(Untitled)

[becareful_boyo]

[The morning after thisLate to bed and early to rise, Abigail is bright-eyed and smiling, evidently quite pleased with herself, and sweeping the floor with a bounce in her step that hasn't been there in quite some time. Thomas had blinked in surprise when her usual morning grunt of greeting had been followed by a quick, sisterly hug of affection

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[k_in_black]

And just as casual as you please, in come two men dressed... not from around here.

And yet, strangely enough, somehow those black suits seem to fit right in. Funny that.

One of the men is tall and thin. The other is somewhat shorter and quite a bit wider.

They both give the common room of the tavern a lightning-quick glance, but it's the tall one who looks back at her first and gives her a smile.

"Good morning, Ma'am, and how are you on this fine day?"

[becareful_boyo]

"Grand," Abigail answers easily, a breezy, carefree quality to her voice. She still hasn't taken her eyes off her work, but she's aware of the strangers' location and of the fact that they are strangers; the accents give it away before the clothes can. "And you, gents?"

An expert flick of her broom sends a dust pile into the hearth. Abigail lifts her head and fixes a welcoming smile on her face, hand resting on her hip. She presents a clear enough picture: friendly, calm, but inherently no-nonsense.

[k_in_black]

Truth be told, K has always had a soft spot for no-nonsense women. Probably that Texas upbringing he got, and just a look at this woman suggests she could meet even that high standard.

Hell, setting thing's straight here should be as easy as falling off a Terrassian Grease Cannon.

"Well, Ma'am, this tavern came highly recommended, and since we had some business in the area--." K stops, his eyes widen just a bit. "Now I wouldn't be smelling some fresh-baked bread, would I?"

From the tone in his voice, you'd think he hadn't had fresh bread since the very day his sainted momma left this mortal plane.

The rounder one is rolling his eyes at that, but it's hard to tell because he keeps glancing under all the tables, as if looking for someone who might have sneaked under them, trying to hide from whatever justice he's got coming.

[becareful_boyo]

Abigail's direct gaze stays on the taller, charming one while she notices, in her peripheral vision and from a bone deep awareness of every corner and object in this room, what the other man is doing.

It doesn't set off any warning bells. Not yet. They've had worse from Old Keven on nights his wife kicks him out and he gets overly familiar with their ale supply.

"That it would," she agrees at last. "You're early for most, but pull up a chair." She's feeling magnanimous today. "Anythin' to go with it?"

She raises an eyebrow at the shorter man. It says: I see you. I see what you're doing. Sit down.

[k_in_black]

The shorter one's doesn't seem to take the slightest notice until the tall one makes a gesture at him. There's a split second of annoyance on his face, but then a game face comes over him too, and he takes a seat beside the tall one who's looking pleased as punch.

"Hope we're not imposing. But I have to say, some of that bread with maybe some jam, if you have it, why that would take me back."

"Looks like you're having a good day yourself, if you don't mind my saying so."

Not that K isn't capable of pulling this off under any circumstances, but the bread actually does smell like heaven.

[becareful_boyo]

"Imposin'?" Abigail throws her head back and laughs. "Mindin' your manners," another pointed look, followed by a smile, for the shorter man, "and askin' nicely? Aye, it's all grand."

She shakes her head, still laughing softly, and disappears through a door by the bar.

[bring_a_sponge]

"What the hell are you doing?" Zed growls.

K looks at him with mild surprise. "Managing contact with a civilian while in the field. What do you think I'm doing?"

Zed gestures at the kitchen door. "She's a known associate of Milliways patrons. How's that make her a civilian?"

He glowers. "More like a goddamn accomplice."

[becareful_boyo]

Abigail is humming again when she returns, having replaced the broom with a loaf of bread on a carved rectangular piece of wood in one hand and a jar in the other. Both are set before her early morning visitors.

"There's that, then. It's grape. Everythin' is grape or apple 'round these parts."

She nods and walks to the bar, rummaging for two metal plates and a knife for the jam. Her ears are perked, in case the strangers decide to speak of anything interesting, but there's only so long she can tarry before bringing them their supplies.

"What's your business?" she asks conversationally, putting down the plates and offering the charming one the knife.

[k_in_black]

"Recovering an important item, actually."

"We've been sent by our guild on a special mission to get it back. We don't want anyone getting hurt, you see."

Needless to say, K delivers this news with all the gravity of a Very Important Servant of All Laws That are Good and Proper.

"Now you wouldn't have happened to see it, would you? About this long, sort of a silvery finish?"

The rounder one is definitely starting to look a bit impatient.

[becareful_boyo]

Abigail nods in a serious fashion, suggesting she approves of people not being hurt, especially people she knows.

"Hmmmm." She leans forward slightly. "No. I've not noticed any misplaced daggers or throwing knives," she tells him, smiling with as much charm as he exhibited earlier.

[k_in_black]

"Not actually a dagger or knife, Ma'am," K replies. "More like a cylinder."

K, font of all patience, goes on to provide a damn near photographic description.

Zed looks already convinced she's full of it.

[becareful_boyo]

"Ahhhhhh."

Abigail nods again.

Several seconds pass.

"What makes you think we'd have such a thing here, then?"

[bring_a_sponge]

"A very reasonable question, Ma'am," K replies, rather impressed with her quick wittedness. "You see--."

"Because that maniac, otherwise known as your PSYCHOTIC boyfriend's brother--," Zed finally explodes, "--activated the goddamn thing on multiple occasions last night!"

"Right about...." He stabs the air past K's shoulder. "There!"

Oh shit, K shuts his eyes. Here we go.

[becareful_boyo]

Eyes still on the charmer, Abigail turns her head toward the other at his outburst.

She fails to look either surprised or concerned.

"Mithros, that's powerful magecraft, that is!" she replies, swinging her gaze toward the area the growly one indicated, eyebrows climbing up her forehead. Then: "Which brother would that be? He's got three, you know. And a mess of adopted family. Me, I'm happy with the ones the Goddess saddled me with from the start."

[k_in_black]

"Begging your pardon, Ma'am," K jumps in as Zed sucks in a huge breath for his next outburst. "I believe my colleague was referring to Michaelangelo."

"Mike had the best of intentions, I'm sure, but whatever he was doing here last night, he really shouldn't have been using M.I.B.--that is, our guild's--property while he was doing it."

"GODDAMN MENTAL CASE--!" Looks like Zed's got his air back.

[becareful_boyo]

"Abigail," she offers. This one she likes. The other's temper is a bit grating on such a pleasant morning. "Aye, that one's addle-brained but means well. They all do. Doesn't mean they should meddle in affairs that don't concern them, mind."

Calmly, she pulls an eating knife from the waist of her apron and begins slicing the bread.

"Here, now." A steady look at Sir Irate. "Eat while it's hot."

Honestly, the triplets weren't even this fussy when they were younger.

"Apologies 'bout your missing property, but I can promise you coves no Michaelangelo left here last night or this morning." She smirks. "And there's no use talkin' of guilds. I know where you're from."