#kc_necropolis

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The alleyways and streets are cluttered, dirty, and cold

Tylar says "This way"

August follows closely, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

They move and find... the body... whoever this man was, he is beyond identifying ... He appears to have had his head ripped off as if by a great force. The body is cold, not just to the touch, but to the kenning.

"Dear God." August breathes, crouching near to examine with his eyes.

"Yeah, there was.. I saw a cat tail on the roof, but it was on aw oman's form, I think a pooka, but I've never seen a pooka do this"

August shakes his head. "A saber tooth tiger, perhaps.... but this isn't claws or teeth, I don't think."

Indeed, this is more like the strength used by the strongest troll

"Just raw strength, tearing...." He swallows, stands.

He looks around, and especially, up.

He sees... well, a roof top... at least something of this angle... but there are scratch marks on a ledge

He looks (perhaps foolishly with his history) for a fire escape or other climbing option.

There is one at the corner, rickety, he'd have to move fast

He slings the satchel around back and sets the blade on his hip to allow climbing. "Tylar, wait here. If I call, call for help. When I make it to the top, come up on the inside of the building. Can you do that?"

"Yes, sir"

August nods and, against all better judgment and in the face of the obvious, he starts to climb.

August does NOT plummet to his deat

h

(Whew!)

As he goes up to the roof and while it wobbled, it held. Now he looks about...there are scratch marks, and.. a blood trail.. the two are not that close to each other, but 10 feet apart

Something dragged? He follows the trail. CAREFULLY.

more like someone shook off the blood it seems... but this way..something, about the Chimney here

August pauses to observe the area first. He glances to see what roof-access points Tylar might use. He takes a moment to think.

Some odd about the Chimey, why isn't it smoking? It's winter.

He steps softly closer; he breaks the seal of his sheath, but does not draw. He is being ready.

Is there a vaguely... humanoid shape in there?

Friend or Foe.....? August thinks ruefully. He edges a little closer.

and the CHimney moves, eyes open ing, as a living stone creature unfurls its wings "Tell me why you should live when you have discovered me?" The gargoyle says

This is no creature of the Dreaming.

August's mind rifles through all his resources, lore, mythologies.... comes up pretty empty. How is this -not- of the Dreaming!??!!?

Meanwhile, his mouth tries to help. "I.... What..... Is it not our purpose? To discover things?"

"My kind would be hunted if people knew. Do you know what a Kindred is?" A hiss

He shakes his head uncertainly.

"Good. You remind me of her.. its why you're not dead"

"I remind you of a Kindred?" lost. It's not an act.

"No.. of a redheaded artist, my sun bringer"

August freezes. "Oh?"

"She painted the sun, she brought it to me in the dark... you do not know how long it has been been since I could see the sun. And when the sparkling girl touched it, she lit up.,,, then, the doctor came... and he nearly snuffed her light. He might have hurt hte sun. So I slew him"

The young man's face goes strangely grave. "Someone .... tried to hurt the red-haired artist?"

"No,, she has not been here in some time, but there was another, a girl... I do not understand what hapened but she sparkled.. and she seemed... happy, the sun in her eyes... then came the doctor saying words of how she was wrong...something called a pooka... whatever that is. She shivered in front of him as if he were winter itself."

August nods. "Where is she?"

"When I slew the man, she ran.." He gestures "That way. You are like the redhead aren't you? Your soul.. it sparkles"

Taylor comes up some stairs then calls out "Sir?"

August takes a step back. "Stand fast, squire."

ANd he does

"I want to help the girl you protected, so I will go after her. Will you object?"

"No, if you tell no. mortal of me or where I lair, and never, ever try to take the sun from the wall. I will kill any who do. "

"I will not speak of it to any mortal." He agrees.

"You are a wild one , as is the boy. As is she. that does not break the masquerade... becareful, there worse creatures than I in this city. Go.. I wish you luck finding the new one"