The Barker Street Irregulars case 1 Crowned Panic.

[walking stick]

Beety rooted through the hamper's contents and nodded at Celia to lean over for a quiet word  "The child is a vehicle for several beings, apparently Djinn, that treat the boy like a holiday home. Use abuse and remodel at will.  Only one of them seems to bother with repairs."

She produced a plain grey cloak "This should fit him most of the time.  I'm not sure non corporeal beings understand pain exhaustion and so on. They cannot be careful with their toys.  It doesn't help that they are trapped until they complete some tasks that I can't unravel  they contradict each other more than a political debate." 

Suddenly she giggled like a naughty schoolgirl.  "Speaking of contradictions, can I watch you tell Mallard whose he has to team up with?"

[Stella Gaslight]

Poor lad she thought wondering if at the end of this Toby would have a big brother. "Yes that may stop me from having to pan fry any one.  I hope those little furry things chasing them in the tunnels are only rats." It would rather serve them right.  She walked to the men trying very hard to pretend the other did not exist.  "Mal, Beety and I have had a little peek
ahead and well it looks like there is a tunnel running under the tower green that may be how the thief got in.  Only problem is that in order for you to find the entrance you are going to have to use the Yank to track the thief."

[Steampunk Away]

"Alright ladies, now that your quarrelling about who is prettier is over, I would like to inform you that our little friend is watching us again"

Abraham immediately closed the curtain.

"And he brought a friend"

Looking at Celia, "Brilliant idea on the tunnel, but pressing matters and all I think we should focus on the one about to jump in on the conversation so to speak."

To Mallard, "You should try having a Scandinavian mead fight, much more honor and a lot more fun."

[Ranger Reid]

Reid addresses Ms. Celia,   "Ma'am,  if we could send for my things from The Baxter, then I would take a room here.  I think there might even be a telegram waiting there for me, if it isn't there yet, then they could be asked to forward it here."

He paused, then remembered long forgotten manners "please and thank you ma'am."

[Stella Gaslight]

"if we can,get out I can set you up in the emerald suite but I am not sure how we are going to pull that off. Who is that one half smudged in the shadows?  I thought the white hound was bad but that is a nasty piece of work.  I can't see much beyond the vale."  She wondered what they were plotting.  The white one had attacked her soft spot before and there was no telling what they would try.

[Steampunk Away]

Abraham walks by Mallard.

"Sorry my friend, I need this more."

Abraham takes Mallard's revolver and walks out the door, heading for the man in white.

[Ranger Reid]

Seeing Abraham stepping out, Reid silenty follows.  As he passes the threshold of the door, he reaches to the sheath on his back and pops off the peace knot.

[Stella Gaslight]

The man in white simmered like the sun on a pond and suddenly he was across the street.  "You chose the wrong little hedge witch to cast your lot with. "  there was a thrum and he hurled a ball of light at the club.

[Ranger Reid]

Reid quickly drew his dagger and held it in front of him.   The ball of light quickly grew into a rolling ball of flame as it came straight at the men.  Just as it enveloped them, it seemed to suck into the dagger, like a vaccuum sucking up a spill.  Reid called to Abraham, "Get Him!"

Then the ranger stepped back, sheathed the dagger, and drew his katana.  Swinging it in a wide arc, he ended with it pointed at the sky.  Suddenly the exact same ball of fire erupted from the sword, and exploded into the sky.

The force of holding the katana while the fireball launched knocked the ranger to the ground, but he was otherwise unharmed.

[Steampunk Away]

Abraham cocked the revolver and started firing at the man, who was deflecting every shot.

Abraham shot at the gas lamp above the man, showering him in hot oil.

[Stella Gaslight]

There was a growl like a beast and the man shifted again this time trying to det behind them but avoid the club's stoop   "What did the thief tell you to get you under her power?"

[Ranger Reid]

Reid turned his attention to the shadowy figure, and yelled over his shoulder "Abraham, you get white suit!  I will try this guy!"

At that, Reid lunged sword first at the swirling shadow figure.  At first it seemed he was striking smoke and billowing cloud, but then small particles of soot seemed to cling to the blade.

The shadowy man looked confused at first, then a little fear appeared on his brow.  He fled down the alley, with Reid in hot pursuit.

[Stella Gaslight]

A little bit closer, closer and then the shadow man wheeled around making a turn in to the wall that should have sent him bounding off an old bricked over door.  instead he melded with the shadows and then a rough throaty laugh came from everywhere and nowhere.  A claw swiped at Reid from a shadowed doorway fast and sharp while other hands tried to reach up from his own shadow and hold him in place.

[CPT_J_Percell]

"Mr Smith, please watch my bags for Me." James said as he stood with a sigh. watching the arguing couple chasing after the attackers was boring. "Ladies, I hope you don't mind."
James removed his coat and waist coat and walked out of the front door.
"Sir are you really?"
James just nodded, his body started turning opaque and growing as the transformation came over him. when he solidified he stood over 7 feet tall, a grey wolf dressed as a samurai with 3 tails stood in his place. he drew his Katana and stomped after reid, fog swirling around his feet. As he entered the alley, he spotted Reid ineffectually fighting the shadow.
He may have learned how to use a Katana but his technique is flawed. With a growl he stepped further into the ally and swung his sword at Reid back blocking a shadowy claw that would have ripped open his spine. the shadow howled and moved to a different location away for the Shadow Kitsune.

[Prof. Isambard Ravenwood]

Mallard watched as the captain transformed "That's interesting... hang on, did you say I had to pair up with that arrogant, self righteous idiot who thinks he's 'ard because he has a hat and a sword..." said Mallard watching the fight with a slight enjoyment.

[walking stick]

There was a growl like a beast and the man shifted again this time trying to get behind them but avoid the club's stoop   "What did the thief tell you to get you under her power?"

. 

Beety watched the fight but was most careful to listen "The white hound stated that we were in league with the thief.  That's never been our style and those in white were never stupid so where did the idea come from?"

This concerned her so much that watching Mallard's realization of his next assignment was only mildly amusing. She would hold the thief responsible for ruining a good joke.

"We'll have to find out who she is and why Those In White think we are under her power.  She's beginning to annoy me." 

[Ranger Reid]

Just as the Wolfen stepped to the shadow, Reid spun, and cleaved that particular piece of shroud in two.  His technique was different, but precise.  The problem wasn't ability, it was the mismatch of human verses shadow.  As the etheral trails of claw and smoke continued to multiply, soon the ranger would be over matched by volume.   Reid eyed the werewolf distrustfully.  But things were NOT going well, so he had to trust it to help.

[Stella Gaslight]

"Sorry Mal but yes you need a tracker that is good with anamals and we both know you are more at home in the streets than any place people are outnumbered by trees."  Celia let out a large sigh and looked out over the battle.  "I think I know what he is talking about and t all falls back to Toby.  It always does when dealing with the fae. Mal you remember that tall blonde that opened the gate when we were trying to escape the goblin market after they tried to go back on the deal right?  I had no clue who she was at the time and I haven't seen her since but I think she may have been the summer queen."

[Steampunk Away]

Abraham took a lighter out, and lit the man in white on fire.

"And hopefully you will not come back."

[Ranger Reid]

As the man in white suddenly burst into flame, the shadow man recoiled as if he too were burning.   Then the shadow, claws tendrals all, suddenly snapped back towards the man in white like a rubber hand shot from a hand.  As the two collided the man exclaimed "first blood Lady.  Your minions have first blood only! The gate is still broken.  I will prevail"
To say that the man "disappeared" might be a misstatement.  Better to say he melted into nothingness.

Suddenly the group were standing in the alley with no one to fight.

[Prof. Isambard Ravenwood]

"I still don't want to work with that oaf... but, I will be mature about it, as Mr Reid wishes" said Mallard, scathingly, smirking at Reid as he walked through the door."Oh well DONE!" he said, clapping slowly "In the space of five minutes you've proved I could trounce you in a sword fight all day long! that special move, bravo! you knocked yourself over, left your weak side exposed and you didn't even hit him." said Mallard, trying his absolute hardest not to laugh.

[Steampunk Away]

Abraham pushes past Mallard, jamming the revolver back in Mallard's holster, forcing the Englishman to sit down violently.

"Both of you are wearing on my nerves, and you are being rude to Miss Celia. Behave yourself, or the next person doused in oil will either be a detective, or a cowboy."

[CPT_J_Percell]

James waited until everyone had left the alley before sheathing his Katana.
"What is it sir, why are you not following behind them?"
"I sense the after effects of a Vail gate."
"You think our visitor was a crosser?"
"I don't know enough about this time. Apart from hunting dragons and my fiancée's killer I was to busy running my ship."
"But you learnt how to cross the vail without a gateway of ship."
"You forget that its wasn't until the Void Dragon killed me that I was taught how to cross."
"So, what do you think about our companions on this trip, sir?"
"The're each hiding something."
"Just you you then sir."
"Quite." James replied while letting his sense's explore the area, "there is still something lingering that I can't place my claws on." James said before casting the Katana back into the subspace where he stored things before changing back into human form. He took a look around before leaving the alleyway and following the group back into the establishment.

[Ranger Reid]

Reid smiled at the chattering man.  Words were for the weak, and his offerings on swordwork were at best entertaining.  But as he approached the door, he paused.  " Ma'am, I don't think I should come back in yet,"
He held,out his sword.  The black soot that had been clinging to it was dripping off the blade like water.  It seemed to be pooling at the threshold.

"I don't want to bring any of this through.   Might be what that feller wanted all along."

[Stella Gaslight]

"Lingering shadows, what did grandma say got rid of them again?' Celia muttered half under her breath whacking her brain. "Ahh That is the ticket. Toby get the black kit in the hall closet, the mop bucket and the flash rig Mr Anders left here last month." She said braking out in a grin.  She very carefully crossed the threshold ready to dart back in if luring her out was what they wanted.  "Reid I think I can fix it but you are going to have to be very fast.  Shadows can be driven away with light."  She took the bucket and carefully measured out three drops of a gold coloured liquid in to the clear water.  "The trick is getting them not to come right back." The water took on an odd metallic shine as she poured in another bottle of pearly liquid that smelled like lavender.  "What you are going to do is as soon as I use the flash you need to wash with this water.  Shadows can't stick to soap so this should fix you right up."