What is the Alethiometer doing here?

[of_all_trades]

When the spell was cast Franklyn expected it to lead them to some sort of wilderness, maybe even the ocean if they are unlucky.

The spell pointed then to a city, and Franklyn was afraid that the Alethiometer had a owner, likely some rich dude that kept it a secret for any number of reasons.

But he and his sisters are approaching the Alethiometer location and it is very bad neighborhood, half the buildings are dark, either empty or without electricity.

It is too late to come turn around now, he is nervous to come forward, but they need to check.

What the Alethiometer is doing here?

Comments

[sneak_thief]

The alethiometer is nowhere in sight. But there is a very unconscious girl if they are looking hard enough.

[of_all_trades]

Franklyn rushes forward to help, she is probably homeless, not that would stop him.

Franklyn tries waking her up fails and looks over his shoulder and pleads quietly to his sister.

[not_without_scars]

Maeghan steps forwards and casts a generic healing.

[sneak_thief]

The girls monkey dæmon comes awake first. He steps forward towards them cautiously.

"This is our place."

[curiousbox]

"You are welcome," the healer's daemon says sarcastically "Free healing, might have saved your life, but don't worry your gratitude is enough."

[curiousbox]

"They are hurt!" Franklyn's daemon speaks "cut them some slack."

[of_all_trades]

Franklyn meanwhile is waiting for the girl to wake up.

[sneak_thief]

"We didn't ask for your healing," says the angry little monkey dæmon. He moves closer to the girl and presses a hand against her cheek, shaking her a bit. "You can leave now."

The girls eyes flutter open, and she gasps when she sees the group. Witches.

"How did you find me."

[of_all_trades]

"We didn't...?" Franklyn says tentatively "I mean we saw you unconscious and I asked Maeghan to heal you. Are you alright?"

he offers her a hand so she can stand up.

[curiousbox]

The turtle dove daemon will mutter something hard to understand, but it sounds bitter.

[not_without_scars]

Maeghan will remain the only witch in the room. She isn't paying much attention to the girl and is instead paying attention to her surroundings. They have Ada outside as a back up, but that isn't much.

[sneak_thief]

"They healed you," says her dæmon, "but they're witches. We need to leave."

Aaliyah stares at the boys hand, wanting so much to reach out but stays still. "Thank you. For healing me."

Her dæmon leaps forward again, towards the turtle dove dæmon. "Yes, yes. We're so very grateful. Why are you here?"

[of_all_trades]

"You don't need to leave," Franklyn says "We are searching for a lost thing, the spell pointed here but I think it was a fluke."

[sneak_thief]

Aaliyah stands. "What lost thing?"

[not_without_scars]

"A family heirloom," Maeghan says still looking more at her surroundings.

[of_all_trades]

Franklyn gives Maeghan only a brief glance of disapproval, but decides to go along.

"Do you want.. some money?" Franklyn asks "or we can take you somewhere for a meal and one of my sisters can pay it with magic."

[sneak_thief]

The monkey dæmon rushes forward suddenly at the mention of money and hovers over the boys dæmon. Close, but not touching.

Aaliyah scowls and reaches down, grabbing him by the scruff of his neck and then placing him on her shoulders. "Abu, stop."

"We don't need your money, you've helped us enough." She turns to face the girl. "Did your family live here?"

[not_without_scars]

"No we never did," Maeghan replies "we need the spell because we have no idea where to find it. Franklyn I think we should go back to the hotel."

[of_all_trades]

Franklyn seems that he wants to say something but just offers a warm smile and turns to leave.

[sneak_thief]

"Wait!" She moves forward and touches his arm. "What's your name?"

[of_all_trades]

"Oh," Franklyn says mildly alarmed "I am Franklyn Whitepond. This is my sister Maeghan Segaard."

Franklyn takes a card out of his pocket and hands it to her

"Huh, if you ever go to Seattle and need help."

[not_without_scars]

Maeghan manages a expression that combines fondness with rolling her eyes.

"What is your name?" She asks.

[sneak_thief]

She smiles and Abu takes the card from him. She ignores the question, looking at the card. "What kind of help do you give?"

[of_all_trades]

"My sisters offer witchcraft magic," Franklyn says "and I sort of run the business. A lot of charity work, like improving homeless shelters or community gardens. Mostly we trade healing to gain the means to finance the other stuff."

[sneak_thief]

"And now you're taking a holiday to Vegas to search for this mysterious family trinket?"