Merchant Of Death?

[*Nimiane]

Shook his head in disapproval "Somethin' wron' with a gadgie tha' donnae know how ta wear clothes if'n'ya ask me." snickering lightheartedly, then continued to "Aye, auctions. Nae me thin', I jest like all o' the frowns sods cast at me as I keep makin' higha' bids an' look like somethin' tha' was spewed outta the ditch. Besides wha's wron' aboot gettin' in trouble? Tha's the best enta'tainment in the Cage, doncha reckon?" then frowns a little "Why donnae anyone eva' give a hand fer new times sake? Everyone's jest stuck in their pasts." He shrugged theatrically as he sighed "Aye, but sure. I still need ta rattle ta the genasi thou', apparently make peace or some sort o' shite. Nae know how ta take a jest n' all ya know?"

Scene: The Celestial Radiance Tavern

"Ain't a damn thing wrong with it in my book." the bardess retorts with an impish grin, sandy-hued brows waggling. ". . . Dunnae how ye lot do it under yer roof, but we actually remove our clothin' when we bathe." A laugh follows in response to his words, the curve of her lips pulling to the left with a smirk of amusement, very much able to picture a scruffy looking Belkas outbidding various well-dressed antiquers. "Nothin' wrong with a bit of trouble, that's true. Ye make a good point though. . ." For a brief moment, Odette's oceanic gaze drifts toward Neerepha to linger for a thoughtful beat before it weaves back to Corny with the accompanying shrug of shoulders. ". . . t'present is far more favorable."

"At any rate, yer involved now. Sounds like t'sorta wave that'd be worth ridin' out, aye? The woman lifts the glass to her lips for a longer draught, gesturing for the man to go about his business as finished her beverage. "Ye do what ye need t'do, either way I'll be around."

[*Neerepha]

Scene: The Celestial Radiance Tavern

The tavern begins to fill up now one or two patrons trickling in to order breakfasts and coffees and in some cases rough bub that should probably not be drunk this early in the day.  Dawn notes down what Neerepha says and continues to be irritatingly cheerful given the circumstances and the time of day.  Neerepha seems Mauric's name scribbled down on a scrap of paper even though she has not mentioned it. Apparently The Gnome knowing which Doomlord was in attenedence already. She nods in Corny's direction as he confirms the partial alibi.

"Thank you miss you have been a lot of help. Would you mind leaving your name and a place to contact you?"

She looks over at Odette who stands at the bar.  The bar maid seems to shake her head in response to some silent question and Odette is served Baatorian whisky in a shot glass.  Seemingly done for now the gnome returns to the kitchens not disturbing the four of them as they chat.  Kapaneus seems to have gone unnoticed for now.

Neerepha gave the Hardhead her name and address, that of course corresponded to Rhistel's Workshop, and sterilely bid her farewell. She turned her back at the Harmonium and thoughtfully looked at Belkas, and Belkas only, for some time. Whatever crossed her mind, it left no trace on her face. She moved toward the exit along with her unseen company.

[*Plaxy100]

-Mortuary-

*makes a little note on some parchment to make it back in 24 hours time then bows to old looking man*, once again I thank you for your time may you soon find the peace you are searching for. *she turns out and heads to rendezvous with her sis where ever she may be.*

[*Wings of Freedom]

Scene: An Anarchist Safe House in the Hive:
Another letter arrives Presumably from an undercover agent in The Dustmen.

The winged entity committed the information to memory and destroyed the note shortly after in ponderous thought.

A well-placed entry point suggested that whoever killed Xef clearly knew what they were doing.
That in itself was intriguing, given that most thugs would sooner slit the jugular, or make a pin cushion out of vital organs.

An assassin, perhaps... in the least, someone practiced in the art of killing.

Eyes and ears were needed in that meeting. The thought tapers off and is quickly replaced by another as the situation is mulled over. Let the Mercykillers do the work, no sense wasting time and resources with so many on the trail already.

No good would come from prodding the beast further.

Slinking into the dark and winding alleys of the Hive, the Archangel sends word through back channels for the aid of an established infiltrator within the ranks of the Red Death. A silent eye would need to be kept on the situation that unfolds.

Successful contact made or not, the waiting game begins.

[*Ambiguous Ruin]

The Genasi stopped at Corny's call and listened to his proposition. She offered him a sneering smile and replied: "I am still uncertain..." she paused and stared at his eyes, lowering her voice ".. if you are a very bored or you care less about your own life than most people do about theirs. You look like a berk, but you snoop too much around. Now give me a single reason why I should follow you or go somewhere, because I think I haven't told you yet that I trust you."

He flashed a wry smirk again, lifting his right hand with index finger pointed outward as he murmured "Rule numba' one o' the Cage. Neva' trust anyone. As far as I reckon, ya're jest nae an eejit." then he shrugged and continued "So whazzit the matta'? I reckon I've got betta' chances ta see yar potential betrayal if I keep ya around, eh? Keeps thin's interestin' anyhow."

He chuckled and slapped her shoulder in a friendly theatric demeanor as he continued in the half-voice "Besides I reckon ya came 'ere fer a reason jest the day afta' a killin' fer thin' ya had wanted... an' tha' sure as Cage ain't somethin' like gettin' a drink or comin' ta answa' questions. Nae, ya're lookin' fer clues an' I've got one an' the experience ta pursue it. I mean see tha' wheesht tha' I pulled on tha' wee mooch chiel?" gesturing at the general direction of the gnome. Then shrugged again and gave another pat on her shoulder, not even waiting for her to reply as he turned his eyes on Odette instead.

*for the convenience of storytelling, taking narrative liberty to cut time from making half-dozen posts just to agree or not agree to go somewhere*

"Oi, ready fer yon fash? Cannae keep the habble waitin' fer too lon'." gesturing Odette to follow as he headed toward the exit, pocketing his hands again and adapting a lazy lean posture. Digging out the paper where the barmaid had written the address previously and making his way with or without the one to two lasses. That is, Guild Ward: 737-739 Mercurial Way. Knocking the door with his knuckles when reaching there.

[*Neerepha]

He flashed a wry smirk again, lifting his right hand with index finger pointed outward as he murmured "Rule numba' one o' the Cage. Neva' trust anyone. As far as I reckon, ya're jest nae an eejit." then he shrugged and continued "So whazzit the matta'? I reckon I've got betta' chances ta see yar potential betrayal if I keep ya around, eh? Keeps thin's interestin' anyhow."

He chuckled and slapped her shoulder in a friendly theatric demeanor as he continued in the half-voice "Besides I reckon ya came 'ere fer a reason jest the day afta' a killin' fer thin' ya had wanted... an' tha' sure as Cage ain't somethin' like gettin' a drink or comin' ta answa' questions. Nae, ya're lookin' fer clues an' I've got one an' the experience ta pursue it. I mean see tha' wheesht tha' I pulled on tha' wee mooch chiel?"  gesturing at the general direction of the gnome. Then shrugged again and gave another pat on her shoulder, not even waiting for her to reply as he turned his eyes on Odette instead.

*for the convenience of storytelling, taking narrative liberty to cut time from making half-dozen posts just to agree or not agree to go somewhere*

"Oi, ready fer yon fash? Cannae keep the habble waitin' fer too lon'." gesturing Odette to follow as he headed toward the exit, pocketing his hands again and adapting a lazy lean posture. Digging out the paper where the barmaid had written the address previously and making his way with or without the one to two lasses. That is, Guild Ward: 737-739 Mercurial Way. Knocking the door with his knuckles when reaching there.

The pat on the shoulder immediately broke Neerepha's calm demeanour and she abruptly drew away from Corny. "Yeah, I came here for clues. What kind of clues, I won't tell you." She hissed, scornfully. "Go and play the investigator with the Bazaar mascot."
The Genasi walked out of the tavern.

[*Er_Nano_Infame]

Scene The Hall of Records

The clerk takes the offered bag and pockets it.

"The family Sarch they say is cursed with a hereditary madness, something that turns them into gibbering lunatics when they reach old age. It has affected all the heads of the family for as long as I can recall. Each one retires and steps aside when they feel its on set. I should think that this caused the early retirement. He'll probably be in the gate house soon. As for what he sold. Everything, but he specialized in slaves antiques and magical artifacts. They used to write of a lot of tax payments by donating regularly to the Temple of the Abyss.

Mister Xef on the other hand was a realtively new first generation Merkhant. But one who enjoyed fast success. He went from being just a jink junker to a major mercantile power in the space of a few years. I am not really sure what he sells. His wife is passed on and his daughter I believe is in Trade Gate at some fancy school there, but I should think she'll be coming back to the cage soon as she stands to inherit everything.

The statue was made by Haqim Al Kasim. A famed Efreet sculptor from years ago, for the one time Sultan of the City of Brass. I am not really a artist so I don't know much more about it than that."

''temple of abyss? you know which lord did the worship specifically?''
she purses her lips, pausing
''you said xue retired from the house few days ago? '' she compares the date of his retirement with the day of the auction, to see if they coincide or not, and if not, how much is the time lapse

''is there any other sarch left to take xue's place?''

another pause

''know the efreeti's daughter's name mayhaps?''

[*HamsterHyde]

Scene The Mortuary:

Meanwhile The Mortuary's other visitor finds themselves incoperal and unobserved. Around them the boddies of many dead stacked neatly onto shelves whilst in the center of the room to other hooded Dustman seem to go to work tidying up two particularly mangled bodies. To find the corpse she is after might take some closer inspection.

The mysterious shade traveled through the walls adopting disturbing shapes going over the corpses stocked like items that has no use anymore, broken shells taking part in a huge collection of oblivion itself. Perhaps they once had life, a story to tell, fame to show in a display cabinet or a matchless fortune. Now they belong to the dust laying in the center of the multiverse. Slowly the lurking shade was approaching inevitably to the hooded man.

[*Ambiguous Ruin]

Scene: The Celestial Radiance Tavern

"Ain't a damn thing wrong with it in my book." the bardess retorts with an impish grin, sandy-hued brows waggling. ". . . Dunnae how ye lot do it under yer roof, but we actually remove our clothin' when we bathe." A laugh follows in response to his words, the curve of her lips pulling to the left with a smirk of amusement, very much able to picture a scruffy looking Belkas outbidding various well-dressed antiquers. "Nothin' wrong with a bit of trouble, that's true. Ye make a good point though. . ." For a brief moment, Odette's oceanic gaze drifts toward Neerepha to linger for a thoughtful beat before it weaves back to Corny with the accompanying shrug of shoulders. ". . . t'present is far more favorable."

"At any rate, yer involved now. Sounds like t'sorta wave that'd be worth ridin' out, aye? The woman lifts the glass to her lips for a longer draught, gesturing for the man to go about his business as finished her beverage. "Ye do what ye need t'do, either way I'll be around."

"Of course we jest bathe with the clothes on in me house, wha' sort o' barbarians ya reckon tha' we be?" he grinned in return "We also cova' all o' the chair legs with socks, cannae have bare surface available, tha'd be all sorts o' near infidelity." stated in the usual deadpan he does. Snickering soon after "Anyhow, back with ya in a tad... oughta rattle with the whachamacallit lass." thumbing at general direction of Neerepha.

Neerepha gave the Hardhead her name and address, that of course corresponded to Rhistel's Workshop, and sterilely bid her farewell. She turned her back at the Harmonium and thoughtfully looked at Belkas, and Belkas only, for some time. Whatever crossed her mind, it left no trace on her face. She moved toward the exit along with her unseen company.

Corny swagging with his usual style, insufferably casually toward her with a usual wry smirk on his face "Oi oi, jest a tad lass. Can I have a word with ya?"

Option One: Presuming she does stop and listen he'd continue "Say, how'd ya be interested ta go browse art sort o' thin's? Know this brilliant fellow tha' oughta have a collection." leaning forward to murmur in a lower volume "Say... an owna' o' certain four hundred thousand statuette, eh?"

Option Two: And incase she didn't stop, that'd be the end of that! He'd allow her to leave with a nonchalant shrug saying out loud "Yar loss!"

[*Iggwilv]

Scene: The Celstial Radiance Tavern

As they assembled group begin to chat the tavern fills up. They notice a few people whispering and peering in their direction chant clearly beginning to spread that some of them were at the auction, some of them could even have possibley killed that "poor man" for a statue.

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Scene The Mortuary

Iptai leaves, she has roughly a day until she needs to be back here giving her more than enough time to find her sister or to search any other avenues of inquiry she may have.

Meanwhile the Mortuary's incorporeal visitor would observe many "raw" corpses. They seem to be brought in to the area where they are now. Then they are categorized, sometimes they are autopsied and eventually they are taken through the set of large double doors at the end of the hall. Each time the doors open and close a carnal chill fills the room, one that would gnaw at the bones of even the fellest of demons or most ancient of undead. Xef's body does not seem to be among those on display so it is likely it has been taken to the Mortuary's deep crypts.

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Scene the Hall of Records:

The clerk listens to the questions and answers.

"I think Mister Sarch had a nephew. Although he is currently not in Sigil but he would be next in line. Unless of course one of Mister Sarch's partners or underlings take over. It could get quite messy there is a lot of jink at stake. As for their business with the temple of the Abyss I don't know. He simply declared the donation on his tax return. it could just be a tax write off.

If you mean the Efreet who made the statue orginally, he died thousands of years ago. He might have had a daughter but she is probably dead by now too. If you mean the late Mister Xef's daughter her name is Avria."

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Scene: An Anarchists Safe House in the Hive

The word is passed through many channels to those who support the cause at the prison. No response arrives yet, which could mean one of all number of things ranging from the inconvenient to the truly terrifying.