ic Exes and Ohs

[angrydurf]

GM Post  

 

The guns swung in careful arcs as each new potential threat appeared.  Seemingly satisfied with his readings the commander motioned for the soldiers to lower their weapons and they slowly did so though only to a ready position.  Ragged the squad may have been but they were no green troops that much was easy to see.  As Talya invoked her erstwhile comrades name the commander looked stricken for a moment and gave the smallest shake of his head before beginning to speak, "I am afrai-"  he broke off and eyed them uncertainly for a long moment, "Perhaps the general can explain better."  he suggested and calmed the dog with a pat to the flanks.  

 

He turned and barked a quick command for the troops to turn for home and they broke out into a loose patrol formation as the commander offered further explanation, "Dogs can sniff through the glamour the advanced steamworks sometimes use."  with a whistle the dog was off at a trot to poke at nearby entrances, "And sonic mines."  he added ruefully.  "Most of them went down when we took out the foundries,"  his words had a hollow ring that was all too familiar to Dimitri, a victory at too high a cost.  "The General will be able explain more he was there."  he added carefully, "You are, friends?  of Ace Danger?"

Edited April 2, 2016 by angrydurf

[alderwitch]

"If we let him get shot, someone is donating blood or body-heat and it can't be me at the moment," Talya replied to Erik absently with a slight gesture towards her midsection. In a crisis, Talya was mostly sure that her body's ability to replenish itself would extend towards the pregnancy but it wasn't exactly something she was eager to test. At the morose expression, she bit back a sigh, "He was blown up again, wasn't he?" Talya asked with less concern than a friend ought to probably have. Throwing up her hands, she offered, "If you don't currently have a body, then he's probably off running around somewhere. Ace Danger doesn't stay dead."

 

There was no doubt in her tone. Talya, however, did not verify that they were friends. If Ace had already gotten himself blown up, or otherwise impaled, she wasn't overly eager to end up with whatever job might remain in the revolution. 

[Avenger Assembled]

"We know Ace. Well, of him, really, but also for some time," said Dimitri, ticking off points in his fingers as they walked. Automatically he scanned darkened buildings as they walked past them, looking for the heat signatures that bespoke a working boiler. Whatever his views on a workers' uprising (or perhaps, he conceded, the rising of a would-be master race against the innocent workers and peasants of the region), he certainly had no desire to see further bloodshed. Well, perhaps a little, he conceded to himself. "He has survived all sorts of unfortunate things. Say, I suppose is unlikely he is general of your armies, eh?" He laughed. "We should be so lucky."

[angrydurf]

GM Post  

 

The soldiers shot affronted looks to Bombshells glib reaction though the captain smirked slightly at the somewhat gallows humor.  "Mr. Danger sacrificed much for us in the war."  he offered with some reservations, "The General has had his doubts but the common soldiers see him as a hero for his sacrifice, it makes all of theirs easier to bear."  he explained glancing to his men with a proud smile, "No he refused to take a commission of any kind even when offered by the Sultan himself."  

 

The soldiers seemed satisfied the strangers were no threat and focused instead on their safe escort to the city center.  The signs of battle only seemed to intensify as they wound their way toward the sounds of celebration and the cracked and broken spires of the palace.  Those who had seen siege before saw the signs, the outskirts had been given over to the enemy either by surprise or to withdraw to more important and defensible positions.  Here near the heart of hte city is where the battle was bloodiest.

 

Passing a final checkpoint the Captain dismissed his men and nodded, "Come I will take you to my- General."  he intoned quickly and striding with purpose toward the palace.  Along the way makeshift hospitals still treated the wounded and recovering though it had been at the least days since the fighting had stopped it seemed.  Down wider streets glimpses of celebratory parade of street fair or some combination could be glimpsed, it lacked the discipline of sanctioned events more likely spontaneous revelry in the end of the fighting.

 

Several more checkpoints were passed with a few words from the Captain who seemed to rank higher than his rank would normally dictate though he remained taciturn and said little about how he brought with him beyond assurances he vouched for them.  Soon they were shown into a small antechamber, a waiting room of sorts with tables and refreshments laid out.  The captain announced with a bow, "The General will see you shortly."  and hurried for the door clearly not wishing to see the General himself.  Before he could however a side door opened and an elderly gentleman with a familiar cast of features, mostly through the flowing mustache, stepped into the room, "If I had know a breach in space and time was all it would take to get my son to visit I'd have arranged it by now."  he joked and nodded for the young captain to join them.

 

"Apologies friends."  the General intoned and motioned for them to have as eat as well before settling with a sigh into his own seat.  "I am General Izz al Din."  he looked to his son then back to them questioningly, "You are looking for Ace Danger?"  He clarified cautiously, "Mr. Danger gave the greatest sacrifice in our recent struggles."  He explained cagily.

[Gizmo]

Somewhat reluctantly, Erik had let his shimmering sword fade away at the first checkpoint. He rarely had much trouble finding an appropriate source to rearm himself when necessary but in a world of steam powered technology and magic he didn't have any experience with he was a little less assured. That probably explained why he was getting a little impatient by the time they actually found themselves in front of General al Din. "Neat. Where'd he go when he got back up, though?" Exhaling as soon as the deadpan drawl was out of his mouth the fencer rubbed the back of his head with one gloved hand. "Alright, sorry. Appreciate you guys not making a whole thing about the interdimensional travel thing, we're probably messing up your plans for the day. I know how that goes." Glancing between the two officers he added, "This might be sort of a low blow, considering, but it's a family thing. We need to find the guy before time runs out, yeah?"

[angrydurf]

GM Post  

 

The General sighed and shrugged his shoulders slightly, "I know Ace's powers of longevity are impressive."  he stated with a nod to the group, "But there was no body that we could locate."  he intoned quietly and sighed, "He led the squad into the crystalline matrix to destroy the mindforce that had inhabited the steamworks command and control."  The general offered with a  shrug, "Insisted on setting off his sonic device himself."

 

The general leaned back and drummed his fingers on the table, "There are a few of the stronger more autonomous units of hte steamworks forces still prowling the ruins."  he considered carefully, "We might be able to assemble a team to try and recover what remains but..."  He trialed off the cost would be high for such an endeavor with little evidence Ace was there at all.  The old man eyed his son carefully, "A family matter you say?  The Dangers were kind to me in my stay on your world, I would not pry but if it is not too private a matter."  he inquired with care looking to Erik with a raised brow.  Throughout the son shifted uncomfortably in his seat avoiding his fathers gaze some resentment hidden still but growing more evident as the conversation wended past Aces sacrifice.

Edited April 17, 2016 by angrydurf

[Avenger Assembled]

"You remember Ace's father, yes?" spoke Dimitri, giving the General a long look before finally recognizing the Steam Sheik. "His time comes to an end." In a sudden moment of tactile sympathy, Dimitri rose to his feet and (heedless of all protocol) threw his arms around his old ally. "Look at you! In Loki's name, you old cheese-eater, you, is this your place? Is this your boy? Fine-looking fellows you have in that army out there. He gestured to the Captain, and for a moment the dour ice controller looked almost sunny. "Well, how about that." He did not look terribly bothered by the thought that Ace was in pieces somewhere. "I tell you what, we go in there, we fight the traitorous robots, find out where Ace is doing with himself, and we make it all good. Eh?" 

[angrydurf]

GM Post  

 

The Steam Sheik cast down his eyes at word of the elder Dangers declining health, "The man seemed as timeless as-"  His murmured words were cut off by Dimitris frigid embrace though the elderly General returned the hug with a hearty back pat of his own and only a slight shiver as he was released.  Gathering himself the General and former Ally of Freedom was thoughtful for a long moment, "We could spare a few men, top notch soldiers."  he guaranteed, "But it would be dangerous, to assault the foundry the first time we took a full division while the spent their strength in the streets assaulting the palace."

 

The young Captain stood shaking his head, "You can not!"  he countered firmly, "You would send our men on this suicide mission to recover a Martyr's corpse?"  he shook his head, "Ace is beyond the reach of steamwork and man."  he said angrily and turned with sadness in his eyes well concealed to those less tuned to hidden emotion than the trio before him, "I am sorry we can not do more, But your friend is gone."  His insistence carried a weight of belief behind it that it seemed outweighed the interdimensional trios insistence upon Aces immortality.  As he spoke the final words his hand went to a pocket of his large coat a subliminal hint of the source of his certainty to those trained to seek such weakness.

Edited June 1, 2016 by angrydurf

[alderwitch]

Talya narrowed her eyes before she gave the son one of those oh-so-charming smiles. Talya was NOT a touchy person and usually projected a cool British reserve but her shoulder dropped to cant her posture to the side ever so slightly. She took a step forward, projecting what seemed like utterly genuine sympathy with just a hint of flirtation. It was absolutely something that both Frost and Jack had seen before. "You poor man," Talya said, her voice falling into a husky register and she neatly stepped into the man's personal space but deftly so. One hand came up to the Captain's back and the other pressed over his chest, ostensibly over his heart. "You have lost so very much. Of course we don't want to add to your burdens. That would never do."

 

She pivoted her body ever so slightly - and that was more difficult than normal as cozying up to someone was harder with even an early pregnancy. Erik and his overly-large offspring! The hand against the front of his jacket twisted, pulling the fabric just a little tight as if Talya were trying to draw him in closer. Mostly, she wanted the good Captain to focus on the hand and how close she was rather than the fingertips skimming into his coat pocket. "Tch, Frost," she scolded without taking her eyes off the Captain, well aware that even if the Captain didn't find her particularly attractive, she was keeping his focus off the light touch of her left hand on his coat and instead centered on the rest of her presence. "We have other avenues we can pursue before we have to tax your resources."

 

Her gaze finally cut away towards the general then, sparkling with humor, "I still personally prefer a less... full frontal approach, personally."

[Avenger Assembled]

"But I was going to be shot by steamjets!" declared Frost mournfully, his accented voice booming as he spread his arms wide, making a great show and spectacle of himself. "Do you know how nice that is?" he demanded, turning from soldier to Jack of all Blades to captain to general, as if describing some terrible personal sacrifice. "The really hot stuff, like shoving face into live boiler! Or maybe red-hot bullets, just passing through like little kisses. it's just so nice! And so much easier than it is for you people here." He sighed, turning away dramatically. "Very well, Bombshell, we will do as you say and take the side route. But if anyone gets shot, I hope it is me."

[Gizmo]

"Suits me," Erik agreed brightly with Dimitri while taking a stride closer to Talya. He made a show of placating her annoyance with the Russian's poor manners but surreptitiously put the hand hidden from view in position to palm whatever he assumed the blonde woman had taken off of the captain. He hadn't actually been able to spot to lift specifically but where there was proverbial smoke there was felonious fire. "But yeah, no point putting any of your guys in danger," the swordsman added with the casual tone of someone shooing off a friend's suggestion to split the cheque. "A smaller group can usually get around with less fighting anyway and anybody else would just slow us down. No offence, obviously."

[angrydurf]

GM Post  

 

General Al Din stood pounding a fist on the table with surprising strength for a man of his advanced years, "What is the meaning of this?"  he exclaimed his rapid fire arabic almost too much for the idols translating charm to keep up with as his words to the earth prime natives stretched and out of sync like a dubbed foreign film.   "You avoid me and the palace for weeks and when you come you disrespect me and our guests?"  he asked his son with a gesture to the interdimensional trio.  Calming slightly he turned and offered apologies to the group on his sons behalf, "I apologize for the outburst.  It is no excuse but the recent weeks have been trying for us all and my Son was close to Ace."  he explained glancing to the captain expectantly.

 

The younger Al Din for his part stiffened under Bombshells touch clearly discomfited by the sudden invasion of his personal space, though as planned his attention was not on the hand picking his pocket.  He sunk into his chair glumly as she stepped away though eyed her warily lest she repeat the action.  Eyes downcast he shook his head, "I mean no disrespect to you or our guests father."  he admitted and frowned down at the table   "I know if you are friends of Ace's you must be mighty warriors in your own right."  he acknowledged carefully, "But the danger is too great."  he intoned solemnly, "If I thought there was any chance Ace was still in there I'd lead the sortie myself."  he assured them, "It has been difficult to come to grips with his absence I admit."  he explained sadly, "But..."  He looked off to Dimitris odd behavior and frowned.

 

Behind talyas back Erics hand closed around neatly bound leather book, much akin to the diaries or journals to be found in better bookstores on earth.  Though it seemed mundan to cursory examination it tickled his meta Magi senses with strange quantum energies.  The captain found his voice once more and nodded slowly, "You all would be walking into grave danger and Ace is gone."  he finally intoned wearily.

Edited June 1, 2016 by angrydurf

[alderwitch]

Like they'd practiced the move countless times, Talya turned in towards Eric as he coaxed her away from the young captain. As Eric captured her dominant hand for the turn, she neatly slid the journal into the hand that passed over her waist. Her pout was as pretty as it was practiced as she was 'mollified'.

 

Still standing near the swordsman, her body naturally blocking any investigation of the journal, she turned her attention to the one-time Steam Sheik to turn her machinations on him, "No, of course we understand. Our time all comes for us... eventually," she soothed. "We have many other methods at our disposal before taxing your forces. Perhaps we could beg a small private room to see about returning to our own world? If it wouldn't be too much trouble, of course."

[angrydurf]

GM Post  

 

While the young captain seemed mollified by the offer to undertake alternate methods to find Ace and slumped in his seat staring at the floor for a long moment, "I hope you manage to find your peace."  he murmured to them solemnly.  His father the former Steam Sheik it seemed was less convinced but slowly nodded to the trio.  "You may use this one of course."  Al Din replied finally with a wary nod as he eyed Talya as one might a viper, "I trust you will see everything put right by the end of this."  he murmured and nodded to his son, "Come it is to infrequent I may speak to you as father to son."  he intoned and led the young captain from the room resounding locks sliding into place to give them the requested privacy.

 

The book itself was a well made if somewhat weather worn journal of sorts, to Jacks metamagi senses it pulsed with a dull thrum of quantum power it's nature not entirely of this world perhaps.  Dimitris thermal senses upon examination would note that it did not warm or cool the room as one might expect it was cool and no matter how much of hte heat of the warm breeze it took in it did not change in that temperature.  Within it's pages were first line upon line of short paragraphs of Farsi in two distinct hands.  A quarter or more of the way through the book the script changed to flowing arabic still in two styles for a scant few pages.  The final page all in the same handwriting a repetitive message as if a question repeated awaiting response.

Edited June 1, 2016 by angrydurf

[Avenger Assembled]

"Ah, their book," commented Dimitri, his icy face hard to read as Erik began to speak, hands steepled in front of his face.  Arabic and Farsi had never been among his languages - the great curse of fate that had made the thermovore an expert in the coldest nations on the planet. He listened as Erik read, thinking about what he had heard of Ace and Rahim's relationship - and its tragic conclusion. He shot a glance first at Talya, then back at Erik as he read, then suddenly raised his hand. "Thank you, Erik, but that will be all. We know their tale. With, ah, a few minutes work, and porheps a trifle more blood, I should be able to use book to find other book - and thus find our Ace Danger. Will need a few minutes with idol, then the text..." Removing their 'road-map' through the multiverse from his pocket, he sat down with statue and knife in hand, seeming to study both before making some precise cut marks against the surface of polished ivory. 

[alderwitch]

Talya's expressions  -  her actual expressions, as opposed to the act that she generally hid behind - were never easy to read but there was worry in the slight crease of her brow when Dimitri glanced her way and, for the first time, genuine concern for Ace darkened her blue eyed gaze as Erik confirmed that the writer switched. 

 

"He actually gave away Rahim's book to someone else," Talya murmured, genuinely surprised and she held her hands out for the book when Erik was done although, like Dimitri, she didn't stop him from reading through the book if he chose to skim through the sad ending where Rahim married another and then, eventually, died. There were shadows in her gaze when Erik was done skimming, and the touch on the leather was light as she checked to make sure no other secrets were tucked away before handing it over to Dimitri for his use. Folding her arms over her midsection, Talya's expression turned pensive and troubled as she waited for Dimitri to divine their next stop. 

[Gizmo]

Initially Erik's hesitation as he read the journal aloud was mostly due to being aware of his own painfully halting translation skills. He'd learned enough Persian from Mona as a child that he liked to think he could hold a reasonably fluent conversation but his ability to read Farsi was questionable at best. He got by well enough on context to give them an idea of the book's contents but the more he read the more it seemed a tremendous invasion of privacy. It would have been awkward enough reading someone else's personal correspondence aloud but the expressions on Talya and Dimitri's faces made the nature of that correspondence clear.

 

As soon as the Russian called for him to stop reading he closed the book gingerly, looking all to happy to hand off the responsibility for its safekeeping. Moving closer to Talya while the other man worked, Erik searched her face quietly. "I, uh, already feel pretty lousy about taking the book off that guy now," he admitted eventually, keeping his tone light and attempting a weak smirk. "Never woulda made a good pickpocket, I guess, huh?"

[alderwitch]

"It's alright, the whole staunch, morally upright was the second thing that attracted me, you know," Talya offered the banter easily, complete with sidelong smirk but it didn't entirely chase the shadows from her eyes and she let her hand drop away to twine with Erik's, squeezing his fingers just a little too tightly, "In this particular case, though, I would ease your consciousness with the truth that we are addressing the young Captain's larger concerns through this minor moment of deception. If we find Ace, he'll have no trouble returning the book if that's really where he wants it to be."

 

Her brow creased for a moment, and her tone turned serious, "I don't know how much you know about that particular tale but if Ace willingly gave that book away to someone else, then he didn't stop answering the writings because of some fit of pique. The man can certainly be cavalier about his paramours," she paused and this time exchanged a look with Dimitri before she continued delicately, "But he'd not give away something that belonged to Rahim to a casual fling. I fear wherever Ace is, he's certainly in some genuine trouble this time."

[Gizmo]

"Yeah, the kids' novels kinda skipped over that part but I think I'm getting the gist," Erik told Talya, giving her fingers a gentler squeeze in return and taking a half-step closer rest his chest against her shoulder. He didn't need to read through the rest of the journal to intuit that things hadn't tied up with a happy ending.

 

Looking ahead he tried to think of what could reasonably detain Ace for long. "Do you think he got trapped under some rocks or something like that?" he asked aloud, seemingly apropos of nothing. "Ace, I mean. Like it wouldn't kill him but he'd just be trapped pretty much forever." There was an awkward pause before he admitted with a small cough, "Uh. ...I've been talking with Steve."

[angrydurf]

GM Post  

 

Using the book as an anchor to tie them to the plane where Ace now resided was difficult but not time consuming.  The Realm they sought was shrouded by potent magical protections to prevent interlopers such as themselves, without the book to trace it would have been a nigh impossible task even for an expert dimensional travel.  As the room around them blurred and shifted from existence they felt once more the vertigo inducing lurch of reality coming apart around them then for Eric and Talya sudden lancing pain as the real they battered their way into rejected their very vitality.  The pain was intense but brief, For their undead companion the transition was not so gentle.  It was sensation beyond mere pain unlike anything he'd felt since his heart had frozen those many decades ago and intense rejection of the forces animating his chill form as statue and warding magics did battle before finally the trio were spat out into a dusky realm of eternal twilight.  

 

They appeared to be on the balcony of some grand gothic manor the sky overcast with mystic blue black cloud cover that kept the bulk of hte suns rays at bay.  A chill settled into the bones of the living as they felt a world suffused with death and itself maintained only through vast channeling of necromantic power.  For Eric the necrotic energies of the place were palpable  almost overwhelming to his metamagi senses until he acclimated.  Dimitri when sensation returned after the battle of his essence against the powers of this realm realized slowly that while the air outside was chill and Eric and Talyas breath came in visible puffs of fog, he felt, almost warm as his dead flesh rose to the chill temperatures of the surrounding air.  Obviously a power that could suppress Hels curse/gift even in part was not to be trifled with.

 

Through the large french doors to the interior they could make out a sumptuous apartment.  Well apportioned with rich reds blacks and purples one usually did not see out of hollywood renditions of Castle Dracula.  Through the thin curtains pale waifish forms could be seen draped in scant silk and lace as they moved from one settee to another to lounge provocatively.  Those who had the dubious privilege to encounter the secret societies of hte undead it was clear they were blood dolls.  Amidst all of this a tall masculine form reclining in a oversized wingback chair in blood red leather.  Entering certainly risked raising the alarm though the gathering shadows outside were sparse comfort even for those used to operating within them.

Edited June 1, 2016 by angrydurf

[Avenger Assembled]

When Dimitri opened his eyes, he vomited up blood - half-frozen, rotting blood that had the consistency and smell of a frozen treaty enjoyed by demons in one of the lower pits of Hell. That thought, unusually, was enough to make him do it again. His hands flat on the ground, his body half-raised in a pushup position, he took a moment or two to calm himself against the surprisingly novel sensations of near-body dissolution. That sort of wrenching, mortal agony was not a sensation he experienced often. Determined not to show weakness in front of his friend or her new lover, he pushed himself to his feet with great, deliberate care - quickly realizing that the people inside the mansion had almost certainly heard something at this juncture. "A vampire's world. I have been to these before," he murmured, rubbing painfully at his chest. It seemed the local breed of dead was slightly different than his own. 

 

Putting his usual faith in Talya's improvisational talents, in this case to keep out of the way, he threw open the balcony doors and spread his arms wide, pointed teeth showing. "Hello, my friends!" he declared, his accent particularly thick. "I heard there was delightful party with bloodwhores at this establishment! I do love American parties, is beautiful country, beautiful! Do I go downstairs to pay for whores, or can you ladies handle own transactions?" He winked at one of the comelier males, staying in the moment and keeping all the attention focused on himself. "Sorry, fellows, not my style!" 

[alderwitch]

Tanlya's breath whooshed out in very soft gasp that was more indicative of any sharp pain than any actual noise would have been. Experts in infiltration learned early to mask any noise and her stumble as her boots hit the ground was slight. Frost's wretching was concerning but her hands dropped first to the swell of her stomach. Only when an outraged foot or fist hit her hand did Talya feel like she could draw in air. 

 

"I hope this is the actual place as I'm not really fond of the downward trend our travels have been taking," Talya murmured in a ghost of her usual dry humor. She reached forward for Frost to lightly touch his back in concern. Without further comment, the spy faded into the shadows, taking a few judicious steps backwards in the process as Frost began to provide what would hopefully prove a successful subterfuge.

[Gizmo]

An inarticulate sound like grinding gravel escaped from Erik as they arrived, cords standing out on his neck. The strain of their arrival was one thing; he could piece enough together from what his senses were screaming at him to understand that some other spellcraft was working against Frost's and trying to keep them out. The miasma of necromantic energy that hung in air of this world, however, burned at his nerve endings like being doused in ice water then handed a live wire. At first he had only enough focus to instinctively reach for Talya but the moment he found his footing his eyes were darting about, looking for immediate threats.

 

"Company," he murmured to the Englishwoman, only dimly aware of conversation their interdimensional chauffeur was having with the locals, his nostrils flaring very slightly. There were figures moving about them, slipping about very nearly unseen in the twilight shadows, wearing matching outfits that read to him as uniforms. A familiar one, at that. Look something like Faretti and the kid, he thought but the magic pounding in his ears made it hard to draw conclusions from that. He could feel it twining about his fingers, practically asking him to draw a blade. It wanted to cut, to inflict. Pulse racing he thought that it might get the chance.

[angrydurf]

GM Post  

 

As Dimitri swept into the room two things became rapidly apparent, these were not blood dolls for public consumption, in fact if his mystic senses did not deceive him they would be painfully incapacitating for most vampires to feed from despite the comely and alluring forms and the heady scent of their life force hanging in the air as tortuous temptation, secondly seated upon the throne like dais amidst this all was none other than Jack Farretti Vampire king of Freedom City right down to the deep V of his flowy poet shirt and tight leather pants though in time something would seem not quite right to his more mystic senses.  Upon his entry the blood dolls withdrew in horror some almost seeming to recognize him and the terror in their eyes was suggestive of a far less gentle Frost native to this realm.  As a few at the edges withdrew as if intending to flee perhaps to get guards perhaps to simply escape whatever cruel fate they envisioned the figure in the middle of the room stood and stilled them with a gesture as he stared down at frost imperiously for a long long moment.

 

Outside Eric and Talya could now clearly see the Avengers covertly storming the castle it took the skilled sneak and spy only moments to recognize they were converging on this very room like a finely tuned infiltration team.  They'd be here in short order whatever the trio planned had better go off in the next moments or they'd have company of uncertain intent at best.  Of course if Ace was imprisoned here those intent on storming the castle might be friends not foes.  

[alderwitch]

Talya's fingertips touched the back of Erik's hand in fleeting assurance before the blonde Brit vanished to all senses. Talya usually hid her less than mundane abilities behind a bit of subterfuge - after all, she'd survived a long time on a carefully constructed reputation. With these two, however, Talya held few secrets and her additional abilities were not one of them. On silent feet, she slid away from Dimitri and Jack towards the edges of the room as she made her way carefully towards the man on the throne. 

 

Equally silently, she slipped a hand towards the waistband of her skirt to palm the baton that was never all that far from her fingertips, snapping it out to its full length with an inaudible 'snick'.