EXCOLO

I look at Karina. I hadn't noticed her standing over at the stove. I'm slipping. Or I'm comfortable enough here that I'm not on alert. Not sure which is worse.

"A cat," I say with a smirk.

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My smile falters and I give him a funny look. A cat? There are a few cats in Excolo, but why would there be one in my house?

"A cat?" I finally ask, studying him to see if I'm being teased. "Are you bringing in strays?"

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Her expression changes and she looks at me incredulously. "A cat Are you bringing in strays?"

"I don't think he counts as a stray." I don't know where he lives but he doesn't give off the impression that he's a homeless vagabond. "It's Chester. The one from Valmont and Hermia's dinner. He's here on unofficial business for Mab."

I emphasize the word "unofficial." A cat could probably be thrown a lot farther than a person but I'd trust them about the same.

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My eyebrow raises again and my eyes go to the doorway. I had wondered when someone would be sent. I just couldn't bring myself to go and see Mab, even though I know I should have. Law enforcement has never been good to my kind and I can't seem to go when I'm the one involved. Taking Leah over was different. That was for her.

"Alright," I say and set the kettle down, leaving my tea to steep on the counter. "Lena, bring the food in for our guest, won't you?" Then I lead the way into the the sitting room.

I greet the cat with a warm smile, for how could anyone know what a talking cat is, especially in this town, and what powers it might have? I hadn't even known he was working with the police. 'Unofficially.' What does that even mean here?

"Hello, Chester," I say warmly and sit on a chair as Lena brings in the milk and sausage. "I do hope that will suit."

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I follow Karina into the sitting room. Karina sits and I choose to stay standing, leaning my shoulder against a bookshelf. This has me nervous enough to want to smoke. I cross my arms and wait for the cat to get to it. I wonder if he'll be as straightforward with her as he's been with me.

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I'm washing when she walks in, the caramel dame from the party. The Alleged Suspect in Reeves murder. Her man follows her in and leans against the wall, tense, ready for somethin', anythin'.

Both a them smell nervous, an they both got their own ways a coverin it. He glowers and she smiles warmly. She takes a seat facing me, says, Hello, Chester, I give one last lick an straighten up just in time to see the servant bringin' a tray with milk and meat. Smells like sausage to me. Odd kinda servant for a former Madam to have. Wonder how she got her hands on a Golem? Ain't seen one a those in ages. I lick my lips in anticipation as the dame, as gracious a hostess as if she guests talkin' animals every day, adds I do hope that will suit.

The Golem places the tray on a nearby table and I sniff the offering before lookin' over to her. "Hiya Doll. I 'preciate the hospitality. Smells great." I bend over an take a small sip of the milk anna nibble a the sausage. First rate they both are. time to get down to it.

I meet Karina's eyes, "I reckon Maryk told ya why I'm here?" I wait for her acknowledgment before I continue, "This ain't an official interview, but Mab knows what I'm up to and I'll make sure she learns anythin' she c'n use. I'm here to ask some questions, get the ball rollin' again."

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I smirk slightly at the thanks, and give him a nod of my head as if to say 'you're welcome' without words. If anyone, I think, can understand wordless communication, I think it would be a talking cat.

"I reckon Maryk told ya why I'm here?" Chester asks, looking me right in the eyes, which makes me a little uneasy. Intelligence in animals....Funny that would be the hardest thing to get used to.

"Vaguely, but I can guess," I say with another nod before he continues.

"This ain't an official interview, but Mab knows what I'm up to and I'll make sure she learns anythin' she c'n use. I'm here to ask some questions, get the ball rollin' again."

"Alright then," I say and lean back slightly with a light sigh. "Whenever you like."

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Alright then,Whenever you like. Karina says leaning back with a sigh. Maryk just keeps watchin'. Neither of 'em really relaxes though Karina gives the appearance of it. I lean over n' eat another bite of sausage while I organize my thoughts a bit. Might as well start with one a the obvious questions.

"What was your relationship to the dead man?"

Edited Date: 2010-04-22 02:02 am (UTC)

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I raise an eyebrow in surprise at the question. Going to the basics, are we?

"Minimal. I was running against him for the position of Mayor of Excolo." I lift one corner of my lips in amusement at Chester and wait for the next question. May they all be so easy.

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I smirk at the opening question. It's not a surprising one, considering Karina's former occupation. Still, what a bold and biased note to start this all off with. I wonder how much bolder the cat will get and whether it might be necessary to simply throw him out. Karina and I both know what she used to do but that isn't who she is. I don't take it lightly when people confuse the two.

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The Karina raises an eyebrow, Maryk smirks. Minimal. I was running against him for the position of Mayor of Excolo. Her lip lifts in amusement. funny how it's the guy who's gettin' all bent over this question, an not the dame.

I curl my tail round me and look back an forth between them before settling back on her. "N' why were you runnin for mayor?" The first question was for starters, wasn't really spectin; to get anything from it. This one oughta be more interesting.

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I purse my lips and give the cat an even look.

"I have lived here over half my life. He was going to ruin the town and I didn't want that to happen." I tilt my head to the side, eyes still on him. "And I didn't kill him. I prefer to win on my own merits," I add and feel my spine straightening.

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In a way, I don't even need to be here. Karina handles the question easily, even giving a noble air when she says, "I prefer to win on my own merits." It's really no surprise that she established herself in this town the way she did.

"I had nothing to do with it either."

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I'm liking this dame more an more. She purses her lips an gives me a level look. I have lived here over half my life. He was going to ruin the town and I didn't want that to happen. Her head tilts but her eyes are still on mine. Her voice level and sincere,And I didn't kill him. I prefer to win on my own merits, I can almost feel her spine straightening, that was the answer of a ruler.

My eyes flick to Maryk as he adds, I had nothing to do with it either. He is filled with pride at his woman. They are a good match, ruler and consort. Someone musta wanted to stop them.

I sit up straight an meet their eyes. "Tell me about the Council. An' Reeves plans for the town. Those could be important."

In a bit I'll let them know they ain't actually suspects. Let 'em think they gotta convince me a that first.

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The Council. I hesitate slightly. Former clients, some of them, and those are confidences I don't break.

"They're relatively conservative. Edmund's a welcome surprise. Reeves was probably the most conservative, and he planned to close off the towns. I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to build a fence around us. He thi--thought it would fix things to bury the town's head in the ground. As if no one in this town could possibly be unsavory." I raise an eyebrow and purse my lips, tossing my head lightly in annoyance. "He would have come after those, next, the ones less favorable that didn't fit with his Utopian ideas."

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Karina hesitates on this question, I just wait patiently for the answers.
I ain't surprised really by what she tells me. time for the next question.

"Anyone on the Council that you know of hated him? Maybe enough to kill him?"

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"Hated him?" I repeat, shaking my head slowly, then shrug my shoulders lightly. "He wasn't very well-liked, but I don't know that anyone hated him, specifically." Really, not much of the town gives thought to the Council. And those on it are too political to show strong emotions in any direction.

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Hated him? Karina repeats in surprise as she shakes her head slowly and shrugs, He wasn't very well-liked, but I don't know that anyone hated him, specifically.

Hmm...not a useful answer. I take another bite of sausage and wash it down with some milk as I try to think of another good question to ask. Hmmm maybe I should just out right ask if anyone on the council hates her that she knows of?

Nah, I need to know if she thinks I can talk to any of these guys. and maybe I also need to know about O'Leary an if her connection to Reeves is well known or a secret of sorts. Just cause one a the spirits said she smells of him doesn't tell me stuff like why.

"So maybe I need to go question some of them. Care to give me their names and a hint or two about whether I'd waste time having to convince them that yes I can talk?"

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I tilt my head slightly, trying to picture each member of the council meeting Chester and their reaction.

"Edmund, of course, have you met him?" I wonder how that would go. "Toby Hutchinson is young, he might be alright with it. Meeting you, I mean. Herbert Adams, probably not. You might give him a heart attack." I give Chester a smile. "Concetta Marsh, likely not. Coral Hemingway and Terence Longfellow, well, I suppose it depends on how they're feeling that day." I shrug again. "I can't be sure how they would react."

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She gives the matter some thought. I steal another drink of milk while she does so, then look back up licking my lips and whiskers clean as she speaks.

Edmund, of course, have you met him? I shake my head no. Toby Hutchinson is young, he might be alright with it. Meeting you, I mean. Herbert Adams, probably not. You might give him a heart attack. I snort as Karina smiles at me. Concetta Marsh, likely not. Coral Hemingway and Terence Longfellow, well, I suppose it depends on how they're feeling that day.I can't be sure how they would react.

Quite the short list of people who might be okay to try talkin' to. I sigh and look over at Maryk where he's leaning against the wall patient as stone.

"Mab's really gonna owe me for this. Sounds like I need either a human disguise or a partner."

I look back to Karina, "You got any magic tricks other than the golem?" I open my mouth and breathe in, tasting for Power.

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I raise my eyebrows and purse my lips, twisting them slightly. Erzebet stirs lightly in my consciousness, but I push her aside. Not now. It's amusing that he can tell--amazing how many of my secrets are so obvious now, after so many years of silence. I cast a glance over at Maryk, wondering if he knows what a golem is. Wondering if he will ask.

"Tricks? No," I assure Chester with a smile. "The, uh, golem was a gift."

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I can taste the eddies of spirit energy flickering about her. Ah. There is a spirit-rider. It hides well, barely detectable. She might not even know it's there. I catch her glance at Maryk.

Tricks? No,The, uh, golem was a gift. Again with the smile. Interesting. I can feel my whiskers twitch with curiosity about who gave it to her and why. such and interesting coincidence finding another such creation in this town. The nature of Golem magic is simpler than the interlocking set of spells that Hermia was trying to replicate with Deputy Hollow. But still the two are very similar.

I blink and dip my head, sneaking a glance of my own at Maryk. Now is probably not the time to mention the spirit-rider. "c'n I ask who from? gifts like that often come with a hefty price tag."

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Both my eyebrows raise in surprise and I lean back into the chair, my arms lying on the armrests.

"A client," I finally say with no embarrassment or regret. "Real money can be hard to come by." I shrug lightly. "He seemed to think the cost worth it."

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She leans back in her chair as if it were a throne, both eyebrows going up this time. A client, Real money can be hard to come by.He seemed to think the cost worth it.

"A rich tribute," I say. And one that few queens or courtesans receive. That raises her yet another notch in my estimation. I bow my head to her.

A quick shake and I remind myself that the matter of the golem ain't the most important thing goin' on here. Another quick glance at Maryk an the thought that maybe I am gonna hafta ask if she knows bout the spirit- rider. Cuz there is the chance that her hands ma have done the deed but not her will.

"Lady, I gotta ask you somethin' a bit delicate that has nothin' to do with the golem and lots to do with you having at least one other possible trick. Did'ja know bout the spirit ridin' you?"

I watch her face and eyes very carefully.

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A number of glances pass my way, from both Karina and Chester. I'm not sure if Karina's gauging my support or reaction. I am certain that's what Chester is doing. I keep my face even through their exchange, even when the "golem" comes up. It's not an unfamiliar word or concept to me but that Karina would have one sounds unlikely. Could one even be given as a gift? The legends are sort of mixed but none of them covered that. Unless it's--

My thoughts are interrupted by another glance from the cat before he says, "Lady, I gotta ask you somethin' a bit delicate that has nothin' to do with the golem and lots to do with you having at least one other possible trick. Did'ja know bout the spirit ridin' you?"

My eyes narrow and I turn my eyes to Karina, then back to Chester. What is this cat that he can tell Erzebet is there?

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"Lady, I gotta ask you somethin' a bit delicate that has nothin' to do with the golem and lots to do with you having at least one other possible trick. Did'ja know bout the spirit ridin' you?" I blink once in surprise, then again. All those secrets now obvious to all the newcomers. Lovely. Erzebet laughs with delight inside of my head and shifts behind my eyes, but I keep the control for myself.

"Yes," I say evenly. "And what do you know about that?"

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Maryk isn't surprised, Karina is. The spirit riding her gives off more energy. I think talking about it woke it up some. Neither of them really let much show. His eyes narrow a bit and his gaze slides from her to me. I can feel his curiosity and suspicion from here. She blinks but gets her face still and her voice even. Yes,And what do you know about that?

"Not all that much," I admit. "But I can can tell because it's energies are ripplin' out from you. What I wanna know is two things. Does Mab know about your Rider? An if you sometimes lose time to it?"

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