Discussion with the residents of the village reveals tale after tale of missing men, lured away by a mysterious, malevolent witch. Around the same time, they say, strange pumpkin-headed creatures began to show up, wandering through the woods.
Feel free too use this section to mingle and plan before entry to the tower.
[With the villagers, Therion's a completely different person. Almost literally. All he seemingly has to do is put a hat on and change his scarf, and he's a wide-eyed young Londoner taking a break from caring from his ailing grandmother in Ayr, treating himself to a one-day holiday in the little town. The residents go out of their way to warn him about their witchy disappearances, and he absorbs every story he's told, searching for discrepancies. Unexpectedly, he finds them more consistent than not.
Back among the members of the Daybreak team, he returns to his usual quiet, withdrawn self.]
You know it's most likely they just ran away.
[Small, shrinking village, better opportunities in the cities for work, sex, and pleasure--young folk "disappearing" from town is one of the oldest stories on the books.]
[Out of concern that any of the villagers might respond negatively to her, which could make things a bit more difficult for the others that had agreed on coming here to investigate this incident, Desidera sticks with the team itself and remains mostly-quiet for now, unless responding to someone else. She doesn't want to draw any unnecessary attention to herself while she's here.
True, Avery and Vivi were also present, but...still. She'd rather play it safe.
Therion's thoughts on the disappearances make sense, but that wasn't all they were here for, was it? She hums a bit before answering him with a question:] Was anything said about the sightings? [Or had they only spoken of their missing people?]
[Of course Tamaki has been flittering between different residents, mostly because he's an idiot but also because he seems to be chatting with them fairly easily. Probably because he's disgustingly charismatic on top of being a rather... handsome looking man. Mostly he's been doing about the same as Therion, trying to figure out something that doesn't add up or something that seems is the same throughout all of the stories.
While ignoring the warnings from the townsfolk about himself, it's fine. He's fine.
When he returns he's frowning a little to himself, being able to hear enough of that conversation.]
Normally I'd agree on such a thing, but with the number going missing and the witch part being consistent with all of them... [He shakes his head slowly with a small sigh.]
Sounds like someone is being a weird pied piper to me. Every story involved a witch luring them away, every story having the same crucial details...
[As for the sightings...]
All I could get from the sightings was that they had pumpkin heads and were just sort of wandering about, not much else. Can't blame them too much for not wanting to get close to something like that, right?
[Gunvolt had been out looking for some information too, though lacking Therion's thief senses and impeccable ability to step into character, and Tamaki's raw charisma, he didn't turn up anything they hadn't, though he too got warnings about a witch. Any implication why he himself might've gotten a warning bounced off his thick skull, though.
He looked over to Professor Atchison and shook his head.]
I don't think that's a good idea, Professor. Until we know for sure how those pumpkin guys operate, disguising yourself and getting it wrong might actually draw more attention to us. ...But I think that might work once we know what they're like.
[That was some of Gunvolt's field agent training talking; he might not be the career thief that Therion was, but QUILL taught him a thing or two about subterfuge.]
If there were more inconsistencies in the accounts, I'd be more likely to agree with Therion. But given the circumstances and the fact they haven't been heard from since suggests to me there's more going on here than that.
But we don't know why, and we don't know the status of the people missing. So no motive, though we know means and opportunity.
[Ky did his own searching around, deciding to take a look at the pumpkin patches while others were questioning the town, returning with whoever else went with him]
I will have to agree with Gustav's points. If we had more time, I would be for it - but the longer we dally, the less likely the missing men will be found alive. As for motive...
Well, I have a suspicion of why, but that is going back on superstition I heard as a child, which were more morality lessons: 'do not be rude to strangers', 'do not stray' - that sort of thing.
Maybe we should try and talk to the weird pumpkins instead. [ Vivi has remained quiet so far, mostly because he's thinking. He's trying to apply what he's learned. If they've searched the village and nothing much has turned up, maybe they should go elsewhere. ]
They started showing up when people started disappearing, right? Maybe they know something.
[While he's not sure what to think about living in a world where "we should talk to the pumpkins" is a reasonable solution to a problem, Therion manages to take it seriously.
It's not Vivi's fault magic is bonkers.]
Then... if we try that, the person who ought to do it should fit the profile of the people we're looking for. A young, alluring kind of guy...
[After a theatrical pause, he glances slowly over at Tamaki.]
Mmm, that makes sense, assuming that they can talk. [Desidera's assuming they can, because why wouldn't she? Talking pumpkins would probably be far from the weirdest thing any of them have seen in the past two months.]
[He'd just been nodding along to most of this conversation, until he hears Therion's suggestion and then the slow glance at him.
Of.
Course.]
W-what? Is that really such a good idea? I'm sure there'd be someone trying to wander out sooner rather than later. [He's almost flailing, it's not great.]
I do not like the idea of using any of the students as bait, though waiting for someone with no means of defense to get snared is not a great option either.
[There will probably be something else said later about their having gravitated toward this particular idea so quickly, or at least that's the impression Desi is getting.]
Most or all of them are out in the woods, from what we've heard thus far. If we need to act, there should be plenty of shadows for me to work with. [Her response is one part agreeing with the way the plan looks now, and one part giving everyone else a heads-up that if something does happen, she'll be taking action for sure.
Gunvolt in particular knows what all that entails. The other students, maybe, maybe not; it depends on if any of them had seen her and GV in action near the end of August, during the attack on the school.]
[Perhaps he's misunderstanding what Desi means, but Therion has his own way of working with shadows, so to speak.]
For backup or to trail these guys, if they run. Then at least we'll know where they're coming from--or even where the missing people are, assuming the two things really are connected.
[GV just flashes a short, knowing smile when Desidera mentioned the shadows, and Therion misunderstood it. He could understand why easily, but considering things... well, he was quite confident about it being okay. He didn't bother bringing anything up about it though. Not yet.]
Don't worry, Professor. We'll have your back, always.
[He doesn't bother to hide the fact that he greatly respects Ky, and knows very well he'd be doing the same. Helping to pay that forward was something he was looking forward to, even if he hoped moreso that he wouldn't need to.]
[Oh thank goodness, he wasn't too keen on the idea of being paraded out to be taken somewhere unknown by some unknown witch. Could he have escaped? Probably. Would he want to risk that by himself? Absolutely not.]
If the pumpkin headed creatures are involved in this mess, as well, if something did go wrong... I doubt it'd be that hard to distract them long enough to get out or get away, come to think of it. [And he is great at distractions, hm.]
[He repeats, before making his move - while everyone else get into position, he plays the tourist, making sure he draws attention. He's not very good at flirting due to inexperience and nervousness, which does occasionally let him put his foot in his mouth.
The witch makes her home in a large tower just outside of town, hidden away by a magical barrier. Two pumpkin-headed, humanoid creatures stand guard at the tower's entrance, dressed as though they just got back from a fancy dinner date.
If you want to speak to the witch, you'll need to get past those two and enter.
The witch at the top of the tower is every bit the beguiling beauty the townsfolk's takes would have you believe. Her long, flaming red hair glitters like rubies in the romantic candlelight of the room, her skin flawless and pure, and her short, purple satin dress cut to show off her assets in the best possible light.
The pumpkin headed men wait upon her hand and foot, seemingly oblivious to anyone in the room beyond their mistress.
"Oh? What's this?" The woman pushes the brim of her hat back with a finger, painted lips quirked upward in a sly smile. "I wasn't expecting visitors. Were you the naughty boys and girls making all that noise downstairs?"
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Village and Arrival
Feel free too use this section to mingle and plan before entry to the tower.
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Back among the members of the Daybreak team, he returns to his usual quiet, withdrawn self.]
You know it's most likely they just ran away.
[Small, shrinking village, better opportunities in the cities for work, sex, and pleasure--young folk "disappearing" from town is one of the oldest stories on the books.]
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True, Avery and Vivi were also present, but...still. She'd rather play it safe.
Therion's thoughts on the disappearances make sense, but that wasn't all they were here for, was it? She hums a bit before answering him with a question:] Was anything said about the sightings? [Or had they only spoken of their missing people?]
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While ignoring the warnings from the townsfolk about himself, it's fine. He's fine.
When he returns he's frowning a little to himself, being able to hear enough of that conversation.]
Normally I'd agree on such a thing, but with the number going missing and the witch part being consistent with all of them... [He shakes his head slowly with a small sigh.]
Sounds like someone is being a weird pied piper to me. Every story involved a witch luring them away, every story having the same crucial details...
[As for the sightings...]
All I could get from the sightings was that they had pumpkin heads and were just sort of wandering about, not much else. Can't blame them too much for not wanting to get close to something like that, right?
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[How long has he been thinking about that bit of wordplay? The world may never know.]
I could always try my hand at impersonating some of them...
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Tricked is sounding like a strong possibility to me.
[Still though. Hm.]
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He looked over to Professor Atchison and shook his head.]
I don't think that's a good idea, Professor. Until we know for sure how those pumpkin guys operate, disguising yourself and getting it wrong might actually draw more attention to us. ...But I think that might work once we know what they're like.
[That was some of Gunvolt's field agent training talking; he might not be the career thief that Therion was, but QUILL taught him a thing or two about subterfuge.]
If there were more inconsistencies in the accounts, I'd be more likely to agree with Therion. But given the circumstances and the fact they haven't been heard from since suggests to me there's more going on here than that.
But we don't know why, and we don't know the status of the people missing. So no motive, though we know means and opportunity.
no subject
I will have to agree with Gustav's points. If we had more time, I would be for it - but the longer we dally, the less likely the missing men will be found alive. As for motive...
Well, I have a suspicion of why, but that is going back on superstition I heard as a child, which were more morality lessons: 'do not be rude to strangers', 'do not stray' - that sort of thing.
[He rests a hand on his hip]
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They started showing up when people started disappearing, right? Maybe they know something.
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[While he's not sure what to think about living in a world where "we should talk to the pumpkins" is a reasonable solution to a problem, Therion manages to take it seriously.
It's not Vivi's fault magic is bonkers.]
Then... if we try that, the person who ought to do it should fit the profile of the people we're looking for. A young, alluring kind of guy...
[After a theatrical pause, he glances slowly over at Tamaki.]
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It might be worth a shot.
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Of.
Course.]
W-what? Is that really such a good idea? I'm sure there'd be someone trying to wander out sooner rather than later. [He's almost flailing, it's not great.]
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[He holds his arms across his chest now]
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[He folds his arms and grins]
Suou here may have the attitude down, but we've got a perfectly good adult to parade around town right here.
[He looks over at the students]
Am I right or am I right?
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[Gunvolt paused, looking over Ky briefly, and then glancing around at everyone else.]
Honestly... I kind of hate to admit it, but... it's not really a bad idea. Out of all of us, he's probably most capable of defending himself.
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[Ky would have the best chance out of those who fit the profile in the group... She's pausing, then glancing over to Ky as well.]
Would you be okay with that, Professor Kiske?
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I don't mind, stay close though in case something goes wrong.
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Most or all of them are out in the woods, from what we've heard thus far. If we need to act, there should be plenty of shadows for me to work with. [Her response is one part agreeing with the way the plan looks now, and one part giving everyone else a heads-up that if something does happen, she'll be taking action for sure.
Gunvolt in particular knows what all that entails. The other students, maybe, maybe not; it depends on if any of them had seen her and GV in action near the end of August, during the attack on the school.]
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[Perhaps he's misunderstanding what Desi means, but Therion has his own way of working with shadows, so to speak.]
For backup or to trail these guys, if they run. Then at least we'll know where they're coming from--or even where the missing people are, assuming the two things really are connected.
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Don't worry, Professor. We'll have your back, always.
[He doesn't bother to hide the fact that he greatly respects Ky, and knows very well he'd be doing the same. Helping to pay that forward was something he was looking forward to, even if he hoped moreso that he wouldn't need to.]
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If the pumpkin headed creatures are involved in this mess, as well, if something did go wrong... I doubt it'd be that hard to distract them long enough to get out or get away, come to think of it. [And he is great at distractions, hm.]
So, when do we start?~
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[He reaches back, tying his hair into a ponytail]
I suppose I will go ahead and try to see if I can get the witch's attention.
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[She has faith in him but she still doesn't want him to get hurt or anything!!]
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That settles it then! I'll be sure to keep the kids in line while you're gone.
[He looks the group over]
Just remember. No matter how well you think you can hide, [His voice drops lower] I can still spot you all by your souls.
[...a little dramatic but it gets the job done.
And he has to be in tip top shape for the haunted house preparations]
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[wHY are people here like this.]
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And he's quietly scooting as far away from the professor as he can.
Not spooked. Nope, not at all.]
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[He repeats, before making his move - while everyone else get into position, he plays the tourist, making sure he draws attention. He's not very good at flirting due to inexperience and nervousness, which does occasionally let him put his foot in his mouth.
Why did he volunteer for this? He asked himself]
The Tower
If you want to speak to the witch, you'll need to get past those two and enter.
Negotiations?
The pumpkin headed men wait upon her hand and foot, seemingly oblivious to anyone in the room beyond their mistress.
"Oh? What's this?" The woman pushes the brim of her hat back with a finger, painted lips quirked upward in a sly smile. "I wasn't expecting visitors. Were you the naughty boys and girls making all that noise downstairs?"