<TIAMAT> *Whisper has been halfway across the Arena and back since dawn. First she checked back at Kender's room to see if he happened to show up there, then hauled herself all the way up to her room in the Blue Heron to see if he somehow ended up there. With luck at neither place, she tries Gilbert and Xylo down in the stables, who probably have their hands full getting all the animals accounted for and under control.

<TIAMAT> *She's got one last resort before she starts tearing the Arena apart: The Rustling Ghost.

<JETMODE> *The pub is unsurprisingly dead. Not many customers, even in the lull. There is, however, a tall woman at the bar, drinking heartily.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper is talking to the bartender.

<JETMODE> *The bartender shakes his head with a sigh. "Sorry, I haven't seen him. Of course, I haven't seen much anybody lately."

<TIAMAT> *Whisper nods a little and murmurs a thanks, looking worried and distracted as she turns away from the bar, trying to decide where to go from here.

<JETMODE> <woman> Lost someone, dearie? *takes a gulp from her tankard*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper glances over at her. "Something like that.

<JETMODE> <woman> *peers at her* Oooh! Let me guess. It was that adorable little boy you were snuggling with in my spot. *she seems irrationally cheerful and takes another drink*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper stares at her for a moment, then frowns. "... Oh. It's you. *she flips her hair a bit, annoyed* *sarcastically* Sorry about that, being in your way and all.

<JETMODE> <woman> *gaily* Happens all the time, not a problem. *is totally ignoring Whisper's mood*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper snorts and starts for the door. She's going to start from the lower floors, where she is anyway, and walk all the way up and hope she finds or hears something. ^_^

<JETMODE> <woman> *mildly* I thought you'd lost someone. *takes a sip, eyeing her with amusement* It's usually a good idea to ask people for information, isn't it?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper stops but doesn't turn around. "Do you know something?"

<JETMODE> <woman> *runs her finger along the edge of her tankard, still smiling* You'll never know if you don't ask. Buy me a beer, we'll talk.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper stands there for a moment, looking irritated and annoyed -- not that the the woman would know since Whisper's back is turned, but hey -- then turns around and flips a coin to the bartender, sliding onto the stool next to the woman and muttering. "This had better be worth it."

<JETMODE> <woman> Sure, sure! But first things first. Selma Meade -- and you're Whisper, if I recall correctly.

<TIAMAT> *A flicker of surprise crosses Whisper's face for a moment, but only a moment. "Indeed. *slight pause* So let me ask you again: Do you know something?

<JETMODE> *Selma grins at her. "If I didn't, I wouldn't have said anything."

<JETMODE> <Selma> *clears throat* Seems to me you're pretty inexperienced at this kind of thing. Gathering information doesn't work if you can't mingle.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper gives her a dark look. "Hard to mingle when there's nobody around."

<JETMODE> <Selma> You just aren't looking in the right places. *lazy smile* I, on the other hand, have been doing this sort of thing for at least as many years as you've been alive. *leans on her elbow and grins* I can help you out, for a price.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Of course. How much?

<JETMODE> <Selma> *brightly* One hundred to start and two hundred after.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper looks a little shocked and angry for a moment, then she scowls. "Half that -- at most -- and I'll consider it.

<JETMODE> <Selma> *lazy shrug* It's your research. Seventy-five up front. One hundred after.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper seems to be considering. "How long is this going to take?

<JETMODE> <Selma> A day. Maybe two. I'll meet you here around midnight tomorrow. *cheery smile*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: This had better be good. *she takes out a small pouch from her pack -- did I mention she had it with her? Probably picked it up while she was at her place -- on the counter and slides it down to Selma. "Fifty here. The rest -- one twenty-five -- tomorrow night, provided you bring me some useful information.

<JETMODE> <Selma> *takes the money and counts it* A pleasure doing business with you. *arches an eyebrow* Now go get some rest, you look terrible.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper ignores the comment and doesn't move. "You said you knew something now.

<JETMODE> <Selma> *unpleasant, feral grin* I know that you're going to waste a lot of people's time like this.

<JETMODE> <Selma> *waves a hand* I know where to find the information you're looking for. *stands up and pushes away from the counter* If you went looking for it yourself, you'd either come up empty or get killed.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper, venomously: Thanks for the tip.

<JETMODE> <Selma> *cold smile* See you tomorrow. *starts toward the door*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper watches her coldly, waiting until she's gone before ordering a drink.

-- cut to Jarod and Jukka --

<JETMODE> *Jarod and Jukka make it back to Cassie's an hour or so before lunchtime, puzzled and a little bit defeated.

<TIAMAT> *And Jarod's still pretty tired. :D Cassie's parents, BTW, came home while they were out and are currently sleeping. They were quite exhausted.

<JETMODE> *Jukka is pondering quietly, wondering alound how it could be so easy to lose two people like this.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie looks worried and upset. "What could have happened to them? They'll be okay, won't they? Won't they?

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *soothingly* Something will turn up, I'm sure.

<JETMODE> *She glances at Jarod. "Do you have any ideas?"

<TIAMAT> *Jarod had been pacing, thinking about their next move. He doesn't respond to Jukka right away, instead pausing and debating. "I might.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie's ears perk and she flicks her tail.

<JETMODE> *Cinno is sprawled lifelessly on the table. He occasionally switches his tail or flicks an ear, but he seems depressed.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> Anything might work, at this point.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod glances up at the girls. "It's a long shot ... but I can try to lock on to Kender telepathically. *shakes his head a bit* I don't know how effective it'll be...or even if I'll be able to find him...

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *curiously* Could I help?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod thinks about this for a minute. "Maybe...I don't think you can help me find him, since you don't exactly know him, but maybe when -- if -- I do get a fix on him, you can help me keep hold while I try to figure out where he is.

<JETMODE> *Jukka smiles brightly. "Really? What do I do?"

<JETMODE> *Cinno mumbles.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: It...it's a little hard to explain...you know how you were projecting the first time we met, while you were dancing? Something like that...except try to channel your energy to me. *he smiles a little apologetically* If you start to get tired, just break the connection. It can be rather draining sometimes.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *puzzles over that for a moment, then her face clears* All right. All I can do is try.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod nods and looks around for a suitable spot to sit. He finally plunks down cross legged on the floor in the middle of the room, motioning for Jukka to sit in front of him.

<JETMODE> *Jukka trots over agreeably and seats herself, smoothing her skirts. "What now?"

<TIAMAT> *Cassie has been watching and listening with curiosity. "I'd like to help, but I'm horrible at telepathy ...

<TIAMAT> *Jarod glances up at Cassie. "That's all right. We'll see how this works. *back to Jukka* I have to find him first. Or try.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *nods* All right.

<JETMODE> *Cinno springs to the floor and sits down in between them with a short yowl.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Quiet now, I need to concentrate. *he shoots the cat a warning look, then settles himself as his eyes glaze over slightly. It's like he's in a trance.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie looks worried and a little scared, though. This is creepy.

<JETMODE> *Jukka watches him intently, waiting for a signal.

<TIAMAT> *Several minutes go by as Jarod's eyes slowly grow darker, though he's giving no sign of anything.

<JETMODE> *A brief wave of pain splits the silence, followed closely by one of desperation and anger. Cinno sits up sharply, whiskers quivering.

<TIAMAT> *A sort of ripple runs through Jarod and he quaivers slightly, hand shooting out to take Jukka's as he breathes, "I found him.

<JETMODE> *Jukka nods and promptly closes her eyes, concentrating as best she can, as she isn't entirely sure how to do this.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod's eyes grow harder as he concentrates more now to keep the lock on Kender, Jukka's own concentration helping him to focus. A few moments later a yell of anguish and an intense shock of pain shoot through his mind and the yell rips out of his own throat, the link broken all at once as he doubles over, holding his head and biting down another scream.

<TIAMAT> *Jukka might have felt some of that, but not to the extent Jarod did.

<JETMODE> *Jukka gives a jerk of surprise, then immediately lunges to Jarod's side. "Are you all right? Jarod!"

<JETMODE> *Cinno, on the other hand, starts to make an absolute, frantic racket.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie yelps in surprise and darts down next to the two, snatching Cinno and holding him close, trying to calm him down. Jarod, eyes clenched shut and breathing hard, doesn't respond right away.

<JETMODE> *Jukka puts an arm around his shoulders, murmuring soothingly. Cinno wails at Cassie, squirming and butting his head against her.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod's breath starts to slow and he looks up suddenly, blinking hard. It takes a few to recover from a trance that was broken so suddenly like that. "I...he's in trouble. I...I don't know what's happening...

<TIAMAT> *Cassie strokes Cinno soothingly.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *worriedly* Did you get any idea where he is?

<JETMODE> *Cinno calms down slowly, moaning to himself.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod shakes his head slowly. "The only sense of direction I got was...down.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: Down? What does that mean? *worried*

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *murmur* Down.. on a lower level of the arena?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Possibly underground...I don't know...

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *small smile* At least.. we know he's still alive..

<TIAMAT> *Jarod nods, then shudders. "But...he's hurt. Badly, from what I could feel.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *faintly frustrated noise* If only someone had seen something.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: What can we do?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod leans back against the wall, suddenly looking exhausted. "Search the lower levels...at least I could get that much...

<JETMODE> *Jukka nods. "It's still a lot of territory to cover.."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod sighs a little, then pulls himself to his feet, rather unsteadily. "Then...we'd better get moving.

<JETMODE> *Jukka catches his arm. "Ah, and how far do you think you'd get looking like that?" She smiles kindly. "Sleep a little. I'll wake you in a few hours."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod blinks at her. "But... *he wavers a bit. "Oh...maybe you're right. ... Thanks for your help, Jukka.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> Of course. *smiles* In a few hours, then.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod nods and disappears into a living roomish area, collapsing on the sofa and snoring almost immediately. ^_^

<JETMODE> *Jukka herself sits down in a chair with a whumph and a sigh, rubbing her eyes.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie frowns. "Are you okay?

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *looks up and smiles* Yes, I am. I'm a little worn out, but not as badly as Jarod.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie grins a little. "Well, feel free to go lie down yourself, if you want.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *doubtful look* Will you wake me up in an hour?

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: You said a few hours to Jarod. *she grins and flicks her tail* Don't worry! I'll get you up. Go rest!

<JETMODE> <Jukka> .. well, if you insist. *she stretches long and lazily, then leans over on the table with her head on her arms and promptly goes to sleep*

<TIAMAT> *Cassie, quiet mumble: ...well, that wasn't exactly what I meant...