Seeking of the Butcher

[Phantomboy86]

Tesh drugs herself anyways 

Though I suggest she go through with that plan anyways. >.>

[Tessra]

I love how I've been relegated to "the Dastrid" as if I were the only one, instead of one in a family of many.   

[Mariana Xiechai]

  That's actually as par to her character. If she can learn a last name, she'll use it, so she can just lump people together.

[Caraick]

The Dastrid Conglomerate? >_>

[Mariana Xiechai]

Dastrid, Dastrid, Dastrid, Dastrid...Oh wait! No... Dastrid...

* Mariana Xiechai thinks they need to do frequent head counts.

[Mariana Xiechai]

She was to be his finale. His glorious conclusion to what had been an egregious culmination of thought and work and time. His time, spent mulling about in city after city, going everywhere from the higher ups to the lowest of lows. He'd romped through elaborately decorated halls marked by the most precious of stones, mingled with the grossly arrogant proprietors, the wealthy. And he'd spent countless days cloaked in squalor, adorned in nothing but tattered rags, caked in half-dried clay from the ground on which he slept. The best disguises were of the very nature, rather than appearance. All that was needed was the appropriate application of altered personality, and he could flip from aristocrat to beggar with a snap of his fingers. An illusion that could fool those around him better than any spell he could ever hope to conjure.

His victims were diverse, of course. There was no reason to keep his lessons contained by petty differences like race or religion. So he'd culled the lot, and selected the finest from every region of the social globe. Only a few more lucky recipients now, before he reached his last act, his beautiful and harmonious swan song.

It was brilliant. Part of it was guilty pleasure of course, he'd first learned of her quite by accident, overhearing tidbits of gossip and reading a simple article relating scant and vague details of her deliciously tragic story. But the other part of it was the uproar it was bound to cause. When they found out that the hunter, the valorous hero that might have brought this enigma of nightmares to its knees had actually been a mere fish upon its line the entire time...devastation. Total. Absolute. Resplendent.

Oh and she was perfect. In every sense of the word, she would be both vulnerable and resistant to him. Her steady logic and deadened emotions would make her strong in the face of his affliction, yet her history would be the ultimate crack in her foundation, the thing that would send her sniveling to the floor in a puddle of sorrow and despair.

His hands took on a tremor as they moved over the various piles of data he'd collected about her. The fact that she'd been raised in brilliance, that her parents had invoked from the very beginning a love of knowledge and learning. That she'd excelled in her schooling, and had enlisted to be a part of the guard, showing a prodigal-like promise that had mentor and caretaker alike crowing in excitement. That she'd been assigned to track down a well-known killer, one dubbed the butcher, some villain that maimed his victims by severing and cauterizing their limbs, before delivering a final blow by injecting a rather sloppy potion that severed their souls eternally. If he were to be asked about it, Barsidious would probably confess his disapproval if such actions. Such a pathetically meaningless killing. And so grotesque. He administered some desecration postmortem to make a point, certainly, but his operations always served a purpose. He had a plan, he was not some manic madman that slaughtered at random and left a glaring trail in his wake.

Eyes moving to his favorite of all the tiny periodicals he'd gathered, he pulled it towards him, marveling at the details the artist had rendered in drawing Evirea's heartsick face. Beneath the portrait were words, scrawling words etched by some scribe or other, telling the sad, sad tale of his precious klyros:

Due to her involvement in a yet to be disclosed operation, investigator Pomolle's home was recently invaded by the infamous Barn Level Butcher. Thankfully, Ms. Pomolle was not home, but her parents, the famous alchemist Omia Pomolle and the noted scholar and author Inar Pomolle, happened to be present during the transpiring events. It's been confirmed that both were killed by the Butcher, and that Detective Pomolle has asked for a leave of absence to collect herself after said events...

There was a mention later in the article, something about having found the killer dead and mutilated and planted for all the world to see. Few knew the association between the two, though certainly some had suspected. But he knew. He knew her dirty little secret, about what she had done, and it hadn't taken terribly long for her employers to figure it out as well. What was it her file had read? That her actions after her return to work had been erratic and...obsessive? She had gone after her assignments with a renewed fervor that at first seemed excellent, but as time went on, revealed a tattered and battered psyche. She'd become an addict, compelled to capture the criminals she was charged to as a sort of amorphous salvation for her failure to protect her family.

She blames herself for what happened! He mused, a childlike giggle creeping past his lips. He was giddy with the idea of it. How perfect it all was. His fingers danced over the letters of another piece of writing, one elaborating upon her honorable discharge from the service, on the grounds of instability. Oh, the irony of it. She was so fragile, ready to be cracked open, wrapped in a guise. One that, when removed, would reveal nothing but a broken girl, and even with all of her gumption and reasoning she would be completely unable to hide this Truth. The Truth about what she was. It would be, truly, the most satisfying kill he would ever make, and just thinking of it filled him with an eagerness he could hardly contain.

Not yet, he reminded himself, forcing, as always, a careful and constant control. He still hadn't invoked the panic he wanted. Hadn't stirred the masses to where he wanted them to be. No, more were required. Someone else. Someone whose capacity for mingling had already marked them as beloved, someone who would be well missed. Before he could get to his prize, he had to lay out the trap just right. He had to finish reeling in the carp and the bottom feeders until he was ready to pull in the shimmering swordfish.

Ah, but the next corpse would have a memento. A gift, straight from him. No, he could not physically take her yet, but he would at least give her the benefit of knowing her most ardent attentions had not gone unnoticed. Chuckling to himself, he dipped a quill into a jar of readied ink, saturating the small space inside, and let the crimson liquid flow out onto a pristine, white piece of parchment. His handwriting was morphed, still legible of course. He was not foolish enough to even leave that miniscule of a clue. Writing could be tracked. Even the very letters he was now creating had to take on a disguise of their own, a mask just as solid and real as the one that now sat upon his face.

Intelligent and quick you are
To have followed me this far
But soon our merry chase shall end
So unto you, a hand I'll lend
A benefit upon the doubt
Due to your dedication stout
Though it may come as quite a shock
I'll spare the chance to simply mock
A face that you have never seen,
And from this message you shall glean
The Truth and matter of the facts
Despite your smart and careful acts
You've not a clue, upon the whole,
Ah, but I know you...
Evirea Pomolle.

He set the pen down and took a long moment to imagine her face. The way it would break it's composure, if only for one, single, memorable moment. How her heartbeat would race, how she would quickly begin formulating new concepts and theories and ideas, seeking a solution. For soon she would see who here was truly in control. She was leagues away, floundering about in open sea, and the boat was drawing ever nearer, harpoons at the ready.

[Mariana Xiechai]

Note: Your character does not know about Evirea's background. It'll be elaborated upon later, but I want to stress this. There is no way your character knows about what happened to her. The information here is out of character, and unless your character is some sort of amazing psychic (If so, ask me about it and we'll work something out) there is no way for them to know.
No. Way! 

[Phantomboy86]

SPLIT YOUR LUNGS WITH BLOOD AND THUNDER WHEN YOU SEE THE WHITE WHALE!

[Mariana Xiechai]

This situation is becoming increasingly aggravating.

Her fingers were already burning something horrid, as she didn't have a proper lab to work with and the careful administration this particular process required could not be done with clumsy, clunky tongs. The liquid required to separate the blood from the poison that had been lethally pumped through it was...less than pleasant, and a hissing issued through her clenched teeth as it managed to move down through the cracks of her already chemical-ravaged skin. This could all have been avoided if she'd simply been able to get her hands on that dagger, but no. First it had been the annoying kore with an unstable obsession for all things necrotic and dead, and now it was some meddling menki who'd tried to barter the weapon as a means to get “in” on the action. Literally, he'd had the nerve to approach her and make demands for knowledge about the goings on of her case, and stated that only then he would give her the knife she needed to make her affirmations.

Got the better of you though, eh Sacho? She thought as she tucked her injured hands painfully against herself, not touching her tunic. If she did it would unravel the fabric like fire melting ice, easy and smooth. She'd learned long ago that trying to wash it off was useless and only further intensified the pain of it, so instead she only waited for it to subside, eyes squinted in agony, and attempted to distract herself by watching as the blood was drawn out of the trace sample she'd managed to collect. Thankfully she only needed to ensure that one of the ingredients was in fact extract from a dark mushroom plant; now that her appendages had been rendered so excruciatingly tattered it would be a few days before she could actually carry out the more intricate work. She smirked to herself as she observed the desired change in color, giving a dip of her head, experiencing momentary relief at her success before she leaned back against the cold stone wall behind her and closed her eyes.

It was as though multiple needles were being stuck beneath her skin, heated to a ripe old degree prior to the morbid acupuncture. Her face twitched and she hissed again, a faint screeching rattling her throat, which only made her thankful that she'd finished her other work prior to running this experiment. What was it the nolthrir had asked for? A cure for sickness, that's right. Well, she'd delivered a treatment at least, nobody could say she hadn't tried.

And why do you care anyway, hey Evi? It's not your problem. You've got plenty on your plate, besides coming up with balms and poultices to heal the sick. You're just a sucker because her family was in danger, and it hit too close to home.

Jerking her head to the side, she shoved her heels into the gravel beneath her and braced herself against the wall as another sensation briefly scattered her thoughts. The first few layers of her epidermis, right down to specific regions of her dermis, would slough off quickly enough, but such a rapid sloughing didn't come with all to pleasant a sensation. The discoloration left on her skin and scales would take months to actually disappear, which was why this alternative was considerably less ideal than simply using a more concentrated sample. Unfortunately that thrice-condemned menki had spoiled it all, and she had not the time to argue with the ignoramus. She needed to find her killer, and then get the death realm off of this level.

The people here are either of three categories: deluded into a belief of their own self-created omnipotence, so crystal-blessed and happy go lucky they don't know negative if it slaps them in the face, or so wrapped up in their damnable secrets its like pulling teeth to get anything out of them. In a listed order she could even spell them out one by one, the pinheads that she believed officially designated the standards one needed to meet in order to fall into any particular category. Sacho, Dannae, Travosh...

She was just about to dip into defining several different sub categories and combinations of these anthologized groupings when her hands suddenly gave off the impression that they were being torn off. Slow baked might even be a more accurate description, though she personally had never had the experience of sticking her hand straight into the heart of a fire and letting it burn every article right off of the bone. Nevertheless, she imagined it would be a very similar scenario as a whole. Glad she'd selected a secluded location in which to carry this out, she slammed her head back against the moss-riddled stone and screamed into her clenched teeth, producing a half-muffled and strangled noise that might have attracted attention if she hadn't taken great pains to make it quieter. She really just wanted to let out a blood-curdling howl, but this wasn't the first time she'd had to live with the effects of this potion, and she wasn't about to be a sissy now.

Bloody bleeping trepor's bleeping for all that is holy bleeping death to Laanx, Dakkru, Xiosia, Talad and whoever else I forgot!

Sagging over to the side, for a few good minutes all she was aware of were blurry shapes and images. She blinked her eyes to reacquire some semblance of focus and looked down to where a warm sensation was creeping through the newly rendered cracks between her dark blue scales. Her blood was seeping out in tiny rivulets, and the flesh on her palms was stained a bruised and abused violet. Shreds of dead skin lay idly and innocently in her lap, and she stood up stiffly to let them fall to the floor, unwilling to do much of anything with her hands for the moment. Shaking each leg to relieve her trousers of the rather gruesome reminder, she stepped forward and pressed her forehead to the wall, her arms limp at her sides. For one paralyzing, petrifying moment, thoughts of failure assailed her. They chocked her in a tangible, physical way, and she suddenly found it very difficult to even breathe as her throat closed in upon itself. You can't really catch him, you know. You've failed so far, and that blasted klyros is probably right. The killer probably even knows who you are. Down to every little detail. And if you're right about his methodology, you'd be like honey to him. You'll end up dead, a failure as you've always been, and everybody here will know it in the end. Impossible to hide it, really. Totally impossible to...

She slammed her bleeding hand against one of the rocks of the wall, and the white-hot flash of pain scattered all of those thoughts rather effectively, eliciting another throaty scream. Leaving a red imprint that showed all five fingers in grotesquely artistic detail, she lowered her fisted hand and glared at the cracks between the mortared stones. She waited for every trace of frustration to seep out of her shoulders, and every single thread of hysterical emotion to work its way from her mind. Then, having worked herself into her usual state of mechanical and carefully regulated calm, she wrapped her hands and strode out of the alleyway.

She didn't have time for such irrelevant drivel, after all.

She had a killer to catch.

[Phantomboy86]

We can't all be open books 

[Dannae]

Dannae falls into the 3rd category.... right? Must be that one...   

Very entertaining to read, as always!!!

[Mariana Xiechai]

Barsidious pulls out a chair and slides into it, glancing over at the Lemur with a cordial sort of smile. "Afternoon, sir."

(15:13:23) Ametes nods politely. "Hello, sir.

(15:13:53) Barsidious waves his uninjured hand outwards. "Enjoying the sights, I take it?"

(15:14:46) Ametes nods. "Yes. This area is nice. I am glad I made the trip here. It has been good for business as well. I am Ametes. What is your name?"

(15:16:37) Barsidious dips his head. "Barsidious. It is good to meet you, my good sir." He reaches out his hand to be shaken. "I take it you've been doing a lot of mingling, making a mark, making new friends?"


(15:18:28) Ametes shakes the offered hand. "You could say that. I am a jeweller by trade. How about yourself?"

(15:19:20) Barsidious smiles softly. "A studied man, a bit of a philosopher, you could say." He draws his hand back. "I don't suppose you're particularly thirsty? I've a lovely vintage here with me," he draws out a bottle of red-tinted wine. "You might enjoy."

(15:19:56) Ametes says: If you mean to share, I would welcome it.

(15:20:54) Barsidious pours some of the drink into two glasses, and slides one towards the lemur. He swirls and watches the sloshing, but takes no drink.

(15:21:53) Ametes takes the offer glass and smells the wine as if he is testing its quailty.
 
(15:22:40) Barsidious waits with a wierd sort of patience, tapping his fingers against the table softly. He takes one sip and swirls it around his tongue, swallowing lightly.

(15:23:44) Ametes then takes a sip. "That is good wine. So do you always share such a bottle with a stranger?"

(15:24:47) Barsidious smiles and watches Ametes take a drink. He glances around him, and leans forward slightly, shaking his head. "Sometimes. But only for special strangers."

(15:25:21) Ametes takes another sip. "So what makes me so special?"

(15:26:06) Barsidious moves his glass to clink against Ametes'. He then shifts...and dumps the remainder of his drink out onto the wooden floor with an odd sort of finality. "People will know your face. At this point, that is reason enough," he mutters softly.

(15:26:47) Ametes sits his glass down. "I'm not sure I like the sound of that."

(15:30:47) Barsidious gives another chuckle. "I wouldn't worry, you'll be pretty senseless soon enough, it won't really matter."

(15:32:21) Ametes gives a look of concern as he starts to try to get up, but instead slowly falls onto the table and into sleep.

(15:33:05) Barsidious quirks a brow. "Damn. Lemurs must not have a very strong ability to resist." He reaches down towards Ametes and attempts to pick the man up and sling him across his shoulders.

[Aramara Meibi]

Doesn't sweet lil' Evirea fall into the first category herself? 

and the third? 

Icerra asks, "Who died and made HER the protagonist?"

[Mariana Xiechai]

(16:17:10) Evirea shouts: GODS DAMN BLAST IT ALL!

(16:17:59) Miomai pins her ears to her head to avoid the obnoxious shouting from the femros in front of her.

(16:18:35) Sacho walks up following Miomai. He speaks softly. "Vire, we need to talk."

(16:19:31) Evirea doesn't even turn around, and clenches her hands into fists. "I'm. Busy." She grates out.

(16:20:22) Sacho walks over next to the klyros.

(16:21:06) Evirea ignores the clamod, seeming far to furious at the moment to concoct a sentence.

(16:21:11) Miomai tilts her head to one side as she wonders exactly what the rude klyros is busy with. The body can certainly wait a few moments. It wouldn't mind.

(16:22:00) Voron frowns slightly, then his face returns to its usually impassiveness. He studies the surroundings for a while.

(16:23:02) Sacho looks over the corpse carefully from where he stands. "We should get the guards."

(16:23:16) Thidin goes to make sure Teshia does go closer

(16:23:36) Voron doesn't respond and studies the crime scene.

(16:23:52) Teshia stays near to Thidin, watching the other people there curiously.

(16:24:15) Miomai wonders what the guards would do with the corpse. Not like they do much of anything with live bodies.

(16:24:23) Thidin steps a bit closer

(16:24:38) Evirea seems to unlock herself from her catatonic state. She strides forward and moves to grip the letter, instantly staining the edges with the blood on her tensed and injured hands. Staring down at the text, her eyes grow wider as she reads it, and she starts to swear profusely.

(16:25:01) Teshia stays near to Miomai and Thidin "looks like he got another one."

(16:25:24) Thidin looks to Evirea "What is it?"

(16:25:53) Miomai's eyes are wide and focsed on the body, maybe even that dagger stuck into the body. A fenki of many words, she expounds on Teshia's statement with an eloquent, "Yep."

(16:25:55) Telena says: "What on-" She looks closely at the dead body.

(16:26:37) Teshia looks to Miomai, and replies with the usual amount of tact and grace "If they didnt get the dagger back from Icerra, looks like they'll have one to work with now."

(16:27:02) Voron steps back, looks at the crowd, frowns in a disapproving manner one could think and then returns to his blank state.

(16:27:48) Evirea moves towards the corpse and wraps a hand around the hilt of the dagger, the letter clenched in her fist. She yanks the thing out of the Lemur's chest and stands there, facing away from the crowd, her expression unreadable.

(16:28:10) Thidin looks at Evirea , worried.

(16:28:19) Miomai slowly closes her paws into tight fists as Teshia explaines the situation to her. The rest of her muscles tense as she wonders how best to eradicate that blade from the ones who wish to do evil against her Goddess.

(16:28:24) Ametes's body falls apart as the dagger is removed. HIs body reduces to a pile of dust. Only his necklace, and clothes remain.

(16:29:17) Teshia reaches out, and tries to rest a hand on Miomai's shoulder "Peace. It won't be used for wrongness any more." She doesn't know precisely what the fenki is thinking now, but she's heard this song and dance before, and can probably guess where it's going.

(16:29:18) Telena folds her arms, watching what is happening. Her face is blank, not showing any expression anymore.

(16:30:18) Evirea watches this event impassively. She carefully folds the dagger in a cloth and slides it into a concealed space, before stooping to study the amulet more closely. The letter is still clenched tightly in her fist.

(16:30:51) Sacho speaks softly. "What does that note say, Vire?"

(16:30:53) Miomai is an open book, but Teshia's gentle, motherly touch and soft words sooth her somewhat. She relaxes her muscles and looks over at Teshia for a few moments. It takes a minute, but a smile crosses her lips for the briefest instant before she looks back at Evirea and company.


(16:32:56) Evirea's voice is quite dull, as if she's making an obvious attempt to remain perfectly calm. "Nothing relevant," she answers. She seems to be counting the breathing behind her, and turns her head ever so slightly to glimpse the crowd. Jerking her head back again, she swears.

(16:33:06) Teshia murmurs softly to Miomai "perhaps once they have finished with the body, they will let you take the dust to honor the Dark lady."

(16:33:23) Telena turns around and walks towards the Den.

(16:33:23) Ametes's remains then blow away as a directed gust of wind comes by.

(16:33:43) Teshia immediately looks about to make sure she's not downwind.

(16:33:46) Sacho says: Vire, I want to see that note.

(16:34:35) Voron walks over to the other side, perfectly calm studying the scene without any expression an his face. then he turns to Sacho, looks at him for a moment, then at Evirea.

(16:35:00) Miomai's interest in Teshia's idea blows away with the ashes of the corpse. She's used to disappointment now, and remains stoic in the face of it.

(16:35:31) Evirea rises slowly. She turns around and glances at Voron and Sacho, then at the other three gathered, and seems to be trying to find an easy means of escape. "Yes, I am certain that you would," she states, and decides to just start walking.

(16:35:55) Sacho turns to follow the klyros.

(16:36:00) Teshia is trying very hard to hold a straight face, and those ashes either hit herself and Miomai directly... or Sacho and Voron... or maybe even went into the fountain, where people drink!

(16:36:32) Thidin tries to step in front of her

(16:37:12) Evirea halts and looks rather impassively at the clamod fenki. "Please step aside," she requests.

(16:37:34) Sacho then pauses and moves to take the necklace that the lemur had.

(16:37:37) Miomai watches the klyros try to make an attempted retreat with that dagger. She hopes that this klyros has at least as hard of a time doing so as she and Icerra had before. She'll follow Evirea into the Death Realm without hesitation.

(16:37:58) Voron walks over where the body was and studies the water for a moment. Kneeling down, he mutters something along the lines of "Ashes, ashes, we all fall down...". He looks for remnants of the ashes.

(16:38:05) Thidin laughs at the idea "You're hiding something that may be important."

(16:39:21) Teshia looks to Miomai, frowning thoughtfully "what exactly do 'you' want with the dagger? Not like it would help you honor Dakkru?"

(16:39:24) Evirea smiles coldly, the first break in her stony facade, and leans closer, having to stand up slightly taller in order to do so. "Believe me when I say I am more qualified to continue this investigation than you are, and that I will not be letting go of any further evidence, if I have anything to say about it. Now, step aside."

(16:40:36) Thidin nods "Oh yes, of course you are. I'm still not moving."

(16:40:42) Sacho turns to look at the klyros. "Vire, you may keep the note, but we wish to read it first."

(16:40:46) Miomai doesn't take her eyes off of Evirea, and answers Teshia slowly, "yep. It would."

(16:41:12) Teshia is completely ignoring the others now, focusing totally on miomai "but how?"

(16:41:20) Voron turns around apruply and studies the people as one might study prey.

(16:41:20) Thidin looks from Teshia to Evirea "Vire?

(16:41:38) Evirea's eye actually twitches. It seems the klyros is growing increasingly frustrated with this meddling audiance, and she looks about ready to blow a gasket. "Move," she says.

(16:42:21) Teshia turns a bit to stare after Rabartus too... noting how yet again, the guards are ever-present and utterly useless.

(16:42:40) Thidin shakes her head, standing firm as she hold out her hand "Now as the Menki said, just let us see it."

(16:42:59) Voron clears his troat audible enough. "I would like to see no further circumvention of the Law of Hydlaa."

(16:43:15) Sacho steps up and tries to gently put a hand on Vire's shoulder. "We are trying to help. Share with us what you have and you may go. Do not think you are the only one who wishes to find this person."

(16:43:41) Miomai turns to Teshia and attempts to come up with an intelligent reply, "It made True Death. That's Dakkru's daggah," she fails.

(16:43:54) Evirea has literally taken to pretending the guards aren't actually there, since they are pretty much the definition of idle anyway. She winces slightly, as that happens to be injured, and turns her head slightly. "There is a REASON I'm not readily giving you the LETTER," she spits.

(16:44:12) Teshia wrinkles her nose, and replies with an equally intelligent reply to Miomai "Dakkru would have something prettier."

(16:45:18) Thidin nods "Then hold it up for us to read."

(16:45:24) Voron eyes Evirea, sacho and Thidin. "I will NOT repeat myself." He says in calm tone.

(16:45:57) Thidin completely ignoring Voron.

(16:46:13) Sacho says: But, if you don't share that note with us, you will be more hunted than the killer. What is more important to you? What are you are hiding or stopping this killing? That note needs to be shown to the guards."

(16:46:18) Miomai thinks about that one for a moment, and her Dark Crystal earring starts to glow. Concluding that Teshia is probably correct, she lets a small smile curl the edges of her lips and nods her head slowly. She turns back to watch the goings-on, but with a stance that clearly shows she's lost interest in it.

(16:46:57) Evirea suddenly chucks the letter to the ground. Poor Voron, he chose the wrong time to speak up, and now has invoked the wrath. She flings a finger into his face. "Look, buddy," she snaps. "I frankly do not give a damn what you want, nor what you're trying to figure out. Your statement is irrelevant. I don't care WHO you are, nor WHAT your motivations. I suggest you SILENCE your yapping maw."

(16:47:49) Thidin watches Sacho Carefully "let me.'

(16:47:55) Thidin goes to pick it up

(16:48:21) Voron doesn't flinch or move, just stares back into Evirea's eyes.

(16:49:21) Teshia smirks widely and nudges Miomai "Issym tossed me in jail a few times, how about you?"

(16:49:30) Thidin covers her hand before picking up the letter as a precation

(16:50:00) Sacho moves next to Thidin. "I wish to read that as well, Thidin."

(16:50:21) Thidin nods, holding it out to him

(16:50:29) Issym says: Evening Citizens I hope everyone is doing well this evening.

(16:50:32) Miomai looks at Teshia with a bit of nervousness in her eyes and a quivvering in her lips as she says, "Ye-ep. I don't evah want to go back theah."

(16:51:10) Teshia starts to reply to Miomai, but instead just turns and grins widely to Haraun.

(16:51:11) Sacho turns to look at the guard. "No, things are not well this evening."

(16:51:31) Haraun waves to Teshia and looks around what is happening here

(16:51:42) Issym looks to Sacho "What seems to be the problem?"

(16:51:49) Voron stares at Evirea still, without any expression on his face. "Calm down, Miss."

(16:51:51) Thidin fold the paper, possibley before Sacho can finish reading it as she sees the guard approach.

(16:52:10) Teshia waves a hand to motion Haraun closer, replying in a low voice "A lemur was murdered... and not sent to Dakkru. he fell into dust, and it blew into the fountain."

(16:52:38) Evirea makes a face at Voron, a face of slightly cracked rage. She's been pushed to this point, and the presence of the guard doesn't seem to be helping her at all. "You calm yourself, elf," she snaps, her finger still shoved in his face. "And back out of something that doesn't involve you."

(16:52:52) Haraun looks quite disbelieving "How's that possible." But adds after a moment rather unthoughtfully "Haraun won't bath there again...

(16:53:21) Miomai raises her paw slowly and points to Evirea. She speaks clearly to Issym, "She killed someone."

(16:53:38) Sanrai says: What's happening, Haraun *whisper*

(16:53:43) Teshia nods solemnly to Haraun, before doing a double take and trying to swat at Miomai's paw "did not! it wasn't her!"

(16:54:05) Haraun whispers to Sanrai "That's apparently the place where Telena saw the dead body."

(16:54:14) Sanrai says: ah.

(16:54:17) Voron's lips twitch, then he laughs calmy. "Good good. So more people must die, then?"

(16:54:51) Sacho says: "A body was found here and there was a note on the body." He motions to Thidin. "Thidin has the note and Vire there was the first to approach the body."

(16:54:55) Evirea's eye twitches again. "No. I'm attempting to prevent such a happening, and believe me, your meddling will help NOBODY in this endeavor."

(16:55:01) Miomai retracts her paw much faster than she had drawn it out and flinches at Teshia's light attack. She doesn't try to defend her words, however, and remains silent.

(16:55:06) Issym turns and stares at Evirea "Were there any witnesses to this murder?"

(16:55:17) Sesp says: taps kettas shoulder*

(16:55:32) Sesp says: *smiles Hi

(16:55:39) Ketta turns and greets Sesp

(16:55:47) Evirea appears to be ignoring the guard, whether intentionally or not, she might just be too angry to be logical. "No, there were none," she snaps, turning slightly. "There never ARE any."

(16:56:09) Ketta says: Thanks, Sesp! Happy to help!

(16:56:09) Teshia looks to Miomai, frowning softly "you didn't see it, did you?"

(16:56:31) Thidin looks to Evirea "She needs to calm down...

(16:56:48) Miomai nods slowly, "I saw the klyros stab the lemah."

(16:56:58) Issym steps closer to Evirea "Are you denying the claim that you murdered someone then?"

(16:57:18) Ketta steps closer, straining to hear

(16:57:19) Teshia turns and stares, jaw dropped "But...you're sure?"

(16:57:27) Thidin steps away from Sacho and back by Teshia

(16:57:46) Voron squints at Evirea, then looks at the guard and remains in his usual demeanor.

(16:58:10) Evirea continues to ignore Miomai's accusations. She leans back slightly, a sneer of disgust present on her face. "I haven't KILLED anyone, you lot of ignorant morons." Her voice rises to a nearly hysterical pitch, and she is trembling, probably because of her situation of being trapped and utterly exposed in this crowd. "I'm the one trying to STOP the KILLER!"

(16:58:22) Miomai keeps a straight, mostly stoic face. She turns to Teshia and simply says, "Yep. I saw her."

(16:59:00) Teshia arches a brow slowly, eyeing miomai for a long moment, the wheels in her own head obviously turning "But she was over by Ikon, Thidin and I. She couldn't have been here too."

(17:00:00) Miomai shrugs, unable to produce an answer to that question. It is not clear if she is unable or unwilling.

(17:00:11) Issym looks towards Miomai "Are you ready to swear on a witness statement that you saw the murder and that the klyros here was the one who committed the murder?"

(17:00:28) Teshia leans down and whispers something to Miomai.


(17:01:10) Evirea lets out a shrill laugh. She points a finger at Miomai. "Are you KIDDING me?! That fenki is completely insane! She's not even mentally stable enough to take care of her own well-being and has the capacity of a small child, and yet you would take her testimony as something worthy of sending someone to the crystal for a permanent killing?!"


(17:02:09) Voron frowns a bit. "Calm down, Miss."

(17:02:33) Miomai remains calm and quiet. She turns to the guard after listening to Teshia's whisper and says, "Yep." She ignores Evirea's rant about her accused demntia, but a tiny smile curls one half of her mouth.

(17:02:58) Issym gives Evirea a confused look "Who said anything about sending someone to the crystal. There would have to be a further investigation but if there is cause to hold you in a cell during the investigation then that certainly might happen. And right now you appear to be the irrational one here.

(17:03:54) Teshia's nostrils flare slightly with the effort to keep a certain opinion to herself "Guard Issym. I can give an alibi for this woman. She's been needled by a crowd for long enough to make anyone upset, but she's far from irrational. And she wasn't in the plaza at the time the body would have been stabbed."


(17:04:28) Evirea lets out a snort. "Irrational?! You're the one here who's stepped in ready to ship me to a cell. If you do that, I garuntee you more will die, and no one here has the capacity to stop it. You'll only have more bo..." She halts, and slowly turns to stare at Teshia, falling silent.

(17:05:00) Voron crosses his arms behind his back. "Given that this is a case of true death and the other circumstances, I would like to point out the state of the lady as it currently is."

(17:05:02) Sacho speak to Issym. "I think if you look at that note that was found on the body, you will understand why she is so upset. And I had noticed the body and was watching before she came to the fountain."

(17:05:42) Voron looks at Sacho, then at Teshia and Evirea before returning his attention to the plaza, frowning a bit.

(17:05:54) Issym looks at Sacho "Where is this note you speak of?"

(17:06:13) Sacho motions at Thidin. "Thidin here picked it up."

(17:06:18) Thidin shakes her head at Sacho

(17:06:24) Thidin sighs

(17:06:50) Issym looks towards Thidin "Could I see this note please?"

(17:06:53) Evirea lets out a low, soft groan. Her bandaged hands move up to cover her face and she says nothing more, letting the silence continue on, totally detaching herself from the situation. Backing up, she takes a seat hear the fountain, cross-legged, and simply starts breathing steadily.

(17:07:52) Thidin gives sacho an evil look as she steps up to the guard, holding out the letter

(17:09:43) Sanrai's ear twitches a bit

(17:10:09) Teshia says: What does that letter say?

(17:10:36) Sanrai says: Indeed! Read it out loud?

(17:11:00) Issym reads the letter and frowns "This doesn't seem to shed much light on the subject. Does anyone here know a Evirea Pomolle?

(17:11:37) Teshia arches a brow and looks to Evirea, as if something just fell into place "that's who it was, wasn't it? that's who he killed first?"

(17:12:07) Issym says: This note seems to have been written by this Evirea.

(17:12:17) Evirea twitches where she sits, and continues to say nothing at all. Her hands remain folded in her lap, and she remains silent. As Teshia speaks those eyes open and she stares at her for a moment.

(17:12:51) Issym holds out the letter for anyone who is interested to look at.

(17:12:56) Sacho shakes his head. "No, I think it was written for an Evirea Pomolle."

(17:13:04) Voron frowns and studies the fountain.

(17:13:13) Evirea narrows her eyes and says gruffly, "It's a poem, you dolt. It's a poem. It rhymes with whole, get it?"

(17:13:35) Teshia looks at Evirea, and frowns "You knew Evirea, didn't you?"

(17:14:01) Evirea arches a scaly brow at Teshia, utterly baffled. Of course, she answers, "Certainly," seeming rather lost.

(17:14:58) Miomai looks at the poem, but, as her reading skills haven't progressed much beyond a 6 year old's, she just shrugs and forgets it as soon as she's read it.

(17:15:17) Voron looks at Teshia with an impassive face, then raises an eyebrow.

(17:15:47) Teshia glances at the poem, before stepping a bit closer to Miomai, watching the fenki to make sure she's not upset. her demeanor is obviously motherly.

(17:17:39) Evirea blinks slowly. She glances towards the guard, and then strangely, she closes her eyes again, keeping her wounded hands on her knees. She lets her wings curl around her shoulders slightly and resumes breathing steadily.

(17:18:00) Thidin looks around

(17:18:01) Miomai remains as calm and composed as a half-deranged long-standing insane fenki could possbly be. Actually she's been rather stoic and acting like she's mostly given up hope for quite some time.

(17:18:58) Voron scratches his left ear and appearantly waits for something to happen.

(17:18:58) Sanrai says: What happens now, guard Issym?

(17:19:39) Evirea re-opens her eyes and stares at the guard. "I should like to resume my investigation," she states, "To prevent any further casualty, if you would be so kind. I will be needing that letter for evidence."

(17:21:25) Issym looks to Evirea "If you have some paper and a writing instrument you can make a copy but the original shall stay with me since it appears it is connected to a murder and this case will remain under investigation for now.

(17:22:07) Evirea's eye twitches yet again. "I need the original to use in my investigation. This is the first time this killer has left such a note. If you take it, you will only prolong my search. And cause the death of numerous others."

(17:22:24) Oele looks at the group, quiet and indifferent, not having a clue what is going on.

(17:22:59) Sanrai says: um.

(17:23:14) Voron clears his troat. "If somebody has a glyph to copy it, a copy is enough. The problem is elsewhere."

(17:24:02) Evirea jerks her eyes to glare at Voron. "No, I need the original. It could have different chemicals worthy of being tested, contain trace amounts of skin, or hair, that could point to who or what race the original author was. It is invaluable to the investigation."

(17:24:12) Teshia frowns a bit, giving Evirea a slightly sharp glance, a silent warning not to press that issue "There is little to be found in paper and ink that could not be determined in the words."

(17:24:18) Issym stares at Evirea "You are not a guard so you will not be getting this message. You are certainly free to help investigate on your own but since you are not part of the official investigation the letter will stay with me for our investigators to examine."

(17:24:31) Miomai sees the little girl approach the crow, and a genuine look of happiness crosses her face. She beems with happiness at seeing that cute girl again, though she just stares at Oele, clearly lost in thought about the last times she's seen the ylian.

(17:25:15) Evirea slowly bares her teeth at the guard. "You lot are useless," she grates out, "And your involvement is worse than your idle languising while killings happen all around you." She stands to her feet abruptly, and moves to walk away from the crowd after her dismissal.

(17:25:48) Sacho says: "With you permission, Issym, I would like to make a copy of this note." He removes the needed glyph from a pocket.

(17:25:51) Voron frowns at Evirea, then at Issym. "on what grounds will this investigations be done? There is no body, no evidence that this is acutally a crime. And given how few people you have at hand, I'd suggest you even hire her, Lady."

(17:25:53) Teshia eyes widen and she looks over at Oele, worried "Miomai... please go get the little girl. She looks hungry."

(17:26:32) Oele shifts her weight slowly from one leg to another, not sure if this is really a good idea to be here.

(17:27:18) Voron crosses his arms behind his back and looks at Issym in a calm and patient manner. "It would benefit both parties, I think."

(17:27:30) Miomai is all too eager to oblige Teshia's request and walks over to Oele slowly, carefully, but with a hunger in her eyes, belieing her insanity more than anything else.

(17:27:48) Issym turns to Voron "Hire one who seems to have such a lack of respect for the proper authority? Not something that is likely to happen. and if she has information about additional killings like she seems to imply she should bring her evidense to the proper authorities."

(17:28:06) Issym holds out the note again for Sacho to make a copy of it.

(17:29:03) Sacho copies the note into a book and then steps back a little. "There is also the dagger, she removed from the body. That may be a starting point for your investigation."

(17:29:06) Voron frowns. "With all due respect, Miss." He looks at Issym. "Given the circumstances, her emotional state seems appropriate. You judge do quickly, and give away a great chance to find out what this is all about."

(17:29:19) Oele doesn't seem to have noticed Miomai's approach and instead keeps her eyes fixed on the small crowd. She still tries to understand what is going on, but can't find a reason for the argument.

(17:29:28) Teshia twitches lightly, watching the two girls, the young Ylian and the deranged fenki. She flicks a gaze at Evirea, before giving the back of Sacho's head a look that clearly shows how much she wishes he'd jsut stop talking right about now...

(17:29:39) Evirea lets out another laugh. "Your authorities are never around when they are needed," she says over her shoulder, "And I've found more killers than you or your brood ever could, I assure you. You expect brute strength to fight your battle, and you do not back it up with the intellect necesary. And here, you further prolong MY investigation. I've been chasing this killer for years, all over different letters." She glares again at Sacho, and suddenly she takes off at a full on run, not wiling to give up this last evidence to the useless authorities.

(17:30:30) Thidin looks to Sacho and widens her eyes

(17:32:44) Miomai stares at Oele for a few minutes, ignoring the dashing klyros behind her before she finally asks, "Ah you hungry Oele?" Not one for introductions to the child she adores and hasn't seen for months, she just cuts to the chase.

(17:33:07) Teshia rubs her temple and watches the children again. At least they have an excuse for their naivity.

(17:33:50) Voron crosses his arms behind his back, standing at ease and studying Issym.
(17:33:58) Issym pulls out her notebook and scribbles some quick notes in it watching Evirea run off for now. "I wish the dagger had been mentioned earlier. Now what could possibly be an important piece of evidence has gotten away."
(17:34:30) Sanrai says: um

(17:34:51) Teshia sighs "She is well known to our order. I am certain we will be able to speak with her, and perhaps the dagger recovered and brought to the guards."

(17:35:46) Oele's complete attention is at Miomai as she starts talking. Stares at her, confused by the fact that the fenki is completely different than the last time she met her again. She recalls their last encounter and lowers her head as a reaction. She inquiries in a very low voice. "Not mad?"

(17:36:18) Issym says: Until then I'll put out a notice to the other guards to be on the look out for that Klyros and if need be detain her.

(17:36:51) Teshia says: You'll have our full cooperation, Guard-Issym.

(17:37:13) Thidin looks down

(17:37:24) Voron remains quiet and studies Issym quietly with an impassive face.

(17:38:11) Issym nods to Teshia. "For now I need to return to the barracks and get this notice out to the other guards.

(17:38:37) Issym says: If anyone has additional information about this please contact me.
(17:38:52) Miomai is mad, Miomai has almost always been mad. She thinks about Oele's question for a few minutes before letting out a short, "Nope." That is all she reveals, and otherwise continues to stare at the girl with hungry, eager eyes.

(17:38:57) Teshia nods politely, smiling serenely.

(17:39:35) Teshia steps a bit closer to the two girls, and beckons them "lets get you two something from the tavern, shall we?"
(17:39:44) Sacho turns to look at Thidin. "May I speak with you in Kada El's?"
(17:40:15) Issym says: Good day to you citizens.
(17:40:16) Thidin purses her lips as she looks up to Sacho "Why?"
(17:40:26) Issym turns and heads towards East Hydlaa.
(17:40:29) Thidin nods to Issym
(17:40:50) Voron bows his head politely to Issym.

(17:41:15) Teshia dips her head to Issym, before focusing agains on the girsl.
(17:41:18) Sacho just smiles. "You don't want a free drink, my friend?"

(17:41:45) Thidin turns and walks towards the tavern

(17:42:15) Teshia hastily scribbles a note, sending it off with her groffel.

(17:42:26) Oele's face brightens up, believing that simple word of Miomai on the spot. She doesn't notice Teshia at all and steps toward the fenki, raising her left hand to lightly touch Miomai. Her voice is still a bit low, but like it usually is. "Missed Lazarene."

(17:42:39) Ketta says: Well...so much for that...

(17:42:46) Sanrai nods.
(17:42:57) Celizan says: I have not seen that guard before
(17:43:08) [Tell] You tell Evirea: A fat, drooling yulbar waddles up, a note hastily stuffed in his collar "the guards will be told to look for you as soon as Issym reports back. Stay out of sight as much as you can." The note is unsigned.
(17:43:28) Voron steps beside Teshia.
(17:43:42) Ketta says: Oh, Issym shows up when there is a disturbance
(17:43:49) Teshia sighs, seeming to relax a bit, and looks to Voron. She apparently trusts Miomai not to eat the child.

(17:44:26) [Tell] Evirea slides further into the corner of the temple, leaning back to rest her head there. She lets out a pained groan, and grabs the letter, reading it quickly. Her blood stains the edges, and she uses a pool that has congealed on the tip of her finger to merely write: "Thank you."
(17:44:42) Miomai shudders with Oele's touch. She takes the child's hand in her warm, fuzzy paws and kneels down to look the girl eye to eye. She ignores the fact that Oele is a total wreck of a girl and simply stares at her cute face with a bright smile, ignoring the rest of Yliakum for now.
(17:44:49) Celizan says: Such events often draw crowds...I'm surprised no one saw the killer in such a public place
(17:45:03) Celizan says: Did anyone see it happen?
(17:45:14) Voron smiles politely at Teshia. "This was interesting."
(17:45:28) Sanrai says: Not I.

(17:45:44) Teshia rubs her temples "THAT... was a fiasco. If Sacho hadn't shut himself up, I'd have smacked him, gaurd or no guard."
(17:45:54) Ketta says: It seems the person was already dead and the killer just dumped the body

(17:46:26) Sanrai says: I heard something about a dagger?

(17:46:51) Ketta says: ...but I certanly can't say for sure...

(17:47:47) Ketta says: Yes,,,when the dagger was removed, the body turned to dust, which was blown away...

(17:48:00) Sanrai realizes she has a drink in hand, and takes a long swig.

(17:48:28) Sanrai says: ah ...

(17:48:41) Oele shows a slight smile, something she rarely show. The warmth of the hand lets a shudder go through her body, erasing the memories of the hardship she went through after getting lost again. As the tension leaves her, tears start first filling her eyes, then run down her cheek, drawing lines in her dirty face.
(17:48:51) Ketta says: That's the second time it's happened here

(17:49:26) Sanrai says: um.
(17:49:42) Voron chuckles. "It doesn't matter. The problems are of an entire different dimesion."

(17:49:59) Teshia eyes the children surruptitiously, nodding slightly "yes. they are."
(17:50:26) Ketta says: All I can say is, that klyros woman's investigation doesn't seem to be doing any good, if bodies keep popping up...
(17:50:40) Celizan says: Ah well, such trouble are beyond my help, surely...still I will keep an ear open

(17:50:49) Sanrai says: I have to agree.
(17:51:06) Ketta says: Indeed
(17:51:28) Miomai isn't a child, at the adult age of 26, though she acts like one. She brings a paw close to Oele's cheecks to gently whipe away the tears. She remains silent, otherwise. Tears almost well up in her own eyes at the girl's outpouring of emotion.

(17:52:03) Ketta says: Shall we head back to the Den, if it is still open?

(17:52:11) Voron smiles diplomatically. "Well well. I made myself a total kormi, there is another murder, another slip towards anarchy." He shakes his head. "Do you have a moment to speak?"

[Mariana Xiechai]

* Mariana Xiechai snickers. "You think she's the protagonist, or the victim?" 

Evirea's too complicated to figure her own self out, like most people