« mini manta board log: auction houses »

[seaboards]

SPECIAL QUEST: AUCTION HOUSES

This mini log is for the Special Quest listed on the January 2025 MANTA Board. The IC and OOC timeline for the log is for the entire month of January, and players can play with the idea that things get more difficult later in the month as word spreads and auction houses become more difficult to access and deceive.

There have been recent reports of large amounts of inventory potentially related to the recent whale hunting and crystal statues appearing in various underground auction houses. They are hard to find and both Armadas are feeling heat from the public and higher officials: Corsairs for being suspected as the ones behind all this illegal trade and the Paladins for not being able to close this case out yet.

Both sides will either be working against or with each other depending on what they are assigned to do or how they meet, and suspicions will be high from both sides. Be careful!

There are multiple auction house locations, all with different inventory passing through but all are high end with only those in the know or of elite status will frequent. They are often held on remote islands, but some are clever enough to have them literally underground beneath venues such as casinos. Some are actually "innocent" in the sense that while they likely have illegal goods in their stock, they are not related to the whales and crystal trade. However, they still need to be investigated, and who knows? Maybe there are interesting items there…

Objectives: The following are objectives or assignments that members of each Armada can do in an attempt to infiltrate and investigate the auction houses to find the targeted goods and those involved in the trade. While listed generally, players can be creative to alter and change things to fit the style of the Armada. Working together or against opposing members is allowed.

"Security." Pose as a security member to guard any of these positions: outside the building, high ranking auction participants, storerooms where inventory is kept.
Buyer. Participate in the auction and try to win the item! Where the funds are coming from—not our problem.
Seller. Find something to be sold at the auction house. Is it actually worth something? Is it fake? Have to be convincing to get it on the list somehow and allow entrance into the building.
Other. Any other possible means to get inside the auction house. Just sneak in like a thief? Post as an inspector? A journalist? Crazy drunk? Be creative!
Raid. For those who don't have the patience or have determined that targeted items are there, just raid the auction house! Arrest, capture, or kill(??) them all!!! This might not always be the best option, but perhaps the chaos could create openings.

The following are items that one might find at any of the auction houses, but players can also come up with something else that could be interesting! If a player would like to claim or be part of a specific find or list something they made up, comment to this subthread.

🐋 Whale parts. From raw materials such as bones, ambergris, and oil to specific goods made from such materials such as perfumes, scented oils, wines, and furniture. Without a specific license of approval, this is all considered illegal and one of the main targets for this quest.

👤 Crystal statues. Encased in solid crystal will be animals and people who are victims of the illegal operations that started late summer. Are they still alive or not? Like the whale parts, this is the high priority target.

🫙 Potions. A number of different potion sets will be up for grabs. Their effects range from powerful healing to love potions to dangerous curses.

🦄 Creatures. Various creatures and beasts are a common staple for these auction houses. Sprites and fairies, golems, rare animals like the unicorn, or even dangerous monsters that can barely stay contained in their cage. Some of them may even resemble past bounties: horned dolphins, small carnivorous rabbits, mermaids. Some of these are legitimate, but many are fake.

📚 Forbidden Tomes. Various books that deal with ancient myths, legends, spells, curses, creatures—the topics will vary. There is even a limited edition signed copy of the hit erotic dragon fanfiction, Dragonheat. However, some of these may be fake and contain grandma's old recipes instead. Wait, that actually might be valuable—!!

🪈 Sound of Music. There are special instruments that are said to have special effects when played, such as talking during one's sleep, compelled to speak the truth, etc. There is even a very rare otamatone that only plays the song Thunderstruck. Music sheets are also in demand, some claiming the music could lead the way to treasure, or the notes are actually a secret code for something else. There is also a valuable antique music box said to have a haunting melody, the dancing figure seemingly able to move on its own…

🐕‍🦺 Commanding Collar. A special collar that when worn will make the wearer obey whatever their "owner" demands. "SIT BOY!" Handcuffs sold separately.

🗺️ Treasure Map Pieces. Treasure maps are common to find, but only a few are worth the gold the auction houses bring. Scattered throughout numerous auction houses are pieces of a treasure map said to lead to an "ancient treasure" that dates back to the time before the Flood, when the world had more land masses than water. Is it real or not? (A map CAN be formed, but it will depend on how many map pieces are found during this log!)

❓ Wildcard. For any other items that players may think of!

It goes without saying that any auction house that is selling either or both the whale parts and crystal statues will need to be shut down. How that happens, well. Guess it depends on who is there.

If you have any questions, comment here.

Comments

QUESTIONS

[seaboards]

Any questions you might have go here!

ITEM CLAIM

[seaboards]

To "claim" an item, just fill out the following form and comment. This includes any items that players come up with. Anyone can reply to a comment to note their involvement, but if someone wants to actually acquire and own an item then the commenter gets it (ie, first come first serve). Fortunately there are only a very small number of limited items.

ONE ITEM PER COMMENT. It is also preferred that it's ONE SPECIAL ITEM PER CHARACTER, to help spread the wealth, but if after midway through the month there hasn't been much more action, players can claim up to two more items for a total of three items.

<b>Player:</b> <b>Character:</b> Can include more if you know there are more involved <b>Item:</b> The item you are claiming. ONE ITEM PER COMMENT. Although not require to describe the item, it can be helpful for the more generic items. If you are making up your own item, please include a description! <b>Questions:</b> Any questions.

[empyrean_mirror]

Player: Clover
Character: Kaveh
Item: may I have a small rescue unicorn for kaveh, please! he couldn't help himself. It might well be an orphaned foal. What he'll do with a tiny magical ungulate is not something he's thought about for one second on this earth.
Questions: I have been sitting here with this open and all I can think is I am so sorry

[garudas]

Player: Sheila
Character: Benedikta Harman
Item: The commanding collar :)
Questions: Nope, but don't ask me why she wants this. :) Cid definitely gave her some weird looks when she was bidding on one.

[steadypulse]

Player: Leo
Character: 76
Item: A creature, a fluffball of a creature that looks like the mix of a snow leopard and a snowy owl stolen from a nest as an egg; may see the pelt of its parent for auction, too. Snowy Owlpard? Snowy Owlpard.
Questions: What do you do when something imprints on you? This, apparently.

[feralhumanity]

Player: CS
Character: Red XIII
Item: A creature, some kind of tough-looking, injured beast of burden that's a lot more gentle than it looks. A few of these are being sold as either livestock or to be turned into meat/glue/etc, while their pelts, horns, and bones are also being auctioned off.
Questions: Given that I have plans to have Red sneak into the auction as a "creature for auction" himself (with the option of maybe causing some havoc behind the stage), is it ok if rather than bid on this item he works to set it free from behind the scenes?

[sunsetking]

Player: Lin
Character: Leona (including some others)
Item: A forbidden tome dealing with spells and curses, some of the pages will be written in another language that needs to be decoded in order to be read properly.
Questions: Other than asking if this can be possibly stolen instead of being bid for, is there a chance that this tome be connected to the shards of dark crystals from way back when? I suck at remembering the proper event, I'm sorry.

[ramuhs]

Player: Laena
Character: Cid
Item: Map piece! Let's make it cool and have it depict MOUNTAINS.
Questions: N/A

[indispensable]

Player: taso
Character: Alhaitham
Item: Map piece! It would be funny if it was just water but that may also be a bit too mean... I'll let you guys decide LMAO.
Questions: N/A

[desirestruth]

Player: Clover
Character: Naeva
Item: The haunting antique music box for the spooky lady please!
Questions: Naeva will be sneaking in as a jackal auctioned off for her odd colored fur and then likely doing Violence to get this music box.

[wherethereislight]

Player: Taisa
Character: Shadow
Item: Map Piece - Uhh I guess there's part of a lake on it?
Questions: Nah

[lucky_e]

Player: Alex
Character: Enterprise
Item: Forbidden Tome; A signed copy of the vaunted fanfic erotica known as Dragonheat!
Questions: Just how spicy is this thing!?

[astudyinviolet]

Player: Avie
Character: Sherlock
Item: One of the other map pieces, easy to stick in a casebook and walk off with it behind the scenes
Questions: n/a

[emet_sulk]

Player: Chips
Character: Emet-Selch
Item: Crystal statue - he'll pick one that has someone important and who is also still somehow alive (he can tell by his Soulsight).

Questions: How does one even break the crystal open-- (that's an Emet problem) He's planning on asking this person if they saw anything while trapped in crystal and will use that to track down other auctions hawking the whale bits etc. and shut them down.

[headhunt]

Player: Kimmeh
Character: Karlach
Item: Will you please randomise a set of potions for her? :^) She would have been looking for anything that would lower her temperature, but I'd love for her to get a mixed bag.

🌱🏛️ alhaitham & kaveh chaos hours [CLOSED]

[indispensable]

[It hadn't taken very long for Alhaitham and Kaveh to narrow down which one of these auction houses that they wanted to infiltrate, not so much due to being spoiled for choice but rather from the items that are said to be offered. There is one in particular that had whispers about some kind of exclusive beast and Kaveh, being the soft hearted man that he is, all but begged Alhaitham to go for that. Not that he really needed to do that, since Alhaitham wasn't particularly picky in the first place; all he really cared was that they could shut down this whole operation before it got worse. Enough innocents were involved as it is.

But of course, such a 'exquisite' thing on offer meant that it was only going to happen at one of the more fancier places for these events, which means that for them to enter they were going to have to play the part. Still, that's hardly a problem for them, especially with Kaveh's eye for style and fashion.

So on the day where this apparently exclusive auction is supposed to happen, Alhaitham and Kaveh turn up dressed to the nines—Alhaitham in a sharp black suit with dark teal accents and silver highlights, and Kaveh in his own choice of equally appropriate attire (that is of course no less amazing, if not more than Alhaitham's own).

Even in a crowd like this many eyes turn to them as soon as they make their appearance, and while Alhaitham still very much does not like this attention he pointedly ignores it and keeps his focus solely on Kaveh. He makes sure that their arms are properly linked together as they walk towards the entrance.]

[empyrean_mirror]

[After some consideration, Kaveh had brought one of the dresses the Seamstress had loaned to him, after explaining to her the dress might see some combat action. He's not sure he can fight in heels, but he prefers to be a little less recognizeable for this endeavor.

It's probably not super successful, but he does try, scanning through the mingling crowd. It's the rumored beast of legend that concerns him. They'd harvested so much from the whales...what else had they done? They need to find a way to get back to the actual storerooms, and winning something might be the ticket they need...

Looking through some of the items presented before the auction starts, he does snort at one of them, and leans more into Alhaitham to murmur to him.]

...Ah, look, you can complete your collection, Haitham.

Nanaki/Red XIII || Paladin [Open]

[feralhumanity]

Auction - Sellable..?
[The auction house had made Nanaki's fur stand on end, especially when he catches the scent of whale parts. So, this was what all that whale hunting led up to? It's enough to make him growl... this whole thing has to stop. Still, as much as Nanaki wants to help, he knows he can't be let in; especially into such an affluential place like this. However, an idea forms in his mind, and while he doesn't like it, he sees it as one of the only ways for him to get in.]

[Which is why, a little while later, a new cage is being wheeled into the auction house. A cage that has a very large, very irritated-looking Red XIII. While he's wheeled in, he lets out a huff.]

This had better work...

Auction - Behind the Scenes
[All the auction goods are stored out of sight in one of a few different warehouses, which is where Nanaki's cage gets wheeled to. Once there, whether through his own means or through the aid of another, Nanaki will break open the false lock on the front of his cage and hop out, shaking out his fur as he does. Once free, he looks around, a sour expression on his face.]

Okay. Now, where to go now..?

Auction - Raid
[Eventually, whether through his own cause or another, it looks like a few have begun to loudly storm the auction house he's at. Well, so much for stealth... in any case, Nanaki figures it's time for action, given everyone's started to move in. With a growl, he leaps into the fray as well, tackling one of the auction organizers and growling as he pins them under his paws.]

I'd start talking if I were you..!

Wildcard
[Got an idea for a prompt? Feel free to write your own starter, or send me a DM so we can plan something out!]

yip yip yap | sellable/behind the scenes

[desirestruth]

[Well. About that.

There's a very small jet black jackal walking up to the cage he's in, still wearing the collar that identifies her as an auctionable item.

With the keys in her mouth. She yips, muffled, to try and indicate he should stay calm, she'll free him soon.]

inuyasha | paladin | ota

[halfdog]

I. The Opening Act (Sneaking Inside)

[ whether by curiosity or a genuine sense justice (he'll never admit to either) Inuyasha has gotten wind through the hushed whisperings of both corsairs and paladins alike about a particular auction set at the bottom of an opera house. There's to be entertainment at the beginning— a performance, of course— followed by the auction afterwards. And the easiest way he's found out how to get in? Well, be apart of the play, of course! He never actually intended to be in it, but sneaking around has earned him his unrightful spot in the dressing room... and the show was about to begin.

So either you had the same idea to sneak into the auction this way, or simply followed him here— congratulations! Hope you've brushed up on your improv skills.

Inuyasha will be squinting at the brightly colored clothes that are neatly in an array for your choosing. Unfortunately he doesn't look very happy to be here. ]

The hell? All these clothes are stupid and itchy looking! This'll never work.

II. Intermission (The Commanding Collar)

[ With the performance over (whether by an actual miracle or something else entirely) Inuyasha has successfully infiltrated the auction hall and is now going through the list of items up for bidding. Eventually his eyes will land on a particular collar, and after reading its description his face will fold with annoyance. ]

Oh, you have got to be joking! Why is there another one of these!? [ His outburst will cause a jump from those around him, with confused and questionable glances.

He'll spend almost the rest of the viewing period glaring at anyone who even comes up to look at the item, much less tries to take a peak at it.

Perhaps he was guarding it for himself? Trying to scare people away from it? Who knows! Either way he's growling underneath his breath, and possibly causing a bit of a scene... ]

III. Finale (Raiding)

[ ... That scene, unfortunately and eventually, breaks his cover as the real security for the venue gets called in. They begin to block all the exits, shouting and commanding for the imposters to be apprehended. Yet despite the chaos currently swirling in the area... Inuyasha is smiling? ]

Bout time we had some actual fun around here! Now move out of the way! [ He yells, shoulder checking a guard who thrusts himself at the demon, knocking him to the ground.

More begin to gather, but he merely curls a clawed hand before peering over his side. ]

No use hiding now! Let's kick their ass and get outta here!

IV. Wildcard

[ Anything else you'd rather do? Switch it up and drop something here! I'm open to anything! ]

III

[desirestruth]

You're so impatient.

[Naeva's face is fairly impassive, but she has unwound a whip of thorns from...actually let's not think too hard where she was hiding that in her current dress. She just snapped it out with a mighty crack to hit one of the guards square in the face. There's a lot of blood, the thorns are SHARP.]

Are we headed out or deeper in?

[This is a necessary determination for how she approaches this

Sherlock Holmes | Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened (2023) | Paladin

[astudyinviolet]

Behind the Scenes: Security Detail

[ Sherlock is dressed as one of the security guards in the back. His use of make up and not shaving gives him a more rugged appearance instead of the more baby-faced look he's had in Escordvi. While he stands straight and stern, he's spent his time taking stock of inventory and trying to unearth the auction schedules. ]

Hey, no loitering in the area!

[ He says loudly for appearances sake. If he recognizes a character as one of the team, Sherlock will wink at them and do nothing more to discourage their antics. If anything, he might even provide them some help. ]

Auction: Please stop this stupid boy from bankrupting himself

[ Dressed in another disguise than his security disguise, Sherlock attends the auction. He has one goal in mind: to save as many of the crystalize people as he can. He's worked on this case many times, saw the conditions the victims were in. There has to be something more they can do for them.

"390! Do I hear 400? 400?" the auctioneer yells besides what looks to be a child made of crystal. ]

400!

[ "400! Do I hear 410?" The auctioneer continues, and someone yells a higher number, 450. "And we have it raised to 450! Do we have 460?" ]

500!

[ Sherlock gets a glare from his adversary. Sherlock doesn't care. ]

Wildcard

[ Want to do something else? Write a prompt or drop me a line at Sherry's journal, aviekokyre, or on Discord @ aviekokyre and we can plot something out. ]

Auction

[telepathicignorance]

(Is that ...Sherlock?

He's bidding on one of the crystal people. They grit their teeth, but a scan of his mind--only the barest brush of the surface, no need for another seizure--shows a desperation to help.

...Fuck, is thst a kid?)

1,000!

(They drop their stealth effect as they come up beside him and make their own bid.

Should he look over, they'll give him a wink. If the bid of 1,000 doesn't win this, they're willing to combine funds.

...They'll probably steal all the auction earnings later anyway.)

Cidolfus Telamon | Corsair

[ramuhs]

⚡ i. fake sellers

[It could be a gem encrusted large egg said to be laid by a legendary jeweled dragon. It could be a special book filled with writings of another language, perhaps another world with secrets that could yield riches and fame beyond one's imagination. It could be a unique device said to lead one to their greatest desire.

Whatever it is, it's fake. Completely made up. However, Cid has made such items to look as real as possible, even forging the authentication documents, and it helps he can be quite the convincing salesmen. Besides, they all know half the items are fake, anyway, right? For a Corsair, it's who can make the biggest con.

So here are some options, and they can be either "ally" or "mistaken enemy" roles:

• Fellow salesman. Have something to try and sell? Maybe could team up! Or even be his business partner or assistant to help convince the auctioneers of the item to sell for a high price.
  
• Investigation. Maybe you're pretending to be security in hopes of catching someone selling the targeted whale products or crystals, but that also means you have to examine everyone not related. Will you rat out Cid or help him in to later work together?

Another role could work!]

⚡ ii. sneaking around

[If Cid managed to get the item approved for sale, that means he'll be able to hang out to wait and see how it does. But he doesn't care about that (well, maybe, he'd like to get some money out of this—). Instead he'll sneak out and try and find where all the goods are.]

Hmm... Now where could it be...

[A low mutter as he keeps an ear out for any security. At least he has the badge so if he does get caught he has an excuse, perhaps even try to bluff his way through.

Similar to above, different scenarios can happen depending on the other person's role! Help him sneak around? Mistake him for someone involved with the targets and attack? Trying to play a role and not realizing he's also pretending so we have a bunch of acting?? Good prompt to find whale or crystal things!]

⚡ wildcard

[All other prompts are open! Feel free to hit me up on discord or laenavesse]

🪶⚡

[garudas]

[It's hardly a surprise that they ended up here. After following lead after lead, and with the help of the birds, Benedikta was able to ascertain the location that Sebastien and Tatiana Danos would be at, and which night. This one is on Elah, the auction house itself in one of the higher end districts overlooking the water. The building itself might as well be made of gold with all its intricate designs, both on the exterior and interior. Everyone is dressed up, as are Cid and Benedikta to fit in, and for now, people are milling about, looking at the artwork and wares that are on display. The sort of thing that those with far too much money enjoy doing, she supposes.

It is a little suspicious that they would be doing these exchanges out in the open as they are, and she had heard whispers of there being other sellers at this extravagant auction, but of course it is hard to determine who is simply a vendor looking to sell their things and who has their fingers in all the wrong pies. Whoever they are, they are very good at hiding it.

As they are handed glasses of champagne, she leans in to whisper close to his ear, looking over a painting on display. Though it is less about the painting and more the frame.]

... I do wonder if they are hiding the tells within the items.

Eustace | Corsair

[flamekthunder]

⊗ i. security: getting inside.

[Eustace will play the role of "security," which is more posing as a member of a group assigned to either protect a particular item or the auction house itself.

For the most part, while performing his "job," Eustace is taking notes of any individuals participating at the auction: seller, buyer, other guards. When he has an opportunity is when he'll sneak back inside to do further investigation. However, if he recognizes someone either personally or casual observation, he will deliberately stop them by roughly grabbing their arm.]

You, come with me.

[However, if he's made contact with anyone beforehand, he'll use his position to determine the weakest entry point to let them in that way.]

⊗ ii. raid: releasing animals

[His other "gig" at other places are auctions that house a lot of different animals and creatures. Here he manages to be a guard for one of the items up for bid, and once he's allowed back to where everything is stored...]

...Can't believe it.

[So many cages and crates where he can see and smell the different animals. Only a very small handful seemed to have been "cared" for to make them look more valuable, but others were treated no better than lowly beasts or monsters.

He'll first check if any of the blacklisted items are there. Regardless if they are or not, chaos is about to hit the auction house. Help Eustace unlock and release the animals, or get swept up into the stampeding, potentially violent mess as he won't care if any of the more dangerous monsters get loose. Although he knows there are others like him trying to infiltrate these houses, given the nature of the place and who all is in it, he doesn't really care about what happens to the rest. He might help someone who needs it, otherwise this is all karma to everyone else here.]

⊗ wildcard catchall

[Open to other scenarios or having Eustace caught. Feel free to contact me via PM or laenavesse to plot or discuss more if needed!]

ii.

[desirestruth]

Is human cruelty so hard to believe?

[Naeva's so mad she could spit, but her expression's still calm. Kind of. A little. Look she has resting bitch face she always looks mad--]

I can break them out, but they'll need a path out of here.

Soldier: 76 | Overwatch | Corsair

[steadypulse]

[Felt almost routine as 76 straightened up after locking a couple of now dressed down guards in a room; knocked out and tied together. Stolen a uniform to blend in as Security, along with what keys and lists he found on them. Would at least give him easier access to storage rooms.

Even if he had to guess at the route.

The room full of crystal statues had not at all been what he'd expected when sneaking in.]

Jesus-

[... one of them blinked, and he was already moving to get what appeared to be a very young avian person, their feathers almost highlighted in the force position they were in.]

Going to be hell working out of here with all of them.

[Animals and various people- had to take count.]


[At some point 76 could be found quickly checking a few other storage rooms, some just peeked into while taking note of the building's layout. Even grabbing a bit of paperwork when he had to walk past the front desk.

Again could be found, inside of a room filled with cages and noise, various taxidermy and pelts on display and even simply parts under glass. 76 kneeled down, huffing a bit as a fluffy creature was clinging to his hand and wrist with a hand-like wing covered in fur as claws dug a little into fabric and skin, hidden by shadow and his own body while trying to coax it into his jacket-]

Fine, fine, just-- just keep quiet you little furball. Don't want to get the others started and pull people's attention.

[What was he saying? This critter couldn't be that old, judging by the taxidermy of what was probably it's parent looming above the small cage on a short table.

Should just open all of the cages while he was here, cover an escape for anyone else that stumbled across this particular auction house.]

(OOC: Bring your own starter, or even add a little twist to something above- hit up via pm or game Discord if you wanna check something by me. ᓚᘏᗢ)

[wherethereislight]

[Meanwhile on the opposite end of stealth, someone is causing an awful lot of commotion out in the hallways. Shadow's here to see if he can uncover anything useful, and maybe disrupt proceedings while he's at it. Just a smidge. One of the security guards goes sliding pass the open doorway to the storage room 76 was in. In a flash, there was now Shadow peering inside. Some of the animals have gotten loose it seems, and there was someone else here. Another security guard, and he seems to be smuggling something into his jacket?] You have one chance to release what you have. [He doesn't recognize who this guard actually is.]

Leona Kingscholar | Corsair | Open

[sunsetking]

[As a general rule of thumb, Leona doesn’t like getting involved in things. Most of the time, it’s not worth the effort. Other times, there are some treasures that can be gleaned from whatever is at stake. And then, really, Leona does like the challenge from time to time.

Hence, this is how he finds himself posing as part of ‘security’. And once he mentioned his sense of smell, well—there are some uses about being part animal. Such as being able to guard the storeroom of all places in case some thieves try to sneak in.

Oh, the irony.

And in a show of good faith or whatever, he happens to open the door for someone as they try sneaking around.]

Yo.

[It doesn’t necessarily matter if you’re friend or foe. He’s done his good deed for the day and goes back to investigating the storeroom.]

I wouldn’t linger too long there unless you want us to get caught.

[Because in the end, they’re all here for something, aren’t they?]

[octoblot]

[Azul, for his part, came here under the position of being... well, a businessman. Willing to buy, offering something of value for the auction as he managed to smooth talk his way into being added on the invite list for this particular gathering without arising suspicion.

He made up a lie about wanting to check something regarding the security of what he planned on selling, making it seem like he only meant to talk to the guards. However, he was intending to sneak into the actual storeroom and take a look around... however, it seems that he wasn't the only one who was here to inspect the storeroom.]

Ah... so you're here as well.

[Azul's words are initially a little awkward--he hasn't really spoken properly to Leona since... the incident with the bats.]

Miriam | Paladin | Open

[crystalrepose]

[OOC: Let me know if you'd like to run into a crystal statue later on in the thread, Miriam's response will change drastically if one does.]

I.Backstage Pass

[This place was quite busy, for how exclusive its trappings seemed to be. But the places behind the showroom and stage were all the same; cluttered, busy, and too small for all the activity they had to contain. It was easy to slip something by in all the shuffle. Paintings wouldn't be amiss at an auction. Genuine haunted ones!

That they stopped being much of anything when Miriam wasn't around hadn't been noticed yet. Neither, hopefully, was her disguise; she was ostensibly an art dealer, with her hair braided and a deep slouch to her shoulders (that hid her crystal nicely) and loose fitting robes that hid how measured her careless shuffling actually was. Her eyes were the one thing that hadn't been tampered with, still a clear blue.

With the muttering and mumbling (and noisy complaining) she did no one paid her too much mind, which gave her free rein to keep an eye on the house's entryways. It didn't take long to spot something there. Either an accomplice, or soon to be accomplice—with too-watchful attendants or one already being hassled by guards—Miriam's response was the same.

In her disguise, she indignantly stomps over, shouting in a shrill and reedy voice that didn't sound like Miriam at all. There was a choker around her neck too, with an odd sort of charm on it.]

You! What's taking you so long?! What kind of an assistant are you? Hurry up!

[She shoves a folded up easel into their hands, and yanks them by the arm further into the building. Her grasp was quite strong, but touch was careful despite how querulous she sounded.

Once there weren't eyes on them, the art dealer slowed to a normal pace and let go once they'd reached a small display of human portraits, half of them still covered. She tugged the choker she wore enough that the silver charm on the front lifted away from her neck, disrupting the voice changing glamor. It's Miriam's voice that speaks now, low and easy to hide in the background noise of a warehouse.]

Did you have much trouble?

II. Raid

[Some way or another, the charade was up. Once the cries of "raid! Raid!" echoed in the halls, backstage whirled up into activity again—frenzied and frantic activity.

In at least one corner where paintings were stacked onto a pushcart to be wheeled out and displayed, though, there was none of that. Just one art dealer who had suddenly stopped having issues with her back, standing tall again.]

Well. This was getting uncomfortable anyway. [Miriam said, snapping off the enchanted choker as she squared her shoulders. The rest of her glamored disguise fell away too, leaving something like her usual outfit behind. She hadn't brought her sword (or scarf), and it was much easier to kick things like this.]

[A guard whirled, storming up to her and demanding what she was doing in here. Miriam seemed unconcerned—and one of the paintings began to rattle on its display stand like a thing possessed.]

III. Wildcard
[For things not listed! My plotting post is here.]

II

[makoglow]

[ All of the sneaking around isn't his style. Now that he has completed his main objective, Cloud is ready to just go about things with a more direct approach. Hearing the cries of "raid" definitely signal to him that it's time to come out of hiding.

Unlike the other, he has his sword. Not that he exactly needs it. But that guard? He's going to get a block of ice to the back of the head. All because Cloud's decided to cast a spell. ]

Sidestep | Corsair | Open

[telepathicignorance]

(They'd initially been scouting the auctions as Chris but now they've returned as Puppetmaster, seeking not justice so much as opportunity.

People have spent a lot of money at these auctions, and it would be a shame to leave such profits in the hands of scamming, poaching, trafficking scum...

Stealth and caution, greased with a touch of telepathy, have gotten them a nice haul of gems and dubloons stuffed into a bag, and they're working on slipping their way back out when they notice something... interesting.

Hidden in a shadowy alcove, they watch as a pair of workers carry in what looks to be more inventory.

But they thought the auction was done?

Some leftovers that the new owners haven't yet been able to pick up? Something else?

Was there going to be another auction?

They'd nearly made their way out, but curiosity has them turning, a silent shadow following these two burly fishmen and their box of unknown goods.

Sure enough, when they reach the inventory room, they find that it appears to be in the process of being restocked.

They've managed to get the money without being noticed. They should leave.

But their mind keeps going back to that crying, frozen child. They don't see any crystal statues but a lot of things are boxed or covered and...)

Fuck! (It comes out as the faintest hiss.

They can't risk leaving someone else in that situation.)

I'm supposed to be a villain, not a hero. Any victims probably aren't even alive...

(Still, they slip out of their hiding spot and begin to carefully check under tarps and in boxes...)

[velocityraptor]

[ Raid was the only acceptable choice for Hawks. He waited until it was in full swing, his feathers vibrating from the annoyance and mapping things out. As soon as that got into full swing, he was there, helping facilitate arrests, although admittedly some of the fights have gotten to the drag out point.

Puppetmaster's warning is a lone feather that's scouting for him. He looks bedraggled, there's blood splashed on his uniform, although whether it's his or someone else's it's hard to say.

He has a large primary feather in each hand, leaving a trail in his wake. He's looking for survivors. He's looking for traffickers. It's a sore spot. He's wildly pissed off and trying to contain it. The tensing and relaxing of his grip on his feathers is the only outwardly indication that he's trying to get his emotions under control. He's angry, he's sad for the victims, he wants vengeance - but he shouldn't. He knows he shouldn't.

Coming into the room and seeing Puppetmaster, he exhales. Ally? He wonders. Their last meeting had gone okay, but that didn't mean they weren't involved.

His wings are as small as they would've seen them, about half the size when all is said and done and a few of his secondary feathers are floating around him instead, a wordless threat. ]

You aren't involved in this, are you? [ His tone is nothing like the bubbly one Hawks usually uses, nor is there a hint of a smile. His eyes are wide open, unblinking. He wants to be intimidating. He wants to be unsettling. His goggles are out of sight so he can stare down whoever he meets with his predatory gaze. Despite the shrinking of his wings, he's still holding them up, making himself bigger and more imposing. ]