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Bright Journey	They say a rumor can travel across Creation in the time it takes the truth to escape one person's lips. Multiply that by the sheer freedom and creativity in Great Forks, and it's almost impossible to separate the wheat from the chaff. Rumors fly every which way, with the Three suborned by the Raksha in one breath, the Realm plotting to overthrow the city in the next. Still, within the past few weeks, sandwiched on either side by taverners shouting for ale in one breath and decrying the state of their finances in the next, one rumor of demon activity has been gaining traction. Whispers about of a secret path under the ground of an alley in between warehouses, a path that leads to the very bowels of Malfeas itself. Now, word to that effect has been around for some time, and alone it wouldn't mean a whole lot, frankly. But tonight is different. Tonight, it was accompanied by a second rumor...of an alley buried in between buildings, difficult to find, that was the site of a pitched battle. Not just spilled blood, but black, viscous dried blood everywhere, huge black scorch marks. Supposedly the guard, or maybe a gang, had it out with some huge spiders. The directions are...not perfect, but more detailed than usual, almost too much so.
Misa	Well, if there's one thing the definitely-not-Ophris woman going by Misa can do, it's follow a rumour down in record time. It's with an almost laissez-faire attitude that she walks down the streets of Great Forks- head down, shoulders drawn in, but footsteps quick and purposeful as she weaves through crowds delicately. While it's hard to get a clear, consistent answer on where exactly things happened, it can certainly help narrow things down- and it appears the woman is on the hunt now, walking down this one throughfare and glancing, albeit swiftly, down each alley she passes by.
Bright Journey	This part of the warehouse district is less like a crosshatch of streets and more like a maze; a labyrinth of frustrating and confusing streets. If they were designed at all outside of happenstance, they almost seem set on preventing travel rather than facilitating it. Misa is already in an unpleasant part of town, to be sure, but she's armed and moving purposefully, which by itself tens to ward off some of the more...oppotunistic individuals or gangs prowling the streets. The truth is, though, that before too terribly long there's not that many people around at all. It's not quiet, precisely--the sounds of the city are still audible, and they're certainly no less frequent than before. But here, among these warehouses leaning up against each other, sounds almost seem...muted. A little distant. About another half hour of prowling along these streets, and over the distant din of the city another, clearer and more intense conversation can be heard. It's too far to quite hear (without charms) what is being said, but a man and a woman are talking intensely. Disagreeing, probably, but not really violently. Not yet.
Misa	Unpleasant or no, it doesn't seem to quite... matter, to Misa. Or if it does, it's almost -more- comfortable than the alternative, be it from the extra space, lack of people, or sheer fact that there -might- be danger. Perhaps some combination thereof. Curiously there's an element of scent once the crowd passes- attempting to quite literally sniff out an undesirable scene. Not that there are terribly many -pleasant- scents in a place like this. As she starts to hear the voices, she tilts her head a little. Silently, she places a hand on the pommels of the two short blades at her one hip, pushing them back to give her space to lean back against a nearby wall without clattering the weapons against the stone. The fingertips of her other hand rest against the stone in turn, feeling the small details of the stone as she bends her ear more closely to the conversation.
Bright Journey	There's a barely-there undercurrent whiff of...-something-...in the direction of the voices, a block away and acround a corner. It's a faint whiff of sickly sweet, perhaps, but beyond that it's impossible to tell. What Misa hears, however, is a good deal more informative. As she draws upon her Essence to listen in, there's a rough male voice, argument in progress. "...laughable, honeycakes. You don't really think we're going to just let you...?" There's rough, raucous laughter from several voices, including the speaker's, before it's interrupted by a thoroughly nonplussed woman's voice. "Much as I would love teaching you three you're at best the third, fourth, and fifth most dangerous thing here, I just don't have the time." At this, the three gasp at something unseen, and one starts a heartfelt curse before the woman says, "GET OUT." Three twenty-nothing cutpurses shriek in unadulterated terror as the run out from the alley Misa is heading towards. They are absolutely asses and elbows for the exit, sparing not a glance for Misa.
Misa	There's barely a moment's pause at the sight of the three running away- frankly, by the sound of it, there's nothing terribly interesting about it. Perhaps the sharper contrast is that she takes a decisive turn to go exactly the way they just walked away from. She's not especially hurried about it, but still walking with an element of purpose. She lets go of the pommels of her swords, rolling a shoulder idly. "Well, that sounded... not all that unusual, despite recent events," she calls out to nobody in particular. In the meantime she runs fingertips alongside the structures she walks past again, this time adding to her sensation of shaking and vibrations of any notable motions or impacts nearby.
Bright Journey	There's a pause from the voice around the corner, then a quiet but heartfelt chuckle. "It happens from time to time, but in a way I -do- sort of ask for it..." The voice pauses again, and it sounds like the owner is coming around the corner as well to meet. As Misa rounds the corner, the tableau is somewhat stark: A few pieces of trash and chunks of stone have been set up to make a makeshift table, with dice and a bottle of rotgut alongside. Most of this cul-de-sac, though, looks like it's been through a pitched battle. Buildings are pressed up against each other on three sides, with no way around them. Doors are few and far between, and most are boarded up, with a couple showing signs of a break in. Chunks of stone rubble are everywhere, interspersed with a couple large scorch marks and dried, blackened blood in places. It's a complete mess, but it's well hidden. The voice matches up with a young woman Misa has seen before, modulo the eerie multicolored eyes. Still, though, Bright Journey has the same long, bright pink hair, with a white, black and gold outfit. Whatever terrified the thugs from before is not evident. Bright has a bit of an indulgent smile on her face, looking at Misa, and back at the alley. "I would not walk alone in a place like this if I couldn't defend myself, of course. But still, just being here is going to get some reaction from people like them. This place was very deserted the last time my friends and I were here."
Misa	"Not -too- deserted, if I have my read of the look of this place correct," answers Misa, glancing over the scorches and blood and whatnot. She looks Bright up and down for a moment, head tilted ever so slightly. She hooks a thumb through her sash-belt idly, taking in the scene for another brief moment. "And if I have the measure of your assuredness in dangerous climes correct, something tells me you would not struggle overmuch with the 'spider creatures' I keep hearing about," she adds- not accusatory, but rather plainly, like simply stating facts. "Does make one wonder what someone returns to such a place for, though, if you were indeed involved."
Bright Journey	Bright offers a small smile as she starts heading into the alley. "Misa, right? I'm pretty good at remembering faces. I know it's been a while. But so long as you're not squeamish, I don't mind sharing details. "As for why I've come back just now, it's information you would not have had. I don't have to ask why -you- are showing up now, do I? I've heard about this place constantly in the last...oh, week or three. I don't remember exactly when." She pauses and looks Misa in the eye. "What you didn't know is that the battle we fought here was -months- ago. Maybe a year...again, I don't remember exactly. But we didn't have a peep then. So why are we hearing about it now?" She shrugs elaborately, but from her expression she's not claiming she doesn't know, just shrugging for dramatic effect. "Anyway, the spiders is an understatement. They were Anuhle, demons in the shape of spiders. And we had quite a few of them. And they came from a genuine portal to Malfeas...in a -very- long tunnel with an entrance right here. We took pains to bury it, but clearly -something- is happening." Bright sighs and looks upwards at the overcast sky. "You can hear it, right? Things feel a bit...weird...here. It sounds like we've stuck our heads underwater, doesn't it? I can't peg it, though." She looks at Misa thoughtfully. "It wasn't really like this the last time we were here. Just a bit...isolated. Out of the way."
Misa	"I hear a fair number of things. As for -why- I decided to stop by... well, it seemed interesting. A bit of a cold case, perhaps, but if things are coming into rumour again... I give even odds between the vagaries of rumour and something being underway," says Misa, somewhat noncommital as she looks over the scene mid-conversation. "Anuhle... well, there could be worse demons to appear in Creation. Even without going to the 'grander' appearances. At least glad to hear it was handled, if maybe temporarily. How far along did you bury this tunnel? Full length or simply entrance? One wonders if someone dug in from the side somewhere."
Bright Journey	Bright mentioned earlier that this place felt like she had stuck her head underwater. A layman's description of a sort of atmospheric change, something that wasn't there before. It's subtle at first, but now that Misa is thinking of it, the air -does- feel different. Heavier. The sounds of the city seem far away. Realization strikes: This is not normal. There is simply not enough information to be had yet to tell what needs doing, but something...other...is affecting this place, turning it into something it was not. It is impersonal...a force and not a being, but it's very subtle, very careful. Misa's exceptional skill and perceptive insight proved its equal, however. Bright simply shrugs again, and heads for one of the larger piles of rubble, near the eastern half of the alley. "Just the entrance, I'm afraid. We took the stone that was used to control it and we knew we needed to get back here again, so we didn't bury it all the way or try to destroy the physical portal. There's still a lot we want to learn from it, I suspect. It's a clever piece of work, you'll see it soon. Come and help me shift these rocks, would you please?"
Black Pearl	Cynis Salara, the Black Pearl, has heard of the Portal, and is curious. There are some things to be seen first hand, and so the water Exalt has made her way through the city towards the location, seeing who is about, and having heard that one of the Anathema she knows is closer there. It takes a while, but she does finally catch sight of Bright Journey and starts quietly and gracefully--fluidly--making her way down the streets towards the pair.
Misa	"I cannot claim to be especially -strong- for moving rubble, but I suppose I know enough about -how- to handle the heft," Misa says, more musing than complaining as she strides over slowly. She looks around for a few moments, curiously. "I think the closest thing I have experienced to the... air of this place was a time a god's personal domain began to overlap the region of regular Creation it intersected. Not quite sure it is the same feeling precisely, but certainly some sort of... paranatural touch." With that, she begins assisting with the rubble. Of course, until she hears the oncoming third party, with her essence-enhanced senses making the winding approach less than difficult to pick up. She gives something of a meaningful look to the pink-haired woman, brows raising a fraction before she nods upwards towards the alleyway entrance she hears the noise from.
Bright Journey	The pair of women have only started moving the rocks out of the way before the scrape of boot on stone heralds a new arrival. Bright looks ready to respond to Misa's comment on overlapping Creation, but events over take the conversation. Bright takes a split second longer to hear the new arrival than Misa does, of course, but still, she clearly heard it. She nods to Misa silently and turns to face the mouth of the alley. She looks unarmed as of yet, though. She doesn't look accusatory or aggressive, but still, Salara cannot fail to notice the attention being paid to her. "Come on out, my dear. Whoever you are, this is not the time to be hiding."
Black Pearl	Well, if she cannot be stealthy, she can still be poised, and so Black Pearl steps out of the shadows to be obviously seen as well as heard. "Good evening, both of you. I hope you are both well tonight," she offers. "I heard some delightful rumors from my hearthsister and wanted to explore them, see the truth of them." She seems at ease here in the street as she does at the Chateu.
Misa	"Not the person I expected in this sort of section of town," comments Misa in off-handed fashion. True to her word, she's not a particularly strong person. Decidedly average, in fact. But she has solid form, and simply keeps clearing rubble as the conversation begins
Bright Journey	Surprise flickers across Bright's features for a moment as she sees who has arrived. "Oh, my. Black Pearl, correct? I think Amethyst introduced us in her shop a few months ago. I...have to admit, this place is somewhat dangerous. Especially now." She grins. "Still, I'm not in a position to complain that someone came here alone to check the place out! So, your hearth...? Do you mean Amethyst? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the terms you use for that kind of thing."
Black Pearl	"Yes," Black Pearl says. "She and I swore an oath of...closer than friendship. Closer than family, since it is family chosen not samily born. And the common term is that of the hearth. But that is not as important now. What is of more import is this...device that you found, and buried away. I am curious about it all, of course," She offers a bright smile, "But perhaps this is not the best place to speak of it?"
Misa	"There is an inherent effect here helping maintain privacy to some degree- and our friend here scared off the only squatters," supplies Misa, head shaking as she sets aside another mid sized stone. She sizes up Salara for a moment at the comment. "Short of blending under the din of the crowd in an establishment like yours, you could not ask for many better locales in a city so packed and gossip-some as Great Forks."
Bright Journey	Bright nods in reply to Misa, turning to Black Pearl to explain. "I assure you, this is a perfectly fine place to talk. I don't think there's anyone else around anymore, after all, and even if the walls had eyes, the one group of people we care about the most already know everything I might say. More importantly...to be honest? We're already here. I'm not thrilled by the idea of retreating without knowing more about why we're hearing about this now. I want to inspect the portal itself. I don't know how much Amethyst told you, but it's buried under here--" She points out the pile of rubble she and Misa had started to clear out. "--and there's something...wrong...about this place we didn't feel before. Like maybe something else is going on with the portal. It shouldn't be active--I was careful to not bring the keystone--but something is going on. I think you'll find I'm fairly good at dealing with demons, but still, be careful. I am terrible at directly protecting others."
Black Pearl	"I am not a sorceress, so I do not have much of the ability to deal with demons. Unless they wish to bargain, in which case, I might do well with it. As for the rest..." Black Pearl frowns, "Perhaps the Keystone allows it to go outward, and another portal with a different keystone is trying to access this?"
Misa	A stand and a stretch from Misa as she considers the conversation, glancing down the alley they other way at some passing sound that she dismisses a moment later. She shrugs it off. "Not much of a protector myself, either. However, demons are nothing new here either- I am certain we will be fine. As much investigating into cults as I do, it is astounding I do not encounter them -more- often." "Though, I suspect bargaining would be better done in context of a summoning, not an... incursion, for lack of a better term." She starts moving some of the less-heavy, rounder stones aside with a foot to give her bending over a rest.
Bright Journey	Bright can only smile at this conversation, quiet but confident. "If we need to bargain, I will be happy to step in, on a number of fronts. If we decide we want to talk, I can at least guarantee a chance to make them listen. If we're going to get this done more quickly, though, perhaps we should be about it." With that, Bright reaches down and starts helping in earnest, shoving rubble aside and pushing larger stones out of the way. There's room for Black Pearl to join. After some annoying but not interminable work, the rubble gives way to a large--roughly six foot square--wooden plank, clearly bridging a hole underneath. As the stone is cleared out, everyone catches a whiff now and again of a spicy, vaguely undefinable sickly sweet scent. Just a waft now and again, but it's enough to kill anyone's appetite. "This leads to a long passage," Bright says, her voice quiet. "The portal is at the far end, far underground. Shall we?"