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* Catreenia steps off the boat onto the dock of Pleasure Island and looks around apprehensively, pulling the hood of her cloak a little farther up to shadow her face from the high sun. Roni's quill, hidden from sight beneath her cloak, is clenched in one hand. <Catreenia> ::turning to the boatman, keeping her voice pitched low:: Thank you. How late do the boats run? <Boatman> ::laughing:: T' th' Island? 'S never late *'ere*, miss. All afta'noon, night, inta th'mornin'. ::accepting her coin and sculling away:: * Catreenia turns back, chewing on her lower lip a little as she looks away from the shore to the relatively quiet streets. She closes her eyes in concentration, gripping the quill a little tighter, and turns a little to the left before opening them again. "Roni... what are you *doing* here?" With a sigh, she sets off up the street. <Ilarion> ::the Pear and Rabbit is a ramshackle inn, the shutters hanging precariously over the windows. The porch does not inspire confidence, and one sloppy-looking whore is sprawled inelegantly across one of the chairs thereon:: * Catreenia is about to pass the inn when she pauses, turning towards it as if someone had just tugged on her sleeve. Her eyes close again for a moment, blinking open as she studies the place with a small frown. With a shrug, she mounts the steps to the porch to enter. <Barkeep> ::a fat man with a thick beard but no hair is wiping the bar down with a damp cloth. There seem to be no other patrons awake, although there are a few huddles of people sleeping it off near the fireplace:: * Catreenia glances incuriously at the whore, stepping carefully over the loose boards on the porch and pushing inside, blinking a little in the dim room. She keeps her hood up as she approaches the barkeep, one hand appearing from the depths of her cloak and tossing a small handful of silver coins on the bar. "I'm here to meet someone. May I go up?" <Barkeep> ::looking up he makes the coins disappear with speed like magic:: G'wan up. * Catreenia smiles a little wryly into the shadows of her hood, turning to the stairs and following the tug of the quill upward. <Ilarion> ::the bodies of several people that she fervently hopes are sleeping litter the corridor:: * Catreenia takes a deep breath as she reaches the top landing, and instantly regrets it. The hand holding the quill trembles a little as she steps around the still forms clogging the hall, carefully not looking at them too closely. * Catreenia pauses and turns her head, looking to the left. After a moment of consideration, she starts off again in that direction. <Ilarion> ::several rickety doors line the hallway, a few of them closed and a few open. From behind one of them comes the sounds of quiet voices. From behind another is snoring. A third is quiet.:: * Catreenia paces down the hallway a little more slowly, slowing her step at each door. Her lower lip, pinched tight between her teeth, is edged white. * Catreenia stops in front of the third door, staring at it for several seconds. She fumbles beneath her cloak for a moment and comes out with her bodice dagger clenched in her right hand. <Ilarion> ::a strangled groan comes from the first room. A moment later a man exits, his cloak pulled up around his face. A knife, glistening with red, is in his hand:: <Ilarion> ::the man looks at Cat for a long moment:: * Catreenia chokes down hard on her gut reaction and turns her head slightly in the man's direction, blade steady in her fist as she stares at the floor between them. <Ilarion> ::the man's eyes seem to imply that he's grinning behind his cloak. He takes a small coin purse and tosses it to the ground near Cat's feet:: You never saw me... I wasn't here... ::with that, he races quickly down the hall and leaps neatly out the open window:: * Catreenia stares at the window for a long moment, her knife-hand quivering with ever-increasing tremors. Her gaze drops to the purse at her feet and she sobs, backing away from it until her back strikes the closed third door with a muffled thump. <Ilarion> ::from inside the room, there is a muttered curse:: * Catreenia whirls again to stare at the door, wide-eyed and panting. After a moment, she closes her eyes, evening her breathing until her tremors cease. <Ilarion> ::there is a soft clinking noise from inside the room, followed by a splash of liquid:: * Catreenia swallows and opens her eyes again, significantly calmer. After another long moment of staring at the door, she extends her left fist, still clenched around the quill, and knocks softly. <Ilarion> ::muttering, someone stomps over to the door:: What? ::the harsh, rusty voice that emerges sounds only barely familiar:: <Catreenia> ::bites her lip, for a moment at a loss for words. Then a grin steals over her lips, and she pitches her voice low, with a broad city accent:: Towels, sorr. * Ilarion slides back the bolt, opening the door. "I don't think... " He stops, looking at her curiously. His hair is loose and tangled and several days worth of beard cover his jaw. He blinks at her, his eyes red. * Catreenia pushes back her hood slightly so that he can see her face. In the same accent, she continues, "Sorry, sorr, seem to 'ave forgot th'towels." * Catreenia drops the impression, tears starting in her eyes. "Roni, thank the gods you're safe..." <Ilarion> ::grabbing her wrist, he pulls her inside, nearly flinging her across the room before bolting the door again:: What are you doing here? <Catreenia> ::gasps a little at the sudden action, teetering for balance a little:: Finding you. You've been gone nearly four days, near as I could tell. <Ilarion> ::running a hand over his beard, frowning:: That long? ::he sits down on the bed and picks up a bottle, taking a quick pull:: <Catreenia> ::glances at the bottle, taking in his unkempt look. Her eyes are worried, but she says nothing as she dabs them dry covertly:: That long. Temire was looking, too. When I found out she didn't know where you were either, I was worried that-- well, I was worried. ::as an afterthought:: Ilya's fine, Temire brought her to stay with her. <Ilarion> ::taking another drink:: Well... so here I am... <Catreenia> ::nods:: Do you... that is, would you mind giving me a swallow of that? I just faced down a murderer in the hall, back there. <Ilarion> ::hands her the bottle:: It's brandy... not very good brandy at that... * Catreenia takes the bottle with a slightly shaky hand. "It'll do." She tips up the bottle, taking a hefty pull and swallowing. Her eyes bulge a little and she lets out a rather dry wheeze, almost falling into a chair. "Puuuhhh... that's *awful* brandy!" She thumps her chest and takes another slug before handing it back. <Ilarion> ::laying down on the pile of pillows and blankets, taking another swig:: It is... however it seems to have one good point, and that's that it can be provided in abundance. <Catreenia> ::nods again, pushing her hood off her hair entirely to watch him:: So... are you all right? <Ilarion> That all depends on your definition of all right, I suppose... ::he closes his eyes slightly:: I have a raging hangover and I think I haven't eaten since Friday, but I'm functional, I believe. <Catreenia> Oh... ::folds back a layer of her cloak, revealing a small journey-pack at her side. She gives him a slightly embarrassed smile:: I wasn't certain how far I'd have to travel... my talent doesn't tell me that much. ::absently resheathes her bodice knife, and digs in the pack to produce a small loaf of journey-bread and an apple:: It's fresh, so it shouldn't be very rock-like yet. Here. ::handing the food to him:: * Ilarion shudders a little, gingerly biting into the bread as if he expects to lose it immediately. * Catreenia looks around the room quickly, spotting a chamber pot beneath the bed. She nudges it out with a toe, and with a shudder, nudges it back again. <Ilarion> ::taking another bite a little less gingerly:: <Ilarion> ::leans back again, trying to settle his stomach:: Why are you here? <Catreenia> ::folding her hands in her lap:: I told you. To find you. ::cocking her head to one side:: You missed Shielding, you know. <Ilarion> ::groans:: I forgot. <Catreenia> ::smiling a little:: I told the teacher you were ill. It seems I was righter than I knew. <Ilarion> ::covering his face with his hands:: I am ill... wisdom is not to be found at the bottom of a bottle. <Catreenia> ::softly:: No, not generally. A little forgetfulness, though... ::she trails off, looking at him:: Do you want to talk about it? Would you rather I just sit with you awhile? Or-- should I go? <Ilarion> :shrugging:: I don't know what's to talk about... I was rather hoping to... ::takes a sip of brandy:: to forget. Or perhaps to find the courage to act as I should. <Catreenia> ::sighing a little, and nodding slowly:: It's not going to work, is it? <Ilarion> ::shaking his head very gingerly:: Probably not, no... I'm an idiot... and weak. And I've hurt you unnecessarily. I don't even want to know what this is going to do to Mira. <Catreenia> ::scooting her chair forward a little, gingerly putting a hand on his arm:: I don't think you can take all the credit, here. And... I knew what I was getting into. You didn't do anything to me that I wasn't doing to myself. ::closing her eyes:: I think... she deserves you more than I, after all. I've always said I don't poach... but then, the first time it mattered to me... ::opening her eyes:: The first time I knew someone that mattered... ::she shakes her head:: I barely hesitated. ::opening her eyes and staring at the floorboards with a small, distracted frown:: <Ilarion> ::raises an eyebrow:: I don't think she deserves me, or this, at all... ::takes another slug of brandy, then offers Cat the flask:: I'm just trying to think how to tell her. * Catreenia accepts the flask with a grimace and takes a swallow, handing it back with a cough. "You know, it's not so bad after the first few, I think." She stares at the floor again. "I suppose... you have to tell her?" <Ilarion> ::looking at her, his eyes weary and sad:: Do you think we'd stop, if she didn't know? <Catreenia> ::bittersweet smile:: I'm not certain I'd want to stop if she *did* know. But then, I doubt her blade would give me much choice. <Ilarion> ::shakes his head, closing his eyes briefly:: I won't let her hurt you over this... but... I don't know that I wouldn't find some reason to keep seeing you... and I shouldn't do that. She doesn't deserve to be treated so... callously. <Catreenia> ::with a flash of fire:: And she didn't-- ::subsiding with a sigh:: No. Never mind. You're right. ::studying his face, a worried crease between her eyebrows:: Do you think she'd... hurt *you*? <Ilarion> ::shrugging:: I almost wish she would. It might make me feel a little less wretched. <Catreenia> ::her expression strained:: Roni... ::she shakes her head violently, burying her face in her hands:: I wish I could make myself hate you... <Ilarion> ::looks as if he wants to comfort her, but holds back:: Cat... I am sorry. I know it's just a word, and it doesn't mean anything... <Catreenia> No... no, I know, but... please, don't be sorry. ::dragging a sleeve across her eyes and smiling a little:: I don't want you to be sorry for me. Bottle? ::she accepts the flask from him, taking another slug and handing it back:: Is there... any way I can make this easier for you? Anyway I can help? <Ilarion> ::laughs shortly:: You getting drunk here with me is not likely to improve her reaction any, Kitty. <Catreenia> Hmph. No, true. ::digs another apple out of her pack, polishes it on her sleeve, and bites into it:: But then, she sounded ticked enough at your note. <Ilarion> ::snorts:: Well, I didn't expect to be gone for this long... but... the right thing to do kept getting buried under what I wanted to do... so I had to drink a little more... and a bit more after that... ::gestures to the table where seven empty bottles are laying on their sides:: * Catreenia drags her eyes away from Roni and notices the table for the first time. She blinks. "That was... all you?" <Ilarion> ::coughing as he knocks another bit of brandy back:: Unless someone needs to tell me something, yeah... <Catreenia> ::in a much smaller voice:: Is what you want so far away from what's right, then? <Ilarion> ::shaking his head:: I don't know, Cat... I love her. I shouldn't be treating her this way... <Catreenia> No... you're right. ::starts to reach for the brandy again, but drops her hand and stands instead, unpacking the contents of her bag onto the table... journey food; a small, cheap men's toiletries kit; underthings; writing paper; a purse of coin that clinks heavily when she sets it down. Lastly, she places his quill on top of the pile.:: <Ilarion> ::wince a little at the noise:: * Catreenia arranges the items carefully and gently straightens the bottles which have fallen over on the table. When she speaks, her voice is soft. "I... I don't think you left anything else of yours with me. Nothing that matters to you, anyway." Carefully, she resettles her hood over her hair without turning. "I'm glad to see you're alright. I'll tell your professors you're home sick and get your work for you." <Ilarion> ::in a quiet voice:: Nothing I could say right now would be the right thing. I'm sorry I hurt you. <Catreenia> ::The hood dips a little in a nod. Her voice is a little thick when she answers:: I told you... I hurt myself. I crossed the line, and I knew it. I should have known to be satisfied with what little I had. Roni... ::she half-turns, one cheek glistening for a moment before it disappears into the shadow of her hood again:: please, just... be happy. That's all I ask now. ::she moves to the door, putting her hand on the latch:: Goodbye. * Ilarion watches her go. He closes his eyes briefly, his knuckles white around the brandy bottle. "Thank you, Cat... be well." * Catreenia dips her hood again as she opens the door to slip out. She hesitates for a moment in the doorframe, bending down slowly to pick something up off the floor before closing the door behind her and walking away down the hall. * Ilarion watches the door close. With a sudden jerk, he rolls over, burying his face in the pillows and screaming his pain into them. A moment later he sits up, finding the brandy bottle and taking another drink. He stands up, looking at himself in the cracked and dirty mirror. "You are an idiot." His reflection doesn't answer. * Catreenia freezes mid-step between the lax human forms on the floor at the muffled scream from behind her. With a shake of her head, she continues on her way to the stairs, whispering to herself. "Not without you, Roni... never without you." She heads down the stairs, the murderer's purse clenched in her hand. |
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