Dot.
Dotting in.
The plan is sound, but it hinges on timing. The alchemical laboratory needs to be destroyed at the same time as the rescue operation, to divide Lamm's forces and weaken his power.
Alexiad nods at the masked, beguilingly familiar stranger whose real name he still doesn't know. He does his best to keep his eyes fixed on hers, but he knows that his gaze has wandered over her figure: even through her disguise, it's clear that she is the most beautiful young woman he's ever encountered, much less worked closely with.
Not that he'd do anything about it, of course. His encounter with Pharasma showed him what sort of person he was becoming, and he does his very best these days to follow her calling as a healer - and that means giving this victim of Lamm's abuses her own space, and being her friend; and nothing more.
He brings his attention - and his eyes - back to her gaze. "So. You ready?"
It was strange.
The man watching her was her brother, whom she had thought lost for so long. A part of her wanted to let him know it was her. Take off her mask and simply hug him.
But that was not an option. In some ways, he was a stranger. They both had changed so much. She knew so little of him. And she had risked so much to become who she was today...what she wanted to do would send the city into turmoil. Her brother had no part in that...he would either try to stop her, or get involved - neither was acceptable.
Leaning on the window, looking out at the city, she was well aware of her brothers eyes on her. He had no idea who she was - and he was only a man - just as all the others. But one remarkably capable of showing restraint - something she was very glad about...but also something that made it fun to tease.
He seemed tense, expecting to perform a daring rescue soon. She had already arranged for some chemicals to be swapped...when the laboratory would start producing a new batch, her part of the plan would 'solve itself'...if things went according to plan.
All she had to do was make her way back home, and wait for Lexi to save her. Shifting her position slightly, out of habit in a way that could be described as 'sensual', and feeling amused when she saw her brothers eyes jump from her bottom to her eyes - oh, if he knew...- , she answers: "I was ready when we met..."
Alexiad hastily averts his gaze, suddenly preoccupied with one of the buckles on his footwear, although too late to prevent the image of the girl languorously stretching from being etched into his mind. Dammit...
Gritting his teeth, he regains his self-control with only a brief struggle (priestly training is big on discipline); but by the time he looks up again, she's gone - only the flicker of the curtain at the window betraying her favoured method of departure.
He sighs. Of all the girls in the city, he had to get mixed up with the one who's as elusive as starlight.
Oh well. Time to think on that later. For now, he needs to get moving; and besides, thoughts of Mira drive out any other issues. He only hopes that the plan works.
Everyone will tell you that Korvosa has 7 districts, plus a couple of 'add-ons' - and everyone is wrong.
To those in the know, there's The Shingles: a warren of rooftop highways, through which it's possible to get almost anywhere in Korvosa - provided you can cope with its hazards, which range from the mundane (vagrants, pickpockets and vagabonds fleeing the Guard in the streets below) to the exotic (escaped imps, especially close to the Acadamae, Korvosa's famed college of magical learning). Some bits are genuinely too hazardous even for you. At least, for now.
The path you are taking this evening however is a familiar one, and most people are learning not to tangle with the masked girl who is making a name for herself as the Black Asp. It's certainly more direct and faster than the route that your brother down below will have to take, so you can get there in good time before him.
Exiting into a back alley from a somewhat run-down building, a beautiful young girl moves hastily towards her destination. Normally, she would not be safe in such an neighborhood...especially not with her looks - but she was one of Lamms girls, and nobody wanted the trouble messing with one of those would bring down on them. The old man guarded his investments and assets - ferociously.
As such, she safely made her way to an almost respectable-looking building in a more central location, but with several discreet side entrances. Knocking on one of those, she waited for the door to open, then stepped over to a sort of reception placed behind the door.
Mira placed a small pouch of coins on the counter, then started to write into a book - you see, Lamms girls did not go out to leasurely stroll through the city unsupervised...but they could, of course, meet paying customers. Mira had gotten the idea when a gay young noble suggested to pay her regular fee, for her to stay away while he met his lover - and other customers were quite willing to overpay for certain services or more exotic wishes. It meant she had some surplus money - that allowed her to meet with nonexistant customers and cover their supposed fees herself...and give her some time to roam the city freely, in her alter ego.
The plus-sized older woman behind the counter took the pouch of coins and placed it in a metal box: "Welcome back, dear. No time to relax just yet, Caleb's waiting in your room."
Mira allowed her features to visibly express her distain for a moment, before answering with a voice that would best be described as audible honey:"I appreciate the warning, Martha. Do have a nice evening!"
With that, she made her way up to her room. It was a good room. Luxurious, even. Of course, not for HER sake. But a high-class room attracted high-class customers - a bowl of exotic fruit, a warm-water-cantrip, valuable paintings on the walls, a most luxurious bed fit for a King...and Mira had planned to partake in those luxuries one last time, for HERSELF, before her brother would arrive.
But fate had other plans, it seemed. Caleb was one of Lamms Leutnants. An Enforcer doing Lamms 'dirty laundry'. As it happened, Lamm rewarded his underlings for a job well done in a variety of ways...amongst them "a good time" with one of his girls, of their choosing.
And Caleb? The unwashed brute had taken a liking to Mira, to put it in a nice way, and had visited her repeatedly in the past few months. Naturally, that threw Mira's plans into disarray: she had carefully arranged for her schedule to be free tonight, when her brother would come to save her. But on the other hand...it was a chance to dispose of one of Lambs trusted allies...she simply doubted she could take him alone - she would simply have to play along until such time as her brother arrived.
Having arrived at the entrance to her room, she turned her frown into a friendly smile and opened the door:"Oh, hi, what a pleasant surprise, Caleb! Did you have to wait long?"
Caleb grins as Mira finally arrives; he licks his lips but - before he can say anything suggestive (doubtless to do with the length of silk ribbon he is fondling) - both his and your attention are drawn by the sound of a crash downstairs, followed by a cry of alarm from Martha.
The grin on Caleb's face turns to a swift scowl; the length of ribbon falls forgotten from his hands as he draws his dagger. Motioning at you, "Stay here," he moves out the room and back towards the main hallway.
Alexiad had truly intended to do this the easy way, but the woman behind the counter clammed up on his arrival, looking stubborn when he asked a few simple questions. It was only when she gestured to the two heavyset thugs to throw him out that he lost his temper.
OK. Politeness wasn't working. Time to try something else.
Bringing his staff whirling round him in a fierce arc, he drops one of the thugs almost instantly, but the priestly robes constrict his movement slightly so he misses the other one.
Martha's cry of alarm as the first bouncer falls to the floor brings Caleb thundering down the stairs with a cry of rage at being disturbed - whoever drew him away from a good time with 'his' girl is going to get it - even if they're a priest; although he blinks slightly at the sight of a holy man effortlessly downing one of his men.
The effort of combat has caused the priest's cowl to fall back from his head, revealing a tousled mop of hair; as he turns to face Caleb, the street-thug recognises him: he's been in Lamm's service long enough to remember Alexiad. But...
"You! You?! You- you're supposed to be dead! You're supposed to be *&^*ing DEAD!"
Mira's eyes grow wide, as she shouts: "Lexi? I...how..."
Almost at the same time, she starts rushing towards her brother, but stops in front of Caleb.
Using her knee for the most traditional and most effective attack women know against man, she rams it up between the big guys legs - "Don't you dare say he should be dead! Thats my brother you are talking about", Mira screams - her voice still smooth as honey, but her demeanor a mixture between hysteric and euphoric.
Caleb's eyes widen in shock - and pain! - at the attack, before they narrow dangerously. "You little B!TCH! You'll pay for that..." Expertly, he traps your leg with his, throwing you off-balance while his arm grabs yours, twisting it painfully behind your back.
He gestures to the other thug: "Bezh - finish him off, quick! I'm gonna take my time with this one."
Bezh does his best, bobbing and weaving with his knives, but only the off-hand attack gets past Alexiad's defences, leaving a minor cut on the priest's brow.
Alexiad meets his sister's gaze, holding it for as long as he can - she's changed so much in the years since he last saw her, but he'd recognise her anywhere. He grins as she rams her knee into Caleb; all those years of playfighting (and not-so-playfighting) with one another obviously haven't been completely forgotten.
Slightly distracted by seeing Mira after so long apart, he is slow to react and the thug's knife cuts him. Annoyed with himself, he re-focuses, swinging his staff solidly against Bezh's skull. There's a thud, and a sickening crunch, and the man falls to the floor, twitching slightly.
Stepping over the body, he gestures at Caleb: "You wanted me dead? Let her go, and try for yourself."
Caleb, 8 damage (non-lethal), grappling
Mira, grappled
Alexiad, 3 damage
Bezh and unnamed thug: dying
Mira had a very flexible body and was highly dexterous. Using the distraction her brother provides by downing the second guard, she made use of her strenghts, performing a small salto forward to untwist the arm Caleb had grabbed. Before he can react, she uses force to pull free, ending up in a half-cowering position next to him, the tell-tale glint of steel in her hand:"That kind of service costs extra...and your money will not help"
While talking, the blade seems to vanish and suddenly appear in her other hand...then going back again - clearly, Mira had not forgotten the skills she had learned as a street urchin.
Caleb gives a vicious smile as she threatens him with the knife: "So, you like it rough, do you, kitten? You shoulda told me that back when we were playing... I woulda gone harder on you. Like this."
Almost faster than she can see, his elbow slams - hard! - into Mira's solar plexus, just under her breasts. (He's an expert at hitting people where it doesn't leave a mark.)
Caleb carries on talking, almost like nothing has happened. "So here's what's gonna happen. I'm gonna take that knife off of you, cut your brother's throat with it - again - and then the two of us are gonna go back to your room, have some fun. That OK with you, kitten?"
Alexiad can't hear the words exchanged between the two, but he sees the knife - and Caleb's attack. With a roar of wordless fury, he charges forward, up the stairs - but his staff whistles harmlessly past Caleb's head as the street-fighter ducks effortlessly.
Mira, 8 damage (non-lethal)
Alexiad, 3 damage
Bezh and unnamed thug: dying
Caleb sneers with contempt at the priest - his earlier disbelief/horror now gone with the rush of adrenaline. "Aw, isn't that sweet - you got religion and decided to rescue your sister? 'Fraid it's too late, pal. She's Lamm's now. Or mine. Or anybody's that we decide to give her to. Damaged goods, you know what I'm saying? Find someone else to save."
Calebs blow momentarily leaves Mira gasping for Air...but she regains he composure, remains standing:"Your rough does not scare me. I've been through worse."
Stabbing forward at his Shoulder, Mira changes the grip on her dagger during the attack, changing the angle a moment before her arm is fully extended to slash across Calebs Face instead :"And nobody kills my brother!"
Caleb jerks his face back just in time, so the blade misses his eye, scoring a long cut down the side of his cheek (it does nothing to improve his looks - or his temper).
Growling with fury, he launches a flurry of attacks at his hated rival, but Alexiad easily blocks them all with his staff.
Alexiad notes with satisfaction that Caleb's bravado is fading - the thug has little to say for himself any more. He himself doesn't talk much while fighting, it's too serious a business for that.
Changing the grip slightly on his staff, he holds it almost like a sword, bringing the wooden 'blade' down on Caleb's skull. There's a wet crunching sound, and the thug drops to the floor with barely a whimper.
Letting go of his weapon, Alexiad runs forward, sweeping Mira up in both arms and holding her in a bone-crushing embrace, whirling her round and round joyously. "Oh, Sis... Sis..."
He's not crying. He's not. It's just that his stupid eyes didn't get the memo.
"Lexi...how...when...?!?", Mira stammers, getting swept up by her brother, tears in her eyes.
"I...we...we need to go!", she manages to stammer despite the bone-crushing embrace.
Those had hardly been the only thugs here or nearby, and lingering too long would only invite trouble.
When her brother finally sets her down, Mira kneels down next to Caleb and slits his throat...staring at Martha as she cuts exactly the way Caleb claimed to have cut open her brother, all those years ago.
Hardly a moment later, she is up and clinging to her brothers arm again..."Lets hurry away from here? I...still can't believe it's you! How...no...later"
As Mira finishes the bloody work of finishing Caleb, and looks up at Martha, she finds herself looking at the business end of a crossbow the older woman has lifted from behind the counter. Its bolt glistens with the oily sheen of poison.
Martha speaks, her tone conversational. "Mira, dear, would you mind telling me what is going on?"
Alexiad is furious with himself at having dropped his staff - not that it would do much good at this distance. He steps in front of his sister, shielding her from the crossbow - although he hopes that Mira can talk this crazy woman into not shooting.
Mira steps to the side, to give her a direct view of Martha...well aware that also means she offers herself as a target again. But her brother had grown tall, and trying to talk her down while hiding behind him would hardly be successfull:"What is going on, Martha, is that fate has reunited me with my long-lost brother. Furthermore, both him, me, and the numerous allies I have among my customers are in the prime of our youth and power, while the man who had tried to and claimed to kill my brother and had me raped into submission when I was still a child has grown old and decadent. What will go down, Martha, is that within less than 2 weeks this place will be under new management. Lamm's time has come, no matter what you will do now. The question, then, is if you would rather work for me when I run this place, or for some young noble that used to be a regular customer of mine and may be feeling revengeful about my demise. Do tell, Martha, where do you stand?"
Mira stands proud, raising her chin and extending her arms to the side in an overly dramatic gesture of presenting herself as vulnerable, staring at Martha and waiting for her reaction.
Martha gives a long, slow, weary sigh as she puts the heavy crossbow down on the counter with a clunk. "Oh, my dear, if you only knew how many have tried before you... although I admit that none of them had an accomplice who's risen from the dead." She passes one hand across her eyes. "I only wish I had had someone to come and rescue me, back when I was young. But now I am old, and wicked - and afraid. I can't stand against Lamm. But I'll delay telling him that you've left for as long as I can. That should give you the start that you need."
She looks at Alexiad. "If you've any sense, priest, you'll take your sister as far from here as you can."
Her eyes dart back to Mira. "Go. Be well. Be safe. And for - for what it's worth, I am sorry. I know you 'served' against your will and I did nothing, may the gods forgive me."
Relieved beyond measure that the crossbow is no longer pointed at them, Alexiad retrieves his staff. He kneels for some moments beside the dead men, saying a brief (silent) prayer to Pharasma for each of them.
He spends a few seconds longer next to Caleb's body, lost in thought, before the old woman addresses him, bringing him back to the moment. "Right. Yes. We should go." He rummages in his pack, drawing out an old cloak that has seen better days. He wraps it - and one of his arms - around Mira's shoulders. "C'mon, Sis. Where we're going, you'll need to cover up a bit."
"Martha...I hold no grudge against you. You always did what you needed to do. But unlike many others that wronged me, you found no joy in doing so. If anything, I respect you...so...Thank you." Mira walks over to the plumb woman and hugs her briefly, before turning around and finding Lexi standing right there, wrapping a cloak around her.
"I...yes...let us go, we can talk elsewhere...", she suppresses her desire to ask more questions, learn more...covering her head with the cloaks hood, she hurries out held by her brother, whispering :"I...I can't believe it...Thank the gods..."
There 'where to' and 'what happened' parts, of course, were already somewhat known to her, but in character, she would still ask all of that again, and listen to her brother, being able to focus on hearing his voice, rather than the content of what he said...she heared him before, but this time, she would hear him being FREE, and that made all the difference in the world...
Alexiad wraps an arm firmly around Mira and leads her away from that place. Apart from the over-riding joy and elation of being reunited at last, his thoughts are a jumble: satisfaction at killing Caleb (who'd clearly been messing with his sister) is at odds with the disquieting thought that maybe, if Lamm hadn't tried to kill him, he himself would have ended up like Caleb. It's not as if I refused the girls that Lamm passed my way... He shakes his head and turns his attention back to Mira. "I've got somewhere for us to stay. It's with someone I trust, but it's not a great part of town. Best not to draw too much attention."
As it happens, where he's taking you is barely part of town at all: you walk out of the gates, over the bridge and into the part of Korvosa known as Trail's End. It's more respectable than Thief Camp, but that isn't saying much. Populated by those who don't want to or can't afford to live in the city proper, it's home to a great many Varisians and Shoanti.
Your brother stops just outside a tavern, indicated as such by the wooden sign swinging in the faint breeze: Soldado's. The wooden building is in reasonably good condition and has been carefully painted within recent memory. It's clearly doing its best to be respectable.
Your brother gives you a quick hug: "The woman who runs this place is a friend of mine. I'd go in with you but they'd insist I stay, and I can't - I'm running late already. I'm supposed to be doing the vigil tonight at the Cathedral. So I'll see you tomorrow, OK, Sis? Sorry about this." He holds you close, before disengaging and quickly hurrying off.
So on the one hand, you're on your own in a bad part of town. On the other hand: you're on your own in a bad part of town!
Oh, Mira had been to plenty of places in Korvosa, and often enough, she had felt less save at her destination than on the way.
So on one hand, the area around here did not scare her, in the least. On the other hand, her brother has made arrangements, and not sticking to them might cause suspicion.
So after Lexi hurried off to his vigil, Mira entered Soldado's. Of course, she could not stay there. She would have to check if the Alchemy Lab had blown up as planned, then have her alter ego report to her brother - but first, a moment to unwind...she had presented herself as confident, but had not been entirely certain Martha wouldn't pull the trigger - especially after Mira had slit Caleb's throat...
Drawing the cloak closer around her, Mira steps into the tavern.
The interior of the tavern is much like the outside: well-worn, but tidy and doing its best to be respectable. From the front door where Mira enters in, the large common-room divides into two areas.
The large, darkwood bar is clearly where the locals (almost all of them Varisian) who actually live in Trail's End gather: that part of the room is wreathed in cheap smoke and a haze of alcoholic fumes, and the raucous sounds of card-games.
Separated from the bar-room by a thick curtain of dark cloth is an area set with tables, much like a restaurant. Here is where the various outlanders who stay at the tavern gather; there is a low hum of conversation as business is discussed and notes are compared about the situation in Korvosa and how it is affecting commerce.
As Mira hovers in the doorway, she is aware of the locals at the bar turning, looking at her cautiously. It's clear that most of them like what they see - there are some muttered comments and slightly raucous laughter. The woman behind the bar looks up and catches sight of Mira, before hurrying over to you.
"Ah! You must be Monsignor Alexiad's sister, you look so alike!" Her face is slightly lined, suggesting she is in her late thirties, or possibly early forties, but she has retained all of her good looks. Her Taldane is heavily accented with her native Varisian. She throws her arms around Mira, before kissing her on both cheeks. "I am Tace Soldado, and I owe your brother everything. Mi casa es su casa. Come, sit."
She leads Mira past the bar and into the dining room on the other side of the curtain, putting her in a corner where you can see the whole of the room. "Monsignor Alexiad likes this table. I will send my girls to take your order - whatever you like, just ask, please."
Mira hovers in the doorway, aware of the looks. She keeps the cloak about her to give herself a look of decency, but does little to hide her face, nodding friendly towards the bar without speaking or making eye contact.
Of course, she could have tried to hide in the wide cloak, mask her face, but that would only have made some people more interested in the strange newcomer, and she had no intent of drawing attention to herself - she simply made sure the mark on her hand was hidden by cloth at all times.
When the woman behind the bar rushes to her, talking, Mira follows her lead:"Thank you for the warm welcome, Tace Soldado. I am, indeed, his sister. Mira, and pleased to make your aquaintance."
After they reach the corner table, Mira holds the womans arm for a moment to keep her from running off to the bar:"Thank you, but no need to trouble your girls. A mug of water and some bread will do. Alexiad told me there would be a room - I shall dine here, but afterwards, I'll want to rest a bit if possible." - a moment later, she adds with an apologetic smile:"I slept very little, last night."
I need to check if the Drug Laboratory blew up as planned...and then later meet brother in the Cathedral, to update each other on how things worked out.
Tace nods, with an understanding look. "Of course... please, do go up. You have the top floor to yourself. I will have some food brought up to you."
Wondering slightly what she means by 'the top floor' you go up the stairs where she indicated. The floor above the bar and eating area has been converted into guest rooms, and there's another small staircase tucked away at the end of the corridor, that leads to the floor above.
This is basically an attic - the roof slopes above your head, with dots of light coming through where the tiles don't quite match - it looks rainproof, though, judging by the lack of water-stains on the bare wooden floor. There's a rather cramped washroom at the far end from the staircase - other than that the whole floor is one large room. It's clearly under construction to turn it into more rooms, like the ones downstairs, but it looks like no work has been done on it for years.
There are two well-made and comfortable-looking mattresses, and a series of curtain cloths that can be hung from the rafters to create a smaller, less draughty (or more private) space. Tucked under one of the windows is a rope-ladder, neatly rolled up, presumably for escape in case of a fire.
You've definitely stayed in worse places. As an added bonus, the door to the stairway down has a lock. Nobody will walk in on you if you don't want them to.
A few minutes after you arrive, there's a knock on the door. "Um, hello? Monsignor Alexiad's sister? Can I come in?" It's not Tace's voice. It sounds younger, uncertain. But it's definitely female.
Mira is taking a close look at everything in the attic. It paid to be aware of one's surroundings - both in case of a fight, or if one had to flee.
She had started actively paying attention to details of areas she would be spending time in quite a while before they had met Lamm, and never stopped doing it.
Admittedly, she was used to better accomodation, but then, she had slept in places far worse. This place had an actual lock, and SHE had the key.
The windows would need attention, though. Chances were a good climber could enter, possible using a rope and a hook, but after what she had done today, a certain amount of paranoia seemed justified.
Before she could finish her inspection, a knock on the door interrupted Mira's thoughts. Her hand already on her dagger, she forces herself to relax.
"Hello to you, too, and it's Mira. Certainly you may come in, just a moment, I'll need to unlock the door."
The key, of course, was in the lock and slightly turned. It was too early for that person to be sent by anyone but Tace...with the food expected.
The door opens to reveal a girl of no more than 12 or 13, clearly Shoanti in origin, but with blonde streaks in her hair suggestive of mixed parentage. She's carrying a tray, which she almost drops in her surprise at seeing you.
"Oh! Gosh, you're pretty. Uh, I mean hello. I'm Brienna, although everyone calls me Breeze. Apart from my sister. But she's just annoying. Uh, here's your supper. I'm supposed to go now and not bother you with questions. At least that's what Tace said. I mean, uh, mother. I mean, that's what she said we could call her when she adopted us. If we wanted to. Uh..."
Her cheeks and ears turn slightly pink. "Is Monsignor Alexiad here at all?"
"Good evening, Breeze. Your distinct look gives you an aura of beauty as well. You may grow up into a woman turning heads if you keep good care of your body.", Mira returns the greeting, taking the tray off Brienna, making no attempt to hide the tattoo branding her as a prostitute.
"Tace said not to bother me with questions. But she did not tell me not to bother you with questions - a convenient loophole, ain't it? My brother, Monsignor Alexiad, is holding a vigil at the Cathedral. As I understand, he is here often? We have not seen each other for a long time. Sit, eat with me - this is by far too much food...Tace means well, but I can't eat that much, and it would be a shame if it spoiled - and then, tell me about Lexi, and about 'Mother'."
Brienna blushes slightly at the mention of turning heads, but giggles in relief as Mira points out the convenient loophole. She gladly sits with you and helps eat the food, which is simple (dark bread, hard cheese, and baked ham) but excellent - the ham in particular. Brienna takes pride in pointing out that it is home-cured, to Tace's secret recipe. "And wait till you try our bacon at breakfast tomorrow!"
"Well, I don't know much about mother - Tace - her and Monsignor Alexiad. They've known each other for a while, but I don't know how they met. She won't say. But she never lets him pay when he stays here. So he doesn't come here often. He doesn't want to impose on her. Which is a shame. I really like him." She turns slightly pink again. "He found us on the streets a while back. Me and my sister I mean. Well, in the Shingles actually. Which is an odd place to find a priest. But he was looking for you, wasn't he? But I didn't know that back then. We hadn't been homeless for very long, but it was... not very fun. Our parents had a fishing boat, and they were killed by a devilfish. Nobody really knew what to do with us after that. My sister - Deyanira - looked after me. She's older. Anyway, Monsignor Alexiad found us begging in the Shingles. He gave us some food and said he knew someone we could stay with if we wanted. My sister was a bit - a bit suspicious, I think. Told him to, uh, get lost. But he just said that there was a tavern in Trail's End that would take us in if we told the owner he'd sent us. He said he'd come back tomorrow with some more food if we were still here. Then he wandered off."
She takes a pause to catch her breath and wolf down some more bread and cheese. "So we argued a bit and decided to visit Trail's End and see if he was right. And he was. Tace was really kind to us. She'd lost her husband and child and I think looking after us took her mind off things. She'll probably try and adopt you, if you're not careful! So it's a shame he's not here. I can never repay him, but it's nice having him here. It feels... safe."
She turns even pinker, and hastily changes the subject. "That's a nice tattoo. What does it mean?"
Mira smiled, and listened. Their childhood had been harsh out on the streets - and worse later. She would have attempted to help them as well...but for many, a bad start in life led them down a darker path. Cutthroats, Rapists, Murderers...more often than not, they came from dysfunctional families, grew up on the streets, or otherwise suffered during their early years.
She knew, of course, that her brother was not among those ruffians. He was special. Much like herself, facing adversity made him want to overcome obstacles, to grow and hold true one's principles, rather than give in to them.
But then, he had always been the stronger of them...after all, she had given in to the corruption. Even though Mira had choosen to rebel, to fight back, she was, in a way, broken. Flawed.
As such, it was enjoyable to hear the admiration the girl had for her brother. The kind of genuine love nobody could ever feel for her.
"You were right to be suspicious. Most people are...not kind. But considering it was a public place, you were also right to check the tavern out, at least. I am glad thinks worked out right for you. I shall find a way to repay Tace...you work for your stay. I don't intend to freeload and let my brothers actions and reputation be the reason I have a place to stay.", Mira answered, eating just a little of the bread and ham, which the girl seemed so fond of. It was admittedly rather tasty.
But then, in her line of work, a slender body was desirable. She long got used to eating in moderation:"This tattoo?", Mira presents it for closer inspection, tracing the lines and continuing "It's the Seal of Calistria. It marks me as an indentured courtesan. I am no longer bound to the one who forced it on me when I was around your age, but I am bound to Calistria, and have to follow her obedience. If a client offers a suitable fee, I am his to do with as he pleases."
"Oh. Oh! That sounds..." Brienna looks like she has more questions, but isn't sure she is ready to hear the honest answers. It's also not clear entirely how much she has understood. "Um... I'm sorry you were forced to do something you didn't want to. I hope you'll like it here. It's safe." She looks around the attic, noting its sparse isolation, perhaps for the first time. "Do you- do you want me to stay with you for a bit? I remember when I first got here, I didn't like being alone - especially when I was sleeping, I used to get really bad dreams. They're over now. But if you don't want to be alone up here, then..." She trails off.
Mira smiles at the younger girl, enjoying the mixture of emotions, from shock to curiosity expressed on her face. "It's okay. It got easier with time. And I already like it here. The company is better than where I came from, for starters."
She laughs, then looks around the attic as well, returning her friendly attention to Breeze: "That said, I appreciate the offer, but Tace probably needs your help, and I'm not sure your sister would approve of it. I had my share of bad dreams, but not any more. I do very much look forward to the Bacon in the morning, though...I trust you will bring breakfast as well? I need an accomplice to share all that bountiful helping with, after all!"
The girl was cute, in a innocent way. She would make good company - some light-hearted positivity would be more than welcome in the weeks ahead.
But for now, she had business to attend to with her other self, and it wouldn't do to have the girl wake up in the night and notice her missing.
After Brienna left, Mira re-locked the door, set up some of her equipment, pillows and blanket in one of the beds to make it look as if someone was sleeping there, then donned her vigilante clothing and made her exit through the window.
First, she needed to check on the laboratory. If everything had gone according to plan, the chemicals she managed to swap would have caused a explosion during the process sufficient to render the place unuseable. But, of course, she needed to see it herself.
And then, she would head to the Cathedral to report to Lexi. After all, their respective missions had, officially, been carried out simultaneously.
Brienna shakes her head and grins slightly, deciding that it's (probably) safe to give Mira a bit of sass: "Uh-uh, breakfast's downstairs, lazybones! The exercise will keep you looking pretty." With that, she clears everything on to the tray, before deftly picking it up and sweeping out of the room. She pauses briefly at the doorway, turning her gaze to give Mira one final glance, before closing the door behind her.
The note is unsigned. Another mystery. But there are things that need doing right now, and this can wait - for now.
==========
From a safe vantage point on the rooftops, you watch the chaos below. Your plan worked well: a shiver laboratory is naturally flammable even under perfect conditions, so the sabotage you inflicted was devastating. The roof of the building has collapsed, and the Korvosan Guard and members of the public have prevented the flames from spreading and are now carefully doing what they can to bring out the survivors. More often than not, they are just dragging out dead bodies (or bits of them). It's probably best that you're the one checking on this - Alexiad can afford the luxury of some pangs of conscience, but this is a necessary cost of putting Lamm out of business. Those workers may not have been there of their own will - they may have been under duress, like you, and in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But one thing is clear. Lamm's laboratory is out of commission - for now, and for the foreseeable future.
Time to go share the good news.
Alexiad and his masked ally have several pre-arranged meeting places. They have three things in common: they were all chosen by her, they are all in remote parts of the city, and they all have several ways in and out.
This particular spot is located in the maze of ancient tombs in Grey district, which is home to the vast Cathedral of Pharasma. It's a convenient point - the tombs at this spot are old enough that nobody visits them, and far enough from the Cathedral that no one has any business coming here just by chance. The myriad winding paths through the vast cemetery provide a huge number of ways to come and go.
This door to this particular mausoleum - commemorating a long-dead general whose name is obliterated from the weathered stone - has long since rotted away, turning it into a convenient shelter from the elements. Not that it is raining tonight, but it has on past occasions.
Alexiad has long since learned that whichever route he watches is inevitably not the one that she arrives by, so he simply waits, resting his back against the stone.
Mira was startled by the card she found. Whoever sent it seemed to suggest an alliance, but it could be a trap as well...but...with her hidden bag? She carefully retraced the steps she took - it definitely was not there when she packed her things earlier. During the battle? No...afterwards, she was wearing her brothers cloak, and the bag was IN her other bag. In the common room? Na, she had been careful to avoid contact...and Brienna had not been near her things. And the windows, she had checked and closed earlier, so it was unlikely someone snuck in and used the distraction while she was eating and chatting with the younger girl.
Magic, she decided, It must have been placed there with magic.
She would be extra cautious in the near future, but then, after what they had done today, she should have been on high alert either way.
___________________________
Looking at the area of the laboratory, Mira is relieved that the fire had not spread, nor the explosion touched the surrounding buildings.
It was a calculated risk she was willing to take, but she was still glad the damage was concentrated at the lab itself. That said, she felt little remorse regarding the deaths of the workers. Even if they were there under duress, the kind of work they did was vastly different. They? They did not endure hardships, and the result of their work was used to make people compliant, keep them on a leash, sometimes it even killed people. Her own work? She endured all the hardships, to ultimately make her clients happy and satisfied. It was all turned around. These sheep deserved no pity, being accomplices to Lamm in such a despicable way.
___________________________
The convenient part about choosing the time and place of meetings was that she was able to arrange them in such a way that she could usually be there ahead of time.
At first, she did that to make sure he came alone, and nobody else was snooping around. Now, it had turned into a game of sorts - Lexi would usually try and see her approach, and she would avoid being spotted; some would say that was pointless shenanigans, but to her, it was a form of sparring - so far, having the advantage of being there early had worked out to her favor.
It was no different today. Finding a place behind the rubble of a statue, Asp waited for her brother inside the mausoleum. With all the excitement, it was unthinkable to doze off, but resting a bit by half laying/half leaning against some rubble was still welcome. Her motionlessness and the black mask and clothing helped hide her well in the night, and Lexi leaned against a wall right next to the niche she was in. Giving him a moment to relax, she grinned, and very slowly got up.
Throwing a tiny stone over his head to make a noise near one of the entrances, she carefully places herself resting her back against the stone right next to him:"My part is done. How did you fare?"
She was ready to duck away if he reflexively would attempt to hit her - it could be dangerous to startle someone with martial training - but other than that, was very happy about her achievement...she never got THAT close without being noticed.
"!"
While he waits for his heart rate to return to normal, Alexiad considers the pluses and minuses of pinning the masked girl down and tickling her until she promises not to do that again. Ultimately he decides not to: she's a skilled fighter and probably wouldn't take well to being grabbed. Besides, he doesn't know if she's ticklish. I guess that depends on WHERE you tickle her... he does his best to stamp on that thought.
He settles instead for a nod, acknowledging her report. "Well done." He's about to ask for more details, but decides he doesn't actually want to know - he will commend the souls of any who died to Pharasma when he prays later on.
"Mira is safe. We had to fight past Caleb and two of his goons." He won't be praying for THAT ****** tonight, that's for certain. "So he won't trouble you again, if he ever did." He trails off as his thoughts stray closer to home. Uncomfortably close.
He clears his throat, and looks away from her, suddenly unable to hold her gaze. "Lamm rewarded me that way, a few times. I never treated them the way Caleb did - he used to boast about it afterwards. But I never - I never exactly asked if that was what they wanted, either. So if you were one of those girls, then - then I'm not sure what to say. Sorry doesn't really seem good enough. All I can say is that I'm not that person any more, and I'm working to do good rather than harm. That doesn't undo the bad stuff I did, I know that, but I hope-" he forces himself to look at her, to meet her gaze. "I hope it's enough for you to accept my apology, if it's needed."
Very good self-control...I did manage to surprise him, but he kept his composure. Good!
"I am glad to hear that. And I'm glad about Caleb's Fate...he was one of the bad ones.", Asp answered, and remembered her other persona slitting the mans throat. I will pay them back. All of them.
Sensing Lexis mood shift, she repositions herself to be able to look into his face during his confession. When he is done, she answers:"Don't feel bad. Being used like that was the fate of us girls. If it had not been you, it would have been another customer, another favor, another reward. Lamm kept us busy."
An opportunity to disassociate me and Mira further....
Extending a hand to gently touch her brothers shoulder, Asp continues: "You did come to me as a reward. A few times. And I always was happy to see it was you, rather than someone else."
Alexiad nods, her news not taking him by surprise: after all, she had clearly recognised him when they first met - so it seemed likely that was the obvious reason why.
A huge weight lifts from him as he realises that she holds no grudge: If she can forgive me then perhaps I can forgive mysel-
His thoughts break off entirely as she touches him. She's never touched him before. She's always kept her distance. Even when he has had to put a hand on her to heal her after a fight, he's always put his hand somewhere neutral, and she's always stepped lightly away afterward.
Without quite realising what he's doing, he puts his hand over hers, moving up to stroke her arm, wrapping her lightly in an embrace; gently enough that she could step away from it without resistance...
Surprised by Lexi's reaction, having expected him to stay more distant and less...less personal, Aspie at first reacts by instinct, and pushes herself towards her brother even before he starts pulling her close.
I cannot risk...damn, I should have known he could...oh my, what now...
After a moment that seemed to last minutes, she pulls free from the embrace, trying to explain in a voice that seems insecure about what it's saying:"I...it's too early...I need to focus on Lamm, for now..."