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 Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 1:01 pm
Cpl James Howlett Logan awoke from his meditation. It was time to hunt. Standing, he cast a look over to the dismembered woman that was left on the bed. ...The course of his night did nothing to quell the rising unrest in his soul. The poor girl tried her hardest, but that final gurgle of death was all the noise she could alert. He would be long gone before anyone found the body, and who could--or dared--trace the murder back to the one man who ushured silent whispers and hushed murmers as he entered a tavern. Standing and gathering his gear, he pulled his hood cloak over his head once more loosing his face into shadows. Pulling the dark folds around his small but thick frame, he left the inn, tossing the inn keep several gold coins on his way out. Into the day he went, looking at the sun. His snifs were deep, and he went towards the city out skirts. His thoughts much like Elektra's. Fury would not hide in the city he was a wanted man in. No, if Fury was here...he was not near the city walls. The boy gazed on her in confusion. The question stood out as the nose on her face. Who was this bold woman, dressed in red beneath the trench coat protecting her from the morning rain? She did not want a news leaflet, just information. The questions she asked him were the ones he was told not to answer by the man who had given him money before. He fidgeted while she pressed on. "He is a large man, wearing a black eye patch, with a pipe. He does not shave often so their will be hair on his face. His voice is deep and low." The boy continued to fidget, his feet anxiously shifted, favoring the left, and then the right. He did not wish to give up what the man had paid him so generously to keep. He spoke nervously. "I have not seen such a man, m'lady. It is early and very few are in the streets." She read his face as he spoke. The pigment of his cheeks shifted ever so slightly as he denied knowledge of seeing the one-eyed man. His pupils dilated as his eyes darted nervously from his post to the bar four doors down. People began to shuttle in, despite the early hour. This was nothing unusual, yet it seemed to captivate the boy. She nodded and offered him a pat on the head before turning towards the bar. The boy was obviously in Fury's employ. The spymaster had indeed returned and had stooped to the recruitment of children for his cause. As stubborn as children can be, he would not divulge whatever little information he possessed, but he most assuredly would inform Fury's men of her presence and questions. Soon, they would be looking for her. The answers she sought would be in the tavern. Fury had deemed it important enough to pay the lad to watch it for him. To inform him of the comings and goings. The tavern would be the place to start.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 1:17 pm
ElektraNatchios The boy gazed on her in confusion. The question stood out as the nose on her face. Who was this bold woman, dressed in red beneath the trench coat protecting her from the morning rain? She did not want a news leaflet, just information. The questions she asked him were the ones he was told not to answer by the man who had given him money before. He fidgeted while she pressed on. "He is a large man, wearing a black eye patch, with a pipe. He does not shave often so their will be hair on his face. His voice is deep and low." The boy continued to fidget, his feet anxiously shifted, favoring the left, and then the right. He did not wish to give up what the man had paid him so generously to keep. He spoke nervously. "I have not seen such a man, m'lady. It is early and very few are in the streets." She read his face as he spoke. The pigment of his cheeks shifted ever so slightly as he denied knowledge of seeing the one-eyed man. His pupils dilated as his eyes darted nervously from his post to the bar four doors down. People began to shuttle in, despite the early hour. This was nothing unusual, yet it seemed to captivate the boy. She nodded and offered him a pat on the head before turning towards the bar. The boy was obviously in Fury's employ. The spymaster had indeed returned and had stooped to the recruitment of children for his cause. As stubborn as children can be, he would not divulge whatever little information he possessed, but he most assuredly would inform Fury's men of her presence and questions. Soon, they would be looking for her. The answers she sought would be in the tavern. Fury had deemed it important enough to pay the lad to watch it for him. To inform him of the comings and goings. The tavern would be the place to start. Logan watched from the shadows behind the boy. He stalked as a Hunter following his pray, following the grazers. Elektra had lead him where he wanted to go. She had been here long enough to get some contacts, some plan of action. Logan knew she would hate him if she ever found out he was using her as the bait and lead. Blue eyes stared from under his hood, waiting for her to leave the young boy. Once she did, the boy stood alone waiting to sell of his leaflets again. Logan waited a few more moments, before stepping foreward silently. With a flash of movements, his arms shot from under his cloak and grabbed the youth, face covered by his palm...and into the morning shadows again of the ally. No trace was left behind, except for unsold news leafs. The sickening crack was never heard, no one would catch wind of the snapping of neck vertabrea. The body was dragged away, ditched into a sewer canal never to be found. Then, back onto his quest, he went roof top to search the bar that Elektra was lead to be informed of that had once held Fury. Logan could smell his stench... It was in the air. He had been here, and recently. Forgive my misuse of you, Elektra... Perhaps some day when I am on the path to honor again, I can hope to beg forgiveness...
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 1:46 pm
The cloak dropped to the floor revealing a taut body clad in red silk. The drunken eyes of the surly patrons are mesmorized by the unusual display of femininity and fail to see the sai that emerges in her left hand. A foot is quickly thrust into the throat of the barkeep, knocking the fat man to the floor, his enormous gut rolling in waves as he lands. His helper quicky approaches but is stabbed in the shoulder by the edged weapon, rendering him helpless. Another approaches from behind, and a mule kick to the scrotum sends him to the floor with his friend. Only one remains, a mustachioed man who had leapt from his chair. He broke the chair against the floor and wielded one of the legs as a weapon. He charged in. Elektra ducked low, sending a leg into his ankle, prompting it to buckle beneath his weight. He collapsed to the floor. Four men in less than one minute. She jumps onto the bulging belly of the barkeep, the tip of her Sai pressed into the flesh of his throat.
"I will ask you one more time." She said, needling his throat, drawing a trickle of blood. "Fury has returned, but is in hiding. He felt enough of this establishment to place it under surveillance. That means you either know where is is or what you have what it is that he needs. You will tell me everything that you know, or the welcome sign will be repainted with your blood. The choice is yours."
The man gurgled behind the tip of her blade. He dared not move for fear of penetrating his throat. Fury had shown himself briefly, but did not say anything.
"He - he came in one time." He gurgled helplessly. ""He was wearing a disguise and asked someone about Rogers and then left. I have not seen him since. I think he - I think he left town."
"With whom did he leave?" She asked, pushing the tip another millimeter into his flesh."
"I - I don't know!" He cried as the blade was suddenly thrust another inch.
"Do not lie to me!" She demanded. "Fury is not a stupid man. He is very careful and knows that he is wanted. He would be with those who can protect him. Who are they?"
"He was with a thief when he came in last time." The man gushed, trying to swipe the blood from himself as Elektra held the Sai firmly in place. "H - His name was LeBrux, LeBeu, something like that. He - he had a French accent."
"LeBeau." She muttered, rising back to her feet. "He has taken refuge with the gypsy clan."
Her voice trailed off as she grabbed her trench coat from the floor and replaced it. The men remained where she had placed them and she stepped back into the frosty winter morning once more, fortunate that noone had walked in during her questioning of the barkeep. She glanced towards the corner but the boy had disappeared. There remained no trace of his presence other than a single leaflet which lay on the sidewalk. She took a deep breath and started towards the Inn across the street.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:02 pm
Messy, Darlin'... Messy. Logan thought to himself, as he crouched on the overhang of the bar entrance, listening to every word spoken. Soon as Elektra had left and gone to the inn, he dropped into the bar, looking at the fat man.
He stalked him, his cloak flowing around him. To each man he went, and snapped their necks. He killed the three, before crouching on the fat man's chest, staring him deeply in the eye. "Where can I find this...Gypsie clan?" He hissed his growl. The man sputtered out nothing, fearing the fact he'd been ambushed twice. Unlike the woman, though, this little man was unflinching in murder with no purpose. She had disabled, he had finished the job.
"I-I-I don't kn-kn-know..." He stammered out, but eyes grew wide as fists came out from under the cloak. The rip of flesh was heard, as slowly three bone claws pulled out of the back of his hands between the knuckles. The six pressed across the side of the man's face, from his temple to his lower jaw.
"Oh," Logan growled. "...I think you do. I will ask you one more time. Where is the LeBeau Clan?" He raked the sharp tips against the man's flesh, which pierced and started to bleed. He whimpered.
"N-N-No! North of the river, about a hal- half day ride to the east...Puh-please s-sir.. No mo--araagh...ccck..."
Logan pulled his claws back, after his knuckles had hit the man's temples....and the tips poked out the opposite ends of the man's head. He removed himself from the establishment, into the mid-morning drizzel. He almost followed to see what Elektra was planning, but had to find Fury before she did. He would not allow her to be in his path... To the north he went, heading for the edge of town.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:43 pm
The view of the street from the lobby was as suspected, plain and direct. The boy had not returned to his post at the corner, but a shadowy figure had just stepped out of the bar. His overhanging dark cloak bristled in the breeze driven drizzle. The figure passed by the corner with barely a glance, directing it instead towards the Inn from where she watched, and headed north bound.
She knew now that the boy was dead, and the men she had left behind in the bar were as well. He was following her, determined to be the first to reach Fury. The prize would be his no matter the consequences. He had reverted. The animal within was taking over, and the man she once loved had slipped away beneath the primal blanket.
He had been watching as she questioned the men at the bar and had heard what they had told her. He would be travelling into the woods in search of the gypsy clan.
She knew that she could not stop him by force, nor could she reason with him. When cornered, animals do not reason, they fight. Whatever it was Fury had done to him was enough to bring the animal to the surface. She would have to rely on her own advantages against the man who was sure to become her target in his current state. Feelings aside, he meant to prevent her from carrying out her word. He meant to sever her bond to herself. That was something she could not allow.
She glanced to the check in desk. Given the view of the street corner and the tavern, she became certain that Fury had stayed here before retreating into the woods. If Logan meant to undermine her, she would need an edge.
The Inn keeper looked on behind thick bi focals to her. His brow furrowed as she turned away from the window, his gaze suggesting apprehension as she walked towards him. Her hand had snaked into the coat as she strode to the counter.
"May I help you, madam?"
Her arm remained behind the thick clothing, but a bundle emerged beneath the layering, suggesting the clutching of an object. She smiled at him, her eyes locked onto his.
"Yes, perhaps you can."
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 3:24 pm
Logan plodded through the crisp air as he made his way into the outskirts of the city. Wind started to pick up again, swirling his dark cloak around him. It had started to get too cold to travel now. He traveled for the time needed to reach the river, where he finally decided to find a tree, and get some shealter. The snow drifts were thick, so he need only find a pine with enough low hang branches that covered down to form a natural shealter. It was warm enough... so he hunkered down for a while. The snow piled up around the low hanging pines, so the wind was well kept out.
Leaning against the tree trunk, he closed his eyes and went into a slight meditation. The storm would lift up shortly, and he would be on his way again.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 3:50 pm
Egged on by the point of her Sai, The Inn keeper slid his key into the door and jostled it open. The air was damp and stuffy, but the room itself was tidy. The single bed pressed against the wall had been meticulously made with the pillow nestled securely beneath the blanket. The night stand beside it had been wiped clean, and even the ashtray shone enough to offer her reflection as she scowled into it. The window too, had been wiped down and the throw rug lay straight on the panel wood floor. Fury had been careful to cover his tracks. She could detect no trace of him or anyone having inhabited the room. There was no waste, even on the floor and the trash bin had been emptied as well. To most this would prove a dead end, but to Elektra, it was no more than a bump in the road. She turns to the Inn keeper, her Sai now pressing deeply against his jugular.
"You said he had a visitor who left with him. Describe this man."
"He - he was a big man, tall, with a heavy accent. I - I think it was French. They spoke quietly for several moment before leaving."
"Were any names mentioned? I want names."
The blade presses against him harder, enough to indicate her seriousness. He squirmed in her grasp. It was not a powerful grasp, but her leverage was sure. She had him where she wanted him, for to move would mean his death.
"J - just three names, F-Fury, LeBeau, and..."
His voice trails off as his mind delves into the inner drawers of consciousness for the remaining name. Elektra grew impatient and decided to prod him by drawing a thin slice into his skin. Not enough to harm him terribly, but enough to draw a small flow of blood, and his attention.
"And?" She presses.
"T - T - Tante." He stammers against the blade. "Tante Mattie."
Elektra recognized the name as the queen of the gypsy clan. She was reputed to be a powerful woman of great magic. This meant that Fury would be under her protection. She frowned, realizing that even as skilled a tracker as Logan would have difficulty with her magic. If Logan would have trouble, then so would Elektra. She needed something to work in her favor.
The man became a casualty of the situation as Elektra thrust her dagger into his jugular, killing him quickly and quietly. She laid the corpse on the floor and set about her task of leaving clues for the authorities. She would lead them to believe that Fury had killed the Inn keeper prior to retreating into the woods. Once they identified the culprit as Fury, a manhunt would ensue.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 7:28 pm
A lithe figure slipped in through the window, covered from head to toe in black silk and leather, save an opening for two brilliantly blue eyes. The figure pointed a hand crossbow at Elektra and motioned with it for her to stand up slowly.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 7:38 pm
Her body tensed as she realized that someone had gotten the drop on her. Slowly she rose back to her feet, her hands visible, yet subtly positioned to access the pouch beneath her coat.
The crossbow stayed on her unwaveringly. It's direction matched the movement of her eyes. The figure behind the weapon was an expert and quite willing to use it.
She cursed herself for allowing her thoughts to stray, and thus allow someone to surprise her. Logan remained on her mind, even in times most dire. But try as she may to blame him, the fault rested with her alone. It was her mind that wandered, causing her to get sloppy in her work, and to allow her to be effectively cornered by the mysterious figure now aiming the crossbow at her, a figure who by no small means, a pro.
But Elektra was a pro as well. While her body tensed in anticipation of action, her mind quickly ran through any number of conceivable scenarios. One flinch was all it would take. The slightest hiccup and she would effectively own the situation. She decided to try and gather information while awaiting that mistake.
"Who are you?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 7:59 pm
ElektraNatchios Her body tensed as she realized that someone had gotten the drop on her. Slowly she rose back to her feet, her hands visible, yet subtly positioned to access the pouch beneath her coat. The crossbow stayed on her unwaveringly. It's direction matched the movement of her eyes. The figure behind the weapon was an expert and quite willing to use it. She cursed herself for allowing her thoughts to stray, and thus allow someone to surprise her. Logan remained on her mind, even in times most dire. But try as she may to blame him, the fault rested with her alone. It was her mind that wandered, causing her to get sloppy in her work, and to allow her to be effectively cornered by the mysterious figure now aiming the crossbow at her, a figure who by no small means, a pro. But Elektra was a pro as well. While her body tensed in anticipation of action, her mind quickly ran through any number of conceivable scenarios. One flinch was all it would take. The slightest hiccup and she would effectively own the situation. She decided to try and gather information while awaiting that mistake. "Who are you?"
"Soon enough, assassin. First remove your cloak, I want no mischief from you."
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 8:12 pm
This woman was distant and calculating. Her glare never strayed from her target. Elektra did not know who she was, nor what she wanted, only that her intentions were meant to conflict with her own.
Slowly, carefully, with the weapon still trained on her, still cursing within her mind for allowing herself to become distracted, Elektra began to slip out of her heavy trench coat. The figure watched cooly from the shadows, having stepped away from the window. She now stood at the edge of the bed as Elektra brought her arms out of their sleeves one at a time.
There was a time and a place for everything, but she had not the time, nor was this the place to be to find herself at the wrong end of a pointed weapon. She stood mere feet from her antagonist in the cramped room, their eyes locked.
With lightning fast reflexes, she thrusts the heavy trench coat into the face of her would be captor. The cross bow is fired, but the surpise of the trench coat alters the trajectory of the arrow slightly enough to only offer a scathing blow. Elektra crashes through the window and then darts off into the rainy streets of London.
We will meet again, mysterious one, but it will be at a time and place of my choosing.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 8:22 pm
Beatrice tore off the scarf in frustration. Next time she would hire someone to corner the assassin and kill them as payment. It was easier to be sure, but she preferred to do things her own way and she couldn't have Elektra running off into the woods after the White Ghost, it just wouldn't do. Beatrice put the coat on and wrapped the scarf around her neck, leaving the inn with what little money the keeper had and the guest registration book. She placed her ill gotten goods in the saddlebag of her beautiful black mare Mystique and began the long ride into the woods, hoping that she could still recall the appropriate birdcalls and code phrases of the particual gypsy clan she was in search of.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 8:30 pm
His half-gone meditation brought him into a deep trance. In it, a face came before him, swirling in red flames. Those flames soon took root in the back of the face, and flowed about as hair.
"Oh, my noble Jame..." Ghost fingers reached and carassed his cheek in sympathy. "So tortured and alone you stalk the one who did this... But do not forget, you are not alone... You do have those who, no matter how you think yourself, will always care for you..."
Logan's squirmed uncomfortably at the vision in his mind, and sneered. "She wouldn't understand... No one could, except--"
"No, my dearest! ...But she does need you, as much as you need her..."
"No!" He shouted, snarling in rage. "No one needs me!"
"She still holds you in her heart. She would want to help you on your path to honor..."
"No, get out of my head! You are dead! Just like everyone else! Just like I am to the world! There is nothing for me!" Logan snarled again, flexing his fists against his knees.
"You are wrong, Logan-san... You are very much alive." The warmth of her hand placed itself on his shoulder and he growled, but didn't make effort to remove it. "You live the life of a thousand men. Whole kingdoms have risen and fallen for the gift you posses--"
"It's a flamin' curse, witch woman!"
The woman in his vision didn't flench at the derogatory name. She merely leveled her green eyes on him. "My dearest, James... Your path to redeption lies not with the death of Fury... You will continue to spiral downward if you let his death consume your heart and life."
"I have no life... I have no death... I have nothing."
"Go to her, then, Logan. Go to the woman whom you left ten years ago, and ask her what you do and do not have. I assure you, that you will still have that spark within you that we shared so many years ago..."
She was gone. His Rose was gone... Just like everyone else ever was. He sat on his knees, bowing his head. Palms of the dirt, he hunched over until his forehead rested there as well. He was a broken shell of a man, never to end. Never to die.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 8:50 pm
After some time, he stood, and looked around. He'd dozed off from his angst. With his gear in hand, he stood and looked around. He needed to move. Straightening his cloak around him, he stepped out into the weather, which had stopped storming. Snow flakes dropped lazily onto his hood, which he pushed back and allow the white to freckle his dark, unruely mane.
He looked into the direction of Fury's camp and sniffed deeply. His scent was faint, but even through the storms, that cheap weed he smoked could be picked up. Then, looking south... Elektra was somewhere. He guessed she would be leaving London soon, if she were still as he remembered. She never settled long when on a mission. Conflicting, he stood there...on the thin line of sanity. To fall in and risk himself with LeBeau clan? Or perhaps use reason and logic, like a man once more, and return to London and seek out his ex flame?
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 9:10 pm
Remy LeBeau While keeping the night's chill from their bodies, the large bonfire offered little comfort to the inner chill that they were all experiencing within. They knew what was to come, they had expected it now for some time. Action was to be taken. Tante, with a wave of her hand, motions for Sir Nicholas to sit at her side while the others take places on the log off to the side of the campfire, all save for the Lady Emma who keeps her back turned and stares off into the forest. Fury looks toward her with a critical stare. Fury: Is she okay? LeBeau: She just bein' Emma. "Do you think I need ears to hear you LeBeau?" The Lady Emma turns back around to face them, her arms folded across her bosom as she watches them intently. Emma: Someone has to keep this camp safe, and I can listen to the talks quite adequately without having to be there ... thank you. She turns back around and resumes her stance, watching off into the starry skies. Nicholas looks to Tante who watches the young woman with a weight on her heart. Without needing to be asked, Tante answers his unasked question. Tante: Her power keeps us safe chil'. Emma has ways of affectin' de mind, make you see things that aren't real, or think things that you wouldn't normally. Fury nods, taking in the information about this woman's special abilities. Fury: She's the reason why I saw only forest when I was standing right in this clearing. "Oui." Remy answers in a hushed whisper. "She has other...talents, but her goal has clearly been to shield dis camp from pryin' eyes an' keep de people `ere safe." Fury: A lady taking on that form of responsibility. How is it possible she hasn't maxed out her...abilities yet? Tante turns and gives Fury a look that has him immediately realizing what he just inadvertantly inferred. Tante: Dere is so much more dat women are capable of Sir Nicholas beside de birthin' of babies an' satisfyin' a man's hunger. Emma is one of de strongest of our clan, perhaps de strongest, an' much as I hate to say it, it not like men `ave been doin' too well wit' dis world on deir own. Fury nods, realizing the error of his words. In his world, he was used to men being at the helm of things, making all of the decisions and being the strength of the situation. Here he was witnessing women, strong women of power and valor, who were as capable as any man at handling the dark times coming their way. Fury simply closed his mouth and stared into the fire as Tante continued, looking at him respectfully. "Dis is not your world any longer young man." She begins. "Times have changed, as we will. It is why I `ad Remy `ere offer you de sanctuary you are in need of." Nicholas looks at her and she smiles. Tante: Yes you t'ought it was Remy's idea to bring you `ere but non, dat was mine. You are a valuable man to be opposin' this force `eaded our way. Someone wit' a mind and de knowledge on `ow to use it in matters of war. An' war is what is upon us. Sir Nicholas Fury shakes his head and stares briefly at the others gathered around him. Ms'sr Remy LeBeau ... "the Courier" Jacob Gavin ... Fontanelle ... and the Lady Emma who now watched their group discussion from the corner of her eye while resuming her duties. Many others in the camp watched the group meeting from afar, talking amongst themselves, until Fury looked back to the queen. Fury: You're safe out here. You're away from this war. Why join it? Poking a stick into the flaming embers of the fire before them, Remy LeBeau speaks up. LeBeau: Because a life in isolation is no life. Fury looks at the thief before turning his attention back to Tante. Tante: He's right chil'. Dis clan `ere `as been hunted down since dese times first began ages ago, since I was just a little girl bein' trained to take my momma's place. We run, people die, an' for what? Power! Fury nods. "It corrupts." He answers. Tante: Dat it does Nicholas, an' it kills. Too many of de children left in my care `ave met their ends at de `ands of dese Inquisitors. For no more reason dan who dey are, an' `ow dey were born. Sickness! Fury doesn't bother answering. he can't. He knew long ago about the persecution of witches in the lands, and what happened to those witches, both men and women. Here he was sitting with a group of what was probably large in numbers not long ago, but the hunting of their kind reduced their number greatly. "It's why these good people are in hiding now." LeBeau's voice brings Fury's attentions back to him. LeBeau: After de hunts intensified, dey went into `iding to wait an' keep deir remainin' numbers safe for what they knew was to come. De final battle. Fury: That's why you're out here? Waiting to fight? Tante smiles. Tante: De brave do not `ide for deir own preservation. Dere are more out dere Nicholas dat depend on de outcome of dis war. Dey depend on us to right de wrongs of de world. Fury shakes his head. Fury: We can't right every wrong. Tante: No, but we can start somewhere ... an' we are here to tell you dat we are `ere to help. With a wave of her arm, she directs his and the rest of their attentions to those around them. Tante: Take a look around you Nicholas. All `ave a reason for wantin' to fight de oppressors. All will do what is needed not because I say so, but because dey believe so. Dey will fight how dey see fit, use what talents dey `ave, an' dese young ones `ere wit' us, perhaps de strongest of de clan, deir talents are at your disposal. Tante looks to her clan members seated to the sides of them. Tante: Are you wit' dis man? Remy: I am. Jacob: I am. Fontanelle: I am. And she turns back to face them, a smirk on he face and pride in her eyes. Emma: I am. Fury smiles. Finally he had a show of support. These people were few in number, but long on support and some of their members had genuine power, power that he could use. There was a price on his head, a price he could ill afford to see collected. His gaze bounced off of the members of the clan. From the sturdy thief, Remy, to the queen Tante, to the ever delectable Ms Frost, to the lean frame of Jacob, and finally to the black clad Fontanelle, who is seated on the ground, her head rising from some form of self induced trance. He eyes her curiously as she rises and steps over to join them. "My apologies." She says, taking a seat on the log beside Tante. "I was concentrating." Fury frowns, and Tante pats him on the leg. "You needn't worry. Fontanelle has the ability to communicate with others through their dreams." He nods gruffly and lights his pipe. Two quick puffs allow him to gather his thoughts. He found himself encircled by powerful allies. But the hunt was on and he was the target. His mind began to flood as trickles of information started to seep in, pooling into a resevoire and flooding his conscious with a waterfall of creative alternative. He sighs and withdraws his pipe. "You are all well aware of the circumstances should we fail. In order for us to do this we will have to over come extreme odds. We are outnumbered several times by Von Doom's men, as well as the men of James. We will all die unless we can work together, and in order to do that, we need to have a plan." He pauses to exchange glances with them once more. His eyes meet the collective gaze of his new friends. His thoughts become clear and his lips start to quiver and provide their voice. "You all are out here because of persecution, correct?" He stops, allowing for the expected nod, and then continues. "Religious persecution has torn apart all of Europe. From Spain, to Italy, to England. We are all under the watchful eye of God's so-called servants. You are all very powerful people, you have a gift that they do not, and in turn you have been labeled a witch." Tante bows her head softly in remembrance of friends lost to the uprising. How quickly the face of the world had changed in light of this new hysteria. Fury allows for her moment of silence and then continues. "Religion is what rules our world. There is no way around it. The piety of our society knows no limits in the service of God. The Bible itself says, 'Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live'. This is..." He is cut off by Emma, who angrily rises to her feet. "How dare you come into our camp, our home and try to prech to us?!" She spits venomously. "We open our arms to you and you willfully defy our hand? I have the mind right now to.." Suddenly, Fury's mind takes on a stabbing sensation at the temples. He grimaces beneath the onslaught. His vision blurs as he falls from his seat on the log. Tante and Remy quickly rise to their feet to whisk Emma away and calm her down. While they attend Emma, Fontanelle and Jacob attend Fury to ensure that he is ok. He nods gruffly after a moment and then reclaims his seat on the log. Remy and Tante both rejoin him, but Emma remains aloof, preferring to keep her distance. "Perhaps you would care to explain yourself?" Remy says in a not too subtle demand. "We do not take kindly to witch hunters as you can see." He gestures to Emma for proof of his point. Fury nods towards Emma. "My apologies." he says. "What I was getting to is the fact that religion rules our world, but it is fear that rules religion,fear of the devil. Wherever the devil can be found, fear will not be far." "This is true." Says Tante, nodding softly, allowing Emma to rejoin them. "Theirs is a world ruled by fear, fear of what they do not know. But... how do we take advantage of this?" "By introducing them to someone who can show them their fear. If we can heighten their fears, we will be able to take advantage and drive a rift between several factions at once. I know of a person who can do this.Those who do not believe in this fear are said to not believe in God. Those who do not believe in God..." "Will be killed." Emma finishes, offering Fury a smile at last. "Chaos will reign within their own ranks. It will confuse and disorient them." "And we will set things straight, but in order to do this, I need someone who is fast and able to take a long journey. Unfortunately for us, the person we need is not close, and since time is of the essence, speed will be important."
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