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* Orlann is taking advantage of his day off. He rose early, polished his sword, tended to a rip in his tabard and is now lounging on the sofa reading a thick book. * Tarri is sitting by the window for the best light, humming as she alternately works on some sewing and removes the cat from her workbasket. * Lisl re-enters the city gates several hours earlier than is her wont, a brace of ducks strung on a leather cord hanging from her belt. Bowstaff in hand, she checks the position of the sun, nods to the guards, and heads over to Tarri and Orlann's apartment. * Lisl mounts the steps and knocks. * Orlann puts his book aside, marking his place with a scrap of paper that has Tarri's neat handwriting all over it. "Jus' a minute." <Tarri> Can you- ::smiles:: Thank you. I've got this- Get *OUT* of my thread, beast! ::swats at the cat's paws:: * Orlann unlocks the door. "Oh, Miss Lisl... come in..." He stands aside. <Tarri> ::The cat looks up, hisses, and flees into the bedroom.:: <Lisl> Afternoon, Sergeant. ::steps around him through the door, eyeing the fleeing cat ruefully:: <Tarri> Oh, hello, Lisl! ::watches the cat's disappearing act, amused:: Well. Maybe I can finally finish hemming this dress! ::re-threads her needle:: <Lisl> I come bearing gifts. ::grins and unhooks the ducks from her belt:: Where would you like them? They should probably hang somewhere a couple of days. Out of reach of that one. ::nods her chin towards the bedroom door:: <Tarri> ::laughs:: Oh, thank you! There are some hooks in the pantry ceiling, I think... 'Lann, love, will you see to it? I don't think Lisl could reach without climbing up the shelves... ::grins:: * Orlann stretches to his full height. "Surely will. Ma'am, would y'like a glass of white tea? Tarri jus' made it this mornin'." <Lisl> Delighted. ::leans her staff in a corner by the door and wipes her forehead on her sleeve:: Summer's getting a head start out there. Good for the crops, bad for hunting. * Orlann takes the fowl into the kitchen and putters around for a bit. <Tarri> ::peering at her stitchery:: Surely it's just as hot for the animals? * Lisl glances around the sitting room, crossing to peer out their window before going to take a seat across from Tarri. "Aye, it is, that's the problem. Tell me, in heat like this, would you be more inclined to go shopping in the market, or stay denned up at home in the dark and cool?" She grins. <Tarri> ::glances up and grins back:: Depends on whether there's a breeze coming through the window or not, I suppose. * Orlann comes back in with a tray of tea glasses and some small sugar cookies cut into stars. <Lisl> Heh... true. At any rate, I had my best luck at dawn, and I might be going out again a little after nightfall. Right now, though, I have better things to do with my time. Or might, anyway. ::looking up as Orlann returns:: Ahh, now that's a welcome sound. * Orlann sets the tray down and hands Lisl a glass topped with a mint sprig and a long spoon. "Don't know if y'care for sugar, but it's pretty fine without." He takes his own glass and sits back on the sofa, moving his book to a side table. <Tarri> ::beams at Orlann:: I'm so happy I finally found a tea you like that isn't that... sludge. ::winks:: <Lisl> This is fine, thanks. ::pushes the mint spring down into her glass with the spoon and muddles it into the tea a little bit before taking a long, grateful swallow:: Ahhh.... my thanks. <Orlann> ::slightly offended:: Ain't nothin' wrong with a bit a'sugar... <Lisl> ::raising her eyebrows:: Wow... that's different. Subtle. <Tarri> A *bit*, no... ::smiles at Lisl:: I'm glad you like it. <Tarri> But if you're here to talk to Orlann about that... that mess he's investigating... Should I go elsewhere? <Lisl> ::takes another sip, rolling the cool liquid over her tongue before swallowing and setting her glass down:: I suppose that's up to the Sergeant. I didn't plan on discussing anything you don't know about already. * Orlann smiles tightly. "I don't reckon there's anythin' y'need not hear, although it might be what y'don't *want* t'hear." <Tarri> ::sighs:: Probably not. But I'm a healer, or nearly... I hear all kinds of things I'd rather not... * Lisl interjects a snort at the "nearly." <Lisl> And you've been getting some customers from dockside recently, haven't you? ::curiously:: Not that I'd want you repeating scuttlebutt, but... heh. Well, aye, I do. What's the scuttlebutt? <Tarri> Um... ::glances at Orlann out of the corner of her eye, then focuses very closely on what must be a very tricky bit of sewing:: I don't really hear much rumor... I try not to ask too many questions. I did have one man try to pay me with stolen goods, but that doesn't mean too much. <Lisl> Aye, comes with the territory. Heh... he *told* you they were stolen? <Tarri> Not as such, no... But he tried to make me promise I wouldn't tell anyone where I'd gotten them. I'm not stupid. * Orlann frowns again, but bites his lip, obviously *not* prepared to rehash that argument. <Lisl> Ah. ::looks amused, cocking an eyebrow at Orlann:: How well-known is it that you live with a Dragon? <Tarri> Not very, or else they wouldn't be coming to me... ::she looks a little sad:: Even some of them with nothing to hide don't want the Dragons to look at them too closely. <Lisl> Aye... ::scrubs a hand over her face:: well, I'm not much a stranger to that notion, myself. ::looks over at Orlann again:: Which I suppose brings me to the reason for my visit. <Orlann> ::looks somewhat disgusted:: We ain't out t'get people what ain't done nothin' wrong. ::snorts:: Ain't got th'time, for one... <Lisl> ::snorts:: Line up everyone in this city who's never done *anything* wrong, Sergeant, and you'd have an awfully short line. ::shakes her head:: But that's a separate matter... have you had any more leads in these murders? * Orlann nods grimly. "One o'the wounded men died day afore yesterday. He made confession, before he passed on." <Lisl> Confession? ::raises her eyebrows:: * Lisl picks up her glass again for another sip. <Orlann> ::nods:: The priest didn' tell me too awful much, but reckoned that some'ne ought to know... <Lisl> Oh, *that* kind of confession. Heh... sorry. ::takes another sip:: * Orlann takes a deep breath. "Some o'those men what were hurt'n killed were smugglers. An' the people what brought their trained beast out were lookin' t'take a share of their profits.. 'protection'-like. You're familiar with the racket?" <Lisl> ::scowls:: Aye. <Lisl> Never heard of it being used on smugglers before, though... that's usually a pretty rough bunch to begin with. <Orlann> ::snorts:: I reckon they met with a rougher bunch. <Lisl> It would seem so. Did the priest pass on anything else? <Lisl> At least... anything else you can tell a civilian? ::looks wry:: <Orlann> ::nods:: They got near a month t'make good on th' demands for payment. Then they'll come back. We reckon we c'n set a trap for 'em, then. <Lisl> Makes sense. And it sounds straight-up enough... not like they'd expect the smugglers to go to the Dragons over it, or anything. Hm. Maybe you don't need my help after all, then. ::shakes her head:: Still, there's something about this mess that... unsettles me. ::rubs her forearms:: <Tarri> Those men were hurt *bad*. Of course it's unsettling. What if that dog had broken its training? It could've hurt *dozens* of people! Children, even! <Orlann> ::nods:: Ain't too terrible many in th'Dragons what want to... ::shakes his head:: Think it's jus' as well if the thieves and rogues wipe each other out. But it don't work that way, it allus spills over t'innocent people. <Lisl> ::glances at Tarri:: Aye, there's always that, but no, that's not what I meant. I've just... ::sighs with frustration:: I don't know. There's something about this that's... getting my hackles up. And I can't put my finger on it. <Tarri> ::looks faintly amused:: You just want 'Lann to say it's okay to go snooping around down at the docks, don't you? <Lisl> ::looks disgusted:: I'm getting old. It's getting harder to tell between the real thing and my own paranoia. <Lisl> Well... not exactly. ::grins:: I wanted him to *take* me snooping around down at the docks. <Orlann> ::raises one eyebrow:: What, pray, did y'have in mind? <Tarri> ::faintly alarmed:: You what? <Lisl> Well, I didn't figure a large dog roaming the docks alone would be such a good idea, about now. Nor did I particularly want to go down like this and wander around acting suspicious. ::thinks:: Suspiciously. Well, either one, I suppose. * Orlann eyes Lisl. "So y'want *me* to take y'down there as a large dog an' act suspiciously?" <Lisl> Well... I wanted you, as the only Purple Dragon I know personally in this city anymore, to take me down there as a scent hound and investigate the scene of the crime. ::grins:: <Tarri> It's been days since it happened, and that area isn't what you'd call "a breath of fresh air"... Are you going to be able to smell anything? * Orlann turns to Tarri with a rueful grin. "She wants me t'take her down there as a large dog an' act suspiciously." <Tarri> ::grins at Orlann:: Sounds like it, love. <Lisl> ::soberly:: The amount of blood that was shed there? Aye. I'll smell it. And we've not had rain since, I should be able to track. I'm just not certain how far I can track... it's harder in the city. * Orlann rubs his chin. "Iffen I don't want t'be gettin' myself in trouble, I'll hafta go t'the Captain an' get permission t'do some investigatin'. I ain't 'xactly in favor, right about now. Don't want t'be givin' anyone an excuse t'go investigatin' me. <Lisl> Hm. ::makes a face:: And if he asks you what makes you think you can do any better, and you tell him one of your buddies at the Hall was lending you a dog... Ha. He'd probably decide then and there that I was involved in it from the start. <Tarri> But I thought you were already- OW! ::sticks her finger in her mouth and sucks on it:: I thought you were already one of the investigators for this mess? <Orlann> She. ::to Tarri:: Not special-like... jus' takin' reports an' all. <Lisl> ::snorts:: They... 'scuse the pun, but, they made you the dogsbody in this case, didn't they? Hells, you *are* out of favor. <Orlann> ::firmly:: I'm doin' my job. <Lisl> Aye, it's work that needs doing, but... ::shakes her head and takes another sip of tea:: They're wasting you. <Orlann> ::shrugs:: I c'n ask, iffen y'want me to. <Lisl> Um. ::thinks:: Well, that's the question, isn't it? If Adiethian were still here... ::shakes her head:: What do you think of her? <Orlann> She's... she's got herself some ideas... an' I don't reckon she's all that upset with me, herself. Just watchin' her unit an' makin' sure ever'thing looks right. <Lisl> ::eyebrow:: Ideas? <Tarri> She wouldn't have to know your borrowed dog is from a Hall friend, would she? <Orlann> She's got herself a thing 'bout education... thinks ever'one in the city, startin' with the Dragons, ought ta be readin' and writin'. Ain't nothin' t'me, cause I already can, but some o' the other Dragons ain't too keen on't. <Lisl> Heh... well, Gloss'd be fond of her, at least. And it has its advantages, tho' there's something to be said for-- what did Gloss call it? --an "oral culture," too. ::shakes her head:: Sounds like some sort of throat disease. <Lisl> ::grins:: Apparently, I have the dubious distinction of coming from both traditions. Gloss was picking my brain about it last year. <Orlann> She reckons that a lot o'crime's caused by people ain't havin' no better options. An' educatin' em all will keep 'em outta trouble in legal business. I ain't right sure o'that, myself. <Tarri> ::sniffs:: Does she think that illegal bill of sale you tracked down last month came from an illiterate? <Tarri> ::sighs:: Ah, well. She's *trying*, anyway. <Lisl> Ha. There're always people who can't be bothered to make a so-called honest living. ::narrows her eyes:: Tho' if she thinks her lads don't like it, just wait 'til the city's higher-ups get wind... ::shakes her head:: Anyway... sure. Go ahead and ask her. But I'd rather this not turn into a circus, alright? Just you. I trust you. <Orlann> ::nods:: I ain't s'eager for circusin', myself. Don't be expectin' a warm reception, down that-a-ways. <Lisl> At the barracks? Or the docks? <Orlann> ::nods grimly:: Yeah. <Lisl> Oh. ::takes another sip from her glass:: Well... if I can turn up anything, maybe the docks'll thaw out a little, at least. <Tarri> Maybe. But they're probably a little shy about great big dogs just now. <Orlann> ::thoughtfully:: Maybe Madam du'Nache could give you an illuseen t'look like a hound? <Tarri> Is that going to pass, at the barracks? The Wizards haven't set up any detectors? * Orlann frowns. "Oh, I hadn't rightly though about that." <Tarri> Well, it might work out in the city. A hound would be smaller -- less intimidating, hopefully -- than the monster that tore those poor folks up... <Lisl> ::looks dubious:: Well... Madam du'Nache? You mean Gloss? If anything, I'd ask Zoya, but I'm sort of... hesitant about it. ::Frowns:: For that matter, I might ask Nach or Tyl. The Wizzies probably couldn't detect what they do. <Lisl> ::looks wry:: I can hunch, sort of, but no matter how much I hunch I'm still big. It *would* need magic. * Orlann grins. "Askin' a goddess t'help? Yer braver 'n I am, Miss Lisl." <Lisl> Bah. I'm asking my friend to help. ::grins:: And there's a fine line between bravery and foolhardiness, I understand. Least, so I've been told, many, many times. <Tarri> ::anxiously:: You will be *careful*, won't you? <Orlann> Ain't I mostly? <Lisl> We're just tracking, Tarri, little to worry about. I don't plan on having to face anything down immediately, tho if it comes to that... I'm always armed. ::winks:: <Tarri> Mostly, yes... But this just seems... Oh, I don't know. ::sighs:: <Orlann> ::nods:: I'll be's careful as I know how, darling. <Tarri> Oh, like *that* makes me feel better? ::smiles helplessly:: I know, I know. You've got to do it. <Lisl> I don't like it much either, Tarri... as I said, there's something about this whole business that's rubbing me wrong. But as I'd rather face down a ferocious beast than you anyday, I'll try to keep us safe. You've my word on it. * Orlann laughs. "I didn't rightly know I had m'self a *scary* girl..." <Tarri> ::makes a mock-ferocious face at Orlann:: Harr! * Orlann cringes, rather convincingly. <Lisl> ::grins:: Squirrels fear her very shadow. ::she finishes her glass of tea, teasing grin fading:: But... I just don't like disappointing my friends. <Orlann> ::nods:: I'll talk t'my Captain an' let ya know. Prolly tomorrow, I ought t'know somethin'. <Lisl> ::nods:: I'll have a word in Nach's ear, just in case. I don't even know if she does that kind of thing... does seem a little out of line for a Blessed Mother. Worth a shot, anyway. <Tarri> ::hesitantly:: Psionics might be better. Even harder to detect. If there *is* such a thing as a psionic illusion. I guess you'd rather not *really* be turned into a hound. <Lisl> No, not particularly. I doubt my pack would understand. <Lisl> I... think there is... leastways, I've seen Tyl use one. But I don't know how much she could do on another person. Or... whatever. <Tarri> ::nods:: <Tarri> It was good to see you, Lisl. Thanks for the ducks. <Lisl> ::puts her empty glass back on the tray and stands:: Most welcome. ::looks at Orlann:: I'll stay close to home the next couple of days, Orlann. Just let me know. <Orlann> ::nods:: Certainly will... * Lisl retrieves her bowstaff and lets herself out with a wave. |
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