[Streets Below] Speak up little man (Mirage)

[Bob Barton]

12th day of Spring 512 AV

So many days Bob has been stuck in the Alvadas Underground alone with the exception of Jinsen. Not too useful but at least it went to look for its own food but Bob could not let it go around on its own too much either. He needed the dog to protect him and his belongings until he can finally get back up to the surface again and sleep in a nice bed. Better still when that bed was in a safe room for him where he can keep his belongings without worrying about some street urchin trying to make a grab for it. More importantly however was what happened only two or three days ago because they were in something like it...again...

And the stupid, trusting mutt can really forget about things fast. Even when it was surrounded by three children it was still able to stick its tongue out happily. Ignorance was bliss but Bob was completely aware of what the children wanted. Their faces did not hold the joyful expression of wanting to play. It was something that Bob has been able to see in Sunberth. Desperate hunger. No surprise especially if the amount of people in the Underground increased if they did the same as Bob to weather out the storm.

Fortunately for Jinsen, Bob was armed properly this time while they were not. A little show of violence that the dog needed was enough to make the children flee. The sword might have been more effective to handle the problem permanently but Bob knew they were only children. Hungry, but children. Taking out his whip he started hitting forward while calling out "back here" to Jinsen. It was effective, whether from Jinsen being afraid or obedient but Bob did not mind too much. The whip was more for the children as Bob had aimed it to go right over his dog and go crack crack in between it and the boys.

Of course it was always that one person, or boy in this case who tried to step up. Was not much of a leader but when he said things about Bob being no bigger than any of them and that they outnumber them, they got more bold. The girl with them even had the balls to make demands that she was very hungry causing the boys to come forward even more. Bob called Jinsen to "stay" as soon as it god close to him and held his whip up ready to strike before warning the children "you too" but no one ever listens to the dwarf.

The leader came and Bob quickly aimed the ship at the head with all his might but somehow it his the arm instead. "Petch" he muttered because he was hoping to stop this foolishness in one strike. Even children would be a problem if it took too long. The second boy took the chance when Bob was recovering from the attack and charged. "Jinsen!" Bob quickly yelled to his dog while drawing back his arm for help. It was only when the boy grabbed at Bob's arm that the dog understood just how bad things were getting and as soon as it sank its teeth into the boy's arm, Bob's arm was free again. He gave a punch with his free hand and the whip went to his back in line when he twisted his body for the blow. POW! As the boy staggered back, Bob twisted his body again bringing the whip with him to smack at the boy and make him fall to the ground.

Only the girl was left and the boys grouped at her, keeping a distance between Bob and his whip and of course Jinsen. Their prize not looking too appetizing anymore."Are you going to leave?" Bob asked still holding his whip at ready but the children were still hopeful. Collecting his djed the same way he collected his strength to swing the whip around to make the most of his blows, he looked at each one of the children and at the same time sending the djed from his eyes into theirs building up the fear that was already in them to try and overwhelm their hunger. There was not much of a change except for Jinsen that sensed it, becoming more bold and stepping forward while the children stepped back.

As effective as barking out "Leave!" at that time and cracking the whip again was at that time, Bob knew that his luck would not hold out too long. If they were not children, or were more motivated, Jinsen would be eaten and him a bloody mess somewhere. Everyday was nothing but finding the places populated by refugees like him or places isolated from the usual underground degenerates. Today was just another one of those days.

[Mirage]

The Underground was a place where order fell into chaos, where truly anything could happen, and where anything did happen. Not many dared to venture this far into the darkness, and yet... There was at least one other present. "What the petch are you doing down here?" A figure stepped out from the shadows, and following it came the sound of clinking chains. Heavy footfalls crunched loose stones beneath their tread, and from the darkness resolved the shape of a woman in black. Her bright green hair fell to shoulder length, the ends spiked out and colored dark purple. Chains adorned her shoulders, falling to connect to her spiked leather gauntlets and studded belt. Folding her arms, she leaned agaist the ruins of what looked like some old building, her eyes following the fleeing backs of the children, "Well, besides sending brats running with their tails between their legs." This was none other than Camel Tameran, supervisor of the Department of Non-Legal Illegalities. Her eyes narrowed as the looked over bob, and she spit to the side, "This area is off limits to fools and braggarts, so how did you get here?"

[Bob Barton]

As always, Alvadas had a way of surprising people. Bob thought he was safe when he saw the group running away as the voice which suddenly came from behind it put it, with their tails between their legs. As soon as Bob heard the question of 'what', he thought of using the whip again because as far as he knew it was just something to get him off guard. That was until he heard the heavy steps and the clinking of chains. He knew that is was just his usual luck that he would meet some bigger, stronger mugger in the Underground right after he has taken care of the small fries.

When he turned, Bob gave out a little squeak of fear because it was much worse than that. Camel had a very distinctive look about her and it did the job to make anyone recognize her as something from a horror story that wants nothing more than to devour their souls. Maybe Jinsen knew it too because it was behaving properly beside Bob or maybe it just did not know what to make of the strange creature in front of him. It was both for Bob and it left him dumbfounded until Camel spoke again.

"There's your fools..." Bob said pointing with his thumb behind him where the gang ran off earlier but unfortunately the braggart is now right in front of him. As much as Bob did not want to stall and sooner leave Camel alone to her own devices without bring out her temper as he has seen last season old habits die hard. Asking in the normal manner "have you been down here since last season" was probably the nicest way that Bob could have put it given the amount of stress he has went through since the beginning. It was so overwhelming that even his hands had to move around as an outlet for his explanation.

Because "with that catastrophe the only safe place I could think of is here. Why without Jinsen here I would probably be buried under some building right now." Until he is sure that it is safe, Bob will not even risk going up the glass stairs to see that it is safe. That was how worried he was. Actually now that he has a chance to think about it, what was Camel doing here? If she was involved in damage control last season "don't you have to help people up there" too unless she got the sack? Well either way, if she already helped means it is safe for Bob to run up and home and if she was sacked, Bob would have the chance to run without being worried about any repercussions. For him this was just the normal way of finding out things he believe that he should know before he acts.

[Mirage]

Rolling her eyes, the girl straightend and stepped away from the wall, setting her hands on her hips as she looked to the side, "Tch, what would it matter to you how long I've been here? It's my business and no one else's." Absently she noticed the man's moving hands, taking in his agitated state and disheveled appearance. With a bit more annoyance she noticed the silly animal, growing far more annoyed when it whimpered under her glare. With a sigh she scratched the back of her neck, closing her eyes and talking in a bored tone, "Listen, the worst of the destruction is done, but it seems the danger is far from over. The walls of Alvadas have fallen, and the Illusions of the city have been leaked into the surrounding area. We have weird, mutated monsters running about aimlessly, and it is all we can do to contain the threat right now." One heavy soled boot slammed into the ground, and Camel stared hard into Bob's eyes, "My responsibilities extend far beneath the city as well as across its surface, and it just so happens I have a job to do in this sector. We had thought this area was closed off and secure, but it seems a few mice have scampered into the lion's den. For your own good, I suggest you run back to the surface and take refuge in one of the safe points there." Spitting to the side, Camel moved to stand beside bob, looking ahead as she spoke, "And if I were you I would hurry." It seemed that the conversation was over, and the girl them proceeded to walk passed Bob and make a steady path toward a rather large, perfectly round structure that hand many openings that appeared to be windows of sorts, the sound of clanking chains following close in her wake.

[Bob Barton]

Bob did not care about Camel, or her business that's for sure and his question has already got him the information that he wanted. It was safe, well, relatively safe up there compared to when the buildings were silently collapsing with its occupants in it. As long as their did their job properly to contain the threats properly just as they have with the golems then Bob believed that he should not have much to worry about unless he was going to end up as one of the many corpses that the Womiyu was not able to protect last season.

Actually mutated monsters are not something that Bob should be going up against. Wild animals that are maybe a little feral, he had no problems with. Dishevelled and desperate people will require a little more effort but monsters? Bob did not look forward to them too much. He would probably have an easier time hiding out down here until the next time that Camel can say for sure that everything at the surface is a-ok. However, outwardly he will try to appear as if he is complying and going back. Especially when he might have struck a nerve with Camel not doing her job properly.

"Alright, I'll leave now, thanks" for nothing. Bob decided that he would do the opposite and just hide around the streets below somemore. That should show her that he is not some mouse in a lion's den. Bob may not be a lion but he is something equally dangerous. A down to earth, driven human and...why was Jinsen being so close to his leg? Oh Bob understood. Camel's unladylike conduct disgusted him as well.

And because his attention was drawn to her then, he was able to hear what she said properly. That he should hurry. "Of course" he will. He wanted nothing to do with Camel any longer but the words seemed more like a warning than a command. Bob looked at the building she was looking at when she gave it and even if it was stranger than all the other buildings in Alvadas, it did not seem as menacing as the ones Underground. What sort of danger could be there?

Bob found himself following Camel. Not right behind her since he did not want another vulgar lecture but going from alley to alley trying to remain out of sight from the straight path she was on towards the building. Jinsen was the hard part in his opinion and Bob was forced to carry the dog and hold it at the mouth to prevent it from running or making any sounds as he said softly in its ear "sssshhhhhhh..." He will just go there, expose Camel slacking off her job in a safe place he might visit when she is no longer there or find out the danger and get the heck out of the Underground immediately.

[Mirage]

Camel's attention was completely focused on the building before her, and in fact she did not notice Bob following her at all. No, instead she whispered silently to herself, as if she were practicing a speech of some sort. The looming structure grew closer and closer, its strangeness growing as more details became clear. What looked like windows were, in fact, simply carved notches in the stone. In each and every one there rested a stone carving of varying forms and fashion. From snarling gargoyles to flowers made of stone, the variety was endless. If one were to look carefully, some of these artworks of stone seemed to move, turning their heads and baring teeth at the pair as they drew closer to the structure. When the pair were almost 100 feet from the structure a door came into view, and in front if it stood a man clothed in dark leather. His hands were folded at his waist, his feet apart. All in all he appeared to be guarding the door. Suddenly Camel stopped, turning her head to look behind her. Her frown deepened and she turned, setting her hands on her hips, "What the shite are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to leave?" She paused, seeming to be expecting an answer, but before Bob could even utter the first words of his explanation she smiled, somehow the expression not making her any less intimidating, "Oh, I see. Maybe you are not such a coward after all." She looked the man up and down, "Though you certainly look it." Tapping her foot twice, Camel seemed to think a second. She motioned to the whip Bob hand wielded before, "You are pretty hand with that thing aren't you? Well fine then. Come with me if you wish, but don't slow me down." What had come over Camel? She had never offered any before to accompany her on a mission. Perhaps Bob had struck a cord with her, or maybe she had a plan to use him? Whatever the case Camel would turn, heading directly for the man before the door. If Bob decided to accompany her, he could be sure that it would not be a dull evening.

[Bob Barton]

Creep-creep-creep-stop. Creep-creep-creep-stop-stop Jinsen from whimpering, which seemed easy enough now that Bob has had a lot of time to know his own dog. With each time through trial and error he found out the most effective sequence starting with his hand right in front of the dog's nose until it started sniffing then moving to stroke it while telling it to "be quiet" just because he did not want to excite it by telling it outright to shut up! It still took too much time though and in the end could not be bothered because Camel was getting pretty far ahead. Even if he roughly knew where she was going, Bob did not want to lose her and started moving forward again. While trying his best to do it undetected, the rush made him sloppy leaving soft tapping sounds every other time that he mistimed the strength he put into his feet. Fortunately Camel seemed preoccupied with something to notice him and Bob preoccupied with Camel to notice...

...The gargoyles, or the man but Jinsen did! When it started whimpering again all Bob thought of was agreeing that "she's a meanie pants" but after he was done whispering to the dog and finally looked up he saw that she stopped and Jinsen's real cause of worry. Camel saved him from an embarrassing outburst when she naturally spoke first and "uhhhh..." of course he knew he was not a coward but saying he looked like one was uncalled for. Definitely a meanie pants or would be if Bob knew exactly what to make of her sudden invitation. An invitation to follow that Bob would not mind taking but Camel was not like other women because she is just as monstrous as any gargoyle based on what Bob saw during their first meeting. At least this time she acknowledged his capabilities.

It could be the same method that people used to get Bob to do what they wanted but seeing that she was in the lead, it could not be that she wanted Bob to be her meatshield like he wanted everyone to be. Bob put Jinsen on the ground and told it to "follow" the woman at the front because even if she would get any surprises first, he would rather have his hands free if he needed to use any weapons like the one Camel pointed at. "Go Jinsen, go" Bob's hands gestured telling it to its job as Bob did his. Watching the gargoyles as he walked, they did not seem to hide anything. If they did anything, then he probably would have to run away from those teeth they were baring but what about the man?

Bob stepped up to get closer to Camel, kicking Jinsen forward so that it would pick up the pace too. The man did look quite suspicious. Leather underground? That would be hot and the way he stood almost looked disciplined. Maybe he was some super fighter hiding his weapons beneath his folded arms? Bob stared harder at them to try and make sure what was what hoping for a glint or something bright that will stand out from the dark leather but perhaps asking Camel "what are you supposed to do here?" might be able to get him more answers than from his own efforts.

[Mirage]

As they approached the building seemed to loom over them, almost like it was leaning out to get a better look. The stone eyes of the gargoyles would glare out, their jaws opening in a silent hiss as they caught sight of who approached... The man before the door stood well over 6 feet tall. His broad shoulders and thick arms giving him the appearance of someone who was used to fighting and knew how to hurt a man. A closely shaven beard accented his face, and a short military cut adorned his head. It was hard to tell if the color of his hair was dusty blond or if, in fact, it was just the dust that covered him. The expression on his face was dark, challenging. His eyes would sweep over Bob for a moment before locking on Camel. His arms came uncrossed for the briefest moment, but quickly he recomposed himself and set a frown upon his face. Camel slowed to a stop just a few feet from this giant of a man, and there she whispered over her shoulder at Bob, "We are here to discipline a few naughty individuals. Lets hope you have the stomach for it." With a laugh she set her hands upon her hips, her chains clinking together as she did. Was it just his imagination, or did Bob just see the bigger man wince slightly at the sound? Well whether he did or didn't, the man would clear his throat, addressing Camel with a deep rasping voice, "Well... hello Camel. We did not expect... to be seeing you here..." As he spoke the man shifted his weight so that it was on his left foot, leaning his weight back onto the building he guarded. Camel rolled her eyes, "Yeah right, you all knew I would be sent down here after the mess you caused upstairs. Stop joking around Borden, where is your boss?" Borden clearned his throat again, his eyes wandering over the empty space as he spoke, "How the petch should I know. I am just a hired first. They don't tell me a petching thing." Camel's eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms, the chains rattling together as she did. This time the man made an obvious wince. Speaking in a slow tone, Camel raised an eyebrow, "Come now Borden, surely you don't expect me to buy that? I would hate to think that you are lying to me..." Taking a couple of steps forward the smaller woman traced a hand up the side of his ribs, and the man flinched away, taking several steps back. Camel smiled, "Not after we spent so long getting to know each other. Tell me, how well did your scars heal?" Clearing his throat again, Borden straightened and turned his head away from the woman. If Bob looked closely he might just see the faint lines of scars tracing up the right side of his neck, and a few stretched across his wrists and to his hands. Shaking his head Borden spoke, his voice slightly softer now, "He's in the far chamber. Take the path to the left once you go through this door and it will take you straight there..." Camel smiled, "See that wasn't so hard was it? Thank you very much Borden. I will see that your talking to is not quite as sever." Motioning a hand at Bob the woman moved to the doorway, but as Bob tried to follower her he would find a large hand on his shoulder, its grip like Iron. Borden would look down on Bob, a sneer forming on his features as he spoke to Camel, "Only you go Camel. This one has to stay out here with me." Camel would pause and turn, looking at Bob and raising an eyebrow as if to say, Well, what are you going to do about this?

[Bob Barton]

Discipline? From Camel? That sounded really ho...that sounded really horrible! No, he was not thinking it was hot. Even this big man, Borden who looked like he could bite a kicking horse at the throat was scarred by it. As lovely as it sounded, Bob could not see himself having the stomach for it but if it was going to happen to someone else he should be able to live with it. Even if they seemed traumatized by it like how Borden was acting around Camel. Bob should be able to command that sort of respect because by the looks of it, Borden thought he was the weaker one here and probably planning some sort of revenge.

That petty idiot. And Camel although she invited Bob along did not seem to want to help him go through. Bob could have ran past the man but his hand was big and hard. No matter what Bob could think of doing he knew the man would not be afraid of him the way he did Camel but maybe, just maybe she can help him...even if she did not look like she would. It will not be the first time that Bob would have to use someone else to do something that he wanted or needed to do. The way it was now it should not be too hard to outwit...

"Morgan? Hollen? Raoden?" If the man made any effort to correct Bob "it doesn't matter" because what was important is "do you know who I am?" He probably would not unless he was someone who enjoyed doing the same things Bob did and as far as anyone should be concerned "I'm with her to talk to your boss." Putting on his business voice he tried to sound even more important and privy to the details that "you don't look like you know anything, or whose shoulder you're holding so stop wasting my time or we're going to have a problem." Not like the one where Bob was struggling to get the brute's hand off.

In the end Bob gave up but not before leaving a little something behind. The man might think of it as sweat from a would be weaker victim but Bob had his res coming towards the surface of his skin. A layer which was soon turned into a form between solid and liquid. More gellish in order to stick to his skin and then to Borden's which Bob transferred to after a few quick rubs disguised as fumbled attempts of getting the hand off. That was the easy part. The hard part was trying to not think of the man's hand that now had his res being on top of Bob's own shoulder while concentrating to keep as much djed as he could where it is. The sooner Bob could do what he wanted to, the sooner he can get rid of the headache of splitting his focus between that, his worries and having the conversation.

If this situation could qualify as a conversation. Or maybe it can be considered more of a threat when Bob said "we are only here to talk. Bad for my rep if you died or something but maybe you need to be reminded with more scars?" That being said there was no turning back. Bob quickly commanded his res to ignite and burn whatever it was on, that being Borden's hand. Starting of being warm as a warning before gradually getting hotter as the spark in the middle spread the fire grew and Bob waited for his chance. As soon as Borden realized what was going on Bob would have to try knocking that bigger man down and walk casually really fast and follow after Camel. No, it was not running!

[Mirage]

The beast of a man sneered, "Little fellers like yourself should not be stomping around down here. Insects tend to be squashed, now... come with me." The man's grinned expanded upon feeling the sweat seaping through Bob's close, "There now, I don't care if you are with her, you ain't going--" Borden looked down stupidly at his hand, feeling the growing warmth there, "What the--" and then flames burst into existence, causing the great hand to release its prisoner and Borden to exclaim, "SHYTE!" Stumbling back three steps Borden clutched the wrist of his now singed and darkened hand. His eyes eyes searched out Bob, "You little dickwipe, I'll--" Laughter as light as bells rung through the air, echoing from the lips of Camel herself. She bent almost doubled over, tears streaming down her face as she grasped her side in merriment. Both men would stand in dumbfounded surprise. How could such a delicate and feminine sound sound come from a figure so covered in chains and leather? Wiping a tear from her eye Camel straightened, talking through giggles, "Well you heard him didn't you Borden? This fellow is with me." Waving a hand Camel turned to continue through the door, but if Bob paused he would be in time to see Borden spit to the side, clutching his blacked hand to his chest, and whisper a soft curse, "I see you again little man, your dead." Through the door there was a long hallway that stretched into darkness. One or two torches dotted the way to cast aside some shadows, but darkness truly ruled this place. As she walked the woman spoke over her shoulder to Bob, [color=#FF8000]"That wasn't have bad back there. I didn't know you had it in ya. Borden acts all tough, but really he is a push over." Looking back over her shoulder Camel caught Bob's eye, nodding once, "You did good." It was not long before the pair approached a divide in the path. There ways to go, straight, left or right. Camel looked down each hallway, seeming to think a moment before turning to Bob, "Well the oaf said to take the left path, but he is well known for seeding lies in with the truth. So then, what do you think? Do we go left, or one of the other paths?"