RP:There's A Snake In Our Boot

Part of the Mearcstapa Arc

This is a Rogue's Guild RP.

Summary: Khitt invites Valrae over for dinner and Leo just happens to stop by, looking for Khitti. Over dinner, Leo lets Valrae know his beef with the restrictions put up thanks to Quintessa's attack a couple months ago, to which Valrae offers a solution, and Khitt tells the two blondes of Khitti's worries regarding the Naga Queen and Khitti's disappearing friends.

The Apartment Above The Bakery, Cenril

Khitt || It’d been quite some time since Khitt and Valrae spent time together and after all the hell she’d gone through lately, Khitt wanted to make dinner for his dear friend! It was a chance to not only let Valrae unwind a bit, without the constant need of guards following her, and for Khitti to take a backseat for a little while, seeing as how she’d been nearly out of mind of late, thanks to a variety of things stirring up some trauma that she could never quite get rid of. The sounds of pots and pans clattering here and there and the scent of grilled veggies and chicken make their way out of the Herzegler apartment windows, and eventually both Khitt and Val had their plates of food in front of them, Khitt’s the one with the chicken, and Val’s without. Both had a nice bright citrusy sauce that had just a wee bit of spice to it, enough for a kick but not enough to set someone’s tongue on fire. “I’m glad you were able to ditch the guards for once,” Khitt said as he took a bite. “Didn’t think you were ever gonna be able to.”

Valrae was just as pleased to have a moment away from her ever vigilant, always silent shadows. She’d made herself comfortable enough in the apartment, enjoying her rare but always welcome time with Khitt while she nursed a glass of white wine and happily watched him cook. She would have offered to help, but they both knew that could only spell disaster and she’d had enough of house fires as of late. She’d kicked off her high heels and left them near the door, tossed the thin peacoat the color of fresh cream over her chair. Summer was finally releasing its humid grip from Cenril and the witch was enjoying the newness of crisp, cool dusks. She’d worn a long sleeved crushed velvet dress the color of dusty roses. Cool enough for midday, warm enough for the night. Rose quartz fashioned as tiny stars dangled from long golden chains from her ears and nearly brushed her shoulders. “They’re like shadows!” She chirps, her fork hovering over her plate as she nods in agreement. “I mean, I get it. I know why I need them but… I feel like I never get a second to breathe.” Then she’s back to shoveling the delicious, citrusy food into her mouth and eating like a woman starved. “Mmm, I wish I had a fraction of talent in the kitchen.”

Leoxander | Once ships and cargo had been safely delivered to Rynvale and things settled or overseen on the island, the rogue returned to Cenril, solo. Not necessarily to rush the red-headed witch to her task, but to deliver the notes and requests she recommended he jot down. Although he wasn’t versed in any sort of controlled magic, he did his best to detail concerns that a lifetime of sailing had taught him. There was other business he meant to see to while in the city, and it just so happened that Lady Luck had blown a kiss his way for the fact that when he entered the lower floor to seek out Victoria for admission upstairs, he caught a scent that he recognized and silently hoped he was correct in his guess to who it belonged to. He also caught the mouth watering aroma of a cooked meal, and if he had better, or any manners, he might have just slipped those notes under the door and let them be. But there wouldn’t be a better or easier opportunity to confront Cenril’s Mayor with how heavily guarded she always was, along with his reputation for some ‘thinning’ of the political herd in the past. Ironically, admitted or not, he was in a sense part of that flock. How things had changed. It was only after he rapt knuckles inked with that four letter word for fortune against the door that his sensitive hearing caught a male’s voice, guessing it had to be one of two people: Brand, or Khitt. The pirate whispered a curse under his breath.

Khitt outwardly grimaced as the Red Witch expressed her frustration towards the guards. “I mean, -you’re- the one in charge. You make the rules. If they put up a fight about it, either remind them of that or send them to me and -I’ll- deal with it.” He grinned with feigned innocence, but that soon shifted into a smirk as he watched Valrae wolf down her food. “You’re gonna choke on it if you don’t slow down. There’s plenty left, if you’re that hungry.” And then there was a knock at the door (speaking of wolf) and Khitt turned to stare at it for a moment with a look so cold it could freeze water. “Maybe that’s them now. Maybe I’ll let them know that their boss actually can have a day off once in a while.” The redhead stood up, loosened his tie a little, and made his way across the kitchen to the apartment’s door. “Look, you need to chill the frak out and leave her alone or I’m going to--” He’d already started speaking as he was opening the door, only for him to pause in his not so subtle threats once he spied Leoxander standing there. “Oh.” There’s an awkward silence as Khitt processed things. “Do you… want to… come in?” More awkwardness. “There’s food, I s’pose.” The redhead took a step to the side, opening the door a little wider for Valrae to see, as well as let Leo in the door.

Valrae gave Khitt a thoughtful look, her cheeks full of food as she contemplated what he was saying. True, she was in charge. To a degree. The truth was, when Uma stepped down Valrae had made a lot of her own changes to the order of things. Partly, because she’d wanted more leverage to tell Hudson no while hiding behind bureaucratic red tape, but also because her inner sense of justice demanded that the port city see a truly democratic and healthy government realized. Well, as close as she could get. That came with relinquishing some of her own absolute power and agreeing to let the Captain of the Guard make some heavy handed decisions about her safety details. But Khitt was making her laugh now. If anyone could get them to back off, it would be him or Khitti. Before she could reply about it or the food though, there was a knock. She flinched, assuming it was someone coming to lecture her about slipping away as well, and she’d turned in her seat to speak when Leoxander came into view as the door swung open. “Hey!” She greets him, decidedly more cheery than the redhead. “It’s delicious too,” She adds as Khitt offers him some of the dinner they were sharing.

Leoxander lifted blue eyes to green as Khitt’s presence confirmed that Khitti was taking the evening off from existence, or however that complicated sharing between the two worked. A slight knot found its way naturally between his brows but he wasn’t glaring at the boxer, even if the only words they had really shared in the past hadn’t been very friendly. “Good t’see you, too.” He murmured sarcastically when the man’s tone changed, obviously not expecting the rogue to be beyond that barrier. The slight furrow in his brow eased for a slight lift of one when the invitation was offered, and uncertainty gave him a pause in answering right away, but when Khitt drew the door open and he spotted Valrae at the table, he finally nodded, forgetting the polite ‘thanks’, though he did add, “Didn’ mean to interrupt.” Remembering Khitti’s rule from his last unexpected drop-in, though loathe to expose his back so near someone he wasn’t sure if he could trust, he took a step in and crouched his weight on a knee to unlace and loosen military styled ties to remove his heavy footwear. Folded notes on parchment stuck in a back pocket, he did his best not to appear too uncomfortable as he waiting to follow the redhead’s lead toward the table, raising his trimmed but half bearded jaw toward Val’ with a smirk. “Finally escaped yer entourage, did you?” He helped himself to a seat across from the sunny blonde, slouching back to cross his arms comfortably over his chest rather than helping himself to the meal.

Khitt just shrugged at Leo nonchalantly and smirked. “It’s fine.” He blinked a few times as Leo actually remembered to take his shoes off and Khitt was quick to comment. “The kids aren’t here for tonight. They’re at the ship,” he said, jerking his thumb in the direction of Cenril’s wharf, “But thank you for remembering.” As the lycan took a seat, Khitt went to the stove and eyed both the vegetarian and the chicken-based pans, trying to decide which to offer up. Hmmm, Leo definitely doesn’t seem like the vegetarian type. Chicken it is then. It was both the same, of course, aside from the meat, but Khitt respected Val’s meatless ways. Khitt threw together a heaping plate for Leo and set it in front of him before turning to their downstairs liquor cabinet that was also in the dining room. The redhead grabbed whiskey, and a fruit-based mixer he’d made up not too long ago for Annette, and set to mixing the two together, with ice, for the three of them, the glasses soon finding their way to the table as well before Khitt reclaimed his seat. There was something gnawing at the back of Khitt’s mind to ask Leo, but he kept a lid on it for now, letting Leo and Val speak.

Valrae laughed, the sound light as a bell. “Finally!” She agrees, her eyes following first Leo and then Khitt as she tucks back into her plate. “Khitt and I were just discussing that. It’s a bit much, all in all, despite the attack.” She wasn’t messy, no Val was too polite and vain for that, but she definitely ate with an urgency that was outside of what certain circles would consider polite. “What brings ya ‘round?” She says between a mouthful, not really expecting a true answer from the pirate. From what she knew of him, be it through personal interaction or what intel her own people had on the man (which was miniscule at best), the witch knew better than to assume he was the kind to play an open hand or share his business unnecessarily. It might have been impolite to ask but she didn’t think either men in the room would mind over much and the curiosity she’d felt, mixed with the bit of wine she’d already had and now the delicious fruity drink Khitt had made, made her tongue loose and her worries small. “Thank you, by the way.” She says to Khitt, offering him a wide grin. She had a feeling she’d be on the tipsy side before the night was too late.

Leoxander was a little caught off guard that Khitt, too, seemed to not only accept his presence, but he was being hospitable and generous, preparing him a plate that smelled better than anything even the personal chef in the Enchantment getaway had prepared. And, Selene keep him, that glass of whiskey that he’d reach for first, affording a nod of gratitude even if it seemed he was incapable of speaking it outloud. The subtle sniff of the liquid wasn’t in search for poison as he often did, it was that tang of mixer that he didn’t recognize but he took a drink, studied it a moment more, and made a face that said ‘not bad’ without so many words. Setting it back down and sitting up a bit from his lean, he eyed any silverware that might be set up alongside the plate and tried to determine what sort of metal it was made up of, answering Valrae as he risked a testing touch of his thumb to a fork handle. There was a reason beyond his lack of manners and underprivileged upbringing that Leo often ate with his hands. “Droppin’ off some notes for Khitti, though I fig’erd while I was in the city I might chew a few ears for some information. Had thought t’ try an’ catch some time with you, too. Guess Q’na cut me a break.” He didn’t have much faith beyond Selene and Luck, but Lora’ did, so he was becoming more educated in the who’s who of the deity realm.

Khitt tried to keep from smirking as he watched Leo give his silent approval for not only the food, but the drink as well. But there was a bit of a head tilt as the wolf carefully tested the silverware. It took him a moment but he got it. “Oh, uh, it’s not actually silver. Just steel,” he interjected quickly. “We’re not that fancy here, and besides, we wouldn’t anyway on account of Meri and Fleur.” They really weren’t even close to what people around the city might call ‘rich’ anyway, even if it seemed like it might be the case. Khitti was the type to take IOUs and give out more food than they probably should, while there were some months that it was tough to make ends meet when it came to feeding and housing Brand’s crew on the Tranquility. He returned to his own meal, shoveling it into his mouth as if he hadn’t just told Valrae to slow down with her own. “There’s something Khitti’s been fretting over too, that you might want to look at, Leo. She had her assistant Camina take a look at it--she was more or less the Devout’s Guild’s spymaster when Khitti was in charge--and it seemed fishy, but…” He waved a dismissive hand. “It can wait until y’all are done and I’m done stuffing my face.” Cue more stuffing of his face.

Valrae watched the pair of them as they discussed silver and metal. It never would have occurred to her to think of something like that, something that brought a flash of heat and shame to her face. She made a small mental note to direct her staff into purchasing steel only when the manor was finally ready to be restocked. Then she nodded, setting aside her drink. Her smile dropped from sunny to playful as she placed her fork and knife in a neat cross over her plate and folded her hands in her lap. “Blessed by the gods as usual,” She says with a small laugh, “I don’t suppose you just missed me?” She teases, knowing that if Leo wanted words with her it would involve something deeper than sharing a drink and a meal. In truth, the talk seemed long overdue. She knew, because it was her business to know, that he’d taken hold of Rynvale and seemed to be cementing himself as a power on the island more and more by the day. It would do well for them both as neighbors to keep on friendly ground. Perhaps it was a bit unorthodox to hold this kind of meeting in Khitt(i)’s home and not a board room or her office, surrounded by stuffy advisors and her very busy secretaries, but somehow it felt right for this particular audience. In truth, it did indeed seem that their meeting of chance had been guided by a divine hand for another reason. Though she’d yet to speak the words to Khitti or Khitt aloud, she’d been thinking of offering them a position within the government as well. The gods knew she needed help. A firm hand, a fair mind. There was no one better for it by the way she could see things. If relations were to be discussed with Leo, this was as possibly the best place in Cenril to do so for what she hoped was to come for the republic next. She takes a smaller sip of her drink now, wanting to be clear of mind for whatever was discussed next, and listens quietly as Khitt mentions something Camina thought troubling enough to mention to Leo. She was curious again but this time she kept quiet, waiting for the pirate to speak next. The conversational ball was in his court now.

Leoxander offered Khitt yet another nod of understanding when the man realized his reason for caution, taking up the steel utensil and using the side edge to split the cutlet in half, but he was still a bit crude as he stuck the prongs in and lifted too large of a piece for a single bite, tearing off a portion of the juice poultry with his teeth. There was a reason the rogue didn’t get a lot of dinner invitations. While Val earned herself a half smirk for her comment, he murmured a short reply, "Who wouldn't miss a gem like you?", before Khitt recaptured his attention with the mention of a favor. That was how things seemed to work now, exchange of back scratches. And despite being a lone wolf for a very long time between the present and the war just over a decade ago, it seemed to be a resourceful method for his newfound leadership. Of course, Leo also knew that when people came to him to look into a problem, it usually required the three S’s. Stealing, spying, or slaying. “Yeah, I owe her one…” As the topic had been brushed aside for now, he spoke once more Valrae’s way. “I’ve got a bit of a snag in my line concernin’ Cenril. Don’ get me wrong, I wasn’t bloody pleased to hear ‘bout what happened to you, or almos’ happened, but the restrictions put up regardin’ cargo hauled through these parts to the harbor is putin’ a dent in my profits. Barely got the damn fireworks over for the beach gatherin’... an with the long-ears up north an’ my plans for port? I need that waterway clear an’ don’t need yer muscle snoopin’ in my business. Then I’ll owe you, too.” Fork still impaled in a piece of chicken, it was set down in order to take another drink of that mixed liquor.

Khitt || There was no judgement on Khitt’s part on how Leo went about tending to his food, especially seeing as how Khitt wasn’t one for too many table manners either. Really, he considered it a compliment when people felt comfortable enough to eat as they would wherever they considered ‘home’. But of course, he probably wouldn’t say that unless it needed to be said. At the mention of owing Khitti a favor, Khitt just shrugged. After what Khitt had to reveal, it’d seem like more of a situation than just a normal favor. Ever-so-casually, he looked between Valrae and Leo as the pirate spoke, realizing how easy Brand must have it, as a cargo-hauler actually from Cenril, compared to everyone else. He said nothing for now though, finished his food, and sipped his drink.

Valrae ’s smile had warmed again, pink blooming on the apples of her cheeks at Leo’s playful return tease. She resisted the urge to comment something self deprecating and hid a laugh behind her drink. But business was being brought to the table now. She listened carefully, her head tilted to the side so that golden waves cascaded like a waterfall of honey and wheat over the crushed velvet covering her shoulders. Her wounds had healed. Slowly, as it had taken her near death to realize that Quintessa had left her a final parting gift, a nasty curse that had kept her bleeding for nearly the entirety of a moon’s cycle before she’d undone it, but the witch was finally on the mend. As there was no more moon pool that she knew of, there would be no more Selene blessed water to remove the fading red scar left on her shoulder and back. Much to her considerable vanity. Valrae takes up her fork again, pushing at what very little remained on her plate. She didn’t bring any of it to her lips but it kept her hand busy and bought her a moment of time as she considered. “Rynvale and Cenril are sister ports. There is a long history of trade and good relations.” She answers diplomatically, cutting him a look beneath dark lashes. “I won't ask what it is you’re hauling,” She adds sweetly. “I know better than that. But…” Now she turns to Khitt, tilting her head again and passing a questioning look his way. “I could arrange for the restrictions to be lifted, in a show of good faith for that history, for Rynvale. As long as you return the favor by sanctioning your imports and exports with Vailkrin… Just until Quintessa Blackwell is captured and put to trial. Does that sound fair?” She looked between both, clearing hoping for approval from the pair and not just Leoxander.

Leoxander returned to his meal while Valrae responded, and it wouldn’t be long before that fork was scraping the plate for the last bit of citrus and spice taste. Not enough heat for his preference, but he often ate hot peppers out of a jar for a snack when it wasn’t a spoon and a container of peanut butter. Still, he clearly approved of Khitt’s cooking, had managed not to ‘guard’ the meal as if it were his last, an old habit, and even nodded the man’s way as he chewed his last bite. “Not bad, mate. You should consider expandin’ from what’chu got downstairs.” Though he understood all too well that Khitti and Khitt had enough weight to carry as it were. Once he finished off his beverage, he nudged his empty dish forward with his tattooed knuckles to make space for his arms to rest on the edge of the table, parallel to each other so that the rabbit inked on his right inner wrist kissed the edge of the nautical star point on his left forearm, shoulders and spine slouched forward, gaze fixed on the mayor as she spoke her conditions. The rogue exhaled a heavy sigh. “Trust me when I say, I wan’ nothin’ to do with that twice cursed place, an’ I really don’t wanna dig my fingers into this feud you’ve got goin’ on. I got word of the missives an’ hold no loyalty to that black pond bi-...” He catches himself. “Betrayer…” His gaze drifted toward the redhead for just a second or two in that pause, aware that they were kin through adoption. “Eleanor had plans for me to giv’er a few lessons but I really haven’t been closer’n a sword length from her since the winter tournament couple years back. Between us..?” He was giving away some precious information but it wouldn’t include names or too many hints. “I have been approached ‘bout dealin’ with ‘er. An’ I’ve got a bit of a situation with one of my own scoping out the city, despite my warnin’s. But you don’t gotta worry about me doin’ any business there unless it’s a head’s weight in gold, savvy?”

Khitt smirked at Leo. “Already did. Got a restaurant opened up beneath the garden. You should take Lora there sometime.” He turned his attention then and shrugged at Valrae’s look in his direction, though his words are for both of them. “If you two did go about things this way, I doubt it would last too long after Quintessa and her insect friend had been dealt with. Even now Kasyr is working to fix the political issues in Vailkrin and Khitti’s already dealt one of the first blows with literally blowing up House Dragana, who was a huge part of the civil war that’s been ongoing for years. So, I think this would end up just being temporary. And if there ended up -really- being something you needed, it could be gotten most likely regardless, though it doesn’t sound like Leo wants to deal with Vailkrin anyway, heh.” Khitt left out the part where Kasyr had literally asked Khitti to help him smuggle stuff via dead bodies to and from Cenril. That would… definitely not go well if Valrae knew. “There’s probably plenty of people you could pick as a liaison for that, but it isn’t gonna be me. Or Khitti. I’m about done with the whole of this cold war tearing her in two. She’s lucky I didn’t tear down everything related to the Necromancer’s Guild there and build it somewhere far away from Cenril or Vailkrin or Xalious or Kelay.”

Khitt sighed and got up for a moment, went into the kitchen, then on into the master bedroom. A minute later, he returned, a letter in hand. It was from Brennia to Khitti, and while the majority of it seemed fine, down at the bottom there was a redacted bit and new handwriting in its place that definitely didn’t belong to the avian. Specifically the part that said ‘P.S. My apologies for the long wait, but - (REDACTED-REDACTED-REDACTED) the mail being sent down to Alithrya can take longer at times.’ “Speaking of Khitti, as if we didn’t need anymore problems, I think this concerns both of you, seeing as how you two share that part of the sea.” He slid the letter over to Leo. “Does that look weird to you? Khitti tried asking Brennia if she was okay, when the two of them were as alone as they were gonna get. The things Brennia said… it almost sounded rehearsed or like she was brainwashed or something. Khitti thinks she might’ve been kidnapped by the Queen of Alithrya. To make matters worse, her friends Kanna and Mathollak have also not really been around much lately… and then lo and behold, all three of them end up in Reginae’s entourage for Mesdoram’s play. Khitti didn’t want to bring it up, because people tend to think she’s nuts when she gets bad feelings about stuff, but… this has started setting mine off too the more I think about it.”

Valrae watched Leo finish his meal in her careful way, her face unusually guarded as she waited for his answer. The mask of polite, if a little cold, civility didn’t suit her though and it almost dropped as he complimented Khitt’s cooking. It really was delicious. She’d grow big as a house if her own kitchen staff cooked half as well. Probably for the best that they couldn’t. She would be visiting the new place they’d opened up enough anyway. “I’d love to see Lora,” She agrees, at the mention of bringing the woman. The witch nurses her own drink again as Leo pushes the empty plate away from him before her own hands return demurely to her lap. Folded neatly, lady like but for the tapping of her index finger over her knuckles. “I agree.” She chimes in briefly, looking between Khitt and Leo as he mentions whatever done would likely be lifted sooner rather than later. “I’d prefer peace with most of our neighbors, near or farther away… But if I ignore what happened at the manor I put Cenril in more danger by appearing weak. I don’t want Vailkrin to suffer.” The witch’s gloss painted lips tilt into a pouting frown. It might seem that way, considering her less than secret feelings regarding vampires, but she didn’t enjoy the idea of innocent people being made to suffer because of what happened between her and Quintessa. Especially considering how personal it had felt. “I have to respond this way. It was as close to a declaration of war that Cenril has seen since… Well, since Larket attacked on the night I was reborn.” Which placed her at the center of the conflict again, something that brought her a heavy sense of guilt. Her golden brow had lifted as he called the hostile relations between Cenril and Vailkrin a feud but she makes no comment, only listens and nods once. It’s when he offers her something more that she leans in, forgetting her manners as she props an elbow onto the table and her chin on her fist to lean in and listen. She was the picture of a captured audience, her eyes wide and dark. There was a heartbeat of quiet that spun around them before she answered, the only sounds that of Khitt as he left to retrieve the letter from Brennia. She let it linger for a moment before nodding again. “The sanctions will be lifted by the morning then. I’ll have someone draw up the necessary papers.”

Valrae fell quiet again as Khitt explained the letter, leaning over the table to read it as he spoke. Her hair fell over her shoulder like a curtain of spun sunlight as her brow furrowed. “I’ve met the avian once or twice but not enough to know how strange that might be…” It wasn’t very helpful input. The news of Kanna being part of it was more worrisome. She knew the bard well, more so than the other two, and it did strike her as strange that she would somehow be a part of all of it. “That… Is troubling.” She looks up from the paper, her face softening as she looks to Khitt. “I trust Khitti’s intuition. It’s saved my life more than once. If she has a bad feeling about this, we should look into it.”

Leoxander made a mental note about the restaurant. He recognized that he needed to take his wife to be out beyond a stop in the pub or the stables or on work related trips, but he also knew that it would be some time before the Mouse would be able to go anywhere near that garden. The performance had definitely seen to it she left with a dose of trauma. He could have used another drink for the discussion that his unannounced arrival had shifted from casual to business and politics, but didn’t outright ask for it. He did send a subtle hint turning his empty glass near his hand a bit with a brush of callused fingerprints. “Dragana… as in Larewen?” He inquired toward Khitt, eyes squinted a bit as he voiced a name he hadn’t spoken in several years, paired to a face he hadn’t seen in twice as many. He also took note that Kasyr seemed to have his hands in a lot of pies when it came to rejuvenating the dark city, even if some information regarding the revenant was withheld. Khitti hadn’t been the only one who was paid a visit by the Sword Saint recently. It was his turn to listen as the letter was passed along, and without an invitation to reach for it, he beckoned Valrae to pass it across the table when she was done so he could scan it with his own eyes while the Mayor voiced her concerns and her confidence in Khitti. And for as fresh as his newfound friendship with the other witch was, he understood why Valrae would put her utmost trust in her.

Leoxander finally looked up from the letter with a troubled knot pinched between his brows again, tapping the parchment in some significant gesture before he circled it back around to Khitt. “I d’know if you two were there, ‘r remember. She was at one of the duels during the Blood Bowl. But she didn’t seem herself, an’ I noticed there were some of what I assume Reginae’s escorts flankin’ her the whole time. Don’ think I’ve seen her since. …An’ that endin’ bit about shame…” His words trailed off for a moment but some gears were clicking in the pirate’s mind. “I’ve got one missin’, too. Got eyes in Gualon in case he’s gone back that way. Frostmaw wouldn’t be a place he’d squat in f’r long. But Gorehilt hasn’t sent a word in near full turn of moons an’ my everclear stash hasn’t been touched.” A dismissive motion with an added, “Long story. Point is, no one’s seen him here, not a trace of ‘em there. Ain’t this Alithrya place right between us?” Leo looked from Khitt to Val.

Khitt nodded to Leo, with regards to Larewen, “The very same. That batsh*t crazy woman put Khitti through the wringer, making promises here and there and never making good on them, so Khitti’s… a little sensitive to betrayal nowadays. Khitti never would’ve had to become a vampire if Larewen had just helped her. She helped destroy Larewen’s place the same day she got into a fight with Quintessa, right after one of the Blood Bowl matches.” Val knows. She was there. He let the two go on about the letter and Khitt smirked bitterly. “Actually, it was at that same match. I was a bit distracted by the fact that Quintessa decided to show up and start hosting then too, so I wasn’t paying as much attention as I should’ve been to Reginae.” He sighed. “The thing is that… Khitti’s been taken a number of times. She knows the signs. The way people get when they’ve been with their captor for long enough, especially when the person that took them seems to be treating them “right”. They get in their prisoners’ heads. Make them think things are well enough and fine and that it’s better for them to be there with them than out in the world where it’s scary and all that. And that’s exactly what Brennia sounded like,” Khitt leaned back into his chair with a heavy sigh, crossing his arms over his chest. “Both her and Khitti dated the same elder vampire that turned Khitti and he was good at getting into people’s heads too. They just seem like the type to be susceptible to that sort of thing. Kanna too now that I think about it. She’s entirely too trusting. Mathollak though… I dunno. He’ll go anywhere as long as there’s a party and while I don’t know Gorehilt well enough, he seems like he could potentially be the same. And yeah, there’s a way to get to Alithrya in the ocean between Cenril and Rynvale. Khitti did some research on it. Brennia tried inviting her down there and it seemed too much like a bad idea, so Khitti made her come up here instead. Brennia had two guards with her then too, but they didn’t look like naga.”

Valrae slid the letter toward Leoxander quietly, along with her unfinished drink, before settling back in her seat. Her fingers tapped nervously on the table, pink polished nails rapping quietly against the wood as Khitt filled the rest of it in for them. She turned it all over in her mind while the other hand twisted and untwisted a golden curl around her finger. It troubled her to hear of Khitti’s painful past, how well acquainted she was with betrayal and kidnapping. There was nothing to be done about it now, it was the past, but she wished she could heal those pains for her friend. Her frown only deepened when Leo mentioned one of his own was missing as well. She knew of Gorehilt only by seeing him in passing from the tournament but if the pirate said he was missing, he was missing. She looks up from the table to nod. “It is…” But how would they approach a situation like this? Valrae could send an inquiring letter to Kanna, a personal one, but to use her connections in Cenril in any heavy handed way during already turbulent times seemed unwise. If they were going to get answers, they might have better luck with more… Roguish means. “I could send a liaison under the guise of fostering trade negotiations but whatever they’re shown I’m sure will only be surface level. Nothing important or valuable for whatever might really be going on. I could also request an audience with the Queen but… Again, I’ll only be shown what they want me to see if it's even entertained. We’d have better luck by less… Visiting in a less than official capacity. It would be easier to take a look around and see whats really going on… Though, an official visit could be a good enough distraction…”

Leoxander was quiet for a while as Khitt explained what his female doppelganger had gone through, his expression solemn as he idly scratched at the snake tangled in thorns on his left bicep. By the end of the information Khitt had to share, he almost seemed to be speaking to himself, softly stated as his response was. “She was bloody smart not to go down there.” The floor was Valrae’s again in that thoughtful pause between the three, even if she took her time to consider all the details that had been passed across the table like playing cards. While the Mayor didn’t outright state the term that many described Leo with; the title of an organization that wasn’t ever allowed to surface from underground, he could sense where she was going with her suggestion of a spy. “If Reginae wanted for anything I would bet my last copper she’d surface or send someone in her stead to request it. If this turns out to be a hostage situation, they’re gonna suspect anyone who doesn’t have a good reason for bein’ there. An’ by the read of Brennia’s letter, seems her highness tolerates visitors by invite, only.” He finally sat up out of his forward lean to rest his spine against the chair’s back and unintentionally mimicked Khitt’s crossed arm position. “If you go, that’s another matter, but I doubt even yer captain’s best would be much advantage in the snake’s nest. An’ gotta consider whoever does go might jus’ end up ‘extendin’ their stay’ for whatever reasons, but that also gets us inside. Might have to throw some chum into the water to draw the sharks in if somethin’s goin’ on down there.” Namely: bait. Someone to unlock the door from the inside. And while Leo didn’t know her roster of employees or how qualified they were, the steeled look in his eyes suggested it should be someone who wouldn’t just end up another tally on the Queen’s collection, if such a thing did exist.

Khitt’s line of sight trailed away from the two blondes as they stated their own thoughts, the redhead’s lips twisting into a frown. Bait. Oh gods. He had the best-worst idea ever. “I have a bad idea, but I think we should bide our time for a little bit, see if either anything else happens or someone else might be able to do it. But, worst case scenario…” He grimaced, not wanting to say it, but knew he was far too into it to stop now. “...Khitti would probably be the best person to do it. But, I do think we should explore other options first because everything would have to be watertight, so she’s not down there forever. Like, there would have to absolutely be a plan in place if Reginae did find us. If Reginae knew she was getting a two-for-one deal, she’d probably be more inclined to take us rather than kill us for trespassing and all that, especially since we are sort of… high profile around here. At least in Cenril, anyway.” Khitt sighed and rubbed his eyes with his hands. “I don’t like it. Brand and Annette will really not like it. But, it might be our best option if nothing else falls into our laps.”

Valrae ’s tapping ended as Leoxander spoke again, that furrow between her brow reappearing as he spoke. It was simple truth. There was no easy answer here and whoever she sent… Well, she’d have to prepare herself for the reality that they might not return. While the witch had done her share of questionable deeds, she didn’t know if she could stomach the thought. Or if she had anyone in particular she trusted enough to keep their head straight considering how blind they would be going in. What manner the naga had for keeping them, or twisting their minds into staying, if that was indeed what was happening. “You’re right.” She finally concedes but Khitt was speaking again. “But, Khitt…” She didn’t like that what he said made sense. It was the best plan and somehow the worst. Valrae pushes a hand through her hair but says nothing for a while, letting the idea hang between them like a stormcloud. “If Khitti is going in there, we’re damn sure going to have a plan and I’m going with her… Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that. I’ll write to Kanna. I don’t know what help that will be, but it’s a start.” With that, the woman stands. She collects her plate and moves to place it neatly in the kitchen sink. “Thank you for the meal and your time, Khitt. It was nice to get away for a while.” Then she’s turning to Leo. “It was good to see you, too. Maybe we could catch up with each other again soon, Lora too.” Then she’s wrapping herself up in her coat and collecting her oversized bag. Slipping on her heels. “Trading papers for Leo, a letter for Kanna, and I’m going to put my ear to the ground for Alithrya too. If I hear anything, you’ll both be the first to know.” And with that, the witch sails out the door.

Leoxander wasn’t initially keen on the idea of using Khitt and Khitti, especially hearing some of what she’d been through between Quintessa and whoever had captured her in the past. But he knew as soon as Khitt said those words they rang with truth. He certainly couldn’t show up and try to get himself kidnapped. Reginae would likely pay an empire’s fortune just for someone to pick him up and get him the hell out of her territory before long. “She’s got some tricks up her sleeves, yeah? I don’t know spit about magic but I d’know… somethin’ to give us a glimpse or a hint at what we’re dealin’ with? I agree we shouldn’ rush into this but I gotta take into account that this problem might just keep spreadin’. An’ once more people start becomin’ aware of the missin’, it’s gonna be a helluva lot harder to send someone in. It’s too much a coincidence to jus’ assume they’re all on bloody holiday.” He looked from Valrae, to Khitt, and back again. The Mayor standing from her chair was cue for his departure, too. “I’ll be back once Khitti has had some time to look over these…” He removed the folded parchments from back pocket to hand to Khitt. “An’ when you’ve got the contract for my shippin’ rights. So, we take a few to mull over it an’ see what happens between now and then. I won’t make a move without comin’ to you first, an’ I expect you three to keep me in the loop.” Leo wasn’t polite enough to stay and help with any of that clean up, but he headed for the door and would probably hold it open for the other blonde as she departed. “I’ll let ‘er know you say ‘ello.” And called back to the redhead, in rare form, before his exit, Leo spoke the actual word, for once. “Thanks for the food, mate.”