The Barker Street Irregulars case 1 Crowned Panic.

[Steampunk Away]

Abraham calmly walked over to the door and hoisted it back into position.

"The little man has some strength, real muscle man."

Abraham produced another slice of cake and secretly handed it to the new coming boy

[CPT_J_Percell]

"The fact that the guards didn't see anything is in its self a clue." James said casting a glance at his companion "What was the fog like that night?" he asked placing his cup down. Something was comming, he could feel it in the back of his head, but he could pinpoint what, when the door opened, his Sense's went into overdrive, James spun around jumping to his feet, drew his Revolver pointed it towards the door and felt the warmth from it as it glowed in the presence of this new stranger.

[Prof. Isambard Ravenwood]

Mallard sprang up as well, drawing his revolver, but upon seeing the child, he holstered it and slumped back into his chair "Oh, it's only a child. Shut the door behind you, there's a mighty draft." he said looking positively disappointed.

[Stella Gaslight]

Toby took the newcomer's hand and led him over to the table giving the boy a seat beside his. Celia made another plate of food and set it before the boy carefully watching him and wondering just what he was.

[walking stick]

Beety gave him a glass of raspberry cordial saying "Peace be upon you." to a point somewhere above his head.  There was no harm in being polite, no matter what to.  In a longer life than all but Toby realized she had never seen anything as confused as this.   

[CPT_J_Percell]

*** Sorry communication across the vail during daytime is proving difficult. ***
James watched the boy led across the room but didn't lower is revolver, something about the power the boy used set him on edge and he was breathing hard, his heart beating fast as he fought to hold back the transformation that the boys entry had triggered.
"Sir," came James's companion as he put a hand over James's own hand that was shaking while holding the revolver. "Sir remember the control lessons, I don't want to have to shoot you and drag you back after you travelled all this distance." James's eye's crossed the group noting the collection of confused and curious looks, he was still breathing hard but the pain that signalled the start of the transformation was starting to ease. Closing his eyes he started muttering the prayer to Hecate in order to calm his nerves. Once he had gained control of his self and quietened his other self, he returned his revolver back to his holster and sat back down reaching out with a shaking hand to grab the tea cup.

[Prof. Isambard Ravenwood]

Mallard stared harshly at the Captain, "well, I'm starting to feel a little left out. Looking around the table at you all I can see all but one magic user apart from me! Dear Captain, are you going to explain, or should I? of course I know Beety and Celia have powers of their own, but that child obviously has some form of power of his own, whether he knows it or not. I've boxed for 15 years, and I've seen a handful of people able to even lift that door, let alone seen a- let me see- eleven year old boy knock it down!, enchantments and all."

[CPT_J_Percell]

"Not really a magic user as such, but am a shape shifter." he pulled out the revolver and placed it on the table. "Apart from healing incantations and incantations to unlock or disassemble things, I can only use magic controlled through devices making me what maybe called a technomage. I can also create artificial gateways into the subdimension between worlds but that more of an ability gained from dying." He said sipping the tea now that his hand had stopped shaking. "As to the case, I know of at least one gentleman who could make things dissaper as described, but I believe that his pledge to the crown means he would not dishonour himself with such a deed."

[Stella Gaslight]

"I could lend you any number of enchanted items from the repository if it would help your feelings Mall." Celia chucked then paused.  "That actually might not be a bad idea.  If we can find something where the cost of use isn't too bad it may be worth it. Perhaps the cloak of the seven who went far in the world."

[Steampunk Away]

"Mallard I too am feeling left out. But even I have some protection from the Old Gods. Sorry, how do you English say it, Chap?"

Looking at the Captain, "So you are a skin wearer, interest I to see they have spread out so much. Last one I heard of outside of Norse country was the Garou in France."

"And for the little one, one would think you are berserker. I do not mean to confuse with my home land references, but it makes it somewhat easier to comprehend if you would please understand."

[CPT_J_Percell]

"They are around but most have been exiled off world into another subdimension of the vail. They will soon...."
A cough from his companion stops James mid sentence before he can expose the inevitable future.

"Not quite, I am a hybrid of two mythical species and the only one alive even in my own time."

[Prof. Isambard Ravenwood]

"Ha, I have no need of magic, I have my own powers of deduction to aid me. And if I don't say so myself, I'm a bloody good mechanic- on the same level as a technomage, just a little slower. I prefer to use a screwdriver than my mind. I'm old fashioned that way." said Mallard, a hint of condescension in his voice, his pride showing.

[CPT_J_Percell]

"You may be interested in my rifle then" james says as he leans over and pulls a modified rifle that contains a large crystal shaped hole in the receiver and 6 smaller holes in a cylinder in front of the larger hole.
"But I guess you already trying to work out how the revolver works."

[Prof. Isambard Ravenwood]

"Oh, i figured that out a long while ago, but that is nice, reminds me of the time I spent hunting on the estates forest, I had a mean bolt action pneumatic rifle. So tell me, what are the crystal slots for? some kind of ethereal energy focusing device?"

[CPT_J_Percell]

"Really, tell me then, how does it work and why is it not glowing?

As to the rifle, the big hole is for a large quartz crystal and is the power source, the smaller holes are for smaller crystals, by arranging them in different formations, the rifle can fire different kinds of aetheric shots.

[Ranger Reid]

While,the discussion had rated about everyone else's magic, Reid had become more quiet and withdrawn.  He paused with his wine hafway to his lips,and spoke in a low voice.   "You speak too much and say to little.  You are a petulant child mewling over a shiny babble in another's fist. " Reid turns to give a cutting look of controlled rage towards the professor, "If I could move this damned curse from me to you, I would do it and count you thrice blessed and we'll to keep it."

Reid addressed Celia "if you need partner us up, do not stick me with that popenjay.   He would quickly lose a tongue."

With that the ranger finished his wine.

[CPT_J_Percell]

"Me and Myself have never been able to work as a team so we will form our own team." James says scowling at Reid not sure if his comment was aimed at him.

[Ranger Reid]

Reid replied With a tip of his wine and a scowl, "funny.  You I dont mind so much."  

[Prof. Isambard Ravenwood]

"I would like too see you try, ranger. Not sure about your coherence in a fight, but I assume that you've never been in a proper London pub brawl. As for me, I have plenty of experience in both fencing and boxing, so if you want a sword fight, bring it on. Then again, you studied in asia, did you not? I may lose a toungue but you will lose your foot through your sandals. You've been stalking through the brush, you fit in well among the daisies..." Said Mallard, not appreciating the Rangers advances on his home turf...

[CPT_J_Percell]

James returns his rifle to his bag and revolver to his holster before leaning across the table to grab a slice of cake. "Your desserts are Devine madam, I may have to order some to take back with me."

[The Corsair]

The words just swirled around JJ. He was too dizzy to pay attention. But the nice people had given him juice and cake, he had to at least try and listen to them. All they went on about was magic, and JJ wondered if he was in one of the fairy tales he remembered being read. That would make sense. And if he was in a fairytale he was one of three people; the hero, the villain or an innocent bystander. It was obvious which one he was. He had received the letter, he was the hero. Heroes tended to be good at doing things, so JJ figured he best get a handle on what was going on. They'd called for him - the hero - to be there. He needed to know why.

He cleared his throat, because that's what all the adults did before they talked about something important.
"What do you need me for?" he asked, as boldly as his young voice would allow.

[Stella Gaslight]

There was a sort of subtle static radiating off Celia and her expression was not at all pleased. "Gentleman there is no fighting in my club. Feel free to take it outside where the hound is waiting but if you do so my protection will be removed.  Now shall we stop this useless sabre rattling and get down to business?  I would like if I could get at least two people to come upstairs with me and greet the city."  Her face softened as she turned to the boy "I have been thinking about that. How good are you at hide and do seek?"

[Prof. Isambard Ravenwood]

Mallard immediately turned to Celia, his expression turned from confident fury, to that of an embarrassed gentleman "My apologies, Celia, I have no quarrel with you or anybody else in this room. I would prefer it if that ranger could be kept away for a while, until he can learn to co-operate with all of our eccentricities." He turned to the boy "Well, quite frankly, we don't as far as we know, but your obvious talents may come in handy."

[Ranger Reid]

"I called you a child and your response was the equivalent of oh yeah, you and what army.    Thanks for,proving me right popenjay."  the ranger spoke,then turned his back on the professor unconcernedly

[Prof. Isambard Ravenwood]

"Any time, oh, that reminds me, on your way out, you might want to stop at the crystal palace, they have a special exhibition on daisies..." said Mallard, resisting the urge to pistol-whip the back of his head with his revolver...