(Untitled)

[a_lioness]

[OOM: Before a startling proclamation is read, Jon informs his champion of its contents. She definitely approves.]

Having a dream come true is wonderful.

Having another dream come true might be an embarrassment of riches, Alanna thinks as she shoves open the door with her shoulder, wearing full court dress and a distinctly smug smile. (Or, if

Comments

[vs_nuggan]

"Oh, is that the arm from the note, Sir Alanna?"

Shufti peers at it over Alanna's shoulder. "Does this mean the creature is disarmed?"

[a_lioness]

After offering a quick, welcoming smile, Alanna stares intently at the arm for longer than the question truly warrants.

"At least partially," she answers at last, voice grave. And then her lips twitch. "I don't know how many it has left."

Ah, wine.

"This creature makes people disappear?" she frowns.

[vs_nuggan]

"It sounds like it, though I haven't any new information, sorry." Shufti smiles back.

"Have you touched it?"

[a_lioness]

"...no. And now I'm not sure I should," she confesses, with a laugh. "Has anyone else?"

Picking up a spoon, she holds it like a dagger and makes like she's going to poke the arm.

[vs_nuggan]

"You're the first I've seen with it. I was wondering if the arm alone is enough to make people disappear, or whether the angel has to be whole or want it."

[a_lioness]

"Good questions."

Holding up a finger, she asks Bar for a glass of water and splashes her face. After scrubbing a hand over damp eyes, she takes a deep breath and forces herself to focus.

"Sorry. Celebratory wine." A faint smile. "I don't know much about what's going on. I've been needed at home. Is it only one statue, or are there more?"

[vs_nuggan]

"The note says 'One of the creatures'." Shufti says thoughtfully. "So that would suggest more."

Beat.

"Do only people disappear, or do objects disappear as well?"

[a_lioness]

Alanna turns over the note and examines it closely. After a moment she's forced to admit, "So it does."

She looks thoughtful.

"I don't know." A pause. "What interests me most is why Elda didn't. She battled it. From what I've heard, she's the first who has really managed to do so."

[vs_nuggan]

Shufti thinks for a moment.

"Nor did Bar. Or the table. Maybe it only works on humans. Or did Elda not touch it directly?"

[a_lioness]

Alanna shrugs, looking up briefly before returning her attention to the arm.

"Magic," she breathes. "They must be vulnerable to magic. Whether or not human magic works, however...

"Have any dead people disappeared?"

[vs_nuggan]

"I don't know, sorry." Shufti looks a little embarrassed. "I haven't had anything to contribute to this case really, like witnesses or anything, I've just been thinking. It wasn't actually why I came over, but it's important and interesting all the same."

She looks at the arm. "Do we know where they go? I mean... maybe we could drop meat on it. Not human meat obviously, but it would be dead non-magic tissue."

[a_lioness]

"There's no reason to apologize," Alanna quickly assures her, flashing a rueful smile. "You undoubtedly know more than I."

Another shrug.

"Not a bad idea. Perhaps we should check with the others, though the worst that could probably happen is that someone in some world gets a steak dropped on their head."

[vs_nuggan]

Shufti nods.

"Okay, I'll keep an eye on things, and if there's anything you want me to do or try and find out, let me know."

Slightly shy smile. "I was wondering if I could ask you something please? Unrelated to this."

[a_lioness]

"I'll leave a note in the office," she decides, then squints at the piece of paper beside her hand. "Once I've had some coffee."

Forget what she was thinking about loving Gary and Raoul; next time she sees them, she's beating them up.

"Certainly."

She gives Shufti her full attention.

[vs_nuggan]

"Um... I'm pregnant, but I'd like to stay on Security if it's allowed. I remembered Suzi saying you stayed on when you were expecting. What should I do?"

[a_lioness]

Alanna beams.

"Congratulations," she exclaims, cheerfully putting the stone arm out of mind. "You certainly won't be fired or anything like that. Do as much as you can or you want, and when you no longer feel comfortable working, just let us know. I trust you to know your own body, and what's best for your baby."