Gathering Intelligence [OTA]

[spookinasuit]

I've walked through this strange little town a few times now and I have no clue how it works. I really don't seem able to leave, though where I'd go if I could is a mystery to me anyway. Not even the stars at night gave me a proper idea of where I am. I hope to find someone with better intel at some point

Comments

[im_urvenus]

How about the tea shoppe?! Its doors are open, music playing, more Kylie of course, and Felecia, dressed for spring what she likes to call her colonial outfit, is bustling about, doing a lot of nothing, really, but looking quite busy. Hee!

[spookinasuit]

The music coming out the open doors of the tea shop lures me closer. It's not my kind of music, really, but combined with the open doors it feels friendly and inviting. I'm usually a coffee drinker, but every once in a while I like the odd foreign blend, something exotic, so I decide to see what's on offer. And whom I'll meet inside.

I step in and look around. The shop isn't so much a surprise, but the person bustling about inside definitely is. But I do not show my surprise, I smile and nod in greeting.

"Good morning!"

[im_urvenus]

"Isn't it just?!" Felecia said that even as she turned about.

See?! She'd been right when she'd told John that most of the village was good looking!

"Tea and scone? Come, come!" She gestured toward the seats at the counter. "Stay! Eat! Drink!"

[spookinasuit]

A cheery person! I usually don't see many of those. And if we can add 'Chat!' to that list, I'm game. I'm here for a reason beyond tea after all.

I step closer as I'm being waved over. "I'm afraid I've only just had breakfast so a scone would be too much." Going for a regretful smile with that statement. "But there's always room for a good cup of tea. And you do seem to have quite a selection in here. Anything you'd recommend?"

[fatale_bridget]

The jewelry shop in town is decorated in art nouveau style, beveled cut glass in the door, swirling wood carvings, tiffany stained glass shades on the lamps -- the whole place a tribute to the years around the turn of the twentieth century, but the security, what's visible anyway, is state of the art.

Some of the jewelry is also antique, and some quite modern. The young woman behind the counter is the same, her hair style, make-up scheme, and clothing are old-fashioned but the confident competence with which she handles the modern electronics, and sharp analyzing once over she gives to anyone who walks in aren't. The sharp gaze is gone in a moment, and her face assumes a nearly innocent look like a canny actress playing the ingenue shopgirl role and the director has just said 'action!'.l

"Hello. Welcome to Black Falcon jewels. Are you looking for something special, or just browsing?"

[spookinasuit]

Noticing when someone's checking me out is second nature, so of course I notice it though the young woman at the counter hides it immediately.

"Just browsing," I tell her with a smile and dutifully let my eyes roam around the place. It takes a moment before I notice the pretty high security. Or rather until it registers on my mind, it feels right that a jewelry shop has it. It seems out of place compared to what the village looks like just outside the door, though.

I look back at her for a moment. "It's an interesting name, Black Falcon. Is there a story to it?" Back to looking at some items on display while I wait for her reply.

[fatale_bridget]

Why yes indeed, there is a story. She's not about to tell it however -- not to someone who sets her cop or private dick, or something alarm bells off. She looks down, straightening some items in the case to hide any tells in her face.

"The village named it. There used to be a statue of a black bird there," she points to a pedestal behind her.

"I gave it away." There's a vase of flowers on the pedestal now.

[spookinasuit]

"Flowers make for a friendlier approach I suppose. Better for business?" I keep my tone of voice light, just making small talk while I look at a bracelet. It reminds me of mother somehow though I swear she has none like it.