Third Tide Turning ☠ Voice + Action

[lists_to_port]

[rather obnoxious voice]

WE'RE DEVILS WE'RE BLACK SHEEP WE'RE REALLY BAD---

REALLY BAD...

Bugger...

Wait, wait it's...Murphy, how does it go, lad?

[There is the whinny of a very small pony in the background.]

RIGHT! REALLY BAD EGGS! DRINK UP ME HEARTIES YO HO!

I love this song! Avoid the bridges, ducks! Ducks and chickens! Ha! Hahahahahaha

Comments

[action]

[his_to_taint]

[It's the warning to avoid the bridges that gets Vincent's attention. The voice is slurred, but he recognizes it still: the man who stole brother's precious hat. So he's up to the same tricks as before, with a drunken stupor to aide him. Far be it from Vincent not to take advantage of it, along with his Malnosso-given disguise.

Vincent remembers the bridge he had previously crossed, that day when he found Gil strung up in a tree. So he heads there, looking every bit the bright and innocent girl as the actual owner of this body. Clueless, pure Ada, who wouldn't know a bastard from a noble--quite the contrary, she's fallen in love with a man who is both. But Vincent pushes the thought quickly from his mind as he crosses the bridge, noting the pony sitting there.]

Oh, how cute! [Small animals and women: two of the things Vincent despises most. But for the facade to work, "Ada" must approach the pony, extending a hand to pet it's nose.] How did you get out here?

[lists_to_port]

[Sparrow is, of course, none the wiser. He holds his ground in the center of the bridge, thoughtful.]

Why is it that young ladies love ponies so? What IS it about a blighted PONY?

[Murphy looks exceedingly smug at the attention and allows her to pet him.]

If you MUST know, my friend Murphy here came out for a bit of a holiday to the village. He gets a bit sick of farm life from time to time. Llamas, you know. Oooooor alpacas. Never certain of that, me.

[his_to_taint]

[Vincent himself has wondered the same thing more than once. Ada herself has a devoted following of cats, each of whom she adores. Regardless, he continues to pet the pony, who seems quite content with the affection.]

Really? I've never been on a farm. I probably wouldn't be able to tell them apart either. But it's good to relax every one in a while.

[She smiles to the masked man who has so kindly provided answers.] Are you showing him around then? That's very kind of you.

[lists_to_port]

Not-----sorry, darling, but I thought I'd warned all chickens and ducks off of this bridge. You've stumbled smack into the middle of a marauding session. Very sorry.

[He does not smile back. Jack prefers not to involve winsome young lasses in his marauding. Too dangerous.]

I am the Masked Marauder, and this is my partner, the Fuzzy Wonder.

[his_to_taint]

The Masked...Marauder?

[Vincent's eyes open wider as he plays the part of the damsel, suddenly trapped in a situation far beyond her control. He looks between the man and the pony, helpless and overwhelmed--although in reality he's anything but. It's simply a matter of choosing the right moment to reveal the truth, and the right weapon to unleash.]

But then, what are you after?

[lists_to_port]

Oh, things. Things and stuff. Whatever people have on them at the time. Nothing special, unless you've GOT something special...?

[Hey, he's not above asking.]

[his_to_taint]

Anything special? I don't think so...

[The woman lets her eyes drift upward, the very picture of thought and consideration as she quietly inventories her possessions. Not that Vincent has forgotten exactly what he carries on this delicate body: scissors sharp enough to slice through flesh with minimal effort, a fully loaded gun he can aim nearly as easily--and of course, his precious Chains, one of which could kill the man who dared to steal from Gil in a blink of an eye.

But unleashing Demios would be careless, and Vincent has to play this part very carefully. Gilbert will undoubtedly discover Vincent's identity, and any actions he performs as Ada will come with consequences. So instead, he steps closer to Jack, and shakes her head.]

No, I'm certain I don't. But I am looking for something special. A friend of mine lost a gift I gave him, and I'm hoping to get it back. Have you been here awhile? Maybe you've seen it?

[lists_to_port]

[Jack pays that step closer no mind. He is too busy trying to think if he has seen any gifts. The past week he was too drunk to see much of anything at all.]

Dunno! Describe it, darling!

[his_to_taint]

[Vincent nods, then holds his hands apart.]

It's a hat, just about this wide around the brim, and--[again, a delicate movement of her hands]--this tall. It's black, and it looks a little old and worn, but, well...

[Vincent moves his hands to his face, covering his mouth slightly. His eyes turn to the right, as if "she's" almost afraid of what she's going to say. And as the final touch, he lowers his voice as appropriate for a confession of this magnitude.]

I--I truly hope I can get it back. He'll be so happy if I do.

[lists_to_port]

[Oh, he knows this Fancy Hat. He has absolutely no intention of giving it to anyone, as he doesn't even have it anymore.]

Aye, child---it's so very important to make your man happy. I do so very much hope you find it!