Instruments of Fate (With Pulp)

[Austin]

Henry smiles. “Welcome back to the realm of the living.” He says to welcome them. “Don't worry it was only a few hours not centuries.” He says to assure them

[The Batman (Reagan)]

((Will reply after work. Already drafting a response.))

[Austin]

((Awesom.))

[The Batman (Reagan)]

((Sorry, I kinda do have a tendency to introduce too many threads.))

@Anwen, "Winnifred." The waitress responds with a smile as you satire for Aquila. Once the excitable aaracokra catches her breath, she holds out a dyed pink leather book. "You wanted to read my story. We were suppose to meet here after my shift." She looks around. "How's it going?"

@Henry, The man mutters to himself then says to you, "Somehow that is still not much comfort. Was I dead?"

[Eve O. Spellman]

((You're fine. I just find her commenting on to be funny.))

"Pleased to meet you, Winnifred," Anwen whispers with a smile before focusing her attention once more on the Aarocokra.

"Oh yes!" Anwen's eyes lit up as she carefully takes the book. "I do recall now, thank you. It has been a rather exciting day so my mind is a bit scattered.

"It could be going better, I will not lie. But as things are, they are going well. No show, I am afraid."

Anwen carefully opens the book, her voice remaining light and cheerful. "Let us see what we got here. . ."

[Austin]

Henry shook his head. “No you were frozen. You souls should not have travelled to a different plane.” He said trying to reassure the man

[The Batman (Reagan)]

@Henry,
"Should not?" The bard whispers in your ear. You jump as you hadn't even noticed him moving up behind you. "Ah yes! We all feel better now, don't we?" He looks at the bearded man. "Prithee, good sir, were you invited here or was this a random event?" The man looks back and forth between you and the bard. "Random, I think? What does 'prithee mean'?"

@Anwen, When you open the book, Aquilla immediately asks, "Oh, you're just going to read it standing right here? You don't want to find somewhere to sit first? Or take it with you to... wherever you're staying? Weren't you in the middle of something?" You get the impression she's having second thoughts. ((I should probably have you roll more, but here's a freebie.)) The first page reads as such:

Aamalie looked around the ballroom for her target. She hoped the mask she wore hid her frayed nerves better than the words of reassurance she kept muttering to herself beneath her breath. A hyper awareness of the pain in her wing reminded her that she couldn't get out of this; A few of her flight feathers had been replaced by sharpened quills.

In the far corner of the room, the foppish Francisco Ferdinand Domingo was flirting with a trio of swooning swans. Despite his down-turned beak, he always seemed to adapt an upturned demeanor. Aamalie rolled her eyes. She wondered if the swans realized, or cared, that Domingo's reddish-pink plumage was merely a result of his exclusive diet of prawns— essentially little aquatic bugs dredged up from muddy riverbanks by lower class citizens of his own species. She could get the same result in her laundry by mixing white linens and her used garments.

Nearby, Lord Humphrey, whose pointed nose was likely more dangerous than the ornamental rapier at his hip, flitted from group to group, pretending to be interested in the conversation, then darting off whenever a server passed with a tray of fruity drinks. He had an annoying habit of only taking a few sips before setting his glass down and picking up another.

Aamalie had already counted eight abandoned Bordeaux and was considering picking up one Humphrey had never touched, when suddenly…

[Austin]

Henry assumes this is part of the investigation and observes silently for now

[Eve O. Spellman]

"A seat, you are quite right," Anwen commented as she glances up, spotting a bench not to far away. She looks back down at the book, beginning to read as she makes her way to the seat.

Anwen elegantly sits down, crossing her legs at the ankle. She gently ran her finger down the page as she reads, line by line.

Anwen took her time, a small smile appearing on her face.

"This is very well written," she spoke as she looks up at the nervous woman.

"Is this perhaps a series?"

[The Batman (Reagan)]

((I have some free time now that I've finished the semester, so hopefully I can post a reply sooner rather than later. Gotta write some more of the story for Anwen too. Should I wait until I have that to post? (I have a good idea as to where it's going now that I've written even as little as I have.

Austin, I know you're not RPing as much right now so I've kept your side fairly minimal, but let me know if you'd like me to add to your experience in any way.

Also, let me know if there are any NPCs you guys would like me to include.))

[Eve O. Spellman]

((You did it!!

I don't mind waiting.))

[Austin]

((So at this point are we permanently split? Like is eve ahead of me in time? Or are we just both going our own ways?))

[The Batman (Reagan)]

((You're on the same timeline. You're just split spatially. If Eve comes back to the Blue Rooster, or you go to the Copper Kettle, you'll find each other in the current moment. Does that make sense? Like I said, I'm trying to gauge how much I write based on each of your levels of interaction and availability.))

[The Batman (Reagan)]

((Will reply tomorrow. @Eve, Same for Arkham.))

[The Batman (Reagan)]

@Henry, "Random... Mmhmm... mmhmm..." The bard says as he paces, struts, really, around the room. He taps a quill to his chin as he thinks. "Any notable figures or details stand out?" He looks at you. "You were a witness too, by your own admission. Feel free to speak up." His tone is more inviting than passive aggressive.

@Anwen, Aquilla shakes her head, her plumage fluffing out. "I think this one's just going be the one book. I haven't even finished the last chapter, becauseI can't bring myself to do what I must just yet, but it's going to be a big moment.". She lets out a shaky breath, then perks up suddenly. "I do have a title in mind! What do you think of On Bladed Wings Is that too obvious?" winnifred leads her to sit down next to you on the bench, then takes her own seat at the other end.

Page 2
“Why the mask, swallow?” A voice said from behind Aamalie. She spun and found herself face to face with a broad shouldered kestrel in a smart blue uniform. His yellow eyes bored into her.

Aamalie cursed inwardly, realizing her informant had either not done his homework or had intentionally set her up. She looked around at all the nobles. “I was led to believe this was intended to be a masquerade.” The kestrel continued to glare down at her. she fought the urge to cower under the nearest tablecloth. She couldn't be caught. And she couldn't be recognized. Then she realized what the kestrel had said. Swallow. She really was a fool to think she could hide just her face but not her forked tailfeathers. Reluctantly, she reached up to untie the mask's leather strap.

“There. Now you fit in.” The kestrel nodded to her and walked away wings clasped behind his back and chest out. Wait what? Aamalie's mind raced to catch up. Now you fit in? What did he mean by that?

[Austin]

Henry shrugged. “I remember a piano player and the bartender was serving poisoned drinks. I don't remember much else.” He said realizing he was not too helpful

[The Batman (Reagan)]

((Just realized I lost track of Matthias. I have no idea where he is.))

[Austin]

((Lol i had attempted to leave matthias here to talk to the bard while i explore but that failed somehow lol.))

[Eve O. Spellman]

Aquilla shakes her head, her plumage fluffing out. "I think this one's just going be the one book. I haven't even finished the last chapter, because I can't bring myself to do what I must just yet, but it's going to be a big moment.". She lets out a shaky breath, then perks up suddenly. "I do have a title in mind! What do you think of On Bladed Wings Is that too obvious?"

"Oh, a novel," Anwen smiles, glancing up at Aquilla with an approving look.

"Novels are a wanderer's best friend. All of the wonder, none of the stress of finding the next.

"I do not think it is obvious at all. It sounds perfectly descriptive," she nods approvingly as she continues to read page two.

Anwen keeps her smile as she gently closes the book and offers it back.

"Absolutely marvelous. I hope to see it one day in a bookshop. I am certain I would spend more time reading it than resting," she laughs, standing up.

"Marvelous writing."