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* Goody Bea bends a bit creakily, tired after a full demanding day on her feet visiting one ill-used patient after another and delivering a few new babes in between. She sets down several large bowls of milk and a few plates of finely chopped meat on the kitchen floor. "I'm sorry, my dears, it's not what you're used to, but it's more than some of your kind will have this night, I fear." She pets a black-and-red tortoiseshell. <Felice> ::A Siamese cat walks into kitchen holding a calico kitten by the scruff of its neck. Two more cats with kittens follow the Siamese in, all of the kittens behind deposited next to the milk saucer.:: <Felice> ::The Siamese turns and looks at the Goody:: Meow? * Goody Bea looks faintly distressed. "Oh... guests. I... oh, dear. Well, I've never been one to turn away the hungry. I'm afraid chopped rat is the best I can offer... but it's fresh, and clean." <Felice> ::Several other cats respond and the Siamese spends a moment licking the face of the nearest of the responders.:: * Goody Bea brushes at a (dried) spot of blood on her apron and pulls a chair over to sit and watch the cats. <Felice> ::The Siamese turns to face Goody Bea again, and then swiftly grows until a woman with Eastern features stands before Goody Bea, dressed in what appears to be a skirt and blouse improvised from burlap sacks, the clothing standing in stark contrast to the woman's lithe figure and perfect hair.:: * Goody Bea blinks for a moment in surprise, and smiles. "Why, Felice! Lass, you did give me a start." <Felice> Rat isn't that bad really, though it's more enjoyable if you can play with it before you eat it. All the same, I'd be grateful for some clean water. Puddles will keep you alive, but they don't taste particularly good. * Felice smiles and sits down in a chair, "I'm sorry, I couldn't think of anywhere else where I could talk to people without being noticed. Women have plenty of reason to see you and no one but you would ever notice another cat amongst this lot." Reaches down and scratches at one cat, while another jumps into her lap and is promptly petted. <Goody Bea> ::tsking:: No, and these days one never knows what might have stepped in them. Or worse. ::shakes her head and gets to her feet again, crossing to the sink and working the pump to fill a wide wooden bowl with water.:: <Goody Bea> Don't apologize, girl, of course you're welcome. Tho' if anyone cares to ask, you're my niece, come for a visit and trapped here by the invasion, aye? <Felice> ::grins:: Yes Auntie Bea. * Goody Bea cocks her head, studying Felice's fully-human (for a change) features and nodding approval. "You show some sense. Less likely to attract comment-- or attention-- that way." Handing Felice the filled bowl * Felice smiles and drinks deeply from the bowl, "My thoughts exactly. Unfortunately this is the first chance I've had to talk to anyone since the invasion. I tried talking to Adam, but one of the officers decided he'd like to test the edge of his sword on me. I figured I was better off not taking any more chances there." <Goody Bea> ::looking alarmed:: You're not injured? * Felice shakes her head and smiles, "They'd have a hard time catching a normal cat. As for one who can speak. I waited for the swing to start so they wouldn't be suspicious and then ran for it. They can't follow most of the paths I take through this city, and didn't particularly have a reason to." <Felice> What about you? I don't remember you having this much trouble walking the last time I stayed here. * Goody Bea puts a hand over her heart in relief and nods. "And... your clothes, lass?" She smiles faintly. "Not your usual fashion, eh?" * Felice looks at her clothing in disgust, "I don't want anyone to remember seeing me if I can help it. I figured if I looked dumpy enough I could pass unnoticed." <Goody Bea> ::shakes her head:: No worrying yourself over me. Spring, my arthritis acts up with the rain, a titch. And I'd belike have more time off my feet than present circumstance permits. * Felice frowns, "I'd offer to help, but putting people back together was always Michelle's strength. And I don't know that I can afford the time at the moment." <Goody Bea> ::smiling faintly:: "Dumpy" would never suit for you, lass. Let me see... ::eyes the difference in their heights and builds:: Well, perhaps one of Helena's old gowns.... <Goody Bea> Time? What keeps you, these days, Felice? * Felice grins, somehow managing to imply the presence of teeth despite the completely human ones she's displaying, "I'm a cat. I can go anywhere I damn well please. Even orcs understand that." <Goody Bea> Aye, and resent it, no doubt. Well, if you're in need of a warm bed, you're welcome to one here. I see little enough of mine, these days. ::sighs:: * Felice smiles, "A warm bed would be nice. I remember how pleasant your beds are from my last stay here. But I was more interested in finding out what you knew about what's going on in the city. I'd like to keep the knowledge of my existence to a minimum. These orcs have mages with them. The mages will be worried about familiars even if the rest of them aren't. I can't risk them finding out about a shape shifter." <Goody Bea> No. ::pursing her lips and frowning thoughtfully at the floor:: Well... what's going on is simple enough. We're an occupied city. ::shrugs:: The orcs hold some four hundred-odd elderly, women, and children at the military Dry Dock, against our good behavior. The rest of us... ::shaking her head:: we work at what we're told, when we're told, if we wish to eat and feed our families. <Goody Bea> For our safety, of course, we're to practice dusk-to-dawn curfew, and stay to our districts unless we have a pass. <Felice> Does anyone know how they got in? ::nods:: I'd noticed the curfews and travel restrictions. I've been timing the patrols. <Goody Bea> ::smiling merrily:: As have I, lass, as have I. I was to the Meade Hall yesternight... Master Rhys is keeping bar, and had more than a few to serve, at that. ::smiles:: * Felice grins, "I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought of it. But I have the advantage of some recruits who between us can watch the patrols through out the entire city through the day and night." Scratches behind the ears of the cat in her lap, who nearly rolls out of her lap in delight. <Goody Bea> Master Kevil was there-- Talarin, the bard, you recall him?-- with some of his companions. He's been put to work at the docks, moving boxes. ::tsks:: The poor lad, to use a master musician so... his hands! ::shakes her head sorrowfully:: I did what I could for him... any road, he said the ships the orcs came in-- in broad daylight, can you imagine! were of Sembian make. Master Rhys thought as how Sembia might have a hand in it. <Goody Bea> ::looks disgusted:: Long-time trading rivals, they've always been to us, but to do *this*--! <Felice> But I'm glad to hear that the Hall is still open. ::frowns:: You can tell Rhys what I'm up to since he'll probably wind up being one of the people to coordinate everything, but as I said, I'd like to keep the number of people who know I'm in town to a minimum. <Felice> ::shakes head:: Boats. Of course. <Goody Bea> Aye, no fear of that, niece. ::smiles and pats her hand:: * Felice frowns, "Could you do me a favor and try to come up with a list of information I should try to gather? I'm doing the best I can, but I'm not used to thinking on this kind of a scale. I'm sure I'm forgetting things." <Goody Bea> None expected it, I fear. They said orcs attack by cover of night, overland... they said they're savages, disorganized, quarrelsome... ::shakes her head, and grins faintly:: Some wondered as to if these were true orcs, or shifters, or evil folk hiding behind illusion... Master Rhys asked who would *want* to be an orc? <Felice> ::makes a face:: I have enough trouble figuring out why people would want to be dwarves. <Goody Bea> Ach, now, dwarves are good enough folk, for the most part. Hmm... as a cat, you'd be limited... I've been speaking with what womenfolk and families remain, taking messages as might be passed inside... and gathering a list of who might be held within. <Goody Bea> ::sits, accepting a cat on her lap and stroking its dark, mottled fur thoughtfully:: Mayhap... do you think you could tell the orcs one from another, enough to count them, lass? <Felice> ::nods:: We're working on getting inside every inhabited building in Marsember, but it's going to take time. And that unfortunately goes double for the Dry Docks. Particularly since I don't want to risk any of the more intelligent ones until I have some idea of how many mages are running around inside there. <Felice> ::nods:: I've already got a running total of the mages and I'm trying to piece together the chain of command. I can tell them apart as well as you can, and there are more in town that are that intelligent, but most of my recruits just aren't that intelligent. Right now I'm settling for getting timing reports that are more accurate than "About then" or "After I killed the bird" <Goody Bea> Aye, a wise move. Heh... I hope for all our sakes, lass, that you can tell them apart better than I can. Babies, aye, I remember their faces, I can see their parents in them. But orcs... ::shakes her head:: * Felice shrugs, "It's like telling cats apart. They have individualistic coats. Plus you can tell them apart by their teeth." <Goody Bea> ::shudders:: I try not to look at their teeth, thank you. What their mothers would think! Ah, but their mothers' are most likely worse. ::chuckles:: <Felice> I'm sure even Woundwort's mother thought he was beautiful. I'm convinced the entire race is defective. ::grins:: <Felice> ::grin:: One more reason I'm in hiding. I don't want one of them getting ideas in his head upon seeing this incredible body. ::poses vainly:: <Goody Bea> ::smiles, eyes twinkling:: Wisdom beyond your years, child. ::nods:: <Felice> ::grins and runs a hand through her hair:: Of course. <Goody Bea> ::stroking the cat in her lap, and fondling its ears, thinking:: Mayhap... take no undue risks, I beg of you, lass, but... if you can get an eye on the captives, as much information as you can scavenge-- numbers, how they're kept, if they're well, if they're always chained, what exercise they get... <Felice> ::nods:: That's the plan. Cats are good at getting into places, but the Dry Docks was built to keep people out. And until now none of the cats in town had a reason to get inside. Well beyond the fact that it was there. We'll get inside, it's just going to take time. If things get desperate or lax enough, I'll go myself. Unfortunately I just don't know how I'd appear to someone with mage sight. <Goody Bea> Hmm. ::nods:: Well, in better circumstances, perhaps you should see about finding out. But for now... ::picks up the cat and gently deposits it on the floor:: I think I can manage some better clothes for you, at the least. * Felice smiles, "Thank you. This itches like you wouldn't believe, and I know enough not to scratch when I look like this." <Goody Bea> ::smiles:: Well, then... come, dear. Clothes, and a warm, dry bed with friends. I have an early start in the morning, and our new masters have little qualm against disturbing an old woman's rest. <Felice> ::stands:: In that case I should let you get to bed soon. If I'm not around when you wake up it's because I'm back on duty, but I'll try to stop by every few days so we can exchange information. <Goody Bea> ::nods:: If it comes to it, lass... ::lifting the hem of her gown to show one bandaged, arthritic knee:: The names are within this bandage, and Master Rhys holds another copy. My sewing basket holds another roll with letters. If I'm discovered, and you know of it... please. I'm an old woman. But those girls and their bairns... they have their lives before them, yet. I won't let them go. <Felice> ::nods:: If it comes to it I'll make it painless and see that the lists aren't captured. As long as you're with this lot ::gestures to the cats:: I'll hear about anything that happens to you within the hour. How long it takes me to get to you is another matter. <Goody Bea> ::smiles up into Felice's face, clasping both hands around one of hers:: My thanks, Felice. You're a good girl. <Felice> ::smiles and hugs the Goody, then licks her cheek, before blushing and kissing the cheek instead:: You're welcome Auntie. <Goody Bea> ::chuckles and hugs her back:: Come. Clothes! I'll not have a relative of mine going about in feed sacks! * Felice laughs, the sound coming from deep in her throat, "Yes Auntie." * Goody Bea leaves the cats to the remains of their dinner and individual baths, leading Felice into the back of the house to sort through clothes. |
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