| Logs |
2000-07-17
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
"You can never walk in the same stream twice."
- The Hare is rising in the west as the three ships weigh anchor
and set sail through the West Passage. The straits are wide and deep
here, a far easier route into Starfall Bay than the East Passage. The
wind is fresh from the west and the ships make good time.
Once the three ships are enroute, Alex quietly finds Carroll and makes a small suggestion to her captain. "Sir... might I suggest we have Cleo quietly contact Hildy in Ettore, to tell the folks there that first, Father is back, second, we'll be in port by the morning, and third, could they please send someone with any information they feel you and Father need, in order to best disrupt the mongoose, to our solicitor, Farwing, in Starfall? He won't be watched like we will be... and he can then come to the Mare with that info, to meet secretly with you and Father?" Horatio stands on deck worriedly, watching their passage and keeping close watch on their course line.
Carroll nods and murrs, "Good idea. I don't know if they'll be able to get anyone in to port quickly, as it's a day's sail from there, but they'll probably try. Do you think we should have her reach ahead to the Mages to send a message to Farwing, or should we have someone -- maybe Kammy -- go when we get there?"
Alex says, "I believe we were warned by the queen to keep our crew aboard... and I'm unsure if the mongoose has connections in the mages' guild or no. I'll also be quite surprised if the Council will be ready to see us in only one day... so it'd be my guess that the Ettore folks can get into Starfall and contact Farwing in plenty of time. Worst comes to worst we'll say one of us is a bit indisposed and we can't make it for a day."
Carroll murrs, "I don't know. They may push for a quick hearing, if Twin Mountain bothers them." He grins nastily, adding, "In that case, we'll have to drag our feet."
Alex nods quietly, "That would work. In that case, captain, with your permission I'm going to give you the con for a bit, so I can be there for energy backup for Cleo, should she need it for any reason." Alex reports back to Carroll later that night that contact with Ettore was successfully made, that nothing major was reported, that this was the final time check, and that they'd be waiting.
Three ships tack into Starfall Harbor on a cool and overcast
morning a few days before the Summer Solstice. Two are large warships,
one flying the black and silver of Starfall and the other the double green
of Maidstone. The third, also flying Maidstone colors, is a much smaller
vessel, perhaps a fast courier. Curious eyes follow the ships, both
from the shore and from aboard other shipping in the busy harbor. Most
of the furrs who watch are only mildly curious; a few are puzzled. One
smiles to herself and snaps her telescope closed before going back down
the stairs from the harbor lighthouse. Another hastily scribbles a note
and sends it by a trusted messenger to his patron.
Dimitri stands at the gunwales, next to the gangplank, watching the return to their home port. His favor is cleaned and pressed, a sharp, sharp contrast to his dull, utilitarian garb, such that the contrast proclaims his allegiance even more. Polished spurs jingle with each step, a Knight's symbol, and he wears his companion's pendant. Sword in hand, he watches those watching. Carroll stands by the steersman, quietly overseeing the few things that needs his attention as his fast courier sails in to his home port as a foreign diplomat. Alex stands tall and proud next to the captain, her clothing neatly functional, her gaze slow and observant.
Horatio watches from the gunwale himself, worried. He glances over to his stoic dark phase brother, leaning on his sword. He half-wishes he carried a sword himself, but knows somehow that's wrong for him. He made the decision long ago -- and it took the seep of blood from the deck of a ship his ballistae had struck to firm his decision -- that his mind would be his sword. So his satchel, worn and weathered but constant, is at his side instead of a scabbard, incongruous against the family uniform but his badge of pride, as much as the companion pendant from Maidstone. But this is not Maidstone. This is Starfall, once home and now seeming even more foreign than the Empire. What has happened? he wonders to himself. This used to be home. Now, Ettore seems more friendly -- a sudden image of Jessie impinges upon his mind -- Ettore seems far more friendly than here. Damn you, Pravinchandra, or whomever's pulling your strings, if for nothing else than making us feel like strangers in our home lands!
The Greenway waves off the customs boat and signals the other ships to follow her as she makes for the Navy docks. They moor at a pier off to one side of the base, and an honor guard of Marines accompanies Councilman al-Khali to greet the diplomatic envoys. Alex watches the approaching councilman with a quiet smile. While she knows it's standard procedure for one of the Council to meet new ambassadors, it amuses her internally to see it's the head of a minor faction, true... but one known to be opposed to House P.
Dimitri draws himself up as the councilman approaches the gangplank. Alex stands quietly at Carroll's right, pacing after him down the quarterdeck stairs to meet the welcoming Councilmember, and bowing gracefully with him in greeting. Horatio stands by the gunwale near the gangplank, watching the meeting (I can't bring myself to call it a 'homecoming,' not yet...) taking place below on the dock. Carroll leads Alex down the gangplank while the honor guard stand at attention. After he's bowed and straightened, he murrs, "Good morning, Councilman al-Khali. Thank you for receiving us." Dimitri nods to Horatio and follows Carroll and Alex down to the docks, to stand silent behind Carroll. Horatio glances at Dimitri's nod and nods himself, following behind his siblings down to the dock.
Councilman Hassan ibn al-Khali is a roan horse with grizzled black mane and headfur. His ears twitch expressively as he watches the foxes come ashore and his dark brown eyes twinkle with delight at this turn of events. He is dressed formally, in the unadorned black robes of the Council. He holds a silver-chased ebony cane, but he doesn't seem to need it.
Alex can't help a small smile at the Councilman's obvious pleasure in this turn of events. Dimitri snaps to a proper attention, his earrings glittering in the dawn's light. Horatio straightens slightly, a hand discretely reaching up to check his collar, almost to compensate for Alex not adjusting it herself. The horse smiles, keeping up the official facade. He bows slightly and says, "Good morning, your Excellency. Welcome to Starfall. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting your associates."
Carroll smiles and murrs, "It is our pleasure to be here, Your Honor." Turning, he introduces his family by their complete names and titles. Alex smiles and gracefully bows again when she is introduced. Horatio bows slightly to al-Khali as Carroll presents him. Dimitri ducks his muzzle, a sharp and military precise salute returned to the Councilman.
Al-Khali bows to each of the siblings in turn, acknowledging their titles and honors, and takes the letter of accreditation that Queen Arianna had sent with Carroll. "Welcome, all of you." He turns back to Carroll when the introductions are complete. "Well, that makes it official. Let's see how-" He breaks off at a commotion further down the pier.
Horatio blinks, perking his ears as he glances down the peer, not sure yet what to make himself ready for... Alex lightly rests one small paw on her sword belt in readiness... and, because she's been well taught, she checks to their rear before glancing down the dock towards the commotion. Carroll smiles at the horse, and at the disturbance looks down the pier curiously, unperturbed. Dimitri just turns his head, eyes narrowing, his stance balanced. Alex knows, Alex can tell. Dimitri is ready to move at ah instance. One paw is already on the pommel of his long sword. Alex shifts her weight slightly, automatically, so she doesn't block Dimitri if he needs to move forward suddenly.
Another figure in black robes and one in a black and silver uniform are walking rapidly up the dock, accompanied by a half-dozen furrs in red and gold uniforms and a full squad of Marines. At a gesture from their sergeant, the honor guard drawn up at the Mare quietly form up facing the approaching furrs. As they get closer, the shrill voice of Chandra Subramayan can easily be heard. "...have your commission, Admiral! This is a clear violation of the Council's directive to the Navy, and I'll hold you respon-" He stops in dismay at Al-Khali's presence on the dock.
Alex stares silently at the mongoose, her ears tilting back slightly and an expression of slow, contemptuous disdain crossing her small mask. Carroll smiles calmly at the mongoose, looking him directly in the eyes. He says nothing. Dimitri steps forward, a single firm and resolute motion as he sees the other marines come down the dock. He takes his place between Carroll and these newcomers, his blade held level, parallel to the ground, in both hands before him; a silent warning; one hand on the scabbard, the other firm on its hilt.
The lady otter speaks into the sudden silence. "As I have been trying to tell you, Councilman, we found out about the arrival of the mission last night, and you were nowhere to be found. Fortunately, I was able to contact Councilman Al-Khali, who authorized me to admit the ships to avoid a League crisis." She salutes Al-Khali. "Good morning, your Honor."
Alex gently nudges Dimitri as the lady otter takes command of the situation... she nods her head for him to step back and not obstruct Carroll. Horatio shivers inwardly, as the marines forming the Mare's honor guard form up facing the incoming soldiers. No, it can't be, he thinks with a sinking feeling. Dear heavens, has their hold on Starfall become so complete that our own soldiers are facing down one another?! The nigh-hysterical thought fades into the background though as he sees -- and hears -- Councilman Subramayan. He narrows his eyes just a little, his mind a morass of conflicting emotions. He does not like the approaching troops. Pravinchandra's personal guard, he notes, still seething silently. Then, resolutely, It won't end here. He's not going to win here. Even so... he's very glad for Dimitri and Alex, and their swords.
Al-Khali smiles blandly at his fellow Councilman. "Is there a problem, Chandra? It hardly seemed important enough to be worth bothering a busy furr such as yourself over."
Alex's ears remain tilted back in icy disdain as her cold gaze sweeps across the House Pravinchandra personal guard. Lickspittle lackeys, she thinks contemptuously. She lifts her chin and ignores them and the mongoose as beneath her notice. Dimitri stands still and quiet, his eyes sharp. He finds the sergeant, the leader of the mongoose's guard, and catches his gaze. And then just holds it. Horatio remains silent himself, still seething inwardly. Now is not the time to get angry, now is not the time to loose one's composure. Pravinchandra is still obviously powerful enough that he can have his own personal guards come out and meet a diplomatic envoy. That may change soon... but for now... Carroll watches quietly, letting the local powers sort themselves out and listening to who is where. So far he likes what he hears.
The mongoose is obviously furious, and takes a moment to regain his composure enough to even speak coherently. "This is an insult to Starfall, Hassan. Sending these... these... pirates as envoys? Sailing a stolen ship?? Arianna has gone too far this time." He turns back to the Admiral, the words grating out of clenched teeth. "You can tell them to turn around and leave now, Countess. They will not be accepted as envoys. I want them escorted back to the open ocean, and I want that ship followed..." He grinds to a halt as the horse's broad grin and the suppressed chuckles of the color guard sergeant sink in. Al-Khali holds the official letter negligently in one hand. "Terribly sorry, old boy. I didn't know there were any problems -- I've already accepted on behalf of the Council. You'll need that two-thirds vote to override now."
Alex shakes her head in slow amazement as Dimitri doesn't move... then sighs and steps so Carroll can move to where he's not blocked by Dimitri, if he wishes to do so. Carroll continues watching, imperturbable, before he looks back at the horse and murrs, "It is my honor to bring the greetings of Queen Arianna Dunbarton of Maidstone, and her messages for the Council." Dimitri is standing between he and the mongoose, and he doesn't care; Pravinchandra may as well not be there as far as he is concerned.
The mongoose looks like he is very close to an apoplectic attack. "You have not heard the last of this, any of you." He turns and stalks off, trailed by his guards.
Horatio gives a mental sigh. Part of me certainly hopes not, he thinks. Alex doesn't even watch the Pravinchandran contingent leave... she's just quietly and properly standing next to Carroll, watching the Councilman and the countess. As the Pravinchandra guards turn and march away, Dimitri takes a step to the side and back, his sword returned to vertical stance as he takes his place behind Carroll and Alex once again.
The horse watches the mongoose stalk back down the pier before turning back to Carroll and the others. "My esteemed colleague hasn't quite figured out that his recent policy... inconsistencies... have cost him his supermajority. The next few days should be very interesting."
Alex smiles, slow and quiet at that comment... and not very nicely. Carroll turns back to the Councilman and murrs, "Your Honor, if you would like to come aboard the Twin Mountain I am certain that Baroness-Captain Winthrop would be pleased to meet you. The Twin Mountain also has a more appropriate place for us to talk than my humble little ship." He gestures towards the warship's gangplank, where its honor guard and Captain have gathered.
Alex quietly makes sure MacKenzie knows she'd like double watches... and makes sure Jared knows not to let the crew off. She informs the Admiral that they're expecting a guest also... an osprey. The otter nods to Alex. "I'll let the gate watch know he's expected. Quietly, I assume?"
Alex smiles, "Please, your excellency."
Dimitri just watches from the background as Alex converses with the Admiral. He stands quiet, listening. His campaign rings jangle every so often, but he stays very properly where he is bound. Alex also checks with Carroll, getting permission to wake him and use his cabin to meet in, should Farwing arrive on her watch. Carroll makes sure, too, that one or both of the ship's mages are paying attention to the locale, and coordinates with the Twin Mountain, hoping they'll do the same.
It is nearly midnight when Farwing arrives, guided by the Admiral's own aide-de-camp. He nods to Alex as he comes up the gangway. "I got your message. I must say, that messenger was quite possibly the most disreputable ferret I've ever seen."
Alex chuckles quietly, bowing slightly, "Thank you, sir, I'm sure she'd be pleased to hear that. If you'll wait but a moment with Dimitri I'll make sure everyone's awake."
Dimitri chuckles softly, looking down at their solicitor. "She a good friend Master Farwing. Trust her."
The osprey clicks his beak, an avian smile. "I assumed that. She did have a token identifying her, after all."
Alex quietly wakes Carroll first, so he has time to dress, then her father and brother. She makes sure both her relatives are heavily cloaked for the short period of time they're on deck... Horatio is awake... or rather he's dozing on one of his books, mumbling under his breath. He comes awake quickly, though, and then dresses and goes to Carroll's cabin. Then Alex returns to Farwing and politely asks him to accompany her. She'll escort him to Carroll's cabin. Carroll is only dozing and comes awake quickly, quickly lighting the lamp and making sure he's tidy. When Alex escorts Farwing in, he smiles and murrs, "Mr. Farwing. Thank you for coming so late. It is a pleasure to see you again." Dimitri almost shuts the door, and looks across to Alex for confirmation. Alex checks that Jared has everything in hand... then slips into the cabin after Dimitri, with a small nod. She settles down quietly in whatever remaining chair there is, stretching her legs out before her and leaning her rapier scabbard tip against them, then folding her arms. She watches quietly and alertly.
The osprey enters the nearly darkened cabin. When everyone has gathered Carroll turns up the lamp again. Farwing breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank the gods, sir. They found you!"
Carroll nods and murrs, "Don't ask how he's here, now, we can't explain. Unexpected magic. What's the word regarding our friend the Councilman?"
Dimitri leans quietly back against the door, his arms slowly crossing. Horatio grins softly as Farwing makes his exclamation. He carries, with unusual foresight for him, a tray of mugs and a pot of coffee he had just snagged from the galley, brewing against Farwing's arrival. He remains quiet, partly from sleepiness, partly from letting Farwing get his answer out, as he pours out the coffee. Alex brightens and smiles her thanks at Horatio.
The osprey looks pleased with himself. "We've been trying to track things down, on the basis that the loan papers were forged." The count interrupts. "They certainly were." Farwing nods. "So we discovered. We confronted the bank officer who supposedly witnessed the transaction, and he couldn't give us a coherent story of when it occurred. Your former accountant turned up in the employ of House Pravinchandra both before and after his time with you. And with you back, your Excellency, I think we have an ironclad case."
Alex sighs in quiet relief over her coffee mug at the news. Carroll nods, "That's good. What of the other issues?"
Dimitri looks across to Carroll, "Remember, we want to pressure them first, not destroy them. If our fears our correct the real mastermind will just offer us a... sacrificial mongoose."
Carroll adds, "The piracy, the neglect of his tenants, attempting to have us killed, sabotaged, the assassins following Father, those sort of things."
Horatio blinks to Farwing as he sits down, and sighs softly. If only it were that simple, he thinks, taking a sip of the dark (again, unusually for him he's taking it black, instead of his usual sugar, double milk) brew. He nods quietly at Dimitri's words. Alex says, "Dimitri... those were just speculations." She nods to Carroll, "The piracy and also the attempts to have us all killed."
Carroll murrs, "Don't forget how well he's treated Miriam and such. Irresponsible and wrong."
Horatio considers. "Mister Farwing," he says quietly, "-perhaps you can tell us, since you've been in Starfall all this time. How has Pravinchandra been acting? Not only professionally but, well, as a person? Even if it's only rumors..."
The bird shakes his head. "And I'm afraid they remain speculation for the moment. The assassination attempt was out of our jurisdiction anyway. Certain of the Council members have been alarmed by the mongoose's recent obsession with you, and he's in political trouble -- they would certainly credit the piracy theory, but there is no proof. The events in Baron Longvalley's holdings are reprehensible, but unfortunately they are not illegal. I'm afraid we'll have to settle for proving the loan to be false and damages will probably cancel out on both sides -- you DID capture three of his ships, after all."
Horatio deadpans, "After he set us up to be attacked by pirates."
Farwing says, "Ah, but we can't prove it, young sir. How he's been acting? Paranoid, but that's not all that unusual. The big thing was his sudden reversal in the diplomatic stance with Falkirk, and on naval policy. Offended his allies and made his enemies on Council even more suspicious. He's hanging on by a thread."
Dimitri blinks and quietly chuckles, "Captured? I heard some other family salvaged those ships... in good maritime tradition, Master Farwing."
Carroll sighs and murrs, "Damn." He sits down, somewhat defeated. He then asks, "I presume we'll be able to reclaim the family properties?"
Farwing nods to Carroll. "Certainly you'll get your estates back. If he's treated your people the way he did Longvalley's, you've got serious damage charges against him, more than enough to cancel out the ship captures."
Alex frowns quietly, "We need to check the records of the Mercenary's Guild here. We've received verbal confirmation that he routinely hired fewer guards for his ships than anyone else... those records can confirm that... and cast a great deal of suspicion on the mongoose's peculiar knowledge that his ships are never attacked." She stares firmly at Carroll, "Don't give up, Carroll. We've not exhausted all our avenues of research yet."
Dimitri nods, "And we have a ferretess to talk to too, remember."
Alex says, "There's also the countess. I'd be extremely interested to see what she might have to say, regarding the cashiering of my brother... once she's sure the Navy cannot be harmed by Pravinchandra's temper." Dimitri blinks, looking across to Alex, his ears flickering.
Carroll nods at the osprey's words, leaning against the wall, murring quietly, "Good, good."
The osprey shrugs. "Could be better, I think. But we can do him quite a bit of damage."
"It sounds to me," murrs Carroll tiredly, "-that he's done most of the damage to himself by overreacting and alienating his supporters and stirring up his enemies."
The Count is sitting quietly through all of this, his ears flicking back and forth. "What happened in Longvalley?" Carroll relates the story of Miriam and how she and the others there had been treated, when Pravinchandra acquired the properties after the death of the Baron.
Horatio nods thoughtfully to Farwing. Then he looks to Carroll. "But what if there's more to it than just Pravinchandra? We could make it just the way it was before Father disappeared... but we're even worse now. We're an embarrassment to him... and we know a lot more than he'd like us to."
Carroll looks perplexed at his youngest brother, and murrs, "I don't understand. What do you mean?"
Horatio bites his lip slightly. "Er, sorry," he mumbles. Knowing he's speaking unintelligibly, he takes in a breath and speaks a little more audibly. "Ah, well, er... I guess what I meant was... we could try to make our situation the way it was before Father disappeared. Our lands restored, Father not considered dead, our titles and deeds our own again. But what then? Things won't really be the same. Pravinchandra coveted the family lands before. Now, we're more than just the brats of St. Genevieve, to be hunted down and skewered by convenient pirates. Now we're an embarrassment to him. Now we're one of the few people in Starfall to know what he's done. And it'll make us more... much more... of a target when he discovers Father is with us." He speaks a little faster, more comfortably. "He tried to kill Father with assassins and he threw pirates at us. Then he tried to fireball the Mare. We saw his personal guard on the docks today. He's getting desperate, he's getting very desperate and, well, sloppy. And we've seen what happens when someone gets desperate and sloppy. I don't think his next move on us is going to be nearly as subtle as before. We're in as much, if not more, danger now than ever before on this journey. And one last thing we need to worry about: I know it's only speculations, Alex, but what if Pravinchandra isn't the heart of all this? What if there's more to this than just him coveting our land? He hired Imperial ships to protect some of his ships. I can't get that out of my mind. There's more to that aspect than him just being overly concerned about shipping." Left unsaid for the moment is Westmark's Imperial fetish and ties, and his involvement in the events at Maidstone. Horatio looks a little exhausted and worn by the time he finishes speaking, and it's with a murmured, "Er, sorry..." that he reaches over to refill his mug with another splash of coffee.
Dimitri nods quietly, "As I said... pressure first. We first need to see if Pravinchandra will run to a Master... and if he does, who he is."
Alex nods quietly at her youngest brother, "I'd say one step at a time, Horatio. Let's not borrow trouble... but let's not let our guard down either when we win. And yes... we will win eventually. We're in the right." Her voice is quiet and assured. She adds gently, "Don't be sorry for your opinion, Horatio."
Carroll murrs, "I don't know if I care much if Pravinchandra has a Master or not." He looks at Horatio, adding, "Those are all good points. I don't see much else to do though, than return things to that state and be careful and aware. Wait for him to make a mistake that will let us prove he's a pirate, or reveals someone supporting him. What else could we do?" Alex nods quietly again at Carroll's words.
Horatio nods over the brim of his mug. "Mmph..." He finishes his mouthful of coffee. "Good point, Dimitri." He sighs. "I guess I did kind of get that theory stuck in my mind. Must be the part of me that likes to make things more complex...!" He grins softly to his sister. "And, thanks, Alex, I know I shouldn't be. You're right; we'll win, because we don't have anything to hide." He nods to Carroll in agreement, taking another swallow of coffee.
The osprey nods. "We'll need to find out eventually, but for now we deal with House Pravinchandra. When do you want to do this?"
Dimitri softly growls, "Horatio is correct, Carroll... and so are you..." he shrugs quietly. "But it also should matter. If there is a Master, an Imperial connection, then he's the one responsible in the end for the loss of our lands and almost the loss of our Father."
Alex says, "As soon as we can, sir. In front of the whole Council if possible."
Carroll murrs, "Our actions now are the same either way, Dimitri. It doesn't matter now. We'll see what Pravinchandra does. We should also quietly try and complete the journey east that he so desperately tried to prevent. Those are other issues. Let's get the family name cleared now, while we can." He looks at the solicitor and murrs, "I concur. Let's air the man's dirty laundry. Fraud and forgery are no small crimes, and the other businessmen in the Council should know of it." His tired grin is replaced for a moment with a very nasty one. Alex nods at Carroll's words again.
The gleam in the old bird's eyes matches the equally vicious grin on the Count's face. "How about if we wait for a psychological moment. I'll be there cloaked, ready to ask about that forged loan paper the moment he starts questioning your integrity?"
Carroll smiles and murrs, "That seems good. I was going to make it an offshoot of the official reason we're here, myself, letting an indirect threat from Maidstone lend weight to my words. The Queen is worried about the Ambassador... why should she trust a council who tolerates blatant thievery and fraud from its members?"
Horatio nods quietly. "Let's just hope," he says softly, "-that as we tie Pravinchandra's hands in doing anything against us, that we aren't in the process of freeing up another's hands. But..." and he says this with a tired smile. "It... it'll be good to see his face when it all comes crashing down around him." He looks to father, thinking. "I don't know, Father. There's a chance, however slight, that he'd discover who you were before the announcement... and... erm..." He's clearly uncomfortable making this next sentence, "-and... have you quietly killed and pulled out of the hall..."
Dimitri looks to Carroll and shakes his head, "Not if I'm standing next to him. That is a problem, Carroll, actually...
Alex sighs, "Hello. Could we please concentrate on the issues here, and dispense with the melodramatics. We're here to retrieve our honor, our lands, and our reputation from Pravinchandra. Let's not forget this, please?"
Carroll tells the osprey, "And, when they demand to know who, I can say it's Pravinchandra, and then prove it for them." He shrugs, "That was my thought."
Alex nods, "Sounds like an excellent plan, Carroll." She turns to Farwing, "When do you recommend we do it?"
The old fox shakes his head. "Not if I'm part of the Marine squad guarding you. He'd have a bit of trouble getting to me through them. A bit of dye, turn myself into a silver fox, maybe?"
Carroll leans against the wall and closes his eyes. He murrs tiredly, "Other than missing the surprise on Pravinchandra's face, it might be best to say our father has important information and bring him to the council after they know he's there. If P were to kill him while the council knew he were here, that would be very damning."
The count grins. "Politics is drama. And my denunciation will be ever so much more dramatic. The evidence can come later." He nods. "As long as I can be there." Dimitri waits quietly and patiently.
Alex says, "You'll be there, Father... and we'll be sure you're safe, so Carroll can present you to the Council after denouncing the mongoose. So... the question becomes, once again, when."
Horatio sets his empty mug quietly on the table. "As soon as possible?" he suggests simply. "The next formal meeting of the Council, perhaps?"
The count nods. "I suspect that it won't be long, either. I heard him screeching all the way in here this morning. He'll call a meeting to try to get you declared persona non grata."
Carroll is still leaning against the wall, his eyes closed. He murrs, "Mister Farwing, your suggestions on the best way to arrange this will more than satisfy. Apparently my suggestions lack proper panache, despite their dull safety. I do not know if it is wise after all to entangle our problems with the Queen's, so we should perhaps state that case and then let this come up in our defense when Pravinchandra claims we're pirates. Please, provide us with details and times and we will make it so." He gestures vaguely in the direction of Dimitri, murring, "It is your responsibility to figure out how to get Father there safely. I suggest a disguise and nonchalance, but I leave it to you."
Dimitri drums his fingers, quietly, looking across to Carroll, "That is the problem I mentioned earlier, Carroll."
Alex frowns, "Carroll, you get the job done, which is more than some. Don't disparage yourself so."
Carroll comments, quietly to no one in particular, "We're not pirates in Maidstone. We're Royal Companions; Alex and Dimitri are Knights. It's only here where we're pirates, because the man who stole our land demanded it." He's still leaning back against the wall, his eyes closed. He is listening, ears tracking the conversations.
Alex nods, "So we're decided then. We know what we're all supposed to do. Let's make it so."
Dimitri continues quiet. "There are few I'd trust with Father's life. Or with his life alone. But if I was to watch him, I wouldn't be where I belong. Which is at your shoulder. I'm not sure of the socially acceptable way around that manner of formality. That I'll need yours and Alex's help."
Carroll asks, "We do?"
Alex sighs, "Never mind." She sips more coffee.
Carroll tells Dimitri, "He'll come in with our guards. No one will think anything about it because he won't look like him, and why would a Count come in with the marines? Misdirection and deception."
"Besides," the count adds, "As far as he knows, I'm in Uljurra somewhere by now."
"After all, you're guarding me. I must be the senior St. Genevieve present, right?" Carroll murrs. He nods, adding, "That too. The rest of our guard, the Maidstone guards, and Lady Blackpool's will have to be enough to keep him safe."
Dimitri looks to Carroll and nods, "That's a very good thought. I can work with that..."
Carroll finally opens his eyes and looks at Farwing, murring, "So, we will go to Council, and either when Pravinchandra tries to have us thrown out as pirates, or after we make our claim for the Queen and he tries to denounce it, you will step out of the audience and challenge him, yes? Between your evidence and Father's timely appearance he will have hung himself. Is that what you had in mind?"
Dimitri nods quietly. "I'll need to talk to Byrn before hand, Carroll."
Horatio considers and nods. "It would be best if we separate our duty to Maidstone from what we have to do to restore the family." Though part of me, he thinks, is starting to wonder if we even have a home in Starfall anymore.
The count looks up. "Bryn is here? She should be able to work up a disguise for me, then."
Dimitri look to his Father and nods, "Exactly.
Carroll leans back against the wall, closing his eyes again, murrs, "Fine, Dimitri. Find Bryn. Or I can do that. Either way. Take care of it. It sounds like it will work to me."
Dimitri ducks his muzzle, sure and simple, "Consider it done, Carroll."
Alex nods, rising, "A plan finally... excellent. Let me know if my help is needed... I've left Jared alone long enough." She bows politely to Farwing, "Sir, your kindness and assistance has been invaluable to this family. I cannot thank you enough... but please, do take care of yourself. The mongoose has already shown he is not reluctant to kill." She then nods quietly to her siblings and father. "Horatio, Father, don't forget to cloak when you leave the cabin. Carroll... turn down the lamp a moment please while I leave." A moment later... she's gone.
Carroll works the lamp for her, murring, "Thank you, Alex."
Farwing stands up as well, and shakes hands with the Count. "It's good to have you back, sir." He heads out as well, rejoining his official escort back off the base.
Horatio raises his paw to nod and wave and to say good-night to Alex... but she's gone before he can say it. Dimitri looks to Horatio and nods, "I had a question for her too..." He just shakes his head.
Carroll murrs quietly and without moving from where he's sitting, "You're both free to go talk to her; she's just gone back to her post. This is her watch."
Dimitri nods quietly, "Then it means it's my watch too... good night then. 'Ware the light as I leave." He cautiously slips through the door and then takes his place on the quarterdeck.
Horatio nods and stands, letting Dimitri leave first... then pausing, letting the door close in front of him. He stands there silently for a moment, then says quietly, "Carroll..."
Carroll isn't asleep because he answers right away, "Yes, Horatio?"
Horatio pauses again; then his voice comes through to Carroll the darkened room. "I don't see any right or wrong way we can do this," he says softly. "If Pravinchandra wanted to, he would try fireballing the Mare again, like was tried in Maidstone." He pauses again. "You've gotten us this far, Carroll, and you'll get us even further. I've the faith that you'll be able to bring us through to the final act, just like I have faith that Dimitri and Alex will, as well. All four of us. Because that's something Pravinchandra could never take away. We just need to have that faith in ourselves." Horatio is silent for a moment more, then quietly says, "Good night, Carroll."
Carroll murrs, "Your faith gives me the strength I need to continue, Horatio. Thank you." He opens his eyes and looks over, murring, "Good night." Horatio smiles quietly in the darkness, nodding once to his brother, then slips out into the night-shrouded deck.
Dimitri pauses, looking for his sister. He slowly walks to the very back of the quarterdeck, to lean against the rail. He looks across the deck as Alex moves through her paces. And when he catches her eye, he waves her over to him. Alex nods politely to Dimitri as he comes on deck. She raises an eyebrow at him waving her over, but since she's walked a lap already since leaving the cabin she does so quietly. Dimitri leans on the rail, looking out to the sea. When he speaks it is very quiet, no more than a whisper, designed not to carry beyond he and Alex. "Why... why do you want to talk to the Countess about my being cashiered?"
Alex stands next to Dimitri at the railing, her small paws clasped behind her back, standing straight and tall as she gazes out to sea. Her voice is quiet and carries no more than his, "You are a St. Genevieve also, Dimitri. Your honor is our honor... and you were unfairly cashiered. It would not be right for us to not defend you socially as fiercely as you defend us physically." Her quiet glance at Dimitri is a little unusual for her... almost, oddly, pitying.
Dimitri blinks at Alex, suddenly confused. "Why are you looking at me that way, Alex?"
Alex looks quietly back out to sea and murmurs softly, "You expect us to rely on you in battle, Dimitri." She sighs softly, the tilt of an ear revealing that she's still paying attention as she adds, "Socially you are... unarmed, Dimitri. Unfortunately you do not seem to want to see this."
Dimitri looks out to sea quietly. "No. I understand that, Alex. It's never been my place. It's always been Carroll's or yours. And I have been looking to you and Carroll... since we had the talk. Albeit... sometimes it gets very confusing. Like when we met with the Queen that second time. But I only ask you to be very careful when you discuss my cashiering with the Countess, Alex. That's all. So responsibilities don't crash again."
Alex says crisply, "I am always careful in social situations, Dimitri." She adds, "I'm not sure what you mean by crashing responsibilities, however." She remains silent on the other comments.
Dimitri looks out to the sea, his words quiet. "Alex... you can talk to me. You don't have to bark at me. I was cashiered... but before I was I had responsibilities. I had signed on. Terms of service, my name in the logbooks. And to put it bluntly, I don't want to by some strange twist of politics and convention... I don't want to go back."
Alex tilts her head to look at Dimitri as she says quietly and sadly, "Yes, Dimitri, I can talk to you... but you don't listen much when it's about social mores. And no, I will not be accidentally or otherwise having you returned to Blackpool's Marines... unless you say this is what you want." She opens her mouth to say more... then just sighs quietly and looks out to sea again.
Dimitri shrugs quietly. "Alex... why can't there be peace between us?" He shakes his head, watching the waves' still dance. "No one learns well when they are only criticized." Dimitri just lets the words fade away for a moment, looking out across the bay. "No. I don't want that. I don't want it at all, Alex, which is why... which is why I haven't been pursuing the matter. I would like to serve on a St. Genevieve ship. I'd like to be able to stand at your side, on your ship... and be your trusted brother, your trusted right paw. Unless that's not what you want any more."
Alex looks quietly at her brother, then shakes her head, "Dimitri... I trust you with my life... in combat. I give you all of me that I dare. But I dare not give more." She sighs softly, then nods, "Yes, Dimitri. There will always be a place for you on any ship I captain."
Dimitri looks down at the water for a long, long time. "I've lost you, haven't I." He just shakes his head, looking down into the black, black sea, his tall ears flattening. "I'm a simple fox. I need my sister's trust..." He just looks down at the torchlight glittering over the waves. "...just a place... your pity cuts like a knife, Alex... only I can get better when someone's stabbed me with steel." He stands quietly, straightening, his words still soft and quiet, even tempered and accepting. "Do you mind if I take return below decks, sir? Technically I'm still on the sick list, according to Miss Cleo."
Alex watches her brother straighten, looking up at him quietly. Her voice is gentle, "Dimitri... as always, you will do what you want to do. I'm not sure where my wishes come into this."
Dimitri looks back at Alex very quietly. "I don't understand how you can say that. What am I supposed to do? Just lie there and let you kick me some more? Or I can try and go out and do something about it. But then I get blamed for going out and doing just what I want. I can't even break even in such a situation. I want to do right, Alex. In return I'm only told two things. That I do wrong or that I won't do anything but what I want. Your wishes? I have no idea what your wishes are any more... I have no idea what your desires any more. I have no idea what your advice is any more... because..." The tall fox shrugs, "Because we don't have any conversations any more. Just lectures, just admonitions, just chastisements and arguments. I know you don't believe I'm listening to you. I sometimes get the feeling that you never really listen to me." He stops, pausing, shaking his head. "It's like a mantra now, easier to say than trying to work together like we used to. If that's what you want, Alex, then that's the way I'll be for you."
Alex shakes her head wearily at Dimitri, "Do you hear yourself, Dimitri? Do you realize what you're saying? Don't you understand... this version of reality you're living in... it's not real? No one is completely blameless... but you believe you are. No one is completely at fault... but you believe I am." She sighs, turning away, her arms wrapped around herself, "Dimitri... I lost my childhood illusions. I understand no one's perfect. You need to realize that too." Her head is turned away and her ears droop slowly as she whispers, "I'll... wait. Maybe... maybe someday you'll come back..." She takes a deep, shaky breath, then adds in an attempt at a more normal tone of voice, "I... have rounds to make, Dimitri." She rubs her eyes, then lifts her head, trying to walk calmly and confidently so she doesn't worry the crew.
Dimitri looks back, quietly. "Alex, come back here. Please." Dimitri continues, his words so very quiet. "Alex, don't walk away on me now." Dimitri's ears are flat, his tail dead. "Alex, I need you." Dimitri speaks two words, quiet but sure. Broken. "I'm serious."
Alex stops, rubbing her eyes, and turns. Her own demeanor is just as dead as his, "I don't know you any more, Dimitri. I have always been there for you. I always will. I just..." her voice is low and tight with frustration, "I wish you would stop trying to make me into something you want -- instead of letting me be who I am!"
Dimitri blinks quietly, his head tilting slightly. "I don't know you anymore, Alex. I have always been there for you. I always will be... if you want me to believe that in you, you have to believe that in me. And Alex, in order for it to be true, it has to be trust with sword and without." His voice is sad, torn, as if he had been cut in half. "Yes you've grown, Alex. You are growing into a fine Lady. And a complete stranger. Just like you pity things in this broken fox, I see things in you that just scare me. But I am still here for you. Please stop trying to force me into something you wish too? I am not a bad fox. I am not a perfect fox either." Dimitri shakes his head quietly. "I could ask the questions of you. The same ones you asked me. Do you hear yourself when you talk to me now? Don't you understand this view of the world you have when it comes to me is not reality. Listen to what I said. Really listen to it. I don't understand. I need your advice. I need your trust. I want to be able to talk to you again. I can't go on like this. Those aren't the words of someone who thinks they are blameless... those aren't the words of someone who thinks they are perfect." Dimitri takes a breath. "I'm not blameless, Alex. Nor am I perfect. In fact, I'm wrong an awful lot." His eyes are shattered, his breath caught, like someone reaching for his very life and afraid it has slipped beyond his grasp. "Those are the words of someone who wants to come back to you, Alex. Who needs to come back to you... I would hope just as much as you need him. I'm here, Alex. Please don't push me away. Saying these words are the hardest thing I've ever done. I need a sister. I need you to be here for me... when it's the hardest it's ever been... for you... or me."
Alex walks silently back to stand in front of her dark-phase brother, staring intently up into his face as if she could find her answers there. Moonlight glitters on her small mask, in her eyes... then she says softly, "Why, Dimitri. Why do you need me... who do you need? You say you need me, you need my advice... but you never take it. Never." She reaches out to carefully touch one earring-fringed ear, as if she's never seen it before... "Who are you, Dimitri? I think you need to answer that question for yourself before I can really help you. You have to decide what you really want, who you really are... before I can help you get it, or be that person. When you know, when you know beyond the shadow of a doubt who you are... tell me then, and we'll finish this conversation... and I'll be happy to help you all I can." She brings her small paw back to her side, her fur streaked with fire by the dancing torchlight, and says gently, "Until then, Dimitri... go to bed. Sleep. Rest and heal. I'll keep watch." She steps back, adding quietly, "I'll always watch over you... as best I can." For only a moment later she gazes at her night-dark brother... then she quietly resumes her watchful pacing of the deck of the Mare.
Dimitri looks back as Alex walks the deck quietly. "I am your brother... Alex. You're our Heart... Horatio's our Cunning... Carroll's our Wisdom. Me... I'm our Strength." He slowly returns below deck, into shadows darker than himself.
The city is never really quiet, but it has settled into the routine of pre-midnight when Dimitri and Natasha leave the ship and make their way down the pier. The sergeant of the honor guard posted at the end of the pier salutes Dimitri as he arrives, grinning at his less than formal attire. "Let me guess, sir... I didn't see you, right?"
Dimitri stops and looks, his nodding quietly. "I'd really appreciate that, Rikart. You are doing well, I see."
The badger nods. "Can't complain, sir." He grins as he finishes the old joke. "Isn't allowed, y'know."
Dimitri chuckles and smiles, "I know. It's the same on my ship now." He loops his arm in Natasha's, wrapping her in his cloak. "Thank you... how long are you on watch?"
The sergeant smiles. "I'm on until midnight, and Lucky Lucy's got the next one. She won't see you, either."
Dimitri softly growls, "Lucy?" Rikart nods. "I'd like to see her agai- or rather... not see. Good night, Rikart."
Rikart salutes again as Dimitri and Natasha walk toward the enlisted barracks. "Your people iss likink you, Dimitri."
Dimitri slips down between the dockside buildings, tucking Natasha next to him, close to the shadows. The loose section of fencing is still there, leading into the back garden of the Anchor Tavern, favored hangout of off duty chiefs and bosuns. Dimitri avoids the taproom on this trip, leading Natasha down the quiet streets toward the rougher district where Bryn is usually to be found. Dimitri slips down the street, heading towards the tavern where he first found Bryn. He takes his time though, content to hold a pretty wolf beneath his arms.
Dimitri and Natasha move quietly through the night, staying off the main streets as much as possible. Eventually they arrive at the door to the Horny Unicorn. Natasha looks at the sign, a little puzzled. "Iss t'is not meanink.. bozhemoi..." She shakes her head. "Bezumnyeh..." The inn is about the same as the last time -- seedy, busy, and full of disreputable characters.
Dimitri looks to Natasha and nods, "Yes, they do... and in we go." Carefully leading Tasha in, Dimitri works his way to the bar. Leaning his sword upon the bar, he snares a stool for her and himself. "Two ales. Yes?"
The porcupine is still tending the bar, and fetches two ales without comment. Natasha looks around from under her hooded cloak. "T'is Bryn comes 'ere much?"
Nodding quietly, Dimitri taps his glass to Natasha's. "Yes. I used to come here quite a bit too." He pauses and places a couple of coins of the bar. "Bartender, keep us filled, yes? " And when the bartender takes his coin, the black fox leans forward to quietly whisper, "I'm looking for a particular ferret. Has she been in tonight?"
The coins disappear and the bartender nods toward a door to the left of the bar. "Back room. Down the hall, the door on the right."
Dimitri nods quietly and hands Natasha both their mugs while he retrieves his sword. "Come... one of my... teachers I'd like you to meet." And leading her back, Dimitri weaves his way down the hall, tapping on the door with the pommel of his sword.
The door swings open after a moment, revealing Bryn seated behind a table, with her feet up on it and cleaning her claws with a dagger. She gives a rather twisted grin when she sees Dimitri and waves them in. Captain Wavedancer shuts the door behind the fox and the wolf. "About time you got here. What took ya so long, me boyo?"
Dimitri settles in quiet, standing next to Natasha as the door shuts. He looks to Bryn and Wavedancer and smiles. "Good company, that's all." And drawing a chair out for Tasha, he nods. "Natasha, this is Bryn... she taught me a few things some time back. Captain Wavedancer you know, yes?"
The wolf nods. "Met t'e Captain on Ettore, da." She looks speculatively at the ferret. "Zhdrazvuts'ye."
Bryn drops her feet back to the floor and puts her dagger back in its sheath. "You've been busy, we've been hearing. They do say that there's been a job lot of ruffians being hired off the streets the last day or so."
Dimitri stands behind Natasha and nods, "That's what I was afraid of. Any idea where the coin that is paying them is coming from?"
Bryn shrugs. "The usual places. You know as well as I who that means, from the target lists that are handed out... but it's never been proven."
Taking a deep breath, Dimitri rests both his paws on the back of Natasha's chair. His eyes narrow, looking across to Bryn. "I do have a few questions, yes? The rogues, Pravinchandra... they knew we were coming, I think. Has the pressure been building on the mongoose, Bryn? And when the mongoose is in trouble... and feeling pushed into a corner... like now... is there someone he goes to?" Dimitri shrugs his shoulder. "Any Imperial dealings in Pravinchandra's den?"
Bryn chuckles. "The Impies? Nothing I've noticed. There've been some odd sorts in and out of there, but no Imperials that I've noticed. As far as pressure... you've made him very nervous, and very annoyed. I don't know how the politics is going."
Dimitri looks back, quietly, "Odd sorts? What sort of odd sorts?" He pauses, "Karagandan folk... or what was it..." Dimitri looks to Natasha... "Bhutan?"
"Bharat." Natasha tries to remember back... "Vere any... black clothink, loose, per'aps carryink odd veapons?"
Bryn sits up, more alert. "Aye." She sets a rather vicious-looking object on the table, a razor-edged steel snowflake shape a few inches across. "One of them took a shot at me with that. Almost got me."
Dimitri blinks quietly, his eyes narrowing, as he picks the peculiar weapon up. "Any idea why they would come after you?"
Bryn grins. "Well, boyo, it may have had to do with me eavesdropping on that meeting. Didn't have much chance to hear anything interesting, as I had to lead him on quite a merry chase. As it turned out, I was a little better with my knives than he was with that thing."
Dimitri laughs softly, rubbing his muzzle. He strokes out his whiskers, straightening them. "Who else was at this meeting?"
The ferret shrugs again. "A few of them, a few of his employees. One raven in a commander's uniform."
Dimitri tilts his head, his ears perking. "Did you recognize the family or ship of the raven? And if you didn't, what was his uniform like? Maybe we've seen it before?"
Bryn shakes her head. "Only had a glimpse. Raven, and a naval uniform with three bars on the sleeves. That's a commander, right?"
Dimitri raises one ear, his head tilting. "That' what you taught me, yes, Bryn." Then he pauses. He lays his paw upon Natasha's shoulders. "And yes, you can say anything with Natasha here. As if you were speaking to me. I'm sorry, I should have said that earlier." Then he gets a mischievous smile. "How many ravens in the Starfall navy, Bryn? And how many of them are commanders?"
Bryn smiles. "Shouldn't be too many. And of those, how many were in port that night?"
Dimitri nods quietly, "Not very many at all. In fact, it would be interesting to pay him a visit? Perhaps pull a few tail feathers... for which we would..." Dimitri pauses then, thinking hard.
Natasha twitches an ear. "Vould vhat?"
Dimitri lets his paw absentmindedly stroke Natasha's shoulder as he thinks... Dimitri looks to Natasha and he blinks, realizing what he's doing. The inside of his ears turn a little pink. Dimitri lets his paw tarry, however. "Natasha... we are here on a diplomatic mission. To lay charges before the court that Pravinchandra has been involved in the assassination attempts of Queen Arianna... using assassins and drugs from Bharat. But I'm not sure if we could use that as an excuse to... pay a visit on the raven. Bryn... " The black fox slowly considers, "How quickly could we find that Raven? A month... a week... a day..." And then he slowly smiles, "And I'll be really disappointed in you, Bryn Shadowsmith, if you couldn't find him in, let's say... an hour?" Dimitri chuckles softly, "He's easy to find and his cohort tried to kill you. You taught me to be thorough, correct?"
The ferret smiles. "Aye, and I also taught you to be sneaky, boyo. When you know who your enemy is, sometimes 'tis best to watch them and see how many of their friends you can find. Easier for you to find him out, though. 'Twas five weeks ago. Ask your otter friend to figure out who it was."
Dimitri starts quietly. "My otter friend?" Dimitri pauses, looking back at Bryn. "I don't know any otte..." he lets the words fall into silence. "You don't mean m'lady Countess, do you?"
Bryn chuckles. "Black uniform, lots of braid, a little gray? I think that's her, yes."
Dimitri laughs, "I can't ask her... she's my Countess!" He shrugs his shoulders quietly. "I do not know her well enough to be anywhere close to being my friend, however... she was my commander. I only saw her a few times at very formal occasions, like when I was first signed on."
Bryn leans over the table and pokes the fox by way of emphasis. "You're an official VIP now, though. Ya might be surprised."
Dimitri looks to Bryn and shakes his head. "Yes, a vee-eye-pea with all the skill of a moose in Madame Delancy's Curio Shoppe. But yes, I will like to try..." Dimitri settles back, looking to Natasha... "I think I need to talk to Carroll and Alex. Like..." he looks to Bryn, "-like now."
The ferret nods. "Can't hurt. Or get your brother to try if you don't want to."
Dimitri shakes his head, looking down for a moment. "It's not that I don't want to, Bryn." He takes a couple steps to the door. "Thank you Bryn... I owe you yet again. And no, you can't have my spurs."
The ferret snorts. "And what would I be doin' with spurs, me boyo? Off with ya. Leave a message with the barkeep if you need to get in touch with me."
Dimitri nods, opening the door... "Tasha? After you, m'lady fair... we've got some pinfeathers to collect."
It is deep into the night before Dimitri and Natasha return, the black fox a wraith in the night. Tucked beneath his cloak is Natasha, close and comfortable. There is a long hesitation when he reaches the deck, a brush of his muzzle upon hers a token gifted for good night. Then he lets his coat shake out, taking a few steps to the doorway to the command crew quarters. Dimitri pauses there and then nods his head, asking Alex to accompany him to their quarters.
Dimitri softly growls, "A handful of moments, Alex."
Alex gravely observes Dimitri and Natasha's return, from where she silently stands watch on the quarterdeck in the shadow of the mainsail, small paws clasped behind her back. She does not sing in this port... for that matter she's not sung quietly on her watch while in port for quite some time now. At Dimitri's words she simply nods, then moves to find her watch second, giving over the con for the moment. When she's sure the watch is covered she ghosts silently into the quarters she shares with Dimitri and her father.
Dimitri follows Alex in, quiet and sure. Dimitri stops then, shrugging off his long coat and setting it on the one chair. A few steps he takes, until he stands before his sister, speaking quiet, almost muzzle to muzzle. "Sound carries across the bay, Alex..." He takes a breath before continuing. Alex simply waits, standing calm and silent before her brother, paws still clasped behind her back.
His words are simple, even, and to the point. "Five weeks ago there was a meeting in the darker section of town. Between Pravinchandra's people and a number of Bharat assassins. Bryn... was discovered a little bit into the meeting, and eventually killed the assassin that chased her. She has his strange throwing star. If that was all we could do nothing... just our word against theirs... however..." Dimitri takes a breath. "Also present at the meeting was a raven. Wearing the uniform of a Starfall naval commander. Now there are only so many ravens in the fleet... and only so many of them commanders... and only so many of those in port five weeks ago. And I know who would know who that Raven was." Alex nods, listening. Dimitri softly growls, "This could very well actually tie Pravinchandra to Queen Arianna's assassination attempts... or to a certain Merchant House."
Dimitri takes a deep breath then, looking down upon his sister. "You asked me if I knew who I was. I am not a marine, not a courtier, not a major. I am your brother. You are our heart, Horatio our cunning, Carroll our wisdom and me... our strength. That's who I am. And I can't be that unless I can stand with Carroll, Horatio, and you. So I need your help, Alex, when not I... but when we seek out the raven's identity from my lady Admiral Countess Blackpool."
Alex sighs softly, closing her eyes tiredly for a moment... then shakes her head sharply once, and quietly looks back at Dimitri, "What do you want me to do, Dimitri? I can ask the raven's identity... but unless we have some proof that he was there all we know is who not to trust. We won't be able to stop them or anything." She tilts an inquiring ear at him, "Is there more you've not told me yet?" Her ears tilt back sharply at a sudden thought as she adds, "I would be extremely interested to hear if Pravinchandra also has periodic voyages to Bharat, now that I think on this."
Dimitri shakes his head quietly. "This is where we end up in my territory, Alex. We have an eyewitness, Bryn. And I am willing to bet if it came to a question of trust in an investigation, Father's word for Bryn would carry a lot of weight. But it won't ever come to that. He's a commander in the Starfall navy. Pravinchandra is on the decline. This commander can't afford to be associated with either Pravinchandra or the Bharat assassins and keep the stain off his commission. Which makes him vulnerable to a conversation. Where if he doesn't speak with us... he ends up in a scandal or his pin feathers pulled -- which even if he wins he loses." Dimitri softly smiles, "The raven stands a good chance of being able to answer that question, Alex."
Alex gives Dimitri a faintly confused stare, "You seriously think for a moment that Bryn's word would carry over a Starfall Navy commander's word?! Goddess, I can think easily of at least three ways to discredit her -- and father! -- just off the top of my head! And how do you know this commander still has the option to back away from Pravin? -if he can't you'll have cornered him -- he'll have to fight as fiercely and dirtily as he can to survive!" She continues to stare incredulously at her brother for a moment, then says gently, "Dimitri, maybe you should talk this over with Carroll, before you implement it at all?"
Dimitri just blinks, looking at Alex incredulously, his ears flattening like he's just been kicked in the gut. He just shakes his head and turns around quietly. "I came to you first. I came to you with what I thought was a good idea..." He takes a step away. "I came to you first. I knew I needed your help and advice." He places his paw upon the door. "I came to you first. You said you'd be there... I trusted you." He shakes his head, "It's useless information." Dimitri walks out the door.
For several minutes Alex just stands stock still, staring ahead unseeingly. Her expression is slightly dazed -- as if she's been hit with too much all at once. She doesn't move, she barely breathes, she just stands, as if by doing so she can hold indefinitely in abeyance the real horror of that last parting. But the ocean doesn't stop its ebb and swell just for desire, and hearts don't stop beating when they're broken -- and finally she takes a long, shaky, gasping breath, and her thoughts start racing again despite herself.
How could he say that -- just because I didn't agree with him?! Why did he do his best with that last shot to hurt me?! Her eyes fill with tears as she thinks angrily, I was a fool! I believed in him! I thought he was a hero -- but he's not -- he's a self-centered, vicious, horrible little brat!! She sinks down on the edge of the bunk, her face in her small paws, and wails internally and with some self-pity for the death of a cherished childhood dream.
Then, a few minutes into her wallowing in internal misery she hears her father in the bunk above her turning over. She bites down on her sniffling, trying not to disturb him -- the poor man needs his sleep, after his ordeal. She rubs her eyes fiercely -- now that was courage! -sending all his people away that would go, so that they weren't in danger from assassins, and heading into the mainland during winter to throw the assassins off his trail -- and having only a message of love and care for the safety of his children when she suddenly, startlingly made contact with him.
Alex looks up suddenly, her ears perking and her eyes widening at that thought. That was courage... yes, that was courage! That was bravery! That's it -- that's the truth of the matter -- her goal wasn't bad, it was her choice of hero that was bad! She draws a slow breath of realization and relief, her eyes bright in the darkness of the tiny cabin. Yes... the concept was a good one. The ideal is worth striving for, worth fighting for, worth being... even if she'd made mistakes. She stands up suddenly. She'll do it. She'll keep striving towards her heroic ideal, even if it's is only an archetype in her head.
But first she needs to clean up her life some, make sure she's got positive things in her head, get rid of bad thoughts and bad associations that are holding her back. She should move... yes, definitely she should move. Three's too many for this cabin anyways. She packs her few things into her sea chest swiftly and neatly as she considers. She'll ask Carroll if she can hot-bunk with him -- maybe he won't mi- no, wait, can't ask Carroll. He'd probably say yes because he's a sweet person, but he's the captain -- he needs his cabin for official stuff during the day. Horatio. She'll ask Horry -- maybe he won't mind. She trots swiftly out of the cabin once she's done packing and slips quietly into the captain's cabin, after a discreet knock. She lights the lantern very low -- just enough to see by -- pours a small glass of wine for him, then pads over to settle on the edge of his bunk and gently touch his shoulder to wake him if he's not yet awake, "Carroll? I'm sorry to bother you, but we need to talk. Here... I've got a drink for you to help clear your head a bit, okay?" She'll wait until he looks a bit more clear-headed before she continues.
Carroll sighs quietly and stirs, looking up at his sister. He sits up and rubs his face and eyes, asking, "Yes, Alex?"
Alex says, "I'm sorry to wake you, Carroll... but I thought you should know. Dimitri saw Bryn tonight, and learned some interesting news." She gives Carroll the run-down on the admiral raven, then adds, her ears tilted back a bit, "Unfortunately Dimitri's currently um... quite upset with me, so I don't know if there was more useful news or not. I thought you might want to ask him about it in the morning, maybe? Or alternatively you might want to see if you can find Bryn yourself... I was thinking that it might be worth our while to ask her if she's seen or heard of Shifty here in town. He might be worth talking to if we can grab him."
Carroll uhms. He murrs, "That is interesting news, and a good question. I'll see if I can talk to him in the morning." He leans back against the wall and asks, "Why is he upset with you?"
Alex says, "Okay. Um... we didn't agree on something." She straightens, lifting her chin slightly as she says that... then adds quietly, "Also, Carroll, I'm thinking of bunking with Horatio for a bit. I didn't want to be in here, since you need this cabin for official stuff, and I wanted to let you know so you didn't worry or anything. Okay? And aside from that... that's all the news I have." She smiles a touch ruefully, "I'm sorry to interrupt your sleep, Carroll... I just thought you should know all this quickly. Um..." She sounds a touch guilty as she tucks the cover back up around Carroll, "I'll... let you go back to sleep now, okay?"
Carroll frowns, and murrs, "That bad between you and Dimitri, mm?" He sighs and murrs, "I'll talk to him tomorrow. Goodnight, Alex. Thank you for letting me know." Alex nods, patting Carroll's shoulder gently... then rises, blows out the lantern, and quietly exits.
A moment later Alex slips into Horatio's room. Inside she slides the book he's asleep on out from under his head, then gently shakes his shoulder and whispers, "Horatio? Horry? It's me, Alex, and it's time for you to go to bed. Are you awake? It's not an emergency or anything -- I just want to ask you a favor. Can I bunk with you, Horatio?"
Horatio gives a soft *snort* and blinks, sitting up quickly. He's more awake than he usually is after he falls asleep reading. For once, his eyes bright in the dim light, he actually seems very much awake. He pauses for a moment, looking around, finally spotting the glitter of Alex's eyes in the shadowyness. "Alex? What...?" He looks around again, and a soft sigh is heard. "I guess it's true then, I really do fall asleep reading. All this time I thought I was studying through the night..." He seems to shake his head and sigh again, then blinks in confusion. "Bunk? Here? I mean... well I mean, of course, Alex, but why...?"
Alex giggles softly, moving over to rest a small paw on his shoulder, "It's okay, Horry... makes me feel needed. I just need a new place to bunk for a bit. I'll keep my sea chest out of your way, promise." She gently nudges Horatio towards his bunk, then makes sure his boots are off before she tucks him in. She smiles with quiet affection at him, "Thanks, Horry."
Horatio blinks, still in confusion as Alex herds him to the bunk; even her occasional adjusting of his collar, or making him stand straighter (which he admittedly constantly still needs) is not quite as she is now. "Uhm... don't worry about your gear getting in the way, Alex, I'm -- apparently -- used to sleeping in small areas, like a chair... and it's certainly no problem..."
Alex grins quietly at Horatio, "S'okay, Horry... you're all tucked in, not on your book or a chair. Go to sleep. I'll bring in my sea chest and I'll be very careful to be quiet." She drops a light kiss on Horatio's forehead, then adds, "Back in a bit. Sweet dreams!" She'll patter out... and a moment later she paces carefully back in, making sure not to whack her sea chest against anything. She tucks it neatly out of the way, then leaves Horatio to his sleep.
Horatio watches Alex leave, then enter and leave again quietly, fretting softly in the darkness. He knows that things have been a bit tense among the family lately -- somehow even before Father disappeared, he had managed to avoid most of it by the simple expedient of his Academy studies. That probably underprepared him for this voyage in that respect. He rolls over in his bunk, staring at the bulkhead in the dark. There's not much more to this journey, he thinks, then corrects himself: there's a lot more that we still need to do. Pravinchandra -- or whomever's running him -- can still do a great deal to harm us... His eyes search the darkness, knowing he's unable to see it but finding the place where he is holding the plant for Jessie in trust until the voyage is over. Yes... he can still do a very great deal of harm to all of us.