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* Dawn is sitting at his desk, poring over the books, while Dusk is sitting in one corner, jotting notes on a scrap of paper. Since the invasion, the Guild has kept their heads fairly low. Most of the usual activities have been sharply curtailed by the extra orcish patrols on the streets, though some lost revenue has been recovered in black market enterprises - primarily food. * Angel is looking quite exhausted as he leads Jewel carefully through the streets towards Dawn's shop. * Jewel keeps tight hold of her escort's arm, her hood hiding her face, the dress she's wearing on the shabbier and dumpier side than usual. * Dawn picks up a report and skims it. "How many times do I have to tell these assholes that no, we *can't* hit the fucking orcs yet?" He drops the report into an unlit brazier for later destruction. * Angel raps quickly on the door to the shop. <Dawn> Come! ::turns to Dusk:: I swear, if Pocket asks one more time why he can't resume activity, I'm going to set his nosehair on fire. * Angel almost bruskly shoves Jewel within and then follows her down the stairs, closing the door behind them. * Jewel hurries down the stairs, her shoulders relaxing a little at the familiar sound of Dawn griping enough for two below. She pushes her hood back, revealing a calm demeanor, although dark circles under her eyes betray at least some worry. <Dawn> ::looks around as Jewel and Angel appear:: Don't you two ever sleep? <Angel> It's us. ::he runs one hand through his tangle of black curls:: <Angel> ::flops down in a chair:: Not last night, no. <Dawn> What happened? ::gestures to Dusk, who reaches into an empty shelf and pulls out a sealed bottle and tosses it to Angel:: * Angel opens the bottle and sniffs the contents. "There was a riot at Sylvie's last night... Cassie's dead." <Dawn> Fuck. <Dusk> {Anyone else hurt?} * Jewel pulls another chair over next to Angel's and sits, removing her cloak with a sigh. <Angel> ::nods:: A few broken limbs and stabs... and one of the mercs died. Accident, more than anything else. He fell off the balcony. <Dawn> ::winces:: They're not going to... do anything about that, are they? <Angel> ::shrugs wearily:: I don't know. He was pretty damned drunk... <Jewel> ::looking a little haunted:: I'm sure we'll find out. <Dawn> Lathander's shining balls... That's all we'd need. * Angel scrubs a hand over his face. "It was an accident..." <Dawn> Do they fucking know that? ::he picks up his own bottle from the corner of the desk and takes a swig:: Shit. What set the thing off? <Angel> ::looks disgusted:: They ran out of beer. These damned shortages... <Dawn> Dammit... <Jewel> ::shrugs a shoulder:: Accidents happen. And it wasn't an orc that got killed. <Dawn> ::gets up and paces restlessly:: If we had a decent informant... <Angel> ::nods in agreement:: They might look at it that way. Obviously they don't have to pay the ass, now. <Dawn> ::grimaces:: But they'll have a hard time holding the city if everyone gets the idea that the non-orc soldiers can be picked off. <Dawn> ::looks up:: They didn't shut the place down, did they? <Angel> ::shakes his head:: No... that'd cause even more riots... there aren't enough whores for the number of mercs in this town. They were lined up, yesterday. <Dawn> ::snorts:: Small blessings... What little information we get comes straight out of there. Not that it's worth much. What's wrong with their captain that he doesn't want to fuck our women, anyway? <Jewel> ::quietly:: I'm just glad the orcs haven't gotten the notion of rationing *them*.... <Angel> ::shakes his head again:: I don't know that it wouldn't be a bad idea. The girls are exhausted. * Jewel reaches over to take his hand, twining her fingers in his. "*You're* exhausted, love." <Dawn> And there's more freelancers on the streets than I've ever seen before. ::shrugs:: But if the orcs started limiting the girls, half the mercs would walk. <Angel> ::snorts:: Not like they are. Peaches was actually *crying* yesterday. Peaches. Who'd have thought? <Dawn> ::grimaces:: I'll send Bienca and the scribe over with some hazard pay and a few goodies we've got stashed away. 'Bout all I can do at the moment. <Angel> ::in an almost dead voice:: We just need a break... a little break. Some information... *something*. This is insane... <Jewel> ::thinking hard:: Dawn, what sorts of things are we managing to get in from the outside? Any chance... well... girls would be insane to want to relocate here *now*, but they're certainly getting paid well enough... <Dawn> ::shakes his head:: We can bring a little food in, but not too much. Getting people in and out is practically impossible now. We've started a campaign to round up some of the freelancers and put them in the houses. It's a good deal for them - better pay, more comfortable - but it's going kind of slow. Most of them don't want to commit. * Dawn ignores Dusk staring at him intently to turn his watery blue eyes on Jewel. "What're you doing these days?" * Angel looks at Dawn suspiciously. <Jewel> ::blinks:: Me? Keeping my head down and doing what Angel tells me. There's precious little call for fences just now... well, not so's that it outweighs the risks. <Dawn> ::nods:: I was just thinking... ::he glances at Angel nervously, but props one boot on the edge of the table:: If we had someone who had the time to sort of... cultivate the merc captain, we might be able to get a little more breathing room. Get some information, get some more stuff through... <Jewel> ::narrows her eyes, her voice flat:: No. <Dawn> ::hastily:: I'm not saying sleep with the fucker! <Jewel> ::coldly:: You've already indicated he's shown no interest in that sort of thing. Just what the hell *are* you saying, Dawn? * Angel shakes his head, his brown eyes narrowed in thought. <Dawn> I'm saying you're cute and charming and he'd never fucking suspect who your friends are. Just 'cause he's shown no interest in the *whores* doesn't mean he doesn't enjoy a little company. Maybe he's just picky. You charmed *him*- ::waves carelessly at Angel:: -and if you could do that, I'd bet you could worm anything out of anyone. * Angel looks at Dawn. "Gee, thanks." <Jewel> ::gapes at Dawn:: I-- no. Who do I look like, Lady Quick? <Angel> ::softly, obviously fighting his own emotions:: You... do have some of her advantages... <Dawn> ::speaks casually, but there's a hint of desperation under his voice:: Lady Quick's disappeared. We don't have a lot to work with, here. We're dead if these orcs hang around too much longer. We have to do *some*thing. <Jewel> ::eyes widening as she turns to look at Angel:: I... even if I had anything *close* to her power, which I don't... ::anguished:: how could I? I've been afraid enough of attracting the regular merc's attentions. I've *seen* how you look at them when they so much as look at me too long! <Angel> ::getting to his feet and pacing:: You could do it. ::looks at her directly, his eyes flashing:: That attraction thing you do... you wouldn't have to... ::he takes a deep breath:: You wouldn't have to get physical, he'd love you anyway... ::slamming his fist into the wall:: Damnit, I don't *like* it, but I can't do what I like, which is killing people. <Dawn> ::looks back and forth between them, holding his breath:: <Jewel> ::biting her lip and lowering her head quickly, but not quite fast enough to hide a flash of tears in her eyes. Her voice is barely louder than her breathing, but loud enough in the near-silent room:: I can't... I couldn't bear to make you hate me.... * Angel crosses immediately to his wife and takes her in his arms. "I... don't you know by now I couldn't do that?" * Dawn hesitates, then gets up and crosses the room, leaving Angel and Jewel in relative privacy as he confers in quick finger-speech with Dusk. * Jewel wraps her arms around him tightly, sobbing silently against his shoulder, unable to meet his eyes. "It would hurt you. I *know* this would hurt you. I can't--" * Angel tips her chin up to look at her. "It will. I won't lie to you about it. It makes me ill, just thinking about it. But... my lady, we are at war. There must be sacrifices. What... what if they take more hostages? I can't... I can't protect you." <Jewel> Oh, love. ::smiling sadly, brushing the stubborn lock of hair away from his scarred eye:: And you thought you had married someone brave. <Angel> ::in a tone of forced levity:: You're not going to convince me, at this point, that you're anything less than perfect, my lady. <Jewel> ::her smile becoming a little more genuine as she touches his nose with a finger:: You, sir, are *biased.* ::taking a deep breath:: What do we know of this mercenary captain? * Dawn glances back over his shoulder and goes to his desk. He fishes out a sheet of paper and begins reading. "He's wealthy. Whether he's really that good a soldier, or deals in grey market on the side, I haven't heard - there are rumors both ways. He's always got the best of everything, though. No one's ever hinted that he's stupid, either. Keeps a tight rein on his men, too, most of the time." <Dawn> I've got a couple of rumors here that say he used to be a paladin, and got kicked out. ::he smirks:: <Angel> ::looks surprised:: That's unusual. <Jewel> A paladin? ::looks alarmed:: I've heard they can tell when someone's lying to them. <Angel> Not if he's disgraced, my lady. That's a gift from his god... or was... <Dawn> ::grins at Jewel:: So don't lie, gorgeous. Even paladins can be fooled with half-truths and a little smoke. Anyway, even if he *can* still pull the trick, he's got to be concentrating to do it. <Jewel> Mmm. ::nods:: Alright. ::glancing wryly at Dawn:: Shows how much *you* know about women. Half-truths I can manage, but... it's going to be awfully hard to flirt with a man who's not my husband and *not* lie. <Dawn> ::grins:: You're a clever girl. I'm sure you'll manage. <Dawn> ::folds his hands under his scruffy chin and blinks at her preposterously, speaking falsetto:: "Oh, Captain Duncan, I've never met anyone like *you*... There *was* someone else, but, well.. he died..." <Jewel> ::looking back at Angel:: We're moving. *Quietly.* We're going to live in the cottage my dear, departed husband gave me. I've been there often enough to pick up messages that if we're... *subtle*... it shouldn't be noticed. <Jewel> ::snorts at Dawn:: You do that well. *You* should seduce him. <Dawn> ::snorts:: You think I wouldn't, if that would get us what we need? <Jewel> ::grinning faintly:: So you mean, if it turns out the reason he hasn't been frequenting the brothels is that he doesn't like *women*, you'll... ::smiles slowly:: <Dawn> ::seriously:: Aye, if it comes to that. But I don't have any rumors here that hint he swings that way. <Angel> ::smirks:: Dusk should go, he's prettier... <Jewel> ::kissing Angel's cheek:: Yeah, but Dawn's even more jealous than *you* are. * Dusk scowls at Angel, then comes out of his shadowed corner to sit on the side of the desk. {I'll go anyway. You'll need a protector, and it can't be Angel.} * Jewel looks stricken. "No... no, it can't be, can it...?" She glances at Angel, momentarily hopeful. <Angel> ::takes a deep breath:: No, he's right, my lady. It'd... be a very bad idea. They *might* overlook the idiot who fell over the balcony. They won't overlook it if I... can't restrain myself. <Dawn> ::nods:: * Jewel embraces him again quickly, holding him tight, and nods agreement. <Dawn> Dusk's been working up some new potions, too, if you get into trouble. Simple knockouts... A few not-so-simple. Nothing lethal, of course. <Angel> ::to Dusk in his most fierce tone:: You *will not* let anything happen to my wife, or I will skin you alive. * Dusk grins and flips an injection dart in one hand. * Jewel takes a deep, shuddering breath and lets it out again. "I... I won't be able to see you at all while I'm doing this, will I?" <Dawn> Depends on how possessive the man gets once you've snared his attention. <Angel> Probably not. ::he takes a deep, shuddering breath:: He may have you watched. But... ::he touches her forehead:: You can contact me, when you're alone. ::holds out one hand:: Give me your ring, you can't wear it. <Jewel> ::nods, reluctantly drawing it off her finger and putting it in his hand, folding his fingers over it:: I only hope he's not psionic himself... if he is, I fear this will be a short-lived adventure. * Angel clenches his fist around her ring. * Dawn scans his rumor sheet. "There's not a single hint of anything like that. If he is a mindbender, he's either weak, or so absurdly good that we never stood a chance anyway." <Jewel> ::lifting her chin, putting her hand over his left one:: Give me yours. It's not unusual for a widow to wear her husband's band as a keepsake around her neck. * Angel takes his ring off and drops it in her hand. "Don't forget, my lady, I've been dead for almost a year now." He tugs one lock of her hair. "You should be mostly over me by now." <Jewel> ::looking at him seriously as she unclasps her necklace and slides his ring onto the chain, beside her pearl:: I will never be over you. * Jewel reclasps the chain and tucks it back down inside her bodice, putting a hand over it briefly. "At least this way, should something happen, I'll always be able to find my way to you." <Angel> ::holds her tightly to him:: Nothing is going to happen. I promise. * Dawn rummages in his desk again and comes up with another piece of paper. "I almost forgot. Got a couple of guys here who need to see angels. Idiots plotting to do away with the orc overseer at the mill." He snorts. "They couldn't even pick a real target." He offers the paper to Angel. "Want it?" * Angel takes the scrap of paper. "Yes. I need something to do, to... keep my mind off things." He looks at Dusk. "You two had better go." {Before I change my mind.} He signs this behind Jewel's back. <Jewel> ::hugging him back:: I believe you. ::smiling a little:: But what sort of assassin's woman would I be if I didn't always have a backup plan? * Dusk nods and stands, offering a hand to Jewel. <Jewel> ::nods, standing up and biting her lip:: Dawn, Dusk... turn around for a moment, please? * Dawn and Dusk glance at each other, then nod, both of them disappearing through an apparently solid wall. * Jewel pulls Angel's head down quickly and presses her lips to his, kissing him passionately. * Angel wraps his arms around her, kissing her desperately. "I love you. I will *always* love you." He whispers into her hair when they at last break apart. "Now, go quickly, for truly, my lady, I cannot bear this." <Jewel> Consider that a promissory note. I love you. ::nods and turns for the stairs, donning her cloak, her voice a little shaky:: Dusk? * Dusk re-emerges, a small pack slung over his shoulder. He nods solemnly to Angel, then offers his arm to Jewel. * Jewel takes Dusk's arm, her face stiff, and walks beside him up the stairs. * Dawn returns to the room after the outside door closes, his features subdued. "I'm sorry, boss. If we had anyone else with even half the chance she's got..." * Angel waits until they get out of earshot, then screams with sudden rage, putting his fist through the cheap plaster wall. <Jewel> ::outside, in the street, Jewel hesitates for the barest of moments before continuing on, head down:: <Angel> ::dully, shaking bits of plaster from his knuckles:: I know. Damnit, I know. ::looks at Dawn for a long moment:: * Dawn winces, but stands his ground, watching Angel warily. "Go see Snowman, boss. Before you do that job." <Angel> ::one corner of his mouth twitches up:: I'm not going to hit you, Dawn. Right now, I don't think I'd be able to stop. <Dawn> Dusk'll keep her safe. * Angel nods. "I'll... be back tomorrow." Without another word, he leaves the shop. * Dawn stands until Angel leaves, then drops into his chair. He runs a hand through his untidy curls with a sigh. "Fuck..." He looks up at the ceiling, almost prayerfully, and rubs his arm as if it pains him. "Have a little mercy this time, would you?" |
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