Search Posts
Lavi paused in her walking and glanced back over to the others, bow still in hand. "Shall we bring him to the guards, then? I'm not sure how well they'll keep him, but at least Ms. Kelmra and the rest of Kadle's loved ones may have their wishes to have what happened to him recorded properly...too bad whatever journey they wish to take to the afterlife with his work likely won't bring the young men and their futures back."
"I'm not so confident I should - I think it would be easy to prefer to be forgotten dust than to just be what another thinks of me. Such memories are at best a pale imitation, and more usually a twisted reflection that distort further as time goes on. Some things are sweeter and more powerful in part because they last only a few moments and can never be completely recaptured, just something new each time...caring about those moments and the others who give it to us is possibly the only way to have those moments... the magus philosophized as she moved closer as she enjoyed her distracted thoughts. "But that is getting off the topic, as you so desired and I have indulged for both our amusements. The question remains, what is still out of reach to you that you do not wish any others to obtain? -- or is that what you want us to figure out? Is that the why? I've always found actions more interesting than the whys that change and fade..."
"His blood was kinda important to him and his..." Lavi said, as she continued her meandering path through the ballroom, looking around and moving cautiously. "Nearly and almost... With so much available to you, this must be somewhere very interesting and challengingly out of reach... that your actions may mean you might be able to reach it, but others could not as well...well, it wouldn't be the only selfish part of this."
Lavi chuckled, tapping her nose with her arrow hand. "Are you certain about that?" her gaze moving to his wound before continuing to look around the room. While she had little interest in clarifying if she meant the proximity helping or that distance would suit him, she was attempting to be fairly clear that she smelled the blood from him, no matter how the man acted otherwise. She continued holding the arrow and bow apart, not that it would take her long if either dropped this act. Distance suited her just fine though smacking him with her bow did sound satisfying. "So, for clarity, you wanted Kadle specifically dead, used his friend - who you turned and he did a rather sloppy job - and loved ones to do the deed and attempt to cover it along with the bureaucratic laziness Central is well known for. Other than his life, you also had Kadle's blood and his work taken - boots that could be very useful to you. Blood can be used for a number of things, especially for one such as yourself. And then ensured Triel would work the case, the rest of us probably not important. I guess there is still the question of why his blood particularly was needed when you already have so much here..." Lavi said, with a glance to the doors to the kitchen as she considered. "And what you plan to do with the boots. Another murder, perhaps, or just a trip you've fancied?"
Lavi listened, carefully watching the man as Triel gave what seemed to Lavi to be pretty sound reasoning, but this was going on a bit long for the Magus. She slowly began moving around the ballroom, wide but circling and slowly moving towards the balcony. looking around. Never was a fan of ballrooms but the decor could have sometimes be of interest...
..."...and the tragic collection of young Kadle's blood, possibly a component for magic or ritual? Nothing I'd like, I imagine..." Lavi mused as her gaze went to the vampire, her hands moving out, dislodging the arrow from her large bow. "Maybe this conversation would go better in a drawing room of sort, isn't that where mystery novels often do these things? This seems more...twee Regency drama."
Lavi nodded agreement with Triel and Cassandra, stating to the man, "Having heard you say you desired a murder and care so little about the continued life of one of your own, precautions seem sensible... " she said, arrow still notched as Lavi gripped a bit tighter, expecting to pull back at any moment.
Lavi's nose twitched, thoughts pulled between the growing confusion in the scent and the person's logic. "You...wished the person you turned... to badly drug and awkwardly drain the blood from the young man? Not the worst desired plan I've heard from a well-to-do, but even if you do not see it as your problem, it is a problem for the family and the people of the city to let someone continue doing that or to have such murders be dismissed. Quite happy to take an unstable murderer off your hands to get this dealt with...", she said, uneasily looking around as she tried to clear the smell from her nose.
Surprised at the sudden gunshot, Lavi was then distracted by the person's calm demeanour. Mildly confused as she looked around the space with a slow deep breath, Lavi replied, "We are on the trail of a murderer who took a young apprentice's life, the murderer has been linked to this place...someone reckless and newer to the...trade." Lavi said, considering her words for a moment before she tried to move quickly on, [b]"someone who has likely brought disrepute. I'm of the Samnang's, you are?"
Lavi raised an eyebrow, glancing to Triel with an unsure shrug before she continued carefully through the kitchen, cautious not to disturb or get the way of any of the staff. Gripping her bow tightly, she moved towards the southern door, looking each way as she went.
Lavi had a look over the odd collection of items of weapons and house items. Maybe the people and dates were of interest, but they weren't ringing a bell for the magus. How clean and prepared it was did catch her attention and she steadied her own weapon as she paused to look down the hallway and listen out for the others and anyone else who might be around, stepping back as much as she could out of the light as she did so...
Lavi was amused by the dusty tidying equipment. It seemed a very odd front going on. She pulled back and her eyes caught the many display cases. Maybe it would give more information on the image those in the house were trying to convey. She crept down and around the hall to look closer.
Lavi held in a sigh as she glanced around the odd laundry room. After her mind was distracted with her own laundry to-do list, Lavi moved to check the next door with a glance towards where the corridor bends.
Lavi began to move through the North door while the other chatted, coming to a very sudden stop at hearing Vulpina say that she wanted 'to give the others', which Lavi could only think meant herself and Triel, 'a chance to prove themselves' which was distracting and flickered a strong annoyance in the magus. Lavi had nothing to prove to anyone but the client and certainly not more to prove to anyone than the ~lady~ and her besotted maid. The usual warmth and cheer in her eyes gone, replaced with a disapproving glance behind her, resisting the urge to hiss a whisper that this was a murder investigation, not a play in Central, and talking where one believes vampires and a murderer lived was unhelpful - but that would be talking and as such unhelpful. Instead, she moved on to the nearest door, listened at it, and if she heard nothing concerning would open it.
After a long awkward quiet moment, Lavi distractable focus pushed her to move up to the closest door to her - the northern door - and listened for a moment. If all is quiet, she'll try to edge it open as well...
Lavi looked around cautiously. Just entering people's homes uninvited wasn't something she had a habit of doing, more so possibly dangerous vampires. Bow ready, Lavi hanged at the rear for a moment while getting a feel of the place and seeing if there were any clues which way to go to either meet up with Lohn or those to get this situation dealt with...
After a moment's surprised pause, Lavi nudged the door open, listening out for any reaction before a moment later waving forward the others and readying her bow. Whatever reaction was coming, the magus wanted to be prepared.
Lavi tested the door cautiously for traps and locks and general suspiciousness...
Lavi's nose twitched at the smell of incense. Not something to burn while out though there would possibly be servants or someone maintaining them. It was difficult to know what to do and Lavi was concerned...and struggling to keep her wandering attention. The catfolk woman moved quietly, dodging the light as she could, to check around a door for signs of anyone...
Lavi made sure to leave trusted people in charge of the Lucky Berth prior to leaving. Once there, Lavi walked around as quietly as she could, not really commenting as she tried to keep her eyes and nose out and plot what to do next...
So...how do we want to enter?
Lavi took a moment to consider while she listened to the sound of heavy rain and looked to the darkening sky. "I can make my preparations later, for now I will go prepare our guest's room and finish setting up for my other guests which should be arriving shortly. Miss Collette, feel free to remain in here while the others remain or come through to the lounge this evening, I think a nice fire in there should do everyone well." she said as she rose from her chair, then nodded a small bow Miss Collette before retreating through the kitchen into the lounge. Lavi set to lighting the fire straight away, moving from task to task downstairs before going upstairs. She tried her to work quickly and kept an ear and nose out as she went.
Lavi nodded with an understanding smile, "I can prepare a room for you once we're done here, if you would like..."
Lavi nodded in agreement with Lohn, her mouth opened - a flash of mixed emotion crossing Lavi's face - before she quickly closed it when happily distracted from her thoughts by the new ideas brought up by Vulpina. Lavi added briefly to her previous question to Collette, "Is there any place you would prefer to go that you feel would be safer for you or that could be brought here for you?" she said. The guards weren't Lavi's automatic go-to for things like this, but it was up to their guest.
..."There might be some garlic in the kitchen, but silver is probably best. Some types of magic are good as well, we'll need all the damage we can dish out to keep them all down." Lavi commented absentmindedly before asking Collette, "Do you have anyone who can check your well-being, just to be sure there is no further harm caused by them? I know of a few people if you have need." Lavi offered.
Lavi's gentle gaze moved from their guest to Triel. The magus nodded in firm agreement that preparation needed to made before she shifted her attention to Lady Vulpina with a slightly raised eyebrow before her gaze shifted back to their guest while she considered the question raised...and a few other things.
Lavi had quietly sat back in the chair she was in previously as the others spoke, a sympathetic glance to Triel before pulling out a handkerchief and handing it to Collette. Lavi nodded in agreement that Cassandra's ideas seemed quite possible before Lavi spoke to their crying guest in a soft tone, "I'm glad Triel could help lift that block niggling at you, as horrible as those memories must be. I sadly do feel I should ask - though I want you to feel free to tell me if you'd prefer not to or if you need something first... can you recall if he gave a reason why he made you watch all that, beyond luring in Triel, and does the name 'Jarlik' sound familiar to you?
Lavi considered what was said, "Might be the 'Jarlik' we heard of, though odd for a master to send someone still ill and untrained from being turned out like that, I would think. Possibly Lekoa or another under this master didn't have the ability or strength or luck was just on her side...or maybe they want her for something. She doesn't seem turned, but still could be under some lesser but powerful mind control. What do you all think should be done next?" Lavi said as she glanced towards the closed door that led back to the office space.
Lavi gave a mildly confused look and shrug as Vulpina headed towards the kitchen. "Excuse me. Collette, try to think on the last thing you can clearly recall, it may help us figure out what happened. Lohn, shout if you or our guest needs anything..." Lavi said as she rose from the chair again, giving a small polite bow before following through. ----- Upon being given a stake, Lavi reached for the large bow on her back and quietly said, "I don't think these are going to fit...but I'm going to guess you found the other part of the trail that Triel and I found involving reckless vampires."
Lavi disappeared into the kitchen for a moment and came back with two glasses of water and held out one to Collette. "Take your time, there is no need to rush. Sounds like you've had a very rough time, please take this and have a seat." she said as she gently gestured to the seats around with a soft smile - and a concerned glance to Cassandra regarding Collette's apparent condition. With the things used by the murderer, it was not beyond possibility something was used on the young woman as well. Lavi took her own seat with her glass of water and sat back quietly, trying to give Collette space and to assess her wellness as subtly as she could.
Lavi paused as she entered, glancing to the door handle before she turned to the others and their guest with a small bow, "I am Lavi Samnang, if there are introductions to be made," she said with a smile "I am the proprietor of these establishments. Is there anything I can you from the kitchen? I have a variety of drinks and snacks."[/b] she said as she went to unlock the other parts of the lower floor.
Lavi raised an eyebrow in amusement as she glanced to Triel and back to the quick-fingered merchant. [b]"Yes, thank you for your time and pleasant conversation. Hopefully it goes better for us all than them, eh?" she said with a smile and waited to head back with Triel.
Lavi chuckled and nodded in agreement with the first remark and looked to Triel at the vendor's second remark. "He sounds like he would fit the description..." Lavi commented, as she reached into her cloak for one of the many purses on her person. With what the vendor had said so far it seemed worth risking the two gold pieces she reached out to hand over...
Lavi smiled gently in consideration as she studied the merchant and the area around them for a few moments. She spoke quietly in a warm tone, "Well spotted, there are a few other alchemicals I may part with my coin for though firstly it's information I'm looking and willing to pay for, if you have it. I hope your keen eyes saw someone more reckless, inexperienced, and cold-hearted than the two of us who acquired Stalker's Oil likely recently along with a probably a few other basics like ether. We need to prevent further...botches before they cause further issues. That the oil was found in such a manner as it was suggests someone new to the quiet way of things." Lavi said. She felt a bit cold-hearted herself wording things in such a way but she preferred to work with a merchant on the grounds of coin and experience over trying to pull heartstrings and did not want to give much more information in such a public space while the investigation was on-going.
"Thanks, take care." Lavi said with a smile, nod, and small bow while waving off the cleric.
Lavi's senses could be distracted for hours in the Market, which is part of why it was one of her favourite places in public to spend time, but today the Magus did her best for at least a few moments to focus on anything that might help. Not having much experience with Stalker's Oil, ether, or vamps, she tried to think of any local connections or places rumoured that could be useful...
Lavi nodded as she listened, "Sounds hard but good, I look forward to talking with you about it more later. For now, I think we're going to go for a walk through the Markets on our way back if you'd like to walk with us for a bit on your way..." the magus offered with a smile, both as a professional courtesy and because she knew that between her apparel and oversized bow, some felt safer walking through a town. Lavi looked over to Triel writing to ensure there were no more questions and concerns to ask before they all went...
Lavi nodded her thanks, "I would appreciate that, as I imagine would his family. I've heard many tales of the bureaucrats doing such things to those outside Central and some of the Flatlands but seeing the official paperwork and him like this...has been quite another experience. I'll let you know any news on this and when this is all done, maybe we can talk business. Your guard mentioned sponsorship which is of some interest and now that I have the Lucky Berth and this business on my property, maybe I can help..." she said, her mind bouncing through various ways to move next. The market for information trawling seemed a possible bet with how time had passed, that might be best to wait for a bit...
Lavi nodded, then sighed, "If we're looking at a wealthy reckless new vampire using alcohol, ether, stalker's oil, and quite possibly other things to murder... it adds another issue if the people here are turning a blind eye to someone so likely to harm again. Even with things as they are now, I can only imagine whoever must have some connections to have this be ruled a suicide, even for an apprentice boy from the Steps." said, clearly less than pleased with how that seemed to fit the situation. It seemed difficult to believe the experts here would just happen to miss what they and Karlea had seen so easily. Lavi knew tearing someone a new one about these oversights would not help anything, but it was sure tempting at this moment as she considered who she knew locally who might have information on someone fitting the description...
Lavi nodded as Karlea talked. Lavi then said in curiosity, "That would explain why there was so little blood in his room, though not why a small amount was drained into his chamber pot... he does seem to have been heavily supplied with liquor and something stronger that burnt his mouth which I had assumed was to sedate him, is that typical for vampire bites around here? would that affect his killer? Mostly, I'm not still sure how the city could claim any of this looks like suicide..." as her distracted thoughts bounced around out of her mouth...
Lavi nodded, "I'm happy with that fee." she replied with no hesitation, "Though it is multiple wounds and oddities with the young man's body that we'd like to know the likely causes and, if possible, likely users or sellers of substances found on the body and that which has been removed from him..." Lavi said in her attempt to be clear, fair and upfront - something important to her as an individual and businesswoman even more than being charming...
Lavi was not sure if this would be short and simple but did not point that out and followed quietly, taking in those around her as she did so. So many people... As she approached Karlea in the side room she gave a small nod-bow before speaking, "Thank you for seeing us - I hope not to disturb you long, Karlea, I would like to pay for your time and expertise. This would likely, unfortunately, involve coming up to Central and looking at the injuries on the remains of a young man. I do not want to go into too much detail while you are eating but... we're hoping to prove he was murdered and help give his family some peace, but we need more information on his rather unusual wounds to do so..."
Lavi shook her head, paused a moment - she hadn't really considered either option - before she shook her head again, "That's not our plan, I'm hoping to pay for her expertise in odd injuries and rarer techniques to help us prove the poor young man was murdered so the bureaucrats might start caring a bit and we can get him and his family what justice can be gotten here..." she said, getting more passionate as she continued to talk.
Lavi smiled up at the far bigger person, "I've been around here for years, don't say you don't recognize me? I've been told I'm quite distinctive...oh well, we're not here for any trouble, just want to ask Karlea if she would be so kind as to share her expertise to help us put to rights someone who attacked and murdered a young man, cobbler's apprentice, for a good fee of course, I don't think we can get the city interested without her knowledge helping us go through the evidence we've found. Might discuss sponsorship with her too...that I might be persuaded on, might be helpful alongside the inn and doing this..." said, obviously interested and slightly distracted by the idea...
Lavi nodded in agreement with a smile before her eyes turned to look around. Lavi could be quite patient...but was quite distractable and there were so many interesting people around...
Lavi almost sighed in relief while moving out of Central towards the Arch. She was far more comfortable among the people in the shacks than those of cold bureaucracy. Lavi joined the line and looked around the area from where she stood. Her eyes flitted around at all the people. Considering for a few moments, she turned towards Triel, "Waiting will take a while but likely mean we see her soon, or we can try leaving a message..." Lavi said, unsure how reliable the latter will be. Lavi was happy to wait though, knowing herself, she'd probably start talking with the crowd and end up involved in far more than she arrived with...
"Stalker's Oil and whatever has burnt his mouth will certainly need to be looked into...I know a...cleric who might be persuaded to have a look who knows various unrespectable things and may be able to let us know where best to look..." Lavi said with a shrug. Much of this was quite beyond Lavi's typical experiences as well but her years in the city - and possibly her natural disposition - had helped her know plenty of other interesting people... "Shall we head for now?"
Lavi looked to Triel, "We might need to get a doctor in on this, someone with experience in the odd and rough...these chemical marks...something nasty was used to knock him out...and something nastier tore into him...but where is the blood?" she said with puzzlement. Glancing at her own ineffective claws, she tried to guess the size comparison to do this sort of damage that could be found locally...
Lavi sighed in frustration. She walked around the body as if trying to see if looking at him other angles might help spark something. [b]"It would be good if we could figure out what caused these burns...and this tear, maybe a claw or jagged blade? We might need to find someone who knows more on these things..."
Lavi nodded as she listened to Triel, "Would the oil being on his fingers suggest he applied it, or maybe he touched someone who had been using it?" Her eyes flickered from Kadle's fingertips to the wounds around his mouth, "A lot of alcohol was used by the smell from him, and something else I think causing these burns. Possibly they got him drunk or forced it down him and when that did not work enough, they used something stronger. With that and the wounds and the room...it does seem to suggest that most of what happened did not happen in his room and that whoever took most of his blood for some reason..."
Lavi kept looking over the body, her eyes flickering here and there as her mind tried to figure out if there was any magic or place locally she knew of that would sell blood products from someone with this much alcohol and who knows what else in his system. How so many pieces of the puzzle weren't fitting together did seem highly distracting to the catfolk woman.
Lavi looked at the wounds with confusion, and spoke quietly, "With such a neat room, I wasn't expecting the wound to be like this..." Lavi examined the wound and burns around the poor lad's mouth...
Lavi's nose twitched uncomfortably. The burning herbs were going to make things difficult, but it was likely better than the alternative. Lavi approached the left side of Kadle's body carefully, looking it over particularly looking for where the blood had been drained from, any signs of injection marks or damage around the mouth from something toxic being ingested...
|
