Dirty Walls and Large Spiders (Avelia)

[Lirael]

A dark clothed girl quickly walked into the pub, she didn't really want anyone to know she was there, not being sure if she was actually allowed in here. Una liked the smokey pub, and didn't like pretending she wasn't there. It wasn't in her nature to hide. She took long strides towards the center of the pub, and then off to a table beside the wall. Una wanted to get a good look at the pub, and the people in it. The wall behind her was dirty- and every so often, large spiders scuttled up it. She made room for them- never really having a fear of spiders. She was not surprised that no one came over, she wouldn't be surprised if no one actually knew she had entered. She would probably leave soon though. Else someone might try and question her about her age- or something related to that.

She found it quite stuffy by the wall, but stayed where she was, in case of attracting any attention. She didn't seem to recognise anyone here. None of her usual people were around. She thought most had gone to the outskirts of the city to watch something happening. Maybe someone new had joined them. But Una was too bored to. She scanned the room.

[Avelia]

She followed the girl with strange, light coloured eyes. The Dancing Dove was frequented by a wide variety of patrons, yet, she knew them all, if not personally then by sight. The girl, however, was unknown. She held herself straight and proud, despite her painful, unhealthy thinness and her unkempt appearance. It was the way those eyes took in everything that marked her as a newcomer to the Dove, as looking out of place.

Taking a long draught from her tankard, Avelia continued to watch the girl. Spiders crawled behind her and Avelia noted the quick flash of a distasteful expression crossing her features. The girl scanned the room- when her gaze crossed Avelia's, taking no notice of the Queen of the Rogue brooding beside a near empty tankard, Avelia stood up, and made her way across the room. Being slight was an advantage to her- it was not until Avelia sat directly across the newcomer that she was noticed.

"Yer' too young to be 'ere, love," she said, leaning back against her chair. "The Dove isn't a place for young girls." It was a hypocritical statement, considering her history, and the fact that Avelia was at most four or five years older than the girl. But she considered herself the exception.

[Lirael]

Some one walked toward her, and took a seat opposite her. Una had not recollected seeing her before, but she had the look of someone who came in here often. The woman was pale with long dark hair and very pale eyes, she didn't look much older than Una.
"Yer' too young to be 'ere, love," she said, leaning back against her chair. "The Dove isn't a place for young girls."
Una smiled, she decided to be polite- from the way the woman sounded, and how confident she was. She was probably not someone to get on the wrong side of.
"I'm not drinkin' or anythin' Miss." She said, trying to sound as innocent as she could.

[Avelia]

"Didn't say you were," Avelia observed dryly. "Ain't really none of my business what yer drinking." Was it really that long ago she'd been just twelve, attempting to scull even one tankard, being drunken under the table...desperate for recognition, she'd threatened a room full of murderers with a knife...it had been her youth and pluckiness that had saved her then. The men had been amused by this slip of a girl, barely coming up to the chests of some of them, brandishing a rusty blade like it made her the queen of the world. Avelia liked to think that in that shady, back alley inn, she'd finally begun her life. It was quite astounding she'd survived even a few minutes in there. But she'd gotten smarter.

She'd been as naive as she looked, then, full of arrogance about an almost non-existent skill which was really just raw talent and luck. Her confidence, now, came from six years of pain and suffering and going to the extremes for self-improvement. It wasn't enough for her to be less than the best and that had driven her towards the unconventional...every time Avelia saw another young girl she wondered whether that would be the path she'd choose. But then, not everyone was as desperate as she had been.

It had cost her.

Her fear of magic...

Her mouth twitched into a smile, and she tapped her fingers onto the table. The scar on her wrist was even more prominent with the movement.

"So what're ye really here for? Ye look like someone with a purpose," she noted. Even the scanning of the room had not been the casual glancing around surroundings that usually came with newcomers.

[Lirael]

Una was not exactly sure of what to do, but she was sure she would work it out. She was not used to being questioned. Most people didn't notice her, witch was annoying enough. She hated being ignored, but she often needed to be. Like when she stole. She got used to it, but she never liked it. The trouble was- now that she was noticed, she would not be able to get as good a look as she'd liked of the rogue. It would be hard to see everwhere if someone noticed her, then most people would notice her. And then everyone would know the was there, that would not do.
"Didn't say you were," Avelia observed dryly. "Ain't really none of my business what yer drinking." Una realised that she might have said the wrong thing. As she couldn't think of a polite retort to this, she waited for the woman to say something else.
"So what're ye really here for? Ye look like someone with a purpose," A question... well- she couldn't give the impression she was looking around for someone. Spies were not treated nicely, and she would not want to be mistaken for one. Think of something, quick! her brain told her. A pause might suggest the wrong thing. Like she didn't know what to tell the woman.
"I was waitin' for my friend, she say she would come 'ere an meet me this mornin' but she never. Then she say, she come a bit later. So I'm waitin' for her now, she's nigh on half an hour late- by reconing. Maybe I missed her, I got bored an' went to the fabric market." She tried to detail it as much as possible, hoping the lie would convince the woman. She was farely good at lying.

[Avelia]

"I was waitin' for my friend, she say she would come 'ere an meet me this mornin' but she never. Then she say, she come a bit later. So I'm waitin' for her now, she's nigh on half an hour late- by reconing. Maybe I missed her, I got bored an' went to the fabric market."

She listened to the girl's story, carefully. "Why'd yous choose the Dove, then? It ain't that friendly a place. And if you haven't seen yer friend today, but she said she'd come later? Surely, ye'd 'ave to 'ave seen her for her to say that. How does tha' work?" Avelia inquired, smiling sweetly. She tilted her head to the left, the pose she unconsciously struck every time she considered something. "I 'aven't seen anyone alone this past hour, anyhow. Unless yer friend be that ol' chap, two tables back, ye see," she jerked her thumb in the direction of a silver haired old man, with a craggy, weather-beaten face and liver-spotted hands. "But then, ye said she, so it couldn' be. She must be runnin' pretty late, ay?"

"But ye said ye went to the fabric market...did ye see that new shopkeeper? Second stall, right at the only entrance? Couldna missed it. Nice craftmanship, don't you think? What'd ye think of his banner? Lovely, bright thing it was, catches yer eye from a mile away, it would. Sorry, I canna remember, what'd be that immortal he'd sewn? Hurrok or unicorn?"

[Lirael]

"Why'd yous choose the Dove, then? It ain't that friendly a place. And if you haven't seen yer friend today, but she said she'd come later? Surely, ye'd 'ave to 'ave seen her for her to say that. How does tha' work?" Avelia inquired, smiling sweetly. She tilted her head to the left, the pose she unconsciously struck every time she considered something. "I 'aven't seen anyone alone this past hour, anyhow. Unless yer friend be that ol' chap, two tables back, ye see," she jerked her thumb in the direction of a silver haired old man, with a craggy, weather-beaten face and liver-spotted hands. "But then, ye said she, so it couldn' be. She must be runnin' pretty late, ay?"

Una's lying talent was being stretched now. She liked to be tested sometimes, it kept her on her toes, but it was farely difficult to keep finding excuses, she didn't think she could come up with many more. Still remaining as polite as she could, she answered. "She fancied it- seein' as none of us of been 'ere before, she likes being the first to see places. As to how I knew she would be late - well. My mate Will told me, he was out by the entrance, in an alley. I spotted 'im, an' he tell me, that she tell 'im to tell me that she was gonna come in a little bit late, 'cos she went down the pub- the white horse, on port street. He didna' tell me why. "
"But ye said ye went to the fabric market...did ye see that new shopkeeper? Second stall, right at the only entrance? Couldna missed it. Nice craftmanship, don't you think? What'd ye think of his banner? Lovely, bright thing it was, catches yer eye from a mile away, it would. Sorry, I canna remember, what'd be that immortal he'd sewn? Hurrok or unicorn?"

What could she say, maybe the woman was making it up about the shopkeeper. She would find out later.
"I do na' think I saw it. I went round the back way, since me Ma's stall is out there. I wenta see if she was alright, 'cos she's been ill. Not right in the head my ma, she thought I was a costumer, so I left pretty quick 'cos I didna' want to upset her. I'll keep my eyes out for that banner though. Sounds like this tailor might give me Ma a run for 'er money." She hoped she had convinced the woman. It was a long enough story to convince most. But this lady seemed oddly persistant. Like she somehow knew Una. Or knew what she would do. Maybe from past experiences.

[Avelia]

Although Una would not have known it, she was partially correct- much of Avelia's persistence came through having experienced the same situation herself. She remembered herself, trying out her lying skills on the one who had improved them. Another part was
because of her natural distrust of everyone she met- people were lying until proved otherwise. The other part was simply because Avelia could tell Una was lying. Good liars, such as herself, were more likely to know the tricks, and more likely to recognise another liar- of course this could just be because of expectation. Tell a lie once, and be forever wary of similar statements.

"She fancied it- seein' as none of us of been 'ere before, she likes being the first to see places. As to how I knew she would be late - well. My mate Will told me, he was out by the entrance, in an alley. I spotted 'im, an' he tell me, that she tell 'im to tell me that she was gonna come in a little bit late, 'cos she went down the pub- the white horse, on port street. He didna' tell me why. "

"And why didn't ye just go to the White Horse, then? It's flashier, it is, than this. Ale ain't nothin' on 'ere, but more expensive, too. Not sure why'd she want to trade the Horse wiv' the Dove, myself. The only ones that come to the Dove, is the Rogue and the Rogue's court. Or Rogues from other courts in other cities, countries, like. Or those connected, knows one of 'em. Those that aren't part of 'em are soon found out. So which Rogue are ye's lookin' for today?

Alright, so she was making up the shopkeeper. Although Avelia did know the market very well- she'd delivered something to a stallowner just past noon today. The shopkeeper was devised by her, to see the girl's reaction to her lies. For most people, there would be only a few reactions- if they had been to the market, confusion. If they hadn't been, then a long spiel on the new stallowner, or a slight hesitation that would give the game away. Una, however, clearly thought on her feet.

"I do na' think I saw it. I went round the back way, since me Ma's stall is out there. I wenta see if she was alright, 'cos she's been ill. Not right in the head my ma, she thought I was a costumer, so I left pretty quick 'cos I didna' want to upset her. I'll keep my eyes out for that banner though. Sounds like this tailor might give me Ma a run for 'er money."

"Mmm, I know yer ma, then. Ay, he ain't that much of a match. Yer ma, she's good, lass, one of the better ones, I think. Talked to her a bit, few days ago, told me a lil' bit 'bout this daughter of 'ers, kept disappearin' places at night. That be ye?"

[Lirael]

"And why didn't ye just go to the White Horse, then? It's flashier, it is, than this. Ale ain't nothin' on 'ere, but more expensive, too. Not sure why'd she want to trade the Horse wiv' the Dove, myself. The only ones that come to the Dove, is the Rogue and the Rogue's court. Or Rogues from other courts in other cities, countries, like. Or those connected, knows one of 'em. Those that aren't part of 'em are soon found out. So which Rogue are ye's lookin' for today?

Una's mind whirred.. so many questions.
"Well Miss," She stopped, feighning embarassment. "Me an' me mate were gonna try and join the rogue. That was why we were meetin' 'ere. I ent lookin' for nowone miss, sorry, if you don't mind me askin', which rogue are you from? 'Cos you look like you know this place pretty well. " Una sensed that maybe she had gone a little to far in her attempt to be believed. It was true that she wanted to join the rogue- but she had not intended to today.


"Mmm, I know yer ma, then. Ay, he ain't that much of a match. Yer ma, she's good, lass, one of the better ones, I think. Talked to her a bit, few days ago, told me a lil' bit 'bout this daughter of 'ers, kept disappearin' places at night. That be ye?"

Una wondered if the woman actually did know her mother, or just guessed that she was not usually at home. "I canna' think of anyone else it would be. Though she might have other daughters that do na' live with her, but she never told me about them..."

[Avelia]

Well Miss," She stopped, feighning embarassment. "Me an' me mate were gonna try and join the rogue. That was why we were meetin' 'ere. I ent lookin' for nowone miss, sorry, if you don't mind me askin', which rogue are you from? 'Cos you look like you know this place pretty well. "

If Avelia had been anyone else, perhaps her eyes would have narrowed. Here, she thought, was closer to the truth than anything had been so far. This girl and her friend, then, intended to join the Rogue? Avelia wasn't certain this was the entire truth either. To be truthful, she was almost completely sure that Una was in this alone- most probably she did want to join the Rogue but then she could just be in here to explore.

"Well then, darl, if ye'd wanted to join the Rogue, then ye should talk to the highness 'erself? Does ye 'ave any idea 'bout it? Ye even kno' 'er? Ye can't just join, 'cos ye felt like it one day, ye kno'. There's standards. 'Sides, ye'd 'ave to impress her, both of ye, to get in, if I ken speak fer 'er. I knows 'er, ye see. Meself, I ain't from these parts, more of a northern girl, I am. Joined Port Legann, moved over 'ere only few months past.

"I canna' think of anyone else it would be. Though she might have other daughters that do na' live with her, but she never told me about them..."

At the fabric market, once, entertaining herself with a bit of light thievery- she'd pinch a necklace, a purse, watch the poor victim go crazy with worry then challenge herself by returning it without notice- she'd come across the mad woman that the girl referred to. If there was only one daughter, then Avelia supposed this must be Una. She'd seen her before, lounging boredly behind the stall. Then, Avelia had not given her much notice- she'd remembered the face but not chased it up. Perhaps she should, if Una had taken it into her head to join the Rogue, in the near future.

[Lirael]

"Well then, darl, if ye'd wanted to join the Rogue, then ye should talk to the highness 'erself? Does ye 'ave any idea 'bout it? Ye even kno' 'er? Ye can't just join, 'cos ye felt like it one day, ye kno'. There's standards. 'Sides, ye'd 'ave to impress her, both of ye, to get in, if I ken speak fer 'er. I knows 'er, ye see. Meself, I ain't from these parts, more of a northern girl, I am. Joined Port Legann, moved over 'ere only few months past.


Una was pretty happy at the effect of her lying, but she knew it was not over yet. How could she explain the friend away? Maybe she could tell the truth- that there was no friend. But then she would look very stupid. Admitting to lies might be seen as a sign of weakness. She looked at the woman again, she looked to Una's eye as a girl that had spent quite a time in Corus. However she didn't think it would be a good idea to question the woman's story. She must stay polite- especially if she wanted to get into the rogue.

"I 'av never met 'er 'ighness, so I wouldna' know what she looks like. I know you cana' just join. But If it would be possible, I'd really like to try. If ye' want to see my friend, I dona' know where she is. Anyway, what do we have to do to join? Would we 'av to steal someink?"

If it was merely stealing something una would not find it hard. Spying on something or gaining information would be pretty easy as she was small and unnoticeable, but it might be something difficult.

[Avelia]

Truthfully, it had been over half a year Avelia had seriously spent in Corus. But she couldn't say that. She wasn't sure just how much Una knew about the Queen of the Rogue. She couldn't take the chance that Una was as ignorant of the Rogue's history as of her appearance. While she had a chance, she wanted a look into Una's real intentions, and she doubted they would come out in front of the Queen. With new Rogues it was all, If it please you, your Highness, and fabricated answers calculated to be the answer they thought she wanted. No, Avelia wanted truth, which was fairly hypocritical considering the amount of time she spent lying.

"I 'av never met 'er 'ighness, so I wouldna' know what she looks like. I know you cana' just join. But If it would be possible, I'd really like to try. If ye' want to see my friend, I dona' know where she is. Anyway, what do we have to do to join? Would we 'av to steal someink?"


"Mmm, well if ye never met 'er, it's all I can say ye've probably seen 'er around, disguised or no. She's everywhere, lass, as if she walks through walls." Avelia looked around nervously, as if scouting for the Queen. She scanned the room, then slumped in relief. "She's smaller than ye, I'd say, and she don't look tha' older than ye."

Obviously, the friend wasn't going to show. Una herself had made that clear. Well, Avelia didn't like people who didn't bother to find out about the Rogue themselves. If this girl even exists, she thought wryly. She regarded the question. There wasn't a specific test. It was more an assessment of their skills, their loyalty...

"Well, tis different ev'ry time, ye see. There ain't a set test, ah think. Like, ah got in 'cos I knew people, an' they knew me. But mah friend, he was different. He got inna brawl, beat five Rogues, an' that impressed the King, over Port Legann. So, she shrugged. "Myself, ah think that it's more skills they wants, like people who can do things. And trust- Queens want at least a bit o' loyalty, 'cos it's a hard job...an' I s'pose they'd rather not spend time defendin' 'emselves from overthrow. Wha's yer special skill, Una?"

[Lirael]

"Mmm, well if ye never met 'er, it's all I can say ye've probably seen 'er around, disguised or no. She's everywhere, lass, as if she walks through walls." Avelia looked around nervously, as if scouting for the Queen. She scanned the room, then slumped in relief. "She's smaller than ye, I'd say, and she don't look tha' older than ye."

Una greatly doubted she had seen the woman, but held her tongue. She did not however doubt that the queen could walk through walls, some of her old mates from inner city mentioned her as being like a ghost sometimes- able to walk in different places unseen. The description of the queen seemed to fit the short woman she was talking too, but she decided it was best not mentioned. If it was the Queen (which she doubted) and the woman had not yet revealed herself, she would probably not be pleased if una figured out who she was.
"Well, tis different ev'ry time, ye see. There ain't a set test, ah think. Like, ah got in 'cos I knew people, an' they knew me. But mah friend, he was different. He got inna brawl, beat five Rogues, an' that impressed the King, over Port Legann. So, she shrugged. "Myself, ah think that it's more skills they wants, like people who can do things. And trust- Queens want at least a bit o' loyalty, 'cos it's a hard job...an' I s'pose they'd rather not spend time defendin' 'emselves from overthrow. Wha's yer special skill, Una?"
What was she good at? And more to the point what could she tell this lady she was good at, in this scanning of her mind, she almost forgot the woman had used her name. How did she know her name? Maybe if the woman actually knew her ma she must've told her.
"Well Miss, I'm a fair hand with a dagger, and I'm a pretty good theif as they go I can lie I s'pose, but that nothin' special. I'm not sp'ecially good at anythin' come to think about it, but I'm a corus girl and I know the city.

[Avelia]

"Well Miss, I'm a fair hand with a dagger, and I'm a pretty good theif as they go I can lie I s'pose, but that nothin' special. I'm not sp'ecially good at anythin' come to think about it, but I'm a Corus girl and I know the city."

Her reply was certainly unusual for a potential Rogue. Avelia had had to sit through hours of monologues on the extraordinary skills that so-and-so had, his fantastic fighting ability that compassed all weapons and skills, her amazing talent for forcing young men to do her bidding. It was refreshing to get a modest reply. Besides, the standards weren't so high that a young thief girl couldn't get in. Those that were on the other side of the law were either part of the Rogue and therefore more protected, or not and alone. If there were people like...well they'd remain nameless but Avelia couldn't believe they'd been let in the Rogue in the first place. She didn't like incompetency. But she wanted to solidify her position as Queen before she began weeding out those who had been Rogues longer than she.

She migh' want ye then. If ye'd swear loyalty to 'er. She's 'aving as much trouble as it is, wi' the Rogue and some loyalists, to the previous King." Avelia looked at Una critically. "Would ye want to learn other skills, like? 'Cos ye could be taught, ye'r young enough. Too thin for real fightin' or an assassin's job maybe, but there's others, like. Ah'm not entirely sure but."

[Lirael]

Maybe she could've said that a bit better. SHe was not usually modest- ah well, it was done now.
She migh' want ye then. If ye'd swear loyalty to 'er. She's 'aving as much trouble as it is, wi' the Rogue and some loyalists, to the previous King." Avelia looked at Una critically. "Would ye want to learn other skills, like? 'Cos ye could be taught, ye'r young enough. Too thin for real fightin' or an assassin's job maybe, but there's others, like. Ah'm not entirely sure but."

Una hoped swearing loyalty did not mean a blood oath. She had seen one once and it looked quite painful. One of her friends had once tried to steal from one of the rich boys on the outskirts. His minder had caught her and forced her to swear with blood that she would look after the boy untill her dying day. That friend had then spent five years being a nursemaid and did nnot find it to her liking. But if that was what it took to be in the rogue- perhaps she had better swear loyalty.
"I would like to learn some skills miss. And I will swear loyalty if that is what's needed. "
She slightly resented being called 'too thin' but she supposed she was slightly smaller than the average person.