Gardenfell; the first stop on the road to the Mistral colonies along the shore of Vale. The most inland of the towns setup by Mistral citizens during the years prior to the great war, it is the central hub of trade between the colonies, and the rest of Vale. Following the end of the great war saw much growth for Gardenfell as peace was restored to the land, and commerce reopened between the peoples. The king of Vale's merciful decree that the colonies remain in the hands of those who set them up saw much controversy from the citizens of Vale, and much support from the colonists. Though most tensions between the two groups have subsided there still remains those inklings of hate. Those left who remembered. Who fought. Mimi walked through the streets during the late afternoon; stalls were bustling, shops crowded, and a general air of joy throughout the town. But, all Mimi saw was exploitation. They think this is their land… A few guards were lazily patrolling; the town hadn't seen any Grimm activity in the last decade which had spawned a complacency from the people. A complacency to be exploited. Crime was a minor concern to Gardenfell police, and the village's guard barracks was quiet. Recalling Salem's plan, Mimi walked to the middle of the village square where a magnificent fountain of four women holding up a cup that water poured from stood. She wasn't sure why, but just looking at the statue sent Mimi's nerves on end. Filth. Even though she had no idea who they were supposed to be the fountain's very presence was menacing to her. Scum. Foul demons of the worst kind. Her instincts were bringing such thoughts to the surface, though Mimi knew not why. So, she climbed in. A few passersby looked at the strange yellow cloaked girl as she wadded her way through the shallow pool heading for the main fountain with cocked eyebrows, and shallow murmurs. Each step brought Mimi more, and more discomfort as she approached the statues. Mimi had only tied her cloak on loosely, and when she passed the waterfall from the cup it caused the cloak to fall away. More people were staring at her trying to get a look at who was in the fountain. A few guards had seen, and were coming over.
"Hey!" one of them called out. There were two guards in total; one had his hands on his hips, and the other was pointing at her. "The fountain is for viewing only, Miss." The rushing water made it hard to see her, but the two knew Mimi was there. "Why don't you come on out?" Mimi looked at the putrid faces of the statue. She unclenched her fists, and slammed her hands into the statues base. There was a loud cracking sound as Mimi's claws broke through the stone, and gave her a grip. "HEY! What are you doing?!" More loud cracking could be heard as Mimi tore the statue from its base on the fountain. The water pipes inside screeched, and broke free as the statue was pulled away. Civilians stared in horror as, with the waterfall no longer working, Mimi was totally exposed. "Holy-" Taking a step back, Mimi leveled the statue with the ground, and swung it around like a bat slamming it into the two guards. Their aura's shattered, and the men went flying through the air, before crashing into the side of a building. Time seemed to stand still for a few seconds as people were trying to contemplate what just happened. So, Mimi gave them a hand. Throwing the statue to the side it crushed a few stalls, and crashed into a store front. Mimi threw her chest back, and let loose a bloodthirsty cry; the war cry of the centaurs. The war cry of the mimic. Panic exploded from the town square. Parents grabbed their children, and ran. Store owners hastily closed their shops, locked the doors, and barred the windows. Thanks to the afternoon rush the streets were congested, which was perfectly fine by Mimi. The guards tried to weave their way through the crowd to see what was going on, and regain order. Reaching the square, one of them saw Mimi, and took aim with his bow. However, two arrows soared through the air with the first knocking out the man's aura, and the second piercing his throat. Mimi stood on the raised lip of the fountain holding a demonic bow, and materialized another arrow in her hand. These people…no…these scum who had stolen from Vale charged her with spears. Pathetic. Mimi let fly more arrows that all found their marks.
Across town at the gate they had entered through, the Conductor was idly tossing dried pine branches onto the floor in the gate house when a few townsfolk who owned horses road passed. He tilted his hat, and followed them with his gaze as they exited the town. Looking up the road, the Conductor saw a few more townsfolk stragglers in carriages rushing to the gate. He picked up a nearby book, and tossed it to the side where it hit a lever. The lever was the lock on the gate's lift mechanism, and the towns gates violently swung shut. Horses neighed in surprise as they abruptly stopped so they wouldn't run into the now closed gate. "Time to make my exit." He stepped over the body of the dead gate guard, and knocked over several lanterns. The wooden building, and dried branches quickly caught flame. As he walked away the Conductor hummed a little tune to himself to the sounds of the now blazing inferno. "Gardenfell is a walled town with only two gates," he spoke to no one, but smiled all the same, "Such poor design."
"It was made as a funnel." The seer floated down, and followed alongside the Conductor. "The less entrances there are, the more concentrated the defenses could be to counter Grimm attacks." Salem was smiling as she watched the town begin to burn through the eyes of the seer. "A shame they never conceived their stone walls would be turned against them, and their home made a prison."
"Well, it's a good thing the prison 'guards' are on their way, then." The Conductor folded his hands behind his back. Gardenfell had been a city of piece for years, and it was now bursting with fear. Grimm began pouring out of the forest in waves, and rushed the only entrance still open to the town. In a matter of minutes Gardenfell had been engulfed in fire, and terror. Mimi had switched to a spear, and was chasing down any guards that tried to run away. As she was about to strike down a guard, a beowolf leapt from a nearby alleyway, and tackled the man. Skidding to a stop, Mimi watched as the beowolf's jaws closed around the man's legs, and the Grimm began flailing him around like a ragdoll. Eventually, the guard let go of his spear, and his body fell completely limp. Watching the Grimm ravage the guard sent nothing through Mimi. She didn't feel disgusted. She didn't feel afraid. She didn't feel anything for the man as he was slammed over, and over into the ground. Instead, once he was dead Mimi moved on to the next guard she could find. Sniffing the air, Mimi followed a trail to what looked like a general store. She caught a glimpse of movement in the windows, and the silhouette of weapons. You won't hide from me. As she approached the door, two boarbatusk Grimm began following behind her. While not needing the help, Mimi let the two Grimm be, and focused on the store. Deciding to make a bit of an entrance, Mimi dug her claws into the door, and ripped the sliding door out of the wall tossing it aside. The flames had spread quickly, no doubt thanks to some help, and backlit Mimi as she entered. But, when she did, she paused. While what she saw through the window were weapons they were not wielded by guards; they were held by a mother, and her teenage son. The two looked at Mimi with eyes filled with horror, and shakily raised their spears to her. The boarbatusks began creeping forward which caused the mother, and son to take a few steps back until they felt their backs against the wall. Perhaps it was the heat? Perhaps it was the overflowing emotions that filled the air? But, as she was about to leave the two people to their fate, Mimi swore she saw a third person standing between the mother, and son. A third person in a green cloak with tears running down her face. The ursa keychain at her hip was stained with blood. With a flick of her wrist, Mimi spun the spear in around before bringing it to rest behind her back, and her stance was facing out of the store. The mother, and son looked on in confusion, and then shock as the boarbatusks stopped moving. Then, their head fell to the floor, and their bodies dissipated into black smoke. Mimi looked back over her shoulder at them, but the third person was no longer there. She felt a rock in her gut. As she exited the store the seer floated down from the roof having apparently witnessed what had happened. Salem had a bemused face on.
"No civilian targets."
Salem raised an eyebrow, "Are you certain?" The seer began circling her. "They aren't from Vale, you know." Mimi's hand gently touched the ursa keychain at her waist.
"No civilian targets." Her 'voice' was monotone.
Displeasure crossed Salem's face for a moment, but then a glint appeared in her eye, and a sly smile played across her face. "Very well. No civilian targets." Mimi let the look in her eyes slide, and walked down a street towards a group of guards fighting back against a pack of beowolves. "I'll leave them to you." The seer floated away, and the Conductor approached the building. Inside the mother was desperately hugging her son, but quickly let go, and picked up the spear when she heard someone enter. The Conductor quickly put on a face of concern.
"Wait! Please, I'm here to help." Seeing another person brought the woman to tears. The Conductor quickly motioned for them to follow, and held out his hand. "I have a carriage not far from here. If we hurry we can make it!" The mother, and son exchanged a glance, before nodding, and taking the Conductors outstretched hand to freedom.
