JETMODE: * It's late night at Glenn's estate in Kamaria, well past moonset and inky dark. Unbeknownst to sleepers below, a large figure sits crouched on the roof, staring boredly at the silent streets below and occasionally lashing his tail. "Oh, sis, you pick the best meeting places," he says, mostly to himself. "The roof? Ingenious." He then darts a glance around as if to make sure she hasn't walked up on him.

TIAMAT: * All is quiet for the moment, however, and remains that way for a few more minutes. Then a shadow passes over the figure, followed by a slightly rustling breeze, and a moment later there comes a quiet thud behind him as his sister drops out of the sky. She straightens, glancing around briefly before turning her attention toward her brother. "You're on time," she remarks, sounding faintly impressed.

JETMODE: "Well, I do live around here," he remarks, glancing at her sideways. "Even I'd be ashamed of myself if I was late to a meeting in Kamaria." He straightens, turning to face her, and tucks his wings neatly behind his back. "Well, I already have a fair idea what this is about -- thought of anything that doesn't involve snatching her off the street?"

TIAMAT: * She takes a few steps toward him, a beam of moonlight faintly illuminating a frown etched across her features. "Since you were so insistent," she begins, "I think I have." She hesitates, folding her arms. "A false lead. I'm sending her to Ocala. Once she's there, I should be able to set up enough proof that her family is dead to keep her from looking any further."

JETMODE: "Seems a mite cruel, really, but what can ya do." He gives his wings a flip, grinning at her disapproval. "Timing's good if you can manage to get her away while Kain's gone. It's looking like he's gonna have another errand to run pretty shortly." He looks down into the street again, expression bored.

TIAMAT: * She nods shortly. "I've already begun preparations. If she doesn't stumble across my leads herself, it will be easy enough to ... nudge her in the right direction once I'm ready." She walks up next to him, peering down over the edge of the roof toward the street below. "Try to keep the boy away as long as possible, if you can."

JETMODE: "I'm not gonna screw up his mission for him, if that's what you mean," he says doubtfully. "But I'll see what I can do." He watches her for a moment, then frowns. "You're hopin' she'll go back to Neenah, then? Forget the whole thing?" he asks, leaning back to scratch at his neck.

TIAMAT: "Frankly, I don't care where she goes," she replies with a faint growl, "as long as it's not Kamaria." She hesitates, then lowers her voice slightly. "Neenah probably would be best. The Zedekiahs would take care of her."

JETMODE: "Lucky for you she'll probably do that, huh?" He gives a long stretch, grinning, and scoots a few steps back. "That all ya needed? The brat's getting restless again, so I'll probably need to convince him to stay home in the next couple of days." He glances over his shoulder, presumably toward a different estate. "Running away is a little unpredictable, after all."

TIAMAT: * His sister glances at him a little sharply, arching an eyebrow. "And just how do you plan on doing that?"

JETMODE: "I dunno, hit him with a rock?" He makes a face. "Relax, sis. I've had to do it before.. he hasn't caught on to me yet."

TIAMAT: * She glares at him. "Just make sure you're not seen ... we have to wait at least until I get her out of the city to reveal anything to either of them."

JETMODE: "Relax, relax. Irresponsible I am, incompetent I'm not." He edges toward the far end of the roof, spreading his wings as if to take flight. Then he pauses, glancing back at her. "I'm surprised you want to reveal anything."

TIAMAT: * She sighs quietly, a breeze rustling her long, dark hair. "You know what I mean. We need to at least make them aware of our presence ... eventually." She glances back at him. "Be careful."

JETMODE: "As always," he says with a grin, giving his wings a flippant shake. "You watch yourself, too." Without waiting for a response, he springs into the air, shortly vanishing into the distance as he returns home.

TIAMAT: * She watches him glide off silently, a worried frown crossing her face. "I hope this works," she mutters before leaping off the other edge of the roof to the street below, darting around behind the mansion into the shadows.

JETMODE: * It's late morning the following day when Luke is sent up to Tai's room to summon the girl for another round of errands. While the search has been on for her family, fruitless though it's been, she's been running errands for Glenn and generally helping out in his affairs. Kain hasn't been around much, but Luke at least is grateful for the extra hand. He pauses, rapping lightly on her door. "Miss Tai? Lord Glenn would like to speak to you."

TIAMAT: "Yes, just a moment..." comes the girl's voice from within her room. She has, more or less, been getting along quite nicely in the couple weeks since their return from Jareth. Though disappointed that the search for her family has been more or less unsuccessful so far, running errands for Glenn has kept her busy and helped her learn her way around the city. A moment after Luke knocks, she opens her door and steps out into the hall with him, wearing a light green dress and matching band to keep her hair back. She smiles at the elf as she closes the door behind her. "More messages to be delivered today?"

JETMODE: "Something along those lines, miss," Luke says, inclining his head with a slight grin. "Said he wanted to see you at once, so I imagine you'll be getting lunch after you're back -- hope you don't mind." The smile turns into an almost impish grin, and he turns, starting for the stairs.

TIAMAT: * Tai stares at him for a moment as he starts down the stairs, then sighs quietly and follows. "All right by me, I suppose. What are you up to today?"

JETMODE: "Little of this, little of that," Luke says evasively, sticking his hands behind his head as he leads the way to the drawing room -- not that he particularly needs to by now. "Nothing dangerous as yet, at least."

TIAMAT: "Well, that's a relief. Have you heard from Kain recently? I haven't seen him around much..." she remarks as she catches up with him and walks with him downstairs.

JETMODE: "Oh, his father keeps him pretty busy, most of the time." He sticks his thumbs in his belt and smiles. "You may get to see him soon enough, who can say?"

TIAMAT: * Tai gives him a curious look, but before she can question further, they find themselves in the parlor, where Glenn is seated, reading over what appears to be a letter. He glances up at their arrival, rolling the letter up tightly as Tai curtsies politely by way of greeting. "Ah, good, you're both here. I have assignments for both of you." He stands and walks over to a table set against the wall where a candle is burning, which he takes and tilts so a bit of the wax drips onto the letter he was reading. Then he presses a ring -- presumably with his family's crest -- into the wax, sealing the parchment shut. "This is to be delivered to Senator Gehling immediately," he explains, walking over to hand the letter to Tai. "And he sent word that he has something for me, as well. I'd like you to bring this to him, and pick up his package for me while you're there." Tai nods, and Glenn glances at his aide. "And I believe you are already aware of the assignment I have for you, Luke -- you'd best prepare for tonight."

JETMODE: * Luke utters a faint, amused snort and salutes mockingly before taking a deep bow. "As you wish, Lord Glenn. Wouldn't dream of putting it off." He straightens, then nods to Tai and trots quickly out of the room.

TIAMAT: * Tai watches him go, then glances at Glenn questioning, but he simply holds up a hand with a faint smile. "You'll know soon enough, my lady. Now I must ask you to make haste to Senator Gehling's residence -- I have a few more things for you to do this afternoon, if you're feeling up to them." Tai curtsies again, nodding. "Of course, sir. I'll see you shortly, then." Glenn nods once, and Tai turns, following Luke out of the parlor, and then out of the manor into the busy streets of Kamaria.

TIAMAT: * Tai, having delivered a message to the senator's residence once before, manages to find the Gehling house with minimal difficulty, only taking one wrong turn before the manor comes into view. She hesitates outside the door, smoothing the wrinkles out of her dress, then knocks politely.

JETMODE: * It's several moments before the door is answered, and then by a girl about Tai's age with hair a dark shade of blonde. She looks at Tai for a moment, feline ears flicking back in an expression that's difficult to read. "Can I help you?" she asks, voice neutral to the point of being flat.

TIAMAT: * Tai blinks at her for a moment, then smiles politely. "Hello. My name is Tai Zedekiah -- I have a message for Senator Gehling from Glenn Greenstone." She shows the other girl the scroll.

JETMODE: * The girl looks at her again for a long moment, then nods and takes the scroll, turning with a swish of her tiger-striped tail. "Just wait here. I'll bring him." She vanishes entirely, and after another several minutes a tall elf appears, hair dark and skin tanned. He smiles, inclining his head politely at his visitor. "You're from Glenn, then?"

TIAMAT: * Tai, about to step further inside to look around after the wait, instead takes a startled step backwards when the elf arrives. "Er -- yes." She recovers quickly, curtseying. "My name is Tai Zedekiah -- are you Senator Gehling, sir?"

JETMODE: "Yes, I am. It's a pleasure to meet you," he says, smiling again in a way that doesn't extend the expression beyond the curve of his mouth. "I do have something for you to take back o your master," he says, producing a package about the size of a book and offering it to her. "I'll appreciate a swift delivery."

TIAMAT: * Tai gives him an odd look when he refers to Glenn as her "master", though she doesn't comment, taking his package with a nod. "Of course, sir. Lord Glenn had a message for you, as well -- I gave it to the druirin miss who answered the door."

JETMODE: "It was received," the elf says, expression going oddly cool. "Thank you for your service, indeed." He inclines his head again, clearly intending this as a dismissal, and turns to leave, closing the door behind him.

TIAMAT: * Tai, about to curtsey again, pauses as the door closes in front of her. She stares at it for a moment, then turns to head back through the streets, looking somewhat confused as she returns to Glenn's manor.

TIAMAT: * The parlor is empty when Tai arrives back at the manor, though she finds Glenn soon enough in his study. She nods politely as she hands the package to him from across his desk, and he takes it with a nod of his own. "Ah, thank you very kindly, my dear." He hesitates, watching her for a moment. "Did you meet the senator?" Tai blinks, then nods, and Glenn smiles faintly. "Was he decent to you?" Tai gives him a slightly wary look. "He was polite enough, I suppose. A little odd...he thinks of you as my master. Not that -- I mean --" she stammers, and Glenn chuckles, shaking his head. "You are neither slave nor servant to me, Tai -- you are free to leave whenever you please. Though I did rather think you were getting along well here." "I am!" Tai replies quickly. "I like it here, and I enjoy running errands -- I want to help -- he was just...a little...odd. He seemed...quite different from you, sir." Glenn's smile slowly fades, and he sighs faintly. "Yes. Daniel and I are very...different...to say the least."

TIAMAT: * Glenn falls silent for a moment, studying the package that Tai delivered to him. She watches him quietly until he glances up at her. "Ah. At any rate. Thank you again for your service. I have another favor to ask of you now. I would like you to fetch Kain for me, if you would. I have a little assignment for him and Luke." Tai grins suddenly, looking quite pleased. "It would be my pleasure, sir," she replies, then falters a little. "Though, er -- I'm not sure where he lives." "Ah yes," Glenn sets the package on his desk and sits back, "you haven't been to the Dorgany mansion yet. It's not located here in the silver district, where the rest of the senators' houses are. In fact, it's not even really in town -- the Dorganys own a large piece of land on the outskirts of the city. I'm afraid it's on the far side, as well," he gives her an apologetic look, "you'll have to go all the way through town. The mansion itself is set on a small hit outside the gates. It isn't difficult to locate, there is a road leading right up to it."

TIAMAT: * Tai nods. "Shall I tell him to bring anything, sir?" Glenn smiles faintly. "Oh, I believe Kain should know what he needs. I realize it is a long ways to walk -- you can take one of the horses from my stable, if you wish." Tai shifts a little uncomfortably at this. "Ah -- that's all right, sir. I would enjoy the walk." "I see," Glenn raises his brow slightly, though doesn't comment further. "Well, as you wish. I will ask you to leave at once -- and make sure Kain doesn't dawdle on his way over here. Dismissed." She smiles and nods, turning and walking quickly back out of the manor. She starts down a different street than she did to get to Senator Gehling's, this one toward the far end of town.

TIAMAT: * The walk through the capitol is uneventful, though quite long, made no less complicated by the variety of milling folk in the streets. Finally, after walking nearly an hour, the crowds begin to thin slightly, and a few minutes later, the city gates come into view. Even past these, however, the path leading out of town is busy, mostly with travelers headed both in and out of town. Shortly after leaving the city walls, a smaller path branches away from the main highway and, glancing down it, Tai can just make out a vast mansion set on a hill through the trees, and she quickens her pace as the Dorgany residence comes into closer view.

JETMODE: * The estate appears fairly busy, with several servants working the grounds and a few tending to horses. Though Kain isn't immediately in sight, one of the servants notices Tai coming up the walk and waves to her cheerfully. "Hallo, miss," he calls. "Looking for the young master, are you?"

TIAMAT: * Tai, staring in fascination at the grounds, starts a little and blinks over at the man who hailed her. "Er -- yes!" she calls back, smiling an waving back. "Lord Glenn would like to see Kain -- is he here?"

JETMODE: * The man glances over his shoulder, calling to another servant. "Oy, you seen the young master?" There's an indistinct reply, and the first gestures for her to join him. "He's not around here, miss, but we'll send someone out to find him, don't you worry."

TIAMAT: "Oh -- thank you very much," she replies, trotting up to join him. "Quite -- quite the manor you have here..."

JETMODE: "It's home, after a fashion." The man grins at her, then peers over his shoulder again when he sees his fellow servant hightailing it for wherever Kain might be. "The master's been talking about a new mission, so his young self has been hiding out a bit, I confess."

TIAMAT: * Tai nods agreeably. "That's what Lord Glenn wants to see him about, I believe--" She pauses. "He...hasn't run away again, has he?"

JETMODE: "Oh, no, miss, can't have. They had a very stern talk about that the last time it happened." The servant grins, apparently highly amused. "The young master's been busy with his penance ever since, I hear."

TIAMAT: "Oh dear," Tai murmurs, looking even more worried. "Did he get in much trouble? What's he have to do?"

JETMODE: * The servant gives a heavy snort. "Miss, I wouldn't worry too much about him. He can handle more than he thinks he can, in the end. He'll be happy to get off the estate, though, like as not." He glances back again, where a thudding of hoof beats can be heard approaching. "Ah now, that'll be him, won't it?"

TIAMAT: "Oh?" Tai replies curiously, glancing around her host as the hoof beats come closer. "Oh--"

JETMODE: * It is, in fact, none other than Kain approaching, and he pulls the horse to a very hard stop, swinging down almost in the same motion and rubbing his hand across his forehead. "It's Glenn, right? Is it time to go?" he asks, unusually eager to go on what amounts to more work for him.

TIAMAT: * Tai takes a step back as Kain dismounts, giving him a curious look. "It's nice to see you too, Kain," she says flatly, then smiles. "And yes, Glenn would like to see you -- sounds like he has a mission for you and Luke."

JETMODE: "Finally," Kain groans, apparently taking no notice of her subtle rebuke. "I don't care what it is, I've got to get away from my old man." He pats the horse familiarly, glancing at Tai. "Quicker the better, right?" He mounts up again. "Come on, I'll take you back."

TIAMAT: * Tai stares at him doubtfully. "I -- I'm wearing a dress --"

JETMODE: * Kain shrugs. "Side-saddle, then." He looks at her impatiently, bending to offer her a hand up. "Come on, it's quicker this way."

TIAMAT: "I --" She takes a step back, looking a little defensive. "I don't know how to ride, okay?"

JETMODE: "Uh.." He withdraws his hand for a moment, frowning, and scratches the back of his head. "Well, that's all right. Just hang on to me, and the horse won't let you fall, okay?" He grins cheerfully, offering his hand again.

TIAMAT: * Tai stares at him for a long moment, then takes a tentative step forward, reaching out to take his hand. "You're sure?" she asks, sounding rather doubtful.

JETMODE: "Trust me," he says cheerfully, apparently more concerned with getting a move on. Once he has a good grip on her, he hauls her neatly up into his lap, scooting backward to make room. "All right, just.. hang on," he says, some uncertainty breaking through at their awkward position.

TIAMAT: * Tai utters a faint eep when he pulls her up, quickly wrapping an arm around his neck to keep from toppling right back off. "I...I will," she murmurs, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks as she settles a little awkwardly into position.

JETMODE: "All settled?" Kain doesn't really wait for a response, wrapping one arm around her waist and using the other to steer the horse, which is almost as impatient as him to get moving. It starts off with a leap, and before long, they're galloping back up the worn path.

TIAMAT: * Tai gives a little gasp when their mount leaps, all modesty abandoned as she wraps her other arm around Kain's neck and clings to him closely, looking a little terrified. "I knew this was a bad idea," she whimpers.

JETMODE: * Kain doesn't seem to take any notice, at least until breathing becomes markedly more difficult, instead encouraging his horse to go even faster. He only slows when they reach the city, pulling back into an energetic trot, then he sighs and blinks, looking down at Tai. "Uh.. you all right?"

TIAMAT: * Tai surfaces, loosening her grip a little when they slow and glancing up. "Um...I think so," she murmurs, blushing even more now and looking embarrassed. "I-I'm sorry -- I've never ridden before. It's -- a lot faster than it looks."

JETMODE: "That's most of the point," Kain says cheerfully, guiding the horse through town and largely ignoring the people there -- except to avoid stepping on them. "Hope Glenn doesn't mind taking care of the horse while we're gone, anyway."

TIAMAT: * Tai sits up a bit more, relaxing a little. "Where -- where are you and Luke going?"

JETMODE: "Dunno yet," he says with a shrug, glancing up toward Glenn's estate. "And Glenn probably wouldn't want me to say, anyway." He continues at a more measured pace, apparently totally comfortable. "We shouldn't be gone too long, though."

TIAMAT: "Well, be careful...I hope your mission is successful." She glances up at him, then away again quickly.

JETMODE: "Shouldn't be a problem," Kain answers, offhand and confident. He pushes the horse a little faster as they near Glenn's estate, then slows once more and releases her waist to permit her to slide to the ground -- with his assistance.

TIAMAT: * Tai slides quickly down when they come to a stop, stumbling a little when she hits the ground but still looking rather relieved. She takes a moment to catch her breath, then glances back at Kain. "Shall I get someone to take care of your horse?"

JETMODE: * Kain swings down after her, shrugging. "If you want to. We're probably gonna be taking them out again." He ambles over to tie the horse to a nearby post, then starts inside. "Probably better just see if there's anything else Glenn wants."

TIAMAT: * Tai nods and leads him inside, glancing into the parlor, which is still empty, then starting back toward the study. "I met one of the other senators today..." she remarks offhandedly.

JETMODE: "Huhh." He scratches his cheek, thinking. "Who's in town ... that'd be either Adlai or Daniel ... maybe the one from Neenah ..." He glances at her. "Nobody nice, anyway. Who was it?"

TIAMAT: "Senator Gehling," she replies. "Daniel, I guess...he was...very strange. Not like Lord Glenn." She glances back at Kain. "He's like Adlai?"

JETMODE: "Nah, he's not like Adlai." Kain pauses to poke at one of the tapestries on the wall. "He's a much bigger jerk than Adlai." He glances back over his shoulder at her. "So, uh, who answered the door?"

TIAMAT: * Tai gives him a strange look. "Um. A girl. A druirin girl. She had long blond hair and black stripes...and she didn't seem very cheerful to be there."

JETMODE: "Dark or light hair?" he asks curiously, though his gaze stays very firmly fixed on the tapestry. "And, uh, she wouldn't be, probably. I wouldn't be if I had to deal with him day in and day out."

TIAMAT: "Kind of dark, I guess..." She takes a few steps closer to him, staring at him curiously. "Why do you ask? Do you know her?"

JETMODE: "Nah, must have been her sister ..." He seems to lose interest in the conversation, turning and starting toward the study again. "Anyway, did he say anything nasty to you? He usually at least pretends to be polite."

TIAMAT: * Tai arches an eyebrow, though doesn't inquire further about the druirin girl. "He was polite enough. Didn't invite me in or anything, but he wasn't rude ... well, he did sort of shut the door in my face." She shrugs. "I'm just glad I'm here with Lord Glenn and not with him."

JETMODE: * Kain snorts. "I doubt he would have taken you in at all, really." He doesn't say anything else about it, however, pushing his way into Glenn's study and waving. "Yo, is it time to go yet?"

TIAMAT: * The study is occupied by both Glenn and his aide, who are bent over the desk and studying a bit of parchment. Glen glances up sharply when Kain and Tai enter. "Excellent. Your timing is perfect. Luke and I were just going over the final details. I would like you to leave immediately; Luke can fill you in along the way." He rolls up the parchment and hands it to Luke with a nod.

JETMODE: "Excellent," Kain says cheerfully, and Luke gives him a sincerely doubtful look, tucking the parchment away. "I guess it's a good thing I did pack food for two ..." he says with a faint snort, setting his hands on his hips.

TIAMAT: * Tai follows Kain inside, glancing between the two boys as Glenn stands, coming around his desk. "Did you bring your horse, Master Kain?"

JETMODE: "He's tied right out front, actually," Kain answers comfortably, and Luke nods. "I can get mine ready in minutes, of course." Kain glances at Glenn. "Watch out for my old man, okay? He's been cranky lately."

TIAMAT: * Glenn chuckles, clapping Kain on the back briefly as he makes his way toward the door. "I'm sure he will be much relieved to know that you're safely on a mission and not causing trouble elsewhere." He nods to Tai as she steps aside to allow him to pass out into the hallway. "It shouldn't take you longer than week, especially on horseback -- so I'll see you both then," he calls back as he starts down the hall.

JETMODE: "Of course," Luke says cheerfully, and Kain waves as he leaves. "Long as I'm off the estate, I don't care what I'm doing," he says sourly. "Dad's really been on a tear ..." Luke snorts. "You gave him reason enough."

TIAMAT: * Tai follows the boys out of the study and to the front door. "Good luck," she says brightly. "Try not to get into too much trouble, Kain."

JETMODE: * Kain grunts, and Luke tips an imaginary hat at her before vanishing to get his horse. Kain unties his own and mounts up. "See ya in a week," he remarks, then trots after Luke.