Keeping Caution - RPLOG
Participants
Date
30/5/477
Log
Another day of shanties and drinking for the folks along the Maritime. While Selena's no stranger to a little afternoon drinking, it would seem she's a little preoccupied with something or another - unsurprising really, given her affiliation with the academy. It's difficult to tell exactly what it is, though, but from the look of the papers in front of her it's new lecture material for a spellcrafting class.
Without much pomp or circumstance, the usual noises are interupted by a heavy handed knocking upon Selena's door. Outside are three men dressed up in guard uniforms, two cats and a wolf. Something about the wolf just seems... Off? Like a dirty muddying sensation coming from him, though his gaze remains fixed on Selena's door as he keeps his facial features neutral.
Selena furrows her eyebrows a little at the knocking on her door, taking a quickl look through the window before calling out a simple "One minute!" and tidying her workspace a little before moving to the door cautiously. The events of the prior weeks didn't go unforgotten. Though soon enough, the wolfess's door opens. "May I help you?" she asks - as standard a greeting as any.
The cat to the wolf's left moves his foot slightly so as to help prevent Selena from shutting the door as the wolf speaks slowly to her. "Yes, you may. May we come inside?" All three giving her a rather serious gaze, and from the way they seemed ready to enter the question must have been posed as formality.
and certainly, there is some degree of formality in the greeting. Selena does allow the guards access to her house, gesturing to the ever-aparrent table in her dining room - it's plain to see that she's already considering the stiuation, though she remains polite. "I'd be within my rights to ask why you're here, then."
The three dip their heads for a moment as they are allowed entrance, one of the cats standing by the door to ensure she closes it while the wolf walks close to the table with the remaining cat. "You are, and I plan to inform you. It's come to our attention you have documentation pretaining to threats against the crown and people, and have yet to turn it in to the guards... I've already written to inform the captains of this fact, and am merely here to collect the item from you, and be on my way. Though, given your records... You'll understand why I have extra individuals accompanying me yes?"
Selena nods back to the wolf. "Then you'll understand if I request to speak with the captain of the guard for the hand-in of that item. And again - given my records - I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to understand that concern." She replies seriously. "... You wouldn't be allowed to drink on your jobs." She mutters, moving for a pitcher of water and some glasses. "Help yourselves. Now, if it so pleases you, I can easily inform both house Solacious properly myself. House Ironsoul is already aware. I'm unsure if local politics work in similar fashion to Cliffside's, but for the time I lived there possession of evidence was less relevant than the proof of possessing that evidence and willingness to divulge it. Of course, it helped it the individual was credible. "
They don't move for the water, instead keeping their gaze steady upon Selena as the wolf continues to speak. "To speak with all the captains is a impossible and time consuming task. Though, if you do get the information and ready yourself, we will escort you to the main captain heading up these orders... And to compare it to cliffside is a stretch. The guard do not care if you inform the noble houses, they are not the law of this city you must understand... And unlike cliffside, we need the evidence in our -hands-, and the motion to withhold it makes you claims null and void at the least, and should something happen, your life upon the line for obstructing justice. I do not mean to phrase it like a threat, merely the facts." The Cats look to the wolf, then back to Selena as they both take deep breaths in.
Selena sighs quietly, reading over the warrant carefully. "... Hmm. Why didn't you present this at the outset of your visit?" She asks, sighing quietly. "I'm aware of the guard's capacity to keep information. May I ask where you're requesting I go with you if not into custody? I understand that you have orders and I do not expect you to break them. It's unfortunate that our priorities are conflicting as such."
"... If I may offer an alternative, though. You are aware of Flora Longtail's 'camera', correct? Under supervision of the guard I would suggest the use of her camera to photograph the contents of the book. There is no room for tampering in such an arrangement and the copy of information would be absolute."
"We're aware of her camera, and we're aware of her service charges behind it. If this book is as important as you say it is, it comes with us. I mentioned you coming with us, as you said you desired to speak to the captain... Our priorities may be in conflict miss, but you -will- need to understand that the guard, and the law, of this city takes precidence over your own personal preference." The wolf shifts in his positioning come as one of the cats speak up. "We present it when asked Ma'am, had you barred us entrance we'd have shown it while forcing our entrance, but that may have ended a bit less satisfactory for all involved."
Selena stands from the table and sighs quietly, shaking her head, taking a moment to pack the pitcher and glasses back into their respective places. "I do understand that the safety of many takes precedence over the safety of one. This by no means a simple matter, as I'm sure you can understand." She replies, nodding back to the cat. "Typically I've seen guards present such warrants at the outset of a conversation rather than when asked. My understanding was not that they're last resorts."
"Nevertheless. If the book is as important as it is and the threat as such, my understanding is that it should be kept as safe as possible while legitimate, unaltered copies of its contents be presented. If you would be so kind, though, I would like to speak with your superiors."
"You may, we ask that you bring the book with you for them to see as well... They will then make the decision if the book is important enough that the guards must hold it, or if you'll be given control of it. We're ordered to bring the book back to them, or end up bringing you in our custody. As such, if you do not retrieve the book, per protocol, we will need to bind your hands behind you back and gag you so as to inhibit any spell casting, givin the strength demonstraighted in your records."
Selena coughs quietly. "That's a fundamental misconception of how spellcasting works. It's easier to cast spells when you have your hands and mouth free, but it's possible to do so even without. Also, that's not the protocol for apprehending soulless like myself." She replies, taking a stern tone. "I expect you to know better if you intend to apprehend any soulless at all. With that in mind, though. I can pick up the book and have it ready for... Appraisal tomorrow, unless you intend to spend a day's worth of walking to and from the ID's headquarters. I would offer to fly, however it's increasingly difficult to keep track of me if I was to do so."
"We offered such so as to allow you to keep your current soulgem inserted, due entirely to your graceful record of following the law... but if you insist..." The Wulf nodding to the nearest Cat whom places a blank parent gem on the table before the wolf continues. "You've stored this book within the Iron Defenders headquarters then?" The Wolf sighing as he shakes his head and rubs his face. "Then I'm afraid this is more complicated indeed. I will have to take you into custody, and you will spend the time within the jail as we send a runner to verify your statement, before we allow you to depart like such Ma'am."
Selena looks back to the beings. "... I'm sorry, but you were planning to make an exception based on one extraordinary circumstance without regard for another?" She questions, shaking her head. "Further, demanding to bind me in the event I'm to be taken into custody to an extent further than is necessary for an arrest? There's a degree of respect involved - even for this - and what you're saying is not making me feel any more sympathetic to your demands." The wolfess leans forwards slightly. "Is there anything else you'd like to tell me before I'm forced to resist arrest then turn myself in? You come to my house and opt not to inform me why until I ask. You produce a warrant only when I wish to see one. You deny my mention of unique circumstance, but make an exception due to my previous history and then presume to change arrest protocol because of it. Your badges, now. All three of you."
The wolf gives a soft growl and shakes his head with a sigh. "Ma'am, I'm going to make this suggestion quickly. If you resist arrest, we will be forced to bring you in through the use of force. As you're aware, fighting back will only make things worse for you when the other guards arrive." The wolf motioning once more to the Cats as he holds up his badge along with them. "Yet again we will hold up our badges as per -your- request, I ask that you pay attention to them this time. Further more, understand that I have given you a -great- degree of respect, and time to comply. Now, I shall ask simply that you remove your soul gem, and replace it with the blank parent gem upon your table." The Cat's reaching down to grip the hilt of their swords somewhat, as the wolf remains standing still.
Selena looks over the badges closely - more so for any distinguishing markings or names than anything else. "You have given me 'special treatment', which is a far cry from respect." She replies slowly. "Frankly I do not trust you after the mixed display you've given. I do not intend to harm any of you. When I stated that I would 'resist arrest' I merely refer to walking directly to the guard's station, invoking right to contact next of kin to have Angus Solacious summoned and respecting established protocol from then forwards. I understand that by your orders that is not acceptable, but you have given me very little reason to trust your integrity as a member of the guard." She replies, even having the gall to move back to her workdesk and sign whatever those papers were before filing them away. "And I suspect that to those ends you wouldn't allow me out of this room without a fuss. So, I'll offer you a compromise. I will follow you as I am currently. You will not gag or bind me, as magic does not necessitate hand gestures or speech. I will accompany you by my own will . Your 'protocol' is preserved and I will be delivered into custody."
"You're attempting to tell us that Angus Solacious is your next of Kin? You'll have to excuse me, but you do not appear a fox. This is rather clear right now ma'am, you will be placed under arrest until such time that your -actual- next of kin may be contacted, not your friends. I will ask you to remove your soul gem, and insert the blank parent soulgem at this moment as well. That is the only way I will allow you to depart this room without being bound or gagged."
Selena rolls her eyes. "I believe law dictates that in the event next of kin are not available for contact, a third party may be nominated." She replies surtly. "Or did you not receive the files Cliffside had delivered following the attack on Sweetwater's granaries?" She replies flatly. "It was to my understanding that my surname surfaced here directly because of those documents being sent over." She replies, sitting back at her table. "Again. If your concern is my ability to cast magic, then you would not be gagging me. That's a lesson every being learns at academy." She replies, gesturing to a candle. "Watch." She allows for a few moments to pass - then ignites it and the others in the room before extinguishing them in short order. "Your department is aware of this. Unless you have a real explanation for the gag then I suggest you not try to put it on any mages - it wastes time at absolute best."
"Listen, regardless of this lecture on magic you feel inclined to give us, I'm going to ask you -ONE- last time, to switch your soul gems. As far as your next of kin goes, that can be sorted out there, but I am not an expert in your family tree. That being said, I will yet again stress that you either switch out your soulgems right now and come with us, or we will bring you in for failing to comply with instructions." The Wolf growing aggitated it seems, as the cats jump slightly from the magic demonstraition.
Selena shakes her head. "That was more for your benefit than mine, Mr. Everstein." She replies. "I fail to see how an escort to the guard's department would be out-of-line with your goals. What are you intending to arrest me for? Failure to provide information? There's nothing to arrest me for in that instance. Failure to comply with your requests? Hardly. At worst I've told you that you cannot arrest me because I have given you your information. Arresting me because I am incapable of providing that information due to circumstance? We have a term for that and it is 'unjust'. Conspiracy to commit a felony? Pray tell what I would be doing now that would be any more illegal than it would otherwise. What you're currently insinuating is that I should be arrested because you lack information that I cannot currently provide but am willing to under appropriate situations. The extent of my crimes are in informing you of the situation and denying you the ability to follow non-standard arrest procedure - which I might add, is not part of your warrant - much less any mention of a gag." She replies, taking a few moments to 'cool off' in her own right.
"... Now. In interest of your investigation I would like to invite you to inspect the house for the book in question. You may not have an official search warrant, but I am willing to write a letter of permission. The reason I offer is that the only other active member of the ID of importance - Bite - is unaware that I have stored to book in the fortress. It would be safer and faster to allow you the opportunity to see that the book is in fact not here as a gesture of good intentions. But I do want to know why you ignored the protocol given and opted to present your own. If you were to do that to anyone in Cliffside you'd be throwing your own credibility under the cart."
"If you read, we are ordered to detain you and send a runner. If you're placing this piece of critical information in a place without the knowledge of it's own inhabitants, you are making my duties unnecessarily complicated. You will be detained, and brought forth to the jail as detaining you here is by all means not only pointless, but a unnecessary waste of manpower. I have my orders, and I am going to follow them wether or not you approve of them ma'am, now I will not ask again that you switch out your soul gems, do you understand? You are being detained because the guard will not risk having the book moved, or tampered with before we can reach it. Surely of all this you can understand -that-. As for your request about my protocole, you may bring it up to the captain, because as it stands right now you are -not- in cliffside, and you are being given very specific instructions to comply with, that if you fail to do so, will involve an arrest for disruption of justice. We will as well, put forth your written permission to search the premise." The two felines moving closer to Selena's sides before motioning over to the soul gem.
Selena nods back to the wolf. "Given the sensitivity of the information, where better to hide it than somewhere nobody would look for it?" She replies. "I'm aware that I'm not in Cliffside. But it is where I come from and it has rubbed off on me a little. Your captain presented the protocol on your warrant, but not all of those that you chose to present. It puts a being on edge. Rest assured I will, and I will explain the cirucumstances to whomever is responsible for processing. Presumably, I will be able to consult with Lunaxia about the runner and book on site."
"Now then." she mutters, rolling her eyes a little, taking the blank soulgem and peering at it for a moment. "... Quite a nice color on this one." She muses as she flicks open her pendant, carefully plucking her preferred pair of souls out, deftly replacing them with the parent soul and shivering a little. "If you would be so kind, I would appreciate these being placed on my desk. I don't see why you or I would need them in a simple trip across town."
The wolf nods, and the cats move to take her soul gems, the Wolf tapping the hilt of his sword for a moment before motioning her forward. "Very well, either way please come with us Ma'am." The Cats moving to open the door as one stands outside, the other behind Selena.
Selena nods. "No bindings, I notice." She murmurs to nobody in particular, standing, moving out with the pair, locking the door behind her - taking care that the teeth of the key are at least partially hidden. "I'll have to give Lunaxia my congratulations on her position. Hopefully she's bee faring well enough since those two were caught."
without much further ado then, the trio go to lead Selena through town, the wolf sporting an extremely annoyed expression while the cats appear as passive as ever... Thankfully nothing terrible happens though, aside from some smells from the sewer drains, and they arrive at the guard house in one piece! The wolf moving off to the side as the cats bring her up to a registry... Lunaxia sitting behind the main book as she looks up and sighs while covering her face. "Tell me you didn't resist arrest, and they were just detaining you."
Selena chuckles quietly at the mouse's response, sighing a little. "I was skeptical because of their procedure, Lunaxia. Requesting that I come in without regard for the usual protocol for apprehending soulless put me a little more on guard than usual, particularly when gagging me was brought up." She replies, shaking her head. "To be perfectly honest I'd be a litle frustrated if I were in his position as well, but please put it on record that if you want me to come to the station with minimal fuss, a letter will suffice. I'll let Mr. Everstein make the call on if I was resisting arrest or just extremely concerned given the circumstances."
Lunaxia waves her hand and shakes her head before making a quick note in her book. "You're not going to be charged for anything, don't worry. Everstein acts stupid if he gets annoyed, and I had nobody better to send under my command... That being said, you must be detained if you don't have the book on you, as I hope he explained... No malice, no charges, just to ensure it -is- safe, before having it retrieved. Not that I don't trust you, but unlike many, I'm not risking any chances... And I -will- of course note your grievence."
Selena nods back to the Lunaxia. "It's fine. If you did see fit to charge me with an offense I'd stand trial as I should." She replies simply. "... As for the book's safety, I've gone to some lengths to keep it so. As Mr. Everstein would tell you, it is currently on the premises of the Ironsoul's Defenders fortress without the knowledge of any of the other Defenders. I loathe to even give that much away, but the fortress is one of the safest places I could put it, much less hide it." She replies.
"I understand that you will want to see it, but I do not want it being compromised either. I asked if I would be able to speak to the head of the guard about this matter, that it be addressed as efficiently as possible before risking the book's destruction or damage - that would compromise the case I can make and we'd be back at square one. As I proposed to Mr. Everstone, if Flora Longtail's camera could be used to produce photographic evidence that the book exists and of the information in it, that would be preferable to simply handing over the book because it would provide a back-up of the evidence in the even it was compromised."
Lunaxia shaves her head gently as Selena continues, before speaking softly. "Selena, I understand you concern. If I was in your position, I as well would be loathed to hand such a valuable thing over... But on the same point, you are not a member of the guard for this city. Your duty as a freesword is to help, my duty as a guard is to protect... And as this item threatens the safety of my guards, it must fall into my duties and my territory. As such, I cannot allow you to keep it, while I know what it contains. Not only will you become a target, but you risk dragging more innocents into it by doing so. You are welcome to write down it's contents for yourself, -after- I have it in my custody... Personally, I want as few people involved in seeing it as possible. I do not know what extents will be taken to wipe it clear, understood?"
Selena nods back to the woman, sighing a little. "Actually I'm not a freesword. That's one of the amusing misconceptions everyone seems to have... But I digress. A written copy of the contents of the book won't hold up in court unless they've been confirmed by yet another third party. If anyone is to be involved, I would want it to be as discrete as possible - but Flora is extremely protective of her inventions to the point of paranoia. Having photos of the book would be the most concrete evidence possible that it exists, but at the same time it would immediately implicate her as well. It's... Frankly, a mess. This is why I want the head of the guard personally, again. Once they've seen it, it doesn't have to be seen again in the same capacity as if one person or another is shown."
"Selena, I apologize for the misconception then. Tis the company you keep I suppose, that causes that misconception... Anyways, I am the one handling this lead. I am the one whom issued the warrent, and I will be the one whom decides how this issue with the book is handled Selena. Rest assured we are not -fools-, and all of our copies will be made in triplicat and notorized by our own scribes. I was offering -you- the written coppy to set your mind at ease... And bringing the -head- of a noble house in on this, is the last thing I will consider. Her device has not been used in court, and as such I will not make this the experimental time for it." The Mousette sighs and straightens her posture once more before looking down to Selena. "Now, with all of that being said, I am going to ask that you inform me where exactly it is, so my runner may go to verify it's place. Alright?"
Selena shakes her head. "I agree, it is most likely because of the beings I speak with that people get the idea. Were Flora not as overprotective as she is then her camera would be usable in this situation without that problem." She sighs, shaking her head. "I will personally show you where the book is. I insist. You should know I can take good enough care of myself that a simple trip like that isn't going to endanger me or anyone else more than it usually would." She replies bluntly. "The fewer involved the better, correct?"
:lunaxia sets down her quill as she stares straight at Selena with a dead set gaze. "The trip there is not short, and you ask of me to leave on a whim. More so, you offer us both up to ambush. So in short, yes you are capable, but what you ask is still not only dangerous, but reckless of a guard captain to leave her command at short notice." The woman leaning back as she pulls her glassess off and rubs the bridge of her nose. "... You are one hundred percent certain that the information in this book is worth such a risk?"
Selena looks back to the woman, matching the gaze with her own. "The information is not going to be as useful as the being that was apprehended at the riots at the city gates, Lunaxia. The book was vague. I am certain that if it has been posed to you as such an extremely valuable source of information, then it is likely so in some capacity. What I cannot guarantee is that it will be as valuable as you hope it is nor that it will be as useful as having one of those beings affiliated with the writer available for questioning on the subject."
The mouse frowns heavily and shakes her head, motioning the two cats out of the room before only the mouse and wolf are left alone as she speaks. "Olg'ish is cunning and clever Selena... And above all, they are dedicated to their causes. The frog that was aprehended was not a Soulless... we couldn't give her a parent gem, and as such on her first opportunity, she burned herself alive. This book is the only lead I have right now in begining to combat this infestation, do you understand? This is why I -must- make certain I am not wasting my time."
Selena shivers a little and nods back to the mouse. "... I can't fault their dedication." She murmurs quietly, shaking her head. "There were no names in the book. Only of events that were intended to be instigated, and damned if they weren't broad." She replies, rubbing her temples. "The frog's probably had some kind of set up with fellow cultists to have her book burned in the event of her capture..." She muses, rubbing her cheek. "What worries me more is their organization."
Lunaxia nods gently as she cups her chin into her hand gently. "Indeed. From what I'm been told by the Spyguards, the Olg'ish are not much like the other Cultists. They don't recruit all the desperate like Pryyah, they do not search for the depraved... They look for those with the greatest conviction and desire they can convert. They don't need superior numbers, they don't even -need- to be at a seen unless it's vital... And the part that bothers me most, is that they're searching for change and have their hands in almost -everything- it seems... Mix them with those that follow some spirit of knowledge amongst the old ones, and we're heading into dangerous territory, that I'm not certain you life spirit dedicants can combat without great sacrifice Selena." The Mouse motioning to the wolfess' markings as if to make her point.
Selena sighs quietly. "I have a feeling that the reason Olg'ish's cultists are as... devoted as they are is because they're being given something that they want that empowers them far beyond what they would've otherwise been capable of. Control is a dangerous thing." She replies, closing her eyes for a few moments. "I would rather there be no need for combating them, personally. I believe they could do a lot of good for society if they were nudged in the right direction, but unfortunately... Well, we can see how things are going. If I wasn't willing to put my life on the line for my beliefs, then I wouldn't be a part of the ID and I wouldn't be trying to keep that book safe."
"The power to forcefully convince someone of -anything- is not a power I will tolerate. Unfortunatly, the good king believes they serve a purpose and have yet to make the worship of old ones illegal... But, we do what we can Selena. Now, you'll spend the night here, and retrieve your items in the morning before we depart for this book... I will not risk them attacking you in your home and trying to kill you so the book is lost to us all."
Selena nods back to the mouse. "I won't try to force your hand on that issue. And while I agree that forcefully convincing anyone to do something is wrong, it could be used to have a being truthfully answer in court or stop them from killing someone. That is the only time I could see such an ability being used for a good reason."
Lunaxia nods, before whistling as the cats make their way back inside. "Prepare one of the isolation cells, I want a -nice- bedding, and pot. As well, you two and the Dungbar brothers will man the door at all times. She's free to use the restroom so long as she is escorted, but is not to leave the building. Place her in the second wing, as it is the least populated... And if for any reason you come across anything strange, have a runner sent to me immediatly." The mouse turning back to Selena as she sighs. "I shall depart with you in the morning tomorrow hopefully, and you will be given a chance to get your equipment."
Selena nods back to the mouse. "Well, just lead the way. I'll admit that I don't like not having my regular souls on me, but that's forgivable given the cirucmstances. I've practiced magic for the better part of two decades; it's going to take more than a parent soul to stop me from using any of it at all in the worst case."
Lunaxia merely gives a nod, before the two cats go to escort Selena to her 'cell' for the night... And true to Lunaxia's word, it was fitted quite well! A nice plushy bed, and everything. Hell, they even delivered any meal she requested while there! All in all, she was in good hands this night...
