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Death and Taxes 2


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#1 Guest_Chantrys_*

Posted 19 September 2003 - 02:08 PM

Still wiping her eyes, Mirielle followed me through the crowd to a dimly lit corner. I knocked on the rough plastered wall, three quick taps and a thud. We waited for a moment, but nothing happened. I knocked again, louder this time.

A thin voice piped up from behind the wall. “You aren’t doing the secret knock, Sarry!”

“I am!” I did it again, just to show her. “And don’t call me Sarry!”

“It’s five taps and a thud! Like this!” She knocked on her side of the wall, insultingly slowly.

Dames. Shorthand for trouble. “IMOEN! Open the damn door!”

“Geez, ask nicely, willya? I was just trying to help…”

There was a faint grinding noise as a section of the wall swung open, and we stepped into my office. Two mahogany desks, one large and one small, took up most of the refurbished crypt. We’d propped the empty sarcophagus up against the wall. It made a nice filing cabinet with the wooden dividers Imoen had conjured up.

“Quaint little place you have here,” said Mirielle, letting me take her cloak.

I hung it up on the cloakrack before tossing my hat in the general direction of my desk. It landed squarely on the orc skull I used as a paperweight, giving the skull a rakish air. “It’s lavish, but I call it home.”

“MIRIELLE!!!” My partner bounded over her desk and tackled Mirielle, sending her crashing to the floor. “Gee, it’s great to see ya! Where have you been, anyway?”

“Imoen, I…” Mirielle lay flat on her back and stared. “Did you dye your hair again?”

“Only ‘cause I was bored. Do ya like it?” Imoen twirled proudly, her bright purple hair flying in an arc around her impish face.

“Er…it’s…interesting. Truly unique.”

“Aw, thanks, ya big bufflehead.” Imoen beamed and helped Mirielle back onto her feet. “So, what can we do for ya? Haven’t seen you for a long time! You don’t write, you don’t call me on my scrying ball…I bet you’ve been busy, huh?” Imoen leered and perched herself on the corner of my desk. “It’s a wonder you haven’t worn your little Kelseykins out.”

“Ixnay on the Elsey-kay.” I shot a glance at Mirielle, afraid she’d start crying again.

“It’s okay, Sarevok,” Mirielle choked out, her eyes bright. “She doesn’t know.”

“Know what?”

I rummaged in my desk for a fine Chultan cigar. “Kelsey’s dead.”

Imoen’s hand flew to her mouth. “Dead? What…how…what…”

I clipped the end of the cigar and lit it. Imoen just sat there, not saying a word about the evils of smoking. It was rare to see her so flabbergasted. I’d have enjoyed it more if the subject hadn’t been so depressing.

Mirielle sat down in the comfortable padded chair that I pulled out for her. “Well, it all happened two days ago,” she began, crossing her ankles daintily. “I’d spent all day in the lab with Kelsey, mixing up the latest batch of Kelsey’s Oil…”

“Kelsey’s Oil?” I asked, wisps of smoke wafting out with every word. “You actually market it under that name?”

“Yes.”

“And women buy it?”

“It’s got a good brand presence,” said Mirielle, “especially in the 15-25 age bracket. Anyway, we finally finished up around midnight. I went straight to bed, and Kelsey said that he’d be right up after he finished his water.” A tear trickled down her cheek. “And that was the last time I saw him.”

“Oh, Mirielle,” Imoen breathed, “that’s horrible! How did it happen?”

“I don’t know! I came downstairs in the morning, and he was…he was…”

Mirielle began to cry again in huge, wracking sobs. Imoen ran all over the room, looking for handkerchiefs and water. I sat in my hard wooden chair and propped my feet on my desk, puffing big rings of smoke at the ceiling.

Finally, she wound down enough to speak again. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

I looked over at her and immediately wished I hadn’t. Some dames could cry without getting all red and puffy. Sis was not one of them.

“Take your time, Mirielle.” Imoen finally noticed my cigar and shot me a look. If looks could kill, I’d be dead several times over.

“Have the guards examined the crime scene?” I asked.

Mirielle sniffled and dabbed at her eyes. “Oh, yes, though they’re coming back tomorrow. Inspector Trade was there for a short while today, examining the room and the…the…”

“Body?”

“Sarevok!”

“It’s all right, Imoen. I…I suppose I should get used to saying it. It was just such a shock…” Mirielle blew her nose and looked up at me, her eyes puffed and reddened from weeping. “He’s always been the strong one, encouraging me and protecting me, and to see him like that…oh, I’m so frightened!”

I couldn’t believe it. She survived assassins, Irenicus, Bhaalspawn…hell, she even managed to kill me…and she was frightened? I suppose she had some cause to worry since the assassin had managed to take out Kelsey, but still.

From the bemused expression on Imoen’s face, she was thinking the same thing, but she was much kinder than me. “It’s all right, Miri,” she said soothingly. “We’ll help you out. I need to finish some files and pay a few calls, but Sarry will stay with you until you feel more yourself again.”

I nearly dropped my cigar. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, Imoen! That’s so kind of you…of both of you!”

“But…I had plans…”

“Sarevok! Be nice!”

“I’m not nice, I’m vicious. That’s part of my charm.”

“Please, Sarevok? It’ll only be for a night, just until my friend comes. I don’t want to stay in my home alone…”

Mirielle turned those sad blue eyes on me, and I shut my mouth, defeated before I could begin to fight. I knew that look…she’d used it on me all throughout Tethyr. This was one dame who always got her way, and she was going to get it again tonight. After all, when a guy you adventured with kicks the bucket, you’re supposed to do something about it. It doesn’t matter what you thought of him. Or his wife. He was your companion, and you’re supposed to do something.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

#2 Guest_The Blue Sorceress_*

Posted 19 September 2003 - 03:05 PM

Dames. Shorthand for trouble. “IMOEN! Open the damn door!”


I like this line. It's cute.

I hung it up on the cloakrack before tossing my hat in the general direction of my desk. It landed squarely on the orc skull I used as a paperweight, giving the skull a rakish air. “It’s lavish, but I call it home.”


:roll: orc skull paper weight... hilarious.

“Er…it’s…interesting. Truly unique.”


I rummaged in my desk for a fine Chultian cigar. “Kelsey’s dead.”


It's "Chultan" as opposed to "Chultian."

“Oh, Mirielle,” Imoen breathed, “that’s horrible! How did it happen?”


I looked over at her and immediately wished I hadn’t. Some dames could cry without getting all red and puffy. Sis was not one of them.


I enjoy the way you interject humor into this admittedly sad scene. It does sort of detract from the reader getting all emotional about Kelsey too, but then again since this is from the POV of Sarevok, it's perfectly acceptable to be a little inconsiderate.

“I’m not nice, I’m vicious. That’s part of my charm.”


It is, isn't it? :cry:

Mirielle turned those sad blue eyes on me, and I shut my mouth, defeated before I could begin to fight. I knew that look…she’d used it on me all throughout Tethyr. This was one dame who always got her way, and she was going to get it again tonight. After all, when a guy you adventured with kicks the bucket, you’re supposed to do something about it. It doesn’t matter what you thought of him. Or his wife. He was your companion, and you’re supposed to do something.


He's right of course. Family is family, but adventuring buddies are with you for life (which is all right, since it's a rare adventurer that makes it to old age ^^)

Anyway, great chapter and I look forward to more (write more!)
-Blue

#3 Guest_Chantrys_*

Posted 19 September 2003 - 11:02 PM


Dames. Shorthand for trouble. “IMOEN! Open the damn door!”


I like this line. It's cute.


Thanks!


:wink: orc skull paper weight... hilarious.


:) It seemed like an appropriate thing to put on his desk.

It's "Chultan" as opposed to "Chultian."


Whoops! (*fixes that*)

I enjoy the way you interject humor into this admittedly sad scene. It does sort of detract from the reader getting all emotional about Kelsey too, but then again since this is from the POV of Sarevok, it's perfectly acceptable to be a little inconsiderate.


Good! I figured that getting emotional about Kelsey would not be high on Sarevok's list of reactions.


“I’m not nice, I’m vicious. That’s part of my charm.”


It is, isn't it? :roll:


Well, definitely for me. :D

He's right of course. Family is family, but adventuring buddies are with you for life (which is all right, since it's a rare adventurer that makes it to old age ^^)


Definitely something to remember when adventuring with Neeber.

Anyway, great chapter and I look forward to more (write more!)


More is being written. ;) Thanks very much for your comments!

#4 Guest_thayet_*

Posted 20 September 2003 - 08:44 PM

Mirielle turned those sad blue eyes on me, and I shut my mouth, defeated before I could begin to fight. I knew that look…she’d used it on me all throughout Tethyr. This was one dame who always got her way, and she was going to get it again tonight. After all, when a guy you adventured with kicks the bucket, you’re supposed to do something about it. It doesn’t matter what you thought of him. Or his wife. He was your companion, and you’re supposed to do something.


Hmm... I wonder they're going to end up looking for the Calimshan Falcon... ;)

I think you've got the Dashiell Hammett-meets-Forgotten Realms tone perfectly. Looking forward to more!

#5 Guest_Chantrys_*

Posted 21 September 2003 - 03:57 AM

Hmm... I wonder they're going to end up looking for the Calimshan Falcon... ;)


:D Not in this story, I'm afraid. But if I ever do a sequel, that would be a fun idea!

I think you've got the Dashiell Hammett-meets-Forgotten Realms tone perfectly. Looking forward to more!


Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

#6 Guest_Hunter_*

Posted 21 September 2003 - 11:20 AM

[quote]
“It’s five taps and a thud! Like this!” She knocked on her side of the wall, insultingly slowly.
[/quote]

Just smash the door down.

[quote]
Dames. Shorthand for trouble. “IMOEN! Open the damn door!”
[/quote]

You bet. ;)

[quote]
“Quaint little place you have here,” said Mirielle, letting me take her cloak.
[/quote]

From whose poit of wiew are you writing? sarevoks?

[quote]
“MIRIELLE!!!” My partner bounded over her desk and tackled Mirielle, sending her crashing to the floor. “Gee, it’s great to see ya! Where have you been, anyway?”
[/quote]

Huh, i thought that it was imoen who was inside the room.

[quote]
I rummaged in my desk for a fine Chultan cigar. “Kelsey’s dead.”
[/quote]

NO! :lol:

[quote]
“And women buy it?”
[/quote]

:oops:

[quote]
“I don’t know! I came downstairs in the morning, and he was…he was…”
[/quote]

Waaaaahh ;)

[quote]
From the bemused expression on Imoen’s face, she was thinking the same thing, but she was much kinder than me. “It’s all right, Miri,” she said soothingly. “We’ll help you out. I need to finish some files and pay a few calls, but Sarry will stay with you until you feel more yourself again.”
[/quote]

[quote]
I nearly dropped my cigar. “Excuse me?”
[/quote]

Apparently he didn't know that he had volunteered to do that. :shock:

[quote]
“I’m not nice, I’m vicious. That’s part of my charm.”
[/quote]

What charm?

[quote]
Mirielle turned those sad blue eyes on me, and I shut my mouth, defeated before I could begin to fight. I knew that look…she’d used it on me all throughout Tethyr.

That trick is dirty, lowly and unfair. :twisted:

Hunter

#7 Guest_Chantrys_*

Posted 21 September 2003 - 10:46 PM

Just smash the door down.


Then he'd have to get a new one put up, and you know the repairmen would promise to show up between sunrise and sunset... :)

From whose poit of wiew are you writing? sarevoks?


Yes. It will always be from Sarevok's POV.

Huh, i thought that it was imoen who was inside the room.


They're all inside the room. Imoen, Mirielle, and Sarevok.

NO! ;)


(*console*)

:lol:


:)

Waaaaahh ;)


Hankie?

Apparently he didn't know that he had volunteered to do that. :shock:


Don'tcha hate people who volunteer you for stuff?

What charm?


What? He is the epitome of refinement and charm! :)

That trick is dirty, lowly and unfair. :twisted:


And that's why it's so effective. :oops:

Thanks for reading and commenting!

#8 Laufey

Posted 22 September 2003 - 04:12 AM

Just discovered this story, and really enjoy the Noir concept you're using here! :twisted: Not the role you'd normally expect Sarry to play, but somehow you make it fit him.


“I am!” I did it again, just to show her. “And don’t call me Sarry!”


“It’s five taps and a thud! Like this!” She knocked on her side of the wall, insultingly slowly.


Dames. Shorthand for trouble. “IMOEN! Open the damn door!”


LOL! Oh yes, that's Imoen for you. :twisted:


“Imoen, I…” Mirielle lay flat on her back and stared. “Did you dye your hair again?”


“Only ‘cause I was bored. Do ya like it?” Imoen twirled proudly, her bright purple hair flying in an arc around her impish face.


“Er…it’s…interesting. Truly unique.”


That's one word for it. :twisted:


“It’s got a good brand presence,” said Mirielle, “especially in the 15-25 age bracket. Anyway, we finally finished up around midnight. I went straight to bed, and Kelsey said that he’d be right up after he finished his water.” A tear trickled down her cheek. “And that was the last time I saw him.”


'finished his water'...maybe it's just me, but that phrase sounds a little odd. What water? Last time we heard anything he was mixing oil. Was he drinking water or something?

“Oh, Mirielle,” Imoen breathed, “that’s horrible! How did it happen?”


“I don’t know! I came downstairs in the morning, and he was…he was…”


So, since she says she doesn't know, I take it the body was mostly unharmed? Not decapitated or stabbed or something.


“Sarevok!”


“It’s all right, Imoen. I…I suppose I should get used to saying it. It was just such a shock…” Mirielle blew her nose and looked up at me, her eyes puffed and reddened from weeping. “He’s always been the strong one, encouraging me and protecting me, and to see him like that…oh, I’m so frightened!”


I couldn’t believe it. She survived assassins, Irenicus, Bhaalspawn…hell, she even managed to kill me…and she was frightened? I suppose she had some cause to worry since the assassin had managed to take out Kelsey, but still.


I agree with him...it does feel a little odd, despite her state of shock. Hmmm...this is a Noir story...and in such a story, the dame is usually not as innocent as she looks. I wonder if maybe she offed Kelsey herself.


“Sarevok! Be nice!”


“I’m not nice, I’m vicious. That’s part of my charm.”


Awwww! Of course it is. :twisted:

“Please, Sarevok? It’ll only be for a night, just until my friend comes. I don’t want to stay in my home alone…”


Mirielle turned those sad blue eyes on me, and I shut my mouth, defeated before I could begin to fight. I knew that look…she’d used it on me all throughout Tethyr. This was one dame who always got her way, and she was going to get it again tonight. After all, when a guy you adventured with kicks the bucket, you’re supposed to do something about it. It doesn’t matter what you thought of him. Or his wife. He was your companion, and you’re supposed to do something.


Yep...I'm *definitely* suspecting her until you produce a more likely candidate or candidates. :) Very nice story, I love murder mysteries!
Rogues do it from behind.

#9 Guest_Chantrys_*

Posted 22 September 2003 - 06:20 PM

Just discovered this story, and really enjoy the Noir concept you're using here! :) Not the role you'd normally expect Sarry to play, but somehow you make it fit him.


Thank you! I admit it's a bit wacky, but hey, it's fun to write. :)


LOL! Oh yes, that's Imoen for you. :?


:shock:

That's one word for it. :lol:


I can think of a number of others, but they would all make Imoen angry.

'finished his water'...maybe it's just me, but that phrase sounds a little odd. What water? Last time we heard anything he was mixing oil. Was he drinking water or something?


Sorry, that becomes clearer in Chapter 4. I wonder if I should just remove it from this chapter.

So, since she says she doesn't know, I take it the body was mostly unharmed? Not decapitated or stabbed or something.


It's still whole, yes. ;) Since she's kind of worked up, I would take everything she says with a grain of salt.

I agree with him...it does feel a little odd, despite her state of shock. Hmmm...this is a Noir story...and in such a story, the dame is usually not as innocent as she looks. I wonder if maybe she offed Kelsey herself.


Hmmm. No "lips sealed" emoticons. Oh, well, this looks about right. :roll:

Awwww! Of course it is. :(


It's my favorite part of his charm.

Yep...I'm *definitely* suspecting her until you produce a more likely candidate or candidates. :( Very nice story, I love murder mysteries!


Lots of candidates coming up soon. :?:

Thanks very much for reading and commenting!




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