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noa-de-cajou · 3 months ago

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The Hawthorne Case, part four

Skill index, part one, part two, part three

Ian belongs to @corneille-but-not-the-author

And there's a small cameo from Kama Fatra, @soupedepates 's character ;)

______

It turns out, the Chief Head of the Bureau can't get a free evening that easily. So when he finally does, it’s been two weeks since Taiven met Tristan and that Janelle gave her the paper, still tucked away safely in her nightstand drawer.

25B Solomon Street. The Brickwall. Charles and Magali Delestre.

She repeats the names and the places in her mind as she looks at herself in the bathroom mirror.

SHADOWSELF – Honestly? That temporary hair dye doesn’t look half bad.

SCATTERBRAIN – PINK! SHINY! LIKE YOUR TANK TOP!

COMPOSURE – The top is even shinier.

The top in question is sleeveless fluorescent pink, impossible to miss. It shows all of Taiven’s upper back and stops a little below the chest, thus showing a good proportion of her lower back as well. There’s a zipper at the front that she could use to reduce the impressive cleavage it gives her, but she chose to leave it as it is, wide open. The rest of her clothes consists of ripped black shorts, a leather jacket and matching boots which are currently strewn around the bathroom. She took off her wedding ring, exceptionally.

THE HUNT – Showing too much skin. It isn't safe.

SHADOWSELF – What, because you look like a hooker? It might be true, but hey, you have arguments, sunshine. It'd be a shame to trap them into some synthetic pink fabric.

THE HUNT – But you're exposed.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Nah, you’re gonna leave that bar with at least three hoes in tow, I'm telling you.

SCATTERBRAIN – I knew it, I knew that thing was going to come in handy!

COMPOSURE – It's still very… tacky. At least you didn't wear it when you picked Ujin up from school.

SHADOWSELF – Heavens, no. You have enough of a reputation among other parents as it is.

COMPOSURE – The top also shows the tattoo on your left hip. Extra point for coolness.

HYPERMNESIA – You got it done last year. On February 13th.

CITY GIRL – In her tattoo shop The Hole in the Heart down Liberty Boulevard, Ifeyinwa Madueke stretches and looks upon her stencils. She's getting more and more requests lately. Not that she's complaining, mind you. What better way to make a living that help people reclaim their war-marked bodies? She loves her job. She still keeps the design she made for you in her drawer.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – A sun expanding around a bullet impact.

SCATTERBRAIN – Something morbid turning into something beautiful. Rays of light reaching out from a black hole. The sky reconstructing itself around its own wounds.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Healing.

COMPOSURE – Your reflection smiles at you.

Taiven puts down the temporary pink hair dye spray she used to color the formerly blonde parts of her hair, ties it into a small ponytail at the back of her head and lets a few strands loose in her neck. Then she starts on her make-up, with glossy, bright pink eyeshadow and purple glitter spread around the corner of her eyes and down to her cheekbones.

SCATTERBRAIN – Glitter ! Glitter EVERYWHERE !

COMPOSURE – Not everywhere. You’re not a disco ball.

SENSES (HEARING) – There's a small sound in the hallway, fast and soft little footsteps.

Someone turns the doorknob, and big, curious blue eyes sneak a peek through the opening. Smooth dark hair surrounds a round and freckled face that always seems full of questions and wonder. Taiven turns her head to look at Ujin, her soon-to-be four-years old daughter, with a smile.

“Hi there, baby. Do you need something?”

The little girl stops in her tracks, eyes wide, then points her finger at her mother.

COMPOSURE – It took her a second to recognize you.

ASSERTION – It's not very polite to point fingers-

“Mommy, you're pink.”

FOCUS – An astute observation, child.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – She's so cute. I wanna eat her. And give her butterfly kisses. And make her laugh.

SMARTASS – Hamsters will sometimes eat their offspring. Reasons may include stress, fear, a change in the babies’ scent, lack of food, inability to provide for all the-

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – You won’t eat her, no matter how cute she is ! Bad Taiven, bad! She’s no baby hamster!

SCATTERBRAIN – She looks like one when she eats too much food at once!

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – And she’s adorable while doing it.

Taiven laughs heartily and crouches down in front of her daughter to be at eye level.

“I am! Do you like it?”

Ujin nods vigorously.

“Yes! You’re pwetty.”

RHETORIC – ��Pwetty”... Awwwww…

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Your daughter told you you're pretty. All of your needs have been fulfilled. Life is good.

HYPERMNESIA – When you adopted her a year ago, she was all shy and timid and barely spoke a word. Now she's all serious and talks like a book.

“You're shiny too!” Ujin exclaims.

SOLLERTIA – Two small, tiny hands press against your cheeks.

RHETORIC – Oh, she means your make-up!

“Yes, it's glitter!”

“Guh-litah,” Ujin repeats, an expression of intense focus on her face.

“Yes, glitter.”

“Can I be shiny too?”

SCATTERBRAIN – “Guhlitah.” Everywhere.

THICKSKIN – A little bit wouldn't hurt. She isn't allergic to anything.

“Sure! Hold on.”

SCATTERBRAIN – You get the blue glitter to match her eyes and sprinkle a few specks on her cheeks.

“Tickle!” Ujin yelps, laughing.

FEISTY FLESH – You carry her in your arms so she can see herself in the mirror.

BLEEDING HEART – A huge smile covers her face and she waves excitedly at her reflection.

“That’s me!!”

Taiven happily bounces her daughter on her hip, hopping up and down in front of the mirror.

FEISTY FLESH – She’s so small. Featherlight.

THE HUNT – Must protect at all costs.

“Yess! That's you! You're so pretty!”

“Pwetty like mommy,” Ujin giggles.

BLEEDING HEART – Pure, unbridled happiness. From her, and from you.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – If you die now, you'll die happy.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – But you still have a job to do.

Taiven lays out a row of lipsticks on the edge of the sink.

COMPOSURE – Most of them have never been opened.

“Okay, Ujin, I have a veeery important mission for you.”

REFLEXES – Your daughter’s head swivels towards you at such speed you’re afraid she’ll snap her tiny neck.

RHETORIC – You have her full attention.

“Mommy needs to get some color on her mouth for tonight. So, which do you like most?”

COMPOSURE – I hope you're ready for the consequences of this question.

SCATTERBRAIN – Oh, come on. It’ll be fine! And she loves being involved!

THEATRICS – Worse-case scenario, you'll wipe it off before leaving.

“Hmm…”

Ujin focuses extra hard, squinting at all the colors laid out in front of her. Then she points decisively at one of them, in the middle.

“This!”

COMPOSURE – A bright, red, glossy one. That's… actually a good choice.

SCATTERBRAIN – Told you!

“Why thanks, sunrise, that's perfect.”

SCATTERBRAIN – She looks at you like you're the sun itself or a goddess come alive.

SHADOWSELF – No other eyes have made you feel so beautiful before.

THEATRICS – But alas! You have to set her down on the floor so you can apply that lipstick. Pain is beauty, as they say.

Ujin watches quietly as Taiven applies the last touch to her make-up. She closes the tube of lipstick, gives herself a pensive look.

COMPOSURE – You look perfect. Unless one knows you really well, you’re nearly unrecognizable.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – And they aren’t many people who know you well. Not many left, anyways.

“Mommy?” Ujin calls out again.

BLEEDING HEART – There’s a little disturbance in her voice. Oh, barely noticeable, but you're her mother.

“Yes?”

“Why are you pink?”

Taiven blinks.

RHETORIC – She’s a smart kid. She knows something unusual is going on, that you're not getting all dolled up for the sake of it.

“Well, uh… Mommy’s going out tonight, you see. It's a special occasion.”

COMPOSURE – Her face falls as quick as it lit up earlier.

RHETORIC – Oh. Shit. That wasn't a good answer, was it?

“... You're leaving?”

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – Oh no. It really wasn’t.

NERVES – DAMAGE CONTROL, DAMAGE CONTROL!

“Yes, I'm leaving, but it's only for one night. I’ll be back tomorrow. And you’ll get to have some time alone with daddy tonight!”

NERVES – Her chin trembles. This isn’t working.

FEISTY FLESH – You kneel on the floor and take her hands in yours.

“Ujin… It’s just for tonight. I promise. And daddy will be right there! It's gonna be really special.”

“B-But I don't wanna,” she sobs. “I don't wanna…”

HYPERMNESIA – It took you an entire month to get her to sleep alone in bed after adopting her. The first day of preschool, the teacher called you because she couldn’t stop crying. She calls for you as soon as you leave her side. You still have to pee with the door open, just in case. Given her background, it makes sense that she's an anxious child.

SCATTERBRAIN – Do you really have to leave? Can't you stay a little longer after Ian arrives?

PARTI DU PEUPLE – You don’t have time for this.

BLEEDING HEART – What is she gonna think? Leaving her at home to investigate at some stupid bar? This is awful. You're awful. You're an awful, terrible mom who’s abandoning her child.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Oh, come on, you've been mommying so hard all this year! When's the last time you've gone out to have some fun?!

PARTI DU PEUPLE – This isn't fun. This is your duty.

ASSERTION – And you need to get her used to not having you around all the time. You're spoiling her too much.

BLEEDING HEART – But she needs you! She needs you and you're leaving!

THICKSKIN – Grow the fuck up.

COMPOSURE – As tears roll down her cheeks, despite your best efforts, you feel some sting your eyes.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Hey. You made up something for this exact situation, remember?

HYPERMNESIA – You did.

SHADOWSELF – Calm her down first.

“Ujin. Ujin, look at me.”

COMPOSURE – You keep your voice low and calm, as soothing as you can manage.

“Remember what we said the other day? If we miss mommy and mommy’s not around, we…?”

Ujin sniffles.

“W-We look at the sun and we call f-for mommy in our mind…”

“And you do that because?”

“B-Because mommy and me, we're children of the s-s-sun, so m-mommy will hear me even if she’s not here…”

“Exactly. Very good. And if the sun’s not in the sky anymore?”

“W-We do the same thing with the moon. T-Then we go to bed because it will make the sun come back f-faster.”

COMPOSURE – She's calmed down a bit. Remembering this and holding your hands grounded her.

SMARTASS – The sun won’t actually come back any faster, it's scientifically impossible, but… hey, that's a lie I can get behind.

“Good. I’m very proud of you, Ujin. If you're scared, remember what daddy says all the time too, okay? The sun…”

“... Always comes back.”

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – As long as you have eyelids to open.

Ujin nods slowly, wiping her eyes and nose on her sleeve.

SHADOWSELF – Aaaand that’s one dirtied sleeve.

SMARTASS – Oh, shut up, she's not even four yet! Of course she's gonna get dirty!

SENSES (HEARING) – A door opens and closes downstairs. Then a familiar voice rings out.

THEATRICS – Your savior! And, incidentally, your husband.

“Good evening! Anybody home?”

“Coming!” Taiven shouts back before turning back to her daughter. “We’re gonna go say hello to daddy. Are you okay with that?”

Ujin nods again. She still seems a little bummed out, but at least she’s calmed down.

BLEEDING HEART– Great job. Now she's mad at you.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Would she take your hand to walk down the stairs if she was?

Ian has taken off both his shoes and coat when they arrive downstairs.

“Hi daddy,” Ujin mutters.

SENSES (SIGHT) – He noticed Ujin’s puffy eyes and wet cheeks before she even spoke.

COMPOSURE – A hint of worry flicks over his eyes. Then it’s gone.

“Hi, Ujin. How was school today? Did you have fun?”

“Yeah,” she replies laconically.

SMARTASS – He doesn’t even need to ask you anything to understand the situation.

COMPOSURE – A reassuring smile.

RHETORIC – “I’ll take it from here.”

ASSERTION – As if you couldn't handle things on your own! You don’t need his help.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – You do! There's no shame in that!

Only then does Ian seem to notice Taiven's appearance. He blinks, slowly, trying to assimilate the picture.

COMPOSURE – He’s not laughing, but it takes a lot of effort.

SHADOWSELF – Ugh. He thinks you look like a clown.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Who gives a shit! Ujin thinks you’re pretty.

“Well, someone went all out tonight.”

RHETORIC – He knows where you’re going and why. You told him.

THEATRICS – He’s barely pretending he doesn't. Because of the kid.

“Why, thank you, I am glad you noticed,” Taiven replies before doing a little hair flip.

Ian has a little chuckle.

“Hard not to, if I'm honest.”

COMPOSURE – You are very pink and quite tall.

ASSERTION – He admires your dedication to this.

“Well, Ujin, you and I are going to have a little tête-à-tête tonight, don’t we?”

Ujin shrugs, shoulders limp.

BLEEDING HEART – She's still sulking.

SMARTASS – Pretty sure she doesn’t know what a “tête-à-tête” even is, but she probably gets the idea.

SOLLERTIA – You let go of her little hand…

BLEEDING HEART – You monster.

SOLLERTIA – … And put your boots on. The zipper struggles a little but you manage to get it all the way up eventually.

Ian went up to Ujin, who’s attached herself to his leg. He smiles, waves gently at his wife.

“Have fun.”

RHETORIC – “Be safe.”

ASSERTION – You're a grown woman, not some rowdy teenager…

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Ah, come on, he just cares about you.

“I will!”

She gets up to go, opens the door-

“Mommy!”

THE HUNT – She needs you.

REFLEXES – You turn back around so fast you almost trip over your own feet.

THICKSKIN – A little body collides against your leg, but you stand firm.

Watery blue eyes look up at Taiven.

“Goodbye hug?”

BLEEDING HEART – Yes please. Goodbye hug.

ASSERTION – Alright, fuck it, goodbye hug.

Taiven crouches on and wraps her arms around her daughter.

FEISTY FLESH – Don't forget to squeeze. She loves being squeezed.

SCATTERBRAIN – Biiiiiig squeeze.

BLEEDING HEART – She squeezes back and suddenly everything falls back to its rightful place.

SENSES (SMELL) – You take a big whiff of her scent. Grass and sun and laundry and baby soap.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – I admit, it puts any drug to shame.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – You need her more than she needs you.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – There is such a thing as loving too much. But right now, you don't care.

COMPOSURE – Alright, time to let go now. C’mon.

Taiven slowly exhales, before letting go of her daughter and giving her a light kiss on the forehead.

“See you tomorrow, baby. I love you.”

She starts to walk away from the door again, and this time, she only glances back when Ujin calls for her again.

“Mommy!”

SENSES (SIGHT) – She's standing on the porch with her arms spread out.

COMPOSURE – Fighting off tears like the brave little girl she is.

“I love you this big!”

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – She’s so fucking cute.

ASSERTION – Ah, but you won't be defeated in the love battle.

Taiven spreads out her arms as well, walking backwards, and yells accross the yard,

“I love you even bigger!”

SHADOWSELF – Yep, the neighbors definitely think you're crazy now.

SCATTERBRAIN – Bah! Let them talk.

SENSES (HEARING) – An adorable giggle.

“No, I love you bigger! Big like the sky!”

SCATTERBRAIN – WELL YOU LOVE HER BIG LIKE A THOUSAND SKIES!

FOCUS – Alright, maybe that's enough.

AIM/READY/FIRE – Yeah, you almost tripped on yourself walking like that.

Ian ends up speaking a few words Taiven can't hear to Ujin, who looks in much better spirits now, and they both wave goodbye while she walks away.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – With the comforting ghost handprints of Ujin’s hands still on your back.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Time to go.

The sun hasn’t set on Encre yet. It’s only 6:15 pm after all, and by the time Taiven’s bike reaches Solomon Street, it's 6:30.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Bah! That was a breeze!

THE HUNT – Sure, omit the parts where you almost crashed into cars at rush hour and nearly died. Very convenient.

THICKSKIN – You’ve crashed a car before and you were fine.

BLEEDING HEART – But Toshiki wasn't.

THE HUNT – There's a difference between crashing a car and crashing into one-

SCATTERBRAIN – SHUT UP AND LOOK AT HOW COOL THE BAR LOOKS.

The Brickwall is, at it name states, at the ground floor of a red-brick building. Garlands of multi-colored lights decorate the façade. The huge window is half covered by heavy curtains and marked with graffito, but you can still see throbbing lights from the inside.

SENSES (SIGHT) – The graffito reads, “FUCK THE M”, the rest has been wiped off.

SCATTERBRAIN – M… M… Manager? Music? Menu? Milkshakes?

RHETORIC – Markhovs?

SMARTASS – Mages.

ASSERTION – Nice.

COMPOSURE – Okay. Smooth your jacket, rearrange your hair, check your make-up in the window. All good? Then time to go in.

FOCUS – Remember: you’re here to find and question Charles and Magali Delestre.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Not to get drunk. Are we clear?

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Yeah, yeah, whatever.

Taiven pushes the door open and walks into the unknown lair, trying to mask the nervous lump in her throat with a confident smile.

FOCUS – The place is bigger than it looks on the outside, but it remains cramped. It’s filled with tables and chairs with barely enough space to circulate in between, and some corner booths with faded seats that were probably red once but now look a strange purple-ish. The walls are covered in very leftist posters and old newspapers clippings.

SMARTASS – Some date from during the war. A rarity.

FOCUS – Behind the greasy counter, a young man, dark-skinned, buzzed head, golden earrings, about your age, is taking orders from the first few clients. A very small man with long, pointy ears and sparkly hair stands on a stool behind him, cleaning glasses.

SMARTASS – A wingless fairy.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – A survivor.

ASSERTION – By his aura, you can tell he’s the boss around here.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – So. Many. Different types. Of booze.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Ahh! Pssssht! No! No touchy!

SENSES (SIGHT) – There's also what seems to be a stage on the far left, with a lot of stuff on it, but you can't see it very well because of all the bright neon lights.

SMARTASS – You're early.

SHADOWSELF – Don’t ask them about the Delestre right away. Order something first. No one likes people snooping around their bar, even if you're not police.

THE HUNT – If you were police, you'd be dead meat.

As Taiven approaches the bar, the owner turns around to look at her.

BLEEDING HEART – Blue eyes. Surprisingly soft. It’d make anyone feel at home.

“Evening. What can I get y-”

SENSES (HEARING) – He’s immediately interrupted by the loudest blaring of music you've ever heard coming from the stage.

NERVES – FUCK!

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Aw, come on, you were right about to get that drink!

SCATTERBRAIN – That music sounds like a song was wrangled out a bunch of wildflowers who overgrew on the wires of an old dereclit factory and I can't tell if it's good or bad.

SMARTASS – That's electro-bagpipe, actually. Combined with viola and drums. Interesting choice.

The owner has a grimace, then tries to say something to Taiven, but all she sees is his mouth moving.

SENSES (HEARING) – WHAT?

STREET SMARTS – You preemptively cover your ears.

NERVES– UGH, SOMEONE MAKE IT STOP!

THICKSKIN – You’ve been here for five minutes, how are you already overwhelmed?!

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – You're too sober, that's why.

COMPOSURE – The fairy grits his teeth, then straight-up climbs on the countertop, before shouting at the top of his lungs with a surprisingly high-pitched voice,

SENSES (HEARING) – “MAYUMI! TURN DOWN THE DAMN VOLUME, YOU'RE GONNA CALL THE PIGS UPON US, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!”

No response. He sighs, then shouts again,

SENSES (HEARING) – “VOLUME. DOWN. NOW.”

AIM/READY/FIRE – Each word is accompanied by a gesture that's probably more useful than the shouting.

NERVES – Between his yelling and the music, you probably lost twenty percent of your audition…

STREET SMARTS – Nah, you've been through worse, you're just getting old.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Old?! You're going on twenty-four, that’s still young!

SENSES (HEARING) – The music stops so suddenly it makes the silence sound almost deafening.

THICKSKIN – Your ears are ringing. You’ll go to bed with tinnitus tonight.

“About time,” the owner groans. “What was that for?”

Someone jumps from the stage and walks over to the bar. A young girl, apparently a human, with thick black hair puffing around her huge headphones and eyes just as black.

“It's not my fault! The speakers break down every night, and every night I must fix them, so forgive me if the sound check disturbs your peace!”

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – There’s something to her. She’s your very mirror and your very opposite all at once.

SMARTASS – A vampire? But she… looks human.

COMPOSURE – Looks human.

“It’s not my peace, it's about the clients’! Just ‘cause you’re deaf as a post doesn’t mean you have to make everybody else the same!”

SMARTASS – So that kid is deaf. Or at the very least, hard-of-hearing.

RHETORIC – Make sure you articulate when you speak to her.

The girl raises an eyebrow and takes her earphones off to look at Taiven, like she's only just noticed her.

“Oh! You’re new here. Welcome, welcome, and sorry about that!”

SENSES (HEARING) – She speaks at an extremely loud volume.

SMARTASS – Not one other client has uttered a complaint. They must be used to this.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – She flashes you a huge smile.

THE HUNT – Baring two small fangs.

SMARTASS – A half-vampire.

“I’m Mayumi, lead technician here! Sorry ‘bout the blaring. It’s just those damn things, they're super old… We can't, like, afford much better. So if you wanna leave a tip…”

“Mayumi.”

“Yes, yes, Gord. Ugh, Bilal, can I at least get a drink for my efforts ?”

HYPERMNESIA – “Gord”. It’s short for Gordianus. That man’s name is Gordianus Gens Laurentia.

SMARTASS – Wow. Where do you even remember that from?

HYPERMNESIA – You don’t know. You just do.

The aforementioned Bilal, the barista, smiles warmly.

BLEEDING HEART – They're close, Mayumi and him.

“Sure thing. The usual?”

“I’d ask for a beer, but-”

“You are still not of drinking age,” Gordianus cuts in. “Nice try.”

“Boo.”

SMARTASS – Yeah, she can’t be older than sixteen.

COMPOSURE – Yet dark circles underline her eyes.

SCATTERBRAIN – Wells of petrol in the middle of a tan yet sallow face.

CITY GIRL – Mayumi Edo barely leaves the Brickwall. She sleeps a little between 11am and 4am everyday. Gordianus lets her stay here so she doesn't return to her former bed, a bunch of soggy cardboards in some junkie-riddled back alley. The streets are home to all, but house to none.

BLEEDING HEART – So young. Poor thing.

“What about you, darling? What do you drink?”

RHETORIC – It's you. You're “darling”.

COMPOSURE – Shit. Bilal’s looking at you and you didn't think about your order.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – You should get some strong shit! Like whiskey, that’ll get you through the night-

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – No. Getting drunk at night is the worst move.

THE HUNT – It'd make you worse than vulnerable. An easy target.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Well what do you suggest we get, then, lemonade?!

SHADOWSELF – You’re going to straight up lose all credibility if you do that.

COMPOSURE – Since there's some disturbances hindering your decision-making, you stand there with a blank stare and your mouth slightly agape.

“Uh…”

RHETORIC – Wow. Very eloquent.

SHADOWSELF – Lucky for you, Bilal seems amused by your jellyfish brain.

“Ah, too much choices, are there?”

“Oooo, can I recommend a drink, can I?!” Mayumi exclaims excitedly.

“Sure, go ahead,” Bilal chuckles while sliding a drink across the counter to her. A red, fizzy drink with ice and a colorful plastic straw.

SCATTERBRAIN – Looks like… Uh... Grenadine? Please tell me it's grenadine.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Yeah, no, that's definitely blood.

“So! Do you drink alcohol, ma’am?”

RHETORIC – Do you?

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Come on… Please?

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – … Fiiiine, if it’s not too strong, you can have one drink.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – FUCK YEAH!

“Yep, sure do. What’s your pick, Mayumi?”

The teenager grabs an old paper menu, as greasy as the rest of the bar, and slaps it upon the counter.

“Well, for you, I’d recommend this!”

She taps on a little drawing of a yellow, sparkly beverage with a hint of pinkish starlight.

THE HUNT – Looks radioactive.

SCATTERBRAIN – Looks soooo good.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – If there's alcohol, I'll take anything, but let’s listen to the description.

“It’s called the… Uh… New Dawn Sunrise.”

THEATRICS – She came up with that name on the spot.

SMARTASS – It’s literally a pleonasm.

SCATTERBRAIN – It’s a good one, though! Let's hear some more.

“What’s it made of?”

“Mango, orange, lemon zest, some hibiscus aroma and raspberry syrup mixed with yellow chartreuse!”

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – But wait, isn’t yellow chartreuse…

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Kinda strong? Naaah.

SMARTASS – It is. 43% ABV.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Fucking tattletale.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – You’re not drinking that.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Come on! It’s mixed with other stuff, it won’t hit as hard!

THICKSKIN – And you can hold your liquor quite well, especially if it’s just one drink.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – But-

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Screw it. You only live once!

“Well, I'm sold. And so is that drink!”

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Oh come on!

“Great! I knew you’d like it,” Mayumi grins widely. “It's sunny, like you.”

RHETORIC – Her way of telling you she knows you're a Gaikamshigthai.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – I like that kid.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – You know what? Me too.

“One New Dawn Sunrise, coming right up,” Bilal sings to himself before turning to his station.

SOLLERTIA – That shaker looks brand new. A bit out of place among the rest of worn-out equipment.

“Thanks, Mayumi. I hope I'm not making a mistake here,” Taiven jokes.

“No way! I’m great at this.”

COMPOSURE – Unseen to Mayumi, a small smile agitates Gordianus' lips behind his counter.

STREET SMARTS – That girl will make a fine barista in a few years.

“How’re you paying, miss?” Gordianus asks, looking a little more relaxed.

“Cash.”

SOLLERTIA – You rummage through your pouch to find your wallet. You tried to travel light. There’s some make-up in case yours gets smudged, glitter spray, a pocket knife, a pack of tissues, your spare glasses. Your house keys are in your pocket.

AIM/READY/FIRE – No gun. If they somehow found it on you, you’d be in trouble. Plus, you’d rather not use them indoors.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – Or at all, really.

THE HUNT – But better safe than sorry.

FEISTY FLESH – Who needs a weapon when you have fists?

SMARTASS – Are your fists bulletproof? There’s that saying, you know, “never bring a knife to a gun fight”-

SOLLERTIA – You find some coins and slide them accross the counter. Gordianus pockets them with obvious satisfaction.

STREET SMARTS – Business is business and you're contributing to his tonight.

“Drink’s ready!”

Bilal puts the cocktail down in front of Taiven. It looks just like the drawing on the menu.

SCATTERBRAIN – Yellow, pink, and weirdly sparkly.

BLEEDING HEART – Mayumi watches you expectantly as you raise the drink to your mouth.

SENSES (TASTE) – Well-mixed. You can feel the raspberry, the mango, the little sourness brought by the citrus fruits… You can’t really taste the hibiscus but you've never had any before, so you can’t really tell. As for the alcohol…

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Man, it's good. Like, really good. Good quality and everything. That shit’s a blast. Best thing you’ve had in a while. Alcohol is nice and all but when you know how to make it taste actually good? That’s true mastery right there. Savor it.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Let's just hope it doesn't come back to bite you in the ass later.

“It’s amazing,” Taiven says. “Like, really. But be honest, Mayumi, did you make it up on the spot?”

The young girl cackles loudly.

“The name, yeah, but the cocktail was actually an experimental thing Bilal just put on his menu! He’s just too shy to ask anyone to order it.”

COMPOSURE – Bilal blushes to the tip of his ears and tries to swat Mayumi with his hand, but she dodges.

“Well, my compliments to the barista then,” Taiven says as she raises her glass. “That mix is gonna make a killing.”

The young man smiles again, massaging his neck.

“Oh honey, you're too kind. But thank you.”

“So!” Mayumi immediately bounces off. “I know you people don’t really do nights, but are you staying to watch the show?”

“Um, what show?”

Bilal chuckles as he shakes another drink, making a rattling sound.

“Right. It's your first time here, isn’t it? We set up a drag show every week, for beginners and experts alike.”

“And I'm taking care of the lights and everything!” Mayumi chimes. “Well, I said I was the lead technician, but I'm more like the only technician, really.”

SMARTASS – A drag show is-

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – You know what a drag show is.

HYPERMNESIA – How? You've never been to one. Or really frequented these kinds of circles. Have you?

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Teehee. Maybe. Maybe not. You should answer him, don't you think?

“Wow, I wasn't aware. I mean, I might not stay until the end, but I'd love to watch! If I could just get some coffee to stay awake?”

SENSES (HEARING) – Bilal’s earrings clink as he does a little curtsy.

“Of course, darling. And since you were so nice about the cocktail, it’s on the house. But only today! Get yourself a table or a booth, I'll bring it later. Black?”

“Yes, black.”

“Thought so.”

SCATTERBRAIN – You get a booth, obviously. Because booths are comfy.

THE HUNT – And they feel safe.

FOCUS – It also gives you a good vantage point on the stage.

SOLLERTIA – Man, Mayumi wasn't kidding. Those speakers don’t just look old, they look ancient. And speakers as a whole haven't even been in the market for that long…

THEATRICS – Other than that, it's a pretty neat stage! Maybe a little narrow, and the curtains are a bit washed-up, but it goes with the general vibe.

FOCUS – Alright. You need to get more proactive. You've certainly met people, but none of them are Charles or Magali Delestre, and the later it gets, the more people are coming in. You've blended in, now time to ask around. Discreetly.

Right as the neon lights start to dim, a waiter arrives with a cup of piping hot coffee, that he gently settles down in front of Taiven.

“Aaaand here’s for you, missy!”

SMARTASS – He's older than Mayumi, but younger than Bilal. Around your age.

COMPOSURE – That's an unnaturally large smile if you've ever seen one.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – He’s high as fuck.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Wait, what?

COMPOSURE – Blown pupils. Unfocused gaze. Wobbly legs. Blissful expression. Yes, he’s most definitely on something.

SHADOWSELF – Hey, that's your chance. He might be a little less inhibited than the other employees. Try and shoot some questions before he wanders off.

“Thank you… Hum, could I ask another favor?”

COMPOSURE – How the hell did that smile get even wider?

“Sure, girlie, anything ya want! I’m your humble servant.”

ASSERTION – “Girlie”? Who does that boy think he is?

SHADOWSELF – A little awkward, but hey, it’s now or never.

“Well… I’m an acquaintance of Charles and Magali Delestre. We met recently, and they told me to come here if I wanted to see them again, so that's what I did, but… They're nowhere to be seen and the sun’s setting fast. Could you tell them I'm here?”

THEATRICS – Niiiice.

COMPOSURE – He seems a little thrown off. Looks you up and down. Tilts his head, in an uncanny owl-like fashion. His blonde hair is nearly getting in his mouth.

“Huh. Huuuuuuh. Reaaaally now? Well. I’ll see what I can do for you, ma’am.”

RHETORIC – His elocution has gone from frenzied to almost slurred all of a sudden. And he went from “girlie” and “missy” to “ma’am”.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Well, being high does make some people a liiiittle unpredictable.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – No. That's not it. Something isn't quite right here. You just can’t put your finger on what.

“Lemme ask my colleague. One moment please… HEY! JULIETA! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!”

Taiven startles and so do a bunch of other clients. A waitress in her early thirties and very high heels, an empty tray in hand, quickly turns around.

COMPOSURE – Her face sours as she sees who called upon her.

BLEEDING HEART – “Ugh. Again?”

THE HUNT – All eyes are on you. They’re all staring. This is the worst.

THEATRICS – Nah, this is fine. You're used to attracting attention. They'll forget about you as soon as the show starts!

The waitress huffs, and walks over to the booth. Looks over Taiven, then to her colleague.

“Heinrich, I already told you I don't want to talk to you when you're high on the job,” she huffs.

“Yeaaaah, sorry, but this issss… kind of important. Her ladyship right here…”

THEATRICS – Wow, you’re royalty now.

ASSERTION – Better than “girlie’.

AIM/READY/FIRE – Heinrich gestures in your direction, but his eyes don't really see you.

“Says she’s supposed to meet with… some Charles or Magali… Des Lettres? Rings any bell, Julie?”

THEATRICS – You're sure he heard you right. Why is he mispronouncing their last name?

COMPOSURE – Julieta frowns. From a moment, you feel something shift in the air as they look at each other.

RHETORIC – She stays silent a split second too long. Then, she addresses you directly, in a polite yet dry tone.

“I’m afraid you’re mistaken, señora, because I've never heard those names before. There's no one here named that. You're welcome to stay and enjoy the show, but I believe you're mistaken. Have a good time.”

Heinrich owl-like eyes gloss over Taiven as he lets out a weird syncopated laugh.

“Sorry, miss!”

Then they both leave her here with her coffee. She drinks, pensively.

SOLLERTIA – Heinrich slaps Julieta’s ass, she slaps his in return without missing a beat, not even blushing.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – You stifle a laugh. Love is in the air.

THICKSKIN – You take a sip of the coffee. Not too warm.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – It's good too. Man, is there a single flaw in this bar?

FOCUS – Yes. The fact that your prime leads are supposedly not here.

THEATRICS – No, they are.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – Janelle may not be on the best terms with you, but she'd never send you on a wrong trail.

THEATRICS – And they were obviously lying. You should stick around here and find out why.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – You weren't planning to do otherwise. Giving up isn't in your vocabulary.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – Even if it sometimes should be.

After a few minutes, the lights dim slightly and the show starts. Someone walks up on stage, wearing a feathered mask covering half their face but sporting a mane of purple hair going down to the floor.

COMPOSURE – Most likely a wig. But it's cool, albeit very cheap-looking.

They introduce themselves as El Penne Izzy and announces the name of the performers, one by one. Seven in total.

SCATTERBRAIN – Haha, El Penne Izzy, Penis-

SMARTASS – Write that down, write that down!

SCATTERBRAIN – What, penis?

SMARTASS – No, the names!

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Aw, man, I really wanted that penis.

HYPERMNESIA – Alright. We have, in order of performance:

– Jocast Traitor

– Sir la Vampyr

– Madri Gal

– Mother Balls

– Kama Fatra

– Charlotte et Coquincinelle (Duo)

– Nick Lémage

RHETORIC – I smell a political statement in that last one.

SCATTERBRAIN – Shhhh! It’s starting!

Jocast Traitor is a drag queen dressed in a long, white and glittery toga with equally long, white and glittery hair and make-up. Her dance is syncopated, the music behind it a little ridiculous, but it seems to be part of the act.

SMARTASS – Paxaikonese inspo! Nice.

Sir la Vampyr is exactly what you'd expect from a drag king named Sir la Vampyr. Dressed all in black, a comically large hat, a weird mustache and extremely long fake fangs.

STREET SMARTS – I think those are actually some kind of paper mache straws?

In any case, all the whirling around of his cape is captivating enough to make the crowd forget his over-the-top horror movie music.

SHADOWSELF – I mean, pipe organs? Really? That's so cliché.

Meanwhile, Madri Gal is a huge, huge queen in a very tiny pink sequined dress.

SENSES (HEARING) – Whistles all around the room.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – You don’t know where your eyes are supposed to land because there is simply too much to look at.

And as it turns out, Mother Balls is not a fitting name for this debuting queen who yet sings like an angel. Her costume has, fittingly, a huge pair of makeshift wings attached to her back. It's all blue instead of white, though.

SCATTERBRAIN – It’s like an opera, but cheaper- Wait is that a pun on blue balls.

Kama Fatra is a young drag king, not older than eighteen, with percussion music and such an energy that the whole room ends up clapping in rythm to his performance.

FEISTY FLESH – You wish you could move your body like that, to be honest. You're pretty flexible, but this kid’s on another level.

Charlotte et Coquincinelle are, as the presentator announced, a duo. One queen and one king, both dressed very a la mode, dancing with some sultry, jazzy music in the back. The crowd cheers when one pulls out a long cigarette and starts smoking it onstage.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – You cheer along with them.

As for the last one, Nick Lémage, they are…

SCATTERBRAIN – Very, huh, avant-gardiste?

SMARTASS – It’s not avant-gardiste. It’s just a half-naked guy declaiming some nonsense poetry on stage. All you can extract from his performance was that he, oh surprise, hates the mages. Bullshit, really.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – A bit underwhelming, but at least he was half-naked.

On that bizarre note, the show ends and the host thanks the audience and blows a kiss before leaving in a fluttering of fake feathers and long purple hair. The crowd erupts into applause as the performers go back to the stage to receive compliments and flowers. Taiven also claps vigorously from her booth.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – God, that was so much fun. Also I think someone just threw a lace thong at them.

THICKSKIN – Fatigue lurks in the corner, but the caffeine is keeping it away. For now.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Ugh… The sun has set, hasn't it? You’ll have to be careful… As soon as the caffeine wears off, I won’t be of much help.

THICKSKIN – You’ll manage.

Each performer is individually called by the others to step forward on the stage so they can all receive their own round of applause. Taiven claps particularly loud for the young Kama Fatra.

SCATTERBRAIN – You know, it's kinda funny.

RHETORIC – What is?

SCATTERBRAIN – Well, that’s two duos with a “Charl” in it tonight.

SMARTASS – Wait. What?

SCATTERBRAIN – Charles and Magali. Charlotte and Coquincinelle. Charles, Charlotte. And both are duos.

SMARTASS – Oh Day above. Okay. This is gonna sound crazy, but I might have a theory.

RHETORIC – … Hold up, you don’t think-

SMARTASS – That Charles and Charlotte are actually the same person? Yes.

COMPOSURE – What? Come on, that's crazy. You can’t be serious. Just because they have similar names doesn’t mean they're the same person.

THEATRICS – It’s a drag show, and you know Julieta and Heinrich have been lying to you earlier about not knowing Charles and Magali. What would be so crazy about them actually being a drag duo?

COMPOSURE – But that's just conjecture! And a far-fetched one, too.

SMARTASS – Is it really?

FOCUS – Only one way to find out.

STREET SMARTS – Time to sneak backstage, girl.

BLEEDING HEART– What? Absolutely not! You’re not allowed there!

THE HUNT – It’s dangerous.

STREET SMARTS – Come on, think about it. You have everything needed to defend yourself in your pouch and your fists.

THICKSKIN – And you’re not that tired yet.

SHADOWSELF – If you're so afraid of getting caught, you can always just ask if you can go there first.

BLEEDING HEART – But you told Ian you were gonna play it safe!

SHADOWSELF – And you are. Just watch.

Taiven picks up her cup and walks up to the counter. Gordianus is chatting with some clients near the stage, Mayumi seems to be fixing some lights, Julieta is taking order and Bilal is nowhere to be seen. The only one behind the bar is Heinrich.

SCATTERBRAIN – The owl.

THE HUNT – Owl are predators of the night.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – He's still high, although he seems a little less assured than when you last saw him. Is someone teetering on the edge of a crash?

COMPOSURE – He grins at you with that weird tilt of the head regardless.

“Welcome back, your highness. Enjoy your coffee?”

ASSERTION – Still at it with the nicknames, huh?

SHADOWSELF – Let’s see if you can use his own quirk against him.

“Very much. Thanks, sweetheart.”

COMPOSURE – He does something akin to a half-blink. Then smiles from ear to ear.

BLEEDING HEART – It’s not often clients match his vibe. Most of them are creeped out by his behavior.

ASSERTION – Gee, I wonder why.

“My my, you sure know how to speak to waiters, milady. What more can your humble servant do for you tonight?”

RHETORIC – He’s talking more clearly now that he has a focus point.

SHADOWSELF – You lean forward against the counter, chin in hand, propped up against your elbow, and smile back.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Congratulations! His focus point is now your cleavage!

SHADOWSELF – You’ll make him eat in the palm of your hand.

“Heinrich! What are you slacking off for?!’

The young waiter startles as the click of heels resounds and stops behind the counter with a whiff of smoke and a flutter of dark hair.

“Hi again, señora. Is my colleague bothering you?”

STREET SMARTS – Shoot, Julieta’s back.

SHADOWSELF – Doesn't matter. You got this.

SCATTERBRAIN – Uh, how so?

SHADOWSELF – Can't you see? She's avoiding your gaze. More specifically, she avoids looking directly at you. At the very exposed skin on your chest.

COMPOSURE – She may look aloof, but it seems you’re not leaving her indifferent.

SHADOWSELF – At some point during the show, Heinrich Ferstl and Julieta Aguilar stared at you from behind the counter. The boy teased, “So, are you gonna talk to her or what, Julie? I know you think she's hot”, the woman replied dryly, “I'm on the job”. “So you do want to talk to her?” “Get off my case, pendejo. I don't like nosy clients or nosy colleagues.” “Well, in that case, this one’s mine!”

SMARTASS – Huh. Is that really what you think happened?

SHADOWSELF – Oh yes, I'm sure.

“No, he wasn't bothering me at all! We were having a pretty pleasant conversation, in fact. What about you, Julieta? You seem flushed. Do I perhaps have a part to play in this?”

Julieta’s head swivels to Taiven, mouth open as if to defend herself, then stops dead in her tracks, her empty tray still in hand.

RHETORIC – Caught off-guard by you adressing her by name.

SHADOWSELF – What a cutie. Trying so, so hard to look you in the eyes and not anywhere else.

COMPOSURE – She’s clearly flustered. Doesn’t know where to put herself.

ASSERTION – You’re the one in control here.

“Well, I… It’s… No, uh, I'm…”

“It's okay,” Taiven says sweetly, “I’m not mad. You can stare all you like. And, who knows…”

SHADOWSELF – Your hand slowly crawls across the counter, your rings clinking against each other. You brush your fingers against a long, loose strand of brown hair. Julieta sees you do it more than she feels it.

COMPOSURE – Her breath hitches.

“I might even let you see more, if you ask nicely.”

COMPOSURE – She gasps, reddens and stutters all at once. No trace of the gruffiness she displayed earlier.

“I- Hum- I… I n-need to get back to work.”

She grabs a few drinks, almost blindly, and skitters off to go serve her clients, tucking her hair behind her ear.

THE HUNT – Like a cat running away from the rings of a snake.

BLEEDING HEART – Did you scare her off?

SHADOWSELF – Are you kidding? She liked the attention. She could scarcely believe her luck, have you seen her face?

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – You sent delightful shivers down your own spine with this, babe.

SHADOWSELF – The night may diminish you, but you're still going strong.

SENSES (HEARING) – A whistle.

Heinrich has leaned down on his elbow as well, his face now very close to Taiven’s.

“Daaaamn. You sent my Julie flying over the moon with that.”

SENSES (SMELL) – His breath is a mix of bubblegum and something sour, pungeant. Not really pleasant, but you’ve seen worse.

Taiven chuckles.

“Well, I could send you over the moon too, if you wanna. But… I’m all for equivalent exchanges, you see.”

Heinrich raises an eyebrow, his cheeks a little redder.

COMPOSURE – He wasn’t expecting you to be so straightforward.

“Huh-uh. I’m all ears, milady.”

RHETORIC – Color him intrigued.

“Well, if you could… I don’t know…”

SHADOWSELF – You slide your hand on his hand. Up on his forearm. His shoulder.

“Grant me access backstage…”

SHADOWSELF – On his cheek. Softly.

SOLLERTIA – It's hot under your fingers.

SHADOWSELF – He leans into your palm. Smiling. Your thumb strokes his skin, gently.

“Then maybe we could make some kind of deal. What do you say, Heinrich?"

“Hmm… Well…”

He turns his head to the side. Just a little.

NERVES – Enough for his mouth and hair to graze your palm and-

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – HOLY SHIT. THIS? THIS IS THE GOOD STUFF.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – You’re still married, by the way. Still married. Yup. Very happily married, might I add. Married as in wed. Religiously. Under the eyes of Day.

“I meaaan, if it’s just that… Then sure, I can show you the backdoor. Can I ask why, though? I thought you’d ask something more… scandalous.”

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – You know, like to make him see a thousand heavens on that counter.

ASSERTION – Pfff. In his dreams, maybe.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – And yours.

“Oh, I just want to give my compliments to the performers… But I knew I’m not allowed backstage, so I thought… Why not ask the cute boy and have fun while I'm at it?”

Heinrich has a pleased little giggle, clearly playing along with it.

“Y’know what? I like your style. There’s a door here that leads backstage.”

He points at a door behind a thick curtain, in a little enclave space next to a staircaise.

“You can go through here, I'll cover for you.”

SOLLERTIA – He swiftly takes your other hand, the one that isn't cradling his face, and kisses it.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Tonight is FIRE.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – STILL. MARRIED.

“Be careful, milady. It's a wild world out there.”

Then, he lets go, and happily waves Taiven goodbye with a little wink.

“Don’t be a stranger, aye?”

She winks back, and then walks as casually as she can to the door.

THE HUNT – You’ll be a stranger as soon as you can, actually.

SHADOWSELF – These things are never meant to last.

STREET SMARTS – But you got what you needed! Great job!

As soon as she closes the door, the sound of the club is immediately muffled. A long, narrow hallway with white walls lit by pale light bulbs stretches ahead of her.

SCATTERBRAIN – Creepy.

SENSES (HEARING) – It's weird being in silence all of a sudden.

THE HUNT – It’s weird that it’s this silent. There should be more noise, with the performers backstage. They can't have already left.

SOLLERTIA – You reach into your pouch and keep your hand on the pocket knife.

STREET SMARTS – Move with caution. If anyone’s here, they’re not expecting you, and surprised people can react violently.

FEISTY FLESH – So can you.

She proceeds down the hallway. There’s a few cardboard boxes filled with various shiny accessories, old posters and clothing racks piled up around, sometimes up to the ceilings. Then some brightly-painted doors come into view.

SMARTASS – Lodges.

SCATTERBRAIN – Lodges full of secrets.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – A weird feeling washes over you. A sense of deja-vu.

HYPERMNESIA – Maybe you… No, you have been here before. You're sure of that now. But when? Why can't you remember?

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Hey, don’t look at me!

SENSES (HEARING) – Wait- What's that? Voices?

STREET SMARTS – One of the door's slightly ajar. There's light inside.

Taiven approaches carefully, with slow steps, trying to eavesdrop on what is clearly a conversation.

SENSES (HEARING) – They speak in a hushed tone. You can't make out anything. Maybe if you get closer-

THE HUNT – Found you, hisses the cat as its claws sink into the rat's fur.

REFLEXES – WATCH OUT!

AIM/READY/FIRE – Damn it-

Before the Gaikamshigthai has had the time to fully turn around, the palm of a hand pushes her on the back, and she stumbles forwards. Into the room.

FEISTY FLESH – You manage to catch yourself on your feet before falling-

SENSES (SIGHT) – But you can't make out anything before the lights go out.

A door slams behind her, followed by an ominous click. She rushes back towards it, grips the knob in her hand and tries to turn it.

SOLLERTIA – Nothing.

FEISTY FLESH – You keep pushing with all your strength. You can’t be defeated by a stupid doorknob…

SOLLERTIA – … No dice. It won’t budge. You're locked in here.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – Trapped in the dark. Alone. Or not alone. Which is worse.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – …

THE HUNT – … Fuck.

#noa writes stuff #lysara #trial of the mages #taiven #disco elysium inspired #disco elysium fanmade skills #taiven has the time of her life in the homosexual underground here #and having a much harder time parenting #love introducing new blorbos every chance I get #next episode is bring the action;)

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noa-de-cajou · 3 months ago

Text

The Hawthorne Case, part 3

Skill index here

Part one here

Part two here

Mention of drugs

Ian and Toshiki (both mentioned) belong to @corneille-but-not-the-author

The sun has risen at its highest in the sky, and Taiven’s bike comes to a halt in front of the People's Party Headquarters. The building is large, almost town-hall like, made of white stone and with a huge red banner with a white flower hung around the large door to the yard. Inside, people can be seen running around the corridors on several stories.

SCATTERBRAIN – It's nothing like the district office. It's a hive.

HYPERMNESIA – This is where you first became an adherent, back in 189. Your hands were shaking when you asked for a membership card. You had stolen from your parents’ cash register to pay the fee. Either they never found out or they chose to ignore it.

COMPOSURE – 2:45 pm. You're on time.

Taiven parks her bike in the backyard, secures it with a lock. She walks in, the receptionist lifts her head.

COMPOSURE – Her tired eyes squint at your entrance.

BLEEDING HEART – She recognizes you, and not in a good way.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – Yolanda Rodriguez woke up this morning with a terrible headache. Had to dress up her youngest kids for school, her eldest is fifteen and giving her trouble. It’s never been the same since his father passed away during the war. He’s never quite gotten accustomed to his stepdad, either.

HYPERMNESIA – You heard her mutter something under her breath about the Markhovs once.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – She thinks you’re too loud and obnoxious.

THEATRICS – Which isn't really wrong.

SHADOWSELF – Show that you remember her.

SENSES (SIGHT) – Hey, look in her bun! That's a rose hairpin.

SCATTERBRAIN – Pretty...

“Hi, Yolanda,” Taiven says with a smile. “You look great today! Nice hairpin.”

COMPOSURE – Her sour face cracks a little with surprise.

STREET SMARTS – That hairpin was probably the only nice thing she had the time to put on this morning.

BLEEDING HEART – She’s a little happy someone noticed.

“Thanks, Mrs Markhov. Have a good day.”

RHETORIC – That's as amicable as she'll get with you, but at least she won’t pry as to why you’re here.

Taiven walks past the reception and into the offices, buzzing with activity.

THE HUNT – No one is paying attention to your entrance. Make a beeline for Janelle’s office.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – You know where it is by now.

Taiven carefully zigzags between the people and the machines and the office desks before heading up huge marble stairs and into the first floor hallway.

AIM/READY/FIRE – You bump into several people on your way to the office. Proprioception isn’t your strong suit.

THE HUNT – Lucky for you, all of them seem to have more important business than yelling at you for being careless.

The office is at the very end of the hallway. A plaque on it reads “Janelle Venegas - secretary”.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – She was a mere adherent when you two met.

HYPERMNESIA – Nearly eight years ago.

Taiven inhales slowly, readies her fist to knock.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Hey. Breathe. You’ll be fine.

THE HUNT – But what if-

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – Remember. Fast tap. Not a clear knock. You know how terrifying those are.

SOLLERTIA – You knock. A fast tapping.

SCATTERBRAIN – Knockknockknockknockknockknocknock.

“Yes, Mr Presgella, one moment, please!”

PARTI DU PEUPLE – Right. Dlawenn booked the appointment under his name.

The door opens on a young woman. Small stature, medium-lenght blonde iron-curled hair, greenish eyes, a tan birthmark on the cheek. Her blazer is neatly ironed, so is her skirt, and her moccasin are absolutely spotless.

BLEEDING HEART – Her face, however, is marked by stress, frustration and lack of sleep underneath the perfect make-up.

HYPERMNESIA – Janelle Venegas. Twenty-five years old. Her family was deported during the war for being openly communist. She was saved and hidden by the Resistance.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – She was promoted to secretary back in 193, right before you got married.

SHADOWSELF – She is what most people would consider pretty.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – She’s hot as fuck, you mean.

FOCUS – Ahem. She has a diamond engagement ring on her finger.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – Future Mrs Marques.

NERVES – For some reason, you feel a little annoyed by that fact.

COMPOSURE – She freezes in the doorway. Looks you up and down. Then you can see realization dawn on her face.

THEATRICS – You’ve duped her.

BLEEDING HEART – Disbelief. Anger. And a tinge of panic.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – “Dlawenn. I trusted you.”

She shakes her head, her blonde locks moving along with it.

“Ugh, I can't deal with this right now.”

STREET SMARTS – SHE’S CLOSING THE DOOR!!

REFLEXES – STOP HER. NOW.

AIM/READY/FIRE – ON IT.

SOLLERTIA – Wait no don’t-

REFLEXES – I’m sorry, it's the only way.

FEISTY FLESH – Go for it, NOW.

Taiven lunges at the door, grips the frame with her left hand.

“Janelle, wait-”

The wooden door violently slams on her poor fingers.

NERVES – OW OW OW FUCK HELL BLOODY FUCKING SHIT-

SOLLERTIA – YOUR FINGERS!!

THICKSKIN – Come on, don’t be a-

NERVES – SHIT FUCK GOD FUCKING DAMMIT-

COMPOSURE – You grit your teeth and try to swallow down tears. They start gathering in your eyes nonetheless.

THICKSKIN – Fucking hell, it isn’t that ba-

NERVES – DAY ABOVE YOU SON OF A BITCH WHY DID YOU DO THAT FUCK THIS FUCK EVERYTHING SHITDAMMIT-

FEISTY FLESH – Have to say, your commitment to this is quite admirable.

NERVES – WHAT GOOD IS YOUR FUCKING “COMMITMENT” DOING RIGHT NOW-

SOLLERTIA – The door suddenly lifts off your fingers. Release at last!

NERVES – THANK GOD.

Janelle stands there, looking absolutely dumbfounded.

“I- What- Why would you do that?!”

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – For your gorgeous eyes.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – For justice.

THEATRICS – Hey. You could exploit this a little. You'd just have to stop holding back your tears.

RHETORIC – I see what you’re doing. Smart.

COMPOSURE – It isn’t… Ugh, fine. Tears start flowing down your face. It’s surprisingly easy.

NERVES – BECAUSE. IT. HURTS.

THEATRICS – Can you put in a little sob for good measure?

COMPOSURE – …

THEATRICS – Pleaaase? Pretty please?

COMPOSURE – A pathetic little sob wracks your shoulders. Happy?

BLEEDING HEART – Janelle’s eyes widen. Guilt starts filling them.

SHADOWSELF – Whatever you're doing, it’s working.

THE HUNT – She looks around the hallway.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – People are not paying attention to you… Yet.

THEATRICS – Can you-

COMPOSURE – Yes, you sob a little louder.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Something in Janelle gives in.

“I- Oh, for god’s sake, just come in already!”

She joins the gesture to the word and grabs Taiven’s arm to pull her in and slam the door behind her.

FOCUS – The office is small but well-lit, with huge windows and a nice view. The desk is neatly organized, the typewriter clean and the fax machine brand new. A small TV stands in the far corner. Colorful pencils and pens fill the holders. There’s even a little cactus.

SCATTERBRAIN – Its name is the Destroyer of Realms.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – Its name is actually Prick.

SCATTERBRAIN – The smallest prick in those headquarters.

THEATRICS – Mission complete. You can stop crying now.

COMPOSURE – As a matter of fact, you can’t.

NERVES – I-It just hurts so fucking much.

THICKSKIN – You really are just a crybaby. You've been through way worse.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Hey, at least you didn't damage your ring!

Janelle drags Taiven to a chair, forces her to sit and leans down to inspect her fingers. The Gaikamshigthai winces, the secretary grits her teeth.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Her fingers. On yours.

NERVES – It hurts!!

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – You might be into that.

THICKSKIN – Yeah, uh, you're not. Or like. Not a lot. I hope.

“Why would you… Ugh, nevermind, just wait here.”

She goes to rummage through a minifridge situated behind her desk and pulls out an ice pack, that she delicately places on Taiven’s hand.

“There. Twenty minutes. Should prevent the swelling.”

NERVES – I suggest we all start worshipping the almighty Ice Pack Provider right now.

SOLLERTIA – It does feel good.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Hey, she’s really close to you and she smells real nice.

SENSES (SMELL) – Expensive perfume. Lily of the Valley.

SMARTASS – Probably a gift from Anthony.

COMPOSURE – Ahem. You’ve stopped crying.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – That's great! About time!

“Thanks,” Taiven says, repressing a sniffle.

Janelle sits at her desk, crosses her arms and huffs.

FEISTY FLESH – She's stressed out. Uncomfortable. She'd much rather be working at her open space desk downstairs, but appointments deserve an office.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) – Now that you mention it, this office does seem a little too neat. It's probably unused most of the time.

SOLLERTIA – Explains the low-maintenance plant.

“You’re welcome. Taiven, what on earth are you doing here?”

RHETORIC – Oh, she's pissed.

BLEEDING HEART – Can’t really blame her.

RHETORIC – Get straight to the point. Her patience runs in short supply today.

“I’m here because I need your help.”

Janelle raises a doubtful eyebrow.

“You… needed my help… so you made someone else book an appointment for you and then showed up unannounced at the headquarters?”

RHETORIC – Of course, when you put it like that…

“You're lucky that Anthony’s upstairs. He’s been on and on about Saturday’s meeting.”

THE HUNT – Nervousness in her tone.

BLEEDING HEART – And a hint of resentment.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – You're everywhere. Like a pipe leaking into her fiancé’s mind. Like poison.

ASSERTION – Awww, did the poor baby not take your interventions very well?

“What, he's still sore about me speaking up, which is my first right as an adherent?” Taiven sneers.

RHETORIC – Maybe not the best thing to say to someone you want help from.

ASSERTION – Screw that. If Anthony has a problem with you, let’s settle it face-to-face.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Chill out! You can't let the thought of that asshole rile you up. You have an important task at hand.

Janelle frowns, but sighs reluctantly.

“I guess you could say that. But let’s keep this short. What do you need me for?”

RHETORIC – She wants this to be over as fast as possible. So do you. Be smart about this.

“Do you know anything about a new adherent? A certain… Tristan Hawthorne?”

THEATRICS – Fake hesitation. Perfect. That’ll help us corner her later.

COMPOSURE – She tries to keep her features smooth, but she’s not good at it. Worry is visible in her entire demeanor.

NERVES – The name stirs something unpleasant in her.

“... No. I don’t know of every person who joins the Party. Do you have any idea of how high the number is?”

SMARTASS – Not precisely, but you know it’s like, kind of huge.

THEATRICS – However! She’s lying.

RHETORIC – And why would she lie, if not to hide that she knows something?

“Really? That's a shame. I assume you wouldn't know of his wife either?”

COMPOSURE – Janelle visibly tenses up, gripping her hands together.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – Who here doesn’t know Charity Hawthorne?

SMARTASS – You, apparently.

“What’s your deal with them?” she asks, defensively.

THEATRICS – Stopped playing dumb, have we?

“Me? Oh, I'm just curious. I've heard a lot about Mrs Hawthorne, I thought you could enlighten me.”

SMARTASS – Janelle may not be that clever, but she’s far from stupid. No one books an appointment just because they're curious, not even you.

SOLLERTIA – They also don’t get their fingers crushed over it.

THEATRICS – But she still can't figure out where exactly this is going.

“I don’t know anything,” Janelle replies hastily. “You should leave, Taiven. Anthony might come in any minute and I don’t want him to see you here.”

RHETORIC – Because if he does, she’ll never hear the end of it.

SCATTERBRAIN – That boy’s like a broken record.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – On the fourth floor of the building, Anthony Marques is neck-deep in a meeting with his partisans. “You have to assert yourself, Marques,” one hammers. “If you keep getting ridiculed by the Markhov bitch, you'll never get a seat in Parliament!” A woman sighs, “You’re lucky your popularity’s still looking pretty high, but that could change any moment. Stop going to public speaking events hands-in-pockets like your position’s granted. You lack preparation.” Anthony grits his teeth. “But she-” “Gods, Marques, stop being so obssessed with that girl! It’s the seat you need. She's just a speck of dust in your way. Brush it off. The more importance you give her, the more she’ll have room to crush you. She’s a non-mage, why would she ever be a threat?”

SMARTASS – I think the little bitchlord is busy at the moment.

THE HUNT – It would be bad if he did see you here, though.

RHETORIC – Be efficient about this.

“Janelle, I don’t need that much. Just to see a videotape of whatever meeting where Charity Hawthorne took the stand.”

The secretary’s eyes refuse to look into hers.

“I’m not really supposed to show the tapes to random adherents.”

THEATRICS – Got her.

“So you do have one.”

Janelle blinks.

“What?”

“A videotape of Charity Hawthorne’s speech.”

COMPOSURE – Color drains from her face as she realizes her slip-up.

“I- What difference does that make?! I can’t just show it to anybody, especially not you!”

“Why especially not me?”

“Because Anthony-”

She stops herself short. Straightens her back, a defiant glint in her eyes.

COMPOSURE – Trying to regain some sort of control.

SOLLERTIA – Fidgeting with her ring. Just like Tristan.

“It doesn’t matter. Go home, Taiven. Please.”

BLEEDING HEART – It’s supposed to sound firm, but if anything, it’s more of a plea.

ASSERTION – Stand your ground. Keep pushing her. You’re getting there.

SHADOWSELF – Welp, no choice. Janelle cares a lot about doing what's right, deep down, and you know it. Pull at her heartstrings.

HYPERMNESIA – “It’s just awful, Lia. How can they let this go? Someone died because of this smuggling and no one cares because the owner of the warehouse has a seat in Parliament and didn't want bad publicity? How could anyone…”

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Um, I don’t know. This feels wrong.

THE HUNT – She used you. What's so wrong about using her back?

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – It’s not who you are.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – Or is it?

SHADOWSELF – You’ve done far worse than that.

Taiven leans a little closer, putting her elbows on the desk, with her most serious expression.

“Janelle. This, and I mean it, this could help me save Tristan Hawthorne.”

The secretary takes some time before answering.

“Save him… From what?”

BLEEDING HEART – That stirred her worry.

“From whom. Charity. I have good reasons to think that she’s abusing him.”

“Really? Tristan is…”

RHETORIC – First-name basis? Interesting.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – They've met before. Never spoke, but saw each other enough for that. Maybe at some… unofficial dinners.

SMARTASS – Corruption?

PARTI DU PEUPLE – Wouldn't be the first time.

“There’s been signs,” Taiven continues, keeping it vague. “I need to know what kind of person Charity is. And I think this tape might be necessary. Don’t you want to help Tristan out?”

“I…”

SOLLERTIA – Fidgeting with her ring again.

THEATRICS – She isn’t doubting you for a second here. Isn’t that weird?

PARTI DU PEUPLE – She knows, deep down, that you're trustworthy. And that you’re always, always serious about these kinds of things.

BLEEDING HEART – But Tristan makes her uncomfortable, you can tell.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – He reminds him too much of herself. It’s painful. She'd rather cover her eyes.

SHADOWSELF – Come on. She's about to crack. Go all out.

Taiven slowly reaches out her free hand to place it softly on top of Janelle’s. The young secretary startles a little, but this time her eyes remain on Taiven’s face.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Oooooh, daring.

“Nellie. Please. If not for him, for me.”

SHADOWSELF – Nickname. Perfect.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Kind of a low blow, really.

SHADOWSELF – Who cares? It works.

COMPOSURE – It does. Conflictual feelings wash over Janelle’s face as she glances between your face, your hand on hers, and a box on the shelves behind her. Then, she sighs, massages her temple.

“... Fine. Fine, I'll play it for you. But only once, you hear me?”

SHADOWSELF – Got her. Hook, line, and sinker.

BLEEDING HEART – The nickname got her. Reminded her of some good times.

HYPERMNESIA – September 15th, 189. You walk into the offices on the ground floor, your brand new membership card in hand, since you were allowed to take a look. A girl about your age, short blonde hair and a birthmark on the cheek, is walking in with a coffee cup and approaches you with a smile. “Hi! Um, I'm sorry if this sounds weird, but I saw you get your badge delivered from over here, and you looked cold, so I thought I’d get you a cup. It’s not prime quality, but it does the work.” You took it, blinking.

BLEEDING HEART – You weren’t that used to kindness from strangers.

SHADOWSELF – Much less from pretty, popular-looking ones.

HYPERMNESIA – She smiled and extended a hand. “I'm Janelle Venegas, but most people call me Nellie. What about you? What's your name?” You swallowed.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – Swallowed the truth.

HYPERMNESIA – “Thalia Kellermann.” You shook hands. Hers were warm from holding the cup she’d just given you. “Hmm… I should probably call you comrade Kellermann, then, but that's a little too formal. Thalia, Thalia… Can I call you Lia? Is Lia okay with you?”

ASSERTION – She was much more outgoing and talkative then.

BLEEDING HEART– She didn't like it when you changed your name back.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – But you had to.

“Thank you. Really.”

“Don’t mention it,” Janelle grumbles before standing up and opening the box she was glancing at. She rummages through it for a few seconds before pulling out a tape.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) – The date is… “something/something/194”. Sorry, that's the best I can do.

SMARTASS – So that was from two years ago. Recent enough.

Janelle walks up to the TV and gestures for Taiven to come over before sliding the tape into the dusty cassette player. The Gaikamshigthai stands up, with her ice pack still pressed on her now numb fingers.

“... I’m gonna play it. Ready?”

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – A strange form of gravity laces her words. Maybe you should backtrack-

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Nuh-uh. You’re not giving up, not after all of this shit.

SCATTERBRAIN – The sacrifice of your fingers shall not be in vain!

“Ready.”

SOLLERTIA – She slowly presses PLAY, then takes a step back.

FOCUS – After a little static, a picture of a people-filled stadium comes into view. The sky is heavy with clouds and most people are wearing summer clothes, short-sleeved and made of light fabric. They’re cheering.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) – Good video quality.

SOLLERTIA – Probably filmed with a magic camera? Magic cameras are a little more advanced.

SMARTASS – Electronic ones are starting to catch up, though.

FOCUS – The first few minutes are pretty uninteresting. A bunch of speakers, more or less acclaimed. Until the spokesperson announces, “Now, please welcome Mrs Charity Hawthorne to the stand!”

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Wow. This is the most lukewarm applause you've ever heard.

FOCUS – A woman walks on stage. Zoom-in. Tall, deep-green hair cut short, very fancy suit, dark eyes, lips pressed into a thin line. Skinny build. Late twenties.

SHADOWSELF – There's some charm to her.

SMARTASS – Well, duh. Otherwise she wouldn't be a politician.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – I mean, if every politician looked at least this good…

FOCUS – She clears her throat.

PERCEPTION (HEARING) – An uneasy chatter runs through the crowd.

“People of the Party, Party of the People, it's with great honor than I stand before you once more. I was pleasantly surprised to see that many of you have called for me to come back here. And beyond grateful.”

SMARTASS – So that wasn't her first speech. The second, most likely.

BLEEDING HEART – That crowd looks very unconvinced.

THEATRICS – She speaks the truth, though. The people did ask for her.

RHETORIC – But what kind of people, exactly?

“These are dark times. Each day that passes, the divide in our city grows deeper and deeper. You all know which divide I speak of: the mages and the non-mages.”

SMARTASS – Hold up. Isn’t she a mage?

HYPERMNESIA – Dlawenn did say she was a radical, so maybe…

“As mages, we have a duty to help the lesser abled and stand on equal ground with them. However, it seems that powerful mages nowadays are only interested in two things, forming those makeshift oligarchic clubs they call “political Cliques” and keeping their privileges and money to themselves. The non-mages can only stare from below and watch the nation fall to ruins with their living conditions.”

THEATRICS – Wow, she sure doesn’t mince her words.

THE HUNT – It’s dangerous. To call out the Cliques like that.

RHETORIC – Hum, is not one going to talk about the fact that she said “lesser abled” to talk about non-mages? It was drowned in the rest of her words, but it was there.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – Yes. Something is definitely not adding up.

PERCEPTION (HEARING) – The stadium is dead silent, except for her voice.

“Dear comrades, contrary to popular belief, magic is not something you are born with or without. It’s something you have to train. A potential you should cultivate. So what if, what if… Magic was made more accessible?”

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – So she means non-mages can have access to magic remedies? Magic services? Mixed schools?

RHETORIC – No. I don't think so. And I don't like where this is heading.

“It's simple, really. What good is magic that only a few people master? What if everyone… And I mean everyone could be a mage?”

THEATRICS – The crowd stands there. Dumbfounded. Waiting for her to elaborate. So are you.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – She's exalted. They all listen.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – That reminds you of someone. Something. Impending doom.

HYPERMNESIA – “Are we gonna die?”

“It'd be slow, of course. Non-mages would have to enroll into special programs, special training facilities, to avoid influence. Cliques would have to be overseen by the state. But imagine what Encre would look like if every single one of its citizens was a mage! Better productions, better schools… A better army. Everything we never were and everything we need to be. We could take it all back. Encre is a glorious country and we could make its population just as glorious… If we only tried.”

PERCEPTION (HEARING) – Silence. Deafening. Then a slow clap. Then another. Then a whole part of the stadium bursts into-

SOLLERTIA – It all stops. Janelle took the tape out.

“... I think you've seen enough.”

Taiven remains silent. Eyes fixed on the empty screen.

THEATRICS – … What the fuck was that?!

RHETORIC – Concentration camps. That’s what she means by “training facilities.” Concentration camps.

THEATRICS – She’s nuts. That woman’s completely nuts!!

SMARTASS – No. She isn’t. That's the problem.

BLEEDING HEART – Janelle seems a little sorry that you had to see this.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – It was probably worse for her. She was behind that camera two years ago.

SOLLERTIA – With no button to stop the tape from running.

“Are you okay, Taiven?”

RHETORIC – “You did ask to see it.” She doesn't say “Told you so” but it’s written all over her voice.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – … Yes. Yes, you'll be fine.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – You will be. But for now, you're not.

THICKSKIN – You feel nauseous. Like you’re gonna puke.

SHADOWSELF – Hey! Remember what we said about not throwing up on people’s shoes again?!

“I… I don’t know how anyone could be fine after seeing this.”

Janelle simply nods, guides Taiven back to her chair and sits down next to her this time. Not behind her office desk.

BLEEDING HEART – She can’t help but feel compassion for you now. She thought it'd feel good to see you that way, as a sort of petty revenge, but it doesn’t.

SOLLERTIA – She hesitates before patting you on the back, slowly.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – It does help a little.

The secretary sighs.

“I don't blame you. That’s why I didn't want to get you involved. She's… always been like this.”

ASSERTION – How come this hasn’t gotten her arrested yet? Or lynched?

SMARTASS – That's right. The treaty of Xofu-Nandong has been very clear, if an extremist party was ever to emerge, the allied forces would intervene themselves.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – And then it would all start again. Over, and over, and over, and…

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Breathe. In. Out. You need to think clearly.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – She hasn't been arrested yet because she's a mage. An asset. And you've heard the applause. There are people who think like her.

“Janelle… Do you… agree with her?”

“No.”

RHETORIC – The answer rang loud and clear.

“I agree that magic is useful, but I don't think being born a non-mage is a mistake, either. Some people just shouldn’t be mages. I mean look at you, Taiven, you can barely control yourself as it is, I wouldn't dare to imagine what you'd be like with powers!”

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Hey, rude.

RHETORIC – It might be true, but there’s nicer ways to say it…

ASSERTION – She’s got some principles. You might not agree on a whole lot of things, but you can respect that.

“Gee, thanks. But, moving on…”

Taiven leans back into her chair and sighs.

“I was right to be worried. Tristan's a non-mage. If she applies her ideas to her personal life, I can't imagine what she does to him when no one’s looking.”

COMPOSURE – Janelle becomes livid.

“... Shit. You’re right.”

RHETORIC – She rarely swears, but the situation calls for it.

“Ugh… This is why I hate arranged marriages,” she mutters. “At least I had a choice.”

SOLLERTIA – Fidgeting with her ring. Again.

NERVES – Always does when she's nervous. It's the third time since the beginning of the discussion.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – She thinks about Anthony.

THE HUNT – She’s scared of him.

BLEEDING HEART – She loves him.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – It’s the worst part.

FEISTY FLESH – But she’ll be fine. He doesn't beat her.

THE HUNT – Yet.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – And when he'll start, no one will care. Because he is a mage, and she isn't.

FEISTY FLESH – A dull anger fills your lungs.

HYPERMNESIA – Pitiful stares. "Poor thing. Such a waste of a pretty face."

“I knew Charity was… Well, peculiar. But if she does what you suspect she does to Tristan…”

She lifts her head to look at Taiven.

“What are you going to do now?”

SMARTASS – Now? You’ve had a good overview of what Charity is like. You should-

FEISTY FLESH – Find her address, walk up there and punch all the air out of her rotten lungs.

THE HUNT – No. Absolutely not. No direct contact with someone like her. She might be dangerous.

ASSERTION – Also, pretty sure that'd be considered a break-in.

THICKSKIN – And she's a mage. You’d be no match for her.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – You also promised Ian you were going to investigate safely.

RHETORIC – Technically, you didn't promise anything, but-

FOCUS – You need testimonies. Someone who'd be willing to give you anonymous info that you can hand to the police later.

THE HUNT – But what kind of mouse would be willing to face a lion?

“I… I need testimonies. Someone other than Tristan who could testify on his behalf. But… Yeah, I don't think there’s anyone like that,” Taiven sighs.

She slowly gets up from her chair, putting down the ice pack on the desk.

“Thanks for humoring me, Janelle. I'll need to look deeper into this. See what I can do.”

“Taiven, wait.”

The secretary slowly takes her left wrist.

SOLLERTIA – Taking a look at your fingers.

“Hm. It’s a little red, but I don’t think they’re broken, and it hasn't swollen too much… You should be good to go.”

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Anthony must have all of this. All of the soft touches of fingers on skin and more.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Unwarranted.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Oh, cut the crap. You know what you wanted then.

BLEEDING HEART – You were friends. Before Anthony came along.

THE HUNT – You weren't friends. Never were. She ditched you as soon as he came into the picture.

SCATTERBRAIN – And lost her spark.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Ah, jealousy.

COMPOSURE – Don’t pay that one any mind. You weren't jealous. Why would you even be?

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – You could have treated her so much better. That's what you always thought.

THEATRICS – Shut up.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Why? I'm always honest with you. You’re always lying to yourself, I'm the only one who doesn’t buy into your little self-righteous act. And right now I'm telling you that her fingers on yours are making you feel weird.

COMPOSURE – Stop it. It's not like that. You don't have feelings towards her. That’d be ridiculous.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Oh, I'm not talking about feelings, those are a little faded now. No, if we’re talking about feelings, then… Well. You know who you have feelings for.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – No, you don’t, and you don’t need to know. You don’t have feelings for anybody.

SHADOWSELF – You don’t do feelings. You don’t deserve feelings.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – It’s not about what you deserve or don’t deserve, it's about priorities! And your priorities should be, in order, your family, helping out Tristan, and the Party.

SCATTERBRAIN – Hum, what about Toshiki?

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – I said “family”, didn’t I?

SCATTERBRAIN – Oh. Oh! Yes! Makes sense!

FOCUS – Alright. You know what you should do?

SMARTASS – Oooh is it what I think it is?

SCATTERBRAIN – Please not-

FOCUS – A checklist.

SMARTASS – FUCK YEAH! CHECKLIST!

SCATTERBRAIN – Nooooo… Not again… Whyyy? Why can't you just, I don't know, go with the flow?

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Because you need to be a respectable member of society and being respectable member of society is incredibly, utterly, indeniably boring.

FOCUS – No, you need to get your priorities straight for maximum efficiency.

COMPOSURE – I agree, but could you run that in the background? I think you've been staring off into space for a good three minutes and Janelle seems concerned.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Still holding your hand, by the way!

“... ven. Taiven? Say something.”

NERVES – Yeah, uh, let me reboot that real quick.

Taiven startles as a sudden shudder shakes her, and she repeatedly blinks, vision finally coming back into focus.

“Yes! Yes, sorry, you were saying?”

“Um, nothing in particular, you were just… really silent. And your eyes were unfocused, you seemed... elsewhere. I was afraid you were having a panic attack.”

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Oh, right. The silent ones.

HYPERMNESIA – Those episodes used to be pretty common for you, back in the day. She stayed with you through a few of them.

BLEEDING HEART – It’s not the panic attack that scares her.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – It’s where you go when you leave.

THE HUNT – You've seen that expression before. Those eyes. The frown. Trying to reach you when you disappear inside your own mind.

SCATTERBRAIN – The flames in the dark.

COMPOSURE – You breathe in, slowly, straighten your back.

“Don’t worry, Nellie. I’m good. A little lost in thought is all.”

“Are you sure? You should remain seated a little if you don’t feel well…”

RHETORIC – What happened to “you should leave as soon as possible”?

NERVES – It hurts when she's being nice to you like that.

ASSERTION – You don’t need her pity.

“No, really, I'm fine.”

Taiven gets up slowly, just in case.

THICKSKIN – You feel okay. Not great, but okay. No dizziness, no pain, no tunnel vision, you're good to go.

Janelle stands still for a second before rushing to her desk, scribbling something on a piece of paper and shoving it into Taiven's hand.

“Here. If you're looking for testimonies. It might not be much but it's a start.”

BLEEDING HEART – She can’t believe what she's doing right now.

COMPOSURE – Neither can you.

“Wow. Uh… Thanks, Janelle. Really.”

“Don’t mention it. Now, Mrs Markhov, if you’d please be on your way.”

RHETORIC – That's bureaucratic for “get the fuck out”.

ASSERTION – She’s back into professional mode now. You should do the same.

STREET SMARTS – Wait until you're outside to read that paper.

Taiven nods curtly before heading out the office, then down the stairs, until she reaches the backyard where her bike still waits.

SCATTERBRAIN – Good bike. Such a good boy.

STREET SMARTS – The yard is empty and no one seems to be around. Plus, the walls block out the noise of the street. Perfect timing for reading that paper.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – And for a smoke.

SOLLERTIA – Your fingers hurt a little when you press them on your lighter, but soon enough your cigarette is lit and you unfold the crumpled paper.

SENSES (SIGHT) – A neat, tight handwriting. Two names and an address.

“The Brickwall, 25B Solomon Street”

“Magali and Charles Delestre”

HYPERMNESIA – Huh. Delestre… Delestre… Nope, nothing on that name.

SMARTASS – Janelle said something about testimonies. They might know something about the Hawthorne situation.

PARTI DU PEUPLE – Janelle has always been good at finding and keeping sources everywhere. Always been naturally good with people.

SHADOWSELF – Unlike you.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Hey! We have scripts now! We know how to talk to people, we've learned how to. We know the ropes now.

SHADOWSELF – It’s not something you’re supposed to learn the ropes of.

FOCUS – So. I’m done with that checklist. Let’s recap.

- Make sure Tristan’s willing to be helped out of his situation ✓

- Make sure Ian approves ✓

- Get information on the Hawthorne family from Dlawenn ✓

- Watch a tape of Charity Hawthorne’s speech to learn what kind of person you're dealing with ✓

- Pick up Ujin from school at 4:30

- Make dinner

- Ask Ian if he can get one free evening

- Visit the Brickwall and interrogate Magali and Charles Delestre on said evening

SMARTASS – Hold on one moment. I love this, but I have to ask, what even is the Brickwall?

HYPERMNESIA – You remember it. It’s a bar. Open from 6pm to 6am every night.

CITY GIRL – Solomon Street only comes alive at dusk. For now, the sun only shines on a paved road littered with empty goblets, cigarette butts and colorful pieces of torn paper. Someone lost their shoe in front of the 25B. The blinds are shut, but inside, the employees are already hard at work. Gordianus Gens Laurentia, the owner, is coordinating his staff from his countertop, towering above the room with all his 129 centimeters. “Mayumi, I want those speakers working in thirty minutes. Bilal, if the shaker keeps malfunctioning, you're on barista duty tonight, you have the best grip in this entire town. Snowfeather, are the costumes and stage ready yet? Who's taking care of the lights? Penny, if you'd be so kind as to go get Heinrich, that good-for-nothing is probably tripping on Ferran somewhere in North Galilea and I need him tonight. What do you mean you broke your heel, Julieta?!”

STREET SMARTS – Wait, isn't that…

HYPERMNESIA – This is a bar where all people that don’t recognize themselves in the gender binary, in the classic heterosexual norm or that want some fun can gather.

RHETORIC – A queer bar. The Brickwall is a queer bar.

HYPERMNESIA – It opened back in 190. Before that… You don’t remember what it was before the war. You never went in this part of town then.

CITY GIRL – Solomon Street is known for many things. Opioid lounges. Bars. Cabarets. Nightclubs. A few brothels disguised as motels.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – So, so much debauchery.

SMARTASS – Where do you even remember this from?!

HYPERMNESIA – You went in once. When you were absolutely stoned. You don't remember what you did in there.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Oh god. This is the worst.

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Are you kidding?! We're finally about to get that party started!

PARTI DU PEUPLE – Why would Janelle send you to a queer bar?

THE HUNT – To get back at you.

SMARTASS – For your investigation. Remember the names. Those two are probably regulars.

COMPOSURE – That's gonna be tricky. You’re the Chief Head of the Bureau’s wife. You can't be seen in this kind of place.

THEATRICS – Well, you know what that means. You’ll have to blend in with that crowd.

FOCUS – For the good of the investigation.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Ugh, bars are not good for you, I don't know if-

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Shut up, stick-up-the-ass! This is finally my time to shine! Oh, you're gonna have so much fun.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – But this is a bar. A bar means evening. Evening means no sun. No sun means-

THICKSKIN – You’ll just get a lot of caffeine.

SMARTASS – And go in early.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – …

SCATTERBRAIN – Do you get to put on glitter?

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS – Damn right you do. Hey, brain gal! Put this on your lil list!

FOCUS – Checklist update:

- Get ready to serve cunt. Whatever that means.

SUN-POWERED-POWERPLANT – Day above, have mercy.

BLOODSTAINED DOOR – No use praying to a dead god.

THEATRICS – Well, sister... Time to get on stage.

#noa writes stuff #lysara #trial of the mages #Taiven #I really like Janelle she's a bit of a nice bitch #also yeah Charity is not beating the allegations #disco elysium fanmade skills #disco elysium inspired

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