View source for A Few Fowl Questions

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== Log Info ==
*Title: A Few Fowl Questions
*Emitter: Nemori
*Characters: Jay, Robert, Nemori
*Place: A02: Lower Trades District: The Ilife Smithy
*Time: Thursday, April 14, 2022, 9:44 PM
*Summary: Guards are following up on the theft from Robert's smithy, getting details and warning Jay, Bob, and Nemori that their silence might be used against them. They depart, Jay and Robert ask for details, why was that staff so important? Nemori explains, it's all that remains of her brother, which her mother was attempting to fashion into a magic artifact. Jay and Bob pledge to assist her, although Integrity is showing some reluctance and fear regarding the violence experienced so far. With no time to lose, they set off to track the thieves down.</div>

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The Lower Trades District is the home of the working man of Alexandria. The Lower Trades is divided, unofficially, into two parts: that controlled by the gobbers, and that controlled by the khazad. The two areas stand in contrast, one with a strong, almost formal architecture and a predilection for blacksmiths, the other a mixture of propped-up rubble and gunpowder. The latter's started to grow however, and take form with the aid of the more structured Arvek Nar. Still, the two stand as uneasy neighbors, though the oruch more easily work both sides, often in the spirit of a friendly, if competitive, warriors' competition that's unique to Alexandria, itself. 

Here, the "khazad section" boasts a number of blacksmiths, glass smiths, artifice shops, and basic taverns, as well as any number of trades shops and eateries. The sweet tinge of oil, iron, and spiced BBQ is everywhere. Shrines to Reos, or marks of the same, are found over most doorways, in homage to the khazad Mountain Father and World Smith.
             
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<pre>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing, in Order  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Nemori       4'10"    110 Lb     Mul'niessa        Female    A tall and slender, dark skinned elf.
Robert       6'3"     235 Lb     Human             Male      A middle-aged Cerenzan with a friendly, fatherly vibe.
Jay          5'9"     145 Lb     Eaglefolk         Male      A perky male Blue Jay with a discerning eye.
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The Ilife Smithy is a simple and open structure delineated by low stone walls, framing posts, and a slanted roof. The space is roughly 10'x15' with an ancient forge hearth as its centerpiece. A table and a high counter mounted to the framing poses form an interrupted L on the north and west sides of the building. A steel anvil is anchored to a dead tree trunk. 

A path leading from the main thoroughfare comes to a low gate but the hinged entrance is a formality; only the laziest and shortest of the short races would struggle climbing over the low walls. Sightlines through the building are only interrupted by the framing posts and large hearth."

It's been a long couple of hours. As law abiding citizens, of course the guard had been summoned to investigate the aftermath of the attack and burglary at Robert's smithy. There's been an initial investigation of the crime scene and a brief questioning; a couple of days later came the second visit. An investigator out of the central HQ of the Alexandrian City Watch, along with a gnome working as his scribe. Working might be a strong term, however, as the little mustachioed fellow seems to have enchanted his quill to do the writing for him while he snoozes on one of Robert's benches nearby.

Nemori was the first one question. Most of her answers were single syllables. When answers requiring more than a yes or no were required, they were given.. but grudgingly. Now, she sits on another stool, in the corner, shoulders slumped and looking.... drained. One might think it funny to say she's a shadow of herself.

The investigator himself, a smartly uniformed fellow with a pair of spectacles, taps his chin. "I suppose that's it for today, folks. Now.. before my colleague and I take this back for review, is there anything any of you wish to add? Remember. Anything you say or do not say may be used against you if it goes to a trial."

"Bob! Bob! As your solicitor I advise you, don't say anything!" The bluejay egalrin sitting in the corner peeps up. "Oh, I need a solicitor."

His head snaps to look at the investigator, "Wait, what? How will you use things that aren't said? You'll make stuff up?"

Everyone has tea. Or, rather, everyone who might want tea has tea. The hearth may be constructed for forging but a mind used to wrapping itself around the mysteries of Kulthian artifice can make do. If the investigators were foolish enough to decline the first offer there were many more to follow. Bob, for his point, enjoys the strong cup and its pungent aroma. 

"I'm happy to cooperate," Robert says after a glance to Jay. It's been a slower couple of days after a one of almost pure chaos and it's helped him to settle and re-center. He'd finished up with the Mourners and the service for the dead man out of Remus' crew earlier and he's still a bit done-up. The red-skinned man looks odd in his mourning clothes; they're an uncommon formality. 

"Lady Nemori was acting in self-defense and outnumbered when we arrived. My instinct would be to focus on the two attackers you have in custody but you're the professionals," He smiles, again, and has another sip. He doesn't presume to know more than the watch but he does have that interest in the processes of investigations that comes with idle hours and free time to speculate.

The investigator reaches up to remove his spectacles, folding them up to put into the breast pocket of his uniform. Then he gives Jay something that's not quite a dirty look. Not quite. "If information related to the case comes to light that any of you knowingly withheld, it wouldn't look favourably upon you." He snaps his fingers then, waking his companion with a start and a snort. Then the gnome is speaking and flourishing, and the writing implements and floating writing desk start packing themselves up. The investigator's face returns to its professional look. "Don't you worry about that, Goodman Robert. They are certainly our focus on this. Your friend is right, though. It couldn't hurt to line up a solicitor, though I expect your involvement in this is as you say. It weighs heavily in all of your favour that both assailants survived. If you do think of anything," he adds, "Please bring it to my attention. Inspector Finnilan. Good day." And so he and his assistant depart.
  
"It was three against one! She was fighting for her life in magical darkness. They were Mul'niessa, they ran off when we interrupted them." Jay squawks, flapping his wings, hopping in place. "I ran off to alert the guards."

Loudly enough that most of the street heard it as well.

"I didn't find any but they figured out where to go." His head tilts, he peers at the gnomish assistant, "Is that a portable writing desk? Where did you get that? That seems really useful!"

Standing, Robert makes a point to collect teacups from the watchmen that decided to indulge and sets them around the edge of the cooling forge hearth as they ready to leave. His own teacup looks dainty in his big hand, cupped in his palm with his pointer finger through the looped handle. "We appreciate your time, Inspector Finnilan, and we're glad for your efforts in keeping Lady Nemori safe." 

The Cerenzan's free hand pushes back his coat and finds a pocket. He stands there watching their backs and then gives a quiet sigh. "See? Not so bad," he observes before he finishes his beverage. Looking between Jay and Nemori the older man puts on another smile. "More tea?"

The inspector and his assistant do leave, but not before the former gives Jay an appreciating nod and a verbal thank you, and the latter grins and shakes his head, putting a finger to his lips. And then the two are gone, leaving the trio alone in the Ilife Smithy.

Nemori just shrugs. "What does it matter. I may as well have just let them kill me. That staff is more important than me. More important than..." she trails off. Telling the pair that the staff is more important than them probably isn't the right thing to say. "... than anything," she finishes. Not once does she look up from the floor at her feet, the hands clenched in her lap. At least the blood was able to be removed.

Jay watches the guards leave, wing-waving as they go and making sure they have passed out of eavesdropping range before he starts to speak. He does have a good idea of his own volume, so it's a bit of a wait.

He moves to one side of the forge, back to the other side. Sometimes pacing, more often hopping, at each end turning to look at Nemori, examine her from a new angle. His wings beat against the low wall that faces the street, and sometimes are simply flapping out in the street past it.

"I... I, I, I. Um!" He tweets, looks at Robert then back at Nemori, then does it again. "I... um. You scared me. You still scare me. That look in your eyes."

He stops moving. Stands still. "I panicked and I wasn't useful. Again."

"You're both safe; that's what matters." Robert opines, carefully setting his cup down with the rest. He scratches at his stubble and pulls at his cravat as he stretches his chin up, loosening the neckwear. "Go easy on yourself, IC. That was a hard day for all of us and you're still learning the ropes; there's no shame in what happened." 

The big man takes his hand from his pocket and untucks the cravat, working at it now with both hands until he has it off entirely. He takes the time to fold it and then stuff it away. 

"And you, lady, we can find your staff and see it returned to you." He takes a step closer but doesn't reach out, respecting the proud woman's space. "Jay and I have made quite a few friends in the city since arriving; I'm certain we can leverage some assistance and see the issue resolved."

"It is gone. She has had much time to get out of the city," Nemori shakes her head, no strength left to cling on to that hope. "Maybe, a trail.. but he will be moving swiftly. Perhaps with more of them." Her hands unclasp, then grip into the folds of her dress. "I came so far." she says quiestly. A complaint. Then she wipes at her eyes with the her sleeve, and finally looks up. Her face is composed. At least, to the best of her current ability. Her eyes, though, are empty. She looks Jay's way, considering him. There's a right thing to say, here, she knows. Weighing words, testing them. Then she shakes her head. "Integrity. You and Robert, you have shown me kindness and expected nothing in return. You have nothing to fear from me." And if the words ring hollow... well, she's trying. "I am sorry you saw that." Not sorry she did it.

"Okay. Okay!" Integrity bobs his head, looking at Robert, looking back, "Bob is right. There are spells, there are contacts, there are ways to find your staff. You keep flying. You have to glide before you can climb. Don't give up. Don't!"

He looks once more at the older artificer, "Thanks. It's a lot. I wasn't expecting so much to happen. With... that everything."

He turns, beak pointing at Nemori, his eyes glittering, "Will you tell us why the staff is important?"

"The hardest day I've had in a long time," Bob agrees with Jay. "... and you'd already stepped up when we needed you to and saved our lives." 

He reaches under the table and collects a stool, lifting it easily by the leg and sitting it near Nemori where he might perch. "The Tsura have a saying: regardless of the destination, the road is rarely straight." The four-time father hesitates again before bowing to habit and resting a supportive hand on Nemori's back, light as he can. "You've come so far but you've further to go," he smiles in his friendly way.

"... and, by Muse' grace, you might bolster your entourage if you've the patience for our company," the Cerenzan grins, "and promise to stop calling me 'Robert.'"

"There is no point in....!" The frustration that suddently ignites in Nemori is gone before the spark has any chance to take hold. She just sags again, not even flinching at the contact of Robert's support. Instead she nods, expecting it to be what the pair hope to see. Her hands loosen, then grip again, then loosen, the physical action assisting her thoughts. Weighing them. How much to say. How little she can get away with telling them, but how much she needs to give to keep their support. Boggling that the support is still there, perhaps. "The staff is the last piece I have of my brother. My mother killed him. They were going to use the staff to... house.... something dark. So I took it. It is personal to me.. but when they get it back.." She shrugs. "It will not be the same anymore."

"I prefer Robert to... Bob.." Nemori can't help herself. Her lips curl a little bit. "How does one even derive Bob from Robert? Was it a nickname given to you as a child?"

"It was me. Me! When I was dating his kids." Jay chirps happily, bouncing in place. "I'd say, 'Hi Robert! Robert! Rob! Bert! Rob! Bob Bob Bob!' When I went to meet them."

He stops, his mouth opening in a sort of awe, "Those were your family? They're going to make your brother into a magic item? That's.." His words trail off, and he keeps opening and closing his mouth.

The Cerenzan glances from Nemori to Jay, his grimace tempered by the egalrin's explanation. "His egomania aside, IC certainly brought it back into fashion... but it was the Lucht of our caravan growing up," he explains, standing. He pours the teapot out and gathers it and the cups up, tossing a cloth over them. "The halflings loved their rhymes. Robert, Rob, Bob. William, Will, Bill, and Gill. Richard, Rick, Dick... and so, so many more."

The artificer's tone has changed. He's distracted: answering a question to avoid being rude with his mind pivoting to other matters. He stops to stand next to Nemori and offers his hand, "We'll need to go past my home so I can grab my supplies but then we'll start our search. If that staff is that important we won't dawdle further."

Nemori shakes her head. Wonderment? Bogglement? Non-elves and their wordplay. Then her expression drains again, and she nods to Jay. Either he has the right of it, or it's not worth the effort to correct the details. "My mother is not, I believe, what you would expect as a mother." She doesn't fight Robert as he assists her to her feet. Even resisting at this point seems like too much of a fight. "I have.. everything I own on me." Minus the staff. And her bedroll folded up in the corner.

"Everything I own is on me too. Too!" Integrity says enthusiastically, "But I want a travelling writing desk! With raven carvings!"

He looks at Bob, at Nemoria, at the street, "We can go now. Should we get ... it might be better with fewer. I can handle the talking and ... ah.. you two handle the fighting? Mostly? Mostly!"

"It's a good walk from here to the theatre district," Bob observes, looking between Jay and Nemori. "We could leave it to luck and see who we bump into." He stands by the gate and waves the other two out. 

"The guild is on the way, too, if you'd like to formalize a contract," the Cerenzan tells Nemori. Then he looks at Jay and quirks an eyebrow, "or we could track down miss Slix and miss Zofija."

Nemori looks at Robert frowning. "A... contract." More frowning, even as she follows. Then she shrugs. Still torn between despondency and the slight embers of hope that Jay and Robert's unexplainable enthusiasm for this mission, it's one of those things Nemori doesn't have the capacity to think about right now. "I am not much of a fighter, Integrity. But.. well.." She doesn't put her hand to her knife. At least she's aware enough to remember Jay's earlier skittishness... and the absolute horror he seemed to have felt the night of the attack. "I will follow your leads," she tells them.

The bluejay's wings pop wide, "Yes! We should get Slix! And Mus..." He rubs at the spot where he was shot, looks down at it, back up, "Should we coordinate tactics first? If we get them?"

"I've got lots of contracts! Contracts are my middle name!" Integrity offers enthusiastically, his energy returning. His head flicks, he notices Nemori's knife, looks away, "Bob will coordinate! Let's go! Go!"

Using his spread wings, the bluejay egalrin pushes the other two out of the smithy, eager to get started and escape the bad memory there.

He doesn't even consider he might be rushing everyone into more.

{{LineSkulls|300px}}

==Random OOC==

''Inspirational Music''
<br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns7Dss5jRXY

''Serene''
<br>https://www.artbreeder.com/i?k=588bed6e9ef8ada4a4b33de7ef19

''Integrity C Truefeather''
<br>https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/816867495825899542/959479447940124693/2022-04-01_Jay_Arrakoa_Tengu_Lawyer.jpg

''Cryo''
<br>https://d.furaffinity.net/art/sasta/1649529685/1649529685.sasta_reptilianorbit_shy_s_dragon_wife2.jpg