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* Angel is "escorting" Dawn on a roll-call/spot-check errand. Given the recent upheaval, it's only prudent to make sure the rest of the guild is in line and not being *too* dishonest. They are mostly finished for the day, having paid several visits. Angel's belt pouch carries a few small sacks of "fees". * Dawn checks the slant of the setting sun. "Got anyone left to check? The boy'll be getting restless, I imagine." * Angel pulls a slip of paper out of his vest pocket. "Just Stripes. Not that he's really under suspicion, but we'd best get to sponsoring his cousin, before she has second thoughts about the whole thing." * Jewel is in her shop, awaiting the approaching closing time and briefly considering closing early. She sits up a little straighter behind the counter and puts on a smile as the door bell tinkles, announcing the entrance of her last customer of the day. Isa remains slouched against the wall, a solid, bored-looking shadow. Her eyes slant towards the customer, but otherwise she doesn't move. <Dawn> Aye. Well, I told her things'd have to quiet down a bit, first. But there's no time like the present. <Angel> ::nods:: Besides, I'd like to thank her. Sort of. * Tower is a man of medium height but imposing presence, broad in the shoulder. He carries himself like an experienced fighter. He's rather rough-looking at first glance-- a scar over one eye, burn scars marring his right cheek-- but his green eyes twinkle, and he has an easy, ready smile. He carries a case under one arm. <Dawn> Ha. Should warn you, Stripes' got another fucking snake in the shop. <Angel> ::feigned astonishment:: You don't say? <Dawn> ::sourly:: This one likes to make friends. * Jewel studies him as he approaches. "Welcome to Harborside Imports, sir, how may I help you?" <Angel> Have I mentioned how glad I am that you don't collect critters the same way every other damn mage I know does? <Dawn> ::snorts:: Too much like work. <Dawn> ::turns down an alley:: Besides, the kid collection keeps me busy enough. * Tower stops a few paces short of the counter, nodding to the bored-looking Isa before putting his heels together and offering Jewel a crisp, courtly bow. "Mistress... Jewel, isn't it? I have an item for your perusal, and more where it came from, if you have an interest." His speaking voice is deep and warm, with a trace of upper-class accent. * Angel turns down the alley behind him. "Heh. I understand they're just as much work." His face darkens slightly and he chews on his lower lip. <Tower> A... friend told me you might be able to help me. ::he makes the high sign against his leg:: <Dawn> At least they eventually earn their keep. * Jewel smiles and returns the sign. "I believe I can accommodate you, Master...? I'm sorry, I believe I've seen you before, but I don't know your name." <Tower> Tower, mistress. My... businesses frequently take me away from Marsember, but I'm home now for a little time, and find myself at loose ends." He sets the case on the counter, revealing it to be a folded chess set. <Jewel> Master Tower. May I? ::she looks for permission before touching the case a little hesitantly, her fingers finding the clasps and unlocking it, revealing a beautifully carved chess set in dark and light marble, with a board of inlaid rare woods. The set looks very well-used, but is in fine condition and, as she can feel, quite old:: * Angel leans forward around Dawn and raps sharply on Stripes' door. * Jewel studies the set for a bit, and looks up to find Tower studying her with equal concentration. She smiles politely. "It's a lovely set. I should have no difficulty finding a buyer. And you said you have more?" <Stripes> ::from behind the door:: Keep away frum de voodoo, mon. <Dawn> Open the fucking door, Stripes. <Stripes> ::surprised, he opens the door:: Choo, again? Whachoo wan' dis time? <Dawn> Headcount. And this one wants a word with your cousin. ::he points at Angel with his thumb:: * Tower continues his study of her a moment longer, murmuring, "Yes, lovely..." He clears his throat and blinks, looking faintly abashed. "Yes, I do. I've been looking for... new markets for some of wares that have been sitting around for awhile. As I said, a friend recommended your services." He offers her a charming smile. * Stripes grins, showing many yellowed teeth. "'Coss I gotta shrunken head... " He steps aside and ushers them into his dark shop. <Dawn> ::sighs at Stripes' bad joke, and steps carefully over the threshold:: It wasn't that funny the *first* twelve times. <Stripes> Choo need dem books? * Jewel clears her throat. "I can offer you... about 15 gold for this, and I'd be happy to look at any other items you might have." She glances at the angle of the sun slanting in the window. "But not tonight, I'm about to close." <Dawn> Yeah, might's well haul 'em out while we wait for her. Or is she working tonight? * Tower smiles and starts to lean an elbow on the counter, stopping and linking his hands behind his back instead when Isa clears her throat significantly. "So little for a piece in such fine condition? You wound me, mistress. My friend told me of your generous heart. 25?" * Stripes digs through his things for a while, tossing one large white snake over his shoulder absently, before coming out with an absolutely magnificently bound leather journal. "She in d' back, gettin de sleep. I be wakin' her up. Choo wants kaffe?" <Jewel> ::half-smiling, restraining a roll of her eyes at his flattery:: I'm willing to split the difference, Master Tower. It's been a long day and I haven't the patience to dicker. 20. <Dawn> ::considers:: Nah. I'll need to sleep tonight. ::looks at Angel:: You want some of his poison? <Tower> ::nodding firmly:: Done. My thanks, mistress. Truly, a Jewel among merchants. * Angel nods. "Sure, why not." He doesn't appear to actually want Dawn to answer that. * Stripes hands the journal over to Dawn, then pours a tiny cup of the syrupy stuff for Angel. "Choo be waitin' here. No be touchin' anytheen." He turns and slumps out of the room. <Dawn> ::nods to Stripes and takes the book. He examines a chair closely for creeping things, then sits and flips through the book to find its last few marked pages before beginning to read more closely:: * Jewel does roll her eyes this time, tucking the case down beneath the counter and going in the back to fetch his coin, her voice floating back over her shoulder. "Your flattery is appreciated, but wasted on me, Master Tower. I'm taken." * Stripes' handwriting is as beautiful as he is ugly, grandly illuminated. Each page must have taken hours to compose. <Tower> ::calling after her:: A pretty woman deserves flattery every so often, taken or no. I'll take my chances. ::he grins at Isa, who remains impassive:: * Angel sniffs at the cup, then takes a sip. "Oh, my GOD." He squinches his eyes closed for a minute. <Dawn> ::laughs darkly:: * Jewel returns with a small but heavy pouch, spilling the contents out into her hand to show to him before handing it over. "A pleasure doing business with you, sir. I look forward to your custom. Now, if you'll excuse me..." She glances at Isa, who moves away from her position holding up the wall to show Tower out. * Tower offers Jewel another courtly bow and seems unintimidated by Isa invading his personal space as he strolls out. <Angel> ::gestures to the cup:: You drink this before? ::takes another hesitant sip:: I can't decide if I like it or hate it. <Dawn> Yeah, I let him poison me with it from time to time. I have the same reaction... Well, no. I hate it. But I can't stop until the cup's empty. It'll keep you awake half the night. <Angel> ::gives Dawn a quick half-smile:: That could have its advantages. * Jewel sighs. "I think I'm glad you were here and not Angel, or I don't think I would have done business at all. Bar the door, Isa, we'll go out the back. I'm done here." <Dawn> ::grins quickly:: Aye, well. * Isa nods tersely, slipping the door bar into place and activating the protections Jewel has on the shop for evenings. She strides back to the other end of the showroom, checking to see that Jewel is ready before she steps out the back door ahead of her. * Jinali enters the room slightly ahead of her cousin, wearing a flimsy silk robe that does not conceal her so much as it outlines her. * Dawn eyes Jinali appreciatively, then jerks his head to indicate Angel. "You didn't kill him. Brought him around to see if you wanted to try again." <Jinali> ::laughs:: Delightful as that surely would be... ::she yawns with great exaggeration:: I spent all day in the company of my... ah... benefactor. I'm exhausted. * Jewel pauses to lock the door and heads out behind Isa, strongbox tucked under one arm. She goes a few paces and pauses, looking around uneasily. * Isa stops a pace after her mark stops, looking back at her with an eyebrow raised. <Stripes> ::glowers at Angel for no discernable reason, then looks at Dawn:: Choo findin' anything choo ain't likin'? <Dawn> ::shakes his head and hands the book back to Stripes:: No, it's all good. * Jewel rubs the back of her neck and shivers, looking around. "Isa... something's not-- behind you!!" * Two men come around the corner into the opening of the side alley, one drawing a sword. Behind Jewel, a figure dressed head-to-toe in black melts out of the flat shadow of the wall and grabs her. <Jinali> ::turns to Dawn after a long, admiring look at Angel:: So... we spoke of my sponsorship... are things 'reasonably calm' then? <Dawn> ::nods:: Aye, reasonable. You think you're ready for it? * Jinali nods once, firmly. "Indeed." <Dawn> ::grins and offers her his hand:: Welcome in, then. * Jewel gets off a piercing scream before her assailant clamps a black cloth over her mouth. Isa whirls, drawing her own blade at guard to take on the swordsman. The other, a cloaked figure, gestures, and frost forms on Isa's legs and arms, thickening rapidly into ice. Isa curses as another swordsman comes around the corner and advances on her. * Jinali takes Dawn's hand and drops into a very low curtsey. "My oath and bond to you, and to the Guild, that has provided a haven for my cousin." * Isa tries to fight the creeping cold, but her feet are already frozen in place on the ground. The swordsmen grin as they parry her awkward cuts, and one impales her through the stomach, releasing his blade with a curse as frost creeps up its length. * Dawn nods seriously. "In return, I give you the Guild's oath and bond, protection and aid in need." He brings Jinali's hand to his lips, almost courtly. "How will you be known?" * Jewel struggles against her captor, holding her breath as she smells something sweet and dizzying on the rag over her mouth. { *BASTIAN!!!* We're being attacked! } * Angel suddenly drops his cup of coffee and bolts to his feet, his blade almost leaping out of his scabbard into his hand. "No time! Dawn! Jewel's shop! Now." * Dawn whips his head around, then leaps to his feet. He spits the words of his spell, retaining Jinali's hand as he reaches for Angel's. A whirlwind deposits them in the alley on the far side of Jewel's shop, where such a dramatic entrance is most likely to go unobserved. * The second swordsman gestures to the mage and advances on Jewel, skirting the Isa-cicle. None of the men see Tower as he rounds the corner of the alley, breathing hard, blade out. He takes in the scene at a glance and, as the mage raises his hands again, draws a knife from under his cloak and throws it into the mage's back. * Jinali does not look at all perturbed at the sudden translocation, although she does raise one eyebrow. "First job so soon, boss? Spare blade?" * Angel does not even take the time for playful banter, moving quickly around the side of the shop, his feet soundless on the pavement. {My lady, I'm coming. Give me the visual.} * Dawn slaps at his waist and tosses a dagger in Jinali's general direction. An apple-sized fireball appears in his right hand, and he follows Angel. * Jewel struggles not to breathe as she "hears" Bastian, giving him an image of the alley just outside her back door, the frozen Isa, and Tower, battling the other two thugs. * Jinali whispers a few words, making arcane gestures with one hand. She then follows Dawn, and as she does so, she fades from view until she is nothing more than an odd smudge, like a heat shimmer. <Angel> ::flickers hand signals to Dawn briefly:: {Isa's in trouble. I'll get Jewel. Move, now.} * The mage staggers with Tower's dagger in his back, falls to one knee, and vanishes with a rush of displaced air. The black-garbed figure holding Jewel shakes her roughly as she holds her breath, looking around warily as he starts to back towards the shadows again. * Dawn nods and picks up speed, bursting into the alley mouth with a snarl. He throws the fireball at the men menacing Isa, and pulls up next to her, just shy of the frost ring. * Angel watches coldly as Dawn runs in, causing a distraction, all eyes turning to follow his progress. He takes one deep breath to calm himself, then slides gently into the shadows. One hand snakes outward to reach for hood and (hopefully) hair of the man with Jewel in his grasp. * The second thug breaks Isa's sword free of the ice with a grunt (taking one of her frozen fingers with it), tossing it from hand to hand as the frozen metal warms. He does not even have time to attack with the blade before he is hit full in the chest by Dawn's fireball. He screams. The other thug moves to attack Tower; within a few sword passes, it's obvious that he's outmatched. He glances to the side as his partner screams, and Tower runs him through, kicking him off the blade. <Jinali> ::shimmers back into view, her hands on the frozen sculpture of what was once a bodyguard. She hisses again, speaking several words until her hands glow redly, melting the ice:: * The black-garbed man slides quietly away from the action, attempting to disappear into shadows that, unfortunately for him, are already occupied by Angel. As Angel's fingers close on his hood, he shoves Jewel away from him roughly and twists, snake-like, drawing a knife to slash at Angel. * Dawn glances at Jinali, then summons another tiny fireball. He tosses it up and then catches it, like a child's plaything, and grins viciously at the wounded man. "Want another?" * Angel retains his hold on the man's hood, ignoring the shallow slash from the blade that begins to drip blood immediately. He parries a second blow, yanking the man around by his cloak. * The second, lightly-toasted thug's eyes go wide, and he scrabbles backwards on the ground crab-wise, shaking his head violently and trying to put as much distance as he can between himself and the mage. * Jewel stumbles forwards, already woozy from lack of air and the light whiff of soporific she got off the cloth. Tower, running forward to take on these seeming new assailants, catches her before she tumbles to the pavement, holding his sword at guard as he eyes the others warily. <Dawn> Didn't think so. Sit still, then. ::he licks one fingertip and points it at the thug:: * The black-garbed man gurgles as Angel grabs his cloak, his eyes slits of hate as he slashes again, viciously. * The second toasty thug slumps against the wall as Dawn's sleep spell claims him. * Angel dodges the blow easily. "You really *must* be out of practice... stupid bastard." He pulls the man in close by his cloak, dagger angled just right, between the lower ribs, headed up towards the heart. * Jinali's spell finally frees Isa's body from the ice. The water dripping from her runs red from the wound through her stomach and back, and she slumps to the ground. * The black-garbed man makes a choking sound as Angel's blade pierces his lung and drives into his heart. He goes limp, falling forward against his opponent. <Jinali> ::crouches over the fallen woman, looking somehow spiderlike. Predatory. She hisses words a third time, this time a snarling, dripping language. A smudge of blackness seeps slowly out of the ground, like rainwater falling upwards to form a tiny cloud.:: Aid me now. Heal these wounds! ::she commands the... whatever the hell it is:: * Dawn starts for Isa, then pauses and backs away a careful few steps as Jinali begins her spell. * Dawn turns to Tower. "Who the fuck are you?" <Jinali> ::the black form crackles and condenses to a small naked imp, no larger than a monkey, shrieking and gibbering and hopping around like it drank too much of Stripes' kaffe. It hops up on Isa, causing the dying woman to cough out a gout of blood, then wraps itself around the sword through her stomach:: * Angel discards the body of his enemy, shaking excess blood off his knife. He surveys the man, then drops and checks the man's throat for a pulse to confirm the kill. * Tower glances warily at the half-limp Jewel, supporting her with one arm, and continues to hold his sword at guard in front of her. "I might ask you the same question. They call me Tower. And--" he stops, and stares at the gibbering imp. "What in the nine hells is that?" <Jinali> ::the imp yanks the blade free with one hand, despite it being several times larger than it. That accomplished, it puts one hand on either side of the wound and begins lapping at the blood and gore. Despite the fact that this looks extremely unpleasant and dangerous, Isa appears to be getting better.:: <Jinali> ::standing and shifting her shoulders somewhat - fascinating in and of itself as her light robe slithers around her body:: Juju. <Dawn> It's something better not looked at directly. ::he nods to Jewel:: She's... in my employ. Where'd you come from, Tower? * Tower turns his attention back to Dawn, swallowing hard. He narrows his eyes a little, questioningly, and makes the high sign with his free hand. * Dawn raises his eyebrows slightly and returns the sign, almost perfunctorily, and introduces himself. "Firehand." He looks into the shadows, not quite at where Angel is. "Aren't you done yet?" <Jinali> ::when the imp finishes closing the wound, it is quite a bit larger than it was when first summoned, almost the size of a wolfhound. It climbs off Isa and returns to Jinali's side where she strokes its head with no little affection and familiarity:: You have done well, my friend. ::she opens her robe somewhat, baring her throat to the imp:: Take your payment. ::the imp closes its mouth delicately on the woman's shoulder, biting down with a sickening crunch:: <Tower> ::nodding back towards the mouth of the alley:: I was doing some business with the lady, just before she closed up shop. I heard her scream. ::he glances down at her again, smiling faintly:: Some lungs she's got, lucky for her. ::he raises his eyebrows:: *You're* Firehand... sir? * Dawn holds up his scarred hand. "Aye." His eyes narrow slightly as he looks Tower over slowly. "Just got back into town, have you?" * Angel snorts, kicking the dead man as he leaves the alley. "Just checking. I don't leave live enemies at our backs." He crosses to Jewel. "Lady?" * Jinali disentangles herself from the imp, now even larger, almost the size of a man. "Enough. Return to your home." <Tower> ::shakes his head and offers Dawn a half-bow, still encumbered with Jewel:: I haven't been in town lately, but I'm Marsember-born. Heard there was a bit of a shakeup, recently. <Angel> ::the imp utters a screech of anger or dismay or maybe that's just what it talks like, before melting away into the ground again. Jinali puts one hand to her bleeding shoulder, then looks down at Isa:: Are you well? <Dawn> Word travels fast. ::gestures to Angel:: Give her to him. ::he catches Angel's eye, his eyebrows twitching:: * Jewel groans and puts a hand to her head, trying to stand up under her own power. "A- Angel? Isa, is she--" She looks around, swallowing hard as she catches sight of the imp just before it disappears. <Isa> ::looking pale, and a bit shaken by what was healing-- feeding on?-- her:: Better. Thanks. * Tower nods, supporting Jewel's arm gently as she finds her feet again and handing her off to Angel with a small bow. <Dawn> ::eyes Jinali:: One day, it's not going to let go. ::he smiles faintly:: Good job. <Jinali> ::flashes a bit of a smile and the more observant will note that she apparently files her teeth:: It is all good, then. <Jinali> For now, my will be stronger than its. * Angel holds out one arm to Jewel. "My lady? Are you hurt?" His face is still cool, calm and he does not seem overly concerned. * Jewel looks around, shaking her head to clear it. She accepts her strongbox a bit dazedly as Tower stoops and retrieves it for her from where it fell. "I... don't think so. Just a bit woozy. What... happened here? Was it a mugging?" She blinks, looking around again, and focuses on Tower with puzzlement. "Master Tower?" * Tower straightens again, his hand lingering just a moment on hers as he hands over the box. He turns slightly, including Dawn in his report. "You were attacked, mistress. Four men that I saw; the mage escaped after I nailed him." He glances down to where the strongbox had fallen. "It looked to me as if they were after *you,* mistress, not the box." <Angel> ::his eyes narrow to dangerous slits as Tower is just overly familiar with Jewel's person:: <Tower> ::clears his throat and withdraws a half-step to a more decent interval at Angel's look, giving the other man an apologetic nod:: I suspect they were waiting at the mouth of the alley, if you regularly come out that way at closing. It was lucky you screamed. * Angel is next to Jewel in an instant, one arm under her shoulders to support her. "Should we withdraw indoors? And get these bodies under cover until we can dispose of them?" * Isa gets shakily to her feet, holding an arm across her stomach as if she's not entirely certain that her guts won't fall out. <Dawn> Fuck. What is it about summer that brings the fuckheads out of the fucking canals? ::He grabs the arm of his victim and slings the man ungently over a shoulder:: Aye, let's go inside. Get the door, Isa. <Angel> ::easily helping Jewel keep her feet:: Sun overheats their brains. * Isa nods, moving a little slower than usual as she blocks the door with her body and unlocks it. * Angel gets Jewel settled into a chair, then, with a nod at Jinali, they busy themselves dragging the bodies into the shop and cleaning the blood off the streets. "I'll have a clean-up crew stop by later and dispose of these. That one," he nods to the unconscious man, "we'll want for questioning." * Isa holds the door open, having trouble meeting Angel's eyes as he supports Jewel inside. * Dawn hunts up some rope and ties the unconscious man to a chair, then turns to Jinali. "We're good, now. You find your way home okay, from here?" * Jewel makes a small face, sounding a little more like herself. "Just keep the blood off the antique carpets, would you?" * Jinali looks down at herself. "I'm a little under-dressed, but.." she removes the black cloak from Angel's kill. "he won't be needing this, so I don't think he'll mind." The closest she gets to modesty is to turn her back to the room as she lets her bloody bathrobe hit the floor before swirling into the dead man's cape. * Tower helps the others carry bodies, and graciously averts his eyes (a little slowly) as Jinali changes clothes. <Dawn> Give your schedule to Stripes for me, and I'll stop by in the next couple of days to talk about payments. * Jinali nods formally, then leans close to Dawn and whispers to him. "I think 'Claret' sounds good. Boss." * Dawn half-smiles and kisses her cheek. "Soon, then, Claret." * Claret lets herself out. * Angel turns to Tower after washing his hands as best he can with a once-white handkerchief. * Tower smiles faintly at the interchange, busying himself for a moment with cleaning his sword on his fallen opponent's clothes before resheathing it. He straightens again as Angel turns his attention to him. "Will she be alright?" He nods towards Jewel. <Angel> ::glances at Jewel:: Nothing rest won't fix, I expect. I'm called Angel, and as I share care of the lady with Isa here, I am indebted to you. * Tower offers Angel a shorter version of his click-heeled bow. "I was happy to be within earshot, when my services were needed." He frowns slightly, glancing from Jewel to Isa to Angel to Dawn, and then around the shop. "Just the two of you? For her?" <Dawn> There are others who fill in as needed. ::He drops into a chair:: You've been gone - how long? Where'd you get my name? <Angel> ::his eyes narrow dangerously:: <Tower> ::holding up his hands:: No disrespect meant. Only-- most bodyguards I've seen for any more than light duty worked in teams of four or more. * Angel raises an eyebrow. "This avoids calling attention to you how, exactly?" <Tower> ::to Dawn:: This time? ::thinks a moment:: About... three and a half years, maybe four? Last I was here, Il Roche's lieutenant, Mace, had taken the ring. ::cocks his head at Dawn:: And you were his. Rumor dockside was that you had the top slot now? ::he makes it a question:: <Tower> ::glances back to Angel, shrugging a shoulder:: Keeps your mark safe. ::he flashes a grin:: Not that some marks object to a few extra toughs hanging around them. Status. <Angel> ::firmly:: My mark *is* safe. Your assistance, while helpful, was not necessary. * Tower's lips thin ever so slightly, and he glances at Jewel, resting in her chair. "As you say." He offers Angel another curt bow. <Dawn> ::half-smiles, ignoring Angel's tension:: What's your line, this time? <Jewel> ::sighs:: We are grateful for your assistance, Master Tower, but Angel *was* on the way when you arrived. ::one side of her mouth curves up in the ghost of a smile:: And he is most formidable. * Angel continues to fume quietly at the slur to his professionalism. * Tower pinches the bridge of his nose. "I've been asea these last few years, running a few... ah... ::he smiles faintly:: resource allocation jobs. Lucrative, I can't deny, but high-risk. And wearing." He shrugs again. "I thought it was time to come home." <Dawn> Mm. What are you going to be doing, now that you're home? <Tower> ::nodding to Jewel:: I hoped to divest myself of a few items from my travels through the lady, here. And otherwise... I've done a bit of dealing, in the past. Some enforcement work. ::he glances at Jewel again:: Just... something that keeps the ground under my feet for a bit, I think. <Dawn> Aye, fine. We've had some rollover in the last few years, so it'll take some introductions. You know Fastian, though? <Tower> Oh, yes. Dear Fastian and I are business rivals from way back. ::he shows his teeth in a grin:: Although he's generally gone for the more esoteric substances. <Dawn> ::raises his eyebrows:: You said you deal. You didn't say anything about manufacturing. Where do you get your stuff? <Tower> Points east, mostly. I carry it, and sell it. * Angel looks over at Isa with one eyebrow raised, his lips pressed into a thin line. <Dawn> ::snorts:: Fair enough. What was your tithe, under Mace? * Isa swallows hard, looking uncomfortable-- unusual, for her-- and lowering her eyes to her hands. As she does so, she gasps. Her finger is still missing where the thug broke it off, but appears to be healed over neatly, as if the rest of it were never there. <Tower> Eighteen. ::his eyes stray to Dawn's hands:: Not to appear rude, but... you wear the ring, then, in truth? <Dawn> ::looks over at Isa's gasp, then looks back at Tower:: The ring was lost, but aye, you'll answer to me if you want back in. <Tower> ::face darkening:: Lost? <Dawn> Well. It's with his body. * Angel flickers his fingers slightly, then moves over to look at Isa's hand. {Hah. More like 19%} "That your sword-hand?" He speaks quietly, to Isa. * Tower raises his eyebrows. "Messy." He frowns, considering, and then nods. Well enough. If it's gone, it's gone. Pity, though. <Isa> ::running her other hand over the smooth stump, her voice a croak:: Aye. <Dawn> ::shrugs:: Ring's a ring. It wasn't magical. There's a dozen or more jewelsmiths in town who could make another. I don't care for rings, so I didn't bother. ::he pretends to consider:: Eighteen'll do. <Isa> ::her hand slides down to her stomach and rests there for a moment, and she shivers. She keeps her voice low:: Boss... I know this is a really bad time, but... I think I need some time off. I... don't think I can answer for her safety, just now. <Angel> ::nods curtly:: I was afraid of that. Balance issues. You'll need to retrain. <Dawn> ::glances over at Isa, and visibly represses a sigh:: Aye, all right. <Dawn> How long, d'you reckon? <Isa> ::flexes her hand a few times, consideringly:: Hate to do it to you, but... two months, minimum. <Angel> ::glances at Dawn:: Snowman's still in town... you think you could persuade him to come back on for a few? <Jewel> Isa... ::bites her lip:: I'm sorry. <Dawn> ::rolls his head back to examine the ceiling:: All right. Wounded in the line... minus healing fee for Claret... Two months. You've got it. Stop by my office tomorrow and we'll settle up. <Dawn> ::nods to Angel:: He'll do it. ::grins:: He likes Jewel. * Angel glances around and his eyes narrow at seeing Tower again, his expression very much 'what are you still doing here'? <Isa> ::nods to Jewel:: Not your fault. ::eyes sliding to Angel:: Just... get those bastards, alright? ::to Dawn:: Right, boss. Thanks. <Tower> ::a muscle in his jaw twitches when Angel mentions Snowman, but the reaction is fleeting, and gone by the time they think to look at him again:: If everything's settled, then, I'd best be about my business. ::he gives each of them a brief bow, although his bow to Jewel is just a shade deeper:: I'm still in temporary quarters. I'll send you word when I'm set up. Alright? <Dawn> ::his eyebrows twitch at Tower's obvious interest in Jewel:: Aye. * Angel ignores Tower entirely, talking in a low voice with Isa about possible masters who can retrain her to compensate for the missing digit. * Tower nods once more, turns smartly on his heel, and exits by the back door. <Isa> ::in a faintly amused voice:: He's gone. One of you, see to the lady already. ::mutters:: ...can keep an eye on the door for that long. <Angel> ::gives Isa an annoyed look, then turns to Dawn:: You'll want to question this one ::jerks his chin at the bound man, his face suddenly pale:: And I can't help you there. I'll take the lady home. <Dawn> ::nods, suddenly grinning:: Oh, aye. Be careful. ::he winks at Jewel:: I'll stop in later to check on you. * Angel offers Jewel his arm. "My lady?" * Jewel gets up, taking Angel's arm. Her fingers tremble faintly as she touches him, and then she clings like a leech. "Angel." She strives to keep her voice even. "I want to go home." <Angel> ::nods:: We're going. ::he nods to Dawn and Isa, then leads Jewel out:: |
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