Tower Fallout (S 3.1)

Location: The Roost
Time: afternoon


Syd,

It's a drizzly afternoon when a Sippian on a jet ski arrives to inform the Talons that Lucky Strike is on his way. Scarcely half an hour later, he shows up - not in the Merrimack, but on a speed boat sprinkled with weapons and menacing art in style like Day of the Dead (crystal and sugar skulls). Lucky has five guards with him, but he enters The Roost with only one - Regal (once the Ivy called "Tuscan").

You aren't present for that meeting because Janelle dragged you into the room where Parker and her daughter have been staying - a small out-of-the-way room up a set of stairs with a view of another building. Easily the worst accommodation Parker's experienced in as long as you've known her. She hasn't complained, but you know she has to be feeling the pinch of tight quarters and dealing with her daughter without any breaks.

Janelle quickly states that she and Parker want to talk to you about what options they have to get back to he Tower. Because that's something they obviously want.

What's your first response to their ardent request?

It has been rather quiet for me since the meeting in the chancel - with the Talons making preparations, and Helix generally avoiding me. I've busied myself with checking in on both Talons and Princey's family, though I haven't mustered the courage to talk with Shrike yet. Still, I have had plenty of time to think - perhaps that is not for the best.

It's hard to tell if it is due to seeing a different side of the world, or if I'm truly becoming paranoid, but I constantly find myself questioning everyone's motives. A trait that was instilled in me back at the Tower, but now that I've been closer to the "action", the intensity of these doubts have been amplified.

The question that has been wracking my mind today has been, how do I know that these women weren't the ones who orchestrated the attack on Princy? The best answer I have come up with, is that I have to assume that they did it, yet treat them as I always have.

"How is your recovery coming along, Madame Parker?" I speak in a gentle, low tone and gesture to indicate that I would like to see the wound at her side.

I briefly look her over, making sure there is no infection setting in as they make their case about returning to the Tower. Of course, it must be hard for each of them out here. If they are going to feel they are at risk, they may as well do so in the comfort of their home, with all the amenities of the Tower. And if this was all part of their plan from the beginning - all the more reason to be home.

"Surely, you need no permission from me. I'm sure Canary and her crew would be more than willing to run you back to the Tower." I know very well that I've excluded myself from that sentence. While Parker will soon have her own scar, mine rests purely in my mind. Exacerbated by the lack of trust I seem to have in anyone right now. "Would you like me to set up a meeting for you with her?" I inquire.

Their reaction brings me some level of peace, as does the progress of Parker's healing. I make my way to a chair at the side of the room and sit. I've never been one to tolerate the intrigues of the Tower nor the stresses of the world outside the Tower. That's part of why I sought out this profession from the start - simply be kind to others and pray my needs will be met.

The only way I get through any of this is by being transparent.

"We've been here because I know it is safe. I can get myself, and you, on your feet again without shuddering at the flicker of every shadow." I realize now that what I thought was paranoia, may be more accurately identified as a trauma response. The thought of being alone and hunted in the Tower... chased away for a narrative that wasn't true and wasn't mine to control - betrayed by everything I thought was safe.

"The other night a delivery had arrived. Large." I stare at the ground as I begin recounting the events of the night. "Miss Canary had dropped it off, and had an aide with her - went by Blue Light. He helped bring the shipment up to the flat, and before I knew it the fahrbot man drew his pistol and fired right at Master Princy." The words come out dripping in odium and sorrow. I draw a choppy breath and continue, "I cut him down immediately and tended to Master Princy's wound. He was in critical condition, but stable. The twins were tending to him when I left to confront Canary about Blue Light. Lucius had been present when I arrived, but was nowhere to be found after this incident." I wipe some tears from my face.

I consider pausing to check on the women after hearing that Princy was shot but believe it best to continue. "Millions was throwing a party at NOA, where I found Canary. I was able to talk to Canary and she confirmed that Blue Light was just picked up as extra help - no way she could have known he was an assassin." At least I'll keep telling myself that as long as I can. "I crossed paths with the Talons at this time, as they were coming into the lobby. But that's when Kamae, from the Fountains, appeared and accused me of orchestrating the whole thing and they attacked. Litch almost killed him in defense." I trail off. So much to say. So much has happened.

I look up at them, finally. "With people crawling out of the woodwork after me, and no means of fighting back - Mr. Litch offered to let me spend some time here. Wasn't much later and they came upon you in your troubles. Still, I know so little. Who orchestrated this? Why? Is Mr. Lucius connected? Did he time the attack for when you were away?" Did you time this to occur while you were away? The thought springs to my mind uninvited, as if someone were whispering it in my ear, but I push it aside.

"If you want to go back we can, though the idea of doing so after everything turned against me terrifies me to the bone. Still, I hate myself for leaving the Master's side - and I will stay by you no matter what."

I respond to the women saying, "I will hold my judgment on this until I've seen it with my own eyes. As I said, Master Princy was stable with the twins before. As you know, we have solid security and plenty of resources. I'm not surprised that some rumor has spread based on the sheer number of quidnuncs at the Tower. Word seems to travel faster than sound itself - regardless of its quality. Besides, the scene I was involved in with Kamae contributed significantly."

Paisley's concern is also valid. Any number of things can happen to servants when their masters pass. Best case scenario an ally household adopts them. Unfortunately, in this situation, the twins were really more of a passion project of Princy's. I doubt other families would be interested in them - for their music. They would likely be abandoned and barred from the Tower, left to fend for themselves; or sold off to a regional gang.

I stand from the chair and approach Paisley, saying, "They'll be okay. They have each other and their songs. I'll track them down as soon as possible. That's assuming they aren't actually sitting beside your father, serenading him with lullabies." I crouch down to look into her eyes, smiling a wide smile. "If they were here now, I imagine they'd sing a song for you. Can you tell me what they would sing to you? Maybe sing a little for me?"

I listen to Paisley begin her song. While she doesn't have the years of practice and technical prowess that the twins do, her voice carries a purity and innocence that permeate through the room and down to my core. However, it is Janelle's motion that ends up capturing my attention.

I join her near the doorway. "Are you okay Nellie?" She's one of the few I speak to informally. "Just so I'm clear, I do not think Parker is in a strong enough condition to return to the Tower yet. But now that I know they are safe," I nod over to the two enjoying their song, "I'm more than willing to try to sneak back into the tower to check on Master Princy."

I consider Janelle's words carefully. Her distrust of the Talons is warranted, but my experiences with them over the past couple of days have shaped my relationship with them. But talk of home - I certainly understand where she is coming from, since I want the same thing - even though a deep fear lurks in my core. But knowing they are here and safe gives me hope that there is reason to go back.

As long as everyone seems to be planning to risk life and limb, I may as well get a first-hand look at the tower. "I guess you'll know if it's safe if I come back." Then a thought occurs to me. We can still gather a little information here before heading back to the Tower. "You know what, Millions had Canary take on Dinero - we might be able to get a little insight out of him regarding what is happening at the Tower."

I'm sure we could contact the Refuge with something in Merlin's shop - but I'm worried about not being able to see his reactions to my questions, or someone scanning for signals picking up my line of questioning. Maybe the best bet is just to march in and ask for answers to the questions I want from those I've built up as my greatest barriers.

I reach behind me and pull Blue Light's revolver, extending it to Janelle, grip facing her. "This was the pistol that Blue Light used to fire at Princy before I cut him down," I say to her in a hushed tone. "The bullets left, I was going to put each one in whoever has orchestrated this."

Looking at the gun, the words Merlin said to me pop into my mind. "I try to fix people. I don't want to kill again. Besides, I'm willing to bet you'd feel more comfortable with a little firepower here. I'll find a way back to the Tower, and if you haven't heard from me in three days time, assume me killed or captured."

End Scene