Deeper Investigation (Hitsuji/Star)

[starofbalance]

Grace walked the city streets, looking much more like a native now. After her close brush a few weeks prior, she'd learned the importance of caution and blending in. Underneath a travelling robe, however, was her trusty handgun; not like she was going to give that up, though before the strange girl ran off, she had presented Grace with a small box.

"This should be slightly more effective than whatever you were using before."

It had contained rounds, perfectly fitted to her gun, and made of a combination of metals she'd never seen before. They shimmered when held up to the light, and Grace had figured she may as well use them. Hopefully, they would be of help on her present (self-given) mission.

There had been rumors of strange occurrences in this city, and even whisperings of a specter haunting the streets. While that alone wasn't enough to catch her attention, she'd heard of several strange policy changes, which suggested this...group that seemed to work behind the scenes of the world had set up shop here. As an Agent of the Alliance, it was her duty to protect the people from corrupted government, be it traditional or magical.

So here she was, in the high-end part of the city, searching for clues. Oh, how she missed being able to flash a badge and get answers...

[Hitsuji]

A well-dressed, obviously local, ten-year-old happened to be walking by, before stopping and glancing at Grace.

"Hrm? You don't seem to be around here," the girl observed.

If Grace paid attenton, she'd notice two things. First, that the girl's maids were awfully scantily-clad but seemed entirely short on self-consciousness about it. And second, that a couple other people were slipping away a little...

[starofbalance]

Grace was fairly good at picking up on details, and she did notice the growing clearing around the girl. For a moment.

What really drew her attention was the maids. A ten-year-old girl walking around with people dressed like that? Back where she came from, there'd be Agents swarming everywhere. For the moment, though, it was her. So, what was the story here?

"Pretty good." she said, turning and giving the maids a once over. "Yes, I've traveled from out of town. I heard that this city was quite a wonder to behold, and I wanted to see for myself. You live in this area?" she glanced at the buildings surrounding them. A few estates for the wealthy and influential.

[Hitsuji]

The girl nodded. "Indeed I live near here. I am Evangeline McDowell," she said, curtseying politely - her maids doing so in turn.

'Live', of course, being a manipulated term at best for a vampiress like her...

[starofbalance]

The name didn't ring a bell, but Grace was hardly a native. Still, if she lived in this part of the city, she was going to be quite wealthy.

"I see, and these are your..." she took another look at the maids, sizing them up. Servants? Kidnappers? The way they were dressed suggested something more intimate, but she was just a child!

[Hitsuji]

"My servants, yes. A child like me shouldn't walk alone, even in daylight, you know?"

Something about her tone...

[starofbalance]

"A child like you?" Grace asked, much more carefully now. Servants...her method of talking...something was wrong here. She looked around at the crowd again, thinking. "And how many children are there, like you?"

[Hitsuji]

"Not as many as one might think," the girl said, before starting off, her maids following...

[starofbalance]

Grace waited a few moments, to put some distance between herself and Evangeline, before following. She took extra care not to be too obvious in her shadowing of the girl, watching for any signs of unusual activity.

[Hitsuji]

As Evangeline slipped into what appeared to be her family's manor, Grace might notice a few details. Like how people were steering clear of it... Or the odd looks of the staff. Like they were being influenced somehow...

[starofbalance]

Grace didn't like to enter other peoples homes without permission. But this entire thing seemed off. The way everyone avoided the girl except the staff, who seemed to regard the girl as...

She pulled her gun from her holster, checking to make sure it was loaded and ready, before proceeding in.

[Hitsuji]

"Not even knocking, are we?", the girl's voice echoed. She was in one of the side doors, that much was certain.

[starofbalance]

Grace drew her gun quickly, clicking the safety off in the same smooth motion.

"This is part of an active investigation." she said, scanning the room carefully. She proceeded down the hallway, opening a door quickly and checking inside. "Something is wrong in this city."

[Hitsuji]

"Oh, you only just noticed?", the girl said with a chuckle.

"The hypnotized servants weren't a big enough clue? Of course, they're a little more obvious than my influence on the city council."

[starofbalance]

"So that was you." Grace continued her search as they talked, following the same procedure. Step carefully, open quickly, scan room.

"I'll admit, I didn't expect it to be a child. But you're not as young as you look, are you? No child speaks so eloquently. So what are you really doing here?"