ears swiveled quickly as Mel came up to her side and offered to take her shopping for a dress.  The huntress's eyebrows quirked incredulously...needless to say, she wasn't expecting really to be joining in the club's frolic.  She wasn't at all for formal.

But after a pause, she just shrugged with a chuckle and nodded to Mel.  "Well, that's generous of you," Aisha assented.  After all, it was only polite to take it, and especially if there was nothing better to be done.  Maybe if things weren't going to be hectic, it would be something of a comfortable change out of her battle gear.

"Dancing it is," she laughed with a snort and swiveled in her seat, making a bit of a graceful leap from the cushion.  With a smirk, she added, "See you boys in the fire, then."  The irony of the statement was too good to pass up.  Then she gave a nod to the disguised dragon.  "Let's go shopping."

[Mel Dragonkitty]

With Mel leading the way she and Aisha walked a few streets over and a few blocks up until they were in a shopping district. Somewhere along the path the zebra in the jeans and tunic became a pale grey vixen in a business suit. Seemingly at random the vixen chose a shop.

Inside was the sort of plush and perfumed establishment where the attendants sneer the more timid into retreat. Mel gave the nearest clerk a quelling look then quietly stated, "My friend needs a really nice cocktail dress for a party tonight. Please show her what you have suitable." To Aisha she added, "Have fun," before wandering off to look at a display of scarves.

[Aisha deCabre]

Aisha waved farewell to her comrades in the ice-cream parlor and followed the zebra that was Mel outside towards the shops again.  The panthress noticed briefly as, beneath the notice of any passerby, her illusion shifted from zebra to vixen without a blink of an eye.  Still, she kept her own composure as well, with a bit of an ironic smile.  Just how many image-shifting friends do I have now?

By the time they walked into the clothing store, Aisha had already gotten just a few incredulous looks...padded armor, cape, weapons on her belt...considering all of that, she was looking quite ready for war.  And as per the events of the last day, she most certainly was.  But at least some of the sneering, overly-posh looks that some gave them couldn't match an adventurer's neutral scowl, and they weren't bothered.

That was when they ran into a clerk, a very golden-colored cheetah with king-pattern stripes along her arms, whom she could hear Mel quietly talking to.  The clerk's eyebrows seemed to rise incredulously as she looked the black jaguaress over, as Aisha did in return.  "Yeah, sure thing," she smiled at Mel while she watched the disguised dragon go off on her own.

Sighing, Aisha straightened up and gave her own polite smile.  It was funny how more comfortable she was buying armor than something formal.  "Well, yeah, you heard her," she chuckled.  "Perhaps nothing too revealing, and for the love of GOD, nothing pink."

[Mel Dragonkitty]

Mel sighed. She had been hoping that the salesclerks would behave themselves and try to be helpful, but the candy-colored fluffiness they were parading before Aisha was ridiculous. Mel's wandering path through the racks brought her up behind the cheetah. "Cute. Now that you have hauled out all the dresses that you could not even sell to sixteen year olds on their way to the prom we can all have a good laugh while you go get the dresses for adults. Something easy to move in and sexy without being too revealing. And no ruffles."

[Aisha deCabre]

Aisha probably looked like someone worthy to have a bit of a laugh at in the store, and the huntress was quite aware of it.

She walked along with the cheetah clerk and the rest of the other somewhat high-brow individuals under her word as they pulled a few outfits out for her to look at.  Because the tomboyish panthress wasn't much of a judge for fashion, she expressed a bit of disdain at all of them shown (which pretty much annoyed the clerk, it was seen), wishing that Mel hadn't been so quick to leave her there.

But that thought didn't stand for long, as she quickly came back to assess the situation, and Aisha gave her a quick smile of relief...along with a sporting laugh.  "Are you all really sure I'm supposed to be inside the club?  I hate to look like such a nitpicker."  She turned her head slightly, looking at the selections.  And I'm not sure I can dance, either.

[Mel Dragonkitty]

The cheetah gave Mel a vicious look but with a nod from her the ruffled monstrosities disappeared and three dresses were presented. All met the criteria of being relatively modest and not too restrictive. The first was emerald green silk about knee length and v-necked, the shoulders tying in soft bows that trailed down the arms. The second was a deep wine red make of velvet and chiffon, with a corset style top in velvet contrasting with the chiffon straps and skirt. The last was gently shimmering bronze. The bodice of striped silk satin shone in contrast with the two layers of chiffon making up the skirt, calf length in back but climbing above the knees in front. "Would Madame care to try any of these on?"

[Aisha deCabre]

As Aisha stood, nearly exasperated with the excursion, she watched as the clerk finally took Mel's suggestions into account and gave the panthress a choice of three last dresses.  The colors were the first things to catch her eye, especially the red, though the sparkling quality of the bronze came into a close second.  The emerald wasn't bad either...her tail ring wouldn't look out of place, with that one.

She nodded to the clerk with a slight smile, hopefully looking more satisfied under the eye of the impatient cheetah and the other clerks.  "Sure, I'll try these on," she assented and took each of the outfits into the back dressing rooms.

It was a funny thing in itself to view the mirror; her reflection standing without the look of a feminine warmonger.  In each of the dresses, she looked herself over with a slight snort of disbelief that she could look even slightly formal.  Meh, why not.  I'll just hurt whomever laughs.

It was just a few moments before the panther came back out in her regular outfit, carrying two of the dresses on her left arm and the chosen one on the right: the bronze, satin silk dress, which had taken a fit of indecision to finally choose.  "This one's perfect," she told the cheetah clerk, who looked satisfied enough.

[Mel Dragonkitty]

Mel smiled a bit at Aisha's choice. The tomboy who didn't want to dress up had chosen the flashiest one. But she would look good and quite in keeping with the style of the club. She handed the saleswoman her own choice, white with a beaded bodice and a chiffon skirt. More revealing than her normal style but since it wasn't her actual form she was wearing being looked over seemed more like an elaborate prank than anything. She was as much of an illusion as anything in that club. The dresses were paid for and carefully wrapped in tissue paper and boxed before being handed over. Mel checked her watch, "That did not take very long at all. Us there anywhere else you need to stop?"

[Tezkat]

The little rat sat at the counter with the others, watching Mel's illusionary presentation. He filed away information about the parts of the club he hadn't seen previously, all the while quietly attacking a scoop of coconut sherbet. Just as the others got up to leave, he finished it off and wiped his hands on his jeans.

"Hmm... what will I wearing tonight?" He looked up at the husky. "I'm sure I can come up with something appropriate for the occasion. Or did you want to coordinate? Matching suits, and all..."

[Stygian]

The spider cocked her head to the side and looked quizzically at Cog, starting to write again as she did. Evidently she had quite some practice to her hand coordination, because she was not the least bit slower or off in her writing. She slid the booklet back over casually, putting her chin in her clawed hand.
   I would not bet he doesn't know. And don't underestimate him either, it read. I'm sure he has some ulterior reason to go through this. Otherwise he would just have disappeared. Her look was less grave than before, but there was an expectant intensity to her eyes. The final row of text read; And if you have any sort of honor, you will help me stop him.

- -

Stygian raised his left eyebrow a slight bit and smirked at Tez. 'If that's what you wish. I wasn't just going looking for clothes though, even if I'm feeling like some variation,' he said, and stuck his hands in his pockets. 'Maybe I can offer you a few tips.'

[Cogidubnus]

 Cog read the notebook with one eyebrow raised, and then narrowed his eyes dangerously. He tilted his head, regarding the spider with not a little bit of malice.
"Honor?" he said, silent a moment. "If you need my help, you don't need to try and manipulate me." Cog took off his glasses, glaring at her. "And if you knew half of what you imply you do, you'd know killing Laertes is about as honorable as I could get. And if the bat can help me do that, by distraction or directly...well. But you haven't quite said that, now have you?"
He put his glasses back on. "Still. What, exactly, do you want me to do about it? I doubt the bat is going to care if I tell him 'A little spider told me not to go'. What's more...well. You don't have to tell me why he should stay away, certainly."
His shades glittered. "But it would certainly make me try a little harder, maybe."

[Stygian]

The spider frowned, then grinned. She scrawled something in the open booklet, upside down, another difficulty she seemed to handle without much effort.
   Then you stay away yourself, along with your friends. As for why, not only would it be the right thing to do, but I would bring you Laertes for it, the message read.

- -

Without waiting for the rat's response, Stygian sauntered off out the door and into the street, picking up a pace and heading off in the direction opposite to where the girls had went.

[Cogidubnus]

 Cog frowned at the notebook, and settled back into his chair. He didn't speak for quite a long time, instead sipping his drink, lost in thought behind his dark shades. He finally made a noncommittal noise in the back of his throat, and regarded the little spider warily.
"Mmm." he said, running his tongue over his teeth. "The right thing to do. Well. That is always a good reason. And yet. You're still not telling me -why-."
He narrowed one eye. "First, you tell me you're interested in keeping whatever is going down in that club from happening. Now, it's okay if the bat goes, just not the rest of us." he said musingly. "Now...this is at least the third time I've asked you why. And you still won't say."
Both his eyes narrowed. "And you work for Laertes. Or with him. Despite not trying to kill me, that's not in your favor. So." He leaned back. "You're either hiding something, or you don't know. Forgive me if I don't think it's ignorance."
"And you offer me the one thing you know I want." he said, smiling softly. "Prudent of you, if nothing else." Cog inclined his head a little bit. "Forgive me if I sound rude. I truly do not wish to be. But, you tell me nothing, and I simply can't believe you. I have no reason to."
Cog sat back in his seat, a slightly sad expression on his face. "You have been kind to warn me of danger. And you were also kind to not kill me in the alley. But...this is the last time I'm going to ask. Why do you want the bat to stay away? If you can't tell me that...I have no reason to stay away myself, and no reason to believe you'll hand me Laertes. Even if you could."

[Aisha deCabre]

Aisha chuckled to Mel as she helped to pay for her dress and took the box containing her dress.  At least that was over, and all that was left to look forward to was a club dance...which would be fun or tense, depending on the outcome of the excursion.  I swear, if another building burns down...

"Mm, I can't really think of anything else I need, really," she answered, quirking her eyebrow in thoughtful silence as the adventurer started making her way out of the shop.  "But now I'm wondering just how everyone's going to hide their weapons, if we're gonna be dressed pretty equally, and trying to be conspicuous,"  She laughed suddenly.  After all, if it took a bit of improvisation to get this far...

[Stygian]

For a moment, the spider's face soured, and she sat there just looking at Cog as if he were completely hopeless. Then she seemed to suddenly sadden. She took the booklet and scrawled something down, then slid it over to Cog and looked at him plainly and solemnly as the grave.
   Because I have to kill the bat, the note read. Because I want to see this at an end. Underneath those two sentences was a third, that stood out to Cog. Because it's what Giles wanted.

[Boog]

Marya was of a somewhat more tribal religion herself, but something about the way Ace mentioned the Jackal's collection made her pause. "Don't believe him about what? He claim this collection of religious knicknacks contains the holy grail or something?"

Richard simply kept playing music, focusing on nothing else in particular.

[Stygian]

After a check and retrieval of his motorcycle and his pocketbook, Stygian took a quick detour past the train station, a great old building with tall glass roofs. Walking into a side hall where they kept safety deposit boxes, he slipped out a single key from his pocket. Only minutes later he returned, straddled his bike and took off.
   Truthfully, the bat was glad that the others hadn't decided to follow along, but only partially. Didn't actually want Edge to miss this, but he's cubi. I guess he got bored. Was prepared to give a speech and all... Ah, well... He swerved across a couple of lanes and cut off a car to get down to another road, heading toward the industrial district of the town. Guess I'll pay a visit to the smith myself. And then...
   He wouldn't be back until after the others gathered.

- -

The canine waved her hand and took another swig. 'Well, more or less. I think he's more hooked on the Old Testament things, actually.'

[Mel Dragonkitty]

Mel and Aisha's slow stroll through the shopping district brought them back to the area of the coffee shop. A check of her watch showed they were a bit early for their five o'clock meeting. "Would you like to wait for the others in the coffee shop or have a snack at the outdoor cafe across the street?"

[Boog]

Marya quirked an eyebrow and leaned forward, "Assume I'm not that religious. What sort of Old Testament stuff? All I've ever heard about it was all the crap it's used as an excuse for."

Richard sighed and put down the guitar. "'S good for now. Besides, one can only stand so much alternative rock before you need something classic to balance it out." He looked his hands over once and tsked. "Think I mighta messed up my callouses a little. Why don't you play something for a bit, I'll see about fixing my hand up."

[Aisha deCabre]

Aisha took her time as she walked, making sure to stay in step with Mel while her eyes scanned the surroundings of the city.  There were small moments when her ears didn't catch much of what the dragon had said, but instead were listening in large part to her own mind and taking some of the more under-appreciated beauty.  Through all the running, escaping, and scheming, it was hard to just, even for a few seconds, play the tourist.

Except, there were probably a few tourists who were killed in their escapades...

A slight shudder brought the thoughts to a sudden halt as she did hear Mel's question about where to go next.  Aisha quirked an eyebrow and hummed.  "I didn't realize we'd killed so much time, but there's still some left?"  She tried to think.  She got her shopping done...wasn't all too hungry...

She shrugged.  "Well, if you wish, we can go back to the coffee shop and wait.  At least that's where I will be," she chuckled and started toward her destination.  "Whatever you wish to do, Mel, you can.  And also, I thank you for your help on finding my dress; however thankful I didn't look," she smirked again.  It was hard to believe that with the events a previous time, she wouldn't have thought more of Mel than an opposition.

[Sunblink]

Latched to the outside of Richard's door, Xianxi listened with enhanced hearing to the conversation which was going on within the apartment, his form not fluctuating for a moment. If he hadn't been discovered within the first few minutes of his transformation, he assumed it was a safe bet to surmise that those inside were not going to notice his presence. While not endowed with an Eidetic memory like his "sister," Xanthe, Xianxi was still an ideal espionage unit, especially for accumulating information. It was why Keaton bothered with so many Warp-Aci--she viewed them not as meaningless novelties to keep around, but as soldiers to collect knowledge and transport whatever she desired. They couldn't fight, yes, but Xianxi was still unnaturally strong for a Warp-Aci. His original owner had to be a moron to summon something which was beyond their control.

From afar, Keaton studied the apartment. Why was this taking so damn long? She wanted answers now. Inaction infuriated Keaton like nothing else, doubly so when she could be smashing people to pieces. Stygian's instructions had been specific, however, and she was to merely gather knowledge about the intruders, not come barging in with guns blazing. Too risky, apparently. Shunting her impatience off to the side, Keaton decided that, ultimately, her task had been fulfilled. She snapped her fingers.

Although the sound was nearly nonexistent, Xianxi responded to it as though it had been amplified a thousand times more than its original state. Uncoiling his body and jolting out of his inanimate state, Xianxi rocketed himself away from the door, again moving with swift and efficient stealth as he levitated over to his mistress. He settled onto the hand proffered, accepting the rewarding scratch behind one of his tapered ears.

"That'll be enough, Xianxi. Tell me everything you know," Keaton said.

With that, Xianxi divulged everything he had learned in explicit detail--about the descriptions of Richard's visitors, about who was in the apartment, about their apparent motivations. Keaton listened attentively, then grinned. More than enough information had been gleaned. "Good boy," she said, allowing Xianxi to climb onto her shoulder. "That's perfect. We might as well head back..."

"Ah, but mistress," Xianxi asked in his ethereal, faraway voice. "What of the Undead and his companion?"

Keaton went silent, then pondered deeply. She gestured upward with her hand, Xianxi floating with her motion and beginning to encircle her. The prongs bifurcating his tail fused together into one, flat, paper-like shape, billowing behind him with empyreal white coalescing off of its outline. Alabaster energy continued to engulf him until it entirely encompassed his form, trailing behind his body as he spiraled upward, upward, and they vanished in a mute flash of white light.

"He can handle himself for now."

~Keaton the Black Jackal