Any reply the guards might have is drowned out by a deluge of water as Alice's shot destroys the already-weakened support. The water tower topples, releasing countless gallons of water all over the alley, soaking everyone present, and extinguishing the fire. The guards look pissed, but as everyone's firearms have been rendered useless until they're dried out, you don't have to worry about getting shot. Now would probably be a good time to explain what's going on.
Sopping wet (and reloading a non-lethal round from her magical belt - just in case) Miselle wiped the water from her eyes. "We are members of the Royal Homeland Constabulary, investigating, among other things, the recent arsons. We had reason to believe they would target this place, and moved to intercept." True, it was 'information acquired during a trippy magical vision', but they didn't need to know that. "One escapee, using fire magic to alight the cart next to the firedust factory. We fired upon the water tower, to drown the fire and save this building. And perhaps more."
Looking down at her sodden clothing, she added, "Now, unless you have a desire to stare at several female officers who are soaked through - and our colleague - I would suggest you help us secure our prisoners, no?" She pointed with a nod towards the surrendered humans and unconscious lizardman. "Now?"
As the guards' adrenaline dies down, a couple of them blush and avert their gaze. The others lower their weapons and assist in securing the prisoners.
Corynne can't resist the grin that creeps across her lips at the officer's reactions.
Shaking her head, Miselle looked at the others. "Time to change, bathe, eat and sleep? With that one locked away we can question him when we have time." And the longer he was left to stew, combined with the more information they had to question him, the better the answers they would get.
Ellena feels out the scorched wisps of her hair and looks up at the others with wobbly eyes. "I think I need a haircut..."
She takes a few deep breaths to gather herself. "Do we meet up in the morning?"
Miselle sighed at the idea of getting that much rest, but duty called. "Alas, it is barely morning now. I fear we shall be meeting for a late lunch and to speak on the case." Still, her private projects meant that this would not be the first time she had slept little and worked most of the night.
Looking at Elena, she added, "Would you like help? My family has a stylist on retainer. You would not be the first family friend she has helped with singed hair." Miselle shrugged. "Noble parties can involve a surprising amount of singeing."
"I've been cutting my own hair since the war, if you'd rather try something different."
Alice shakes her arms, the soggy knife sheaths uncomfortably damp against her wrists, before kneeling to handcuff the knocked-out lizardman.
"Sleep and lunch sounds perfect. I hope Skyseer Sechim manages to get back to his house, we kind of left him at Mayor Macbannin's."
"I'm sure the Mayor will make sure that he's safely escorted home." Corynne responds, looking forward to getting out of her wet clothing. "A hot bath and meal sound amazing right about now."
"Az is looking forward to it himself..." the dwarf says, looking mournfully at his long-arm and glad that he was at least able to get one shot off so the powder wasn't wasted. Glancing between the two women, the dwarf shrugs a bit. "Not that dwarves are experts on this, is probably just my preference, but Az thinks human women look better long-haired than short." the dwarf remarks.
"No, that's alright, I have someone. Thank you both though." Ellena says, shivering a bit from the wind blowing in off the harbor.
The next morning, you awake to the sound of a canary chirping outside your widow. Then a sudden breeze gusts over you, speaking with a woman's voice, elegant and tinged with a Danoran accent. "Your character comes recommended by a dear friend of mine. At his suggestion, I would like to arrange a meeting so you and I may discuss a mutual enemy. Speak to the wind a time that is convenient for you, preferably within the next two days, and my canary will guide you when you are ready. The meeting will occur in my territory, because while I trust my dear friend, I confess I find him a poor judge of character. After all, he associates with me." The wind lingers for a minute or two before swirling away.
There's a minor commotion at RHC Headquarters. It seems a lizardfolk was found tied to a lamppost outside. In a nearby pouch is a fancy coffee press, finely-ground coffee beans, and a magically-sealed note addressed to Ms. Miselle Fitelle in Crisillyiri script.
Alice welcomes the intruding voice by jolting awake and throwing towards the voice one of the dagger she always keeps at hand.
By the time she's realized there is no danger and listened to the message, she has readied for the day and retrieved the weapon from the window frame.
Breakfast is rich in chocolate, after the efforts of the previous day, and her mood is largely improved by the time she's at Headquarters.
Subtle way to introduce herself, reactionary terrorist sow that she is. Gold against copper she's tied to this lizard wizard.
"Danoran?" Well, Alice was going to have fun with that. But there was also the other matter to attend to.
Miselle looked at the note and the Lizardman. Well. Apparently, some brave citizen with a desire to help the police force had captured the miscreant. Snorting slightly, Miselle opened the letter, hoping for a lack of explosive runes.
The letter is handwritten in elaborate but exceedingly-precise Crisillyiri script. The paper it's written on is expensive and smells faintly of coffee beans.
"Ms. Fitelle,
"Some members of my family happened to run into one of your miscreants from last night, and I felt it my civic duty to see him brought to justice. I'll be taking breakfast and lunch at 'Truth Coffee Shop' in Stray River (on the corner of Yearling Street and Healers Street) for the next three days. I would be most grateful if you and your assistants would join me for a meal - at your convenience, of course. We can discuss how I can assist in your greater investigation.
Respectfully Yours,
~Morgan Cippiano~
P.S. I hope that you enjoy the coffee; it's imported from Ber. I'd recommend doubling your usual amount of sugar as it's very bitter, but the flavor is truly exquisite when properly prepared."
Miselle showed the letter to the others at RHC headquarters. "Does coffee count as bribery, or would that be the hand-delivered arsonist?" Miselle scratched her head. "Seems like an odd way to do such, but I suppose it puts us in there debt. In theory."
Ellena, much to her dismay, was actually awake when the message came and had been for a while. In fact, she'd been listening to her sister grumble about life and the various evils of the other gender while she tried to do something about Ellena's hair. It was nice; they hadn't had a chance to do this since Ellena'd gone off to school, but of course the message blew the moment to bits. She waved off her sister's questions and bolted for headquarters, stopping only to grab a bite from a street-vendor on the way.
She stumbled through the door and into the bullpen with a pastry half-eaten in her mouth, and when she had the others in a room she spoke with more than her usual trepidation. "No, it's... um, that's not a bribe. Maybe a threat. But we have bigger problems. I got a message this morning, and I think... I think it was from Gale."
"It appears you have a fan." Corynne says with a grin, "And apparently assistants."
A muscle in Alice's eyes twitches at the word "assistants" but she diplomatically says nothing of it. "Well, I doubt it's much of a bribe until he asks us to do something illegal. And by the time we'll have finished the coffee. Unless it's laced with something addictive, that would be clever..." In any case, I'll let her drink first.
She pulls outher notebook and reads a page. "I got the message too. Gale, real name Hana Soliogn, an eladrin kept as prisoner by a rich Danoran family. Apparently developed a hate for their ways, which includes industrialization, unluckily for Risur. As of now, she's hiding in the wilderness, sabotaging factories and trying to assassinate industrialists. I wonder if she's behind yesterday's attacks as well or it's just popular to hate progress today."
Closing the notebook, she leans in her chair and nibbles on a shortbread. "So, how about we interrogate the lizards first, head to lunch with Mister Cippiano and head to Gale later, provided nothing explodes in the meanwhile? Oh, and we should also check up on whether Doctor Wolfgang has answered us."
"Could also be Miss Cippiano, could it not? Az has known of humans of either gender with this name. Either way, we seem to have new things to do, new leads to follow. Is good thing!" Az chimes in after reading the letter.
"Sugar in coffee...pah. Humans have such strange ideas about what tastes good." he adds.
Alice flips back two pages. "The philosopher wannabe called Cippiano a guy. Nilasa wanted to impress him, and had a note in Crisillyri jotted down for him. Oh, and I don't take sugar in my coffee either. I get enough from sweets."
"Alice's plan sounds like a sound set of priorities," Miselle agreed, as she wondered if the coffee might be useful.
The dwarf nods. "Az remembers now...and agrees. Is sounding like good way to move forward from here."
"That seems as good a plan as any." Corynne says, considering the course of action.
The lizardfolk have been identified as Eberardo and Valando - brothers suspected in a number of arson over the past several months. Neither one's talking.
"...arson is easily ten years, though given your record I'd bet on twenty, and that's not even counting assault to public officer, conspiracy and possibly obstruction to justice. That's some serious loyalty to whoever you are protecting, I just hope they're worth twenty years of your life."
Alice's diplomatic façade crumbles outside the interview room, as she retrieves a pillow from under her desk and punches it repeatedly. "How I HATE it when they play the system! How comes it's easier to interrogate the dead than the living?"
"The dead have already faced there ultimate fate," Miselle ponders philosophically, "And have nothing left to fear. The living have everything left to lose, and must fight for each moment of freedom." She shrugged, then stretched. "I suppose this means it is time for lunch?"
At the coffee shop, you find a bald, stylishly-dressed man seated at a table in the center of the (otherwise empty) outdoor patio. As you enter, he gestures to the proprietor, who brings out comestibles before retiring to the kitchen. The man smiles and gestures for you to sit. "Good afternoon, constables. I'm so happy that you were able to accept my invitation. Ms Fitelle, your makeup really brings out the color in your eyes. And Ms Tabbit, if you need assistance in attending to your hair, I'd be happy to recommend a stylist. A light citrus spray should be all that's required to eliminate any lingering smell."
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Alice sits quietly, waiting for Miselle to eat or say anything. She's quite glad not to be the target of this unctuous man's flattery, and she never appreciated compliments that trivial.
For a moment, she cherishes a memory of a different man, fiery as a wildfire, with a tongue as sharp as Alice's blade and a temper just as volatile. And for a moment she recalls a day of debate, growing more heated with every argument, then spiraling into...
Why am I thinking about him?!
She sits upright, focusing on the task at hand, and especially reading the man's face.
As the others focus on the man that arranged the meeting, Corynne's attention is focused on their surroundings, noting the details and looking for any sign of something out of the ordinary.
Azaghal follows Corynne's lead, leaving the talky bits to those with better tongues for it.
Nodding at the man's compliments, Miselle smiled cheerfully as she took her seat. "Thank you, Mr Cippiano. May I say your suit is exquisitely tailored? A fine cut that shows off your shoulders well." She nodded. "And my compliments to your...Family, wasn't it? There capture of the Lizardman arsonist saved us some man hours that we can now dedicate to other tasks, and we are appreciative of it. Although I'm afraid I have yet to have a chance try the coffee."
Although she chatted away politely, Miselle was wary. The man's public display of ease, and the fact he was happy to meet an entire squad of RHC officers, suggested he was powerful himself or had powerful enough friends that he felt he was in little danger. She doubted Cippiano was his true name, although it was propbably the one he used in Risur.
More interestingly, he wouldn't have called this meeting if he didn't have something they wanted, and they something he desired. The problem was it could be anything, from simply assessing how willing they were to skirt the RHC's rules to gain his help to true betrayal.
Mr Cippiano seems completely at ease in your presence, and you don't detect any hostility coming from him. He's confident and used to being in control of things, but he doesn't appear to wish you harm.
The coffee shop is empty aside from Mr Cippiano and yourselves. Even the waitstaff have retired into the back, leaving you completely alone. Outside the shop, a trio of civilians are loitering. They're facing away from you, but there's a reflective surface within their line of sight. You also notice someone on a rooftop across the street who seems to be very interested in the coffee shop.
Mr Cippiano smiles at Miselle's compliment. "Why thank you, I'm pleased that you noticed. If you're ever in need of a new wardrobe, I'd be more than happy to give you the name of my tailor." He takes a sip of coffee. "Yes, my Family can be most helpful. I make a point to pay attention to the goings-on of the RHC, and when I learned how busy you've been lately, I felt it best to get to know all of you better. I admire your diligence, you know - it's a trait that's very handy for both government officials and private entrepreneurs like myself. Perhaps we have more in common as well - hence my assistance with that arsonist. It's always wise to begin a new relationship on a positive note."
Somehow managing to look both flattered and very annoyed with the same blush, Ellena tucks her hair behind her ear and out of sight. "Then you wouldn't mind answering some questions, would you? We'd been intending to visit you already... right?" She says, starting off heated but softening and looking to the others.
Smiling, Miselle nodded. "A kind offer. And a most intruiging introduction. Your letter seemed to suggest a common desire to help with out current assignment. I am guessing that, as a businessman, such a boon would require a certain amount of facilitation on our part?"
The dwarf zeroes in on the person on the rooftop that seems to have a particular interest in the shop, keeping a sidelong eye on him, looking in particular for any sudden movement or perhaps the glint of steel.
"Of course! Ask away."
Cippiano shrugs his shoulders in mock embarrassment. "I'd be a poor businessman if I just gave things away for free. I don't like to think of it that way, though. When my family needs help, I do what I can. When I need something, my family assists. Not out of duty or contractual stipulations - but because we're family."
The rooftop figure is in a watchful stance. Perhaps it's a sentry.
"Family is a great boon in troubled times, but perhaps we should start as friends? What aid is it you desire from the RHC?" Miselle rested her chin on her hands as she waited, curious to see what the price would be.
Alice rolls her high at the exchange.
"Stars, but isn't it tiresome to speak in such obvious metaphors? This is the very same hypocrisy that had Miller write against the Clergy, speaking high and acting low. Now, if my colleague here likes a beautiful presentation, I'm more about substance."
"You have information we want. You want a favor in exchange, most likely something unsavory. This will start a chain reaction where we become increasingly depending on you, and before we know we are on your payroll. Now, I'm certain threatening or detaining you would be pointless, but wasting everyone's time with flowery speeches is just as unnecessary. So, how are you linked to Nilasa Hume and her unfortunate attempt at international espionage?"
Her face looks utterly unamused.
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The dwarf keeps an eye trained on the rooftop figure and his ears on the conversation...he can only picture in his mind's eye what Alice's expression is, but he's seen enough of her to have practically felt her eye-roll, and the corner of his mouth ticks up slightly at her...un-amusement.
Cippiano looks mildly amused. "Nothing so passe, Ms Kildare. I respect your dedication far too much for that. Miss Hume and I had exchanged some correspondence regarding a joint business venture, but there was no other contact. I'd be happy to have the letters delivered to your headquarters first thing tomorrow morning, in fact, as a further sign of good faith. Despite your clear dislike of me, I would very much like for us to be friends. As for the aforementioned 'unfortunate attempt at international espionage,' I had no knowledge of that. Miss Hume wasn't family, you see."
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Miselle sighed internally at Alice's interruption. Someone was going to have to explain to her that they were not a military unit, nor was treating people as the enemy wise. They needed evidence and facts before they accused. What Alice had just done could be a problem - accusing someone with no proof could see complaints made, and if this Family had the kind of connections she suspected they did, they would be listened to.
"Then perhaps you could help. What has your Family heard about Miss Hume, and her untimely demise?"
"She took a rather impressive leap out of a window at the Danoran consulate and landed atop the fence. A robbery gone wrong, or so they say. I believe someone had the audacity to steal something off her body before the authorities arrived. That's all that I know, myself, but I can always ask around to see if anyone in the family knows more. Would you like me to do that for you?"
"That will depend on what you need from us," Miselle tilted her head. "You will know the RHC are magically tested for there loyalty, yes? A Danoran such as myself would never be accepted otherwise." And wasn't accepted now, she considered, at least not by everyone. "So I cannot imagine the cost of this would be anything you know we will not provide. And clearly, college feels wary about your motivations, meaning such requests will be looked at for any potential violation of our sacred duties before being accepted, so we do not stumble onto the wrong path." If Alice was going to be a loaded cannon, she might as well be used as such. "So, as a concerned citizen who has rendered aid to us and perhaps wishes to render more...how can we aid you?"
Cippiano gives you a smile. "Simply continue to diligently pursue your investigation. And if you need to travel between districts tonight, perhaps take a carriage instead of a boat. It's supposed to rain, and I'd hate for you to get wet."
Alice shoots a poisonous glance at Cippiano, and another at Miselle when she addresses the criminal as a "concerned citizen". "Got soaked yesterday, don't mind doing two for two. So, what are you planning at the docks you want to keep us from? Just your everyday smuggling or a proper skirmish against the local crime syndicate that you're trying to uproot? I can't see Lorcan Kell taking kindly to a Crisillyri family aiming for his territory."
Cippiano gives a mild chuckle. "I'm merely offering some travel advice considering the forecasted storm. We are not enemies, Ms Kildare, and I've done you no wrong. Focus your wrath on those responsible for Miss Hume's demise - or on Mr Kell and his minions if you have the time."
Miselle ignored Alice's look, even though she was furious inside, and nodded. "We shall see what our travel needs dictate, but thank you for the concern. If needs must we can brave a little rain." Rising from the table, she glanced at the others. "If our business here is done, then we have other things to attend to."
"I believe we're finished." Corynne replies getting up form the table and giving Cippiano a polite nod. She had the feeling that the moment they were away from public view there would be quite the flare-up between Alica and Miselle