faderift | [closed] strangers in the attic

If someone else makes you catching up to her, we'll be worse off. Not to cast any aspersions, [she adds], but with the run of luck we're having...

[A quick shake of the head.]

Let's get this out of here while we have a window. I doubt we're going to get another one.

[The frustrating part is that the plan hadn't been bad. None of them could have known the boy would turn out to be a mage, or that a servant would make a visit outside the usual schedule of upkeep in the middle of a storm. If people would just sensibly do the things you expected, this sort of outcome wouldn't happen. Still, her demeanor is even. They still have a job to do.]

Best we're gone before anyone else drops in.

We should move.

[ He agrees without moving, briefly distant after listening to them both. This is going to be an ugly report to write.

A nod to Ket, and he breaks away from the window to pass her at a swift clip. Towards Athessa at the basement door, past her with a private we might be in a torture chamber by this time tomorrow look, and down the stairs to heft at the butt end of the mirror. It’s still wrapped in an attic sheet, dust already stamped pale across Dick’s burglar couture. ]

Someday I'm certain one of these will prove to be worth the trouble.

[ The strain in his voice bodes well. To the surprise of no one, strength is his dumpstat. ]

[ That’s a complex look to decipher when they’re in a hurry, so she’ll worry about it later. For now, she hefts the top end of the eluvian and tries to find a comfortable, steady hold where the sheet won’t hinder movement or slide under her hands. ]

It’ll be this one if it’s any of ‘em. Quick route to Minrathous? I’d say that’s—watch that step, there’s a nail sticking out on the side—worth some trouble, right?

[ Going up stairs backwards is never fun. It’s even worse when carrying a giant magical mirror that could do some serious damage if it falls on top of you. No telling whether the situation is helped or hurt by Athessa having worn shoes on this mission. Balance: worse. Protection: better. ]

Maybe we should carry it overhead, let it block the rain.

[Ket, in contrast, is slightly stronger than she looks... but doesn't look at all strong, so it's not saying that much. She lets the other two steer, taking weight in the middle. The stairs aren't easy to navigate this way, but the street should be better. To that end:]

May as well try. It's not like the rain would hurt it, and it's not like it's small enough it could be unobtrusive carried any other way.

[A pause while she makes sure she doesn't trip transitioning from stairs to not-stairs, and then she adds:]

As long as it doesn't get us stuck in a jungle, it'll have one up from my last experience.

There are spells for this sort of thing where I’m from. [ So much more versatile.

In the foyer, lightning illuminates the broad tilt of the eluvian in shades of purple and white. It’s apparent at a glance the height difference here is going to be an issue for an over-the-head carry, and with Ket already on the assist anyway -- ]

Perhaps the two of you should just…

[ It would make sense, right? He is still balancing the bottom edge on his shoulder just in case. ]

I can scout ahead, and contend with any inbound pursuit.

[ The problem is obvious, with them all on equal footing. Ket is the same height as Athessa, and judging by the shift of the weight they're carrying, a tad bit stronger than this particular elf whose main strength is in her legs. ]

Yeah, it'll be easier with just me n' Ket, being the same height and all. We'll follow your lead.

[ Though that last is said with a look back at Ket. A silent question, in case the other woman has any qualms about letting Richard take point. ]

[She nods; the difference in weight will be offset by losing the difficulty of the height difference.]

Scouting ahead seems wise, under the circumstances, since stealth for the two of us will be off the table.

[She moves around to take his place, and adds,]

There are probably spells for it here too, but I wouldn't know, I'm afraid. We'll make do without.

For travel, [ Richard clarifies, as he eases the weight of the mirror over into Ket’s control. ] Teleportation circles, plane shifting. [ He’s just grousing, stress flinty bright in his eyes and grim at the back of his jaw when he reaches to resettle his hood -- still a little too lean after their jungle adventure. ]

If confrontation is inevitable I’ll lead them away; they won’t know we’re moving cargo. I trust you’re both professional enough to stay on task.

[ Impossible to say if this is a word of warning or preemptive absolution. This entire mission has been a clusterfuck. He glances between them and turns to cross the darkened foyer for the door.

There, he sighs to himself, swings it open, and steps out into the pissing rain. ]

Edited 2020-07-19 20:17 (UTC)

[ Athessa looks askance to speak over her shoulder to Ket: ]

Left on three. One, two-- [ She steps forward with her left foot at the same moment she says three, grateful of the eluvian acting as a two-person umbrella as they exit onto the street. Paying particular mind to keeping their stride synchronized to reduce gait-wobble, Athessa keeps pace with Richard, but staying one eluvian's length distance behind just to be safe. If Richard has to stop, better that he has room to retreat and they have the time to turn around. ]

[Ket takes Athessa's direction without comment, falling into step as they both get the hang of one another's stride. She doesn't love being in the back on principle, but someone has to be. She mainly focuses on listening, though the rain is hard enough that it will likely mask anyone actually trying to sneak up on them. After a moment, she says mainly to Athessa,]

Do you think we'll make it all the way to Waverly's?

[Her tone is a bit dubious. It seems a much longer way not that they're carrying an awkwardly large mirror and someone is on to them.]

[closed] strangers in the attic

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