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* Dawn and Bienca are lurking in the shadows within sight of the psionics school. Dawn is not quite as good at lurking as Bienca, but still good enough to easily avoid the somewhat bored orcs patrolling the area around the school and its deadly shield. He eyes the building through the shield's haze one final time, then looks up at Bienca. "You sure you want to go through with this?" * Bienca smiles, running one hand through the mage's tangled blonde curls. "Just don't miss, handsome." <Dawn> ::snorts and pulls his tiny crystal dagger from inside his shabby cloak:: The good news is, if I *do* miss, we won't feel a thing. I just hope those... whatever-the-fuck-they-are don't have too many surprises in them. Changing course mid-'port isn't easy. <Bienca> ::absently:: Psionics... ::she smooths out her dress. In order to appear less threatening, she is wearing a simple blue caftan and silvered sandals:: * Dawn uses the knife to trace a design on the palm of his hand without breaking the skin, then gives Bienca a weak grin. "If he rips my mind out of my skull, I'd appreciate it if you'd try to talk him into putting it back." He draws a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment. "Take hold, beautiful." <Bienca> ::projecting confidence:: It'll be fine... ::she slips her hand into his:: * Dawn snorts, and then mutters the familiar words of the spell. The air around them shimmers and then lurches. Spots of strange colors appear before their eyes and then fade away like after-images. With another lurch, the pair appear in the center of Bluestar's office. <Dawn> ::staggers a step, muttering:: That was fucking unnecessary... ::draws a deep breath and looks at Bienca again:: Well... So far, so good. <Bienca> ::blinks at him:: What was? <Bluestar> ::Bluestar's office is empty. The school is quiet, but the sounds of activity can be heard on this floor and the one above, quiet talking and footsteps. The light is oddly skewed and strange shadows crawl across the floor.:: <Dawn> You didn't see the- Oh, never mind. ::he looks around, and backs up until his back is to the nearest wall:: I wonder how long we'll have to wait. <Bienca> ::shakes her head, then shrugs:: I don't understand magic any more than you understand this... ::she makes a gesture to indicate the school as a whole:: <Bluestar> ::from the hallway outside voices in murmured conversation approach, then cease, one set of footsteps moving away, another coming down the hallway. The footsteps slow and then abruptly stop a few paces away from the closed door:: <Dawn> ::makes a face and, reminded, focuses on the top of Bluestar's desk while he puts together the meager mental defenses Cat taught him:: <Bluestar> ::a full two minutes pass with no noise from outside:: * Bienca faces the door easily, her posture as non-threatening as it can be in such unusual circumstances. * Dawn glances at the door, looks instinctively for a shadow to hide in, then grins sheepishly. He squares his shoulders and moves forward to sit in one of the chairs facing Bluestar's desk. He almost props his foot up on the edge of the desk, then changes his mind and merely crosses that leg over the other. * Bluestar is suddenly sitting in his chair, fingers steepled in front of him. He looks somewhat more gaunt than usual, but aside from that looks the same as always. "Good evening, Dawn. Bienca. Welcome to my little island of sanity. What brings you here?" * Bienca jumps, startled, and spins on one heel. "Master..." She sketches the High Sign for Waterdeep. * Dawn tries very hard not to jump at Bluestar's sudden appearance, and almost manages it. He takes a deep breath and sits up straighter. "Waterdeep." He glances quickly at the door, and pitches his voice not to carry any further than it must. "My associates and I thought that perhaps the time had come to speak with you concerning the current... situation." * Bluestar pulls the corners of his mouth back into a subdued rictus of a grin. "It's so nice to be thought of. Perhaps we can come to an agreement or two. Tell me, how are things faring outside?" <Dawn> Not well. Do you get any information, in here? You know about the hostages? <Bluestar> Precious little. We've gleaned some from the interlopers the army sends into our midst, but the process is taxing, and I'm avoiding exposing the students to such duties until it becomes a necessity. * Bienca stands behind Dawn's chair, one hand on his shoulder. "It's... unpleasant. Business is off, except for the necessity of... warning our own not to touch the orcs." <Dawn> ::winces faintly:: Right. Ah... So far, two hostages have been severely beaten as punishment for the death of one of the human mercenaries - which was largely accidental, as far as my people have been able to determine. A handful more were given to various officers because some amateur twit was snooping around where she shouldn't've been, and got seen, but managed to get away. ::He is obviously angry at this:: <Dawn> And they showed three executed the other day, for orc deaths that I'd swear to the merciless gods never happened. * Bienca reaches inside her caftan and pulls out two tattered leaflets. "These appear around the city occasionally. Dawn's read them to me, so you can have them." She lays the copies of the Herald by Night on his desk. <Dawn> Rumors are everywhere. The latest is that the hostages are getting sick inside - I'd be more skeptical if they *weren't* - and that they're inventing crimes just so they don't have to take responsibility for the deaths. <Bluestar> Ah, the perils of a wartime economy. I suppose it could be worse. We've arrived at an uneasy stand-off with the orcs surrounding the school. They don't send any forces in, and in return I don't send them back their orcs with homicidal dementia. Although I do miss the mass charges upon the border. It's pleasant when something functions as it was planned to. <Dawn> ::gestures to the Herald by Night sheets:: At least it sounds like they're not doing so well *outside* Marsember. But it feels like things are going to crack here, and soon. * Bienca covers a laugh with her hand. * Bluestar lays a finger on the ratty leaflets, drawing them over to him. "What remains of the Marsember Herald... I imagine their social columns are sparse, lately. Still, it's good to see they're keeping busy." <Bienca> ::softly:: Brave souls. I heard a reward was offered for their capture. * Bluestar looks up from the sheets. "And how is your organization faring? Well enough, I'd imagine?" <Dawn> We're getting along. It's a bit of bother keeping everyone employed, but this is *not* the time to suffer any idle hands. I'd be happier if we were getting more information. The whores are giving us every scrap they can get, but the mercenaries don't seem to be much for chatter when the business is done. <Bienca> ::snorts:: Like they have time. They're working the girls to death... ::she sighs:: We've pulled in a lot of war-widows, too. ::she winces:: <Bluestar> ::smiling thinly:: I imagine those who did talk to whores are long dead by now, in campaigns over and done with. These seem to be somewhat experienced. Although what they know about holding a city for an extended period of time has yet to be tested. <Dawn> ::draws a slightly deeper breath and looks at Bluestar directly:: One or two with... your talents could be useful. There are pockets of resistance all over the city, but no one has enough information to work with. <Bluestar> You've started down the road. Finish it. What do you want? Specifically. So far I've lost one student in this whole mess, to overexertion, when they first attacked. Since then, none of them has been harmed. I won't risk them, or anyone else here, for vague wants. Specific needs, we can discuss. <Dawn> Specifically, we want spies. We want to know what their movements are. We want to know what they're planning, and what their damned mages are doing. Their weaknesses. Their schedules. Have they already held the city longer than they were expecting, or are they prepared to hold it another month? Another two? Who *is* their General? Where did he come from? Is the dragon real, or just a convenient fiction? <Dawn> ::shrugs:: Information. We need people who can get information, without the risk that we've been going through so far. <Bienca> ::rolls her eyes:: Or the cold feet... <Dawn> *You* know your people's skills better than I could ever hope to. If you have any suggestions, I'd be happy to listen. I came in here with the hope of getting information, though. <Dawn> ::snorts derisively at Bienca's comments:: <Bluestar> Most of that you don't need my students for. Most of that is simple observation. Find a monkey and nail him to a spot so he can watch for you. ::he narrows his eyes in thought until they are mere slits:: The main point of leverage the orcs have on the city is the hostages. What's being done about them? <Dawn> ::his mouth tightens with frustration:: Not as much as we'd like to. A few of the mercenaries are susceptible to bribes - they're taking money to give extra food to specific hostages. But we don't know enough about how they operate inside the fortress to risk much. The mages have protected the place from magical 'ports and spying - believe me, I've tried, and I'm the best 'porter I know. <Bienca> And it's not just the mages and the orcs you have to watch out for. They've given extra food to people who turn in spies, or possible spies. You've got to be damn invisible to get anywhere. And there aren't *that* many people who are that good at it. <Bluestar> ::twisting his mouth:: Meaning that any new people who suddenly crawl out of the woodwork are going to be that much more endangered. ::he looks over the Herald sheets again:: Something we did get from the intruders was we had them remember back to before they invaded Marsember. They were operating under very detailed instructions on when and where to strike. Very detailed. <Dawn> Spies inside? ::he grimaces, but shrugs:: We had no confirmation, but I can't say it surprises me. * Bluestar claps quietly. "Bravo. High marks for the day. I can't see what else it is. If I had to bet my life on it, and circumstances seem to dictate that I do, I'd say those orcine mages have something to do with it. Orcs don't blend in well, and do poorly when it comes to such things as listening at keyholes and the like." <Dawn> ::glances at Bienca:: We're looking to that, some. If we find out they're spying, then we can shut down half the information *they're* getting, granted. But that doesn't get *us* any more. ::the look in his watery blue eyes is almost desperate:: If you don't want to send anyone, then come yourself. Stories I've heard... ::he suppresses a shudder:: If they were your people in there, Waterdeep, what would *you* do? <Bienca> ::moves to the window and looks out the crack of the curtains:: Nice castle you have here... prepared to last out the siege... ::she sighs:: <Bluestar> I can't leave this school. Not for any length of time. ::he sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose:: And you've touched on a very salient point, Bienca. The price for my involvement in your schemes and machinations. <Dawn> ::raises his eyebrows:: What price? * Bienca looks over, her dark eyes widening. <Bluestar> This is a siege, and we are the besieged. And all the effort that is going into maintaining the shield is causing more of us to burn energy than we'd want. I can do all manner of things, but I can't create food. If we don't get some more food within the next few weeks, we're going to be starved out. <Dawn> ::frowns, considering:: How much food? <Bienca> ::in a soft voice:: Oh, come on. You know how much *she* eats... <Bluestar> The more you can get your hands on, the better. We're on severe rationing for those not maintaining the barrier, but food still goes fast around here. <Dawn> ::his mouth twists wryly:: We're currently *the* black market for food in Marsember, but that doesn't make the stuff easy to come by. They're starving the whole fucking city. * Bienca raises one finger, her face twisted in concentration. <Bienca> ::looks over at Dawn:: How's your sailing skills, handsome? <Bluestar> Open up a food supply for us, and I'll come out myself, live in the shadows, and get you your information. And something more. Advice. <Dawn> ::looks at Bienca blankly:: Sailing? I can push a canal-boat if I have to, but I haven't done much *real* sailing. 'Spect we could put a hand on someone if we needed to, though. What've you got in mind? They've sealed the harbor and the river. <Bienca> There's a ship coming in, in three days... food supplies from Sembia. If you... ::she wiggles her fingers suggestively:: We could get aboard, perhaps. And teleport the cargo here. You'd get to make a pretty fire. They'd never *know* why it didn't come in to port. <Dawn> ::narrows his eyes at Bienca:: How do you- Never mind. ::he rubs one temple, concentrating:: I wonder how far out into the harbor the ward against 'porting goes... <Bienca> Don't know about that, but I *do* know where Knickers stashed his skiff. I can get us out of the city... me and probably no one else... and sailing's not that hard... <Dawn> ::looks at Bienca again:: You know where there's a boat that we could get out of the fucking city, and you didn't *tell* anyone? <Bienca> ::shrugs:: What good would it do? It's not that big of a boat. And I'm not abandoning our people to this. * Bienca makes a few gestures with one hand. <Dawn> ::starts to answer her, then stops and sighs:: Fuck it. ::he looks back at Bluestar:: If this works, then you've got a deal. You don't even have to live outside; just come out and snoop around and then come back. I can come in periodically for whatever you've got to tell me. <Bluestar> Done. A note, however. I have a War Wizard and a nascent Purple Dragon under my roof here. Obviously, they can have no idea what's happening. And they can't be killed, either. <Dawn> ::snorts:: By all means, let us preserve the endangered species. I can 'port straight in here. Though you'll have to tell me where you want the food to go. I don't think an entire hold's worth is going to fit in this office. <Bienca> ::raises an eyebrow:: How'd that happen? <Bluestar> I take in strays from time to time. <Bluestar> The kitchen can store a surprising amount of food. And what we can't fit, you can hold for me outside until space becomes available. <Dawn> ::nods:: Very well. ::He stands up:: I'll be back in three days, then. If I don't at least send word by end of the fourth, well... I'm either burned or drowned. <Bienca> ::her eyes glint strangely:: Don't worry, handsome. I won't let anything happen to you... * Bluestar stands up. "It's been a charming conversation. Have a pleasant journey home." * Bienca twitches her hand again, almost unconsciously. <Dawn> ::snorts:: Not likely. Who, by the boil on Torm's ass, stirred magic into those shields for you? I thought my brain was going to turn inside out before we were through. * Bluestar smiles thinly again. "High Priestess Zoya Natovna. I'll send your compliments along the next time I see her holiness." <Dawn> ::grimaces:: I should've guessed, I suppose... ::he sighs, then extends a hand to Bienca:: Ready to go? * Bienca takes Dawn's hand. "Bye now." <Bluestar> Ta. * Dawn recites the spell, closing his eyes just before the teleport takes effect in the desperate hope that the strange visuals caused by passing through the shield won't affect him so strongly. * Dawn and Bienca emerge in Dawn and Dusk's basement office. Dawn manages not to stagger physically from the shield's effect, but he makes a face. "Well. That went... better than I'd expected." He goes straight to his desk and pulls out a bottle. He takes a long pull and sets the bottle carefully on the desk. <Bienca> ::sighs, flopping into a chair:: I swear, he makes Snowman seem civilized, though. ::she looks up at Dawn, a tinge of worry on her face:: Don't be mad about the boat, handsome. Honestly, I forgot about it after Knickers died last year. <Dawn> ::shrugs:: At least you remembered before I had to draw up plans to knock over one of those warehouses where they keep the food. ::he takes another pull from the bottle, his hands beginning to tremble slightly:: * Bienca pats a spot on the sofa. "C'mere and sit down if you're gonna drink yourself insensible. We have a lot of work to do in the next few days." * Dawn pauses, then picks up the bottle and joins her on the sofa. He drinks again, then offers her the bottle. "Merciless gods. Why me?" <Bienca> ::runs her fingers aimlessly through his hair:: Who else would you trust to do it right, handsome? <Dawn> ::laughs drily:: If only you were a mage, gorgeous... ::he drinks again:: *Tomorrow* I'll be Marsember, and we will run over the plans for the Academy again, and start making the plans for this boat run. *Tonight* I just want to forget I had to live through the last two hours. <Bienca> ::sniggers softly:: It could be worse... you could have been Dusk *last* night... <Dawn> ::laughs weakly:: Tell me how having a pretty girl flirt with you, even if you can't fuck her, could possibly be worse than having that arrogant mindbender rooting around in your brain? Besides... You got him patched up, didn't you? When you went back? ::he grins at her:: <Bienca> ::primly, crossing her legs:: I don't kiss and tell *either*... |
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