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<Angel> ::Somewhat after their "rest", Angel is mostly asleep and Jewel is fixing a snack when she hears a tapping at the window:: <Jewel> ::warily fetches Angel's knife again and goes to see what it is:: <Maharajah> ::a fierce-appearing hawk is pacing back and forth along the narrow window ledge. He pauses and looks in the window with one beady eye, then resumes pacing. Tied to one leg is a small scroll of paper:: * Jewel bites her lip and hesitates a moment. She holds the knife warily, opening the window a little way, braced for an attack. <Maharajah> ::watches her, head tilted, then utters a low-pitched *kyah*:: * Angel sits up in bed. "My lady?" * Jewel slowly puts the knife away, feeling no danger, and reaches a hand towards the hawk gingerly. "It's... a messenger, I think, my lord." <Maharajah> ::watching her, he stays very, very still:: <Angel> Unusual... * Jewel laughs a little nervously in response, and carefully retrieves the slip of paper from the bird's leg. "It's... beautiful, though." She smiles faintly. "It reminds me of you, love." <Angel> ::raises one eyebrow:: Right. ::he gets out of bed and pulls on his pants:: What's the note say? <Maharajah> ::message delivered, he launches himself up, into the flat, makes a brief circle of the area, and snags Jewel's sandwich before flying out the window and away:: <Angel> ::the note reads 'I apologize if you were startled, but I know of no other safe way to contact you at present. Please tell your friend the architect that I got his notes and when he's got time, would like to discuss a mutual exchange of favors between my Lady and your organization. -L' Underneath her signature is a stylized drawing of Nacheyla's sunburst.:: <Jewel> HEY! ::makes a belated grab for her food and sighs, glaring after the vanishing bird:: Thought it was a hawk, not a crow... ::she reads the note aloud, looking up at Angel when she's done:: "Our friend the architect"? ::thinks:: Is this some business of Dawn's? ::frowning a little, mumbling:: Not sure we *afford* any more of her Lady's "favors".... <Angel> ::eyes narrow as he watches the bird fly off:: Perhaps something can be arranged, my lady. I don't know what notes she's speaking of, but Dawn would be the best to answer that. Something needs to change, at least. We've only got the one priest, currently, and Mask's favors are as fickle as Mask is. And perhaps, with an arrangement made permanent, the payments will be less. <Jewel> ::swallows hard, turning away to make a new sandwich:: I don't mean to sound ungrateful, my lord, but... ::more quietly:: I don't consider you to be negotiable. <Angel> ::laughs lightly:: I don't entirely consider myself to be valuable property, either, my lady. It can hurt nothing to hear what she has to say. <Jewel> ::small smile:: You value yourself too lightly, my heart. *I* couldn't do without you. And... ::trying to keep her tone light:: She certainly seems to favor you. ::sighs, her shoulders slumping a little as she puts a hand over her eyes:: I'm sorry, this is silly... jealousy is becoming a bad habit with me. <Angel> ::moving silently on bare feet, he crosses the room to her, putting one arm around her shoulders:: If it is any comfort to you, my lady, She does not seem as... demanding as, perhaps, it sounded. She would not take me without my consent. I hold no desire for any other, my lady. She seems, if nothing else, to have a slightly twisted sense of humor. <Jewel> ::sighs and leans back into his arm, the stiffness easing from her posture:: I'm sorry, love. ::tips her head back, smiling up at him:: About anything else, I can laugh, but I'm not *so* secure in my charms that I don't feel a little threatened by a goddess. Especially a goddess that's saved your life more than once. ::looks rueful:: I suppose it's divine punishment for teasing Geremi. <Angel> ::earnestly:: Do you doubt me, lady? <Jewel> ::sounding surprised:: *You*? ::turning to face him, sliding her arms around his waist:: No, never. ::smiling a little and leaning her head against his chest:: I'm only attempting to explain to you why your wife is such an idiot. <Angel> I never noticed you acting with any particular idiocy, my lady. And while I admit to being flattered, both by Her attentions and your reaction, my pride is not worth your unease. Tell me, how I might reassure you. <Jewel> Oh, Bastian... ::sighing and squeezing him gently:: ... you just *did.* Honestly, it's no fault of yours. ::grins a little and releases one arm to touch the side of his face:: It's just hard to believe you're real, sometimes. You say the sorts of things that all smitten lovers do, but you *mean* them. Well, no, I suppose *all* lovers mean them, at the time, but you... you *never* bluff. ::tracing a finger down the side of his cheek, studying his face with a sense of wonder:: And the way you look at me, and the way you *kiss*... ::color coming to her cheeks:: Gods... it does your ego no good at all to listen to me, I'm sure. But... I don't know what I ever did, to wind up so happy. To deserve *you.* And so sometimes, I worry a little. * Angel gives her his cynical half-smile. "Careful, my lady, or else there shall not be room in the flat for my ego *and* me." He takes her fingertips and kisses them. "And with you, I have never felt the need to bluff. Finish your snack, love. We may have a long day tomorrow and you'll need your strength." <Jewel> ::demurely:: Yes, my lord. ::she raises her eyes to his face and, with a grin, touches her finger to unsmiling corner of his mouth, nudging it up a little playfully:: I think I can risk it. My husband has made me rich enough to afford a bigger flat, should I feel the need... but I find myself *quite* comfortable as things stand. ----- * Jewel is in bed, napping. She's managed to kick off most of her covers and turn around sideways on the bed, one arm and the opposite foot draped over the edge. The late light of evening is slanting in the windows, and the street traffic outside is starting to pick up a little as the night people come awake. * Angel, who has slept enough in the last week to last him a month or more, is involved in a rather domestic task - sewing up repairs in his work clothes. He looks somewhat odd, sitting cross legged on the sofa with his sewing in his lap. * Dawn knocks on the door, then steps back for Geremi to add his code as well. <Geremi> ::thinks a minute, then beats his code on the door. Which is to say, he kicks it. Twice.:: * Angel puts his vest aside and gets to his feet. He checks the peephole quickly, then unlocks the door. "Quietly. Jewel still sleeps." <Dawn> ::nods and slips into the flat:: News. Lots of it. <Angel> ::raises his eyebrows:: You owe my wife a sandwich. And you got a message. What sort of news? * Jewel pops an eye open and sits up, yawning and stretching hugely. "Slept. But thank you. Dawn? You're back already?" <Dawn> I got a message *here*? From who? News - Snowman and I knocked over the lab. Lyegen's planning something. <Angel> ::snort:: Has he been not planning anything, since he got here? Fucking bastard. What lab? <Dawn> The- Oh. Right. ::grins weakly:: You're behind. Let me explain. No, too much. Let me sum up. * Jewel snags a housecoat and slips it on over her nightshift, tying the front closed out of courtesy before padding over barefoot to join the others. <Dawn> I knocked over the sunshine house... two days ago? The fat little fuckhead running it squirted before he died, and told me about three other places - two more whorehouses, and the lab where he's having the drugs and potions built. ::grins:: He was pissed enough about that to put five dots on my head. <Angel> ::shakes his head:: I missed a lot while I was ill. ::glances curiously at Geremi, who hasn't said a word.:: <Dawn> Oh, and I dusted that fucking mage, and Snowman trashed their staging warehouse. <Geremi> ::crossly:: All in a fuckin' day's work, that. <Dawn> I *told* him I'd report tonight. We'll get to the new developments in a minute. <Angel> ::half-smiles:: I begin to feel positively lazy. * Jewel makes a rude noise. <Dawn> ::considers:: I've got me and Bienca and the boy, along with Snowman and Violet, stashed with me at The Velvet Pillow. But we've got to get out soon. Someone keeps pinching the chambermaids in the halls, and they're starting to grumble. * Jewel eyes Snowman sidelong. * Dawn counts off on his fingers, making sure all the major salient points have been covered. He considers one more addition, then eyes Angel obliquely and decides it's probably better left out. "Right. So. Today." <Geremi> ::rolls his eyes:: Tell Calis t' stop fuckin' pinching them, then. <Dawn> ::drily:: Must be the youthful enthusiasm. <Geremi> ::under his breath:: Weren't *grumblin'* this *morning*. <Dawn> Anyhow... You know the morning. After I saw the Talarins home, I went and told Snowman about Lyegen and Tarish. After which it seemed like as good an idea as any to go knock over the lab and see what we could learn. <Angel> ::one eyebrow shoots up:: *What*, exactly, about Lyegen and Tarish? <Jewel> ::opens her mouth in shock, and closes it again, cheeks flushing a little as she looks down:: <Jewel> ::clears her throat:: <Dawn> ::blinks, mouth already open for the next line, then looks from Angel to Jewel and back:: She... didn't tell you? <Angel> ::with very forced calm:: Tell me. What? <Dawn> ::glances at Snowman briefly:: Lyegen was the one responsible. <Dawn> Had it from Sylvie this morning, before I picked you up. ::pause:: I assumed she'd told you. <Jewel> I was going to, tonight. ::to Angel:: Sylvie heard something while she was captive... Lyegen bragged to another captive about planning for Snowman's second wife something like what he did to-- ::swallows:: Aye. * Geremi turns away, staring intently at the wall. His fists clench until the knuckles are white. His teeth grind together briefly. <Dawn> ::looks back at Geremi, then nods to Jewel:: She didn't tell me that part. <Jewel> I didn't know she'd told you at *all*. ::glancing at Angel:: She told me... just in case. But she asked me not to tell you until you'd had a chance to recover. ::eyeing Snowman's back:: * Angel closes his eyes. A vein throbs in his temple. "Gods." He opens his eyes to look at Geremi. "And the city's not burning? You're remarkably calm, old man." <Geremi> ::forced casual:: Pacing myself, me. <Dawn> ::snorts:: I should mention that I didn't actually *do* a fucking thing in the lab. Had me a little vacation, watched the show. <Angel> I'm not surprised. ::he flicks his fingers at Dawn, {Turn around.} then puts one hand on Geremi's shoulder:: You all right? * Dawn suddenly finds it necessary to examine the warding on Angel and Jewel's door. * Jewel clears her throat and wanders into the kitchen to put up the kettle for tea. <Angel> ::unspied upon, the two men have a low, seemingly calm discussion. From the corner of their eye (if anyone was actually watching. Which they wouldn't be so rude as to do. Would they?) Dawn and Jewel would be utterly and completely shocked to see Geremi silently weeping, his head against Angel's shoulder in a fierce embrace:: * Jewel bustles about somewhat noisily in the kitchen, making enough racket to cover their low voices. The kettle whistles after awhile, and she pours out several cups of tea, adds sugar and lemon, and wanders over to the liquor cabinet. She returns to the kitchen a moment later, topping off each glass liberally with fine whiskey to make toddies. * Jewel settles the mugs on a tray and adds a curled bit of paper as an afterthought, carrying everything out and setting it on a side table, her back to Angel and Snowman. She offers Dawn a mug, twirling the paper around her finger. * Dawn very carefully does not look at the two men as he accepts the mug from Jewel. "Thank you. Is that the note?" <Jewel> ::nods:: You, sir, have been up to something *else* that you haven't told us about. ::she favors him with a stern, accusing stare:: <Dawn> ::blinks at her, trying to imagine what his transgression might have been:: Have I? <Jewel> ::proffering the note:: Perhaps you'd care to explain what manner of "notes" you've been sharing with the Blessed Mother's priestess, in all your copious spare time? <Dawn> Notes? ::he takes the paper:: It was just a couple of *comments*. <Jewel> ::The note reads, 'I apologize if you were startled, but I know of no other safe way to contact you at present. Please tell your friend the architect that I got his notes and when he's time, would like to discuss a mutual exchange of favors between my Lady and your organization. -L' Underneath her signature is a stylized drawing of Nacheyla's sunburst.:: <Jewel> That was delivered by hawk to our window earlier. Nearly startled me out of my skin. And you *do* owe me a sandwich, by the way. <Dawn> ::bemused, he fishes a silver out of his pocket and hands it to her:: Here's for your sand- A hawk? <Jewel> Aye. A very ferocious-looking and rapacious hawk. That likes fish-and-tomato sandwiches. <Jewel> So, what exactly is this all about? <Dawn> Um. ::absently, reading the note again:: She left me in her study for a bit, and there were these plans. For a temple, I think. But whoever drew it had a lot of grandiose notions and not the slightest idea how to make them happen. So I made a couple of comments to help her out. I'm not really an architect. I'm an engineer. <Dawn> ::puts the note in his pocket:: This could be interesting. I'll go and see her as soon as we've taken care of Lyegen. <Jewel> ::trying to maintain the stern expression, despite the traitorous corner of her mouth that keeps quirking upwards:: Perhaps She has plenty of architects for her pretty pretty building, and requires someone to keep it from falling down around Her followers' ears. <Jewel> ::thoughtfully:: Perhaps we'll *all* go. We're overdue for a visit. ::looks wistful:: And there are babies! <Dawn> ::missing the wistful expression:: Just the one baby, really. The others are little girls. ::he holds out his hand to indicate a person whose head is about level with his hip:: <Jewel> Oh! So big already... ::bites one side of her lip:: <Dawn> There's a rumor that they do that, over time... ::he risks a glance toward Angel and Snowman:: * Jewel nods, and turns away to fetch her own mug before it cools too much, taking a quick gulp. * Angel meets Dawn's gaze over Geremi's heaving back, his expression pained and bitter, tinged oddly enough with guilt. He gives Geremi a small shake, to bring him back from the edge of his renewed grief. * Dawn turns away again quickly, wincing. "Ow. Could've warned me this was still half-boiling, Jewel." * Jewel turns around again, in time to catch the interplay of glances. She gives Angel a swift look, and turns her attention back to Dawn. "Sorry... thought it'd had a chance to cool enough. Would you like some ice?" <Geremi> ::blows his nose loudly, then excuses himself to the bathing room near the back of the flat:: * Angel looks after Geremi for a moment, then returns to the main room and drops into a chair, graceless. <Dawn> No, thanks. ::restrains himself from looking at Snowman:: Did I mention I think I've found a good site for the new house? ::said with the air of someone grasping for a conversational straw:: <Jewel> Oh? ::raises her eyebrows:: And where will the grand mansion be situated? Or perhaps a tower to rival Mistress Zoya's? ::grins a little:: <Dawn> ::snorts:: Now you're being silly. Too conspicuous. No, it's a warehouse, again, but Bienca made me promise I'd give her high ceilings, so I found a double-height place, and I'll build it to three levels. <Dawn> Nice and big, too. Ought to be plenty of room for us, and the kid, and the baby, and... whatever guests happen to turn up. <Jewel> ::grins wider:: And any more babies? <Angel> ::snorts:: She would. I can't tell you the number of times she's complained about not being able to stretch out. <Dawn> ::gives Jewel a flat look before turning to Angel:: What the fuck is wrong with outside, I have to know? <Angel> ::laughs, a little strained:: <Dawn> ::softer, a little hesitant:: She... made me promise to tell him. <Jewel> ::nods slowly, her voice quiet:: I understand, Dawn. It was only... I wish I'd known. I wish I'd have told *him* sooner. It will mend. ::her expression hardening:: We've still got a shot at finishing it off right this time. <Angel> ::chilly:: He got away from me once. It won't happen again. <Geremi> ::comes back in the living area, his face and beard showing evidence of having been recently washed:: Got a line on Tower, us. <Angel> ::scrubs at his chin with one hand:: Come to that, I had a bit of an idea myself, earlier. What have you got? <Dawn> ::nods in agreement with Snowman:: He's apparently... collecting additional merchandise today, and planning to meet up with his people tomorrow morning. * Jewel looks fierce and angry. <Dawn> Speaking of which- ::offers Jewel two slender vials:: Antidote for the love potion. It's rough - even rougher than the shit I gave Snowman for it - but better than the alternative. <Jewel> ::nods, inspecting them for a moment before tucking them away carefully:: Would these... ::glances at Angel:: ...help with an allergy? <Geremi> ::scowls:: Fuckin' gentle that were *not*. Headached like hell for three days an' didn't get so much as a fuckin' twitch for near to four. <Jewel> Tw-- ::wisely swallows her question before she can get it out:: <Dawn> ::shakes his head:: No. This stuff shoves the crap through your system very fast. It'd probably kill Angel. ::eyes Angel:: You get dosed, I'll probably have to drag your ass to a cleric. <Angel> ::rolls his eyes:: Again. Lovely. <Jewel> ::brings two mugs for Angel and Geremi, twining her arm around Angel's waist as she hands him his:: Best to avoid it, if we can. You said you cleaned out the source? <Dawn> Aye, though Lyegen walked away this morning with eighteen vials. <Geremi> ::grimly:: Swee'pea threw in with the lot, he did. Fuckin' liked him. Were one o' Il Roche's, him. <Jewel> ::chokes:: Eight-- *eighteen?* Why so many? *How*? <Dawn> Because they're collecting "merchandise," fuckitall. * Angel glances at Jewel. "Do you think you can track him, my lady? Or should we wait, to ambush him?" <Jewel> ::shakes her head, her face faintly green:: We can't... we can't let him. Not eighteen *more*.... <Jewel> I'm willing to try my damndest. He is *not* getting away with this. Not on *our* people. <Dawn> Track... ::his eyes light with understanding, and he grins:: You're a beautiful woman. We can stop back by the Pillow - I've got his damned necklace in my box. <Geremi> ::shakes his head:: What his father got himself killed over, this. Philosophical differences. <Dawn> ::snorts:: I'll show him where he can stuff his philosophical differences. <Geremi> Il Roche... were hard one, him. But held one ideal. Women ain't nobody's fuckin' property. <Dawn> ::nods:: Don't have to sell me. ::grins:: If I started talking that shit, Bienca'd kill me in my fucking sleep. <Jewel> ::shakes her head at Dawn:: That's not his... I've "seen" it already. But he left four or five things back at my shop that he's never had the guts to retrieve. ::her grin is downright wolfish:: <Dawn> You're the expert. <Jewel> Ha. This is all fairly new to me, too. But there's got to be *something* there he cares about. He was trying too damn hard to impress me. <Angel> ::thinking:: Let him get comfortable... let him think we're chasing our tails again. ::turns to Dawn:: Go get those things. Poof, so no one sees you. Meet... ::thinks a minute:: Meet at Sylvie's. Around two hours past midnight. We'll catch him napping. <Jewel> Sylvie's? ::blinks:: Why not here? <Dawn> ::nods:: Sylvie's is closer to the warehouses. <Dawn> Tell me about his stuff. Where is it? <Jewel> Ah. ::face clearing:: And it's in the middle of the Island... he's been pulling from there a lot, hasn't he? <Jewel> I put it just behind the counter, on the right. I was expecting to come back for it just after lunch. <Angel> ::nods:: The Lizards look away from the Islands. There, he has one less worry. <Dawn> All right. At two, then. ::He gives Snowman a last, almost worried glance, then speaks his spell, disappearing in with a rush of air:: |
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