Slow Night's Doorstep (Open)

[Dusty Dawson]

There wasn't much to do. An odd statement to make, in the rather infamous district of Night's Doorstep. But, this was where Dusty was setting up shop. It seemed to be the heart of criminal activity...and if she could help anyone, it would certainly be here. But, her investigations were slow going.

It had been a while since she first uncovered the rather sizable operation that was working beneath the city. The shipping company provided little else, besides some flimsy evidence that they were working for the same people. Nothing that seemed too suspicious to the casual observer. Now would be the hardest stage of the investigation. Assembling as many facts as she could, all the while going unnoticed to her adversaries. But, one way or another, she would crack the open and deliver them to the City Watch.

In the meantime, Dusty was going to enjoy a drink. So, shouldering up to one of the many shady little bars, the red-haired detective ordered herself a pint and relaxed on the barstool. She just hoped she could leave the establishment without instigating a bar-brawl. Perhaps she could even find a client. It was always good to do work that would pay...as much as she enjoyed aiding the forces of law and order, working pro-bono was murder on her personal funds.

[Sablerose]

You have got to be joking.

Greystreak's dry mental voice echoed through Calla's thoughts as she looked at the outside of the tavern. You were the one that reminded me that we needed to see all of Venus, even its shadier side.

Yes, but preferably in the form of a hawk or some other bird. Not walking through the streets. The wolf Familiar gave a groan of disgust. I think I just stepped in someone's vomit. At least, I hope it was nothing more than that. In any case, why stroll through here to begin with? You haven't even met with the Princess yet. And I don't know how many baths it will take for both of us to rid us of the smell here.

Birds can't fly into taverns without attracting attention. And I suspect that I'd be capture, for food if nothing else.

And you think that coming here with me, a very obvious wolf, is not going to attract someone's attention? Greystreak asked incredulously. Please tell me, my dear, that you have not taken leave off your senses!

Quite the opposite. The chances of someone attempting to approach me is lessened with you being here. They'll assume at the very least that you're a very loyal dog/wolf hybrid. Maybe a bit smarter than most canines...

I am far more erudite than your average mongrel, thank you very much!

Calla laughed mentally at her friend's ego showing, which was reflected with a smile on her face. True enough, true enough! Be that as it may, if you weren't here, the chances of something unfortunately happening rise considerably. Plus, you're a perfect eavesdropper. No one would suspect you be to able to listen in on a conversation, much less understand what's being said.

Greystreak sighed, which even verbally, sounded much like a human's. You've learned to play my ego well, Ward. And to think things through. All right then, let's get this over with.

With his cooperation secured, Calla pushed open the door to tavern and made her way inside. Despite his presence, though, Calla had remembered that dressing her station was not wise here. She was dressed in a set of clothes that looked far more worn than what she normally wore, even as a Druid, and carried only her wooden staff as an obvious weapon. A cloak was thrown over her head, though she did not attempt to shadow her face. If she looked to much as if she had something to hide, she would, ironically attract more attention, she realized. She took a seat next to another woman at the bar and ordered an ale.

[Dusty Dawson]

As the door opened a few curious stares were sent in the unusual pair that had just joined the regular clientele. Dusty counted herself among them. Her own garb once drew such looks, but after spending some time strolling around the city, people had started to get used to the foreigner. Some had even paid her for to perform some menial tasks.

Of course, she never trotted about with a wolf at her side. Blue eyes scanned the two over very closely. Most of the bar returned their attention to their drinks and crude conversations. The woman with her wolf companion saddled up on the vacant bar stool next to Dusty.

Which was more than fine with the detective. She wanted a chance to figure out just what was going on. Her pint was delivered as the newcomer placed her own order. Dusty took a hearty swig of the home-brewed ale and studied the woman out of the corner of her eye. She searched for as much detail as she could find.

'Well, looks like I found me another foreigner...' Dusty thought, ''Course that shouldn't be all that surprisin'. Hmmm......I wonder...'

Her mind spun around as she tried to work out the purpose of this little visit. While she could be a guest of the princess, that did leave the question as to why someone who was staying in a castle decide to slum it in Night's Doorstep. Very curious.....

[Sablerose]

The stares didn't bother Calla much. She was a bit familiar with attracting attention in this city as a Druid, though back in Laurelmoon, a Druid would have to do much more to attract attention for simply walking into a tavern. Greystreak strode beside her, warily watching for someone who spent too much time looking at her or making any sort of move that might indicate an attack. Thankfully, nothing of the like happened.

Both did notice that they were being examined, none to subtly, by the woman whom Calla sat next to. The wolf narrowed his eyes slightly, but Calla did her best to act as if she had not noticed much. When her drink arrived (and not surprisingly watered down as it was), the Druid sipped lightly. In a city like this, oddities were not so odd at times. Certainly not enough to give people more than a temporary pause, especially in their drinking. The sounds of conversations normalized again shortly enough.

So now what? Greystreak asked. Unfortunately, Calla had no better an answer than her Familiar.

[Dusty Dawson]

The last time she met a fellow foreigner, Dusty recalled a rather hectic brawl breaking out. She hoped that she could avoid a repeat performance. Not that she fared all that bad. Still, she couldn't keep scrapping in every tavern in Night's Doorstep. That was a sure way to get kicked out of every tavern in the city.

There was a reason the detective preferred whiskey or bourbon to ale. Most ale houses watered down the cheap stuff...and the swill that currently occupied her mug was certainly cheap. She was on a budget, after all.

'Well...might as well strike up some conversation!' she decided and turned to the hooded woman.

"Now, I been tryin' ta figure ya out. If ya don't mind my doin' so, o'course." she said, a cheerful grin spreading across her face, "It's just somethin' I do. Lemme go ahead an' guess ya ain't from these parts. That's the obvious the point. 'Course, anyone who's been kickin' 'round town for any amount o' time'd be able to tell ya that. Now, I'm gonna try an' figure somethin' out that's a bit more difficult, so bear with me."

Leaning back, Dusty tapped a finger against her chin, "Ah...there just ain't enough ta go on." she shrugged, "Well, I'll pick up on a thing or two more...Meantime, my name's Dusty! What's your name, stranger?"

[Sablerose]

"Calla. And my friend below is called Greystreak."

Thank you for having the decency not to call me a dog.

"And you're right, we're not from Terre de Conte or Venus. I am a Druid from Laurelmoon, south of Terre de Conte." At least that much was the truth. There was no reason to give all her information out here, but if politics had taught her anything, the best way to keep a lie sounding believable was to make it as truthful as possible. "I have to admit that your accent has me at a loss, though. You certainly don't sound like you're from here, either."

[Dusty Dawson]

"No, I sure ain't from here!" Dusty laughed, "From a bit o' ways further south. Down in the Kingdom o' the Golden Canyon. Not many o' us get out much, so I'm still tryin' ta get a feel for all the folks that live 'round outside. Most I've learned has been about Terre de Conte. Can't say I know much more'n that."

Dusty shrugged her shoulders and swigged some more of the sub-par ale. She glanced down at the wolf that had been identified as Greystreak.

"So, a Druid, huh?" she looked back up at Calla, setting her mug back down, "What sorta work does that entail?"

Dusty was still quite intrigued. As she was whenever she met people from countries she had never heard of. Learning about all of the little differences and customs was always a pleasure. Not to mention a big help. The more she knew of the outside world, the better off she would be down the road. After all, if it was one thing she had learned in her life, it was that details were important.

[Sablerose]

"The closest description would probably be that I'm a priestess of Nature, though it's a bit more complicated that that description suggests. I am also a bit of an...adviser to those who may look to exploit Nature's bounties." She followed Dusty's action and took a sip of her own drink. "With all the activity that has been going on up here in the last little while, I figured it was a good time to come and see what the place was like.

"What about you? What brings you to this land?" Calla smirked, though she made it as playful as possible. "Looking for the Princess' hand, are you?"

[Dusty Dawson]

A simple answer and even an explanation. Although that probably would have followed next in Dusty's questioning.

"Haha! Nah, ain't nothin' quite as romantic as that." Dusty grinned again, getting a bit of a kick out of the question, "All I'm doin' is lookin' to get a little bit o' work done. Make a decent livin' an' help a few folks out in doin' so."

It was a straightforward enough answer. Sure, there were one or two details that she omitted, but they were the unimportant ones. At least as far as she was concerned. Memories best left alone for the time being.

That and she was still curious to find out more about Calla. Taking up a smirk of her own, she tipped her hat to the back of her head. "But, funny ya should ask. I just been tryin' ta figure if you were one o' them guests yourself. Wouldn't surprise me one bit. That princess up there's been lookin' for all sorts o' gals. Just like the ol' Anactoria. Hell, the Kingdom even sent one of our Magistrates up back then."

[Sablerose]

"I certainly hope to meet her, yes," Calla said casually. "As for any type of romantic interest, I'm not necessarily seeking that with her. I would simply like to speak with her on matters which might interest her where a Druid might be able to off aid. However, if something were to develop between us, I would at least see where it would lead. But I don't intend to make the path a destination in and off itself."

Now she lifted her hood, letting slide down with a sigh on the back of her neck. "I'm curious, though. You mentioned getting some work done and helping people in the process. Just what kind of work do you do, Dusty?"

[Dusty Dawson]

With the hood down, Dusty got a better look at the Druid. The two shared many common features despite being from vastly different lands. Namely in the color of hair and the splash of freckles. This was just a passing observation, however.

"I'm a Consulting Detective. I can solve just about any problem ya might need. Findin' missin' folks, or stolen items...that sorta thing." Came her response. "So, when I find me some work, I'm helpin' folks out with some problems. And when it comes to problems this here part o' town seems to got plenty."

Dusty snickered to herself, "Not that I've found much trouble, lately. Seems ta be a trouble drought." Her shoulders went up in another shrug, "Good for the folks 'round here, but not so good for business. But, I suppose that's the thing about gettin' into the kinda work I'm lookin' ta get into."

[Sablerose]

"A Consulting Detective?" Calla repeated as she put her drink down. "Yes, I can see why you'd come down here. However, I can also see why it might be difficult to find someone here who'd be willing to risk coming to you. No insult intended, Dusty, but you don't come across as the most...subtle of individuals."

[Dusty Dawson]

"Ah, none taken...Not only that, but I ain't got a reputation up here, neither." Dusty admitted, with a nod of her head, "So, double trouble, there. Once I get few more cases under my belt, my work oughtta speak for itself."

Which reminded here that there was still a big case to get cracking on. Once she could hand that to the city watch, she felt sure that she could garner a pretty good reputation.

"I've handled a few small things, already. Dug up some dishonest employees an' cheatin' spouses. I just need ta keep pluckin' at it." she grinned, ever confident in her abilities. Even if she was, admittedly, a bit rambunctious.

[Sablerose]

"So what got you into this line of work?" Calla asked in honest curiosity. "After all, it's an odd enough profession for any one, and I think you might be the first female in that line of work that I've ever met."

[Dusty Dawson]

The question of "Why?" was always a good one. And it made sense. Not many people picked up this sort of work. Most just became soldiers or joined organizations like City Watch.

"Well, back home, we used to have the Magistrates. Sorta like them City Watch boys they got up here. Like I said, one got sent up here way back when." Dusty said, "They got swallowed up into the Kingdom's Army. Whole messy situation down there. So, when I was done with my service, I thought....'Why not head up North?' I always admired Adelaide Dawson. She's the one that was the guest o' the last Anactoria. Good detective. Hell, great detective!"

Dusty beamed with another grin, "Got my name 'cuz of her. Well, m'last name, anyway. Most orphans, such as m'self, if they don't find a family are just called 'Dawson'. That's 'cuz she was orphaned once, herself. Got adopted by the Chief Magistrate. Then the ol' gal went into the service an' traveled up here. I guess I figured I could sorta follow in her footsteps. An' see a bit o' the world at the same time! We don't know nearly as much as we used to 'bout what all you folks are up to. An' I always thought it's good to know your neighbors!"