|
|
Post by Bee on Dec 1, 2007 2:29:30 GMT -5
It was still the afternoon, and that miserable bunch of ragamuffins never really got up to anything until after nightfall (cowardly little snots, always waiting for a cover; they weren't so clever to know that anything could be accomplished in broad daylight so long as one went about it cleverly), so Mnem and Aderlass would probably have to hunt them down. She knew of a few places they liked to hang out--Furgus's pub, but that was just after dark; in a few of the grimier alleys, but Mnem didn't want to go there if she could possibly avoid it. That left the shambling, abandoned little building on Gniew Street, where the boys and girls of the gang liked to make noise and get high and generally make irritants out of themselves.
She really hated going there. Her own apartment could learn a thing or two about disorder and filth from that miserable little mess. But it seemed to be the only option.
So she led Aderlass down the streets, keeping a close eye out for anything suspicious. To the mouse, she said, "Keep a sharp eye out, when we meet these tramps. They're low-rent villains, but they have a yen for pickpocketing and bullying, and even idiots in large groups are dangerous." Not that she didn't think Aderlass couldn't handle himself, really, especially since they were both bipedal and none of the gang members had advanced so far, but it never hurt to be cautious.
The last thing she wanted to do was cause some kind of unholy scene and lose whatever chance at getting information she had.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kasatsu on Dec 1, 2007 3:38:51 GMT -5
Following Mnem down some of the alleyways that he would definitely not normally travel he tightened his grip on the cane. He was more then willing to use it as a weapon should someone come too near and pose a threat. And if that did not work he could show them how much they would regret their choice of victims with his hands.
It would seem that the group they were looking for would be only out and about when the sun had set, though the fact that they were looking for them seemed to disprove it. His answer was given when Mnem finally led a way into a building that looked like it should have been torn down more then in use he stopped for a moment to let his eyes adjust to the change.
Five creatures met his eyes, four males and a female. They all looked to be adolescents, the female was a chipmunk, and the four males consisted of a dog, skunk, lizard, and wasp. Raising an eyebrow he turned to Mnem for an answer to a question he could only put words to as: What now?
|
|
|
|
Post by Bee on Dec 1, 2007 3:55:03 GMT -5
Aderlass was looking at her curiously, and Mnem merely shook her head at him. Not much either of them could do at the moment. She sighed as a slow wave of recognition washed over the faces of the small gang. Three of them were quite obviously high--Checkmate, she remembered; they had a particular fondness for that garbage--and the other two were probably getting to that point. She locked gazes with the most clear-eyed of the bunch, the wasp, who usually acted as a sort of leader for the group, insofar as they tolerated any kind of authority.
The wasp smiled lazily. "Baby! You came back to us. It's been a while."
"I would thank you not to address me in such a manner, friend."
"Oh!" said the wasp, feigning surprise. "I forgot. It's Miss Mnemosyne, if you're nasty."
Mnem narrowed her eyes. The wasp was more drugged up than she had originally thought. Oh well. Communication was still possible. "I would watch my words if I were you," she told him calmly. "It would be a terrible shame if your Checkmate dealer suddenly had no interest in doing business with you."
A tight sneer of irritation. "I always forget the part where you're a stone bitch." His gaze slid to Aderlass, and his annoyance gave way to curiosity and wariness. "Who the hell is he? You've never had a partner before."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kasatsu on Dec 1, 2007 4:43:46 GMT -5
Coming to the same conclusion as the canine, that the youths were high on Checkmate or at least making the strongest attempt to be, he narrowed his eyes at them. He pulled himself to his full height in agitation. He was so against the use of the drug and his opinion of them went down considerably at the simple realization.
With the transaction between the wasp and Mnem took place he felt the fur on his back ruffle in agitation. If she was their dealer then he was going to walk out, there was –amazingly enough – some things that he did not stand for and this was definitely on of them.
Turning on Mnem and ignoring the youth, which he was sure was going to tick him off – not that he cared, he showed his temper by muttering through clenched teeth, “Mnem, I think you had better explain this and yourself quickly.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Bee on Dec 1, 2007 4:56:53 GMT -5
Mnem quirked an eyebrow, for a moment entirely uncertain as to what the mouse was on about; further, she was slightly displeased that he had chosen to show a divided front to the gang. An image of power was everything.
Then it clicked, the only reason he could have gotten so angry so quickly. She almost laughed. It was surprising, and she was even more surprised by the fact that Aderlass seemed...morally offended. How curious.
"Aderlass, darling, the strange conclusions you leap to! I provide these miscreants with nothing but the occasional salve after they've gotten themselves into trouble." The implication that she dealt drugs was ridiculous and vaguely offense; sometimes substances of questionable legality were involved in her transactions, but she would never lower herself to the position of street-dealer. And usually she considered the gang's habits to be none of her business. If they wanted to wreck themselves, that was quite all right by her, so long as they kept it away from Mnem's part of the neighborhood. "I do, however, know their provider."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kasatsu on Dec 1, 2007 5:23:46 GMT -5
He felt himself lessen in his bristling with his irritation at the canine’s explanation. He was still against the use for the youth’s use of the drug but this now did not affect him. Ready to not walk out on the reason for their being there, he turned his attention back to the situation at hand and the wasp-boy.
Eyeing the lad up and down, he noticed that while he might be the most clear-headed of the bunch he was definitely working on not being so.
“Who I am is of no matter to you. You also might as well as forget that you ever saw me after this.” He addressed to the wasp. While he was not going to say or do anything that was not provoked or would cause them to not talk he also did not see any reason for him to make friends with them. It was good that they should fear or feel aggravated by him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bee on Dec 1, 2007 5:44:06 GMT -5
Good an answer as any, Mnem thought. Tough, mysterious, something that would make the brats they were dealing with a bit more apprehensive. And, with luck, a bit more pliant. She didn't think she could tolerate dealing with them for long. She had nearly forgotten how immensely irksome they were.
She addressd the wasp in a conversational tone. "So, how's the neighborhood been recently?"
The wasp shrugged, but it was the skunk who answered. "Same shit, diff'rent day," he said. "Made a bit more cash than usual yesterday. Scored on some rich broad looking for her wayward daughter."
"Charming," Mnem replied dryly. They had done worse and they had done stupider; none of it was really of any consequence to her. "Nothing unusual on my end of town?"
The wasp smirked. "You worried about something, Miss Mnemosyne?"
"I suppose you could say something of the sort."
A momentary look of anxiety. "Someone new prowlin' the streets? That why you've got that mouse with you--some kind of protection?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Kasatsu on Dec 1, 2007 6:24:14 GMT -5
The mouse snorted in reply to the question of his being here for her protection. While it was true that he could offer it, though he was more then aware that Mnem could take care of herself, he decided that playing the role for the group would not harm anything.
Nodding he replied to the lad “Yes, I am here for Miss Mnemosyne’s protection.” He said her name as the lad had to both pick fun where he probably should not have as well as to show her that he was simply playing a role the lad apparently would believed. At least this way I will be able to pound his head in if he attacked he thought, amused by the temptation.
“And with that said I would advise you to answer all her questions correctly.” He cracked his knuckles. Maybe I should go about doing this more often, he thought to himself amused.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bee on Dec 1, 2007 6:44:13 GMT -5
Mnem did not know whether to be annoyed or entertained, but Aderlass looked like he was enjoying himself, so she decided to let the moment slide by without any irritation on her part. Shinrai had occupied that role, once, when Mnem was fishing for information elsewhere, of an entirely different sort, and this time she actually wasn't planning on busting any kneecaps. He scared the living hell out of the gang, though, which would be advantageous.
"He's quite right, you know. All you need to do is answer some questions. I've no interest in harming anyone." She flashed a bright, tight smile. "Today. Now, down to business. What kind of activity have you been seeing around my place?"
The wasp twittered nervously for a moment. "Nothing too out of the ordinary, ba--Miss Mnemosyne."
"Within the last week, perhaps," she pressed on, "have you seen anything odd? Tell me about everyone who passed through, everyone you can remember."
Quite a task for five wasted punks, but she was sure they could muster something up. They babbled in unison, a stream of vague descriptions and meaningless details, until--
"...with this trenchcoat and these really huge green eyes, like he was watchin' for something..."
"When did he come around?" she asked, abruptly.
"Dunno," said the girl. "Day ago, two? Walked around your building. Said he was lookin' for somethin' that was lost."
Mnem's eyes narrowed, and she fought to keep her cool. "Thank you," she told them tersely. "You've been a great deal of help."
"This mean you owe us one?" asked the wasp, slightly.
Mnem laughed. "This means I don't call the authorities on your drugged arses. Carry on, gentlemen. And lady. Darling," she said to Aderlass, "I think we should take our leave. Say goodbye to our friends."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kasatsu on Dec 1, 2007 6:57:53 GMT -5
He tried not to appear to amazed at the information that they were giving, though there appeared to not be much worth giving that the kids remember. Yet another reason he was against the stuff, freakin’ retards.
However, he noticed a small but swift change in the canine when the youths finally sprouted something about a trench coat and green eyes. While the words meant nothing to him personally they seemed to make a whole difference to Mnem. Interesting.
Chuckling to himself at the exchange she had with the youth, he brought his hat down with a small nod. They were about to head out to the next location apparently.
“. . .say goodbye to our friends." Mnem addressed towards him. Smiling at the opportunity he smiled a brilliant flash. “You really should stop the Checkmates, my ‘friends’, it does you no good.” Following Mnem out of the building, he gave a wave over his shoulder making sure the wasp saw the wave with missing digits.
Once outside, he took in a deep breath of fresh-ish air. He really wished he could have knocked some sense into those youths, though he doubted anything he did would cause them to change. It really was a sad reality. Turning his attention back to task at hand, he asked Mnem, “Well, what is next?”
|
|
