| Logs |
2013 August 07
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
Nor Dwell on What has Passed Away
As 'Chana is headed toward town, she's intercepted by a red-furred wolf and one of the human-hearted townsfolk. The human-hearted seems hesitant to approach, but the wolf bounds over, play-bowing to 'Chana and excited to see her. Suraksha slows in her bounding gallop across the open fields towards the town, and sniffs cheerfully at the couple. Could this be Rufus? She gives a wolfish snort of laughter as she realizes she'll be able to tell instantly that it's Rufus -- if Alg screeches gleefully and tackles him! Who's with him, though?
Alg does indeed screech and tackle the red-furred wolf, who happily wrestles back with the goblin, seemingly unconcerned about a huge black wolf. The human-hearted, who 'Chana has seen only during the night she shifted, drawls, "Well, guess he thinks you aren't a threat..." He's looking wryly at Rufus and Alg.
Suraksha comes to a halt and laughs in the wolfish way, her tongue lolling. Her head and tail are up due to her physical pleasure in the moment, though she's not yet registered that she's using wolf body language -- her own, more strongly learned body language tends to trump the skin's ingrained knowledge of proper wolf behavior, when she's thinking about it. She grins and bounds lightly over the struggling, play-snapping ball of mixed fur that's rolling her way, and trots over to the human to give him a good sniff -- who is this guy anyway? She knows she's met him previously, of course. Isaiah, maybe? Abishai's brother?
The human stands still, knowing from long acquaintance that a wolf that means you harm isn't going to just trot over and start sniffing at you. Sura wonders suddenly if she can speak in this form, too; she'll give it a try! Carefully she moves her long muzzle and vocalizes an attempt at, "Hello, Isaiah!" Her ears are cocked to hear how it sounds. The attempt at vocalization comes out a sort of warble that makes the human grin in the odd, close-lipped way of Friendsville. He does smell familiar, and may well be Isaiah.
Suraksha laughs again at the almost yodeling warble, her tongue lolling... then she glances over at Rufus and Alg. Actually... they're having fun; no reason to disturb them! They'll be by when ready. She turns her head to grin at the human, tilting an ear in invitation to join her in heading towards the suddenly buzzingly fascinated-sounding group around the old strongbox. After that, with a cheerful flick of her tail, the huge wolf trots briskly off that way. She's from the caravan, after all -- she could care less if the humans here crouch or look away or are otherwise lower than her. What she looks for in people is trustworthiness, not submission!
The human doesn't reach down to scratch around her ears the way a caravaneer might upon seeing her in this form; he simply moves to follow her into town. Rufus is unworried by her, but that doesn't mean she should be let to wander in alone. The human chats to her all the way in, by way of letting her know he assumes she's not just some random normal wolf. Suraksha wonders idly if Isaiah doesn't realize who she is -- no, he must! He's met her wolf shape previously, plus she's here with the very distinctive Alg. The human-hearted also calls out, "Incoming!" when they get close to the group around the house. Almost everyone turns at that call -- and several of them go on guard, if their body language is to be trusted. Vashti and Abishai both look particularly guarded, in fact. Not worried, just guarded.
Suraksha tilts her head curiously, glancing first at Isaiah, then at everyone else. To the wolf-familiar, her body language is a clear, relaxed -- if also puzzled, 'what's up?' Vashti is the first to speak, inclining her head toward 'Chana, but not trying to get lower than the black wolf -- she is already starting to take on the body language of the alpha, "Greetings, lady." Her voice is a little careful, though not subservient, "I expect this means you found the skin."
Abishai blinks and says, "But... how... without the drink?"
Suraksha sniffs the air, then perks up and trots over to nuzzle Rattler. How's he doing? She wonders if perhaps he will be able to understand her -- he is her Chosen, after all! She leans her forehead against Rattler's, thinking slowly and clearly, [Please say you can hear me! This is so embarrassing!]
Rattler seems to be recovering nicely, though he leans away from the wolf at first -- not frightened exactly, but cautious. He snorts laughter when she bumps her head against his and his hands come up to scritch around her ruff, assuming at first that she's one of the caravans wolf-dogs that he doesn't immediately recognize... and then he blinks, whispering, "Damn..."
Suraksha leans back enough to grin at him, her golden eyes bright with hopefulness and her ears sharply pricked. Her raised tail is waving slowly as she watches and waits. Did it work? She's faintly relieved on some level that no one's tried challenging her in this shape. As when she's in tiger form, she doesn't really want to have to hurt anyone, but she's also sure not going to roll for their strange sensibilities! Rattler leaves his hand on 'Chana's ruff and says, "Ever'body else here knows dis mah cher, yeah?"
There are several nods and Vashti asks carefully, "Does she... is she in that form on purpose?"
Suraksha snorts amusedly, shaking her head hard like a wolf trying to shake off water -- and ending up shaking her entire body right down to the tip of her jet-black tail! When her head comes up again she uses her expressive eyes and the tilt of her ears to indicate rueful exasperation, thinking: [Does it look like I wanted to do this again?!]
Rattler snorts and says, "She says no," -- though from the expressions on everyone's faces, they both understood the body language and were amused by it.
Vashti looks a little worried, however, "I'm afraid... we don't know how to reverse that."
Suraksha goes still at a sudden thought... then raises a foreleg and tries a gentle nip on the skin there. Can she maybe... pull the skin off? She tugs a bit, then sighs gustily as she puts her foot down again. She hadn't thought so, but she had to try. Her jaws are parted in a relaxed canine grin at Vashti before she turns and presses her forehead to Rattler's again -- maybe this will work again? [I'll just wait for dawn again.] She lifts her head again after that, tilting it and pricking her ears at Rattler -- did he get that?
From the way Rattler says, "Sunup got anyt'ing to do wid it?" she gets the idea that maybe only images are coming through -- but at least it's some sort of communication. Suraksha's open-mouthed grin widens in delight at Rattler's pronouncement, and she leans forward enough to give him a long, pleased tongue-slurp up his cheek!
Vashti nods slowly, "Would... would you like to join with the pack tonight when we howl for our lost again?"
Suraksha glances over her shoulder at Vashti, considering the invitation... or is it more a sense of duty? The jet wolf-woman knows she's the biggest and likely baddest wolf here currently, especially after almost a century of hard living and martial practice. She really doesn't want to accidentally initiate another hierarchy battle. Hmm... she sniffs the breeze, checking for Vashti's scent. Is the woman relaxing, or hiding tenseness, or feeling anxious or worried or resentful, or what? Rattler makes a comical face and starts pushing himself to his feet, drawling, "Gonna stand up before she slobbers all over me again." Suraksha snorts at Rattler, then play-nips his thigh, her tail still waving cheerfully. He lets his hand rest on her head, "De howlin'... dat what we hear all last night?"
Vashti nods and says, "It's our way of standing vigil." She smells tired mostly, and tense, but the overwhelming scent is sorrow.
Suraksha looks back at Vashti, her exuberant tail-lift dimming a bit... then she looks back at Rattler. Drat, he's standing -- hard to communicate that way! Carefully, she rears up onto her hind legs and rests one forepaw on his shoulder, then leans her head against his again, [Tell her I'd love to join -- but only if being there won't cause problems, please?] She lifts her head again, tilting to regard his face a bit worriedly. Did he get that?
There's a murmur of admiration as Suraksha stands on her hind legs; she's enormous as a wolf. Rattler snorts at the fact that she can still reach his head this way, then says, "T'ink she afraid she'll cause trouble if she show for dat." Suraksha grins at Rattler, flicking her tongue teasingly at him -- though without slurping his face this time! She drops back to all fours and sits next to Rattler, leaning companionably against his thigh with ears pricked as she watches folks around them.
Vashti shakes her head and says, "She doesn't plan on challenging me, does she? That's the only way she might cause problems." At Vashti's statement Suraksha sighs in relief and does that slow, rolling head-and-neck shake again. Then she looks inquiringly back at Vashti, checking to see if it's all good.
Vashti nods and is smiling in her close-lipped way, "We would welcome your voice tonight, lady." Once it's established that 'Chana isn't there to try and challenge for leadership of the town, most of the townies turn back to the lock on the lockbox, trying to figure out a way to open it without damaging it if they can.
Rattler pats 'Chana on the head and says, "I'm gone see about pulling some of de water back down into de ground." Suraksha nods to Rattler, and her jaws part in a panting grin again, this time of pleasure at being calmly accepted.
It's about then that the snarling, snapping, gleeful ball of red and dusty fur comes rolling up, which causes Sura's grin to widen. She knows, however, that the play-fighting might look real to some of the less observant, so when they bump into her she gives a quiet, "Wrow!" at just the right moment to cause the happy goblin and wolf to pause. She snorts amusedly at their startled looks at her as they freeze for an instant -- Alg has Rufus' foreleg in a many-fanged hold, while Rufus' jaws are closed around the goblin's head -- and then they both spit out the other and sit up with that wonderful 'I meant to do that!' look on their faces. That causes Suraksha to snort canid laughter!
'Chana's is not the only laughter in the clearing at that little exchange. Vashti shakes her head, eyes shining with affection and amusement at her young wolf, "I can see he's going to have no trouble at all fitting in when he goes with you."
Suraksha grins and winks at Vashti, then gives both wolf and goblin a few quick, affectionate licks -- then nudges them both to follow her. She needs their noses! She trots over to the stinky, wet morass of ash and charred building, circling so she can stand mostly downwind of it and sample the scents drifting past. She wants the other two here with her too, please -- can they scent anything like the wolfskins? -or... something small and metallic, like a key? She knows the key is highly unlikely, considering how much warm metal is still around -- but they might get lucky with the magical wolfskins, maybe? It's a very long shot, but she'd like to at least try.
As they move around, the ground begins slowly drying. If 'Chana had been around before the Dying Off, it might have reminded her of time-lapse photography. Rattler is nearby, crouching with a hand on the ground and murmuring to himself. Suraksha beams a bit proudly at her sweetheart -- he's amazing! -then returns her focus to the scenting. The acrid smell of the ash makes her wrinkle her nose in disgust, but despite flattening her ears in dislike, she continues slowly and carefully sorting through the scents she can catch. Rufus and Alg move with 'Chana, snuffling around the edges of the charred ruins.
There's no scent of wolf other than the ones already there, but there's a scent of something hot and metallic under a pile of debris in the area where the bedroom would once have been. Or at least under where the bedroom would have been. Suraksha tilts her head thoughtfully at that, then glances at her two companions. Do they have any idea what it might be, considering their possibly better noses? Interesting that it's still hot, too, even after Rattler's cooling waters -- clearly whatever this is was carefully sheltered.
Alg hoots eagerly and starts clambering over the ruins toward the pile that seems to be hiding something. The goblin's strength shows quite clearly as he begins tugging at large pieces of charred wood that would have given a grown man trouble, the goblin tossing them aside as if they were sticks. Suraksha blinks worriedly at that, giving a warning bark to be careful! She hesitates, then carefully clambers out to join Alg, to help if she can. It only takes one attempt at prying a charred piece of lumber out with her jaws, though, to cause her to shake her head violently, spitting and sneezing to get the horrible taste/smell out of her mouth! After that, snorting softly in distaste, she just uses her clawed feet and her shoulder muscles to help shove or pull things apart with Alg.
Once Rattler has declared the ruins mostly safe and there are no more swampy areas, a couple of the townsfolks move in to help clearing the debris. The twins and Abishai are the ones helping out. It's going to be long, hard work because of all the ruins of the second story here. Suraksha gets Alg to slow down a bit once other folks are helping; she doesn't want anyone hurt accidentally by flying lumber, and she doesn't want possible keepsakes for the townsfolk accidentally destroyed. Also, she figures at some point Alan will turn up and try unlocking the ancient, rusty lock -- and she'd like to see what's in the strongbox too! She can't help a softly snorted laugh as the thought occurs to her: she's so going to need a bath from her sweetheart once all this smelly, ashy digging is completed, too!
Alan does indeed show up not much after that, carrying a small leather pouch of tools. He spots Rattler and calls out, "Hey, where's your lady? She asked me to come and see if I could get through a lock."
Suraksha glances up and calls out, "Rowrr!" then lolls her tongue out in a slightly sheepish grin at the bodyguard. She excuses herself with a light, companionable nudge to Alg, then bounces carefully out of the debris. She pauses to shake herself thoroughly and hard! Dust and ash flies in all directions, and she looks first startled, then sheepish again, at all the yelps and laughing protestations. Well, she amusedly reflects, now she knows why the dogs and Alg all do that without thinking! She snorts dust out of her nose, grinning, and trots over to the strongbox, leaping lightly up onto it and tapping the heavy lock with a paw. She glances inquiringly at Alan, "Wurf!"
Rattler spits out ash that got in his mouth and murmurs, "We gone bot' need a bath after dis, I t'ink." Alan arches a brow at Rattler, confirming with him, and Rattler nods, "Dat her. Goan." The guard resists the urge to salute the king-in-hiding and moves over to the strongbox. Rattler says, "Vashti, dis Alan. He an old frien', an' a deft hand wid locks."
Suraksha nods to Vashti from her stance on the strongbox, tail waving and her jaws parted in an excited grin. Ears sharply pricked, she tilts her head to look down and watch Alan at the padlock. He gets to work over the lock, then says dryly, "You're in my light, doggie." There's as much humor as there ever is in Alan's voice when he says it. It causes some small gasps of shock from the townies. Suraksha's tongue lolls in laughter and, when he glances down, she leans to cheerfully slurp his face too! She's still snorting laughter, her tail flicking teasingly, as she springs lightly off the heavy iron box and trots back to help Alg.
Alan scowls and wipes his face on his sleeve, muttering, "Cheeky bitch." There's another small gasp of shock from a couple of people and Vashti's brows are wrinkled as she looks at Alan with slight disapproval.
Suraksha snickers, her tail clearly gleefully flagged as she tilts her head back to warble a faux-commiserative, "Wooo-wooo-woo-oo!" at Alan. She lolls her tongue at him laughingly again for a bit -- she'll even wink if he glances her way -- then snorts cheerfully and goes back to digging with vigorous enthusiasm where Alg is working into the ashy heap.
Rattler steps in and explains, "He means no disrespect. Dey tease each udder."
Vashti shakes her head and shrugs, sighing, "We have to remember that things are different out in the world."
Rattler nods, "Yeah. Dey are. An' dey get more different de more you travel."
Meanwhile, Alan has made short work of the lock and is carefully removing it from its hasp. Suraksha looks up alertly at the sharp click of the padlock -- then gives an admiring and congratulatory, "Wrow!" as she comes trotting and bounding carefully back. She gives Alg an inviting, "Wurf?" to see if he'd like to come see too, and she grins with some sympathy at Vashti as she shoulders carefully in next to the folks clustering around to see the box's opening.
Alan steps back, holding the lock and examining it. "This looks like current technology, but it's old. Really old." He holds it out for Rattler to look at as the others gather around the lockbox and carefully open the lid. Suraksha glances between Alan and Rattler, then carefully rears up behind Rattler to rest a forepaw on his shoulder, and look over him at the lock as well. The amused thought occurs to her: there are benefits to this height thing! She sniffs interestedly at the padlock, grinning quietly to herself as she does so. She knows the objects in the strongbox will all be pulled out for everyone to see, after all... and she's not at the right height on all fours to be able to see anyway.
The lock does indeed look like something that might be used to lock a caravan or a chest in the current caravan. But it's heavy and dull with age. There are some spots of rust, but not much. Hidden inside the hearth as it was, it had very little chance to get wet.
Suraksha huhs thoughtfully at the padlock, then grins at Alan -- she's quite impressed at how good he is! While the caravaneers are looking at the lock, there's a gasp from the townsfolk that's almost unanimous. Her ears prick up with interest at the gasp, and she hmms curiously -- what's surprised them so? She grins suddenly -- could they not yet have realized their ancestors were not christian? Or -- ooh! Maybe something useful like another wolfskin? She nuzzles Rattler cheerfully, then drops to all fours again to go see. She won't rudely shove anyone aside, but if she can neatly wriggle in close enough to see, she'll do so.
Being wolf-shaped does help with the wriggling in between people, who are much less pressed together at the legs than they are at the shoulders. The first thing Sura sees that they've found is a fortune -- gems and gold take up fully half of the strongbox. The other half is packed with books and a heavy, oilskin-wrapped parcel.
Suraksha blinks interestedly at the gold and gems, tilting her head as she wonders: why would the ancestors here wish to hide this? Was theft that big an issue here -- even for werewolves? Or... hmmm, maybe what they feared was a massacre by a pack of humans for the treasure. Suraksha can certainly understand that -- large groups of angry people are her own species' personal terror as well. She shivers once, her fur ruffling up a bit, then leans to sniff at what she considers the true treasure: the marvelous books!
Vashti is kneeling and examining the books. There are well over a dozen of them and they look old as well -- very old. "I'm afraid to touch these," she admits, but then she picks up the parcel, revealing a small wooden chest beneath it. The chest is heavily made and rune-patterned as well.
Suraksha ooohs softly, stepping over to stand so her head is near Vashti's. She doesn't know if it will work, but unless the other woman pulls away, Sura will gently lean her cheek against Vashti's and think, [Save the books for later, if you wish? We know how to handle them so they are not damaged.] Vashti's head twitches aside in surprise and she tips her head at 'Chana, wondering if the women is trying to tell her something. She's holding the parcel carefully, almost reverently. This close, 'Chana can smell fur and leather under the scent of old oilskin. When Vashti breaks the connection, but then tips her head, 'Chana will carefully try again, then tilt her head to look at the other woman. Does she seem like she got anything?
Vashti calls to Rattler, "I think she's trying to talk to me like she was talking to you, but all I'm getting is fur on skin." Suraksha snorts laughter, her ears flicking with amusement, then glances over her shoulder for Rattler. She'll try again with him.
Rattler comes over and crouches down so 'Chana won't have to rear up, which can't be completely comfortable in that form, "I'll see if I can see what she wants, ma'am..." He's careful not to let his eyes linger on the contents of the strongbox. No one wants to be accused of coveting when something like this has been found. Suraksha grins and lets just the tip of her tongue tease Rattler's ear for one warm breath! -then she gives a giggling chuff and leans her head against his to repeat, [Tell her please she can save the books for later if she wants, and we can bring in someone who knows how to handle them so they are not damaged?]
Rattler gets an image of the caravan's documents expert and time passing, "She say wait up a bit and we'll have someone come look at dem dat knows how to handle old books. We see quite a few of 'em in our travels. Caroline has quite de collection." He rests his hand on 'Chana's shoulder again, reassuring himself as well as her, "Shall we back off and let you see what else you've got, ma'am?" Suraksha grins happily at Rattler, enjoying his touch in this form on both a physical and an emotional level. She also is amused at his self-possession, considering her teasing!
Vashti hesitates, then shakes her head, "No. Please stay. You were all invaluable in finding this..." She starts carefully untying the oilskin parcel, leaving the chest alone for the moment. Inside there are not one but two large, gray pelts. By large, it's clear that the creatures that wore them in life would have been larger than 'Chana in her lupine form. There's a sound that's much like a communal sigh as they are brought out. Suraksha boggles in astonishment, then leans to carefully inhale -- could these be the skins of the original two wolves?! What were their names... Jarry and Freckly or something? No -- Freki, that's right... Geri and Freki. She's astounded at the possibility!
There is nowhere except the little patio that Dominic created to lay them out, so everyone moves off of it to leave room for the pelts to be spread out. They are both gray, but one is light enough to edge toward white, the other dark enough to be almost black. The fur is still as luxuriant as it must have been on the wolves themselves. Rattler shivers and murmurs, "Even I can feel sumpin' up about dose."
Suraksha nods gravely as she crouches next to the darker one, studying them both carefully. She suspects these will do just fine in helping the community stay close! She raises her head, checking to see how Alg is doing too. He and Rufus have come over and are examining the pelts as well, though they are both currently fairly ash-covered. Vashti is kneeling and touching the pelts with reverent fingers, murmuring, "These..."
Abishai says, "These are our ancestors, I believe." While everyone was looking at the pelts, he has lifted out the small wooden chest. Suraksha nods again to Abishai, then rises from her crouch to sit and watch him with the chest. She grins down at the liberally ash-dusted Alg and Rufus, giving them both an affectionate nuzzle -- but no icky-tasting licks!
Inside the chest are two necklaces and eight bracelets. The necklaces are strung with teeth, the bracelets with claws. There are runic characters carved into the underside of the lid. Alg climbs up to sit on 'Chana's shoulders, sniffing curiously at the things Abishai has brought out. Suraksha's tongue lolls out amusedly at Alg climbing her even in this form! She tilts her head at the necklaces and bracelets, then nods slowly -- she's willing to make an educated guess on how the pelts are activated now.
Suraksha glances at Vashti and Abishai, wondering if they'll be able to interpret the runes. Maybe she should try asking Chanticleer and Sna'thaid if they can help? Interesting... looks like the Friendsville folk should be all right, now. She wonders if they'll even need outsiders any more. She's not going to take away a bunch of young women hoping to be impregnated if it's not really necessary, after all.
Abishai caresses the lid of the box and says, "It's instructions, I think. It talks about using the necklaces and bracelets with the pelts. But..."
Vashti interrupts gently, "But I think we need to look at the books before we try it." She stands up, turning to 'Chana, "I... don't know how to thank you for finding these things for us."
Suraksha's open-mouthed smile widens a bit, and her tail waves gently behind her. She's happy she was able to help, even in such a small capability! She snorts cheerfully, tossing her head to dislodge Alg as she backs up, then trots back to where the goblin was so urgently digging. She glances meaningfully at Vashti: something is here too! -- then goes back to digging. Vashti nods and shakes off her reverie, calling people over, "Get these pelts and the chest and the lucre somewhere safe. This will help us survive until our people come back from their travels."
Suraksha raises her head at that, curiosity plain on her lupine face. What does Vashti mean by that, she wonders? Sura will have to ask later. For now... more digging! She wonders what this metal thing is, which she and Alg and Rufus have scented.
It's hours before the excavation makes any real headway, especially since they find places where they must be careful to keep from collapsing the whole thing in on themselves. It's lucky that there is no cellar to speak of in the house, or they would all be digging this out of a pit. During that time, Alan goes back to the caravan and sends Caroline to look at the books. She brings her book repair supplies and helps the townsfolk extract the tomes and carry them somewhere safe.
By the time the sun is just about to set, Alg, 'Chana, and Rufus are almost alone on the hilltop, save for Rattler. Suraksha grins up at her sweetheart during a breather, happy to see him nearby. She's more gray than black now, from the ashy dust, but she's having fun! She glances around, idly wondering why the townsfolk seem so uninterested in what's here -- well, they do have a lot of new things to deal with from the strongbox, she supposes -- and if the sunset will work like the sunrise on her wolf shape. Then she glances back down into the careful hole they've dug, wondering if they're almost there yet.
Rufus steps back from the hole, sneezing and shaking himself to get some of the schmutz off. In the hole they find another small strongbox, though this one doesn't have a lock on the hasp currently -- or much of a hasp left. The box itself is actually somewhat twisted from the heat. Suraksha huhs quietly, then delicately touches it with one paw. Is it cool enough to move yet? The box is still warm, having been buried, but Rattler's water did its job in cooling things down. Unfortunately, it may have been water plus the heat that warped the box.
Suraksha sighs sadly as she realizes: any personal treasures Malachai had in there may not have survived the heat. Hmm... well, she'll ask Alg to bring it out, and they'll check it together. If everything is destroyed, she doesn't want to depress the poor townsfolk any further. She gently nudges the goblin -- could he bring it over to where Rattler is sitting, please? She'll imitate Rufus, also shaking off vigorously -- and sneezing as a result -- before she trots over to flop down comfortably next to her lover.
Rattler is settling back against the tree because he knows he's not strong enough to help with the debris. When Suraksha has Alg bring him the box, the Cajun ruffles her ears and rumbles, "Cain't resist teasin' me even in dis form, hm?" He kisses her damp lupine nose and starts working the top off the box. Suraksha chuffs happily, her tongue flicking out at the kiss to give him a lupine kiss as well. Opening the box takes some strength, and when Rattler finally opens it they find it's mostly filled with papers, almost all of which are severely water damaged. At the bottom, however, are three small boxes of the sort that were used to hold jewelry before the Dying Off. In each of the boxes is a lock of hair. Two are very old and one is new and long and midnight black.
Suraksha blinks down at the hair, sniffing amusedly -- she's willing to guess where that long, curling strand of black hair came from. She sighs, shaking her head at Malachai taking some of her hair without even asking. Poor old wolf -- he never did understand she was her own person, she suspects. Rattler snorts and ruffles 'Chana's ears, "Hon, dis hair... it's new. T'ink it might be yours."
Suraksha leans her head against Rattlers, [Yes. Caroline maybe can help with the papers?] She very delicately picks up the box with her hair in it, in her teeth, and drops it into one of Rattler's pockets -- that one she'll keep, thanks! Then she glances inquiringly at Rufus: could the old hair be from Malachai's former mate Hepzebah perhaps? She'd guess one of them is Vashti's mother's hair, but she has no way to know. She looks curiously also at the papers, wondering if any of the titles are still legible. She's faintly surprised the papers withstood the heat at all -- very cool!
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