(Untitled)

[cutting_edgex23]

After the plastic baggies have been obtained, and the camera, and several rolls of film (or rather memory cards) have been consumed in photographing the murder scene

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[a_lioness]

It strikes Alanna, halfway through a large gulp of rapidly cooling coffee, that she should probably tell Adam, George and others that she's not going to be back tonight.

At least she gave Grace the necklace before she decided she couldn't stand another moment without a hot shower, and disappeared again.

Alanna shakes her head, closes her eyes and attempts to focus. "We should clear off the office notice board and devote it to this, for now."

They'll need the space. And she'll need more coffee.

[cutting_edgex23]

X takes a sip of milk, then nods.

"It will be more efficient."

Beat.

"When there is more information."

[a_lioness]

Blowing out a breath, Alanna reaches across the table for a pen and slides the pad of paper between them.

"Attention Security."

That seems a good way to start.

"Tonight, a body was discovered in the woods by Claire Bennet, a patron." Beat. "How is your handwriting, X?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X half-frowns.

"It is legible."

Beat.

"That is relevant?"

[a_lioness]

"It's going to be a long note. These types of pens make my hand cramp."

Also, legible is the best compliment she can give her own handwriting and this isn't a case for hoping everyone else will be able to decipher it.

But she starts the note anyway, biting her lip as she writes.

"The victim has been identified, by Claire, as West Rosen. He's from her world."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Oh."

Beat.

"I do not get cramps."

If that is relevant.

X falls silent again for a few moments, considering.

"We should list the injuries? And the evidence."

Like the cupcake.

[a_lioness]

Giving an absent nod as she writes The corpse was in many pieces when we arrived, Alanna then slides paper and pen over to X.

"You'll give a better account of his injuries."

She signals a wait rat for more coffee and some bread.

Definitely no cupcakes.

[cutting_edgex23]

X accepts the pen and paper, frowning slightly before starting her list.

It is a very long list. Not least because most of the major muscle groups were nowhere to be found.

"There are doctors here that you trust?"

X does not really know any. (Or trust any.)

[a_lioness]

Alanna's smile is rueful.

"I trust healers. Doctors are another matter entirely," she states. "But I think everyone employed by the infirmary is competent."

[cutting_edgex23]

X considers that, too -- even in the midst of making out her painstaking list.

"That is not the same thing."

[a_lioness]

"I'd trust the infirmary doctors to handle the situation well," she tries again.

Inspired, she snatches a new sheet of paper and begins making notes on what they need to happen.

- A doctor needs to examine the body.
- The scene needs to be preserved and perhaps hidden, until all evidence is collected. Magic?
- Mages from different worlds need to check for magical influences and damage.
- What do we do with the body?

[cutting_edgex23]

X pauses, flicking a glance at Alanna's list.

And after a moment --

"There is not a way to send a body back? In case it is problematic."

Beat.

"For Claire."

[a_lioness]

"Once we figure out who murdered him," Alanna decides after some consideration, "we can release the body."

For now he is a crucial piece (pieces?) of evidence.

"Until then, however... he will smell."

He already does.

[cutting_edgex23]

X's nostrils flare at the memory.

"There are preservation spells?"

She does not sound very hopeful.

It is not much of a change.

[a_lioness]

X's question brings to mind Thom's last few weeks of life, and the way Roger had appeared when she'd first seen him, post-resurrection.

The image startles a somewhat inappropriate laugh out of her.

"Apologies." Beat. "That goes on our list. In the meantime, I'll think on it."

[cutting_edgex23]

"It is okay," X says.

She is not sure what else to say.

Then she goes back to writing out all the injuries.