Cog & Gear: Flashpoint

[Baloth-Kul]

Cornelia tensed up as Rin bit her partner, but she knew that Alistair, everyone else in the room, and the High-Inquisitor would likely object to her bludgeoning a small child. Instead, she turned to Mausier. "Control your child, or I will."

[Rook]

The Office

"The more you speak, the worse of a pyrate I begin to think you are." the High Inquisitor rose from his chair, and those present could detect a wobble that he attempted to hide. Some old leg wound, no doubt. Or perhaps it was simply his age. Perhaps a mixture of both.

He faced the Inquisition tapestry as he spoke to Victoria and examined Rin's drawing, "But you are dangerous... very much so."

When he turned around, there was a look of surprise upon his face. The High Inquisitor pointed to the face of the Masked Man, "Where... How did you?"

Before she could answer, he coughed and folded the drawing into a ball, stuffing it into his pocket, "And it is precisely because of that aforementioned fact that I want you to aid me. To aid Kimmit. I don't know who this man is, but I do know what he must have done to get that mask. And I can guess from whence he comes."

He pulled a ruby ring out of his pocket, slipped onto his finger, and examined it while he continued, "I have done my duty to the Crown in the sunlight and acted according to my personal morality in the dark, but I cannot handle this alone. Not with so few allies left remaining to me."

[Baloth-Kul]

"In the interest of time, you are suggesting that we assist in your investigation of these matters, in exchange for...clemency, or amnesty?" Miss Cogburn asked, eager both for clarification and getting out of here as soon as possible. Her voice betrayed nothing, but inside, she was terrified. Capture, arrest, was usually never one's favourite experience, but for Cornelia, it was a nightmare relived.

[BetaB17]

Rin & Mausier

Through muffled words and a painless 'bite', she said unto others "If it aint iron, it aint 'em. If anythin', ya ought ta' thank meh. Could o've tossd ya under a bus.. or train fer tha't matter". She pointed off towards Cornelia "Ya owe me, remember dat" Likewise, the women's comment only drew a look from Mausier, she may disagree but this was as much control he had over this living chaos

Then, as the Inquisitor rose and spoke, she released her hold on Alistar with a 'pew' as she tried to clear her taste. She didn't really say anything after that, but seemed more keen to let 'the adults' talk this out at first

[Dirty Spaceman]

"I'll be happy to lend my time and services to you to look into this, if that's what you're getting at," Holman told the Inquisitor following Cornelia's query. "I'm probably the one most suited to this out of all of us. But I don't have any crimes for which to be granted amnesty in return, and I do typically work for a price..."

[The-Shadow-One]

Morgan nodded. "Similar indications as that man. I am not aware of any crimes committed on my behalf or by my hands." He muttered. His teacup clenched tightly in his hands as he looked intently at the High Inquisitor. "And sitting here now I am losing much needed coin from the lack of work being done at my station." He then looked down, sipping up the last dregs. "Would you compensate us for that?"

[Kerr]

Monad finished off his bread and drank some more coffee. The High Inquisitor saying he had 'few allies' stood out for Monad. The man was the leader of the Inqusition, one would assume he had no shortage of allies, unless the internal politics of the organisation were turning against him. If the High Inquisitor was replaced, Monad was sure his successor would be just as horrible. Just like it always is.

"You recognize the mask?" said Monad. It was less asking a question and more requesting he elaborate.

Hidden:

Why does he wear the mask?

[Unionhack]

Alistair let out a sharp sort of hiss when Rin bit him, and he jerked away. "Seriously, kid?"

To the High-Inquisitor, he gave a frown. "Now, now, no need for insults. This may shock you, but I'm not exactly a proponent of terrorism. I want to find these..." He said, pausing to find a word other than 'malcontents'. "...these assailants, as much as you do. No man, rich or poor, deserves to go out in a freak accident like that."

[Rook]

The Office

"Clemency for the pair of you, as well as a monetary reward. I can't pardon you, and I doubt I would anyways. I suspect there wouldn't be much point to it, seeing as both of you were disguised." the High Inquisitor answered Cornelia before turning to Holman and Morgan, looking at the latter with a piercing gaze, "I know all about the famous Mr. Findley and his extraordinary record. You will be fully compensated for your services, of course. As for the mages in the room, I cannot officially offer you amnesty, but I am willing to let you fade quietly back into society, in addition to your reward."

He delayed answering Monad by speaking to Alistair, "Take it however you wish. I merely referred to the concept of - how do you say? - 'honor among thieves'."

When the High Inquisitor returned his attention to Monad, he had grown more grim than ever, "Somewhere in the Fringe, there lies an ancient dwarven prison that one of my predecessors, Cyril Albricht, remodeled into a sort of Brass Tower. It is where the Inquisition sends the most dangerous mages to be held. It is guarded by the Keepers, men and women who have risen above even the Sentinels in their skill. Truth be told, I have only met with one of their representatives twice, and I have never been told where to find them. They don't exactly keep in touch."

He continued, "This mask belongs to their leader. I had hoped this simply to be the work of several discontented mages, and the girl's story about his companions seemed to reinforce that idea. However, that hypothesis is likely nothing more than wishful thinking. The threat that this man poses cannot be understated, as I'm sure you can all understand."

[Aarah]

Roger looked puzzled, placing his coffee cup back on its saucer.

"I don't understand. Why would the leader of a group that guards the most dangerous mages, lead a magical attack on a train?"
He asked the High Inquisitor.

[The SheoDovah]

Victoria

"To further the image of all mages being dangerous and eradicate any goodwill that the city may have towards my kind." Victoria suggested to Roger. "I am happy to accept that deal but if we are forced to use violent measures against the culprits, would I be correct in assuming that any offensive magic used and any potential property damage would be attributed to the culprits? Magical fights seldom clean." She inquired. Victoria knew that if mages were truly behind it, it would be a destructive fight and did not fancy being arrested on 'property damages'. The Inquisition was something she distrusted a lot. "And would it be wrong to assume that someone will be sent with us to ensure that any reports made are accurate?"

[Kerr]

"Or maybe the prisoners killed the guards and escaped." said Monad. If they want to overthrow the Inquisition, more power to them. Although blowing up a train full of civilians is no way to go about it. He looked over in Victoria's direction. "If you can't use magic without burning down half a street, maybe you shouldn't use magic." Monad didn't want this fool mage accidentally killing them all because she couldn't cast a simple spell properly.

Hidden:

So is Greek Fire called "Wildfyre" in this setting then? Assuming Greek Fire is a thing alchemists can make.

[Rook]

The Office

"Mr. Flynn is correct." the High Inquisitor sighed, "The man we hunt fought his way through the most elite witchunters in Hyam. In a Brass Tower. It would appear that the lion stalks a dragon, and that is why we cannot approach this situation conventionally."

He continued, "The way I see it, the only way that he can be stopped is by eroding his power. His allies and resources must be cut off before he will become vulnerable. If this drawing is accurate, it would seem that he possesses two focusing crystals, so clearly he has some sort of funding. Likewise, his allies are equipped with a multitude of what I assume are weapons. These must come from somewhere. Also, you may remember me saying that I have few allies. I do, however, have assets: the Wheelers, a street gang out of the Steel District. I've used them to track down objects and people before. Perhaps they could be of use to the investigation."

He then answered Victoria, "I will do my best to misdirect my agents, but I can only do so much without risking my position. I rely on you to exercise discretion. I acknowledge that it may happen, but please try to avoid collateral damage. If you do not keep it to a minimum, I will deduct a sum of money from your reward."

[Baloth-Kul]

A smirk crossed Cornelia's face, safely hidden by her mask. Even the High Inquisitor employed the services of criminals, themselves included.

"Let us get to it, then. Are we to be supplied for this undertaking?"

[Aarah]

Let's get to it then?

Roger held his finger up infront of him; a gesture to draw the attention to himself.

"Ahem, excuse me. This whole endeavour strikes me as very odd." He addressed the High Inquisitor once again.
"I personally have no monetary requirements, nor am I a criminal in need of a pardon. I am a respectable, well established business man and I have no interest in galavanting off on a renegade mage hunt with a group of rag-tag train passengers."

Roger gave an authoritative nod and maintained a stern stare with their host.

[BetaB17]

Rin & Mausier

"Mmmhm, mmhm." She nodded to herself while others talked, but she certainly couldn't pass up a good chance like this. She too raised a finger, if not with a little bit more of a cute facade added "Ye fe'rgot to add chicken to that list, if I may?" And as if the small jab wasn't enough, she mocked his ending nod with one of her own, aside from having her arms crossed as well

From across his seat, Mausier could only help but place his palm across his face, at which point it begged the question who's limits were really being tested, Mausier's or Roger. Rin took notice to this, and quickly readjusted her manners, this time directing to the Inquisitor. "Oh? By te way lov', just why te hussle over us then? I mean, ye got muscle on the street anyways. Th'n why us? I ain't all that fer a fuss for som' revenge.. tho' Maus'y may say different."

[Unionhack]

"Clemency, I like the sound of that. Sounds almost as nice as teaching this renegade mage a lesson." Alistair mused. He then quirked an eyebrow at Roger. "Who's rag-tag looking?" he asked in a purposefully exaggerated tone of offense.

[Baloth-Kul]

Cornelia raised a stern eyebrow at Roger. It would go unseen, but she didn't care. She would press a little further than a mere glance.

"Two men once spoke at length about their blessings. 'I am wealthy, handsome, and healthy,' said the first man, 'and so I pity you. You have only your sharp tongue'. 'True,' said the second man, 'but all that means is you have nothing to gain, and I have nothing to lose. Your youth and vitality will fade, your fortune will be spent. Then, when you are counting all you have lost, I will be counting everything I have gained.'"

"Do not so readily think yourself so very far above and beyond any one of us. Your respect, your business...All may be torn from you in an instant. It is the nature of things." Her tone was not one distinctly of malice or contempt, it was simply matter-of-fact.

[The SheoDovah]

Victoria

"Whilst I am more then capable of avoiding unneccessary destruction with magic, I can not say the same for any hostile mages and in some cases, it may be the best option to use the building as a weapon against them." Victoria told Monad before the Inquistor replied to her answer. "That works for us and if we can avoid any encounters with the inquistion, it would make our hunt for the people much easier." She commented as she finished off her coffee and helped herself to some honeyed bread. "Ranks, positions, class, they are worthless in the eyes of these mages. They wanted to send a message with the train and we are fortunate to have survived. Death cares not for anything bar itself and it would be ill for our efforts to squabble with each other due to different ways of life." She told Roger. "If we do encounter any hostile fiends, they will not care if you are rich or poor. Mage or thief, they will do what they please. Their ilk are ruthless in their goals."

[BetaB17]

Rin

Even Rin could not help but flench at those words. Safe to say, even she felt pity for the gentleman, if not for the fact that it was not by her own doing

[Aarah]

Roger ignored Rin's juvenile mocking.

"I meant ragtag in the sense that we are all very different people." He clarified for Alistair.

"And I believe you have all taken my words in a rather negative connotation. I was merely indicating that a business man like myself is ill equipped for such a task. A may be arguably one of the finest clockmakers in Kimmit, but I have no such skill in apprehending dangerous criminals. I can assure you that I would be much more of a hindrance than a help, and I am sure that you would all be happier, and more sucessful, if my presence was elsewhere."
He smiled gently, then reached into his waistcoat pocket to check the time, before remembering that his timepiece was missing.

[BetaB17]

Rin

Rin thought for a moment, then raised a hand to inquire "If he's backin' out, canz' I have his share. Times be tough, ya know?" She then did a double check, and pointed next to Victoria "An' herz too, just cause?" She joked

[Kerr]

Monad bore no love for the Inquisition but he was almost killed by the Masked Man so they were hardly friends either. And if the pay was high enough, he could stop working in the store and live life on his own terms. But that all depended on what the pay would actually be, something which would definitely play into what Monad decided to do.

"And what would that reward be exactly?" Monad asked after the High Inquisitor mentioned damages might reduce the sum they received.

[The-Shadow-One]

Morgan gave a vague look of distaste when the high inquisitor mentioned the Wheelers. He suppressed the urge to shatter the cup in his hands a paltry doing for a mage. His gaze followed the conversation, pink surrounding ice blue eyes as he continued such silence. "if one damages the surrounding will it come out of that person's shares or the reward in total?" He asked, putting the cup and saucer down under his chair. He sat back, folding his arms over. Watching Victoria. 'She admitted to magic.. urgh.. how has she not been caught yet?'

[Rook]

The Office

"Hm? Oh, yes." the High Inquisitor answered Cornelia, scanning the group carefully before tossing a coinpurse to Monad, "There's 200 Echarts in there. I hope you understand that I can't afford to move large sums of money this early in the operation."

He turned his attention to Roger, "You sell yourself short. You are one of the most well respected clockmakers in Kimmit, a reputation that you earned through excellent mechanical skill. You are, of course, free to reject my offer, though I think you would make for a very valuable agent."

He leaned across the table, whispering in Roger's ear before sitting back down and saying cheerily, "Just a suggestion."

The High Inquisitor replied to Victoria with an unimpressed expression, "If you ever find yourself in a position where you feel the need to drop a house on someone, you've probably made quite a few serious mistakes."

Finally, he answered Monad and Morgan's questions, "A quarter of a million Echarts for each of the adults. I am open to increasing the reward if your performance merits it. In the case of property damage, the money will be deducted from the share of those that initiated and participated in the destruction."

"Before I send you on your way, I feel the need to clarify a few things." the High-Inquisitor said sternly, "Firstly, we will likely not be meeting face-to-face again. We will communicate through letters. Your primary contacts will be Antoine and Amelia, though I urge you to be discreet in your dealings with them. Secondly, I would prefer that the leader of these terrorists, the Masked Man, be brought back alive, though this is not a requirement. His allies are mostly expendable, so deal with them as you see fit. Thirdly and finally, I encourage you to seek out other allies and contacts. Kimmit is home to many different people, some of whom you may find trustworthy, knowledgeable, or otherwise useful."