A woman has a much better chance than a man of acquittal on a murder charge

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

Thursday January 7th,[ Day 221]
Karina and Maryk's Porch
Mid morning



It's past time i got back to work. i got an investigation that ain't gonna get any easier the longer it sits.  I tried to see that O'Leary  broad again and this time didn't go no better than the last.. I open my mouth and she screeches and throws a pot at me.

So I try a different tack and start hangin' round the Reeves house to see if I can spot something. Not much happening there. An no one is conveniently saying nothing 'bout Reeves himself.  I do notice that the son is tryin;'real hard to be the man a  the house which to him means orderin' the women around. Says lots bout what kinda man Reeves was. An the widow Reeves is real quiet.  An real watchful. Specially of her son.  But this ain't enough for me to go the Mab n' say I think his wife did it. i'd need somethin' much more solid. N' 'sides, I don't think she did. couldn;t say why 'zackly but I don't think it was her.

It's past time I I admitted that  maybe I could use a hand. Attached to a human bein'.  That's why I'm here crouched in the shadows of the porch studyin' the other occupant.  Big solid  guy he is, leaning casually on the porch railing smokin' something very much like a cigarette except it smells of cloves as much as tobacco. Hope he takes my appearance on his doorstep a little easier than he did my presence at Hermia 'n Valmont's table.

That and I really oughta find out what He an Karina gotta say bout the frame that the murderer tried to put them in. From what Mab said she never took it the least bit serious that Karina or Maryk did it. Maybe that's why she ain't really bothered to takea proper statement from them. An' that's as  good a place to start as i'm gonna get. 

Take a couple steps outta my shadow, clear my throat.  "How's it goin', Pal?"

[Open to Maryk and Karina]

Comments

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

Yeah I can tell Maryk really doesn't like this idea, No,What if it is dangerous and you can't control it? Even if you do swear by your 'element' and your 'name? He says.

He's got a point. I ain't got nearly the same Power as Hermia or one a the gods. "That's for Karina to decide. And we don't hafta do that interview today. If we wait til we can have someone put up a proper circle and protections, could make sure things go our way." Might be better to do it that way. Don't think the spirit-rider has that much strength yet to be really dangerous but why take the chance.

[karina-vb.livejournal.com]

I eye Chester carefully as Maryk responds almost angrily and Erzebet paces in my mind, pressing for me to say yes.

"What kind of protection?" I finally ask, still not sure how I feel about Mab knowing this secret--or anyone else.

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

Karina keeps her eyes on me as the energy coming from her spikes. I bet the spirit would like to take over right now.

What kind of protection? She finally asks, her voice and eyes wary.

"Containment and protection for those outside the circle to start and then if necessary we could see 'bout banishment if ya wanted. It'd be best if someone with Power draws the circles which'd mean one more person knowing some thing bout what;s goin'n on but We could make do with me n' Maryk. might wanted bring Msb in seein' as how I gotta tell her anyways. "

A thought crosses my mind then hesitates an stays. "CAre to tell a bit bout this spirit-rider? D'you know what it's called, maybe it's Name?"

[karina-vb.livejournal.com]

Banishment. Frankly, the thought had never occurred to me. Erzebet hisses fiercely in my ear. No, I don't know why, but banishment...that just seems...cruel.

"....D'you know what it's called, maybe it's Name?" Chester asks.

"Erzebet," She and I both say at once. It's a strange sensation on my vocal cords. I press her back and look at him. "I think it would be best, if I'm to let go, to have some kind of safeguard. If it's even possible."

[maryk-graeb.livejournal.com]

I catch my lip curling at the mention of banishment. My stomach clenches and my finger itches. Banishing spirits and demons has too much collateral damage. Erzebet hasn't done anything but help Karina through the rape. Maybe she's not completely benign but she's certainly been less dangerous than a lot of things I've met in this fucking town.

"Who could help with the interview? Who's strong enough to protect Karina?"

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

Never expected that kinda reaction to my mention of banishment. Karina seems astonished as if the very thought had never occurred to her, while Maryk looks angry as if I just suggested we kick a friend out of the house. Hunh. Maybe I am.

Erzebet, Karina names her Rider and from the odd timbre of her voice I think it was more than just her talkin'. Not sure if the spirit's eagerness to talk to me is good or bad.

Who could help with the interview? Who's strong enough to protect Karina? He asks. That's a very good question and one without an easy answer. Much as I'd like to suggest Hermia, I don't think we oughta gamble that she is actually strong enough to hold this Erzebet for sure.

So that leaves me with tryin' that find some one else to fill in.
If we want top level power we should go to the gods but these days most them ain't really listening. Mab? She's got strong wards but I dunno how good she is with spirits. Hold on, maybe there's another way we can do this?

"S'not a matter of direct strength, least not always." I say, offhandedly, gotta try an pounce that thought off in the corner of my mind, see if I can drag it up to where it might be useful. "Sometimes all you need is a really good incentive to play nice. Like no one tryin' to banish anybody if things go well." I add glancing casually at Karina's eyes and energy pattern to see how both of them take that.

[karina-vb.livejournal.com]

My lips curl into a feral grin, showing my teeth, and it's not an action that I'm even remotely in charge of. She doesn't like threats. Frankly, I don't blame her. I hold her back from everywhere else, but the look on my face is all hers. Oh, Erzebet. Don't get us killed.

[maryk-graeb.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes all you need is a really good incentive to play nice. Like no one tryin' to banish anybody if things go well," Chester says, looking at Karina like he didn't make a threat. Karina's expression isn't hers. Her features are all hers but the face she makes isn't one she'd make.

Right. It wasn't easy piecing together what happened to Lúgh from all the theorized gossip I've heard here and there. I might not even have it all right but he's gone and so is Eris and my instincts tell me it had to do with Lucien's demonic side. I'm not losing Karina to the idiotic idea that a banishment can be done. I don't want her to even risk it. The cat's a fool to think there's anyone else strong enough in this town to take it on. And why fucking bother if Erzebet hasn't proved to be a danger?

I move to behind the couch, set my hands on the back of it, and lean my weight onto them. I look at Karina and say, "Maybe there's a reason for her being in you."

My eyes shift to Chester.

"Maybe we're talking about something that no one has any real fucking understanding of."

I know I don't get it but I think there's more to it than simply some spirit along for a ride.