How to Spot a Coven Bitch [Eitan]

[Tobias]

Frost 17th, 121

There was no question that coven witches would disguise as normal human beings, if there was any hope of catching Madame Alvare, it would be a miracle, however there was a hope within her presence; it would be an undercover operation. This meant no magic or anything like that. He knew what happened last time at the Hobbler Gobbler with the goblin who sold him out. He still felt bitter about that moment as it was deeply humiliating. He decided that he needed to keep his abilities a low profile; he remembered what Jophis had inflicted upon him, along with the violent reprimand he received last season.

This time, it was different. He had been reformed, yet more disciplined, thanks to the mentorship of Eitan Angevin. The inn appeared to be a quiet place, where alot of people would go. There were rumors that some coven members often mingled in the pub. It was up to Tobias to sniff them out. The question was, how would he spot one? What were the key features? Most coven witches could be disguised as any normal person, yet there were obviously tools. He wondered if Eitan would teach him those techniques in spycraft.

He sat at the inn, hooded. Quite. In the corner appearing to be brooding and drinking alone. So it seemed, truth was he was waiting for Eitan to arrive. Though they must not don the uniform at this present time. It was an undercover operation, a field trip to gather information. It was for Tobias' benefit and to finally fulfil his plot for revenge. This was a slippery case to capture since the mage in question was a masquerader. They could be under any disguise that even with aura glass it would be difficult to discern them. He knew he had to find a way somehow.

Deep down, Tobias was worried that he'd never fulfill the task, but he had to try. He waited and observed the bar in the dark corner.

[Eitan Angevin]

Eitan swanned into the inn's taproom like he owned the place. He wasn't in uniform either, neither as a Watcher of Purity nor a Commander of the Air Defense Corps. He was dressed like something else that he was, a blue-blooded young man. His well-tailored clothes were more de mode than normal, and his curls were oiled rather than flattened with pomade. They made a softening contrast to his sharp features. He didn't make eye contact with Tobias, though he didn't seem to outright ignore him. Instead, he took a seat where he might be the center of attention as if he were the sort of man who desired such. He asked for a list of the finest spirits, and proceeded to peruse it through his aura glass monocle, turning to surreptitiously scan the assembled people through it before ordering some expensive whiskey and chatting loudly with those closest to him.

It seemed as though he were slumming it a bit, or thought he was, and the reactions of those around him varied from irritated by his arrogance to calculating as to what concessions could be wrung from him: free drinks, for example.

This was the ploy he had advised: Eitan would grab attention; Tobias would observe. If the attention was on Eitan, then it wasn't on Tobias, and he could gauge the people around them, perhaps catching them unguarded. Of course, Eitan was more skilled at this sort of counterintelligence, and he might pick up leads and clues that Tobias wouldn't, but he knew Tobias had a personal stake in this. It had become somewhat personal to Eitan, too. Now, he had accepted responsibility for the disgraced Zorrothy. He was invested in his rehabilitation and his future happiness.

It was simple enough, though, and Tobias ought to learn a thing or two, even if nothing came of it. Practice made perfect.

[Tobias]

Tobias watched as Eitan came in disguised, pretending to look around with distain, he saw the way he scanned in as he was looking to be the center of attention. He would look around the room noticeably, however he didn't have an Aura Glass like Eitan did. He had to pick up effects whilst observing with the naked eye.

A woman would enter the bar, cloaked and all dressed up as she watched her sit opposite. He would look at her with scepticism in his eyes. However, the difficulty of making staring unnoticeable appeared to be a challenge for Tobias himself. It was the thing which Toby needed to work on, as well as develop a stoic attitude to this job.

It was obvious that his emotions could be used as a weapon. Toby took a napkin as he observed everything. He wrote something down backwards. This was a form of spycraft his father taught him when he was younger.

He waited for an opportunity not to be seen. However it would become difficult, the long waits and long hours are tiring to do this kind of work, especially if they involved nighttime patrols to try and catch the infamous masquerader. However all that could be seen was the looks of disapproval and the glares focusing on Eitan.

It was obvious that there was a hostile environment. One that Tobias would be prepared for incase things did go bad for them both. He was hoping that he wouldn't make the same mistake last time, such as blowing his cover.

[Eitan Angevin]

Eitan did buy a round for those near to him, using it as an excuse to ask what one might do for a bit of fun around here. He was rather good at playing the bored gentleman looking for a bit of risk and risqué for entertainment. He also managed to not pay obvious attention to Tobias while occasionally tracking him in the mirror behind the bar. He wasn't disconnected from his partner in anti-crime, but it was unlikely that anyone thought they were connected. People saw what they wanted to see for the most part; he didn't need a Rune of Mesmer to know that.

On the one hand, it was refreshing to be doing something other than hunt for Florian Albrecht, though he supposed it was possible he had escaped with the help of one or several of the covens. On the other hand, it was strange for him to be undercover like this while also trying to teach someone by example and direct experience. They were both covertly armed and his shields had become quite powerful of late, so between their various magical corruptions, their weapons, and their wits, they ought to get out of this alive, there was always a risk to be calculated.

And he was responsible for Tobias Zorrothy now. With Richard imprisoned, he was all the man had. There were unwelcome echoes of Albrecht's isolation and his own response to it, but he could only hope he had learned some lessons to take forward with him. He wondered what it would truly take to exonerate the man; Tobias' skills were on the rise, but they needed a few wins before the powers that be might consider them both stable investments for the Order.

Alvare and Albrecht were obvious keys to their future.

"Well, of course I've been in a bar fight," he said like he was some sort of bravo. He had, but whoever he was pretending to be might not have.

[Tobias]

Tobias continue watching as he looked over. He heard a group of suspicious speakers in the booth next to his, thinking there was a dark corner. At this rate, he could've been mistaken for a drunken man, but he wasn't. He blended in very well as he listened to an angry woman ranting.

"Gosh, I swear I better be getting paid for that lot."

"That nobleman looks like he's got some potential cash on him."

"Patricia, see if you can lure him back to the hideout." A man asked.

Patricia.

That name wasn't familiar but he kept an eye on her, but then he realised he saw a hint of a rune on her shoulder blade, amongst the part where her dress had rided downwards as she slipped it back into place. It was obvious, they were witches alright. However, he couldn't be sure if she was registered or not. More investigation has to go. Eventually, he continued writing down the messages backwards along with a note telling him to 'use a mirror.' He kept it vague, hoping he would have the brains to figure it out.

He was well versed in this stuff compared to Toby, but that didn't mean Toby wasn't smart. His intelligence was something that Eitan hadn't seen to his full potential. Most of the exercises he was given were physical or fetch tasks. Now he had a time to shine. He got up from the table, before walking over as if he was stepping over to the bar. A moment passes as he unnoticably slipped the note. If Eitan would use a reflective service, it would say 'The woman in the back, she's suspicious.'

However, Tobias would clumsily bump into another older drunken man as he winced, noticing him dropping his drink as the glass smashed on the floor "Oi! Watch where the fuck you're going!" He growled as Tobias was pushed into another load of table by him. He tumbled as drinks would clatter and smash. Soon, the bar was already in chaos as it appeared that it appeared that Tobias' incident was a catalyst for a bar fight. Tobias tried to make it out peacefully, but it appeared he had opponents of his own in front of him.

"Shit... Err... It was an accident after all, I think you might be over-reacti-" He was interrupted as they tried to swipe their fists towards him. He ducked and punched a man in the stomach as he bend down in pain. He didn't acknowledge Eitan, knowing they still had a cover to keep. Unless, Eitan advised him to break it, he wasn't going to stand down. He still had to find the witch he saw as he noticed she appeared to be leaving.

[Eitan Angevin]

The more experienced Reconciliator seemed to be having a time slumming it, and if he didn't register seeing the note land, it did quickly disappear under his elbow. When there was a bit of a tumult caused by his partner-in-order, he looked, surreptitiously concentrated on reversing the lettering in his mind rather than flashing it where anyone might see. He then spilled a bit of his drink upon the paper and rested his drink upon it.

"Fucking rabble," he muttered to nobody in particular when he frowned at the ruckus. Then, to the bartender as he paid and tipped, "I'm going to avoid this and get out before the constabulary gets here."

He shuffled off, making a bit of a show of avoiding the fight as he moved around the edges of the room. But Tobias was trained to fight now and he would get out of there alive. With luck, he would see Eitan departing after the woman in question and would extricate himself from the fracas and back his superior up in whatever was to come. His note hadn't been detailed so Eitan didn't know precisely what he was getting himself into. Thankfully, his wards were stronger than ever these days.

"Ugh!" he grunted once he got a lungful of the open air. The monocle still upon his face, he turned after the woman's retreating form as if he knew where he was going, keeping track of her but from a distance lest she think he was following her and also to better alert Tobias to whither he had gone if the man thought to follow him rather than get pummeled in the bar like the other ruffians.

When she turned a corner, he knew he had to follow. This was their lead. As he came to the turn, he glanced back to see whether Tobias was en route or this was going to be a bit more dangerous as a solo mission going forward.

[Tobias]

Tobias felt terrified about being left alone in a fight as Eitan came out, although he made the most of it and ducked so that the two patrons of the bar would slam together. At that moment, Tobias took the opportunity to escape out of the door. He created an illusionary pocket whilst no one was in the area and cloaked himself in invisibility as he walked forward. He was following Eitan, but wanted to remain unseen wondering what would happen if he left Eitan as the bait. If he was nearby, he would be able to stop them when they were attacked.

Although on this assignment, there were no magic rules; but it seemed necessary to become a stealthy in this scenario. It was the only option, even if Eitan would scold him for such uses; he was using his own brain and his own judgement on when to use magic. It was clear he had been in the right situation. As he followed he watched as Patricia would turn into an alleyway. She smirked as she turned into the alleyway "Don't let anyone see us, lead him here. Donray, get your curses ready. We have a potential suitor for our magical experiments, let Madame Alvare know the plan" She said as she walked forward.

Tobias eventually narrowed his eyes for a moment. The anxiety had got hold of him, the fact that he knew how these traps worked since he was manipulated into snatching people before, whilst under the influence of a Mesmer. It was hard, but deep down he knew something was wrong. He reappeared and grabbed Eitan by the shoulder and stopped him "Don't... It's a trap, I know it is." He whispered "Lets bring the trap to them." He said as he looked around to see if anyone was watching nearby. It appeared to be clean as he shrouded them both in illusory magic, making them invisible. However, he wasn't sure if it would last, knowing he hadn't developed this kind of magic.

[Eitan Angevin]

Eitan was better armed than was immediately apparent, but it was still a calculated risk following the woman on his own. The protocols he had established with Tobias would urge the Aspirant to follow him, but that might not be possible if he couldn't extricate himself from the bar fight as easily as Eitan avoided it. Perhaps all those benders with Brenner were finally paying off. He was startled by Tobias' surreptitious appearance, but adapted quickly.

He nodded to his Aspirant, who then shrouded the both of them in his glamour even as Eitan pulled out his pistol and his abjinurium-edged blade and began to form the idea of a magic-canceling bubble around them so he could bring it into being as quickly as possible when the need arose. He felt it would invariably arise.

"I'm ready," he said quietly. His hand found the small of Tobias' back so he could keep track of him and because he assumed it would be easier to maintain the glamour if they were closer together. It was also comforting to have him near, as Eitan was coming to trust that Tobias wouldn't react erratically as was his wont when they first met. This sort of joint venture would do a great deal to build their working relationship. Eitan needed to be able to rely upon Tobias as much as Tobias was coming to rely upon him.

Close, invisible, and prepared, they turned the corner to see whether they couldn't bag a few witches or, at least, those who might lead them to a coven.

[Tobias]

Tobias could feel the hand wrapped around his lower back as he looked at him and smiled somewhat. He knew he had to be close to him to maintain the glamour, but perhaps one day he would become an even stronger and better illusionist than Madame Alvare herself. He didn't seem freaked out by the other man's advances, but more that he was beginning to trust him more often, like he was his partner in crime. He struggled magically to keep his glamour up as he looked around, looking at the coven witches who appeared to be waiting, there were three in total.

"I'm ready too, lets go..."

Three pestilent rats, waiting for their moment to be exterminated. Atleast that's what Tobias thought. He eventually looked for a spot and kept his mouth closed as he tried to calculate the risk of losing the barrier of invisibility. It was now or never, the perfect moment to strike, although he didn't have any handcuffs prepared for the arrests. He had to rely on sheer luck, unless Eitan came prepared. He looked over at Eitan, knowing this could be the difference between life or death. He knew that this could be a huge risk they are taking, but it was hopefully worth it.

"Lets follow them first, they might lead us to more of them." He nodded as this was his first takedown as a reconciliator. He was nervous, knowing that anything could go wrong, but he had Eitan to support him if anything went wrong, knowing how strong they both were as a team. It was time to put it to the test as he awaited Eitan's input on the matter.

[Eitan Angevin]

Keen eyes scoured the three suspects. While he should have been calling the shots, Tobias did have the first-hand experience of being in a coven, so he merely tapped his agreement against the small of his back. The fewer words, the better. It was enough for him to maintain the shroud of invisibility; he couldn't dampen their voices at the same time. So they were soft-footed in their steady pursuit.

But the hunters who were now hunted stopped, puzzled. Eitan's fingers hooked in Tobias' belt to gently tug backward so he would slow and stop as well. The closer they got, the more likely some tiny noise would alert them.

"Where did he go?" one asked.

The woman turned, looking past the Reconciliators. Her eyes narrowed.

"Scheiße!" exclaimed another. Eitan noted the Kathalan curse curiously. It would be helpful to observe them talking amongst themselves, both for actual facts they might drop as well as a more sophisticated understanding of how their coven operated.

"C'mon," the woman finally said. She seemed to be in charge, at least of these two. As she turned to go, the others followed. Eitan nudged Tobias again and started the slow, careful walk to follow, keeping close enough to whisper.

"Pay attention. They might lead us to their nest." Another nudge and they were off. More intelligence was necessary; he was fairly certain he and Tobias could take on these three, but not an entire coven. Locating their headquarters would allow for a targeted strike with more backup, though, and both of them would prove key to that, as well. But Eitan had to ensure that if this was Tobias' old coven, or even if it wasn't, he wouldn't fly off the handle and attack against impossible odds. He was learning restraint and Eitan was happy with his development, but all this could trigger the traumas that brought him such shame.