undergrounds | By the Pricking of my Thumb

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By the Pricking of my Thumb

1.(This is backdated to the claim between the 5th and the 12th) for anyone who still wants to play anything out) Mab's footsteps echoed through the evening air in Lewisham, her eyes scanning for any signs of trouble. For the most part there had been little resistance. Many of the creatures here were already just scraping by to survive, though she'd had a few run in's that had been … trying. Heiji had made a convenient list of possible problems and timelines for the commerce and traffic flows, as well as criminals and such. She was currently on her way toward one of these. A small gang of outcast fae who could cause problems for her.

2. There is a large gate open in Lewisham on the outskirts of Forest Hills. Mab enlisted another fae to put a 'don't look here' spell on the entrance to keep regular humans from just wandering in but those who had been involved in the territory claim earlier that month both fae and non-fae could easily pass between the two trees marked with what seemed to be a snowflake symbol glistening on the trunks. If a few humans made it in they'd probably survive. On the Other Side, stepping just out of the trees there is a small hill on which stands a manor that glistens in the evening sunlight, and even while it's still light, the colors of the aurora borealis drift across the frozen surface of the building. A short walk up the hill will bring you to a door that doesn't <i>appear</i> to be guarded though if anyone comes armed for bear, a yeti will show up to take care of the issue. The door is merely an opening in the side of the manor and inside reveals a large entry hall and double staircases that wind up to a second floor balcony with doors and hallways. Off to the right is the ballroom and the sound of a small ensemble rings out through the door and flashes of cool colors add to the festive feel as the glow of the house continues inside.

To the left is a sitting room with drinks and finger foods and walking through the sitting room will bring you to a formal dining room which has full meals available if need be. Servants move all along the bottom floor between the rooms with drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

3. Anything I've missed

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Mab looks up as Clara pauses to work on pulling the chair out. She does it without nearly as much effort as Mab expected which is very interesting. And the effort isn't costing her much, she's more solid looking than Mab remembers as well.

"Clara, you are looking very well today." She touches the handle of her teacup for a moment and smiles. "You are right on time." Her eyes drift to the door but as though looking at the children for a moment before returning to Clara. She wondered idly, how Clara would stop a child from running off. Though children did tend to see ghosts more often than their adult counterparts.

"Oh. Um, thank you!" She looks flattered by the compliment, surprised someone thought she looked well. The month had been nothing but short of exhausting. Poor Magra looked a bit tuckered out herself these days. Everyone seemed to be with what had been happening. Meeting the doctor as he was digging around corpses. The vampires. The werewolves. Of course poor Ellis comes to mind...

Except for Mab here. She seemed quite well, the ghost observed from her chair. "I didn't want to keep you. We have a lot to talk about. London has had a lot of busy little bees for the past few weeks. For good and for worse."

Her head dipped a little acknowledging the thank you. "I would have met with you sooner but it has been... rather busy as of late. I am glad you could make the time now."

Her hands settled into an interested clasp just beyond her teacup and she leaned forward. "Ahh yes, I look forward to hearing what you observed. I have found myself busy enough with just the areas I am focusing on at the moment."

"Well--" Where to start? There's been happening so much lately! She wasn't kidding there were a lot of busy people doing a lot of things this month.

She supposes she could begin with some of the easier things she's picked up from the last week or so. More recent will probably be more of help to Mab too. She takes a deep breath to both calm her nerves and ready herself for a long speech before she remembers wait. She has no lungs.

Right. "I suppose the obvious: There are a lot more vampires than usual over at Southwark. They've been patrolling the area much more often compared to last month and they do it in pairs also. Like a buddy system of some sorts. It could just be them keeping an eye out for any rogues like that Stephan Alkaev fellow or the vampire from the Barnet involved with a shady clinic.

"Compared to the vampires, the werewolves and werecreatures seem very scattered. There hasn't been a lot of activity from them besides keeping an eye on their areas. Though I do suspect they've been eyeing Havering for themselves. Some people there complained about more 'stray dogs' as of late."

In term of events... There's a lot to talk about in her opinion. "Well-- You already know Dr. Faust, of course, but I should let you know that if you're interested in seeing him again or running into him, I can tell you that you can keep an eye on cemeteries at night. He seems to be looking for rare ingredients."

Clara seemed to gather herself and no wonder. She had a lot of information. Mab listened intently as Clara began outlining the events she'd experienced. She was quickly rewarded for her decision to consider Clara an asset as she described an increase in vampire activity. Right next to Lewisham. That was important. She had seen a few recently which was more she generally saw. Perhaps they were concerned about the fae. Or perhaps they had plans of their own.

It was also good to know there were some rogue vampires out there. She wasn't concerned for herself so much as unruly vampires could be a real headache. There were several shady clinics around she tried to remember who worked at the one in Barnet.

The werewolves, she knew more about. It was true, the Alpha had been less involved lately and the rest seemed to ... move about on their own. She was concerned that the alliance might fail if they didn't keep up connections. "The wolves have a large swath of territory to cover." She agreed.

She puffed out a breath as Clara told her to find Faust at night in the cemetery. Yes, he specialized in necromancy so that wasn't particularly a surprise. "He is a unique man." She replied, diplomatically "I also have the address and phone to his clinic."

Her eyes didn't leave Clara, waiting to see what else she had found, clearly very interested still.

Well, it never hurt to be too careful. Clara liked to think she did her best when it came to giving all the information she could. So those were out of the way. What else?

Maybe the big plans... "I supposed I should also let you know that the school is planning to, um, try and expand. Claim another territory in the name of the Redbright Institute.."

That's the keyword. Planing to try. The school had just claimed an area some months back after all. The faculty and student council didn't want to appear greedy to the other factions, aware of the tension among others. At the same time Clara likes to think they've been given good cause. "We're only speaking about it, seeing if we can start scouting in September after we get approval from other higher ups. I-It's to make sure there are more safe zone for people, meta humans. Others.

"Better to be safe than sorry, they think. Have more places people can go to for guaranteed protection or, at the very least, guaranteed defence. They've been all on edge since--" Funny. All of the sudden she finds herself at a loss of words, no idea of how to properly put the death of a poor scared boy into a clean report of facts and observations. Her mouth twists in displeasure and the area around her becomes a touch cooler from her emotions before she pulls herself together, noticing her temperament and not wanting it to get the best of her.

Should she tell her everything about what happened? There are some things she won't ever tell Mab despite their arrangement but this maybe something she needs to know and prepare for. Only fair, right? "... The fae may also be in a bit of trouble with the Council in the future. I think that's something you should know. Over Ellis Harvey. You know him, don't you?"

Mab's lips thinned a little. The school meant closing gates. Which wasn't particularly going to go along with her own plans. But Clara clearly aligned with the School she had a daughter there after all so Mab said nothing. Clara was more use to her as a spy than it was worth to try to convince her to go against her daughter's best interest. Which also means she can't actively oppose Clara's school's claim either if she wants to keep her spy happy.

Clara hedges around explaining what instigated the desire for more territory. Mab doesn't push, her brows draw together though. Had she been so focused on cleaning up Lewisham that she had missed, entirely, something big? She needs more eyes around apparently, it's fortunate she was able to talk Clara into doing this for her.

"Who is Ellis Harvey?" She asked with a frown. No she doesn't know some strange human's name.

The school had little interest in starting fights since they were a place of education first, always, but they could tell themselves for this time that they were justified in what they were planning to do. Clara certainly believes in the cause. Seeing she had a fatal hand in it.

She looks down, biting her lower lip and needing a moment to compose herself. Only Mab can see her distress or sorrow but she'll feel self-conscious all the same so better be safe than sorry when recounting this.

"He ... He was a meta human who had the ability to produce fire," she starts off. "If you heard any news about a boy burning down three buildings -- That's him."

… was him. "Some others and I were trying to help him get to safety. He had little control over his powers! We wanted to help but someone else, a fae by the name of Akane, had other plans..."

Clara shudders as she remembers what she had seen when she gotten to the warehouse despite the barriers, what she was told. "I like to think he didn't suffer too much but the fact it happened-- They won't be happy with this. A lot of people have been gossiping, whispering, why there's been a sudden spike of activity with the fae. If they find out about this they won't be happy. Especially since it occurred in Richmond."

She thought she had taken him to Redbright territory, a safe zone so he had the shield of that for more. She's only learned now that it's actually an official Daybreak location which may make the tensions a little bit worse and she's kicking herself for it. One thoughtless point of a direction and look what happened to the boy.

She'd heard murmurs but it hadn't been near the areas she was concerned with so she didn't spend any time trying to dig deeper. Then found herself occupied with her own business so the it was interesting to hear that a fae had taken matters into her own hands. It was unfortunate the fae had chosen to be so blatant about her work. It was highly unlikely she was trying to help anyone, the only fae she'd met who did that kind of thing was Heiji but Akane was a foreign name so perhaps there were others like him. "He could not control his powers and was hurting other humans?" She asked to clarify.

She waved a hand. "The fae are as many and varied as humans. You do not blame all humans for violence only one of them did, do you?" Certainly it was no more in fae nature to be aggressive than it was in human nature. The fae just chose not to hide this side of themselves as often. There were murders every week in London. It was a very large city. Only a small portion of the violence there could be attributed to the supernatural.

"It is regrettable that your charge was lost." She frowned a little. "How badly was he injured?" She asked more because at least there was something she could offer should it occur again in the future. So it was important to find out if he was immediately dead or if there had been a chance someone like her could have been called to save him.

She needs to think for a second, trying to recall the reports and the messages she and others have been pouring through as they try to make a proper report of the incident of Ellis Harvey.

"From my knowledge -- He was just in trouble since he burned down buildings with his powers, exposing his identity to the public." She didn't know if people were hurt but yes. Most likely or not, some were injured. "We. We wanted to help him. Smooth things out and show him he wasn't alone."

In a way he wasn't alone when he died. Poor Ekko and Maera were there when it happened. "He... He was killed right there. The others tried to fight but there wasn't much they could do. Akane used fire, I think. There wasn't much anyone could do since it was so quick. He didn't suffer long, at least?"

There's that morbid silver lining. She tries her best to not feel angry or to feel a kneejerk reaction to blame the fae as a whole. Mab pointed it out that not all humans were the same, the same can be applied to the rest. Clara had thought as much when discussing things with Heiji back at the beach, seemingly so long ago. The fae are all different. They all have their own rules and whims, they're all so out there and scattered and it makes her worried.

There are a lot of fae, a lot of others -- Who do they go to when demanding justice for the boy? Just the fae? The Queen or the King? The more she tries to understand, the more she feels rather out of her element.

In the long run, one child is hardly a concern to the powers that be among the fae. They have concerns so far out of that realm that trying to chase their tails over a single person here or there that was causing problems already for his own kind was not likely to garner any sympathy. "I am sure your kindness was a balm to such a troubled child." She responded carefully.

"I do not have the ability to raise the dead, if it had been something only close to death I might have had the ability to assist." She frowned a little, "My healing magic comes with a high price tag though. I cannot accomplish much without a life given in return, usually in service. We have rules we must follow and our magic is directly impacted by this. My own heavily favors balance in all things." She shrugged a little. "I could not have helped revive him if it was an immediate death." Not that she couldn't have been of great assistance in such a battle but Mab was much like the highest fae. She had more pressing matters than children that she did not know and were of little use to her. She didn't think Clara was quite ready for that much reality though.

"I regret you had to experience this, Clara." She sighed a little, a picked up affectation. "The world can be a difficult place. Especially for the young."

"He was a good person, I'm sure. Just confused." She sighs, trying her best to stop being such a downer but something about his demise sparked something in Clara. Sorrow and loss and something more though she can't identify it yet. "I wish we could have had a chance to shown that to the Council..."

Clara's almost watery smile at the memory of the poor boy and the condolences warps into surprise as the Mab's comment of being able to help people in a special way finally registers in her grief-heavy head.

Truth to be told, she couldn't imaging the fae having such nurturing skills but, in hindsight, it make sense. Fae were quiet powerful in many respects if her conversations in the past and the things she's learning now were anything to indicate. Of course they could hold power over someone's life itself if the cards were right for them. That'll be a big 'trade' for them after all.

"You can--" She stops herself, remembering what she's been told about questions and the fae. Not wanting to force the woman into a corner and possibly resent it, Clara does her best to keep herself in check and make her questions into maybe statements. "I didn't know you can do that. That's quite an ability but you're right... I can only imagine what type of debt that must be traded if others asked for your help."

Mab wasn't sure confused was the proper word. Out of control sounded better. "I would think the institute would have a way of managing people who have suddenly come into their powers." It was what they were there for, right? What good were they if they couldn't handle the hard cases? She doesn't continue on though because Clara seemes to show surprise at the mention of her healing skills.

"It takes a little of me with it, to keep them alive long enough to heal and then power on top of that to knit things back together." She agrees. "But for some circumstances it is worthwhile." She puffed out a breath and lifted her tea to break up her thoughts on the matter. She had kept one person alive for almost six months before they recovered but by the time she was finished she was quite weak and could never pass for human. She did not like to cut it quite so close. "It is not pleasant for either the person I heal nor for myself but I have never withdrawn from unpleasantness when it was necessary."

She sips the tea and sets it down. "But that is neither here nor there, you know of it now if there is an emergency, let us hear more about your discoveries."

She keeps what Mab said in mind. Maybe it'll come in useful. Maybe it won't. Clara likes to think it'll be more of the former since the possibilities are, frankly, endless if one plays their cards right.

And while Clara isn't much of a gambler, she likes to think she's learning more and more about the world by the day since she's found her new leash on (un)life.

Now to get back to topic and report what she's found. She's covered the vampires, the werewolves, the Courts... Oh!

"The Circles. Well, in terms of the witches themselves..." She tilts her head, trying to find a way to word her findings in an interesting and still useful way. "They seem to not be doing much for this month.

"Daybreak is focusing more on a festival coming up on September or something and are mostly converse in Wandsworth since it's closest to the Night Council territories, to collaborate I suppose, and near Richmond after the... incident. I suppose they feel angry something like that happened under their noises." Daybreak has become quite lax, truth be told. Back when she was still new to being a spirit, she couldn't help but feel there were more witches wandering around. Times sure have changed. "Midnight is the same? They've been quiet. I have noticed the sudden number of witches now making their homes at Enfield these days since an official coven came out for them."

The witches had been quiet from what Mab had seen as well but it was good to hear it from someone who spent more time in Witch territory. She certainly wasn't able to be in that many places at once.

It was interesting though. She had honestly expected a little more pushback from the witches when they'd started staking claims. The Midnight witches had every reason to allow the fae to start moving but she'd expected a little more... something, from Daybreak.

"I wonder if they are planning for something else as well." She murmured. "Witches do tend toward secrecy." Like she should talk. It was good though, that the midnight witches weren't being thrown out on their ear. Mab preferred balance and after some encroachment by fae the whole of London felt a little more balanced though perhaps the metahumans should have some more space of their own. Fortunately for them, Redbright was friendly to both the young and the old.

She dipped her head a little. "It's true that I expected something more from Daybreak."

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By the Pricking of my Thumb

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I'm assuming they're meeting on the 24th if that's cool with yo. :|a

That's fine with me :)

Yay! \ o /

\o/

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