The Setting For Questioning

The Dragonfather's light shines clear in the sky, though it does not warm the air so much against the icy wind. Many honor the gods, seek favor from them, or both, so the district is occupied enough despite the cold (though many may travel briskly to their destinations). At least one does not appear in a great rush, though this is not unusual.

Tlanexhuani leans upon his spear as he moves steadily and unhurriedly towards the Dragonfather's temple. Unlike many, he is not bundled in hides nor furs against the temperature, but likely has other means to gird himself. Alternatively, he may not, which could explain his comparatively slow movement to be more than merely old bones.

Sitting on a bench in the Temple District, Zeke is having his lunch. He, unlike some is wrapped with many layers and some of them fur against the encroaching chill. He has a box set on his lap and a cup of tea in his claws pleasantly steaming which he takes a sip from now and again whilst eating from the box. He seems at ease and at rest.

The other blue-scales spied rather easily. Tlanexhuani's eyes may not be the most keen, but there are not so many in Alexandria. "Peace on your nest, Favored of The Dragonfather," he offers in greeting after step-step-tap-ing his way nearer to the bench. It is a moment later that he puts the tea and box and seating together, causing him to add, "This one not intrude, kin?"

Zeke hums as he notices Tlanexhuani and allows the other to draw closer. When the other sith-makar is close at hand, he sets his box aside and shakes his head kindly, the box is almost completely empty now, and there's only a little tea left to be had. "Sssaa. No, thissss one wassss jussst finissshing lunch. Thisss one wasss told to relax and enjoy a meal, thisss one will be in trouble if thisss one doesss not take a little longer though, ssso pleasse, sssshare wordsss with thisss one." He makes room on the bench for Tlan. It's a sith-friendly bench thankfully. "Join thisss one."

Tlanexhuani's concerns are abated at interrupting, and further at Zeke's comment. A short stacatto hiss of amusement is loosed. "This one pleased you make time to rest, eat, well." Even if it sounds that Zeke is ... encouraged to do so.

"Ssa." He maneuvers himself to join Zeke on the bench, settling a bit heavily. "How pass your days, kin? All iss well, ssa?"

The shaman beams at Tlanexhuani. "With Cuemoni in thisss onesss life, how can thisss one do but well? Thisss one isss pleassed kin. Thiss one makess piesss, conversssess with the ssspiritsss. Thisss one hasss a feline in the home. Thisss one doess not know if this lasst one isss all that good or not, but ssshe catchesss mice and that issss good." Zeke hefts a pleased sigh. "And thiss one isss loved and cared for. It isss more than thisss one ever believed wasss posssible."

Speaking of makari passing by, a very cloak clad, but firmly fire-glavey figure was crossing the district. The flaming glaive jostled as the 'relatively short' ruddy sith-makar was making his way along. It was not his usual proud, confident stride though; this time, he was obviously distracted with something.

"Surely... fire-proof..." Aelwyn mutters by himself as he was focus on something holding in his hands. After a moment, there's a flash of flame, making him pause and wave his hand, now on fire, distractedly. But more importantly, with wide pride, he balances the small plushy on his shoulder. "Fire proof." He grins widely. The poor plushie on his shoulder was gently lit.

Tlanexhuani blinks once at Zeke's words and his eyes are brighter after. His tail thumps the cobblestones. In affirmation. Joy. Maybe some pride (even if none of this was his doing). He recalls the strife going on when he first met the shaman, and this is a wondrous change of those times. "This one also pleased. You, your cihuaa, are blessed. Earned."

As he pauses to consider further words, the bit of flame draws his eyes (with another blink). The red is perhaps more conspicuous than the other blue was, before, and the lit plushie is also quickly noticed. "Iss ... toy, from cart? Fiend thieves?" he inquires of Aelwyn, thinking back to recent events.

Zeke ducks his head at the affirmation that his blessing is 'earned', but he seems pleased. Then the spark of light draws his attention to Aelwyn and the plushie that he holds. The words that Tlanexhuani says about the plushie only make him all the more curious about the small toy. "Sssaa?" He inquires curiously. "What isss thisss?"

Aelwyn looks over at the other two sith-makari. He would probably notice them typically - but important things! Like setting toys on fire. He flashes a wide grin towards the both of them and saunters over. "Nests of peace," He bows his head, and then to Tlan's question he nods his head. "Of course," The Dragoon pulls down the toy - a mini-Dragoon - and holds it out. The near-Aelwyn was holding a glaive, that was now on fire. It looked like it was about to consume the arm.

"This one felt it was missing something. Much better now, yes?" The ruddy sith-makar flashes his teeth, then tilts his head. "What has brought the kin here in this cold?"

"Ssa," Tlanexhuani admits to Aelwyn's display of the flaming plush likeness. "Now look more as you. Iss not red-scale." He points a claw at the glaive and arm that may soon be no more. Not so fireproof, maybe?

His head turns back to Zeke at his kin's confusion. "Iss strange," he admits his own confusion on the matter. "Many thieves around Alessandria. Attack seller cart. This one help protect some. Last one was cart of small toy. Doll?" He is uncertain of the word. "Attack by man, pretend iss fiend Duke in books, lead small fiends. Was also little one, watch from afar, also like doll."

Zeke looks at Tlanexhuani in confusion, then switches to Draconic because frankly, he can't understand what the other is saying in the least. "What are you saying kin? This one is not understanding your tale of toys and fiends, but it sounds important. Fiends are always important." His voice is grim. "Was the small one an imp?"

Aelwyn's good cheer seems to disappear at the mention of fiends, and then he rapidly walks over. He also switches to draconic, though his carries a stronger accent - more akin to speak from people across the sea. "Let us not talk such unfortunate news so loudly," He suggests, glancing towards one of the temples, but then he turns and nods his head.

"Yes, it was some fool pretending to be a fiend from a Crimson Pen." The ruddy sith-makar clicks his teeth. "Admirable to long for heights, yet this one does not understand why. Why dance with the devil and steal mere toys?"

At that question, the burning mini-Aelwyn falls forward a bit and accidentally prods the glaive at the Dragoon's snout. "Asch." He quickly places the plushy back on its seat on his shoulder.

"Ssa," Tlanex offers to both. His next words, in Draconic, spill forth much more easily. "The Dragoon speaks true. It may be best to share words more privately." Despite this, he simply continues with lowered volume,"This one does not know much of fiends. Why would they want toys? Why would a softskin want to be like a fiend? This one came to seek your wisdom on this, Shaman Zeke." After a moment, he adds, "Another group of thieves was stopped days before. A mage of the group was taken to the city for judgement and questioning."

"Were the thefts related?" Zeke wonders curiously, tilting his head. "This one could question your thief for you Tlanexuhani, if you like, this one is gifted at getting the truth out of such individuals. If there are fiends involved this one is willing. Best to put an end to such dangers before they become too dangerous. Though..." He looks at Aelwyn.

"Have you asked Aewlyn to talk to this individual? He is very skilled in sharing words with others, perhaps he can get the information that you require. This one is reluctant to use the Dragonfather's gifts too lightly after all." Zeke's tail flickers in embarrassment.

Aelwyn turns his head towards Tlanexhuani. "Another group? Stealing just dolls?" The plushie-Aelwyn tips over a touch and stabs the Dragoon in the ear again. Absently put into place. "The bravado and bluster made this one think it were simple delusion of power, yet the blood lust were real." He looks at the tall-est blue makari in the group. "Huntress saw the red eyes, yes?"

At the suggestion of him questioning the prisoner, Aelwyn's orange eyes snap towards Zeke; and it was not a kind look. "... this one would not be so gentle and speak with such pleasure, if the thief is truly consorting with fiends." He stretches his hand towards the side. "Are fiends not a cause large enough for Dragonfather, I wonder?"

"This one does not know if they are related," the old bluescale admits, "or if the mage thief worked with fiends." He pauses and tilts his head. "This one does not know what the mage group tried to steal."

Zeke blinks at Aelwyn. "Fiends are certainly a cause large enough for the Dragonfather. This one is only cautious about infringing on the wills of others. Still... As you say you saw these eyes yes? Perhaps that is enough. This one can at least come with you to question this prisoner." He nods in agreement then. "This one will come with you, and we will question the prisoner together and see if he had anything to do with the toys and anything to do with fiends."

Aelwyn twists his lips, obviously not satisfied with this answer. "Hmmh." He reaches out to briefly touch the about to burnt out glaive of his mini-self. "This one did not see the eyes; Huntress did." He corrects, then looks at Tlanexuani. "And perhaps Thunder did. Yet this one is sure any help would be appreciated." He makes a bow of his head. "Speaking of toys..." He looks between the two far too large blue makari.

"... did each of one find theirs yet?" A wide grin. Mini-Aelwyn teeters.

Tlanexhuani thumps his tail in place of a nod at Zeke's confirmation. "This one welcomes your aid and wisdom, shaman." Then there is Aelwyn's question. He pauses, maybe uncertain of the meaning of it for a moment. Then a slow blink follows. "There are toys of others? You did not have that crafted for you?" Another blink. "This one did not know, now will look." He does not expect to find any miniature old Makari... but one as powerful and adored as The Dragonfather's Favorite…

Zeke blinks at Aelwyn. "Who would make a toy of this one?" He looks confused, befuddled, utterly without understanding. "This one is merely a servant of the Dragonfather. This one is not subject of toy-making." He shakes his head and rises from the bench, closing his box and putting his tea away. "This one will meet you here soon for questioning the prisoner. At your convenience."

Aelwyn looks at Tlanexhuani, incredulously. "Why would I commission a toy of myself?" He asks, "I am not that vain." Yes, yes he is and yes he would. He gives the mini-Aelwyn another shake and flashes his teeth at the two makari. "Perhaps they shan't, perhaps they shall! One cannot know lest they look." He gestures dramatically.

To Zeke, Aelwyn bows his head. "This shall first make an important visit, but this one shall appear." The Dragoon makes another bow towards Tlan, "Thunder." And with that, he starts heading towards one of the temples with a sway of his tail. And once again, trying to set his plushie on fire.

-End