07.14b: Burning Spiders

The goings on of courts
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Re: 07.14b: Burning Spiders

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The Raven can easily make his escape, leaving the spluttering artist behind and - eventually - shaking off the pied-piper-like parade of cats.

The assassin's trail is possible to pick up, but following it will be slow - if he's going to ground somewhere in the city, it will take all day to figure out where; if he's fleeing the city entirely, it would be faster to spend your time on other things and then track him down later using Pattern.

If the Raven wants to look for Conspirator #1 instead, he'll need to start by doubling back towards Caelund's pastry shop and seeing what he can find.
The Raven
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Re: 07.14b: Burning Spiders

Post by The Raven »

Before any pursuit co-conspirator #1 can begin, the Raven has two tasks.

- Pull his medical kit and administer first aid.
- Fly back to Caelund and ask him about his plans for Co-Conspitor #1, to make sure they don't interfere too much.
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Re: 07.14b: Burning Spiders

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Amazingly, there is nobody here who needs first aid other than the Raven himself. Attempting to extract his medical kit, however, will serve to remind him that he currently has a pocket full of purring kitten.

(( Edit: On second thought, it makes more sense to continue conspirator-hunting here. ))
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Re: 07.14b: Burning Spiders

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kitsunenotsume wrote:The asset in proximity to the flare is instructed to continue observation of Conspirator 2 if feasible, or if not to assist with organizing reconstruction efforts in the alley and establishing favorable rapports with parties such as the artist who were affected by the explosions. Another agent is contacted to verify that Conspirator 1 (alias 'Allen') is still present on the rooftop and presumably moving now due to the signal; his departure and turned back would be shortly accompanied by a small grey object of dull metallic lustre streaking out of one of the bakery's chimneys while concealed by smoke and disappearing into the pristine and cloudless sky above. Lastly, a cover is organized for the Raven because one cannot reasonably claim to represent an organisation that does not exist; one that was established just that morning, on the other hand, is a completely different matter - individual contacts are, of course, left to their own devices as to how to accomplish the task.
Allen is, as anticipated, moving, though he is being exceptionally cautious - Caelund's operatives can follow him, but doing so unnoticed will require some actual management from Caelund himself.

Conspirator 2, on the other hand, seems to have decided to focus on speed over caution, and is currently heading towards Faetown.
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Re: 07.14b: Burning Spiders

Post by kitsunenotsume »

After seeing Morek and his posse off, Caelund watches until they round the block before creasing his eyebrows behind the glasses and turning back inside. He checks the kitchens briefly to check on Seth, and returns with a wafting tray of fresh meringues; one each of which are distributed to any remaining patrons "On the house" and "As thanks for your continued patronage". The tray is returned to the two waitstaff for display, and a small saucer of milk is collected and brought into his office on the second floor* where the security manager proceeds to brood and scheme. If, or rather when, the Raven arrives in his humanoid form, he would be informed that Mr. Johnson is waiting and will be directed appropriately after being offered a beverage of his choice (including the liqueurs, if he so requests).

As he waits, the grey-man muses. Faetown is a far cry from the heart of his operations, and a potential political quagmire if navigated poorly. Therefore, the first thing to do is address the local law. While the on-site agent for Conspirator 2 (now mentally and operationally designated: 'Jack B. Quick') is given a probable route and instructions to continue discrete pursuit, another is dispatched to the Faetown Police Department to inform Lady Ninear of the situation**, along the lines of "I was working on stacking my apples and saw a person with (description) fleeing with guilty haste towards your district following an explosion at (location)" and other general advisory.

Meanwhile, the handler for 'Jackaby Nimble' makes a show of trying to follow him for a block or few before getting outclassed by the conspirator*** and continues with his other (actual) business. High above the streets the fist-sized metalline creature launched earlier hums quietly as it traces Allan's path, darting erratically to and fro in the brisk air as it takes multiple perspectives on the target's chosen route through crowds, alleys, and buildings. Unlike the agent, the aerial observer maintains tight and constant (encoded) communications with Caelund, who busily transcribes the known paths and locations of both men onto a map (which probably didn't exist when he got up here; it's rough, but gets more details as chance permits). Off to the side of the map includes a small notepad bearing operative numbers and their slowly accruing bonuses for participation.
_______________________
*: being distinct from the private-meeting-room used earlier. I've a pretty good idea of what the layout looks like if it ever becomes an issue.
**: The agent's affiliations are of course presented as that of a concerned and law-abiding citizen
***: The literal request being "Try to follow him, but if he loses you just head back to work", with no further assistance given. This is a feint on Caelund's part - to not at least try to follow Allen would be indicative that Allan was being tailed; losing your tail just indicates that the other guy's mooks suck. This also gives Caelund time to excuse himself from the storefront before attending oversight 'personally'.
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Re: 07.14b: Burning Spiders

Post by The Raven »

The Raven will walk into Mr. Johnson's office. His leg is bandaged*, but if he had any limp, he's hiding it well. He gives his 'report.' "I seem to have scared him off. He was a somewhat troublesome fellow." He gives a very brief breakdown of co-conspirator #2's capabilities. "So what are your plans for the other one?"

* - Though at this point it's probably for show more than anything else.
** - The kitten is probably still in his pocket at this point. Cats do like pockets.
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Re: 07.14b: Burning Spiders

Post by kitsunenotsume »

The saucer of milk* is pushed forwards by the man distracted by expanding the data sprawling across the paper-covered desk. The current locations (and the trail of their previous locations) wind their way across a rather accurate map of the city; surprisingly spartan in artistic depiction while being incredibly detailed from a tactical concern, enough so to perhaps warrant the term 'floor-plan' or 'schematic' rather than 'map'.

"Given your current activities, it aught not to be too much of an issue to establish common rapport and establish a dialogue. It is currently the intention to interview with and infiltrate operatives into their cadre, and then to assess and reemploy their objectives and members as appropriate. If Mister Nimble keeps his word, then he aught to be in contact before too long."

"Beyond that, if either of them decides to lead us to Candlestick then paying their adviser a visit would be opportune - he seems to have a decent head on his shoulders and would be better to work with than the groundpounders. More than likely though we should get two separate safe-houses with enough standard traffic and goods movement to conceal the true occupants and travelers. Either way, still somewhere to start. I've also taken the liberty of initiating the process to inform Lady Ninear as to the presence and identity of Mister Quick - he was last seen decking it towards Faetown."

The man's last known location is tapped twice as Caelund finally looks up at the Raven. "If you plan on heading over there, would you mind at least delivering a replacement box of pastries for the one you blew up?"
________________________
*: Which is indicative of just how much of Raven's report may well be redundant.
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Re: 07.14b: Burning Spiders

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The kitten, lured forth by the scent of milk, tumbles out of the Raven's pocket, launching through the air towards the desk... and not quite managing the jump, its front paws latching into papers and threatening to tumble a whole pile onto the floor.
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Re: 07.14b: Burning Spiders

Post by The Raven »

The Raven, will, for now, stay in the room*, unless removed, and plot his next move for a bit. He's been on his feet for quite a while.

* - but never less than 5 feet from a certain feline.
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Re: 07.14b: Burning Spiders

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*thump* (sound of kitten landing on floor)
*flutter, flutter* (sound of falling paper)
"Mew?" (plaintive sound of a kitten that no longer sees a saucer of milk)
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