...and so our story begins..
The small bit of cloth swept across the counter top, distributing the grime more evenly than actually removing any of it. Hammond flipped the cloth over and wiped the bar again. It was more habit than anything else. Something to keep him distracted from the poor souls that sat around the tavern, slowly nursing their watered-down drinks. As the hour grew late, he knew that most of them would need to sleep where they sat. It would soon be too dark and too late for them to try to venture home. The streets weren't safe after dark, not with the curfew and the shadow beasts roaming around. He didn't really mind them all sleeping on the floor or in the chairs but he did wish he had more rooms with beds to offer them. Then again, they probably couldn't afford them anyway.
His attention slipped back to the woman who had been standing in front of him talking. He hadn't really been paying attention. He wasn't that interested in performers personally, but he did appreciate how the atmosphere seemed to improve for his customers when a tune was played or a song sung. As long as she understood that he couldn't afford to pay her for her time, he was fine with letting her do whatever. Anything to bring a smile to the faces of these poor sods. He nodded and feigned a smile, hoping that she wouldn't start asking him questions about whatever it was she had been talking about.
The dying rays of the sun illuminated the far end of the alley he had just ducked into as if to show the way home. Well at least the lip had stopped bleeding,he thought. Although the ribs were still tender and hurt slightly when he breathed. But hey at least he has solved the case. The cheating blacksmith husband he had been hired to investigate did not take kindly to being outed. A fact he and his two friends had made abundantly clear with their fists. Janus ended the fight by bearing his “Fangs” giving his best intimidating growl. He quickly left the shaken men and disappeared into the twilight.
It was already dark when he arrived at the door to tavern, nodding to the big man at the door whose name he could never remember as he stepped inside. There was a good crown tonight and a new act on stage. He waved to Razor and gave him a thumb’s up as he headed toward the bar. Once seated he notice the big bartender’s raised eyebrow.
”You should see the other guy. Drink please and leave the bottle. I solved a case, so yes I have the rent.”
Quickly draining the first glass he poured another as he watched the show.
There he is! What happened to him? Probably deserved it, Clarissa thought when she spotted her target enter the building finally. She tried to keep herself focused on her performance for the moment. "Breathe, ready for the legato...
She knew the audience's cheers and applause were due more to her tall, lithe dancer's body and piercing dark eyes than her skills, but she soaked it in anyway.
Taking a deep breath and staring directly at Janus, she hoped that the information she had spent the last of her family fortune on would pay off.
She began a song from around the time of Aroden's death, a sorrowful tale of woe that skirted the line between Chelaxian culture and blasphemy. Her dark hair hung low over her face, giving her the look of a veiled widow.
Lost in thought and drink Janus stares blankly at the bar. His attention is immediately draw to the stage when the woman begins to sing. She's really good Is his first thought. When he notices that she is looking directly at him while she sings, other thoughts occur. Wow she's pretty hot, for a human. This night could get interesting. This causes him to smile ever-so slightly. And the way she's staring at me... It is at this point his preternatural senses kick in. Yes, she could just want me. Stranger things have happened. But that intent gaze...I don't know something doesn't feel right
His "inspection" of the comely singer reveals many things. Her movements while fluid suggest she is trained in arts other than performing. However possibly due to the drink, the beating, or just the fact that he was never really good at knowing women. He arrives at only one conclusion.
Yeah, she wants me.
While Hammond had the unusual ability to tune others out when he wanted to, he found himself drawn into the woman's song and performance. It was one of those skills that empowered him as a bar tender. Lord knew it wasn't his appearance and interest in other people. He certainly had little of either of those going for him. What he did have was an air of intimidation about him and the size to match, but even that faded away as he stood transfixed on the performer.
It wasn't only her voice or the way she moved, the words of the song drew him in as well. Unknowingly, he had been looking for something. Day in and day out, he witnessed the plight of those around him and it did wear on him. Even he could not totally blind himself to the problems of others, not on such a grand scale. And the longer she sang, the more he was inspired to do something about it.
As the song began to draw to a close, he found himself clapping loudly, his wash cloth sitting in a tiny heap on the bar. Before he knew it, he was shouting "bravo!" along with the other audience members. He blushed, hoping no one noticed. It would not help his reputation. While he was a hard-ass, he did have a soft-spot for those with hardship. He humphed himself up, grabbed the dirty rag and started wiping the bar down again. His eyes glanced around for a patron to serve in a feigned attempt to lose himself in his work again, but he made a point to keep an eye on her. He was cursing himself for not paying enough attention to remember her name.
Gio slips into the bar amidst the loud clapping and shouting, hoping to go unnoticed. Seems he was late to the party as always. Sitting down at the bar and waiting patiently for the crowd to settle, he takes a quick look around trying find out what everybody was clapping for. Then he sees what all the fuss is about. "Who is she?" he wonders to himself.
Needing something to quench his thrist, Gio turns his attention to the bartender, waiting for his chance to order a drink.
Clarissa bows and thanks her audience following her set before sitting at the far end of the bar.
"I may have run a little late, sorry. Curfew...well, it is bad for business, isn't it? The curfew, I mean?" she rambles some while withdrawing a small rolled tobacco cigarette from a tiny pouch in her entettainer's outfit. She holds it unlit between her fingers, patiently waiting for a gentlemen to assist her. Come on, take the bait... She thinks while ignoring Janus.
Hammond walked over towards where the performer now sat, somewhat still enraptured with her. He shrugged in answer to her first question, not entirely sure she was even talking to him. As she continued speaking he looked around and didn't notice anyone else in particular so he risked answering.
"Eh, not so much. These poor sods wouldn't likely be here if they had somewhere else to go anyway, and most of 'em won't risk leaving after curfew. They ain't really got money for business anyway...well, maybe one or two of 'em."
He paused to reach down into a small bowl on a shelf behind the bar and produced a tindertwing. He struck the top of it with his own thumb as the fire sprung to life. "Expensive habit you have there. Lucky for you I can make these myself" he said as he leaned in and offered the flame.
He hesitated before continuing on, hoping that he wasn't already supposed to know the answer to his next question before he asked it. "What'd ya say your name was?"
Just finishing his 3rd drink as the performance ended. Janus found himself clapping, Was she really that good? he thought. Okay she's very talented, but does that make her good or just good for this place? He watched her move from the stage to the bar. He attempted to catch her conversation with Hammond but the semi-drunk man sitting beside him chose that moment to attempt to have a drink from Janus's bottle. Janus grabbed the surprised man by the wrist and staring directly into his eyes and said "I think you've had enough".in a low very threatening tone. Janus allowed his "fangs" to flash for added effect. This sobered the man up enough to decide to sit elsewhere. When Janus returned his attention to the woman he noticed Hammond lighting her cigarette and continuing their conversation. Even though she had ceased looking in his direction Janus decided he wanted to know a little more about her. Grabbing his bottle and moving toward the Pair. I can at least buy her a drink. He thought deftly liberating a "clean" glass from the counter he placed it and the bottle on the bar between Hammond and the woman. When they glanced in his direction, "Who's your talented new friend?". He asked Hammond.
"Clarissa," she answers both men with a demure smile, offering her hand to Janus. "Do you two know each other?"
Damn, I hoped to bore the bartender, not reel him in too. She pretends to take a drag from her cigarette and turns her body some in the stool to face Janus, but looking at both men.
"Tenant and Landlord."
Answers Janus as he accepts Clarissa's hand and places a light kiss upon it.
"Janus Sena, hopefully at your service."
Taking note of her feigned use of the cigarette Janus is put on guard. What was that Aunt Asla always said about things going too good to be true? Oh yeah, they are..
Still he wanted to know just what she was up to.
"Can I offer you a drink?" He says holding up the bottle.
"Oh and of course you as well"Glancing at Hammond.
Tonight was defiantly getting interesting
The bard plays a soft tune, sad, melancholy, like rolling in from across the harbor. It wafts through the room, on little breezes, carrying with it memories of happier times. It mingles with the smoke from torches and pipes along the ceiling, trapped by the vapors. The tune is old enough, everyone can at least hum to it. It fits, really. Westcrown isn't the sort of place for new things. Westcrown is old. Old and dying. Rotten to the core. Stay around long enough, and you'll rot, too. Everyone's dirty in the City by the Bay. Everyone's a little bit rotten. From the kids running around the streets as likely to cut your purse as your throat, to the guards protecting the Mayor's Peace... so long as you got enough coin to make it worth their while. Or, enough coin to make them be interested elsewhere.
This was Aroden's capital. His promise to the world. His crown jewel in a shining beacon of civilization. And it's all fallen apart. Aroden's gone. His empire claimed by devils who summon actual devils from Hell. His jewel shattered and his crown tarnished. Westcrown is a place where people go to die.
What a waste.
The doors open a woman walks in with soft, sure strides. She wears a single dress in the new fashion, straight and close to her, it hugs her body like a glove, and is black as night. Small wonder she managed to avoid the dotari. Black dress, black hat, black shoes. Black heart. She was a walking shadow, and was just as tragic. She looks over the taproom and then walks to the bar. Her large eyes survey the room, diamonds shining at their corners. She dabs at them with a bit of white lace, and then sits at a small stool, holding back a sob.
Please.... I'll have a glass of Chelaxian Red. Her voice is soft, husky. Ships have sailed across stormy seas for that voice, and broken on the rocks just as quickly. "Please" women with that voice, looking the way she does, have never said that word and meant it. They've never needed to. She sobs into her lace again with a soft "thank you" and taker her glace into a delicate gloved hand.
Hammond breathed a sigh of relief as Janus made his way over. He could already feel himself beginning to sweat in the presence of the woman and any reason to excuse himself was welcome. That was until she walked in. She was alluring, almost intoxicating. Where Clarissa could draw a person in, this woman could simply pluck them from where they stood and they wouldn't have even realized it. She wasn't necessarily any prettier than Clarissa, but she moved with a different purpose, driven by different motivations.
Hammond nodded his head as Janus spoke. "Pardon me. Another customer to serve."
He turned and moved back down the bar to greet his newest patron. Before he could even ask, the woman had placed her order. He nodded simply, almost dumbfoundedly, and turned to begin hunting for a clean wine glass. He mentally cursed himself for not keeping a tidier bar but she was so far above his normal clientele that he couldn't begin to fathom why she would even be in a joint like this. It's not like archbishops walked into any old church.
He grabbed the cleanest glass between the three left on the rack and gave it a once over with his own apron. It was cleaner than his rag but not by much. He hoped she hadn't noticed. He stepped into the back room behind the bar to fetch the higher priced wine and quickly returned. He set the glass down and poured the young lady her first fill. "One silver piece for the glass. Four for the bottle" he said, as politely as he could.
Janus was about to give Clarissa one of his pickup lines when he felt the room respond to the presence of the Woman in Black. It was as if grey omnipresent aura of the city had been pierced by a jet black dagger.
A dagger with killer legs. He thought as he watched her exchange with Hammond. When she cried ever so slightly into the lace he was hooked.
The Bard is playing some game, and I do intend to find out what it is. But this Woman in black has trouble and client written all over her.
Looking back to Clarissa he says. "Please excuse me."
Turning swiftly away he inserts himself deftly beside in enigmatic Woman in Black and says.
"What's with the water works doll. Is it something I might be able to help with? As he places a small card on the bar in front of her."[/b]
Janus Sena Private Investigator
The Woman in Black dabs at her eyes and places a gold piece on the bar. "Thank you." It sounds special on her sultry lips. Dames like her rarely say the phrase. They mean it even less. This time, though, she sounds sincere. She sniffs, again, before taking a long sip from her glass, full, pouty lips fairly kiss the rim of the glass. She holds her mouth closed, savoring the taste of the wine, closing her eyes to near slits. She turns her head upwards, showing her bare neck as she slowly swallows. Still, she always keeps her eyes on Janus and Hammond.
"I... I think someone's out to kill me." She lights a cigarette, puffing between sips. Everywhere I go, I see the same man. He wears a red cloak... red as blood. He's there, no matter where I am. In the distance, or coming around a corner, or... or... It's horrible! Sometimes, he's even there before I get there! I've never been so scared in my life!"
You have to be kidding me! Men! How can you idiots fall for the damsel-in-distress routine?
Clarissa stubs out her prop cigarette and glowers at the woman who stole her thunder for a moment. She isn't drawn into her stalker tale like the two men are, but passively listening in case she happens to drop an interesting morsel of information she can file away for later.
While unlikely the "Man" is here Janus has learned the hard way that it's always best to be sure. He quickly but thoroughly scans the room for any sign of the stalker. But only sees the Unkempt, Unwashed, and Unwanted of this Untidy city. Detecting no immediate threat he leans toward the Woman in Black and places his hand lightly on hers while saying.
"It okay, you're safe here. I need to get a little more information. What say we start with your name?"
"Has this man...tried to hurt you? Have you tried talking to the Dotari?" Hammond's interest wasn't feigned for a change. Maybe it was the way she looked or maybe he was falling for the woman's wiles. Either way, his concern was genuine. Well, concern may have been a bit strong. At this point he was more curious than anything else.
The Woman in Black gives a soft smile as Janus places his hand on her
"Janiven. Janiven d'Arael" She blows a puff of smoke into the air over Janus' head. She says the name as though it means something.
Clarissa searches her mind trying to place the woman's name, doing her best to look uninterested as she eavesdrops.
Having a front row seat to this three-way dance Gio takes another swig. This soap opera was much more interesting than the bard could play. Now the dame black walks in commands everybody's attention, Gio's included. Trouble dressed in black and a killer walk to match. This is the type of woman Gio would like to get to know, even if only for one night.
"Now this is why im glad to be back in Westcrown" Gio thinks to himself
He leans in every so slightly, listening in.
"Janiven . . . Janiven" He repeats to himself, trying to place that name.
His bartender friends comment brought a small grin to Janus. As if the Dotari actually helped people. He did so enjoy Hammond's defiant spark of Hope and belief in the good of your fellow man, the one that had yet to be snuffed out by Westcrown's vile wind.
Hammond's query did however did raise another very important question.
Why would a woman who could obviously hire or otherwise acquire much more skilled "help" on "Her" side of the river, come to a place like this seeking assistance. This thought put him on guard. His eyes look up as he attempts to recall why Janiven d'Arael's last name sounded familiar.
And speaking of names it was not lost on him that Janiven was a feminine derivative of his own. He rouses from his inner musing he says.
"Does this man have a name as well?"
Hammmond looked around the bar, scanning the customers as they sat at his tables and checking to see if any wore a red cloak. Satisfied that this "red cloak" was not currently present in the bar, he shrugged.
"I don't see any red cloaks in here. You should be safe enough for now. And you're welcome to spend the night. It's not safe out there after curfew. It's likely just some prank, maybe a scorned lover perhaps? You'll feel better after some sleep. And don't worry" he said, looking around the bar again. "They may stink like dogs. Don't mean I'll let 'em act like 'em."
The woman shakes her head no. "I don't know who this man is. I'm sure I've never seen him before in my life!"
Her brilliant smile seems to light up the room. "Thank you! Yes! Thank you! A room would be lovely."
The d'Araels are a minor noble house on "the other side of the river". They're considered to be paragons of virtue and the law-- so they have the means and will to pay off anyone who's seen their darker side. And, the d'Araels are dark, no doubt. As dark as they come. No one is THAT clean in a city as filthy as Westcrown. The stain comes with birth. She has the money--and power--to make a lowly bartender and his patrons disappear if it pleases her. Or, if she gets even a little vexed. This is one dame who's used to getting what she wants and wouldn't look too kindly on being told no. She's probably never heard the word in her life.
Janiven made headlines recently when she was seen attending one of the mayor's dinner parties on the arm of a well-dressed man from Qadira. The two seemed to be real love birds.
A Noble! This night keeps getting better all the time. Is Janus's first thought. He quickly moves on to the next. Whatever angle she's playing there is absolutely no choice but to go along with it. Especially not if we want to keep all of our parts attached.
"Let's get you settled. And once you're comfortable, you can tell us what happened."
He hesitated for a moment then adds
"I'm sure I'll be able to help you solve this problem."
Wow! way to just jump in with both feet. I hope Hammond can swim. Not that we get choice with a Dame like her. Quipped Janus's always annoying inner voice.
He hazards a glance at Hammond, and gives him a raised eyebrow and a shoulder shrug. Hoping an apology in advance might make things better.
Hell, when did anything ever get better? No, not in this town. If you're alive in the morning and still have a few coins to rub together, that's as good as it gets. Yeah there is no better only lower levels of worse.
Yes, this night IS going to be interesting.
Clarissa decides to seize an opportunity, even if she does not yet know how to make it work for her goals yet.
"Oh, sweetie, you can room with me! It isn't much, just a broom closet they let me use as a dressing room, but we ladies can stick together in safety there."
Janiven gives a wan smile at Clarissa's offer. "Thank! That would be... I don't think I should be alone right now! Everywhere I go.. the man in the red cloak is there!" She dabs at her eyes and clasps Clarissa's hand. Her black gloves were a striking contrast with the singer's own hands. She favors Janus a sorrowful sigh. "Thank you! Yes! Thank you! All of you!"
She buries herself in Janus' shoulder, with a soft cry, still clinging to Clarissa's hand.
This dame wears weakness like others wear furs: For show, and easily taken off. She ain't weak, or anything like it. She's as sharp as they come. No. She's not scared. Maybe she really is, but it's not what brought her here to this two-bit slop house. She's after something else. And, there ain't nothing anyone can do about it but play along.
Momentarily freezing in response to Janiven's sudden contact. His eyes are instinctually draw to the woman's neck and fixate on the pounding pulse just beneath the soft skin. Closing his eyes he quickly summons his willpower and banishes any thought of sampling.
And this is why we don't hug in our family. Janus's inner voice reminds him.
He awkwardly places a hand on the woman's back while attempting to ascertain the veracity of her emotional display.
Assured of his conclusions and knowing the game must continue he says.
"It's okay, he's not here you're safe. What can I do to help?"
Normally skilled in reading people, a talent cultivated by years of listening to and observing others as they told their stories, Hammond could not read this woman. Maybe it was all of the attention she was getting from the others that was distracting him, or maybe it was just her stunning good looks. Regardless, he was falling for her performance hook, line, and sinker.
"Maybe we should take this conversation back to one of the more private rooms in the back? There's an awful lot of eyes and ears around here at the moment."
Janiven sniffs again with a nod. "Yes. Please! let's go."
"Good idea, let's go."
Janus says as he gives Janivan's shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"It's right this way, then we can talk about exactly what is going on and your preferred level of solution."
He guides the woman politely but firmly in the desired direction. He scans the bar while they walk. Looking for any unusual interest in their movement.
"Hey Vincent, watch the bar for a bit. I don't imagine many more will be coming in tonight" Hammond called out to the big man leaning against the wall near the door. The man turned and looked, listening as Hammond spoke before nodding and heading over to relieve his employer. Employer was a strong word, but is was more accurate than friend. Vincent was somewhat honorable, so Hammond trusted him to keep an eye on things and not steal from him. In exchange Hammond let the man sleep whenever he needed to.
Hammond waited for Janus to lead them to the back and followed the others, casting a somewhat nervous glance over his shoulder before the common room disappeared from sight.
Janiven nods and quietly follows Janus towards his room. Their moves go without any notice among the customers. Which means everyone noticed that three men and two women left the bar and walked to the rooms. Inside the bedroom, Janiven's strength seems to leave her as she collapses onto a stool next to the wall.
"Please help me. What can you do?"
Kneeling Janus takes Janiven's hand in his, looks directly into eyes and says.
"I will help you. There are many things that can be done. But you also need to tell me everything, starting with the first time you saw this man. Once I have the story I'll be better able to provide you with specific solutions. Now you're safe here for tonight, just relax have another drink and tell me what is going on."
He starts to reach for his bottle.
You can't give a woman like this the rotgut you drink. The inner voice reminds him.
He looks hopefully at Hammond.
I first saw him... a month, maybe two. yes, two months ago. At first, I didn't think anything of it." She laughs. "I was at the opera, the new one by Allghieri? at first, I thought he was just another suitor." She snorts. It's not a pleasant sound. But, Janiven isn't really a pleasant woman. She shrugs and takes another pull on her cigarette. "He never approached, though. Never sent flowers or drink, nothing to show that he was interested. He just... stared. I turned to look at the opera, to settle my nerves. When I turned back, he was gone."
She sighs. "Then I saw him again a few days later at the symphony. the next day, at the jeweler's he was on the other side of the courtyard. And then again at the market. And again. again. and Again."
"A shame to ruin your night at the opera. Was that opening night?"
Giving the bard a sideways glance and shaking his head slightly Janus turns to Janivan and asks.
"When and where was the last time you saw this man?'
Janiven sniffs. "It was the Journey of Sir Porellis, and, yes opening night." That checks out with what Clarissa remembers. Janiven puffs again. "I saw him last night at Giovanni's'"
It was actually a very poorly received production: the paladin is the protagonist in a serious role. It was well received by the Hellknights, since the paladin joins their ranks in the second act, it still caused a stir because it takes a rather narrow view of the obligations of royalty. Part of the reason Sir Porellis joins the Hellknights is to better protect and serve the common folk of "Zeliaz".
She gives Clarissa a narrow look. Janiven does NOT like the bard.
Giovanni's is a famous restaurant in the Regiocona near the Miratanza. It's known to serve only the rarest of foods and wines and exotic entertainment.
Scratching his head as he listened, Hammond eventually shrugged in confusion. He had no idea what the woman was talking about, and to make matters worse, he believed every word she said.
"Janus, this seems to be right down your alley. I'm no investigator, but seems to me the only way we're gonna find this fella would be to follow this Ms. We could probably grab another set of eyes or two to help keep an eye out, but that's all I got fer suggestions."
Nodding at Hammond's comment while digesting Janiven's information.
Then he says to Janivan
"Well I can't speak for the Opera but Giovanni's is both exclusive and expensive. It's very likely that if your stalker was there someone else noticed him as well. I will start there first thing in the morning. Now it's obviously been a very long, difficult, and exhausting day. You could probably use some rest. Please take my room for the night, I insist. We will keep watch, you'll be safe here."
He holds out his arm gesturing toward his small room. As he moves by Clarissa Janus leans close to her ear and whispers
"I don't think you two should be alone together, the claws are likely to come out."
I feel like I am ruining this woman's plans as much as she ruined mine, Clarissa thinks to herself, glancing sideways at Janus and nodding softly as he passes by. "Yes, and good night to you as well, darling!" she tells him after he delivers his message.
She then turns to wink at Janiven. "Yes, please, sweetie, you can tell me all about the aria! What did you think of the way Sir Porellis stuck so strongly by the nobility?" Correct me. Or lie. Either way I will learn something about you.
Scratching his head as he listens, Hammond eventually shrugs in confusion. He has no idea what the woman ias talking about, and to make matters worse, he believes every word she said.
"Janus, this seems to be right down your alley. I'm no investigator, but seems to me the only way we're gonna find this fella would be to follow this Ms. We could probably grab another set of eyes or two to help keep an eye out, but that's all I got fer suggestions."
"Well I can't speak for the Opera but Giovanni's is both exclusive and expensive. It's very likely that if your stalker was there someone else noticed him as well. I will start there first thing in the morning. Now it's obviously been a very long, difficult, and exhausting day. You could probably use some rest. Please take my room for the night, I insist. We will keep watch, you'll be safe here."
He holds out his arm gesturing toward his small room ad Janiven eagerly takes it. "Thank you Janus and Hammond! Thank you both!" She gives a glance towards Clarissa. "All of you. Thank you."
For her part, the bard gives a wink at Janiven. "Yes, please, sweetie, you can tell me all about the aria! What did you think of the way Sir Porellis stuck so strongly by the nobility?"
"I... I was so distracted by the man, I'm afraid I didn't pay any more attention to the piece. I have no clue what you're talking about. But, I'm sure it was lovely. What I saw up till then certainly was." She smiles and leans onto Janus' arm, the very picture of feminine frailty and allows herself to be guided towards Janus' rooms.
"I know it's not much and far less than you're used to, but the bed is comfortable and the blanket clean.
Janus says to Janiven once in his tiny room. He steps upon a small stool, reaches up to move a ceiling board. Revealing a hidden storage space. From which he removes a long thin sword and scabbard. Stepping down he turns to the woman and says.
"I'll be right outside keeping watch. Get some rest, tomorrow may well be eventful.
Hammond stood at the doorway and watched as Janus gave a quick tour of the room.
Where did he get clean sheets? And what did he do to my ceiling?" He shrugged, mostly to himself and leaned against the wall as he waited. Once Janus left the woman lone in the room and the door had closed, he spoke up.
"So now what? Do you really want to just sit out here and wait for some guy with a red cloak to show up? It's not bloody likely. Not to mention that we'll draw a lot of attention to the room from the others out there" he said, pointing back towards the common room.
"No I don't want to. Look I believe less than half of her story but with a Dame like her we don't get a choice. Not being who and what she is. She obviously wants something from us. We all know she could have bought much better and more private help elsewhere.
My first thought is she's here to get expendable "little" people. For exactly what, I'm not sure.
As for tonight, there's not much else to do. The Curfew is on and Giovanni's halfway across town in addition to being on "That" side of the river. Investigation is going to have to wait for morning.
But you're right about drawing attention. I know there are at least a half-a-dozen snitches out there ready to spread the word about the Woman in Black. You should ask Vincent if anyone left in the last few minutes."
Janus says mostly to Hammond but making eye contact with Clarissa and Gio as well. Then looking at Clarissa he says.
"Look I don't what your game is but it got called when "She" walked in and "Asked" us to play her's.
Hammond here is right about the spotlight on the back room.
But, if you're up for a little fun. I got an idea.
Do you think you can pull off acting like little miss Fem Fatal?
It's dark in here add a hooded cloak and I think we can convince anyone watching that the Mysterious Woman stormed out of here. I'll follow while Hammond and Gio stay here to watch who dose what and keep and eye on our "Guest", just in case.
The two of us will play bait for a block or two, long enough to see if anyone is on our tail. Then we'll cut back here through some back alleys, sneak you back in through the rear door.
Then I'll come in the front and you appear from the back. both telling the tale that the Woman in Black is gone.
So what do you think?
Are up for it?'
I can't believe I didn't find that weapon stash! Clarrisa listens patiently to Janus. Not quite the fool I thought he was. That woman may have saved my life. I will have to be more careful with him.
"She was exceptionally evasive," she nods before adding, "A good idea. If she is being followed, maybe we can flush him out. Try and keep up though, okay. Hammond, do you have roof access here? How about the sewers?" She crosses her arms and and focuses for a moment. Her entertainer's outfit shifts into something more tight and darkens until it resembles Janiven's dress. A small dagger is seen as the clothes shift, strapped to her upper thigh with a black garter.
Walking back to her closet she opens a bag protecting more, real clothing, and unwraps a rapier from some rags. She hangs the weapon on her hip and grabs a cloak intending to conceal the weapon from casual observation.
"There's a trapdoor hatch that'll let you into the storeroom from the roof, but there's no ladder or anything to get up to the roof from the outside. I guess I can toss a rope over the edge to help you make it up to the top. Gio work here occasionally part time. He can man the bar for a bit, make sure everyone stays calm. I'll keep an eye out from the room. My eyes ain't great in the dark but there better than his" he says, nodding at Gio.
"No, I will go out the front, more worried about having some options to get back if the stalker chases me. Or the dottari. Or the...Anything, I guess."