Bodies had been popping up in the deadwoods. Most of the bodies were unrecognizable, but all of them similar in some way.There were rumors around, spreading like wildfire, and making it in the ear of everyone who's anyone in Darkveil, and the surrounding areas. This particular rumor wasn’t super interesting. Children were going missing, turning up dead in the deadwoods. Unfortunately, nobody really cared around here. One of the many things that annoyed her about society was how nobody really cared about anything. Of course, she always wanted to convince herself that she didn’t care just as much as the next person, but here she was, skulking around Darkveil, something clearly bothering her. She passed by a poster of some of the missing kids, and stopped, reaching out, taking it down, reading it, and then cursing under her breath and throwing it on the floor.



What the hell was she supposed to do anyways? Its not like she knew where the kids were, or where to even start looking. She sighed, kicking the piece of paper as she passed by. People were staring. She knew she couldn’t let people see her like this, so Persie kept walking, scowling at the people as she passed by. Eventually, she found herself on the outskirts of town, staring at a similar piece of paper and leaning against the wall. She wanted to do something, anyone who watched her could tell.

Irresponsible.
That's the only word Vail could use to describe his feelings as walked through one of Darkveil's many alleys. He wore his red scarf wrapped over the lower half of his face, serving as both a shield from the light ashfall, as well as helping to conceal his identity. Some disturbing news has been spreading around the city as of recent and it was something his conscience wouldn’t let him ignore. Children were going missing, plucked right from Darkveil’s streets at an alarming rate. A missing child or two wasn’t anything unusual for Darkveil, he knew that all too well, but this was different. It wasn’t some curious kid accidentally poking their nose in where it doesn’t belong; the children were being targeted and he was here to put a stop to it. No matter the cost to himself.

He debated asking Zarius or Caedes for some assistance but given the considerable damage the Rookery had recently sustained, the fellblood and company likely had their hands full already. That and part of him doubted the blueblood would show as much concern for the lower class of Darkveil as he did.

Emerging onto one of the outer city streets, he begins walking towards the nearest tavern. Not the Den or Rookery for once, but the Midnight Mare, a small but useful establishment when it came to information gathering.
He ignores the numerous missing posters adorning the buildings as he walks. He’s been away from the city far too long to recognize any of the children shown, but every time he looks upon a poster he can’t help but see a member of his old gang staring back at him. His frustration grew with each face he saw, urging him to pick up the pace, until a familiar face blocked his path. She seemed almost as troubled as he was, a surprise to him considering the opinions of her demonic company.

“You’d best get inside, this ashfall is not good for your health.” He says to the woman, relieved to have at least a momentary reprieve from his unease.

She was surprised anyone would deign to talk to her, really. Given her reputation around here. Only people who were stupid or knew her and could handle her bullshit would dare to. Especially in a case where she looks like she wants to burn down a whole building. She crumpled the paper in her hands as Persie looked up, glaring at whoever spoke, until she realized who it was - And how very much frustrated by the situation they both equally are. Her face softened a little. “Vail,” She responds, a little surprise in her silk-stained voice. “Didn’t expect you to be here, considering how much you despise the area.” She offers a playfully teasing smile.



“You’re one to talk about the ash in the air, sir.” She teased, walking towards him. “You look how I feel, hun. You okay?” Persie wasn’t attached to Vail at all, but he was one of the very few people who didn’t annoy the piss out of her. She still had the piece of paper in her hands, though now she was just more focused on the conversation. Still, while Vail was a mystery to her, she could tell something was bothering him. Maybe it was the same thing. She looked at the paper, then back at him. “You’re worried about them as well, aren’t you?” She questioned, her face dropping a little as she brought it up. Clearly the whole thing angered her.

Vail looks at the woman with an unimpressed expression. Persie's facade was shaky at best; even if he hadn’t met her before, he would have seen her troubles straight through that smile. His eyes similarly soften as they meet hers, glad to have at least someone in this forsaken city that started his concern. "I'm sure you already know the answer. Sometimes you can't just sit idly by. Not while others suffer a fate you know all too well." His expression twists into a smirk as he looks upward. "If only there was some underhanded individual you could turn to who spent far too much of his life digging up information that people didn’t want him to know.”

He walks past Persie as he waves for her to follow. "My destination is nearby, you're welcome to join me. It might do you some good. I know that feeling of powerlessness can be frustrating, but you will want a clear head if an opportunity arises."

While company wasn’t what he had planned, it would offer a nice way for him to blend into the tavern crowd. Whoever was behind these kidnappings would likely be more suspicious of a loner watching them from a dark corner, rather than two young adults sharing a relaxing drink as night approaches. What harm could it do? Besides, it had been a good while since he shared a drink with company that didn’t put him at least somewhat on edge.

He pushes open the tavern with a thin smile, despite the grim circumstances.

Persephone smiles sweetly at his unimpressed gaze, and as he responds to her concern, she nods grimly. This wasn’t a feeling she was used to, the helplessness. She wasn’t used to feeling concerned for others. But these guys… She gently dropped the paper on the ground as he responded. They both knew the children shouldn’t suffer the same way they did. Clearly, though, he already had a plan.



Persie’s expression grew from grim, to curious, a spark in her eye as she started following him. “Hmm. I might keep you around, sweetheart.” She grins, nudging him with her elbow as she caught up with him and walked beside him. She couldn’t help but steal glances at him occasionally as they strode into the tavern together. She knew the place all too well. It wasn’t a spot she frequented, so people didn’t simply stare at her in ire as they walked in. But she was curious as to what his plan was.



Something in her was sure that he knew what he was doing, so she followed suit, following him to a table in the corner, and grabbing a drink from the servers, leaving a gold coin in its place. “Ooh, you know all the good places, don’t you?” She adds, winking at Vail.

Vail raises an eyebrow at Persie’s wink, followed shortly by an eye roll. “If by good, you mean good for information, then yes.” His eyes move away from the woman as his tone grows more solemn. “The staff does a good job making this place feel homely, but it’s just not the same…”

His attention turns to the bar or more precisely, the scarred, bearded man behind it. Vail’s prior trips to the tavern have taught him that Meric Devrim was a naturally quiet man, preferring to take in the loose information of his inebriated patron rather than speaking much himself. Vail saw a bit of himself in the bartender, despite the considerable difference in their circumstances. Today however, the man seemed more distant than usual, his mind clearly too troubled to focus on picking out the nuggets of truth out of drunken ramblings.

As the bartender passes by their table, Vail makes sure to grab his attention. "Meric, I wish to speak with Mama. It concerns the recent troubles in the city, specifically regarding the kids.”
The man’s eyes meet Vail’s for a brief moment, no doubt judging his intentions, before giving him a silent nod.

As the man heads to the back of the establishment, Vail turns to face Persie with a confident grin. “Beneath that big beard and all those battle scars lies a big softy. Getting him to care is rather easy, any mention of children will likely elicit thoughts of his own kids; I surmised as much from his expression alone. Getting secrets out of Mama Majorna will be more difficult, but I have a plan for that.”