2024.11.20 - Investigating Abominations

This log follows the story from: 2024.11.19 - Pool Hall Downtime

Much to the annoyance of the truck stop's owners, investigators work to trace the source of the Abomination attack.

---

"You're Invited! Attend an informal gathering at the old truck stop on the interstate outside Port-Au-Feu. We will be investigating the recent abomination attack and looking for clues as to how to prevent further attacks. No refreshments will be provided, but the truck stop offers a mess hall and numerous vending machines."

Nic's invitation, here, bears in parentheses: (Sorry, Nic.) Malverno's bears a similar note: (I realize you were not privy to these events, but your expertise would be most helpful.)

The address, and "Ten PM, sharp" are noted. Finally, the note closes, "Formal dress is optional."

About half an hour before that time, Simon has arrived at the truck stop. He's just...walked up casually this time. No theatrics. He approaches the place where they had previously tracked the abominations, where Nic had sniffed out...something. Then, he just stands there. He produces an old magazine from within his coat and begins to very pointedly stare at it, as if deeply engrossed in the text. Because he's incognito, you see...just waiting.

Realizing that he had nothing approaching 'formal' clothing anyway, Tyson had an easy time deciding what to wear. Jeans, a henley, sneakers and his leather jacket. Because why mess with a look that works? His ancient Corolla pulls up in the parking lot, well away from the gas pumps this time, because he doesn't trust luck twice. Looking around he sees Simon and his magazine and with a shake of his head and grin, he heads over that way. "Where do you even buy magazines these days? Isn't everything online? Hey."

Realizing that he had nothing approaching 'formal' clothing anyway, Tyson had an easy time deciding what to wear. Jeans, a henley, sneakers and his leather jacket. Because why mess with a look that works? His ancient Corolla pulls up in the parking lot, well away from the gas pumps this time, because he doesn't trust luck twice. Looking around he sees Simon and his magazine and with a shake of his head and grin, he heads over that way. "Where do you even buy magazines these days? Isn't everything online? Hey."

Ryki thought it a bit odd when he got the invitation, but he doesn't question it. Instead, he arrives at the truck stop on a rather new-looking bicycle. Apparently he got sick of people not being able to locate him, or his destination, or wanting to accept payment on the app (they'd rather convince him to pull shenanigans with the trip on the app and pay cash or some nonsense). So, he acquired a bicycle.

As he rides up, dressed in a navy blue button-up shirt and a pair of jeans, he spots Simon and Tyson almost immediately. "Hello," he says with a smile and a wave. "I didn't think formal clothing would work well on a bike."

Nic's not used to getting invitations, especially any that mention formal wear. He does shower and change, into one of his many pairs of black jeans, some tighter than others, and in fact the ones tonight hug him in all the right places. His shirt of choice is white, but because it's a plain white Tee. Over that he wears his 'formal' jacket, the leather one that he is always seen in. His arrival is heralded as usual by the roar of the motorcycle engine of his scrambler. A bit of dirt and dust fly up when he arrives, parking it near the mess hall just in case it's another late night eating event. Fighting always works up the appetites...for food and other things. This time he brings company, as another figure rides behind him on the bike.

He swings his leg over the seat and looks around, seeing Tyson's Corolla across the way. He upnods and gives a two-finger salute flicked off the top of his head. When he notices the bicycle and Ryki, Nic just glances at it, then back to Ryki, and back..."Nice ride. Good for the legs and glutes." When he spots Simon over across the way, Nic nods to him but doesn't want to yell across the parking lot.

Jessie has chosen to ride with Nic today, especially since they both got the invitations. It just made logistical sense. He climbs off as well, and he's definitely not in formal ware. He's chosen a black polo today, and black jeans like Nic's. So maybe it is a touch formal, but it's nothing out of the usual for him. He gives the others a wave. "Hey, what's going on?" He asks. "Also, why'd the invitation say informal, but to wear formal clothes? That's weird. I mean...I guess it did say option. How's everyone?"

When Verno arrives, he's impossible to miss because he's dressed in a splendid opalescent white velveteen ensemble with puffed shoulders. Puffed shoulders! His boots look like they were shaped out of opals too, and they're brilliant because he's not actually walking, he's hovering as usual. It's not the easiest to see, since over that he's wearing an embroidered turquoise cape. Gold embroidery winds densely like vines around his shoulders, and then again towards the bottom of the cape.

The cape also isn't quite touching the ground, either, because that would just get it dirty, and these sorts of clothes were not made to actually get dirty. Really, they aren't made to be worn, but the petite wizard wants to make a good impression. He's seen these sorts of invitations before; they always mean that you should dress up, in his experience.

Verno pauses to look at the truck stop and makes a face, then glances around. Is this the right place? He's not sure this is the right place. While he's pausing, a corgi noses out from within his cape, looking around. "I don't know, Bee, I don't know who sent the invitation! Did you remember the cookies?"

Half an hour ago, Guston was informed of a weird guy staring at a magazine. His reaction was to have the guy watched until such a time as something happens. Now Guston is informed of a gathering, some of whom were connected with The Incident. Of which there is almost no evidence of now. There's a crack here or a slightly warped corner of a window there. Otherwise the truck stop looks like business as usual. Down the line of buildings, the door to the motel opens and a teenager walks out and seems to be on a direct course for this gathering. Unlike so many, he's not wearing jeans. He has on camouflage cargo pants. With a black racer jacket, over a camouflage hoodie. And combat boots on his feet.

As Tyson arrives, Simon looks up from his magazine. "Ah! Hello," he greets. "Actually, I found it in a storm dr--" he starts to answer, but then there's the roar of Nic's motorcycle, and others are arriving. Simon nods his greeting to Ryki, then Nic, and observes, "Ryki's glutes seem to be in perfect order already." His glance at Nic's jeans, then a slight raise of his eyebrows, suggests that it could be observed that, actually, Ryki is not alone in that. In answer to Jessie's question, he says, "It seemed to be the way invitations are done. I used the Internet to look up a less...obtrusive...way to gather everyone." A beat, and he explains, "I realized that my initial plan to summon shadow imps would have been...unsubtle."

Then Malverno arrives, and Simon just...boggles. His eyes widen, his mouth parts, and he says in bewilderment, "Perhaps I've misunderstood the way things are done. That is the...least subtle arrival I have seen since I visited the hell dimension known as 'Baphomet's Burlesque and Brimstone.' But, in fairness, that time...involved a whole floor show." Attempting to be helpful, Simon waves toward Malverno, explaining to the others, "Oh. I hired a wizard to help us." A beat, and he amends, "Well, I don't have money. So I...procured a wizard. Who may wish payment." It's almost the same thing. Almost.

When all are gathered, Simon rolls up his magazine and stuffs it back under his jacket. "I expect you must be wondering why I've asked you all here," he begins, then pauses. "Actually, most of you are probably not wondering. Most of you were here when abominations attacked us, and Nic and Jessie fought them, and Tyson nearly blew up the truck stop, and...Ryki had a mop." He quickly adds, "Which he used very...elegantly." He gestures toward the hopefully approaching Malverno, "I believe we must uncover the source of the abominations. I suspect that someone has been using corrupted sorcery to draw the creatures here, but to what purpose, I cannot yet say. I thought we might begin here, then we could each follow separate threads to discover more, and we can later regroup to share our discoveries."

He doesn't immediately take note of Guston's approach. After all, Simon didn't send him an invitation. He could just be any random passer-by! As the teen draws near, though, Simon falls quiet, looking wary. After all, it's occurred to him that maybe, just maybe, they shouldn't openly discuss occult horrors in front of what could be an innocent bystander.

Tyson gives the newcomers nods, looking amused that few people seem to have given the dress code much thought. As Nic pulls up on his motorcycle, Ty says, "Maybe you should think about upgrading to one of those. the bike, not the guy." He grins at Jessie as he says that and adds, "Although, don't close off any options." When the stranger in white ...what even is that material? He's never seen it before arrives, Tyson gives him a curious look and nod. And then his eyebrows go up at the corgi, still grinning but looking a bit perplexed. He doesn't notice Guston yet, still taking in the fashion of what has to be the fanciest outfit he's ever seen in person.

Simon's response gets a bark of laughter as Ty focuses again and then he chuckles at the parlor detective dialog. His eyes lower as he argues, "I did not almost blow up the truck stop! The fire was at least thirt...twenty...ish feet above the roof!" But he shuts up and listens to the rest with a concerned nod.

Ryki rolls his bike to a stand by one of the buildings for bicycles (how practical and convenient) and leaves it there. He doesn't have a lock for it, but imagines he'll literally see anyone trying to steal it. He's not too worried. As others begin to arrive, Ryki looks thoughtfully at them all. Some he recognizes. Some he doesn't.

Malverno's appearance causes Ryki to just blink a few times in surprise. It's not the outfit that catches him off guard so much as the -floating over the ground- part. He feels like he shouldn't really be surprised, and yet. Moving over to the newcomers, he gives Nic and Jessie friendly smiles. As Nic mentions the exercise he might be getting on the bike, Ryki smirks. "I get a good workout on the regular teaching, but a little more never hurts." To Tyson he adds, "I don't mind riding on one, maybe someday I'll take up driving them." The presence of a stranger stepping out of a motel and heading towards them isn't missed, but for the moment he doesn't comment on it.

As Simon explains Malverno's presence, Ryki actually walks up and pats him on the shoulder. "Ah, Simon, you got a professional. Helpful!" Simon's explanation of 'The Plan' earns a nod from Ryki. "Good idea, all good ideas. And do we -really- need to keep bringing up the mop?" He facepalms, but it seems more for show than anything else.

"Optional is how I always treat formal wear requests," Nic remarks to Jessie as the pair head over to where the others are. Malverno showing up in full splendor catches him slightly off guard, but while unexpected, it seems appropriate, so Nic gives him and the corgi a nod and smiles, "You got one too? Good to see you, man." He must make the assumption he knows what it is, since no further explanation is coming. His gaze tracks the camp-wearing figure, though he just watches him for now as he makes his way to the center of the parking lot.

"It makes sense now," Nic says, folding the invitation and tucking it inside his jacket having pulled it out to look at it once more. "Upgrade to that, huh?" he asks with the corner of his mouth lifted. "He did have it between his legs the other night for a few hours. Did you like it?" he offers Ryki with a wink. When Simon explains the situation, Nic can't help but clear his throat to avoid a full throated chuckle at the 'mop' comment, glancing towards Ryki quickly shaking his head slowly.

"Not sure I'll pick up much on the scent front after this long. Some of you witches and magic types might get something residual though. I'll see if there's any tracks or other signs."

Jessie can't help but laugh at Simon's comments regarding the mop, and Tyson's response about the not quite disaster. And then he's very distracted, when someone else approaches. "I could pay him," he offers quickly when Simon mentions hiring a wizard that might need payment, though he's clearly not thinking of paying him in money. Verno seems to tick /all/ the boxes for him, by the way he's looking, nott to mention that fashion. "Where did you get an outfit like that? That's incredible, and gorgeous! I...I think the only proper word for it is...fabulous," he says to Verno. "Oh...I'm Jessie, by the way." He pauses as he hears footsteps and catches the scent of another, gaze turning to take in Guston. Passer by, or someone...unique? He quickly puts together that tthis isn't just a normal human, and he lifts a hand to beckon him closer, curious, even if much of his attention is still on Verno.

When everyone starts talking, Malverno is still talking with Bee. Apparently he did remember the cookies, but this is Verno's first truck stop. He's not even sure what most of it's for, it just looks like a weird plaza with a lot of hoses with handles that smells kind of funny. Naturally, the corgi also has not seen a truck stop before. He's not that adventurous on his own.

However, eventually, the magus drifts in the direction of the small group. Once he gets close enough, Verno pauses, throwing out an arm with flair. "I assumed this was a formal event!" He announces, with Bee looking out at the group. The dog smiles and lets his tongue hang out for a moment. "So this is a truck stop!" The mage continues. It's easier to notice that his feet aren't quite touching the ground with the cape drifting out for the moment.

It really is a splendid cape, with enough weight to hang smoothly, but light enough to drift on the slightest breeze. Verno smiles to Nic, and Jessie, giving everyone a closer look now that he's closer and can see them clearer in this light. "Bee, let's pass around the cookies! We brought cookies!" He holds up a hand to the group, then takes the box from the corgi offering it and holds it out to the closest person.

Once he's started that box around, he drifts closer to Jessie, cheerful as usual. "I am Malverno, but my friends call me Verno! This is Bee." Bringing his other hand back, he supports the corgi more solidly again, lifting him slightly up so he's more noticeable. It's easier to see that Bee is pink, and his fur matches the wizard's hair. "Thank you for saying such nice things about my outfit! I didn't, er, want to be underdressed." Though another glance around communicates that maybe he feels slightly overdressed.

As he approaches the group, Guston's eyes are on the wizard. There's a big difference between knowing wizards exist and seeing Verno in person. Dressed like that. Floating like that. So pretty much everything he had planned on saying when he approached the group just sorta blanks out on him and he stands there gawking. For a moment anyways. He slowly gets a grip on his composure, glancing about at the others gathered and maybe twitching his nose a bit. But his blood red gaze returns to Verno and he asks, perhaps a little less diplomatic than he had intended this to go, "What are you doing here?" The observant might even notice himself cringing at his own words. "I mean... Hello... Might I enquire as to why one such as yourself would grace our... establishment?" Better. A little.

Simon seems intent on coming to business, though he's still regarding Malverno with a bit of awe. In a world that had been leading him to believe that subtle and understated were the way to go, well...Malverno's whole presentation is a compelling counterpoint. Letting the others pass around the cookies, Simon paces over to crouch over a place on the ground. He spreads his hand, passing it over the ground, and looks toward Malverno, then the others. "Wizard Malverno and esteemed companion, Bee, several nights ago this place was attacked by Abominations, which we have called 'Vilewings.' We believe dark sorcery was used to summon them here. If you might use your magic to try to trace the source of this magic, we hope to find leads that we can follow in locating those responsible." His whole manner is very formal, very polite as he speaks to Malverno, but there's also something beneath the surface. It's not hard to tell that he considers Abominations utterly vile and is just bristling with the desire to destroy them. He does glance up as Guston approaches, giving him a nod, and says, "Hello. This is...Malverno. He's...a professional." He glances at Malverno. The hovering really does make subterfuge seem pointless, so he finishes, "He's a wizard. We hope to protect your property from further horrors with his help."

With a dubious grunt, Tyson asks, "Where do you even start with, um, investigating this stuff?" He gives Ryki a confused expression asks, "Professional what?" And Nic's words at least give him a thought for how he can help as he says, "Ah, yeah. I suck at the witch thing, other than fire magic. But we have a whole coven of dudes. One of them has to be up on tracking and stuff." Jessie gets a greeting nod and a faint smile.

When he clocks that Verno is floating, his expression is stunned and he looks around to see if any of the 'normies' in the area notice. Which, it appears they do not. Other than the guy in camo, whose reaction is, well, pretty understandable, Tyson thinks. He grins as Guston polishes his manners. Probably wise with somebody who can float around like a ghost. His eyebrows rocket up at the word 'wizard' and his curiosity gets the better of him as he starts to raise his hand and then stops himself, just asking, "Ahhhh, what's the difference between a witch and a wizard? Other than wardrobe?"

Ryki winks back at Nic at the comment. "Oh, I was literally vibrating. 'Nuff said." He looks on with amusement as Jessie interacts with the wizard joining them. "We'll find a way to compensate him for his time and efforts, not a problem. Thanks for tracking him down for us." The pink corgi gets an arched brow and Ryki is momentarily tempted to try to pet it. But that would be rude, so he doesn't. He does glance at the box of cookies. "So, someone brought refreshments after all. Lucky us! It's nice to meet you, Verno. Thank you for offering to help us get to the bottom of this." Guston's rather blunt inquiry gets a faint frown from the blonde, but he's not the one being addressed so he doesn't say anything at the moment. He can't answer Tyson's question because he doesn't know. But at this point, he's kind of given up on being surprised by things. He's seen enough nonsense in visions that he doesn't take anything for granted anymore. Even floating wizards in grand attire.

When Nic takes one of the offered cookie, he nods to Verno, "Hey, Verno. Not sure you're capable of being underdressed to anything. Bee," he says greeting the corgi as well. "Thanks for the cookies. Usually it's just the Dark Side." He watches the interplay between Jessie and Verno, hiding a bit of a grin behind the chomping on a piece of cookie. It doesn't hide the raised brow that Guston gets when he approaches Verno, or the greeting and follow-up questions, but he says nothing for now, as it seems he's the owner or at least manager of the truck stop area.

Simon's point and calling in Verno makes sense, and given that he's just getting into anything magical and likely eating an enchanted falafel that boosts his speed and reflexes isn't going to be helpful in this. "If you find something I can use to track, let me know. I'll be around looking for some clues." Before he leaves, he casts Ryki a smirk, "Oh, I know...you can feel everything on that." He heads to the outskirts of the parking lot and casts his gaze around, and on the few times it swings back towards the group, anyone might notice the edge of his irises has grown to glow a golden color. He even scents the air a bit, a frustrating sound coming from his throat though as he moves around and comes up empty for now.

"You're welcome! You're definitely not underdressed," jessie says, grinning at Verno. "It's lovely to meet you. I'm really glad Simon found you to help us! Uh..." Of course, Simon explains everything far better than he could, and he nods. "That," he says, as he accepts a cookie. He can't help but grin at Guston's response to the floating wizard, but his attention is now on the corgi, and he gasps. "Oh, can I pet him?!" He asks, delighted. And then, he attempts to speak with the corgi, if it speaks dog, relying on the wolf within to communicate, a friendly and happy greeting, before he gets to work on that cookie.

It's at least not as obvious as it could be, Verno's hovering. He tries to make it as subtle as possible, though he's not getting the boots or the cape dirty. He looks very happy, and so does Bee. They seem to be generally content people.

When they're addressed so directly, and so formally, Malverno and Bee both pay close attention. Abominations are a problem, he knows this is serious and significant as he starts to put things together.

"Of course!" He replies, smiling warmly and hugging Bee up. A little breeze drifts his cape a bit, but he doesn't move otherwise hardly at all. It makes him look slightly taller, but not a whole lot. "It shouldn't be too hard for me to find something like that."

The magus drifts towards Ryki, to bring Bee closer. One does not have a corgi companion and not learn to recognize when someone wants to be introduced! "It's nice to meet you! I'm glad to see a familiar face here too." He glances to Nic, and Bee does the same, with a big smile. The memory of Nic is a fond one!

And while Bee and Ryki get through their introductions, Verno hears the question from Tyson. "Oh!" He nibbles his lower lip, thinking through his answer before he speaks. "It usually has to do with the nature of their magic and the areas of their studies, though there's a lot of diversity in magical learning. They usually have some differences in aesthetic too, I think!" But he can't explore that too much more, as Jessie's answer comes then. "Of course! Just ask Bee, he likes attention!"

This is true. Bee loves attention. He will take all the pettings that are being offered, and then hope for extra on top of that.

"Might y'all could take your circus somewhere a leeeetle less conspicuous? It's bad enough last week we had wolves and fire bombs and nightmares. We don't need Liberace the White drawing the attention of every Guardian in the state." Guston might sound calm and cool, but he has the phoniest smile plastered across his face and his crimson eyes hold barely contained frustration. "This is a quiet place. Supposedly. Off the radar, peaceful, nothing but the calming engines of the trucks as they come and go..." He looks from one visitor to the next, to the next, almost pleading with them not to pull another attack out of the cards of fate.

Simon takes all this in, nodding approval to Nic in particular when the wolf scouts the area for scents. He lets the others banter and be social, as that seems to be normal, but Simon, who isn't terribly normal, keeps focused on the matter at hand...though even he seems to find Malverno and Bee quite fascinating. He hasn't personally dealt with many wizards, certainly not such fabulous ones. In response to Verno's assessment, Simon nods and says, "Excellent. Then, if you would perform a...spell of some kind, possibly...we need to find out who conjured these Abominations."

A beat, and he adds quite calmly, "Then we should probably kill them. I have a very promising plan that involves banishing them to a pit of hungry spider-demons." Another pause, and, "Or we could just have Tyson roast them. That might be simpler." Clearly, he has very strong feelings indeed about people who conjure Abominations. At Guston's comments, though, Simon regards him thoughtfully, and then darkness drifts across his eyes. "I'm sorry for any trouble we're causing, but we need to find the trail to follow. But...I will see if I can make our presence less obvious until we're able to depart."

Anyone paying especially close attention may notice shadows flickering subtly around the edge of the area, dampening perceptions from the outside and generally helping to make their conversation harder to observe and, especially, to hear. See? He's learning.

Tyson sees others taking cookies so he snags one as well, nodding his thanks to the wizard. Before he can eat it, though, he notes Nic looking alert and concerned. He nods a bit distractedly at the reply to his question and says, "Got ya. Good to know." But paranoia is contageous and now Ty is scanning the distant parts of the lot and the tree line beyond, as though looking for more of the vilewings. Glancing at the werewolf he asks, "Did you ah, smell something? And how many bones are you going to break if I make a joke about finding somebody down a well?"

Guston gets a mock-apologetic nod and says, "Got it, sorry. Probably should have let the bat things eat your customers. Why should the cars be the only things getting gas, right?" He blinks at Simon's plans for justice and says, "Ahhhhh, maybe there's, um, magic jail? Or something?"

Ryki does pet Bee after a moment, since Verno comes closer and he interprets that as a green light. After he gives the tiny dog a good scritch behind the ears, he turns his attention back to the task at hand, while idly munching on a cookie between sentences. "So Nic caught the scent but lost it, that's a clue itself. Whatever or whoever this is must have some kind of presence or feeling about them. Which, I assume magical types often do. So we can probably rule out normal humans like me, I would think?" He's pretty sure he doesn't have any kind of magical aura. Right? Worth looking into later.

Although Guston's words kind of have Ryki taken aback. "You don't think we caused that, do you?" He sounds slightly offended at the implied statement. When Simon does something, Ryki's not sure what but his instincts tell him there's been a subtle shift, he just gives the man an approving nod. That nod turns to a surprised look as Simon explains his plan further. "Well, you know, that's uh... let's make sure we get our facts straight before any of that, eh?" A nervous look at Tyson because he probably -could- turn whoever did that into burnt toast rather easily.

When Nic comes back around near where the group is, he turns his eyes towards Tyson, letting out the hint of a growl. "I don't break bones...too permanent...and that leaves a visible mark." He just lets it sink in for a moment, then quickly sticks out his tongue as if panting for a moment. Then he turns back to his tracking, moving quickly over towards the area where he scented the magic the other night. After walking around the area a few times, he moves towards an old dumpster behind the building. Crouching down, he pushes the heavy, metal bin out of the way, though it gives a few groans of resistance. He runs his hands over the ground, brings them to his nose and sniffs, scrunching it up at the smell. Pulling out the invitation, he carefully scoops something onto it before standing.

He.returns the group as the others are discussing magic and he presents it to Tyson. "Found this. Looks like some kind of magical residue...incense maybe? Smells like cleaning fluid and blood..."

Jessie seems all too happy to chat with and pet the little corgi once Ryki's done, scratching the dog behind the ears, along his back. The petting is gentle, affectionate, and he smiles, though his attention shifts to Guston, gaze calm. He's smiling, genuinely, how could he not be? And it helps keep his words soft. "I...suppose you don't entirely know what happens," he says gently. "Yes, the vilewings, they were called, I guess....personally I prefer hellbats, anyway, they were...batlike creatures, though their lower half, from stomach down was just...a mass of...grossness. Anyway, they attacked here. We were only here to chat, calm, and peaceful, like you like, but...they showed up. It has nothing to do with us. I'm sorry for the destruction, but...we...we saved this place. We saved lives. I was one of the werewolves, but...you see me here now, not trying to cause trouble, I just wanna know what happened and why, and keep it from happening again." He looks with interest when Nic returns with some magical residue. "Maybe Verno should also look at that!" He exclaims. "But I'll leave the magic to the magic experts. I'm just a lover of hot wizards and adorable companions." He smiles at Verno, and continues to pet Bee.

Verno's smile remains, though it's somewhat strained as things seem to turn a bit nastier from various directions. Suddenly, abruptly, he starts laughing. "Of course I can do these things for you! Let's not manifest an orgy of blood!" There's a sense of desperation to the cheer, but the professional magus does his best to keep it light. He learned about this sort of thing in school. People depend on wizards! Wizards have to be the stable ones that others look to, when they're lost in a spider-infested forest, or trapped by goblins, or pursued by orcs, and things like that.

Gently, Malverno hands Bee off to Ryki, since they both seem to be enjoying themselves, and now Jessie can enjoy petting Bee too. He clears his throat, puts his shoulders back, and lifts his hands. Making gestures in the air and moving his fingers, he starts to murmur quietly, mostly to himself. It sounds a little like meditative mantras, almost hypnotic the way he draws the syllables out.

Things, for a moment, iridesce, all around them. Just an instant, the blink of an eye and it's gone again. It kind of goes with his outfit, under the cape, for that brief time. The small mage stands straighter, expression changing to something almost inscrutable. Somehow, he looks older when he's serious.

Then he makes a face again, sneering a bit. "It's weird magic, they used. Dabblers, I think." He purses his lips, just about pressing them into a thin line. "There was more than one of them. Several of them. But they're all marked by doing this. We can find them pretty easily, I would think. One doesn't deal with these creatures without being stained by contact." But he manages a smile for Jessie. He seems so nice!

Guston sighs, jaw clenched, like a beast tolerating violations of its territory for the sake of matters contary to its nature. The wolf sniffing around the rat's territory like he owns the place, the wolf daring to tell him what's what in his own home, the beacon screaming for attention on his front lawn, and the walking timebomb who speaks caustic words to his host. He says nothing, though. He wasn't sent here to stir things up with the other supernaturals. He was sent here to keep the place from descending into chaos after the attack. "Please feel free to leave at your earliest convenience. All of you." He folds his arms over his chest and watches like a parent keeping an eye on the children. Despite barely being an adult himself.

Simon watches the goings-on with varied interest, but he seems focused -- maybe a little too focused -- on finding and, presumably, doing very unfriendly things to the people responsible for all this. When Nic returns with evidence, Simon nods grimly and says, "That's one thing we can follow up on." When Malverno does his magic, Simon again watches closely, almost like a hound seeking a scent, himself. Just...figuratively.

When the wizard notes his findings, Simon asks eagerly, "Can you show us how to follow those marks? If we can each find a path to follow separately, we may be able to divide our efforts and find answers more quickly." If Malverno can give them leads, Simon will make certain anyone who wants one has a trail to follow. Then they can pursue those leads and regroup.

Standing, Simon looks to Guston. "We'll be on our way. Now that Wizard Malverno and Nic have trails for us to follow, we can pursue those ends and leave you in peace. I apologize that our investigation was an inconvenience, but perhaps a lack of future Abominations hunting your customers may come as some small consolation." This is delivered in a quiet, polite tone, as if he's doing his very best to offer no offense. Then, he'll lead the others off to exchange information and contacts.

Then, the hunt is on.