#i wish puff did anything more with these 2 but noooo

[cosmicdenro]

heheee (last doodle's referencing the clip of puff talking as rhm and reg playing among us. remember.)

[sweetcathedral]

Note: Final part! Part 1 & Part 2 are here.

⚠️: Reader’s discretion is advised. This chapter contains forms of dubious consent and explores the theme of sex being used as self-harm.

Suna turns his attention to him. “Don’t you get tired?” He questioned with purpose.

“That doesn’t matter,” Tsukki replied defensively.

“Yes, it does.” He takes another puff of his cigarette.

“I was just asking if you were free or not—”

“Your habit of sleeping around isn’t for pleasure or self satisfaction anymore, right?” It was pointless trying to make someone like Tsukki come to the self-realization of his habit, so Suna decided to just force him to come out with it, regardless of the outcome. “Constantly sleeping around with no regard to whom you’re doing it with. And if I say no, then you’ll just call one of your toys out for the night.”

“I thought we agreed that this relationship wouldn’t go anywhere beyond fucking each other.” Tsukki was getting annoyed.

“Is it because of Kuroo’s girlfriend?” Suna ignored him, continuing to press onto the topic. “Is that why you feel the need to fuck someone tonight? Not because you’re turned on or anything, but because you hate the way you feel right now.”

“… shut up …”

Not yet.

“You were mad that there were no flaws to her because you needed to hate her in a reasonable sense.”

“I said shut up …”

More.

“You hated the jealousy you felt and compared yourself to her to see who would be better suited for Kuroo, knowing that he’s already happy in this relationship. You felt empty knowing this and wanted to fill that void with anything to ‘help’ you move on from Kuroo. And you think sex would do the trick?”

Tsukki avoided looking Suna in the eye with his fingers curled into a fist, his nails digging into the palms of his hands. Suna felt the need to keep on pressing him. Anything to let him vent out, so the thought of sex wouldn’t be an option for his outlet right now.

“If you don’t like the way sex is feeling—!”

A sharp pain shot through Suna’s cheek.

“Quit talking like you know how I feel!” Tsukki had slapped him hard across the face.  “I don’t care about whether or not it feels good, I consented to it! So why do you even care?! I never asked you to care in the first place!” He snapped.

There.

“You may not have asked for it, but you need it! Someone to care for you, at least!” Suna fumed, letting the cigarette drop to the ground from his lips.

Tsukki collected his composure, deeply exhaling. “Fine. I’ll call someone else then.”

“For fucks sake, would you listen,” Suna sneered, grabbing Tsukki and holding him up against the wall by the arms. “The way you’re handling this isn’t right. You’re not thinking straight, you need to take a breather.”

“I’ll decide how I handle myself,” Tsukki yanked himself out of his grip, storming back into the restaurant.

Again, Suna wasn’t able to get through to him properly. It always ended like this anyways, everytime he tried to get Tsukki to let loose another way, he always ended up leaving him for another. Time and time again, he’d fight with Tsukki to reason with him, helping him be more self aware with himself.

Tsukki was right, Suna didn’t know how he felt and he might’ve been invasive with what he said, but Tsukki wouldn’t have reacted that way if what he said was wrong. He knows that feelings were out of the question, but is it so wrong to be worried about Tsukki’s well being, despite being in a sex-only relationship. Does he need to have feelings for him to care? Tsukki didn’t have to depend on him with everything, only when he felt like he couldn’t shoulder the burden anymore. That’s what Suna established this relationship for: not only to keep Tsukki from recklessly sleeping around with strangers, but to also help carry the burden for him. Communication, that was all Suna needed.

When he got back into the restaurant, Suna had forgotten about Tsukki slapping him across the face that his cheek had noticeably swollen up.

“Suna, your face!” Atsumu frantically put his glass of iced water to his cheek.

Suna winced, only realizing how painful it felt. That was one hell of a slap.

“What happened?!” Hinata worriedly asked.

Kageyama gave him his last yakitori to make him feel better, while Kenma asked the waiter for some ice.

“Hey, where’d Tsukki go?” Suna looked at his empty seat.

“He left to go meet up with a friend,” Hinata informed.

Friend my ass.

Memories of the sexual marks on Tsukki’s body flashed in Suna’s head.

He checked his phone for any messages. Nothing. Obviously, Tsukki wouldn’t message him any type of reassurance after fighting like that. Looking back on it now, he feels guilty for being the reason to push Tsukki into that decision. Fuck, I should’ve said yes.

“You okay?” Kenma asked with a concerned look on his face.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Suna painfully smiled, laughing it off as he internally blamed himself for tonight’s ordeal. Thinking that he could’ve done better to help Tsukki.

* A picture of Suna and Tsukki with their fans is shared.*

~.x.~dinobear~.x.~: tsukki!!!

rrx.98: saw this on my friends ig, im so jealous😭

xxx.~ali.supremacy~.xxx: LUCKY!!

keiko_katanaka_: (reply to @rrx.98) your friends are so cute !

rrx.98: (reply to @keiko_katanaka_) thank youuu, I honestly love them❤️❤️

user99109992844: where did the girl in the middle get her top from??

apple_pie_2: so prettyyyy

zoomzoom: @chuupetchi im saving this

zoomzoom: @sumatso @tofurice @orange.ritz

orange.ritz: Suna can smile🥺

sumatso: aww Sunaa

tofurice: 🥰

* A picture of Kenma, Hinata, Tsukki, Kageyama, Atsumu and Suna at their table at the Korean bbq restaurant is shared. *

user10177498232: omg! I work there but I wasn’t working this shift

user32334700981: WAS THIS TODAY???????

rrx.98: I work near there😮

bokurokuto: @zoomzoom you guys went without me?☹️

zoomzoom: (reply to @bokurokuto) @akaashikeiji

akaashikeiji: (reply to @bokurokuto) we went out today

~chan.yan05~: Ken and Hina are so cute !!

realanon00: I saw Suna and Tsukki head to the back, but I didn’t wanna follow after what happened to Suna

user44448103945: (reply to @realanon00) I feel bad for him ….

user30004847269: (reply to @realanon00) wait what happened

realanon00: (reply to @user30004847269) Suna had a stalker incident

* Article: Accused stalker who stabbed pro volleyball player pleads ‘not guilty’ by reason of insanity link is shared. *

* Article: Suna Rintarou of EJP taken out for the remainder of the season to recover from stab wounds link is shared. *

* Article: Pro volleyball player, Suna Rintarou, rushed to ICU in critical condition after altercation with stalker link is shared. *

* Article: Pro volleyball player, Suna Rintarou, miraculously survives critical stab wounds to the lower abdomen link is shared. *

* Article: Suna Rintarou in critical condition after stalker altercation, EJP coach rushes the decision to take him out for the rest of the season link is shared. *

* Article: Fans pray outside the hospital of Suna Rintarou, wishing him a speedy recovery link is shared. *

user30004847269: 😧😧😧😧😧

~chan.yan05~: aw man i remember this….

clx.90s: my heart sank when i read how bad his condition was

2k1990s: i remember watching the games, all of them started with a moment of silence for Suna

littletibetanfox: the atmosphere was so heavy during that season, im glad he recovered well

realanon00: Suna came back with a swollen cheek, but that was after Tsukki got back and left..

xxx.~ali.supremacy~.xxx: 👀

godcomplex101: yikes😬

user50011823241: Tsukki and Suna have been hanging around each other a lot lately

apple_pie_2: but theyre in diff teams

godcomplex101: oop tea???

user30004847269: its also not the league season yet

realanon00: maybe they live together ?

rrx.98: their teams are in diff prefex

clx.90s: i mean they have summer practices now so maybe its another training camp 🤷‍♀️

apple_pie_2: truu

zoomzoom: @chuupetchi

orange.ritz: (reply to @zoomzoom) 😗

sumatso: (reply to @zoomzoom) Suna you good?

darealest02: i know Tsukishima sleeps around a lot, my older brother went to college with him

rrx.98: (reply to @darealest02) wait whatt

_____fiveunderscores.: (reply to @darealest02) huuhhhh

clx.90s: yeah.. everytime i see a recent pic of him he always has a hickey somewhere new

zoomzoom: @guccibird @yachan96 collect your boy

guccibird: (reply to @zoomzoom) ….

yachan96: (reply to @zoomzoom) we’re not with him 24/7, its my first time hearing of this

bokurokuto: (reply to @zoomzoom) we see him most of the time, we can talk to him

zoomzoom: (reply to @bokurokuto) only during our summer intensives

bokurokuto: (reply to @zoomzoom) yeah! like now!

* A video recording of Suna and Tsukki fighting at the back of the restaurant from a public street view is shared. *

zoomzoom: 🤭

orange.ritz: noooo

bokurokuto: oh..

rrx.98: WHAT

guccibird: @yachan96 I CANT HEAR WHAT THEYRE SAYING

yachan96: (reply to @guccibird) WAIT ME TOO

clx.90s: DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THEYR SAYING

zoomzoom: @chuupetchi I KNOW YOURE ONLINE

user30004847269: naahhhh

user30004847269: this is a lieeeee

xxx.~ali.supremacy~.xxx: 😶😶

apple_pie_2: 😳

~chan.yan05~: 😨😨

realanon00: wait who uploaded this ???

realanon00: howd you get this

user77700178329: i was on my way back from work until i heard yelling coming from the restaurant

user77700178329: it was eerily quiet too, so they were loud

user50011823241: shiiit

* A video recording of Suna and Tsukki fighting at the back of the restaurant from a public street view was removed. *

realanon00: oh?

user77700178329: awkard

apple_pie_2: that was quick

sumatso: @zoomzoom you get that?

zoomzoom: (reply to @sumatso) ya I got that

sumatso: (reply to @zoomzoom) send that to us @tofurice @orange.ritz @guccibird @yachan96

zoomzoom: @bokurokuto practice is gonna look awkward….

bokurokuto: (reply to @zoomzoom) dw we can fix this 😊

zoomzoom: (reply to @bokurokuto) no, its not our business

bokurokuto: (reply to @zoomzoom) their our friends 👯

bokurokuto: (reply to @zoomzoom) they need our help

zoomzoom: (reply to @bokurokuto) @akaashikeiji

akaashikeiji: @bokurokuto i think we should leave this to them

xxx.~ali.supremacy~.xxx: could they be dating ??

~chan.yan05~: dont know, i mean if they are theyre doing a good job at keeping it lowkey

rrx.98: 👀👀

user77700178329: nah theyre just friends

user77700178329: i overheard Suna trying to get Tsukishima to stop sleeping around, apparently hes getting outta hand now😬

2k1990s: oh nooo😔

clx.90s: i feel bad, I hope he’s okay

apple_pie_2: ew..😒

littletibetanfox: i hope Suna’s okay, that slap looked painful 😖

[daetur]

Breaking and Entering (Dyrihm Personal Event Log, Part 2)

After speaking with Dyrihm earlier in the week, Nob’s concerns continue to eat at him until, finally, he suggests checking in on the Death Knight, with Rey in tow. The three decide to take action, to get a better picture of this sinister “Father Trevarde,” and Nob sets out to sneak into the man’s house and snoop around.

Jackdaw toys with his gloves absently, nodding.  "Might not be a bad idea t'check in on 'im... he promised me he wouldn't do anything stupid, an' if I'm gonna believe anyone t'actually hold ta that it's Dyr, but..."

Jackdaw has seen a whole lot of Stupid in this unit he Knows you people.

Reyanel | Doubt.  Rey thinks Dyr does stupid things all the time because he never takes care of himself.

[Reyanel]: Well, we can stop by his place then.  Best to get back to the City anyway.

Jackdaw nods, the faintest hint of dawning horror behind his ghostly eyes.  Riding tandem again.  Light, he needs to get a bat.  Or not. Not... has perks...

Reyanel doesn't see this horror as he looks up to call his bone beast.

Reyanel | It doesn't need calling.  It clatters to the ground with a snort.

Dyrihm has left the hatch that leads down into his home ajar- an invitation. He can be found bustling around his kitchen.

Reyanel slides right in, looking absolutely fine for once, "Dyrihm." He greets, "Good, you're not dead, excellent."

Reyanel | Well....deader.

Dyrihm raises a brow. "Not any more than usual, no- should I be worried?"

Jackdaw gives Rey an Odd Look at that greeting.  "I think he means, he's glad nothin fishy's happened with that Father wossname fuck.  Yet."

Reyanel settles in the chair Frost has pointed out to him at the Winter's Veil party, gesturing towards Nob. What he said.

Dyrihm says, "Trevarde." He seems to mull the name over, an furrow between his brows. "Yes, I- haven't heard anything from him. Or the Blade, so far."

Reyanel kicks his feet up like he just lives here.  Rey, don't be so rude!!!  

Dyrihm | Rey is allowed to be Dyr's shitty visiting sibling.

[Reyanel]: Anyone in the Blade I should keep an eye out for by the way, Dyrihm?

Dyrihm gives Rey a look. "Besides ALL of them? They still think you tried to kill me to escape with your runeblade, remember? If they find out we're fuckin' pals, I'm toast." He sounds like he's spent a lot of time on this train of thought.

Reyanel winces. Right.  That.

[Reyanel]: Trevarde stopped by Hael--Varun's place and I met the priest there.  So he knows me.  I don't know if they've connected us.

Dyrihm puffs out a breath. "Well, he's not really Blade, so it's unlikely he recognized you, at least. I just wish I knew who he was reporting to."

Reyanel pauses. "I wonder if any Knights would know." He ponders that, tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling.

Jackdaw raises a hand, completely useless as he's being invisible.  "Excuse me?  Invisible man?"

[Jackdaw]: He's prob'ly stayin' in the city, right?

Dyrihm nods. "I assume he's staying at the return address on his letters- it's residential. Which is... frankly, real stupid."

Jackdaw is already planning to fuck with the Apothecarium why not add another vindictive, dangerous organization to the list.

Reyanel looks at Nob. "If someone looks into Trevarde, it might help in the long run."

Reyanel | Cough, someone. He's a terrible influence.

Dyrihm stares at where Nob's voice has been coming from. "Not just anyone with shadow magic can see you, right?"

Jackdaw shakes his head. "Most folks CAN'T see me, even Shadow priests an' the like.  Atlas ain't been able t'see me until we got, uh- linked up, like."

Dyrihm nods. "All right, hopefully safe there, then- Nob, you know you don't have to do this," he blurts. "I don't want any of you getting in over your heads just for my sake."

Reyanel tilts his head. "I could try looking into it as well." He muses then looks to Dyr with a sharp smile.  "I have orders to hound the Blade, Dyrihm, don't worry."

Jackdaw smiles at Dyrihm. "Light's sake Dyr, ya let Reya half kill ya doin' him a favor, least I can fuckin' do is raid some priest fuck's office."

Reyanel flinches. Just slightly.  He looks up at the ceiling.

Jackdaw is just trying to make a POINT about how STUPID people are in this GROUP about their SELF DESTRUCTIVE TENDENCIES

Jackdaw 'noooo its only okay when -I- do it'

Dyrihm grimaces. "I know, but-" He sighs. "So many of you seem like you're ready for friends to turn on you, just doesn't feel right, you risking yourselves for my sake, when I-" He makes a frustrated noise. "I'm not sure you'd really believe I'd do the same."

Jackdaw is aghast. "What the fuck ever- what gave ya THAT bloody stupid idea, mate?"

Reyanel looks at Dyr. "Honesly, Dyrihm, who have you been talking to?"

[Dyrihm]: Varun and Maul!

Dyrihm gives a frustrated grumble.

[Jackdaw]: They're fuckin' PARANOIDS!

Reyanel sighs.

Jackdaw drags a hand down his ghostly face.  Chill.

Jackdaw makes an effort, and Appears, with only mild flickering.

Dyrihm sighs, drawing in. "I'm sorry. I'm just- maybe I'm a little paranoid myself, lately."

[Reyanel]: I think I understand why the Executor said to get some of us after pirates.  I think you need to blow of some steam.

Reyanel deadpans at Dyrihm, lounging in the chair.

[Jackdaw]: Look. Varun is- he's Varun, all right? He's jes LIKE that.  An' Maulfalcon's a giant bloomin' arse wart of a man who don't respect no one.  They ain't the best measurin' stick fer this kinda shit.

Dyrihm rubs the back of his neck. "I- I suppose maybe I do need more than Frost and I have been-" he clears his throat, as Nob speaks. "They may not be the best bars, but they're in CHARGE, Nob! When push comes to shove, if they don't think I'd be there for them, why would they risk the Corps for me?" Ah. There it is.

Reyanel makes a small FACE at where that first sentence was going.

Jackdaw groans. "Maul's jes bein' a VAIN SHIT, 'cause he's got some kinda stick up his ass 'bout bein' an elf, right?  I tol' him 'bout the letter, okay?  An' he weren't happy about it none- he WANTS ta make sure they ain't breathin' down yer neck, right?"

Reyanel sobers though as Dyr continues then, quietly, almost hesitantly. "You know the Executor's sending me after the Blade so we can figure out why they want to know you so badly?"

[Jackdaw]: Ya don't- folks DO care what happens to ya, don't be daft.  Honestly.

Jackdaw huffs.

Dyrihm glances at Rey. He scrubs a hand across his face. "I- of couse that's why he'd send you after Blade." The Knight sighs. "I'll try to stop second guessing that. Guess I'm just... not myself, lately. Everything with the Blade, and... well. Fresh memories.

Dyrihm You know."

Reyanel looks to Dyrihm. "I..I don't know about fresh memories." He glances towards Nob. "But if you need an ear, we're here, you know.  Don't have to go along on your own."

[Reyanel]: We're a team, Dyrihm.  And I think the Executor made his point about communication earlier, and that's that we all don't.

Dyrihm snorts. "Well, he's not wrong about that."

Jackdaw backs down a little, abashed.  "Sorry. Yeah, it- shit's been weird since that time stuff.  That was... hard enough.  Ya don't need me yellin'.  But- Lightssake, don't think we don't care about ya."

Dyrihm crosses his arms in front of his chest. "All right, well- You're right. I'm always a damn hypocrite about this. There's not much I wouldn't do for you guys. So, I'm glad you've got my back." He looks between the two of them. "I want to know more about Trevarde. I have a couple hunches- try and find out his first name, if you can, for starters."

Jackdaw nods. "Worth a go."

[Dyrihm]: Find out who he's reporting to- that's going to be your best bet for Blade to go after, Rey.

Dyrihm still looks worried about that, but he's committing.

Reyanel looks to Nob. "You're better at clandestine work than me." He states.  Simple fact.  "If you catch anything, I can get moving to look for whoever he's talking to."

Jackdaw grins. "Course.  I'll head there an' have a look tonight, even."

Jackdaw is fucking delighted to BE GIVEN A JOB IN HIS SKILL SET do u relaize that's all Maul would have to do to get him to stop being asuch a sullen fuck.  Just utilize him man.

Dyrihm nods. "Careful and quick," he says. "Nothing risky."

[Dyrihm]: They haven't contacted me yet, so I doubt they've come to a decision. And I don't plan on doing anything stupid to push them to make one.

Jackdaw pulls off a pin-tight salute, smiling gamely, a thing that continues to be odd when consciously considered, as most of his face is not visible.  "They won't know I was there."

Dyrihm looks to Rey. "Suppose you can wait to see what Nob finds, or try to get lucky."

[Dyrihm]: Might want to hide your face, though, to be safe.

Jackdaw helpfully tosses his cowl into Rey's lap.

Reyanel can't help a grin, teeth showing.  "I mean, I did technically try to kill you in Archerus.  Could just be looking for you to finish the job."

Jackdaw is downright chipper, after what a sad sack he was at Rey earlier it's amazing.  He just likes to feel USEFUL.

Dyrihm makes a considering face. "I hadn't thought about that. That's true."

Reyanel picks up the cowl and wears it across his face like a mask, arching a brow at Nob.

Jackdaw chuckles. "Dashing.  Mysterious."

[Reyanel]: Why, thank you.

Reyanel settles the cowl over his arm, looking to Dyr. "Could work, it's an option..."

Dyrihm nods. He looks... relieved. "Thank you." He shifts, a bit awkward. "I- It feels strange not to be doing anything. Having you two taking care of this."

Reyanel shrugs a shoulder. "You're pointing us in the right direction." He flashes a smile, sitting up properly.

[Jackdaw]: No point walkin' straight inta the lion's den when ya got resources, right?

Jackdaw seems honestly pretty damn excited about this.  The little nerd.

Dyrihm smiles. "True."

Reyanel stands up, rolling his shoulders.  Dear void, it's so weird not to be tense there...

Reyanel shrugs, “Anyway. I do have to stop by home." He looks to Nob. "Comm me and don't forget to report."

[Dyrihm]: Be safe.

Jackdaw nods, smirking faintly.  Even his leathery real-face gets in on it.  Seeing his actual physical expressions is weird. "'Course."

Reyanel flashes a smile at Dyr. "I will be.  I'm always careful." And he waves over his shoulder as he leaves.

Jackdaw bows with an obnoxious flourish, and vanishes.

Jackdaw already had the address memorized- he books it through the city, fast when he wants to be.

|| It was a residential home indeed, what Nob found at the address. A simple wooden door with a single lantern, and a small address plaque of tarnished bronze. There are no windows.

Jackdaw is patient, when he needs to be.  He waits outside, invisible, for some minutes, listening, watching for any movement or light under the door.

| | There is no light to be seen under the door, and the house is quiet, as far as can be heard from the outside. The lantern gutters. It has been lit for some time.

Jackdaw | Reasonably satisfied that the occupant is either asleep or out, Nob quietly tries the door. Locked?  That'll be interesting.

| | The door is, indeed, locked. There is also the faint tingle of magic.

Jackdaw grins.  He's ready for this.  Thank the Light for favors from uptight techno-magus nerdlords. He produces a key.

|| The latch clicks, and the tingling subsides. The home is dark inside.

Jackdaw slips in, his usual 'being as thin as possible' maneuver, and leaves the door open for now just for the light.  First things first: a quick look around to be SURE whether the occupant is home.

|| The home is small- a large, study-like room functions as both the entrance and main space, it appears. There is an orderly desk, papers stacked upon it, small personal affects clustered around the corners, a pen in an inkwell. A bookshelf stands against the far wall, far less orderly- stuffed with ratty journals and texts, each sporting a myriad of torn parchment bookmarks. A table is set in the center of the room- one chair only. A birdcage hangs above it, and something dark slumbers within. A doorway to the left leads to another dark room, but the light doesn't reach it.

Jackdaw decides leaving the door ajar is an acceptable risk for now- better than lighting a candle, and an escape route if someone is in that back room.  He's not a fan of the birdcage, but he'll have to work around it.

Jackdaw heads for the desk first- correspondence is awfully illuminating.  He intends to make this place look like he was never here- he's very careful with the papers, going through in an organized fashion and stacking them carefully in order.

|| Nearly every letter is signed slightly differently- the same handwriting, but the tone changes, seeming to suit the recipient. "Father Trevarde," is common, but some bear "Ebon Liaison Trevarde," "Shadowpriest Trevarde," "Shadowmender Trevarde," and one letter- a copy of something addressed to Atlas- is signed "Ebon Liaison Father Trevarde, formerly of the Church of Holy Light."

|| Of particular interest are a set of letters addressed to Knight Solis, all simply signed "Magnus." These appear to be reports, and grow increasingly frustrated.

Jackdaw is Heartily Entertained by all of this.  He reaches under his tabard and produces a tiny sheaf of paper- note taking will be part of your final grade.

|| The reports contain some odd comments along with more expected ones. That Dyrihm "Appears to be much like the man I remember," "Cannot be trusted to adhere to orders above emotional attachements," and "Comrades appear protective."

Jackdaw | Shove it up your ass, you manipulative old fuck. Nob notes the varying names and titles, the essential contents of the reports and their recipient, and replaces everything on the desk as closely as he can manage to how it was before he disturbed it.

Jackdaw creeps over to the bookshelf- notes, perhaps, or personal entries.  Again, great care is taken to leave no sign of what he's moved.

|| The journals are nearly all research- into Void and Shadow magic. Most entries are impersonal, academic. The oldest handwritten notebooks are about defensive spells and debilitating threats. The newest ones... seem to be about ways to avoid true death- phylacteries, rituals, the Shadowlands, soul manipulation.

Jackdaw, both interested and disturbed for personal reasons, makes a note of this progression... and perhaps lingers a little longer than he should, pouring over the newer material.

Jackdaw, too curious for his own good, EVENTUALLY gives up the journals in favor of the rest of the room. Step one: determine what the dark, possibly sleeping shape in that bird cage might actually be, before approaching.

|| It appears alive, and feathered, its body rising and falling with its breathing. The tingle of void magic can be felt from it, upon attentive inspection. It is about the size of a clenched fist.

Jackdaw doesn't care for THAT bullshit AT ALL.  He avoids the Likely Familiar, and slinks around the margins of the room to the interior door.  Closed?

|| Ajar. A dark room lies beyond, but the light from the entrance doesn't reach it.

Jackdaw replaces his tiny notebook From Whence It Came, and from that same disturbingly deep pocket produces... a lighter.  A Goblin lighter.  Light help him.  He clicks it.

Jackdaw covers the flame with his free hand, partially dampening it, and risks a peek in the room.

|| The light illuminates a messy bedroom- notes strewn across the bedside table with its small drawer. A few sets of robes hang from pegs on one wall. The small bed is untouched.

Jackdaw |  No occupant, no problems.  The notes are promising.  Those first.

|| Many are intelligible scribbles, some about the Void. A few appear paranoid, frightened. Another stack seems to be planning for his reports- one here is concerning. It reads, "Spoke with an undead at Deathstalker Varun’s residence- very little to no information on Dyrihm, but the undead willingly impersonated an Undercity official- suspicious- Dyrihm fraternizing with a non-Blade Knight? Any known connections to rogue Knights matching this description?"

|| On the bottom of this note, in a different pen, perhaps written at a different time, is one hastily scrawled word. "WRAITH."

|| Interestingly- this was not IN any of the reports.

Jackdaw , horrified, fumbles out his notebook again one-handed, and writes that one down word for word.  His usual pretty penmanship is a left-handed, frantic mess.  Rattled, he tucks the notebook away again and looks for any other leads in the room.

Jackdaw has never in his life been above going through pockets.

|| The robe pockets are mostly empty- some coins, blank papers, and a few dark, purple feathers that feel oddly cold to the touch. In one pocket, however, is something hard and metallic. A set of old, tarnished dog tags. [Magnus Trevarde], they read. [Troop 77]. Clearly, the man no longer wears them, but they must mean enough to have kept.

Jackdaw 's little packet of papers appears once more in his hand.  It's a difficult job with the lighter, but he makes a rubbing of the tags in his notebook.  No better proof than proof engraved in fucking metal.  He also pockets one of the feathers.

Jackdaw |  There's something magical about this shitty animal- if HE can feel the cold, it's magical.

Jackdaw automatically distrusts it.

Jackdaw has to have a go at the drawer, at least.  Though he's beginning to worry about pushing his luck.

|| The drawer is locked, but not magically like the front door.

Jackdaw is still in possession of a perfectly functional skeleton key, enchantments or no.  He'll try it, for shits and giggles.

|| Whatever key this drawer takes, it's not the same style as the skeleton key. Alas. A mystery remains.

Jackdaw , personally offended, produces lockpicks.  This is the LAST STRAW.  

|| Click! The drawer opens. Inside is... a personal notebook. Not academic, like the others. It contains pressed feathers and flowers, and frightened entries about visions of what awaits the undead after true death. An old, shabby portrait of a group of people is tucked between the pages. Six people standing side by side- A grim looking fellow in dark armor in the center, flanked by two hooded, smiling women. To the left, a blond giant of a man with a bright grin, and a dour looking sort in a robe, with long dark hair. To the right, on the end- is a familiar face. Yellow eyes instead of blue, and a fleshy jaw, but it is unmistakably Dyrihm.

Jackdaw , not for the first or hopefully last time in his sham of a life, curses his inability to draw. He tries to ignore his own interest in the priest's scrawlings, doing his best to commit the picture to memory.

Jackdaw tucks the entire affair away carefully when he's done, and re-locks the drawer.  Time to get the fuck out of here.  Okay, he's curious about the bird, but... no.  Fuck it.  It might talk or- have a mind link to the man or something.

|| Probably wise.

Jackdaw turns up at Dyrihm's doorstep like a lost dog, kicked and confused.  But Light help him, he's going to let Dyr know what's going on.

Dyrihm is busying himself in the courtyard again today- tending a few sad-looking plants.

Jackdaw rasps somewhere behind him, "Hey Dyrihm."  He's thoroughly invisible back here.

[Dyrihm]: Nob! How did it go?

Jackdaw pauses just slightly too long.  "Heh. Went smooth.  Found some stuff you oughta hear, I think."

Dyrihm turns, looking curious, and sighing with relief. "Oh good, it went well? What- what did you find?" How fucked am I?, it sounds like he means.

[Jackdaw]: Well, ya wanted 'is name.  First name's Magnus.

Dyrihm curses, colorfully.

[Dyrihm]: I was afraid of that. Light.

Jackdaw shrugs, unseen. It's a relief to know he can stay invisible.

[Jackdaw]: I got the impression he knew ya.  So... true, then.

Dyrihm nods, looking a little reluctant. "Long time ago. We haven't spoken since I became a Knight. It was... a different time."

[Jackdaw]: He's gone off th' deep end fer shadow magic, if that means anything t'ya.  Necromancy stuff.  Phylacteries, soul magic.  He had a picture've ya with some folks.  Ya had a regular jaw still.

Dyrihm looks grim, and a little sad. "Yeah, I would've- probably of our old unit." His brows furrow. "He still had it? It's been more than a decade." The Knight shakes his head. "I don't know, he wasn't- he wouldn't have done something like this, back then. I was hoping it wasn't him."

Jackdaw rasps, "I got no idea what he actually thinks he's DOIN', so if you do kindly fuckin' enlighten me.  He's been writin' all over t'folks tryin' ta get info on you."

[Dyrihm]: He wouldn't be trying to get a friend killed.

[Jackdaw]: D'we know fer sure that's what he's aimin' at?  Anyway, contact's someone called Knight Solis, if that rings any bells.

Dyrihm sighs. "I don't know why he's- well. Maybe..." He rubs the back of his neck. "No, don't know any Solis, more than any of the other Knights up in Acherus."

Jackdaw nods uselessly. "Well- he'd figured out who Rey is, so ya know.  But far as I can tell he ain't actually wrote anybody about it.  maybe he ain't reported it."

Jackdaw is, beneath his cloak of shadows, looking pretty miserable right now.  But he's faking it hard, and manages to sound relatively normal.

Dyrihm pales. "Shit, that's not a good card for him to have. Okay. All right. If he hasn't told anyone-" Dyrihm looks frustrated and confused. "What the hell DOES he think he's doing, if he's digging like that, but not reporting something that big?" He sighs.

[Jackdaw]: Sorry mate, I jes- can tell ya what I found, but not what's in 'is head.

Dyrihm smiles, kindly through his worry. "Sorry. Just thinking out loud, I know you can't. Thanks, Nob." The Knight looks thoughtful. "Maybe- if it really is the Trevarde I knew, I could try dropping by after all..."

Jackdaw rasps, surprisingly firmly for the usually skittish little man, "Not without me ya ain't."

Dyrihm chuckles. "I remember. I'll bring backup, don't worry." He shifts, suddenly, looking guilty. "I, uh- I haven't told Frost, yet. I don't want him doing something rash. Mind mentioning that to Rey or Reya, next time you see them? I just- I need to talk to him soon, I know, but- I want him to hear it from me first."

Jackdaw cringes, unseen. "Yeah.  Sure, I'll pass it on."

Dyrihm nods. He looks a little comforted. "Thanks for having my back, Nob. Really."

[Jackdaw]: 'Course. Always, mate.

Jackdaw really, honestly sounds like he means that.

Dyrihm smiles. "I- Normally I'd invite you to stay, but I've got a lot on my mind, and I- well. I think I'd like to be alone with my thoughts." An unusual sentiment, from Dyrihm. He sounds a little shaken by what Nob's brought him, frankly.

Jackdaw nods.  Light, it feels like he's forgetting something important... but he's just drawing a blank.  "Sure, Dyr.  No worries, right?  You jes'... take it easy, an' lemme know if ya need anythin'.  I already- I reported, so.  Varun and Rey know."

Jackdaw 's shitty, croaking voice breaks faintly on that last line.  He clears his throat.  Just a hardware error.

Dyrihm nods. "All right. Good." He pretends not to notice, but his lips twitch slightly. "Take care of yourself, Nob."

Jackdaw mumbles a "You too," and it already sounds like he's running the fuck away before it's half out.