It is about 60/b>/span15C) degrees. The mist is heaviest At Mayflower and Franklin/span>/spanThe Young Miss pauses, waits for those who trod at late night to come upon them, then continues, balling her fists and counting; “The first the Numbers Man and his recently captured accomplice, The Math Man.” The Young Miss states gravely, placing a hand on the crank in her chest and giving it a CHK-CHK, CHK-CHK. Some gasps in the crowd reveal these are some terrible, terrible figures, and once the woman’s energized, she continues, “They’re making the orphans count numbers at the old hospital in Whitechapel! We’re putting the Math Man up for auction in the Hanged man, no relevance I just want to see the tidy sum people might purchase him for. I’m sure a smart, decent group of fellows could march on down and tell them nicely to stop! Or rudely if they really have to.” She accepts this on a dime already flipped.

“The second is the octomoton in the Thames, a brazen brute with eight iron limbs which recently took the life and consciousness of a forgettable Inspector that I can’t quite remember the name of, and also lots of officers.” The Young Miss/span>/spanJack leans over to whisper loudly to Dovie “This some sort of auction? What’re you here for?”

The Young Miss[it’s a daydreaming thing, very likely. The last emote you make contributes to how others refer to you in the code]

Jack(OOC) They’re messed up a bit. If you want to effectively patch it, put on a mask of your dream persona’s name. (help mask)

Jakem coughs and speaks a bit louder to be heard over the crowd to someone “I said, whatcha buying?”

Jack looks to Dovie

Anastasia doesn’t sound surprised to hear about number-counting orphans, a mildly pensive frown creasing her features. “I have seen these orphans myself. There was a group of them that nearly invaded the Golden Lion. And a Foreign Officer who was…infected with this Translation Madness. He and another woman were working on putting some kind of pieces together but I don’t believe it’s something we want to actually happen.” She speaks up.

“I have not heard of the octomoton but the Docks always have some terrible trouble or other going on. It will take many a person to take something like that down it sounds like.”

“On behalf of concerned citizens, and as the Countess of Ten!” The Young Miss declares down, stepping a little taller in both back and nose, miming the statue of the Queen behind her. “I will count for you if I must, but it is terribly improper to ask a lady to do so in front of you all.” She flicks dramatically her head to the side.

“For the poor orphans or investigator Whoever It Was, if none will lend aid I intend to! Will anyone assist me in this? Either down to the hospital to confront The Numbers Man, or down to the Docks of Thame for a fight against the octomaton?”

Jack steps back, turning his gaze left and right to the others gathered to observe for volunteers.

“The Numbers Man seems more manageable.” Anastasia concedes. “I would assist. The sooner this madness is handled the sooner other things can be focused on.”

“Indeed!” The Young Miss calls a touch too happy, though a great much of crowd bah-humbugs in their respective level of disassociation at a late night call to arms. Most weapons are likely illegal, after all.

“Will any else!?” She calls, greedy, even clutching a hand to her chest in making of a show of damsel to any brave ruffians that might be on the dapper way up?

Jack tilts his head, coughing twice to clear his throat “What was this about some eight matrons or something that needed handling?”

“I haven’t the foggiest notion!” The Young Miss answers confidently, “I am utterly at a loss!”

Jack hmmm’s to Cora “Heh, one matron or an octo of them is my choice? I think I’m feeling spicey today. Though if you wanna come along, I’ll pawn off one or two.”

Anastasia purses her lips briefly at something or other and turns her attention back up to Annabelle. “I do believe the hospital it is and I’m not sure we’ll get too many more hands unfortunately. Unless you want me to rally a mob…I’m fairly look at making people come running with pitchforks and torches…” Her nose wrinkles at a memory.

Looking at the great big fall that awaits her, The Young Miss’s mechanical heart stresses not upon these consequences as she sets her boots back to the ground. Nodding purposefully, and having the march to prove it, she pauses mid stride with a leg held up, “..Pitchforks? Which manner of cutlery is that? Does it go with the spoon or the other fork?” She wonders pensively, then shakes her head free of the thought.

“But by Jove yes! I do believe we have the Number’s Man shaking at his ledgers! Die for the orphans, miss!” She tells Cora.

Jack nods to Cora with a crooked grin “Well, that makes two of us. Docks it is. Let’s lay these octo matrons… Out.” he says and he turns to head that direction. “We’ll reconvene at the appropriate time.” he declares, whatever that means.

Anastasia parts her lips as if she’s going to correct something Jakem says but then opts not to and instead offers, “Good luck.” Then she turns her attention back to Annabelle to follow her. “It is a tool of farmers.” She explains about pitchforks. “And with any luck none of us will die today.”

Quickly, toddling along, The Young Miss explains begrudgingly to Dovie. There was a Math Man in Hyde Park who was teaching kids to do math day and night, never sleeping, not one wink. He conspired with The Number’s Man, who he says resides in the basement of the Hospital in Whitechapel.” She waves Jakem and Cora off, hesitantly, then with more confidence. “The great brass beast? Very well-”

Jack looks about “Huh, how to get to the docks from here…”

The Young Miss arrives, boots on the crowd, not quite in a manner of charge but brazen in a sense. She looks around, eyes narrowed, waiting for her compatriots Dovie and Esme. “..Now, The Math Man spoke terribly of a basement where many, many orphans ar-” She dodges a nurse, “-are. I’ve met one, she said she was bright but upon inspection was terribly dull.”

“They followed him around and made mathematical shapes, running in ellipticals and perfect circles!” The Young Miss exclaims to Dovie with widened eyes. A light comes from nowhere and shades her face for a spooky story.

“The boy had serrated teeth. I adopted a girl with brass buttons for eyes but then she ran off and returned to her number’s gang to learn division, or some such.”

“I have only been in the basement here once.” Anastasia keeps her voice low as she speaks with Annabelle and Dovie. “But it was several months ago and quite unrelated…I didn’t see any orphans then.” She considers. “The woman I heard the other day said that once she had the final piece of the puzzle they would all become one with the…whatever is causing all of this. We definitely need to find this Numbers Man.”

Jack glances to Cora “Oh, you were expecting me to pay attention to that crazy kid on the podium? I think we’re supposed to rough some chap up for some reason. I don’t know the reason, but… I’m okay with roughing up some schmuck.”

The Young Miss sadly hasn’t the patience to listen to the man’s murmurs, but even to her there is surely something very wrong! She gives her heart a lucky crank, jitters from the new pulse of energy, and nods stalwart. Hands clasping around her leather, she marches forward. “I believe we shall. Colored florescent and then black as she marches through light fixtures.

Jack nods to Cora “So, and I think I catch what you’re putting down, but we’re gonna mug one of these rich merchant types by pushin’ ’em in the River?”

Anastasia nods her agreement to Dovie and Annabelle, carefully pulling a small box from her purse and holding it close. “Just in case this thing might be reasoned with if we find it.” She murmurs, but doesn’t elaborate at all on what the small box might be, following them and the sound of the chanting.

Jack nods to Cora, stroking his chin “Okay, so plan is you go chat up one of these fecks, whichever looks the most like they’re rich… I mean, they’re causing trouble, and then I clock him in the back of the head. And this will save our coin purses… And maybe the city.’

The Young Miss says, nosing her head into other rooms, “What a walking sum without an answer, this fellow. He must’ve been human, once upon a time, wished upon a star, a coin flipped in a fountain and brought up again!” She turns to see the box and wonders, “Oh, have you a present for him?”

Jack smirks, giving an ‘after you’ gesture along with an elaborate bow.

Jack isn’t with Cora, he’s just idly here entirely unconnected to her, idly reaching into his jacket pocket, fingering something and whistling as he remains nonchalant.

The Young Miss reaches out to the orderly, but doesn’t wish to give too intimate touch with a glove hand. “My apologies, but would you be a dear and walk me through the sweet scent to the sound of chalk? I don’t feel safe.” She describes, quite flatly.

“Not as such.” Anastasia explains about the small box, watch the orderly with an expression that tries to stay neutral. She pauses a beat and then tries a different though. The box goes away and a small brass piece that several of the Number Children have had. She looks to the orderly and attempts to sound like she has any amount of authority. “We aren’t visitors. We belong here. Take us to the children.”

Anastasia nods to Dovie, holding a hand out for to the Orderly as if requesting the key be given over too and looks toward Annabelle to see what the next move should be.

Whether Cora is distracting or not, Jack takes this moment to approach the man with a viciously amused expression, his brass knuckles pulled from jacket pockets and put on. Is the man distracted by Cora’s antics and attentions? She’s an attractive lass, but far beneath his class. Who’s to say how the gentleman might react. Jack doesn’t wait long though, lunging at the man to clock him with a fist, intent knock him out to be rolled into the river.

The Young Miss accepts the key gladly with two hands outstretched, even if it’s meant for Esme. “Thank you ever so much! You’ve been quite helpful.” Keys belong to locks, so she waits to see what Dovie’s inspection grants her and nods thoroughly. “So there is! ..What sorts of magic, might I inquire? Is it of the fun or terrible variety?”

Anastasia looks rather concerned at Dovie as she gets a closer look at the symbols. “It is likely dreadful. And I say that as someone with a deep interest in the necromantic arts.” She murmurs.

Jack waits for Cora to pass him with the man, staying nonchalant as if he were paying mind to anything out, though a little nod is cast to Cora as she passes, subtle as can be. Once they pass Jack gives a vicious grin, lifting his left fist up… Yeah, he’s a southpaw, and makes for a strong thud to the back of the man’s head with his brass knuckles.

The Young Miss[thinks we should repost our last bits for it to get back on track. Just reposted the scenario with some updates for the AI to start again.]

The Young Miss accepts the key gladly with two hands outstretched, even if it’s meant for Esme. “Thank you ever so much! You’ve been quite helpful.” Keys belong to locks, so she waits to see what Dovie’s inspection grants her and nods thoroughly. “So there is! ..What sorts of magic, might I inquire? Is it of the fun or terrible variety?”

Anastasia eyes the Orderly a beat longer before her attention turns to someone and the examination of magical script. “It’s likely the terrible variety.” She concedes to Annabelle in a murmur as she tacks on, “And I say that as someone with a deep interest in the necromantic arts.” But at least they have the key now.

Anastasia eyes the Orderly a beat longer before her attention turns to Dovie and the examination of magical script. “It’s likely the terrible variety.” She concedes to Annabelle in a murmur as she tacks on, “And I say that as someone with a deep interest in the necromantic arts.” But at least they have the key now.

Jack hmmm’s and nods as he ducks down to retrieve the satchel and one of the tongues that isn’t making noise. “Huh, River’s a bit far away. And it sounds like something’s coming.” he says to Cora. “How about we skip the swimming lessons and skedaddle back to the convenin’ spot to alert ’em to our success.” he says, leaving every single one of the brass tongues for Cora except the singular one he purloined.

The Young Miss uses the key, kindly, to enter The Processing Chamber, a place she has just heard children call eerily in this place of chalk equations and wretched disorder! “Yes, understood thank you.” And moves to confront the Numbers Man and the orphans he has forced to do math!

Anastasia swiftly follows in, hand near her bag in case there’s trouble.

Anastasia looks mildly horrified when she sees that Dr. Whitmore – or the thing that was once him. “Doctor…” She starts to say but then falls quiet, steeling herself. She whispers to The Young Miss and Dovie, “There can be no Final Utterance.”

The Young Miss looks from Dovie and Esme just to make sure other people are here, trying absently to understand whom these components are meant to be. “Oh- he means us.” She mutters, belatedly, then clears her throat and points at the villain. “Pray keep your calculations, Doctor! I have already misplaced two halfpennies and a parasol this week, and cannot abide more arithmetic!”

Flicking out something from her sleeve, it proceeds to arrange in a series of spinning gears and components to flip into a full firearm, letting loose two tubes that she attaches straight to her heart. “Kindly get on the ground Number’s Man or I’ll subtract your head from your shoulders!”

Jack definately trails his eyes over that flash of leg, probably just as easily distractable as the prey, albeit better armed. “Huh, oh yeah. I think we accomplished what we were set out to do.” No they didn’t, but you know, at least some little bit of the community is better off. The part that includes the two of them.

He looks behind them towards the approaching footsteps, ignoring the vibrations of the tongue for now. “Let’s beat feet. Scatter the extra tongues, make ’em hard to retrieve. Might buy us some time.” he commands, giving a booted kick to some of the vibrating tongues before turning to dash down the alley, back to the square.

The suction of the tube to her heart seems almost human as it breaths excess steam and whirs decorative gauges upon her propelled gun and raises it. “Terrible!” The Young Miss echoes.

Anastasia does note have weapons as such, but she does have a codex. While there is shooting happening, she attempts to use some of her necromantic sorcery to attempt to shake the children from the madness they’re entralled by.

Jack escapes, huffing for breath along with Cora “Right then, back to Westerminster.” he says with a look about. “Shit, this isn’t the way we came is it? Where we headed from here?”

Esme grimaces at something going on unseen.

Jack nods as he moves to follow, cradling the little tongue “Huh, well should be funny to give that waif one of these see what she makes of it.” he comments “A’right, after you.”

Anastasia grimaces as one of the children speaks. “Yes. Do that.” She insists to Emma as she slams her codex shut and instead attempts to use it as a blunt instrument of destruction on equipment in the room.

The Young Miss looks at the brass inside her and the brass tubes. “We match.” She mutters, but no greater thought comes of it. She does, however, attempt to abduct a child from the machine, testing some science.

Anastasia breaks a few of the tubes and connections, trying (and maybe failing) to make it easier for The Young Miss to rescue one of the children.

Jack looks about “guess we’re the first one’s here.”

Jack smirks slyly “Just means we win the race, right?” he says, moving to lay claim to the young miss’ podium, he moves to take the stage. “I, Lord Jack of the alliance of ragamuffins, do declare a grand victory by general Cora and myself against the opressive malaise that has terrorized this city.”

“Grab the tots!” The Young Miss tells the two in fairly corrigible ruffian English, grabbing a dull, milk-white child by the arm and yanking her back. “We can leave the Yard to deal with this. Has the Number’s Man counted his last?”

Jack inclines his head “Where’d they say they were going, you remember?’

Jack nods “Follow me.”

The Young Miss[Thinks the scenario has frozen again. She could restart it once more, but the AI probably won’t be able to catch up in a meaningful way.]

Jack nods a bit as he spots the group “Ah, yah see, knew exactly what I was…” *gasp* “Doing.”

The Young Miss is in the process of abducting a counting child, a villain on the floor, some manner of machinery violently glowing and pulsing.

[The scenario, The Young Miss thinks, has broken just a tiny-little-lot]

Anastasia is in fact in the basement of the hospital, helping take down Dr. Whitmore and, more important, trying to free some Counting Children. “Let’s get them and get out of here!” She agrees with The Young Miss and Dovie, making haste!

Jack hmmm’s as he watches the chaos unfold “I thought this was supposed to be the calmer path of diplomacy and all that rot.” he comments as he lingers at the periphery. He nods to Cora “Well, looks like they have this all in hand. Let’s uh, wait for them back at the… Anywhere else.”

The Young Miss walks briskly, very fast, as fast as march will carry her. She lifts the child like a doll and throws it over her shoulder, some manner of eldritch counting chaos behind Esme, Dovie, and her. “O- Hello you two!” She greets, rounding past an orderly with more gears than brains.

Jack waves to The Young Miss, showing her a bronze tongue “We were successful in the task yah gave us.” How that task might have produced a bronze tongue may be a bit dubious. He nods in agreement to Cora “Off we go then.”

The Young Miss also happens to carry a large firearm with tubes connecting to her heart, so. “Well there was only the one man, wasn’t there!” She calls in response to someone, limbs freezing up. She dares to skip.

The Young Miss also happens to carry a large firearm with tubes connecting to her heart, so. “Well there was only the one man, wasn’t there!” She calls in response to those in front, limbs freezing up. She dares to skip.

Anastasia flees with Dovie and The Young Miss out of the hospital with a child in hand. “Oh but listen to that, they’ve stopped the counting!” She says, trying to catch her breath a bit as they end up back on the street.

Panting, heaving a breath, The Young Miss takes a moment to wrap her fingers around the crank and crank her heart into motion, setting the child down like a soapbox on the ground and collapsing to her side. “..By Jove, will they ever count again?” She wonders, having lost the plot.

The Young Miss asks, panting and cranking, “How was the docks?”

Jack nods to The Young Miss “Indeed, it was little difficulty finding the man and mugging him for all he was worth. Between Cora’s charming legs and wicked smile, and my… Well my konked him on the head real hard ability, we were able to perform the task you gave unto us.” he declares dramatically.

The Young Miss’s arm moves slower and slower. Maybe she’s just feigning humanity in panting, but the boot-down is a slow inevitability. “I-i-I’ve.. R-rather exerted myself. Y-youoou.. Didn’t see the. The. Octomoton?”

Jack shrugs to The Young Miss “Huh, oh I did, but he didn’t have anything valuable, so I figured you’d want us to go after someone else.”

“I would. Would. Would. I should be most grateful.” The Young Miss sticks the verbal landing, letting her hand off the crank.

“Theeeeeeee..” The Young Miss puffs steam from her nose. “Creature spotted was. Well. Rather the size of a great, large boat. It has eight limbs and drowned the patrol of officers and broke a crane. You… Hit that?”

Jack shakes his head “Nah, told you. That guy didn’t have anything valuable, so we mugged a smaller, fleshier guy that thought Cora was hot and got distracted by a good flash of leg.” he explains slowly to The Young Miss. “You gotta pick better targets for your robberies, kid.”

“D-d-dearest me. Please, crank my heart?” The Young Miss requests sadly.

“I’m sure we can figure out more about this octomon thing another time.” Anastasia supposes, watching The Young Miss as the children run off to who knows where. Not her problem any longer. She will step in to help The Young Miss if Dovie or another doesn’t beat her too it.

It’s a big of a process of force, like a lever to a drawbridge, but The Young Miss is nevertheless peacefully appreciated of a return to form from kind, worthwhile efforts. She stares at Jakem throughout, unblinking. “By whatever do you mean? You must be mistaken, sir. If you’ve meant to rob such a creature, I daresay you’ll just have to get better at your job, now won’t you?”

“Did you check its pockets?” The Young Miss asks Jakem with a moment of consideration.

Jack nods a bit “Yeah, careful. These things will tattle on you somethin’ fierce.” he warns as Cora displays the tongues.

With The Young Miss back to breathing such as it is, Anastasia steps back and briefly checks on her person to make sure everything is intact. “I do believe that was enough of a good deed for today.” She agrees, conveniently ignoring the chaos that the hospital has likely been thrown into. “I am sure our paths will cross again in time. Do be safe out there.”

The Young Miss looks at the tongue skeptically, coming to a mechanical stand. “Hm. Rather small keepsake. Perhaps it was with child.” She thinks not of the family lives of the poor Octomoton, or perhaps the great Octomoton. Depending on the future, it may join polite society, who knows?

“I believe I should retire as well. It was most gracious meeting all of you. If either of you see a Tom, by any chance, do give him my best?”

Esme draws in a deeper breath from her half daze as she rubs at her eyes briefly. “Always so fuckin’ weird in there.” She mutters with a laugh.

Annabelle bolts awake, giddy and kicking her legs. “Okay well THAT one was madness but there were so MANY more characters!” She gushes, though she’s gasping for air like she hasn’t had it.

Jack hmmm’s as the others leave, then casts a wink to Cora “Pleasure workin’ with yah miss. Might be able to afford yah next we meet.” he says with a salute.

Esme grins a bit, “It was definitely pretty fun.”

Jakem tilts his head “So what happened with you? We forgot what we were supposed to do and just mugged some chump.”

Jack turns to dissapear into the mists, whistling a bit off tune, but merrily nonetheless.

“Ohh..” Annabelle blinks, trying to fit in the events of the dream. “We.. We walked into a hospital, found some children chanting.. Things, well, they’ve got quite confusing now haven’t they?” She mutters, not managing to shrug off the voice yet. “The tots did some things and The Numbers Man was doing things and then Emma slapped him with a whip and he didn’t do no more..”

Esme mulls a moment, recalling the strong bits that remain, “And I think I almost made it worse but then, yeah, Emma with the ship. And we were able to get the kids and get out as you two arrived. Over all successful I think, but absolutely gonna cause some fallout.” She mused.

Jakem nods to Esme “Yeah, repercussions. Like dream Jack is rollin’ in it now. That’s a repercussion. Might even be able to afford that Cora chick next time around.”

“Mmmm..” Annabelle presses her palms together, pleased. “I kinda.. I don’t know if I’ll- I want to get times for everyone to dream, you know? Maybe in a different format, I’ll figure it out. Dreaming’s getting easier, but it’s still hard.”

Esme snickers at that and nods, sitting up a little straighter and pushing a hand through her hair. “It was fun.” She looks toward Annabelle, “I’m planning on trying to find time to do like a dreaming 101 type class here. The more people get comfortable with it hopefully the more interested they’ll be in coming out. So to speak.”

Jakem nods a bit to Esme “Well that’s a pretty good idea. Though isn’t that what you told me when this place opened like three months ago?” he asks with a smirk. “Should put it on the calendar so you’re obliged to do it.”

“Yeaah.” Annabelle slumps back into her seat, drawing back her legs and looking down for Mister Labeouf’s advice on her shirt. “It does take a little bit of.. Effort to imagine who you want to be in a dream you’ve never seen. If we teach more- oh, lemme.” She stands up and takes care of some political duties, dismissing security, etcetera.