EXCOLO

Hate the rain, hate the rain, and god I hate the rain. And I hate having to run out and play doctor in the rain. For crying out loud, I will have to teach these people that a cold, a common cold does NOT constitute a need for a house call.
As I'm sprinting back down Main, I spot the Cafe', and it dawns on my that I am famished. Wanda's still probably curled in bed on a day such as this, or up baking......
Coffee and lunch sound right. Duck in, shaking rain from my hair and bag, and lo and behold, Glass is at the window seat, happily watching the day get rained away. I wander over and smile, realizing I haven't seen her since the reception.
"I see you managed to slip away from your husband." I say in hushed tones, sitting across from her and raising an eyebrow. "But did you have to pick somewhere so public to tryst?" I finish in a mock scandalous tone.

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Look up as Lucien sits down, and I'm about to greet him when he murmurs "I see you managed to slip away from your husband. But did you have to pick somewhere so public to tryst?"

Pause for a second and blink and then let out a quick laugh. "Who'd suspect?" I say dryly. "Seriously, Lucien," I add, finishing with pinning up my hair and taking a sip of my coffee, "don't you start. How've you been?" Too long since we talked, I think.

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Oh dear, I caught her off guard with my humor, and I'm about to apologize when she starts laughing. "Who'd suspect?" she answers in an equally serious tone, then; "Seriously, Lucien, don't you start." Raise my eyebrow at that. "Really Mrs. Beddau, who else is trying to tryst with you? The cheeky bastard! At least he'll never love you for your mind like I do!" I wink at her as the waitress appears with a coffee and I give her my order of a burger and fries.
"How've you been?"
The cup pauses mid way to my lips. How the hell does one answer that in this fuckin' town? "Well... I'm not dead? Wanda's not chewed up? No major catastrophe's since your reception..... Think I'm doing okay. You?"

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"Really Mrs. Beddau, who else is trying to tryst with you? The cheeky bastard! At least he'll never love you for your mind like I do!"

"Oh, Dr. Constantine, so true. He's only been taken in by my worldly flirtation and cunning wiles, the poor man." I wave one hand dismissively. "Drunken lunatic. I'm hoping it'll pass once he sobers up, if that ever happens..."

"Well... I'm not dead? Wanda's not chewed up? No major catastrophe's since your reception..... Think I'm doing okay. You?"

"Still married," I say, smiling. "Leave me see. I broke up a fight at the Tavern, I've been catching foul looks from Iago's father when he passes by the Apothecary a time or two," glance around and yes, we're well enough away from others to not be overheard, "spoke to a cat that talks perhaps a touch much, and heard word that some thing serving the tower tried to take after Fiona. Sweet kid, d'you know her?" My sandwich comes and I break off for a moment as I get a refill on my coffee.

"Oh. And I may've found how the first burial was done. Which minds me, I've a question on gods. Perhaps a touch academic." Set down my cup and pick up my sandwich. "Did you know your friend Tez's been keeping company with the thing from the tower? He's a foul temper on him, I picked a fight with him in the Tavern one night and Verdi broke it up." Something about that... dammit. "And the fortnight vacation from work was a pleasure. I think that's the most of it." I shrug at him and then smile, taking in the look on his face.

"Interesting times in Excolo. I hear that used to be a blessing and a curse, to wish on folk."

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"Drunken lunatic. I'm hoping it'll pass once he sobers up, if that ever happens..."......... Oh gods no. Of all the people in town that could stay drunk, it's one of two, and my moneys on...
Groan and take a sip of my coffee. "Oh let me guess, well dressed spoiled brat that gets fixated on something and doesn't let it go until he's satisfied?" The food appears and I wait until we're alone again. "I like you, I really do, but better you than me Glass. If it's a help, he was over one day last week and all but clinging to Wanda, so maybe he's wising up?" Doubt it, but maybe he'll be distracted for a while.

Glass starts rattling off a list of whats been going on. "Talking cat? Wanda mentioned him. Thought she finally had too much absinthe, but if you say there's one... guess she's not insane yet." Dive into my burger as she goes on. "Heard word that some thing serving the tower tried to take after Fiona. Sweet kid, d'you know her?" Wince at that and set down my food, suddenly not hungry. "Heard about it from Wanda. Oh, there's something you don't know. Wanda and Kaeli stumbled across one of the girls from the carnival getting beaten up. Zann? Kaeli fixed her up while Wanda.... well.... was Wanda. Zann clued Wanda in about Fiona. She's a sweet kid, and terrified of me. As she should be..." I say softly, going back to my coffee.

"Which minds me, I've a question on gods. Perhaps a touch academic. Did you know your friend Tez's been keeping company with the thing from the tower? He's a foul temper on him, I picked a fight with him in the Tavern one night and Verdi broke it up." All I can do is stare at her for a moment. "Picked a fight with Tez? Probably not a safe thing to do....." Shrug. "I know about his temper. Know quite a bit about him. We accept each other. Uhhhh.... don't go looking for me after hours at the office then. He's living in the apartment above." Think about what I'm about to say, and like Tez looks after his own, so do I. And Glass.... she's my friend. "I trust you Glass, and that you can keep a secret. I tell you this because I want to keep you safe. Tez can also become a woman." I say softly. "So if a young South American looking woman tries to goad you into a fight, walk away." Look at her seriously, then pick up a fry and pop it into my mouth.

"Interesting times in Excolo. I hear that used to be a blessing and a curse, to wish on folk." Laugh a bit at that, and stare out the window. "Just wish I could walk away from the whole damn place for a few days. I hate being stuck here. Gods, monsters, talking cats ..." Shake my head. "And for the past two nights, Wanda's woken up screaming bloody murder. Won't tell me what she'd dreaming, but it's bad enough to render her sick and incoherent. For the last week I thought everything was going better, she's been almost happy, but now......" Run my hand though my hair, frustrated.

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"Oh let me guess, well dressed spoiled brat that gets fixated on something and doesn't let it go until he's satisfied?"

"Or bored," I say, shrugging. "He's been dosed each time he spoke of it. I've not seen him sober in weeks." Smile a little. "Thing from the tower came to see him and he told it to go back to hell." Just... spit and staunchweed, if he'd only leave off his current whim.

"I like you, I really do, but better you than me Glass. If it's a help, he was over one day last week and all but clinging to Wanda, so maybe he's wising up?"

"Pleasant thought," I say. "Truly, Lucien, I'd count him getting bored as more likely than aught else. Glad he was over to see her, then."

"Heard about it from Wanda. Oh, there's something you don't know. Wanda and Kaeli stumbled across one of the girls from the carnival getting beaten up. Zann? Kaeli fixed her up while Wanda.... well.... was Wanda. Zann clued Wanda in about Fiona. She's a sweet kid, and terrified of me. As she should be..." That last softer, and I sniff a little.

"Indeed. What're you like to do, warn her off the tower or keep her alive? Terrifying," I say dryly. "And Zann's mad. She--" Angefil. I press my lips together and shake my head. "Did you hear she ran over the Shuck with a popcorn cart?" I say more lightly. "She was running 'round tossing out his name casual as anything. Kate pointed her in my direction, think she'll leave off that at least."

"Picked a fight with Tez? Probably not a safe thing to do....."

"Caught that," I say grimly. "Verdi gave a halt to it, called him outside and cut--him to--ribbons." And that odd nagging thought at the back of my mind, the bodies the Shuck left out back of the Apothecary that night and the clean clean sweeps that left them dead, fine as anything I'd ever seen, slick as ice polished sweeping under sun, that I spent so long over as I was piercing flesh small and neat to pull it together.

Oh mother's bones. No. Not Verdi, dammit, please-- And who else would the Shuck have hunt with him, who carries a blade so fine?

"You know," I say calmly, wrapping both hands around the coffee cup, "every time I talk t'you soulless folk, I put things together. Ought do it more often."

"Just wish I could walk away from the whole damn place for a few days. I hate being stuck here. Gods, monsters, talking cats ..." I shrug.

"Excolo's no stranger than aught else ever was, Lucien. Just a touch more open here, that's the whole of it. Bones of the world come through."

"And for the past two nights, Wanda's woken up screaming bloody murder. Won't tell me what she'd dreaming, but it's bad enough to render her sick and incoherent. For the last week I thought everything was going better, she's been almost happy, but now......"

Oh, no. "She seen the Shuck again?" I say quietly. "Why won't she tell you?"

Edited Date: 2009-01-05 04:09 am (UTC)

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"Thing from the tower came to see him and he told it to go back to hell." I choke on my coffee, then have to brush it off my pants. "What? He did WHAT?" Realize my voice has raised, and I pinch the bridge of my nose and try to calm down.
"So, that idiot basically spat in the devils face? Does he have any idea how much danger he may have put those close to him in?" I know my eyes go red at the thought of him anywhere near Wanda now, and I have to close them for a minute. "Swear to you Glass.... I may just find a way to kill him" I say softly, staring at the ceiling.

"Indeed. What're you like to do, warn her off the tower or keep her alive? Terrifying," I shake my head and wave my hand a bit. "She see's me Glass, see's the wrongness in me. If she can see it in me, she can see it in others, and that's a good thing. So I'll live with her fear of me if it keeps her cautious."
"And Zann's mad. She--Did you hear she ran over the Shuck with a popcorn cart?" I laugh out loud at that. "Zann's bat shit crazy. Her minds like nothing else, but gotta keep her hands busy. And I heard about the popcorn cart. I bet you would have paid to see that." I'm chuckling and devouring fries. Hell, I would have liked to see that.

Glass speaks of the fight Verdi broke up, and how she basically butchered Tez out in the alley, but then she stops, as if she recalls something. "You know, every time I talk t'you soulless folk, I put things together. Ought do it more often." Look at her over my coffee cup.
"You should." I say evenly, trying to follow her thoughts.
"Has Sunshine been getting herself into trouble?" I ask quietly. Haven't seen Verdi in weeks, and now I wonder if she's going the way of all other Gods walking about.
"Bones of the world come through." "Bones aren't meant to be seen until the dust settles at the ends of our lives." I say quietly, and am startled by my own morbid thoughts. "We're seeing more bones because another end seems to want to be starting..." I say heavily, weighting it all. "Excolo is odder than anywhere Glass, make no mistake. Been around the world, and I've never seen it's like." Sigh heavily and drain my cup.

"She seen the Shuck again? Why won't she tell you?"
Shake my head and wait a minute while my cup is refilled.
"No, not so far as I know. She hasn't been chewed up, so I'll assume she hasn't seen him alone since...." Trail off not wishing to think about it. "I think Lugh's been around," I say a bit darkly, eyes flaring again, but I will it back. "...but she's been really happy and stable, especially the weekend of the reception... even after. But whatever she's dreaming is scaring the living daylights out of her. I actually had to mix something up today, hoping it will help her sleep easier. If it keeps up, maybe she'll tell you?" I wonder, finishing off my fries.

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A crime, to waste Tulzcha's coffee. "What? He did WHAT?" Lucien sputters, and then visibly sets himself to calm. "So, that idiot basically spat in the devils face? Does he have any idea how much danger he may have put those close to him in?"

"I'm summarizing," I say, keeping my voice low. "Don't suppose you'd like him better if he'd taken it up on whatever it was offering? --wait, Wanda was after saving you from it. How's that offense measure against turning it away?" Some slow anger growing in me, and I push it aside for Lucien's sake and his kindness in warning me away from the thing in the tower, and take a bite of my sandwich--but truly, if folk aren't to take what it offers, and aren't to refuse for fear of offending it, I'm missing what's actually there for them to do.

"Swear to you Glass.... I may just find a way to kill him."

"He's Iago's friend, leave him be," and that comes out steady and plain as stones. A truth there, I think, and that aside I like Dorian's company when he's not off on his current whim. "That and I'd not want t'see you and Mab at odds. Besides," and I smile, "I've not had anyone to lay out in five weeks to the day. Finding that suits me."

"Zann's bat shit crazy," and I'm not taking that for lacking admiration. "And I heard about the popcorn cart. I bet you would have paid to see that." Laugh a little at that.

"Think I would. Hell, I'd've paid to've been there even that aside. He and Tez... went to smoke and night tearing at each other, I think." Woke up screaming for it, and dammit, if it's to've given me grief I'd've liked to at least seen it. "May be I'll go by the Carnival again, just t'see the popcorn cart. Small amusements where I can."

And damn him for catching some of my mood. Ah well, wouldn't be pleased for his company if he wasn't a little sharp. "Has Sunshine been getting herself into trouble?"

I put down my sandwich and push it aside. "I think may be yes, or else starting t'be trouble," I say quietly. "Not sure. Think she may be starting t'match the Shuck a touch much in time and nature. And pastime."

"Bones aren't meant to be seen until the dust settles at the ends of our lives," and I glance over at him in slight surprise. A physician, yes, and one like no other, but he's not usually for speaking so clear on death. "We're seeing more bones because another end seems to want to be starting..."

"End already came," I point out. "World took itself to pieces, and all the bones of the world've been a little closer to its skin since. Must've been odd," I add thoughtful, "before. Living with them shut so far away." I shrug. "Been 'round and up and through the country, if not around the world. I've seen as strange as there is in Excolo. I'll surely grant there's more of't here of late, and that it's not hiding itself near to's well."

Set my chin in one hand and hold coffee in my other and look at him thoughtful. "When the dead were coming thick and fast, I was truly doubting that half the folk in Excolo'd live to see midwinter. That's been my measure for strangeness, and with it finally gone so sudden quiet..." I shrug. "'ve I missed something, that's leaving you speaking of another end?"

"No, not so far as I know. She hasn't been chewed up, so I'll assume she hasn't seen him alone since...." He trails off and I shudder. "I think Lugh's been around," and we're neither of us pleased to hear that, I can see it in the flare and spark of his eyes. "But whatever she's dreaming is scaring the living daylights out of her. I actually had to mix something up today, hoping it will help her sleep easier." Ah, so she's back to needing dosing t'be at peace? I mislike that, I think. "If it keeps up, maybe she'll tell you?"

"May be," I say, thinking of what she told me that first day I was back at work, the valerian haze and her smile like a skull's and the screaming screaming guilt inside her, and then her setting it aside, actress's mask so steady and sure I couldn't look beneath it to see the truth of things. "Me or Miao. Lucien, you know her better than anyone else, yes? 'mind her of that, next time you tell her she's not a bad person."

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"Don't suppose you'd like him better if he'd taken it up on whatever it was offering? --wait, Wanda was after saving you from it. How's that offense measure against turning it away?" Slow smile as I stare out at the rain. "Damned if you do, damned if you don't, true. But let's be honest, you and I.... I'm willing to lay good money on the odds that Dorian was not at all polite in his refusal. May have just piqued his interest more in our friend. And as to Wanda and I.... vicious circle. She's trying to save me, I'm trying to keep her safe.... neither of us will win, because we're both pig headed and willing to die for the other. Lost causes, both of us." I inform her almost cheerfully.... almost.

Glass cheerfully goes on about the popcorn cart and I can't help but grin.
"It must have been a spectacle to see. Makes me wish I was still around the show more often. Maybe I'll suggest they put the damn thing in the Cabinet of Curiosities. Behold! The very popcorn car that laid low a God." I say in my best pitch voice, snickering. Look around, and sure I'm not being noticed, bring a cigarette to my lips and inhale. "Want one?" I ask, holding out the pack to Glass.

Oh dear, Verdi has been getting into some trouble, from the sounds of it. "I think may be yes, or else starting t'be trouble, Not sure. Think she may be starting t'match the Shuck a touch much in time and nature. And pastime." Mutter something akin to a swear under my breath. "Great, just what we need, another vicious minded God. Should have Miao spend some time with her. Miao can temper just about anyone." Smile just thinking about her and give that some serious consideration, it's not a bad idea, really.

Smoke a bit more as Glass ruminates about the end times that have passed and the strangeness she's seen. I think I caught her off guard with my outlook. "But Glass, the end didn't come. Not really. The world went to hell in a handbasket, but it didn't end. Humanity survived. Man survived. Lucifer, The Morningstar... was cast down because he would not serve Man, he though himself better, more deserving to the Creator's love.
I would think, whatever's in the Tower, would dearly love to see it ALL end. That is, if you believe in the legends..." I add for good measure, with a smile, flicking my cigarette into an ashtray. "I do believe that He's striving for another end, if it will happen, who am I to say? But I do believe that's what he wants...."
My eyes ignite, and features go sharper, more feline as Marbas takes semi control and turns out face to Glass. "Actually, I have it on rather good authority that is exactly what he'd like." His voice comes out quietly, and like before, he's gone. I can only stare at Glass wide eyed as she stares at me.
"Would it be an understatement to say that I really hate it when he does that? Shit Glass.... sorry." I mumble, raking a hand through my hair.

We go silent for a time, lost in our own thoughts. Marbas has become so much stronger since I came here. I know the terms of the contract, only my death can seperate us, but now I have to wonder if he can bring it about on his own. And, of course, my freind has become completely silent on the matter.

Glass quietly swings the conversation back to Wanda, and I blink several times, trying to push out maudlin thoughts. "Lucien, you know her better than anyone else, yes? 'mind her of that, next time you tell her she's not a bad person." Sigh and prop my chin up on my hand. "Know her? Does anyone really know her? Spent close to five years together, and nearly as many apart. She is as familiar to me as my own skin.... and as foreign to me as a stranger. She used to be so open and trusting... and I know that I am mostly to blame for that." Stare out into the rain, towards home, wondering what she's doing right now. "But she's darker now, vicious.
The whip, the knives, the lack of restraint... that's not the Wanda I knew."
Sigh again and smile at her ruefully, stubbing out my cigarette.
"Sorry Glass, the rain makes me mopey and depressed."

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"...I'm willing to lay good money on the odds that Dorian was not at all polite in his refusal. May have just piqued his interest more in our friend." I shrug. May have, or the thing being a god of hate and lies may've taken it as natural, and who can say? "And as to Wanda and I... vicious circle. She's trying to save me, I'm trying to keep her safe... neither of us will win, because we're both pig headed and willing to die for the other. Lost causes, both of us."

I snort dismissively. "Pair of idiots," I say, smiling to take the sting out of it. "Don't know why I like you two's well as I do." Shake my head at his offer of a cigarette. "Suppose it must be the conversation. Well. Long's whoever gets to't first manages to die usefully, suppose I can't really say much 'gainst that."

"Great, just what we need, another vicious minded God. Should have Miao spend some time with her. Miao can temper just about anyone." Nod at that. I took her effect on Lucien for being his care for her, at first, but I'm thinking I had the wrong of it. Remember the afternoon at the Miskatonic after I found Julian, and the pale cold rage I was in, and her deft unknotting of it. Didn't much soothe my misery, but surely took me away from lashing out so cruel.

"She does have a gift for it," I say thoughtfully. "Not a bad idea." Sunday, the 'Boy's closed on Sunday... Well, I can stop in for a social call, I suppose. "I'll ask her."

"But Glass, the end didn't come. Not really. The world went to hell in a handbasket, but it didn't end. Humanity survived. Man survived."

Wave one hand. "Always someone surviving. That world broke, came its end of days, and the dead rose and the seas bled and strange things came crawling in through the shattered walls of what used t'be. And now if you look close, water flows uphill and trolls live in the deepest woods and dragons turn 'neath the mountains. This," I wave a small circle in the air with the hand holding the coffee cup, "isn't what came before. That ended. This is its own thing."

"Lucifer, The Morningstar... was cast down because he would not serve Man, he though himself better, more deserving to the Creator's love."

"Iblis, you mean? --wait, morning star?" And a flick of memory... "Lucifer, like a match? Hah. It's a sense of humour to't, then." Smile and explain. "Tanwen means white fire."

"Whatever's in the Tower, would dearly love to see it ALL end. That is, if you believe in the legends..." and I smile at that, resting one elbow comfortable on the table. "I do believe that He's striving for another end, if it will happen, who am I to say?" and his eyes light up like coals and his face shifts and draws itself towards points and his blown-glass flesh clouds as something else says "Actually, I have it on rather good authority that is exactly what he'd like."

Silence for a moment, then.

Consider him careful and pull my hand back from the pocket of Iago's jacket as he mutters an apology. "You looked closer to solid there for a second, dyn gwag," I say, gaze sharpening. "Take it that's the demon holding place where your soul used t'be?"

"Know her? Does anyone really know her? Spent close to five years together, and nearly as many apart. ...But she's darker now, vicious. The whip, the knives, the lack of restraint... that's not the Wanda I knew."

"I hear her moods are carrying her away, yes," I say thoughtfully. "But as I understand it, she's not killed anyone for those moods, not raised hand nor blade t'anyone who hasn't come t'her for it save those who jumped Zann--and she's my sympathies there, I might add--and not set herself to visit cruelties on whoever came passing. So 'less there've been murdered dead secreted in her basement since Friday, I'd 'mind her that it's what folk do that carries weight, not only what they want." I glance at Iago's jacket lying neatly over the chair, and smile a little. My stormcrow.

"She gets swallowed by the idea she's vile, sometimes," I say softly. "'m not taking it for so." Mad, maybe, and with strange joy in blood shedding and shed, but not vile.

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The silence stretches out for what seems like an eternity to me, but it can't be more than a minute or two. For a second I think she's gonna bolt, and I really can't blame her, but she settles back into her chair, still eyeing me up.

"You looked closer to solid there for a second, dyn gwag, Take it that's the demon holding place where your soul used t'be?" Consider her for the space of time it takes me to fish another cigarette out of it's pack and inhale. "That would be him, yes. A bit more aware than he was. Another "fuck you very much, Excolo" moment in my life. It's quite interesting and maddening. I don't recommend it at all. Clinical opinion, of course...." Take a long drag, holding the nicotine in, let it sear my lungs, then exhale. "Just hope you never really get to meet him. Surprised the fuck outta me that Wanda didn't cut and run again when she had the pleasure."

Conversation turns back to my poor, poor Wanda.
"I hear her moods are carrying her away, yes......," Glass' words fade a bit as I dwell. Carried away? She's missing a chunk out of her goddamn neck, terrified to sleep, reckless and impulsive but given to tears if I look at her wrong.
"....She gets swallowed by the idea she's vile, sometimes" Her voice cuts softly into my thoughts. "'m not taking it for so."
"She's not vile, she's just sick." I think my heart breaks to hear me say aloud what I've been trying to avoid admitting for days... weeks. "She has good days, days when I think it's all in my head, but then something else happens and I swear she'll lose herself in the tears or the anger or the fear she's keeping right under the skin..... she's sick...." My voice breaks a bit, and I clear my throat quickly to cover it. "And there's nothing my medicine can do to fix her." I manage to sat calmly enough, suddenly feeling as hollow as Glass says I look to her.

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"That would be him, yes. A bit more aware than he was. Another "fuck you very much, Excolo" moment in my life. It's quite interesting and maddening. I don't recommend it at all. Clinical opinion, of course...."

Oh, interesting. "Is't only for being so near the tower, that it--he's come out? Or something else?" And then, thinking on I really hate it when he does that, "Has he had much to say?"

"Just hope you never really get to meet him. Surprised the fuck outta me that Wanda didn't cut and run again when she had the pleasure."

"Really?" I say, studying him. "It's not surprising me at all." That's the woman who made her life as actress and who sings like to nothing I've ever seen, and spoke of ripping her own tongue out rather than losing Lucien. "What'd he come out for, or have to say?"

"She's not vile, she's just sick," and yes, I think that's the right of it. "She has good days, days when I think it's all in my head, but then something else happens and I swear she'll lose herself in the tears or the anger or the fear she's keeping right under the skin..... she's sick...." and I catch a catch in his voice, and let it be only clearing his throat, I hope, "And there's nothing my medicine can do to fix her."

"Clear, then, you ought be looking to something outside your medicine," I say thoughtfully, "and while I trust it'd not cross your mind for a second let me make it clear that I'll have you not going north for it. That aside..." Sip my coffee and think. "What is there in town? Syl, may be? She works the closest to herb-witchery that I've seen in years, and my mam could help folk like that, sometimes. Or Oya or Miao? Wanda places the wildest of her moods as particular recent; may only be all she's dealing with. Takes folk in different ways, when it grows to be overmuch." Shrug a little. "Myself, I sleep and visit graveyards, sometimes at once, and count myself lucky for falling apart so neatly."

Edited Date: 2009-01-07 01:43 am (UTC)

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Normally I spend much of Sunday with Hermia, but today she is spending time with Mab. They have been socialising more together lately, which is good for Hermia, I think. And Mab is a steady sort of influence, who will notice if Hermia is getting carried away with that magic business... In any case, I am free, the inn is quiet, and so I decide to walk over to the Miskatonic for a coffee and a light lunch.

The weather is nasty, and when I arrive I am not at my neatest. I run a hand through my dishevelled hair to tidy it, and take a look around. There are a few people I know in passing, and there are Glass and Lucien. They look like they are having deep conversation, however, so I just raise my hand to them and go to sit at the counter. Tulzcha pours me a coffee without me even having to ask. I do like this place.

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"Is't only for being so near the tower, that it--he's come out? Or something else? Has he had much to say?" Sharp smile curls my lip, but it's all mine. "Mostly Lúgh's fault... pushed me a little to far, helped spur my boarder into consciousness. We apparently share a low opinion of him.
And he's very talkative.... to me, mostly. A casual observer for the most part." Shrug a bit. No, I won't be divulging any personal info! I sigh inwardly when I feel him prickle at the attention. "Or to threaten or snip at someone. That's what he was doing to Wanda, chiding her for being afraid of him, but keeping company with..... your kin." I mumble, knocking back my coffee. "Pissed her right off, it it's any consolation. Went from terrified to angry in about 5 seconds flat." Smile a little at that.

Glass is being kind, ignoring my almost loss of composure, and runs down options to help Wanda. Going to Syl's an option..... if I never want to hear the end of how the Doc couldn't fix his own woman. But then again, I'm running out of options. "Wanda places the wildest of her moods as particular recent; may only be all she's dealing with. Takes folk in different ways, when it grows to be overmuch. Myself, I sleep and visit graveyards, sometimes at once, and count myself lucky for falling apart so neatly."
Think about it, about when it started, and even though it all started with me five years ago, it comes back to whatever Lúgh did. Changed her somehow...
About to comment when movement catches my eye. Look to the counter to see Valmont waving, giving us the space to finish up our conversation. Smile and wave back. "I'll give your suggestions some though Glass, thanks. We need to talk more often than once a month, I think. Ready for company?"

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"Mostly Lúgh's fault... pushed me a little to far, helped spur my boarder into consciousness. We apparently share a low opinion of him." Oh, that ass. Swear I might want to weigh further the idea that he's trying t'make things harder for Wanda and Lucien. "And he's very talkative.... to me, mostly. A casual observer for the most part. Or to threaten or snip at someone. That's what he was doing to Wanda, chiding her for being afraid of him, but keeping company with..... your kin."

Let's see, mislikes Lúgh, points out those little oddities in Wanda's behaviour, quiet little sniping... well, then, he's not sounding too far off those I already spend time with. Mind that none of them are demons.

"Pissed her right off, it it's any consolation. Went from terrified to angry in about 5 seconds flat." He smiles a touch at that, at least, and I return it. Wanda when she's set herself to something's still a sight to light hearts on fire.

I'm about to ask Did you change much, when you took him on? when he glances up and over t'the counter. Spit and staunchweed, is that Valmont looking so rained out? "I'll give your suggestions some though Glass, thanks. We need to talk more often than once a month, I think. Ready for company?"

Stretch my legs out under the table, feeling the cuffs of my jeans drying from soaked to damp, and snatch one of Lucien's remaining fries off his plate. "We ought," I say companionably. "And company's a fine thing." I raise my cup to Valmont and smile.

"That question on gods I mentioned," I say, turning to something lighter. "'ve met one who says he was cursed by Kate's god, who as I understand it created the world. That said, I looked to stories of Tez, and he's done the same. I'm quite sure that Tez isn't Kate's god dressed up and passing for another, nor Kate's god only a mask set on by Tez. So..." I raise an eyebrow. "Which of them shaped the world, then?" Last time I had a chance at a discussion like this, it got itself interrupted by the thing from the tower taking Kaeli's face and catching attention.

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Glass raises her cup to me and smiles, and she is not the kind of woman who wastes smiles, so I presume it is alright to go over. I pick up my cup and join them.

"Hello, Glass, Lucien," I say. "What a horrible day. And you two look like you have been having rather sober talk to go with it. I hope you are both well?"

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"Hello, Glass, Lucien. What a horrible day," and I smile a bit at that as I move Iago's jacket to the chair on the far side of the table so he can sit down. "Afternoon, Valmont."

"And you two look like you have been having rather sober talk to go with it. I hope you are both well?"

"Quite well," I say, and it's of a truth. The day's to my tastes, I'm inside where it's warm, I'll be seeing Iago again shortly, and I have Tulzcha's coffee to hand. "Yourself, Valmont? And Hermia?"

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"That question on gods I mentioned, 've met one who says he was cursed by Kate's god, who as I understand it created the world. That said, I looked to stories of Tez, and he's done the same.... So... Which of them shaped the world, then?" Raise an eyebrow at that. "Damn good question. Up till five years ago, I would have had a very rational, scientific answer for you. Nowdays....." Shrug and grin up at Valmont, who has now joined us.
"Hello Valmont. Don't mind me, just feel like a drowned rat when I get wet running about. She's the odd one that like's this weather." Wink at her in better humour than I was in.
"Have a seat." I kick out a chair to Valmont and signal to Tulz that I most certainly need more coffee and another plate of fries.

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"I'm quite well myself, Glass," I say. "It's been, what, a month since anyone died, and there has been no more freak weather - touch wood, isn't that the saying? - and Hermia is splendid, as she always is," I say with a smile. "She's at our lady sheriff's house this afternoon, I believe. I see we are all here without our significant others," I observe. "Lucien, I quite agree with you on the weather front. I'm a fan of sunshine." I smile. "Was I interrupting anything of note?"

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"I'm quite well myself, Glass," I say. "It's been, what, a month since anyone died," near enough, "and there has been no more freak weather - touch wood, isn't that the saying? - and Hermia is splendid, as she always is." Really am glad to hear it; I see her on the walk back from work down Silk Road, and she's always pleasant to talk to, but it's hardly a great chance to sort things out. "She's at our lady sheriff's house this afternoon, I believe. I see we are all here without our significant others."

"Noon on a Sunday--I could move him, but he'd mislike it," I say dryly. Still, glance at Iago's jacket and catch myself wanting to smile, and wondering vague what I ought bring him back. Spit and staunchweed, I'm turning to an utter sop... Turn my attention back to the conversation. "Have you seen Mab of late? With work, I've really not gotten out much since the reception, and as you say, haven't had a need to see her out of duty."

"Hello Valmont. Don't mind me, just feel like a drowned rat when I get wet running about. She's the odd one that like's this weather."
"Lucien, I quite agree with you on the weather front. I'm a fan of sunshine." Shake my head at them both, smiling.

"Was I interrupting anything of note?"

"Only catching up," I say. "It has been a quiet few weeks, and I'm not much minded to complain. Some small discussion of the town's oddities, asking after each other... Bluebeard's looking t'hire someone else. Not to let Jenna or I go--" though really, I need to think on that-- "but he's begun opening for the Saturday market." Shrug a little. "Have you heard if they've yet set a date for the elections?"

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"I see we are all here without our significant others." "Noon on a Sunday--I could move him, but he'd mislike it," Laugh a bit and grin as I get my coffee refilled. "I like my head too much to have it removed by Wanda if I would try to move her from bed on a Sunday. Maybe she'll leave the house by dinner."

Now this is comfortable, almost normal. Something I'm still not used to. Maybe I'll never be used to it. Maybe because I'll never be normal again.
"Was I interrupting anything of note?"
Well, only my fallen angel turned demon saying a friendly hello to Glass and a near break in composure for me.... but like I'm going to say that.
Glass gets him up to speed and I dive into the new plate of fries.
"Elections....." Roll my eyes. "Mr. Reaves was quite miffed with me when, after pushing for the council to give me office space, I declined to support him for Mayor. Mentioned something about how maybe we were doing just fine with Oya before I came along, and left.
Wanda had the right of him, he's a snake." I observe cheerfully. "Won't it be interesting if he actually gets elected and kicks me out.... seeing as I can't leave."

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"Have you heard if they've yet set a date for the elections?"

"September sometime, I heard," I say with a shrug. "I am not sure why it has taken so long to sort things out. Really, the council is terribly disorganised. I do hope the new member will straighten things up a bit." I, of course, will be voting for Edmund. I think he could do a good job.

"Mr. Reaves was quite miffed with me when, after pushing for the council to give me office space, I declined to support him for Mayor. Mentioned something about how maybe we were doing just fine with Oya before I came along, and left. Wanda had the right of him, he's a snake. Won't it be interesting if he actually gets elected and kicks me out.... seeing as I can't leave."

"Reaves." My mouth hardens into a thin line. "I think calling him a snake is an insult to snakes. Awful man. It will be bad news for those of us on Silk Road if he wins," I say. That's another good reason to vote for Edmund - he'll cast his vote for Karina, I'm sure, rather than Reaves. Then I think about the last remark Lucien made. "Wait, you can't leave? Is that a reference to your affections for your ladies keeping you here, or is this yet another Excolo oddity?"

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"September sometime, I heard," Valmont says. "I am not sure why it has taken so long to sort things out. Really, the council is terribly disorganised. I do hope the new member will straighten things up a bit." Murmur agreement. I know Longfellow was having something of a hard time of it--saying the hailstorm ran through his orchards is putting it lightly--but that was a while ago and really, one out of five...

"Wonder if anyone's dragging their feet," I say thoughtfully, "to push it to when folk farming aren't too busy to pay attention. Or to when they're going to be bitter over poor harvest, if it comes." Those working the land aren't the whole of folk in Excolo, but one'd need to be a fool to set aside their voting.

"Mr. Reaves was quite miffed with me when, after pushing for the council to give me office space, I declined to support him for Mayor. ... Wanda had the right of him, he's a snake."
"I think calling him a snake is an insult to snakes. Awful man. It will be bad news for those of us on Silk Road if he wins."

"From all I've heard he 'minds me of my father-in-law," I say dryly, "and I think that sums my feelings on him well enough. Hutchinson's no particular fan of him, either." Look thoughtfully into my coffee. "Suppose I am on Silk Road now. Keep not thinking of it in that light."

"Won't it be interesting if he actually gets elected and kicks me out.... seeing as I can't leave." Laugh a little at that.

"I hear the Wilsons would stand against him, Lucien. Are you yet dodging dinner invitations?" More seriously, I add "He might could do it, but it'd be hard. There's fair goodwill to you in town, since you actually moved in."

"Wait, you can't leave? Is that a reference to your affections for your ladies keeping you here, or is this yet another Excolo oddity?" Glance at Lucien; figure I'll let him set out an answer to this one.

Edited Date: 2009-01-08 01:15 pm (UTC)

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"September sometime, I heard. I am not sure why it has taken so long to sort things out. Really, the council is terribly disorganised."
"Wonder if anyone's dragging their feet, to push it to when folk farming aren't too busy to pay attention." Grin a bit sharply.
Gods, monsters, and now political plotting.... Wanda must love living in a real life opera somedays. "Don't know.... I'll have to ask Wanda about it, if anyone would hear anything, it would be her. Wouldn't surprise me overmuch though."

Glass compares Reaves to her father-in-law, and I still laugh at the insults he flung at Dorian and I as we merry trounced him out the shoppe and down the road. "You must come by the shoppe when Alessandra's having tea. Her and Wanda make a weekly event out of it. She's a treasure to be around. And if you get on the grandmotehr's good side... it will irritate the son further."

"I hear the Wilsons would stand against him, Lucien. Are you yet dodging dinner invitations...He might could do it, but it'd be hard. There's fair goodwill to you in town, since you actually moved in." Glass continues on about Reave's campaigh to clean up town.
"Not so much, not since Edith went missing...." Feel a touch bad for the woman. "Probably should swing by, just to be nice, and I know the Kincaid's would stand behind me staying too. Bastard Reaves already sniped at Wanda she may look into moving on because who really needs a tea shoppe anyway?... lets hope he doesn't win. Then he'll get on my bad side."

"Wait, you can't leave? Is that a reference to your affections for your ladies keeping you here, or is this yet another Excolo oddity?" Grin at Valmont, and light up my third cigarette in the space on an hour, not caring if Valmont notices that I don't use matches. "I... good Sir... am an oddity all to myself. And yes to both. I wouldn't leave because Miao won't leave, and hell if I'm leaving her with all the oddities in town. And secondly... I physically can't leave town. Anyone who came in with the Carinval can't. Tried to go to Dry Run, Oakbrook, anywhere but here, just to see.... several of us did. Don't ask me why, or how, but swear to you Valmont, I am physically stuck in Excolo." Shrug and pop a fry into my mouth.
"Such a fun place, really."

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"Not so much, not since Edith went missing...."

"Hm, has anyone heard anything regarding Edith?" I say. I heard about what happened with Jamie Kincaid's sister, and if I were Edith, I would find it prudent to keep a low profile. Molly is well liked. "There must be a fair few people in town who would be keen to... have a talk with her." I raise my eyebrows.

Lucien then lights his cigarette by - what, breathing on it? My eyebrows twitch upwards again. A neat trick.

"Could you light mine?" I say dryly, opening my cigarette case.

"I... good Sir... am an oddity all to myself. And yes to both. I wouldn't leave because Miao won't leave, and hell if I'm leaving her with all the oddities in town. And secondly... I physically can't leave town. Anyone who came in with the Carinval can't. Tried to go to Dry Run, Oakbrook, anywhere but here, just to see.... several of us did. Don't ask me why, or how, but swear to you Valmont, I am physically stuck in Excolo."

I tilt my head and run a hand through my hair.

"That... is deeply strange. Although it does make sense of why you have all been here so long," I observe. "Though the question now is: who, or what, wishes you to remain?"

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"You must come by the shoppe when Alessandra's having tea. Her and Wanda make a weekly event out of it. She's a treasure to be around. And if you get on the grandmotehr's good side... it will irritate the son further."

"Of all the reasons I might have t'do something," I say dryly, "I assure you his opinion, whichever way it falls, is very low on the list. Still. Her I like better, and can't hurt to pass time with her... I'll be troubling Wanda for manners on that before I do, though."

""Hm, has anyone heard anything regarding Edith?" Shake my head as Valmont goes on. "There must be a fair few people in town who would be keen to... have a talk with her."

"There are," I say, "but if they've managed it they've not yet spoken of it. I'd say I'd take her for leaving for another town, save that that'd be too lucky for Excolo." I shrug. "'m glad Molly's aright, though."

"Bastard Reaves already sniped at Wanda she may look into moving on because who really needs a tea shoppe anyway?"

"Oh, now he wants her out of town," I murmur. "Fiona does," I add in a more normal tone of voice, "or at any rate she enjoys it, and aside..." I shrug. The Dormouse is not where I spend most or even much of my time, but always been a pleasant place to stop by.

"I physically can't leave town. Anyone who came in with the Carinval can't. Tried to go to Dry Run, Oakbrook, anywhere but here, just to see.... several of us did. Don't ask me why, or how, but swear to you Valmont, I am physically stuck in Excolo. Such a fun place, really."

"That... is deeply strange. Although it does make sense of why you have all been here so long. Though the question now is: who, or what, wishes you to remain?"

"Thing in the tower, or something made a deal with it?" I say, sipping coffee. "Tez, may be?" Of the gods walking in Excolo, I'd place him most like to having it in him to do something of the like. "Some other thing which, in a fit of rare discretion, is not introducing itself by a name out of stories and setting out its grand power?" I shrug. "Mail's yet running, and Saturday market's not brought word of any oddities. Still." Glance thoughtfully out the window as the rain disguises the shapes of buildings down the street. "May try t'see if Iago'd care to spend a few days out of town, if only to see if we can."

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"Hm, has anyone heard anything regarding Edith? There must be a fair few people in town who would be keen to... have a talk with her."
"Haven't heard a blessed thing, and since I offered to help Jamie move the body, I'll assume they've been left alone." As I figured would happen, Valmont raises an eyebrow and hold his cigarette case to me. Take it with an easy grin, inhale, and hand it back.

"That... is deeply strange. Although it does make sense of why you have all been here so long. Though the question now is: who, or what, wishes you to remain?"
Oh, not as clued in as some huh? My eyes slide to Glass, and let her tackle the explanations first.

"Thing in the tower, or something made a deal with it? Tez, may be?" Shake my head in the negative, setting down my coffee cup, having chose this moment to take a sip of course. "Not Tez, he was the first to try and get the hell out of Dodge, back in late June. He was relieved as all get out to find that I couldn't, then the others.... not so personal then."

"May try t'see if Iago'd care to spend a few days out of town, if only to see if we can."
"Hey, if you want to try.... Wanda did, but that was a few weeks ago. If you like, you can take the scooter."

Look back out at the rain, coming down the window smooth and steady, thinking of Wanda quietly going mad here in her self imposed exile with me. Shake those thoughts off quickly, lest I seem anti-social.
"So how's business been lately, Valmont? More traffic with the market? And has Hermia been getting herself in any trouble?" I grin a bit at that, since Hermia is one of the last people I would ever imagine getting into trouble.

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"Ah. The Tower. It always comes back to that." I sigh and push my hand through my hair. "I wish someone had pulled down that wretched water tower before we all started giving the thing a capital letter."

Glass and Lucien start talking about whether Glass can leave town, and I feel slightly alarmed. It has been quite a while since I left Excolo... But Lucien's words about Wanda are soothing enough.

"Why does the Tower want you here, though?" I ask. "Does anyone have any idea? Because that, to my mind, is a more pertinent question than how you are stuck here."

"So how's business been lately, Valmont? More traffic with the market? And has Hermia been getting herself in any trouble?"

"It's been very good," I say. "Lots of people have been passing through, and some of my clientele has actually been respectable." I raise my eyebrows and smile. "I have actually done some renovations so that I have two perfectly proper rooms to let out. Of course I still have cheap rooms for those who need them, but it is good to be able to have more respectable guests... Or, at least, those who dress respectably." I grin. "Hermia is a model of good behaviour," I say, my mouth quirking. I am hardly going to mention that she is being schooled in the dark arts by a cat. That cat, though... I can enquire after it. Glass and Lucien are unlikely to be surprised. "By the way, have either of you happened upon a talking cat lately?"

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"Why does the Tower want you here, though? Does anyone have any idea? Because that, to my mind, is a more pertinent question than how you are stuck here."

Glance at Lucien as I think. "If it's not someone begging or trading for a favour from the tower, and it's not Iblis personally wanting Tez to keep around... red cities and blue, again? A part to play, or a tool to use?"

"It's been very good. Lots of people have been passing through, and some of my clientele has actually been respectable." Smile a little at that, and think Silk Road really is dressing itself up rather better these days. Glad to hear Hermia's doing well, as well. "By the way, have either of you happened upon a talking cat lately?"

"White fluffy thing, one blue eye and one green?" Valmont nods, and I smile. "Chester. Talks a bit much, likes his Baileys with cream." Teaching someone magic, by his own lights, but he said it was a her... though I suppose I could see Valmont conducting spells quite well. There's a certain precision to him, under all the graces. "Ran into him in the Tavern a while back and talked for a bit. Have you met him or only heard after him?"

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"Why does the Tower want you here, though? Does anyone have any idea? Because that, to my mind, is a more pertinent question than how you are stuck here." Valmont asks, and it's a damn good question.
"A part to play, or a tool to use?" Twirl a fork around my fingers as I consider everything.
"I think...." I say slowly, choosing my words carefully. "that the Management of the Carnival Diabolique is connected to the Tower. I have no proof of that, mind you. But too many of the show folk would be considered and "oddity" by Excolo standards.... all in one show. There are many good, normal people with the show." I said quickly, thinking of Verite, of Zann and her family, and Will and Boden and Lou.... "But a lot of people with a lot of special talents not normally found. I'd lay money that the Tower thinks it's a tool.... that and keeping them here's causing chaos and tension. And thats always fun." Make a face and put the fork down before it twirls out of my hand and into someone's eye. And I am NOT taking on an eye would today, thank you very much.

"By the way, have either of you happened upon a talking cat lately?" The image of a cat sitting around and talking to Valmont of anyone is enough to send me laughing again. "White fluffy thing, one blue eye and one green? Chester. Talks a bit much, likes his Baileys with cream."
"Okay, I have to find this cat now." I chuckle, shaking my head. "Wanda says his voice and appearance do not maych whatsoever. And I've never actually talked to a cat before, so there's an oddity worth looking foward to."

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I turn over what Glass and Lucien say about the Tower.

"So your former employer is in league with darkness? Splendid," I say drily. "I'm sure this will all end marvellously well." I sigh. "At least that fire you had at the carnival didn't turn into something worse - after Kaeli was attacked I was surprised there wasn't more uproar in town. I was rather piqued myself." I think of how I went out with a pistol to find Tez, but I do not think I should mention that.

"White fluffy thing, one blue eye and one green? Chester. Talks a bit much, likes his Baileys with cream."
"Wanda says his voice and appearance do not maych whatsoever. And I've never actually talked to a cat before, so there's an oddity worth looking foward to."

I laugh.

"That's the one. He showed up at the Whitechapel one day." I have decided to leave Hermia's involvement out of it. "I don't think he cared for me overmuch. He talks like one of those old hardboiled detectives whilst being one of the fluffiest cats imaginable. It is quite peculiar." I sip my coffee. "But I'm guessing from your reactions that you don't think the creature's not to be trusted. Though I can't imagine myself ever confiding in a cat." I wonder what Hermia talks to Chester about. I do hope she does not really mention me. I hardly want a cat knowing my business.

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"I think..." Lucien says, setting his words out careful, "that the Management of the Carnival Diabolique is connected to the Tower," and that's about when I settle for myself that no, much as I love Tulzcha's coffee I can't breathe the stuff. Set my cup down coughing a bit as Valmont says "Splendid. I'm sure this will all end marvellously well."

"Remember May?" I say to him. "April? When the worst Excolo'd get was bad weather and brawls?"

"I'd lay money that the Tower thinks it's a tool.... that and keeping them here's causing chaos and tension. And thats always fun." Lucien grimaces and I sniff disdainfully. Messes. I hate messes.

"At least that fire you had at the carnival didn't turn into something worse - after Kaeli was attacked I was surprised there wasn't more uproar in town. I was rather piqued myself."

"I near to missed the whole of it," I confess. "Heard she hadn't seen Mab to set charges against them?"

"That's the one. He showed up at the Whitechapel one day. I don't think he cared for me overmuch. He talks like one of those old hardboiled detectives whilst being one of the fluffiest cats imaginable. It is quite peculiar. But I'm guessing from your reactions that you don't think the creature's not to be trusted. Though I can't imagine myself ever confiding in a cat."

"I wouldn't do that, no," I say drily. "He talks a little much, and lets things slip sometimes. If you can set store by what he says, he's not a cat; he's a spirit of air that contracted with a mortal soul, and that contract left him shaped as he is. Came to Excolo for... well." Smile a little and shrug. "We all come to Excolo, don't we?"

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"So your former employer is in league with darkness? Splendid, I'm sure this will all end marvellously well. At least that fire you had at the carnival didn't turn into something worse - after Kaeli was attacked I was surprised there wasn't more uproar in town. I was rather piqued myself."

The problem when you have a sentient being sharing mind space with you? Once he decides to start talking, it gets really hard to keep up with the conversation. We need to go see Kaeli soon Lucien, she has much to learn yet. Marbas rumbles through my mind. I nod an assent, both mental at him and outwardly towards my companions.
"You're right, the retaliation could have been much worse. Thats why I think it wasn't townies.." Smile apologetically at my use of the term, guess I've been with the whow long enough to still consider myself family. "...who set the fire. It was little, non life threating, and deliberate. Someone was sending a message. To who or for what....?" Shrug and drain another cup of coffee. Coffee and cigarettes, a doctor's diet, truly.

I get lost in my thoughts again as they talk of the gruff voiced, fluffy, white Chester. "If you can set store by what he says, he's not a cat; he's a spirit of air that contracted with a mortal soul, and that contract left him shaped as he is." Now that catches my attention. "Because a talking cat isn't strange enough. An air elemental..." Memory hits me, and I shudder a bit. "I'm trusting he's nothing like the other elemental we ran into at the Tavern, 'fiery death come to play'...."
Something about that also perks up Marbas too. "Fiery Elemental? Here in town? Oh, does my Lilith have her pet Djinn here as well?"
Wunderbar. Another thing I'll be linked with somehow. When did my life get so complicated? Oh, yeah... right.
"Yep, we all come to Excolo. Pardon me if I'd really like to leave it some days."

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"Because a talking cat isn't strange enough. An air elemental... I'm trusting he's nothing like the other elemental we ran into at the Tavern, 'fiery death come to play'...."

Laugh a little at that. "The worst I've seen him do is get a touch rude when troubling Thomas for service. If he could do more, he's at least got sense and perspective to keep it to himself on light matters."

"Yep, we all come to Excolo. Pardon me if I'd really like to leave it some days."

Pick up my cup and discover it's empty, and think I ought to be heading back rather than getting another refill. "Wonder if you could leave when you were dead?" I muse, catching Tulzcha's eye and mouthing special? to go? Grin at his expression. "'s purely academic, I trust," I add cheerfully. "In any case, I ought really be heading back," I add when Tulz brings my order over. "I'll catch you both later? My best to Wanda, Miao, and Hermia."

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Lucien looks a little distracted as we speak, although he manages to keep up with the conversation.

"I'm trusting he's nothing like the other elemental we ran into at the Tavern, 'fiery death come to play'...."

"Chester like that?" I laugh. "I sincerely hope not." My eyes narrow. I may have to question the cat further about his origins. If there is anything dangerous in his elemental state, I should know about it. Hermia's safety is at stake.

Glass finishes her coffee and stands.

"I'll catch you both later? My best to Wanda, Miao, and Hermia."

"And my best to your husband," I smile. "Enjoy your Sunday."

I look back at Lucien, who still seems preoccupied, almost as if he were listening to someone else's conversation.

"I should probably head off too, Lucien," I say. "But it has been good to see you. Perhaps you and Wanda should come over to dinner some evening? It's pleasant to have good company," I say, "and I'm sure Hermia would be glad to see you both."

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