When evil stirs....

[Goosekat]

Alazne gave the fox a simple look of disbelief.  "How can we be sur tha they actually could hear the dead?  Ti's a well known fact wit' in the carny community tha' they did."  She turned to Butcher, "You are right tha ti's  not the place ti be spakin of such things.  If we wan' ta continue this line o spaking I suggest tha' we head back to the carny.  This type o talk won raise no spicions there.  For ti's a sur thang te coppers ain't goin' o break a sweat ore the death of a couple of carny folk."  Her whiskers twitched as if she was nervous about something, as they always seemed to do.

[CrowsEye]

Nolan raised his eyebrows in an interested, surprised sort of way. "Hm. Didn't realize bein' a carny was such an exclusive group," he said, sincerely and matter-of-factly. Picking up his pint, he unbended his long legs to stand. "Ah, ain't none of me bizness anyway, I'm jus' one who can't say no t'a good mystery, is all." He began to turn to walk to the bar, but then stopped as a thought struck him, and he turned back to Butcher with a concerned look on his face, a soft step in his voice "Uh...not t'be rude, mate but uh..." Nolan thought better of his question, and waved a hand as if to swat away the thought. "Never mind, like I said, ain't me bizness. Pleasure talkin' wiv ye, mates," he nodded to Alazne, "miss."

Me and me big mouth. Shouldn't poke me big ears where they don't belong, almos' asking why they're so concerned. Still, though, one can't help but wonder if one of theirs hears th'dead, as well.

[Maxx]

"We lost two,"  Butcher said softly.  He had his hand on Angus's back because he knew the temper that the Scot had.  If he saw any of the fox's words as insulting to the memory of the departed, there would likely be, at the very least, heated words.  "Angus was asking on the off chance that you might have been able to hear them so we could learn a little more about why they died."

Angus shook his head and in doing so shook off Butcher's hand.  "That wasn't it Butcher.  I was warning the lad, just in case he could hear the dead.  He might be next on the list.  And yes, circus folk are a tight knit bunch.  We're seen as oddballs and freaks by everyone around us and we only have each other so we tend to be protective of our own.  Butcher used to be one of us until he left to work the railroad but, as they say, once you're in, you're in for life.  Nobody cares about what happens to us except other circus folk and there are two dead who need to have their killer found and brought to justice."  The circus strongman cracked his knuckles.  "Our kind of justice."

[Goosekat]

Alazne gave the fox what could only be described as an apologetic look.  " "M sorry if I seemed a little dismissive of ya.  I's jus tha no one gives us carnies a second thought when one goes missing or ti's killed.  Ti's as if we don really exist o'side of the rings and tents.  Sometimes ya ge' a little tired o' being treated like a freak or as if ya are no' e'en worthy o' walking on the same ground as the rest of folks."  She held out her hand, her head tilted just a little to one side.  "Me name is Alazne and we could us all the help we can git wit this if ye still be willing."

[CrowsEye]

A sorry look spread cross Nolan's face. You could just tell that if he'd had a hat, he'd take it off to respect those lost. Instead, his free hand went to the back of his neck. "I'm truly sorry, mate. It's never easy, I c'n say that much. I'm sorry I wasn't able to give ye anything to go on." Nolan then turned to Angus and gave him a respectful nod. "I truly appreciate tha', mate, and it's a right relief t'know that I ain't in any danger. Though, that worry comes right back t'hear that ye're bein' cut off, and wi' no rhyme nor reason to it, and no one' - if ye'll excuse me language," he turned to Alazne and Mattie in turn, giving them an apologetic salute, then back to Angus and Butcher, "no one t'give a fuck."

After giving Angus another friendly pat on the shoulder, he turned to Alazne. "It's all right, miss. Just a simple misunderstanding. I really didn't knwo me place, really. And ye exist outside the tents f'r me. Far as I'm concerned (and believe me, I'm no expert), as long as ye're in a pub, drinkin' with folks and not havin' to smash a barstool over anyone's head, you're a friend in my book." Nolan shook her hand, and gave a winning smile. "I'm Nolan Stoneback. Pleasure t'meet ye all. Not sure how much I'll actually be able t'contribute, but ye can be sure I'll do what I can."

He looked over to Mattie quickly, "I do have some other bizness I need t'take care of though, quickly, if we don't have t'leave right at this instant."

[Tinker]

The thought of being a part of a band of renegade murderer hunters that would administer their own brand of justice on said culprit, did not fill the young cappuchin with the joys of spring. True, the thought of there being someone on the loose extinguishing those with a special talent and of course Scotland Yard being far from concerned did tug at one or two heart strings, but still did not entice her to rally to arms with the uttmost of confidence.

The quick aside from Nolan snatched her from her thoughts and again enticed something of a drunken smile in his direction. She caught herself as soon as she recognised the sensation of the expression and blinked hard, thrice, "Oh, absolutely, Mister Stoneback, Sir. Though, if you prefer to just pop into the shop at your own convenience, I'll keep her safe for you."

[CrowsEye]

Nolan shook his head, almost a little too emphatically.

Reign it in, lad, don't seem too excited about it. Just be glad everything's safe. The lanky fox had a reason to be concerned, and in all honesty, it was something of a keepsake for him. He'd gotten it a few years ago, when he was just becoming a teen. If anything had happened to it, the normally jovial and upbeat fox's attitude would take a darker turn for the worst.

Aside from that, however, Nolan also had other thoughts.I'd like ta take a pleasant, boozy walk before I go about gettin' sober talkin' about dead voices 'n murder 'n th'like.

"Nah, nah, it's all right! I'd rather get 'er back now before I go about and forgettin 'er, y'see. Wi' ears this big, there ain't a lot of room to hold a brain, aye?"

[Maxx]

"Right then,"  Butcher said.  "Let's go.  We have to figure out if anyone saw anything.  Somebody has to have seen what happened.  Anybody know how to deal with the street kids?  They're out at all hours, they see everything and nobody ever sees them."

[Trellin]

Coop had been still and silent throughout the exchange, making himself as invisible as possible listening to the newcomers and gauging Angus' reaction. Once he knew that Angus wasn't going to take offense and Butcher was keeping an eye on him as well he let out a mental sigh of relief and focused on the two rubes. They could definitely use all the help they could get if these two were willing to contribute. He gave a barely perceptible grunt at Angus' mention of justice as he agreed completely that it should be served after finding why the bastard did it in the first place. He let a small grin creep onto  his face and leaned forward as Butcher asked about the kids. "Well, Butcher, I can usually make the kids smile given a little time but I don't think I'm the one for this job. I'm a bit out of my element in this country. My tail can be very intimidating to small people", he said as he raise a hand to point at the empty air above his head. He reached across the table and placed his hand within easy distance of the two small newcomers, flexing it at the wrist, inviting them to take it. "Ahm Morgan Cooper, mah friends call me Coop", he said with a grin and a wink.

[Goosekat]

Alazne looked at Butcher.  "I kin get a message to the street urchins bu' t'will need so'one to watch me back.  The places I wou' need go ain't the most pleasant places to be e'en in the light o'day."  She put it out to all of them to offer their aid but was really hoping either Butcher or Angus would be the one to volunteer.  It was not she was opposed to any of the others helping, it was just that non of the others were really as imposing as either Angus or Butcher looked to be.

[Maxx]

Angus nodded.  "I'll go.  Coop too, for all that.  If I can't scare them off, he'll make 'em laugh so hard they'll fall over.  Butcher, we'll see you at Piccadilly.  Maybe you, the fox and the monkey can learn something for somewhere else.  you seem to have more of a head for this than I do."  He wrapped his arm around the weasel.  "That's why I'm taking this thundering loony."

[Trellin]

Coop quirked an eyebrow and grinned down at Angus as he pulled himself up to his full height feigning shock. "Why, Angus, if ah didn't know better, ah might have thought you were accusing me of having a redeeming quality." He nodded and tipped his hat at Alazne, "Don't worry miss, you'll be safe as houses. Ah can point out the direction troubles coming from and critique his martial skills while he displays his prodigious strength and if that fails by some miracle ah think the great equalizer can give us a hand", he said, giving her a wink. "Butcher, it may take us some time to find out anything, if there's anything to be found out. We will see you as soon as we can. Keep an eye out for yourselves."

[Tinker]

An odd look flickered across the young capuchin's face, her copper eyes narrowing slightly as the talk of those obviously with little experience of interaction with the children that thrived on the streets of London. She knew only too well that the means by which the others had spoke of "dealing" with them would only end up with their pockets lighter and a good dozen or so words of a more colourful nature to be carelessly thrown in their direction.

Her soft voice that was flavoured with the local accent quietly sounded after the general chorus from the circus folk, "You lot of all people should know that looks can be deceptive. I grew up on these streets and was once what you call a 'street urchin'. Unless you know the code of this lot, you'll get bugger all from them accept lip and empty pockets."

She dropped from her stool, remarkably sturdy on her feet considering the amount of rum that she had poured down her throat and look up at the group, her eyes falling on the tall, slender fox, "I'd be more than happy to lend a hand, but I do believe that Mister Stoneback wanted his item back before we ran off."

[Trellin]

At the words from the small simian Coops head swung rapidly around to look at her with furrowed brows for a moment before his eyes bugged wide and he let out a laugh. How bowed so low in her direction that his snout almost brushed the floor. "Am sorry, Ah must have misunderstood, miss. When Alzane asked asked for someone to watch her back, I assumed that, given we're askin after one or more murderers who seem to have a penchant for targeting people that we're close to, she wanted someone to keep an eye out for such easily dealt with dangers as the aforementioned murderers or possibly even the local constabulary. I had sort of expected her gentle touch to deal with the children, barring a possible magic trick or two. And not to sound cowardly but if I realized that we were going to have to watch her back against the children, I would have asked for a larger posse in the first place. Any help you might be willing to offer would be appreciated."  His face grew sad for a moment and as he looked at her. "I hate to think how poorly she must have had it in life that she would sincerely think we were speaking of turning our fists and weapons on children." He shook off the thought like water from his fur and turned back to Butcher. "Well, Butcher, looks like we might as well take the entire flock at once unless you can think of a better notion?"

[CrowsEye]

Nolan winced as his fingers ground into one of his oversized ears. When he pulled it away, a coin appeared in between the two fingers. He looked at it thoughtfully and then showed it to the party gathered. "Honest t'say, mate, but magick ain't exactly going to impress these little buggers. They know it's a load of shite, what with livin' on the street and all." He stuffed the coin back into his pocket. "Tryin' to impress 'em with tricks and toys ain't gonna work here. Ye gotta talk to 'em like they're a person 'n not just another little lad or lass. Bribery ain't ever a bad idea at all, either." He shrugged almost dismissively, his big hands splayed in an almost 'what-are-you-gonna-do' fashion. "Every lad's gotta eat."

He placed a hand on Mattie's shoulder. "This li'l one is right, though, I would much like to get my things back before anything else...if that's all right of course. I'll keep a good eye out for the lass, in case anyone is worried."

[Tinker]

Mattie looked up at the weasel with her small, round head cocked and her brand new penny eyes wide, "I'm thinking you got the wrong end of the stick, Mister Coop. Sure I can hold me own in a fight if it came to it and certainly it has been known for me to get a little crafty with a blade, but that wasn't the point I was trying to make."

Her gaze flitted momentarily to the lanky Fennec Fox in a gesture of acknowledgment and agreeing, "Its like Mister Stoneback said, those of us who were raised on the streets aren't the type to be cajoled into sharing with a few parlor tricks, amusing anecdotes or a soft voice full of compassion. Matter of fact, that kind of approach would just end up with them taking the piss then mobbing you for all your valuables, I know, its what I would've done."

The young simian's shrugged as if her last statement were as simple as stating that the night was dark and the day was less so, "What I was offering was to be your interrupter of sorts, I know the lingo and I also know what you need to supply to get the information you're seeking.  .and how to cut past all the shite they will throw your way before giving you that information. Anyway, the Professor's shop is on the way, if you don;t mind us ducking in so as I can return Mister Stoneback's possessions to him."

[Maxx]

Angus snorted.  "I told you he was a thundering loony,"  the Scottish bull said, his brogue thick enough to walk on.  "Lead on, MacDuff.  I'll be damned if I'll say 'hold, enough'."  He caught the look Butcher gave him.  "What, you never heard of Shakespeare?  Would I be a Scot I couldna quote from the one they call the Scottish play?"

In the dark pub it was hard to see Butcher's cheeks redden.  "I'm not one to waste my time sitting in a theatre when there is pie and ale waiting,"  he growled.

[Trellin]

Coop gave a heartfelt laugh out loud, "Well, Ah never denied that ah wasn't a thundering loon but Am'm not crazy enough to say I should be the one to talk to the indigent children. Butcher, I had no idea you were so passionate about your meat pies and beer", he said with a big grin. "Its settled then, we'll take the gentleman by to get his heirloom and then go forth to meet our destiny", he looked a bit more grim, "And hopefully it will lead us to at least a clue to where we can find the culprit."

[Goosekat]

Alazne gave the other girl a smile.  " 'M sorry if ya took me comment to mean tha' t'was the young uns tha' I t'would need protection from.  I mean' tha' I t'would need someone to watch out for the ruffians and scallywags that are prevalent in the same areas I t'would need to visit.  Those scoundrels would jus' as soon put a knife in ya ribs as look at ya.  As fer how to approach the little ones themselves, t'is  not my first time dealing wit' them.  I seem to have a way with children no matter what their circumstances in life.  They seem to instantly trust me for some reason."  She turned he gaze back to Butcher.  "Perhaps we shoul' split in two.  You go wit' Mattie and Nolan and I will go wit' Angus and Coop.  We kin get more ground covered tha' way 'n' and talk wit' more people.  The more information we can git' and the more who know we are willing to pay for it the better off we will be in t'e end."

[CrowsEye]

Nolan bit down on his lower lip, a huge smile splayed across his face, stifling a laugh. When Alazne turned to look at him, he waved the laugh away, but the smile still remained. "Sorry, miss, I've just always found it funny when people say 'scallywag'. Just tickles me t'no end, it does." He cleared his throat, and continued to speak, his tone more serious. "Well, seems like everythin's in order, so, that bein' th'case..." At this point, Nolan lifted the last of his ale and poured it down his gullet, finishing it off with a satisfied sigh. "Let's get to work then, mates!" He pounded the mug onto the table, as if he were a judge calling a courtroom ceremony adjourned, and the mug was his gavel.

[Maxx]

"Sounds like a plan to me,"  Butcher said, moving towards the door.  "Let's get a move on you two.  Angus, stay safe.  Coop, try to keep him out of trouble."

"Keep yourself oot of trouble," the Scottish bull snorted.  "I can handle myself.  It's short uns like yoo that need help."

[Tinker]

The tiny simian watched each speaker with an intense light flickering in her deep, metallic eyes. Her cunning hands rose to the brass goggles that were perched amongst the obsidian tufts of her cropped hair to readjust them just so. As the last speaker drew to the end of his sentence, those same hands dusted away unseen dirt with a few swift pats on the thighs of her tweed knickers. Her placid features seemed to set in a determined rigidity as her voice steeped in the tones of the locale picked up, "Right you are then. Mister Butcher and Mister Stoneback, if you care to follow me, I'll get us directly to the Professor's."

Her head bowed slightly as if she were tipping some invisible hat, "And to you others, the best of luck with your endeavours. I'm sure we'll catch up with you to compare information."

With that she strode with only the slightest of a rum induced sway through the pub and out of its heavy doors.

[CrowsEye]

Wiping his snout, and with everything being said by Mattie, Nolan bounced on his toes out the door of the pub with surprising grace, despite all he'd had to drink only minutes ago, giving a quick salute to those still waiting around the table. "We'll see ye all in a bit, mates! Meet back here in 'n hour or two? Good! See you then!"

Not waiting for an answer, he caught up with the miniscule primate, and shoved his hands into his pockets and kept up a solid pace.

[Tinker]

Mattie heard the distinct beat of a single set of footsteps and abruptly halted, realising that they were short of one member of their newly formed band. Her head turned without the rest of her body moving and her copper eyes settled on the statuesque fox that was trundling towards her with the furious pace that she had set. She stuffed her long hands into the pockets of her knickerbockers and gently rocked back and forth on her heels as he approached, the finger like digits on her feet gently taping the pavement in a song that was only heard in her head. The soft caress of the rum coaxed the merest suggestion of a smile open her lips as she found an odd comfort in her surroundings and she lifted her chin to look Nolan in the eye as best she could given their opposing heights, "Looks as if we're a man down, Mister Stoneback, guess it'd be polite if we stopped and waited for him to catch up."

She nodded as if agreeing with her own statement before returning her metallic gaze to the desert fox, "I have no doubt you will be more than thrilled with the work I did on your musicbox, Mister Stoneback. She plays like a dream as if there were miniature performers living right inside of her."

[CrowsEye]

The Fox trotted to a stop in front of the simian in response to her words, his own paws falling into his pockets as was natural to him. He smiled widely in excitement, partially in his excitement as to how his night was going, and partially as to his excitement to getting his box back. "Did ye manage to get it to sound more beautiful than it did before, then? Ye seem pretty confident with th'work ye did, so I can only assume it came with an upgrade then, no?"

The big-eared fox smiled even wider. "We should probably wait for th'Butcher then, yeh? I imagine 's'rude to leave a man behind, far as I understand."