milliways_bar | (no subject)

Alanna has been in and out of the bar more than usual the last few days, armed with books and better warding spells from her communications with Numair. The latest spell has her better pleased than its predecessors, and she's not scowling quite as much this time when she returns from checking on the crime scene. She looks around and takes a seat at Bar, who promptly offers up a steaming cup of coffee and several notes.

She finishes off the coffee as she reads, apparently unconcerned by its temperature. Immediately she asks for pen and paper in order to write the following quick replies:

Dr. Cullen:

Thank you for your offer. Your services would be greatly appreciated, as we need a doctor to examine the remains. Currently the body (what's left of it) and crime scene are protected by a number of spells, but I can lower them for you to have a look. I'm easy to spot -- short, violet eyes, red hair. I'll keep watch for you, but in the meantime, feel free to approach anyone with a security badge about this matter.

Regards,
Sir Alanna

Tom,

Thank you. Would you be able to check the area for signs of magic? I have my own tests for such things, but the Goddess only knows if I'd be able to detect all magic from all worlds. I would appreciate it more than I can say. We should meet, so I can lower the spells currently protecting the scene from outside influence, and so you can speak freely about the possible suspect.

Is Ingress away, I hope?

Sincerely,
Alanna

Mr. Smith,

Thank you for your note and offer of assistance. I -- and any member of security -- would be interested to speak with you about your 'unique gift' and any ideas you might have on how to proceed. This is obviously a case we would like to solve sooner rather than later. Security members have security badges displayed, and Bar would probably be willing to help identify us.

Regards,
Sir Alanna

That done, Alanna settles back with a second cup of coffee and a lot to think about. Most of it concerns West, but she's also starting to wonder where Raph and Abigail are; they were due at Pirate's Swoop well before now. Curious.

[OOC: ~~I have to run several errands, but I wanted to go ahead and get this up. I'll be back in 2-3 hours at the most. Feel free to tag, and I will reply ASAP. :)~~ Back!]

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Goddess.

Suddenly, battling Immortals doesn't look so bad.

"There was a murder in the woods two nights ago," she explains. Oh, and this is the part she really hates: "His name was West. West Rosen."

"And...and my knife."

Sallie's breath catches in her throat, now, trying to remain calm.

"Someone used my knife."

There's a whole lot of cursing going on in Alanna's mind right now. It's almost a pity she manages to keep it silent; some of it is very creative!

Leaning forward, she shakes her head and tries to look reassuring.

"We don't know that for certain. It was there, yes, but the damage to the corpse is such that it's exceedingly hard to tell exactly why or how he died."

This probably isn't helping.

"Do you remember where you left it?"

"The last place I used it was the stables," Sallie starts off haltingly. "I took it to repair a set of reins for my son's horse, and then -- "

Oh.

Oh.

"And then?" Alanna prompts quietly.

There's something in the other woman's eyes that makes Alanna think she's remembering an important detail.

"There was a man. A man who came up to the stables when I was working there."

Sallie closes her eyes, as if that would clear the memory, make it stronger.

"An average sort of man; I can't be sure that he took it."

"But he very well might have," Alanna mumbles, half to herself and half to Sallie. "Would you recognize him if you saw him again?"

She might be better at fighting battles than asking questions for a murder investigation, but that one seems logical.

"I...I don't know. I'd like to think I would? I would probably recognize his voice more."

Sallie's expression crumples, feeling defeated.

"He was just so common and I wasn't paying attention -- "

"It's not your fault," Alanna insists, reaching over to give Sallie's shoulder an awkward pat.

That, on the other hand, probably isn't something she should say. She's been taken in by kindly older women before, after all. Here.

But if this lady is Blodwen in disguise, she'll eat her boots.

"Would you like some coffee? Tea?"

"Coffee? Black? Lots of sugar. Xiexie ni."

Bar provides rather quickly as Sallie's nerves settle out.

"The same," Alanna says absently, watching Sallie. "I'm Alanna. What's your name?"

She seems to be skipping over the whole introductory portion of conversations lately.

"Sallie. Sallie Reynolds."

The woman plays with her coffee, stirring an ungodly amount of sugar in.

"What a way to meet."

"Aye," Alanna agrees, ruefully, "there are better ways."

She's going with impressive over ungodly. The only times she's seen someone use that much sugar is when she's responsible for brewing the coffee.

"You mentioned a son?"

Edited 2009-07-13 01:44 (UTC)

"Malcolm Reynolds? 'Bout yea-big, holster, big mouth?"

Alanna laughs. Substitute a sword belt for the holster, and she knows the type.

"I think I've seen him around. Is he... married to Inara?"

"That's him. Glad to know Inara's making his first impressions for him nowadays. She's prettier anyhow."

"She's prettier than most people," Alanna says, with no discernible jealousy. "Inara was one of the first friends I made here."

Beat.

"And I suppose you know Jayne?"

Sallie's face falls into something akin to the face she has to make when she is about to scold an employee.

"Yes. He and I get on find so long as he leaves the grenades on the boat instead of bringing 'em in my kitchen."

Alanna is only partially aware of what grenades are capable of, but she knows enough to frown at that.

"We have a list of people who were seen in the vicinity of the murder that night. His name is on it.

"Do you consider him violent?"

"Shi a. Yes."

It's unequivocal, truthful.

"Here's the thing though -- he ain't stupid. He's not going to kill someone somewhere where it'll come back to get him or his livelihood. Malcolm'd shoot him or kick him off the boat first."

That makes sense. From what she's heard about Serenity's crew, off the boat is the very last place any of them would want to be.

Alanna admires that kind of loyalty.

"Thank you, Sallie. If you think of anything else about the man you saw that night, will you let me know?" Alanna asks. "I'm afraid we'll have to hold onto the knife for a while."

"I'm not sure I'll want it back now," Sallie mumbles. Louder, "If I think of anything, you're the first person on my list."

For now, she sticks to her coffee.