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* Glossaria catches Kevil in the hallway on one of his mid-week Hall visits for drydock news, drawing him aside and quietly asking if she might study his pass. <Kevil> You will not do anything to it that might render it unusable? ::he smiles:: * Kevil does not take for granted the definition of "study" when Glossaria is concerned. <Glossaria> ::meekly:: Only observe. And perhaps take a very tiny sample from the corner. Barely noticeable. <Glossaria> Would that be acceptable? Oh-- and do you perhaps know of anyone who might be working in the vicinity of the city center, near the archives? <Kevil> That is fine... And no, I do not believe so. Why? <Glossaria> Hm. Pity. I should like to obtain a sample of a work-pass for that area as well... <Kevil> ::eyebrow:: Why would you need a work-pass for one area when one of those ::he points at the general pass he's given her:: will get you anywhere, at any time? <Glossaria> ::blinks:: Oh-- this is... ::she inspects the paper more closely:: You still have the general pass? My understanding, from speaking with others, is that they were issued very rarely. I wish to assuage suspicion, not raise it. ::murmuring to herself:: Perhaps invisibility would be a better option, after all... <Kevil> It *is* very rare - and why would I *not* still have it? It is far too valuable to have discarded. Invisibility, or an illusion. <Glossaria> I thought you had given it to the healer, Goody Beatrice. Was that not its function? <Kevil> No, I obtained a different and far *more* rare pass for Lady Beatrice-- one which enables her to cross into the drydocks. <Glossaria> Ah! And this one? ::gesturing with his general pass:: Under what circumstances did you obtain it? Who issued it to you? <Kevil> The function of *my* pass is to permit free passage throughout the city at any time of day. I tricked one of the mercenary captains into issuing it to me... Well, to the illusion I was wearing. ::he grins:: <Glossaria> ::raising her eyebrows:: Ah? What form of illusion? * Kevil grins. "A comely young lady." <Glossaria> ::laughs delightedly:: I'm sure you would make quite a comely young lady, Master Kevil. <Kevil> ::grins:: Actually, my *sister* made quite a lovely young lady. I merely borrowed her visage. <Glossaria> Hmm. ::frowning in thought:: I had thought to study your work pass, but perhaps I might inspect this one more closely, after all. I admit, I am... hesitant to rely a fully magical disguise. It is my understanding that Summer had little time to take pains to disguise her destination, in her flight. I fear increased scrutiny of women travelling this district. <Glossaria> ::fingering the pass:: Master Kevil? How thoroughly have you made use of this pass? Has anyone yet determined which city resources are in the hands of the orcs, which destroyed, and which might be still available to us? <Kevil> Not that I know of. I am working at manual labor some ten hours a day, bright angel. Most days, it is all I can do not to fall asleep in the food line. I go out seldom unless I have a specific purpose. Which resources were you thinking of? <Glossaria> ::tracing a finger delicately over the lettering, lifting the pass to her nose to sniff the paper:: Well... ::lowering her voice a little:: ...the one most strongly in my mind at the moment is the city archives. I wish to see if they've been left intact, or mostly so, and what information I might glean from them. <Kevil> ::blinks:: What could possibly be in the *archives*? Certainly no one has updated them since the orcs arrived, even if they *are* still intact. * Glossaria smiles faintly. "I dearly hope the orcs share your thinking, helasavin. The city archives contain many types of records of the city... deeds, bills of sale, birth and death records... and maps of all kinds." She ticks off on her fingers as she speaks. "Property maps, zoning charts, fire maps, architect's blueprints for building approvals..." * Glossaria meets Kevil's eyes. "I'm not certain, but I believe even the military would require local building permits to erect a structure." * Kevil laughs and kisses Glossaria's forehead. "Very good, angel." * Glossaria beams. "You think so?" Her eyes cloud, and she looks down at the paper again. "I do hope there's something there to be found. I..." She sighs. "I fear Vallel's been reading the wrong sorts of books." <Kevil> ::eyebrow:: Wrong sorts of books? I was not aware you admitted to *wrong* sorts of books, angel. Well, aside perhaps from those in the Vault. <Glossaria> ::smoothing her hand over the paper again, not meeting his eyes:: Tragic romances. Epics. The sorts of books in which the hero grimly but selflessly rides into danger alone and sacrifices himself for the greater good. <Kevil> Ah... ::he hugs her:: We are trying our best to find as many allies as we can, to lessen that risk. Too many lives have been lost already. <Glossaria> ::leaning her head against Kevil's chest, hugging him back tightly:: Logic would dictate, then, that the loss of a single life in exchange for hundreds would be a more acceptable loss. B-but I place more value on Vallel's life than any of those others. ::small voice:: Even... even Loria's. I'm sorry, Kevil. <Kevil> ::strokes Gloss's short hair:: I know. I would trade half a hundred lives in a heartbeat to have Loria back. I know how you feel. <Glossaria> ::takes a deep breath and wipes her face:: Drat. I'm leaking. I told myself I wouldn't do that. <Kevil> ::offers a handkerchief:: Crying, not leaking. And it is a perfectly reasonable response to the situation. <Glossaria> ::accepting his handkerchief and wiping her eyes:: Yes, crying. It still doesn't feel like an appropriate action for my eyes. ::blowing her nose:: They get sore and swollen, and my nasal cavity becomes slightly congested... ::she shakes her head, glancing up at him:: And if it were a perfectly reasonable response, everyone *else* should be doing it as well. <Kevil> ::smiles sadly:: What makes you believe we are not? <Glossaria> ::blinks, cocking her head and studying his face:: Your cheeks are not damp. Your eyes-- ::she leans a little closer to peer at him:: Well, I suppose they're somewhat puffy, although that might as easily be attributed to overwork and lack of sleep. Or even some allergic reaction, or eye irritant at your place of work. <Kevil> ::laughs softly:: I assure you, angel, I cry myself to sleep more often than not, these days... And it is not *every* night only because Diya works so hard to lift my spirits. ::he kisses the top of her head:: Splash some water on your eyes after you cry, and they will not swell so much. <Glossaria> ::nods:: Thank you. Diya, at least, is well, then? I feared, with the language difficulties and differences of cultural propriety, he might... come to grief. <Kevil> He has been spurred to learn the language at a faster pace than he might otherwise have managed. But he is... as well as might be expected. He is naturally less given to worrying than I, so he contents himself with trying to lessen my burdens. ::half-smiles:: For which I will be eternally grateful. <Glossaria> ::smiles:: And so he begins a domino-effect of positive feeling to counteract the general air of depression and gloom. ::squeezing Kevil's hand:: Thank him for me, please. <Kevil> I will. Though he will probably not understand it. <Glossaria> ::grinning:: I have high faith in your translation skills. Both in word *and* spirit. <Glossaria> ::nodding sharply:: Alright. In the interests of positive morale, then, I shall choose to believe that I might find valuable information in the city archives, should they still stand. In which case, if you'll allow me, I shall attempt to replicate your pass, and take non-magical pains to... ameliorate my appearance. <Kevil> ::nods:: Very good. Do tell us what you find. <Glossaria> ::smiles:: Of course I shall. Knowledge unused and unshared is fairly useless. That is the point of my expedition, after all. ***** (Days pass...) ***** * Glossaria takes a deep breath and knocks softly on the door of the empty room Vallel has been using as a study. She has a kerchief tied over her head and a scroll of paper in one hand. "Val?" <Vallel> ::somewhat wearily:: Yes, love? <Glossaria> ::opening the door and peeking in:: I wanted to talk to you, if you have a moment... ::she frowns a little:: Have you eaten? <Vallel> ::pushes aside a stack of papers:: Come in... I'm not doing anything but making myself nuts, anyway. * Glossaria enters and pulls up a chair, glancing curiously at the papers. Something about her looks... different. "What have you been working on?" <Vallel> ::rubbing his hands over his chin, which rasps under a few days of stubble:: Nothing, really. Wondering if we'd have had some *warning* if Sanriel had still been here... ::peers at her:: <Glossaria> ::considering the point, blinking thoughtfully, even as she keeps her head down over the papers:: His double is still at the Academy, is he not? Tarri indicated that their powers seemed to be duplicated, as well as memories and outward appearance. <Vallel> ::shrugs:: I don't know, really. He... seems determined to make a new life and new friends. <Glossaria> ::nodding:: I've not even met him, as I recall, though I've seen him from a distance once or twice. ::she straightens a piece of paper, lining it up absently with the one below and biting her lip as she glances up at him. With a little study, Val might notice that her eyebrows look... dark.:: <Vallel> ::leaning back in his chair:: Something on your mind, love? <Glossaria> ::nodding slowly and taking a deep breath:: I... had thought to go about this quietly. To feign tiredness, perhaps, and go and return before I might be missed. But... I find I have no taste for deceiving you, love. <Vallel> ::his eyebrow goes way up:: Go where? <Glossaria> Well... out. More specifically... to the city archives, if they're still intact. ::lowering her eyes as she reaches up to pull the kerchief from her hair. Its usual spring green is gone, replaced by a nondescript, muddy, medium red-brown, slightly lighter than her darkened eyebrows:: <Vallel> ::with a dubious look:: I admit, I liked it better the other way. ::he runs one finger lightly over a reddish lock:: <Glossaria> The henna will fade in a month or two. Or grow out. I worried that a magical disguise might fail at an inopportune moment. <Vallel> ::shakes his head:: What do you want with the archives? I mean, aside from generally reassuring yourself that they're all right? I know you feel a special sort of kinship with books and records of all sorts. <Glossaria> Well... ::coloring a little:: Yes, I am worried about them. But I also believe they could be helpful. Such a place would not seem to an army like a strategic target... but think of the *sorts* of records one might find there... deeds, licenses, tax receipts, legal proceedings, vital records... and *maps* of all kinds. <Vallel> ::taps her lightly on the nose:: I'm only teasing you, love. Maps of what? <Glossaria> ::lifting her eyes:: Well, property surveys, zoning maps... I had in mind particularly the fire insurance maps, which delineate access points, construction materials, structural details, potential fire hazards.... ::unable to hide a small smile:: Also, the architect's blueprints for building and renovation approvals. I'm not certain, but I believe even the military would be required to file with the city for any large-scale construction... <Vallel> ::rubs his eyes:: You're trying to make a point, but I think I'm missing it. <Glossaria> ::cocking her head:: The orcs may occupy several buildings in our city, and had an unwitting spy to note likely access points for them... but they have not *lived* here. They may not know all of a given structure's secrets the way the original owners would... the way the city could, with its records of construction and renovation. <Glossaria> Buildings like... the drydocks? * Vallel nods slowly. "I see." <Glossaria> ::biting her lip:: You're prepared to-- to do... whatever is necessary to rescue the captives. ::she draws a shaky breath:: I plan to find a way to make *that*... unnecessary. <Vallel> ::taking her hand:: In this sort of situation, love, risks *are* necessary. But I don't have any intentions of taking *unnecessary* risks. <Glossaria> ::her fingers are cold in his:: Well, perhaps with the information I might acquire, it will become an unnecessary risk. ::lowering her eyes:: Perhaps I'm not a very good person, after all. The considered and willing sacrifice of one to save four hundred seems to be a positive balance. But... I can't accept it. ::putting a hand to her throat, frowning a little as she swallows hard:: It-- I feel ill when I try to consider it logically. <Vallel> ::grimly:: I'm not going to sit by while my sister is dying in that horrible place, love. I'll use whatever information you can find, but... ::he touches her face lightly:: <Glossaria> No, no, of course you can't. We left the Tower in order to save them. *We*, first person plural, left. So *we shall* save them. ::looking up:: Please don't try do to this alone. <Vallel> ::wryly:: Is that why you were planning on sneaking out tonight? <Glossaria> ::ducking her head, a lock of dark hair falling in her eyes:: That's why I *didn't* sneak out tonight. <Vallel> ::tilting her chin back up to look at her:: What can I do to help? ::he pushes the hair out of her face:: <Glossaria> ::blinking a moment before smiling at him brilliantly:: I have a lingering concern over what might happen should a random encounter go... not as planned. I wish to keep offensive magic use as a last resort, but... I'm little match for any attacker, physically. I had thought to bring an accomplice, but the plan I devised only accommodates one, and I'm uncertain of how best to revise matters otherwise. <Glossaria> ::frowning a little:: I fear, with so little reliable information to work from, much of my planning is contingency-based. <Vallel> ::shrugs:: 'Making it up as you go'? ::he grins:: Mistress Tyl says that's the essence of adventuring... <Glossaria> ::looking faintly affronted:: I *do* have plans. Well... contingencies, at least. Or... well, at least I've attempted to prepare. ::she smooths down her muddy-brown hair and looks rueful:: I suppose I *am* "making it up as I go," to some extent. But... see? I have been researching... ::unrolling the somewhat abused-looking bit of paper in her hand and turning it to show him her copy of Kevil's blanket pass:: <Glossaria> I had thought a work-pass might be safer, but I've not found anyone who's had call to have business in that district. I'm not even certain how they might refer to it on a work pass, if they have people working there at all. * Vallel studies the forgery closely. "So what's your excuse? I mean, pass or no pass, they may want to know where you're going and why." <Glossaria> ::biting her lip:: Well, I had pondered using Master Kevil's excuse. Visiting a mercenary for, ah, comfort purposes. <Vallel> ::shudders and grimaces:: There are some things even *I* am not willing to do. <Glossaria> ::grins a little:: Well, if I understand matters properly, Master Kevil didn't, either. His "sister" did. <Vallel> ::shakes his head again:: All right. They'll probably buy that. ::he studies her:: I don't know what I can do to help, love. I mean, I can keep in contact with you, but... ::he touches her cheek:: if something goes wrong, I couldn't get to you in time. <Glossaria> ::nods, covering the hand on her cheek with hers:: I had thought about disguising a companion as an orcish or mercenary escort, someone to be sure I arrived in the proper place safely. That would definitely require magical disguise... but I'm not certain my spoken orcish would be up to the task, and I have no knowledge of whatever pass-words they might be using. * Vallel brightens. "Well now..." He rubs his hands together. "That much I can do." He glances at her. "As long as they're not shielding themselves, I should be able to pick any password out of their heads." <Glossaria> ::raises her eyebrows:: I had some worry, the other night, that Corporal Orlann's "spell" might actually be psionic in nature, but there was most decidedly magic taint in his blood. Do you think any of these orcs might be psionic? <Vallel> ::shrugs:: There's no way to know, really. Much like anyone else. You just have to hope for the best. <Glossaria> ::smiling a little:: And your contingency? <Vallel> ::taps his temple:: Yell for Professor Bluestar? <Glossaria> Hmm... have you attempted to contact him at all, through the shield? <Vallel> ::shakes his head:: I don't feel like being furniture, love. He gets irate if you haven't got a reason for popping in unannounced. <Glossaria> ::smiles a touch wryly:: Very well. We'll save calling upon him for dire emergency, then. So... ::leaning across the desk to bestow a light kiss on his lips:: Would you like to be my bookend, then? <Vallel> ::rubbing at his scruffle again:: I think I'll let it grow. I can probably pass for a mercenary without too much alteration, but I don't speak orcish either. <Glossaria> ::nods:: Nor do I have enough comfortable familiarity with the race to produce a forgettable orc face. It's alright. I'm sure you'll make a delightfully disreputable mercenary. ::grins and kisses his nose:: * Vallel bites his lip for a moment, then his expression shifts into something more dark and moody, his green eyes narrowing in disdain. * Glossaria widens her eyes, starting back from him a little. <Vallel> ::the expression clears:: About like that, you think? * Glossaria nods, relaxing and letting out a breath. "Precisely." <Glossaria> ::cautiously:: Who... was that? <Vallel> ::his eyes darken again slightly:: Me, love. When Charoli was with me... ::he sighs:: Might as well get some good out of it. <Glossaria> ::small voice:: oh. ::licking her lips:: I thought-- I... hadn't realized that you'd... retained that. ::lowering her eyes:: I knew she had left holes in your memory and thought... some, perhaps, might be for the good. Sometimes... repairing the page does more damage to the book than the page's loss. <Vallel> ::seriously:: I won't ever forget all of it. Not nearly as much as I wish I could. ::he takes her hand:: But I try not to let it haunt me... * Glossaria lifts his hand to her lips, kissing his fingers gently. "We survived it, love." She smiles a little. "If you think about it... we've survived all of them. So many times... but none of them have been able to keep us apart." <Vallel> Until the very end, love. I swore and I meant it. ::leans forward to kiss her warmly:: * Glossaria smiles against his lips, shifting to sit on the edge of the desk. "And after. You don't think I'd allow you to *stay* dead, do you?" |
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