Picking Up the Pieces

[Talia Idris]

Talia hide her smile behind her teacup as she subtly shook her head. Drayel's people skill certainly left a bit to be desired but he tried, at least when he felt like the person or moment deserved it. Switching her gaze from her table companions to her cup she realized that it was empty. Feeling rather foolish she slowly put the cup down and hoped that no one saw her embarrassment. Perhaps in her usual corner cafes no one would notice or care but here there always seemed to be a lurking presence.

A shiver ran down her back at that thought, as she remembered the presence from the night before. Thankfully their server returned and Talia allowed herself to be distracted. Honestly she wasn't sure what to think about the day or her two companions. Once again a dozen questions ran through her head as she gazed back and forth between them as their drinks were served. She opened her mouth to say something but finding herself without a topic to discuss that would involve both of them she closed it and waited quietly for one of them to say something first.

[Vicentius]

"Nonsense, Mister Morrig," Tius said, "compared to some of the patrons here you were positively pleasant."

He resumed his seat and smiled as Tarryk brought them another round of coffee, tea and nibbles. There were a few glances in their direction, some more subtle than others, but he didn't doubt that Drayel had made quite the impression. While the Guard was a noble and respected order in the city, the people it employed tended to be, for practical reasons, rough and ready, and unafraid to haul people off by the ear if need be. He didn't doubt that Drayel meant well or that the man had tried, but the impression he gave was of a man who would very much prefer to be wearing something else and have a weapon close to hand. Markham's was used to such a class of people, but they tended to be either heavies or debt collectors looking to haul someone off, seldom patrons.

Talia, for her part, seemed quite put off by something, though a smile threatened to appear whenever she looked at Drayel, who in turn looked a lot less threatening whenever he gazed at her. It seemed Bepa was likely due a happy surprise some time in the future then, he thought, trying to imagine her glee. He sipped his coffee, noting the almost comical way the two comoners huddled together against the tide of wealth, and caught another twinge of discomfort in Talia's posture. What was it that had her so tense? Drayel had it too, though Tius tended to put that down to his profession rather than a singular experience. Lowering his cup, he smiled and drummed his fingers on the tabletop, noting that Talia had opened her mouth to speak and then closed it.

"I am grateful you made it, Mister Morrig," he said. "I've been meaning to thank you for going out of your way to protect, Miss Idris. A shining example of Marn's Finest. We're considering touring the grounds of the University before heading to the Museum. Have you any preferences?"

[Drayel]

"Thank you." Drayel nodded in thanks as the waiter left as he gently took hold of the drink and brought it to his lips. Hearing the compliment he paused, eyes widening a little as he stared blankly at the man across the table. Realizing he should say something he turned red before clearing his throat and hesitantly picking up a sweet. "Thank you then though I'm hardly needing praise. I just take my duties seriously."

"The museum?" Drayel tilted his head a he looked thoughtful. A small smile grew as he itched at his ear. "Can't say I've ever gone. It is suppose to be quite the sight. I'd be taking Jack for a few hours but I'd fear him causing havoc right off the start." He laughed a little at the thought of him trying to sneak away with some strange trinket. Glancing over at Talia he gave her a grin. "That boy has the talent for finding trouble."

"Though, I ought to tell him I'll be home late." He stated, easily forgetting their snobby surroundings as he thought about his son. His began to fade however as he realized he needed something else. "I also need to thank Ysole for lending me Misneach. Also need that boy's homework. Bah. I guess I need to go to the school house."

[Talia Idris]

Talia grinned, again shaking her head as she thought about Drayel's adopted boy. She knew from personal experience what kind of trouble the boy could find himself in, either on purpose or completely unintentionally. For that matter she had dragged him off by his ear more then once. Poor Drayel had his hands full with Jackel, and his job. Not to mention having to keep an eye out for Shade and any problem that womanizer stirred up.

She smiled to herself as Drayel brought up Ysole. It was nice to see the man making a few more friends. Although she occasionally wondered if she was bound to be more then a friend for very long. She couldn't help chuckling to herself at the idea of Drayel courting anyone.

"Well it was nice seeing you again Mr. Morig." Talia said more seriously before quickly adding. "Oh! And tell Jackal if he is interested in picking up a bishani or two, we have a large event coming up in the next days and will need a delivery boy for supplies. And make sure he is water that garden. Teodinus knows why I planted one for you boys in the first place, it's probably practically dead as it is." She grumbled. Plants and gardening were one of the more important things to her, she always felt that she had a connection to them that she seemed to lack with pretty much anything else.

Goodbyes said Talia turned back to Tius feeling a little guilty. After all they kind of had left him out as they talked about things that he was not a part of. But she was feeling a bit better and tried not to let it get to her. "What is in this tea?" She murmured pleasantly. "I could have sworn I was on the verge of passing out from exhaustion earlier today and now I am feeling completely revived." She stared into her cup before leaning closer and whispering conspiratorially, "What do you think they lace it with?".

[Vicentius]

"One should not need praise to receive praise, Mister Morrig," Tius said, raising his cup, "Marn is grateful for the service of its Guardsmen."

He inclined his head, the proper and appropriate show of respect, and took a sip, savouring the taste of his tea. The discomfort was still there, he thought, but they were trying to mask it. He smiled, listening to Drayel's attempts to deflect the conversation back onto safer ground, which, of course, Talia jump at. Curious indeed, he thought, wondering why parents did that. Perhaps it was all that they had. Still, the man was uncomfortable receiving praise or recognition, so it was unlikely he got much at work. That could be useful in time.

"I wouldn't worry about it, Mister Morrig," he said, "the schools of Marn are full of rambunctious youths, and the staff at the museum are no strangers to troublemakers. I do believe there is a club of youngsters now who've tried to climb all of the fossils in the great hall at some point or another. Children will be children."

He knew that well enough from conversations with his brother and sister on the subject. His nephews were troublemakers in that adorable, partners in crime way that only young boys could be, though their mother claimed to be having none of it, and his niece was every bit as demanding as her mother in so many small ways. It was fascinating to watch them grow into miniature versions of their parents, though not so fascinating that he was rushing out to marry and procreate of course. Not that his father wouldn't have liked that, but Tius was content to put up with the constant questions and 'eligible bachelor' talk to get his job done.

What was stranger about the conversation was how Talia warmed and opened up throughout, clearly sharing a connection with Drayel over the boy that Tius was not privy to. There was a strange inconsistency there, he felt, between Talia's obvious discomfort around people and the warmth and familiarity with which she spoke of Drayel's apparent family. Perhaps it was that she knew them and was less frightened, he supposed, but with everyone else it seemed she saw a danger lurking that scared her to her core. What was she hiding that caused her such distress? What were they both hiding? He frowned at her words, his cup halfway to his lips.

"I don't think its come to that, surely," he said. "The schoolhouse isn't far."

[Drayel]

Drayel couldn't stop the bark of laughter that escaped his lips as he gave Talia a crooked grin, though he turned as though to stand. If she was comfortable enough to crack jokes with this Tius character then perhaps she'd be safe after all. Hearing Tius however he paused, feeling a bit confused as he frowned at the man. He glanced at Talia again before cocking his head.

"If you'd like, I suppose we could all go." Drayel stated though he gave the richer man a rather withered look. "However, keep your hand on your money purse and your eyes on his hands. He finds it funny to swipe them. Not that he doesn't return it afterwards. He just... ugh."

Drayel grimaced as he rubbed his brow with a hand.

"He seems to like giving me stress." He finally stated with a rather weary chuckle. "Stress and the never ending job of returning our neighbor's sheep."

[Talia Idris]

Talia shrugged voicing her thoughts - the edge gone, either from the tea, the company or the fact that she was too tired to really be in her right mind. "You two were the ones who dragged me out against my will," she teased, "And thereby committed me to an evening of interrogation when I get back. So I shall leave my fate in your hands." She blushed a little as her thoughts bounced to the evening of the gala when Tius had his hands on her. It was all very courteous and proper but still not something she was really used to.

"You should really just get that boy his own animal - something a little more proper and polite that Shade. And if he causes to much trouble you can always tell him you will make plans to make dinner out of it." She grinned - knowing that as serious and strict Drayel could be that would never happen.

"So boys - what's the plan?" Putting down her tea cup Talia leaned her chin on her clasped hands and looked expectantly between her two male companions.

[Vicentius]

"A little interrogation now and then keeps you on your toes," Tius said, looking thoughtful, "as do pickpockets."

He returned Drayel's withering look with a blank stare of his own. A person didn't walk the streets of Marn with any amount of money and return with it, without keeping one's wits about them. He had traveled too far and gone through too much to let that one pass him by, and guardsman or no, if Drayel's son tried the old dippitty-doo on him, he'd feel the flat of Tius' hand and no mistake.

Talia, though, her expression remained calm, and almost doting, as she thought of the boy. Perhaps there was something there that she sympathized with, Tius thought, or, more likely, she had just spent far too much time with him. Either way, it was good to know that she had more going on than she let on. His mind went back to the hints he had seen, and he shrugged, keeping his eyes on Drayel.

"We shall follow our brave Guardsman," he said, smiling brightly, "and see if he can't protect us from this rapscallion of his."

[Drayel]

"I'll do my best." Drayel sighed as he moved to stand, pausing when he locked eyes with one of the richer patrons. He glared and the eyes quickly verted away, making him snort in annoyance before getting up and stretching his sore shoulder. Offering a hand to Talia he paused, wrinkling his nose a bit before grumbling. "Though we better go before I get thrown out."

IT wasn't until he headed farther away from the cafe, money paid and nobles left behind that Drayel felt his shoulders ease up and his gait change into an settled tromp. His eyes kept moving around the street, watching constantly for dangers but still taking in the commoner scenery as he soaked it in. Glancing at Talia he gave a stiff chuckle.

"My Father found me somewhere 'round here apparently." Drayel stated offhandedly as he walked the streets like his second home. "Said he thought a cat got caught under a wheel or a thorn brush but got me instead. Couldn't get me to stop wailing either."

He snorted at the thought, his hand coming up to touch at his neck despite the necklace being locked away at home. He grimaced. "Silly bastard didn't know the shit he was getting into." He muttered with a sigh, glancing down the row of houses. Not much had changed since his early walks to the school, complaining to his father he didn't want to go before being ushered away from the horse and cart. Off he'd go, kicking up dust and whining as his father prepared to sell their produce for the day. Then a few hours after school they'd get together again, load whatever didn't sell and head back home to supper.

He remembered walking down these streets as a child, hoping to somehow find his 'real' parents, feeling the jealous frustration every time a child hugged their mother or rode their father's shoulders. Father may have been too old to carry him, but nothing warmed him more than Mother's hugs. The smell of warm bread and meat pies baking in the oven, sometimes baked goodies awaited him on the counter when he arrived home from a good day of school. Drayel felt a hitch in his throat that he quickly growled out, forcing the memories back with a harsh huff as he itched at his ear.

"Jackal is a bit rough around the edges, but he was abandoned for two years before I got him off the street." Drayel grumbled roughly. He kept his eyes forward. "It isn't an excuse for his behavior, but it's fair warning if he gives you lip. I swear that boy has enough attitude for the city itself some days."

[Talia Idris]

Talia was happy to see Drayel relax once they had gotten a sufficient distance away from the cafe. She too felt slightly relieved for while she didn't nesessarily mind it and certainly wasn't against it for the same reasons Drayel would have been, she simply felt like a fake. Not to mention it was exhausting or maybe she was just exhausted. Talia looked down her hands - for some reason the brochure to the museum was still in her hands, crumpled a little from the stress and anxiety that she had been feeling since the night before.

Stopping for a moment Talia attempted to smooth out the crumpled paper before biting her lip and staring at the two men who were slowly walking away from her. Hiding the brochure behind her back she quickened her pace until she caught up with them - her mind made up.

"Mr. Morrington, Morig....I am sorry to do this to you but...I have somethings that I really need to do. I hate to end things like this but perhaps we can continue another day? And Drayel, tell Jackal I said hello and I will hopefully swing by and check out how the garden is doing over there. Hopefully he hasn't killed everything again." With a smile and avoiding their gazes Talia turned around and headed back towards the bakery with the idea to turn back around when she was far enough away.

She felt guilty leaving the both of them like this, without much of an explanation but she was going to be alone tonight agan. Talia knew that she needed to at least get a better understanding of what was going on, who she was and what this possessed thing was that was threatening the normalcy of her life.