JUSTIN: * The man who owns the voice is standing there, droopy-eyed, and his uniform -- recognizable as belonging to Juno's guard -- looks like it's half falling off from not being put on properly. "Oh, I dunno 'bout that." He stumbles forward, trying to glare, but it looks more like squinting. "Whatchoo got there?"

JENNA: * Jocasta's wariness and alarm jump sharply at the sight of the uniform, then they all but fall away at his obvious inebriation. She feels suddenly annoyed. "I haven't got anything." She spreads her arms from her sides as if to demonstrate this fact. "Just trying to be on my way, you know?"

JUSTIN: * Shane stops to consider this, staring at her quizzically. "Y'know the stores... 're all closed, right?" He stumbles over and peers down the alleyway she'd come from. "An' y'shouldn't be out here after dark."

JENNA: * She stares at him for a moment, then presses two fingers delicately to her forehead. After a moment, she pulls her hand away, affecting an almost contrite tone. "That's right, they certainly are -- I was just headed home, so if you wouldn't mind ..."

JUSTIN: * Shane tries for that glare again, stepping up to her with his hands to his hips (or thereabout, anyway). "I dunno, you're awfully shuspicioush." His eyes glaze as he zones out for a moment.

JENNA: * Jo's mouth twitches, but she makes an effort not to back away, despite the heavy smell of alcohol. "You might explain what you're doing out here yourself," she says tartly, deciding to try another tack. "I have a perfectly legitimate reason -- how about you?"

JUSTIN: * Shane laughs -- sorta -- and throws his arms over his chest, looking suddenly indignant. "Is my job, missss..." He takes a breath, attempting to halt his slur. "Not that anyone 'preciatesh what I do anyway."

JENNA: * Her expression becomes somewhat testy. "If what you do is walk around drunk in the street and harass innocent pedestrians, I think I understand why." She gives her hair a toss and steps away from him, making to turn for the alley. "I have really got to be on my way --"

JUSTIN: * Shane lunges to put himself in front of her, turning a very displeased, drunken look at her. "I said you look susicioush, that'sh not innocent..."

JENNA: * Jo's eyes narrow darkly, a little bit of her earlier panic returning. She puts a brave face on it, however, and rests her hands back on her hips. "Just what was I doing that you find so suspicious?" Clearly she hopes he's too drunk to remember the window.

JUSTIN: "...you fell outta window." He sniffs, the alcohol only affecting his memory to a span of perhaps ten minutes -- not one minute ago. "An' I don't think I like the looksh of that."

JENNA: * Her expression becomes momentarily indignant, but she forces a look of wry embarrassment into place shortly afterward. "All right, you got me -- I shouldn't have been there." She casts about for a moment. "See, I was visiting my lover, and his family came home unexpectedly ..." She attempts to sidle away.

JUSTIN: * Shane's face goes disturbed all of a sudden, and he twitches away from her. "Yoush sleepin' with that old guy? What are you, desperates?"

JENNA: * She sighs heavily, disappointed first by the fact that he knows who lives in that house and second by the fact that he just /won't/ go away. "It's not any of your business, is it? Now, if you'll /please/ excuse me ..." She makes to stalk off again.

JUSTIN: "I didn' say I was done wit' you, lady..." He promptly hobbles after her. "I don' reco'nize you... I'm pretty shhhure I'd have seen you b'fore."

JENNA: "Is this some kind of hobby for you, poking your nose in other people's business?" Jo snaps, whirling on him. "If the guard has enough time to wander the streets bothering travelers --" She's momentarily interrupted by a spirited shower of fireworks from the direction of the main square. "When there are obviously better things to be patrolling -- I suppose the requirements for your office aren't particularly stringent."

JUSTIN: * This particular comment makes Shane's face turn a particularly nasty sort of angry. "D'you even understand who yer talkin' to? Thish's exactly what I'm talkin' 'bout! No goddamn ressspect, no patience..." He stomps right up to her, getting into her face. "An' I still don't know if I believe you."

JENNA: * Startled (and a little alarmed) at his reaction, she takes a step back -- and scowls at his final statement. "Whether you believe me or not, it's not as if you have any proof I was doing wrong." She turns on her heel, trying once again to walk away.

JUSTIN: "Hey!" Shane yells after her, staggering to catch up with her. "Don'tchoo walk away when I'm talkin' to yo--" He trips on the curb and falls hard on his face.

JENNA: * Jocasta stops, glancing back over her shoulder to see what's become of him, and an expression somewhere between incredulity and pity flashes momentarily across her face. She considers her options for a moment -- an alley to her left, a nearby rooftop -- then sighs in exasperation and walks back to lend him a hand up. "Do you live nearby?" she asks brusquely.

JUSTIN: * Shane isn't in a position to argue about the helping hand, and is hardly aware of it as he struggles back to his feet. The question hangs in the air for a moment as he tries to recall what was going on, and he winces as if hit by a sudden headache. "I... why?"

JENNA: "Because you're drunk," she responds irritably, "and you're probably going to hurt yourself." She steps aside once she's sure he can move under his own power, setting her hands on her hips with a scowl.

JUSTIN: * A disagreeable scoff comes out of his mouth, accompanied by some unnecessary spittle. "Hurt myself!" Shane swipes at his chin, looking momentarily embarrassed. "You... you'll hurt yourself..." He doesn't sound too sure of himself, gaze drifting to outer space.

JENNA: * She gives him a level stare. "I'll take that risk. Now do you live around here?" A sick, jittery feeling starts in her stomach at the thought she might have to cross that damn bridge again.

JUSTIN: * Shane sniffs, attempting to stand up straight and look somewhat dignified. Hard to do when his face looks like it's been smacked against a table a few times. "Near the first guardhoushe." A small hiccup escapes. "Main gate."

JENNA: * Her insides unclench slowly as she goes over the map again in her mind and realizes this does not require her to cross any bridges over open air. "All right, then." She starts walking, maintaining a clip she thinks he can match in his current state, and sighs inwardly, glad this is a solo mission and fully intending to leave any mention of this incident out of her report.

JUSTIN: * Shane isn't sure about what's going on, but he does remember he was on his way home anyway. And he's having trouble remembering why he finds the woman so suspicious. "What'sh yer name...?" He hobbles along the stone paving after her, occasionally stopping to catch his balance.

JENNA: * She gives him a sharp look, then shrugs, as he's unlikely to remember anything in the morning. "Jocasta." She pauses once or twice when he stumbles, ready to catch him if for no other reason than it would take longer to pick him up out of the street again.

JUSTIN: "Jo... cashta. I'll 'member that. I'll need ta talk t'you when... after I get some sleep." Shane falls against her for support after a ways, trying not to put his full weight on her, but unable to keep to his own two feet at this rate.

JENNA: * Jo very much doubts that is the case, but she doesn't bother telling him so, concentrating on keeping him upright when he staggers. "Whatever," she says. "Just keep walking. And make sure to tell me where to turn, all right?"

JUSTIN: "Wha? Oh." Shane remembers where he's headed again, casting his eyes about and getting a blurred image in return. "Shoulda turned at the last croshing." He blinks wearily.

JENNA: * Jo sighs, patience dropping another notch as she attempts to steer her drunken pedestrian back in the other direction. "Why did you come out /here/ if you live over /there/?" she demands, after they're safely headed the right direction.

JUSTIN: "Barsh that way." Shane points halfheartedly down the street beyond the building she came out of. "I wash jusht checkin' up onnit... durin' the festival... make shhhure no fightsh goin' on..."

JENNA: "Right." Jocasta rolls her eyes, glancing ahead to see if there's any sign of the gate. "Sounds to me like you were sampling the merchandise, personally. But I'm not going to argue with how a guard decides to spend his nights."

JUSTIN: * At this Shane's face takes on an incredibly hurt expression, and it's all he can do to keep from blubbering. "Whadda you know, anyway?! I'm... I'm a good guard. I'm a good guard! Nobody caresh anyway..."

JENNA: * Jocasta looks as if she wishes very strongly she'd kept her mouth shut, but she perseveres, scowling slightly. "I'm sure the quality of your work has to matter to some citizen somewhere," she grumbles in a half-hearted attempt to placate him.

JUSTIN: * Shane pushes away from her momentarily, stumbling a few steps before catching himself on the side of a building. "Oh, you'd think so, wouldn't you?!" He sniffs loudly, wiping his arm across his face in an attempt to clean it up. "This shtupid town doesn't know what it'd be like without all my hard work... I should leave, that'd show 'em..."

JENNA: * Jo staggers slightly at his shove, looking mildly indignant before placing her hands on her hips again. "Well, maybe that's so," she says crossly, "but you can't leave in this state, can you?" She makes an absent gesture with one hand. "So let's keep walking."

JUSTIN: * Shane gives her a grumpy, tired, achy look, but stumbles back in the direction they were headed. He's apparently either too distraught or too half-asleep to bother continuing his ranting, and settles for silent staggering.

JENNA: * Jo is content to let him do that, as it saves her from having to be polite to him. She pauses once they reach the end of the building, waiting for him to indicate which way to go -- and to see if he can manage without falling on his face again.

JUSTIN: * Shane's feet seem to carry him in the proper direction without needing much thought, now that he's no longer distracted by conversation. It isn't far before they reach his house, nestled away in a corner by the outer wall.

JENNA: * Relieved by his sudden sense of direction, Jo does nothing further to distract him, momentarily considering whether she should flit away before he notices her again. She does not, however, deciding to wait until he's safely inside. In her mind, she's already halfway back to Morroc, a quiet escape from the city planned as soon as she's sure she won't be noticed.

JUSTIN: * It doesn't occur to Shane -- in his current state of mind -- to acknowledge the parting of ways, quite lucky that he even manages to make it through the front door and to his room before collapsing, exhausted and wasted. The door itself remains wide open.

JENNA: * Jo is almost overwhelmingly taken by the desire to rob him blind for causing her so much trouble, but she manages to restrain herself, reasoning that first, it would be trouble to carry it home with her .. and second it would completely validate his suspicions. Grimacing, she closes the door and takes off up the street to hide near the teleporter and catch a brief nap before she once again takes her leave.

JUSTIN: * Shane manages to roll over onto his back, bleary-eyed and staring into nothing. Something in the back of his mind is nagging him to remember the girl's name, or at least her face. And then there's the "why", which he can't put his finger on... It isn't long after that he slips into drunken unconsciousness.

JENNA: * For her part, Jo nestles uncomfortably between a couple of crates near the loading docks, sighing heavily before she tucks her head against her arms and closes her eyes. Her fitful sleep lasts until near evening, when the workers finally make their way to the cargo she's been dozing against. Realizing how much time has past, she lurches to her feet and pokes her head over the edge of the platform above, keeping a wary eye on the activity.

JUSTIN: * Shane is woken up by the sudden sound of nothing, sitting bolt upright and clutching at his throbbing forehead with a horrible grimace. He lets out a groan and instantly wonders what in the world is wrong with his head and stomach -- quickly followed by wondering how he got to his house, when the last thing he remembers in sitting at a bar.

JENNA: * She drops quickly back down as someone approaches, calling for the crates to be made ready. She grimaces, darting hurriedly for another hiding place as several workers make their way down the ramp, chattering animatedly.

JUSTIN: * With a pause in the washroom to empty the near-empty contents of his stomach, and another short break to replace it with some bread and water, Shane eventually makes his way out onto the street. He's managed to freshen up at least a little, uniform fitting straighter, hair at least presentable. His face, however, looks almost worse than it did before his long nap.

JENNA: * When Jo finally finds herself a suitable hiding place, tucked safely away from cargo and activity, if uncomfortably near one of the watchtowers, she heaves yet another sigh, feeling miserably unrested and cranky and wishing the workers would hurry up and move something easier to hide under.

JUSTIN: * It's only upon reaching his post that Shane realizes he's in no condition or mood to be there. He takes a quick look around, almost desperately, and grabs aside the first, poor underling he can find. One lame excuse later, his spot is filled and his absence "accounted for", and he is trudging his way to the main teleport gate.

JENNA: * Jo's gaze is so fixed on the cargo she doesn't notice his arrival, though she does notice the activity go a little still for a moment. Her mouth quirks impatiently.

JUSTIN: * Shane busily hands out another excuse to any of the curious workers nearby, before settling himself for the transit to the ground far below. More than used to the mode of transportation, he hardly blinks an eye as the world around him changes before his eyes. Upon arrival, he ambles off -- with a mild shake to his walk that soon disappears -- to find himself a place to sit and quietly brood over his hangover.

JENNA: * It's nearly another hour before Jo finds the ride she needs, slinking quickly through the lengthening shadows toward the teleport platform. To her relief -- and satisfaction -- she goes unnoticed, tucking herself under the edge of a tarp and going still. She clearly hasn't any idea her luck catching the ride, as it's the last shipment off the teleporter. She squeezes her eyes shut as the command comes to send down, opening them again, queasily when the motion of her stomach has ceased. Her hurried escape riles it up again, however, and she stumbles into the trees, clutching one for support when she feels she's gotten far enough away.

JUSTIN: * The rustling of Jo's approach through the underbrush shakes Shane out of his uncomfortable half-nap behind a nearby stone block, and he tiredly props himself up to peer over its edge.

JENNA: * For his trouble, he gets an excellent view of Jocasta's backside as she bends nearly double and gives in to violent retching. Unfortunately, as she hasn't had much to eat in the past couple of days, nothing comes up, leaving her at the mercy of her body until it finally settles down. When she's finished, she sinks to her knees with a faint groan. "Never.. again.."

JUSTIN: * For some reason, the sight and sound of the woman makes some alarm go off in Shane's head. Unfortunately, he can't imagine why -- but he's never been one to doubt his instincts, so something fishy must be afoot. With a little effort, he manages to get to his feet, and clumsily crawl over the block to stand behind her. "Excuse me, miss."

JENNA: * Jo lurches sharply forward, narrowly avoiding cracking her head on a tree, and scrambles to her feet, whirling to face him. "Who --" An expression of recognition and disgust cross her face. "What do you want?"

JUSTIN: * Shane straightens in surprise at her tone, taken aback. "I beg your pardon, miss, but that tone is quite unnecessary."

JENNA: * She gives him a look that speaks volumes. "All things considered, I think I can take any tone with you I want." Her stomach roils again, and she grimaces, leaning against a nearby tree and swallowing down on her nausea.

JUSTIN: * Shane looks absolutely bewildered, and now realizes why he had a bad feeling about the woman -- she's a complete snob! "Miss, we are still within Juno city limits -- which means you are still under my jurisdiction. Which means, you still need to show proper respect to an officer of the law!" He sets his arms over his chest, looking mighty disapproving.

JENNA: * Jo gives him a look one could almost consider hate-filled, pushing away from the tree and starting off down the sloping hillside. "I'm working on that," she growls, ignoring her stomach, which is not only queasy but hungry now.

JUSTIN: * Feeling his point has been ignored, Shane immediately stomps after her. "I didn't say I was done with you, miss!" He might have let her go easy, but oh no, not after this indignity.

JENNA: "Do you ever say /anything/ else?" she demands, still walking. "Or is that the only pickup line you know?" She quickens her pace, attempting to get some ways ahead of him, but the rough terrain keeps her cautious.

JUSTIN: * This halts him for a second, at least, as he tries to puzzle over her insinuation. "I think that is highly uncalled for." He says at last, and starts after her at a full jog. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to see your travel papers before I let you go anywhere, miss, on account of suspicious behavior."

JENNA: * Jocasta stops in mid-step, tilting her head back to glare accusingly at the heavens. "Listen, gate guard. You have approximately ten seconds to leave me alone." She straightens, then turns her head to look at him flatly.

JUSTIN: * Shane comes to a sudden halt as she stops, standing before her with a look of absolute indignation on his already tired face. "Miss." He sets his jaw, pointing a finger at her. "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. It's up to you."

JENNA: * Jo scowls at him silently for a moment, then lunges forward, down the hill, approximately as fast as her legs can carry her. Aided by the steep slope, she continues to pick up speed, though she rapidly becomes concerned that she's lost any maneuverability, and she's going to have to try to actually lose him sometime.

JUSTIN: * Shane lets out a bark of surprise, followed by a holler insisting she stop ("in the name of the law" unspoken but implied), before he takes off after her as fast as his achy legs will carry him. He manages to avoid stumbling over his own feet as he pilots his way down the slope of the hill, but he fears he might be losing ground to the swiftly retreating woman.

JENNA: * Jo lets the chase continue for about fifteen minutes, faintly annoyed when he doesn't give up before then. She risks a glance over her shoulder, choosing a time when she hopes he's occupied with not falling over himself, then lunges sideways into the heavier brush of the building forest, keeping her pace steady, if a little slower, in an attempt to move with more stealth. She also begins looking for a good tree to hide in for a few hours, whatever good that will do her.

JUSTIN: * Following continued threats and desperate shouts of "I just need to see your papers!", Shane's energy begins to fail him. Today is definitely not a good day for a run, and he almost feels his breakfast (small as it was) attempting to leap up his throat after all the bounding, leaping, running, and falling. He eventually comes to a regretful halt, panting and searching the thicker depths of the forest with wide eyes. He blinks hard a few times, cussing under his breath and cursing his worthlessness -- completely unaware that the woman is right nearby.

JENNA: * For her part, Jo has found a tree and shinnied up into its higher branches, fending off a pounding headache as she attempts to keep a lookout for her incredibly irritating pursuer. She settles into place, feeling again for the slip of paper that holds her only hope of redemption, and waits silently, listening.

JUSTIN: * Shane, for his part, cannot believe his luck or his own carelessness. He's dead certain there's more to that woman than her rudeness that's nagging at him, but he'll never know if he can't find her. Straightening himself up after catching his breath, he raises his voice and gives one last call. "You're only making things worse, you know! Running is only going to compound your problem!" And his own, for that matter.

JENNA: * Jo freezes, hearing his voice, and bites down on a cutting reply. Instead, she shifts very slowly, working her way around the trunk of the tree, away from the sound of his voice. She also takes stock of the rest of the area, noting that the trees might be close enough for her to go limb to limb ... but it is not her preferred method of travel. So for the moment she stays put.

JUSTIN: * A sound of frustration leaves Shane as he kicks at the tree the woman is hiding in and cusses again, more quietly. "Don't think I've given up! I don't take my job lightly, you know!" He's fairly certain she's no longer within earshot, but it makes him feel better to admit it out loud, anyway. But how in the world is he going to find her, he wonders...

JENNA: * Jo registers the kick to the tree with sincere annoyance, but she hunkers down even more, scowling broodingly into space and noting that he's even more irritating sober than drunk.

JUSTIN: * Shane decides to cut his losses -- for now -- and head back to think, though he moves with less than inspiring speed as he tries to pick his way back along the route they came. To be wholly honest, he can hardly remember where he's going, and isn't sure he's heading the right way. But he has to admit that he doesn't really care.

JENNA: * Jo relaxes somewhat at his retreat, but she still can't bring herself to move for nearly an hour, at which point she scoots silently down the trunk of the tree before starting farther into the forest -- and making sure she's gone a different direction than the one she heard Shane head in. "Idiot," she mutters, keeping her voice low, and quickens her pace.

JUSTIN: * Somewhere along the way, Shane decides to give up on getting back to the city. At least for the night. His excuse should hold at least until the following day, and he's far too cranky and tired to walk all the way back. Finding a nice, big rock to sit down against, he falls on his butt and draws his knees up to his chest, burying his head in his arms. "This is so not good..."

JENNA: * Several hours later finds Jo with considerable distance put between her and the floating city, and as there's no sign of pursuit, she's relaxed quite a bit. In fact, since her stomach has been protesting loudly for the past several miles, she decides to make a brief stop next to the river and catch herself a meal.

JUSTIN: * One brief nap later, Shane wakes with a snort, briefly wondering where he is for the second time today. It takes a little less time to remember this time, and yet he feels even despite that. For a moment, he sits in thought, very much conflicted about what to do. The most obvious would be to give up on the runaway woman and head back before anyone can start to suspect. But what if his weird, uneasy feeling about the girl was right? What if she was behind something terrible, and he just let her get away?

JENNA: * Jo, on the other hand, is finally feeling like she's gotten back to normal -- food in her stomach and satisfaction that she's out of pursuit's way. She takes the moment, basking in the relative comfort of the grass, to take a quick snooze and catch up on some of that sleep she missed. Though she first kicks the fire out, hoping the smoke doesn't carry too far.

JUSTIN: * It was an inevitable decision. Paranoia and an over-inflated sense of duty to a city he is sure doesn't appreciate his work anyway. He's not likely to catch up to her. He's not even likely to figure out what direction she went. But he's not going back to the city until he's convinced he's done everything he possibly can. For the next few hours, he finds himself picking his way through the underbrush, trying to find signs of human passage and failing spectacularly. Despite this, he does make progress in the right direction.

JENNA: * When she stirs at last, Jocasta feels almost unbearably refreshed, and she sits up with a languid stretch, pausing afterward to brush leaves and dirt from her clothes. And hair. She fingers a strand of this thoughtfully, considering the facts that she is filthy, her hair is filthy, and a bath, even in an icy river, would not go badly for her. She isn't in any hurry to get back to Morroc anyway. Content with those justifications, she strips and takes to the water.

JUSTIN: * Shane's perseverance is rewarded -- after several hours of random walking -- when he glimpses a faint trail of smoke in the sky while taking a break in a clearing. Knowing there couldn't be a settlement so close, it leaves only a few possibilities. It could be the person he's looking for, or it could be someone who might know where she went -- or it could be someone who wants to rob him blind and kill him, but he's willing to take that chance. Gathering himself with renewed motivation, he makes off through the forest again.

JENNA: * Jocasta takes her time in the water, scrubbing herself as much as she can without soap. A scrap of cloth does its bit as a washrag, and once she's done, she settles in for a swim, kicking toward the middle of the river and back again, though once or twice she makes a dive for the bottom. Eventually, however, she decides she's procrastinated enough and heads back toward the shore -- at least to where her feet touch bottom.

JUSTIN: * Shane eventually happens upon the dead fire, the embers long dead, and even the smoke he'd seen before no longer sprouting as anything more than a thin, narrow wisp. It's then that he hears the sound of splashing water, and his head snaps in the direction of the nearby river. He completely misses the discarded clothing as he slips to a nearby tree and peers around it. Nothing within view, but the sound is unmistakable -- perhaps they're exiting the water right this moment, he thinks, and ducks down quietly to wait.

JENNA: * It is with great reluctance that Jo finally ceases at play, sighing faintly as her feet touch bottom, pushing her upright in the hip-deep water. She actually hums a little, content, as she steps toward the shore.

JUSTIN: * The humming marks the approach of his target, and identifies it as a woman. Not knowing many woman in the vicinity of Juno who would be out camping in the middle of the woods, it's enough to convince him he's found his target. Somehow, he found her -- and she's not getting away this time. Standing up, he steps out from around the tree with a stern glare. "Hold it right the--" His voice stops in his throat at the sight right in front of him, and his face goes white before suddenly reversing and flushing full red.

JENNA: * Jo's humming dies at once, eyes flying open to stare with /remarkable/ indignation at the person she thought she left behind almost a day ago. She opens her mouth to say something unbearably cutting, no doubt, then realizes as his face goes red that she's still knee-deep in water and perfectly naked. "What the HELL is the matter with you?!" she screeches, finding her voice and at the same moment folding her arms in a clumsy attempt to cover her bare assets.

JUSTIN: * Shane jumps with delayed surprise, eyes widening as the situation begins to fully sink in. "Madam!!" He lurches backward and flings himself behind the tree, tripping over a root as he does so and tumbling across her small camp. He winds up on his back facing her again, and he throws his arms over his face to block the view. "M-my apologies, madam! I--" Then he remembers he's supposed to be apprehending her, and a look of pain crosses his face as he has to try and force a mental one-eighty. "You! I! I need to! You ran away!" It isn't coming out how at all as he planned it in his head.

JENNA: * Jocasta, now seething, and her face a humiliated shade of crimson, makes to stalk toward him and deliver what she considers a well-deserved beating, but she changes angle midway. Without a sound, she snatches her clothes off the ground and pulls them on with such force it's a surprise they don't tear. Almost as annoying at being found -- naked -- is the fact that she hasn't even had a chance to dry, and the cloth clings to her uncomfortably as she finally whirls to face him again. "Don't you have ANYTHING better to do with your time?!"

JUSTIN: * Shane squirms on the ground, fairly certain that he's the one who is supposed to be lecturing, but the sheer fury of the woman -- not to mention the manner in which he found her -- has him momentarily perplexed about what to do. "Miss, I am simply doing my job! I swear, I wouldn't follow you all the way out here without good reason!" He chances a peek out from under his arms, relieved to see her clothed. Though it isn't all that much better.

JENNA: "And just /what/," she snarls, "is this 'good reason'?! Your own, unfounded suspicions?!" Then she presses a hand to her forehead, remembering that there's really no point arguing with him, and turns on her heel to stalk off through the woods. Only after she's gone several feet does she remember to check for her paper. To her relief, it's still present and safe.

JUSTIN: * Fearing her fleeing again, Shane manages to push the awkwardness aside long enough to hurtle to his feet and trot after her. "Unfounded suspicions! I have every right to be suspicious when you go running into the woods when I ask for your travel papers!"

JENNA: "Which you only /asked/ for based on unfounded suspicions," she retorts, trying to walk a little faster. "Besides which," she adds, "I don't have any."

JUSTIN: * Shane picks up his pace to match her, staying more or less right behind her, save for when he needs to dodge a tree or bush. "You wouldn't have been able to get in or out of the city without proper papers, so don't give me that!"

JENNA: "I came on a caravan," is the airy response, and she quickens her pace yet again, disappointed that the land is finally flattening out. She probably won't be able to get that downhill rush a second time.

JUSTIN: "Then where's the caravan now?" Shane isn't buying it. Whether because he's angry or because he knows he's right, it doesn't matter. "And that still doesn't explain your rudeness to an officer! I certainly hadn't done anything to you when we first met."

JENNA: "The caravan is still up there entertaining peasants." She scowls irritably, reminding herself not to identify them further. "And when we first met, you were drunk out of your mind and staggering in the street." She glances back, mouth quirking into something more like a grimace than a smile. "So don't talk to me about 'rudeness to an officer'."

JUSTIN: "I beg your pardon!" Shane stops for a moment, stunned by the accusation. "I would never walk the streets inebriated, to even accuse me of such..." A strange panic creeps in the back of his mind when he really can't remember what happened last night, but something about the story frightens him. "It must have been someone else. And when I find out who, I'll make sure they do double shifts for a week for half pay."

JENNA: * Jo's mouth quirks, the grimace turning more into a smile -- if not a particularly nice one. "Believe me, it was you. I got better acquainted with you than I would have liked." She sticks her hands behind her head, slowing her pace slightly. If she can't get rid of him, she might as well get a few laughs.

JUSTIN: * Shane looks downright shocked and appalled, unable to believe any of this rubbish. Or at least not wanting to believe it. "Well if that's all how you claim, then tell me why I don't recognize you, miss. I'm pretty certain I'd remember a face like that."

JENNA: * She looks at him sharply, uncertain how to take that last remark, then pauses, folding her arms across her chest. "I /said/ you were drunk. I'd wager you don't remember my name, either." She arches a brow, not waiting for him to respond. "And if I didn't meet you last night, then explain why I know you live about three houses away from the guard barracks near the main gate?"

JUSTIN: * Shane snorts, injecting the sound with as much indignation as he can muster. "Well of course I wouldn't remember your name, I've never met you! And I'm sure you could have just asked anyone where I live. I am the head gate guard, it's common knowledge."

JENNA: "Unless, like me, you don't live on top of a floating chunk of rock." She shrugs and starts walking again, dropping her hands to adjust her clothes into a slightly more comfortable configuration, as she -- and they -- are finally drying out a bit. "I came with the caravan, I did what I came to do, and I left."

JUSTIN: "Did what you came to do, indeed. And I suppose whatever that may be, is of suspicious intent, too." Shane tromps up next to her, pointing a rigid finger at her and looking wholly displeased with her. "You can't fool me with your stories and your sarcasm. I know you're up to no good."

JENNA: "Fine," she says crossly, fed up enough that she doesn't care whether he knows she actually is a thief -- since he clearly believes it anyway. "If I've never met you, what's this?" From a fold of her clothes, she produces a small, bronze figurine -- it appears to be religious in nature, much like a charm to guard the doorway. She dangles it lazily in front of him, free hand on her hip.

JUSTIN: * Shane stops dead in his tracks, staring at the small item with a blank look on his face. The look, however, transmutes quite quickly into dumbfounded panic. "Th-that's mine! That's a family heirloom! How did you get it?! When did you?!"

JENNA: "I thought it might fetch a decent price in Alberta ..." She tosses it to him lazily. "But I guess it doesn't matter. I got it out of your house, obviously. After I took you home, staggering drunk." She turns away again, picking her way past a rocky patch.

JUSTIN: "I WAS NOT--" Shane shouts in outrage, clutching his returned artifact to his chest as if it needs to be protected. "...drunk..." His voice drops drastically in volume, however, as her point sinks in. Regardless of what she says or what he believes, he would have locked his door at night had he been in proper sorts. A new look of determination gleams in his eyes, however, more inspired than ever to see to it that this woman's secrets become known. "It was a drug, wasn't it? You drugged me!"

JENNA: * She turns her head to give him an incredulous look, so taken aback that she almost stumbles over a rock. "/Drugged/ you?! Why -- why the hell would I DRUG you?!" She catches her balance, scowling at him again. "That's pretty pathetic, not being able to admit you got drunk -- a lot of people do it regularly."

JUSTIN: * Shane crosses his arms over his chest -- stops, puts his ornament away, then recrosses -- and looks away with a snort of pride. "As it happens, I do not regularly drink at all." He turns back to her and his finger comes out pointing again. "And either way, you stole something from my house!"

JENNA: "So I did. So what are you going to do about it?" Jocasta gives him a level, challenging stare, folding her arms across her chest. In the back of her mind, she's cursing at the delay, but something about him /really/ aggravates her.

JUSTIN: "What do you THINK I'm going to do about it?!" Shane clamps a hand on her arm, glaring hard. "You're under arrest, that's what! Now come with me!" He makes to turn around -- hopefully in the direction of Juno -- and tugs at her. "On the double, now!"

JENNA: * Jo is taken by surprise by his tactic, but it isn't long before that surprise turns into pure rage. Before he's taken more than a step, she's sidestepped around him and delivered a solid punch to his midsection with her free arm. "Let /go/," she snarls, in the midst of this.

JUSTIN: * Shane lets out a startled yelp that is quickly blunted by the air leaving his lungs. He keels over and drops to his knees, clutching at his stomach. His eyes bulge -- more from utter surprise than from sheer pain. "Wha... whaaa..." He tries to regain his breath to formulate a word. "What did you do that for?!"

JENNA: * Jerking free from his grasp, she rubs her arm where he held her, an expression of contempt on her features. "I would think the answer to that was obvious," she snaps, then whirls and starts walking away again.

JUSTIN: * Shane paws at the ground for a bit as he tries to regain his wits, turning around and crawling after her until he can manage to stumble back to his feet. "You stole my mother's cross, you led me on a chase through the forest, and now you hit me!" He hobbles double-time to make up the distance she's put between them, managing to regain his stature by the time he reaches her again...

JENNA: "That should all be reason enough to leave me alone," Jo retorts, keeping a wary eye on him in case he tries to grab her again. She'd prefer not to, but she does still have her knives. "And I'd really suggest you do so."

JUSTIN: "It's all the reason I need not to leave you alone! You're in quite some trouble, lady." Shane isn't about to stop following her now. If anything, the more she argues, the more determined he gets. "You obviously have no idea who you're dealing with."

JENNA: * Jo stops yet again, sucking a deep, infuriated breath and clenching her fists at her sides, so hard they actually begin to tremble. "FINE." She releases the breath in a rush, pushing away any number of smart-assed retorts about who was dealing with whom and whether they knew it. "Fine, you just follow me. Do whatever you like." She starts walking again, one hand pressed against her forehead as if to stave off a severe headache.

JUSTIN: * Shane is a little surprised by the response, but his pride doesn't let it register. Instead, he only smiles smugly. "You didn't have a choice in the matter, madam." He straightens, walking behind her and looking as regal as he can. "Just be certain: the next stop we make, I am going to inquire with the local authority to have you detained and transported back to Juno for proper disciplinary action."

JENNA: "You do that," she says flatly, fully intending to drop him at the first opportunity her next stop provides. She says nothing further, occasionally running her hand through her hair as if to brush frustration free of her mind. It doesn't do her much good, however, and it's with building irritation that she continues through the flatter country, angling away from civilization on a route that will eventually lead her to Prontera and the docks at Izlude.

JUSTIN: * Shane seems content with the situation for the time being, and doesn't waste what little energy he has left on talk. He fully intends to be back in Juno in the next couple days, with one more dirty thief locked away in the stocks. He watches her with that same, smug smile, imagining what she'd look like locked up and begging for forgiveness for her crimes. Justice would be sweet.