#darkgatefortress

Trolls aren't meant for stealth, so spying about for the reaver by sneaking isn't likely to work, and Colton says 'maybe we should find the dreamer and work our way back to the Ravager there?"

"Yeah, that makes sense."

She checks the address again and tries to remember what part of town it's in.

Looks to be lower middle class, one of those neighborhoods in danger of becoming 'upper lower class'. Houses suffering just a bit of neglect because things are expensive

"I suppose we could do a stakeout? Might take a while."

"mmm" He ponders "Create a cover s tory and ask around? "

"Oh, that's not bad...except...we don't know anything about the Dreamer, so it's hard to have a cover story that's plausible for everybody...." She thinks about it.

"True, we'd have to vary it depending on enchanted vs non"

"Ummm...maybe a cover story related to the property itself? So that gets us close enough to find the dreamer, maybe."

"Faulty gasline or something?"

"Like...town employees checking for possible sinkholes, or...yeah, something like that! Gas line works."

"We're a bit young for it, but, nice thing about being trolls, even as mortals w'ere tall for our age" A a smile to her "Of course, that makes you my favorite amazon"

She smiles, her eyes twinkling. "Thanks, Paul Bunyan. We'll need uniforms, or a good cantrip to look like it...but if there's a fae involved, they'll see through that pretty quickly."

"Yep. I don't suggest deliberately bringing on banality to dim us." A frown "Dangerous that. Worse, it might force others to rescue us. I'm afraid my cantrips don't grant illusion of clothes. You?"

"Well....I do have a bit of something up my sleeve," she says. "I could just veil us and see what we can see."

"Well, why didn't you tell me we had a wheelbarrow?" Then a chuckle "Yes, sounds great"

She blushes. "I don't use it much, I sometimes forget I can do it. And then I feel stupid when I remember because it's really, REALLY helpful."

And so it is that the two approach the property in question, veiled by cantrip and as soft of foot as they can manage.

And they snoop, kenning with thier magical knacks and well, looking

A couple of houses on this street. She notices a ranch style home that has a flicker of glamour from a garage... she notices a split level has (a glimpse in a window) a middle aged nocker woman thwaping a TV ... and in a third yard... there is a tree with something small and glamouorous in there

She quietly points out each to Colton, and makes a mental note to reach out to the unfamiliar nocker. She thinks to herself that perhaps this is the one who sent the message...or perhaps it's the ravager...but if it's neither, it's still somebody whom she should get to know. Although...really if there's a nocker she doesn't know, maybe it's because the nocker's been trying to keep a low profile due to ravaging...hmm....

A good point.

She tugs Colton's arm and leads him to the garage, first...any windows they can peek in?

He nods quietly, goes with her, the 'windows' are near the top, not meant to be seen through so much as let the light in. Good news? They're hella tall and CAN look through it.

Peeking in, protected by the veil, they see ... is that a custom hand made bike? It's not chimerical, but it sparkles with creation. It has some kind of counter balance to the side.

Looks like a kid's bike in size

Sylvi breathes, "Ooooh," keeping her voice to a whisper. "Nice."

"I would have killed for that when I was 8" He admits

No one appears to be in the garage. And.. SYlvi notices it seems to be off the side, as if hasn't been used in a few days

"It's not near the door. Like, it's been put away. Might be a bad sign. Or...just parents being neat."

"Yeah, but... bikes are supposed to be at the front so you can race on them quick" He frowns "Well, wh ich is what you said. If I were a kid I'd definitely ignore my parents attempts at keeping it tidy"

She nods, then says, "C'mon, let's check out that tree."

That's when they find the Cat.. but it is a chimerical cat, with glasses. At one time, it looked like this

But now, it is thinner, dirtier... and scared.

And she notices it cannot open its mouth

for there is some kind of tiny muzzle

with an elaborate lock

It backs away, and looks ready to flee

Sylvi puts her hands up, as the creature has clearly seen or sensed them. "Not going to hurt you," she whispers.

Sylvi's greatest gift, or so her dad has boasted, is that she's a natural leader, that she has a away of reaching others. Her mother might say , with some pride, her daughter, at her best, knows compassion, is able to put herself in the shoes of others. Which ever is right, both help here. She whispers gently, eyes are kind, she doesn't reach or lunge.. and the cat ...while still ABLE TO launch, holds back from fleeing and looks at her, as if daring, hoping it can trust

"Poor thing" Colton mutters