001 ✫ video

[warfares]

( the feed opens to a young man, pale skinned and dark eyed, a scar cutting across the left side of his face. his surroundings, while fairly nondescript, place him in somewhere in the Queen's Residence.)

Does anyone know where I can find a map?

Comments

audio;

[verstoned]

The bazaar is more like than not to 'ave at least one merchant. Unless those burned up in the fires themselves.

[warfares]

The Bazaar's been suggested. Perhaps even if they do not have any to hand they'll have the means to acquire them.

[verstoned]

Or create new ones. Or 'ave a cartographer friend on hand for a rush job.

What is it you need a map for?

[warfares]

Beyond the practicality of having one, I've been asked to help with the postal service. ( "asked" is perhaps a bit more generous than the truth, but. it's something that can serve his interest as much as theirs. postal runners get to visit all corners of the city. )

And while I'm happy to help, finding places is somewhat difficult as a newcomer.

[verstoned]

Ah. [A sound of understanding. Rhus knows now what he means-- which in turn means that what he was thinking of suggesting would have been pointless.]

I would have said climb a few buildings in the meantime, but that wouldn't have helped, eh?

[warfares]

Not a bad idea, ordinarily.

Do you climb much?

[verstoned]

Aye. [You can practically hear the shrug Rhus makes as well.] Best way to get anywhere is to get up high.

[warfares]

Interesting.

( something he'll certainly consider himself, going forward. there are bound to be parts of the city that the fire hasn't touched. )

Have you seen much of the city yet?

[verstoned]

Before the flames or after?

[warfares]

Both.

[verstoned]

Former, aye. Latter? Not so much. Been busy.

[warfares]

( his brows draw together. )

Have you been here long?

( have others been brought here before? given the strain the Queen has suffered, he has to wonder. )

[verstoned]

If by "long" you mean more'n a month, no. [After all, he hasn't heard of the Queen bringing in any Strangers before himself and the others who came in with him.]

You're one o' the others who came in last month, aren't you?

[warfares]

( he inclines his head. )

Yes. Though I recall waking to the flames. ( hence his puzzlement. how could they have been brought here at the same time if all he could remember upon waking was the fire? had he really slept that long? )

Clearly you were more fortunate.

[verstoned]

Really... Hrrrm. [That? That is a considering noise made deep in Rhus' throat.]

No assassins after you, then?

[warfares]

One. ( it had been a rude awakening to say the least. )

I dealt with them quickly and moved on. ( perhaps he should have lingered. should have interrogated them further. there is certainly something at work here. something dire enough for the Queen to risk pulling them away to her world. )

[verstoned]

Rude awakenin' then? I can see why you'd call me more fortunate but... eh. When we're all in the same situation, is there really someone with more luck than another?

[warfares]

Not exactly the welcome one would expect.

( though he sounds less phased about it than one would expect. possibly because this is far from the first time someone has tried to kill him in his sleep. )

[verstoned]

Well, you're still here and talkin'. You're fine, I'd say.

[warfares]

A fair point. ( if begrudgingly conceded. )

It's a wonder that they did not anticipate some manner of attack given the animosity the guild seems to hold toward the Queen and her court.

( there's also the small matter of how they knew what the Queen had intended — if they even had — and when, but that is something he keeps to himself for now. )

[verstoned]

Mayhap they could not. Not with our arrival keepin' them all busy. [And with the Queen's illness, he doesn't say. Not his secret to tell, that.]