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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 6, 2011 4:38:08 GMT -5
We arrived at Le Poulet Gauche, undoubtedly where the most questionable transactions took place. After tethering the horse outside, we entered, dubious patrons lounging around as usual. I don't know why I decided we should start here, but it seemed appropriate that we should begin where I'd met Gil.
"I think we should split up," I told Eric. "Ask and listen around if anyone remembers a noblewoman disappearing at the time of the plague, or if anyone has heard of Florence Danton."
Then, taking a seat at the bar, I let down my hair and ordered a drink. I wouldn't have a drop of it of course, but I hoped it would make me look more accessible, easier to cajole those around me into talking.
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Zhen nó La Valette
Servant of Naamah
Marque Purchased by Zephyr de la Valette
Owned by Zephyr de La Valette
Posts: 42
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Post by Zhen nó La Valette on Jul 6, 2011 11:03:52 GMT -5
I had been doing some special work for Zephyr, picking up a special package and giving someone that I had never met a sum of money. I had no clue what it was, but Zephyr wasn't loose lipped about all of his work. I knew when to keep my mouth closed. I placed the package in a bag that I brought with me.
I made my way into Le Poulet Gauche. My features stuck out in the crowd of Tsinani and D'Angeline commoners, but it wasn't a place that was unfamiliar to me. I had a few minutes before I needed to get back home, and when there was time available it might become a opportunity.
I moved to the bar and settled down in one of the seats. I didn't intend to drink, but I wondered if I might be able to get some business for Zephyr...
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 6, 2011 14:10:46 GMT -5
"Alright," I said, a little hesitant to let her walk unprotected in this place. I didn't stray too far away from her, glancing back to the bar every so often to make sure she was alright. I also moved from table to table, asking all that Raisa has told me. So far though my questions had not found a truly satisfactory answer. Some knew vaguely but couldn't provide ant real information. And of course there were though who thought it would be a better idea to give the kid a good shove instead of answer his questions.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 6, 2011 16:57:41 GMT -5
So far there was no luck, no one had really heard of a Florence Danton although there was some mention of a mysterious character named Marat. I wasn't sure if it was relevant to our cause but I remembered the name anyway, it had cost me five minutes of conversation with a crude drunk with leering eyes and hands that wandered too close to mine for comfort.
Eventually I managed to shuffle away from him, sending a sheepish smile at Eric across the room. Maybe our investigation would prove fruitless here, but I decided to give it a few more moments before letting it go entirely. Wrapped up in my thoughts, I didn't realise I had sidled down so far until I bumped into someone.
"Sorry," I turned face to face with the person. It was a woman, her appearance like Ai's. Ch'in then; I wondered what she was doing here.
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Zhen nó La Valette
Servant of Naamah
Marque Purchased by Zephyr de la Valette
Owned by Zephyr de La Valette
Posts: 42
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Post by Zhen nó La Valette on Jul 6, 2011 17:08:49 GMT -5
I turned when I felt someone bump against me. I bowed my head, "It is no problem at all. It looks as if you and your friend are looking for something..." My eyes silently searched hers. I had heard the man asking various customers a question. I had a feeling that my opportunity was right in front of me.
I offered my hand to her, "I am Zhen."
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 6, 2011 17:24:34 GMT -5
"I'm Raisa," Zhen sounded as though she'd been trained to listen, which meant she might have heard something, or worked for someone who did. I shook her hand then looked over at Eric, inclining my head slightly to indicate that he should join us. I waited for him to make his way across the room before going any further.
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Zhen nó La Valette
Servant of Naamah
Marque Purchased by Zephyr de la Valette
Owned by Zephyr de La Valette
Posts: 42
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Post by Zhen nó La Valette on Jul 6, 2011 17:37:40 GMT -5
I gave her hand a light hand shake, "A pleasure to meet you. Is that your lover?" I glanced over at the man that she had gestured to. My eyes showed innocence, giving the impression that I was not trying to give offense.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 6, 2011 20:12:07 GMT -5
I glanced over my shoulder and caught Raise gesturing for me to join. It seemed as though she might be getting something from the Chi'n woman. I walked over slowly.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 6, 2011 23:56:18 GMT -5
If it were possible, I think my cheeks turned a new shade of crimson. "No, we're just friends," I said in reply to Zhen's question, hoping Eric hadn't caught it as he drew near. It was rather blunt and I wasn't used to someone being so forward, but it made me bold in asking her questions. "Do you come here often? Maybe you might have heard of a missing noblewoman, or a man named Florence Danton?"
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Zhen nó La Valette
Servant of Naamah
Marque Purchased by Zephyr de la Valette
Owned by Zephyr de La Valette
Posts: 42
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Post by Zhen nó La Valette on Jul 7, 2011 18:34:57 GMT -5
I nodded when she mentioned that they were just friends. I noticed the blush, it gave the indication that either this woman favored the man, or she was conservative.
My lips curved up at her question, "I have been here more than a few times."
I looked at the man for a moment before turning back to the woman. Then I looked around the area, quietly making sure that no one heard me, "I've never heard of her, but I may know someone who has heard of her... I am quite confident that they could be of a big help to you."
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 7, 2011 21:11:38 GMT -5
I arrived to the bar just as Raisa asked about Danton and I sat down beside her. "Who might this person be?" I asked the stranger.
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Zhen nó La Valette
Servant of Naamah
Marque Purchased by Zephyr de la Valette
Owned by Zephyr de La Valette
Posts: 42
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Post by Zhen nó La Valette on Jul 11, 2011 0:18:21 GMT -5
I glanced at Raisa, silently giving her the right to respond to his question. It seemed odd to me to answer such a question. I thought it might also be a chance to learn how Raisa might describe me.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 11, 2011 1:00:42 GMT -5
"Eric, this is Zhen. Zhen, Eric," I introduced them both, though it seemed Eric had caught the last part of our conversation, my curiosity too, was piqued at the mention of some other contact. I turned back to Zhen, a slight frown furrowing my brows.
"This person could be a big help to us? Who is it and how would they be able to assist us?" A part of me wondered if it was safe to be following the word of someone I'd just met, since it seemed we would not be dealing with her directly.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 12, 2011 22:08:16 GMT -5
"Hello," I said to the stranger with a little smile. "Good to meet you." I then let Raisa go on with the questioning, happy to be a sort of bystander, interjecting only when something came to me.
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Zhen nó La Valette
Servant of Naamah
Marque Purchased by Zephyr de la Valette
Owned by Zephyr de La Valette
Posts: 42
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Post by Zhen nó La Valette on Jul 15, 2011 12:40:59 GMT -5
I nodded my head quietly at her, "This person is likely to know who your looking for and even more than that. I can take you to him, if you like."
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 15, 2011 16:45:27 GMT -5
A promising lead at last, and worth a try at any rate if we could learn anything whatsoever. I gave Eric a look and then nodded at Zhen.
"We'd like that a lot. Would you be able to take us to him right now?"
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 15, 2011 23:31:56 GMT -5
My first thought was to our safety and I reined Raisa in some. "How do we know she's not just going to rob us if we follow her, or that this person might not do worse?" I whispered for her ears only.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 16, 2011 0:00:37 GMT -5
It was a fair question. "I don't," I whispered back honestly. "But I seriously doubt that they would try, it's not as though we look like we have anything to our names and I'm willing to bet that her employer at least won't dispatch of us if he thinks we have some useful information too."
I brushed his hand lightly in reassurance. "Trust me."
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Zhen nó La Valette
Servant of Naamah
Marque Purchased by Zephyr de la Valette
Owned by Zephyr de La Valette
Posts: 42
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Post by Zhen nó La Valette on Jul 16, 2011 23:21:54 GMT -5
I nodded to the woman, "Yes, his home is in the noble district. I am sure that I could introduce you there." I watched as the man whispered something in her ear. "Shall we go now?" I waited to see how she would respond.
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Post by Eric Lamont on Jul 17, 2011 1:04:36 GMT -5
I nodded to Raisa and then faced the stranger. "I think that'd be best. Raisa?"
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 17, 2011 1:16:47 GMT -5
"Yes, let's go," I looked at the woman. "Lead the way."
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Zhen nó La Valette
Servant of Naamah
Marque Purchased by Zephyr de la Valette
Owned by Zephyr de La Valette
Posts: 42
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Post by Zhen nó La Valette on Jul 19, 2011 0:50:53 GMT -5
I gave them a nod and began leading them out of Le Poulet Gauche, onto the streets of Night's Doorstep to my Master's home. I didn't know if they wanted to talk along the way, but there wasn't much that I had to say..
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