<TIAMAT> *Meanwhile ...

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: You mean, Cassie's not the only one acting like this? *perplexed look*

<TIAMAT> *Teal shakes his head. "I've been getting ... reports of this unusual behavior all week -- though all of them have been from officials. The first was Dame Amelia Shardis, one of my high-ranking commanders, and the scares have just increased from there."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: How strange ... Cassie doesn't fit that mold at all. *he goes silent for a moment, thinking.

<TIAMAT> *To clarify: Jarod came to Teal to report Cassie's "condition", much like many others have been doing all week, as Clarra is quickly approaching a mental breakdown over her daughter's sudden change.

<JETMODE> *The door bursts open -- it seems to do that frequently -- and Genoa marches in, looking winded and dishevelled. She snaps over her shoulder, "Damn it, Clyde, it's none of your BUSINESS."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod spins around, eyes widening slightly when he sees who it is. Teal glances up sharply, looking a little surprised himself. "Genoa! *he pauses, then looks over her shoulder, where Clyde is hovering uneasily. "It's all right, Clyde, go on.

<TIAMAT> *Clyde mutters something and hurries out, closing the door behind him.

<JETMODE> *Genoa rolls her eyes disgustedly. "The little -- eh." She stops in mid-insult when she spots Jarod. "Lovely."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod gives her a cool look. "So nice to see you, too, Genoa."

<TIAMAT> *Teal either doesn't notice or doesn't comment on the exchange. He gives Genoa a concerned look. "Is everything all right?"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *shooting Jarod an unpleasant look* I ran into Gem a few minutes ago -- had some rather fascinating news about Jimsey.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod glances between the two rather skeptically as Teal gives her an inquisitive look. "Really. *glances at Jarod* My apologies, but this is ... rather important. *back to Genoa* Has she finally got him cornered?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod doesn't respond. He's got a doubtful sort of look on his face.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *short, sharp laugh* As a matter of fact, she lost him. But she did catch a glimpse of his cargo -- and that's what was so unusual.

<TIAMAT> *Teal, curiously: Well, do enlighten me, if you would.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> It was a painting -- of Cecil Haart. And a rather good one, from what she told me. That's beside the point, really -- the main problem is that he was already late for his meeting and that wasn't what he was supposed to be selling.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Cecil Haart ... *thinks for a moment* Head of the Paladins... and he has a good deal of influence with the temple.. *trails off, looking thoughtful.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *tilts her head* Something the matter?

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Did Gem say anything else?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> She did spend a lot of time telling me about the painting. She evidently couldn't keep her eyes off it -- said it was so lifelike she thought it might jump off the canvas. *pause, amused grin* She said it captured his befuddled stare perfectly.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod is only half listening to the convo -- if that -- as he tries to worm his way back into Jansk's thoughts.

<JETMODE> *The boy is evidently so deep in irritation that he doesn't notice Jarod's intrusion this time. His whirl of irritable thought seems focused around a particular individual.

<TIAMAT> *Although he's trying primarily to find just who the boy is -- since he doesn't even have a name yet -- the irritation is so intense that he can't seem to avoid it and instead he focuses on it.

<JETMODE> *A hot rush of rage suddenly floods the boy's mind, culminating with "Stupid, stupid, STUPID JIMSEY." Then it shuts him out abruptly -- not as though he realized someone was listening in, though. More like he closed himself off from everything. Or something else did.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod jerks a little, head reeling slightly. Teal, meanwhile, is thinking out loud as he tries to piece Genoa's news together with the recent events. "All the others have been connected to the temple, too...but why...or how, for that matter..."

<JETMODE> *Genoa shrugs and ambles around behind Teal's desk to rub his shoulders. "Between this and the black market, it's a wonder you get any sleep."

<TIAMAT> *Teal relaxes a little, shoulders slumping as he leans back into his chair. Jarod glances up suddenly, about to ask about this Jimsey. "What--" *he stares for a moment at Genoa. "... What are you doing? *he quickly clamps his mouth shut -- not that it'll help any now -- mentally cursing to himself.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *arches eyebrow* What ARE you talking about?

<TIAMAT> *Teal eyes Jarod a little curiously as the telepath mutters something rather incoherently. "Er...I mean, um ... *glances between the two nervously as he trails off.

<JETMODE> *Genoa's expression suddenly turns into something deeply amused and disturbingly predatory. "Oh ... you mean this?" She presses herself warmly against Teal's back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders from behind. Then, eyes glinting with an expression of wickedness previously seen only on Whisper, she nuzzles Teal's neck, practically purring with self-satisfaction.

<TIAMAT> *Teal stammers something, going slightly -- okay, more than slightly -- red as he takes Genoa's hand in his own and looking both startled and pleased all at once. Jarod, for the record, has gone pale as he watches in what roughly equates to horror.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *mildly* Any more questions?

<TIAMAT> *Teal, as much as he was enjoying Genoa's little sign of affection, is quietly telling her that this isn't exactly the place as he disentangles himself. Jarod babbles something for a moment as he attempts to compose himself. "What -- er -- who...who is this Jimsey?"

<JETMODE> *Genoa pulls away with a laugh and shrugs at Jarod. "He's a black market dealer we were trying to pin down."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, still looking a little ill and nervous: ... any idea where I can find him?

<TIAMAT> *Teal clears his throat quietly and gives Jarod an inquisitive look. "Why would you want to?"

<TIAMAT> *Jarod shifts a bit. "I ... think he might be connected to more than just the black market. *he pauses, but Teal gives him a look that clearly asks what the hell's he talking about. Jarod shrugs a little. "Call it intuition."

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *bluntly* I'll call it horse shit until you stop being so cryptic.

<TIAMAT> *Teal glances up at her in slight surprise. "My dear, must you be so ... *searches for a word* ... brash?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Only in special cases. *folds her arms, giving Jarod a level stare* If you have information, then give us information.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod sighs and launches into an explanation of everything that happened since Cassie's change -- the dreams, primarily, but also the projections he's been getting from the mystery kid, including the one he got just now that specifically named Jimsey himself.

<TIAMAT> *Teal doesn't say anything right away; he's rubbing his temples slowly, thinking.

<JETMODE> *Genoa's cynical expression has changed into something resembling actual interest by the end of the explanation.

<TIAMAT> *After a while, Teal finally looks up, half-turning toward Genoa. "Genoa, my dear, did you say you have the rest of the afternoon off?"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I do, yes. Except for the studying I was going to put off until midnight anyway.

<TIAMAT> *Teal waves a hand. "No need to do that -- I was just wondering if you could run a small errand for me. Go check on Cecil for me, make sure everything's all right -- that portrait business is a little unnerving..."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod frowns. "Hey, you still haven't answered my quesiton. Where can I find this Jimsey?"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I suppose I could.. *glances at Jarod* We don't know, really. That's part of the problem.

<TIAMAT> *Teal studies Jarod for a moment. "No, but Gem might -- or at least might be able to find him."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod sighs. "And who's this Gem?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal shakes his head. "I don't have time to track anyone down at the moment -- Genoa, can you take him to her after you're done at Cecil's?"

<JETMODE> *Genoa looks horrified at the very idea. A little crossly, "I suppose so."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod tenses, trying not to show his obvious distaste at the arrangement. Teal glances up at Genoa, then stands and catches her hand, kissing it lightly and murmuring a thank you. Jarod attempts to turn away casually, though he still looks rather disgusted.

<JETMODE> *Genoa's expression softens slightly. "I'll get word to you as soon as I can."

<TIAMAT> *Teal nods and kisses her forehead. "I hope to see you tonight -- if you're not too busy studying. *faint smile.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> *murmur* I'm sure I can make time. *glances over at Jarod* Let's get a move on, shall we?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod glances over at her and refrains from a nasty comment. "Yes, let's."