[Ari walks back to the computer lab from whatever she did.] [On the way she runs into Red talking to Luther Hurst near the Library.] [Ben just passed on the way to the computer lab and is no longer in view.] [Start] * Red is walking towards the library! * Ari sees Red and walks over to her. "I apologize for my absence." * Hurst nods and starts to walk in the same direction but past the library, in the distance there's the sound of a somewhat fast moving horse. It's alright, Ari. I'm going to interview Maris Richmond, now. She should be in the library. * Ari nods. "I also apologize for my lack of concentration earlier." That's alright, too. Just try to focus more in the future. And after we're done with the official investigation, we can go back by the lab for fun. * Red smirks. * Todd has joined #sab2020 * Ari looks a bit embarrassed. "What other information did you find?" * Red looks thoughtful about that. "Much that could possibly be useful, I think. Interesting bunch of students, here." * Ari tilts her head slightly. "Oh?" [Shortly there after that Dennis Borland, the Centaur, comes around the corner and has says a few hushed words to Luther Hurst. Listening awareness checks if you want them. +2 since they're down the hall.] 2d8-2 We've got intruders. How bad? Broke into Unicorn house, stole Maris's chest, apparently wandered a while before. Looks like a student with a bird familar. * Luther nods and walks off hurriedly, drawing his wand. Dennis follows. * Ari looks at Red. "That's the student you were going to interview. This seems very strange." Yes. Yes, it is. I think we should help out. Follow. Are you sure that this is under our jurisdiction? [They're around the corner now, you'd have to run to catch up.] No. But I want to know who's stealing Maris' things. I'd assume it was an acquaintance, but she couldn't pass for a student. * Red runs after Luther. Follow that jerk! * Ari nods and hurries after Red. (Stealth (moving silently) checks. +4 cause you're running.) [As you turn the corner you see Dennis turning around to look at the two of you while Luther keeps walking at a rather hurried pace.] May I help you two ladies? * Ari stops. Actually, we were thinking of helping you. Sorry, but I overheard what you said to Professor Hurst. Oh, nothing you need worry about, Professor Hurst is quite capable of handling the problem. Can I show you somewhere? * Red sighs. "No, not really. Thanks for the offer." * Dennis nods. He keeps standing in the hallway, incidentally blocking your path. He takes a moment to inspect one of the paintings. "You're quite welcome." * Ari turns and starts heading back towards the library. * Red turns and heads away. "Right." * Ari looks at Red. "So we are still going to interview Maris? I assume we should not tell her what is going on." * Red nods. "Of course. If we can't tag along, she's the only way to find out what's in her trunk that's worth stealing." ( Are we there yet? ^_~ ) [And the two of you arrive at the library, nice room, lots of intersting sections, bit of a crowded close feel aside from the reading tables by the windows, there are a mix of students including Maris and Jarrett Foss.] (Luck roll, both of you) [And as you're walking in you see Dustin walk up from behind Maris from one of the shelves, he doesn't seem to see Jarrett from his angle. "Hey Maris, found a new trick you might enjoy. Oh.." * Jarrett eyes him. "Enjoy as in use to make us miserable rich boy?" * Ari keeps quiet and watches. * Dustin scowls, "Yes, that's just what I meant, how clever of you Jarrett, always the man on the spot to bring a smile." * Dustin storms off. * Maris incidentally isn't smiling. * Red listens. Can you believe the gull of that man. Anyways, back to making me less stupid. * Red walks up go Jarrett and Maris. "Always a good goal, that." * Ari follows. (Ack, people! Best let Red deal with them. Unless they're interested in technology...) * Jarret looks up. "Ooh. Women in Black, hope you don't have to erase our memories because we've seen magic, cause you'd have a lot of work to do. * Maris rolls her eyes. * Ari keeps her expression neutral. It's not difficult for her to do. * Red smirks. "Oh, don't worry. The fellow what erases memories is on another asignment just now." She doesn't mention it's in the same castle. * Jarret smiles. "Just as well, I'd rather see and hate to forget you too." * Maris eyes Jarrett. "You're not half as charming as you think you are, you know?" * Red laughs. "She's right, yer know. But good try, lad, keep it up." Now. We're here inspecting the grounds and whatnot, which is something we have to do every once in a while. Rules, yer know. Will do! * Maris nods. * Red is speaking in a lower, more coloquial sort of English as she says this. Common people, we are. But, I'd like ta ask yer both some questions, and all I'm askin' is frank n' honest responses, right? Yes Ma'am! Of course. First off... what's the deal with that Dustin guy? I heard yer yellin' at 'im when I came up. * Ari watches the conversation intently, though she's still keeping quiet. Right bastard rich kid, thinks he's better than the rest of us. Ooh, magic family and money makes him a perfect human being. * Maris looks uncomfortable. * Ari refrains from rolling her eyes. Really. Alright. Either of you know Mallory Corwin? * Jarrett nods. "Yeah," His tone gets slightly suspicious. "What about him?" * Maris nods. "HE's not in trouble, is he?" Not that I know of, no. Met a teacher so far what doesn't like 'im, tho. Hurst? Either of yer have classis wit' 'im? Right bastard, no sense of humor whatsoever. * Maris frowns with distate. "He's uncomfortable around students that challenge him intellectualyl." Aww, thas' terrible. ...it'd explain some a' the things 'e said, tho. * Maris shrugs with an unsurprised look. Don't believe him, he's probably dumber than me, just been at it longer. * Red waves dismissively. "Ne'er mind that, tho. If 'es no good, I won't put much stock in what 'e says." Now, Jarrett. I'd like to talk to Maris private-like, right? * Jarrett's eyes widen slightly. "Ooh, private-like." Maris elbows him. * Ari does roll her eyes this time. * Jarrett stands up and walks off. "See you at dinner Maris." * Maris nods and waves. * Red waits for Jarrett to put himself beyond earshot, and then asks, "First off, Maris; yer seemed uncomfortable when Jarrett was talkin' about Dustin. Care ter say why?" * Maris looks slightly embarrassed. "Oh? Well.. It's just that.. It's just that they want him to be the bad guy, they goaded him into it, they want their Malfoy, they really shouldn't be surprised that he responds like that." Their Malfoy? I see. So he's not really a rotten dispicable person? * Red starts to frown as she says this. Certain parts of the popular online culture from the late twentieth century onward would say the same thing about Malfoy, actually. * Maris still looks embarrassed and blushes slightly. "Well, he does play along at times, says they need a reminder that everything isn't about them, I wish he wouldn't bait them, but, he's not so bad." Interestin'. Very, very interestin'. * Maris shrugs and comments somewhat pretentiously. "I prefer literature that actually talks about real magic." * Red grins. "O course." Alright. I've just one more question, and then I'll leave yer alone, right? What's in your trunk that's so special someone would try to steal it? * Maris goes white as a sheet. "Someone's stolen my trunk?" Well, tried. Hurst and that nice centaur were on their way to stop them as we came in here. Care to tell us why that's important? I.. I don't know. ::she tears up a little:: I hope Gallahad is alright. Gallahad? * Red says soothinigly, "Oh, he'll be jus' fine, don't worry." * Maris slowly gets ahold of herself. "My unicorn, I've had him since I was five." She manages to strength her voice a little. "Not that I need such silly things, but, he has some sentimental value." But, do you have anything in there? Maybe something you're holding for Mallory or Jarrett? * Maris shakes her head. "No, I'm not holding anything for them. Just my books, a few papers, and the like." * Red nods. "Alright. Sorry ter give yer such a fright with that one." She looks thoughtful. "But... one more thing?" * Maris looks up at Red. "Yes?" If Dustin is Malfoy... would Mallory be Harry? * Maris sighs. "Yes, although he doesn't help himself by thinking that." I imagine that would... do things to a person. Especially if yer percieving friends to be foes an' the like. It's not healthy. * Maris nods. I do my best to discourage it, I wish Ethelbert would do more, but maybe indulging Mallory is the only way. * Red shakes her head. "No. Indulging will only make it worse, trust me." I don't suppose Mallory ever talks to you about our organization? * Maris nods. "You're probably right. And about SAB you mean?" * Red nods. "Yes, that's right." I, well, it's not very nice.x It's okay, Maris. You can tell me. ( Did she mean SAB isn't very nice, or the things Mallory says about SAB aren't very nice? ) (That the things he said arne't) (She sounded hesitant.) ( Then what Red said *does* make sense. Yay. ^_^ ) That you use criminals and monsters when it suits your purposes, that you're willing to make devils bargains for short term advantage, maybe with the one that killed his parents. Is he right? ( Oh, is he ever. :P ) Well, let's see. The last time we used a criminal, she was instrumental in saving the lives of countless civilians. We do have a werewolf on staff, but he's a very good-hearted gentleman. Bagains with devils is news to me, honestly. The SAB is hardly perfect, I'll be the first to admit. But we're hardly the villains he's trying to paint us as. I think he's doing the same thing to us that he's done to Dustin. Perhaps. ::somewhat pretentious tone:: I'd rather suspect it's somewhere in between. Anything else I can do for you? No, thanks. You've been of tremendous help already. Pleasure meeting you, Maris. * Ari nods politely. "Yes, thank you for all your help." Pleasure meeting.. I don't believe I caught your names. Ah. Leslie Seifer. And this is Ari. Just Ari, I believe. * Ari nods. Oh, and if we go looking for Mallory, where can we find him? Probably dining hall, I'll be going there shorttly myself. * Red nods. "Alright, thanks." * Red waves to Maris, turns, and heads out of the library. On the way past Ari, she mutters "Setup." * Ari waits until they're both safely outside. "Ah?" * Red stops, leans over, ans whispers into Ari's ear. "Mallory stole those things to get us here. I'd bet money on it." * Ari whispers back. "So you believe that he coerced Maddox into helping him, and that a faculty member may not even be involved?" Possibly. If Maddox buys into his delusions, they'd be a good reason to do these things. I could be wrong, but this just feels right, you know? It really won't help me keep an open mind, tho. We know very little about him, and he is young and potentially quite impressionable. I have no feelings either way, but his reasearch into SAB, combined with his opinion on them, does point in a rather disturbing direction. It isn't just that. He thinks he's a storybook hero, too. And heros go on adventures. Real life never works out like the stories. Unless you're clever enough to make your own adventures. If he does something that brings SAB down on his head, he's clashing with a villain - in his own eyes, at least. I see. How useful would it be for us to talk with him directly? He may be far too set in his opinions for it to do much good. * Rowyn is now known as Kaede I'm not sure. We could possibly get confirmation from him, but if he's smart he won't talk. And last I checked, idiots don't make it far in the study of magic. Very true. I think... that I would like to meet him. [And it'll happen next session!]