Mr Chompy looks at Davi and Vara, and the noise they've made, shakes his head and sighs.
The slight frown forms on the colonel's face, but he says nothing as he continues towards the Harrowstone Memorial.
Guess I don't have to worry that my military training wasn't in stealth. No one will notice me over the distraction the others are creating.
Despite Davi's worst efforts, no one shouts, yells, or harasses the party as they make their way past. Certainly, Kendra doesn't seem worried as she moves ahead, rushing toward a twenty-five foot statue, the details of which can be seen even from far away. The man it depicts wears leather armor and wields a truncheon in one hand, while the other carries a key ring outstretched in front of him. Moss has grown on his arms and drapes down to all but cover his eyes, but despite that, it maintains a certain gravitas.
"Eeeeeeeee!"
Kendra's scream fills the air as the party arrives at the statue, followed by hysterical sobbing. It's not hard to see why. Near the memorial's plaque lies a cat, throat slit, its blood splattered across the monument and the little stone benches around it. More ominous is the letter, written in blood across the plaque:
[V]
Gosk moves behind the party, drawing his scythe instinctively as Kendra screams. "What in Nex's name?", he says with confusion, staring at the cat.
Gosk sheathes the scythe, moving closer to the sobbing woman. "I'm sorry.", he simply says with compassion in his voice. "Colonel, what do you think about the letter?", he asks, waiting for Kendra to let go of the hug.
The colonel charges forward at Kendra's reaction, then skids to a halt at seeing the cat's bloody corpse. "What the...", and he stops there.
Regaining his composure, the colonel kneels down to look at the sacrificed cat and the mark closer.
"At first glance, it looks like the letter Vee..." he says as he examines it.
Shaking his head, he says "I don't know what to think at the moment."
On hearing kendra's scream, she rushes to her side.
"Oh, you poor, poor thing." Vara runs to the cat's remains to examine it, her voice filled with pity.
Vara looks around the place for tracks of the perpetrator of this vile deed.
"When I find out who did it, I'm going to personally drag that person to the gaol and make sure that bastard is locked up for life,"she growls.
While she does it, she wonders if the sacrifice of the cat was some kind of desecration ritual.
"Do any of you have a shovel? We need take it from this rude place and bury it somewhere proper,"her voice filled with sadness.
I am all for just retribution, but the murder of a cat is hardly worth a person spending a life behind bars., Gosk thinks as he sees Vara ranting out. And also pretty sure she's overexaggerating. He stares at the cat. I'm sure the forces of good would not mind the perpetrator getting a kick or two, however...
Gosk shakes his head. "If you're stumped, Colonel, then we need to start asking some questions."
He then sighs. "I'm sure we could find one. A shovel, I mean."
He shakes his head. "Though I must ask if that's really the best action. We could simply take it to the woods and say a few words.", he says. It is a tad of a wasted time, after all.
Gosk unclasps his thick, black cloak. "I could take the body in it, if you want me to, Kendra.", he mutters in a sombre tone, ready to take the cat. "Let me know what you wish to do with it."
"Burial is, after all, a mostly Ustalavian and, to be honest, Central Avistani tradition.", he begins talking, trying to get people's mind off of things the only way he can. "If the cat was from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, we'd have to bury it with the bones of all other cats and mice it ever fought, and set fire to a massive pyre.", he says, the flickers of a smile as he lets his words pay the picture. "Or, that has happened before, as the colonel can attest, Osiriani actually bury themselves with their cats. I'm sure the owner might object to being placed in the tomb with the cat, however.", he says, smiling. "The real problem is, we have no idea why this would happen. I'd blame the traditional rural animal cruelty, but I somehow doubt that's the case.", he says, sighing. Does make you think about death, doesn't it. Northern customs and tradition around it are quite fascinating, if a little odd. I suppose my customs would look just as strange, however.
Davi walks over to the cat, a look of disgust on her face. ”If we find out who did this they’re getting punched in the face. That poor cat.”
'Are sacrifices common in the area? Bah, I swear I know something about this...maybe it'll come to me if I give it a minute' While she thinks she walks in a slow circle around the statue. Maybe the person/s that did this left a clue behind.
"As fascinated as I am by cat burial practices,-" her tone making it clear that she's NOT "-help me look around while you talk, mmm? Whoever did this might have left something behind."
The colonel glances in the direction of Vara and Kendra. I hope Vara can calm miss Kendra. Afraid I don't quite know how to myself. I'm more concerned with the sacrifice aspect than the death of an animal -- doubt that would calm her down.
As Davi paces around the monument, the colonel calls out to her "Spot anything yet? Try not to trample the area if you do."
"That person has a sick mind. What does he gain in killing something a tenth of his size that would never have done him any harm?"
Taking a deep breath, "We can place it under a bush someplace in the woods. At least it'll be returned to Mother Nature. "
"I thought in Osiriani, they mummiied the cas after they died amd buried them in the same tomb as their owners, so they would follow their owners to the afterlife."
"I think we should tell the Sheriff there's some crazy cat killer out there on the loose."
After a few moments, Kendra is able to calm down. She shakes her head slowly, then starts talking. "Pryapeth is going to be staying inside for a while. He won't like that, b-but..." She looks at the cat again, then grins a sickly sort of grin. "Let's t-take it down b-by the river. That'd be a nice place to leave it. Then we'll report this to the Sheriff"
A few footprints can be found around the Memorial, all leading back to town, but they quickly fade away well before even reaching the first house.
"Cat's also missing front claw on its left paw. Can't tell what caused it."
"Sorry, Kendra. Yoi never should have seen this."Vara awkwardly pets Kendra on her shoulder. What do I say to someone who just came across a brutally murdered cat? Maybe if its out of sight? Vara puts the dead cat into a sack and lays the sack somewhere inconspicuous. She signals to Mr Chompy to clean up the area.
"Too many tracks that lead away from here, and they end too soon. I can't track who did it. Maybe the rest of the memorial might hold more clues."
Gosk nods with a perhaps too enthusiastic smile. "Yes, indeed! They believe in ownership of items in the afterlife. I was... making the joke that the owner would object to being mummified and placed with the cat... and it didn't really work out. Anyway, there are even rumours of one of their princesses taking all of her slaves with her in the afterlife! Fascinating, really." The scholarly enthusiasm of the man is at stark contrast with the subject. "I do apologise, I get a bit... excited when I can discuss burial rites. It's a bit of a taboo topic with most people."
Gosk sighs solemnly. "Cruelty is a part of our nature. Until we find whoever did it, I suggest we should be glad that it was a cat, rather than a person." He nods at the assessment of the tracks. "Let us do away with the late cat. I am curious as to what the Muricars might say."
Davi ends her search and walks over Vara. "Whoever they were they didn't leave anything behind; at least, nothing that I can see. Bastards. Let's go find the sheriff."
She looks back down the trail towards the road, ready to charge down the path and raise hell, when her eyes land on the ramshackle house. "Say...whoever did this must have gone by Gib's place, right? Maybe he saw something. I could, ah, let's say, make an inquiry while the rest of you find the Sheriff."
"People who start with cats don't always stop there, she remarks darkly and doesn't comment further. There's more justification to murder a person, as that person might be in a position to do you harm, or it could be genuine self defence.
"I don't like this Gibs guy, not after what he did yesterday. Are you sure you don't want us in sight in case things get ugly?"she asks Davi, concerned.
"Gibs seems a coward based on yesterday. We can hang back a bit. A crowd at his door could be considered unfriendly."
Looking towards Kendra "Is the Sheriff likely to do anything past complaining about us creating a disturbance? I haven't met the fellow." Yet.
"Well, I'm not saying to go out of screaming range; just far enough that it doesn't look like an avenging mob at his door. Once freaked out woman is a lot less intimidating." Davi pats Vara on the shoulder.
"The Sheriff is a big boy, he'll survive us asking Gibs a question. What are we supposed to do, go 'Hey, somebody ritually sacrificed a cat right outside your house, only we didn't want to bother you with such a trivial matter.' Pffft. If the Sheriff has a problem then he's a dunderhead"
When Davi knocks on the door to Gibs's house, there's no response. Just as she's ready to leave, though, the door creaks open enough for one of the occupant's bloodshot eyes to look out at her, glaring against the morning sun. "The hells do you want? I don't know what it's like where you come from, but here in Ravengro, it's poor manners to wake people up at..." He glances at the shadows and shakes his head. "...Midmorning."
= = = = = = = = = =
Kendra sighs as Davi heads off toward the house, but decides to stay and answer Tipper's question. "Probably not, as long as no one gets hurt. Sheriff Caeller isn't one for getting involved in other peoples' business. At least, not from his sparse visits to our house, he wasn't.
"Sorry, I know it's um...early..but we just needed to check on you" Davi smiles at Gibs "See, Kendra was giving us the grand tour of the city, so of course we went to the Harrowstone Memorial. Well, somebody killed a poor cat right in front of it. There's blood everywhere; they even wrote on the statue with blood, so these are obviously sick individuals. Who would do something so heinous? But anyways, we're looking at this and I say to myself 'Self, Mr. Gibs lives right there. Maybe he heard something strange last night. He could be the key to finding out what kind of scumbag would commit such a senseless act of violence'. So, did you see anything last night?"
Gosk raises an inquisitive eyebrow. "Huh. I guess the tales of Sheriffs sticking their fingers in all the pies is a bit of a stretch, it seems. Though it's a fine line between keeping an eye on everything and constantly getting involved in others' business, and I know a few that have crossed it." He takes a look at Davi at the door. "I'm sure she'll be fine. Better than if I went there, for sure!", he gestures towards his dark armoured robes. "Feels quite... different that people associate black with death in here. In Nex, it's either blue or white, and black is more... formal, or everyday, I suppose." Gosk, probably people don't want to hear all that about death. He sighs. "Pardon me. So, I suggest we go and find that Sheriff. At the very least, I'm sure we'd need to raise the topic of the... unpleasant reception we got from the villagers, even if he may dismiss the poor beast's death."
He looks at Kendra. "As soon as you're ready, Kendra.", he prompts with a smile.
Gibs looks at Davi for a moment, blinking, then begins to shut the door. "You're talking insanity, miss. I heard nothing, and I know nothing. I hope it was the Jalesco's cat, up the road. I hate that animal." He finishes shutting the door with a slam.
So far as you can tell, Gibs is far too sleepy to be lying about anything. You really do seem to have caught him at a bad time...
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Kendra shakes her head slowly as the party makes its way past Gibs's house and back onto the road. "We can do that in a bit, even with this...discovery. There's one more thing I should show you." She leads the party across another covered bridge and down the path until they're almost in sight of the Lorrimir place, then points south to a winding road and, beyond that, a massive complex perched on a hill overlooking the village of Ravengro. Its shake-shingle roof is collapsing in on itself, jagged holes dot the sides, and the glass of the few windows it possesses seems to have been blown out. More prominent are barred slits in the first floor, the stones around them blackened and charred.
"That's where they found Father." She pauses, then looks at the ruin again. "I'd like to go through his diary in the next few days, when there's time. Maybe he left some sort of hint at what he was doing that was so important he died for it."
"Well. That was helpful, at least he didn't call the Sheriff on us,"she drawls.
"Kendra, we..." Vara hesitates before trying again, as if it was costing her some effort to speak. "Kendra, we looked at Father's diary last night. He wrote that a group called the Whispering Way was trying to after someone that was held in Harrowstone. He was trying to learn more about Harrowstone so he could stop them."
"I..I wanted to keep this from you. And find a way to bundle you out of town. So you could be safe from all this."Vara blushes, ashamed. She gestures to the rest. "They talked me out of it. Said you had the right to know."
The colonel looks out towards the dilapidated build as he speaks. "Yes, the professor was investigating something very dangerous. Tried to do it on his own. He thought that keeping you unaware would protect you."
He shakes his head slowly as he says "I knew none of this until I came here. Had I known, I would have advised a different path. Forewarned and all that."
Looking towards Kendra, he smiles and says "Suspect bundling you off elsewhere would be time consuming and ineffective, as you would resist."
Gosk nods. "And, after all, you would be of great help, Kendra. More so, considering how close this is to heart." He continues walking. "I suppose we can talk about how the truth is better than lies, and all the circumstances surrounding those, but I'm hardly in the mood for philosophy. Let's find out more about that Whispering Way. Only way we can truly be prepared for whatever they have planned."
Gosk smiles at Vara. "So, Gibs wasn't at his most helpful, huh. Hard to imagine the opposite, but you never know. It would help keeping an eye on him, but he seems way too incompetent to be a real threat. We need to go and talk to his leash-handlers.", he says, facing the rest.
Vara had been looking downwards, slightly shamefaced. On hearing what Gosks says, she breaks into a tentative smile. "To be honest, I don't like keeping secrets either. But when knowing too much may put a person in danger...ah Desna, where should the line be drawn?"
As Gosk comments about Gibs, she comments clinically, "Gibs look like he just woke up. On the wrong side of bed. He'd probably have better mornings if he didn't drink so much the night before, but that would be probably too much to ask for. Doubt he'd be able to come up with a coherent lie in his condition."
Gosk nods thoughtfully. "It is in those cases where principle should be left to be, and one should defer to their judgement.", he grins. "Too much unnecessary philosophical debate afterwards. The quick decision isn't always the greatest one, but it's often the best one.", he nods.
Hearing about Gibs, he chuckles. "Ha! Not a morning person myself. Good to know, though.", he continues.
"Indecision kills more often than decisive action." Colonel Tipper replies with a nod.
Kendra slumps and looks toward the ground, obviously dejected. "I wish you'd read it when I was there." She walks along in silence until the party is just outside the Lorrimir place again, then looks at the party. You have a sheriff to meet and I have a diary to read through. Come back when you're done, and for good measure, why don't you visit the Muricars, too?"[/b] She slips inside her house and shuts the door without waiting for a response.
The Ravengro Jail borders the town square. It's a relatively unassuming building with dark shingling and somewhat warping side-boards, and sports a pair of unbarred windows. Inside, through one of the windows, a man in a wide-brimmed hat sits smoking a pungent pipe, booted feet up on a table. He catches a glimpse of the party and nods almost amiably. "Benjen Caeller. Outlanders, eh? How are you liking our little town, and what can I do for you?"
That could have gone better.
The colonel hesitates, then decides to leave it be for the moment. He does raise an eyebrow when Kendra slams the door on them.
---
When asked about how he liked the town, the colonel rubbed his chin for a moment in thought before replying "Our first meeting with a few of the townsfolk could have gone better." On the good side, neither side got seriously injured!
Not bothering to explain the background on that statement, he then announces "We found what looks like a ritual killing of a cat, out by the Harrowstone Memorial. Found it while touring the town."
Vara opens the window some, and yells through it. "We read it last night while you were there. Unfortunately, you fell asleep halfway through it, and we figured you needed the rest." Never mind that we deliberately read in in such a way that we wanted people to fall asleep through it, she doesn't need to know that. Then shuts the window.
"Ravengro's an interesting town indeed. Lots of hidden depths." Just the sort that are better left alone. She continues, "We'd like to know more about the history of the town, maybe we could start with the history of this jail?"
"I'm sure she'll be fine...", says Gosk, half-convinced himself.
Gosk nods at the man with the hat. "It's... fascinating, frankly. Always had a bit of a soft spot for small towns. As soon as you're finished with the tale of Ravengro, I'd be interested to hear about any other outsiders coming here. Up to about a couple of months ago.", he mentions.
"Yes, Grimburrow mentioned some sort of disturbance, but he said he'd taken care of it. That true?" Without waiting for a reply, Caeller narrows his eyes. "You found a what? Leromar, Riff, get in here."
A few moments later, a pair of townsfolk carrying crossbows and short arming swords bustle in, the man struggling to keep up while the woman wipes her mouth guiltily. Caeller ignores their obvious unprofessional appearances, standing and giving orders. "Leromar, get the wagon ready. Full investigative equipment. Riff, go ahead and head to the Harrowstone Memorial; we'll be along shortly." As the woman dutifully trudges off out the door and the man heads toward a nearby shed, Caeller looks toward the group apologetically. "As much as I'd love to stay and chat about this jail, you've given me pressing matters to attend to. How about a rain check until tomorrow or the day after? The investigation should be done by then."
Caeller seems to be looking for an excuse to get rid of you as much as he is eager to get out on the job.
The colonel gives a brief nod when Benjen asks about Grimburrow.
He looks sort of surprised at the sheriff's reaction to news of the cat. Seems Kendra misjudged the man. He certainly seems to be taking this seriously.
"Anything we can do to help, sir?"
As he says this, he steps aside so that the woman can get past him.
"Could we come along with you? We saw what was at the scene, sir." Vara adds.
He seems surprisingly swift for a small town sheriff. Perhaps he wasn't always one, and the lack of thrills is affecting him?, Gosk ponders as he smiles. "I do believe that our current course of affairs was to see the sights and let the people see us. We'll be around, so do let us know.", he says, bowing. "I wish you the best of luck."
'Look at that response...he must know what that sacrifice means.' The thought of follow the Sheriff is tempting, but getting on the man's good side is more important. Davi steps over to Vara and put her hand on the woman's shoulder.
"It's a kind offer, but I think the nice Sheriff would be happier without civilians poking around his crime scene. We'll keep sightseeing and then have a nice long talk with him tomorrow."
For a moment, the sheriff looks almost frustrated at Tipper and Vara's questions, and he seems about to say something when Gosk and Davi interrupt. He nods sagely. "I'm sure you have more important things to do with your afternoons and evenings than watching an investigation. If you do feel the need to talk, though, I'll certainly be back here by tomorrow." He tips his wide-brimmed hat and nods again, stepping out to meet with Leromar, who's just gotten a small cart and a mule ready for travel, along with a wooden chest. In a clatter of mule-hooves and wagon-wheels, the sheriff and his deputy are gone, heading south.
Vara is slightly disappointed that the Sheriff isn't going to let them visit the crime scene with him. He probably doesn't want civilians with him... There wasn't much to do this morning except to visit the Muricars...
Tough to tell, but that seemed like a brush-off. Was it something I said or did?
Colonel Tipper tips his own hat in response, then moves to the side -- well out of the sheriff's way.
Looking to the others, he says "Right, then." Looking to the others, he gestures up the road and says "Shall we?"
Gosk's enthusiasm fades for a moment as the sheriff tells them to mind their business, but then smiles once again. "Let's go, Colonel. I'm sure he's just someone working better alone. Not our job to tell him what to do, after all." He adopts a brisk pace, continuing the conversation. "I do wonder what we might find in the Muricars' library. If they're like most nobles, though, I'd be hard pressed to find something that isn't genealogical research. Nobles are quite... touchy on the subject, as you might think...", he carries on.
The Muricar house sits overlooking a pair of fields and the temple to Pharasma. A classic example of 3rd Period Neo-Classical Taldan architecture, its narrow, spindly profile includes a pair of floors and a circular tower, complete with several covered balconies. A pair of stone-carved falcons, their features much the worse for weather and time, gaze down from above the imposing double door.
A tug on the bell-pull causes a cacophony of chimes from all through the house, but, for the longest time, no response. After what seems like five minutes, a narrow viewing port creaks open, revealing a somewhat disheveled-looking old man. His rheumy, grey-blue eyes run over each of the party members in turn, and a veiny hand smooths his disheveled hair back as he takes in Davi, diatribe falling silent in his mouth.
"What do you want? If it's about your genealogy, Straelock, I've told you for the last time your mother was a...was a...Well, hello, ma'am. I apologize. I thought you were someone else." The viewing-port closes and, for a few moments, the only sounds from inside are those of someone hastily pulling on some sort of heavy clothing and opening various locks.
When the door opens, the same man who just moments ago was shouting at the party stands, leaning faux-casually against the door and wearing a long fur cloak, the effect of which is somewhat spoiled by a few moth-chewed holes. "Do come in, miss. How can I," He makes a wide, sweeping bow, stumbling a bit but managing to catch himself. "Gharen Muricar, help you? And, more importantly, what's your name?" He nods curtly at the Colonel, Gosk, and Vara, staring at Davi with wide, foggy eyes.
The colonel admires the architecture of the building as they approach. I wonder if this building was built during the Shining Crusade? Certainly looks old enough.
I will have to thank Brother Finyard for his advice. It certainly appears that Davi is this gent's type.
The colonel returns Gharen's nod and quietly follows Davi into the house. Just before he enters the house, he removes his hat and holds it at his side. He is careful to always be at least a step behind Davi and carefully avoids getting between her and Gharen.
If I am to play the scholar, best to try and keep my mouth shut until spoken to. Davi is a competent warrior and can certainly handle this.
"Good day to you, Sir. I'm Vara. " Vara was distinctively uncomfortable with dealing with nobility but good manners dictated that you should answer when people are talking to you.
"We've always been interested in the history of this town. When my friend, Davi, heard you were knowledgeable in these matters, she literally dragged us off our feet to meet you."
She follows Davi into the house.
Davi steps into the house, then drops into a flawless curtsey. ”Davilessa Accerlas. But please, call me Davi.” She flashes her brightest smile.
”I’ve heard that you have the biggest library in town; the nice priest at Pharasma’s temple says you have all the records and know all about the town’s history. Would it be alright if me and my friends had a look? I’m going to be in town for the next, oh, month or so, and it’s fun to learn about the place you’re in.”
Gosk walks in, lowering his hat. "Gosk Tereus, at your service." , he says, giving the man a deep Nexian bow, hands behind his back. A wide grin appears on his face, as he blurts out, "I apologise for overhearing, but I have to admit I'm terribly curious about Straelock's mother right now."
He raises his hand, "I'm sorry, sir. A mentor of mine once said that you should never miss an opportunity for a laugh." He unclasps his black cloak. I wonder if it's customary to bring gifts to the host here. Too late now, though., a thought jumps in his head as he turns around, unassumingly taking a position next to the colonel.
"Of course I have all the records, Miss Accerlas." Gharen smiles back, reaching out to plant a kiss on Davi's hand. "It would be most untoward of me to suggest it, but if you'd come down to my basements, I could show you." He pauses, appraising the others. "And your chaperones are welcome as well. If you'd give me a moment, I'll make myself more ready for guests" He turns and leaves the party standing in the foyer.
When Gharen Muricar returns, he's wearing a similar cloak, although this one is silk lined with what looks to be gold inlay. He nods his head a few times at the party and beckons. "Come this way, please. And what Straelock's mother was is between her and me."
He leads the party down a narrow spiral staircase, through a pocked door, and into a brick-lined underground library. Shelves filled with scrolls and old newsprint line the walls, along with hundreds of books and a few comfortable reading chairs. "My collection goes back to a bit before the Shining Crusade. It's mostly records from the Canterwall/Tamrivena region, with a few assorted papers on Ardeal County. Now, the room is magically sealed against temperature changes, since they tend to hurt the collections..." He continues to ramble for a while before grinding to a halt. "Is there anything you were looking for, specifically? It's not exactly...organized at the moment."
Vara keeps an eye out on what Gharen is doing to Davi, but deems a kiss on a hand fairly innocuous.
Vara gives an appreciative whistle at the collection. "Wow, nice collection. How did you get the room magically sealed against temperature changes?"She inquires curiously.
"We're looking on information on Harrowstone. Any information there is. Also, the Whispering Way."
"Harrowstone? What do out-of-towners want with Harrowstone?" Gharen pauses, then glances once again at Davi and shrugs. "They're in here somewhere, either on the third shelf from the right or the fifth from the left. I'm not sure which anymore; Harrowstone hasn't been something people want to know the truth about. You know, the truth. Like how Taldor is still secretly running most of the continent, or how a demon lord stole all of Brevoy's ruling family a couple of years ago. The truth."
He continues, narrowing eyes and looking over the party. "The Whispering Way? I'm not sure I'm prepared to open up that part of my archives." He laughs nervously, then continues. "The material in there is very fragile, and some of the items are one of a kind. A written note from Grimburrow or Hearthmount could convince me you mean well. Besides, there's nothing to say about them. They're a cult, and you'd be best off steering clear of them. Especially you, Davi."
"Now, it's mid-afternoon, so it's time for my letter-writing. If you have any other questions, now's the time. If not, I'll be back down in a few hours to show you out for the evening. And as for how I seal the room? Magic. Very, very expensive magic."
Gharen seems wildly uncomfortable with your casual mentioning of the Whispering Way, and he's doing his best to redirect you away from it.
The colonel lets out a breath of relief. He hadn't even realized he was so tense until he heard Gharen's response. Either he is a brilliant actor, or he has nothing to do with The Whispering Way.
Looking around, he says "Right, best get at it!" He then starts carefully sorting through the material in the areas indicated.
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"Sorry, didn't mean to alarm, but we're just curious about the history of this place, and Harrowstone is full of it. Ooooh imagine all the stories about it. So delightfully chilling." She answers with a relish.