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* Jewel sits on her usual stool behind the counter in her shop. She's taken even greater care with security precautions than usual of late, and checked the lock on the metal grille between customer area and counter carefully-- twice-- as well as the already-secured back door. * Jewel has given up on trying to put her mind to inventory and appraisal, and instead sits with a small sketchpad in her lap, idly sketching a classical male profile for a cameo. She has scratched out the results several times already. * Dawn occupies Angel's usual stool. He appears both bored and mildly irritable; he looks toward the door with increasing frequency as the afternoon wears on. "Where the fuck *is* she?" <Jewel> ::mildly, raising an eyebrow in his direction:: I can assure you, she's probably not there. <Dawn> Of course she's there. She's not *here*, is she? ::in mocking imitation of Bienca's rich drawl:: "Just for an hour or so..." It's been half the fucking *day*! I've got *work* to do. <Jewel> I meant more the "out fucking" part. Sorry, poor joke. ::considers:: It's Isa's off day, but I could probably call her in if you wanted. She knows it's a bit... tight for me, just now. * Dawn glares and crosses his arms, obviously not interested in anything so disgustingly reasonable. "Don't *you* have work to do? What're you scribbling so busily, over there?" <Jewel> ::a touch defensively, her hand sliding over a little to cover her scribbled-over earlier drafts:: I *am* working. I don't make *all* my take on resold pieces, you know. * Dawn smirks. "Yes, I know. I have quite an intimate knowledge of your income, actually." * Jewel sticks her tongue out at him. "Oh, so you've caved and started doing the books again, have you?" She smiles poison-sweetly. <Dawn> ::snort:: You say that like I ever *stopped*. <Jewel> ::grins:: Well, Dusk told me you were looking for someone to foist it off on, at least. * Dawn gets up and stretches, laughing. "Do you think everything he tells you is the truth?" <Jewel> ::arches an eyebrow at Dawn:: No more than I think every evasion you give *me* is the truth. I generally assume that both of you like to mess with my poor little brain, so I humor you. ::she winks:: <Dawn> Oh, good. It's working. ::He starts pacing the shop, idly picking up knicknacks and bric-a-brac and then putting it back down without really examining it.:: <Jewel> ::follows his progress suspiciously:: So... you're messing with my head by making me think that you're messing with my head, when you're not really? <Dawn> ::deadpan:: I could answer that question, but then I'd probably have to kill you. ::His stroll brings him to the shop's main entrance, and he glares at the street.:: <Jewel> ::biting her lip:: Er... Dawn? Would you mind... that is... could you come away from the door? Please? <Dawn> ::gives her a dry look:: *That* bad for business, am I? ::He stalks back toward the stool:: <Jewel> Oh, no, no, it's just... ::shifts uncomfortably on her stool:: Never mind. <Dawn> *What*? I'm a big boy now, gorgeous. I can take- ::he breaks off as the door opens to admit a smallish, squat man with a red, bulbous nose and a hat that clashes horribly with his ill-fitting clothes:: <Man> ::The short man gives Dawn an icy look as he stamps into the store, ignoring Jewel altogether:: YOU are LATE. ::His voice is exactly as unpleasantly rusty as his appearance might lead one to expect:: I have been WAITING- * Jewel slides her sketchbook out of sight under the counter and studies her new customer carefully as he approaches, taking in the "off" look of his clothes. "Welcome to Harborside Imports. Feel free to browse, or I'd be happy to--" She breaks off as he addresses Dawn. <Dawn> Something came up. <Man> So I see. Did it occur to you to TELL me you were going to be late? <Dawn> ::grumpily:: It was only supposed to be for a couple of hours. I couldn't *leave*. Would you fucking change already? I'm already in a bad mood. I don't need your help. <Jewel> ::a wrinkle appears between her brows as she glances unobtrusively from one to another, listening:: * Man smirks, then sweeps off his hat and bows elaborately-- and straightens to reveal Dusk's features, though the horrible clothes are, apparently, the genuine article. * Jewel snorts and shakes her head. "That looks suits you, Dusk. I liked the nose particularly." <Dawn> He only hauls out that disguise when he wants to particularly irritate me. ::glares at Dusk:: <Jewel> ::addressing the scruffy Dusk:: I offered to call Isa before-- should I? You need to take him somewhere? * Dusk shakes his head. {I'll take over. I'm not welcome where he's going.} He turns to Dawn. {Polly dropped by to find you. Said that Shiver and Ear had been arrested.} <Jewel> ::the lines around her eyes deepen faintly:: A... a crackdown? <Dawn> *WHAT*? ::Dawn straightens, his expression going from irritable to disbelieving to downright angry:: How the fuck did the fucking lizards- ::He slams his hand down on the counter:: They were *safe*, dammit! <Dusk> {I know. There's the rest of them to consider. Go. I'll stay here.} * Dawn hesitates, then nods shortly and stomps out the door. * Dawn is now known as Dusk * Jewel watches him go, chewing on her lip and tangling a finger in a strand of her hair. "Dusk... can you tell me what's going on? Or is it better if I don't know?" * Dusk watches Dawn go, then sighs soundlessly and takes over the vacated stool. {It's looking like a crackdown. With, probably, informants.} <Jewel> What... when he said that they were safe, what did he mean? How were they taken? <Dusk> ::gives Jewel a long, appraising look:: {He means that he'd gone to extraordinary lengths to protect them from the notice of the Dragons. Not every child he brings into the Guild decides to run with the gang.} <Jewel> ::nods slowly, thinking:: And you said... informants, probably... ::frowns at the toes of her slippers, and then looks up at Dusk:: I don't need particulars, but-- do you know if they were *about* to be involved in some Guild business? The safe ones, I mean? <Dusk> {Oh, they're involved, all right. They just don't run with the street gangs. They're not a secret - plenty of Guild members have hired them.} <Jewel> Oh. ::sighs, a mixture of frustration and relief:: Well, that shoots that theory, I suppose. <Dusk> {Before the orc-war, we had three Purple Dragons on our payroll. All three were sent north to fight, and killed in the big battle up there.} ::scowling:: {We haven't been able to replace even one. It's like they're all infected with some kind of honor disease.} <Jewel> ::furrowed brow:: There were those nasty rumors floating around against the Meade Hall last summer... I heard something about there being a shakeup in the Dragons after that died down. Maybe they were cleaning house. <Jewel> So-- they have ears in us, but we don't in them? ::pulls on her lip:: But... why take the kids? And A--Angel? They're... small fry. <Dusk> {Shiver and Ear aren't kids anymore - they're your age. And their business - one of their businesses, anyhow - is the collection of information. And everyone in the Guild thinks Angel works for Dawn and I directly. The rumor is, he's your bodyguard because you're Dawn's woman. You know that, right?} <Jewel> ::twitches a smile:: I think I helped *start* that one, actually. I said something to Ink awhile back about how the two of you like to check up on your, ahem... ::blushes faintly:: "merry widow." <Dusk> ::grins briefly:: {It's all fuel for the fire.} ::serious again:: {It's aimed at us. At Dawn, and at me. Even if they don't know who we are yet - because we're what everyone thinks is the top of the guild.} <Jewel> ::thoughtfully:: So they're starting with the ones who have their heads stuffed full of information... but... ::shakes her head slowly:: Tanmim won't... at least, I *hope* he won't. ::settles back on her stool, looking worried again:: And Dawn just went out alone? Bie's not back yet, either... * Dusk eyes a spot in midair, then nods. {Call Isa. I want you double-guarded until this blows over. Angel may have to cool his heels a little longer.} <Jewel> ::nods obediently:: And... Bie? Should I... check on her? <Dusk> {Dawn will be fine. If it comes to that, he's been arrested before. He'll know how to handle it. Bienca... Yes, check on her, but tell her to go home and stay there. I'll stay here with Isa until Dawn gets back, and then we'll arrange something.} <Jewel> ::nods again and looks off into space, her eyes losing focus:: <Jewel> ::looks at Dusk again:: Bie's on her way home, and Isa's on her way here. I... ::she twists her skirt around her fingers for a moment before letting out a breath and standing quickly:: I'm going to go make some tea. * Dusk nods and stands to follow her to the kitchen. {Tea would be nice.} |
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