The Quest For A Missing Paige (Jy 31st Mid-MT) - Open

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

Aerin’s body came to a halt just outside the doors of Thalas Manse as she collected her thoughts, the redhead thankful for the calming bout of meditation before the upset for help in centering her thoughts for a burn or two. She knew that Paige was not inside the house, for her conversation with Ashari the eveningtide before had given her fresh resolve to gently pry into her classmate’s affairs and it had been her first order of business, upon waking and dressing, to begin to pry.

She had found Paige’s room to be empty of occupants and the sheets unmussed…unused.

Someone got lucky, perhaps…or unlucky…, Aerin fumed as she mulled things over. She had spent many nights away from Thalas herself, indulging in her own worship of a lover’s kisses and other things related, but she had always had the good sense to wash up after the deed was done and return to her room at whatever hour so that Mistress Ashari would find her eldest student present and accounted for upon waking. If Paige had, indeed, been out all night with her mysterious beau, they could be anywhere in the city.

Pisser…

Still, the marks were growing older and not even Aerin herself slept this long and hard after even the most passionate and vigorous fucking, and her eyes leveled upon the landscape around her, wondering where a roused Paige might be spending the tide of truancy. Paige was a fellow Panling – how odd it felt to the young mage to call herself a Panling without it being in a derogatory or blasphemous context – and so she placed Pan’s Temple on her list of places that Paige might be.

“However…”, she corrected herself softly aloud as she mentally corrected a bit and placed the Temple at the ‘bottom’ of the list below ‘stranger’s bedroom’, “…I still have the feeling that if Paige was calling out to Pan this morningtide, her cries would be whispered into his ear and not Pan’s own, or moaned into a pillow, depending on how she fancied herself turned…” Aerin finished her vocal thought, picturing Langredoc and Paige in the throes of passion once more.

She began to walk toward the road, her thoughts turning darker and darker toward Langredoc. Ashari had mentioned thoughts of him working for Crane – Pan, you shall see Joy like no other if Crane has designed harm against Paige or the Guild via Paige’s absence…, she promised the unseen deity. “Center…”, she whispered as her feet turned toward Simple Pleasures out of habit. “Perhaps she is just having coffee and that is all…or at the Palace. I shall check both and perhaps ask around on my own about this man and his wolf cub…”

Naturally carnation-pink lips tugged upward in a smirk which blossomed into a feral smile as she walked, the act of the hunt further awakening her more beastial side and her senses becoming more acute through her anger – the redhead aware of her body as she moved in walking meditation, her breathing the same as it was when at rest, deep and timed, her skin alive and tingling with anticipation from the crown of her skull to the soles of her feet, varied portions of her anatomy performing as they usually did and confusing bloodlust for sexual excitement, treating the emotions as one in the same as Aerin moved along, her eyes ever watchful for a guard to question along the way about her missing colleague.

[Grey Wolf]

Had there been a receptionist at the Thalas Manse, like there had been at the old Red Rose Guild, he or she could have aided Aerin’ investigation, but as it were all she had was the knowledge that Paige’s had not been in the bed last night. Belief that she was alright and unharmed still meant that Temple of Mother was not on Panling’s list at all, even though it was where the dead and injured were brought first, before being taken by their families and dear ones. Often the body never saw a Temple, a priest merely present for burial, or even simply buried, only the most devout and faithful seeking the blessing of a god on remains of their loved ones.

The streets were busy that morning, and the way to the Simple Pleasures took a bit longer than usual, the bustle making Aerin almost swim up the current of people, though it was not terribly hard. Rumors buzzed, though she could pick just the snippets of it as she walked.

”Two more bodies found yesterday.”
“Another girl found slashed almost to ribbons.”
“A young man, his body dried to a husk.”
“Slayer is back from the dead and he is angry.”
“His prick was still up, and they say he was smiling as if in pleasure”
“Fingers broke off, his flesh brittle as badly dried clay.”
“Poor chit was mutilated, bits missing. A sick bastard whomever did it. Second this month.”
“Nobody cares what happens to us. Bet they would catch him if some noble’s daughter got slice. Maybe…..”

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

Since she was not due to work until Eveningtide, Aerin saw no problem with taking a seat in front of Simple Pleasures (if she could find a good spot, that is) to mull over the rumor and valid news stew that she had ingested during the journey. The snippets were both disturbing and amusing at the same time, the amateur murderess still taking marginal notes on the methods of others while she pondered Paige’s absence. For the most part, she wished to believe that Paige was alive and well… merely truant… but the bits about a girl being slashed to Nether and back still gave her pause for thought that her dark-haired friend just might not be in the best of condition.

Her thoughts flickered momentarily to the fading memory of Duncan’s face. Perhaps he might know, or know where to ask… she began to ponder as she lit up a smoke, shaking her head slowly after the cherry burned a nice wad of tobacco into her tasty treat. No… He is a gate guard and probably not that much in the know on this and, besides…, she smirked, glancing toward the gate, he would probably be more focused on bits of me than bits of anyone else at the present. Her hands gingerly smoothed the skirt on her outfit as she slowly became aware of how she was dressed. The cut and design of her tunic and skirt were concealing enough to pass as 'traditional' clothing, but the material was nearly sheer enough to really only serve as meditation or sleepwear, which is what she had, indeed, used them for. Far better cry than being naked, but she did so enjoy how the outfit hugged every line and curve in the mirror.

Her ego - at the fleeting thought of Duncan ogling her while newcomers to the Citadel formed a fresh line, hoping for her and not Krys - perked up for a flicker and then sat back down beside her, her thoughts returning to Paige as she breathed in more tainted air. If this dead girl was, indeed, Paige then determining that fact would either shave a lot of time off of her search, or just subtract a little if the girl turned out to be someone else. With a quick final purse of her lips around the smoke, Aerin stubbed it out and looked for a guard to flag down for questioning so that she could find out where the body would be for identification. She seemed to remember bodies going to some temple when she had helped with the Red Banner, but she could not recall which temple.

Besides…that was an emergency and a lot of bodies… Probably just needed some place to stack the damn things back then...

[Grey Wolf]

This early in the day people were still too busy going about their business to dawdle in front of the Pleasures, and so Aerin had little trouble finding a nice cozy spot for her near the door. People came and went, but it was just a trickle compared to what was a norm in the evening, and as they passed they chatted, though the gist of the rumors was still the same. Where once there was one killer now there were two, the old one killing women, while the new did terrible things to young men, despite the masks of bliss etched on their dried faces. One used a knife or something along that vein, while the other definitely used magick and other than the absence of liquid in their bodies his or her victims were unharmed. Surprisingly, the City Guard was not being blamed for their inability to catch the killers, both fiends being thought supernatural and beyond their ability. Some even blamed the University of Magick for the second streak of murders, since they started shortly after its disappearance.

Ever since the last streak of riots the guards patrolled the city much more frequently, and thus a pair of them kept passing before Aerin every couple of flickers, casting glances at her, but since she did not engage any of the man in conversation they left her alone for now. Neither were familiar, but a young man who passed by on his way to the Pleasures may have been, since he had spent a few nights at the Thalas Manse in the past, coming in late at night and leaving at ungodly hours after a day or two.

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

Aerin did, indeed, recognize the man, even if the two of them had only exchanged a handful of words in the two months that she had lived under Ashari’s roof. Her first impulse was to call out to him, but her promise to Ashari was to keep her Mistress’ secrets until told otherwise, which included making obvious contact with a man who seemingly did not want anyone to know that he was a frequent guest at the house.

“Excuse me, Sir…”, she muttered in a normal speaking voice as she made a tentative grab for his elbow, just enough to make her presence known in case he had not recognized her right away. “Would you happen to have a moment to spare for a question?”

[Grey Wolf]

It was easy catching the young man, the grab for his shoulder making him stop, inertia causing his body to turn, a flash of steel at his waist betraying a half-drawn dagger for a flicker, his eyes focusing on the girl before he recognized her face and relaxed a bit, the dagger slipping back into the sheaths. “Sure, miss. Thing is I am kinda thirsty, so mind if we step in and get a drink while you ask.” Only his eyes moved, scanning the street and the roof-top behind the girl, as he slowly reached for the door and pushed it open, waiting for her to go in first and then following in, leading the way to a side table and waving the waitress over, asking for a cup of coffee and glass of water before turning his attention at Aerin. “So many ears in the street. Much better here. So, how can I help you?”

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

“Sure, miss. Thing is I am kinda thirsty, so mind if we step in and get a drink while you ask.”

Aerin’s bright eyes narrowed at the flash of metal – he was certainly a bit high-strung this morningtide, pulling a weapon like that as the slightest altercation. Still, there had been murders done overnight, so Aerin assumed after a flicker that there might be just cause. “Sure…”, she replied, following him inward after watching his eyes bounce around like round, wet groundhogs in their hovels.

“So many ears in the street. Much better here. So, how can I help you?”

If only you knew what goes on in here…, she mused silently before answering aloud, a coy smile on her lips as she thought of her own nasty habit of eavesdropping while attending to tables and patrons where the background noise was lower and people tended to lower their shields much like this man, since ‘the street’ was no longer listening. “Just a simple question or two, really… The first being ‘Do you know where the bodies of the murdered are stored’?” Aerin forewent a drink herself, opting for a smoke instead, giving her lips a precursory lick before putting the stiff shaft of leaves between them, lighting the opposing end, and drawing in a small plume with a well-practiced suck.

“And the second being ‘Have you heard or seen anything about those killed last night that our…mutual friend…might need to know about?” she asked as the thin wisps of smoke curled from those lips and danced for a flicker or two above a porcelain face ringed in rose-hued frame of curled silk.

The counter for nerves is calm…the counter for fear is comfort…be his calm…be peace… Aerin instructed herself as she awaited confirmation that her subtle efforts were being rewarded – the very topic, she assumed, would be a tough nut to crack otherwise as those in power tried to keep the whole population from freaking the Nether out – and thus rushing him too much might bring more silence than answers, no matter how anxious her feet were to move and find Paige..

[Grey Wolf]

Some news were good, some news were bad and some news were both, and not knowing which was which could make any man edgy. In the ongoing war battlefield shifted, and territory switched hands, but the main rule was that friendly territory was always safer than no-man’s land, spies or no spies. The man’s eyes narrowed at Aerin’s question, his hand reaching for the coffee and bringing the cup to his lips for a sip before any reply came. “Depends. If it is someone important and they decide to investigate it is taken to Gaol. If it is nobody or some nameless thug then they take the body to the Temple of Mother where they give it a burial. And if there is family and they don’t find who did it they give the body to them, so it can be buried.” He cast a glance this way and that and then added. “And those bodies you ask about go to Gaol, cause they have to investigate it. Otherwise Marshall gets a wedgy from Lord Advocate, who gets his from Caesar and everyone has a piece of cloth up their ass, since Mike tends to spread his displeasure rather generously.” He paused and then added. “Why you ask? If someone is in trouble we can ask around. We all work for the same man after all.”

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

Aerin puffed on her smoke as the man talked, listening to his explanation and frowning at the thought of having to chew through red tape at Gaol. Besides – Paige was just missing, after all, and she was probably getting worked up over nothing. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to dig deeper, although his mention of their employer gave her a small smile as she left that end of business up to Ashari and it was the younger woman for whom Aerin thought herself to serve and not Ashari’s ‘puppeteer’.

“You know a girl and her curiosity, sir…” she laughed, not wanting the search for Paige to become a huge, complex manhunt or to draw unwanted attention to herself and her companions as whomever burnt down the original guildhouse might be lurking as close as the next table, looking for a scrap of information to take running back to whomever pulled their strings.

“With the murders happening more and more frequently, I often wonder if anyone that I know has fallen under the blade, so to speak…”she fibbed although there was a sizable nugget of truth there – she had a morbid curiosity about knowing the victims – the sort of strange humor which made watching a friend trip and fall funnier than watching a complete stranger do the same. “Any word out of Gaol as to a pattern or anything? I mean, my father was a woodsman and – although he picked the trees ‘at random’ – you could almost always see a pattern of sorts emerge as he made his way. Same with the crops…random spray of seeds always turned into straight rows of plants…without fail.”

[Yelena Kintessia]

Yelena had left in the middle of classes to find Aerin. The adhiel sighed as walked around the city realizing that it would have been better if she had actually went with Aerin instead of taking her sweet time in deciding to leave. Also, when the two returned to the Thalas Manse they would be in trouble with Ashari. But that didn't matter at this point. She had to find Aerin and then find Paige.

Yelena went through a mental checklist of places that she could check for Aerin. Simple Pleasures was at the top, because that was where Aerin worked. It was the best place to start. If the redhead was not there then Yelena could just ask around and move on.

[Grey Wolf]

The young man chuckled at Aerin’s explanation and shook his head, taking another sip of coffee. “You women can sometimes be so weird it hurts my mind even trying to figure you out.” He chuckled once more and seemed to ponder something, just as Yelena entered the tavern. Seeing how the spot young men chose was simply a table in the corner, it would not be hard for the adhiel to see the pair, though how and whether she approached was up to her. Meanwhile the young man came to a decision and leaned closer, pretending to taking a long sip, while he whispered over the edge of the cup. “I can find out the names of those who died if you want. Our employer has a special interest in this case, since this string of murders makes the guard nervous and hampers our business. He even offered a reward to whomever caught the bastard, or bastards. Fifty crowns if I remember correctly. But, so far nobody even got close. Even men we from out of Citadel we found and hired failed to ferret the bastard out. Every time someone got close he would go into hiding and…. Well, he would come out months later and just do it again. Always women, and always young. And I don’t think this new guy who kills young men is the same person. That is something nastier. Not natural. And again it makes a mess of our business plans, and we can’t afford it. But, that ain’t my job. I do what I am paid to do and leave taking care of problems to those whose job it is.”

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

Fifty Crowns? The redhead’s eyes did very little to mask her amazement at the figure, although her initial response was just a nod. After a careful drag on her smoke, her lips finally formed words. “Our employer…”, she smiled slyly, “…is generous indeed, although he might be overlooking one small thing.” A somewhat smug tone crept into her lowered voice. “Why is he having men, even unknown faces, looking for the ladykiller? Would not someone who is both bait and trap be more appropriate?” she asked, thinking of her own limited experience as the bait which lured men into traps for both Rat and Ashari.

…which was dangerous thinking on her part as she had still not let go of the thought that the unnamed Langredoc could be the killer and Paige his latest victim…would she truly be up to the task of capturing someone more dangerous than a lowly guard or debtor? And what would Ashari think of the girl volunteering herself?

No… Aerin thought as she lowered her smile. Secrets, secrets, secrets… “Mind you…” she continued, taking another puff on her smoke. “…I am in no way volunteering for the job…” Not openly, at least… “…as my mistress would not approve and I am not trained for such a thing, but it is just a thought for him to consider and yes, my friend, if you like the suggestion and use it you may take full credit for the idea….”

If allowed, Aerin would place his hand upon his lightly, still unaware of Yelena’s presence. “And that list of names would be nice…I must continue my errands for this morningtide soon, but you could drop it off at Thalas for me, perhaps?” Her ever-active mind threw in a modification on the request as well, picturing Ashari or Yelena questioning the item’s purpose. “Discreetly, of course…”

The list would be handy, should her search for Paige turn up cold, and it could also be helpful in her plans..she was already starting to think like a killer, perhaps she could see what these killers saw, allowing her to succeed where others had failed. Fifty Crown would certainly play a part in helping her feel more…equipped…in both her role as a Companion and in her new life as well.

[Grey Wolf]

The man simply shrugged, that particular problem way out of his league, and honestly too dangerous for his liking. Aerin’s questions did require an answer and he could not afford to be rude. “Old Tom was looking to have the bastard dead, not give him another victim. And Red never could play a lost puppy well enough to lure the Slayer out of the hiding.” He licked his lips and sought the words. “You see, using a person and putting their life in danger like that would be careless and cruel and our employer is anything but. He leaves that to others.” He smiled and then quickly frowned when the girl asked for the list of Slayer’s victims. “I will see what I can do, but I can’t make promises. Not my job to know that. Other things occupy my mind.”

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

“Are you sure that names are appropriate?”, she asked, taking a glance around and noting Yelena. “New topic time anyway…” she muttered sotto voce while rolling her eyes. “What other matters? Anything that someone like me could help with?” she asked with a grin as she lit up another smoke as she wondered why Yelena was there.

Probably sent by the Mistress to drag me back to classes, despite Paige’s absence. she assumed.

It was slightly comforting to know that Red had tried and failed at baiting the killer out and that Tomas was not simply willing to sacrifice life in pursuit of a high-profile adversary. Plausible deniability on his part and a chance to 'oops' unwittingly show herself to be as good or better than Red. Aerin was beginning to like the idea of snagging the killer herself more and more, even if Paige was not his most recent victim.

After that, she would take his place.

[Yelena Kintessia]

Yelena entered Simple Pleasures and was glad that she had found Aerin fairly quickly. However the redhead was speaking to a man at her table. Yelena did not want to interrupt them, because she did not know what their conversation was about and she did not know if Aerin wanted her to. Her next option was to sit and wait and ask Aerin after. The adhiel pointed to a table near, signaling to Aerin that she would sit there. She ordered a coffee and hoped that she could catch a few of the words of their conversation. If Aerin found out anything about Paige's whereabouts, she would follow.

[Grey Wolf]

Chuckling at Aerin’s words, the rogue glanced around the room and nodded at her suggestion. “As said before, this place is safer than many others, but let us speak of something else.” He smiled mysteriously at the girl’s innocent attempt to learn more, patting her hand. “I am sorry, darling, but even though we work for the same guy in a way, I have never worked with you. It’s not that I don’t trust you personally, it is just that I don’t trust anybody whom I don’t trust. So, I suggest we change the subject once more. Heard any juicy rumors, or better yet got any lonely friends?” He grinned, catching sight of Yelena and very possibly trying to warn Aerin of her friend’s presence in a round-about way. Yelena was not left alone for long a waitress coming to her table and asking if she would like to order something.

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

Aerin watched as Yelena made contact between the two of them before taking a seat at a nearby table. The redhead pondered her options as the man beside her made note of the young blonde as well…in a more man-ish way of course. Aerin gave a small, flirtatious laugh in response. If you know anything about women, Signore…”, she said, trying out a Mouthie term that she had picked up from her job in the very same café. “You would know that rumor is mother’s milk to us and that gossip abounds when able. However, I am afraid that I have not the time to bore you with all of the rumors that I have heard…”, she fibbed, having no real rumors to her name other than those that she could make up on the spot. “…and the arrival of Yelena reminds me of the task that we were sent on – personal business for the Mistress.”

That line, at least, had a small bite of truth to it as Aerin was sure that Ashari was taking Paige’s truancy very personally. Hers and Yelena’s as well, she imagined with a frown as she made to rise. “As for lonely friends…I can check around – no promises though, as we both know that Mistress Ashari does not keep that kind of house.” Her eyes moved back to Yelena for a flicker before returning to his. “And I do understand about the trust… We hardly know one another. In fact –“, she continued, rising and extending a hand.

“I have seen you about, and enjoyed the pleasure of your company this morningtide, but do not even have the pleasure of your name just yet.” she mentioned, assuming that his higher dealings with Ashari had probably netted him her name long ago. “I would love to have it in order to keep you in mind for my friends, without having to introduce you as ‘that handsome gentleman over there’, and then we must be off…”

[Yelena Kintessia]

Yelena ordered a coffee from the waitress, waiting for Aerin to see if she found out anything since she had left the Thalas Manse. When the girl took a quick look back at the table it looked like the man saw her, so for the rest of the time she kept to herself and did not look back as much. If Aerin was getting any information then she did not want to jeopardize it.

[Grey Wolf]

The man arched an eyebrow at the word signore but said nothing, going with the flow and leaning closer to Aerin. he pretended to be shocked when she mentioned a certain kind of house and then added with a chuckle. “Honey, I was not looking for that kind of fun either. A woman for a night is easily found. But, you girls are not that kind and I would not mind spending some time…” He paused a moment. “….say a few weeks or months with one of them. I am sure there would be something for both side to learn from such a coupling.” He rose at the same time as Aerin did and took the offered hand, and gave it a friendly squeeze. “I’m Tom. Tom Kittens. Tomcat to friend. And I will leave you to your business. Do take care will ya.” He waited for her to depart before slipping away and up the stairs.

[Aerin Penna Seleratus]

Tom Kittens... Tomcat... Finally, the face had a name and it was appearant that it also had a desire. Yelena. Aerin nodded and wished him well before excusing herself over to Yelena's table, taking a seat in order to allow her the pleasure of finishing her drink before they set off to work. "Hiya, Yelena..." she said with a warm smile as she settled in. "You come after me on your own, or were you sent?" she asked with a small wink. "In either case, I do not think that we will have nearly as hard a time about it as Paige will once she decides to come back home."

Aerin gave a small shrug. "I have only just begun my search - things do not look good at the flicker, but we must remain hopeful." Her eyes hardened. "There were more murders overnight and my friend is not sure of the names or descriptions. Hopefully, they are not her, but if you want to check them out - since you have more Palace connections than I and might be able to drop some better names - I am going to check about locating that swordsman that she is always hanging about, starting at Pier 17 and moving to the Dragon and Mermaid since they are not here."

She lit up a fresh smoke, drew in and exhaled. "Do you know anything about him or Paige's schedule? Do you think she would have spent the eve working at the Palace and just not sent word?" Her mind was going a furlong a burn. "Please tell me if you know anything to make our search easier - I think it best if we split up, search, and possibly meet at the old guildhouse..." She paused for a flicker and shook her head. "...At Pan's Temple - safer there - the killers might not be dumping the bodies till dark, but they may be taking them while it is light out yet." she thought aloud.

Finally taking a flicker to breathe, she spent it inhaling smoke. "On another note..." she said, giving Yelena's foot a light tap under the table and nodding over in the direction of the table that she and Tom had occupied. "I think someone may have been looking for you as well." Her straight face grew a smirk, which blossomed into a smile. "I'll tell you more about it later...", she promised.