Play@YSDC

Both men eye Crozier with suspicion, before the dark-haired, taller one speaks.

“Wot d’yu want?” he asks bluntly.

Crozier:

Crozier stands tall in his Inverness cape and top hat, both hands resting on his walking stick in front of him. He is a large man and he looks sternly at the two dubious individuals.

"I'll thank you to keep a civil tongue in your head, fellow, or I shall fetch you a clip around the ear. I have dealt with meaner sailors than either of you on docks and ships from here to Calcutta and back to Boston." Crozier speaks in a growl, his voice low but clearly audible and the Liverpool accent is more present than usual.

"Now, you may address me as captain. I wish to ask you some questions. If you answer me fully and honestly, there is a bob in it for each of you. Do we have an agreement?"

OOC,Can Crozier make a Psychology roll to gain some insight into the psyche out these two?

The taller one grins in amusement, while his companion just stares balefully.

“A bob, eh?” says the tall one. “Can’t say no to a bob. Ask away.”

OOC,Sure, you can make a roll, but you would need a separate one for each man.

Crozier:

Taller ruffian

Psychology 40%,[dice]0[/dice]

Shorter ruffian

Psychology 40%,[dice]1[/dice]

Crozier:

Crozier nods agreement. "Right, well shall we start with who you are and why you have been coming to these coroner's inquests."

OOC,Sorry, you can't make two separate rolls in one action. We'll come to the shorter man later.

"Well," says the taller man, eyes narrowing, "who we are is none of yer damn business, and we're 'cause we wants to be, see? It's a bit of a lark, like. Now, why are you 'ere?"

Crozier:

The Captain shakes his head once, definitively. "No, the agreement was you answer my questions. There was no agreement that I answer your questions. And I do not accept any change to the terms of our agreement. If you wish to earn your shilling, you must answer honestly and fully."

"Answer me this question then. What is your connection to the asylum?"

“Lord, you do go on mate. You’re boring me now. You can stick yer shillin’ up yer backside.”

He turns and inclines his head to his friend, indicating they are leaving.

Crozier can see that the other man is quite drunk, but there is a tension in him, like he would be quick to fight.

Meanwhile, Isolde has left the building and waits in the cab, looking out for Crozier to leave through the front door.

Crozier:

Unfazed, unmoved, and ignoring the offensive language, Crozier fishes a half-crown out of his pocket and holds it up.

"Very well, you value your time highly. My final offer. A half-crown each if you answer my questions. Otherwise I bid you good afternoon."

But Crozier is speaking to the men’s backs, as they are already halfway to the door. They do not turn around.

Crozier:

With a sigh, Crozier pockets the coin again. Rather cautiously, he counts to 20 then follows the men out, wary in the event they wish to earn money by some 'other' method. He looks around for Isolde.

Isolde watches the door from the cab. Does she the men’s direction when they leave? She waves to the Captain as soon as she sees him.

Isolde sees the men go towards a parked cab. Malbray Asylum is written on the side.

Crozier:

Crozier strides quickly to Isolde's cab and leaps in. "Shall we follow them, do you think?"

“Yes! Follow that cab!” She orders the cabby, “I’ve always wanted to say that.” She grins and grabs a handle as the cab lurches off. “And just because it says Malbray Asylum on the side doesn’t mean they are actually going back there.”

Crozier:

"I'm afraid I had no luck with them. I tried the direct approach of inducing the ruffians to answer a few questions with the promise of a bob each, but that didn't work. They're certainly unpleasant fellows. The smaller one is both drunk and violent I suspect."

"Unfortunately, they will now be alert to the fact they have been noticed. Oh well, as with cricket, you're better off to play your natural game, and my natural game is to be direct with people."

“It was worth a try. It also shows they must have an agenda, something worth missing out some easy money for. And maybe they will now associate the direct approach with us and not notice something more sneaky. I can’t see where we are going but I hope it’s not straight to the asylum- that would be embarrassing!”
Isolde tries to spot a street sign as they flash past.

The carriage is only in motion for about five minutes before it comes to a stop. The driver announces that the men have dismounted and entered a nearby tavern.

Crozier:

Crozier peers out, looking for a sign naming the tavern. "I say cabbie, do you know the name of that tavern?"

Turning to Isolde, he speaks in more hushed tones. "This is a hard choice. Our attire might attract attention in this sort of area. "Might" is probably understating it. But what if these two are off to commit some foul deed?"

"Well, let's take stock before we decide which course to sail. The two ruffians are clearly working men of poor background, and ill mannered with it. They are using a carriage belonging to an asylum, which is ... odd. Having said that, the only evidence we have suggesting they are involved in foul play is their attending the coroner's inquests. And perhaps their unwillingness to answer my questions when there was a bob in it for them. Hardly damning."

"And what about the strange symbols? For surely that is the matter the Seekers are most able to assist with."

"Are you, by any chance, armed, Miss Isolde?"

OOC:   Being some old London pub in this setting, it's probably got a name like "The Gutted Man" or "The Sacrificial Offering".

"It's The Blind Beggar sir" calls the cabby. "Rough place."

“It’s not exactly salubrious.” Murmurs Isolde peering out of the window. “I’m not armed I’m afraid. I have been taking fencing lessons but I left my sword in Moon Street. Are you?” She whispers. “We could wait outside for them; I’m not sure I care for going inside, I don’t suppose ladies ever go in there.”

Crozier:

Crozier inhales deeply as he ponders. "Hmmm. I have brought my trusty British Bulldog, as it happens," he murmurs, patting his jacket. "And I should be happy to lend it to you while I trust to my fists."

"That said, I do not believe standing outside in this place would be much safer than inside. Leaving aside the risk to your reputation."

"As I said on joining the Seekers, resolute but never foolhardy. I see no merit charting a course that takes such risks based on so little information. I should prefer we continue to Malbray Asylum and join our companions. What say you, Miss?"

Isolde watches the urchins loitering on the corner. “I can see we are attracting attention already, that is a sound idea to leave now, Captain; we can mark this inn on our map for further investigation. To Malbray Asylum please!” Isolde knocks on the cab roof with relief.

Crozier and Isolde arrive as darkness is falling. The asylum is located in Hackney Wick, on the edge of the marshes adjacent to the River Lea. Travelling down a dirt track which branches off Temple Mill Road, they see the asylum on a low hill, surrounded by scrub and marsh. A grim, foreboding place, it seems surrounded by an 8-foot high wall. Within, the companions can see a massive, brooding stone building, which must be the main institution.

There is no sign of the other investigators, but looking at the muddy path, it is clear that several persons recently walked back up the track. Isolde and Crozier decide that any further investigation should probably wait until the morning.

OOC,There’s not really anything else to do here, so I’ll begin a new thread for the morning.