FishingForSympathy[continued from Washing Away the Sins] Gillian had made good time after hasty departure; the narrow streets and winding steps taking her from the harbor up into the lower city. Even the heavy crowds - buying today’s fresh catch - hadn’t slowed her down. Obviously, something was awry with the universe. “Cat-abusing hussy!” Ginger’s voice rang out across the fish market like a cannon shot. The barkers and patrons all turned in her direction, allowing Gillian a brief view through the crowd. Across the human ocean, she could see a much-abuse Joao struggling with a very irate Ginger. The cat appeared very lively for an animal once near death. "More like the other way around," Gillian muttered. She immediately changed her direction and bee-lined it toward her familiar and the human she was abusing. "Not permitting you to eat your weight in today's catch is no abuse," Joao countered. "Especially since I think your appetite could impoverish even House Galitzin." When she reached them, she forced a smile for Joao and relieved him of his claw-extended burden. Her eyes were very bright as she hugged Ginger to her chest. "Silk is dead," she told them quietly. "The Katayan that Cole was seeing. She was murdered. Her body appeared out of nowhere at the stroke of midnight last night." "Greffet," Joao cursed, scowling. "I remember her. The Berehynia's crew and I rescued Cole, her and their companion after their boat attracted attention from a nasty Avanc." "So our enemies seek to strike at those we care about, now?" Joao said, somewhat rhetorically. He immediately thought that his family was safe in Rebma--but what if they visited Amber. And what about Professor Isolde... Joao shuddered at the thoughts engendered by Gillian's words. "How is Cole holding up?" Joao said. "The authorities don't think he had anything to do with it, do they?" For once, Ginger had no witty repartee to contribute. Instead, she quietly bumped her head against the woman’s hand. "I don't know. I was just on my way to find him when I heard Ginger--her voice rather carries, you know. I'd gone to visit Mury and Syd--Mury does Cole's laundry--and she said that Blackcoats had visited them earlier. They think Cole is responsible for the murder, and that I helped him! Can you believe it?" Gillian drew in shallow breaths and glanced wildly around, as if expecting a Blackcloak to appear out of nowhere. For now, the market remained empty of prying Blackcloaks. Joao put a hand on Gillian's shoulder. "I am sorry. I do not know how we will exonerate Cole, and yourself, but I will bend all efforts to do so." He kept the hand on the shoulder. "Perhaps the strange circumstances of the murder and your known arcane talents allowed them to come to that erroneous conclusion." "But—" Ginger snorted, “Well, she does have a tendency of blowing things up. Like Shadows. And Familiars. She’s a regular Wyld Storm, this one.” "I am not!" Gillian replied indignantly. "Those incidents...were not my fault. Completely." “Oooooh, of course not,” Ginger droned. “I’ll bet Prince Brand used that excuse just before Caine pitched him in the Abyss. ‘I know this looks bad, but I relatively innocent for the destruction of well, everything.’” "Anyway...that Blackcoat Commander Coteaz has had it in for me every since the Vernal Equinox Incident, and he's the one investigating Silk's murder. I'm screwed." Joao curled his lip. "Da. An streltzi who will only see what he wants to see and does what he wants. There was a rebellion amongst the streltzi in Rebma a few centuries ago, they did not learn their place and were brutally reminded of whom they serve. King Random should do the same with these Blackcoats." "If we discover who or what did this and bring it to the attention of whom Coteaz serves, the problem will be resolved, da?" Ginger sighed, “Oh yeah. ‘Cause it’ll be just that simple. Riiiight. Do you know how easy it’ll be to strap a scape to this goat?" She moaned with true despondency. "Unicorn save me. I'll be the most popular pussy in prison!" Joao snorted. "Ginger's right," Gillian said. "We couldn't bring it to the attention of Coteaz. But Lt. Maes might be able to help. Or if he doesn't have enough clout, then Prince Caine--he protected me against Coteaz once already." Gillian kissed Ginger between her ears and set her down. "Balls, but this is all getting convoluted and complicated. I wish I was just a student once again, when the worst thing that was happening to me was getting bullied by my roommate Daphne. Ah, those were the days." "Da. When I worried if I could keep the attentions of a tempestuous Princess" Joao reminisced. "We did not ask for this to be thrust upon any of us. Or did we?" Joao looked around the fish market. "Caught in their net, or like a minnow, attracted to the others in our heads." "Bob said we agreed to it, but I don't remember such a thing. And I remember everything. I dunno." "I likely never would have met any of you but Raina if not for it..."' Joao added. He looked down at Ginger. "And you would not have the chance to eat Salmon Kulebyaka in Rebma." Ginger purred, fluttering her eyes seductively. “Joao, you had me at salmon.” Joao smiled to Ginger. "I am glad that your position before has changed." Ginger waggled her furry brows, “Oh hun, I got me a whole load of positions.” "I got the documents to allow you, Raina and I to travel there, Gillian" Joao added brightly. "Well, technically, we knew each other before we found out about...you know. But I know what you mean." Gillian smiled at him. "So when do you want to leave?" "I spoke with Raina before finding you," Joao said. "We can all leave relatively soon, as our class schedules permit." Joao trembled visibly. "I am eager to find out what you, Ginger and Raina will think of my home..." he breathed sharply, "and for us to find the truth of my father." Ginger nodded, “And deal with this Familiar issue, one way or another. Snip that cord in the bud.” "Me too, on both regards. Maybe the day after tomorrow?" Gillian asked. "I need to check in with my instructors first, since I've been out. "And right now I'd like to go try to find Cole. I need to talk to him about Coteaz. So if you'll excuse me... "Will I see you tonight again at the lab?" "Of course!" Joao piped up. "There is safety in numbers, and so much to learn about what we and our Others can and should do against the darkness." He bobbed his head twice. "Until tonight, Miss Talbot. Ginger." Ginger slashed her tail in the air, “Thank you, Me-Joao. Looking forward to this fatherly-salmon-girlfriend-meets-mommy thing.” She slumped bonelessly over Gillian’s shoulder, “Giddy-up, Crone!” "Whatever you say, Hag." Gillian waved goodbye to Joao and headed back to the University. [continued in Rude Awakenings] |
