When the Council comes calling

[homeless_pard]

Who: Khem, JC, Asher, Nat, Req, any?
When: Two months after her shop has been open.
What: Well, the Council. And everyone gets to be a badass.

Khemrys chuckled, sealing the last of the small jars she was working on with wax and intricately knotted, colored strings. "My last gifting to the lady did not go well," she pointed out. Not well at all given the sour looks and the fact the woman practically danced when Khemrys had moved to the apartment. Khemrys was still at the Circus, often, to cook and for the dance nights that they al enjoyed but...

...well, the space hopefully had the woman forgetting about her?

"Oui," Jean Claude admitted, running fingers along plants. They'd come to look over the property and the books, a pleasant outing, honestly, to check in on their newest holding. And on Khemrys. He was a little uneasy having her away from the Circus honestly, something neither he nor Asher could pinpoint so here they were on an excuse. "But this she will not know is from you. I ask you to make something on my behalf as a gift."

She moved smoothly from sealing the bruise balm to the next chore of blending a headache powder as she considered that, "I am uncertain if that will work, high lord. My stitching is...distinctive at this point?"

"She has a point, I have to keep my nice clothes at the Circus now," Nathanial pointed out, lounging under the sun lamps. It was his evening off and he'd been intending to trade bread recipes with Khem but then the vamps had wandered in!

"We were afraid that might be the case," Asher admitted, looking up from the sale ledger. "And I suggested a leatherworker instead..."

"Aye, I've no deft hand with leather," Khemrys admitted. "No matter it may act as fabric at times, the thickness throws me?" No matter what they might intend for Anita?

"Ah," Jean Claude looked disappointed but not entirely surprised at least? She was grateful not to fail him in something he truly hoped for!

"May I at least offer some su-" she blinked, freezing a moment, herbs actually trickling from between her fingers. What was that? A feeling, nothing more, but one that slid along her spine like ice, then the front door chimed, someone throwing themselves inside with a pained gasp. She dropped the herbs entire to run for the shop entry, seeing a young rat on the floor, writhing. "Lords, MY KIT!"

The two vamps blinked, uncertain as to where such might be but Nathaniel rolled to his feet and grabbed a bag, tossing it, "what happened?"

"...he told me to run...get here..." the young man gasped, fighting a shift. It nearly took him, but he managed to pull his leg inside the shop and his body eased immediately, some boon or blessing by crossing under Gunnora's symbol no doubt. "Rafael said to get safe, but I didn't get far enough...here's safe..."

"Here is safe," Khemrys confirmed, feeling along the boy's limb's for injury. No blood, no tearing...

"From what?" Jean Claude's voice rolled dangerously, making the boy wince and curl on himself.

"The Circus. They took the Circus, they were calling us..."

"...oh shit," Nathaniel blinked.

"You will stay here," Khemrys noted grimly to the boy. "Upstairs, there is stew. Do not leave until I return." That said she was standing to grab a heavy apron with pockets and a proper backpack to stuff things in.

"You will not be going," Jean Claude noted.

"They will need a healer, high lord. And you may need blood," she noted in the calm voice of a battlefield medic. "We do not seem to have time to argue."

No, no time at all if the Circus was in danger. That was a home. Not her only home now, but certainly Jean Claude and Asher's, and it was NOT to be taken.

They'd see what the may when they arrived hmmm?

Comments

[nathanielgrayson]

Nathaniel was already on his phone, texting rapidly to Micah. He hadn't felt any pull, but if Micah was holding out against a call he'd be protected, but only as long as Micah could hold.

"The leopards were called," he said in a soft voice. "Micah's fighting it, but..." he looked up with worry at Jean Claude and Asher.

Jean Claude seemed distant for a moment and then swore angrily. "Fils de pute, answer me, Richard!" He pulled out his own phone, sending a message as well. "I cannot reach any of our people within the Circus. Richard is blocking me out so I do not know if the wolves have been..." His phone buzzed and he glanced back down. "He is trying to stand alone against them, the fool. We may not battle our wolves this eve, but we may not be able to call them to our aid, either."

[homeless_pard]

"Then you may need me all the more," she pointed out grimly, hopping up on a counter, decorum be damned, as she pulled a heavy, earthenware jar down. "It is a kindness I have been working with Lillian to make medicines that work on shifters. I may be able to drop them into a sleep with this at least." Better than fighting one hoped.

"Lord Requiem stands yet, I would know if he fell." At least she thought she would? "Lord Jason I do not know..."

[nathanielgrayson]

Jean Claude gave her an odd look. "You can sense Requiem?" He had been blocked from his people, but perhaps whatever magic dwelt in her could bypass their enemies.

He turned to Asher. "Will you take to the air? See if any more of our people have been able to flee?" Asher nodded and was out the door in a blur.

Nathaniel shakily rose, raising hands to spot Khemrys as she climbed and offering to take hold of jars as she sought medicines that could help.

[homeless_pard]

"...not if I think overly much on such?" she admitted. "It is simply a knowing, and I do not know if he is injured?" Just...alive. In as much as the Night Walkers were. She was happy to pass things to Nat, then pointed where another backpack was he could take into battle!


"Like it is because we share a hearth often?" Not a connection point she shared with others yet it seemed, though she might know if Beryl were to fall?

"What are we like to encounter, high lord?"

[nathanielgrayson]

Jean Claude, forced himself to sit for a moment, considering. "I am not yet sure. If the rats have been taken, Padma has likely returned as he may call all manner of beasts to his aid. Likewise with the wolves and leopards." He shook his head. "Belle may also call leopards to her aid, and I do not doubt she would take any opportunity to take back those she has lost to us."

Nathaniel paled at the mention of Padma, packing the backpack with what Khemrys handed to him with shaking hands.

"Apart from those two, I do not know what may await us within. There are many in the Council that wish us ill."

[homeless_pard]

"Ah," she mused, considering that. That was rather frightening to consider, wasn't it? Was she beast enough she might be swayed? Would her pendant protect her?

Could she afford not to hope such?

"And so," she sighed, finally slipping from the counter to pull on boots and lace them tight. "It shall be a harsh eve." But they'd go.

[nathanielgrayson]

Jean Claude nodded solemnly. "Harsh indeed." He returned to his phone, once more pleading with Richard to stand with them and take what aid he could share in holding off Padma. "Nathaniel, please tell Micah that if any of his people can stand with us, to meet here within the hour?"

Nathaniel nodded, returning to his phone.

[homeless_pard]

"And any who may need shelter may stay here, Gunnora willing it will remain a safe place," Khemrys sighed, flexing her fingers to shake the nerves out. "I know not all may fight, or that some might be at risk should the lord Micah grow distracted." Or fall.

[nathanielgrayson]

Jean Claude nodded. "We can leave this as a safe haven for those who make their escape. Those who are already distant from the Circus should keep that distance unless coming to our aid."

Nathaniel gently touched her fingers, although whether seeking or offering reassurance wasn't immediately apparent. His still too pale face looked to Jean Claude. "What about Anita?"

Jean Claude's face was impassive as it often was when he was trying desperately to mask any emotion. "I cannot reach her. It may be that she was within when the Circus was taken."

[homeless_pard]

Khemrys wrapped her fingers in Nathaniel's gratefully; she was not so foolish as to think this would be exciting. Far from, this was possible war on a small scale by the look of the others. She was not as brave as she was pretending in the least.

"...lords...Requiem is coming," she blinked, glancing toward the door though she was certain she wouldn't see him yet.

Meanwhile, inside the Circus

[jasonpschuyler]

The attack began subtly: an almost imperceptible dulling of the link to the master who was not within. No one within could feel the call being sent outward to the lycanthrope communities, and no one could feel the answering call of their group to band together. It was quiet and peaceful within the Circus.

Even Jason, frustrated by Anita's attempt to feed the ardeur with him, while he was sleeping, no less, was beginning to drift back to sleep in the quiet.

By the time they noticed the invaders, it was too late. Jason woke just as several large wereleopards burst in. He didn't have time to shift, and he was still drowsy from blood loss and whatever psychic weight was gently smothering them all, but he wasn't about to go down without a fight.

By the time he was dragged to the donor's quarters he was already badly bruised and bleeding, along with several others. He blinked through warm blood trickling down his face, trying to see who had been taken. Who had even been inside?

[nathanielgrayson]

Nathaniel wasn't even about to pretend: he was terrified, and he clung just as gratefully to Khemrys as she had taken his hand.

Jean Claude glanced up and after a moment he nodded. "Yes, and Asher with him. Be ready: I do not know who follows."

Re: Meanwhile, inside the Circus

[homeless_pard]

To say Requiem was displeased with Anita was an understatement. It was NOT his turn or time in the lists at all having fed the woman the past three days straight, a fact that he was intending to discuss with Jean Claude when he returned to the Circus, so when he felt her hunger seeking outward he made himself...scarce.

As scarce as a vampire with a job could anyway. He was in the security office in fact, going over something or other when he felt a sharper edge to the hunger. One he recognized. Belle.

::Hello my sweet,:: the voice purred, pouring into the gaps that had been left since he last felt her touch. No. NO NO NO NO NO. He reached out to slap the alarm button so at least those inside the walls might have some kind of chance...

...though a slim one. He was willing to bet most had already been 'handled' before the bitch said hello. A growl to himself and he was snagging weapons before heading into the hall. Two swords to sling around his waist, one edged in silver, one not, they'd see what was necessary in getting OUT to Jean Claude.

[homeless_pard]

Khemrys was moving as a matter of course, tugging Nathaniel along with her to...hold the door open yes, "none who mean us ill can breach these walls," she pointed out. "I'm not certain what will happen to pursuers should they hit the bounds at speed though..."

Re: Meanwhile, inside the Circus

[jasonpschuyler]

In truth, the attack had been swift enough that there was hardly any sign of chaos, at least on that level of the Circus, as Belle had wisely begun sending in her leopards before reaching out to her former subject.

She was not yet in the Circus or that sudden touch of her hunger would have been enough to overtake them all. Still, his way was already barred by leopards he didn't know...and by rats that he did.

Jason had heard the alarm sound just as he fell under claws and blows, curling in on himself when he could no longer fight them off. It sounded still while he was left crumpled in a bleeding mess on the floor in the donor room with the others. He knew Jean Claude wasn't there: he and Asher had gone to see Khemrys. Did any of the other vampires make it out? He could hear the sounds of fighting still, and he closed his eyes, trying to reserve what little strength he had left.

Re: Meanwhile, inside the Circus

[homeless_pard]

Damn it all, Padma. Hopefully the rats would forgive him, if they lived, the silver edged sword he would try to keep at leopards...

...try being the operative term. He just had to get out, far enough to run, to regroup. Damn it all. ::This was a poor move on your part,:: he snarled.

::Oh no not at all lover,:: Belle laughed back easily. ::It's all well planned.

"WHO ELSE?" was here to 'entertain'?

Re: Meanwhile, inside the Circus

[jasonpschuyler]

Slowly, more and more captives were brought in. They were watched by the wereleopards, but a short time after Jason was brought in he noticed some of the local wererats taking up guard positions around the room. He recognized one of them when they made eye contact with each other. The look on the young rat's face told him what he needed to know: the rats must have fallen. There was an almost apologetic look on his face, but Jason knew that if he made any sort of move the rat would be compelled to shoot him by whoever was controlling him.

Jason shuddered, knowing that in all likelihood that someone was Padma. Which meant the Council was once again in St. Louis. But which Council members plagued them this time?

[nathanielgrayson]

Nathaniel nodded, watching the street worriedly. He thought he could hear rapid footfalls...but none of the strained breathing of someone running hard. At least not yet. Requiem, perhaps?

Nathaniel called back softly, "Someone's coming."

Re: Meanwhile, inside the Circus

[homeless_pard]

He could hear movement below AND further outside, one of the down sides of being a more 'homey' environment now he supposed. Populous, far more populous than the Council expected probably. With luck that would spread the feeding some, keeping lives lost to a minimum...

::So thoughtful,:: Belle laughed across his mind.

He felt a bullet catch his shoulder, making that next sword swing swing wide so he had to slam his good shoulder into a jaguar and bowl him over rather than slicing him aside, which earned him lines down his calf as he went over the damn thing. He was building a list: Belle, Padma...

...getting just clear enough to slam the gate so the shifters he'd moved past couldn't pull him back into the hall then he was pausing in the parkinglot to scan the area. Who else for the list?

Re: Meanwhile, inside the Circus

[jasonpschuyler]

Gunfire upstairs. Jason closed his eyes again. Please let some of them make it out, he thought.

He could see Willie and Hannah being dragged in from the lower levels. Willie had never been much of...anything, really, but he was doing his best to shield Hannah from the worst of it. And considering what Hannah had encountered during the Council's last visit, he couldn't blame him.

He still hadn't seen Anita. Maybe she had made it out?

[homeless_pard]

With the storefront well lit and the door open they were an inviting target? Thankfully, Requiem had no intention of hurting them, staggering from around the edge of a building finally, "GET CLEAR!" don't be tempting targets!

[nathanielgrayson]

Asher was half supporting him as they ran, not as much of a blur of speed as they should have been. His attention was half on their goal, half over their shoulder, watching for pursuit.

Nathaniel still held the door, ready to close it when they were in, but moved aside enough that they wouldn't have to slow. Target or no, his job at the moment was to get them in to safety.

Re: Meanwhile, inside the Circus

[homeless_pard]

He sheathed one of his swords, NOT shaking thank you, as Belle's laughter shifted through his mind. It always amused her when the ex-doctor ended up covered in blood himself and trying not to die hmmm? He couldn't help swaying, tempted briefly, how could he not be?

Damn the woman.

BUT NO.

The dark cars parked at the edge of the lot were so cliched that he had to spare a moment to laugh himself, a sound that died off when the doors started opening.

[homeless_pard]

"Damaged," she reported over her shoulder to Jean Claude as a matter of course. It was obvious in the way her friend moved.

Requiem was NOT amused to see Khem packed for traveling, no, but he held his tongue until they were inside? "Council," he noted harshly. "Guns, DOWN!"

Khemrys blinked?

Re: Meanwhile, inside the Circus

[jasonpschuyler]

Belle, of course he had expected. And Padma, stepping bejeweled and smirking from the same car.

But from the next car emerged a short, pale figure. His face was angular and gaunt, with a shock of dark hair falling over his forehead that emphasized his large, deep set eyes. Arthur, affectionately known as the Lover of Death. He gave a menacing grin in greeting, then turned to offer a hand to the other occupant of the car, a pale woman with long blonde hair. Her features were not lovely, but strong; a glance from her icy blue eyes could turn away armies of bloodthirsty warriors, screaming in terror. A chill could be felt on the air as she stepped from the car, and there were many in Jean Claude's kiss whose very heart would stop in fear knowing that Moroven had set foot in their city.