All four of you find yourselves on a lonely dirt road at the outskirts of a small village. Its houses are dark as tombstones; nestled among these solemn swellings are a handful of boarded-up shops and a long-abandoned tavern.
A soft whimpering draws your attention to a pair of children standing in the middle of an otherwise lifeless street. The smaller of the pair - a boy clutching a stuffed doll - is weeping, and the taller - a girl of about ten - is trying to hush him.
<.>
The first thing Dima does - jolting awake and half-upright - is make certain Faolan's still near.
The second is to reach into his pack, to feel the bundled clothes for the shape of the raven.
Once he's assured both remain, he rises to a crouch, examining the scene they've... What, been brought to? (Is this a dream?) That's been brought to them? He scans for signs of movement, signs of life. Sees that Sen is still present (wonderful; fantastic) and sees—
Okay well. They. Might be children. They look like children.
Dima would like to try to discern whether he can see anyone apart from the children, and/or whether the children from this distance appear to be actual living breathing children.
Rin meanwhile is cross all over again, because trees are supposed to be reliable and very stable places to pass the night. This is twice they've been betrayed by trees! Where did the tree even go.
Whatever the case, they don't like being in the open in such a strange place. Rin's going to leap to their feet, tail curling around their calves, trying to decide whether they've seen this place before. They're also going to try to stick to the edge of this little group they've found themself with, staying closest to the tall (he's very tall, isn't he?) elf.
And, completely brushing past the fact that one of the children is crying, they call out a question: "Is this where you live?"
<.>
Faolan wakes nearer to Dmitri than he was when he fell asleep - and much further from his hammock.
He doesn't like this. Not the town, abandoned though it might be, or waking disoriented with the only familiarity a pair of thieves and - a Voronin.
But they are familiar. Enough.
He rises and nears Sen, who is also getting to his feet with an apparent lack of perturbation.
The elf immediately begins his chatter, calling out to Rin warmly, "Doubtful they live in the street here. Maybe ask them something other. Ask if there's a tavern!"
Faolan places a hand on Sen's elbow and with a disgruntled frown, shakes his head 'no'.
[PERC, d: 11]
As far as Dima can tell, there's no one else around. The children look like flesh and blood children.
At Rin's question, the girl hushes the boy gently once more, then turns to the party and calls out, "We live there!"
She points to a tall brick row house that has certainly seen better days. Its windows are dark. It has a gated portico on the ground floor and the rusty gate is slightly ajar. The houses on either side are abandoned, their windows and doors boarded up.
"There's a monster in our house!" she adds tearfully.
<.>
Rin mutters in a voice just loud enough to be picked up by the nearest elf, "Is the monster called 'dilapidation'?" Still, it's likely worth a look; they've snagged remarkably valuable treasure from homes more ruined.
Dima examines the house, trying to determine whether he's seen architecture of the like before, mostly just trying to get some lay of the land. He glances at his three— Well, they might be called traveling companions at this point, yes? Then steps toward the children, clears his throat, and speaks in a voice intended to be courteous, if not quite friendly (how does one behave with children?): "Is there?"
And: "What manner of monster."
<.>
Sen trots away from Faolan to join Rin, so Fae first approaches Dima, then moves past him when the boy begins to cry again.
He likes children. (Always might've wanted one, himself.) (Ha.) He kneels and speaks in a low, comforting voice to the boy, drawing his attention to a serious discussion about his doll.
The girl, freed of the responsibility of comforting a smaller child, heroically sniffs against her own tears, then replies to Dima, "We don't know. We only heard its terrible howls. Our father keeps it locked away, but I think it got loose - oh, please help!"
Her reserves of strength run dry and she begins to sob, as well. Seeing this, the boy's own crying is renewed, and he latches on to Fae for comfort.
<.>
Oh... No.
Dima shifts an uncertain glance toward Faolan, who seems not at all uneasy with these children, then throws a glance back toward Sen and the tiefling, a look that might very well be a small, small cry for help. He doesn't know what to do about the crying. The information, though, he can use. So he takes a few steps near, looking more at the battered house than the child, and nods to himself, speaks again, voice unwavered: "Where is your father?"
Rin has never, never been good with children. Or people, for that matter. They have half a mind to slip off toward the house immediately, and they give the elf's side a subtle nudge, try to meet his eyes and nod toward the house.
<.>
Sen doesn't mind children, generally speaking. However, something about this situation is unsettling him, and he can't say why; while he doesn't really care to go into the house, he likewise doesn't want to stay out here.
He catches Rin's suggestion, but with a glance and nod, indicates they ought to take the other two.
Firepower. Literally. Just in case there's aCTUALLY monster.
The girl's response gives Fae a sick feeling in his stomach: she points at the house.
If she believes there's a monster and her father is in there, a corpse might be all they find.
He draws back and cups the boy's face, then places a large hand on the girl's arm. "We'll help. Or - "
He looks back at Dima imploringly - and notes Sen is already making a stealthy little beeline for the house. One last look for Dima, then he turns back and continues with renewed certainty -
"I'll help. It'll be all right. You wait out here. Right there, beside the gate."
[note: Information Fae learned while speaking with the boy: His name is Thorn. His sister's name is Rose. They are seven and ten, respectively. The doll's name is Hildabear. ]
<.>
If Dima had any intention of straying from the house - he didn't, really; he's intrigued by this supposed monster, and by whatever's brought this village to its sapped state - it would have been shattered by the looks Faolan casts his way, and dispersed to the wind when the man stands beside him. He nearly smiles; reminds himself that it really isn't the time.
Dima wants to follow Faolan, starts to follow Faolan, but - not particularly wondering whether one should question a crying child - has one more question for the girl: "How long has your village been this way?"
Rin, meanwhile, has begun to follow Sen, arcing a wide berth around the children. They're going to attempt to peer through the closest window and see what waits within, and how, mm, wealthy the inhabitants seem to be.
<.>
The girl only looks around tearfully as though seeing the village around them for the first time. She shakes her head helplessly. "It wasn't always like this."
With that, she and her brother settle themselves on the ground by the gate. Rose bundles up Thorn in an embrace, and both of them watch the four.
Looking in one of the windows, Rin can see a lavish, oak-paneled room that looks like a hunter's den. A chandelier hangs above a cloth-covered table surrounded by four chairs. The room is dark and they can't make out much else from this vantage.
Directly across from the window is a doorway leading to another, darkened room.
Entering the portico of the house, the group will find the gate is rusted and oil lamps hang from the ceiling by chains, flanking mahogany double doors with stained glass windows. These open easily, revealing a grand foyer.
Hanging on the south wall of the foyer is a shield emblazoned with a coat-of-arms, flanked by portraits of stony-faced aristocrats. At the far end of the hall is another set of mahogany double doors.
What would everyone like to do?
<.>
Rin is going to suggest that everyone be as quiet as they can. "Hey. I don't know how much time you, all of you spend as— Visitors. In other homes. How are you at subtlety?" Mostly, they're looking at Faolan and Sen. Given the 'burning down the tree' incident, Rin has sort of written off Dima for subtlety at the moment. "In case the monster's got ears, or things like ears."
<.>
Fae exchanges a glance with Dima, then Sen, and realizes maybe Rin is talking about him.
Sen, Rin, and Fae immediately begin to stealthily make their way through the house - as Dima trips, crashes into the shield, and brings it down with a clatter.
After a minor hesitation, Fae doubles back, delicately grasps Dima's (not hand) wrist (totally his hand) and whispers, "Stay close."
<.>
Rin throws the most ’Of course you would’ glare in Dima's direction, then looks to Faolan with an imploring expression of ’Please yes keep an eye on thaT.’
Faolan has secured some measure of Rin's respect, stealthy as he is. Dima— Well. The tree burning wasn't bad, but come on.
There's a cant of their head toward Sen, a nod suggesting that they'll move ahead a pace or two, and trust the elf to keep his own stealth.
For Dima, frustration (okay, embarrassment) is quickly overrun with minor dizziness, a sense of gratitude. Logically, he knows Faolan is only mending (probably only mending) a problem. But the man didn't have to take his hand! And knowing Faolan's hold eases Dima, sets him into movements far less clumsy, more attentive to the space of the room.
Dima would like to pause briefly, if possible, and determine whether there is anyone or anything recognizable in the apparent familial portraits.
And. Since he means to pause, he gives Faolan's hand the gentlest pressure.
Death House pt. 1: There’s a Monster Inside!
A soft whimpering draws your attention to a pair of children standing in the middle of an otherwise lifeless street. The smaller of the pair - a boy clutching a stuffed doll - is weeping, and the taller - a girl of about ten - is trying to hush him.
<.>
The first thing Dima does - jolting awake and half-upright - is make certain Faolan's still near.
The second is to reach into his pack, to feel the bundled clothes for the shape of the raven.
Once he's assured both remain, he rises to a crouch, examining the scene they've... What, been brought to? (Is this a dream?) That's been brought to them? He scans for signs of movement, signs of life. Sees that Sen is still present (wonderful; fantastic) and sees—
Okay well. They. Might be children. They look like children.
Dima would like to try to discern whether he can see anyone apart from the children, and/or whether the children from this distance appear to be actual living breathing children.
Rin meanwhile is cross all over again, because trees are supposed to be reliable and very stable places to pass the night. This is twice they've been betrayed by trees! Where did the tree even go.
Whatever the case, they don't like being in the open in such a strange place. Rin's going to leap to their feet, tail curling around their calves, trying to decide whether they've seen this place before. They're also going to try to stick to the edge of this little group they've found themself with, staying closest to the tall (he's very tall, isn't he?) elf.
And, completely brushing past the fact that one of the children is crying, they call out a question: "Is this where you live?"
<.>
Faolan wakes nearer to Dmitri than he was when he fell asleep - and much further from his hammock.
He doesn't like this. Not the town, abandoned though it might be, or waking disoriented with the only familiarity a pair of thieves and - a Voronin.
But they are familiar. Enough.
He rises and nears Sen, who is also getting to his feet with an apparent lack of perturbation.
The elf immediately begins his chatter, calling out to Rin warmly, "Doubtful they live in the street here. Maybe ask them something other. Ask if there's a tavern!"
Faolan places a hand on Sen's elbow and with a disgruntled frown, shakes his head 'no'.
[PERC, d: 11]
As far as Dima can tell, there's no one else around. The children look like flesh and blood children.
At Rin's question, the girl hushes the boy gently once more, then turns to the party and calls out, "We live there!"
She points to a tall brick row house that has certainly seen better days. Its windows are dark. It has a gated portico on the ground floor and the rusty gate is slightly ajar. The houses on either side are abandoned, their windows and doors boarded up.
"There's a monster in our house!" she adds tearfully.
<.>
Rin mutters in a voice just loud enough to be picked up by the nearest elf, "Is the monster called 'dilapidation'?" Still, it's likely worth a look; they've snagged remarkably valuable treasure from homes more ruined.
Dima examines the house, trying to determine whether he's seen architecture of the like before, mostly just trying to get some lay of the land. He glances at his three— Well, they might be called traveling companions at this point, yes? Then steps toward the children, clears his throat, and speaks in a voice intended to be courteous, if not quite friendly (how does one behave with children?): "Is there?"
And: "What manner of monster."
<.>
Sen trots away from Faolan to join Rin, so Fae first approaches Dima, then moves past him when the boy begins to cry again.
He likes children. (Always might've wanted one, himself.) (Ha.) He kneels and speaks in a low, comforting voice to the boy, drawing his attention to a serious discussion about his doll.
The girl, freed of the responsibility of comforting a smaller child, heroically sniffs against her own tears, then replies to Dima, "We don't know. We only heard its terrible howls. Our father keeps it locked away, but I think it got loose - oh, please help!"
Her reserves of strength run dry and she begins to sob, as well. Seeing this, the boy's own crying is renewed, and he latches on to Fae for comfort.
<.>
Oh... No.
Dima shifts an uncertain glance toward Faolan, who seems not at all uneasy with these children, then throws a glance back toward Sen and the tiefling, a look that might very well be a small, small cry for help. He doesn't know what to do about the crying. The information, though, he can use. So he takes a few steps near, looking more at the battered house than the child, and nods to himself, speaks again, voice unwavered: "Where is your father?"
Rin has never, never been good with children. Or people, for that matter. They have half a mind to slip off toward the house immediately, and they give the elf's side a subtle nudge, try to meet his eyes and nod toward the house.
<.>
Sen doesn't mind children, generally speaking. However, something about this situation is unsettling him, and he can't say why; while he doesn't really care to go into the house, he likewise doesn't want to stay out here.
He catches Rin's suggestion, but with a glance and nod, indicates they ought to take the other two.
Firepower. Literally. Just in case there's aCTUALLY monster.
The girl's response gives Fae a sick feeling in his stomach: she points at the house.
If she believes there's a monster and her father is in there, a corpse might be all they find.
He draws back and cups the boy's face, then places a large hand on the girl's arm. "We'll help. Or - "
He looks back at Dima imploringly - and notes Sen is already making a stealthy little beeline for the house. One last look for Dima, then he turns back and continues with renewed certainty -
"I'll help. It'll be all right. You wait out here. Right there, beside the gate."
[note: Information Fae learned while speaking with the boy: His name is Thorn. His sister's name is Rose. They are seven and ten, respectively. The doll's name is Hildabear. ]
<.>
If Dima had any intention of straying from the house - he didn't, really; he's intrigued by this supposed monster, and by whatever's brought this village to its sapped state - it would have been shattered by the looks Faolan casts his way, and dispersed to the wind when the man stands beside him. He nearly smiles; reminds himself that it really isn't the time.
Dima wants to follow Faolan, starts to follow Faolan, but - not particularly wondering whether one should question a crying child - has one more question for the girl: "How long has your village been this way?"
Rin, meanwhile, has begun to follow Sen, arcing a wide berth around the children. They're going to attempt to peer through the closest window and see what waits within, and how, mm, wealthy the inhabitants seem to be.
<.>
The girl only looks around tearfully as though seeing the village around them for the first time. She shakes her head helplessly. "It wasn't always like this."
With that, she and her brother settle themselves on the ground by the gate. Rose bundles up Thorn in an embrace, and both of them watch the four.
Looking in one of the windows, Rin can see a lavish, oak-paneled room that looks like a hunter's den. A chandelier hangs above a cloth-covered table surrounded by four chairs. The room is dark and they can't make out much else from this vantage.
Directly across from the window is a doorway leading to another, darkened room.
Entering the portico of the house, the group will find the gate is rusted and oil lamps hang from the ceiling by chains, flanking mahogany double doors with stained glass windows. These open easily, revealing a grand foyer.
Hanging on the south wall of the foyer is a shield emblazoned with a coat-of-arms, flanked by portraits of stony-faced aristocrats. At the far end of the hall is another set of mahogany double doors.
What would everyone like to do?
<.>
Rin is going to suggest that everyone be as quiet as they can. "Hey. I don't know how much time you, all of you spend as— Visitors. In other homes. How are you at subtlety?" Mostly, they're looking at Faolan and Sen. Given the 'burning down the tree' incident, Rin has sort of written off Dima for subtlety at the moment. "In case the monster's got ears, or things like ears."
<.>
Fae exchanges a glance with Dima, then Sen, and realizes maybe Rin is talking about him.
"I can try."
Sen, of course, drops a wink.
[STEALTH CHECK!
r: nat 20!
f: nat 20!
s: 17
d: …5]
Sen, Rin, and Fae immediately begin to stealthily make their way through the house - as Dima trips, crashes into the shield, and brings it down with a clatter.
After a minor hesitation, Fae doubles back, delicately grasps Dima's (not hand) wrist (totally his hand) and whispers, "Stay close."
<.>
Rin throws the most ’Of course you would’ glare in Dima's direction, then looks to Faolan with an imploring expression of ’Please yes keep an eye on thaT.’
Faolan has secured some measure of Rin's respect, stealthy as he is. Dima— Well. The tree burning wasn't bad, but come on.
There's a cant of their head toward Sen, a nod suggesting that they'll move ahead a pace or two, and trust the elf to keep his own stealth.
For Dima, frustration (okay, embarrassment) is quickly overrun with minor dizziness, a sense of gratitude. Logically, he knows Faolan is only mending (probably only mending) a problem. But the man didn't have to take his hand! And knowing Faolan's hold eases Dima, sets him into movements far less clumsy, more attentive to the space of the room.
Dima would like to pause briefly, if possible, and determine whether there is anyone or anything recognizable in the apparent familial portraits.
And. Since he means to pause, he gives Faolan's hand the gentlest pressure.
<.>