<TIAMAT> *Well, it's shortly after dusk, and by now the Silver Knight will be pretty busy, which is what Farore has been waiting for, hoping to blend into the crowd. I think the door is solid wood with a little window for the bouncer to look through when somebody knocks to make sure they're members.

<TIAMAT> *Once she's in, she sidles quietly up to the bar, taking one of the end seats, and orders a drink, keeping her ears and eyes open for info.

<JETMODE> *A few seats down, there comes a rousing cheer, and a toast led by Bailey himself. "To Justice!"

<TIAMAT> *Farore peers down the bar casually, watching Bailey and whoever's with him.

<JETMODE> *A couple of random knights, it looks like. They're all fairly drunk, since Bailey's buying. The man himself seems to have been partying since the verdict.

<TIAMAT> *Farore frowns but manages not to scowl in disgust. She goes back to her drink, still listening and hoping he'll spill something in his intoxicated state that he's in.

<JETMODE> *Evidently, Stephan Bailey is an accomplished drunkard and has a gift for holding his tongue when the occasion requires it. He continues to drink, merely egging the knights on and nodding occasionally in agreement.

<JETMODE> *After perhaps another half-hour, Stephan pats his drinking buddies on the shoulder, giving the excuse that he has someone waiting for him in his room. The knights cheer and catcall him, and he waves over his shoulder with an oily smile as he makes his way to the stairs.

<TIAMAT> *Farore slides easily off her stool and ambles over to the stairs, waiting until he's out of sigh before following.

<JETMODE> *She can probably hear his footsteps retreating up a hallway, then a jangle of keys as he goes into his room.

<JETMODE> *If Farore is just going to stand there on the stairs for a sec, she'll probably be right in the way of the shadow that hurtles down the stairs at her.

<TIAMAT> *Well, actually, I think Farore was on her way up, determined to at least figure out which room Bailey's in. She probably collides head on with said shadow and sends both of them sprawing the rest of the way down the steps. ^_^

<JETMODE> *The shadow is petite and slim and makes a confused noise when they finally hit bottom.

<TIAMAT> *Farore, being underneath the shadow, utters a muffled grunt when they land and immediately trying to untangle herself, looking annoyed.

<JETMODE> *The shadows scrambles away and hops to its feet, bowing frantically. "A thousand apologies, milord! I was careless!"

<JETMODE> *She's acting like a servant, having discovered early on it's an easy way to get around these people.

<TIAMAT> *Farore gets to her feet a bit slower, dusting herself off. "Quite alright, my dear. *and she turns to hurry on up the steps, though she already knows Bailey's shut and locked his door. Hmm..

<JETMODE> *The girl peers up at her. "Milady!" she corrects herself belatedly.

<TIAMAT> *Farore pauses and glances back at her, thinking she was hailing her.

<JETMODE> *The girl smiles. "I apologize for mistaking your gender, of course." She tilts her head curiously. "You were following milord?"

<TIAMAT> *Farore thinks on this for a moment. "Not exactly, though I don't suppose you saw which room he went into?

<JETMODE> *The girl hops up the steps. "Why yes, milady, I did."

<TIAMAT> *Farore follows her. "You needn't be so formal; I'm hardly a noble. My name's Farore.

<JETMODE> *She brightens. "Oh, good. They can get so stuffy. I'm Jukka -- Jukka of the Fire Plains, Daughter of Peshku, if you'd like my full title."

<TIAMAT> *Farore: Indeed. However, I hope you don't mind me just calling you Jukka.

<JETMODE> *Jukka twines her arm through Farore's. "Naturally!" She points up the hall. "Your man went through that last door on the right, but he locked up behind him. I heard it."

<JETMODE> *Oh, by the way, just so Farore knows who she's dealing with, this petite girl is clearly an elf, but her hair is dyed dark blue and curled, and she's wearing the garb of a gypsy.

<TIAMAT> *Farore looks a little uneasy with Jukka's arm wrapped around hers, but she smiles a bit anyway. "Ah, yes, thank you very much, Jukka." Though she doesn't appear to be making any moves; I think she's contemplating what to do next.

<JETMODE> *Jukka taps her foot lazily, bouncing her head to some unheard musical beat. "Shall we go and listen? I'm nosy, myself, and he was having a good time down there."

<TIAMAT> *Farore: .. Listen?

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *peers up at her* Yes. At the keyhole. You know.

<TIAMAT> *Farore coughs. "Well, ah, perhaps...

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *smiles* You don't do this very often, do you?

<TIAMAT> *Farore looks down at her. "... Not exactly.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> Then, a quick lesson. *winks, then slides up the hall without making so much as a sound, despite her jangly gear*

<TIAMAT> *Farore pauses before following, not quite sure she likes this.

<JETMODE> *When she reaches the end of the hall, Jukka kneels in front of the door, peering through the keyhole. She smiles, pointing to it and speaking very softly. "You put your ear there. And I'll put mine here." She leans gently against the wood, tensed to bolt if necessary.

<TIAMAT> *Farore frowns, speaking softly. "I don't think this is such a good idea--

<JETMODE> *Jukka puts a finger to her lips and frowns, listening.

<JETMODE> *Stephan Bailey is laughing heartily to himself. And talking. You did want to hear him talk, Farore.

<TIAMAT> *Farore sighs and goes down on one knee, listening carefully at the keyhole. Yes, yes she did.

<JETMODE> *Jukka smiles and winks at her again.

<JETMODE> <Bailey> *apparently he has a mug with him, because he takes a swig* Just one more day now, my dear, and the game is finished.

<JETMODE> *He is, in fact, talking to himself.

<TIAMAT> *Farore's frown increases and she strains to hear more.

<JETMODE> <Bailey> *sits down on his bed with a whump* Thought you were clever, did you? Well, you fell into this trap readily enough. *disgusted noise, then sounds of bedding shifting*

<JETMODE> *He's apparently bedding down for the night.

<JETMODE> *Jukka arches an eyebrow, having no idea what he's talking about.

<TIAMAT> *Farore shakes her head at Jukka's questioning look, wanting to hear if he has anything else to say before falling asleep.

<JETMODE> <Bailey> *sleepy mumble* Women are only good for two things. Slut got.. 'xactly what she.. deserved. *yawns*

<TIAMAT> *Farore almost scowls out loud at this, but manages to contain herself, looking horribly upset.

<JETMODE> *Jukka looks affronted and murmurs, "Lovely man.."

<TIAMAT> *Farore motions for Jukka to be quiet.

<JETMODE> *Bailey, now nearly completely out, mumbles one last thing. "... Sorry... Colin.." Then he sinks into snores.

<TIAMAT> *Farore turns around and sits, leaning her back against the door and contemplating.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> My my, you know some nice people, Farore. *her voice is low, but amused*

<TIAMAT> *Farore snorts darkly. "I can hardly say I know that scum."

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *crouches, elbows on her knees and hands cupped around her face* Did you just want to listen to him, or did you need something out of his room? *smiles sunnily*

<TIAMAT> *Farore gives her a sideways glance. "Both, actually.

<JETMODE> *The sunny smile becomes somewhat more wicked. "It can be arranged. I'm an excellent lockpick, I'm told."

<TIAMAT> *Farore frowns. "Is that so. I don't usually liken to stoop to thievery, but under the circumstances... *pause* What will you be needing in return?"

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *waves a hand sweetly* Nothing except safe passage out of this hole. I told you before, I'm terribly nosy.

<TIAMAT> *Farore gives her a slightly suspicious look. "And that's the only reason you're helping me."

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *cheery grin* Well, if it wouldn't offend you, I might help myself to his coin pouch.

<TIAMAT> *Farore scowls. "Normally I'd object, but with this creep I really couldn't care less. And I need to get in there anyway. *she stands slowly.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *brightly* I thought you wouldn't mind. He has plenty to spare anyway, if he can afford this place. *shoos Farore aside* Now let me work.

<JETMODE> *She plucks a pin from her cascade of hair and starts fiddling with the lock.

<TIAMAT> *Farore half watches, half watching the hallway.

<JETMODE> *Jukka does quick work. Within moments, the door slides soundlessly open. Jukka looks relieved. She was afraid it would creak.

<TIAMAT> *Farore peers into the room cautiously.

<JETMODE> *It's dim, but there's a candle guttering on the table. Bailey is snoring away on his bed, cuddled under some blankets. There's a small heap of possessions by a table, and Jukka makes a beeline for it.

<TIAMAT> *Farore sidles in silently, looking around for likely places where the ankh might be hidden. In drawers, behind pictures..

<JETMODE> *Jukka, still rifling through his stuff, makes a clucking noise in surprise. "My my. I wonder what sort of price this would fetch." She's turning something shiny and silver over in her hands.

<TIAMAT> *Farore peers over at Jukka, then walks up behind her and looks over her shoulder.

<TIAMAT> *Farore: That..

<JETMODE> *Jukka holds it up to the candle's light. "How pretty."

<TIAMAT> *Farore: You can't take that.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> Oh.. pity. *offers it to Farore* Is it what you were looking for, then?

<TIAMAT> *Farore takes it gingerly. "Yes. But...we need to leave it here, for the moment. *she sets it back down, then starts for the door.

<JETMODE> *Jukka pockets what she's found and trots after her. "Your business is finished, I take it?"

<TIAMAT> *Farore half turns and nods, then waits for Jukka to exit before going back out into the hallway herself, quietly pulling the door shut. "Thanks for your help. I need to meet someone but I'll be back soon, and it would be best if he *jerks her head toward Bailey's door* doesn't leave in the meantime.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *slightly concerned* Am I to stay and see he doesn't?

<TIAMAT> *Farore: I was hoping you might. If you can't, then you needn't worry about it.

<JETMODE> *Jukka doesn't look terribly pleased, but she nods. "I'll keep watch. But please hurry."

<TIAMAT> *Farore offers a faint smile. "Thank you. I'll be back soon. *and she's off down the stairs!

<JETMODE> *Jukka slips into the shadows and drops into her crouch with a sigh.

<TIAMAT> *Well, Farore really won't be too long; I think she pre-arranged to meet up with Teal that night, which is one of the reasons he told Kender not to stop by around midnight.

<TIAMAT> *About 20 or so minutes later, Farore and Teal slip back into the bar and up the stairs, Farore pointing out which room is Bailey's.

<JETMODE> *Jukka is still crouched in the shadows. She stands up when she sees Farore, though.

<TIAMAT> *Farore goes over to her. "He didn't leave?

<JETMODE> *Jukka shakes her head and smiles. "Snoring away." She tilts her head to peer at Teal. "The cavalry, I assume?"

<TIAMAT> *Farore: Something like that. *Teal, looking worn and tired, snorts slightly.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *warily* Will you still be needing my help, or can I take my leave?

<TIAMAT> *Farore shakes her head. "You can go. Thanks again for your help.

<JETMODE> *Jukka smiles. "Of course. It was a pleasure -- and a profit." With a tinkling laugh, she trots soundlessly away down the stairs.

<TIAMAT> *Teal and Farore watch as she leaves, then Teal glances at Farore. "Let's get this over with, shall we? I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be rather hectic, and I'd like a few hours sleep. *she nods, and he turns to the door, rapping on it a few times. "Bailey! Open up in there!

<JETMODE> *There's a loud snort from the other side of the door and the sound of his Bailey-ness sitting up in bed. "Who's there?" he demands crossly.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Baron Teal. Please open the door.

<JETMODE> *There's a brief silence, then the door opens, revealing a nervously sweating Stephan Bailey. "At this hour of night? Whatever is the problem?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal almost smiles at him. "Well, you see, Bailey, that ankh that was used in Bishop Farrar's trial? Turns out it was a fake.

<TIAMAT> *Farore, BTW, is standing slightly behind and to the side of Teal and is practically glaring at Bailey.

<JETMODE> *Bailey pales, flinching away from Farore's stare. "Is.. is that so ... how can that be?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal, easily: You know, we're not quite sure ourselves. We were hoping you could answer that.

<JETMODE> <Bailey> *eyes widen in a poor imitation of an innocent stare* Me, Baron? How could I possibly know? Perhaps that woman secreted it away somewhere --

<TIAMAT> *Farore scowls, sounding immensely fed up. "Oh, stop snivelling. *she shoves past Teal and Bailey and heads directly over to the table where she left the ankh. "Is this what you're looking for, Baron?

<JETMODE> <Bailey> *at once terrified and furious* YOU --

<TIAMAT> *Teal interrupts. "Indeed it is, Lady Korwind. *back to Bailey* Now isn't that odd? Care to explain?

<JETMODE> <Bailey> *shrinks back* I.. *defiantly* I have no idea how that got there!

<TIAMAT> *Farore, suddenly behind him, blocking him from going back into the room further -- not that there's really anywhere else to go. "Uh huh. *she hads the ankh to Teal, who takes it and stares down at Bailey. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you in until we can sort this all out.

<JETMODE> <Bailey> *desperate* But -- this wasn't my idea -- I can give you names --

<TIAMAT> *Teal stashes the ankh and takes Bailey by the arm. "Perhaps, once we clear Whisper's name. Come on. *he starts dragging Bailey out, Farore following behind.

<JETMODE> *Bailey is babbling protests, but they're not very coherent at the moment. ^_^

<TIAMAT> *Teal hauls him to a detention cell for the night, 'cuz he really wants to get some rest before the flood starts in the morning.