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<Dawn> ::drops into a chair across from Sharkbait, unexpectedly, as he's having a pint:: I heard you wanted to talk to me. So talk. <Sharkbait> ::eyes widening, looking around him quickly:: Uuuhhh... sir. ::swallows and licks his lips:: Don't mean to be wastin' your time, sir, you prolly know about 'em already, but... ::swallows again nervously:: old... associate of mine heard I'd been cut loose, so t' speak, thought I might be looking for another job in the same line. <Sharkbait> Said there were a group looking for a few more heavies what knew how to keep their yaps shut... an, well, I got that reputation, on account of I don't say much when folks are talkin' stupid around me, which is pretty often. He said, if I had an interest, he'd give 'em my name... played it real close to the vest, he did. <Sharkbait> So I asked 'im, what sorta work, and he said, a bit of babysittin'... which, well, I've done bodyguardin' before, aye. But... the way he said it, with kinda a wink... ::picks up his beer for a hasty swallow for his dry mouth:: So... thought you might like t' hear about it, boss. <Dawn> Got any names? Contact data? ::he scratches at his face, eyeing Sharkbait:: You might have to duck and cover 'til this blows over. ::his jaw works, and then sets:: Shouldn't be too much longer. Can you disappear for a couple of weeks? <Sharkbait> ::glancing around again, looking deeply uncomfortable, lowering his voice:: I ain't no squealer... but... I 'preciate what your boy did. Know why he did it, an' all, still... know he was takin' a chance on us guys, too. So... ::he frowns deeply into his beer for a long moment, and nods sharply:: Right. ::he looks up and meets Dawn's eyes:: M' buddy's called Ding-Ding. (Don't ask.) <Sharkbait> He were playin' it pretty close to the vest, as I said... strictly a they'll-find-you sorta deal. But... ::looks down again:: Soon as he starting talkin' about it, I thought... I owe it to 'em to be telling the boss about it... ::flicking his eyes up again at Dawn and looking down at the table again quickly:: ...an' soon as I thought that, I thought... first question he's gonna ask me is where an' who. <Sharkbait> So... when he left, I paid a street brat t' tail 'im. ::swallows again:: Alewife Street. Some sorta hostel, the kid said. Big place, three floors. ::he looks down at his hands:: Gotta cousin what runs a fishing boat... legit, you know. Deep sea work, out for a few weeks at a time. Scutwork, but... he'd hire me on for a tour, if I asked. <Dawn> ::nods sharply:: Sounds like a fine idea. Let him think you ran into a gambling debt or something. ::he runs his hand through his hair once, looking at the ceiling, then nods again, to himself:: I'll look into it. If you're not setting me up, this'll clear you. ::gives Sharkbait a direct look:: If you're setting me up, you're dead. ::Without waiting for an answer, he stands and leaves:: ------------------------- * Dawn is on the roof of a building on Alewife Street, doing a remarkable imitation of a smokestack. He watches a large hostel across the street, as he has been doing for most of the last hour. His blue eyes are icy and intent as he considers the positions of the windows and doors, the people coming and going, and its layout. <Narrator> ::The hostel known as Sunrose house is a large building, three stories above the street. It's an older building, built of brick in perhaps the last century, and looks like a converted factor's house-- which, in fact, it is-- with many more rooms built within the renovated structure than on the original city plans. It's a rather seedy establishment, with equally seedy customers. Dawn recognizes a few Guild faces among those going in and out.:: <Narrator> ::The rest of the residents appear to be in similar professions, from their somewhat furtive demeanors. Dawn has had glimpses of security just inside the doors, which may explain the higher rent for such a badly-maintained building. The windows on the two upper stories are shuttered, and Dawn's keen eye has noticed a canal backed up to the building, and a few boats pausing just behind it, suggesting a water door somewhere in back.:: <Narrator> ::The traffic of men coming in and out has seemed a bit more frequent than tenancy would suggest... either there are a number of visitors, or the hostel is full of men who frequently forget things in their rooms.:: * Dawn nods to himself. He loosens his dagger in its sheath, checks the weapons hidden in his shirt, and re-settles his ratty cloak on his shoulders. He takes one last look at the Sunrose, then swings over the side of the building, shimmying down into the shadows of the alley. <Dawn> ::He heads up the street a bit, then cuts over to the canal and jumps into a boat-for-hire. Two coins are passed to the rower, who begins steering the boat down the canal. As he nears the Sunrose, Dawn jumps out of the boat onto a handy dock; the boatman develops a mysterious case of blindness, appearing not to notice the loss of his passenger.:: <Narrator> ::There is, indeed, a back entrance-- a water door, leading up a set of stone steps off of a shared dock to a closed door at the end. There is a barred viewing slot in the door, but the panel is currently closed.:: * Dawn pulls the hood of his cloak up, then goes up the steps and knocks. <Narrator> ::the panel slides back with a thunk, and Dawn gets the sense of being watched, although eyes are not immediately obvious in the shadow of the door. A deep voice issues through the grille:: Aye? <Dawn> ::softly:: Ding-Ding sent me. Said there might be work for me. A little... babysitting, aye? <Narrator> ::There's a grunt from the other side of the door, and the sound of several locks being undone. After a moment, the door opens-- or at least, one of them. There's a rather large man looming in the opening who looks no less impassable than the banded oak. He lets Dawn into a dark foyer.:: Wait here. Name? <Dawn> Sharkbait. <Narrator> ::The man nods and lumbers off, opening a door into a better-lit room-- it looks like the main foyer of the hostel, from the quick glance through the door-- and closing it behind him again, leaving Dawn in near-darkness.:: * Dawn crosses to the door and leans against the wall casually, listening intently. <Narrator> ::As Dawn's ears adjust to the quieter noise level inside, he hears many things... a distinctive series of thumps and clacks that suggest a game of billiards in progress, a few muted conversations at different volume levels, footsteps and door-closings, suggesting a goodly amount of traffic, and a number of different male voices offering named referrals. Some men seem to be requesting rooms, and none sound like they're being turned away.:: * Dawn files away a few of the referral names for future reference. Not hearing the guard's steps returning just yet, Dawn attempts opening the door, just a crack. <Narrator> ::Light floods in, and the voices get louder. Through the crack, Dawn can spot what looks like a clerk's window across the wide foyer, with a number of men filing past. Some of them ask for and receive mail or messages, and head off down a hall on this same floor. Others, after an exchange of conversation and money, receive a key and head up the stairs to the left.:: * Dawn closes the door and leans against the wall again, waiting. <Narrator> ::The wall returns after a few more minutes, squinting around the room a moment for Dawn before spotting him:: Follow me. ::he heads back out the door again without waiting, crossing the foyer and leading Dawn to a room cattycorner to the clerk's desk-- it looks like some sort of manager's office. Two smaller (meaning normal-sized) men wait inside, one behind a desk:: <Narrator> ::The man behind the desk looks up with a faint frown, and glances at the other man:: Ding-Ding said he was looking at this guy as a bouncer, didn't he? <Narrator> ::The other man shrugs noncommittally, and the first man frowns a little deeper at Dawn, his down-turned mouth turning two chins into three as he squints at Dawn with piggy eyes:: You're Sharkbait? <Dawn> ::in a thick dockside drawl:: Tougher'n I look, I am. C'n do th' job fine. <Narrator> ::the man scowls:: Mebbe so. But you don't look like much, and half of the job is not *having* to do the job, get it? ::glances at the other man irritably:: What's Ding-Ding trying to pull here? We can't just take in all his old buddy charity cases. I've got a business, here. <Dawn> ::shifts from one foot to the other, as if suddenly nervous:: C'mon, boss, gimme a chance, hey? Ding-Ding said th' benefits- ::he coughs back whatever he was going to say:: I got needs, I do. C'n do th' job. <Narrator> ::The man snorts:: An' what do I care about your needs, hey? I'm lookin' for a bouncer, not another damned tenant. ::considers, and raises his voice:: Moony, get in here! <Moony> ::A large, rounded man with a simple face ducks through the door:: Yeah, boss? <Chins> ::to Dawn:: Take 'im down alive, and the job's yours. And don't break my desk. ::the other man scrambles around behind the desk as Chins leans back in his chair to watch. Moony turns towards Dawn with a frown. He's HUGE.:: <Dawn> Sure, boss. ::He turns his back to Chins and rolls his hands on his wrists as if flexing them for combat. He mutters quietly under his breath as he examines Moony, as if discussing possible approaches with himself:: <Chins> ::to Moony, with a gesture and a small, nasty smile:: Moony, drop 'im. * Dawn bounces on his toes as he waits for Moony to close with him. * Moony moves in towards Dawn, spreading his arms and bending his knees a little, looming over him as he goes for a grab. * Dawn jumps forward and up, into Moony's embrace. He reaches toward the hulking brute's face with both hands outstretched, mouthing the word to release his spell. * Moony's gorilla arms close around Dawn's torso, gripping and starting to squeeze. * Moony pauses as something flickers in his face, and his arms go slack, making it easy for Dawn to slip free of his embrace. The big man teeters for a few moments, and then goes down like a tree, with a crash that shakes the floor. * Dawn drops to the ground with a soft grunt, and slips his scarred arm back under his cloak as Moony falls. He turns back to Chins with a smirk. * Chins' jaw drops open a little at the speed and effectiveness of Dawn's attack. He closes his mouth with a click of teeth, reassembling his features into a faint scowl. "Not bad. What'd you do to him?" <Dawn> ::grins:: Trick I learned... elsewhere. Nerve stun. He'll have a fuck of a headache, he will. <Chins> Hm. ::studies Dawn a moment more and nods:: Ding-Ding tells me you know how to keep your mouth shut. If that's so, you're hired. If not, you're a dead man, got it? <Dawn> ::nods:: You got it, boss. I get the tour now? <Chins> ::nods, and touches his chest:: Chins. ::points at the other man:: Handsome Jack. You've already met Moony, and Fishface, at the door. Jack'll give you the twopenny tour. Wages are 2 gold a week, in-house discount for... rentals. ::he grins with the expression of a shark:: Don't spend it all in one place. * Dawn nods quickly. "Aye... Uh. How much is, uh... rentals?" <Narrator> Regular price is 8g. For a good employee who knows how to keep his mouth shut... 5. ::grins a little:: No matter your preference. We've got all flavors, here. * Dawn twitches, his breath suddenly a little faster than it was. "Aye. Right. Let's have th' tour, then." * Handsome Jack nods, and comes back out from behind the desk, carefully skirting the fallen Moony:: This way, then, m'lad. ::he nods to Chins and exits the office, pausing outside to attract the attention of another bouncer:: When you've a moment... Chins needs a cleanup inside. * Dawn follows Handsome Jack, his eyes ticking from point to point as they pass through the hostel, marking passages, strengths, and weaknesses. * Handsome Jack leads Dawn over to the desk clerk, waiting until the man has a free moment to introduce him. "Spider, this is Sharkbait. He'll be working security." The man behind the counter sizes Dawn up with a faint grin, and bobs a nod. "Pleasure's all yours, 'm sure." * Dawn smirks, oily. "Sure't will be." <Handsome Jack> Spider here vets the clients. Strict word-o'-mouth, they've gotta be in the know with someone here to vouch for 'em. They'll know to ask for the floor, too... first floor's just tenants, mostly the help. You'll have a room on first floor. <Dawn> ::nods:: An' th' others? <Handsome Jack> Second floor's moonbeam, third floor's sunshine. ::wrinkles his brow for a moment:: An' you'll be keepin' folk out of the basement, understand? <Dawn> Sure thing. What's th' basement? <Handsome Jack> ::easily:: Naught you'd want t' know about, me lad. <Dawn> ::taking the hint:: Sure. We goin' upstairs? <Narrator> Aye. ::leading him up the stairs and nodding to another guard on the landing:: Deuce, Sharkbait. He'll be working the door downstairs. ::the other man nods:: * Dawn nods as well. <Handsome Jack> Th' clients are given the room key... they pay an hour, and they're welcome t' stay longer, but they get their time logged, in an' out. Longer time, bigger fees, aye? <Dawn> ::grins:: Aye. <Narrator> Th'... employees all got keepers, t' see they don't come t'any lasting damage. <Dawn> ::whistles:: Every one of 'em? <Handsome Jack> One keeper ev'ry two doors. ::faint smile:: Some clients ask after payin' double, on occasion. That's allowed. <Dawn> ::looking up and down the halls:: Big place... How many y'got? <Handsome Jack> Workin'? ::a touch proudly:: Twenty-six, all told. Y'can see why we take such good care. <Dawn> ::tightly:: Aye. ::he grinds his teeth, then swallows his anger:: Let's see th' top floor. Don' feel right holdin' a place 'less I've seen th' whole. <Handsome Jack> ::nods, mounting the steps again, glancing back at Dawn:: Sunshine up here. What's yer own preference? <Dawn> ::shrugs:: 'Shine, mostly, but I'll take 'beams, if that's all I c'n find. <Handsome Jack> Heh. No lack of either, here. And if Tower gets his way, th' price'll be coming down, too, soon. * Dawn nods to the guard at the top of the stairs, and lets his eyes stray to the closed doors along the hall. <Narrator> ::The guard, introduced as "Mouth," nods back. Handsome Jack watches Dawn's expression carefully:: Payday's at the end of the week, old son. * Dawn licks his lips. "Aye, well... Might have a few coin saved up..." He gives Jack a weak grin. "Been a while, it has. Reckon we c'd just... look in on a few?" * Handsome Jack studies him a moment, and holds out a hand. "You've the coin on you?" <Dawn> ::puts his hand over his beltpouch, his jaw working:: Just t' *look*? * Handsome Jack shrugs a shoulder. "Looking's next thing to touching, in my experience. Many a man just can't help it, and I'd hate t' be tossing such a promising lad out on his ear." <Handsome Jack> ::relenting a little:: First time, new hire... I'd give you two hours, for the fee. * Dawn hesitates a moment longer, then digs in his pouch. He comes up with four gold pieces, eight silver, and a handful of coppers that don't *quite* bring the total up to five. "Owe you th' rest, come payday?" * Handsome Jack casts his eye over the handful of coin and grins a bit, flicking a silver back at Dawn:: Man's gotta eat. Go to. ::he goes down the hall, listening at a couple of doors quietly before stopping at one about halfway down the hall. He produces a small ring of keys from his pocket and unlocks the door, opening it to let Dawn through:: Welcome to the family, m'lad. ::he closes the door behind him again:: * Dawn waits until the door closes, then steels himself and turns to face the room's occupants. <Narrator> ::There is, at present, only one other person in the room-- a small boy, seated on the bed. His back was to the door when Dawn came in, but he turns quickly to look as the door is opened, nervously. His body language is that of a dog that's been whipped into compliance. The room is bare-- a washstand, a bed, a shuttered window, and a connecting door, currently closed:: * Dawn leans against the door and crosses his arms. "I'm Dawn. You got a name?" <Finger> ::in a voice a little breathy with fear:: 'M called Finger... sir. <Dawn> Just Dawn is fine. ::he listens at the door for a moment, then starts rummaging in the pockets inside his cloak:: You can relax, Finger. I'm not really here for you. <Finger> ::glancing at the connecting door, and then eyeing Dawn warily:: Sir? * Dawn grins quickly, then puts his finger over his lips, and crosses to the connecting door. He listens for a moment, then pulls out a bit of string and ties it around the door's handle. He whispers a short incantation, and the string disappears in a puff of purplish smoke. "That should do it." He slants a look at Finger. "How'd you like to leave?" <Finger> ::swallows:: We're not allowed to go out with the... the client, sir. I'm sorry. ::hesitantly, nervous, slipping off the bed and approaching Dawn:: I... anything else I can do to make you happy, sir, I'll do. ::he puts his hands on Dawn's belt:: <Dawn> ::carefully moves Finger's hands:: No. I mean *out*. Forever. I'm not a client. More like... the cleanup crew. <Finger> I... sir? ::looks up at Dawn with confusion, a little more of the fear showing through his expression:: * Dawn smiles sardonically. "Relax. Please. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm going to shut this place down." <Finger> ::eyes going round, looking at the connecting door again and lowering his voice:: You... you really mean it? <Dawn> ::nods:: I mean it. Will you help me? <Finger> ::bites his lip, his eyes filling with tears as he answers in a bare whisper:: I... I don't *want* to be here. <Dawn> ::his mouth tightens briefly:: I know. That's why I'm here. Will you help? <Finger> ::pauses for the space of a breath, and nods:: but... I don't know how I can. <Dawn> ::grins:: Good lad. All I need you to do is lay on the bed, as still as you possibly can. And whatever happens, stay *quiet*. All right? * Finger nods, a flicker of resignation and disappointment crossing his face, but he lies back obediently on the bed, quietly. * Dawn doesn't quite grimace at the look on Finger's face. He untucks his shirt and half-unbuttons it, then runs his hand sideways through his hair, mussing it even more than its usual sprawl. He glances quickly at Finger, then goes to the main door and opens it, sticking his head out into the hall and hissing for the guard's attention. "Hsst! Hey! Mouth!" <Narrator> ::The guard looks around, surprised, and focuses on Dawn with a small frown and a raised eyebrow:: Ay? What's up? <Dawn> ::donning an expression somewhere between fear and anger:: The fuck is wrong with this kid? I didn't even hit 'im or nothin'! <Mouth> ::frowning a little:: None a' my fuckin' business. ::he gestures with his chin:: D'ja try his handler? Jes' knock. <Dawn> I did! Didn' answer. Look, th' kid's jus'... layin' there. Dammit, what 'e cost, I oughta get *some* action! Come'ere an' check 'im out, okay? <Mouth> ::looks uncertainly down the stairs, and then shrugs a shoulder and strides quickly over to Finger's room, peering in:: * Dawn looks even more worried as he points at Finger's still body on the bed. "See?" * Mouth frowns, shifting from foot to foot and glancing back over his shoulder. After a moment, he ducks inside and cautiously pokes the boy in the side with a blunt finger. Finger doesn't move. * Dawn follows Mouth to the bedside, hovering anxiously. When he bends over to poke at the boy, Dawn throws one arm around the guard's neck and grabs a handful of his hair with the other hand. Quickly, while Mouth is still startled, he yanks and twists as hard as he can. * Mouth falls limply, an expression of now-perpetual surprise on his face. <Dawn> ::softly, almost a sigh:: Ha. ::he quickly closes the door again:: Very good, Finger. You can get up again. * Finger opens his eyes and gets up slowly, his expression still wary. He stares wide-eyed at the dead guard beside his bed. * Dawn pulls the blanket off the bed and throws it over Mouth. "Believe me yet?" * Finger bites his lip, looking ashamed, and nods slowly. <Dawn> ::half-smiles:: I'd not have believed me, either. You did well. You've got two choices, now. You can come and help me while I clear the floor, or you can lock yourself in here until I'm done. <Finger> ::pushing his jaw out a little:: I said I'd help. What can I do? <Dawn> ::grins and claps Finger briefly on the shoulder:: Good lad... <Dawn> ::considers the room for a moment:: Tell me about the keepers. Are they prisoners as well? Or will I have to take them out, too? <Finger> They're paid t' take care of us, keep us in line. ::nibbles on his lip:: I hear... some of 'em ain't so bad, but some like the perks. <Dawn> ::eyebrows go up a bit:: Yours? * Finger shrugs a shoulder, not meeting Dawn's eyes. <Dawn> ::grunts understanding:: All right. They ever let you talk to each other? Let you out for fresh air? You know any of the girls, next floor down? <Finger> ::shakes his head:: They don't like us talking much. We see each other on bath and laundry days, though. I know Toffy best... he's my pair. ::nods to the connecting door:: Through the other side of there. ::swallows:: Toffy... he has it worse'n me. He hasn't learned to be a good boy. <Finger> The girls... I hear 'em, sometimes, but they don't let us get near 'em. ::swallows:: <Finger> Keeper says... they don't want us spoilt. <Dawn> ::sighs and nods:: Well, we'll burn that bridge when we come to it. Let's get your friend, then. ::he grabs Mouth's feet and drags the body across the room, where it won't be immediately visible from the connecting door.:: Same trick, okay? Might be blood this time. * Finger takes a breath and nods. "I've seen blood before." * Finger lies down on the bed and closes his eyes, keeping still. * Dawn puts his hands on the connecting door's handle and releases the locking spell. He yanks the door open. "Fuckin' hell, where's the keeper?!" <Keeper> ::a scruffy older man starts up in surprise. He looks like he was in the middle of a late lunch.:: S'matter, sir? <Dawn> The fuckin' kid just... ::waves one hand hysterically:: flopped over an' passed out or somethin'! <Keeper> ::scowls:: Finger? 'E's a good boy. Healthy. ::scowls a little:: There's a charge, if you do 'em permanent damage... ::pushes himself away from the table and bustles into the room:: <Dawn> ::protesting:: I barely *touched* the brat! Weren't *me* doin' no damage! ::he waits until the keeper pushes past him, and silently draws his dagger:: * Keeper bends over Finger, putting his fingers under the boy's nose and slapping his face lightly. "He's breathin'..." <Dawn> ::As he did for Mouth, Dawn waits until the keeper is bending over Finger's limp body, then grabs him from behind, swiftly bringing his dagger up and across the man's throat. He wrenches the keeper sideways, hoping to prevent drenching Finger with blood.:: * Finger gets a light spattering across his face, and the rest of the man's blood paints the wall a lurid red. He sags in Dawn's arms without a sound. * Dawn dumps the keeper's body on top of Mouth's. "Good." He picks up the pitcher from the washstand and pours water into the bowl. "Here. Grab a rag and clean your face up." He peers into the adjoining room, looking around for its occupant. "Toffy?" * Finger gets off the bed again, putting a finger to his face and looking at the blood smear without expression. He obediently trots over to the washstand and starts cleaning up. <Narrator> ::Dawn hears a creak and a faint scrabbling noise as he opens the door to the other room past the keeper's. It appears to be empty at first glance, although the bed looks recently occupied.:: * Dawn doesn't go into the room, just stands in the door. "I'm not here for you. Keeper's dead, guard's dead. Finger's going to help me with the rest. You can stay hidden in here if you'd rather, but if you try to sneak out before I'm done and raise the alarm, I'm going to knock you into next week. Got it?" <Toffy> ::a dark head peers out from under the bed, staring at Dawn in surprise. The boy that emerges looks a little younger than Finger, but not by much. Straight black hair half-obscured wide dark eyes, and his skin is a deep mahogany.:: * Dawn blinks, surprised by the boy's appearance, then shakes his head to clear it. "Well?" * Toffy crawls out from under the bed, moving a little slowly, and levers himself to a standing position. "C'n I come with you?" His voice is a reedy whisper. A bruise along the side of his jaw barely stands out from his dark complexion. <Dawn> ::suppresses a grin:: Aye. Come on. ::he goes back through the keeper's room and into Finger's, not looking to see if Toffy will follow. He fishes his lockpicks out of his cloak, lingering just long enough to be sure Toffy can get a look at the bodies in the corner and assure himself that Dawn wasn't lying to him.:: Let's go. Both of you stay quiet. Keep an eye and an ear out, aye? * Toffy stares down at Keeper's still form for a long moment. He bends down to dip a finger in the pool of blood around the bodies, and draws the finger along his cheek before delivering a swift, vicious kick to Keeper's body. * Toffy looks up at Dawn with a nod, putting an arm around Finger's shoulders. * Dawn heads out into the hallway, glances quickly toward the stairs to make sure no one is immediately approaching, and heads down the hall. He skips the door leading to Toffy's room, and stops to listen at the next before squatting to apply his lockpicks. <Narrator> ::this door is quiet, the occupant napping restlessly:: * Dawn pops the lock with a quiet *snik*, and beckons to Finger. "Stay quiet. Go in there and wake him up and tell him. He gets the same choice - come or wait. Don't alert the keeper." He doesn't wait for Finger's acknowledgement before moving on to the next door. * Finger nods and slips through the door. <Narrator> ::The next door is *not* quiet. Dawn can hear activity through the door, and a man's voice whispering soft curses like endearments.:: * Dawn frowns and begins working the lock. <Narrator> ::There's the sound of a blow, a soft cry, and muffled sobbing:: * Dawn growls under his breath and gives up on the slow approach. He gets up and goes back to the previous door, brushing past the boy and Finger without even looking. He yanks open the keeper's door, and stomps through into the boy's room. <Narrator> ::The keeper between the two rooms jerks back from listening at the door as Dawn charges in:: Here now, ye cain't-- * Dawn snarls and throws a heavy dart from his sleeve at the keeper. He grabs the customer by his hair and yanks him away from the boy. <Narrator> ::The customer is jerked back from the boy with a hoarse yell. He immediately tries to turn and punch his attacker, cursing vilely. The boy shrinks back against the head of the bed, jerking down his shirt not quite quickly enough to hide the red mark along his ribs. His face is wet with tears.:: * Dawn lets the customer punch him, the awkward angle sapping the blow of its force. He draws his dagger and sticks it into the nearest vital organ. <Narrator> ::The man dies with a curse on his lips. The boy, watching, swallows back tears and gasps as Dawn's scarred arm is briefly exposed by the stab:: D-Dawn? ::his eyes are wide:: <Dawn> ::eyebrows go up, and he makes the guildsign:: <Narrator> ::The boy returns it with trembling fingers:: B-Breezy. <Dawn> ::looks angrier:: What the fuck do those- ::he takes a deep, calming breath:: Time to clean house, Breezy. Come on. * Breezy nods and pulls on his pants. He checks over the dead man, and withdraws a knife from his boot, tossing it from hand to hand experimentally and nodding. <Dawn> ::grins and goes to check on the keeper:: * The keeper is bleeding his life out onto the floor, Dawn's dart buried in his shoulder. Toffy is standing over his body with a bloody shiv. He looks up and gives Dawn a grin and a little wave. * Toffy has acquired a fresh streak of blood on the other cheek. * Dawn snorts and retrieves his dart. "You'n me, we're gonna have a chat when this is done, Toffy. Let's go. That made more noise than I wanted, and time is short as it is. * Breezy follows Dawn through the door. "Dawn, sir? If'n ye have a spare set o' picks, I c'n help-- oh, *shit*!" <Narrator> ::Breezy's widening eyes and curse are all the warning Dawn gets before Deuce, the second floor guard, slams through the door with a bellow enough to raise the dead as well as the rest of the house. His sword is out and swinging for Dawn.:: <Dawn> *Shit!* ::dances backwards, barely avoiding a sword through his spleen, though it nicks him in the arm and puts a fresh rent in his cloak. He makes two quick throwing motions, the fireballs forming almost after they've left his hands to splash into Deuce:: * Deuce, suddenly faced with flaming death, backs up in a big hurry and trips over Finger, who had gotten around behind him. He falls, his chest on fire. * Dawn jumps forward, ignoring the flames, reaching through them to make sure of Deuce's demise. Only then does he grab a blanket from the nearest bed and use it to smother the fire. <Narrator> ::There's the sound of booted feet on the stairs-- sounds like two large people-- and a few doors along the hall open as wary customers peer out to see what the noise is all about:: * Dawn growls and begins a summoning. "You boys get in here! Behind me, fuckitall!" He stands in the middle of what had been Breezy's room, waiting for the guards to come to him, both hands full of white-hot fire. <Narrator> ::The boys pile into the room quickly, huddling behind Dawn. Breezy keeps his knife out, a wary eye on the connecting door. Toffy clutches his shiv.:: <Dawn> ::conversationally, though he keeps his eyes on the door:: Who knows what's in the basement? <Narrator> ::Moony and Fishface, the backdoor guard who let Dawn in, storm up the stairs, weapons out. Moony wields a large mace, Fishface has a sword. Both rush for the open door, where Deuce's covered body lies half-out of the room:: * Breezy turns in surprise. "I do. They took me up from there." <Dawn> Yeah? What's there? * Breezy gulps, looking at the looming, angry guards only steps from their door. "Women. A few kids. They keep them as slaves down there, until they move them. I got moved up here... they said I was..." His face creases in disgust, "too pretty to send away." <Dawn> ::grins:: Perfect. Stay back. ::he throws his fireballs at the guards and immediately begins a new spell:: <Narrator> ::As Deuce did, the guards start back in surprise with a yell. Fishface, first through the door (he's smaller), gets the brunt of it, both fireballs exploding against his chest and setting his hair on fire. Moony, behind and above him, closes his eyes against a faceful of flames.:: * Dawn takes careful aim and fills the doorway and the hall behind it with webs. They won't last long, between Fishface's fire and Moony's brute strength, but he only needs a moment. * Moony beats at his face with his big hands, screaming like a woman. Fishface falls, and Moony steps over him, pushing against the webs with a strangled bellow as he tries to get to Dawn. * Dawn turns quickly and grabs the nearest two boys by the shoulders. "Take hands, *quickly*." He starts spitting out his spell as fast as he can. Just before Moony bursts free of the webs, Dawn and the four boys disappear - and re-appear in the hostel's lobby. Dawn releases the boys and charges straight for Chins' office. <Narrator> ::The boys stagger and look around in confusion. From the top floor comes a loud bellow of frustration and a crashing noise. Spider, the desk clerk, pulls a knife and vaults the "reception desk" to try to intercept Dawn. Handsome Jack appears in the doorway of Chin's office, his face dark with anger, sword in hand.:: * Dawn laughs as his hands fill with fire. "You stupid fucks. Come and dance, then, if you dare." * Spider's eyes go wide with terror, and he flings his knife quickly at Dawn with a curse, turning to make tracks in the other direction as fast as possible. "HELLS! Jack, you stupid shit-- that's *Dawn*! You just hired *DAWN*, you moron, we're all dead!" <Dawn> Smartest man in the room. ::he aims a hand at Spider, and the fire springs from Dawn's hand to the fleeing man's back:: * Spider screams and falls to the floor, rolling around to try to put himself out. <Dawn> ::grins:: Not smart *enough*, though. ::he looks at Jack:: Any time, sweetheart. * Handsome Jack narrows his eyes. "Mages. I *hate* prissy fuckin' self-righteous mages..." He draws a knife and chucks it at Dawn's head before rushing forward with his sword. * Dawn does not *quite* dodge the knife, but he manages to avoid any new holes in his head. He throws the remaining fireball at Jack, then summons a double-handful of crackling bluish light. <Dawn> ::The light discharges with an ear-splitting crack and an eye-searing light as lightning rips through Jack's torso. Nearly simultaneously, Dawn gasps and drops to his knees, clutching one arm with the other. Shaking like an epilepsy victim, he scrabbles desperately in his cloak:: * Jack dodges the fireball-- mostly-- managing to get off with a flaming arm. The lightning, however, gives him no such room to maneuver, and he dies in flames. * Dawn manages to get a vial out of his cloak and rips the cork out with his teeth. He pours it directly onto the minor wound Jack's knife inflicted. After an agonizingly long time - perhaps the space of two deep breaths, his shaking subsides. <Narrator> ::The lobby has emptied out in a hurry. The customers-- most of them not the bravest of men, and certainly not brave enough to want to attract Dawn's notice-- have fled like cockroaches from the light. The last remaining guard at the front door apparently grew a brain and bugged out early on. The floor is quiet.:: * Dawn pants as he gets back to his feet, glaring around the room. He picks up Jack's knife. "Nasty shit, that." He glances at the boys to make sure they're all right, then pulls the keyring off Jack's belt and hands it to Breezy. "Wait 'til Moony figures out where I am and comes down after me, then go up and get the rest of the kids out. Meet me back here, in the lobby. Stay together." * Dawn kicks open the door to Chins' office. "Come out here, you sack of snot." <Narrator> ::As if on cue, there's another yell from the top of the stairs, and thundering footsteps descending:: * Chins' office appears empty. The desk is in disarray, and a few drawers have been left open, with evidence of things having been hastily removed. A false panel covering a safe is also open. The desk chair has been pushed far over to one side of the desk. * Dawn snorts and turns around to deal with Moony. <Narrator> ::Dawn has about a minute to wait before Moony appears at the bottom of the stairs, thundering down from the upper landing like an express train and brandishing his mace. His nose is bloody, and his face so contorted with rage that he barely looks human. * Dawn has plenty of time to shape his spell, and releases it before Moony is more than three steps from the bottom of the stairs. * Moony freezes as if his boots suddenly became part of the floor. * Dawn waves at the boys to head up the stairs, then calmly draws his dagger, stands up on his toes, and opens Moony's throat. He then turns to look for the entrance to the basement. * The boys edge uneasily around the frozen man-mountain, and dash up the stairs. * Dawn goes back into Chins' office, and - going around the desk - spots the open trap door. He snorts and starts down the ladder. <Narrator> ::The ladder leads down into-- tah-dah!-- the basement. It is not the most pleasant of locations. It is unfinished, slightly wet, and reeks of swamp and incontinence. Iron bars are set ceiling-to-floor along one end of the room, forming a holding cell for six women and two children. Two more women are outside the cage, naked and chained to the opposite wall.:: * Dawn glances briefly at the prisoners, and then - seeing they are not in immediately danger, commences his search for Chins and other Bad Guys. <Narrator> ::A sliver of weak late-afternoon light thrown across the floor leads Dawn down a short hall to another door that has been improperly shut-- pity, really, the sloppiness that haste engenders. This door opens on a watery slip beneath the house that gives off onto the canal (if one had a boat and the wisdom to duck).:: <Narrator> ::There is, in fact, the tail end of a boat disappearing under the side of the house, out into the canal, as Dawn looks through.:: <Dawn> You fucking- ::Dawn stops himself from cursing. He snaps out a spell, and a dozen long, oily-black tentacles sprout suddenly from the embankment and grab for the boat. Dawn makes his way hastily forward.:: <Narrator> ::There's a shout from the boat, and it rocks dangerously as the fat man within gets to his feet in an attempt to avoid the tentacles:: <Dawn> ::The tentacles begin to pull the boat in, back under the house, as Dawn makes his down the embankment.:: * Dawn stands just out of reach of the summoned tentacles, watching them pull Chins in, and grins evilly. "You backed the wrong horse, Chins." <Narrator> ::The boat wobbles and shoots back the last few yards towards Dawn just after being pulled under the house. A loud splash on the far side of the boat informs Dawn that Chins apparently prefers the nastiness of the canals over the nastiness that is Dawn's ire. * Dawn tsks and banishes the tentacles, then walks over to eye the canal water. "You have to breathe sometime, you stupid fuck." <Narrator> ::After what seems to be a longer time than the pudgy man could possibly hold his breath, Chins thrashes to the surface, trying to keep his head above water and not doing a very good job of it. He appears to be swallowing lots of water that just might be ickier than he is.:: * Dawn smirks and tosses a spell in Chins' direction. He floats easily to the surface of the water, and then above it. He hovers a few inches off the surface of the canal, dripping. * Chins floats like a really, really ugly half-deflated balloon. His clothes are coated in oily muck and he looks both terrified and exhausted. <Dawn> ::sympathetically:: It's over, Chins. You were stupid, and now it's over. Tell me where to find Tower, and maybe I'll let you live. <Chins> ::weeping:: D-dunno, swear I don't! Th-the women, Jack's women, we sent 'em on towards th' South Docks after they were softened up a bit, he let me keep a few of the kids. <Dawn> So Jack was the prime mover on the women? * Chins nods eagerly. "Didn't have nothin' to do with that part, I just gave 'em space, an' he gave me funds an' a crew... Jack, he was brought t' talk to th' man sometimes. Always an escort. All's I know, Jack said something once about a l-lab where he got the good stuff... somewheres down on Street of Skins... <Dawn> How many other houses like this? Kids, women, either one. How many? <Chins> T-three, that I know of... one's just a warehouse, though... place t' keep the goods 'til they're ready t'ship... gods, Dawn, y'can have your cut, have the whole damn take if you want, just please don't kill me! <Dawn> ::smiles thinly:: Tell me where. * Chins swallows against a dry mouth, almost heaving up his lunch at the taste of what was in his mouth. "Th-the warehouse I know, we made deliveries there sometimes. Near to the posh end of town, Lanyard Lane. <Dawn> And? <Chins> ::blubbering, thinking hard:: Th'... place called th' Horned Goat, 's a pub, out on the Island... some of the women came from there. Jack likes the place. <Dawn> I know it. And third? <Chins> Dunno, swears I don't... all I know is, out on the Island somewheres. Th' front's a gaming hell. S'all I know, I swear! * Dawn eyes him, coldly considering. <Chins> ::clasps his hands together:: Please... th' money's in th' boat, you've got all the ass you want inside... jes' lemme go! <Dawn> ::mildly:: If that's what you want... ::he pulls out Jack's knife and throws it at Chins, then releases the levitation spell, dropping him back into the canal. * Chins screams in agony as Jack's knife pierces his chest, and falls back into the canal with a loud splash, the "water" turning his screams into turgid bubbles. * Dawn smiles coolly, then turns to tow the boat back into its under-house dock before going to free the prisoners and check on the kids. * The women are huddled back as far away from the bars as they can get. More than one has developed a nasty croupy-sounding cough. * Dawn picks the lock on the bars, and then goes to free the ones chained to the wall. "It's done," he tells them. <Narrator> ::A few of them continue to hang uncertainly back in the corner, refusing to believe that escape can be that easy or sudden. Others break down into sobs. A few push open the door and slip out, pausing uncertainly for a moment before heading for a set of stairs off another alcove of the room, from where their meals infrequently arrived.:: <Dawn> You can go, if you want to. Or come upstairs, and we'll work something out, if you don't have anywhere safe to go. ::He follows the few brave souls toward the stairs, and up, looking for the kids as he pushes into the hostel's lobby.:: <Narrator> ::A few more women rush for the stairs, moving past Dawn and giving him a wide berth before they disappear up the stairs. Most of them, though, follow him up and loiter uncertainly behind him on the main floor.:: <Narrator> ::The kids are all crowded into the lobby. A few of their keepers sit in the center of the floor, unconscious or glaring sullenly, tied up in bedsheets, handcuffs, and lengths of silken rope:: * Dawn smiles at the disposition of the keepers. "What happened to the rest of them? Were any of you hurt? * Toffy stands lookout near the door, making sure no one else is approaching the building. Breezy and a girl he introduces as Duck-- who also offers Dawn a guildsign-- appear to have taken charge. * Dawn claps Breezy on the shoulder, and nods amiably to Duck as he returns the sign. "You two, I'll want to talk to separately, after the others." He eyes Toffy. "That one, too." * Breezy looks a little disappointed. "Some of 'em scarpered when the fighting got loud." He exchanges a glance with Duck. "We let some of 'em go. These, we didn't, though." His voice, on the last, is hard. <Dawn> ::raises his eyebrows, then nods:: All right. ::crossing his arms:: What do you plan to do with them? * Breezy sticks out his chin a little. "Kill 'em. But..." He glances at Duck again. "We agreed to wait for your okay." <Dawn> I see. ::he walks around the captive keepers once, his face expressionless, and then nods solemnly:: They're yours. * Breezy nods shortly and walks over to the nearest captive, a one-eyed, mangy looking specimen. He grabs him by the hair and puts his knife to the man's throat-- and hesitates. * Dawn stands back a few steps, simply watching. * Breezy clenches his jaw hard and pulls the man's head back to get a better angle. His blade parts the skin of the man's throat, creating a thin line of red, and the man hisses. Breezy stops again, looking angry. * Toffy glances around from the door, and mutters. "Oh, for..." He stalks over, gently putting a hand on Breezy's wrist and moving it away from the man's neck. He reverses his hold on his shiv and stabs it deep into the man's neck, shoving him forward to bleed out on the ground. He looks up at Dawn. "That was mean. You knew he wouldn't." <Narrator> ::The other kids stand around watching quietly. Some are huddled as far away from the keepers as they can manage in the big room, not willing to approach them even though they're tied up.:: * Duck puts her arms around a smaller girl, pressing the girl's face against her shoulder as Toffy kills the keeper. <Dawn> ::to Toffy, softly:: No, I didn't. You never know what someone will do until they try it. You finish the job, then. ::he puts a hand gently on Breezy's arm and draws him away:: No shame in it, either. You've done very well. * Toffy nods shortly, moving around the knot of keepers and dispatching them all quickly and relatively neatly. He gets caught in the arterial spray from one, but only blinks and wipes his face before continuing. Although some of the children watch the beginning, most lose the stomach for it, and turn away. Duck does not look happy about it, but she watches to the last man. * Breezy allows himself to be drawn away, looking over his shoulder to watch Toffy with something like regret. <Dawn> ::leans down, lowering his voice so only Breezy can hear:: It doesn't mean you lack strength. I don't like killing, either. A smart man knows when someone else is better suited to a job, and steps back to let him do it. * Breezy looks up at Dawn for a long moment and then nods, sighing. "I... I wanted to. I just couldn't... do it like that." <Dawn> I know. I don't think any less of you for it. ::he half-smiles:: Just don't pick "assassin", "hangman", or "politician" as a career. * Breezy is surprised into a snicker at that last and covers his mouth, looking faintly surprised. * Dawn smirks a little, then straightens and looks around at the knots of refugees. He runs his hand through his hair, then scratches thoughtfully at his face. "There's no one else in here now, right?" * Duck shrugs a shoulder. "No one else alive." <Narrator> ::One of the younger girls sobs a little:: <Dawn> All right. Breezy, get three or four volunteers and go find the kitchens, and see if you can dig up enough food for everyone to have a meal. Feed the people from the basement first; I expect they need it more. Duck - go lend a shoulder to the littlest ones. Maybe see if you can hook them up with some of the women. <Dawn> Toffy. You get body detail. ::he almost smiles:: See if you can find volunteers to help move all the bodies down to the basement. * Breezy nods and collects a few people, looking relieved at having something to do. Duck bites her lip and nods, going to wander around the room and gather up a little train of the youngest kids before hesitantly approaching the knot of women. * Toffy nods as well, looking around him and jerking his head towards a couple of the bigger boys and one of the girls who did not look away. The group of them put their heads together, and the girl goes off to get a sheet to carry with. * Dawn waits until the tasks are well underway, then approaches the women who seem to be the least unhinged. "Ladies." <Queenie> ::a few of the women look over to him, and one steps up, returning the guildsign.:: You're Dawn Firehand, aren't you? <Dawn> Aye. I've a proposition for you, if you'll hear it. <Queenie> ::makes a bit of a face:: Heard a few too many of those lately, but I don't think that's the kind you mean. Let's hear it. <Dawn> ::looks wry:: I promise, mine comes with refusal rights. ::he scratches at his face, putting his words together:: I can't put the kids back out on the street, and I'd hate to send you women out unprotected, too - but I don't have the resources for protection just now. <Dawn> But if you all stick together, you should be safe. It's the loners they've been grabbing. I know none of you have any reason to love this place, but it's sturdy, and it's empty, and it's fairly defensible, and I seem to have... acquired it. <Queenie> ::looking a little incredulous:: You can't mean to-- to-- You want us to-- take over the business for you? ::looking disgusted:: * Dawn looks just as disgusted. "Fuck, no. Let me finish." * Queenie subsides. <Dawn> Here's the proposition: You stay here. Whatever you were working at, before, you can go back to, or start something new. I'll help you get set up. Might send some others your way, too, as we clean out the other houses these fucks have been setting up. You'll keep the kids, help 'em out. Keep 'em out of trouble. <Dawn> If it needs to look official, I can have the place registered as a fosterage or an apartment. In return - I want information, as you get it. Rumors you pick up, interesting gossip you hear from customers or patrons... You know how it goes. <Queenie> ::looking troubled:: It's that bad out there? I'll... lemme ask around. I don't mind so much staying here-- upstairs, that is. But honey, I'm a gambler. Just 'cause I got these doesn't mean I know thing one about kids. ::primps her bust:: <Queenie> ::sighs:: I'll... I'll ask about. ::she lowers her voice a little:: I don't think even half of these are Guild. We can... if we can figure out how to get a little money, we can keep us fed and out of the way for a couple weeks, at least. <Dawn> ::snorts:: That's all right. I'm not asking you to play mama, and most of the kids will probably insist on running wild, anyway. I just want adult eyes on them, from time to time, so they don't get snatched up again. I can get you enough money for a couple of weeks. <Queenie> ::nods, glancing back at a few of the other women who have moved close enough to overhear:: I... think we can do that. And try to see what we can make of this place. ::smiling tiredly:: Nothing else, we can turn it legit and start a laundry, with this many helping hands. <Dawn> ::softly:: Keep the Guild out of it. Anyone asks, then you all just banded together and took over an empty building, for safety in a rough neighborhood. <Dawn> ::snorts:: However it works. I'm not fool enough to try to tell this many women what they should be doing. ::he flashes a grin:: Get in enough fucking discussions with the one at home. * Queenie nods, and smiles slow. "'One' ain't what *I* hear, sweetness." * Dawn winks. "You see my problem, then." He glances around at the others, and over his shoulder at the kids. "Agreed, then?" <Narrator> ::A few of the women already seem to have "adopted" some of the younger ones, holding them close to their skirts. They look around the room and at each other as the whispers pass from person to person, and slowly, Dawn begins to collect nods of agreement, or at least tolerant shrugs.:: <Dawn> ::nods, satisfied:: Good. I'll get you some coin before I go. And those three - Breezy, and Duck, and Toffy. I have plans for them. I'll be back to collect them in a week or so. * Queenie eyes the kids, and nods. "I'll keep an eye out for 'em." * Dawn offers his hand to Queenie, and then turns to go. * Queenie shakes on it and turns away to start the business of cleanup. |
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