this is Salem, a land filled with magic and maladies. It is a place where witches and their elemental familiars gather, a home to legend and
lore that predates time itself. Yet of all the wicked and wonderful stories the past can tell us of, the most magical are the ones yet to happen.
This is Salem - this is the start of your very own journey. Welcome to starfall
Starfall is an animaga witch roleplay set in mostly modern times. Members play as witches in a world plagued by monsters, where the only safe spots are walled cities. Starfall strives to be a character-driven roleplay with expansive lore and a highly interactive plotline. We want to allow members to
create and look back on a magical journey, and mold the site and its plot as their characters grow.
[attr="class","s1lyrics1"]constellation of tears on your lashes
[attr="class","s1lyrics2"]burn everything you love then burn the ashes
[attr="class","s1write"]
[attr="class","s1scroll"]
Corvus and his partner, while he didn’t know him very well, had managed to bring together information easily enough. They had located an individual possibly related to the kidnapping down to a shitty bar in a shitty part of town. They had to retrieve him, and since this was a terrible part of town there was very little chance any knights would interfere. After all, he doubted trying to persuade, if not, force the person to come with them to answer some questions. How exactly he was going to get somebody that already sounded as rough and tumble as this place looked, he had no idea, but they could confer that together afterwards. [break][break]
Corvus stepped in first, Merle at his heels. He was good at tracking, if the guy made a run for it, Merle could catch him real quick. “That one at the edge of the bar, in the corner table matches our guy.” Corvus whispered as he glanced down at his shoes and stepped past some garbage on the ground. “You’re bigger, you grab him. I’ll try to incapacitate him.” He had a couple of spells that would at the very least, make it harder to resist a good ole ‘c’mere stranger’. Hopefully. Even if he was the with high rank, and technically the supervisor on this mission, he definitely did not have the physical prowess such a title would elicit. But well, they were getting along pretty well. He thought so. He’d brought him a cake pop, how was that not friendly enough? Well whatever.
Gold has always been the sun. Humans fell in its orbit thoughtlessly and remained there. Each generation choosing to worship it in their own way. Money, gave you things and got you places. Tonight's mission however, was to retrieve something money had taken.. A small child was being held for ransom. Bello had spent the early parts of the evening prodding information out of dark corners. Him and his partner that was, Corvus. All of this had led them here, to a bar. It fit perfectly all the things a bar should be: dark and dank. Stepping over the thresh hold was akin to entering a shadow. His gaze was steady, sliding from one wall to another. Bello would not spend his time here. Yet somehow, all of his time is spent in places he would not be. The sooner the duo completed this mission, the sooner Bello could go to sleep. When he woke up that shop Corvus' got those cakepops from might be open ...
As soon as his partner spoke, Bello's eyes were hooked. At a sad light hung over a small table, illuminating an even more pathetic man. It wasn't that he seemed incapable, just sorrowful. Darkness carved his features out weathered wrinkled flesh. Hanging around a place like this was a quick way to catch the blues. It was as if a bomb had gone off in this whole part of town. Calling this "home" was submitting to desperation. But was this guy an idiot? Who takes a child for ransom and hides them in a bar. Who takes a child for ransom, hides them in a bar, and then drinks alone. Unless there was someone else in on the operation. Bello doubted it. This was just an amateur at the end of his rope. Whatever hardship had forced the man here, he was about to find even more in Bello's fists.
He forced an amused huff. Sure, Corvus held rank but no one ever had to delegate dirty work to him. Bello had always been excessive in height and muscle. It was his presumed role. He looked down at Corvus. Size was not everything but for a man, he was frankly lacking. How did he make up for this? Bello was curious to find out. "No such thing as try." His voice is a murmur, unlikely to fall on Corvus' ears. Stealth was a hard thing to achieve with such a commandings frame. The low lights and warm bodies drew the bar's tenants to other things. The confidence of a task done many times made this quick work. "Long night, huh?" The man turns and it is apparent in his movements, that he's barely begun to drink.
Before he is allowed to get a word out, Bello works his heavy hand into kidnapper's brown hair. One hard pull and he is out of his seat, off of the ground. Meanwhile, his other hand pushes the chair away from the table. "Me too." Bello can feel kidnapper's muscles tense as he shifts to the defensive. Like a pig, he writhes. Bello hopes he squeals the same, and feels a pang of homesickness. He slams his head into the table. There's the familiar crack of a nose and the wood tabletop is christened with blood. His breathing is wet. Bello looks at Corvus, bringing the man's arms behind his body. This may have been a little more than grabbing him, but it was always good to make one's intentions clear early. They had yet to interrogate him, but Bello was sure the man knew what their business was related to. The Mangolds were a wealthy family, a well known family. Surely he didn't think his plan would run its course with no resistance.
[attr="class","s1lyrics1"]constellation of tears on your lashes
[attr="class","s1lyrics2"]burn everything you love then burn the ashes
[attr="class","s1write"]
[attr="class","s1scroll"]
Corvus didn’t really have the chance to ask for clarifications as Bello moved forward, prepped with a plan much to the younger witch’s dismay. He had thought as most, they would’ve had a very tense conversation over a shitty tankard of ale. Maybe like a could of punches to the gut under the table as Bello sat on one side and Corvus in front. The unmistakable CRACK! Of a skull banging on wood smashed all those expectations and Corvus is left looking wide eyed, while Merle circled past him protectively. His eyes flash as he remembered his composure and he flicked his finger tugging at the shadows ear the man and pulling at the darkness to hide, somewhat, what Bello was doing. Though, it didn’t seem necessary as not many cared to interrupt. [break][break]
Covering their tracks, golden eyes lock onto his target and he works quickly to go with however it felt to have your brain smashed into a hardwood table felt. He tugged at that feeling inciting a strange sense of gravity over the man’s sense. Even if he wasn’t drunk, hopefully he’d feel fucked up enough to think he was. It’s clear the witch is shocked at the violence. This is the most aggression he’s really seen directed as a single person in a while. “Stay.” Is all the young man managed to utter, both a command for his dog ad also instructions for his partner. Merle stick to the wall, hackles raised but eyes locked onto the rest of the establishment. [break][break]
Corvus meanwhile drops a handful of gold coins on the counter and in his best, most intimidating big boy voice goes, “Friend’s done. Going out back.” Before turning away after receiving a glazed look. Cool, so maybe bothering to keep a low profile didn’t even matter. Corvus would’ve liked to think he had played the part, but he could see the apathy in the barkeeps eyes and the attention focused solely on scraping the small pile of coin into his apron. “I- uh, let’s bring him to the back.” Of course, Bello was still doing most of the handling as he seemed to have the sad old man. Their mark, fully aware of the situation seemed to wheeze something of a pained curse out making Corvus grimace. “I ain’t…got money…I swearsyahs…”the man seemed to say to Bello. “Merle, get ready to support.” He spoke, tipping his head down towards the beast who was done staring down at the tavern and looked over at Bello and his human pig. There’s a low growl that rumbled from his throat in warning before Corvus stepped towards the kitchen without much resistance. [break][break]
Needlessly, Bello presses his leg into his captive's back. What little space was left between the old man and the table has disappeared. Corvus' brings forth darkness to conceal them. Even without this additional precaution, he was not sure the bar's other patrons would of cared. Undoubtedly, someone had to notice. Perhaps they were used to this kind of thing. A rough part of town for a rough crowd. He catches Corvus looking childlike, wide eyed and makes a note of it. This response to violence seems befitting of a Silvertongue. Still, this did not matter much as long as they could get their job done. His partner does something, and the man beneath him seems to loose some command of his body. Having his reflexes weakened, the kidnapper becomes even less of a threat to Bello. This is a trade-off. The old man allows more of his weight to fall out of his control, leaving Bello to handle it more. This does not bother him.
Corvus leaves Bello with the dog. A few moments later he is back. Underneath his weight, Bello can hear the old man trying to tell him something. He ignores this no longer in the talking mood. Not even a nod to indicate he heard Corvus, instead Bello just hoists the man up and makes his way to the back. This extraction should go smoothly. Not even the kidnapper's joints seemed to have any conviction in them. This was a man, who to Bello, seemed like he had one foot out the door already. There was so little vitality in his aged body.
He glances down at Merle, the creature is growling and playing his part. Entering the kitchen, Bello looks for a place for their captive. Wouldn't it be so much easier if they could just shove him in an oven or something and be on with it. One could only wish. Carelessly, Bello releases the man like a fish into water. There is another thud. He watches as the old man grasps at an opportunity that is not there. This attempt to scramble away in futile. "Hey there, we gotta talk to you." He presses a heavy boot into the back of the old man's hand and twists it, Bello does not stop until he feels a procession of pops. Instantly, the man whines low and loud. His foot stays in place until the rope is freed from his pocket. A knot is quick work for a farm boy. For a moment he thinks to hogtie him, but it doesn't seem necessary. Instead, he binds him a support beam in the middle of the floor. "Here's yer guy." Bello looks at Corvus, waiting for him to direct the scene.
[attr="class","s1lyrics1"]constellation of tears on your lashes
[attr="class","s1lyrics2"]burn everything you love then burn the ashes
[attr="class","s1write"]
[attr="class","s1scroll"]
They back into the kitchen and the couple of employees inside step out for a cigarette break. It’s the most privacy they were gonna get he supposed, but whatever. Merle backs himself towards an exit sniffing around the kitchen quietly while Corvus looks at his partner who is still making quick work of the man. Not that he thinks it necessary anymore. They had him after all. He swallowed hard watching the poor bastard try to crawl away only for the younger witch to stop him in his tracks. He can hear the creak of bones and it makes him pale, feeling a bit sick. As he tried to steady himself, he looked a bit surprised as Bello deferred to him having forgotten for a moment that he was technically in charge. You know, rank and all. Corvus was barely in charge of a couple of dogs, much less other personnel. But he would have to try his best. He was working after all, and he wanted to make a good impression on newest snakes. [break][break]
“Uh, r- right.” He said with a nod before moving forward. The old man was properly tied up, and a bit bloodied. “If you wanna be able to chew your next meal, I’d suggest cooperating.” He said, doing his best impression of a stern glare. It came off more as a sympathetic frown though as he crouched down to be eye level with their mark. “We’re looking for Ms. Mangold, 8 years old, strawberry blonde. Last seen at the Ventarium near the skywhals exhibit.” He paused, eyes locked on the man’s as he looked down at himself almost as if in a daze before glancing past him and up at Bello. [break][break]
Corvus waited a moment before sticking hand up to block Bello’s face and grab their captive’s attention again. “Hey. Look at me. Where is she?” he asked sounding as equally stern as he looked. The a pause as the old man’s eyes turn slowly to him and Corvus can see the adam’s apple bobbing before he quickly stood up and dodged a hot fucking loogie hacked up onto dirty stone tile. The witch is clearly grossed out as he watched it land before turning back to the old man who spits out his words along with his back spit. “I dunno shit, you fuckin’ punks.” It seemed to be that he was finally processing the indignation of having his pity party interrupted by a couple of young bloods. “Was that really necessary?” Corvus hissed, eyes narrowing at the old man before he continued protesting. “Lemme go I ain’t know shit ‘bout no fucking flower kid.” He snapped back between missing teeth. Merle’s nails click on stone as he rounds back to watch his witch more closely as the starcaller turns from his dog to back at the other witch. [break][break]
Leadership is a quality that must be cultivated. For some witches it had to be coaxed out of them, painfully slow through series of uncomfortable events. Others chose leadership over and over and over, unable to just sit back and follow orders, too full of ideas and ambition. Corvus is pale and Bello is forming an image of the other witch. His mission partner was a snake. This was not a title handed out lightly. While Corvus' responses raised suspicions in his subordinate, he held them at bay waiting for them to be proven wrong. As the purple haired man took the lead, Bello stood with arms crossed. He listened, looking down at them both crouched on the floor. For a moment, the old man makes eye contact with Bello. The witch contemplates spitting. While he wouldn't imagine being so needlessly cruel in the day to day, he did allow work to consume him.
Unsurprisingly, their hostage is indignant. Thick spit and mucus shoot through the spaces in his teeth and congeal on the dirty tile. Under other circumstances Bello would've laughed. Corvus was apparently adverse to bodily fluids. Crouching down, he joins his index and middle finger. One quick swipe and he scoops the mess up. It is hot, slimy, and starting to drip down his hand. He wipes what remains across the old man's eyes. In vain, he tries to turn his head. "Listen. Cooperate or he'll make what I've done to you seem like light work." His voice is stern, and his demeanor calm. The possibility of violence would never leave the room until the mission was complete, but Bello was patient. There was no need to do everything at once. No one in this shit hole seemed to cared about anything, this man included. He doubted the kitchen staff was returning nor that they wanted to, him and Corvus there or not. The old man's eyelashes are dark, glistening with his own creation.
Corvus seems to be trying his best, but he does not have the demeanor of an interrogator. That's okay, the two of them were more than enough witch to get things done. It takes a moment, but Bello recalls the name they'd received earlier. "Archibald, Archie, buddy ... we come all this way to see ya and ya wont even talk to us?" He frowns. Underneath his grip, the old man's skin is soft and papery. It's cold as little life remained in his body. Bello tightens his grip around Archie's neck, pressing down on his adam's apple for a moment before releasing. "I know people your age tend to be forgetful, especially when they spend all their time in these kindsa places. So take a moment to think, then answer his questions." He gives the man's face a friendly pat. "Go on, tell him what you know."
Archie sputters, struggling to find his voice. For a moment it seems he is going to cooperate and then he speaks. "Just said I ain't know no damn flower kid. Was just tryna drink." Surprisingly his voice has no lack of conviction. It was admirable that someone of such frail body had such a strong will Bello thought. Whatever the reason, this man must of really needed the money. He glances at Merle. Curious if they'll see him in action tonight. Curious if it would take more than man but a beast to get him to speak. Bello stands back up, kicking hard at the support beam behind Archie. He doesn't hit him intentionally but the old man still flinches. "Uh huh." Bello looks at Corvus.
[attr="class","s1lyrics1"]constellation of tears on your lashes
[attr="class","s1lyrics2"]burn everything you love then burn the ashes
[attr="class","s1write"]
[attr="class","s1scroll"]
Corvus just barely managed to not turn to Bello in surprise as he threatens worse treatment on his hands. Something he was averse to coming through with. Not that he wanted to force Bello to do it, even if he seemed capable, he just didn’t want ot hurt anybody. A strange thought when simple reflection on his family had revealed how much he wanted to crush one family heir, but then again could he? Was he capable of that? Not just of achieving the magical prowess, but of incorporating the cutthroat ruthlessness he had suffered through before. What better time than now to find out. Only he didn’t want to. He wasn’t half the fighter Bello or Saskia was, and without any real offensive magic he would have to resort to his hands….or to the stray cooking utensils that hung about the room. [break][break]
He grimaced as Bello brought the old man’s fluids back and deposited rightly on his face. Corvus looked up at his partner briefly if only to keep himself from gagging. As Bello spoke Corvus tried to wrap his head around a game plan. He wanted to avoid hurting the guy, and the guy probably, hopefully, wanted to save his own skin, right? “Mr. Archibald, I don’t want to keep you from your drink. I just want the little girl.” He cracked his knuckles, enunciating slowly, giving at least an attempt to seem intimidating. The old man’s eyes are still on Bello, awaiting another possible kick to the mouth. He was the perfect height for it anyway. Corvus fixates on the sound of water dropping, timing the beat of the sound of that sickening crack Bello had caused earlier. He hears it so clearly and it sends chills down his spine. The witch drums his fingers on his knee softly, whispers of mana moving subtly through his fingers. Archibald seems to twitch, flinching from the sound, the pain still fresh in his mind. [break][break]
Crack. “You want to go back to your drink right?” [break] Crack.“Tell us where she is.” [break] CRACK! “And we’ll leave you be.” [break][break]
Corvus continues to speak, and with eat beat of his own heart he pushes the sound of snapping fingers and cracking bones ever higher. It doesn’t seem to matter what exactly he’s saying as Archibald is slowly sucked into the noises of his own body cracking and snapping. Corvus sweetens the experience, applying a gentle later of magic over the old man. Every pop, Corvus can see it. The disorientation, the new sheen of sweat in time with ever snap of bone that he too hears echoing in his own ears. Every pop, Archibald’s heart also jumps, and his consciousness seems to beat out of his body. Corvus can visualize it because that’s the point of the spell. He continues to talk but the drumming on his knees switches to a singular index finger tapping quickly, with the illusion of bones and body getting louder, and more forceful. It’s no longer a pop it’s a deafening crack that overtakes Corvus own words. The sensation of drifting out of his own body is replaced by the feeling of some horrifying entity trying to push him out by force. The noise and the pushing swells, and Corvus has to sadly watch as he puts an old man into panic, breathing heavily, shaking, and crying in confusion. “Where is she Archibald?” [break][break]
“I-I don’t- I dunno I-” He’s faster than most would think, and his hand is at Archibald’s collar, emotion in his eyes wild. “We know you know just tell us where she is!” he snarls banging back the suspect’s head with desperate force. Though one would notice, he was not angry but frustrated because there is only one more spell he can use in this interrogation, and he is so desperate to avoid punishing Archibald any further. As the man reels back, Corvus turns to Bello for support, if only in a silent 'TELL ME you have something'. [break][break]
Interrogation learned Bello, he knew it so well. How to create a slow boil; when to allow his victim rest and when to break another piece of them off. The physicality of it all was humbling to the witch. Broken bones, blood, and bruises all reminders of the limits of flesh. Even with the fearsome powers mana allowed, their body was no less fragile with it. Bello had spent his youth fascinated by his own skin. Growing pains, scratches, how the body changed not at all and seemingly all at once. A body molded itself to its use. This was more impressive to him than any magic. Rough skin and hard muscles were Bello's pride. They were also his weakness. Magic was still new to him in many ways. He lamented that it was not necessary for a successful extraction. His bias was apparent.
The scene develops beneath him. Corvus reaches an intensity that is a pleasant surprise. There is something in him, maybe there is even enough in him. The mission partners are opposite in their methods. Corvus relying almost completely on magic and Bello relying almost completely on his strength. Archibald shakes a disgusting amount. He has clearly was on the way to breaking, had he not reached a breaking point already. This was good news. However, the old man seemed much too excited to give them any answers at all. His mouth was sucking greedily, to no avail. Increasingly less oxygen was meeting his lungs. He was hyperventilating. Archie needed to let go. Surrender and place the child's where-a-bouts into their palms. What is worth being protected from this? Beaten over and over and over ... Having your brain, your senses plucked and tweaked ...
"Archie." Despite the spit coming out the corners of his mouth, Bello crouches low beside the man. Placing on large hand on top of his head, the other cups his bottom jaw and gently shuts his mouth. It takes a moment to steady his violent motion. "Relax for a moment." His voice is deep and rolling. Reflexively, in his panic, Archibald claws at Bello's arm. The man is desperate to latch onto anything. To stay inside his body, for this terrible wave of sensations to pass. It would be senseless to continue this onslaught. "Relax." He repeats, moving the hand on top of his head to locate Archie's heart beat. A quick check of his vitals. There is a riot pressing against his ribs. Loud and relentless. Bello wonders curiously if with his advanced age, if in time this would be enough to kill him. Gently, he allows his fingers to massage the man's scalp. He doesn't feign concern or attempt to bring any compassion to his demeanor. Oh, I hate this. This is so much worse than when you're hurting them. Bessie forces her thoughts into Bello's mind. She was his only conscious it seemed these days. Her intrusion is useless and distracting. His familiar meant well but he was at work. Any small kindness he showed his subjects was purely based in work. Depending on how long this went on, many of them fell back into a false security. This was particularly fulfilling. To build someone up only to tear them down. When working alone, Bello would gladly do this over and over and over. Each stretch of calm, the victim having less a grasp on their own sanity. The study percussion of their pain building to a sweet crescendo. Look how old he is! At this, Bello just smiles. Her nagging was constant.
He opens his mouth to speak "Do you think we should get him some water?" A question waiting for Corvus' answer, his approval. "Maybe some bread? Just to help him calm down." Some bread so Bello could kick it out of his stomach, force bile up Archibald's throat. He figured this kindness needn't last more than twenty minutes. Ideally a quick ten, fifteen would be even better. The sooner he gave up the information, the sooner they could find that girl. It was a shame they hadn't had the idea of a kidnapping first. They could have avoided all this extra work entirely. Besides, Bello would have much preferred to deal with a child than this weathered alcoholic.
Bello gives the old man's head a pat and pulls his hand away. Archie's mouth opens and closes like a fish. He's nodding his head with absolutely no rhythm. "Ple-" A rattling clearing of his throat, "please." His voice is softer than it was before. Instead of standing, Bello stays seated on the floor. He is just to the left of Archie.
Don't kill him. You don't need to kill him ... There was a tickling suspicion that Corvus' too would be adverse to the man's murder. It wasn't something the purifier felt about one way or the other. Archibald's fate would be determined in time. How much he said and how he said it, would make the choice for him. Extinguishing the life left in the old man would be unsatisfying. His flame was already on the way out the door. Silvertongue needed protecting. No one would characterize them as weak. It should be kept that way.
[attr="class","s1lyrics1"]constellation of tears on your lashes
[attr="class","s1lyrics2"]burn everything you love then burn the ashes
[attr="class","s1write"]
[attr="class","s1scroll"]
Corvus’ breathing is much more controlled than the old man’s, but his heartbeat is still accelerated, pounding roughly in his chest and in his ears. He was too caught up in the whole affair, too in them idle of it. He hated it. Thankfully his mission partner intervenes but it’s not enough to relax him. It’s somehow more horrifying to watch Bello try to calm Archibald down after having whipped him into a frenzy. Bello worked quickly, and despite being a rank underneath him it seemed he had more than enough experience with this kind of situation to make up for it. He didn’t want to think on it too much though. As he worked the old man, Corvus swallowed hard, nodding silently after a moment. [break][break]
He didn’t run, instead he tried to keep himself controlled and slow despite the shattered nerves rattling his body. He easily scavenged a mug and washed it out before filling it up two thirds of the way with water. It’s not that difficult to find the bread loaves either. A little crunchy on the outside but when he stuck his finger in them he felt the softness. Still good to eat. “Here.” He said, words short and curt as he knelt down to put the bread into one dry palm and the mug of water in the other. He watched the old man turn to look at the meager food in his hands and carefully lift a shaking hand to his mouth. [break][break]
Mismatched teeth dig and pull at bread, and chapped lips take small sips out o the wooden mug. Corvus waited, standing up and leaning on the counter top. He gripped at his jacket, attempting to control his breathing and calm his nerves a bit. Five minutes go by, and he deemed it long enough. “Tell us where Ms. Mangold is. Please.” He stated, no longer presenting it as a question. Archibald was out of chances to be offered a question.
this is a moment to relax, bello watches corvus retrieve food and drink for their captive. his eyes follow his coven mate for a few moments before returning to archie. his worn face seems even more fatigued than before. archie's hands shake still but he eats and drinks with no problems. "go ahead and tell him. see, my partner is a reasonable guy." he says, noticeably softening his tone in a way that was awkwardly dissonant with the rest of him. leaning towards archibald, bello places a heavy hand on his frail shoulder. "we're not here for fun. this is just a day's work and we're tryna get home." bello's gaze is patient as the old man chews and sips. if he's listening, he's not responding. "i'm sure you can understand that. go ahead and tell him." he repeats his opening phrase, in an attempt to coax any kind of useful information out of him.
each one of his bites is larger than his mouth. archie finishes the bread quickly, swallowing before he is even finished chewing. equally hesitant and begging, he pushes the wooden mug out towards corvus. "more, please." bello takes it from him and sets it to the side. any small kindness they showed him was not at request. for a moment the old man seems like he is going to speak but there's only silence. "tell him." bello is sure corvus is anxious to leave. much of this job is patience when answers do not come quickly. besides they have not even gotten a chance to get to the girl yet, their true reason for being out. for a few moments he makes direct eye contact with the bound man, squeezing his shoulder uncomfortably tight.
bello thinks to repeat himself again, thinks to hit him, before he can do either archibald speaks. "the girl ... she ... i ain't take her." all the indigence is gone, he barely manages to look up. when he does, he looks mostly at corvus. this information doesn't surprise the purifier, he looked like he could barely move himself from point A to point B. still, this isn't what she asked. "i was just sposed ta babysit ... wait here til later, so they could move her some where else." a bar was not a place someone to think to look for a child. however, if someone was say tipped off to this particular child's whereabouts it was not the most secure location. bello's stomach growls and for a second his tolerance slips. he brings his hand across the man's face hard and fast. there's the familiar sound of skin hard against skin. "please get to the goddamn point." once more he is standing on his feet, looking down as tall and imposing as ever.
archie seems stupidly surprised. he flinched and closed his eyes tight before the impact. he exhaled hard. "in the office, there's an office."
[attr="class","s1lyrics1"]constellation of tears on your lashes
[attr="class","s1lyrics2"]burn everything you love then burn the ashes
[attr="class","s1write"]
[attr="class","s1scroll"]
It’s a little…creepy how Bello can so easily switch from an uncaring violence to an almost…believable kindness in caring for the old man. Corvus’ eyes are narrowed as he felt a growing disgust within himself, Philippe’s feelings on the matter becoming clearer by the second. If you were going to attack the old man might as well do it properly, not constantly sucker punching the poor bastard. This felt more like picking on someone than fighting. Corvus didn’t want anything to do with it anymore feeling exhausted in his quota of ‘watching people get tortured’. He blinked at the man’s eyes were on him, hesitating to move. Just before he can reach for the mug, Bello takes the reigns once more. [break][break]
Corvus stayed put, arms crossed, and he listened. Gears are turning in his head, and there’s a weirdly relieved part of him that is happy Archibald himself isn’t the kidnapper. The rough crack of skin on skin brings him to the conversation and he’s startled. He moved to pick up the man’s mug, walking away to refill it with water as he gathered his thoughts. “Where’s the office?” he said carefully as he knelt down once more. Archibald’s attention flickered between the smaller snake and the more imposing one, until Corvus pushed the mug into wrinkled hands and led it up to his face. [break][break]
Archibald slurped a few sips, blinking away the confusion and fear. “To th’ rigt…down a hall. She’s in there.” He nodded his head in the direction and Corvus looked carefully before nodding over at Bello. “Secure her but be cautious about it.” He ordered, his voice wavering as he considered the possibility of a lie. Then again, the old man could drop dead with enough of their prodding and he was desperate. Probably now. He turned back to Archibald and stood up. “Who paid you to watch her?” he asked, his voice dropping lower than before. This was probably just a case of kidnappers aiming for a rich kid’s family. She had the name attached to her. But then again, rich people were always embroiled in dangerous politics and while he didn’t want to get involved, maybe Silvertongue could benefit from it. If there was any kind of intrigue at all. [break][break]
Besides the same cretins might show up while they’re extracting the kid. He wanted to be ready. Archibald seemed much more reluctant to name names. He supposed he could respect that, even if they had collectively beaten the shit out of him for not doing just that. The old man sipped his water quietly and Corvus let out a sigh which made the man tense up just a bit. “We’ll grab the little girl, if you remember anything, I’d prefer it if you told me.” He said giving the man a bit of a reprieve with faux disappointment. He’d ask Bello if he thought the old guy knew anything else. “Merle?” he called out suddenly. There’s the sound of immediate movement as nails click on stone flooring and the oversized Helia is at his side, rumbling sternly at him and the man. The beast has been calm this entire time but Corvus still pats his head and nods over at the entrance. Merle moves to stay off the side of one of them, sniffing quietly at the air.
bello watches corvus take the mug in silent judgement. interesting choice corvus is making here, and by interesting bello means stupid. that old man has yet to answer all they need to know. to show him such mercy, such kindness for no reason? foolish. it would have been better to fill it and pour it down the man's face if anything at all. corvus could have stuffed the wet collar of archibald's shirt into his mouth, made him suckle the water out of the fabric. before bello can get any deeper in his judgments he is sent away like a dog to retrieve the young mangold.
moving out of the kitchen and into the hall it takes bello a second to adjust to the difference in lighting. the kitchen was bright white, everything in it hyper visible. adjusting to the dim bar lighting takes a moment. down the hall and to the right, bello pushes the door that fits archie's description. surprisingly, or not because these guys really seem like an amateur operation, the door is unlocked. inside of the room is a desk so big and heavy that it seems to have a gravity of its own. otherwise there is a large leather chair and shelves full of binders that are probably business ledgers and employee files. no girl, and then he hears movement. slowly walking to the other side of the room, bello looks again. underneath the desk, bound and gagged, is a small child.
it has been a long time since bello has been around anyone so young. in his head he thinks she can't be much older than five or six. having heard him come in her breathing has grown louder and more irregular. he thinks she's crying, or trying at least, the sounds are distorted through the tape covering her mouth. bello thinks for a moment that it would of been nice if he was there to rescue her. she does look scared. "hey, hey, shhhh." he crouches down in an attempt to get on her level and seem friendlier. "hey, i'm not one of the guys who took you here." delicately he reaches out, placing his palm on her ribs and spreading his fingers out. she turns her head to look at him the best she can. "i know they took you away from your family. you must be really scared." bello's voice is almost a coo, as soft and sweet as he can manage to make it. he moves his hand to brush her hair, golden yellow like corn. much of it is caught in the tape around her mouth. "can i take you out of here?" she nods the best she can.
so far he hasn't lied to her. "okay, okay sweetheart. just give me a second okay." bello stands just enough to look over the desk. he does not think anyone's coming. both her hands and legs are tied together. bello figures untying her legs would not be such a big risk. the worst that could happen was maybe she slips away and tries to hide herself in a cabinet. her eyes are covered and so is her mouth. bello is happy he didn't have to be the one to do this. finding a pair of scissors, he hesitates. unsure of how corvus would prefer things handled he slips them into his back pocket. he could always just carry the girl. delicately as possible he scoops her up. she's in a tight space and it's difficult not to bump her head. he holds her in the cradle of his arms. leaning back into the door it creaks open. he cautiously steps into the hall.
he makes his way back to the kitchen, bello isn't sure if actually entering with the child is the smartest thing to do. "hey, i got the girl." he calls, opening the door just enough to put his face through.
[attr="class","s1lyrics1"]constellation of tears on your lashes
[attr="class","s1lyrics2"]burn everything you love then burn the ashes
[attr="class","s1write"]
[attr="class","s1scroll"]
Corvus doesn’t talk, doesn’t even look at Archibald, too busy chewing the inside of his cheek and circling around the kitchen. No one’s around after all and he’s curious. Maybe it’s the stress but he wants a snack while he’s at it. He’s been through enough tonight. Every so often he’ll glance back down the hall for Bello. The sound of a cup being set down distracts him and he peaks around the edge of the furniture at what’s left of sad Archie, Merle’s ear tilted towards the man and also up waiting for traffic. “Think you’re ready to say more?” he asked though the man didn’t even look up probably still fearful of another slap. “I-….I uh…” came his words, hoarse and slow. It looked like he was talking albeit very, very slowly. [break][break]
His voice seemed to drop even lower, as if trying to convey secret information. Corvus is happy to oblige moving just a bit closer to pick up the mug. “Th’…th’ Shepherd brothers. They’se the ones that said they were smugglin’ cargo…. didn’t mean to see th’ girl. Saw her anyways.” He murmured. Before Corvus could as a follow up he heard the swift movement of Merle standing and quietly back up as a pair of men with russet hair stepped through. They were around the same height, which is to say, taller than Corvus by a head. One was leaner than other one. The other one had some of a beer belly, but he could see the storage of muscle in the arms and legs. Ah, fuck. [break][break]
“Who’s this chicken shit, Archie?” the fatter one asked as Corvus’ eyes widened a bit in surprise. Ah, yeah he had mentioned waiting for them to move her. The leaner ones put his sights on Merle who doesn’t like being made eye contact with. The beast bares its teeth, bright white on black and there’s a deep rumble in his chest. Corvus tries to take the reigns again tapping the edge of the mug on the counter top. “You the Shepherd brothers?” he asked, with the skinnier guy spitting at the ground before Merle eliciting a crackle of energy as the shadows under him begin to mold and shift. Just then he heard Bello announce himself and there is a minor wave of relief. “The fuck’s he mean, Umer?” the skinnier brother hissed. “If it’s not clear, me and my partner are here to relieve you of your cargo. You’re dismissed.” Corvus said attempting to assert some form of confidence in this situation. “Hear that Brax? Kid’s kidnapping our kidnapee.” [break][break]
“Um, not actually that’s the oppos-” Corvus began clarifying before Brax charges at him smacking his head to the side with a menacing right hook that knocks the boy to the ground with ease. His vision swam and in the daze his companion lunges for the man, shadowy tendrils rising out of his own shadows to rip the man off the smaller witch and smash him against the counter. He felt the collar of his shirt tugged as Merle dragged him back, shaking him so he could stand up. Meanwhile Umer’s already on the move towards Bello a half empty bottle in hand. “Oi! Believe that’s my fuckin’ charge there.” He said smashing the bottle on the wall.
quickly bello realizes there are more people in the room than when he left it. the new comers are closer in size to him than corvus. if only not to break his composure, he suppresses a deep sigh. this was a miscalculation on their end. kidnappings, at least of such high profile, were rarely one man jobs. it was foolish to think archibald, as old and useless as his was, could have done this himself. bello regrets being in possession of such precious cargo. he looks down at this girl, it would be so easy to drop her on the floor like a sack of potatoes. she was small even for a child. if he dropped her, ms. mangold was sure to get hurt.
bessie, i need you. almost before he can finish the thought, she is behind him in the hall. its a narrow fit for such a large body. "listen, i need you go hide. bessie will keep you safe." bello slips the scissors from his back pocket. bello cuts her limbs free. he drops her onto the back of his familiar. "hold on to her tight." bessie turns around as well as she can. her new found duty as guard cow was one she was taking very seriously.
behind him, bello does his best to conjure up a pillar of earth. its not as large as the entry way, or even as solid, but it did provide a buffer between the cargo and the kidnappers. he pushes into the room just in time to get an eyeful of corvus' getting punched in the face. it is even more disappointing to see him fall to the ground. merle is quick to make his aid. this keeps bello's attention for only a moment as the larger brother, broken bottle in hand, makes his way towards him. the idea of being sliced and diced was ... unappealing to say the least.
umar approaches him with all the swagger of an angry bull. "woah there." bello can only think of all the places that glass could go and all make him equally queasy. he can feel adrenaline spring forth from the well of his stomach. scissors still in hand, he weaves as umar jabs at him. the kidnapper expecting to have made contact with a solid body, stumbles into the pillar bello had constructed. its structural integrity is weak, and the soft rocks fall like an avalanche over his attackers body. in a moment bello is on top of umar, stepping hard on his wrist forcing him to release the bottle. there's a wet burning on his cheek, blood welling up from a cut he didn't realize was there.
bello takes this opportunity to stomp on the body beneath him. umar is not out but he's dazed. for a moment he turns to see what is going on behind him.
[attr="class","s1lyrics1"]constellation of tears on your lashes
[attr="class","s1lyrics2"]burn everything you love then burn the ashes
[attr="class","s1write"]
[attr="class","s1scroll"]
Corvus picks himself up, albeit shakily and with help of one angry beast tugging at his backside. He managed to locate his opponent who was already getting up from the counter after being knocked into it hastily. Corvus can only spare a terrified glance at Bello who was left to deal with the more menacing, in his opinion, of the two brothers. Philippe hisses in his mind reminding hi to be cautious. This is why he was supposed to spar more with the snakes in their coven. His familiar’s magic was too dangerous to use in closed off spaces like this. [break][break]
Brax reaches for a knocked over knife and wields it strangely, but deftly. Corvus imagines he had another dagger he preferred to use but not tonight. Too easy a task tonight right? “Merle, again!” he ordered as he traced a pattern in the air before him which slowly coalesced into twinkling dust before stamping itself firmly on his right palm. There’s a soft glow before he began moving as well. He had sort of fought people with knives before. Merle summoned another shadow tendril that whipped out and slapped Brax hard on the leg, trying to push it out from under him. He swiped at the hound who was too far away more out of anger than any real attempt to cut him. [break][break]
Corvus moved in, circling to the opposite side and jabbing hard with a clenched fist at the kidnapper’s wrist. He doesn’t hear the crack in something but Brax lets out a quick curse before taking a swipe at the witch. Corvus is already backing away, no intention of staying near. One more Merle casts a shadow tendril that rises up and smacks the man again, only for Corvus to dart in and aim another punch at Brax’s knife hand. Sure enough, this time he’s ready and Corvus hisses as he feels dull metal meet flesh. There’s a gash on his knuckles and in sheer fury he slaps fingers. There is the crack as weaker joints snap under the enhanced strength of the bear and this time Brax is screaming steadily. [break][break]
The knife clatters to the ground and Corvus makes a move for it kicking it out of the way only to tumble onto the ground as the injured and howling Brax aims a kick at his back. It effectively knocks the wind out of him a bit but he’s still scrambling to stay on his feet. At this point Merle shows his fangs jumping on his master’s attacker and digging giant teeth into a thigh before yanking back a screaming man. Merle’s eyes are narrowed to slits as he shakes the man, savagely tearing at flesh like he would any other quarry. It gives time for Corvus to stand, and for him to wildly locate a frying pan and smash it down on the brother’s head. Once, then twice, finally a third time dulls his movements having missed before. Merle is quick to move towards his witch curling around the witch and herding him away from the possible threat. “Bello! Let’s go.” He said through pants as adrenaline wracked his system and blood oozed from his right hand.
[break][break]
items | [break] spells | darkness, a subtle touch #1, #2, #12, constellation grimoire: ursa major [break] techniques | [break]
