Mar 12 10:42:03 106 PA

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Sat Mar 12 10:42:03 106 PA.

Saturday. Supposedly the weekend, but Caliopa has been at work until midafternoon. She has been home, and changed, into black combats and a soft cream sweater, a new purchase. Over that, her duffle coat keeps the cold grey day out of her bones. Here, she has shopped, buying nothing edible, a few things she needed and she is taking the time out to deal with other chores, her hair tied back in two clips that leave it falling softly around her cheeks.

Making her way casually down the street heading south Tirzah is back from a tour for work for those familiar with her routine. Unlike last time though she looks well rested and chipper actually. As such she is open to dawdle and check out store displays and return greetings from the common passerby. Pausing at one display she peruses some items before she gets caught up listening to a group's gossip.

When compared to those past, today is a grand day for some, regardless of the chill and clouded air. Leonard browses past the various booths at a casual pace that is oft held as he stops at nearly every vendor, if just to take the time to browse. The growing bulk of the sacks in his hands prove that he has already done more than peruse and, not surprisingly, those merchants he stops to ask questions of are exceptionally chatty.

With a light jacket on Sage steps out of the museum after finishing up some work in the garden. She glances around as she considers her options. It seems a bit early to be heading for her apartment yet and she begins to make her way towards the merchant plaza.

Having made his way over, and looking somewhat wary, Alistair has come to a stop at a shop that sells odds and ends of all sorts - he looking in the window for a while, either window-shopping or looking for something particular. "Hmmm ... " he steps back and smiles to someone he almost backs into, a sheepish expression and a pleasant greeting. A quick look around, a blush, and he sees several people he recognizes here and there, but of course, it's Cali he calls out to, raising a hand to wave at her.

Perched on her hovercycle - feet on the seat, and seated on the handlebars - Celaeno is eating a rather suspect sandwich from a nearby cart. Waving apathetically as several other cyclers pull out and putter off into traffic, she seems to be fairly engrossed in her meal, for the moment.

Caliopa pauses at a food cart, taking her time to pick between the variety of foods available. Finally she settles on falafals, ordering the spicy balls in pitta, covering them in various toppings. Then, she turns, hearing Alistair's voice, a smile lighting up her face. She glances around, turning her steps towards him, food in hand.

The gossip Tirzah delves into is unsurprisingly about the undead and fog. The amount of hearsay and superstition in the talk is also unsurprising to her. Casually she tries to discretely correct the notion that anyone attack by undead will become undead unless you fill the coffin with garlic at the burial.

Leonard thanks the merchant at his latest stop, though his bag gains no extra mass at this stop. Now at the end of the current line, he looks to the food carts with a subtle prod from a grumbling stomach. The vaguely familiar sandwich muncher on the bike is noted before Alistair's call draws his attention to himself and Cali. A recent memory draws a chuckle and he lifts a laden arm in an attempt to wave at the pair.

As she's walking north, Sage eventually runs into a familiar person. A smile comes to her lips as she notices Tirzah in the midst of a conversation or perhaps just listening to one. She lightly touches the woman's shoulder as she passes, letting her hand slip lightly in the direction she's headed as she takes a couple steps past the woman before pausing to see if her presence intices that other woman to break away from the conversation.

Alistair smiles back at Cali, making his way towards her as well. "Spicy food?" he asks, "This is a trend, yes?" he jokes, tilting his head a little as he leans in to give her a hug quickly and carefully, so as not to make a mess with the food. "Want me to carry that for you?" motioning to the bag, he reaches out a little to take the bag should she wish to hand it over.

Celaeno makes slow work of the sandwich, sliding forward off the handles, and shifting into a more relaxed recline after a few moments of rearranging. Seemingly unbothered and unaware of the crowds streaming around and past, she finally lifts her gaze with a yawn, peering around with passing interest. Up the street there are a few vaguely familiar faces speckled into the crowd - down the street another - and in front of her a sandwich. What to do, what to do.

Caliopa glances at her falafal, offering the man a bite before letting him take her bag. "I like things I can taste a piece." The hug has bought the warm smile to her lips, lighting up the brown eyes easily. "You been busy?" The question is spoken as she seeks a place to settle, to better watch the passing people, and eat her food, spotting Leonard's wave and returning one. "Look, Leonard..." She points him out to Alistair.

Recognizing her partners touch Tirzah is drawn out of the gossipers to turn and follow after Sage. "Hey hun, miss me?" She enquires with a bright smile as she tracks back north after Sage. Catching up quickly she reaches to embrace Sage in welcoming before she'll let her hand search out Sage's

"Good day. How are you both?" After a few steps towards the couple, Leonard offers a more apparent greeting along with a smile. His posture doesn't seem as affected by the weight any more that his speech. "It's nice to see you out of the shop for a while, again, Cali."

"MMm, thank you" says Alistair, smiling wider and leaning in to take a bite after having taken the bag. His gaze meets hers for a few moments before she starts looking for a place to sit at. "Yum - yes, digging ... carrying things. I hurt all over. You? I know you've been working a lot ... " he smiles sheepishly, following her, and looking to where she's pointing. "Hello!" he smiles at Leonard and waves at him. "Alright, you? And how is Miss Vixen?"

A warmth comes into her smile as her partner leaves the gossipers for her and Sage welcomes the embrace. "Of course I -...." She breaks off, going rigid as if sensing something wrong. Her eyes looking frightened before she lets the calming ability of suppressing her own fear flow through her body and into her partners. "Trouble..." She murmurs quietly. Her gaze beging to glance around for the source.

Celaeno frowns oh-so-slightly, stretching while she shifts forward onto the cycle, straddling it properly, if backwards. One more bite of the sandwich before she wraps it up and tosses it into a greasy brown paper bag. Stretching once more, she swings her leg around and secures everything she has, sitting side-saddle for the moment.

The mature afternoon shifts quite suddenly. A thick fog seems to roll forth from the alleyways and along the side streets, like a wave of obscuring soup that, in moments, will enclose the area.. perhaps further as well, though once it has fallen, such details are obscured. Several people cry out in fright and a pair of Kingsdale PD nearby start out of the private conversation they were having. One snaps up his radio, immediately calling in the fog pocket, whist the other puts his hand on one of his pistols, a common automatic, intently scanning the area before he moved to a nearby group of people. "Go on, get inside. Over there." Pointing them towards the nearby haven of Happy Burger, the sign for the place only just visible in the fog. The people take up the suggestion readily and a handful of others follow them. Several others scatter in various direction, whilst some linger. Either in cornered fight or cornered flight, a trio of mercenaries amongst those, though their outlines are vague, off to one side.

Caliopa giggles, blushing a little as she settles on a low wall, making herself comfortable. "Been workin' a lot recent times, but I hired on some help. Been able to shut the garage on Sundays for a bit, get some time off." Alistair's comment brings a dismayed look to her face and she glances between the pair. "They were fightin' before..." She murmurs, audible to Leonard. The fog rolling in brings a frown to her face and she glances at the disturbance. "Leo, Al... look. Trouble?" The question is spoken as she puts the food aside, rising to her feet, her eyes widening. "Inside?" She asks them

Tirzah nods, holding Sage close as trouble is mentioned. Channeling her link into her armor she activates its magical protection (Armor of Ithan). Her attention to Sage's safety first and foremost She notices the KDPD directing people into happy burger and starts leading the way there.

"Actually, we are..." Leonard's thoughts of one situation are lost as the one in the immediate vicinity suddenly seems to worsen. "This can't be good. Inside it is." He does not yet move for cover, though, as his attention lingers on the sudden fog. Not that there is much to see other than the fact that it makes there little to see.

Despite being able to push down her fear of what might be coming, Sage is a little anxious as she's at a disadvantage in this particular situation. she's more than willing to follow Tirzah's lead towards the Happy Burger. She trusts the other woman to do her best to protect her.

"Ooooh ... tell me so I can come visit?" Alistair smiles at Cali, and looks back between Leonard and Cali, his smile fading a little and brows hiking up as he says 'Oh'. He turns to look at the fog rolling in then and frowns, nodding his head, "Inside" he concurs, and looks and points to the closest place available forthem to go hide in.

With a sigh and a smirk, Celaeno swings her other leg over and hits the engine, lifting it off the ground a good seven feet and lazily spinning to face the street. Peering into the fog, she sees, well... nothing, but she keeps peering anyway, not moving from her spot for the moment.

The fog is on the thick side once it has settled and it's easy to loose track of those not close to you. Thus the soup will make what comes next even more unnerving. There will be a sharp gasp from one person.. then nothing. Then a sharp scream to another side that continues on, taking on an agonized quality towards the trailing end of it. The PD officer who was radioing in the incident is lost in the fog, but the other, moving with some of the people who are headed for Happy Burger, pauses and turns towards the source of the scream. He seems to pick something out of the fog as the automatic gets pulled and aimed. He takes a moment to aim, before snapping off a short burst of shots.

Caliopa stays with the two men, giving a slow nods at Alistair's comment. "Reckon so." She agrees, turning to move towards the Burger place, leaving behind the food she bought. The scream though, that turns her head, and she hesitates, torn between helping and getting to a safe place. Then, she glances at the two men with her, turning her footsteps, hurriedly seeking the source of the scream, keeping within view of the two men. The firing officer is a shock to her, and those footsteps pause, the woman reaching for her own weapon, caution in her face. "What do you reckon that is?" She questions the two close to her, her voice revealing the nerves, moving forward once more.

Tirzah quickens her pace as shots get fired taking Sage into Happy Burger where she'll release her and stand guard at the door. She does what she can to help clam others as the file in, encouraging them not to panic and stay calm as she looks out the window to see if she can spot the enemy.

"I've no idea." Leonard can't offer much answer to Cali's question. Contrary to general opinion and/or wisdom, he also seems to desire an answer. He begins to step towards the fog and firing officer rather than cover as he attempts a closer assessment.

With her gaze scanning anxiously about, Sage nearly pauses as she notices something. "Something just slammed into that person over there." She communicates to Tirzah as she gestures towards the area that the gasp came from. "Couldn't make it out, though." Her hand begins to pat around for the things she's started to carry with her as this fog issue began. Once into Happy Burger, she'll keep an eye out for people who might need her aid. She pulls out her machine pistol first, making sure its set to single shot.

Alistair looks over his shoulder, frowning at those sounds and the shooting - he can't see much of anything though and its frustrating. "Cali!" he says when she reverses her steps, but he goes with her. "Something bad, but I can't see anything" he commens, that sheen appearing on his skin again and he starts to move so as to keep the woman somewhat behind him at least. He reaches for the pistol in his jacket as well.

One hand slipping down to her waste to unclip her neural mace, she lifts herself another few feet as the screaming starts, and the shots are fired. With a slight lean, she starts drifting toward the Happy Burger, still peering underneath her into that fog. Once she gets to the general vicinity of it, though, she'll just sit and peer, staying in the middle of the road before lowering and inching toward the building proper.

For Caliopa, Alistair and Leo, who draw towards where the police officer stands, it becomes obvious just what it is. Near enough to the target of that burst of fire. A man lies writing on the ground, half of his body covered by the leg and torso shaped mass of a red, gelatinous.. thing. It's vaguely humanoid with short, thick fingers and a broad neck with a only slightly thicker bulb of a head. The broad, toothless mouth of which gapes in a gurgling snarl as it stares at the police officer, the six bullets that were fired into its mass slowly being pushed out without visible impact. Silver slugs dropping uselessly to the ground around it. Meanwhile the man on the ground continues to writhe as if in great pain. The broad mouth turns into a leer as the thing's rubbery arms reach down and embrace the man, drawing him against it's body, which only seems to add to his agony.

This mature afternoon (4 PM) has become troublesome as a fog has collected thickly in the area. Several people are scattering from the area, only barely visible in the haze. Many are migrating towards Happy Burger, where there are already about 20 people, many of whom have risen from their seats to move up to a window near to them to peer out at the hazy outsides. Others pointedly stay away from the windows and a pair come up to the door, demanding to be let out of the place.

Below and to the side, Cel will notice a struggling pair of forms, making a slow and laborious path towards a nearby side street.

Caliopa glances at Alistair, at the frustrated burst of her name, but still, her footsteps lead towards Leonard. The thing on the man makes her hesitate for a moment, her eyes widening in horror, but she lifts her weapon and aims. As yet, she doesn't fire, staring at the slugs falling from it. Her mind working overtime, "Oh god, oh god..." She mumbles, before a thought strikes her and she lowers the weapon, rummaging in the pockets of her coat, pulling out a grenade. She hesitates a moment before pressing the valve to on and hurling the small device at the creature and its victim.

Once the flow of people taking shelter inside Happy Burger slows Tirzah can step into the door way to try and assess the situation outside. But with the fog she can see naught though she does here the cries. Drawing on her link she summons an entity of fire (flame friend). "Explore the fog and protect the humans." She orders it and it walks off towards the screams.

"Keep away from it!" Leonard gives a generic, if obvious, warning to the man with the impotent pistol concerning the...thing. Another pair of steps are taken towards the gelatinous mass, these more confident as his hands lift to gesture adamantly at the mass. "Back! Begone!" There are more direct means to deal with the monstrosity, but there is the small matter of the man in its...clutches.

If Sage were able to see the blood creature, she would know first hand what it is like to be fed on by one of them. She hears gunfire, but isn't terribly surprised by it. She figures the best she can do for the time being is turn to the other people in Happy Burger and try to utter comforting words as she walks about the place.

"Oh my ... " Alistair murmurs, frowning - he glances at Cali quickly when she starts speaking, and looks back to the monster. As the grenade flies by him, he raises his wilks, holding it with both hands, takes aim at the thing's head, and pulls the trigger, moving closer to it step by step. "This one can't be hurt with silver or wood - if anyone has a weapon made of bone, now's the time to bring it! It shouldn't be immune to energy weapons either. I think. Hopefuly Cali's grenade will hurt it ... "

Swinging the cycle back and forth in the air, Celaeno peers at the figures, a moment of hesitation passing before she swings down behind the pair, flicking on her foglights/headlights as she does. Though she is mainly trying to get a better look, she tightens her grip of the mace and revs the engine in anticipation of a reaction.

It is about this time that along comes Maxy. She is on her way back from working out at the arena. She has the usual things that she carries about her...clothes and a ball that she tosses in her hand that does seem a bit strange. The massive woman hears what sounds like trouble and almost wishes she had decided to wear her armor home from the arena. The Titan Juicer, holds securely to the ball as if ready to throw it at a moment's notice as she heads towards where the commotion is coming from.

"Damn.." The police officer holsters his weapon and switches, not that he seems to confident in this next one either. A simple plasma pistol that he snaps up to aim at the thing. And though Leo's command seems to draw it's attention, the creature shrugs off the arcane component to it. What it can't ignore is when the grenade lands next to it, discharging a heavy mist of liquid in a tight radius. The thing emits a harsh gurgling sound that is akin to pain and audible to any. Across the side that gets misted, the dark, blood-like mass of it's form will bubble and froth visibly, some of it dripping off. With one arm-like appendage gripping the struggling man, the other there will start to work as it drags him away from the others. Tirzah will be coming near to this scene soon.

Off to another side, Cel will find another of these blood-like creatures, limbs wrapped about the struggling form of a woman, her mouth covered over by one gooey hand, the entirety of her covered in smears of red and as she struggles wildly to get free. Maxy will be near enough as she approaches to spy this through the fog as well. The thing is moments from dragging it's victim into the alley.

Happy Burger won't be a safe haven either as one of the windows is slammed against suddenly, the heavy glass fracturing deeply as a red mass slams into it once, twice. Screams rise and people move away from the window in a wave. The scale of this will quickly become apparent as more sounds will be audible, both near and far. More far as voices call out and weapons are fired. This coming from all directions, loud and faint.

"Damn.." The police officer holsters his weapon and switches, not that he seems to confident in this next one either. A simple plasma pistol that he snaps up to aim at the thing. And though Leo's command seems to draw it's attention, the creature shrugs off the arcane component to it. What it can't ignore is when the grenade lands next to it, discharging a heavy mist of liquid in a tight radius. The thing emits a harsh gurgling sound that is akin to pain and audible to any. Across the side that gets misted, the dark, blood-like mass of it's form will bubble and froth visibly, some of it dripping off. With one arm-like appendage gripping the struggling man, the other there will start to work as it drags him away from the others. The Flame Friend will be coming near to this scene soon.

Off to another side, Cel will find another of these blood-like creatures, limbs wrapped about the struggling form of a woman, her mouth covered over by one gooey hand, the entirety of her covered in smears of red and as she struggles wildly to get free. Maxy will be near enough as she approaches to spy this through the fog as well. The thing is moments from dragging it's victim into the alley.

Happy Burger won't be a safe haven either as one of the windows is slammed against suddenly, the heavy glass fracturing deeply as a red mass slams into it once, twice. Screams rise and people move away from the window in a wave. The scale of this will quickly become apparent as more sounds will be audible, both near and far. More far as voices call out and weapons are fired. This coming from all directions, loud and faint.

Caliopa watches her grenade fly, with some anxiety, "It hurts it! The holy water, it hurts it!" Her voice is raised, turning towards Alistair, towards the bag he carries for her. "Give me the bag. I had some..." Her voice is urgent, even as she sheathes her weapon, leaving her hands free to take the bag. "There are more of them, Al..."

The crash drawing her attention back inside Happy Burger Tirzah steps back in to face it. Drawing from her link she empowers her hands with fire as she approaches the window. (flame lick) "Everyone huddle together behind the counter, those of you with weapons in front of those without. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS." She orders those who have taken refuge with her as her eyes burn brightly.

Well, that did not work as Leonard planned, even if the thing is attempting to retreat. In lieu of another grand epiphany and without the time to generate one, the man does the next most semi-sensible thing provoked by his proximity. Several more rapid strides precede his reaching for the struggling man in effort to aid with the slimy tug of war. When arcane might fails, arm wrestle! Or is that run away?

When something collides with the windows, Sage's attention is quickly attracted to that area. Seeing the red mass there, she feels a shudder run through her body. She re-assures herself where her silver cross is located before making sure to keep people come. "Just keep calm... keep calm..." She says to the others, looking for any that might panic to be able to get to them in time to touch them and sooth away the worst of the fear. She'll try to help as many people get to safety as she can.

"Yeah, it worked!" says Alistair, holding teh bag out to Cali quickly. "And I forgot how to shoot straight ... more, Cali, more!" he looks around, that said in agreement with her assessment so to the number of nasty things that are around. "Keep an eye out and be careful!" he looks this way and that quickly, readying his next shot. With a slight grunt, Celaeno lurches the cycle forward and further down, closing on the woman/monster quickly. As she closes, the mace comes up, and she will attempt to give the creature a good THWACKing, before slowing down suddenly and jumping off the still-running cycle.

Maxy frowns and shakes her head. She pockets the deadball and gets a small running start and then leaps in the direction of the woman/creature and probably now Celaeno. She pushes off with her legs and throws her massive form through the air in a nice leap.

Caliopa rummages in the bag, her sense of urgency obvious. She withdraws some more of these grenades, offering one to Alistair, before she presses the button and hurls another, missing the creature quite badly.

The blood creature near Cali, Ali and Leo that holds the man makes its way quickly, dragging him along with ease in that one arm. Still struggling to escape, just as frantic, despite his yells. The thing moves at a low running pace, though it's loping lopsidedly on three limbs. The police officer fires off a plasma shot at the thing, but his care in aiming causes the shot to go wide and him to curse under his breath. Leo can get close enough to get his hands on the man, but he'll find the man's arm slicked with slippery, reddish fluid and the thing is -strong-, all but dragging Leo along with it before he can get his feet set underneath him to resist it.

Except there is not just one at Happy Burger. Two others assault the windows at the other side of the place, more than enough prompting for the people to crowd in towards the middle. And for some to make a break for the door, a few people escaping.. or perhaps not in the end, into the fog. The tension inside the building is rising quickly and the noise from yells, screams and other lesser sound grows, feeding the tension.

Cel scores a direct hit on the creature that is carrying off the woman, though despite the solid discharge of the energy, the thing barely flinches in response to it. Maxy's leaping attack goes just wide of the two, the thing slipping just into the alleyway the moment after, though the desperate woman manages to latch both hands on the edge of it, though her slick fingers are slipping fast. "Help me!" she cries out frantically.

The blood creature near Cali, Ali and Leo that holds the man makes its way quickly, dragging him along with ease in that one arm. Still struggling to escape, just as frantic, despite his yells. The thing moves at a low running pace, though it's loping lopsidedly on three limbs. The police officer fires off a plasma shot at the thing, but his care in aiming causes the shot to go wide and him to curse under his breath. Leo can get close enough to get his hands on the man, but he'll find the man's arm slicked with slippery, reddish fluid and the thing is -strong-, all but dragging Leo along with it before he can get his feet set underneath him to resist it. Until, that is, the FLame Friend comes onto the scene and snaps out, slamming it's flaming hands into the back of the retreating blood thing. The crimson substance of its back bubbles and the thing screeches a gurgling wail.

Except there is not just one at Happy Burger. Two others assault the windows at the other side of the place, more than enough prompting for the people to crowd in towards the middle. And for some to make a break for the door, a few people escaping.. or perhaps not in the end, into the fog. The tension inside the building is rising quickly and the noise from yells, screams and other lesser sound grows, feeding the tension.

Cel scores a direct hit on the creature that is carrying off the woman, though despite the solid discharge of the energy, the thing barely flinches in response to it. Maxy's leaping attack goes just wide of the two, the thing slipping just into the alleyway the moment after, though the desperate woman manages to latch both hands on the edge of it, though her slick fingers are slipping fast. "Help me!" she cries out frantically.

Caliopa rummages in the bag, her sense of urgency obvious. She withdraws some more of these grenades, offering one to Alistair, before she presses the button and hurls another, missing the creature quite badly. "Oh damn!" The unaccustomed curse slips from her, as she sees the attack on the Happy Burger, and she pulls another grenade out, fumbling to press the button and hurling it.

Tirzah is starting to feel some of the said pressure as the so called haven falls under seige with seemingly only one defender. But the havent broken through yet so she has some time left. Summoning another flame friend she orders it to guard the other side while she remains on the other side of the glass for her target.

Leonard does his utmost to dig in his heels and keep hold of the slippery man. Teeth grit as he tugs for all he's worth, which really isn't all that much considering his opponent. "You really should ... let...go." Perhaps polite application of logic will work when other means have failed.

Able to bring comfort through her touch, Sage makes her way through the worst of the panic with a refreshing wave of Suppressing Fear. The tension will still be high, but she may be able to avoid senseless death by panic. She ends up slipping the gun away to more easily touch people. She directs traffic as best she can. "It'll be no safer out there than in here..." She tries to assure them. "Safety in numbers..." She hopes the second part will prove to be true.

Alistair reaches over to take the greande from Cali, "Thanks!" looking after the monster that Leo has taken on, and how Cali's greande misses it, he prepares to throw his, but the attack of Tirzah's friend; he turns to the Happy Burger as Cali points to it, and he takes off that way, activating the grenade and timing its release as best as he can. One might need to add insult to injury, so he'll aim to 'detonate' the grenade above the heads of those monsters.

Celaeno shrugs as the creature seems unstunned, drawing her vibrosword in the other hand. "It may not hurt the thing, but I can hack at it. Grab the nice lady, will you?" she calls to the bulky Juicer. "Hate for it to run away so soon," she says, edging slowly into the alleyway, to position for a continued an attack.

Maxy knows better than to grab the woman, she doesn't want to kill her after all. She shakes her head, "You grab the woman, I might make things worse." she decides might be best to try and get past Celaeno, the woman and the creature and even punch the thing if she can, not knowing if it would work, but throwing all her strength into the punch, though working on making sure not to aim for an area where she might really hit the woman.

The grenade tossed by Cali comes just near enough to catch the lone blood creature, just as it smashes in the window. The boiling mist of hated water against its back prompting the thing to leap into the building, though it's distracted enough for the moment that it doesn't go for anyone at once. The other two windows fracture and are near to breaking as the Flame Friend moves over towards them.

Leo continues to be pulled along by the thing, not yet able to catch up to it and truly test his strength in at least delaying it. Though the application of another grenade does slow it somewhat, another misting of the water within prompting a fresh bout of bubbling from the thing's soft body. The attacking Flame Friend tries to slam it's hands into the blood thing again, missing. However, after the latest dousing by the water grenades, the thing suddenly releases the man it has and flops forward. It's semi-solid mass breaks into a flowing liquid almost at once, flowing towards and starting into a nearby manhole, seeking out the holes in the lid.

At the alley, there's enough room to get in near to the thing, though when Maxy slams her fist into it, the force of the blow seems to do little more than dimple the body of the thing deeply, the force bleed away as it transmits through the gelatinous form. Perhaps most obvious to the relative effectiveness of the attack is that the blood thing completely ignores Maxy, barely bothered, that ignorance extended to Cel as ht firmly pulls the woman from the corner, though she cries out as the force of the pull dislocates one of her arms.

More commotion is added to the general din of open warfare that has grown into being in the fog veiled streets. The rapid wail of sirens audible as multiple KDPD hovervehicles roar overhead, scattering outward. On the ground, a small APC rolls up to the area and a group of armed and armored police forces come out of the vehicle, fanning out into the fog, with most going towards the mass sound of people at the Happy Burger.

Caliopa is pale, and she mutters a soft curse beneath her breath. "It ain't helpin'.." She speaks to Alistair, almost panicked, as she prepares to throw another, but then, the thing collapses, and Caliopa is flooded with relief, "There, see!" She presses the button, hurling another grenade at the creatures beside the Happy Burger. "I've got no more after this. They are at the garage..."

As the Blood creature breaks through the window to land at her feet Tirzah grins with delight. "Of all the forms of undead the fate grace me with you. BURN FOR YOUR SINS!" She challenges as flames erupt from her hands to engulf the creature.

Leonard wins! Sort of. Not expecting the suddenly release (or anything remotely considered progress, really), he falls back onto his keister at his own tugging. Now that the man is released, Leo turns his attention to the skulking mass while regaining his feet.

Once the creature breaks in, Sage quickly retreats back to where the protection of Tirzah and other people that may have weaponry of some kind. She pulls out her silver cross hoping that it'll help her until she's able to get settled once more to consider other options.

Alistair watches the one at the happy burger get hit, then he looks to Caliopa and where she's indicating. He nods quickly, "It worked real good!" he comments, and smiles at her briefly, before looking to the Happy Burger, "Oh no ... it broke in, and ... it will take too long to go to the garage and back. The PD is here" he comments, frowning, "Uh ... " he waves his hands at them, "Hey! Heeeey! Fire and holy water hurts them!" he calls out, then he looks to Cali, "We should go in ... maybe we can help at the burger place."

Celaeno mutters, "Bloody useless Juicer," almost inaudibly as the woman gets ripped off the wall - ignoring the fact that she has been equally useless. "Tsk"ing quietly, she slashes at the creature once with her sword. She seems less than thrilled about this sequence of events, glancing back towards the mouth of the alleyway as she follows it farther and farther away from the street.

Maxy cocks her head to the side and grumbles a bit. She gets an idea though. She backs up a little and decides to charge and tackle again but she is doing it differently. Rather than try to hit it. She is going to try to scoot it and the woman up, so she can take them all out of the alley and back to where most others were, but without grabbing the woman's arm and ripping it off.

Faced with an attack from the front, after the attack from the back, the creature before Tirzah leaps, flopping over the counter, shoving things to the side as it retreats into the back of the building. But there are more, the two things shattering the windows as they slither into the building. One advances on the people, menacing them as the other circles the Flame Friend before slamming at it with one rubbery appendage, hitting it hard enough to hurt, though its hand snaps back, the substance of it bubbling faintly.

The one on the street that had menaced the man drains into the manhole and is gone in moments, leaving the man gasping, laid out on the sidewalk. Covered in red, its hard to tell what is his and what isn't, but he breathes shallowly, if seeming unable to act at the moment.

In the alley, the blood creature takes the stab of the vibro-weapon as well, it's flesh parting easily, but shallowly, the rent in its body starting to seal almost as quickly as it is opened, though not before some of the crimson filling of its body gushes out. As Maxy grips the thing, she'll find a slight snag in the plan. Though she can grip it, its like gripping a slippery water bottle, her grip an uncertain and fleeting thing. It will hold for now and she will be allowed to move it back near to the entrance of the alleyway. BUt it feels like it could slip from her grip at any moment. THe thing's bulb of a head will fix towards her, the broad maw of it leering as it gurgles throatily in American. "Full of blood."

The police will come busting into the Happy Burger rapidly, fanning out as a withering fire of plasma rifles starts off, menacing the two creatures that have broken in. Another pair of them, broken off from the main group, will advance towards the one that Maxy is struggling with, one shouting out, "Get away from that thing!" The pair of them raising their weapons in readiness to fire.

Out of grenades, Caliopa runs towards the injured man, glancing at Alistair's cry. "He is hurt!" She yells at him, skidding to a halt beside him. Her lack of knowledge of first aid doesn't help but she can reassure, try and calm him, and guard him, her own weapon drawn, readied in defense of the injured man.

Tirzah mutters as her opponent flees and chases after it, unleashing a blast of flame should she find a clear shot.

Leonard takes Cali's concern of the downed man as testament to her capabilities to, and looks around for others as the one wrestled against slides into the sewers. "Careful. No telling what that stuff does to flesh." His hopes are for gentle exfoliation and improved tone, given that he's a tad slimed, himself. He is uncertain where to turn next as the chaos ensues.

Alistair looks to Caliopa, and then to the Happy Burger - the police are there, so he turns around to follow Cali quickly. "How is he?" he asks, looking the man over - first aid he does know, among other things. His eyes narrow a little as he begins to concentrate, he looks up to give Cali an apologetic look for a moment, "That's good, like that - what you're doing. I'll need a few minutes" he says softly, and takes a deep breath. "This will stop the pain, but it doesn't mean you're allowed to move. Okay?" he tells the man; he doesn't do anything overt, but it should all work. That will be followed up with cleaning - "I need water" he comments, "A lot of water please. And bandages."

With the cops rushing in, Celaeno calls "Yeah, yeah," letting Maxy do all of the actual work at this point. Unsure of what the next step is, she'll follow along, moving to her cycle as the situation continues developing/whatever's happening.

Maxy at the words from the police, she moves to let the thing go, though she did frown slightly for a second when she touched the thing, maybe it hurt her but then she is a juicer and a titan juicer and pain doesn't mean much to them. She tries to as carefully as possible extricate the woman from the thing, making it easy for the police to shoot the thing.

The police officer near to Cali, Leo and Alistair calls in a medical request as he scans the area, weapon held ready to combat anything that might come upon them, but for now they remain unmolested.

The thing Tirzah is chasing gets tagged again, but only as it is leaping into one of the sinks, it's solid form melting to splash into the sink itself, steadily flowing down the drain. Out in the main room of Happy Burger, the people fall back as the police move in, firing at the two creatures rapidly.. and not much bothering with the elemental. Of course, it shouldn't be much bothered by a stray hit of plasma now and then. With the organized resistance stiff the two things retreat back out of the windows and scatter.

Struggling with the creature for the woman presents the back of it to the police, who eagerly fire at the creature, now that they have clear shots. THe plasma hits seem enough to prompt it too to reevaluate the moment's tactics, the injured woman released as it slips between Maxy's legs and lopes into the alley rapidly. Fortunately the police hold off firing just as it does so, though one plasma shot will come dangerously close to tagging her foot.

And though the moment's combat fades, the sounds in the city at large continue At least for the moment they will. With the combat ending, a marked officer will move out of the back of the APC, a cordless mic in hand. "All citizens, return to your homes or entrenched places of safety if you have means. The museum isn't too far away. If your home is far or you aren't sure of the security of it, make your way there at once. If you need assistance or are injured, there is triage there. If you can't walk or have someone without mobility, bring them to the APC at once." All announced via loudspeaker.

Caliopa looks up at Alistair, shaking her head. "I ain't got a clue..." She glances at her bag, dragging a newly bought dress from it, tearing it to shreds to hand to the man. "I have ...hang on..." A bottle of water, bought to drink with her lunch is offered. "We've got to take him to the APC, he ain't movin'." The announcement worries her, but the man's need is more than her fear.

Tirzah shakes her head looking frustrated as the creature drains away. Returning to Sage and the group she manages a wane smile at the victory by retreat. Then collecting Sage and the flame friends she'll prepare to head home as instructed. "If anyone wants an escort to the Carafe stick with me." She offers in an encouraging tone.

Leonard exhales a breath as, when the going gets tough, the gooey get gone. His attention returns to the nearby Ali, Cali and the injured man. "I can help carry him, but we should get moving." He did prove mighty in the tug of war, afterall. Somewhat.

Alistair takes the bottle from Cali, "Thank you" he smiles briefly, looking up to Leo as well, "One moment" he says, and uses the bottle to do a bit of cleaning - he frowns then. "Uh ... " he makes a sounds of annoyance, "I get it. Yeah ... " he closes the bottle and leans back a little. "We can't do anything for him, he needs blood - let's carry him over" he nods, looking to Cali, then to Leo. "I'll grab this end" he looks to Cali then, "Might wanna pick up the grenades real quick if you feel its safe for the moment" he suggests.

Celaeno goes about shuffling around a few things, producing the paper bag that just recently held the sandwich to wipe off her sword, discarding it as she considers her next move. The announcement makes her think a moment as she fully secures everything, and she begins puttering toward the officer who made the announcement. "Oh? The whole city going to hell?" she calls with a smirk.

Maxy nods and lets the woman gently rest to the ground. She cocks her head to the side and looks at her foot and then back, "She needs assistance, and I don't want to hurt her accidently." says the massive woman and then glances around and nods, figuring probably time to head home, but she changes her mind and takes a few steps back towards the arena, time to wear the armor at all times.

A few people who may live near to where Tirzah speaks of gather towards her for the trip in that direction, while some others start towards the north at once in a cluster. The three mercenaries, who had likely been in their own struggle(one with his armor covered in red) move to go with them on the trip, acting as a guard.

The police officer looks towards Cel, meeting the flippant attitude with one that is, in this moment, all business. "That's right and I don't got time for your smirking, girl. Move along and get under cover. The less random bodies we have to worry about, the easier we can repel this assault." He glances back towards the APC as a voice calls from within for him. He looks back to Cel again and repeats, "Get moving now." He lifts the mic and states, "All of you, get moving. The museum is under guard." He then turns to step back into the vehicle. Mobile command center, perhaps.

The two police near to Maxy move to pick up the woman, doing so carefully between themselves. The wail of added sirens rises in the distance. Ambulances and quite a few of them, moving through the fog nearby. The others in the Happy Burger filter out with and after the people inside start to move. Several of them move to help with the gathering of the few wounded, laying them near to the APC as sirens come nearer.

Caliopa leaves the others to move the man to the APC, turning to gather her grenades, aware of the cost, aware that she might have the chance to refill them. She keeps her weapon drawn, aware of the danger still, and tucks each precious grenade into her pockets, before returning to help the others with the injured.

Tirzah looks to Sage to see that she's alright. "Everything good with you hun before we head out?" She asks, her hand reaching up to tease Sage's hair as she notes the tightly help cross.

With the threat of the blood-like creatures gone for the time being, Sage permits herself a shudder as she thinks of what mischief those creatures could get up to. She seems content to hold onto her cross for the time being. She gives a weak smile to the teasing of her hair. << Hold me close when we get to your place. >> She requests softly, "Yeah... I'm fine."

Alistair carries the man to the APC along with Leo; once this is done, he quickly returns to Caliopa's side, perhaps Leo is coming with him as well. "They're telling us to go" he says, frowning a little as he looks around at the injured people, then back at Cali.

Celaeno smiles widely back at the officer as he shoos her and the rest of the crowd along, but doesn't move the bike from the position, coming to a stop as she eyes the care of the wounded. As she looks around, she notices Caliopa picking up the grenades, moving to quickly ask, "Hey, there. Where'd you get the water bombs?" She doesn't move to help with the injured or shaken up.

Maxy cocks her head to the side, "Any need any help with any heavy lifting, I am not hard to find." she does call out and then glances around not really knowing anyone else that is around so starts to continue off.

Several ambulances roar past, only keeping pace low due to the fog, but making good time. One pulls up near the APC , discharging a pair of medical personnel before it pulls away, leaving them with a heavy bag of supplies and a hardshell container. People start to move along and the police start to form a tight little triage point, a few more units pulling up to support the command vehicle. Even so, people get told to move and those who are able to be moved and don't need immediate attention will quickly be taken to the vehicles of the extra units to be taken to the Museum.

Announcement: Namtar shouts, "Over the next hour or two ICly, Kingsdale will be covered by the fog at 4 PM in teh afternoon. Across the city there will be attacks by blood creatures. Details forthcoming, but the authorities quickly urge people to remain in their homes or places of safety and hunker down until the crisis has passed. Further details in a post to come."

Caliopa hesitates at being addressed, glancing at the grenade in her hand. She offers it to CElaeno, to show her. "I made them. They hold holy water. Refillable." She explains briefly, leaning against the wall beside Celaeno, leaving Leonard and Alistair to deal with the injured man. "I designed them. Someone else had the idea, that Vixen woman." Leading her group with Sage at her side Tirzah starts heading west towards the Carafe, her summoned elementals taking position at the rear on her instruction. Giving a comforting smile to Sage her hand reaches to knit with her partenrs. "You can count on it." She promises.

A faint smile comes to Sage's lips and her hand knits easily with the other woman. "Thank you." She says softly, her tone likely being more broad than just the promise. She glances around, "I hope we don't run into anymore of those things for a while."

Now that the one victim is moved to suitable care and the rest are tended to, Leonard nods to Alistair. "I hope that the remainder of the city is not faring any worse..." Caliopa's explanation of mechanics to Celaeno them reminds him of other concerns. "...and I should see to a bath." His eyes lower to himself before he begins to move off.

"Oh?" Celaeno asks, eyebrow lifting. "I just might need to look you up and buy a couple of those, then," she says chuckling. "Have to have something to knock down the squishy ones, after all. And I guess it serves me right for not thinking about it, heh." With a moment of chuckling and head-shaking, she asks, "Where can I find you, assuming you're willing to sell some?"

Alistair turns his gaze to Leo, and then down at himself, his brows hiking up a little. Then back at Leo. "Monster goo ... ew" he mutters, and looks back to Cali again,and Celaeno, "Hello Miss Cel" he greets her, too in a fairly deadpan tone.

Caliopa glances across to Leonard, and Alistair, giving both a quick smile, tiredness showing from the fight. "I can make you a couple. You can refill them, 'n' they are mdc, work a treat." She glances across to the mess, swallowing before she turns back to the other woman. "Garage off the AIM. I work there. Cali." She offers her hand, formality odd in this setting.

Maxy hears a name that she might recognize and the massive woman turns back afor a moment and glances over towards the group of people. She seems to be considering something at the moment.

Her escort patient and considerate Tirzah leads those who have gone with her for protection home. She has no problems going out of the way to escort everyone to their respective homes. Though she does note how some look more like Military bunkers in the current times. And once all are home safe, it will be her turn, Sage held close all the way. The sirens in the background going on ignored.

Drawing comfort from her partner, Sage tries not to let the tension of the possibly of blood creatures oozing around the city get to her. She offers kind words to those that they deliver to their homes.

Alistair waves at Leonard, "Be careful, there's still a bunch out there I think" he warns, turning back to Cali; he returns the smile quickly, and stays nearby, apparently intent on sticking with the girl for now, and listen to the conversation. He does glance out to see what the aftermath is looking like. "Those were worse than before."

Celaeno bobs her head at the acknowledgment, her laughing not stopping as she responds with a vague, "Hey there," leaving it unclear whether or not she actually recognizes the man. "And that would be a treat. I'll drop by sometime and pick them up, drop of some credits, maybe split a drink. We'll see how it goes," she says with a wink.

Maxy turns after a moment and then appears to be heading in the general direction of the museum.

Caliopa grins at the other woman, her sunny smile brightening her face. She takes her grenade back, tucking them into her pockets, giving her companions a glance. "Ought to head back, get a shower." She gives Alistair a glance, questioning. "Uh, my place or yours?" The blush that rises is automatic, helpless to stop it. "Best head to the garage 'n' refill these, jus' in case first."

Alistair tilts his head a little at the exchange, after having surveyed the area, there's a bit of a smile, which is followed by a blush as well after Cali's question. "Oh - right, Garage sounds like a good idea to start with" he agrees, nodding his head and briefly looking from one woman to the other.

Celaeno shrugs at the lot, rearing up on her cycle with a wave. "Have a good one, and don't get eaten," she says over the roar of the engine before lifting off into the air, and away to the south. Maintaining an altitude of several meters, and moving as fast as possibly safe through the fog, she moves toward the dregs - if only for the moment.