Unrepentant

No sooner had they shot out if the flames, was Sebastian being dragged lazily across the bust road, edging closer to a dark alleyway. The chill in the air seemed to seep into his bones, causing him to shiver despite the many layers of heavy clothing he had been drapoed in. The darkness of the night was punctuated only by the faint glow of the gas lamps that flickerd erratically in the misty air, casting eerie shadows that dance along the walls of the buildings.The cobblestones beneath hus feet are slick with rain, causing his heeled shoes to slip and slide as he made his way forward. The occasional yowl of a stray cat echoes through the narrow alleyways.
The buildings that tower over the street were made of dark brick, their facades covered in grime and soot that seemed to have accumulated over many years. The mortar between the bricks has long since crumbled away, leaving gaps and cracks that seemed to threaten the stability of the buildings surrounding them. Some of them lean precariously to one side or the other, as if they are about to topple over at any moment.
The windows in the buildings were small and few, their panes of glass so filthy that they let in almost no light. The few flickers of illumination that made it through are quickly swallowed up by the shadows that cling to the walls, leaving the street shrouded in darkness.
As they walked, he caught glimpses of the ragged figures that lurk in the alleyways. They were huddled together, their clothing in tatters and their skin so pale that it seems to glow in the dim light. Their eyes were hollow, giving them the appearance of being half-human and half-ghost, haunting figures that seem to have stepped straight out of a nightmare. The atmosphere was heavy with the weight of centuries of poverty, deprivation, and suffering, and it seems to cling to his skin like a thick, suffocating blanket.

As they walked down the dimly lit street, Thomas turned to the woman with a serious expression. "Go ahead," he gestured towards her.
The woman hesitated, glancing briefly at Sebastian before turning back to Thomas. "Are we sure this is the right call, Tommy?" she asked with a hint of apprehension. "There are other ways we can scout this place."
Thomas raised an eyebrow in response. "It's never failed us before, sweetheart," he replied confidently. "Why are you so nervous?"
The woman took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a moment, and then slowly began to extend her arms outwards. As she did so, her body began to contort and twist in a way that defied all logic and comprehension. Feathers sprouted from her skin, and her bones elongated and shifted until she stood before them in the form of a magnificent eagle.
Sebastian watched in awe as the woman - or rather, the eagle - spread her wings and took off into the sky, soaring high above their heads. "Merlin's Beard, she's an animagus. " he murmured, unable to tear his gaze away from the bird.
Thomas nodded, a proud smile on his face. "A harpy eagle, one of the most dangerous birds in the world, fitting really. Though I personally think its a little show-offish," he said. "It's a risky move, but it's the best way to gather the information we need."
Sebastian nodded in agreement, still marveling at the woman's transformation. "I have to admit, I didn't expect that," he admitted. "But if it works, it works."
"Well a birds eye view helps. It also helps that she can crush a man's skull between her talons. You know, some circles took to calling her the Bloody Harpy."
"Merlin."

She returned about a half hour later, having circled them several times, darting to the ground at a speed even a broom couldn't produce before transfiguring herself back into her usual form in a graceful roll.
"We're good, they've got no one at the door, people are passing in an out, sliding in won't be hard. Cover stories?" she said, her voice hushed yet resolute. Thomas, surveyed their surroundings before turning to the girl. "Fig, you're a rich socialite. Just charm your way through. Shouldn't be too hard," he said with a sly grin, earning a dramatic eye roll from the emerald-clad woman. Sebastian, by far too inexperienced to run into this mission head on, looked nervously at his companions. " And.. what about me?" he asked.
Thomas huffed, "Sallow, you're a young dark wizard rising in the social hierarchy. Get on their level, again you shouldn't struggle too much. If they can read your aura, you'll be in," he said, his tone firm and confident.
The trio exchanged a brief nod before making their way out of the dark alleyway towards their target, keeping enough of a distance from eachother to not be seen as suspicious. As they approached the door, the woman took a deep breath and flashed a dazzling smile at the wizard behind the bar.
"Good evening," she purred, her voice silky smooth. "I'm looking for a place that sells a Black Gin? Is that something you serve?"
The guard's stern expression softened at the sound of her voice, and he stepped aside gesturing towards the a pair of deep red curtains in the corner of the pub, allowing her to enter the party. The other two were not far behind.
"Black Gin?" Sebastian asked
"Well known code for underground speakeasys, they really ought to get a new one, it's become incredibly well know."

They followed after her as she glided across the smokey floor, slipping between crowds of drunken wizards. He watched as her eyes darted across each face in the room. A long bar was situated near the front of the room, where Thomas quickly perched himself, immediately engaging with the rugged looking bartender. unsure where to go he continued to trace the woman, would was very quickly becoming the centre of attention. Her green dress swept the dusty floor as she continued into the thick of the action.

To be continued.