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<Lisl> ::It is late when Lisl finally returns from Orlann and Tarri's, and whatever other business she attended to in the city. Outside, it is dark and most of the city sleeps. Within, as Lisl paces the halls restlessly, the windows look out on any number of things. She pauses briefly by one that appears to look out over a snowy waste at dawn.:: <Zoya> ::emerging from a door that wasn't there (or was it?) a moment before:: I wouldn't. <Lisl> ::leaning on the windowsill:: Wouldn't what? Look out the window? ::her breath fogs slightly in the air:: <Zoya> Try to go through the window. They don't work that way. <Lisl> ::irritably:: I wasn't planning to. ::mutters:: Besides, who knows where in the hells your windows *go*? <Zoya> ::chuckles:: Several of us do, actually. ::cocks her head slightly as she eyes her friend:: Want to talk about it? <Lisl> ::sighs and turns her back to the window, leaning her elbows on the frame:: No. Yes. ::shakes her head:: I don't know, Zoya. Maybe I'm getting too old for all of this. Intrigue was never my strong point, but I'm starting to have trouble telling the paranoia apart from the reality. <Zoya> ::softly, with an air of quoting someone:: Reality is but a shadow that passes over the fields of imagination. ::more normally:: What are you thinking, then? <Lisl> ::scowling:: I don't know *what* to think. I'm thinking someone's still out to discredit the Hall, someone who knows far too much about our doings for my comfort. I'm thinking the whole damn city is ready to believe the worst of us. <Lisl> ::staring at the stones in front of her feet:: I still think this wolf, or werewolf... even if it's *not* part of this smear campaign, it's awfully convenient for whoever-it-is. And... ::shakes her head:: I can bring no good to anyone, under the circumstances. * Zoya sits on one side of the window's ledge, oblivious to the cold. "The only one with an actual secret being threatened by the rumors is you, I might point out. But what makes you think you have nothing positive to contribute?" <Lisl> ::gestures angrily:: Perhaps, but I'm not the only one with something to lose. Adam, Vallel... their livelihoods are suffering for this. And cozying up to a werewolf will look *so* good on Orlann's resume. <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow:: As he himself pointed out, what you *are* is not illegal. And if your record isn't spotless, it's hardly reprehensible. <Zoya> Anyone with another breath in their lungs has something to lose, Lisl. That doesn't make it your responsibility. <Lisl> ::pressing her lips together:: In nearly four hundred years, Zoya, what I *am* has never been welcome among so-called civilized humans. I'm exposed, I'm driven out. That's the way it's always been. And... I don't want to leave here. Not like that. But if I can't act for risk of exposing myself, I'm more risk than help. <Lisl> The law means nothing. A lynch mob doesn't care about the law... and I have no desire to kill people just because they're afraid. <Zoya> A lynch mob isn't- ::breaks off, shaking her head:: No one has named names, yet. No one knows you're the werewolf in the rumors. There's no reason for them to come after you. They're more likely to storm the docks, looking for *that* one... If they even manage to make that connection. Mobs are terrible things, but they're not very bright. <Lisl> ::frowns at the floor:: Aye, unless they mistake me *for* that one. ::grins without humor:: Who, aside from you, would believe there could be more than *one* werewolf of rumor in the city? <Zoya> And don't you see that leaving can't possibly help anything? There will still be a werewolf in town. The Hall will still be here, and there will be no reason for the rumors to die. And if the originator of the rumors is *very* clever, they could use your absence to hurt us more. <Zoya> There's no reason for them to think you're the werewolf, Lisl. For all the nameless masses know, it could be Jaret. Or Tarri. <Lisl> ::pinching the bridge of her nose:: Hurt us *more*? ::laughs bitterly:: How? <Zoya> ::stares into the icy wasteland:: What if the rumor began to hint at identities? The real werewolf is gone, but mobs will believe anything, if you introduce it to them correctly... Orlann's strange-looking. It would only take the tiniest push to send the mob after him instead. ::looks back at Lisl:: He's a very good fighter, but I doubt he could run faster than you could. <Lisl> ::runs a hand across her face:: Gods... ::sighs:: But then... what can I do? Unless... ::turning around to stare out into the wasteland herself, her expression grim:: <Zoya> What, now? <Lisl> ::thinks a few minutes more, and regretfully shakes her head:: No, wouldn't work. If I exposed myself voluntarily, I'd be dead or exiled and there'd still be a possible were running around Marsember. Although... I'd be much surprised if you lot couldn't take down an ordinary cursed were. <Zoya> Not to mention that exposing yourself would lend validity to the *other* rumors floating around. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: If she *is* more than wolf, exposing myself won't be a matter of choice. Tho' I have little stomach for an alpha fight in the streets of Marsember. <Lisl> Dammit. ::glaring at Zoya:: You know, I think this was clearer when I was just talking to myself. ::sighs:: So, if I stay, we're in trouble. If I go, we're probably in *worse* trouble. <Zoya> ::grins:: That's about the size of it. ::pauses, considering:: The other wolf... Might be the best thing for you to do is to avoid her entirely. <Lisl> ::snorts:: Not hard, at the moment. All I've got is a trace of a scent... and if she's a true wolf, I'll be buggered if I know where they've got her hidden away. If she's were... ::shrugs:: unless I stumble across her scent somewhere or bump into her on the street, I have no way of tracking her until the next attack. <Zoya> So, keep it that way. If she's a true wolf, the Dragons will find her eventually. If she's a werewolf... ::pauses, considering:: How would you fare, do you think, in a fight against the Guild? <Lisl> ::blinks:: The Guild? Which Guild? <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow:: The thieves' guild. Don't tell me you've forgotten them already. You don't imagine they crumbled entirely when their leader died, do you? <Lisl> ::blinks again:: Oh. ::considers, frowning:: To be honest, I've not given them much thought since Chey was born. I got the impression we were fair quit of each other... ::expression darkening:: Why, do you think they'd be behind this? They wouldn't be so foolish. At least... Mace wouldn't have. ::frowns:: Who knows what sort of idiot might be running them, now.... <Zoya> ::shakes her head:: No, I don't think they're behind it. It's too... showy. Too inelegant. Which is why I think *they* may be fighting the werewolf, if that's what she is, before long. She's a much bigger risk to them than she is to you. <Lisl> ::snorts:: If she stays here many months, I wouldn't be too sure of that. But... why? You're saying... ::frowns:: Wait. They attacked a bunch of smugglers... the smugglers... would be Guild, then? You think she, or whoever controls her, is trying to move in on them? <Zoya> ::shrug:: Maybe. But if all she does is focus the attention of the Purple Dragons on the docks, she's a risk to the Guild. Azoun was fanatically opposed to any sort of organized criminal activity - more so, even, than most rulers. His daughter hasn't changed those policies. <Lisl> Hm. ::scowls:: So... you think... knowing what they know, they might think it's me, and come after *me*? <Lisl> That's cr... hm. Well, that makes no less sense than the rest of it, I suppose. Dammit. <Zoya> No, no, no.. I asked, because that's the only gauge I have. How *you'd* fare is probably similar to how *she'd* fare, after all. Do we need to offer them our assistance? Or at least a warning? Or do you think they're good enough to take on a werewolf, and we can just let them get on with it? <Zoya> If they thought it was you, they'd probably have sent someone to talk to you about it by now. ::grins:: Or talk to you about it. So to speak. <Lisl> ::grins, showing a bit more tooth than usual:: I'd fare better than she would. Age has its advantages, in my kind. And if Kevil's guess is right and she is were, she's probably a cursed were. Were she... well, like me, they wouldn't need to wait for the moon. <Lisl> ::frowns, considering:: If they knew what she was... aye, I think they could take her with the right tools. It wouldn't be fun, and I'd hope for their sake they have access to a priest, tho. <Zoya> ::nods:: A warning might be in order, then, at least. <Lisl> If they don't know... well, she'd be one hell of a nasty surprise. Ordinary weapons, even poisoned ones, won't do much to slow her down. <Zoya> Though... If she's cursed, how are they controlling her? I understand how they'd be using a trained wolf, and I understand how a natural were might be operating, but... I thought cursed werewolves were more or less... mad. Uncontrollable. <Lisl> ::with a faint growl:: They're not like mad dogs... would that they were, they'd be easier to deal with. They're full of the blood rage, aye, but they're not mad. They're evil, and vicious, and crafty as all hell. ::frowns:: And they can be nothing like their human selves. <Lisl> My father... my father was a good man, when his beast was gone. And from what Mother knows, he probably kept his wolf successfully locked up for several months, before it outsmarted him and got free. Under the curse, everything's turned inside-out. It will make even the best of men evil. And those they love best are the ones whose blood the wolf will crave the most. <Zoya> ::grins:: Maybe it's Tarri. You haven't scratched her during your sparring lessons, have you? <Lisl> ::looking darkly at Zoya:: It would take much more than that. And I doubt highly that a bunch of smugglers were among her best-loved. Oh... hells. ::scowls:: I never thought to ask Orlann if any of those smugglers survived. <Zoya> I'm just kidding. She was at the Hall during the last full moon, anyway. <Zoya> But a bit of warning might be in order, for the Guild. Orlann already knows, so the Dragons are covered... <Lisl> Aye. ::sighs:: Hopefully, Dawn's still got some pull in the new order, whatever it is. I'll try to get word to him at the Warren. <Zoya> ::nods:: And you'll stay in Marsember? For the time being, anyway? <Lisl> ::sighs:: I suppose so. But... what then? I wait this out? We wait for whoever-it-is to whip the city into a frenzy at us, at his leisure? ::frowns:: Maybe going down to the War Wizzie's and confronting that bunch of Casters isn't such a bad idea, after all. ::tight smile:: If they turned me into a newt, you could probably turn me back, aye? <Zoya> Oh, yes. Almost certainly. Probably. Maybe. Well... Life isn't bad, for newts, you know. ::grins, then sobers:: If that's your plan, be careful how you go about it. That nincompoop who brought up the charges wasn't among the original bunch of casters. It may not be them at all. So don't go throwing around accusations right away. <Lisl> ::growls frustration and leans back against the window again:: So... what *do* I do? This is going to drive me crazy, Zoya. I can't very well sit around practicing my needlework. <Zoya> Oh, I think going to talk to them is a very good idea. I'm just saying, we shouldn't break down the doors and start threatening lives until we're sure we have the right bunch. <Lisl> ::frowns:: So... how do we make sure? You said you didn't get anything conclusive from your chat with Alfonse? <Zoya> No... But Alfonse isn't exactly what you'd call part of the inner circle. <Lisl> No, he'd said as much. But I don't think one who *is* is going to drop by the Hall for a friendly interrogation. <Zoya> So, we'll go to them. <Lisl> ::raises her eyebrows:: We will? But... didn't you just say no door-bashing? <Zoya> Yes. Haven't you ever heard of knocking? <Lisl> Well... ::looks wry:: I think they told us about that one in barbarian school. Something you city lot do. Why in Aerdrie's name would they let us *in*? <Zoya> Why wouldn't they? <Lisl> Well... if they're the lot responsible, why would they have the slightest interest in talking to us? And... if they're not, why would they want to talk to a bunch of dangerous perverts? <Zoya> Because, if they are responsible, they won't want to be suspicious about it. And if they're not... Surely, they're far too highly-placed and intelligent a group to listen to the slanderous whisperings of some absurd rumormonger? ::she smiles, almost terrifyingly reasonably:: <Lisl> ::shudders, blinking faintly yellow eyes:: You put my hackles up when you smile like that, you know. <Zoya> That's because your better instincts are trying to tell you that I'm about to talk you into something stupid. <Lisl> ::scowls suspiciously:: I generally *trust* my better instincts. *Are* you about to talk me into something stupid? <Zoya> No. I was demonstrating the manner in which I will persuade the Wizards to let us in to talk to them. <Zoya> ::considers:: Which *is* actually probably stupid, but I'm certainly not letting you go over there by yourself. <Lisl> So... they'll let us in against their better judgement, because you're going to smile at them? <Zoya> No. They're going to let us in against their better judgment because I am smarter than the lot of them put together, and they will be unable to refute my logic. Or else because they're actually not the problem. <Lisl> Oh. ::meekly:: I'm glad you're going with me, then. <Zoya> ::grins:: It'll do for a plan until we have to improvise, anyway. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: So, if we have a plan, then, what's my role? Stand behind you and look mean? ::suspiciously:: You don't want me to wear a dress, do you? <Zoya> Do I look like your mother? No. <Lisl> ::grins:: Well, maybe a little around the eyes... <Zoya> They've seen us in our working clothes before. Nothing offensive about that. We're going over there together as a pair of Persons Wronged, who are seeking assistance. <Lisl> ::eyebrow:: We're going to ask them for help with our rumormongering? Or... ::frowning thoughtfully:: ...you don't suppose they might be able to help fix the Hall, do you? <Zoya> ::brightens:: That's a good idea! For all I know, the Hall is starting the rumors itself, in its post-explosion wooziness. <Lisl> ::raising both eyebrows:: You think it could do that? <Zoya> Hmm? Why not? The Tower has its own sentience, as well... The Hall's magic is a little less powerful, but that's like saying a goblin is a little less ugly than an ogre. <Zoya> I'm sure the Wizards wouldn't touch the Hall's magic with a ten-foot pole, but they might have taken a peek and have some insights. <Zoya> If nothing else, it's a marvelous excuse to get us inside. <Lisl> ::mutters:: Aye, but "sentient" and "gossiping in the market" aren't the same things... personally, I think they'd just as soon keep blasting at it 'til the place is a null-zone. But aye, it's worth a listen. * Lisl suddenly realizes in whom she's talking, and gingerly pats the stone of the wall she's leaning on. "Um... no offense. I disagree, of course." <Zoya> I don't think it's *gossiping*, Lisl. If anything - and I'm not saying I think this is the case, just postulating - it would be accidently dropping things into the thoughts of passers-by. Like a delirious patient babbling at the tending healer. <Lisl> ::incredulously:: It's not only sentient, it's psionic? <Zoya> The wards on the Hall are - or were, anyway - a mixture of magic and psionics. <Lisl> Hm. ::frowns:: I'd rather you not share those particular theories with the War Wizards, if you please. <Zoya> No, I wasn't planning on it. But asking them if they could consult with us on the problem provides an excellent reason for us to be there. <Lisl> Aye. ::stands up straight, rubbing her hands together and blowing on them:: So... let's go, then? <Zoya> ::glances out at the now glaringly-bright ice plain, then touches the window-ledge. The scene shifts to show the Dragonsmere, just barely beginning to stir with false dawn:: Let's wait until a little later in the day. <Lisl> ::blinks at the sudden light-change, and looks sheepish:: ... oh. Well enough. |
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