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Realms: Taps Logs

A Little Birdie Told Me

In the morning Roy rises at an hour that might seem surprisingly early, and sends to the kitchen for breakfast in bed to be served for Sulochana. He then slips out to help care for his stable of horses. Chanticleer is in the stables at this hour as well -- not that he doesn't trust the stablehands in caring for his stag, but he does feel better about tending to its special needs. Besides, Roy made it clear Chanti would have to care for it himself, which Chanticleer doesn't mind anyway.

Suraksha is also an early riser -- caravans need to take advantage of every moment of sunshine to travel, after all, so prepping usually occurs before dawn. She tends to stay in bed with clients, though, so when Roy rises early she's surprised -- and touched at the thoughtfulness of having breakfast sent to her. When it arrives she's bathed, dressed, and slightly bored, so she peeks outside the door to see who, if anyone, is on guard there; if it's Alg or Chanti, she's happy to share breakfast with them. Alg is outside the door, though he's apparently not actually on-duty. There are two others standing there as well.

Suraksha smiles when she finds Alg and the others there, inviting them to share some breakfast with her. The two on guard politely decline, but Alg slips in with a curious glance at her. She guesses correctly the small goblin-man favors meat, and she also figures out he likes having the base of his ears scritched. She asks him questions about what he likes, and doesn't seem to be shocked by his answers; Alg is (to his surprise) rather enjoying himself.

After he's had his fill of the treats offered by Suraksha, Alg peers at her and says, "Earstuff?"

Suraksha laughs, "Do you mean you want more scritches?" She obligingly rubs her fingers through the stiff hair -- not quite fur -- standing up around his slightly pointed ears.

Alg wrinkles his nose and grunts a bit, shaking his head and pointing inside his ear, "Dripdrip!"

Suraksha says, "Ah! Are the mites bothering you again? Let me get the medication for you." She rises, padding across the hallway with Alg to the room Gramma Marcie was in. The glamoured woman has already risen, tidied up, and headed out into the palace to explore, so there's no one there. Sulochana locates the little bottle, then sits in one of the chairs and calls Alg over. A few careful drops into each ear, and then she sits back and smiles, "There you go. Better?" She looks thoughtful, then adds, "You're going to need this for a week, dear, to make sure your ears are all cleared up, and I won't be here that long. Do you think you can do this yourself?" She pauses, considering for a moment, then smiles and adds, "-or would you like to come work for me, and travel with the caravan? I need a strong, fast hunter and warrior like you, after all."

Alg peers at Suraksha and says, "Pretty lady stay!" That, of course, would be the best solution in his mind.

Suraksha laughs, running a light hand over his tufty fur-hair and smiling, "Unfortunately I cannot. I must go after I finish this job for the king. But thank you for the invitation."

Elsewhere, the king is in obviously very good spirits when he comes upon Chanti with his stag. Roy himself is leading a young horse with an unusually long and wavy mane and long tail. The creature's neck is strong and gracefully curved and it is a mottled black and white. Chanti knows that as a foal the horse was completely black. Roy hails the sidhe, "Chanticleer!" He's grinning lazily as he approaches.

Chanticleer glances over in the middle of brushing Chevrefoil, and nods politely. "Good morning, Sir. All is well?"

Roy chuckles and leads the horse over, "Everything is fuckin' amazing, Chanticleer. But everything always looks better after a lovely lazy roll with a beautiful woman." He looks the stag over a bit, "I still don't get how you ride a deer."

Chanticleer inwardly winces. He's not one to kiss and tell, even though some in the courts wore their affairs on their sleeves. There was something charming about the subtleties of letting people know whom one was having an affair with -- subtleties that are utterly lost on Roy. "Practice, Sir," he says, smiling quietly. "Practice, and patience." He resumes brushing the stag as it chews contentedly on a stalk of its namesake. "All is well with the Lady, then?"

Roy chuckles and says, "All is amazin' with that lady. Worth every cent and more. Of course, so are you. I believe in getting value for my money."

Chanticleer almost stumbles in brushing the stag; Chevrefoil barely notices, just casting an inquiring glance at Chanticleer as the brush goes in the wrong direction. "Oh, ah... thank you, Sir."

Roy looks a bit askance at Chanticleer's stumble and says, "You don't like me much, do you?"

Chanticleer recovers somewhat. "That's... really besides the point, Sir. You pay me well, and I do hope I do good work for you. Moreover, you are a good ruler and treat your people well, and bring stability to the region. That is more than most royalty does in these times."

Roy leans against his horse, stroking its mane, "You do amazin' work for me, and you look good doin' it. Sorta surprised you're stickin' around, though, 'specially after that with Moynahan's boys last night. They figger out you're sidhe, and you might find steel tacks in your saddle blanket."

Chanticleer says wryly, as he peers closely at Chevrefoil's back at that suggestion. "Thank you again, Sir! But Moynahan... that has somewhat weighed on my mind, Sir, to be honest. You've been very welcoming of non-humans here; I'm sure that grates on Moynahan to no end. I don't normally worry about what one such as he would think, since I do not necessarily fear one or a handful of them. But they may cause greater trouble than just harassing one of your guards...."

Roy looks Chanticleer up and down, "You think so, huh? Well, he's been around longer than you have. I think I can deal with him." With that blithe dismissal of Chanti's opinion, he swings up onto the stallion's back and trots off. Chanticleer inwardly rolls his eyes. [And he was doing so well, too....]

Suraksha steps back into the shade of an oak to watch the king go by. Alg is tagging along with her. She smiles quietly to herself as she observes... then looks curiously into the barn. She smiles in a friendly fashion at anyone that meets her eyes; like Gramma Marcie, she's taking advantage of people assuming she belongs, in order to explore and see what the king is like. As the stallion pulls abreast of Sulochana, he shies away suddenly, startling Roy who says, "Whoa! Whoa, Hermoso..." He looks concerned and pauses to make sure the horse is OK, giving Suraksha time to slip away. Suraksha grins at the name, sliding gracefully out of sight behind the oak, and from there to a better spot to peek into the barn.

She stays back out of the barn until she's sure no one might get hurt by a restive or spooked horse that's just caught her scent. She's not really dressed for barn work, but she's very interested in seeing how the horses react to normal humans here: that will tell her a great deal about how the king treats those weaker than he.

Chanticleer continues brushing the stag, wondering how to word his resignation from Roy's service. Chevrefoil continues chewing his honeysuckle, nostrils flaring as Suraksha enters. He does not startle, as a good knight's mount should not, but does go utterly still, chewing only now and then, watching alertly. Chanti picks up on that almost immediately, and frowns. "What has you spooked, Chevre?" he asks, brushing the stag's neck soothingly as he looks around the barn, and reaching down with his other hand to loosen his sword in his scabbard. [So help me, if one of Moynahan's goons sneaked in here I'm going to make him sing in the key of 'pain.']

The humans around the barns are being very careful and considerate of the horses, and concerned when the more skittish ones react to the scent of a predator the humans can't see. Suraksha is pleased to see that; it says good things about Roy. So did his not yanking on the stallion's reins when the big young Lipizzaner spooked. She whispers softly, "Chanticleer? Could I trouble you to direct me to my llama, please?"

At Suraksha's words Chanticleer almost jumps out of his skin. "Gah! Good heavens, Lady! Where did you come from?"

Suraksha leans away from the startled sidhe, covering a smile, "I apologize, sir knight. I was outside and trying to remain inconspicuous." She waves a hand towards the direction Roy took off in, adding very softly, "I... wished to not be noticed." She grins.

Chanticleer smiles wanly, "I can somewhat understand." He nods in the direction of Suraksha's llama. "He's stabled over there, Lady. The stablehands take very good care of just about all of animals here."

Suraksha looks relieved, "Oh, marvelous! That is a very good thing to hear." She smiles at the sidhe, adding, "I have contracted for a party with Roy tonight, as I think you know. After one more day for my caravan to restock completely... we shall be departing." She rests a hand lightly on Alg's shoulder as the goblin comes up and sits casually on the ground next to her, and adds delicately, "Will you need... any assistance from me when we leave, Chanti? I would not have ill come to you due to me."

Chanticleer chews his lip. "I... may, Lady. Roy is a good leader, but he is possessive," [as he demonstrated just now....] "I would not want my departure to jeopardize your business arrangement with him, but any help you can give I would appreciate."

Suraksha smiles, stepping forward to gently pat Chanticleer's arm -- although she's careful to keep the sidhe between her and the stag, not knowing how it will react. "I would be honored, Chanti. I'll be there then, when you're ready to speak to him. I ask only that you give him the news tomorrow, please, after the party?"

Chanticleer nods. "Tomorrow, then; certainly, Lady." He glances up to Chevrefoil, who seems to have gone completely still as Suraksha has moved closer. "You seem to have spooked my stag somehow, Lady," he says curiously.

Suraksha smiles ruefully, "It's an issue for me sometimes. You'll understand once we're on the road. Will you introduce us? I'm assuming he's not just a dumb beast, after all, yes?" By her voice it's clear she uses the term in its ancient meaning of mute.

Chanticleer nods, "Oh, of course! Chevrefoil, this is the Lady Sulochana; she is a guest of Roy's, and owns and operates a caravan that travels the length of the continent. We will be working for her soon. Lady Sulochana, this is Chevrefoil of the bloodline of the Trifurcated Antlers."

Suraksha smiles at the stag and gives a graceful nod of the head, "Chevrefoil, it is a great pleasure to meet you. I look forward to traveling with you and your knight." She offers her hand for the stag to reach out and sniff if he wants. She knows some animals just want to stay away from her, though, so she doesn't get in his face.

Chevrefoil stamps his hoof once, looking surprisingly skittish for a moment when Suraksha lifts up her hand, his nostrils flaring again. He turns his head to look at Chanticleer for a moment, before leaning forward to take in a great lusty snootful of Suraksha's scent -- then again, less startled and more curious. Chanticleer is digging through a small satchel. "Here," he says, offering a handful of honeysuckle to Suraksha. "For some reason he developed a fondness for this when he was young; it's where he got his name from."

Suraksha giggles at the increasingly curious stag, and her face lights up at Chanticleer's offering, "Oh, thank you!" She accepts it and holds some out to the stag, "Would you like this?" Chevrefoil snorts a bit, looking a little unsure for a moment, before casually -- apparently so as the tiger-smelling person might not notice -- leaning down to take the pungent honeysuckle and start chewing. Suraksha laughs delightedly, her eyes shining with pleasure, and glances at Chanti as the stag keeps nibbling from her hands, "He's so beautiful! May I touch him? Does he like having his ears rubbed, or the base of his antlers?"

Chanticleer smiles. "He does, yes. I think he's gotten used to you now, since I'm still here and you haven't tried to bite him. Or whatever it is he thought you'd do."

Suraksha laughs again at that, then croons to the big stag, "You're far too beautiful for that!" as she scritches gently around the antlers with her free hand. Chevrefoil seems to be recovering his aplomb and composure, since the tiger-smelling person doesn't seem to be giving off hungry-chase-pounce signals, and he really does like the base of his antlers rubbed like that, as he half-closes his eyes.

Suraksha giggles delightedly, happy to make the stag feel lovely -- she does care for animals quite a bit, knowing what it is to be one. As she continues scritching the blissful stag she says to Chanticleer, "So... may I ask a favor of you?" She glances down and smiles, adding, "-and Alg? I have some things I'd like to go shopping for, and after I learn a bit more about what this party is about, I must return to the caravan to collect appropriate clothing for tonight. While I do not expect trouble, I would greatly appreciate some locals to help guide me?"

Chanticleer blinks a little, then considers. "Well, I do not have duties at the moment until tonight, so certainly, I would be glad to come along."

Suraksha beams delightedly, "Thank you so much!" She looks around, then says to Alg, "Alg, could you find Gramma Marcie for me, and tell her I'm in the barn and about to go shopping, and she's welcome to join us?" She adds in explanation, "You're the swiftest and sneakiest of us, and likely have the best nose too." She smiles, "You're welcome to come along if you'd like, as well."

Alg says, "Alg go." The goblin has been sticking close to Suraksha and is peering around suspiciously, as if expecting someone to pounce on the lady. He lopes off then, almost moving quadrupedally.

Suraksha calls after him, "Thank you, dear!" then turns to the sidhe, "It's all right to leave my llama here, yes? We can return for him later, after shopping? I do need to talk to Roy -- er, his majesty -- about the party, after all, before I return to the caravan." She frowns, her expression unwittingly pretty, and murmurs to herself, "Client now: must remember to call him majesty. Majesty, majesty, right. Got it." She looks up at Chanti again and smiles inquiringly.

Chanticleer smiles merrily. "It's quite all right, Lady. I shan't be telling him. But yes, you can leave your llama here. He will be fine."

Suraksha looks relieved, then grins a bit guiltily. Her voice is softly conspiratorial as she glances around, then grins and whispers, "Do you have trouble remembering to call him that too?"

Chanticleer chuckles softly. "Now and then. I usually call him 'Sir' since, well, he is an employer more to me than he is my king."

Suraksha grins and agrees with that assessment! She relaxes with Chanticleer for a bit, scritching the stag and chatting idly until Gramma Marcie arrives with Alg. After that the diminutive woman perks up and claps her hands, "So! Shopping?"

Chanticleer nods, making sure his sword is at his side and his breastplate in Roy's livery is straightened. "As it pleases you, lady!"

Alg seems to be scowling all over his face and sticks very close to Gramma Marcie. The goblin is not wearing his livery. Suraksha beams, looping arms with Marcie after giving her a hug. She thanks both guardsmen, then gives Alg a puzzled look, "Is everything all right, Alg? You look a bit... hm. Unhappy?"

Alg growls and says, "Old lady snoopin'."

Suraksha laughs at that, brushing a hand along Alg's head, "Isn't that what curious visitors always do, though?" She grins, heading for the exit with Marcie as she adds cheerfully, "See anything interesting, Gramma Marcie?"

Alg peers at Gramma Marcie mistrustfully, but sticks close by Suraksha. He looks at Chanticleer and says, "Why armor?"

Chanticleer says, "Oh, habit, really." He adds a little guiltily, "Plus I've never felt entirely safe when Moynahan has been feeling his oats, and letting his boys run around a bit further off the leash than usual." He adds cheerfully, "Better safe than sorry. Besides, I'm still quite nimble even wearing it."

Alg sniffs and says, "Protect lady."

Suraksha awws and brushes her hand along Alg's shoulder again, "Thank you, dear. I confess, I asked you both to come to town with me because I'd feel safer that way." She smiles and adds happily, "Let's go have some fun, shall we?"

Gramma Marcie murmurs, "I didn't see much that Roy didn't want seen." The several of them head out for town, Alg scrambling around at point. Suraksha grins quietly at Marcie and nods, unruffled.

Suraksha chats cheerfully with Marcie and Chanticleer as they walk to town. Does the older woman know of anything in particular they should be looking for, that the caravan needs? Does Chanti know anything in particular that's quite nice that might be available here? Sura also quietly reminds Marcie that Roy is interested in feedback on what's going on in town too. They should keep their ears cocked, and let any caravan folks they meet know that as well. Gramma Marcie murmurs, "We do stand out with one of His Majesty's bodyguards with us." She doesn't seem upset by this.

Suraksha grins and nods to Marcie, murmuring back, "Want to see how folks react to them... how he treats his subjects, you know?"

Chanticleer is quite happy to point out several good stores for lovely things such as what Suraksha is looking for -- Roy does often buy presents for ladies, and Chanti has been around town on such shopping trips, or been sent to conduct such. Suraksha hmms, inspecting the various stores. She does find a few pretty things, but she explains to Chanti after a bit that what she's really looking for is the wholesale places. Does he know where those are? Might there be something that could be a good cargo for the caravan?

Chanticleer purses his lips a bit. "You'd find those down by the docks, Lady," he says dubiously. "The neighborhood... is not the best. It's even rougher than the crossing."

Suraksha smiles at that, looking up at the tall sidhe. "Do you and Alg feel you can handle that area?"

Chanticleer glances at Alg to gauge the goblin's reaction. "If I was going myself, I'd want to be out of livery -- and use some form of disguise...."

Suraksha nods thoughtfully, "Glamour? I've heard of sidhe using that. Can you make your clothes appear different, so you don't have to take off the armor or livery?" Gramma Marcie snorts softly to herself, smiling faintly.

Chanticleer purses his lips, then nods, "I can, yes."

Alg grunts and says, "Rats on docks." He makes a lip-smacking sound.

Suraksha grins at Alg, "We can pause for some rats, certainly!" She beams at Chanti, "Excellent! Let's go then!" She doesn't quite skip, but she is clearly pleased to be doing this kind of shopping.

Alg peers at Suraksha as if he's not sure what to think of her and says, "No stop. Alg catch and bring." He pauses, head raised and nostrils flaring as he breathes in the scents around them, eyes narrowed.

Suraksha smiles at the goblin, "All right, that's fine too. That's right -- you have that little pouch you can tuck them into." She continues to cheerfully head towards the docks, after that. "Which first, Chanti?"

Chanticleer weaves the group through an alley or two on their way to the docks, taking the moments alone to quickly and subtly change his features. His hair is now black, his skin a slightly darker hue and his eyes a dark brown. He looks like he's wearing a somewhat bulky coat rather than a similarly-sized breastplate, and his sword looks to threaten tetanus more than actual wounds. He leads them towards the docks. "Lafayette Carrefour -- not his real name, of course -- isn't terribly reputable but he's honest and keeps a clean shop. Mostly he brings things up the Mississippi from further south, mostly crafts from the small parishes but occasionally some salvage or reclaimed goods. He doesn't usually deal in stolen goods, and only occasionally in contraband -- but only in transshipment, not selling here. He's not been dealing with Moynahan or any of the local boyos so Roy lets him carry on within limits."

Suraksha nods once, listening intently. "So no acting like I'm buddy-buddy with Roy -- just a simple caravan girl looking to make good on a cargo, eh?"

Chanticleer says wryly, "Probably a good idea, yes. He's not enemies with Roy but he's not exactly getting invitations to soirees."

Suraksha nods again, thinking as she strides along next to Chanti, "Good. Doesn't deal with Moynahan means we likely don't have to worry about being shanghai'd too." She smiles up at the sidhe, adding a soft, "Thank you," before her focus goes back to the big warehouse they're approaching.

Chanticleer smiles quietly back. "You're welcome," he says quietly. "No, Lafayette has his own people that he trusts. He doesn't hire anyone upriver of Lutcher."

Alg pounces off to the side and comes back, happily munching on a large brown rat. He pauses, hesitates, and holds it up to Suraksha, "Bite?"

Suraksha grins and shakes her head at Chanti, "What's Lutcher?" She looks over at the bloody-mouthed goblin and smiles, "Thank you for the offer, Alg! That's very generous. I did just eat, though, so I'll be good for a bit." She thinks a moment, then adds, "Probably shouldn't waste it. Can you finish it all right?" Alg grins and goes back to munching his rat, nostrils still flaring.

The warehouse is large and maze-like, as warehouses tend to be. The crates are marked, but it's not in any actual language; it's more like a code. They don't get more than a few yards inside the door before a grizzled man steps out from behind a crate and says, "Don't know ya'll."

Chanticleer says, keeping relatively alert as they enter Lafayette's warehouse, "It's a small town, about halfway between here and what used to be New Orleans. Most folks from Baton Rouge don't go further downriver than Lutcher. You start to get into some scary and dangerous places further downriver than... Lutcher...." He pauses, stopping just as the man emerges from behind the crates. "Something's wrong," he murmurs.

The old man arches a brow and says, "Ain't a thing wrong, here or in Lutcher." Chanticleer would recognize him as one of the "freetraders" that sometimes works bringing Lafayette goods from further south.

Suraksha smiles at the man, keeping her hands in sight as she says, "Mr. Lafayette Carrefour? I'm Suraksha Sesha, representative of Corbett's Cross-Continent Caravans. We're interested in cargo." She 'looks' at the man as she speaks. She knows Carrefour is unlikely to sell her anything questionable, at least on this trip. Still, she's willing to take the long-term view, and start the relationship with him now -- so in future he'll consider notifying her when he has something 'gray' and profitable.

The old man shakes her hand and says, "Nice ta meetcha, ma'am, but I ain't Lafayette. I'm Droog." The mention of cargo does seem to perk him up, however, "What sorta cargo you lookin' for?" His eyes move over the group and he says, "Nothin' heavy, I'm guessin', if this is your crew."

Chanticleer's nerves are a bit on edge; the birds in the rafters are disturbed, what ones are left. Something's happened, and recently. He does his best to hide it, however. "Lafayette come up with you this trip?" he asks in a friendly manner.

Suraksha smiles, "Only part of the crew; we do have larger and stronger individuals as well." She considers, picking her words carefully, "We're interested in either small and high profit items, or bulk luxury items, or..." she pauses, watching the man thoughtfully, "the... very unusual." That's the most discreet -- and deniable -- way she knows to hint at gray cargo. She listens to Chanti, but continues watching the man with the Sight.

Droog looks Chanticleer over and says, "Nah, nah. Lafayette got de gout. Sent me up." The man is the sort that looks like he's made of leather and iron, all sun-roughened skin and hard edges. His head is shaved, but he has elaborate whiskers. To Suraksha he says, "That so?" His eyes fall on Alg and his lip curls just a little, "Looks like you got enough unusual on yer hands already."

Suraksha raises an eyebrow, her voice cool, "Alg is a valued member of this party. Do you have a problem with that?" She can see his Root, Sacrum, Will, and Brow chakras are strong -- he's a stubborn, wily old goat who doesn't give a shit about gods nor people. What he does care about is money: he's greedy. She cannot see any indication of Droog lying about Carrefour, however.

Droog strokes his chin and says, "Your own nevermind if you got goblins trailin' after ya. They's vicious little fuckers, sometimes." He turns and motions them further in, "Let's us see if there's somethin' you can carry."

Chanticleer suppresses his nervousness; there's something going on. The birds are way unsettled and many seem like they're considering fleeing... despite many of them having nests here. He knows this is a screaming alarm he should not ignore, but it would help if he knew what's going on- when Droog turns, the sidhe puts out a hand to gently urge Suraksha to not follow, giving her a short shake of his head to indicate there is something extremely wrong here.

Suraksha narrows her eyes with a hint of anger, but murmurs firmly to the others, "Don't listen to him, Alg. If he can behave from this point on, we can likely trade. Let's see what they've got." She pauses at Chanti's action, though, looking up inquiringly at him... then she nods once and calls to the departing man, "We'll wait outside. Why don't you get your cargo lists and meet us there, all right?" She gives Gramma Marcie a raised eyebrow also, watching the old woman looking around. Chanticleer drops his arm, nodding in relief to Suraksha before Droog can turn back. Of course, Chanti isn't going to be going very far without finding out what's going on here.

Droog pauses and turns around, brows going up, "What's wrong, little lady? Skeered of an old man?" He seems to find that amusing and leans against a heavy crate, arms crossed. The warehouse is dark and echoing, "Or er ya 'fraid of the dark?"

Suraksha smiles relaxedly, already turning to head outside, "Not stupid. We'll be outside if you want to do business." She's puzzled -- glancing with the Sight for the presence of others, she's realized there's something in the crates themselves that's interfering! That's good enough reason for her to agree with Chanti's assessment of this building. Chanticleer feels his nervousness subsumed into a chilly focus, which unnerves him -- because this only ever happens when he's about to get into serious trouble. He follows along, at this point more than content to keep one eye over his shoulder at Droog as he follows Suraksha out. He's already half-but-not-quite-reaching for his sword.

Gramma Marcie's eyes are narrowed and she's looking around carefully. Her voice is low, "Something is strange about this building." She looks to Chanticleer, "Do you know if there is a way up to the roof?"

Chanticleer murmurs so Droog cannot hear, "If there isn't, I'll make a way. The birds are really unsettled."

Suraksha raises an interested eyebrow at Chanti, then smiles, "Excellent. Let's get outside for you both then." She glances at Alg, adding, "Can you stick close to me while they check, please?"

Alg just nods and scowls back into the building. He may not be very eloquent, but he's not stupid. He points at Gramma Marcie, "Old lady stay."

Suraksha pats Alg's shoulder and smiles, "She'll be fine, dear. Trust me." She looks at the others, adding quietly, "Do what you have to do quickly, please. If we need to cut and run, that's fine too." Chanticleer nods resolutely to Suraksha. He is still watching Droog, wondering what the man is doing. Droog is leaning against the crate, still watching them go and chuckling to himself, shaking his head as if he's amused at their skittishness. He looks almost like a grandfather watching grandchildren who are scared of the dark for no reason. Chanticleer isn't sure why Droog is acting like that. It worries him a bit. All right, a lot.

It doesn't take long to get back outside onto the docks. Suraksha murmurs, "Five minutes, no more; if they don't come out we don't do business. Do your thing discreetly, please, people." She opens her bag and pulls out a tiny notebook, making some notes in it. Outside the warehouse, it's almost impossible to see more than see a couple of feet inside the big doors... which is odd, because the sun should be shining in through them. Suraksha's eyes narrow at that, but she steps casually to one side of the doors, so she's not immediately visible from within. That should give her companions a bit of cover as well.

Chanticleer steps outside (not noticing the darkness inside) and looks around, starting up the side of the warehouse when he hopes nobody's looking. He moves nimbly and with preternatural agility, belying his light frame as he scrambles and jumps up the side of the warehouse. Suraksha glances up with interest at the slender sidhe, wondering why he doesn't just jump directly to the roof... then smiles -- not her business. She goes back to apparently making notes, and surreptitiously keeping an eye out for passers-by. She's glad Alg is sticking close, since she knows Marcie will likely follow the other sidhe. Before Marcie departs, though, Sura whispers about the odd light effect inside the warehouse -- so the two sidhe will be cautious about entering.

"Gramma Marcie" steps around the building with Chanticleer and her glamour shimmers away, revealing the lithe, dragonfly-winged sidhe women. She watches Chanticleer scramble up the side of the building with unreadable compound eyes, then follows him up... but at half the speed, using her wings to help her balance. Chanticleer, once he gets high enough, pulls himself up and leaps most of the way to the top of the roof. He crouches at the edge of the roof, trying to listen to the birds roosting here. Atop the building are several very old skylights, grimed over with smoke from the vessels that ply the docks, and all the other detritus of decades spend uncleaned. The skylights along the roof are rusted shut, but there are a couple that have missing panes that have been replaced with wood and canvas.

Sna'thaid follows him up, scrambling over the edge of the building onto the roof. She skitters along the slightly slanted roof to reach Chanti, murmuring, "You, young man, have rather a lot of potential... you did that wearing armor?" Her voice has a buzzing sound it lacked when she was being Gramma.

Chanticleer smiles wanly to Gramma, "Yes, ma'am. Agility and speed isn't quite looked for in human knights... which means I tend to give opponents a rather unpleasant surprise." He nods to the nearest skylight. "We can probably peer in through there. I've not been getting a good feeling about this place."

Sna'thaid loooks Chanticleer over and says, "I think I need you in our caravan." She slithers over to the skylight and asks, "How good is your night vision?"

Chanticleer says worriedly, "I've been considering it, but right now this is a threat to the city, and I am still in Roy's employ." He goes over to the skylight. "Perhaps not as good as I would like for it to be."

Sna'thaid smiles even more widely, "Loyal even when you are unhappy! This is good..." She slithers over and uses a needle-tipped poniard to slit through the canvas and peer down into the warehouse. She is not quite so unprofessional as to gasp, but her voice is unhappy as she says, "The birds, I think, are disliking the four corpses I can see in there."

Chanticleer takes in a breath. "That isn't good. I suspect Droog has done something wicked here." He briefly describes Lafayette. "Is one of them he?"

Sna'thaid says, "No. I don't see that one. These are all younger people." She raises her head and says, "One isn't much more than a child." She is quite unhappy about that -- in the sort of way which makes one think making her unhappy could be fatal. "There are three alive in there besides this Droog. Is murder something your Lafayette deals in?"

Chanticleer lets out a breath. "A child. This is even worse than I'd thought. No, normally he does not. He is many things, but a murderer is not one of them." Honesty forces him to add, "That I know of."

Sna'thaid nods, "Then I think we should find out from this Droog what wickedness he is up to."

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