(Untitled)

[3rdtimelucky]

Goldy is working in the brothel this afternoon... in as much as she has a shift.

As is customary when she has a solo slot, she's tweaked the music to something a bit less plinky-plonky—Morcheeba, to be specific—and extinguished all the incense. She's not dressed particularly glamorously either—suede ankle boots, jeans and a sky blue Bouclé

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[a_lioness]

Alanna has never been to the brothel -- this will undoubtedly surprise no one -- and is more than a little wide-eyed when she enters. Looking around, she enjoys a private laugh at the thought that she is probably the first pregnant woman to be here. Perhaps Lilly should keep her on as a warning to the whores: look what might happen if you don't take precautions!

She clears her throat.

"Goldy?"

[3rdtimelucky]

"...Hi."

Alanna's eyes aren't the only wide ones. She is one of the last people Goldy ever expected to drop by here. Especially in her current state. The Fable looks a bit stunned, though amusedly so.

"Wow. I know sex drive increases in late pregnancy, but you must be desperate to be coming here," she notes with a well-meaning laugh. "Give me a second, and I'll see what I can do in terms of third tri-mester discounts."

[a_lioness]

Alanna certainly abhors being predictable, but this is a little much, even for her. Squeaking, she holds out both hands as if to ward off evil and shakes her head quickly.

"No! I'm not- Er, the first part might be true, but I'm not here for that! Oh, Goddess."

All she can do is laugh.

[3rdtimelucky]

"I'm joking, of course."

"We don't do pregnant discounts here."

She looks frightfully serious for a few seconds, then breaks down into merry laughter as well. She moves out of her lazy recline and pats the newly freed couch seats invitingly.

"Come on. Take a load off and tell me what I can do for you. Not that it isn't lovely to see you up here, but there just has to be an ulterior motive for your presence."

[a_lioness]

"Um, I checked downstairs and outside first," Alanna tells her in an almost forlorn tone.

It really is a comfortable room, and Alanna walks the perimeter, smiling at the jewel tones and wondering where they keep the food.

"I had a chance to catch up with Bernard last night," she starts, finally taking a seat. "Something truly worrisome happened this weekend."

[3rdtimelucky]

"Oh." The Fable's forehead creases slightly, and a frown starts to form. "Worrisome isn't as bad as terrible. But it's still not good."

She reaches forward and sets her book down on the coffee table.

"What happened?" And why does it concern me?

As far as food goes, there is a bowl of fruit on the side table at Alanna's end of the couch. The contents look almost too perfect, but they might not be fake.

[a_lioness]

Idly, Alanna pokes at an orange.

"Perhaps it is an understatement," she says lightly. "Bar doesn't even understand what happened, so I'm tempted to classify it as terrible after all."

She squeezes the orange; either it's real or a fantastic replica. Swallowing, Alanna meets her gaze.

"According to Bernard, doors started appearing a few nights ago. Randomly. Several people assumed they were regular doors and walked through, only to end up in some sort of alternate reality, as best I can figure it. He said it was pitch black, cold, disorienting... almost like the walls were moving and breathing."

[3rdtimelucky]

"Ugh."

Goldy makes a distasteful face and has to fight to suppress an involuntary shudder.

"That sounds horribly creepy. Not least the part about Bar not understanding."

"Did everyone get out okay?"

[a_lioness]

"Not entirely, and that's why I'm here."

She motions for Goldy to lean in close.

"In this dark, empty space, Bernard was attacked by a man named Patrick Bateman. He said Bateman tried to kill him with a hammer. As this wasn't exactly violence in the bar, as far as we can tell, there's not much we can do. However..."

Eyebrow arched, she gives Goldy a pointed look.

"I suggested that perhaps it is time we better utilize your talents."

[3rdtimelucky]

"I see."

Responding to the beckoning, Goldy leans forward conspiratorially, eyebrow also arched.

"Good. I've been feeling a bit redundant in that role. And I never did hear anything more about that vampire, Claudia."

"What are the mission parameters?"

[a_lioness]

"Neither did I."

Biting her lip, Alanna lifts one shoulder in a small shrug.

"I just want you to get close to him. Friendly, if possible. Try to get him to talk about whatever happened without letting on that you know. We need to assess whether or not he's a threat outside of that situation. Bernard said he might have injured himself, so perhaps the infirmary is a good place to start. You'll have to talk to Bernard to get a description. I've never met him."

[3rdtimelucky]

"I haven't either."

She has; she just doesn't know it yet. There's a nod of affirmation for the rest of the details.

"Okay. Friendly it is. No problem on that front."

The dark-edged smirk and the gleam in her cobalt blue is probably enough to let Alanna know that she's quite enthused about the prospect of this potentially dangerous subterfuge action. And she's certainly game.

Messing with Bernard is a high crime, no matter what the circumstance. She intends to turn this guy inside out, if she can.

"Is there anything else I ought to know?"

[a_lioness]

"I've asked other people on security for a description, so if I learn anything, I will pass it on."

She shakes her head, clearly amused despite the seriousness of the matter.

"I feel as if I should warn him," she says dryly. "To give him a sporting chance."

[3rdtimelucky]

Goldy laughs at that, and leans back, breaking the aura of suspicious collusion that had descended around them.

"I'll take that as a compliment. Thank you for your faith in me and my methods."

"I'll play nicely," she assures.

"At least initially, until I get to the bottom of things."

[a_lioness]

Alanna snorts.

"Just don't do anything that's going to get you in trouble," she warns. "I've no wish to lock both of you up."

Business accomplished, Alanna lounges on the comfortable couch and goes back to studying her surroundings.

"I don't care how pregnant I am, if I see Delia, I'm running for the hills."

[3rdtimelucky]

"Don't worry, dear," Goldy chuckles. And it suffices to answer both remarks. "As entertaining as that might be, I'm flying solo this afternoon. You should be safe."

She casts an appraising eye over Alanna's form, and can't help but smirk good-naturedly.

"Seriously though, you really think you could run at this point? Or should? I think we had enough earthquakes around here recently to last us a while."