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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Tom follows behind.

He's seen many horrible things in his life. He's been responsible for a few of them. The remains - and truly, they are remains and not much else - are truly horrific.

"Temple and Arch. This is- I shall have to speak with Mary again. She shouldn't have seen this. Has the, erm, corpse been identified?"

"No, she shouldn't have," Alanna agrees, scowling.

She hates that Mary had to see this.

"West Rosen. No one seemed to like him very much, though no one deserves this." Suddenly, her head pops up and her nostrils flare. "Ingress didn't see? No. You'd have said."

And he would be absolutely furious. Her shoulders relax slightly.

"Ingress is safely in Valdemar with Megwyn. Summer holidays. When she comes home, she won't be coming here without me."

He takes his wand from his robe pocket.

"Now, let me remember this," he says, closing his eyes and recalling the words of the spell in his mind. He casts the spell, pale blue tendrils of light spinning from the end of his wand. They swirl into the air around the body, and then they dissipate into the air.

Tom shakes his head. "There's no sign of a magic user from my world. Which isn't much help, I know, but..."

He trails off.

"Good."

The triplets certainly won't be coming here without her, either. Ignoring, for the moment, that she'd rather they didn't come at all.

Chewing on her lower lip, Alanna watches Tom work, her eyes following the blue tendrils of light.

"On the contrary, Tom. It's a great deal of help." She gives him a faint smile.

His face is grim as he begins the next charm. With a few flicks of his wrist, a white haze settles in over the body and its... parts. Then the entire setting begins to flicker, and soon, the corpse seems to disappear. Grass, leaves, bushes take its place.

"Now, for those who know, there is a wall of sorts surrounding the body. Anyone walking past will simply see the wall of normal landscape. Security will be able to walk through that wall and not be seen, either. Oh, let me do one more thing."

"Obumbro."

The wall flickers once.

"This will make ordinary passersby be more likely to not even notice this corner of the grounds. Anyone who's been here will be able to access the site, but you might want to give a detailed description to those who have not."

"Perfect," Alanna announces, eyes bright with approval. Nodding once, she marches forward through the wall and then back again. "This is exactly what we need."

One of many things they need, at least.

"How long will it last?"

"Until I end it. It could be stopped by a magic user from my world who detected it, but since there is a dearth of that kind of wizard round here, I doubt that will be a problem."

"Thank you," she says, solemnly. "We are in your debt."

Alanna lets out a breath, almost but not quite laughing.

"If only I could erase the sight from my mind."

He quirks the faintest of smiles.

"Actually, we have a spell for that, too. I wouldn't advise it, though. Your memories, no matter how bad, are yours, and not to be taken away."

Unless it's absolutely necessary.

"No. I wouldn't really wish it. There is little that bothers me so much as having someone else inside my head."

It's why she continues to be thankful that Adam decided to make Tortall his home. He'd never used his powers on her here or in England, but the fact remains that he could have. In Tortall, he's just a man.

She glances at Tom.

"Will you keep your ear to the ground?"

"If I hear anything that might be of help, I shall let you know. This is my second home, and I intend to keep it as safe as a bar at the end of the universe can be kept."

"You and me both, Tom."

A grim smile.

"You and me both."