[IC] New Crobuzon & the World Beyond

[GM Marvel]

When Forge brings the stranger some water, he pauses a moment and then dumps the water into a nearby potted plant.

"No no," the stranger replies meekly.  "You misunderstand.  The information I offer has already been paid for by the one you sought for information.  Your 'friend' sometimes uses my services to avoid any chance of spies using Thaumaturges to pry sensitive information from my thoughts.  My mind is invulnerable to such intrusions.  I... I'm just thirsty from my daylight travels.  Even with thick cloaks, traveling in the waking hours can be ex-exhausting." 

"Vampyr!," Simon hisses in horror while taking a few steps back.  "An Ab-dead, here?  In Crobuzon?  In my lab -- my HOME!"

"You did invite me inside," the stranger replies with a subtle hint of amusement.  

"But don't your kind stow away on the floating city, Armada?  There's rumor the captain even demands a blood tax from his citizens to keep your kind fed and servile."

"No demands.  Armada's citizens are unusually accepting and willingly pay the tax," the stranger replies.  "But I've never been fond of sailing so I live in New Crobuzon."

The mechanical dustbin senses the mess the kobolds made when digging through the trash and suddenly activates.  It's broom and dust pan begin efficiently cleaning up any dirt and garbage left on the floor.

"Well, I'm now uninviting you!" Simon snaps.

"Sir, it doesn't actually work that way."  The stranger pivots away from Simon to face the group.  "Please, I beg of you.  Just a few drops before we start.  I'm so so parched."

The wolf-hound continues to growl menacingly at the stranger.  Ready to try to rip its throat out at the slightest hint of aggression from the Ab-Dead (Abnormal-Dead).