Aurelia Did the ladies mention what parts of town he frequents?

Dionysus No, but they did say he sticks to certain types of women--smaller women, humans mostly (but then, most people are humans), some halflings, some pseudohumans, etc. No one big enough to put up a fight, & all poor. So the poorer districts.

• Aurelia begins looking for the poorer parts of town.

Dionysus It doesn't take too long.

Dionysus Though it's midafternoon, & it's known he strikes at night.

• Aurelia has sommat else to do first anyway - find a dress that fits in here, baggy enough to cover her armor and Grimdancer.

Dionysus So a poor looking dress?

Aurelia Yes. One that makes her look poor, yes.

Dionysus There's second hand shops.

Aurelia Perfect.

Dionysus You cna get a shabby, baggy dress very cheaply.

• Aurelia does so, eats, and... sends Kashaji away, telling him to find Arlie and Avery, and stay with them.

Dionysus Then what?

Aurelia Then rests a bit and wanders around looking for likely spots until dark.

Dionysus As you wait, you notice Lucilla in the area.

• Aurelia blinks in surprise and watches her while she's in sight.

Dionysus Lucilla is wearing a heavy cloak & carrying a brutal looking battle axe. She feels... much as you do, oddly, though wtih her odd racial accent to it.

• Aurelia takes a step towards her and stops.

Dionysus The movement catches her attention. She stares a moment, then steps toward you & stops.

• Aurelia remains there, staring, for a fair few seconds. If nothing happens, she closes the rest of the distance to Lucilla.

Dionysus Lucilla nods to you as you approach. "I forget your name."

Aurelia "Aurelia Lucent. You hunt."

Dionysus "I do. I am Lucilla Toutant." She holds out a hand.

• Aurelia blinks uncertainly, then reaches for it.

Dionysus Her handshake is firm.

• Aurelia 's is not. Light and tentative.

Dionysus A grin like Arsul's--ugly & menacing, unintentionally--lights across her face briefly. "You hunt."

• Aurelia nods.

Dionysus "Others do, too, in this city. Like us."

• Aurelia nods again, accepting this.

Aurelia What does she feel when she says that?

Dionysus Ferocity. Like she's describing her family which is a pack of carnivores hunting prey to someone as a matter of pride.

Aurelia Aight.

Dionysus "Have you heard of us?"

• Aurelia shakes her head.

Dionysus "We are the Night Watch. We do not let men control us."

• Aurelia tilts her head, then nods.

Dionysus Lucilla says, "Do we hunt together, or split up & cover more ground?"

Aurelia "I would have him see me alone."

Dionysus She nods, "I will cover further south, then. If I catch him, I will let you know. If you catch him, find me. Our sisters will help you... tend to him."

• Aurelia nods.
• Aurelia resumes her wandering.

Dionysus You sense intense terror from nearby as you wander.

• Aurelia pauses, then turns towards it.

Dionysus A thin, pale looking man with red eyes stares at you. The terror wafts off him, but he looks more delighted than afraid.

Aurelia He doesn't match the description, does he?

Aurelia Does he feel human?

Dionysus No. He's thin, the Ravager is heavyset. He has black hair, the Ravager brown.

Dionysus He feels terror. That's it.

• Aurelia shudders faintly, takes a deep breath, and turns to continue on.

Dionysus "Running from me, Child?"

• Aurelia pauses again. "Who are you?"

Dionysus "Most run from me. I am Nightmare Incarnate."

Aurelia "You are not what I seek."

Dionysus "You interest me."

• Aurelia looks blankly at him.

Dionysus "You are fighting your fears."

• Aurelia continues to simply look at him.

Dionysus "I can help you, if you help me."

• Aurelia waits.

Dionysus "You are the Sacrifice. You hurtle toward your destiny, blindly, bouncing off one event after another. Time it is you took control, no?"

• Aurelia has no answer. She does not give one.

Dionysus "Do you want to fight your fears, or master them? Do you wish to be feared, to no longer fear? You seek identity. You fear what you might become. I can help you shape your own path."

Aurelia "Why?"

Dionysus "Why would I help you? For a price, of course."

Aurelia "What price?"

Dionysus "You can pick: the blood sacrifice of your own father in my honor, the heart of the Prince of Faeries burned to my honor, or your own blood spilled in my honor."

• Aurelia watches him, considering that.

Aurelia "The first is not in my reach. The second I will not."

Dionysus "It doesn't have to be immediate. I am patient."

Aurelia "Why do you wish these things?"

Dionysus "Because your father serves my rival. The Prince of Faeries is my enemy. And your blood is potent. Such sacrifices will give me... access, to your world."

Aurelia "How much blood?"

Dionysus "All of it."

Aurelia "No."

Dionysus He shrugs, "Well, when you meet your dear old dad, remember my offer. If he dies with my name carved in his skin, I will honor my end of the deal."

Dionysus And then he's gone.

Dionysus You notice it's quite dark out now.

Dionysus And you suddenly feel fear from down an alleyway nearby.

Dionysus And lust. Two people.

• Aurelia turns towards it.

Dionysus You hear a struggle.

• Aurelia heads there quickly.

Dionysus You see a large man grappling with a small nymph.

Dionysus He manages to grab hold of her.

Dionysus She grabs a pendant about her neck & cries, struggling in his grasp.

Dionysus Aurelia?

Aurelia Has he seen me?

Dionysus You don't think so.

Aurelia I want to get behind him, then.

Dionysus Roll rogue.

Dionysus He does not notice you get behind him

• Aurelia attempts to grab the back of his neck and Wound. Possibly on her next init.

Dionysus The Ravager gets the cloth to her mouth.

Dionysus She seems to slump a little, but still struggles.

Dionysus She is too weak, though, to struggle much.

Aurelia touches his neck and Wounds.

Dionysus His neck turns into a bloody fountain as he slumps forward.

• Aurelia pushes him violently away from the nymph.

Dionysus The nymph stumbles away, then collapses, her pendant dangling in her hand--a sapphire heart on a golden chain. You sense love faintly flowing from it. A love holy symbol.

• Aurelia makes sure the man is not moving, then checks the nymph.

Dionysus She's asleep.

Dionysus He's dead.

• Aurelia attempts to wake her.

Dionysus She opens her eyes, but remains groggy. She feels drugged.

Aurelia Did the man match the description?

Dionysus Yes.

• Aurelia pulls lightly at the Nymph's shoulders. "Stand."

Dionysus She doesn't seem able, though she tries.

Aurelia Can she enough that I can support her?

Dionysus Yes.

• Aurelia supports her. "Where is your home?"

Dionysus Her response is unintelligble.

Aurelia How far from here is the Staff office?

Dionysus Maybe twenty minutes walk with her.

• Aurelia looks back towards the body, watching it for a moment, then heads towards the office with the nymph.

Dionysus Inside, a man in a brown cloak sits at a desk with a staff next to him. He looks up, then jumps up, "Another attack?"

Dionysus He rushesto the nymph & helps her to a chair.

• Aurelia lets go of the nymph.

Dionysus He looks at you, "What happened here, miss?"

Dionysus He feels human.

Aurelia "The rapist is ended."

Dionysus He looks at you a moment, then says, "Tell me everything. You" he yells at a trainee, "Get a doctor."

Dionysus The trainee runs out.

Aurelia "He held her, filled with lust. He held drugged cloth to her mouth. He was prevented from doing as he wished."

Dio "How?"

Aurelia "I took his life from him."

Dionysus He looks you over, notes the blood on you, "Are you hurt?"

• Aurelia shakes her head.

Dionysus "What's your name?"

Aurelia "Aurelia Lucent."

Dionysus "And hers?" He indiactes the nymph.

Aurelia "I do not know."

Dionysus The trainne comes back with a man in a white coat. He goes to the nymph, then looks at you, "Are you okay, miss?"

Dionysus He feels human.

Dionysus The Staff says, "Where did this take place?"

• Aurelia nods.

Aurelia "Seven streets to the south, nine west."

Dionysus The doctor takes care of the nymph. The Staff nods to the trainee, who runs off again.

Dionysus "What were you doing out with her?"

Aurelia "I was not. I walked alone. I heard them."

Dionysus He pauses, looks you over, then says, "You're not from here, are you?"

• Aurelia shakes her head.

Dionysus "Are you a member of the 'Night Watch,' miss?"

• Aurelia shakes her head again.
• Aurelia isn't hiding recognition of the term.

Aurelia But she does not consider herself part of the 'pack'.

Dionysus Right, but recognition is damning evidence.

Dionysus "I think I'm going to have to ask you to come with me, ma'am. Have you any weapons on your person?"

• Aurelia considers briefly, then opens the side of the dress to show Grimdancer (and part of her armor).

Dionysus "I'll have to... Bronccour, that;s a nasty weapon! Place that on the counter, please."

Aurelia "He will be returned?"

Dionysus "That depends on what our investigation uncovers. Vigilantism is a crime, miss."

Dionysus He grips his staff.

• Aurelia considers this. "I am no 'vigilante.' I was titled 'Servant' and 'Avenger of the Despoiled.'"

Dionysus He looks you over, "Servant, as in, noble? If so, produce your signet ring. Under Code 3233, I order you to do so."

Aurelia Was I given one?

Dionysus I don't think so, come to think of it.

Aurelia "I have none."

Dionysus "Then you will have to place your sword & other weapons on the counter & wait in a cell while we question the magistrates. Aurelia Lucent was your name, you said?"

• Aurelia nods and, after a moment, unbuckles Grimdancer and places him on the counter.

Dionysus "Any other weapons?"

• Aurelia shakes her head.

Dionysus He nods to a female Staff, "She'll pat you down to make sure."

Dionysus And the woman steps forward to do so. You allow it?

Aurelia How... sufficient is the armor's binding in that respect? Would I pass a patdown?

Dionysus Probably.

• Aurelia nods warily.

Dionysus She pats you down gently, not bothering with your crotch area. "She's clean."

Dionysus He takes your arm firmly but not roughly, "This way."

• Aurelia flinches at the touch, but follows.

Dionysus He puts you in a small cell & says, "We'll have the magistrate up in the morning. Until then, just get comfortable."

• Aurelia frowns slightly, but nods.

Dionysus And... there you are til morning.

• Aurelia doesn't sleep much.

Dionysus You are given food, not bad food, either, but not great.

Dionysus At about midnight, the nymph comes over to speak to you. "Miss... Lucent, they said?"

• Aurelia picks at it.
• Aurelia looks up at the nymph, then nods.

Dionysus "Th-thank you. For saving me."

• Aurelia tilts her head slightly, then nods again.

Dionysus "My name is Adreena. I am.. was a Sister of Love. I still.. believe, but the order is no more, for now. I wasn't... Well, I have this." She holds up her holy symbol.

• Aurelia blinks at her, not understanding.

Dionysus "It is said to be the same one used by the Jack of Hearts, long ago, when he slew a fallen angel. It is a holy relic. I... took it, when I should not have. But now... I know why."

• Aurelia watches, silend in the darkness.

Dionysus She hands it through the bars, "I know you are not the Mother of Beauty's follower, but I think she wanted--/wants/ you to have this."

• Aurelia looks away. "I do no deserve such."

Dionysus "You saved me. I am the last Sister of Love here. It's all I can give."

• Aurelia hesitates, then takes it. "Thank you."

Dionysus "Thank you."

• Aurelia sits back on the cell's bed again, not sure what else to say or do.

Dionysus The Sister smiles, then turns to go. She stops to wave at the furthest point you can still see her. All the while, she feels gratittude.

Dionysus And love.

Dionysus The holy symbol feels love.

• Aurelia watches her, then lies down, thinking about Bartleby, Avery, her family, and Diana.
• Aurelia sleeps a little bit, but mostly stares at the ceiling.

Dionysus It's a rough night.

Aurelia Are there other cells?

Dionysus All empty.

Dionysus You hear & see them bring in the body & take it downstairs.

Aurelia That's good.

Dionysus You are offered water to clean off with & fresh, clean clothes in the form of prison whites.

• Aurelia accepts the water, cleans, and removes the overdress, but remains in her armor.

Aurelia Does Kashaji go with Arlie or stay with Avery?

Dionysus Intense fear wafts off the fear tent. Accepting love from the house tent. Nothing from the blank black tent. Determination from the bow. Frenzy & care from the golden apple. Connectedness from the bridge. Familiarity from the old book. Pride from the cat. Concentration from the bell armor. Rightness from the crown. Introspection from the silhouette. Mischief from the tongue. Pride from the hammer. Madness from the door. Pensiveness from the helmet & spear. And the hand exudes a trembling power.

• Aurelia wanders the tents looking for signs of the chaos that often follows the party. She gravitates a bit towards the fear tent, ending up passing it more often than the others.

Dionysus You hear preaching from all of them.

• Aurelia listens to fragments here and there.