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* Jewel leads the way to one of the nicer cafes near her shop-- not too hard to find such, in this gentrified area. She strolls along casually, looking at the scenery, one hand resting lightly on Tower's arm. Her mind drifts... well, more like marches, really, over to Snowman, making light contact again. {Snowman, I'd like you to do something for me, when we get to the restaurant.} <Snowman> ::mentally, probably the most sarcastic tone she's heard:: {Your beshitted wish is my command, that.} <Jewel> {Please... I may be asking you to take a risk, here. I want you to taste my food, and act like it's routine for you to do that.} <Snowman> ::snort:: {Part o' the job, that. Takin' risks.} <Jewel> {That doesn't mean I *like* risking you. I may be starting at ghosts, here. I don't worry about poison, but I fear he may try to add something to my food.} * Snowman looks around carefully to see if they are being followed. {Aye... then don't be fuckin' telling the boy, if I end up ravishin' ya in the back room, after.} <Jewel> {::mental smile:: I won't. Speaking of....} She releases contact with Snowman and sends her mind questing for her husband. {Bastian... I need something from you.} <Angel> ::a sense of mental startlement, then:: {Ah, shit!} ::a brief pause, then the sense of breathing hard:: {Yes, my lady?} <Jewel> {::contrite:: I'm sorry if I startled you, my lord. I'm not in any danger, I think, but... please come to the cafe on Windjammer Row, and tell me that Dawn requires my presence. Insist on it. But beforehand-- please stop by my shop and fetch the little pendant I left on the counter, shaped like a bunch of grapes. Don't touch it! It's important you don't touch it. Just... I want to bring it to Dawn to look at.} <Angel> {Understood, my lady.} <Jewel> {Thank you. See you soon, love.} * Jewel blinks and looks about her, smiling up at Tower. * Tower smiles back, cocking his head at her. "Are you well, Mistress?" <Jewel> ::nodding:: Mm. Just a little tired, I think. I didn't sleep well last night. ::lowering her eyes:: Matters have been... rather unsettled in the Guild, of late, and, well... ::smiling again, a little:: I worry. I can't help it. * Tower pats her arm. "A lovely thing like you should never have to worry. I'm certain you'll land on your feet, no matter what happens." <Snowman> ::narrows his eyes at Tower:: <Jewel> ::looking up at him, eyes wide:: You really think so? ::sighs:: It's just... it's so hard, sometimes, when... ::hesitates, choosing her words:: when... the wind is blowing every which way. ::she glances up at him:: <Tower> ::studies her a moment:: Mistress... for a woman of your... charms, the wind will always be at your back. ::as they reach the entrance to the cafe, he slides his hand around to the small of her back, escorting her inside... * Jewel looks up at him searchingly as she steps inside. * Tower smiles down at her reassuringly, finding a table for them and pulling out her chair. "At your service, mistress." * Snowman hooks a chair out with his foot, whirls it easily and sits backwards in the chair, next to Jewel. * Tower gives Snowman a mildly surprised glance as he sits, but when Jewel makes no comment, he bows her into her chair and sits on the other side. * Tower studies the menu, looking pleased at the quality. "A glass of wine with lunch, perhaps, mistress...?" * Jewel touches his hand lightly with a smile. "My treat, remember. The least I can do, for the man who helped save my life. Have what you like, please, I insist. For me, just water, though. I have the rest of the day to work through yet." She smiles a little. <Jewel> Hmmm... ::looking up as the server comes to the table:: The broiled scrod for me, I think. Master Tower?" <Tower> ::his eyes on her, more than on the menu:: The same for me is alright. And a glass of white wine, please. <Jewel> ::the server nods and departs, and Jewel leans back in her chair again, withdrawing her hand and busying herself with the arrangement of her napkin. Tower watches her, smiling and toying with his empty water glass.:: * Snowman fidgets around in his bag again for a bit and removes two sets of silverware. He takes the cafe's flatware away from Jewel and replaces it with what was in his bag, pushing the extra to one side of the table. * Tower lifts an eyebrow at these arrangements. "They take good care of you indeed, mistress." * Jewel smiles and shrugs a little, leaning back a bit to let Snowman get on with it. "There was a small incident in the past... nothing came of it, but... arrangements have been made to make certain it doesn't happen again." <Tower> I... see. ::he nods, smiling a little, although his eyes are expressionless. He stops toying with his glass, and sees to the arrangement of his own napkin:: <Tower> ::curiously:: The restaurant staff, er, don't take offense? <Jewel> ::shrugs again:: I'm a regular here, and they like my business. ::a little flatly:: Besides, they know who their "taking offense" would *really* offend. <Snowman> ::scowls:: * Tower holds up his hands quickly. "*I* am certainly not offended at all, mistress. Merely curious." <Jewel> ::glances at Snowman:: No offense taken, I'm sure. But there are some things, sir, about which curiosity is not... healthy. ::grins, taking the sting out of her words:: Such as a lady's true age. * Tower chuckles and nods, accepting the reproof. <Jewel> ::the meal arrives quickly-- another small indication that Jewel is, indeed, a regular here, and a well-regarded one at that:: * Jewel thanks the server by name as she sets the plates down, but does not immediately pick up her own silver. * Snowman waits until the server puts the food down and departs, before snagging the plate away from Jewel. He takes his own knife and fork and examines a small bite of everything on the plate before tasting each. He waits for a moment between each bite, testing for tingling in his mouth or other indications of foul play. * Tower watches without comment, a faint gleam in his eye as he observes Snowman at work. * Snowman pushes the plate back at Jewel with a brusque nod. <Jewel> ::the server returns with Tower's glass of wine, and a pitcher of water. She hesitates with it over Jewel's water glass, looking at Snowman first, and then at Jewel:: * Snowman switches the glasses between him and Jewel, then nods. <Jewel> ::the server fills her glass, expresses her wish that they enjoy the meal, and departs again:: * Tower narrows his eyes slightly, covering it with a lift of his glass in a toast to Jewel and a quick sip of the wine. * Jewel smiles and recovers her plate from Snowman, accepting the toast from Tower with a blushing smile and taking a small sip from her water glass. * Jewel starts on her meal, interspersing bits of light small talk with bites of fish. <Angel> ::with the air of someone who has been sticking his head in every tavern in the nearby area, he enters the cafe:: * Tower works his way through his own meal, complimenting her on her selection and proving to be a witty and interesting conversationalist. <Angel> ::takes a deep breath, then crosses the room:: There you are, ma'am. ::he bows curtly, nodding to Tower, his eyes chill:: You're required. <Jewel> ::looks up with surprised:: Now? But-- ::she sighs a little and glances at Tower:: --may we, er, finish lunch first? <Angel> ::shrugs one shoulder:: He said to find you. You're found. How much later you are is on your credit, not mine. <Jewel> ::bites her lip as Tower frowns slightly:: I... my deepest apologies, Master Tower, I'd best go. ::she stands, gesturing to the server:: * Tower stands when she does, a muscle twitching slightly in his jaw. He bows to her. "Of course, mistress. Please, allow me to--" * Snowman stands up as well, taking his (which was once Jewel's) glass of water and draining it. "Right, then." <Jewel> No, no, that's alright. I said I'd get it... ::she smiles, a little tightly:: Please, sit and enjoy the rest of your meal. I-- oh, dear, your things. ::she frowns in consternation:: * Tower watches Snowman down the glass, his smile faintly... strained. "It's alright, mistress. I'll return to... complete our transactions when you have more time available to you." He smiles again, a little more warmly this time. "I understand, truly." * Tower bows again, waiting as Jewel signs off on the check. "It was a pleasant meal, mistress, while it lasted. I thank you for your company." * Jewel smiles at him again, gratefully, and takes Angel's arm as she turns to go. Her grip on his arm is a little tense. * Tower waits for Jewel to exit before reseating himself. * Snowman takes up position behind the two and follows. * Tower directs a look of frustration at their retreating backs. * Jewel walks steadily but quickly, saying nothing until they're out of the cafe and well down the street. Her hand trembles, just slightly, on Angel's arm, and she murmurs quietly, "Thank you, love." <Angel> ::the muscles in his arm are very tense:: Tell me we got something out of that. <Jewel> Yes. I just... ::takes a deep breath, settling herself:: I'm not certain what it is, yet. It... it may still be nothing, but... I don't think it is. I... don't like him. <Angel> ::snorts:: I don't like him *either*. But that's no reason to kill him. <Jewel> ::smiles tightly:: Which is why I just asked you to come pick me up. I don't know... he might just be... smarmy. Or I could be paranoid.... <Snowman> ::from behind:: He fuckin' makes me look polite. <Jewel> ::laughs, a little breathlessly:: He wasn't *that* bad. Very... smooth-talking, most of the time, though. <Snowman> ::snorts:: At least when *I* fuckin' want a woman, I ain't tryin' to be all coy about it, me. <Angel> ::shakes his head:: No, old man. No one's going to accuse you of coyness. <Jewel> Yes, well, you don't generally want someone else's woman. ::shakes her head:: He was being pretty direct about wanting me, actually. He was just... genteel about it. Mostly. But... I don't think he trusted his own charm... ::Frowns:: * Angel tenses even more, if such a thing is even possible. "I got the trinket for you." He turns them down the street to Dawn's flat. <Jewel> ::nods:: Thank you. It... I want Dawn to look at it. I don't know if it's... it may be enchanted, or drugged, or... something. I... felt a prickle of danger, when he dropped it in my hand. And... I Saw something. ::frowns deeper:: <Angel> ::gently:: Saw what? * Snowman turns around in a circle to scope behind them, scratching irritably at the back of his neck. <Jewel> ::looking troubled:: I'm... not sure. I know... he's used it before. Several other women, I think. The last one, I saw her... she was young. Fifteen or sixteen, I would guess, white hair, all... ::gesturing with her free hand:: ..standing out around her head. <Angel> ::snorts:: Maztican gift. <Jewel> It was around her neck, as she seemed to be... ::swallows, coloring:: ...bedding him quite enthusiastically. ::makes a face, gripping Angel's arm a little tighter:: <Geremi> ::steps around them to knock on the door of Dawn's flat, then takes up a watching position from the wall, his face slightly flushed:: * Dawn is mucking with a model of some contraption in the main room. He doesn't look up at the knock, but calls, "Come!" <Jewel> And then... ::takes a breath:: Something... shifted. I don't know what it was... but... they rolled over, and... the girl wore *my* face. And then... then I dropped it. ::shudders:: <Angel> ::opens the door and ushers Jewel in, scowling:: * Snowman mutters to himself. "Now? I'm not even fuckin' breathing hard." <Dawn> ::as the group enters:: Just the man I wanted to see. Tried to stop by earlier, but you weren't in. <Jewel> ::enters and makes her way swiftly down the steps, clinging to Angel's arm:: As I say, I don't know *what* it was... perhaps I was reading his intentions, somehow? But... I was *not* about to share an entire meal with that man. <Angel> ::shrugs:: You must have just missed me. I was rescuing Jewel here. <Dawn> ::looks up sharply, his eyes raking critically over Jewel, before looking at Angel:: From what? <Angel> From Tower... ::he reaches into his vest pocket and pulls out a handkerchief wrapped bauble:: Here. She wants you to take a look at this. <Jewel> Handle it carefully. It might be enchanted, or drugged somehow. I don't know. <Dawn> ::scowls, and takes the edges of the handkerchief, setting it down and unwrapping the bauble without touching it:: What the hell did you do? * Snowman flops down on a nearby piece of furniture, scrubbing his face with both hands. <Dawn> ::glances over at Snowman:: You falling apart on us, Snow? <Jewel> ::frowns:: He tasted my food for me... there wasn't anything wrong with it, though. <Snowman> ::mutters:: Right as rain, me. <Jewel> Tower gave it to me. I broke the clasp so I had an excuse not to wear it... I think he uses it to... help him seduce women, somehow. <Dawn> ::raises his eyebrows at Jewel:: There are slow-acting poisons. What the fuck did you people *do*? ::he gets up, scoops up a candle, and stomps over to Snowman:: Look into the light, Snowman. <Jewel> But if he's feeling something... shouldn't I be, too? <Jewel> ::eyes Snowman and mutters:: He's bigger than me, after all... <Dawn> ::shrugs, mostly ignoring Jewel:: I can think of at least three reasons without even trying that a poison would be affecting him and not you. * Jewel looks distressed, and frowns suddenly. "There was something... else. Not something he said, but... dammit..." She frowns, thinking. <Snowman> ::sighs and looks up at the candle:: Tole you, I'm ... ::he sways a bit, blinking:: <Angel> Ah, shit. No, he's not all right. * Dawn looks critically at Snowman's eyes, then goes back to his desk and rummages around for a moment before coming up with a vial. He takes it back to Snowman. "Drink this. It's not gentle, but there's no time to waste, if it's already starting to work." He gestures toward a screen set up on the far side of the room, where Dusk's work area used to be hidden. "Pot's back there." <Jewel> ::bites her lip, worried, moving over beside Dawn.:: * Snowman nods and straightens up somewhat by sheer will, then his eyes light up at the sight of Jewel. "Ah, here's just the fuckin' thing, you." Fluidly, he grabs Jewel's arm and pulls her roughly into his lap, kissing her thoroughly, his free hand working its way up her dress. <Jewel> ::eyes wide with alarm:: Gere--MMPH! ::squeezes her legs together, using *her* free hand to fend off his as best she can, struggling to get out of his lap:: * Dawn jumps back as Snowman grabs Jewel, his eyes widening. He looks at Angel. "All yours. *Definitely* meant for her, then... ::he dashes to the far side of the room and begins rummaging frantically in one of the multitude of boxes and chests.:: * Angel bolts out of his chair, his eyes slitted. "Gods damnit, old man. Let her go." * Jewel takes a deep breath (as deep as she can with Geremi's tongue in her mouth) and narrows her eyes, staring at Geremi intently. <Snowman> ::thwarted in one direction, Snowman rolls her over, his hand over the ties of her bodice. With a frustrated growl, he tears a gash down the front of her gown:: * Angel snarls, his knife jumping into his hand without his thinking about it. "That's quite *enough*" With one hand, he grabs Snowman's shirt and yanks him backwards off the couch. * Dawn glances quickly over his shoulder at the struggle, curses, and rummages faster. * Snowman lands hard on the floor, then stares at Jewel with widened eyes. He suddenly scrambles backwards, sweating profusely, as far as he can get from her. * Jewel breathes as deeply and evenly as she's able, continuing to stare at Snowman. <Dawn> HA! ::he pulls a dark green bottle from a chest and heads back over to Snowman.:: <Angel> ::swears, then whips off his vest and covers Jewel's exposed torso:: What the *fuck*? <Jewel> ::speaking slowly, sounding distracted:: I can keep him off... for a little while... * Dawn steps in front of Jewel, blocking Snowman's view. He snaps his fingers. "Look at me, Snowman. At me. I know, I'm not very pretty. Focus, here." Without looking, he opens the green bottle. "Got a little drop of something for you, here. Help cool you down a little." * Snowman whimpers, a very frightening sound, coming from him. "Dawn?" He gasps for breath, his face twisted with fear and lust. <Dawn> ::nods calmly:: I know, Snowman. Take a deep breath. It'll pass. You can hold it. ::he holds out the bottle:: Take a mouthful of this for me. No more than that, mind. Just one mouthful. <Jewel> ::grits her teeth at the sound of Snowman's voice, but maintains the contact:: * Snowman drinks a swallow of the liquid, shudder violently. "Gods... what... so *hot*... *fuck*." He bangs his head backwards against the wall sharply. <Dawn> Stop that. ::he rescues his bottle and re-corks it:: It's just a drug. This'll counteract it, or should. <Jewel> Tell me... when... please.... ::taking Angel's hand and gripping it tightly, her fingers cold:: <Dawn> ::without looking away from Snowman:: Aye. * Angel holds her, careful not to interfere with her contact with Snowman. "I will *kill* him." <Dawn> I hope you're talking about Tower. * Jewel trembles, saying nothing, concentrating. <Snowman> ::after about ten minutes, Snowman's sweating stops and his shaking grows worse:: Where th' fuck did you say the beshitted pot was? * Dawn stands and points back toward the screen. "You can drop him now, Jewel." * Snowman nods weakly and crawls in that direction. When he reaches it, the sounds of someone losing two pastries can be heard from the other room. <Jewel> ::closes her eyes and lowers her head, drooping against Angel, shaking as hard as Snowman is:: Food... please... *now.* * Angel looks helplessly over at Dawn, his arms full of ravening wife. * Dawn sighs and looks around, then picks up a half-eaten sandwich left from his own lunch and hands it to Jewel. While she inhales, he goes upstairs, and returns with a larger array of snacks. * Angel helps her into his vest while she eats. "Are you... damnit, did he hurt you?" His face is bleak. * Jewel eats rapidly and mechanically, barely taking time to chew as she swallows. <Jewel> ::shakes her head, taking time to gulp down her latest mouthful:: M'ok... just the dress... he just... scared me. ::looks up and smiles shakily:: I still think you're a better kisser. <Dawn> *Now*... ::He goes back to his desk and speaks an arcane phrase, frowning at Tower's necklace. After a moment, he irritably picks up a couple of other items on the desk and stuffs them in drawers, then looks again.:: <Angel> ::scowls:: <Jewel> ::polishes off the last of Dawn's tray, and collapses back on the couch, pulling Angel down next to her and holding on to him. "He... he wanted that for *me*. He really *didn't* trust his charm much. Or... maybe he just wanted me that badly." * Dawn shakes his head. "Well, it's not magical..." He picks it up gingerly and begins turning it over in his hands, stone by stone. "Ah, now that's interesting." Dawn pulls what looks like a pair of jeweler's pliers out of his desk and uses them to tug on a loose bit of wire. * Snowman finishes retching and eventually composes himself. He's sort of pale yellow and wobbly when he returns to the main room. He leans against the wall on the far side of the room, looking at Jewel and Angel. "Fuck." <Dawn> ::absently, examining the necklace:: Not today, you won't. Be surprised if you felt up to it tomorrow, either. <Jewel> ::clinging to Angel:: I'm... I'm sorry, Geremi. <Snowman> ::stares at her:: *You're* sorry? ::flushes a dull, brick red:: <Jewel> ::looking at the floor:: You got what was intended for me. And... the only thing I could think to do was make you afraid of me. I'm sorry... I *hate* doing that... <Dawn> Ah-HA. ::pulls his knife and carefully cuts through the necklace, leaving a single stone hanging from the loose bit of wire held in the pliers.:: Drugged. <Angel> ::snarling:: Well, don't *you* get dosed with it. The next man who puts a hand on my wife is going to lose it, drug or no drug. * Jewel tucks in a little closer to Angel, burrowing in against his side. * Snowman shakes his head, looking ashamed, perhaps the first time anyone has ever seen him look that way. "I... damnit, I couldn't *fuckin'* think." <Jewel> I know... I know... ::rubbing a hand over her face:: It was hard enough, making contact with you. <Dawn> ::gives Angel a tight grin:: Trust me, I'll be careful. I'm not quite *that* stupid anymore. ::he drops the stone and its needle into a small stoneware box, then ties the ruined necklace into the handkerchief. He starts to offer it to Jewel, then shakes his head and puts it into his own pocket:: Now... Learn anything useful? <Angel> ::fiercely:: I *hope* so. I'm not going through all this for the simple pleasure of running him through, next time I see him. <Jewel> Well... ::looking sheepishly at Snowman:: We learned that he wants me pretty badly. And... he seemed to be offering me protection, if anything went wrong on *this* side of the guildwar. <Dawn> ::snorts:: So we know what side he's on. Not that I had too many doubts. <Jewel> ::frowns, thinking:: There was something else, though... when we were talking about my late husband. <Angel> ::buries his face in Jewel's hair, attempting to calm himself by breathing slowly:: <Jewel> ::sneaks her arm around his back and holds him close, rubbing his back gently:: <Jewel> ::squints thoughtfully at Snowman:: Snowman... did you recognize him at all? Did you know him? * Dawn sighs, leaning back in his chair and putting his feet up on the desk. "We have to go on the offensive soon. Too many people are going to get hurt if we wait for them to come to us." <Snowman> ::considers:: He's fuckin' scarred up. Be hard t'forget him. Unless it ain't old, that. <Angel> ::muffled from the depths of Jewel's hair:: I hear that. * Snowman continues to think. "He... " He paces around a bit, trying to imagine... "Gods damn me for a fool." <Dawn> ::snorts:: Hear this: My "mouse," as Bienca calls her, was a plant. <Jewel> Your mouse? The shy g-- what is it, Snowman? <Jewel> I only... when you turned to look out the window, that one time... he looked at you sort of... oddly, I thought. * Snowman takes a few steps and sits down hard on the floor. "I musta been fuckin' blind... bastard. Fuckin' *bastard*." He looks over at Angel. "Lyegen. Sable's boy." <Jewel> ::swallows against a dry mouth:: He... Tower? Tower is... Lyegen? ::holds Angel tighter:: <Dawn> Ah, he has a name... * Angel is stock-still for a long moment, then releases Jewel. He stands, wordless, and paces around a moment, then turns and puts a fairly good-sized dent in Dawn's wall with his fist. "Gods *damn* it!" * Jewel winces. <Dawn> ::sighs soundlessly:: Do you want the rest? <Angel> ::panting:: He won't be easy to find *now*. He's going to know we know about the drug. ::sighs:: Give it to me. <Jewel> ::bites her lip:: There's *more*? <Dawn> ::nods:: Guy's been tailing me for almost a week - Lily. One of the enforcers. Says he was hired to take down Mace. <Dawn> ::gives Angel a faint smile:: Ten dots, your dead ass is worth. <Angel> ::blinks:: That much? I'm flattered. <Dawn> And, as I said, Violet was a plant. She was looking for Mace, too. ::sighs and takes a deep breath:: And they wanted her to kill Bienca and Calis. <Angel> ::stops dead:: What did you do to her? <Jewel> ::wraps her arms around herself:: Sweet gods.... <Dawn> Probably the worst thing I possibly could, under the circumstances. I kept her on. <Snowman> ::raises his eyebrows:: Are y' out of your fuckin' *mind*? <Dawn> Aye. How 'bout you? <Jewel> Bie and Calis-- are they alright? * Snowman looks away, shuddering. "Better, I think." <Dawn> ::nods, looking tired:: They're fine. I called Violet on it and made her confess everything. She *says* she's on our side now, and I believe her. Mostly. We're taking some precautions anyway, of course. Bie's angry and scared, but she'll hold up. The boy doesn't know. <Jewel> This is... ::hugging herself, whispering:: ...what could possibly be worth all this? ::frowns to herself:: <Angel> ::sighs:: Vengeance. <Jewel> ::still frowning, looking up:: Vengeance? For his father? But... ::glances over at Snowman:: That dose wasn't even *intended* for Snowman. And Il Roche is long gone, good riddance. <Snowman> ::shakes his head:: And his... *position*. Lyegen was his da's fuckin' heir. <Dawn> ::nods, with a wry glance at Jewel:: Aye. <Cat> ::bites her lip and stands, going to wrap her arms around Angel again and covering his ring hand with her own.:: <Dawn> ::eyes Angel:: Can we kill him now, boss? * Angel puts his arms around his wife. "Shit. Well, put it out... five dots. I'll be damned if the bastard is worth more than half of *me*." |
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