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Post by Rowan on Jan 4, 2021 23:54:50 GMT -8
"We never made it to the warehouse. There was just two of us, and we decided that wasn't enough. That's all the info I have. I never got around to analyzing the sample we retrieve to tell you more."
He allowed himself to emulate Ivory, sitting a little bit further into the armchair.
"What's the plan?"
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588 
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Post by Ivory on Jan 4, 2021 23:58:40 GMT -8
Ivory perked up.
"You have a sample?" she asked, "Well, that's a start... What do you need for your analysis?"
There was a determination in Ivory's eyes.
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Post by Rowan on Jan 5, 2021 0:06:37 GMT -8
"Well, time and a willing subject. I'm not a scientist or a doctor, I just don't know enough about it. So far, this thing is like nothing I've ever, um, read about. I didn't want to ingest it without supervision."
Plus, he wasn't super into drugs.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Jan 5, 2021 0:17:38 GMT -8
Ivory was silent for a few long moments.
"I'd rather not bring another human in on this and, if Elizabeth is around you can view the effects of overdose," she said, "However, if one of our kind was willing do you think that could give you an inkling about the effects?"
The question was direct and blunt, a divergence from Ivory's usual grace.
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Post by Rowan on Jan 5, 2021 0:35:05 GMT -8
"I'd have to use the Kenning, but yes. With firsthand knowledge, I'd have a better idea of what we're dealing with h..."
He trails off, some part of his mind understanding something that he wasn't. And then it dawns on him.
"I'm an idiot. Halcone isn't a name. It's a rank. Cartel. I... might know a guy."
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Jan 5, 2021 0:41:13 GMT -8
Ivory blinks, somewhat confused.
"You know a guy who will take the drug or someone associated with the Cartel?" she asked. It seemed like a silly question, but it would determine Ivory's next train of thought.
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Post by Rowan on Jan 5, 2021 0:47:39 GMT -8
" The latter. You're not the only one with contacts in the Spear. Turns out, all you need is to land a couple solid punches and get a minor concussion to be Summer-Approved." He thought for a moment.
"I could ask Smudge again, but he's not answering. I don't know anyone else I could ask."
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Jan 5, 2021 1:57:43 GMT -8
The comment was met with a surprised look.
"You do work or did you pick a fight?" she asked.
Then her hand extended.
"Give it here," she said, "I live here alone, I got no job I'll be missing from, and my calendar's pretty open. Seems to me like that kind of fits into the criteria of what you might need in a subject."
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Post by Rowan on Jan 5, 2021 14:30:37 GMT -8
"It's... complicated. Let's just say Samhain was an eventful night." He had no intention of sharing the specifics of it, however.
He then looked at the extended hand and chuckled. It was a strange sound, alien almost. coming from Rowan.
"Well I don't have it here. It's back at my place." Pause. He considered the implications. He was nowhere as confident in being able to protect his home, but he had to reciprocate. He could always move after. Maybe. "In Whitney."
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Jan 5, 2021 14:41:41 GMT -8
Ivory would give a light chuckle, allowing herself some levity as Rowan declined to share specifics regarding his connection to Summer. Ivory understood of course. After all, few knew what she had done to earn the good graces of the Iron Spear.
"It's always eventful with them, hmm?" she offered, her tone almost teasing, but she bites it back to prevent Rowan from feeling too targeted.
The Pale Dragon retracts her hand and nods.
"Then how we proceed is up to you. I won't presume to be allowed to venture into your home," Ivory offered, "Whether you choose to allow that or return here is inconsequential. You have your subject. The sooner we do this, the sooner we can try to identify how to help the shopkeeper. If such treatment can be rendered, of course..."
There was always the chance that treatment was not an option, but, unless that became clear, Ivory felt she had to at least try.
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Post by Rowan on Jan 5, 2021 14:53:29 GMT -8
He allowed himself one more smile before returning to considerations.
"Um, no, I'm fine. We can go to my place. I know where everything else, and what is magical or not, so there's less chance of distraction for my Kenning."
Going back and forth would be too time consuming anyway an his curiosity was starting to flare up.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Jan 5, 2021 15:01:27 GMT -8
Ivory's expression grows a hint warmer as some minute trust is established, albeit in the spirit of solving the mystery before them.
"I understand the risk you are taking. I won't violate your trust," she assured, "Shall I drive or did you...?"
She had assumed Rowan had not, but did not want to vocalize it should he consider the thought rude.
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Post by Rowan on Jan 5, 2021 15:17:14 GMT -8
"Oh no. I took the bus." Man, that sounded lame. "I know how to drive," he added in an attempt to avoid coddling. "Anyway, here's the address."
---
His own place wasn't much to look at. It was a study in paradox - clearly the complex had been meant for luxury, but the funds were diverted mid construction and only the outside looked nice. The inside looked... the opposite of luxurious. Compared to Ivory's manor, the difference was jarring. The Snowskin's apartment proper had one bedroom, a tiny living room combined with a kitchen and a tiny washroom with a shower cabin. The design idea was to cram as many people in as little space possible. The place looked bare and soulless, reflecting much of its own disposition.
"Welcome to la casa de Rowan," he said with sad jazz hands.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Jan 5, 2021 15:45:02 GMT -8
Ivory was happy to let the conversation regarding driving died, lest Rowan feel embarassed. Her car was, like her home, of a certain luxury, although it was more common than some models, being a BMW M3. It was about five years old now, but, as Ivory relayed to Rowan during the journey, the Pale Dragon just didn't see the point in the grind to get a new car every other year. Although the new 2021 BMW M3 had a certain appeal to the Fairest...
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Ivory was silent for a moment as she adjusted to the new space, eyes roving bare walls and spartan accomodations.
"You know, a little art and a rug here and there... you'd be able to make the space your own," she mused. Then a pause and a revelation that her words could have been seen as rude, "I'm sorry, that was... oof. If you do want a little art though or a rug we can dip by a store later. I don't mind."
Turning her attention to the small living room, the tense, apologetic expression on Ivory's face melted into something softer and warmer, as if recalling some distant good memory.
"It's not all bad, Rowan," she said, her tone assuring, "My father's house wasn't much bigger, from what I can remember. Y'know, before..."
Her voice trails off. She cleared her throat before returning her gilded gaze to the Snowskin.
"My apologies," Ivory offered, "That isn't why we're here. Shall we proceed?"
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Post by Rowan on Jan 5, 2021 15:57:56 GMT -8
He let Ivory's rambling wash over him. She was right of course, but Rowan just couldn't be bothered to make time for home improvement. There was always something going on in his life: a Freehold event, an investigation that was 'super imperative that he participate in to promote cross Court relationship'. Mostly work. "Don't worry about it," he answered to both her apology and offer to go shopping. It had been hard, Coming Back. All of his reasons to brave the Thorns had been in vain, so his escape had been bittersweet. Reality felt bleak, after the vibrancy of Arcadia and the Hedge. It's not that he was depressed, no, it was simply the fact that Banality left him feeling Morose.
"This way," he indicated, ushering Ivory into his bedroom. A single bed, a night table and a book case occupied most of the space. There was no window (the only opening for sunlight was in the living room) and the only whimsical thing was the same poster of Gurren Lagann that Ivory had seen in the Hollow. The night table however, was filled with small objects, ranging from simple stones, a Burger King crown, to a kitchen knife. The paraphernalia had a hint of residual glamour on them, but none seemed to be actual Tokens. "Failed tests," Rowan explained.
He rummaged through the book case and took out a vial filled with shimmering liquid and a sticker of a flower on it. He handed it over to the Fairest. "You can use to bed, if you want."
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