After Cavaldi captured both Scarlett and Paine he brought them to Marbaden to solve a mystery to prove their innocence. Scarlett waited patiently in the horse carriage whilst Cavaldi found a place for Scarlett and her 'beloved' sister Paine to stay. Scarlett looked out the carriage window and sighed heavily, it looks like such a miserable place. The village almost felt as if it was completely empty. "Paine, do you honestly believe in ghosts?" she asked suspiciously.

There was no obvious pleasure in being taken by surprise. Paine wasn't content with the sudden change of events. Their innocence? Hah! Their innocence dissolved away in the ocean of their need for fame, for wealth. Their innocence, according to Paine, had been gone for a long while. Paine had been quiet the entire carriage ride, her eyes, like stones, fixed on the view outside her window. She didn't pay attention to her sister's frequent comments, for there was no use in demanding her silence. She would speak up again after a while. It wasn't until they had halted and Cavaldi left them sitting in their own bitter stew of surprise. Paine hated surprises.

"Paine, do you honestly believe in ghosts?"

"Do you?" The woman asked after a long silence, turning to look at her much brighter sister with an indifferent stare.

A light tingle filtered through the air from an invisible source, a tree branch shaking as a few of it's leaves dropped to the ground. A carriage? Thought the transparent figure, a smirk growing on his face. What a surprise... Wonder why. Mr. Airay's claws dug into the branch as he sat, his tail hanging down, swooping through the air below him as he thought. Having been evaporated for quite some time in this little town, the Cheshire Cat perked his ears to the mumbles inside, straining to understand the quiet gibberish but not comprehending a bit. How upsetting. The bell tingled around his neck as he watched the Cavaldi move about. What a curious sight... Or, perhaps, he shouldn't be the one saying that, but rather, Miss Alice. That thought made the smirk reappear on his lips, his ears folding down as he continued to survey the scene.

The horse-drawn carriage that contained Scarlett and Paine Berwick hurtled down the highroad towards Marbaden, passing a figure swathed all in black. The overcast sky and the darkness of the forest made him nigh-on invisible against the backdrop of subdued color, and it was only the mud that flecked his cloak that marked him as a man, and not part of the trees.

The walking figure pulled its cloak tighter about its shoulders, bracing itself against the light chill in the air as it slogged onward. It eventually drew in sight of the village where he was destined. As it stood, braced against a gnarled walking stick, its brown eyes seemed to glint out from beneath its slouch hat as it analysed the quiet village before him. His mouth slowly spread into a grin. "At last," it grunted, "I've arrived to perform my duty."

Alastair Finnegan O'Flaherty had been travelling for several months now. After performing an exorcism at a haunted manor outside Calles, he had been informed of a disappearance in a small German village named Marbaden. Circumstances were vague regarding it, but the victim had been a young girl and there had been rumors of a witch that had presided over that village several hundred years before. Alastair, if anyone, was aware of the staying power of a witch's spirit. He had moved off on the highroad that very day, destined for Marbaden. As he travelled, occasionally he would catch word of another disappearance in Marbaden. The witch-hunter's heart panged with every disappearance, his conscience growing heavy. Ten women had disappeared by the time he was a week from Marbaden.

And now he had arrived - but little did he know; there were already hunters about. Alistair was about to be dragged into what would become one of his most important exorcisms yet. He felt the gravity of the situation slowly begin to rest on his shoulders as he made his way down the slight hill into Marbaden, striding purposefully despite his weariness. His first stop would be the mayor's offices, to alert him of his arrival. His second would be the church, to pray for success. His third would be the inn, for spirits and sleep. His mind was already whirling with the possibilities of the haunting, and as such he completely ignored the Berwicks as he made his way down the street past the carriage, headed for the mayor's offices.

The sunny afternoon breeze in Marbaden, where the Liddell's resided as a summer-villa, flew in the windowsill where Alice was day-dreaming. The wind tickled her cheek lightly signaling her of it's phantom presence. Alice flinched slightly at the close contact and shifted her weight a little further inside the window. Her honey-suckle silk blond hair easily swayed back in forth with the breeze making Alice pull her curled-at-the-ends hair to the side, right behind her ear. "If only an adventure would settle right on the tip of my nose", she thought calmly bored, putting her well manicured pointed finger on the tip of her nose. Her mother Carol, who was a wealthy duchesses, was out of town for business affairs back in London, England yet again. Alice's older sister Mary-Beth, on the other hand, was finally married off to one of the dukes of Yorkshire where she resided happily contented with being a wife and mother of six children. It was a shame that her favorite only sister, who played with her by the pond-side up until she was of age now, left her all alone with no one to talk to, except occasionally when she visited her and the family on the holidays. Alice's father, Sir Jeffery, was long gone dead and buried in his family cemetery. He was a great man to Carol and his two daughters and he would do anything to make them feel loved and happy. When he passed away, it took Alice, Mary-Beth, and Carol, especially, a long time to move on, knowing he was going to a better place.

Enough about the brief history on Alice's life. Panning back in on Alice sitting on the windowsill day dreaming absentmindedly, her cat, Dinah, slipped into the parlor mewing quietly. She crawled over to her on all fours and nudged her head on Alice's leg, that was swinging back and forth on the inside ledge, making her presence known. Alice turned her head downward and smiled at the black and white soft furred cat. She reached down and patted Dinah softly on the head, "Where is your daughters Kitty and Snowdrop?", she asked as Dinah continued to mew. As soon as she asked her, Kitty (black furred) and Snowdrop (white furred) slipped into the parlor, rustling each other down. Alice shook her head softly and waved her finger in the air to signal the two rascals to stop, "Now look here, you two feisty kittens. No rough-housing in my mother's parlor. You shouldn't be fighting at all; your sisters for pete-sakes", she scolded them as she walked over to where they were, picking them both up in her arms.

They both mewed loudly, playfully telling Alice they were having a ball. Alice set them down in a long white embroidered settee. Dinah walked over to the settee and hopped on, moving over to her daughters who were still nipping at each other playfully. She began to groom them by licking them on their fur-tousled heads, trying to get the furry kinks out. Alice always giggled at the scene, knowing that was how a cat mother washed her baby kittens. It was a loving picture for Alice seeings that it brought up self-images of Alice and Mary-Beth, when they were little, taking baths together while their mother personally washed them. A momentary tear formed in Alice's right eye: the scene was too much for her that she had to walk out of the parlor and leave the cat-family to spend some time alone together.

After briefly talking to the maids and the butlers who attended to the summer-villa, she bid the house farewell and walked into the cool afternoon sun. The whole town was quiet and nothing was stirring about as much while Alice walked down the cobbled stone streets; expect for an old man who swept his front side-walk that led to his little antique shop. Then down the road there was a horse drawn carriage, moving along at a steady pace, "I wonder who that is?", Alice asked herself, knowing she hadn't seen that carriage around before, as she smoothed her pale white and blue knee-length dress down properly, trying to rid of self-made wrinkles at the waist of her corset line. She walked into a bakery shop and sat gracefully down at one of the small inlet tables.

She watched attentively at the large bay-window, not wanting to miss a single commotion. The owner of the bakery shop was an old man who worked there for almost two generations. He came from the back of the counter and greeted Alice like an old friend only then to be shushed by her, "What's wrong, dear Miss Alice?", he asked her, in a thick German accent, curiously as she remained silent. "Who is moving into this town as of late today, Mr. Reinhardt?", Alice finally asked him, turning her head towards him.

He sighed deeply and continued to look out the large window, "It's the infamous Scarlett and Paine Berwick, who are visiting the town. But I don't know what of the circumstance is about. It is said that they are coming on some secret mission that is very confidential. I think the towns people are telling a great fib, trying to start up a gossiping rumor", he explained to her while wiping his forehead from cake flour.

Alice raised an eyebrow and smirked at the last remark he gave towards the towns people. "How curious", Alice replied, feeling the need to investigate the situation a little further. Alice didn't mind if she was getting into someone else's personal affairs because something deep down inside her told her that another thrilling adventure awaited her. Alice's lavender eyes turned a brighter shade, basking in the delightful thought of it.

The heavy thunks of Fergus's axe sounded through the forrest as he felled the last tree of the day.

"Wew, they grow harder and harder the more I chop em down." Shouldering his axe he left the felled tree behind for the villagers to collect as he headed back to his flock, counting heads he was satisfied yet saddened to count out a paltry nineteen.

He had lost four sheep the previous week to predator raiding parties but he had collected payment handsomely, his home was now adorned with four brand new wolf pelts, one for a carpet another for his bed and the last two made beautiful wall hangings.

He slammed his axe headfirst into the soft grass and rested his chin on the pommel as he watched a lone carriage travel by presumably on its way to town, Fergus couldn't see the occupants but surmised it was just another coupla rich folk.

Spitting he hefted his axe and beat his sheep back into they're pen before closing up for the night.

Noticing the passage of a strange man Fergus began to raise his arm in greeting but as the man drew closer Fergus recognized the subtle signs of priesthood and quickly lowered his hand to his heart bowing his head after the mans passage. His greeting seemed to be ignored as the man continued on after the carriage hurriedly.

"Well, Ah suppose thas not new either, I wouldn't wanna speak to meself either given mah current state."
Fergus was covered with grime from the days work and decided to wash quickly before heading into town.

"Mus be somethin important goin on."

Scarlett shook her head from left to right "I don't know" she muttered and drew her attention to her feet. A worried look came across Scarlett's face "What if we can't solve this mystery?" she asked.

Cavaldi opened the carriage door and pulled both Scarlett and Paine out. Cavaldi pointed towards an old cottage, "That's where you'll be staying" he grunted. Cavaldi drew his sword and threatened the Berwick sisters "The French army is surrounding this village there is no way to escape" he explained. Calvaldi placed his sword onto the ground and shook there hands "Good luck" he said with a friendly smile.

Rosealie was roaming the woods. Something she always did she knew these woods all to well. She saw a cottage pull up and two people coming out. It was dark so there figures where a dark blur. She hid behind a tree lifting her cloak over her head so she couldn't be seen. Who where these people? She started to climb the tree for a better look still staying hidden. One of the figures looked like a man. The one who brought them him. She let out a low quiet sigh before leaning back in the tree. "Interesting." Was all she was able to say.

Paine had begun picking up the signs of her sister's nervous demeanor, but she chose to ignore her words. What if? What if? There was no what if, they had to solve this puzzle, whatever it was. Perhaps it was their chance to prove themselves as experts at their job, but what if this was a real threat? What if the entire mystery wasn't just a ghost tale but a real ghostly happening. If that was the case and the sisters proved to be fakes, Paine had to think of a way out of the mess they've clearly put themselves in. Although as much as Paine wished to blame this entire mess on Scarlet, there was no doubt that both pairs of hands were dirty, and that both girls moved into this line of work soberly.

"I beg you, do not show any sign of doubt," Paine hissed at her sister just before Cavaldi opened up their carriage door. Paine hadn't expected for Cavaldi to reach in and very nearly drag the girls out of the thing. "Take your hands off me," Paine yanked her arm from his grip, immediately straightening up her attire as if what the man did was the most distasteful of behaviors. "I do hope it's properly equipped to house two young women, after all, it is us helping you, and certainly not the other way around," Paine lifted her chin, "Now if you do not mind in the least; my trunks, sir," she spoke in what she supposed would be an undoubtedly confident tone, all the while pointing towards her trunks that occupied the back of the carriage. Clearly, she was demanding Cavaldi to bring her belongings in.

Him waving his measly sword at them wasn't an entirely efficient threat, especially for Paine, "Sir," she began, rooting her hands on her slender hips, "Do you honestly believe we would pass up a chance of great wealth," there was a cold smirk that came along with her words, "We do expect a rather glorious pay after we are thoroughly finished with the job."

Alastair was exiting the mayor's office, having alerted the local regent to his arrival, and was making his way back into the cobbled streets when he caught sight of the carriage that had passed him on the road into town. A man stood at the door, having seized the arm of one of the two lady occupants of the carriage. One of the women was evidently causing a fuss, leading O'Flaherty to believe there was some sort of trouble afoot (and, in a way, there was). The witch-hunter crossed the cobbled street, his cloak wafting about him in the breeze, as he approached Cavaldi.

The priest placed a firm, gloved hand upon the Italian's shoulder, turning the man to face him. "So help me, sir," Alastair growled, his eyes shooting daggers into the torturer's, "If you do not stop pestering these girls I shall -" Here, he caught sight of the girl in the carriage. His eyes narrowed, his brow sinking into a furious scowl.

"Berwick," he growled, his mouth pursing itself in a frown. The witch-hunter stood and glared angrily at Paine. "What are a pair of idiot hucksters such as you doing here? Am I to assume that this entire haunting is another of your money-snatching farces?" His face slowly turned into a satisfied sneer. "Or have you finally been caught in the act, and are now facing your fates for the sins you have committed?"

Claire was sitting in the middle of the forest, sipping Mint tea from a colorful cup while holding the saucer. Cookies were set upon the small table as she giggled to herself, "How wonderful this tea is! Oh how wonderfully wonderful!" She took a cookie and ate it, in a matter that you could say was very unlady like and rude. Then she stood up from the table and excused herself from the imaginary people at the table, "I bid you ado!" Quickly she skipped through the woods, holding onto her hat while her blonde curls danced around her face. Humming a simple tune while she twirled her green dress around her legs and then running up on something odd. There were new comers, "How delightful! New tea mates!" She clapped her hands excitedly as she backed back into the woods and giggled, she would go out to say hi later. For right now though, she needed to go back and work on her hat. While skipping, she tore it right on the top. "Well my luck is simply bonkers today.." She mumbled while plopping down onto the dried leaves and began to sew it. Claire must always look her best when meeting newcomers, or anyone for that matter that was real.

After having exclaimed that there was to be pay expected, Paine was in the middle of stepping out of the carriage as lady-like as she could what with her skirts restricting her from any free movement. Even before she landed her two feet on the ground, someone approached the Italian with obvious gentlemanly words, but as soon as the man's eyes lifted to meet with Paine's his features hardened and Cavaldi was forgotten.

The man's features were rugged but very familiar, and just as insults left his mouth, Paine immediately knew who it was. The vicar, Mister Alastair O'Flaherty. "I beg your pardon?" Paine hissed, not only did she feign being offended, but she could care less for the blubbering God-men. "I suppose you must know that we have been personally assigned to extract this haunting, Alastair." When Paine turned back to Cavaldi to demand her things be brought in at once, she found no use in repeating herself, the man had his sword waving around, threatening with emptiness. Frustrated, which was often for Paine, she pushed past Cavaldi and Alastair, putting extra force against Alastair's shoulder especially, before she positioned herself towards the back of the carriage.

Scarlet's trunk was atop her's. No worries, the woman unhooked the rope and very nearly threw her sister's trunk on the ground before taking strong hold of her own. Tugging the trunk to the ground, it made a clattering and before anyone knew it, the brunette was dragging it towards the building. "I got it myself," she hissed as she passed the two men, a sneer dominating her features.

Scarlett thought it would be better not to speak for herself after all her sister was usually the talkative type. Sophia rushed over to Paine as she unloaded the trunks, "Paine be careful" she muttered as she grabbed hold of her trunk and dragged it over to her cottage.

Gwendolyn walked gracefully through the forest of Marbaden searching for more beautiful fairy tale woman to help restore her eternal beauty. Gwendolyn needed to drink the blood of twelve fairy tale princess'. Gwendolyn silently sang Teddy Bear's Picnic, "If you go out in the woods today you're sure of a big surprise" she sang. Gwendolyn stood tall and beautiful wearing her usual attire.

Cheshire laughed to himself as the sister's walked away, the tree branch shivering drastically as he leaped down. Holes were left from where his claws had dug into the bark, ripping their path as he landed on the ground. The bell around his neck rang, barely audible, but clear as he ran into the sun and towards the cottage. Of course, no one could see him. That was the perk of his evaporation skill, but God curse that dreaded queen that put this bell around his neck. It was the only sign of coming; lucky for him, it's small. As swiftly as he had jumped from the past branch, Mr. Airay pounced his way to the roof of the cottage as silently as he could. Either he didn't pay attention or did not care about those watching the carriage as his tail flicked, mouth curved up in a wicked grin. Drama...? He chuckled, licking his lips as he crouched lower. The trio of them might prove worthy entertainment for a while... Now as for their purpose here... This was the main question on Cheshire's mind. His ears had strained for the answer, but couldn't pick it up any hints or clues; just one of the reason he perched himself so nicely on this little cottage.

Rosealie could see all the creatures showing up and decided it was time for her to leave. Very quietly she climbed down the tree. She put her Hood on and began to disappear deeper into the forest. She had soaked all the information she heard in her brain. Thinking about everything they had just said. She sighed as she headed for her granny's house. "This just got very interesting." she thought to herself.

Gwendolyn of course noticed the young girl in the red cloak walking through the forest. Gwendolyn silently hid behind the tree's trying to think of a clever plan, just then an evil grin appeared on her face. Gwendolyn walked gracefully towards young hood, "Excuse me I just so happen to be lost?" she said worriedly "Can you helped me?" she asked politely.

Alastair was a much larger man than the morose Berwick sister, and as such the girl's bump did little more than bounce harmlessly off the large man. The vicar scowled, standing next to Cavaldi as he watched Paine gather her "equipment" and depart. He let out a grunted sigh, then turned on the Italian torturer and scowled.

"You know not the manner of trouble you have brought upon the people of these village by assigning these two to the elimination of your witch," The vicar said, his voice low, his tone one of impending doom. "Had I not arrived now, you would have consigned the fate of Marbaden and all her denizens to Satan." Alastair held his gaze on Cavaldi for but a moment more, then headed for the small church.

Alastair removed the belt from his waist, placing his swords, pistols and staff outside the church, hanging from the wrought iron railing. Then he entered the empty building, looking at a small memorial burning atop the granite altar at the head of the church, beneath a simple cross-shaped slat in the wall; one of the few sources of illumination in the building. Removing his hat, the vicar knelt before the altar, placed his cross upon it and knitted his hands in prayer.

"O Lord God Almighty," Alastair intoned quietly, "as I am the instrument of Your will, lend me the strength to strike down Your enemies. Let me become the sword to pierce the heart of heresy, let me become the shield to protect the body of purity. Let no innocents fall and be taken to that dark kingdom so long as I guard this town. In Your name, Amen." He remained prostrate at the altar for a moment longer, then stood and exited the church. He gathered his belongings and entered the tavern, laying down a few sovereigns for a room and then retiring to his new quarters, where he began setting up shop.

Rosealie lifted up her red hood and glanced at the girl. She lifted one eyebrow with curiosity. "Who are you? Where are you trying to go?" She said with a sigh leaning against the tree. This girl looked familiar yet different. Who was she?

Gwendolyn focused her attention on the young girl and smirked, "Ehm.. I'm trying to get to the fairy rath" she explained, "Do you know where that is?" she asked whilst moving closer and closer to red.

Red didn't like how this girl was getting closer to her. She kept a dagger in her basketand was ready to reach for it. "Im sorry no I dont know where that is. I stay here in the forest. There is a small town up ahead though, not that far. Maybe someone there would know." She could feel the handle of the dagger now and gripped it tightly. "Who is this girl." She thought to herself, looking at her with an evil glare.

Tinkerbell fumed, flying quickly through the area, stopping when she noticed Cheshire on the roof.
"What is that furball up to..." She whispered to herself, slowing up her flying to silently land on his shoulder. "What are you doing?" She asked, her hands on her hips. "Are you spying again?" The blonde scowled lightly, shaking her head. "Curiosity killed the cat y'know," She teased, a small smirk tugging at her lips.
"Tsk Tsk..Not good.. Not good at all, Cheshy." Tink kept her spot on Cheshire's shoulders and her hands stayed firmly rested on her hips while she glanced to see what he was looking at.

Cheshire jumped, hissing as the fairy chirped in his ear, sliding back on the rooftop. In his thoughts, the cat had mis-evaporated, his tail flashing before his eyes as his smirk quickly disappeared. "It's not of your business, fairy." He growled, huffing to himself as he allowed the evaporation to drop, trying to brush the fairy off without clawing the thing, even if that is what he wanted to do. But, who knows what trouble that would cause, them going extinct and all. Maybe he would get a fine or something. "But if you must know, a carriage just road in with two girls. The people of the town up the road seem to be in a hustle and bustle about them and, well," Giving up in his attempt, Mr. Airay plopped himself down on the rooftop, tail flicking around in the air above his head as he looks at his paws. "I can never withstand a bit of gossip." The cat gave a chuckle, glancing at the fairy girl before back to his claws.

After a quick shave and a change of clothes Fergus packed his meager belongings including a tin of cold haggis, harnessed his axe, and left a note for the shepard explaining he'd be gone for a while and the location of the weeks supply of lumber. After a brisk hike into town he scanned the crowds looking for the newcomers before giving up and heading to the pub. After a few ales he inquired to the bartender about the whereabouts of the two women or the priest he had seen earlier.
Whatcha think Im runnin here laddie a gossip corner?
Grumbling Fergus slapped down a few coins, as the bartender began to raise an eyebrow Fergus audibly growled and slapped down almost an entire days worth of wages.
"Cmon pal Im a busy man."
Why yah lookin so hard?
"Call it sense o adventure ye old barstid now tell me whatcha know, first the lassies then the priest."
Listening for a moment Fergus nodded and began a trek up the stairs toward the priest Alistair's room.
"If anybody's got use for yah Fergus it'll be this guy, even priests need backup."
When he came to the right door Fergus paused for a moment hand half raised before letting it fall with a hefty thunk on the door.

"Anybody 'ome?"

Alastair sat somberly at the ramshackle dinner table in the corner of the room, checking his vampire kit for signs of damage. He separately removed each stakeand sharpened its point with one of his knives, then removed the holy water and carefully blessed it again. Finally he removed a fresh clove of garlic - obtained from one of the scullery maids in exchange for a gold coin - and placed it into the box with the stakes and holy water, finally placing the entire box - marked with the sign of the cross - onto the bookshelf.

He was working his way through each of his four pistols, making sure each was properly maintained and that he had adecquate munitions for the trials ahead - regular balls for the living, silver bullets for werewolves - when a knock thudded against the door. Alastair, caught off guard by the sudden knock, stood so quickly that the shoddily built chair shot across the clapboard floor of the room and promptly fell apart upon hitting the far wall. The vicar, keeping one hand wrapped around the hilt of his cutlass, slowly strode over to the door and opened it.

Before him was what appeared to be a woodsman, a Scot by his preference of a kilt to pants, looking somewhat bewildered by the sound of the chair falling apart within Alastair's room. Unfazed, Alastair looked Fergus in the eye and nodded. "I am here," he grunted. "What of it?"

Fergus tried for a moment to meet the gaze of the older man, though physically larger Fergus felt dwarfed in the mans presence, he faltered and excused himself with a grunt clearing his throat.
"Look sir, er.... father....I dennae know yer business about the town but I do know Id like to assist ye, I have my own reasons fer wantin tah do so. Im untrained as far as combat goes but I know how tah use this(un-harnessing his woodsmans axe and holding it out before him)
and I can shoot as quick and straight as any man, ah know mah way around the woods, judging by yer accouterments yer here tah hunt beasties....thats what I aim to help ye with."

Fergus searched the mans face for any hint of expression but could not find one beneath the mans stoic mask. Straightening to his full height Fergus re harnessed his axe and then nelt again before the man.

"In the very least I ask yer blessing and I'll go alone."
Fergus had tried long and hard to get the memories out of his mind, the wolves had taken his mother that night because he couldn't protect her then, by helping this man now he would have his revenge.