3 Thrax Guards, Freja the long suffering, Dame Cupcake, the most elegant arrive, following Coraline.

Ian puts his boot back on and starts lacing it up again. "Look, I appreciate this," he tells the two women who have been fussing over him. "I know your heart was in the right place. But I'm alright."


"Did you bring cupcakes?" Amantha demands this rather imperiously of Merek as he strolls over in his typical no-nonsense style, eyeing him dubiously. "Lady Isabetta did. Even Sir Calaudrin sent a cookie." No, she's not feverish. She's just being a brat. She's not -well-, after all! Relenting, tucking a wisp of garnet hair back behind her ear, the guardswoman shakes her head. "No news of note. I was just explaining to.." Amantha gestures toward Meriah with a drift of fingers through the air. "Meriah here, that Marquessa Reigna mixed up some manner of revolting concoction intended to help me fight off the fever. It's.. well, I honestly don't know if it's working. I -do- know I've only just barely kept down water since yesterday." Noting Asher beyond Merek's shoulder, the redhead musters a faintly warmer smile for hin. She's currently perched at the foot of a cot, with Isabetta in a chair alongside it and Meriah hovering, no doubt nefariously.

Isabetta sighs to herself visible and says, "I think I know where this is going, you two will end up deciding not to fight over a tart and then decide to let the other have it and go off together while the tart is left along and abandoned. You two truly can be monstrous you know." Isabetta bemoans her horrific treatment at the hands of her friends. She looks as more of Amantha's friends arrive and the place starts to get a little more crowded. "I suppose I should make my exit anyway, I just wanted to make sure that my good friend here," Still no idea what title to call her so she's gotten a friend promotion, "was not alone and mistreated by the staff."

Cora steps inside and looks at all the people as she heads over to Amantha, "Hey, looks like you have a whole party of visitors. How you feeling today, and did they keep the water topped up?"

It has been well over a week since the last incident in the Lowers, and things have settled down. Slick Rob's spot has been taken over by an enterprising sort and all seems well. With Spring arriving fully, the doors to the Clinic are kept open, inviting in fresh air and making the orderlies job of hauling out the incredible amount of refuse generated by a clinic that much easier. To keep the temperature up, braziers have been lit. It also allows for natural light, and the sort of cheer that comes from being able to interact with the random passerby. The hum of people traffic is constant and low, the sound of nothing particularly unusual going on.

A loud yawn escapes Caspian, who shuffles on into the clinic with this dead tired, dark circle under his eyes look. His normal energetic, happy self is diminished, Sleepily, he bumps into Isabetta as she announces she is gonna exit, the man in a bit of a daze! "Oh hey, sorry about-' He lets out a long yawn, one arm reaching the ceiling as the other covers his mouth. "-that. What brought you here?" He wonders to the woman with a smile.

Isabetta's commentary gets her a series of dirty looks from said staff and at least one offended 'Huff!'

Lethe finishes tending to a patient and looks to Cora. She smiles to the other woman as she visits with Amantha.

"I did not bring much, unless you wanted some wine," Merek offers then to Amantha, as he nods a bit. He then shifts his cloak a bit, and looks towards the others that are around, "... A lot of visitors," he muses, as he seems to be in his thoughts. "I also don't know if you are allowed to eat too much," he adds, as he tilts his head a bit.

Meriah is quite nefarious. The eyepatch, those scars! Her darkling clothes and pale pallor of skin. The leather apron, black as it was, still held old dried bloodstains. But she has a strange and vast intelligence to that singular violet eye. Her attention shifting from Amantha to Merek briefly then Isabetta with a toothy grin. "Aw, dove. Don't be that way." The slow workday was reaching its terminus. A bored surgeon is a mischief making one, truth be told. She grins wider when Caspian arrives. "Champ! What brings you in?"


"..Guardswoman." Amantha offers this in a gentle aside - quite a rarity for her - toward Isabetta. She lacks any other title of distinction. To be honest, 'friend' probably carries more weight. "And we would never leave you alone and abandoned. You are far too entertaining." There's a weary smile for the young lady, before the Mercy's gaze wanders to Coraline, newly arrived. "M'lady." Oh, so -this- one gets the charm. "Not too dreadful. And yes.. the water has been plentiful, I assure you. It's as if people were -afraid- of you or something." This clearly mystifies her, judging by the fleeting expression upon her features.

Asher gives Amantha a smile right back, and though he's not in speaking range - not quietly at least - he manages to convey something with his hand. It's a gesture about drinking, using his hand as if it's holding a mug, then acts a little dizzy afterwards. For Amantha's benefit, of course, he is saying something about booze. Though then he points at himself, as if to say he'll pay for it. But -obviously- that's after she's all better. But he's still off in the corner, waiting his turn to speak. That's how he is. He'll just wait.

"Caspian!" Isabetta says with a sort of joy that hints a more impish pleasure beneath, "You know I just came to see you of course." She's currently next to Amantha, so you know, one obvious lie. "I was worried with all those duels you do I wanted to make sure no one accidentally snipped off your.. immensely talent.. With an errant swipe of the sword-" She casts a glance at Meriah and adds, 'innocently' or errant slice of the scalpel."She looks over at Amantha and then says to her, "You want me to get the guard because you are being mistreated with medical concoctions, but you want me to keep my voice down so you are not given more medicine?" She asks, trying to looks truly mystified and instead looking childishly gleeful and probably about to get thrown out.


Adding, after a moment, in Merek's direction, Amantha grimaces slightly with a shake of head as she speaks. "..just water, alas."

Ian sits on the bed next to Amantha's that he got henpecked onto. He's just finishing lacing up his boot, going through from bottom to top to tighten the leather laces a little further. He seems to have made his point that no, he is not dying, because the old lady who brought him in has gone off somewhere else, and the nurse is busying herself with other patients and trying not to look too embarrassed about getting carried away.

1 Navegant Marines, Dahlia, a confident red and white corgi puppy, Winter, a juvenile Oakhaven bloodhound arrive, following Skye.

Dahlia, a confident red and white corgi puppy have been dismissed.

"Been having trouble sleeping," Caspian admits back to Meriah with a shrug of his shoulders offered to the woman. "Too much existential dread in the middle of the night. Was hoping I could get something made for sleep." Turning back to Isabetta, he lets out a laugh and shake of his head, pointing down, "Nope, it's still working just fine. You'll get to check for yourself when we meet with Mae tonight."

Winter, a juvenile Oakhaven bloodhound have been dismissed.

Ian checked perception at difficulty 30, rolling 6 lower.

Merek checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 30, rolling 12 lower.

Skye checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 30, rolling 18 lower.

Meriah checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 30, rolling 1 higher.

Lethe checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 30, rolling 9 lower.

Isabetta checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 30, rolling 8 lower.

Asher checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 30, rolling 7 lower.

Ian checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 30, rolling 11 lower.

Isibetta gets a grin, "Don't go causing muschief in the clinic." Amantha gets a strange look, "Afraid of me? Whyfore?" and she is truly mystified by the idea. Caspian and Meriah gets a cheerful wave each. "Water only yes."

Coraline checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 30, rolling 15 lower.

Caspian checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Caspian checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 30, rolling 26 lower.

Skye arrives at the clinic for her usual volunteer time. She has a bright smile as she comes in, moving quickly to put her personal effects away and hand off her bow to her guard that hovers in the background. She starts to glance around to see if there is a physician on duty that she can check in with for her nursing duties.

"Hmm... Dreams?" Merek asks, turning his attention then to Caspain. The man lifts his brow a bit in thought, as he tilts his head to the side. He rubs at his beard in thought for a moment, then he notices that Skye is around and lifts a hand in greetings to her.

Meriah claps the back of Caspian's shoulder with a grin. There is a brief moment, between all their snarky comments and teasing that the surgeon turns her head to regard the outside for a moment. She steps away to leave them by the bed and moves nearer to the front of the clinic. "I'll see what we have for sleep," she tells the Grandmaster.


"Don't go trying to get -me- in trouble, m'lady." Amantha idly wags a finger at Isabetta, though her tone is far from displeased. "Or there will be no romantic candlelit dinner for you, ever." As an afterthought, the redhead offers an assurance Asher's way, shifting her weight and settling cross-legged now at the foot of her cot. "Have no fear. She already said no to having it in the sewers."

Ian does not, in fact, catch Caspian, but he's too focused on finishing up lacing and tying his boot to take note of whatever change begins to take place in the air. Besides, it's always loud and chaotic in the lowers, right?

Isabetta nods to Caspian seriously and says, "Yes, Mae told me the name of her piece is going to be, A stump, was once a mighty tree." She brightens at Coraline and says, "Cora, Lovely to see you. I am sure I would never cause Mischief anywhere. Just whom do you think you are speaking to?" She looks quizzically at Amantha, "Trouble? Me? And what is this never. Are you able to put curses on people that forever prevents them from having romantic candlelight dinners? Oh oh, do Lord Ian. Is he married yet?" Nevermind that aforementioned lord is Right Here.

Skye gives a wave to Merek as he greets her, "Sir Merek! How are you?" She starts to make her way over to Meriah with a questioning look to see if the physician needs her to change sheets, restock supplies or assist with any patients. Ian and Caspian also gets a friendly wave now that she notices they're in the clinic.

"Dread, not dreams," Caspian corrects back to Merek with a shake of his head. Caspian does not fall, he just would not notice someone was picking his pocket even if they were doing it right in front of his face! He turns back to Meriah, giving her a small smile and a dip of his head as he says, "Thank you, you're a hero." He looks back to Isabetta, giving her a a tilt of his head, "Is that for real?"

Oh more people she knows, Ian, Skye and Reigna all get cheerful waves as Cora stops pondering the musteries of anyone fearing her. "Isabetta is pure Trouble but good trouble most times." She says grinning. "Lovely to see you too." She picks up the information the nurses and put down for that night and so oblivious to air changes herself.

A couple of adults and children cross in front of the doors, focused further down the street. The children have big smiles and even the parents look curious and somewhat delighted. One of the children squeals, "It's letting them pet it! I want to pet it!"

"Well... I hope you feel better," Merek tells Caspian, as he nods a bit. He then looks to Skye a moment and considers, rubbing his beard, "Uh, alright I suppose. Quiet busy often," he admits, "You look wonderful today." He then looks to the entrance and lifts his brow. He moves that way to look out.

Meriah regards Skye with a toothy smile. Pleased to see the familiar face. She gestures her over to help with the concoction she's preparing for Caspian. "This is for sleep. Not a sedative exactly but..." She pauses, noting the child's words. She moves away from the medicine cabinet to look outside. "What's this then? Another damned stray dog. Disease carrying..." She mutters.

Out of Merek's hood a fox peeks out and looks around, making small 'chuff' sounds.

"Baroness." Ian nods to Skye as he takes up his cane and get to his feet. To Isabetta, he adds, as though whatever conversation she were having was perfectly serious: "I'm married."


Vivid emerald eyes flit sharply toward the door, the momentary amusement Amantha had found in teasing her visitors gone in an instant. She straightens her back somewhat, clearly of a mind to rise, needs be, as she hears the excitement from the passing child. "Keep them away." The tone is firm, but it's cast over one who already knows perfectly well wehy - Meriah. The crimson-haired guardswoman perhaps has more reason than most to be uneasy, should animals be sighted outside the clinic.

Skye greets Cora, "Oh hi there." She can't help but comment, "There's a lot of people here tonight." She gives a happy smile as Meriah pulls her in to assist with getting herbs for the mixture, more than willing to follow the physican's instructions and make herself useful. She glances at the children coming in, more to assess if they need any assistance. If they look fine, she will go back to her work.

"There are indeed," Cora replies to Skye with a grin, though that fades at Amantha's words and Cora moves to the door quickly, "What's this? What are people petting?"

Asher peeks up after hearing that there's an animal that's allowing people to pet it. Somehow, that's odd; dogs in the Lowers don't usually do so. So now, he's looking more towards the door than towards Amantha. Waiting can... Wait? He's now curious as well.

"Well darn, there goes my attempts to convince Ian into a contract," Isabetta replies, just as much as though it were serious. There's just no way to know if she means it or not. Just no way. Then she rolls her eyes at Caspian as if, could he possibly believe that. "You'll has to ask Mae." Though she notices when Amantha gets all serious and she frowns, "Is something the matter?"

Always curious, Caspian approaches the children, bending down to them as he inquires to them, "What is letting it be petted? And where is it?" He wonders to the children.

Lethe gives a curious glance toward the door and the children when some of the others take interest. "What is it?"

Ian continues to show no awareness of the change in mood, neither the excitement outside, nor the level of concern within. "Marquis Ford is looking to get married again," he tells Isabetta, his tone still solemn. It's really hard to tell if he's serious. He always sounds like this.

The foot traffic increases a bit and everyone can now notice the general change in tenor from the buzz of ambient people-noise. There are excited lifts in the tone, laughter and a prevalence of children's voices. For those moving towards the doors to look, a little way down the street, near one of the exits to the Commons Square market, an increasingly large knot of people are forming, people crouching down, children ringing... well, something that is the center of attention. One of those at the back of the cluster points deeper into the market, "Oh look! There are more! They are acting so funny!" There is a shift in the balance of the circles as some siphon off to go move closer to the next animal. "Is that a cat? It's a weird looking cat!"


Heaving herself to a stand - only a little unsteady and no doubt still risking Coraline's wroth - Amantha slowly extends a hand toward Isabetta in a subtly warding, 'stay here' sort of gesture. She doesn't answer aloud, but the frown shadowing her features speals volumes. Something has her very much on edge.

Seeing Lethe Cora smiles warmly her way, "Ah good to see you today." Her attention then going back outside and hearing the words, Cora's running, "Get away from the animals, now! Do not get near them get your children away now!" This is wrong, and as her attention is on the tide of people it is not on Amantha, she is safe for the moment.

Merek frowns a bit as he walks out, and hears someone state 'weird-looking' and how they are acting. Something within him seems to notice there's a difference in this situation, and he looks to Amantha in the Clinic acting like she does. He moves towards the crowd, a hand on the hilt of his weapon, "Clear out please, animals can carry all kinds of diseases, it's best to have the healers look at them first."

Isabetta is being protected! She nods to Amantha uneasily then busies herself briefly with Ian, "Maqruis Ford? I think that's a touch above my title. . Then again probably so is Kennex in general. I but one small voice in a small house with a reputation for trouble. " She's trying to keep some uneasy from her voice, especially once Coraline starts to yell a bit. "i'm sure it's nothing." she says in a small voice.

Coraline checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 34 higher.

Meriah grumbles and steps outside of the clinic. Animals acting funny in the Lowers usually meant some dog with a madness disease. That isn't the kind of trouble she wanted on such an easy work-day, so she pushes her way through to see all the fuss. "You heard 'em, step on back. What's the fuss now?" Black Meriah scowled.

Ian's attention IS finally caught when Coraline starts shouting. "Excuse me," he says to Isabetta, before moving towards the door. In the doorway he stops and looks outside, taking the time to size up the situation.


Staying put inside the clinic - mostly because even the walk to the doorway would likely exhaust her - Amantha watches Coraline go charging out and her tensions dissipates somewhat. There are enough swords here to protect those who cannot defend themselves... right? As the uncertainty hits, she flits a glance Asher's way. He's another that has at least some grasp of why she's looking spooked.

Skye pauses in her preparations for Meriah to frown as the physician has to step outside to deal with it. Seeing that others are going ahead, she gets back to the task at hand. She offers a sweet reassurance, "I'm sure the physician will be back soon." And then realizes that the patient has also stepped away. She bites her bottom lip and looks back towards the door.

Seeing Merek run off, Caspian lifts his brows, stepping out through the door and towards the crowd, though at a slower pace that the other man is, not sensing as much urgency. He is just a bit curious and perhaps just a bit worried.

There is more than a little grumbling when Princess Coraline appears and starts issuing orders. That is not to say she is not obeyed -- she is. The people begin dispersing a little, moving away from the animals, a fluffy looking rabbit with bright red eyes that is quivering as it remains in place, the tips of its ears trembling, and the other animal is certainly *not* a cat. Four legged, with a big fluffy tail, stockier than a cat and with the head of a weasel, it's distinctive black fur with twin stripes of white that merge at the forehead to turn into a singular strip down its back and along that tail... it's totally a skunk. As the people begin to mill around, frowning, the children looking so very, very disappointed, especially those who did not get their turn to pet the fluffers.

Asher flits a single glance over towards Amantha - he saw her look. And there's a nod there, and so he gestures for her to stay, while he heads out the door, ready to pull a blade if he needs to. And he may have to. He gets outside and... Oh. It's a skunk. Instinctively, he reaches for his doctor's mask, to put it on. No, he's not a physician, but he knows horrid smells when they're about to happen. The mask will help.

Meriah looks at the animals a moment and then peers at them closely. The look on her face is one of someone who doesn't know quite what she's looking at--city girl and all, her interaction is limited with such pests. She grins at the Iron Guard present then back at the animals to see if they are rabid or sick.

Ian tugs his gloves free from where they're tucked into his belt and starts putting them on. He stays at the door to the medical clinic, keeping an eye on the situation.

"People, I need you to back away from the animals slowly and calmly, and go about your business to your homes, please, let the healers deal with this," Merek states, his hand half unsheathing his weapon quietly, but he does not try to make any of the people seem too worried or make the animals act. Instead he seems to be preparing beneath his cloak to draw. He looks aside to Meriah, "Guards," he offers to the people who usually follow him, "Go watch over the patients please."

Cora doesn't care about bad smells, she does care that these things likely hold disease. Speaking softly to Meriah she says softly, "We need to get these things out of here and keep them from biting or scratching, I don't know lowers animals specifically but no creatures normally act this way, terrified but not moving. No something is very wrong."

Ian gets Brothers' Hands from Aged Satchel.

Meriah checked intellect + medicine at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Meriah looks at Merek. "You going to stab the bunny rabbit, fella?" She tells him with a broad smile before looking back at the animals. Her focus there is more serious than when she looks at anyone else. Even Cora who she tells, "You aren't wrong." She pockets her hands and says, "Look. See? From their mouths. Like their brains are dead. Or dying." She looks to Merek and any Guards about. "You bring a net? These beasties are sick. Need to isolate them. Quick like."

"I don't know about nets, but I do have some rope if you wish," Merek offers then to Meriah, as he shifts some from his pack and keeps that next to him. He doesn't use it at the moment, waiting to see about what others will do, just noting he has it. Keeps a lot of weird stuff with him, either way.


Steadying herself by way of bookcases and tables, Amantha doggedly makes at least some progress across the clinic; coming to rest her shoulder against the doorframe and watch the crowd of Lowers folk grudgingly disperse. She keeps one hand down by the sword at her hip, though she doesn't draw it as yet. To anyone within earshot, whatever she mutters under her breath might be -something- to do with 'chop its effing head off'. Or 'stew'. Or maybe 'stamp on the buggering thing'. It's anyone's guess, really.

Skye overhears there's some animals outside that might be diseased or injured. She frowns and starts gathering herbs that the physician might need to test the animals with. She is careful to move aside the herbs for the sleeping potion for Caspian so the two don't mix. As she keeps working, she keeps an eye on the door.

When it starts? It starts from above. Is it a bird? A pigeon diving to steal a bit of food from a child? There is a sharp shriek from somewhere at the back, a shriek that turns into a broken-hearted wail of an injured child. Then more and move shapes begin leaping down from the low eaves of nearby buildings. A tide of furry bodies leaping downwards, tiny clawed feet extended, not running FROM people, but jumping ON them. Squirrels, weasels, stoats, rats. What started with one shriek and cry, turns into a small chorus.

Cora nods at Meriah then sighs and dumps eveyrthing out of her backpack, puts on her gauntlets and goes to catch both of the animals, "Someone be ready to put these in the backpack, we don't have time to argue."

Of course at that point it is raining sick animals, "Everyone get inside and lock your doors! Get your children to safety, do NOT PANIC!" Cora begins killing whatever sick animals get near her.

Ian raises his eyebrows as he watches everyone start talking about catching the animals. He starts to say something, but his demeanor shifts subtly a split second before all hell breaks loose. It's subtle, the way that he goes from calm to a profound serenity that seems perfectly at peace with the world, but the change is there. He urges Amantha back into the clinic (he's not above a shove if necessary, but isn't going to start there) and if he can stop Skye from leaving, he will. Then he shuts the door.

"... No rope then, looks like this'll be a whole different thing," Merek draws out his diamondplate weapon, the golden hilt with black leather shifted about as the black sword twils. He then finds his mirror shield to place in his other hand for a moment, he then looks to Cora, "Wait! That's just going to make people panic an---" And now she is going to kill animals that get around her. "Someone, get the child, I'll harry them if they assault us," he offers aside to Meriah and anyone else.

Meriah has another quipy thing to say before the wail clears over her voice. Her eye goes wide and her hands come loose from her pockets. “What the deepening Abyss is....” She snaps to Skye, quickly. "Get back inside!" And then runs in the opposite direction, toward the trouble, "Shut up the Clinic, now!" She barks. Trying to reach the first injured person she can to help them away. A child would be first priority.

Coraline wields a slender ember-hued rubicund longsword.


Well, -now- Amantha draws her sword. Shoved unceremoniously back inside by Ian, briefly wobbling unsteadily, the redhead reaffirms her grip on the blade's hilt and braces herself in a wide stance, the better to keep her balance. Anyone can see the guardswoman is not at her best.. but by the Gods, she's going to keep anything with claws, wings or fangs from getting inside! What does she have to lose, after all?

Amantha wields a light short sword with two wide quillons.

Someone wearing A dark lensed plague doctor's mask wields a plain dagger of excellent make.

Ian looks Amantha over when she draws her sword, but he doesn't object. "Watch the ground. The thing you'll have to worry about in here is rats," he tells her. And then, muttering something about a scarf, he opens the door JUST enough to slip out, and closes it behind him.

Ian checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 1 higher.

Coraline checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 9 higher.

Meriah checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 1 higher.

Caspian checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 8 lower.

Merek checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked luck(3) at difficulty 10, rolling 9 higher.

Someone wearing A dark lensed plague doctor's mask checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

Coraline checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

Skye finishes up her prep for testing the animals, and then starts to do a quick walk through the clinic, checking to see if there are any holes and easy entrances where the animals could get in. She leaves the manning of the door that's been closed by Ian to someone else, her primary focus is lessening the risk that the patients will get attacked from smallers animals getting in.

Reigna GM Roll checked luck(2) at difficulty 10, rolling 5 higher.


Ugh. The suggestion of rats, prior to Ian's slipping out through the door, has Amantha taking a half, shuffling step backward. And yes, her gaze does lower to that gap between door and floor, sword firmly in hand. Vaguely aware of Skye moving about somewhere on her periphery, the redhead asks, in a low tone, "..is there any other way in?"

Cutting through two of the creatures, Cora goes looking for any that might be attaching children or those around them. She will get off any she sees and will aim to kill the attacking animals as she takes them off people.

There's some heavy swearing under Asher's breath, when he finds that the animals are attacking people. He's had just about enough of animals, diseased or demonic, attacking innocent people. So the steel dagger is drawn and the first thing he does, is chuck that dagger at the skunk. Or such is the idea.

Ominiously, in the distance there are sounds of approaching... things. Snarls, barks, howls. They are a ways away, for now.

Someone wearing A dark lensed plague doctor's mask checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Meriah isn’t very interested in stabbing anything, her primary concern is finding the child who was hurt and bringing them back to the clinic. If that means running through the deluge of critters, than she does so without much hesitation. Near mad in her sheer determinism.

Meriah checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 20, rolling 13 higher.

Skye finishes doing her walk-through, using her extensive knowledge in infrastructure to figure out the weak points where small animals could come in. After a bit of searching, she manages to find some supplies left over from the renovation. Then she starts pointing out to those in the clinic, "We have several weak points were they could gain entry..." She points each spot out in baseboards, doors and low windows. Then she hands out supplies, "Here, let me know you how to properly plug these holes." She demonstrates the first one for them.

That dagger sinks into the skunk, and Asher seems satisfied with it - but there are SO many animals left, meaning that throwing these tiny weapons is not going to be useful at this point. With that in mind, Asher changes it up - the sword he's got doesn't see much use anyway, so it's good to practice.

Someone wearing A dark lensed plague doctor's mask wields a plain sword of excellent make.

"Wait, what?" Caspian blinks as he hears the child scream, and then everyone else scream as the animals attack! Oh shit! He draws his diamondplate seax, the polished to a shine blade gleamining in the morning light as he says. "Well shit. Here I was thinking this blade was gonna draw human blood first." He quickly moves to the nearest resident of The Lowers, attempting to cut at the animal that is on them to slay it. "Shit, are those dogs I hear?! We gotta get everyone inside!"

Caspian wields Thrall's Fury, a diamondplate seax.

Merek wields Torian Nightsong.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 49 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 44 higher.

Ian turns up the high collar of his coat and sticks with Meriah when she goes charging out to save the kid. Not that he can run after her, but he follows, clearly intent on defending her while she does her work. If he can also break out that aura of command that he usually only really brings to bear while at war and use it to "encourage" (order) people to get the abyss off the street, he'll do that, too.

Ian checked command + leadership at difficulty 25, rolling 18 higher.

Merek moves forward with a motion of his weapon, and then he shifts on his hip while he spins around into two creatures, cleaving them clean through while he twirls the weapon and moves to aim for more while Moxie moves from the hood towards the clinic, assisting in killing any prey that try to enter. "There's likely somethin more coming, we'll have to clean these up fast," he shouts then aside, "One of you, get some Guardsmen down here as fast as you can!" Mostly to any of the people he often comes with, while the others all combat.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 15 higher.

Meriah is running so blindingly forward she near skids to a stop when she finds the child. She kneels down for a moment, shielding her, and examines the bleeding marks and the scratch. She snaps a glance to the mother and trusts the squirrel stompin’ matron to carry her girl. "To the clinic with you both. This way. I need can see to these wounds before it makes her sick." Infection. Transferred pathogen. Imbalance of humors. Whatever the term she’d normally use, she didn’t waste it on a Lowers woman. She does very minor healing, taking a dry cloth from her apron pocket and using it to bind up the wound on the girl's arm. There's time enough to do this, of course, with Ian watching her back!


"Drains. Windows. Chimney, if there is one." Amantha says all this aloud as it occurs to her, without ever shifting her gaze from the door, holding her ready stance. The cacophony of sounds outside is certainly unnerving. But the guardswoman is oddly expressionless. Serene, even. "M'lady?" This she directs toward Isabetta, wherever she may be. "..get well back. Help if you can, but stay away from the door." After a brief pause, she adds, "..and find yourself a weapon. A broom, a knife.. anything." Things sound bad enough out there. The addition of the approaching barks and howls has even the redhead visibly bracing herself.

"Hey. Look at me." Ian squeezes the shoulder of a teenaged boy and skewers him with his electric blue eyes. Even with chaos exploding around him, his voice is level, calm, and only as loud as it needs to be. "You need to get inside. Close the doors and windows, and get off the ground. You're going to be alright." Maybe it's something hypnotic about his voice, maybe it's the shock of those eyes, or maybe he really just projects a sense of calm with him wherever he goes, but the kid snaps out of it and runs for the nearest building, and several people nearby do the same. Then he turns his attention back to Meriah.

Caspian checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

As it turns out, Caspian is a pretty god damn good fighter, even against non-human things like animals. He slices through one animal, then a second, then a third! Diamondplate cutting through small bodies and bone as if they were cloth.

Right! Isabetta is going to find a weapon, she is in a clinic and she doesn't have a bow, she'll use.. "Weapon?" She inquires, holding up proudly what she has managed to obtain. It's a spoon. Of course this will get some looks from various people at the utter uselessness of the weapon, she holds up another, "Two?" Her expression doesn't indicate joke, rather it indicates exasperation, like what do you expect me to do with these 'weapons'. So she's holding a pair of spoons. Hope you're feeling protective.

Amantha checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 3 higher.

Lethe checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 4 lower.

Skye checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 17 higher.

Isabetta checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

"Ah shit!" Caspian calls out, turning around to notice the squirrel on his leg, biting at it! He bends down, coming in a downward's thrust to strike at the critter's side, grinning, "Fuck you fuzzball! Taste diamondplate!"

Within the clinic, nurses and orderlies are scrambling to help Skye as she starts directing them in way to shore up potential weak spots. This means those who are milling about sometimes get bumped into. One of the larger Orderlies bumps into Lethe, accidentally shoving her into a low window, hard enough to hurt a little. Before she can move away, there is a shuddering BOOM as a dog throws itself at the window, appearing suddenly and with no warning. It doesn't break through, but it's snarling and clawing at the glass, clearly trying to attack Lethe.

Turning at the solid boom, and seeing the large dog, Cora runs that way to protect the clinic, she lunges and attacks with all her might. "Get away from the window, shore it up, barricade the windows." She yells to those inside.

The crowd is listening to Ian, and their own natural inclination to getting the hell away from the sudden shower of fuzzy sharpness further hurries them. It's not all out chaos and panic -- Ian's calm leadership keeps that from breaking out, but there is some pushing, shoving and 'I don't have to outrun THEM I just need to outrun YOU' mentality going on. And while the rain of bodies does cease, the animals are not just running away. They are continuing to attack whoever they can reach. There are more cries of pain as more and more people are getting bit.

Coraline checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 21 higher.


There's a fleeting glance spared toward Isabetta, presumably prompted by the notable exasperation surrounding her choice of weaponry. In spite of herself, Amantha snorts softly. "..anything with fur comes near you, stamp on it. Hard." The humor fades just as swiftly, though; those vivid eyes returning to the door at the sound of hastening footsteps beyond. "..but I'll do my best to make sure that doesn't happen." Well, that clearly jinxes things. The sudden thud at the window near Lethe jolts Amantha's attention that way. Fortunately, there's the ever-reassuring yelling of a familiar voice outside. "Get those barricaded. Bookcases, beds, whatever's closest!" To Lethe, in a rare moment of sympathy, the redhead offers an appraising look, for as long as she can spare her attention. "Are you alright..?" To those too hasty to scramble to 'help', she issues a stern warning. "Be -careful-. Less haste, more speed!"

Getting a good hit in on the dog, Cora has successfully gotten it's attetion away from the window, oh yes, now she is a far more attractive target, "Come on then big boy, come say hello all proper like." Her expression is sheer I will kick your sorry fuzzy ass.

Lethe looks terrified as she sees the dog. She tries to move away from the window and reaches for her dagger. When she sees it's not yet inside she says to the others inside and Amantha. "I'm alright." She is still a little shaky but she helps to barricade.

Isabetta decides she needs something longer. She's gotten a broom and is trying to secure her spoons to the end. She uses the thread that holds the brush part on and shoves her spoons through it. Soon she has a primitive spoon spear. It's probably useless, nearly as much as the spoons were alone, but its longer so.. that's better. "So anything with fur? Remember you said that when I try to stomp on you my good title withheld." She's always finding some room for stressfilled humor. Or maybe she's never joking and everything she says is completely serious.

Skye isn't much in way of size but wow can that little baroness architect proper defenses on the fly. She just starts giving instructions to the staff, directing them to use the renovation supplies they have on hand to get those windows boarded up, the rest of the cracks filled. The only way anything is getting in or out of the clinic is through that front door.

Someone wearing A dark lensed plague doctor's mask checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Meriah patches up the wounded girl isn’t that hard of a task for the surgeon. But she is directing the mother and her daughter to flee toward the clinic. "It’s safe there." That’s all she cares to say, however, because she’s darting off again. Driven by some insane need to help everyone, everywhere. "Let's move," she tells Ian. She’ll be moving across the Square, finding the wounded, and doing what she can to treat the injuries. She has a bit of bandage in her apron, a few other tools as well in her bag. But they would all be directed to the Clinic. Sort out the chaos later. Help people first.

With people starting to get some distance, there is better visiblity to assess the situation. There are about sixteen murderfurs remaining, some of which are turning on one another as they are closer targets. Two are chasing after dispersing people and four are in a war among themselves. That leaves ten squirrels, bunnies, weasels, ferrets, stoats and skunks looking to the party like they are tasty vittles. After Asher's swipe with his weapon, it's eight. However, there are those odd, eerie noises, larger animals on the way.

Meriah checked command + streetwise at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.


In spite of the situation, Amantha steals occasional glances over one shoulder. The arching of brows suggests she's impressed with how swiftly and solidly the defenses come together, and she offers a firm nod of respectful approval in Skye's direction. Isabetta's spoon-spear, however, just earns a look askance. Well, it takes all sorts.

Should anyone arrive at the door, Amantha will haul it open enough to allow them passage.. but they'll be hauled unceremoniously inside and her sword will remain firmly in hand.

Daggers on animals? That's not a good combination. Especially having to catch them and get so close... No way. That's why Asher's got the longsword! He can practically be double his arm's length - maybe a bit more - and still cut in reliably. With so many animals about, he's not sure he can get them all. Defending the clinic at this point is the best bet. Dogs? Pfft. Even they are not that bad, but sticking with tiny things for now is just as well. They're not -demons- after all... One hopes. Cutting them into kibble is disgusting, yet necessary and simple work. And it also helps clear a path for anyone needing to get to the clinic as well. "I'm not entirely okay with what I'm seeing here; this is -not- your average animal attack. It's like they've all got... Empowered rabies!"

Caspian checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Meriah checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 9 lower.

Someone wearing A dark lensed plague doctor's mask checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Ian checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Coraline checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Merek checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 19 higher.

1 inflicted and Caspian is harmed for minor damage.

3 Armed Confessors have been dismissed.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

"Well, this sucks," says Caspian with a shrug and a smile, and goes back to running up a weasel that is on the ground and kneels down, stabbing at it. When a cat comes up on him trying to get him he draws out his knife and swipes at it, cutting off it's front legs.

Merek checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

"Fucking dogs. Not again." Ian follows after Meriah, but is forced to follow her at a walking pace even as she charges ahead, and is delayed still further when a fleeing old woman trips and falls literally right in front of him and he has to spend a minute getting her up and pressing another fleeing citizen into taking care of her.

Merek continues weaving through the foes, and then comes around to slash into one, then he pulls that out and shanks downwards to another, before he moves around to shift his weapon in a twirl. Moxie meanwhile is also doing the weaving and manages to cleave into more, as she defends the Clinic. The cloak that is on him waves along while he looks to the distance a moment, "Be ready for the next wave, the Guard should be coming in a little bit. We must hold the line!"

Meriah manages to clear the wounded from the Square. A few breaks, of course, to do some proper triage when necessary. She is making her way back to the Clinic and turns to regard Ian, slowing so they can be at the same pace. She does get ahead of herself. "Very sweet a-ya to look out for little ol' me--" She is saying with her usual toothy smile before something sinks its teeth -hard- into her calf and she lets out a sharp cry. The culprit--a rat. This ultimate betrayal sinks deep into her heart. Blood gushes out from the wound, running warm down her leg. "Shit...shit," she grits her teeth, angrily. "Let's get back. Quick."

Meriah checked intellect + medicine at difficulty 15, rolling 44 higher.

the three remaining animals (the in-fighting quartet have done themselves in), a weasel missing tufts of fur along its spine and a chunk missing from its tail, a scrawny raccoon missing the better of its nose and a good third of its fur and a possum. A one-eyed reaaaaaally mean looking possum with a torn pouch start making wheezing noises, their jaws running over in drool as they each pick a target and charge. The possum goes for Ian, the raccoon for Caspian and the weasel for Coraline.

Meriah wields Ebony-Edged Scalpel .

Scratch that, it's a rat, the rat that bit Meriah, not a possum. (They look alike, right?) and there's also the dog Cora is facing.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 16 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 17 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 28 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(5) + brawl(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 14 higher.


"The concoction that the Marquessa had me drink." Amantha starts speaking suddenly, having held herself in stoic quiet for a good while. She must be addressing the healers and nurses at her back, though she doesn't turn from the door. "Do any of you know it? Something tells me you may need extra supply of it." Whether it's actually -helped- her, she doesn't say. But it might take the minds of the most nervous off of the escalating chaos outside. "Clove, ginger, hot pepper.. to burn the fever out.." The redhead recites this from memory, the list broken as she swipes a few beads of sweat from her brow with one forearm. "..garlic, chamomile, juniper.." Is this a remedy or a nursery rhyme? She may as well be putting it to a melody. "Mustard seed. Rue. Vinegar and fresh-boiled water." Credit where it's due, the Iron Mercy remembers instruction even under stress. "Then it steeps for twenty minutes." She shifts her weight, gently, from side to side on the balls of her feet.

Caspian checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 44 higher.

Coraline checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 11 higher.

Coraline checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 32 higher.

Ian checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 46 higher.

Coraline checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 41 higher.

Someone wearing A dark lensed plague doctor's mask checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

As the dog decides that Cora looks entirely biteable and Cora, not wishing to be bit swings at the creatures head managing to slice through the muzzle and cleave through the jaw, this critter isn't going to last. Turning she moves to defend against the weasel that decided to pick on her instead and looks for an opportunity to attack it.

There are only a few left, and... Well, Asher needs to see the end of it. Coraline seems to have the dog, but Asher's more certain that the weasel would find a way to scratch her. Somehow. Don't need to get anyone else sick if it can be helped. In a kind of uppercut motion, the sword sails through... Ew. Well, that -was- one whole weasel, at one point in time. Thank the gods for the mask he's wearing...

Merek checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Coraline checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 9 lower.

Meriah checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Amantha checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 8 lower.

Caspian checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Ian has rolled a critical success!
Ian checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Skye checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 15 lower.

Isabetta checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Someone wearing A dark lensed plague doctor's mask checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Lethe checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Lethe checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 13 higher.

Isabetta checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 19 higher.

Meriah limbs a bit forward and starts back toward the Clinic with the rat-traitor easily in the hands of Ian. Once inside, with disregard to her wound, she is quick to coordinate the injured that have arrived, shouting medical instructions to anyone on staff. "Clean the wounds before you bandage them. Stitch it up. Let's go, stop paying attention to the barks. Come on!" She hops and sits on the edge of the desk, lifting her boot up to hitch on the edge. Taking some bandages, she’ll apply them to her calf quickly. It has to be quick, so she can get to healing.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

As the weasel is sliced in half, Cora salutes the mask wearing avenger and goes to find anything else presenting danger. That taken care of she looks around for any injured who needs to make it to the clinic and will carry them to the clinic if she finds them.

Meriah checked command + medicine at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

"Bring it, fuzball!" Caspian cries out as the weasel goes charging for him, waving his free hand towards the towards the weasel with a wild grin. And when the weasel does come, he slides right out of the way and makes a downwards thrust of his knife, making a stab attempt. Once the thing has been slain, he rises, looking around for anything else that needs killing. Then he hears something, and looks around, knife held out, "Who said that?!"

Lethe looks around to the others who are inside with a look of curiousity. "Does anyone else hear that? I thought I heard a woman."

Skye is searching for the herbs that Amantha called out and shakes her head at Lethe, "No...I didn't hear anything." She has her bow on her back, ready to pull out to defend, but it looks like people haven't made it back yet, "What did she sound like?" There is a bit of curiosity rather than judgement.

Isabetta looks at Lethe and says, "Well besides you and all the other women here, I do think someone just insulted my weapon for not being a sword." She glares around, as if trying to figure out who might have said it. She's totally still freaking out a bit, the whole being in a clinic in the first place and then a wild animal attack. "I am never visiting anyone sick again." She mutters to herself. "And if I do I'm bringing a sword.. or my bow."

Those weird snarling sounds? They aren't there anymore. They WERE there, but now they aren't. There's no glimpse of other animals. Where did they go?


As folk start to filter into the clinic, Amantha shoves the door ajar just enough to grant them passage. A look of concern passes over Meriah as she hops up to perch on the desk.. enough so that she momentarily shifts her green-eyed gaze from the doorway. Then it shifts to Lethe, confusion wandering across her features. "..a woman? You mean her?" There's an indicative nod toward the healer pulling at her boot.

What Ian does next is almost a blur; it's not that he's exceptionally fast, but that economy of movement is perfect, one motion flowing into the next with such precision that the whole thing seems less like a dance and more like an inevitability. He closes the distance between himself and the doctor, plants his cane on the ground and uses it to pivot out of the way of the charging giant possum rat, brings his cane up, changes his grip on it, and an alaricite sword sings free from within, coming out at an angle that the draw itself slices down and clear through said rat as it wheels around to face him again. He doesn't even pause to survey his handiwork; despite the chaos of movement around him, he seems perfectly confident that he did what he set out to do the way he set out to do it. He's come around to look at something up the street; his back was turned to that direction a second ago, but it's like he knew it was there anyway. "Hey! You! Hold it!"

It doesn't take Asher but a moment to realize the animals are dead. Here, at least. He did hear a voice, of course - without any hesitation he sheathes the sword, and dashes off towards where he heard it from - and it's likely where Ian saw the person, one hopes. These are his streets, his hometown. Of course he knows where he's going... But can he find that person who ran? Oh, and the skunk-slaying dagger is left in its new, furry, black-and-white sheath. Ew.

Ian's words catching Cora's attention and looking the direction he was, Cora doesn't think she just runs after whatever it is he sees.

Lethe looks around. "She sounded like she was snarling almost, and I thought she said something about stupid swords and she'd get them next time." She frowns and looks to the healer. "I don't know. I don't know hear it anymore."

"So...uh..." Caspian points down to his left leg, the back of it where he is bleeding through the silk. "I got bitten. Is that a problem?" He wonders to the crowd, holding up his wounded leg. "Is it? Because I don't want to die, you know."

Merek looks then to Caspian, and sheaths his weapon once all seems clear. Then the Guard arrives in force, perhaps a reason for some of the others not coming. He shakes his head, "Get it tended, we will find a cure if anything is the matter, because I don't think this is a normal sickness... Especially if someone heard a voice that isn't there anymore. Sounds like someone's doing all this. The animals are not tainted in the same way the darkness is, so whatever dark power is doing it, isn't them themselves."


The redhaired guardswoman regards Lethe thoughtfully for a long moment, before flicking a glance to Meriah. A look out through the door ascertains that several people she knows are charging off after.. something. More rats and weasels? One can only hope.

Meriah hops down from the desk. She still limps but she's approaching Caspian. "Up on a bed with you, let's have a look." She orders. Her voice much more stern and less playful.

"Really? You look like you could be looked at before me," Says Caspian back to Meriah, waving his hand to her own leg. He looks to Merek, lifting his brows, "Wait, sickness? There isn't a cure? What? What is going on here, I was just looking for something for sleep!" He groans, but makes his way over to the bed anyway.

Skye returns with the necessary herbs to Meriah's side, showing the young baroness has been busy at work, getting ready for the round of patients from the streets. She works quietly and efficiently, letting the physician manage the bed side manner. She's just there to work.

Having lost sight of whatever Ian saw, Cora heads back to him, "Did anything get you Commander?" She asks as she gives Ian a look over. "I can patch you up if so," She doesn't mention the follow up suggestion if the answer is yes. "If not I need to go help with the healing, there are a lot of bit people there now."


Overhearing Merek, Amantha casts him a grim look, finally stepping back from her sefl-tasked post at the doorway. "..the first victims were covered in animal bites. And now look." She gestures toward a large man in a distant cot, who appears dead to the world. Optimistically, he slumbers. But Amantha's expression suggests otherwise.

Ian looks down at himself, checking over his boots to make sure they're unharmed. "I think I'm good," he says to Coraline. "She went into the sewer."

Isabetta is still clutching her broom, even after hearing the voice, or saying she did, she's apparently not content that she is safe. Her knuckles are weight over it and she tries to stay out of the way of the bitten. "This place needs way more guards-" she notices Amantha and adds, "Who are stationed here and not sick."

Cora pauses then frowns, "The sewer, then the expedition I heard talked about might well need to be done and soon. What did she look like?"

All told, there are a total of fifteen more people sporting bites. Seven of them are children, most of the bites on the extremities, though one of two of the adults have bites to the shoulders and one to the face. There is now something close to a panic as people are asking what is going to happen to them. The words 'disease' and 'illness' have been tossed around and people are getting increasingly concerned.

1 Navegant Marines have been dismissed.

"Yes, the animals are indeed sick, but it is not naturally caused to them, I believe," Merek mentions, as he nods a bit. He then looks to the man, and frowns a bit. He motions to the plethora of Guards he summoned, "Look, an entire retinue. Have them, under order of my Admiralship, I bequeath them to protect areas of interest in the Lowers from these animals, and to protect the Clinic." He then looks to Ian, "Hmm. The underground of Arx, even the sewers, is not a place I'd go without a good force." He motions then, "... I'm going to do what I can to help folk resolve this." He moves to the man seemingly gone from here, and then rests a hand upon him, with a sigh. He then considers and... Moves out, and towards the manhole for the sewer, or any metal grate.

Meriah scowls at Caspian and shakes her head. "I'm fine," she says in a low dark voice. She brushes him along to the bed and pulls up a stool to inspect his bite and fix it up. A grateful look is given to Skye. She shouts at any of the Guard present, "We are treating patients now. Take your soldiery business elsewhere--thank you. Everyone is going to be fine." She said and her voice carried. "Because the best damn doctor is Arx is here to treat them."

It takes some time to get over to where the woman left, so Asher isn't in time. But he does find salt-pepper hairs, a scrap of fabric - it's not enough to go on, really. He heads back to the clinic to check on things, and brings his mask off when he gets there. He's fine, hasn't been touched. "So. Sewers, then. I hate being right." A glance to Amantha. "How long, do you think, will you be out of action?" A glance to Meriah. "...Perhaps I should be asking the physician.

Merek checked mana + theology at difficulty 20, rolling 46 higher.

Ian sheathes the alaricite sword back into his cane. "I didn't get a good look at her. Deformed, I think. One side withered away, maybe. Excuse me." He breaks away from Coraline, and returns to what he started out doing, carving order from chaos; he directs nervous citizens to beds, encourages terrified children to be brave, and most importantly gives people something to do, whether it's assigning adults to look after children, or assigning children some other small task.


"I'm stationed here -and- sick." corrects the flame-haired guardswoman, primly. Though, it's really more for her own pride than a genuine disgruntlement with Isabetta. "I was keeping an eye on him." Again, she indicates the large man, who has slept peacefully throughout the evening's chaos. "And no.." Again, Amantha turns her vivid gaze upon Merek. "Judging by the signs of prior restraint on the first victims and the pile of carcasses discovered down by the docks, I would agree - this is no natural affliction." Her tone is terse, to put it mildly. And her expression matches. Fortunately, distraction comes in the form of Asher's enquiry. Shifting her gaze to the Grayhope, the Iron Mercy sighs softly. "Dreadful burden, foresight." she agrees, before looking about the suddenly very busy clinic. "..not long, I think. Depending upon the effects of the Guildmaster's tonic." The subtle undertone implies it doesn't matter a good god-damn when she's -well-.. she already knows what Asher's thinking.

Cora nods at Ian's words then looks torn between going to the sewers and going to the clinic, the clinic wins out and she rolls up her sleeves and goes to help with the healing and the calming. Softly spoken words and smiles, reassuring things said, "Don't worry it is fine, we will take care of you. Lets get you patched up. its all good."

command + leadership

Coraline has rolled a critical success!
Coraline checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 67 higher.

Meriah has rolled a critical success!
Meriah checked command + streetwise at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Merek stands up and comes back with a piece of the sewer cover, while he twirls it around in his hand. He places it within some linen to carry, and considers a moment. He then looks to the others once more, "We'll make sure people are alright, and..." He looks to the man on the bed, "We'll do all we can." He shakes his head a bit and looks to Meriah, "Do you need any supplies brought to the Lowers, besides the Guard?"

Ian checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

"Huh, where does that sound familiar?" Asks Caspian back to Ian with a furrow of his brows. "It does. I think I read about someone like that. I'll have to check over my notes when I get home," he says back to Ian, then looks to Meriah as she works.

Buio, a melanistic osprey arrives, delivering a message to Caspian before departing.

Isabetta is still kind of panicing, pacing, fingering her broom and in general saying, "Am I bit am I bit.." She tries to look herself over, but she can't see her own back. Granted nothing got within any noticeable distance to her, there is literally no chance she was bit. " Gods I am feeling a little light headed." She says, hyperventilating a bit, now that the action is over.

Meriah is wrapping a bandage around Meriah’s leg. She hears mention of the Guards being posted and she stands up, suddenly in a fury. Though she draws back a breath before she says anything sharp. Instead, her voice is even. "We have supplies. We don’t need your Guards. You want to scare away half my patients? Post them elsewhere. I don't need anyone not coming to the Clinic because they're worried about being hassled by some lug heads with swords."

Merek checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 1 lower.

Ian looks up from (slightly awkwardly) comforting a crying child, because he's really better at telling people to just stop and then they do, and kids don't work that way. "I'd appreciate a messenger if you find anything," he remarks to Caspian. "Or I can meet you."

Asher nods to Amantha. "Good. We'll need someone who knows the Lowers watching over it from underneath." Apparently, he doesn't think that other Iron Guards would be as helpful in this situation. Or he has a preference. "...Looks like we may yet get that sewers date, aye?" Now, the teasing comes out. A glance to Merek, all business now. "As the lady says, guards would only scare people away. Best deal with the source of the problem, first, in my opinion. Torches, perhaps lanterns, for the trek underneath. Knowing a bit about what's underneath, if we could manage to procure those lanterns what were used during the Siege, with Lagoma's Flame inside? That would be best." Merek did ask what was needed, after all...

Sensing the disturbance between Meriah and Merek Cora moves that way and says in a soft but firm tone, "If you are going to fight can you do it quietly and in private, people are already freaked out and Master Physician Meriah would you be ever so good as to see about getting that mixture taken care of I will happily speak to the good Guard Commander." She looks between both, "I am sure we can come to an arraingement that will be acceptable to all." She is respectful but very firm in her words. "Lets not raise already raised tensions with already upset people any further hmm?


There's an ever so slight smirk that twitches at Amantha's lips, following Meriah's outburst. But she doesn't say anything. Nope. She remains near the door, returning her attention to Asher with a more genuine smile. Watching over the Lowers from beneath? He's talking to the right woman. So says her calm expression. But she reflects the easygoing banter, sheathing her blade. "Oh, absolutely. Don't forget the candles." A flit of a glance goes Isabetta's way, as she passes by wittering. "..and the cupcakes."

Merek does not usually seem to argue with folk, but he then motions a bit, then when Asher speaks he looks that direction and towards Amantha, instead of continuing the conversation, just adding, "I'll post them not far away then, we have people specifically for the Lowers in any case, the sailors are often here or from around here at times. Just send a messenger if you need them, otherwise they'll be far enough away to not bother folk," he motions then a little, "Whether or not it will work depends on who is doing the lighting. We can ask the Godsworn at Lagoma's Temple to see to it. You might want to bring rubicund or better, anyone else that is coming."

The efforts of the group with their various degrees of streetwise and leadership are able to turn the crowd into a quieter mob. Parents are trying to comfort their children until it is their turn to be seen. After the first few patients are treated for the bites, they start to head for the doors of the clinic, pausing before asking, "Is it safe to leave?"

Asher gives a very slight bow to Merek. It's not disrespectful, he just doesn't like bowing and he does want to show gratitude. "Thank you, Sir Merek. I will see what can be done about the lanterns as well. I'm certainly no Godsworn; and I didn't know it was who did the lighting that mattered." Interesting information. He turns to Amantha, smirking. "You have something of Rubicund, or do we need to get something made for you? Hana is my cousin after all, I'm sure she'd be happy to help. If it's needed." His smirk widens. "But no cupcakes, can you imagine trying to eat one in the sewers? Ew." He's not going to help with the people milling about, wondering if they can leave. That's not his forte at all.

"I'll let you know if I discover anything," says Caspian back to Ian, saluting a finger as he sits on the bed, being bandaged up by Mariah. He looks to the woman, giving her a smirk as he says, "I give you high marks for your bandage skills, but your bedside manner isn't all that great."

Meriah settles down when she sees that she is at least somewhat getting her way. The physician moves to the cabinet to search for a few things. “Only one arrangement for me. This ain’t a barracks. Take it elsewhere.” As patients begin to shuffle out of the Clinic she warns them in her best doctor voice, "You’ll need some potions. Come back tomorrow, when you can, and we’ll have you take a dosage. Just to be sure. If you can’t for any reason, let us know and we’ll bring it to you ‘course. We make house calls."

As things have calmed down Cora goes back to tending patients, as they questions are asked Cora smiles, "For now yes but please do come back every day until directed otherwise. We have treatments in place, yucky yes but very benefitial. It will be freely given and help you very much okay? That way we can keep you safe, you need to have clean water on hand you will get thirsty, and if you start getting fever come right back. Be sure to eat though. We will be setting up a place here just in case, but don't worry things will be alright, just do as I suggest alright." Cora directs them, then nods at Meriah's words, "And as she said we will do house calls. Whatever you need."

Ian interprets 'is it safe to leave?' in an entirely different light, and steps outside with the people departing, just to keep an eye on them in case something else is lurking under an eve or in an alley.

Coraline is overheard praising Reigna.


"I do. As a matter of fact.." Though she's answering Asher, Amantha looks past him to Merek. "..it was Sir Merek who gifted it to me." She really does get the best presents. Cupcakes. Cookies. Spears. There's a subtle nod for her fellow guardsman, but it's a wary thing. She's of the Lowers, and surrounded, in this moment, by Lowers folk. She can see both sides of the tension that Coraline seeks to resolve, and she's not going to get in the middle of it. Looking weary all of a sudden, the redhead once again rests a shoulder to the doorframe, pushing wayward strands of hair out of her eyes. "..I shouldn't be here, taking up a bed. I'm well enough to head home."