YYarnKittymon: : ::the girls find nothing good in the little time they have to search that day, but the next afternoon they have a couple more hours of cleaning ahead of them and can likely do some more searching::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::they set a quick pace that has them cleaning two room in record time. Then Stephanie leads them to the third room in that hallway, the one that belongs to Addison. She eases the door open, and peeks inside::
YarnKittymon: : ::the room is just as Addison left it, not dusty at all. The bed has a velvet cover, and it's still made. There's a few royal-looking paintings on the walls and a thick rug. A pitcher of water sits on the dresser, still ready for someone to come in and wash up::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she immediately heads for the desk while Stephanie peeks into the closet::
YarnKittymon: : ::the desk has been cleaned out entirely; the closet has some guard uniforms, and some courtier clothes, and a riding outfit, a winter coat, and a couple pairs of shoes; all have grown slightly dusty::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she sighs, glares at the garments, then just to be sure she checks the pockets::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::goes over to the nightstand::
YarnKittymon: : ::if Stephanie tries the inside pocket in the winter coat, she will find a note::
YarnKittymon: : ::there's a dime novel in the nightstand's drawer and a half-used candle resting on top, with a handkerchief::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she does a thorough search of all the pockets::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she picks up the hankerchief::
YarnKittymon: : ::Stephanie does come across the note, which is folded into eighths::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::carefully unfolds the note::
YarnKittymon: : ::there's nothing in the handkerchief; it's been starched, though, so it's unusually stiff::
YarnKittymon: : ::the note is in handwriting Stephanie instantly recognizes as the queen's; it simply reads:: "Please take care of yourself."
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she frowns; muttering:: That's it? I already know they had something going on. ::she turns the note every which way, rather disappointed there isn't anything more to find::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::curious, she draws nearer to Stephanie::
YarnKittymon: : ::the note is ordinary, though a bit stiff, and it smells faintly of lemons::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she sighs again, and folds it back up. She returns it to the pocket she found it in::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she turns back to search the furniture once more, even running her hand underneath them to check for hidden items or drawers::
YarnKittymon: : ::under the mattress, Maeve finds a sealed envelope; it feels like there's a ring inside::
Maeve Owens: MV: Aha! ::she pulls it out, and opens it up::
YarnKittymon: : ::inside is a diamond ring set with purple stones on either side::
Maeve Owens: MV: Now, what do you think this has to do with anything?
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she shrugs:: I have no idea. But I guess there's nothing more to find here.
Maeve Owens: MV: Right. ::she drops the ring back into the envelope, and stuffs it under the mattress::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she turns to start the cleaning::
YarnKittymon: : ::they find nothing at all interesting as they do their normal cleaning::
Maeve Owens: ::they move out of that room, and on to the others, hoping they'll get as far as a study or at least the library if not that::
YarnKittymon: : ::they have a full dozen ordinary rooms to clean before they get to sets of doors that Stephanie recognizes as belonging to the queen and her direct entourage::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she tells Maeve to head downstairs while she "accidently" starts cleaning the wrong rooms. She knocks on the queen's door first::
YarnKittymon: : ::no one answers::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she opens the door, and goes inside::
YarnKittymon: : ::the queen's personal quarters are beautiful, with a running fountain of water in her dressing room, which is of course where Stephanie finds herself upon opening the door, though there's two closed doors framing a set of double-doors in the wall to the left of her, and another door on the right-hand side. There's a grand window that can be shuttered if necessary; right now it has a thin curtain over it and looks out at much of the kingdom::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she moves through the room, looking for any kind of desk or drawers::
YarnKittymon: : ::there's nothing of the like in that room, just a dressing table with a large mirror and a chair; a soft robe is over the chair's back::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she goes to the closed doors::
YarnKittymon: : ::the double-doors open onto the queen's rather splendid bedroom, which is nearly the size of the throne room, with a canopy bed set several feet away from the back wall, a large writing desk, chairs and a table that would put any living room to shame, and beautiful artwork on all the walls::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::while she is rather impressed with the room, she pays it's little attention, save for the desk and the table which she immediately walks over to check::
YarnKittymon: : ::the desk has several sealed envelopes inside, all addressed to people Stephanie's never heard of, though most of them have titles like "Mayor" and "Councilman" and even "Knight"::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she bites her lip, wondering if it's wise to go through them. Hoping that they wont pat her down, she stuffs the envelopes into her clothing. Once they are secure, she heads back out towards the door.::
YarnKittymon: : ::Stephanie hears a soft groan from the door on the right side of the dressing room as she heads out::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she pauses in midstep and turns to look at the door::
YarnKittymon: : ::there's another groan, but no sounds of motion::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she cautiously walks over to the door, and tries the handle::
YarnKittymon: : ::the door is locked, and suddenly through the door, she hears the sound of someone banging on the wall::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she jumps, then quickly tries to shush them. Her gaze travels to the outside door, and she holds her breath for a moment:: Quiet down or I wont be able to get you out!
YarnKittymon: : ::there's one more knock, and then the noise stops::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she takes a pin out of her hair and gets to work on the locked door::
YarnKittymon: : ::the lock is pretty simple, since it's just in the knob, and Stephanie soon opens the door into a small, dark, dank room, not much bigger than a closet::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::whispers:: Hello?
YarnKittymon: : ::Stephanie can just make out some motion at the end of the room and hear the noise of cloth, probably sheets, rustling::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::With her hands out in front of her, she carefully feels her way forward.::
YarnKittymon: : ::after only a step and a half, Stephanie's legs gently strike something soft, probably a bed::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she gasps, then searches the bed for an occupant::
YarnKittymon: : ::Stephanie finds herself grabbing a rather bony knee; there's a tired groan from the head of the bed::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she feels her way to what she assumed is the head of the bed where she heard the groaning. She gently probes around, trying to find a gag or at least his bonds::
YarnKittymon: : ::there's no gag and no bonds, but in the dim light, Stephanie ends up squeezing a rather wrinkled old face, which lets out a surprised little shriek, but nothing loud at all::
Maeve Owens: SV; ::whispers:: Who are you?
YarnKittymon: : ::the man tries to answer, but all that comes out is:: M...m...
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she grimaces:: Okay. I'll figure out a way to get you out of here but I'll have to come back in order to do so. I'll never sneak you out by myself.
YarnKittymon: : ::the man sinks back into his pillow, then, with a big effort, manages to sit up and raise a quavering hand, as though trying to point--he and his arm both quickly fall back down onto the bed, though::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she frowns:: I'll try to send help as quickly as I can. ::she pats his shoulder before she turns back towards the door::
YarnKittymon: : ::the man doesn't make any more noise as Stephanie leaves::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she shuts the door, and locks it back then continues on her way::

YarnKittymon: : ::the only time Stephanie, Harry, and Maeve can meet is when nearly everyone in the Queen of Yarnia's castle is meant to be asleep. The girls, being the newest ones there, are expected to just make a place to sleep wherever they can, and that happens to be the floor of Harry (or Raul the butler's) small but well-furnished bedroom::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::once everything is quiet in the palace, she gets Maeve and Harry to huddle close.:: The queen has an old man hidden in her closet. He's too weak for me to rescue on my own, and I'm not sure how we'll do it, and get out too.
YarnKittymon: HR: ::blinks; whispers:: An old man?
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she nods:: I couldn't get a good look at him. Oh, and- ::she pulls out the letters:: I found these.
YarnKittymon: HR: ::eyes widen; whispers:: Are you mad?
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she shrugs:: She may never miss them, and if I had opened them there she definitely would have noticed. Besides, this could hold hard evidence. :::she throws one to each of em, then starts to carefully tear into hers::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::keeps his envelope sealed::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she looks between the two of them, unsure what to do with hers::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she opens it up anyway, and takes out the letter::
YarnKittymon: : ::Stephanie's was addressed to Concilman Badins, and the inside outlines a gruesome murder caused by a variant with some sort of telekinesis power; it ends with a cheerful wish that the man will support her efforts to ban these dangerous people from the island::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she cringes:: It's very vague but it might be of some use. Escpecially if she takes action against variants who are powerful but haven't committed a crime.
YarnKittymon: HR: ::softly:: I reckon the others are the same. Let's leave them sealed; they're better evidence if the judge opens them for himself.
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she hands hers back to Harry:: You've got the room, hide em somewhere.
YarnKittymon: HR: ::nods:: Yes, ma'am. Everyone keep your ears open tomorrow; maybe we'll find out who the man is.
Maeve Owens: MV: :::she yawns:: Yeah, and I'm ready to call it a night seeing that I've never done so much cleaning in my life.
YarnKittymon: HR: ::laughs softly:: I'm not accustomed to bossing around people so much, either.
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she quirks an eyebrow at him::
Maeve Owens: SV: You mean you aren't enjoying it?
YarnKittymon: HR: ::smirks:: No, but it can be a bit tiring. I don't know; if we find out who the old man is, we might have enough evidence?
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she nods:: We might not even have to worry about getting him out. In fact, if they find him there, that would further our case.
YarnKittymon: HR: ::nods slowly:: What if we just cut out now, and revealed what she's hiding?
Maeve Owens: SV: You think they'd believe us if we said she's taken an old man prisoner?
YarnKittymon: HR: ::shrugs:: Maybe if they checked.
Maeve Owens: MV: That ring that guard had in his room up there? Maybe it belongs to the old man?
YarnKittymon: HR: ::quietly:: Looked like an engagement ring to me; definitely a lady's.
Maeve Owens: SV: He was most lkely going to give it to the queen... I imagine.
YarnKittymon: HR: Addison, right?
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she nods::
Maeve Owens: MV: So why wait for morning? Why not get out now?
YarnKittymon: HR: ::quietly:: You could be right, but if we're caught, that's all the more suspicious. If we leave in the daytime and someone sees us, they'll think we're going to market.
Maeve Owens: MV: What if they move the old man before then? He saw Stephanie and if he isn't in the right mind he could tip them off.
Maeve Owens: SV: Well, lets hope he's too far out of it to even think of tipping them off.
YarnKittymon: HR: ::shakes his head; softly:: Maeve may be right. If he *does* talk, you're done for.
Maeve Owens: MV: It's a gamble either way. Should we toss a coin? ::she smiles slightly::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::smiles, pulling out a coin and flipping it:: Heads we go. ::he slaps it down on his hand and shows them all; it's heads::
Maeve Owens: MV: Then grab the letters and lets go!. ::she gets up, looking quite happy to heading out::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::slips into his jacket just in case::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she slips over to the door, and opens it just a crack::
YarnKittymon: : ::there's no one out at that moment::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::pushes the door open further, and steps outside, then motions for the others to follow::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::follows closely behind Stephanie, still not sure he likes this idea::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::since Stephanie needs to lead the way, she falls in behind Harry::
YarnKittymon: : ::Stephanie sees a guard walking the hall up ahead, where the hall comes to a stop and goes to either side, like a T shape::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she stops, and pushes them back to where there's an indent in the wall for them to hide::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::follows Stephanie, leaning close to her::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::presses herself as far in as she can get::
YarnKittymon: : ::the guard stops, as though he saw something, but when nothing happens for a minute, he goes on down the hall::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she carefully eases herelf out of their hiding spot, and making sure he'll have his back turned for a while, she leads them down the hall he just came from::
YarnKittymon: YarnKittymon rolled 2 6-sided dice: 1 5
YarnKittymon: : ::they make their way as silently as spies and thieves, though Harry can't help but glance back every so often::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she takes them down several more halls before she leads them to a narrow flight of stairs. She pauses a moment to listen before she starts to descend::
YarnKittymon: : ::the stairs are eerily silent, and when Harry and Maeve follow, the only sounds they hear are the echoes of their own footsteps::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she comes to a section of the wall that looks normal enough, but as she feels around for the lever, a doorway suddenly appears:: So cliche, but every castle has got one. ::she grins::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::laughs softly, and carefully follows her into the passage::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she smirks, and shakes her head before she moves to follow them::
YarnKittymon: : ::they follow the passageway down, and down, and down, and then finally up; it feels like a walk of miles::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she was tired to begin with, and now her feet are almost dragging.::
YarnKittymon: : ::the passageway opens up and out of a small shack a bit into the forest around the castle::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she cracks open the door of the shack, and peeks out::
YarnKittymon: : ::there is a man directly across from the door, sitting and leaning against a tree; he's facing the shack, and it's hard to see if his eyes are open or not::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she winces, and leans away from the opening. She motions for Harry to take a look::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::looks out, and then draws back, motioning a punch, as if to indicate the three of them could take him out::
Maeve Owens: SV ::she doesn't look too happy about it, but she reluctantly agrees::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::looks back at Maeve, and after a moment, he nudges the door open, figuring there's no need to fight if the man's asleep, after all::
YarnKittymon: : ::the man doesn't move::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::keeping an eye on the man, she slips out of the shack, and heads in the direction of Marquis::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she waits for Harry, before she exits, her eyes on the man too::
YarnKittymon: : ::the man still doesn't move, but Harry suddenly says:: This plan isn't going to work anyway.
YarnKittymon: : ::and Maeve especially thinks Harry's a real idiot for speaking::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she smacks him lightly on the head then looks back at the man, not moving an inch::
YarnKittymon: : ::the man slowly stands up, smiling in a friendly manner:: Now who are you?
YarnKittymon: HR: ::before he can help himself:: Adventurers from Marquis, sir.
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she glances up at Harry as if he's lost his mind::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she pauses, and turns back to look at the guard, waiting to see how he'll respond::
YarnKittymon: YarnKittymon rolled 2 6-sided dice: 5 6
YarnKittymon: : ::the guard smiles at Maeve and Stephanie both, though neither of the two find their feelings changed in the least:: And what brings you to the...ah...shed?
Maeve Owens: MV: Just seaking shelter for the night...
YarnKittymon: : And what brought you out of it, then?
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she shrugs:: Why be to hasty? There could be an even better one down the road.
Maeve Owens: SV: And then of course we wouldn't want to disrespect the queen in anyway, so perhaps we should just be moving along. ::she smiles at her companions, and inches away, silently telling them to follow::
YarnKittymon: : ::the guard looks just a touch frustrated::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she frowns, but starts to follow Stephanie's lead::
YarnKittymon: : ::the guard grimaces:: You're betraying her, even by your short loiter on her property.
YarnKittymon: HR: ::just nods::
Maeve Owens: MV: We didn't realize that until a few minutes ago. Terribly sorry. ::she waves, and then reaches out to grab Harry, pulling him along::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::pulls his arm back from Maeve's, glaring:: You're not the boss of me!
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she stops stll, staring at him:: Sorry... I was only trying to get your attention...
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she frowns, then looks at Harry:: Aren't you coming?
YarnKittymon: YarnKittymon rolled 2 6-sided dice: 4 2
YarnKittymon: : ::the guard smiles:: He'd rather guard the queen's kingdom, wouldn't he?
YarnKittymon: HR: ::nods, and Stephanie finds herself growing rather frustrated with him::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she glares at Harry:: What has gotten into you all of the sudden?
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she looks from Harry to the guard. Her eyes narrow in on the other man:: Harry, that isn't what you want he's only *making* you think it is.
YarnKittymon: HR: ::was about to snap at Stephanie, but when Maeve speaks, he glares back at her:: I told you, stop bossing me!
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she jumps:: I'm not! *He* is! ::she points to the guard::
YarnKittymon: YarnKittymon rolled 2 6-sided dice: 3 4
YarnKittymon: HR: ::looks at the guard, almost as though he's coming to understand, then shakes his head:: I guess I can take care of myself without *your* help!
YarnKittymon: : ::the guard smirks; murmuring:: Don't know why you're not feeling it, kid, but you might get out while you can.
Maeve Owens: MV: I'm not leaving without Harry, so if it's you that's causing it, I suggest you stop.
YarnKittymon: YarnKittymon rolled 2 6-sided dice: 1 4
YarnKittymon: HR: ::raises his hand, aiming to strike Maeve:: Leave us alone!
Maeve Owens: MV: ::her eyes widen, and she tries to duck away from him; murmurs: Harry...
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she looks rather shocked too:: What are you doing?
YarnKittymon: : ::the guard is looking rather tired at this point, though he's hoping Harry's actions will distract the girls from noticing::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::does miss Maeve, and glares at her:: Get out!
Maeve Owens: MV: ::almost convinced he must be out of his mind, she shakes her head.:: No, why don't *you* escort us back to Marquis? After all, we might just find our way back and what kind of guard would that make you? ::she glances to Steph::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she edges away from them, trying to go unnoticed by the guard who she is steadily making her way towards::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::glares at Maeve; after a moment:: I'll escort you to our queen, then.
YarnKittymon: : ::the guard is still focused on Harry::
Maeve Owens: MV: She won't be too happy to hear you're on her property too...without a welcome.
YarnKittymon: HR: ::glares:: This isn't about me! She'll be glad enough to see two spies brought to justice!
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she sneaks up behind the guard, and taps him on the shoulder::
YarnKittymon: YarnKittymon rolled 2 6-sided dice: 5 2
YarnKittymon: : ::the guard looks back at Stephanie, shying away when he sees who it is::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she follows him, aiming a punch to his jaw::
YarnKittymon: YarnKittymon rolled 2 6-sided dice: 1 6
YarnKittymon: : ::Stephanie misses cleanly::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::cries out:: Hey! ::and runs towards Stephanie::
Maeve Owens: MV: Harry! You aren't helping! ::she grabs for Harry's arm, trying to stop him::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she takes a step back, eyeing the guard::
YarnKittymon: : ::the guard is a thin man, middle-aged, with thinning hair and cold eyes; he focuses on Stephanie, now::
YarnKittymon: YarnKittymon rolled 2 6-sided dice: 4 5
YarnKittymon: HR: ::tries to pull away from Maeve, though not as strongly as he had earlier::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::tiightens her grip:: Do you really want to hurt her Harry? I thought you loved her?
Maeve Owens: SV: ::when he doesn't make a move, she tries to strike out at him again::
YarnKittymon: YarnKittymon rolled 2 6-sided dice: 5 5
YarnKittymon: : ::this time, Stephanie connects solidly. and the man's head snaps back--but he manages to keep his feet, and focuses again on Stephanie; this time, she starts feeling rather angry at Harry::
YarnKittymon: HR: Maeve, let me go!
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she glances briefly at Harry, but doesn't yet back down from the guard:: This would have been so much easier if you had just kept your wits about you Harry!
Maeve Owens: MV: Not if you're going to help that guard I'm not!
YarnKittymon: HR: ::ignoring Maeve, just trying to pull away from her:: You're right, Stephanie! But get back from him; he's dangerous!
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she frowns, and slowly releases her grip on his arm::
Maeve Owens: SV: We cant let him get away now that you decided to wake him up! ::not thinking rationally, she charges at the man, aiming to get her hands around his neck::
YarnKittymon: : ::the guard's eyes go wide as Stephanie and Harry both come at him, and he concentrates all his remaining energy on converting the two to his side...but he can't quite do it, and he finds himself choking, while being socked in the stomach::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::watches with a bemused smile::
Maeve Owens: SV: ::she pulls back, suddenly realizing she's probably killing the man::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::stops when he figures the man is subdued; turns back to Stephanie; softly:: Are you all right?
Maeve Owens: SV: ::frowning, she nods::
Maeve Owens: MV: We're going to need to put him somewhere so he cant alert everyone and mess things up.
YarnKittymon: HR: ::checks the shed they came out of; there's some rope there, and he ties up the guard:: That'll do for now.
Maeve Owens: SV: And now lets hurry in case the other guards heard all that.
YarnKittymon: : ::they get moving and make it to the town they dropped their horse off in in good time, though just as she's getting into the carriage, Maeve trips on a stone in the dark, spraining her ankle pretty badly::
Maeve Owens: MV: ::she yelps, cringing at the pain shooting through her ankle. She's using all her upper body strength to hold onto the wagon, and to keep herself off the ground::
YarnKittymon: HR: ::leans down and manages to help poor Maeve up; half-jokes:: Guess we'll have to get you right to Isaac's.
Maeve Owens: MV: ::groans again:: This doesn't count, I still made it out without a scratch since we're *done* with the mission technically. ::grimaces::

On to Friday, August 11, 1933

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