Cog & Gear: Flashpoint

[Aarah]

Whitevale - Roger

Roger looked interested by the boy's information.

"Hmm. Have you heard from him since he left for work this morning? Or perhaps your mother has?"

[The-Shadow-One]

Morgan looked in past the little boy. "Well do you have anyone in who we can talk to, an adult about?" He asked as well. "Would you mind getting them for us?" He tapped his temple, thinking.

[Rook]

Whitevale

"No. He left early this morning after breakfast and won't be back until he's done working." the boy answered, "But I'll go get my mum."

He walked back inside and returned momentarily with a matronly woman, who asked, "What can I do for you, gentlemen? Ronald tells me you've been asking him about my husband."

[Unionhack]

Alistair scratched his chin. "What would you say about helping an investgation of sorts?" He asked simply.

[Aarah]

"Good morning, Mrs Lowe. Yes, we're looking for your husband. I'm an acquaintance of his."
Roger raised an eyebrow at the woman.
"Did you not hear about the train crash earlier today?"

[Dirty Spaceman]

"Okay, but one thing first," said Holman. He turned to the rat-faced man, saying, "Sorry about that... but, uh, you said the Boss won't be seeing anyone. How about anyone who might know what he knows? Are there any lieutenants we might be able to talk to without interrupting the festivities?"

[The-Shadow-One]

Morgan nodded, deciding it best to allow Roger to talk. He looked over the house, talking a half step back breathing out. It was pretty ridiculous this dramatic change from how the day was starting out, he looked down, checking his pocket watch. Casting an eye upon the house, tapping his watch. Breathing out to try and cast his eye into the house, without moving from his location at all.

[The SheoDovah]

Naturally. Could play him for a fiddle but could draw attention to myself if the song is wrong. Hunch was correct though. Too risky to try to trace any magical elements. Could use a little bit of charm of the magical origin to assist me. No. But maybe, play the role of a simpleton. Too easy to attract attention though. But maybe, the truth in parts will be the best option. Would be rather risky though and were I an officer, i would be suspicous if someone claimed to be a survivor. "Do you know when it will be reopened?" She inquired. Could break in later tonight. Not the best option but I do dislike trying to use words as my tool. So many variations, so many conditions for them to go wrong. Trespassing is just as risky but waiting for the city watch to finish could result in any magical elements being lost for good.

[Rook]

The Taphouse

Rin

Malcolm shrugged, "If you insist." He bent down behind the bar and reemerged with a glass of rum. He offered it to Rin, stonefaced.

However, Alistair and Cornelia noticed that Malcolm had discreetly poured some particularly strong alcohol into the rum. If Alistair's time as a pirate had taught him anything, it was that this drink would taste particularly terrible.

Holman

"Everyone important is downstairs." replied the rat-faced man, "I 'spose you could always try to talk with the Boss' son, Jack. He might be easier to reach, but you'd need to give him a reason to leave the party."

Whitevale

"A crash? No, we hadn't heard." Mrs. Lowe gasped and brought a hand to her mouth, "Are you saying - my Rupert - is my Rupert all right?!"

The window was obscured by curtains, but Morgan fancied that he could perceive the shapes of armchairs through a gap in the cloth. A sitting room, perhaps?

Lauxan Train Station

"I couldn't tell you that, miss." the officer replied hastily, "We're talking with the staff, trying to find out more about the... wreck. It's standard procedure when investigating an accident on this scale. Even once we've finished, it's up to the owners to decide when they want to reopen. We don't believe anything was done wrong on the station's side, it was just a freak accident."

[BetaB17]

Rin & Mausier

Rin held on to the glass with both small hands, but a rather large grin at that. Mausier knew not what she had planned, nor was she privy to tell, her intent could range from the innocent to devious. "Right O', tis just what I need'd." Thankfully this lil pyro didn't favor any taste of the poison.

She looked off at Alistair and his shameless attempt to weasel in "Oye! Hands off te missy, Wolf! I'd saw her first, n' she came to meh?! First come first serv'd, ya kno'w!" She pointed an accusing finger, though her bite was far from sharp. She didn't like when people meddled with her plans, only she gets to be the meddler.

She turned her focus to the high class "An' you!" She held a somewhat stoic stance, well, as well as a small child could that is "Ye want a wee taste of adventure? Miss I have just te solution." She flashed a cheery smile and she jumped off from the bar's edge with a pep in her step, drink still in hand, and ready to lead off. She certainly wasn't giving much for delay

"By te way, ye wouldn't by chance have a penny in yer pocket?"

[Cassandra]

Adelia stared in bewilderment at the girl's outburst. She was definitely going to take some getting used to.

So Wolf's his name, odd, but he seems nice enough. I suppose that they are working together on well... what are they working on, anyway? But ah, this is my chance! Perhaps great things will come of this.

"I though that you weren't a tour guide." she said with a smile, as she turned to follow the girl's lead. "What do you need me to do?"

[BetaB17]

Rin

"I ain't say Imma guide.." She stopped and paused for a moment with a finger to her cheek, searching for the choice of words to use "Don't mean I can't show ya a thing o' two out ther'e."

She nodded her head in confidence, only lacking in crossed arms on account to the glass "Now ye follow my lead, kay?" She shifted her eyes a bit towards Alistar "N' don't trust shady"

"We in agreement?"

[Cassandra]

"Alright then, I'm ready when you are."

[Unionhack]

"You're not seeiously humoring the kid, are you?" Alistair asked, sighing. "Look. There's some bad stuff going on, and we're investigating. Looking for leads. We could use your help."

He turned to Malcom. "Speaking of which, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I need to get in touch with the Wheelers. Preferably their boss. You know anyone I can talk to?"

[BetaB17]

Rin & Mausier

"Marvelous!" Rin said in return, though all good grace for the moment turned due to Alistair. "Oye! Meddler.. why you gotta be so meddlesome? Keep tha't meddlin', aint nobody fusing over yer plans." She said defensively, only a tad bit flustered by his intrusion

" Come, let's walk from this non sense.." She said, readily turning in the direction for the muscle'd guard and the door he blocked. Mausier likewise readied himself but was cut a step short by the small girl as she turned in a fury, nearly spilling her glass. "Not you! Stay!" He tried for another step further but was once more halted in scorn "Neih! Sstop!" His eye momentarily twitched in a mix of agitation

"I got 'tis, kay? Ye stay over here, keep an' eye on double trouble(Alistair/Cornelia), just giv' meh five." He stood there in silence, he was none too pleased. "Come. Us two 'gals' can see to ourselves" She turned back in toe with a chin held high and hopefully with posh still at her back

[Aarah]

"Well, quite frankly, I'm afraid we don't know. That's why we came here. We were hoping that he'd be at home, or at least you would have heard if he was in hospital or... elsewhere." Roger replied to the shocked woman.

He thought for a moment, holding his chin as if he were going to wiggle it.
"You could try getting in touch with the local hospitals. And my acquaintance and I would be happy to visit his workplace." He gave Rupert's wife a sympathetic smile.
"I'm sure he's there anyway. Hard at work; nothing to worry about."
He didn't believe this, but it was the normal thing to say in such circumstances.

"I'm Roger Spenceworth, by the way." He bowed slightly with his hat in hand.
"And this is Morgan..."
Roger gestured to the white haired young man, then looked at him to indicate that he didn't know what his surname was.

[The-Shadow-One]

"Morgan Sumiden." The albino said softly, offering his own polite bow towards the possible widow. Drawing back his magic to himself, he straightened and breathed out, calming himself slightly. "What does your husband do for work? Why was he on the train?" He asked, shuffling through his bag to find some to write what they've learned, make little notes.

[Cassandra]

Adelia followed the girl, though concern shadowed her face when she saw their direction. "I'm sorry, but you never answered my question. What exactly is required of me? And what is this 'bad stuff' that your companion mentioned?"

[Kerr]

Monad got out of his chair and made his way over to Cornelia. "Found out Bors is the one guarding the door and that they're having a birthday party downstairs for the boss. His son Jack is one of the people there. Tell Wolf, see if you can convince Bors to let us in, if you can't we might be able to try something else." said Monad in a low tone. She wouldn't have been his first choice for who to share the information with but she was the only one who was free. Well other than Mausier that is, but he wasn't sure if the soldier could even speak.

[Rook]

The Taphouse

"Before I begin, Mr. Wolfram, I'm going give you my two Ecks." Malcolm spoke seriously to Alistair, "I don't know what scheme you and your "friends" are mixed up in, and I don't really care to know, but I've heard enough to warn you to be careful. The Wheelers aren't the worst gang in the city, but they're still a dangerous lot. Play your cards right and they might give you hand. Play them wrong... you'd best know when to fold."

"Now then, as you might know, Sullivan is having a private birthday party. Bors is there to filter out the rabble. I can't get you past Bors myself, but I can give you some ideas." Malcolm continued, "Firstly, you could try convincing him to let you in through charm, though I fear that may be difficult. Bors is hard-headed, though that might leave him weak to trickery. On the other hand, you could try to go around him. Behind this building, there's a manhole leading into the sewers. The bar's basement is connected to those sewers by a passage built by some previous residents. But that route isn't all sunshine and daisies. Kimmit's sewers aren't the safest place by themselves, but Sullivan has a guard posted by the entrance to the passage. You'll need to find your way through the sewers and get through the guard somehow. One you've done that, you can blend into the party. It'll be like you were always there."

Whitevale

"Peggy." Mrs. Lowe introduced herself, tears brimming in her eyes as she shooed her son back inside, "I'm afraid I can't say it's nice to meet you. Not when you bring me such news."

She turned to Morgan, "My husband, Rupert, is a co-owner and overseer of Brunner Industries. They procure iron and make parts for locomotives. Rupert left this morning at 6:45 after breakfast to catch the 7 o'clock train, and I assumed he was at work this whole time. He was supposed to get off at 4 o'clock, though he often works overtime."

[Aarah]

Whitevale - Roger

Roger nodded along with Peggy's information, a sombre look upon his face.

"Well now, let us not get all worked up. We don't know his outcome yet." He reassured.
He's bound to be dead though. Surely he would have been with the rest of us if he weren't.

"I'll pop down to Brunner industries for you. Happy to help. Do you know the address?"
Roger queried, evidently not too keen on lingering in the woman's house.

[BetaB17]

Rin

Rin looked up at the women "Yer presence will do nicely, an' keep yer wits about ya." She continued to say while on lead for Bors "N' that nonsense he'd talkin' about. Don't worry about it! He's just puffing smoke from dat chimney if ya catch meh drift."

[Unionhack]

Alistair shot a look at Rin. He had had enough of her near-nonsensical ramblings. "Kid. Hush. I'm still not even sure why they sent you with us. If you don't mind, I'm trying to do good, here, and I don't need your two ecks in on everything."

He looks back at Malcom. "Look Mal, I appreciate the sentiment, but this is important work. Maybe I'll be able to tell you more eventually, but for now just know I've got good intentions in mind." He said, patting his jacket and putting down two echarts on the bar. "I think I'll try the frontal approach. Cornelia might try the back-end way. Two fronts, twice the chance of success. I think I'll be able to reason with the guy, and when I get in the party it'll be child's play from there."

[Baloth-Kul]

Cornelia nodded to Monad as he shared the information.

Alistair seemed to indicate the plan, so without wasting any time, Cornelia began to make her way to the manhole behind the taphouse, as described by the bartender. "Hope we remembered to bring a birthday gift."

[Rook]

The Taphouse

Alistair

"You know what they say about good intentions?" Malcolm shook his head but pocketed the coins, "Whatever. Do what you will, Master Wolfram, I won't bother you."

Rin & Adelia

Bors ignored the loud pair even as they approached, giving no sign of recognition or acknowledgement.

The Sewers

Cornelia exited the taphouse without incident and arrived outside, easily spotting the manhole. Climbing down a grimy ladder, she would find herself in the dark and dirty sewers, the only light coming from the open manhole. This section of the sewer only went two ways, and she could surmise that going right would most likely lead to her destination.

Whitevale

Mrs. Lowe wiped her eyes, "Thank you, Mr. Spenceworth. And you, Mr. Sumiden. My husband's factory is on Lloyden Street. You should find it easy to spot. Is there anything else I can do to help?"