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* Dawn is picking a lock in a twilight alley while Jewel keeps watch. A misshapen bundle huddles at Dawn's feet. He pays it little attention, his focus primarily on the lock. After just enough fiddling that Jewel is starting to feel nervous, the door swings open a crack. * Dawn peers through the crack, then carefully nudges the door open a bit wider and looks around. After satisfying himself that the place is empty, he gestures to Jewel, and gathers up the bundle. * Jewel takes another look around, trying to be casual about it. She nearly jumps a foot when the door squeaks faintly behind her, and turns from lookout to glance at Dawn. * Jewel nods silently and follows him inside, trusting Dawn to be able to recognize any traps she might have blundered into by now. <Dawn> ::The apartment is like one of hundreds, if not thousands, of its kind in the city. The door leads to a single common room with a tiny kitchenette on one side. A curtain is strung across the back of the kitchen to hide a bathing nook. The only door, other than the one they came in, leads to an even tinier bedroom. The occupant is tidy, but not obsessively so, and bookish.:: * Jewel automatically drifts to the shelves to see what sort of reading this girl's been doing, and incidentally, to see if she has the same taste in trashy romances as herself. * Dawn carries the bundle into the bedroom and lays it on the bed. When he pulls the covering cloak away, it reveals the girl's friend. He is gaunt and pale from his extended stay in the prison, but otherwise unharmed. He twitches slightly as Dawn releases him, then subsides again into slumber. <Dawn> ::coming back into the common room:: Don't touch anything. She'll be back, soon. ::he pulls a scroll from a pocket of his tattered, threadbare robe, and offers it to Jewel:: There's Dusk's spell. It won't confer true invisibility - just... unnoticeability. If you talk above a whisper or draw a weapon, she'll spot you. <Andrial> ::on the floor, near the modest lapdesk, is the only mess in the room. A wastepaper basket is filled to spilling over with scraps of paper, scratched out and written over:: <Jewel> Alright. ::accepts the scroll as one might accept an offer to handle someone's pet snake, relaxing a little only when her fingers curl around the paper and it doesn't zot her or anything. "You know she's coming home tonight? What do we do if she doesn't? Order in?" She grins lopsidedly. * Dawn uses his dagger to turn over a scrap of paper, trying to see what she's working on so feverishly. <Andrial> ::the scraps suggest that she has been attempting to write some sort of explanation for herself. At times, the letter is addressed to Vella, the head of the guild. At other times, her parents, as an apology for what she is. Still others seem to be variations on a suicide note:: <Dawn> I don't know for certain. We haven't had time to map her schedule. But she seems to work mostly days. * Dawn turns over a few more scraps, then nods. "Guilt. Very useful." He grins. "Read it out loud, and find a spot where she's not likely to trip over you." He pulls the hood of his cloak up and pushes one chair into the shadows, then sits, arranging himself in a careful combination of nonchalant tension. <Dawn> ::looks up to meet Jewel's eyes:: Keep her out of my head, and out of yours. That's more critical than keeping your presence secret. Stay close enough that I can grab you and 'port if things go wrong. * Jewel nods and takes up a position behind Dawn's chair, nods nervously, and commences reading the scroll, almost cringing as the words take hold and wrap themselves around her. As she fades from notice, her hand curls around her pearl pendant. * Dawn turns to look, nods in satisfaction, and resumes his carefully careless pose, folding his hands before him and waiting. * Jewel puts a hand on his shoulder and whispers. "Someone's on the stairs." * Dawn pauses, then nods briefly. * Jewel starts to withdraw her hand, then on second thought, keeps it on the back of his chair so that she's in easy reach. * Andrial walks up the stairs slowly, with a staggering gait, as though her shoes are too heavy for her feet. * Jewel holds her breath, not sure that the tension in her throat would let her breathe anyway. * Dawn whispers a few phrases under his breath, and his right hand twitches as if almost - but not quite - making the gesture that will complete the spell. * Andrial slips her key into the doorknob and turns it. The knob clicks oddly, then unlocks. A soft, tired voice, "Damn thing." She opens the door and enters, carelessly slinging a load of groceries onto the floor. <Dawn> ::As Andrial reaches for a lamp, Dawn speaks:: Let's keep things cozy for now. * Jewel braces for an attack, her knuckles showing white on the back of Dawn's chair, if anyone could see them. * Andrial takes a deep breath, then expels it. "All right." * Dawn raises his eyebrows. "You're awfully calm. Don't try to get into my head. I'm not unprotected." <Andrial> Is it... permissible to sit? I don't mean to complain, but I'm awfully tired. You're by the sofa, I'll just take this chair here? At the table. ::her voice is shaking just the tiniest bit:: <Dawn> Oh, by all means, sit and rest. What kind of friend would I be if I kept you standing after such a long and hard day? <Andrial> ::swallows, then pulls the chair out with a bit of a thump and sits:: Are you? <Dawn> I'd like to be. You did a favor for a friend of mine, after all. Tall fellow, blond hair? Scar right about here? ::indicates his neck:: * Andrial winces. "Oh. All right. I understand. Will you... can you get it over with quickly, then? I don't... " Her voice shakes badly enough that she is nearly incomprehensible. <Dawn> Ah, you misunderstand me. I'm not going to hurt you. * Jewel turns her head away slightly and bites her lip, unable to watch the poor girl's fear. <Dawn> In fact, I brought you a gift. A little token of my regard. <Andrial> ::wipes at her eyes and says nothing:: * Dawn gestures toward the bedroom. "Go and see for yourself." * Andrial gets up very, very slowly and moves as though there's already a knife at her throat. "I don't... understand." She opens the door to look into her bedroom. * Dawn turns his head to watch Andrial's profile, but otherwise doesn't move. * Andrial stops dead in the door frame, raising one trembling hand to her mouth. "Calis? What... I... " Her fear seems to blaze through her, suddenly burning like wildfire and she whirls rapidly on Dawn, her eyes narrowed. "What have you done to him?! What's *wrong* with you people? How can you just *use* him, like he's some sort of object, a whip to lash me around? You want to kill me, just kill me and end it. He's done *nothing.*" <Dawn> ::laughs, quietly:: So you *do* have some life in you. There's nothing wrong with your friend. He's sleeping. I told you, I'm not here to hurt you. * Andrial gives Dawn a look of utter disbelief laced with contempt, then falls to her knees at the side of the bed, taking up the boy's hand and pressing it to her lips, murmuring in a language Dawn doesn't speak. * Dawn watches impassively, unaffected by her scorn. <Andrial> ::slowly, as if shaking off a deep dream, the boy stirs:: <Calis> ::opens his eyes:: 'Dria... ::his voice holds evident relief and she encircles him in her arms, her face pressed tight against his neck. They stay that way for a long moment, then she pushes him away:: <Andrial> You be good, my sweet. Get some rest, it's been a hard time for you. We're still in a bit of a mess here, but I'll try and mend it. Should I bring you something to eat? <Andrial> ::at his word, she crosses the room to her discarded bag of produce and removes a few rolls, a lump of cheese and a small, still mostly green apple. She brings it to the boy, never taking her eyes off Dawn. After she settles him with food, she closes him in the bedroom and leans on the door:: <Dawn> ::quietly:: Free and clear. It's not me that wants you to go against your training and your heart. <Andrial> ::softly:: She said you would kill me, for the death of your friend. * Jewel hopes devoutly that the grinding of her teeth is not loud enough to get her noticed. <Dawn> You weren't the one who killed him. And you helped him, when you could. <Andrial> ::she blinks:: How... ::her face clears suddenly:: Oh. She heard me? I... I am sorry. I did not wish for him to die. <Dawn> ::solemnly:: Thank you. * Andrial takes several deep breaths. "Would you... care for some tea? I don't... or a glass of wine, maybe?" <Dawn> Tea would be fine. ::he flashes a quick smile:: You should relax a little. <Andrial> ::she gives him a quick return smile of her own, somewhat forced:: I'll attempt. You'll forgive me. I do not expect altruism... ::she fetches some tea from the small cold-box and pours two glass:: What... what is it that you want? <Dawn> No more pleasantries...? Well, it's late, and you've a house guest to care for, after all. I want very, very little of you, my dear. ::he takes the glass she offers and sips:: I want you to report her abuses, now that she has no hold over you. * Andrial hands him the glass and takes her seat again, her own cup cradled between her hands. * Dawn sips tea, and watches her think it over. * Andrial studies him over the rim of her cup. Finally, she leans back slightly in her chair and takes a swallow of tea. "Why? And will you protect me, then? I have no doubt she is much better at finding then I can be at hiding. After all, here you are." <Dawn> ::considers her for a moment:: Because the right word in the right ear will discredit her, and throw her from her seat of power. Because she killed my friend, and because she's threatening the delicate balance of power, here in Marsember. ::he drinks:: Tell me what kind of protection you want. There are limits. <Andrial> ::quietly:: My life. And Calis. I know they are worthless, should we defy her. Others have. She is... already moving against them. And we are not so well trusted that my word alone will be believed. <Dawn> ::nods:: We will not let her harm you, or your friend. And I know one who will... perhaps not believe you, immediately - but neither will he dismiss it. <Jewel> ::narrows her eyes at the mention of others:: <Dawn> ::sips and looks at her:: Tell me about the others. <Andrial> ::sinking lower into her chair:: She is obsessed. If you do not stand with her, you must be criminal. Hiding something. It is madness, to believe law can be brought forth in such a manner. I cannot believe it. <Dawn> ::nods:: She will be... deposed. That is my goal. * Jewel starts slightly at Dawn's direct words. <Andrial> There has... been some questioning. It is, perhaps, understandable... driven out, forced to live without any aid or family, that someone could turn to ... there have been questions asked... about Mistress Quel'shu. She... seeks to... ::shakes her head, unable to go on:: <Dawn> ::eyes narrowing:: Seeks what? <Andrial> ::whispering:: To make a bargain... silence from her, in exchange to Mistress Quel'shu's... turning a blind eye. * Jewel mantles with anger, bringing her other hand up to grip the back of Dawn's chair. * Dawn is silent for a moment. Jewel, standing close to him in the shadows, might note that his knuckles seem to be turning white. Finally, he draws a breath. "And Quel'shu's answer?" <Andrial> She is not like me... she laughed. She said 'should you listen to even half the rumors about who I am, and what I can do, you would know that - were I capable of these acts you accuse me - you would not live to report it.' * Jewel grins fiercely. <Dawn> Ha. ::the word is more breath than actual laugh:: Listen. I will stop her, and she will no longer be in a position to do *this*- ::he gestures toward the closed bedroom door and Andrial's friend beyond it:: -but I must have your aid. Will you agree? <Andrial> ::she sighs:: I will... whatever I can, but I'll not kill again. I cannot... I can barely live with it, even now, having reason to go on. ::she gazes up at him:: <Dawn> No. I will not ask that of you. ::he grins:: I'm your friend, after all. Only report what she has done to you and to... Calis? To Calis. To the Dragon with the dark skin. You know the one I mean? <Andrial> ::blinks:: Yes, I know... ::her eyes widen:: Are they related? <Dawn> Are who related? ::his eyes narrow:: * Andrial suddenly claps her hands over her mouth. "Damn, I sh-" she sighs. "The woman. Your... mate? Your wife? I saw... I did not tell, I swear it." * Jewel bites her lip. <Dawn> ::cocks his head, his eyes still tight:: My lover, sometimes. You saw it in his mind? What else? Did you tell them any of what you took? * Jewel puts a calming hand on Dawn's shoulder. <Andrial> ::shakes her head:: No, no... never. I don't... I... I can only see, in the depths of someone's pain. It is horrible, I can't... those things which someone loves most, they... appear, as flashes. When they are in such agony as no one should have to bear. You, another man with dark skin, but not as dark as the woman. A girl, maybe a little older than I. A man with white hair who swears. I had no names to put to faces... * Jewel smiles a little at the description of Snowman. <Dawn> ::snorts:: He didn't look like they hurt him quite *that* bad. <Andrial> ::slowly:: No. I did it.... ::her voice is filled with loathing:: It is... what I can do. I can take your pain, just the tiniest prick of your finger, and magnify it, such that you would feel your whole arm on fire. <Dawn> ::laughs, truly and suddenly:: * Andrial flinches. "What? I don't... I don't understand." * Jewel squeezes Dawn's shoulder in alarm. <Dawn> ::stretches out his right hand so Andrial can see the scarring on his hand and arm, half-grinning:: <Andrial> Then you would know... ::shakes her head:: I can hold that level... never easing, never blacking out, never fading... it is truly an awful thing. I hate it. I did not *want* to do it. * Jewel releases Dawn's shoulder and shudders. <Dawn> ::sobering:: All right. I'd wondered what they were using you for, and now I know. ::under his breath:: I wonder if *he* knows... ::conversational again:: But you took the pain from him, too. You let him rest, before it ended. That took more courage than you might think. * Andrial turns her head. "I should have done more. I am so, so sorry for it. It was unforgivable. Will you tell her, please, for me? How sorry I am?" <Dawn> I will. * Jewel smiles a little wryly. <Dawn> Will you help me? <Andrial> ::nods:: Yes, I will. When should I go to Master Orlann? <Dawn> As soon as you can. Tomorrow or the next day. Take Calis with you, and don't come back here, after you talk to him. There is a hostel, just this side of Pleasure Island, called The Way Back. Go there and tell them your name is Sunflower. They'll keep you safe for me, and I'll be by for a visit within a few hours. <Andrial> ::nods carefully:: All right. ::she hesitates:: I... my name is Andrial, sir. * Jewel leans forward and whispers in Dawn's ear. "Tell her she has my forgiveness." * Dawn stands, setting his half-finished tea aside. "Thank you." He half-smiles. "She forgives you." He goes to the door and opens it, then turns back to Andrial as if with a final thought, giving Jewel time to exit before him. "Andrial. In my world... no man is dead until you've seen the body burned. And sometimes, not even then." He turns without waiting for her answer, and leaves. |
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