tushanshu_logs | Sing Me a Sweet Requiem

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Sing Me a Sweet Requiem

Characters: Valdis and Milyn
Date: The night of February 11th
Location: Milyn's Clinic
Situation: Yunxu has subtly implied that Milyn had something to do with Dante's disappearance and Valdis has decided to investigate...
Warnings/Rating: Will update as needed.

Her mind was still spinning, torn between logic and emotion, with neither side giving any ground. She had ditched the dress at the Midnight Hotel and then headed straight toward Milyn's clinic. She didn't care how late it was, nor that roaming the streets as a hound was quite conspicuous. The meeting with Yunxu hadn't gone as she had expected, although she was certain that it had gone exactly as he had expected. She could play the game, force him to show his next card by successfully bluffing.

He knew about the cliffs, knew that she had been responsible for the black mist, there was no other explanation for what had occurred tonight. She could only guess that he had a plan for his future in Keeliai that did not involve Milyn and she was certain that there were spies on her at this very moment. Some might say she was paranoid, but she hadn't survived this long without listening to that bit of paranoia. Her paws carried her to a dark alley across from the clinic and she reached out to touch Milyn's mind with her own, confident that she would hear while their conversation remained secret to anyone watching.

Why does Yunxu whisper of betrayal at your hands, Milyn? She asked, Are you responsible for the coming and going of the foreigners as he has implied? Think and I shall hear, for I am certain we are being watched.

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Milyn's initial thought response is hazy, as she was asleep at this hour, and the mental voice seems something much more like a dream than any genuine attempt at contact.

Mmm... hm? The fuzziness of the connection clears as inside the clinic's upper floor, Milyn begins to awaken more fully.

What's this--? Oh, that's right, I recall that some of you can do this! Well, it's really extraordinary, let me tell you. Can you really hear what I'm thinking? Goodness, but that must get noisy sometimes, as complicated as that sounds, ah, that something without sound can be loud. But then again, there are natural things that have sound that we cannot hear, like some whistles or certain pitches of sound waves or the like. So really it's not so strange. Does this fall into any of those categories? Though my dear, you are really a category unto yourself, so many of you are. You know, this skill would be really helpful for teaching, it would save so much time and all those little mistakes, turns of phrase that are never quite understood, so it goes. Hazards of the job, that it is. Have you ever considered teaching? Although if you're concerned about people watching you, maybe that's not the best position for you to hold, up in front of students who are supposed to pay attention to you, well, I can see that being somewhat problematic if you don't feel comfortable with that sort of thing. I don't like it much myself, come to think of it. Having to present my work when I was still in training was almost more difficult than doing the work itself! Couldn't wait to graduate, for that among many reasons. Now that's a trip down memory lane-- you see, I learned that phrase from you Foreigners, it's so picturesque. Also you said something about Yunxu, dear? That inflated pillar to his own self importance -- that is, his mansion -- is over in Central Sector. Just look for the gaudiest building on the block, you can't miss it.

Yunxu had a point when he said that Milyn liked to prattle until you forgot what you had been asking, but her thoughts were clear and she would get her point across.

That is enough, Milyn, she growled, This is serious and your life is in danger. Yunxu, arrogant bastard that he is, seeks to turn me against you. Why would he want to do such a thing? Did you murder Eva and take Dante away from me, as he claims?

The girl knew more about their powers than anyone else, it would have been reckless to do either of those things, but there was always the possibility that Milyn merely pretended to be what she is. Fools were always told more than they should know.

A moment of muted silence that came across more in surprise and confusion than in words, before Milyn asked gently, Are you having a bad dream, Valdis? You're not making any sense at all.

I wish it was a dream, Valdis answered, fighting instinct by recalling how Milyn had aided them when others would not. Reason, not emotion, would win this night. Eva is dead, but somehow foreigners continue to arrive and vanish. I trust you more than him, but it is a question I have to ask before we can move forward. She took a breath, the mist rising in the frigid night air, Are you responsible for Dante's disappearance?

There is audible hurt in the Healer's voice when she responds this time. Of course not. How could I have anything to do with the Foreigners coming or going from Tu Vishan? Evastelei was the last magician, that's not something I can do. Even if I could, why would you think I...

Because Tu Yunxu is toying with my pain, she snarled, her anger not directed at Milyn, but at the leader of the Snakes. He doesn't understand the powers he is playing with, but he lights the fires anyway. A pause and then, her tone softer, I am sorry, I do not believe him, but the fact remains that he tried to turn me against you. He must have thought that I would react violently, as I did when I first discovered that Dante was gone. Why would Yunxu wish to harm you?

Yunxu and I haven't been on good terms since that investigation somre years ago. We've been mostly civil since then, so I didn't think....

The kedanese Healer trailed off, then gave a mental sigh. Well, this isn't the best way to speak about it. Won't you come inside, dear?

I haven't decided how I am going to play the game yet. Valdis replied tartly, And I'm not sure I will fit through the door.

I very much enjoy games, Valdis, Milyn replied impishly. Be stealthy and come around behind, there is a back door and I will let you in. Then I can tell you what I know, and we'll sort things out, dear.

Very well, Valdis sighed and slinked back into the shadows. She took the time to check her surroundings, ensuring that she had no one following her before she sneaked around the back of the clinic and pawed at the back door.

The back door of the clinic opened, and it was a larger door such as the kind used to move supplies and deliveries in, so Valdis was able to fit. Before she could say anything however, Milyn stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the hound's neck, though they barely went the whole way.

"I'm so sorry about Dante going, sweetling."

Valdis squeezed through the door, ducking her head as she slunk inside. She almost took as step back when Milyn hugged her, though she really shouldn't have surprised by the woman's sympathy.

Nothing can be done now, she replied, lowering her head to press her chin against Milyn's back, returning the hug as best she could. Now what is this about Yunxu and an investigation?

She didn't wish to dwell on Dante's disappearance. Unhealthy as it might be, focusing on Yunxu gave her something to hold onto, a reason to keep going.

Milyn released Valdis and sighed a little, although she recognized the reasoning for her wanting to push on. She patted her hair, up in a messy bun from sleeping, and didn't seem self-conscious to be having this discussion in her nightwear.

"Well... about fifteen years ago..."

Murder, familial influence? Sounds a bit like my world, She took a step back, I will not let this go, she growled. He would have turned my love to violence, but he miscalculated. She held back a laugh, plans for vengeance running through her mind. However, I shall play his game. Will you help me?

"Help you?" Milyn echoed. "Certainly, if I can. What did you have in mind?"

Valdis' lips curled back to reveal her large teeth, Yunxu wishes harm upon you and tried to play a card he does not actually possess to do so. What if he believed that his hand was played successfully?

Milyn considered that for a moment, before she tipped Valdis an impish wink. "Well, I'd hope he'd become a little more careless," she answered. "Was that what you were thinking as well?"

Indeed. She replied, her irises shifting color, How much damage is acceptable?

"Oh, nearly everything can be rebuilt," the Healer answered with unnerving cheerfulness. "Just let me grab a quick few things that I wouldn't be able to replace."

She does so, getting a half dozen jars and bottles from the front and stealthily tucking them away in her workroom.

"But you know Yunxu won't be satisfied if only my shop is damaged..."

I know. Valdis clacked her jaws together in a chewing motion and lowered her head, shifting her weight back. She shoved off her hind legs and slammed her head into Milyn's chest, driving the kedan woman back into the front of the shop. She snarled when her shoulder struck the narrower doorway, but the frame gave beneath her bulk and they both crashed into the floor of the main room.

That had been a little more forceful than Milyn was expecting, and so the startled cry as she went down was genuine, as was the flash of pain as she felt a few of her ribs crack beneath the blow. But she didn't make any demonstration to get Valdis to relent, instead gritting her teeth together and bringing her one arm up, as if to "protect" herself.

Valdis wrenched her body around to avoid coming down on top Of Milyn and managed to twist away enough that when her full weight hit the floor, she skidded into one of the cabinets. Jars fell from the shelves as the cabinet shattered, spraying glass everywhere as they hit the ground and broke. Valdis went after Milyn again, striking out with a large paw against the woman's side and arm, careful to pull her strike at the last moment to prevent too much damage.

Meanwhile, the cabinet teetered dangerously on its broken base.

The blow slid Milyn back across the tiled floor and against the far shelf, accompanied by the snapping sound of a bone. This time she cradled her arm close to her body; she was all for making it authentic, but she didn't want to be so injured that said injuries actually became problematic.

The rest of the shop however, was fair game.

Valdis flinched at the sound of breaking bone, and hesitated in her attack. Then another crack split the air and Valdis turned her head just in time to see the cabinet whose base she had destroyed start to come down. She had plenty of time to move, but it was a perfect excuse to halt her attack, so she ducked her head to protect it as the large cabinet came down on top of her.

Milyn stayed where she was, as she was out of the immediate fall area of the cabinet, though she pulled her bare feet back from the spray of glass that resulted from the jars falling and shattering on the floor.

"Do you think that's good enough?" she whispered. "We don't want anyone to actually catch you here, no?"

Valdis pushed herself up, pieces of the cabinet falling to either side. She winced as her back repaired itself, the dislocated bones popping back into place.. That's enough, She replied, Yunxu will know, but I don't want the common populace after me.

she dipped her head, Sorry about your arm. She said quickly before turning and fleeing from the scene.

"I know," Milyn said, and she didn't intend to tell people what had actually gone on here. After all, the ones they were planning to trick wouldn't be fooled by a mild lie anyway.

She watched Valdis run out the door and into the night, before she got slowly to her feet and towards her clinic room to set her arm. Hopefully their gamble would work.

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Sing Me a Sweet Requiem

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