View source for Logs:Alley Horror

{{ Log
| chars = [[Arnaud]], [[Arthur]], [[Five]] 
| summary = Some things go bump in the night and some things go more bump than others.
| gamedate = 2022.10.12
| gamedatename = 
| subtitle = Not a person!
| categories = Changeling, Mortal, Vampire
| log = +-----------------------------------+ Auburn Gresham +-----------------------------------+

	Part of the "bungalow belt", Auburn Gresham is quite active socially! There are restaurants, cafes, libraries, and beautiful buildings. This doesn't come without some struggle. The local community's currently pushing gangs out and managing to keep them somewhat at bay.

	At night, though, with all the clubs and bars, this becomes incredibly tough. Gresham's night life is both a blessing and a curse, helping the area prosper while also enabling the very drug problems the people who live here have been struggling with. Junkies are more common around here and are able to be found in the allies, but largely try to stay closer to the bars to ask for change and try to score a bump or two for themselves.

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"Listen, for the third time - I don't have any drugs to sell!" Arnaud is growling at an insistant and desperate young man who is following him along down an alley. It's still early evening and a fair bit of human traffic of the working class, soon to be exchanged for the night owls that spend money here. "No, I also don't have any money. Ask me one more time..." Arnaud raises a fist in a very easy to understand gesture; he will resort to violence. It seems to work, the young man backing off with hands raised, moving to find someone else to buy from. Arnaud grimaces and tugs his jacket laples up to hide more of his tattoos, as if he thinks those are to blame for the mistake.

Five may or may not have been on her way back to the bar with a fighting pit. When she catches the tail end of a potentially dangerous situation with a familiar face, the mortal pauses in her tracks. Bright green eyes follow the man that had been bothering Arnaud until he's out of sight. The fighting pit is forgotten about as she easily changes direction and makes her way toward the Changeling. "Everything... okay?" she questions with a raise of her brow. There's not doubt that Arnaud can handle himself, but the concern is there all the same.

Hmph. Ridiculous to be up this early. Sun barely beyond the horizon. Ridiculous. So echo Arthur's thoughts as he treads down the busy street, the collar of his coat pulled up high towards his chin, as if in an effort to ward off any would-be conversationalists. His brow is heavy-set, and mouth downturned quite firmly into a frown; all in all, just like a mortal would be if they were up bright and early. 
He continues on, gaze following an airborne crow as it scythes through the air and curves around a corner, and follows it into the alley. His eyes quickly alight on the three strangers within, examining the retreating one for a moment before pausing to eye the others. He seems to recognise Five first, then studies the other, unfamiliar gentleman. A grunt. Then he begins to stride over, hands firmly tucked in his coat pockets.

Arnaud is no longer getting surprised to run into Five - it seems they move in the same circles and areas. "Hi Shorty," he upnods at her, having given her that obnoxious nickname without an ounce of shame. Perhaps giving her one is his way of showing he's decided she is above acquaintance. Her concern pauses him and he looks her over with a squint. "Why wouldn't I be? You're the one that got punched yesterday." Noticing another person entering the alley, he holds a hand up in a stop motion to Arthur. "No. No drugs for sale, not now, not tomorrow. Move along."

"Hi Tall...y." It's clear that she'll have to work on a better nickname than that. In spite of having been in some scraps over the past few days, she looks all healed up and no worse for wear. Sure, her clothing is dirty and there's grime to be easily found on her but that's just the usual. Five is /so/ focused on Arnaud that she doesn't see Arthur wandering up until the Changeling calls out to him first. Glancing over her shoulder, the mortal peers a bit before she recognizes the man. Her posture quickly straightens up, watching him closely but curiously. "No, no, that's my... friend?" She seems a little unsure but that seems to be the label she's slapped on the vampire. A beat. "He /could/ be looking for drugs though," she whispers quietly, not wanting to assume!

Arthur halts mid-stride once the hand goes up and offers Arnaud a slow, deliberate blink. His frown is still very much present and for perhaps a moment, the man looks like he might take offence; instead, his mouth splits into a toothy, lopsided grin. "How 'bout the day after that?" he jokes, Irish brogue quite firm in his voice. He follows up quickly, whether the jest seemed to land well or not: "Relax, lad, I'm not buyin'. Jus' lookin' for--" He pauses as Five speaks, and hears the question in her voice. A pause, then he offers her a short, if slightly hesitant nod. "Yeah, friend. 'Ey, Five." The crow he was following earlier banks in the sky above and settles on the railings of a fire escape somewhere above, head tilting skitterishly to keep an eye on the crowd below. 
	Arthur gestures lightly between the two. "You two know each other? Sorry, mate: Arthur," he says, apparently by way of introduction.

"I might have some in a few days," Arnaud replies without any suggesting he's joking. "Or I might not." He looks Arthur over from head to toes, as if sizing him up habitually. "Why's he your friend? You said I was one too. Did I make a friend, really? Why, and how? And if so - do you know anything about cactusis-- cactuses? Cacti? I need to get it to bloom but all it does is sit there being prickly at me. I even talk to it." He seems talkative tonight, and definitely weird, excuding an aura of friendly menace, somehow. "Yeah, I am her FRIEND. I'm Arnaud. Who's that crow?"

It seems really easy to get Five caught up in that excitable vibe. Nothing bad has happened on this particular evening (yet), she's found good company, and there's even a cool bird hanging out with them! There's a curious look as she tilts her head upward at the bird, she's been seeing a lot of them today... Birds are everywhere, not that weird! "That is uh..." She seems to take the question as one made for fun! "Joe the Crow. They like shiny things, right?" she pats herself down and pulls out some spare change, a couple dimes and a quarter. She holds it up questioningly. Then while she waits for the bird to either do something or nothing, she looks back to the others with a light grin. "You guys are both my friends because you're nice and fun. Does there got to be more than that?" she questions back playfully.

Another blink. "You seem like you've swallowed all yours already, mate. You talk this much normally?" The Irishman apparently notices the quick once-over he's received and reacts with his own, quite casually, old instinctual habits seeming to kick in. "Figure y'jus' make friends by chance, most o' the time," he continues after a moment, in answer to one of Arnaud's questions. "One o' those things, I guess. Though whether y'like it or not is up to yerself, I s'pose. As fer cactuses--cac-- whatever-- I have no fuckin' clue, I'm afraid. Plants usually go tits up when I go at 'em."
	His head tilts back to peer up at the crow, amused by Five's selection, despite himself. "Joe it is." As if on cue, Joe the Crow swoops down to land on Five's hand, feet grasping onto skin quite firmly. Without much pageantry, it caws at her, picks up one of the dimes in its beak and flies over, disappearing out of sight behind the rooftops above. Arthur grins. "Bit of a prick, honestly. Been followin' me around all day." Not an entire lie, Arthur thinks to himself. He pointedly does not look at Five. No need for any more slip ups, especially in front of a stranger.

Arnaud is distracted by the crow and nods politely to it as it swoops down to grab its shiny, more or less treating it like another person without hesitation. "Joe the Crow," he repeats and watches it fly off again with a tilt of his head, eyes gleaming with interest. "Maybe it's also looking for a dealer," he says and grins toothily, as if he thinks his own joke is great. "Seems he scored. It might follow you around now, Shorty." He sighs and runs a hand through his hair, eyes shifting about as he's not sure how to react to being called nice AND fun. "Thanks. I think. I guess you're nice and fun too."

Those bright green eyes of hers are WIDE when the bird actually swoops in for the dime and flies off. She's stunned by the amazing animal moment, almost missing the conversation continuing without her. Looking away from the direction the crow disappeared in, she raises her brows at Arnaud. "Maybe that's a sign of good luck." She glances toward Arthur, eyeing him for a few seconds before adding, "They've been following you and you found us! Totally good luck." Five gives a nod as if to affirm such. A light smile lingers on her lips. "Either of you up to anything? Was thinking of throwing some punches," There's a nod in the direction of Satin and Savagery but uh, you guys are cooler."

"Hmph, wouldn't want the little fucker followin' ya. No sense of personal space. Clearly," Arthur adds, nodding towards Five's lightened palm. "Hopefully he's gone fer good now, anyway." He glances towards Five, a faint frown creasing his brow. "Yeah. Good luck. Was lookin' fer ya in the first place, so I s'pose awful good luck." A weak smile, the slightest hint of caginess on it. His hunched up stance from while he was walking over hasn't relaxed while he converses, even despite the grins and joking, and he certainly appears on edge.
	His eyes track the woman's nod, settling in the club's direction. "Huh, never been. Punches, eh? Could be fun." He peers at Five again. "Local o' yours? Thought I heard, uh, Arnaud? -- say that you got a punch before?"

"I don't want to fight with you," Arnaud says and lifts his chin, looking a bit dodgy and evasive. "Not supposed to hurt friends." Least he gives a reason, this time. "If you want to fight someone else I can come and watch." He gestures at Arthur, raising an eyebrow. "You two can fight. And yes, it's Arnaud. Arnaud Lyon, I'm from France originally."

"We're... okay," Five says a little carefully to Arthur, attempting to help ease some of the tension. She lets her gaze linger on him a bit longer, thinking a moment before she lets her posture relax. An attempt to show that she's currently comfortable in the vampire's presence. Brows furrow as she looks back toward Arnaud, giving a small nod at his words. Lips purse, thoughtfully. She's not the type to push anything on others. "Well. Maybe we can find someone that needs a little... help?" She lifts her brows with a little grin. "Pretty sure this isn't the only alley people are bothering others for drugs. Or money."

Arthur nods slowly at Five, and the rigidity in his shoulders relaxes somewhat, but doesn't release entirely. "Aye, well, good..." He seems to lose himself in thought for a moment, staring blankly past the pair in front of him, then catches himself at Arnaud's proper introduction. "Arthur," he says again, then after a moment, "Dunlaw. Ireland; don't hold it against me." A flash of teeth.
	"Heh, as fun as that sounds though, I better be off. Gotta go get some... uh, food." He moves to step past the two, following the alley through to the connecting street on the other side. "Pleasure t'meetcha, mate!" he calls over his shoulder as he trudges along. "I'll see the two o' ye some other time!"

"Alright, let's go beat up that guy that was bothering me," Arnaud decides and claps his hands together. This idea is to his liking. "Really didn't like him." As Arthur says his farewells, he looks a little disappointed and raises a hand to wave. "Bring Joe next time too! I got nothing against Irish people, except your accents. So it's all good!" He is already starting down the alley as well, the prospect of looking for trouble making him flex his hands and move his arms to warm up.

Five watches Arthur as he heads off, her gaze lingering until he's out of sight, and then even a few moments longer. Whatever was in her mind passes for now and she returns her attention toward Arnaud. Smiling, she definitely seems to relax A LOT more once the vampire left. Following along with the Changeling, she keeps her hands in her pockets as she glances around for the guy she'd spotted earlier. "Did he hurt you?" she wonders with a raised brow, tilting her head a bit.

Arnaud lights up a cigarette and offers her one too. "What.. no. Why?" he asks and looks at her with a blank expression, strolling along lazily. He refocuses on the search for trouble and looks down an alley they're passing, hopefully. There's nobody there, so he glowers as if he fully expects there to be something to fight in every alley. The hour is getting late enough now that the less savory elements of the area crawl out of their holes, so chances are they will run into something soon enough.

A brow is raised curiously but Five takes the offered cigarette. Placing it between her lips, she watches Arnaud on how he smokes. Inhaling, she looks a little cool... for only the slightest of seconds. COUGHCOUGHCOUGH! Immediately she pulls it from her lips as she attempts to regain her composure. The mortal narrows her brows and can't help but frown, raising her free arm to wipe her sleeve against her mouth. She doesn't toss the cigarette just yet but she lets it just burn in her hand for now. As she takes a glance around, she tilts her head. "Did you *smallcough* hear that?" she questions as she looks back to Arnaud.

Arnaud slaps Five hard on the back, all helpful. "If you don't want to fight him, we can find something else." Apparently, he just wants to fight, and that junkie from earlier was an easy target. He also seem to find no moral problem doing it, and once again that menacing stalking animal-like mien shines through, eyes glittering in the lights of a neon sign as they walk past a corner shop. "Uh... no, I don't hear anything. Where?"

Five seems just as confused as Arnaud, her eyes flitting about. She doesn't seem to alarmed about whatever it was, more focused on trying to compose herself after her super embarassing coughing fit. It seems like maybe they aren't going to find anything or anyone... and then it happens.

One second things are fine, the next there is a figure standing right next to the pair, too close for comfort. There's definitely something amiss about this ...man? that's appeared near them. Ill-fitting and oversized clothing hide much of the person's form, but he seems hunched over strangely. Even if his form is hidden, it's face is easy enough to see. It's a familiar one, it's the junkie they were looking for! Something seems off about him though... Something more than the menancing grin that is stretched across his lips.

"Fuck!" Arnaud says and startles comically, an arm going up and a half-step backwards taken, his blue eyes widening as the junkie from earlier just seem to appear out of nowhere. By pure luck and circumstance, whatever the junkie tries to do seems to roll right over Arnaud; in fact, it's doubtful he even notices anything strange here. "Good, now we don't have to search for you." He grins right back, with hungry menace. Is he... licking his lips? That's a bit creepy.

Arnaud is not one to wait around or hesitate, so he's suddenly exploding for what to most would seem no reason what so ever, a fist thrown out with speed and considerable strength at the creepy junkie. It connects, and it's one of those punches that breaks jaws or other bones on ordinary people, perhaps not on this one.

The junkie lets out a weird yelp when it's hit so suddenly! He was definitely expecting it's spooky entrance to set the pair back and instead seems to have encouraged a heavy attack. The smile doesn't disappear but the expression on his face is definitely more angered now. He's quick to strike back! Well, at least try to. A hand swipes at Arnaud and narrowly misses the Changeling's face. And that's when he notices something... That wasn't a hand that was trying to catch him, but a claw. And the junkie's face? Why is there blood along the edges near the outline of his hair and why does it look so stretched out...

Five notices something odd about the man, but it doesn't immediately click on the why. Just that whoever this guy is, he's a threat. The mortal springs into action, much more focused than when he had seen her fight in the ring. That was for fun, this is serious. With the junkie distracted by Arnaud, she has an easier time wrapping her arms around him, tangling him up with those slender arms of hers and starting to try restrain him!

"What the---!" Arnaud starts, watching something right out from a nightmare, and he's seen some truly horrendous shit in his days. If he held back a tiny bit earlier, not using his actual claws, he goes all out on this freak when Five has restrained him; unwittinly, or perhaps because Five is smart, they work as a perfect team right now. This man - or thing - is defenseless and restrained as Arnaud swipes with his claws against the man's neck with his left hand and digs his right hand deep into his side, then ripping them out and tearing skin and flesh or whatever this is.

The junkie, who is definitely not human at this point, lets out a loud, terrible cry as it's shredded into by Arnaud. Black blood pours forth from the cavity that the Changeling is tearing into's chest. But such actions also tear away at the clothing that was hiding it's form, starting to reveal another reason why it was so odd looking. Underneath the clothing is a strange mixture of human and... well, bug-like. Clawed appendages reach out, trying to grab at Five to throw her off of it. The mortal, for better or worse, manages to keep a hold on it like a cowboy at the rodeo. It wriggles and squirms to try and break free of the pair but to no avail! It's still up but definitely looking like another blow or so would bring it down.

"Five!" Arnaud growls out in warning, and - is that genuine worry? Hard to tell perhaps, because he's nearly as monstrous as the one they're fighting at the moment. He bowls into the entangled duo of dread and Five, and wraps an arm around its head and the other around the torso, perhaps even aroun the short woman. It's possible they all tumble down in a heap, but he doesn't care; he's biting down on any part he can and tearing and clawing. It doesn't take that long before whatever that was goes still. Arnaud is hunched over it, holding skin and clothing and spilling insect bits from his mouth. He... retches and spits some of it out. That's probably awful for his digestion.

Yeah, teamwork makes the dreamwork! Things are going well in spite of the fact that she's has her arms wrapped around some creepy bug man! They're winning! Arnaud has got the final blow and WHAT?! What is her friend doing... Is he... /biting/ the monster and...?! Five's eyes go wide, even more freaked out now in addition to having to wrestle a monster. As soon as she's sure it's dead, she scrambles out from underneath him and takes a couple steps back. The mortal manages to not completely run away in terror, but it's clear that she's unsure of what to make of Arnaud. She's had a rough couple of evenings so she can't help but blurt out, "What is with people eating people here?!"

Arnaud is wiping his face, or trying to - it's pretty messy. Some blood, some icky bits of insects. He stumbles backwards and stares at the scene with dull eyes, then turns around and retches up some more of what he just swallowed. It's rather impressive how much he managed to swallow in such a short time. There's a hand raised towards her, pleadingly and with some attempt to calm her down. "...not people," he manages to say and takes a few deep breaths while bent over. He straightens up and stares at the heap on the ground. "Not a person," he repeats, in disbelief and disorientation. "I didn't eat a person. I didn't." He snaps out of it and looks at her, taking steps towards her. "Are you alright?"

Five appears to be untouched. Physically. She manages to walk away from this situation without even a scratch. But it's clear there's probably some mental or emotionial damage done. Even if it'll pass, she's very much caught up in her emotions at the moment. She's started to pace back and forth, at a loss for how to react. "I.. yeah, fine.. You..." She looks at him, pauses, then back to pacing. Another few moments pass. "I'm... okay. We need to talk though. You around here? I'll... I'll find you. I need to /go/." It's totally not cool seeing one friend nom on a person, let alone two in two nights. Without another word, the mortal practically stomps off to go freak out in private!


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