RP:Dead End Lead

Part of the Once Upon a Midnight Dreary Arc

Summary: Meri and Mahri try and generate some leads on Maggie but they don’t manage to get much in the way of info. They do manage to reclaim one of her cursed trinkets, it’s purpose remains a mystery.

The Red Ogre Inn

A quick letter was penned and then given to one of the Unseen so that it could be delivered to one of Mahri’s known haunts. The word that Mahri received was short and to the point, as is typically Meri’s style. The letter reads, “Mahri, would you care to help me try and dig up some information on that Maggie character that Quintessa has asked us to search for? Meet me at the bridge leading into Larket, if you are interested.” A date and time is of course included in this letter, what is the point in trying to meet up at a location if no when is included? Finally, the letter is signed as ‘M’. Maybe it’s from Meri? Maybe it’s from Magik? Maybe Mahri got blackout drunk and wrote a letter to herself? There is really only one way for Mahri to confirm which of the possible ‘M’s wrote this letter. On the day of the meeting, Meri would be standing on the bridge in plain sight, waiting to see if her sleuthing partner would show up for this little information digging adventure. The blonde is dressed in her usual style, seeing no reason to disguise herself while trying to ask a few harmless questions about some peddler. She is wearing form fitting black pants, the bottoms of which are tucked into worn in black, combat style boots. The only part of her outfit that was not fully black was the corset that she was wearing, it had pops of blood red on it...a shade that matched that lipstick that the blonde so loved to wear. Meri had arrived just before the proposed meeting time, presuming it better to arrive early rather than late. She did not want to keep Mahri waiting, not when this entire expedition was her idea. While the tattooed woman waited, she was idly smoking hand-rolled cigarettes to pass the time.

Mahri received the letter at her most usual haunt, The Hanging Corpse. After reading the note, she nods to the messenger and crumples it in her hand, sending back her affirmation that she’ll be there. The handwriting was too neat to be Magik’s and she didn’t know too many M’s or anyone else whom Tessa had requested this information from. So, on the appointed date and time, Meri’ll be waiting at that bridge by the time Mahri steps a booted foot on it. Dressed in her usual attire of black, leather pants, shirt and even gloves with her dark hair twisted into a braid to swing lazily down her back, she too is smoking a cigarette though she pays someone to roll them for her. Flicking the end of the butt over the bridge; because why the heck not, the lycan clears her throat to catch the other woman’s attention though it’s possible that Meri has scented her already. The breeze was blowing in Meri’s general direction from behind the elder lycan after all. “Figured it was you,” she spoke first, a grin tugged at the corner of her mouth and just touched the silver-grey of her eyes. She liked the woman, but wouldn’t say so aloud. Meri was good for Magik. At least, Mahri hoped so. “What’s your plan? Where do we start?” Sidling up to the blonde, Mahri leaned against the rail of the bridge and canted her head curiously – quirking one brow.

Meri did indeed catch Mahri’s sent before her eyes even shifted the direction of the other lycan. When Mahri leans against the rail of the bridge, Meri meets the other woman with the same easy-going smile that she has flashed Mahri numerous times in the past. The more time the pair spent together, the better idea Mahri would get about if Meri was actually the sort of woman who was good for Magik or not. Magik was certainly proving to be good for Meri, but that would not end up being the focus of today’s events. Meri’s expression grows serious as her blue eyes shift away from the elder lycan and north into the town itself. “Well, from what I gathered from the meeting, we got no idea where this Maggie is. So all we can do right now is ask around? See if she has been through. If she has been through, maybe we can get some idea of where she is going? Maybe she let something slip, if she was even in these parts?” Meri had her doubts, but what more could the group do. Quintessa’s intel indicated that Maggie could be anywhere between Cenril and Chartsend. “While we did come up with the fine idea of trying to see of Leo would let us borrow that slave ship we stole to set a trap for Maggie...I have not seen Leo since the finals of the Titans of Winter.” Which….she did not find particularly alarming, all things Leoxander considered. “So yeah, all we can do is ask around. If we don’t find any clues about this Maggie, then maybe we’ll find some hints as to where Leo’s been.” Meri takes a step or two north but the short journey into Larket would only continue if it seemed like Mahri was moving in stride with her. “The way I see it though, we can’t just go asking if anyone has seen Maggie. I’m still of the mindset to see ask the local shops if they have heard of any interesting artifacts for sale. We can use my guild,” the Adventurer’s Guild, “as cover. We do have that fancy museum that we house artifacts in….” Meri lifts a brow, casting another glance Mahri’s direction. “Whatcha think?” While Meri might have sent out this invite, the blonde did not view herself as running the show. Besides, Mahri’s opinion was valuable to her.

​​Mahri actually wasn’t against asking Leo for help in this, and she might be able to reach him, but she put that thought aside for the moment as she followed Meri towards Larket. “We have to at least try to be inconspicuous about asking around.” Her steps were lazy, not hurried in the least, as though she had nothing else in the world to do. Really, Mahri didn’t. Most days since that meeting, she’d been at the Corpse, drinking. Of course, now the lycan’s stone sober and ready to tackle this task. “Do you think using your guild as a cover will work well enough?”

Meri equally was not opposed to asking Leo for help, she was a big part of the reason he actually had his current ship. Yet, much like Mahri, she puts that thought aside. “Like I said, if you have any additional suggestions….I am open to it. Otherwise, the guild purchasing to expand the Museum’s assortment seems about as plausible a cover as any, given what we need to be asking about.” If Mahri had other suggestions, this would be the last call for her to voice any additional ideas as the two women were traveling from the bridge to Larket into the city itself. One of the first establishments they would encounter when entering the city is the Red Ogre Inn and Meri gives pause just outside of it, staring at the building thoughtfully for a moment before saying, “The local watering hole seems like as good of a place to start as any. Bartenders are usually a great source of information, in my experience. They hear a lot of talk while serving up the population…And if that does not get us any leads, maybe we can get a peek at the guest book. Unless our friend Maggie is sleeping on the streets, if she came through she might have gotten a room…” Another look is given to Mahri as Meri steps forward, opening the door for the lycan woman and grinning impishly, “After you, gorgeous.” Given all things Magik related, Meri was just playful in a harmless way. When the two women make their way into the lavish Inn, they will quickly note that the guest book is guarded by Thomas, who was a middle-aged and cheerful looking man. Of more concern was Gumon, the giant who was employed as both bellhop and bouncer. Finally there was the serving staff, that consisted of one busty bartender who was not shy in flirting her way toward more favorable tips. If any information was to be gained here, Meri and Mahri were going to have their work cut out for them.

Mahri was more the “intimidate them until they gave it up” type of person, not really the idea sort. Call her the muscle to Meri’s brain. “I’ll follow your lead here. Subtlety is not one of my strengths,” she smirks slightly. Entering Larket, the lycan looked about a little nervously for signs that her banishment was still in place. Absently, Mahri rubbed the place her left thumb should have been against her thigh. When royal guards didn’t immediately call her to halt and take her off to jail, the wolf visibly relaxed and continued on. Coming to the Inn, she tiltled her head curiously towards it. “Maggie-girl doesn’t strike me as stupid. She hasn’t kept herself free by openly advertising where she is.” She side-eyed the blonde, “I doubt she’ll sign her real name in an Inn registry.” It wouldn’t hurt to look though so she stepped in ahead of Meri. Mahri didn’t for a second think anyone in here was harmless. No. Thomas may seem cheerful and pounchy, but under that was something harder and more steely than what met the eye. The Giant – well, she’d taken care of a few in her time. The bartender, though friendly, probably wasn’t going to do more than surface chat and flirt. Silver-grey eyes swept over the room before leading Meri towards a table where she could sit facing the door and have a good vantage point to surveil the Inn and the people coming and going. It also kept her right hand free to snatch the dagger plainly tucked into a sheath strapped snuggly to a leather clad thigh. Some watched the dark-haired lycan with recognition, others with curiosity, and almost all of them eyed her companion with an interest she’d have to discourage – forcefully if necessary. Gods forbid something happened to Magik’s mate while the women were together. “Listen,” she started saying, leaning across the table to keep the conversation as private as possible in the Inn, “I’m no good at asking questions so you do that and I’ll just sit here being scary.” Narrowed eyes dared her new friend to laugh.

The brief moment of nervousness that Mahri displayed did not escape Meri’s attention but she handled it in a similar fashion to the moment that Rumiko’s nervousness was noted at the very recent clan meeting. Now was not the time or place for Mahri to question, maybe later and in a more private setting if given the chance. Besides, Mahri seemed to relax for the time being. Meri formed the same internal opinion as Mahri did of the bartender, as flirty and social as the bartender seemed to be, she probably would not be easily pressed to give out any information. An order of hot chocolate and cheesecakes is placed for the sake of appearances and while the two wait, Meri begins to formulate and put some sort of plan into action. “Keep eyes on the giant,” the blonde whispers after their order has arrived. Meri takes her cup of hot chocolate in hand and abandons Mahri at the table, making a beeline for Thomas. The hope was the Innkeeper would be more inclined to provide information than the bartender who flirts for that extra coin. “Hey,” Meri greets Thomas as a warm smile forms across her red lips. “I was wondering if you would be able to help me out and point me in the right direction?” The conversation between Meri and Thomas continues, with Meri making a bit of a small talk about how she’s not from this area but she heard that Larket was a decent place to go for those who were looking to shop for high end and sometimes enchanted items. At first Thomas seems reluctant to answer, but Meri can be quite a charmer when she wants to be, and she eventually manages to get one interesting piece of information out of the Innkeeper. He does not think that there was anyone currently in the area, but he did notice that there was a woman who had set up a temporary stall in the same location of Lucy’s Crossing, sharing the space with the clothing vendor briefly. No look is sent to Mahri, but the other lycan would be able to hear this entire conversation through the enchanted SoS communicator that each member had. Maybe Mahri and Meri would be able to catch some sort of scent at the crossing? Or maybe they would be able to learn if someone had purchased an item from their Maggie? Meri was not quick to return to Mahri, the blonde kept chattering away with Thomas but she hoped that Mahri catch that subtle look Meri sent her way which then shifted toward the door.

Mahri caught the conversation and subtle look from Meri. Setting enough coin to cover drinks and then some, but not enough to be remembered, the lycan rises from her seat and heads towards the door, leaving alone for all appearances. Setting out, the lycan makes her way to Lucy’s Crossing. Already the market has begun. Sellers hawk their wares as Mahri passes by. None of it by any means cheap or poorly made. From trinkets to jewelry to fine cloth – Mahri waves them all off to find the clothing vender that Meri had wrangled info on. A slow circuit around the square and she finds the woman and casually walks over. Looking over shirts as though interested in them, Mahri fingers the materials before refolding and putting one after the other down. Frowning, she looks up to catch the attention of the tradeswoman who walks over with a cordial smile. Very business like. “How may I help you, miss?” Mahri returns the smile, “I like the shirts, but I’m looking for something extra. I heard there was someone selling unique trinkets but I can’t seem to find anything but the usual.” The merchant glances to the empty space next to her with a frown, “Yes, there was a woman here. She sold something to a young lady the last time she was here.” She pauses a moment to think before saying to Mahri, “In fact, she sold a lovely brooch to Mary-Lu, from Red Ogre Inn. Maybe she’ll know where to find the old lady.” Smiling her thanks, Mahri heads back to the Inn auspiciously to speak to Mary-Lu, but she’s sure that Meri has already heard this conversation through that enchanted device as well.

Meri had not quite managed to leave the Red Ogre Inn. Maybe if she felt like this mission was going to be more dangerous she would have made more of an effort to leave shortly after Mahri. This was more information gathering, as far as she was aware, and Mahri was more than capable of handling her own. So Meri keeps mingling with Thomas for a few moments longer, not wanting to raise his suspicions by chasing immediately after Mahri. Once their conversation is brought to a close, Meri makes her way back to the table and partakes in her cheesecake and hot chocolate, it is during this time that she is able to overhear the information that Mahri was learning through that communicator. Mary-Lu. Red Ogre Inn. Brooch. It was enough information for Meri and it also suggested that if she hung tight in her current position that Mahri would soon return to her. While she waits for her lycan friend, Meri is looking around the room for clues of this Mary-Lu. It had been years since Meri had frequented Larket, so she is not entirely familiar with who the woman might be, and she did not want to outright ask. She was hoping that at some point a woman would come into view who was wearing a piece of jewelry that fit the description. It wasn’t that flirty bartender, or at least if it was…? She was not wearing said brooch. While Meri waits, another member of the staff comes into view and begins to hold a conversation with Thomas. As luck would have it, after providing the innkeeper a brief update on her current tasks, this woman passes through the dining area on her way to the kitchen. She was about to enjoy lunch but unbeknownst to Meri, the blonde delayed it. And why? She sees that a brooch is fastened to her shirt. Depending on when Mahri returned, she would potentially overhear Meri first asking for a box for her unfinished cheesecake. When Mary-Lu returns with said box, Meri reaches out to touch that brooch casually. A bit of flirtation, flattery, and general overfriendly behavior was just a distraction technique to loosen that brooch from the woman’s shirt so that Meri could in the end lift it from her person. “This is a very lovely brooch. Where did you purchase it? I would not mind getting something similar myself.” Mary-Lu informs Meri of the following, “It was purchased through a merchant that was just passing through.” Which of course prompts Meri to inquire, “Did this merchant happen to tell you where she would be heading off to next?”

Mahri is close, but probably not close enough to rejoin Meri at the Inn while she talks to Mary-Lu. Mary-Lu, flattered that such a lovely woman would be giving her such compliments, glances towards the door as though expecting someone to overhear who shouldn't. "Oh, she doesn't have a set schedule," the younger woman offers. "She just sort of shows up randomly and always has something interesting to sell. I saved for weeks to buy something nice for myself and this just called to me." She paused, "I could tell her you're looking for something similar the next time she comes through and give her your name if you'd like. I'm sure she'd make an extra trip for coin." Mahri might think that's a good idea, just not a real name of course. If Meri agrees or not, the wolf isn't there to really tell her otherwise and talking to herself through that communication device would just make Mahri look crazier than she usually does.

During that moment that Meri reached out to touch the brooch, the blonde managed to successfully loosen the fastening. She was not eager to remove it during the conversation, which might seem perplexing to your average thief but Meri has learned some interesting ways to put her psionic abilities to good use. “Go ahead and tell her there is interest, though I am not sure there is much point in leaving a name. I only pass through Larket from time to time, but maybe I will encounter her in another area. I do like to travel a lot, I am not really the stationary sort.” That was only a partial lie, Meri did a lot of traveling, usually in the company of Magik, but the two always ended up back in Kelay-Sage. Yet, Meri did not want to bring Maggie’s attention to the treehouse, that sounded like nothing but trouble. It seemed that Mary-Lu was willing to accept the logic that Meri gave. The blonde was not the only traveler in the lands and Mary-Lu would have no job security if travelers were so few and far between. Meri flashes Mary-Lu a smile, “Anyway, thank you for relaying the interest. I should probably stop talking your ear off and let you get back to work.” Meri was not fussed that Mahri was not back, for she herself would be taking her leave very soon. Their paths will undoubtedly intersect at some point very soon. Mary-Lu dips her head in a polite nod in agreement with Meri, “Aye, I should get back to it.” Once more there were no objections from Mary-Lu, what employee ever enjoyed being stopped by a customer on a lunch break. She scurries off after this declaration. Just before is out of sight Meri uses her telekinetic abilities to try and claim that broochl’. There were no flashy lights involved, no odd sounds. That was not how telekinesis works. Kinetic energy is manipulated enough that the brooch appears to just fall. Except, it’s not actually noticed by anyone since it is such a simple task, and rather than colliding with the ground in a ting? It merely levitates toward Meri’s hand. Were the room more crowded, someone might notice. Yet it was midday and there were not a lot of drinkers. Yet. As soon as Meri accomplishes her task, she casually stands and leaves enough coin on the table to cover her bill, then out the front door she goes. The end goal was out of Larket, so that Meri and Mahri could return to their homes, but Meri would not leave Larket without Mahri’s company. It would seem today that neither of them would actually be finding Maggie, but perhaps sometime in the future…

Mahri wouldn't be far away, infact she could see the door of the Inn Meri steps out of. Her pace picks up so that she falls naturally in step with the blonde. "You got it?" Maybe there would be a lingering scent they could follow to find Maggie. Did she really believe that possible? No, but it was worth a shot.

The object that the two lycan women had just retrieved does not seem to have any linger scent of this Maggie they are looking for. It has been in Mary-Lu’s possession for long enough that any traces of the merchant woman that sold it have been replaced by the new owner’s scent. “I got it, I will take it to Tessa. It’s a bit of a shame we were not able to get some more information, but I guess something is better than nothing…” Maybe Quintessa would be able to learn more after studying the brooch. Or maybe Maggie would hear that people were looking for her. If only the first attempt could always be the successful attempt. “Thanks for coming with me though, yeah?” The two women would in the end part ways, at least for the time being. The search for Maggie would continue.