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Post by ianharris on Oct 27, 2009 23:21:31 GMT -5
Okay, so do you know how occasionally a really good TV show gets a spinoff? You know, where they take a couple of the minor characters and make them do random stuff that has NOTHING to do with the original series to make money?
This is... kinda like that.
Blah blah blah, all the usual stuff, RP between myself and Kat and Ireth. This is a spinoff of "Gift of the Winds". I don't... think there are going to be any NPC's of mention that show up more than a few times so... Oh, hell with it. This is taking to long.
Ian stood outside the bar and wished, for the millionth time that day, that he was back in London with Natalie. It was always sunny there and everyone was happy. The sidewalk Ian was standing on, however, was neither sunny nor happy. On the contrary, it was dark, raining, and really scary. Which were three things that, if a place possessed them, made Ian very much not want to be there.
I hope Paula knows what she's doing. He thought bitterly, pulling the hood of his rain jacket further over his head.
Ian's cousin, detective-turned-professor Paula Harris, had recently spent some time in Greece, hunting down the kidnappers of one of Ian's classmates. While there, a friend of hers, Police Chief Avramidis, had tipped her off about something big. Paula had immediately recalled Ian back to Paris, and dragged him down to a very seedy neighborhood to a very seedy bar.
If only she had told me what she was looking for...
Paula had snorted when Ian has asked. "I want to confirm it first. Avramidis is a good man, but this kind of thing needs to be double checked. Now stand out here and keep watch for anyone who looks vaguely supernatural. I'm going in." And she had, leaving Ian standing out in the rain.
Some vacation this is turning out to be... He thought to himself. I left London for this?
He couldn't complain, though. At least it beat what Paula had told him about Greece. That sounded like something straight out of Ian's worst nightmares. Of course, whatever she was involving them in now had the potential to be that as well.
Ian remembered the last case Paula had involved him in and shuddered. No, we don't want to do that again... ever...
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 28, 2009 0:34:08 GMT -5
Since the day she discovered alcohol, Paula Harris had never been a beer person. She preferred a fine wine or - on particularly stressful days - something a bit stronger. Never beer. Unless, of course, the situation demanded it. As this situation did.
Once Paula entered the bar, her first order of business was to walk up to the bar and order a beer. Not to drink, except for a few sips off the top, but for appearances. No one thought twice about a tourist with a beer. Except for in this part of Paris, which wasn't exactly a popular tourist stop. Or a tourist stop at all.
For a moment, Paula wondered if she should bring Ian inside. Then she shook her head. No. The boy had a purpose for being out in the rain. He would do his job, and she would do hers.
She took her beer to a back corner and settled into an empty chair, watching the room. The person she was looking for was here somewhere. If she just searched hard enough... she would find them. And she would figure out if there was something to investigate here.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Oct 28, 2009 1:42:33 GMT -5
Behind her, a soft voice chuckled at about head height. "You might be fooling people better if you were actually drinking your beer."
Korlian slipped back up into the rafters the moment he'd finished talking. He had an idea of what the reaction was going to be, and he didn't feel like falling.
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 28, 2009 2:28:55 GMT -5
Instinctively, Paula's hand came flying back to strike at the person behind her's face. It was, of course, no longer there, which was a shame, because she would love nothing more than to swat this particular boy as hard as she could. Paula looked up into the rafters and glared at the boy.
"Korlian, you sneaky little monkey." She snapped. "I was doing fine before the prepubescent boy hiding in the roof showed up. Now get down from there before you draw attention to me. I don't care if you draw it to yourself but some of us are trying to work here and would prefer not to get shot."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Oct 28, 2009 2:36:23 GMT -5
Korlian chuckled at her, moving to the other side of the room before climbing down. It took him some time to get back to her table... with some shiny things disappearing and ending up in the hand of someone else. By the time he reached her table again, he had a very mischievous grin on his face. "Aw, Professor. I missed you too. Of course, if you had hit me... you would have dealt with far more attention."
He was taller now, than he had been the last time she'd seen him. His face was far more... adult than it had been, which was kind of impressive. It was a face that could break hearts... if he cared to. He couldn't usually seem to focus long enough, or probably care enough, to try. He had more color, but it almost shimmered to Paula's eyes, in and out of existance. His kitty-slant eyes were even narrower with good humor as he slipped into a chair. "So... I expected you much sooner."
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 28, 2009 2:41:07 GMT -5
Paula snorted. "Knowing the people that frequent these kinds of places, they would have simply been amused at a little violence." She took a very long draft of her beer. Nasty stuff. But it was alcohol, and this was Korlian, and the appearance of the second meant that the first was probably required.
"Really now? That's interesting. And why would you think that a simple mortal detective from the States would eventually wind up in a seedy bar in the underbelly of Paris?" She leaned forward, narrowing her eyes at the boy. "And right now, I'm wondering what a ten-year-old boy is doing in said seedy bar."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Oct 28, 2009 2:48:31 GMT -5
"Be nice, I at least look twelve. And waiting for you. I've heard a little something interesting and figured you would eventually. You do seem to find these things," he shrugged, leaning back a little with his arm around the back of the chair. "I was referring more to the fact that I'd have fallen from the ceiling and most people don't hang from the rafters...
"Which is why it's such a perfect place to hide." He gave her a slightly feral grin, his fangs flashing. They were still short of what a vampire would have... but not by much. Two fangs hung around his neck, along with a set of silvery pipes. Other than that... he was dressed normally, if a bit... well. He'd probably stolen them, but it probably couldn't be proved. It was possible he'd stolen the cash and purchased them, but again... it wouldn't be possible to prove it. Though the chances that he had a job were so low as to be non-existant.
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 28, 2009 2:55:07 GMT -5
The beer went down on the table in an instant and Paula leaned forward. "Tell you what." She said with a hint of sarcasm. "You like contests. How about a little game? I win, you tell me what you heard and then go someone far away from here and let me deal with this. You win, and I'll let you tag along for as long as this investigation lasts."
It wasn't all a bad thing to have Korlian along for this particular case. Paula could make use of the boy's skills. If she could control his lust for shiny objects.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Oct 28, 2009 3:09:04 GMT -5
"You only wish I was my brother. He would have to take you up on that. But... I accept your stakes... if I accept the game. I'll let you get away with picking it, though technically I should be choosing it myself."
He smirked a little, leaning back a bit more. His wavy hair fell about his face as he grinned at her. Even if she won, he really didn't have much for her, and he knew it. Other than the fact this was international... His fingers rose to play with the fangs at his neck, fangs that obviously came from a vampire. Well, obvious to anyone who knew that vampires truly existed. Stormy grey eyes watched her carefully, wondering what she thought he had. Eh, it was probably trying to get rid of him. Oh well.
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 28, 2009 3:10:56 GMT -5
Now to finally get rid of this boy for the rest of my summer.
"The game is simple." Paula said, crossing her arms. "Without turning around or moving your head in any way, I want you to tell me how many hats there are in this room. Bandannas count. Go."
Enjoy.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Oct 28, 2009 3:16:22 GMT -5
Korlian laughed. "Fifteen. Five ball caps, four berets, four beanies and two bandannas," he said, tilting his head to the side.
Take that. I knew you would pull some sort of stunt like that.
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 28, 2009 3:19:06 GMT -5
Paula's nostrils flared. Of course the boy would had predicted that she would attempt this. She uncrossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, glowering at Korlian.
"Well, then." She said sharply. "It looks like you'll be joining Ian and me in following this lead. Who knows? You might actually learn something instead of just causing trouble."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Oct 28, 2009 3:23:12 GMT -5
Korlian chuckled and smiled at her. "I learned a great deal in your classes, Professor. Just not always what you wanted to teach. Care to hear what I know anyway? It's not much..."
He leaned forward on the table, his expression completely serious. His eyes showed an odd concern... odd because he never seemed to show concern for anyone but himself, his brother and occasionally a few friends. Ian luckily was rather high on that particular list.
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 28, 2009 3:26:35 GMT -5
Paula nodded, her eyes constantly watching the room for the person that Avramidis had described, but her ears focusing on Korlian. "Go ahead. And talk quickly. I don't know how much time we have."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Oct 28, 2009 3:35:25 GMT -5
"Just that a few children have gone missing. And I have very good reasons to think they were mages.. or very close potentials. And not just in Paris, but even a few in the US and other countries. Even a neighbor of mine back home," he said, shrugging.
"No one knows what happened to most of them. I was looking for my neighbor when I got here; heard you were going to be here, figured I should wait for you. You wouldn't have been able to shake me, professor. The kid is annoying but... he's got... potential. He'd be a great detective; kid almost figured out what's up with my brother and I. I half-want to give him the chance to do it."
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 28, 2009 5:44:18 GMT -5
Paula nodded slowly. "That makes sense." She took another sip of her beer - that was really disgusting stuff. Why did she drink it? - and glanced another time around the room before looking back at Korlian.
"While I was in Greece, a friend of mine tipped me off that a small group of mortals are selling some sort of hallucinogenic drug to vampires only. Based on what I know about the incident with Conall last year, I am guessing that these people are selling mage blood..."
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Oct 28, 2009 11:10:59 GMT -5
Korlian's lip curled at Conall's name, but he nodded slowly. "So I was right. Kind of like LSD for vampires."
He turned to look over his shoulder discreetly, his eyes scanning the patrons. "Why were you in Greece? And what are you looking for?"
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 28, 2009 22:26:47 GMT -5
Paula leaned over and jabbed a finger in Korlian's face. "You keep 'what were you doing in...' questions to yourself, you nosy little boy. For the record, I was doing a personal favor for a student. One who doesn't annoy me endlessly. If you're lucky, I might do the same for you someday."
She glanced around again. "I am looking for a man described by me to Arvamidis as a dealer. I'm hoping we can follow this thing back to its source before someone starts selling mage blood to students at Dunehelden. The last thing the staff needs right now is a new drug on campus. We're looking for a man who will meet with at least one vampire." Someone was playing the piano in the corner. Someone very good. For some reason, the other patrons of the bar didn't seem to mind, which suited Paula just fine.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Oct 28, 2009 22:58:43 GMT -5
Korlian snorted, "I doubt most of the students at work would be stupid enough to get addicted to something like that."
He resisted the urge to play-bite at her finger, knowing he was already on thin ice. Of course, he usually was on thin ice so it was nothing new. He also resistered the urge to look toward the piano. No need to draw attention to anyone if Paula wasn't curious. It probably meant she knew what was up and therefore.... he would learn in due time. Though curiosity was burning him up, the old adage was flipping through his mind...
And he was feline enough to make him a tiny bit nervous. That and turning his back on Paula.... not good. She disliked him enough she might do something to make him leave and he didn't want to do that. He wanted to know what was going on.
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 28, 2009 23:01:50 GMT -5
"Teenagers will be teenagers." Paula said simply. "And children will be children."
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Fekete Istvan
Ireth
University Junior: Mage
Make believe, close your eyes, I'll be anything for you.
Posts: 140
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Post by Fekete Istvan on Oct 28, 2009 23:13:36 GMT -5
Istvan finished his song and lifted his hands from the piano keys, flexing his fingers to keep them from cramping up. His throat was getting dry; time for another drink. Non-alcoholic, of course, or else it would affect his playing. He stood up, casting his gaze around the bar, and raised his eyebrows slightly at two figures who stood conversing several feet away.
One he recognized instantly as Professor Harris, a recent addition to the Dunehelden staff. Her companion was less familiar; he had glimpsed him once or twice in the hallways and the courtyard, but never heard his name. His curiosity piqued, Istvan decided that a drink could wait, and stepped over to Professor Harris.
"Hello, Professor. It's good to see you again."
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 28, 2009 23:26:37 GMT -5
I will not facepalm. No matter how badly I want to.
"Be quieter!" Paula said quickly. "I am not here on a social visit. Sit down and don't look at anybody else in the bar." She eyed both Korlian and Istvan suspiciously. "What are the odds that I run into two students in a bar in the underbelly of Paris? Seems a bit unusual to me."
She raised an eyebrow at Istvan. "At least you aren't Lhachlhass. Putting him and Korlian in the same room doesn't usually end well."
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Fekete Istvan
Ireth
University Junior: Mage
Make believe, close your eyes, I'll be anything for you.
Posts: 140
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Post by Fekete Istvan on Oct 28, 2009 23:39:05 GMT -5
Istvan sat down obediently, his curiosity even more heightened now. "I'm travelling across Europe for the summer, and I was running short on money. This perhaps isn't the best-paying job, but people appreciate my talent, and it keeps food in my stomach and clothes on my back."
He lowered his voice even more when he spoke next. "If I may be so bold as to ask, what brings you to... what were your words... 'the underbelly of Paris'?" Her implied request for privacy and anonymity had not been lost on him; he felt that this must be something important. Why else would she be here, and with another Dunehelden student to boot?
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Oct 29, 2009 13:36:26 GMT -5
Korlian looked at the mage, narrow eyes curious. The chances of running across another student... Korlian had been looking for Paula, in his own way. But this student, a mage he didn't really recognize outside of 'I think I've seen you before at school...' didn't seem to be here for anything other than summer... He looked around and decided the word 'fun' wouldn't normally apply. Especially considering that if they were right, this mage was in definite trouble.
Was this person Paula was looking for ever going to appear? Korlian shifted, growing edgy. He hated waiting. His eyes remained on Paula to keep himself from looking around, though he was growing tempted to set himself on a different corner of the room and keep an eye on everything...
Especially the detective who would do anything to lose him. Okay, not anything; at least his life was off-limits with her, but he wouldn't put it past her to do just about anything else.
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 29, 2009 16:54:59 GMT -5
Paula mentally slapped herself. Students! The nerve of all of them! However, Istvan was one of the more accomplished mages at Dunehelden - therefore, he was a potential asset to Paula's investigation. Unlike Korlian, who's best use was a meat shield. Of course, that wasn't necessarily true, but it was a rather amusing thought.
"I am looking for a man who will, in a short time, enter, purchase a beer, and then sit at a table by himself with his right leg elevated on the chair next to him and the beer in his left hand. He will take three drinks and then push the beer away from him, stand up, and leave with a few people following him." Paula said briskly. "That is all you need to know."
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