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<Narrator> ::At two in the morning, Sylvie's is in full swing. Night is Pleasure Island's busiest time, and Sylvie's is no exception. The downstairs, where the regular girls wait for clients, is nearly deserted-- only four girls hanging out, with the same number of bouncers guarding them. Two more bouncers guard the door, and the Madam waits just inside in the company of another bouncer, waiting to take cover charge from clients.:: * Jolly, Dawn's Waterdhavian "recruit," is one of the bouncers on duty downstairs. He looks bored, but alert. * Dawn materializes in a shadowy corner, a canvas sack slung over one shoulder. * Dawn looks around, but doesn't see Angel and Jewel waiting. He comes out of his corner and approaches the madam. <Madam> ::holds out her hand and raises an eyebrow inquiringly after nodding acknowledgement of Dawn:: * Dawn puts a few coins into the Madam's hand, about half the standard fee. "I'm meeting friends. Are they here yet?" <Madam> ::shaking her head:: It's been a busy night-- bachelor party on the second floor, looks like. But no one's asked for you. Go ahead up, if you like. Slipper's room is empty at the moment. <Dawn> ::narrows his eyes:: How big a party? <Madam> ::shrugs a shoulder in an intriguing motion:: Ten young bucks and the groom-to-be. ::she glances at the bouncer near her station:: They checked their weapons, no complaints. Genial drunks, should give the girls no problems. <Dawn> Mm. The bouncers are keeping an ear out, I assume? <Madam> Of course. I sent a couple of the floaters up, just to be safe. <Madam> ::frowning slightly:: Should I be worried? More than before, I mean? <Dawn> Probably not. ::he grins:: Occupational hazard, of course. ::pauses, considering, then lowers his voice, for her ears alone:: Tower and his men are taking up collections tonight, though. Don't expect you'll see anything, but if any loners happen to come in looking for a place to hide - give it to 'em. <Madam> ::narrows her eyes a little and nods:: * Dawn looks around the room, eyeing the waiting girls and the enforcers. "All right. I'll go wait in Slipper's room. Angel and Jewel get here, send 'em up." * Madam nods, turning her attention back to the door. * Jolly gives a little start of surprise as he recognizes Dawn, and gives him a nod. * Dawn nods to Jolly, then heads up the stairs and down the hall. His steps slow as he passes the raucous bachelor party, listening, then he finds Slipper's room and goes in to wait. <Narrator> ::The party seems to have died down-- not surprising if they were already half-drunk when they arrived-- and a few more than half of the rooms on this floor are fairly quiet:: * Angel comes in a bit later, Jewel on his arm. He blinks in surprise at the Madam, then covers it with a quick bow. "Good evening." * Madam barely raises an eyebrow at the sight of Jewel, having been warned of her coming. She holds out her hand, and Jewel drops several coins into it with a distracted air, as though she's got something else on her mind. The Madam makes them disappear. "Dawn's waiting in Slipper's room. Second floor, second from the end, on the left." <Angel> ::nods:: Snowman's on the way, as well. Shouldn't be too far behind us. * Madam nods and hesitates a moment. "Has he found Sylvie yet?" <Angel> ::nods briefly:: Yes, ma'am. She should be back, soon. There were some others to care for, and she stayed behind to help them. <Madam> ::looking relieved:: Thank the gods. ::nods:: Go ahead up, Dawn got here not long ago. * Angel bows again. "My thanks, ma'am." He leads Jewel up the stairs. * Jewel follows him with the same faintly distracted air, keeping close to him. Jolly hangs back a little behind the girls he's guarding, having made himself scarce when Jewel walked in. * Angel raps easily on Slipper's door. "It's me." <Dawn> Come on in. ::Dawn is lounging on an improbably large and well-cushioned chair. He nods to Angel and Jewel as they come in, then gestures toward the bed, where he'd dropped the canvas sack with Tower's items:: There you go, gorgeous. Where's Snowman? <Angel> ::shortly:: He had religious obligations. He'll be along shortly. * Dawn raises his eyebrows, then shakes his head. "Not sure I want to know what that means." <Jewel> ::her tone a bit faint:: Thank you. ::eyes the chair Dawn's in somewhat warily, and regards the bed with the same expression. She finally pulls over a small straight-backed chair and perches on it, half-rising and flushing pretty colors as she does so. She settles back again with a blush.:: <Angel> ::changing the subject:: I was surprised to see Molly at the desk tonight. * Dawn watches Jewel with a faint grin, then glances at Angel. "Were you?" * Jewel gives Dawn a *very* dark glare, and reaches gingerly across the bed for the sack, tugging it towards her. <Angel> ::shrugs:: She always seemed too talkative, for desk work. <Dawn> How the fuck did you manage to survive your previous visits, gorgeous? ::grins wider, then raises his eyebrows at Angel:: I didn't notice, to be honest. You want me to go down and tell 'em to pull her off? <Jewel> I tried not to sit down or lean on anything too much. Unless... ::her eyes slide towards Angel, and she smiles slowly:: <Dawn> ::rolls his eyes:: Forget I asked. <Angel> ::shakes his head:: She's loyal enough. Just gabby... <Dawn> All right. <Dawn> Just waiting for Snowman, then... * Angel indicates the items on the bed. "Go ahead, my lady. See if you can find him... if none of these things are of value, then we will have to chance the ambush in the morning." * Jewel nods and takes a deep breath, withdrawing the little statuette from the bag as she settles herself, her eyes unfocused. * Snowman walks in, looking rather less scummy than normal. He has bathed earlier that day and his hair and beard are both neatly trimmed. Without waiting to be asked, he hands over seven silver to the Madam. "Angel about?" * Jewel runs her fingers over the figurine, tracing her flowing, sculpted hair. After a moment, she shakes her head and sets it aside. "Stolen." <Madam> ::nods:: Slipper's room. ::a touch dryly:: You know the way. <Geremi> ::grins, tipping an imaginary hat:: Oh, aye. ::he gives the girls in the lounge a long once-over (or maybe a thrice over) before heading up the stairs:: * Jewel pulls out the horsehead bookends with a small frown and a shake of her head, setting them aside and reaching for the pelt instead. * Angel gets a deep wrinkle in his forehead from anxiety. <Dawn> What are you fretting about? * Jewel runs her fingers through the thick, dark fur, taking a slow, deep breath and releasing it again. She frowns in concentration. "Feels... almost... oh, ew...." She opens her eyes and refocuses on the fur. "How much do you remember of Sable, milord?' * Snowman kicks Slipper's door, watching as Bella struts down the hall, barely dressed. Apparently they know each other, because she stops to kiss him warmly, one hand on his ass. <Angel> ::shrugs:: Not very well. I was... thirteen, maybe? <Dawn> ::looks at the door:: Come in! * Snowman, being otherwise occupied, doesn't open the door immediately. * Jewel takes her fingers off the fur and wipes them on her skirts as though the contact made them dirty. "I think that was his." * Dawn waits a moment, then sighs, gets up, and yanks the door open. "Snowman." * Bella looks startled, then smiles slowly, her expression as rich as whipped cream on top of coffee. "Hey, boss-man." <Dawn> Having a good night, sweets? Let go of Snowman, would you? We're trying to have a meeting, here. * Bella glances into the room with not quite disguised curiosity. "It's been a bit slow. Had a first-timer early this evening. Just got back from the bath." She rolls her eyes. "You know how *that* goes. Want some sugar with your party, or should I call it a night early?" <Narrator> ::down the hall, a door starts to open, and closes again as if the occupant changed his mind about leaving so soon:: <Dawn> Not that kind of party, doll. See you 'round. * Bella leans over and gives Dawn a warm kiss. "I hope so, boss-man. Don't do anything *I* wouldn't do... or, at least have fun while you do it." She winks, then continues on to her room. <Narrator> ::from the end of the hall comes the sound of heavy footsteps continuing to the third floor-- one of the bouncers, going for one of the "special" girls:: <Snowman> ::watches her go, then shakes his head and moves into Slipper's room.:: * Jewel finishes her thoughtful study of the mirrored ceiling and waits for the door to close before withdrawing the last item from the bag-- the small jewelled box. * Dawn closes the door and leans against it. "Having any luck there, gorgeous?" <Jewel> Not so far. I wasn't going to pull this out with the door wide open, though. <Dawn> ::nods:: Go ahead, then. * Jewel settles herself and closes her eyes again, hands on the closed box. <Jewel> ::with her eyes closed, she opens the box and runs her fingers over the jewelled pieces, selecting the gold queen and caressing her lovingly with a finger. She opens her eyes, and shudders:: It's... this is his. * Angel watches Jewel intently, his eyes following her finger's movement around the chess piece. * Jewel takes a few deep breaths, scrubbing her hand on her skirts again. "Sorry... okay, giving it another try." <Narrator> ::there's a hurried, quiet knock on the door:: <Snowman> ::raises an eyebrow:: Expecting anyone else, you? * Dawn frowns, and shakes his head. "Who is it?" * Jewel closes her eyes again, holding the queen piece. "Where are you, you bastard..." She frowns in concentration, turning her head slowly as if she could see through her closed eyelids and the walls. <Jolly> ::very quietly:: S'me, boss. Jolly. * Angel drops a dagger into one hand and takes up guard against the wall next to the door, then nods once to Dawn. <Dawn> ::opens the door a crack:: What is it? <Jolly> ::whey-faced, whispering hoarsely:: No joke, boss, please, cain't talk in th'hall... <Dawn> ::raises his eyebrows at Jolly's expression, and moves back a step to let him into the room:: * Jewel frowns deeper, looking puzzled, turning the queen over in her fingers to set it precisely in its starting place on the board, bowing her head.:: <Jewel> ::muttering:: Stop that... show me where he *is*, dammit... * Jolly hurries into the room, shutting the door quickly and quietly behind him. He looks a little surprised to see Angel standing with drawn dagger by the door. <Dawn> All right, what the fuck is it? <Jolly> ::looking downright scared, his teeth chattering slightly:: 'S T-Tower, boss. I jes' spotted 'im. <Dawn> ::quickly:: HERE? * Angel raises an eyebrow. * Jewel opens her eyes and looks up, the color draining out of her face. "Oh gods... it *wasn't* wrong, then. He's downstairs?" <Geremi> ::immediately, his eyes narrow and his hand strays to the hilt of his katana:: * Jolly looks startled, but nods. "'E's chattin' up Allisandre jes' now." * Angel suddenly grabs Snowman's arm, preventing the older man from charging out of the room. "Wait." <Dawn> ::hisses, then nods and claps Jolly on the back:: Stay here. I don't need him recognizing *you* and realizing we didn't kill you. <Jewel> ::swallowing hard and nodding:: My... ::glance strays to Dawn:: ...spell showed him *down*. Which didn't make sense to me. * Jolly nods. "Aye-aye, boss." He looks a little embarrassed by his eager agreement. "Thanks." <Dawn> ::to Angel:: Why wait? <Jewel> ::a door down the hall opens and closes quietly:: <Angel> ::softly:: Because he runs faster than I do. Let's split, two down the back stairs, two down the front. We don't want him to slip away. <Dawn> Aye. Snow? <Snowman> ::strangely, he seems more calm than he ever has:: Take the front with Dawn, me. <Jewel> ::blinks a little, surprised, looking at Jolly and back to Angel:: I'm going with you, Angel? <Angel> ::nods:: Yes, my lady. * Dawn fishes his crystal dagger from a pocket in his cloak, holding it in his left hand, then prepares a handful of steel darts in his right. "Come on, then, before Allisandre tells him to fuck off and he leaves." * Angel nods and opens the door just a crack to peer down the hall. * Jewel nods and checks the draw of her bodice knife, moving close behind Angel. "I don't understand what he's doing here to begin with... is he insane?" <Angel> ::shrugs:: I don't know, my lady. But we would be, to miss this chance. <Narrator> ::all the doors are closed. Angel can just catch the sound of retreating footsteps reaching the bottom of the stairs leading down from this floor:: * Angel opens the door. "Go. Downstairs in a fifty-count." * Dawn motions for Snowman to take point, and follows him to the stairs. * Angel jerks his chin at Jewel, and leads her down to the back stairs, moving on silent feet. * Jewel follows as quietly as she can, biting her lip at every scuff of noise. <Snowman> ::taking point, he leads the way, thumbing his katana loose from the scabbard:: * Dawn whispers the first half of a spell as he follows Snowman, holding it ready for immediate release when he spots Tower. <Jewel> ::the scene downstairs has changed little, except that the remaining girls appear to have retired to the back somewhere (no doubt on a word from Jolly). The remaining bouncers are still in place. One of the private salon doors, off the main lounge, is closed. One of the door-guard bouncers in the foyer shifts his feet and rubs the back of his neck as if at an incipient headache:: * Angel slips down the stairs and makes hushing gestures at the kitchen staffers, one finger to his lips. He then points imperiously towards the back of the house with his dagger tip for emphasis. <Narrator> ::A youngish man, a little burly and rumpled-looking, loiters in the lobby, talking to the Madam quietly.:: <Snowman> ::draws up, hiding in the shadow of the staircase to listen briefly, holding a fist up to Dawn:: * Dawn nods, stretching his own ears. <Narrator> ::the kitchen staff hurries to the back on Angel's order. The word spreads through the rest of the support staff, and the lounge bouncers disappear into the back as well:: <Narrator> ::the young man follows the Madam's bouncer to retrieve his weapons, preparatory to leaving:: * Angel pauses at the back door to the lounge, looking through the curtain. "Forty-eight... forty-nine..." * Dawn nudges Snowman. "Go." <Snowman> ::nods:: Aye. ::he takes the rest of the stairs in two strides.:: * Angel glances at the bouncers, then crosses to the door of the shutup parlor. He stands, on guard, on the side of the door. <Young Man> ::takes his sword from the bouncer, taking a step back as he part-draws to make sure the blade's still there and bumping into the bouncer:: Oop... m'fault, sir... sorry. ::he glances around as Snowman comes down the stairs, his eyes widening a little:: <Narrator> ::the two door bouncers, both looking somewhat flushed and feverish, turn away from the door they're guarding and stride into the main lounge, looking around with matching odd expressions.:: <Dawn> ::eyeing the bouncers:: Oh, fuck. * Snowman whirls on the boy with the sword and easily elbows him in the face. He looks at the somewhat stunned Madam. "Fuckin' apologize later, me, iffen I'm wrong." <Dawn> ::mutters:: That'll be a first... ::he raises his voice to normal tones as he moves to intercept the bouncers:: Gentlemen, if I may have your attention for the *briefest* of moments... * Young Man has enough time to look startled before his nose caves under Snowman's elbow, and he goes down with a groan. The bouncer who was helping him looks from Snowman back to the unconscious youth, shrugs, and drags him off into the weapons room. <Bouncer> ::gritting his teeth, eyes swivelling towards Dawn with an expression of impatience:: Can't it wait? ::the other bouncer disregards Dawn entirely as his eyes lock on the Madam. He makes a beeline for her:: * Snowman whirls on Molly, pulling a vial from his vest. "Take this. Don't fuckin' swallow. Spit it in his mouth, you." * Angel looks around, disgusted. "Oh, for fuck's sake." He growls. "Shit. Shit. shit. I can't... Goddamnit." * Madam's eyes widen, but she doesn't argue, catching the vial and popping the seal, filling her mouth and making an *awful* face. She gives Snowman a killing look, but waits for the enflamed bouncer. <Dawn> ::snaps over his shoulder:: Geremi! ::to the bouncer:: No, it really can't. ::He pulls out his vial and shows it to the guy:: Just found out there was poison in tonight's slop from the kitchen. Take this. Quick. <Bouncer> ::looks alarmed:: 'M... feelin' all feverish already... ::pops the seal and swallows, barely tasting the stuff:: * Jewel peers around Angel at the sudden flurry of activity in the lounge, and draws in a quick breath. With a fierce expression, she draws her bodice knife and steps around Angel, standing in front of him. She fishes a vial out of her pocket and hands it back to him. "For me... in case I can't dose myself." * Bouncer advances on the Madam, seizing her by the waist and pulling her against him, forcing a kiss on her. Molly keeps her hands clear of his grasp, using one to pinch his nose close as she spits out the awful stuff into his mouth, snaking the other around behind his head to maintain liplock until he swallows or chokes on the nasty stuff. <Narrator> ::the first Bouncer falls to his knees, hugging himself and shaking, his face going beet red as the two potions race through his system. He lets out an agonized groan:: <Dawn> ::softly:: I'm sorry. It shouldn't last long. ::he looks at the other bouncer, to make sure he took his medicine, too, then reaches into his cloak and pulls out another vial. He hands it to Geremi, wordlessly:: <Snowman> ::nods:: Got much more, you? How fuckin' many got dosed? <Dawn> I've got plenty. Fuckhead in the lab said Tower'd taken 18 doses; I visited Fastian before I picked up the stuff from Jewel's shop and made him give me all he had. <Narrator> ::footsteps descend the first few stairs from the second floor and pause. A male voice calls down warily:: Molly? Alright down there? * Dawn waves at Molly to give the high-sign. * Madam spits the last of the medicine out of her mouth, gasping for breath and wiping off her lips as the bouncer falls to his knees. A little breathlessly, she calls back, "Handling it, Junior. Stay on the hall." <Narrator> ::The footsteps retreat up the steps again, followed by the sounds of some conversation:: * Angel swears, then whirls to kick in the door of the private parlor. "Lyegen, you fucking BASTARD." * Tower turns quickly to face the door, his face betraying a bit of not-entirely-pleased surprise at the interruption. A bouncer sprawls on the floor in the corner of the room, unconscious or dead. Allisandre is in Tower's arms, her hands all over him as she kisses him passionately. "I believe *you're* the one interrupting a... *private* conversation. Angel, isn't it?" <Dawn> ::to Molly:: Lock the doors, Molls. No more customers come in until this is done. The ones already here... They can leave when they're done, but they'll have to leave their weapons behind and come pick 'em up tomorrow. Or, they can accept an extra hour upstairs, on the house, and I'll cover it. I don't expect this to take that long. * Angel bows, tinged with irony. "That's correct. But... well, I have a friend here, who's been looking for you. For quite some time. Snowman? Would you like a present?" <Madam> ::nods, starting towards the currently unmanned front door to throw the bar. She glances out the door and lets out a small cry of alarm:: Dawn! Some help, here? ::she holds the bar like a shield, struggling to get one of the double-doors closed as a group of about nine thugs outside charge up the stairs to rush the doors:: * Dawn curses and jumps to help Molly with the door. <Snowman> ::nods and crosses the lounge:: Go help Dawn, you. Fuckin' got this covered, me. Jewel, be so fuckin' good of you t'put Allisandre out of her fuckin' misery. * Tower has turned Allisandre around in his arms so that she faces away from him, her body twisting against his as he restrains her arms. "Why Snowman, what a delightful surprise! I *had* hoped to bid you a proper goodbye before I left, though I'm amazed to see you *here* of all places. They still let you in the door? Don't they know what poison you are to your whores? Tsk, tsk, asking the woman you raped-- or couldn't you even manage that?-- to do your killing for you. I can't believe she *or* Dawn forgave you that one. He *is* soft-hearted! <Tower> Tell me, old man, was she good? I mean to give her a try myself, next time I'm in town. ::His eyes slide mockingly over towards Jewel for a moment and he smiles before returning his attention to Snowman:: I know you have excellent taste in whores... that lovely hellcat Tarish, for instance, and then Sylvie... *she* was quite an... enthusiastic partner. Pity about the fire. Ah, well, perhaps you'll find some other woman for me to bed... this one, perhaps? Give her a try, let me know what you think. * Tower shoves Allisandre forcefully at Snowman and shakes a gleaming, long dagger out of his sleeve. * Jewel shifts her grip on her knife uncertainly at Snowman's order. Her face reddens with anger at Tower and her jaw works, but she doesn't manage to get any words out over her choking anger. * Snowman sidesteps Allisandre, thumbing his katana out. "Jewel. Do something about her." He turns to Tower, drawing his katana free with a steely slither. "Been waitin' for a long time for this, me. What say, Lyegen, fuckin' fess up. Fuckin' dosing all the girls 'cause yer hung like a stud field mouse, you?" * Angel moves to the door with Dawn, his knife in his hand. "Well, looks like you've found yourself quite the party here... Need a hand?" * Dawn is leaning against the door with Molly. "Aye. Get the blockers out of the fucking way so I can get the damn door closed." He breathes a spell, and the door shifts slightly. * Allisandre latches onto Snowman, rubbing herself against him and trying to claim his lips with hers. Jewel looks on in frustration for a heartbeat, at a loss, and then frowns in concentration. Allisandre's eyes widen a little, and she leaves off hanging on Snowman to approach Jewel with a purr. Jewel pops open her vial and quickly fills her mouth with the contents, trying not to spit it out. <Thugs> ::the men outside have their shoulders to the door, some reaching through with clubs and broken bottles to menace the ones trying to close the door. Two in front, in the best manner of door-to-door salesmen, have jammed a foot apiece between the closing doors.:: * Angel snarls and pulls a handful of throwing knives from his vest pocket. He spins them easily through the crack in the door, specifically aiming for the legs and ankles of the 'salesmen'. Since, after all, salesmen should be shot. Survivors, shot again. * Dawn nudges Molly, nearly (accidently) shoving her across the room. "I've got this. Pick those two up- ::he nods to the bouncers, whose groans have become less tortured:: -and go lock the rest of the fucking doors." * Tower smirks, and puts on a mock-sad expression. "I was too much for your Tarish... more man than you were for her, apparently. It will be a pleasure to get you out of the way... I'm getting a little tired of your seconds." * Madam staggers, looking at Dawn in surprise as she totters a few steps to regain her feet, pausing to readjust herself. "Don't know your own strength, hmm, sugar?" She smirks a little and hurries off towards the back, calling orders. <Dawn> ::grins faintly at Angel:: I like a woman who doesn't let life's little surprises get her down. <Bouncer> ::Sylvie's guard, who had stepped into the weapons room to tie up Snowman's victim and secure the room, reappears. His face is flushed, and he leans heavily against the doorjamb, one hand on his forehead. From upstairs come raised voices and sounds of some commotion.:: <Snowman> Fuckin' waiting here, me. Or nothing more than fuckin' talk, you? * Angel backs away from the bouncer quickly. "Dawn, we got another one..." He glances up at the ceiling. "And something's going on up there." * Jewel wraps her arms around Allisandre to discourage, erm, wandering hands, and kisses her, spitting the antivenom into her mouth and forcing her to swallow as Molly did. As the other woman doubles over in pain, Jewel lowers her carefully to the floor and stands guard over her. <Dawn> Fuck. ::he grunts and slams the door forcefully closed, and quickly slams the bar down before jogging to intercept the bouncer, retrieving a vial from his cloak:: Poison, man. That fucker... ::he offers the vial to the bouncer:: Make your stomach cramp up like fuck, but it won't kill you, I promise. * Tower brandishes his knife negligently. The light seems to reflect a faint purple sheen off the blade. "Tsk. Such witty repartee... ah, well, I suppose it was too much to be hoped for, from a sot. You should have stayed in your bottle, old man." He mutters a word, and the purple aura around his knife extends into a blade of dark light about three feet long. He flourishes the blade, and moves to attack Snowman. <Bouncer> ::The bouncer looks from the vial in Dawn's hand up to his face:: You... oh, hells... ::he takes the vial, clenching it in his fist, and throws himself on Dawn:: I don't care... I'll die if I don't kiss you... ::tries to kiss Dawn:: * Snowman spits his command word, splitting his blade into katana and wakizashi. "Got better things to do, me, than think of fuckin' smart words to waste on a fuckin' piece of shit like you." <Tower> Ah, yes, I forgot how difficult thinking can be for your sort. ::feints at Snowman's belly, and reverses the cut in a slash aimed to take off his head:: * Angel sighs and reverses his knife, clubbing the drugged bouncer over the head. <Angel> ::looks at Dawn:: I'll apologize later. ::he sounds remarkably like Snowman, for just a moment:: <Dawn> What the FUCK-! ::he jumps backwards, startled, then sighs in relief as Angel fells him:: Shit. Thanks. ::he crouches to pry the vial from the bouncer's hand, and pours it into the man's mouth, trying to pretend he hasn't turned pale:: Just my fucking luck. <Narrator> ::the sounds of mayhem, breaking doors, and the occasional scream from upstairs get louder:: <Angel> ::jerks his chin towards the stairs:: Come on. Snowman's got Lyegen. ::under his breath:: I hope. <Jewel> ::glances from the fight in the private lounge to the woman at her feet to Angel:: A-- ::shifting her attention a little:: Dawn? Orders? <Dawn> ::to Jewel, as he follows Angel toward the stairs:: If Snow falls, scream for help. Don't take chances! <Snowman> ::scowls:: Fuckin' overwhelmed with confidence, me. Assholes. * Jewel nods and resumes her watch on the door. * Snowman twists, katana down to block the feint, wakizashi poised to guard his neck. He pushes Lyegen's sword aside, pressing in a close attack towards the larger man's knee. "Can handle this, me. Been waitin' fuckin' years to handle it." * Tower dances back, laughing. "'Handle' me, can you? You can't even keep your women alive! You're pathetic, old man!" The dark blade slides along Snowman's wakizashi, throwing off purple sparks, and he draws back slightly to cut at Snow's extended leg. <Narrator> ::The second floor is a scene out of bedlam. About half of the doors-- there are ten on each side of the hall-- stand open. Ten fully-dressed and apparently fully-sober "stag party" clients are in the hall, about half armed with some of the bouncer's clubs and saps. Three are sprawled half in the doorway of their rooms. Some of the bouncers are still struggling with the men, but several of them, their faces flushed, are breaking into other rooms.:: * Angel stops dead in his tracks, looking at the mayhem. "Got to hand it to him. The fucker's fast. Would you *kindly* web some of these assholes up out of the way, Master Mage?" * Dawn takes one look at the mass of tangled and struggling bodies, then irritably spits a spell over Angel's shoulder, filling half the hallway with dense webbing. <Narrator> ::shouts-- some of anger and frustration, some of sheer desperation-- answer Dawn's contribution to the mess in the second-floor hall. Sounds of struggle continue within some of the rooms-- especially those with smashed-in doors:: * Dawn sighs and eyes the hallway, then looks at Angel. "You take the right?" <Angel> ::holds out one hand:: Give me some of that antidote. And hope I don't get bitten this time. * Dawn pulls four vials out of his cloak and hands them to Angel. "Too right." He draws his dagger and plunges through the nearest left-hand door. * Snowman rolls to one side, regaining his feet behind Tower. He pulls a look of mock-hurt. "Unfair, that. Only misplaced th' one, me. Sylvie's right as rain. On her way home, she is." He tags Tower's back with the tip of his katana, drawing a thin line of blood. * Tower hisses, and spins away, slicing at Snowman's sword hand. "Dawn led you to believe that, did he? He *must* be desperate for help to try to keep you from crawling into a bottle again." * Jewel snorts. "At least try to bluff creditably, Lyegen. You've got an eyewitness right here. Sylvie's fine. She'll be here in a few days to spit on your sorry corpse, just you see!" <Snowman> ::takes a nick along the back of his hand but dances backwards in time:: Fuckin' feel sorry for you, me. Got to be bad, never to have a *willin'* woman... missin' out, you. ::he lunges, jabbing at Tower's stomach:: * Dawn finds himself in a room with a flushed bouncer and a tied and gagged whore. The bouncer is so heavily under the drug's effects that he's shaking, and thus having trouble getting the whore's clothes off. He doesn't even notice Dawn coming into the room, and succumbs without a whimper to the sleeping-spell Dawn fires at him. * Dawn hands a vial to the whore. "Pour that in him, and make sure he swallows it." Without waiting for her response, he heads for the next room on "his" side of the hall. * Angel takes the first room on the opposite side and is immediately involved in a dispute between two "customers" and two of the whores who have banded together. Somewhat relieved to be dealing with a mundane threat, Angel moves to attack, sneaking up behind one man and aiming his dagger for the sweet spot. * Tower twists away and ripostes, grunting as Snowman's blade opens a wide slice over his ribs. "Oh, Sylvie was *most* willing. A good earner, too-- I trust you got her wages? She seemed to prefer the reekier sailors, though. Perhaps they made her nostalgic for you." He turns to present Snowman with his side, reaching for a dart with his free hand as he swings a C-cut at Snowman's torso. * Jewel quietly drags Allisandre into an unoccupied lounge as the woman lapses into unconsciousness, returning to watch the fight anxiously. * Snowman takes a deep gash across his chest, blood pouring freely down his shirt. He gags with sudden pain, seeming to collapse under Lyegen's onslaught. His katana nearly falls from nerveless fingers. "Bastard..." He seems defeated by grief. * Dawn interrupts, in the next room, a "customer" still working on tying up the whore. He spins around as Dawn bursts through the door and jumps at Dawn, his knife held low and deadly. The whore's scream covers Dawn's grunt of pain as the knife lays open a gash on his forearm, but not the crackle of a spell dropping the thug. <Angel> ::one of the whores brings a washbasin down on the head of the second 'customer', knocking him to the floor in a huddle of arms and legs:: Very nice, ladies. If you'll excuse me. ::he turns back into the hall. With a total lack of mercy or emotion, he walks down the hall towards the next room, stopping briefly to knife a webbed customer in the throat:: * Jewel gasps as Snowman falls back. Her jaw clenches as her eyes lose focus, and she glares at Lyegen with hatred. Under her breath, she mutters, "You're going to leave... him... ALONE... come on, you piece of slime...." * Tower's eyes blaze as Snowman's blood flows, and he lunges forward with his dagger/sword raised for the coup de grace, closing the distance. Looming over Snowman's slumped form, he suddenly lowers his blade, throwing his head back in a triumphant laugh. * Snowman stands up in a rush. With two distinct pops as his shoulders dislocate, he brings his arms around full circle, laying one blade on either side of Lyegen's neck. "Go to hell." Snowman snaps out the command word for his swords, which rejoin violently, without regard for Lyegen's neck, which happens to be in the way. * Tower's head separates from his neck and falls to the floor, looking shocked. The rest of his body falls where it stands. <Snowman> Fuck. Ow. Shit. That hurts. ::groaning, he cracks his shoulders back into place:: * Jewel sags against the door frame. "Oh... gods..." She takes a deep breath and pushes herself upright, moving into the room to see to Snowman and carefully not looking at the gory floor. "Are you alright? Heh... I should have known you didn't need any help, you tricksy old bastard." * Dawn dives into a third room, and finds it empty. The fourth has a crazed bouncer on top of a struggling whore. Dawn throws his arm around the bouncer's throat, using his magically-augmented strength to pull the man off the whore. The bouncer claws Dawn's face as he fights to get back to the whore, but Dawn manages finally to pour the vial of antidote into him. * Angel checks the second room, which is empty. The third room contains two bouncers who are rampantly attempting to get into a wall-closet. From the muffled shrieks inside the wardrobe, it is clear that there is at least one girl inside it. "Pardon me, gentlemen," Angel casually walks in. "If you'll be so kind as to drink these and move aside, I believe I can help you with that lock." <Narrator> ::three more bouncers-- sane ones-- come down the stairs from the third floor, looking around, clubs at the ready:: What the hell...? * Dawn comes out of the fourth room looking like he's been fighting a roomful of cats and spots the bouncers on the steps. "Fucking finally. Come and help clean up this mess." He starts carefully working his way into the webbing, dispatching Tower's men and dispensing antidote to the drugged and suffering bouncers *before* cutting their webs away. <Angel> ::Surprised, the two men back away as Angel appears to be getting out a set of lockpicks. They drink their potions and fall to the floor. Angel picks the lock and immediately ducks out of the way as an irate whore attempts to bash his head in with a shelf from the closet:: Tabby! Stop that. I'm on your side. <Narrator> ::the bouncers nod, following Dawn in and lending the weight of their clubs to finish off the rest of Tower's webbed men. After a bit of hesitation, they start clubbing their crazy colleagues, too.:: <Angel> ::Tabby collapses in Angel's arms, weeping. Angel pats her on the back for a minute, before putting her on her feet:: Bad night... * Snowman winces. "Almost did, me. Bastard." He kneels near Lyegen's head and makes a mark on Lyegen's forehead in his own blood. "Rest now, Tarish." His voice is low, almost reverent. "Kept my fuckin' promise, me." * Angel looks around and sees that Dawn and the additional bouncers have things well in hand. Not quite managing to look unworried, he hurries back down the stairs. He stops dead in the doorway of the lounge, looking down at the mess. "Hard on the carpets, aren't you, Snowman?" * Jewel smiles tiredly. "Sylvie was redecorating, anyway." * Snowman doesn't even look up, taking some grim and grisly sort of satisfaction in staring at the body of his fallen enemy. "Fuck you, Angel." * Dawn finishes up, gives the sane bouncers instructions as to the disposition of their drugged comrades and the hysterical whores, and then goes back downstairs. * Jewel resheathes her nearly forgotten knife and turns to slip an arm around Angel's waist, leaning her head on his shoulder. <Dawn> ::pulls up beside Angel to look at Tower's body:: Thank the gods. ::he stares at the body for a moment, then kneels beside it to pull the false ring off Tower's finger.:: * Jewel frowns at the ring. "Where'd *that* come from?" She peers at Angel's hand to make certain his is still there. <Dawn> It's a duplicate, obviously. He couldn't get his hands on the *real* one, and he had to have *some* kind of "proof" to his claim. * Angel narrows his eyes, then, very obviously, decides not to say a word. <Jewel> ::peering at the ring in Dawn's hand with professional interest:: Awfully good fake. Hmp. Must've had a good memory for his father's, or something. * Angel runs his thumb over the real ring, his face slightly pale. * Dawn pockets the fake with a shrug, then massages his temples. "I want to sleep for about a week, now." * Snowman stands up slowly. Blood covers his chest and is dripping down his trousers. <Snowman> Sounds like a fuckin' plan, that. Feeling pretty damn lousy, me. <Jewel> ::sighing:: I want to *eat* for about a week. ::frowning:: Snowman, take off your shirt. Surely we can find something better to bandage you with in *here*. <Dawn> ::looks at Snowman:: Shit, you're in miserable shape. ::he sighs and goes in search of Molly, who surely will know where the first aid kit is kept:: <Snowman> ::looks at Jewel rather helplessly:: Can't, me. Fuckin' dislocated my shoulders. Some help? <Jewel> ::bites her lip:: Oh. ::gives Angel an apologetic glance and releases him a bit reluctantly to help Snowman off with his shirt, drawing her knife again to slit it up the back rather than make him flex his arms to get it off:: <Angel> ::raises an eyebrow:: You did that damn Queen of Hearts on him, didn't you? It's a wonder your damn shoulders ever heal. <Madam> ::Molly, once convinced that she's safe from rampaging bouncers, gets the first aid kit, clean soft rags, and a kettleful of water that had been left on the boil when the ruckus started:: <Jewel> ::raising her own eyebrows:: He's done this *bef-- Nope. *Not* asking a "when" question. <Snowman> ::snorts:: Don't fuckin' lecture me, you. ::looks at Jewel:: His fuckin' suggestion, that. Idle fuckin' talk. Works, though. <Jewel> ::risking a glance down at Tower's decapitated corpse and swallowing hard:: Quite well. * Jewel turns her face away, looking a trifle green. * Angel moves to put his arms around Jewel again. "Don't pity him, my lady." <Jewel> ::swallowing:: I don't. I'm pitying *me* for being so stupid as to *look* at it. <Jewel> ::looking up at him with a weak smile:: A soldier I'm not, my lord. <Dawn> ::to Molly:: I'll have a cleanup crew here within the hour. Draw up a list of the damages, and when Sylvie's back, I'll go over it with you and her. <Madam> ::Molly nods, setting her kit down on the counter for a moment and holding the kettle well out to the side as she embraces Dawn with her free arm, giving him a rather thorough kiss:: That *won't* go on the bill, sweetie. ::she grins:: <Snowman> ::grimaces:: Fuck. Wounded one, here, me. Ought to be *me* gettin' the damn free kisses. <Dawn> You wouldn't *take* the one I had for you earlier, Snow. ::he grins, then looks at Angel:: You can take care of things here for now, aye? I'm going to go summon the cleanup crew, and get some fucking sleep. <Madam> ::bustling over with the hot water and kit:: If you're a very, very good boy and hold still, maybe you'll get a kiss or two to make it all better. ::winks:: * Angel nods. "I'll stop in at the Warren on the way home and spread the news. We should have a few days, at least, before we have any more crises." <Dawn> ::Mindful of the audience, Dawn catches up Jewel's hand and kisses her fingers lightly:: I'll see you soon, my lady. ::he catches Angel's eye, half-smiles, and then turns to leave:: <Jewel> ::blushes faintly and nods:: <Snowman> ::grins at Molly:: Gonna stay here tonight, me. Fuckin' walk anywhere'd kill me. * Angel bows and offers Jewel his arm. "Come, my lady. Let me get you home and safe." <Madam> ::slow grin:: We'll do our best not to kill you in the meantime, hero. * Snowman looks smugly pleased at that particular suggestion. * Jewel takes tucks her arm into the crook of Angel's elbow, moving close to him. "I think I can sleep a lot easier now with Lyegen dead." She looks over her shoulder. "Snowman? You'll make sure they destroy the rest of that stuff, if there's any more?" <Snowman> Better fuckin' believe that, you. |
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