The #Broken_Dagger Forum

Towers of tomes, piled papers, ledgers looming, stacked tall all atop one another. Research the bricks and missives the mortar, a wall had been erected over time and encompassed the large desk in the corner. Weeks ago the small castle had been moved to so that the walls of Inquisitory itself might help support the growing battlements. Neat but numerous stacks had begun to form beside the desk and on the floor against the nearby wall.

It would be no surprise if it took a new messenger some time to find Miss Genevieve Tolleson, hidden well within the keep of her small castle. She hardly left. For tea and a meal, but too often even those had been forgotten. It had been nearly a month now since she’d seen anyone outside of work at all. Thin, even for her lean frame she had also become pale, and not just the sort that comes from winter induced seclusion.

So often missives from Glenn Burnie were met with suspicion, anger, fear, upset, or unease by others. Genny had witnessed reactions first hand and knew well enough, but it was with delight and some surprise she would accept the letter; an expression that faded as the contents were consumed. The idea of working with Altias was not exactly thrilling, given his reputation, a new case piqued curiosity, and most worrisome was the mention of Giuseppe. There had been rumors enough but in her mind he was still a friend. Perhaps a bit rough around the edges, he was the first person she had come across upon her return to Myrken years ago now and the last she saw before leaving for Thessilane only months prior. Upon a report that he was battered and bloody it was she who had come in the middle of the night to the Remedium and for some weeks visited his bedside. Not that it mattered, if Burnie was worried it was reasonable to believe it was justified.

For the first time in some while she took note of the time and her own appearance; her dress a bit stale and wrinkled from sitting, her hair a loose, braided mess. It wasn’t long now till dusk but she would take the remaining time to let her hair down into defined waves, smooth out the wrinkles, wash her face, and pinch color into her pale, freckled cheeks – all attempts to become somewhat more presentable for the inevitable company.

The letter was received earlier in the day, Karl bringing it to him upstairs while the others finished the basic tasks of the bakery. He loathed to leave them to their own devices. It was days like this that cupcakes fell, candy burned and cakes were often iced with plain white frosting. Still, this task took precedence. He had heard rumors of the old woman. He thought perhaps he had seen her at the inn once or twice. If it was the same woman, he was unsure of Glenn's interest in her, but this was his job now and he would seek her out and find out what he could.

He was not terribly familiar with Genny. Which was strange, given their similar interests, and friends in common. He did recall seeing her on a rather dramatic evening with Phlynn and Zilliah. She had been another hurt in the crossfire of the conflict between Phlynn and Zilliah. He hoped there would be no ill will based on their last encounter.

The letter was folded and tucked into the inside pocket of his knee-length jacket. A small notepad and a charcoal pencil stashed away in a pouch at his belt. His shamshir tied at his waist, he made his way toward the door. A final check before the mirror, hair braided, clothes modest and functional. A nod at his reflection.

Some time later he would arrive outside the Inquisitory, just after sunset, as instructed. A cordial nod to Genny.

"Miss Tolleson, good evening."

Pies and cakes were entirely different matters. Still, that they did not know one another short of names and reputation was strange, soon to be remedied.

Just outside the Inquisitory with the keys half turned in the lock, Genny gave a sudden gasp. Her small silver dagger was half unsheathed when she turned to face the speaker of her name, her eyes at first wide, relaxed upon the sight of Altias.

“I c-c-could have k-killed you!” Not that he had done anything particularly sneaky, and certainly she had expected his arrival. Plus, her statement was entirely fallacious – she very likely couldn’t have, even if she had wanted to.

“I apologize, I…“ Putting away the blade she immediately shook off the matter and finished locking the door.

“Please, call me Genny”

There was a soft sigh; a gracious, apologetic and entirely genuine smile as she replaced the key in her pocket and returned her attention to her company.

“I feel I’ve… perhaps I began on the wrong foot. It is a pleasure to… to… finally become acquainted Mister Bromn… I… feel as if I’ve heard quite a bit about you… but I hardly… well I don’t really know you.”

Ever the student of Glenn Burnie she continued, though her structure wasn’t entirely sound she’d become an expert at speaking without needing much air between words.

“So… I, to be up-front on the matter … and forgive my frankness Mister Bromn, I haven’t the slightest care what you choose to do or whom you choose to associate with.” And to this she meant Zilliah, or whomever he chose to share a bed with. Specifically the night their paths first crossed in any real capacity. This new assignment was business after all, and while all of Myrken might be in an uproar over a fae’s love life she certainly wasn’t about to be swept up in the petty drama.

Idly she rubbed the bump on her head, the bruise had long since vanished yet somehow it still seemed to hurt. Clearly she remembered the event, who stayed, who left, or how she even got to the Remedium with about as much clarity as if she’d simply been drunk for the entire occasion.

“I trust Mister Burnie’s judgment and if he believes you are the best candidate for this assignment I can only hope to get to know you better to understand the logic in it.”

There was a soft laughter at her comment about his associations. He shook his head. The very fact that she mentioned it at all meant she did indeed care, but she wished him to believe otherwise. He had not mentioned Zilliah, or any issue with their association. To her later comment he nodded.

"Glenn believes I have unique qualifications for this position. For once, I believe he is correct. I am unsure of his interest in his newest curiosity, but I did tell him I would assist you in looking into the matter. It is my opinion that we would be wise to begin at the Dagger. It seems she spins her tales there, and that many have seen her, and spoken with her. The Rememdium will likely get us some answers as well, but I think the sick and unconscious will be less likely to have information we can use."

He leaned against the wall for a moment, simply watching her and waiting to see what she thought of the plan.