The Other Girls

Log Info

• Title: The Other Girls
• Emitter: Donna, Delilah
• Characters: Donna, Elyanna, Ashes
• Place: The Golden Plumb
• Time: Wednesday, October 21, 2020, 8:59 PM
• Summary: Watson and Watson, errr, Ashes and Elyanna go to question and reassure Donna. These are the detectives you want on your case. Their relentless grilling reduces Donna to an emotional mess that wants to float away on a river of booze and tears. The reassurances go just as well. Too bad this wasn't the plan. Delilah's will and an update on what they have discovered so far, and the new trial date, are delivered. Details about their evening, Ella, and the Court Writ are requested, then given. Donna elaborates on the sister's relationship with Norrington and his pervious actions. Both hobgoblins are dismayed that Alexandria is not the beacon of ethics it pretends to be. Ash attempts an augury which does nothing. The two promise to investigate further and caution Donna to protect herself and have an exit strategy.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A18: The Golden Plum *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

A simply plum pub!

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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing, in Order  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Donna        5'4"     106 Lb     Human             Female    A black-haired human girl in black robes.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As Watson and Watson  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Elyanna      5'11"    153 Lb     Half-Orc          Female    A grim, Arvek-blooded woman in raven feathers.
Ashes        5'11"    177 Lb     Hobgoblin         Female    A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Delilah      5'4"     106 Lb     Human             Female    A golden haired human girl in white robes.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=

The drive to speak with Donna about the difficulties around her sister have occupied a fair amount of Elyanna's time, though various other things have diverted or otherwise delayed the meeting. Delilah's explaination the other Valethor wouldn't be in town until quite recently being among them. The halfbreed moves with her usual regimented poise, though there is a subtle irritation in her eye. It isn't with her companion, as it was a standing condition since they met up to try and track down their quarry to fill in any lingering gaps, and perhaps apprise Donna of the.... expedited situation.

To that end, the two Hob blooded women are stepping into the inn within which the sisters were stated to be dwelling, with the red woman sweeping her eyes about to try and peg someone who seems to be in the know about the guests.

Ash is following, and a little uncharacteristically, marching in lockstep with Elyanna. Perhaps its her new cavalry boots, or a reversion to her military training. Like the red-skinned hob, her posture is straight, she's attentive. Her head pans in the opposite direction of Elyanna's as she seeks Donna, or failing that, someone else who might be watching the room.

'Uncanny' is perhaps the best word, really. The dark-haired woman by the fireplace, hunched over a bowl of soup and a mug of ale looks *just like* the woman locked up and awaiting trial. It really could be Delilah, with her hair colored black to conceal her identity. ut, Delilah doesn't have the knuckles of a prizefighter, or a posture hunched and sullen, as if anticipating a sucker-punch. And Delilah likely wouldn't have pegged the pair of Arvek at the door, for the sorceress always concentrated more on cards than threat vectors.

Donna, however, is exactly that scarred, sullen, and alert, and lifts her chin to the women, raising her mug to catch the eyes of the pair. Elyanna gives a soft grunt on sight of the sister and with a light knuckle tap to be sure she and Ashes are seeing the same thing, the red woman alters her course to join Donna at the fireplace. She bows her head with a quiet, "Hello. We bring news, and questions." A quick scan of the room, then, "Perhaps a place more private?"

Ash has noticed her, and nods at the grunt. She shadows Elyanna, coming quietly up beside her to stare at Donna. She's happy to let someone else do the talking, so a second nod to emphasize the request is given to Donna. Otherwise, she's quiet and a little eerie, arms hanging at her side.

"...Sure," Donna says at the end of a long sigh. Pushing away her bowl, she tips back her mug to finish it off. "C'mon. Rooms're upstairs." And with that, she slips out of her chair, taking a moment to rake a hand through her hair before leading Bard and Cleric to the stairs.

"I'm not a spender like D is," she says when they get to her door, and the brawler hunts for her key. "So when I gotta, it's not a problem keepin' rooms with a lock on. 'Specially when I been workin' to keep my mind off... y'know."

The door is unlocked, and she leads the women into a small, comfortable parlor, with enough room for couch, lounge chair, and a small table. A door to either side leads to, presumably, the girls' sleeping rooms, and the far wall features no window, but a face of solid chimney brick, which would put this room directly above the kitchen and do a fine job of heating the parlor at night.

A muttered cantrip lights a candle by the door, and from there the brawler sets to lighting the lamps scattered around the room. "C'mon in. It's comfortable enough, an' ain't likely anyone'll hear us 'less they got their ear to the keyhole."

GAME: Elyanna casts Ghost Sound. Caster Level: 2 DC: 13

There's a nod of affirmation as Donna rises, and in turn, Elyanna follows the woman up to her room, scanning the populace along the way with steely eyes. Once they've reached the door in question, and Donna elaborates on her means, the Red woman replies, "Prudent." Once inside, and their hostess makes the remark about the keyhole, she nods and points two fingers at the door, whistling a sutble, intricate diddy before there is the sound of overlapping, susperating whispers in different voices audible to those closest to it. Once that's done, and she steps in further she wonders, "How are you... holding together with all of this?" in a polite tone. Her manner is very formal, but she is asking, and it isn't the aftermath of a fight.

The ashen Arvec follows Donna and Elyanna up the stairs, and thinks over the nature of twins and shadows. The similiarity of the sister to the prisoner is striking, and there's not much difference in demeanor between the two in and out of the cell. This has clearly brought Donna down also.

Entering the room, her head turns as she gives it a quick look over, noting the exits, or lack. She nods as the door is closed and the lanterns lit, selecting a chair for herself. Sitting, her feet are together, her satchel on her lap, she watches Elyanna, then returns to staring at Donna.

Donna lifts a shoulder, throwing herself into the overstuffed chair. "Iunno... Like... not? Unless 'not breaking my twin sister outta jail' is holding up, which case... y'know... barely. She's all I really got, D."

Elyanna looks somewhere eyes, surveying the decor for a few, either in dispassionate curiosity, or to regroup as she is not in her comfort zone. She turns and steps closer, "We saw her to ask more questions. The guard, Norrington gloated that the trial will be sooner. Many of us are chasing down disparate leads to try and prove Donna's innocence. Do you still have the court summons?"

"The Silverguard is searching for Ella. He can protect her and she will make a good alibi. The wounds have been examined, your sister isn't capable of matching the magic skill required. The case against her is flimsy. Circumstantial evidence. Assertions. Not proof." The ashen Arvec recites in monotone, staring directly at Donna, unblinking. "You have reason to hope."

Donna's attention moves from one to the other, brow furrowing. "Sooner? Like *how* sooner? Is it happening now? *Why didn't someone tell me already?!*" By the last question, the brawler has launched herself out of her chair, arcane script flickering dimly over her arms, eyes sputtering pale-blue fire.

In another heartbeat, however, the fire burns out completely. "...Sorry," she mutters, fingers popping as she flexes them. "If it was happening now, you'd'a said. Sorry. Yeah. Yeah I got the summons, sec..." And the dark twin turns from the conversation, rummaging in a bulging backpack -- one of a pair -- set next to one of the bedroom doors. After a moment, she turns around, the document clutched in a shaking hand.

"I wanna believe you," she says to Ashes. "I do. But I can't afford to. Norrington's had it out for her since that first fucking card game, an' it was bad enough when the worst we could expect was gettin' falsely accused of theft. An' now her neck's on the line... An' I can't be sure it ain't mine too."

Elyanna straightens somewhat as Donna snaps angrily to her feet, but seems 'content' to let the flare of temper roll past rather than taking exception to it. "Tomorrow." She looks to Ashes on the explaination about Ella, "I have my own questions about this Ella."

The red woman's bare hand emerges from her cloak and she reaches out for the brawler's arm, "Do not forget that your enemy is flexing his power, that, is prudent." Her head lists a little to the side, and adds, "Remember also that you have allies looking out for you."

The mourner maintains her stare. One glance to Elyanna, then back to Donna. Her full attention isn't comforting. Her face is a bright white skull, this time decorated with a butterfly, but she can only look so cheering. Her bored monotone is devoid of assurances. "I was told, few guards are honourable. Most are poor. It does not pay to be upright, it pays to look the other way and give the people in power what they want."

She pauses, to let that reassuring information sink in. "The Silverguard is convinced by the evidence and your sister's answers. He will request a truth spell, and ask some questions of her and the guards. If this is refused, their hand will be clear."

Ash blinks, "I'm convinced too." She feels she should make that clear.

"I know but *I'm* supposed to be the one looking out for her," Donna says, squeezing her eyes shut. "That's how it goes; I look out for her, she looks out for me. An'--" The brawler trails off, shaking her head. "It's great, that th' paladin's convinced. An' I'm glad he's got y'all on board," she says, holding out the summons to be taken. "But if the Magistrate ain't convinced -- an' there's some as won't ever question someone high up like Norrington when it comes to the idea of a poor killin' a rich -- then I gotta tell ya... One way or another, I'm choosin' exile for us over death. Even if I gotta knock over a room fulla Guards to do it."

Elyanna takes the summons and looks it over quickly before tucking it into a pouch on her belt, "As you think best." the Hob Blooded woman replies. She glances to Ashes, then to Donna, "Tell us about Ella. When did she leave, the night she was with Delilah, do you know? Your sister says Ella was scarce the day she was arrested. I dislike coincidence."

Ash listens, taking in Donna's words and accepting the feeings behind them. The mourner will be discouraged too, if the magistrate shows signs of corruption or won't doubt what seems to be a reasonable doubt. Perhaps things are alike everywhere. She stands, looking at the brick fireplace, then approaches the door to the bedroom, "Is there a window in the other room? A way out besides that door?"

She turns around, points at the main entrance to the room, "is there a golem or a common room guard that would have been up all night, and witness that neither of you left the room?"

"Also, any bullets in your sister's pack? After Elyanna's questions."

"Ella... I don't really pay attention when D brings someone up," Donna admits, flopping back into the chair. "Don't tend to be much of a people person, like. We'd had this place for like a week before. We wanted to make *absolutely sure* that nobody could have a bad opinion of us, before goin' to court. It's the only way to beat that fucker Norrington, you act so perfect it pisses him off he can't put anything on you. It was the night before court, an' D wanted to order up a little company to go with our second bottle o' wine. We don't keep a regular place, so I don't mind long as I can be out of the room, y'know?"

Donna pauses, frowning. "She left 'round the morning, but I didn't think nothin' by it. Ain't seen her since, which is weird since she's on the house payroll. Workin' girl's gotta work, right...? But yeah... Yeah there's a window in the bedroom, an' it *could* go out into the alley... If y'don't mind a straight drop, an' my sister may have a good shootin' hand and be a dab hand at spellwork, but she's got bones like a bird. Only way she coulda killed that bitch without me knowin', it stopping on her way to the jakes to teleport her ass two districts over an' back again."

Elyanna frowns and folds her arms again "I have met a number of Guard like this Norrington since coming here," before drifting to the window to give the alley and neighboring building a lookover. "Was her behaviour odd? Did she jump at the chance to be with your sister?" A shake of the head, "She is could be the assassin. Ella could be an assumed identity, or the whore was a patty, and moulders in a shallow grave, somewhere."

"That's not encouraging." Ash says, her words still flat. She moves over to the exit, hesitates, wanders back to stand by her chair. She reaches into her satchel and fiddles around, but doesn't take anything out. "Tell us about Ella."

"I mean," Donna says, turning her head and flushing a bit, "it ain't like I saw a *whole lot* of her... That's what my *sister* paid for. Just... Half-elf, kinda pretty? Browny-red hair, skin on th'pale side... Clothes weren't the best, an' she was a lil' shy? Which is weird, D likes girls an' boys with steel in their spine, but... that's the only thing that really stood out, she was a little nervy. Like she was new to the gig, or the house didn't have anyone else to send up. That's about it?"

Elyanna frowns a little more deeply and sighs, "That could be anything... but worth noting." She steps closer to the middle of the room, then, "Odd that your sister would change her tastes. A charm, perhaps?"

"I'm going for a smoke." Ash says, heading over to the door, working the key and lock and slipping out. She has a few other things she wants to do. Touch everything, which she attempts as she heads to look for the proprietor. She has a couple questions to clarify things. Ash finds out that Ella is a regular who also services several different inns. It allows for a braoder clientelle, a useful tidbit to know. It is odd that Ella hasn't been back since the night of the murder, however that's only slightly outside of her routine.

Still not a good sign. Ash takes a clove cigarello out of her satchel. Chippen, rides her wrist out as she does, then runs across her mouth before climbing into her hair. "I know," she says, as she lights, "it's because I want to ask a question, not because I have to." Actions thus explained, she inhales on the stick, blows out smoke and stares as it rises. What to ask, what to ask.

"Honestly, when D's enough in a mood to toss the sheets that she'll call someone up... If her first pick o' personalities ain't available, she ain't gonna go without, y'know?" Donna shrugs. As Ashes declares her intent, she raises an eyebrow, but doesn't say much of anything about it. "It's like... Gods I hate this comparison, but, it's the only one I can think of offhand; y'ever had what the Khazad call a calzone? It's like meat an' veg an' sauce an' cheese all wrapped up in bread, an' it don't matter what-all's in it, even if it ain't your favorite, it's still pretty good."

Elyanna nods, "As you wish." she replies to Ashes, watching the fullblood depart, then turns back to Donna. The elaboration on Delilah's dedication to tastes doesn't get a blink. The expansion into Khazad cuisine, however does, "I will take your word for that. I understand the sentiment."

Ash stares at the rising smoke. It took her some time to ask her questions, more to start the Augury ritual. Longer, to think of a good question. Vague and specific, only in the near future, regarding how things will turn out. It's so much easier to talk to ghosts. Another inhale, exhale, the cloves sting through her nostrils and finally she asks the spiral trail. "What will searching for Ella at the other Inns right now cause?"

Chippen tap-dances on her head.

Donna spreads her hands. "That's how D explained it to me one day when we were at Stoneworks, I don't much get it either."

Elyanna frowns again, then glances to the window again, "Have you ever witnessed the victim confronting anyone else?" Her tone thoughtful, "Or this Norrington, perhaps?"

Ash stubs her cigarello out on the railing then stuffs the remanents into her satchel. Nothing in the smoke, she may as well return. She does so, slipping into the room and closing the door, catching the tail of the question. "Other suspects would be helpful."

"Frankly we tried like hell to avoid that bitch," Donna grumbles. "If she'd just paid up we wouldn't've had to deal with her at *all.* And Norrington... any day that involves him is a bad day. Ever since he tried to get us chucked in jail for stealin' somethin' we didn't even steal; ask the Silverguard 'bout that, the Magistrate was *really* not happy at 'im that time."

"Yet, his word still holds enough weight that he can convince the Magistrate to speed up the trial." Elyanna replies, grimly, "Perhaps I should stop treating Alexandria as being any loftier than Bludgun, and start handling politics properly." That said, she turns from Donna to regard one of the other walls, "Who delivered this writ?" she asks out of the blue.

"That would be one solution." Ash says, taking her seat again. She opens up her satchel and takes out some papers. They are folded and sealed. She holds it out to Donna, "Your copy."

"He did," Donna says immediately. "Was the only time we saw Bethany without a bodyguard, because she was trailin' *his* skirts. 'S like he wants t'be the architect of every horrible thing as happens to us, an' he's doin' a hell of a job at it too."

When handed a sheaf of papers, she blinks, peering down at the bundle as if they might burst into flames. "Uh.... my what, now?"

"So there is a pattern." Elyanna muses, twisting some to look over her shoulder, "If the chief Guard of a crime has a pattern of bias against the criminal, what is Alexandrian law of such a thing? Does it have weight?"

"We'll see." Ash replies, maintaining her stare at Donna. She raises a hand, points at the paper she holds, the white bone markings on her fingers standing out. Ash looks skeletal. "There is a copy at the Vardama Temple. It's Delilah's will."

The house centipede burrows into her hair. "Do you know if Bethany is any good with a Dragonspitter or Magic Missle?"

"Her--" Donna stares down at the paper in her hand, closes her eyes, and turns away. "....I'm gonna put this here," she says quietly, voice shaking, "an' then I'm gonna go downstairs, an' then I'm'a drink. Like, a *lot.* Enough that I can sleep forgetting that there is a will, and that it's my sister's, and that she could be dead soon. Iunno if there's anything else I got that can help, but... Right about now? Don't think *anything* will."

With that, she gingerly slides the will into a pocket on one of the backpacks, straightens, and heads toward the door.

Elyanna reaches out to put her hand in Donna's path, "Hold." and tries to get in front of her, "For several reasons." she says, eyes intent. She knows that such times are... awkward, and sometimes things end badly in close quarters for her, but, she is trying to save the sisters, and that takes the whole set to count.

"Oh, no, never mind. Merek's spell erases that possibility." Ash says, turning in her seat to watch Donna leaving and Elyanna blocking her. "Norrington's attitude towards Bethany would help. Did he like her?

The hand in front of Donna does draw her up short, but as the dark twin's head turns to face Elyanna, the only thing that can be seen behind her eyes is a kind of bone-deep despair, and tears flow freely down her cheeks. "...Are any of them *good* reasons? Because I *really* don't wanna be feeling what I'm feeling right now, an' my choices are gettin' drinky or punchy. An' I don't see a bottle in that hand."

The halfbreed meets Donna's justifiably emotive response like a stone pier along the beach, "You need to stay sharp until the enemy is gone." A quizzical glance at Ashes, then she meets Donna's gaze anew, "Or you ned to be protected." Here, the former Keeper shrugs back part of her cloak, baring the fallchion and coiled tresses of her whip, "Two, hope is a vital thing for a prisoner. Not just her own, but those who matter to her. Three, drunk, you may never remember a vital clue that we have missed thus far. Sober, inspiration may come to you."

As a mourner, Ashlee has had to comfort many bereaved families. She was instructed to use a certain method that always brings results. Stepping up to Donna, she places a hand firmly on her shoulder. One pat, two pats, "There, there. Everything will be all right."

Her comforting duties discharged, with success, as Ash feels better for trying, she gazes at Elyanna and explains. "There is a Witch Spell, Sculpt Corpse, that allows a body to be reshaped into another. If Bethany was complicit, she could have been the second attacker, Ella the victim. Except the timing is off, as Ella left in the morning and the murder was at night, and the Blood Biography spell identified Bethany."

A moment passes, she adds in monotone, "and it's a far reach. More likely Norrington killed Bethany because she was clingy."

Slowly, Donna turns, scraping the tears away from her cheeks as she looks from Elyanna to Ashes and back again. "...Son of a *bitch* you two suck at this," she says, in a tone of near-awe. "Like, you could give *lessons* on what not to do when someone is facing an actual, proper, existential crisis *and* the death of a family member."

Here, now, Donna's outburst actually manages to unseat Elyanna's demeanor and her lowers her eyes, "Most of my life was spent crushing hope. Breaking will." Her chin turns some away and, "I... do not know how to foster it."

An epiphany strikes. Ash should have asked her cigarello how further questioning of Donna would go. She makes a mental note. She is definitely sure she shouldn't try a hug now. That's right out. "Oh."

She searches for a good excuse, or explanation why she sucks so much. That ghosts were mean to her growing up, probably... won't... do. Still, Ash wants to say something reassuring. Describing their next course of action might help, "I'm going to go look on the rooftops for evidence." She states in monotone, yes, that follows naturally.

And now, Donna sighs, dropping her face in her hands. "Aaaand I'm being a complete bitch, I'm sorry.... Just... Look it's not just D too. I..... don't actually know what'll happen if one of us dies. Just... our parents were wizards, they got stupid about Delilah, planar spirit fuckery happened, an' instead of having one perfect kid, they had one perfect kid an' one pile o' dregs. So this last week I been seriously wondering if I'm'a survive to even *read* that.... thing you gave me."

Shaking her head, she steps back. "Ain't no excuse for dragging you like that, though. You're tryin' to help, an' I really do appreciate it. Just... I ain't the one who's good with feelings an' shit. Seriously, I'm sorry."

Elyanna is hesitant to turn her eyes back to Donna at first, though as she starts to elaborate on their particular peculiarities, then finds the deed within her. The final morsels of revelation bring a short huff of a snerk between the interlocked fangs of a short, wry grin, "It is.... a common burden, Donna." Her hand, unadorned, unwarded from the world is offered the brawler in a gesture meant as much to be comforting as a show of no hard feelings.

Ash, who has seen a lot of death and reactions to it, by both the bereaved and those unexpectedly finding themselves waiting on the other side, is used to taking things in stride and not letting it get to her. Much. It takes a moment or two to register with her that she should perhaps say something, after watching Elyanna hold out her hand to Donna. "It's Ok."

Her words are delivered in monotone, still, and she stares. Even up close, that skull marking is really deep in her skin. She also has fangs, bigger than Elyanna's. She's a rougher-formed hobgoblin, overall. "You're under a lot of stress."

"There will be justice." She thinks hard, searching for other encouraging words. She doesn't have a lot of those. Perhaps an old military order will do under these circumstances. "Hold fast. Hold the line."

"...Yeah, I'll take it," the brawler says, rubbing her face for a moment, before clasping Elyanna's hand, squeezing once. "Seriously. Thanks for everything. I just... don't know if I got anything else I can give you right now. I'll think about it though, but if I ain't gonna get stupid, I should probably stash these packs in case I need to get em on the run."

Elyanna nods as Ashes makes good use of battle calling and she is glad the Mourner is here. She might not had tried that angle, and it seems to have helped. She tries a tenative smile and another nod on the squeeze, "You are welcome. Setting up for trouble would be smart. In any case, we should get this to the Silver Guard." Hmmm, "If you would come with us, or, perhaps we could establish some kind of guard for you." "I agree," Ash says, thinking all those options are good. "We'll send someone if you don't come. Ensure you have good exit strategies."

Her centipede works his way down through her hair, and vanishes under her clothes. She adjusts her jacket, as that seemed to disturb her mouse. "Writing helps. What you are thinking. Thoughts might come. We should go though, we have to get on the roof while there is still light."

Time is getting tight.

"If there's one thing I'm not worried about," Donna says with a short, rusty chuckle, "it's folk comin' for my head. One of the benefits o' havin' a room with a window; good place to throw intruders. But, if you wanna do me a favor..." She pauses, looking at the ground and frowning. "Maybe spread word 'round the Guild that we might need to run, an'... well it sure would be nice if the sneaky bastards 'round there saw it in their hearts to conspire to make it hard to chase us? Nothin' lethal, just... hamperin'."

Nodding at Ashes, Donna presses the heels of her hands to her eyes again. "Hey when you're done? I'm'a tell the kitchen I'm buyin' your dinner tonight. Just... thanks, y'know? I ain't thinkin' too clear right now though... I'll write down if I think of anything."

Ashes as a drummer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bubOcI11sps