The 'Collective' Records [Naelona]

[Naelona Ezel]

"It would be most effective." Naelona stated most matter-of-factly. A simple mark or brand, or similar lingering evidence (or lack thereof) would indicate to her exactly how the slave came to arrive in Wonderland, and if there was a mark, she knew more resources than she cared to to find the approximate time the slave arrived, who she was sold to, and numerous other details.

However she couldn't pass by the concept that some slaves lied out both sides of their mouth, and a slave 'off the grid' was a very real threat indeed. "That's exactly why you should bring her to me." Naelona remarked, once Shaehern mentioned said 'malcontents'. The Rebellion - though unusually quiet of late - still posed a threat and if one slave was unrecorded, living outside of the South Wing - more could be as well.

There could be some very solid reasons as to why their gathering locations were still unknown. It was a bit of a shot in the dark, but if this child's reasons for not being in the South Wing where she belonged were as nefarious in origin as Naelona considered to suspect, it would be fully worth her while to check, expel and ensure any such plots were proven false. But if true..? That was for a few others to contend with. The rowdy bunch of brats had already proven one mere boogie with a sharp tongue wouldn't be able to take them.

"Beyond that, investigations have mostly been employed by more.. determined individuals. I've had little to do with nor touched the cause in some time." 'Sick leave' as some may have coined it. Naelona had kept most of her doings and reasons behind them mum, there was nothing horribly relevant about the Rebellion to be had in it at all.

"Take it as you will, Shae, but I will be inquiring about the slave regardless of outcome. Given current tensions it would be unwise to leave this stone unturned. I trust you'll at least inform me of what you find?" Resting her palms upon the table, she looked across to her odd guest. "We cannot deny that this slip may crack the shell we've been chipping at, provided of course that she does exists in the state as you have insisted."

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

This woman seemed to be nothing more than business and pragmatic approaches to life. Honestly, Shaehern was beginning to worry that if he spent too much time here that she'd start rubbing off on him. He could not help but feel that the condition might be contagious. Her suggestions almost seemed to make sense, but there was a snowball's chance in a furnace that Shaehern would actually come to her with the slave child.

It was interesting to hear her talk about concerns about the rebellion once again. Shaehern had begun to wonder if perhaps they had silenced the movement and told no one. After all, a general state of panic did wonders for bureaucratic control of Boogie minds. It also gave Boogies fair reason to be harsher to their slaves, and that was rarely considered a bad thing. It seemed, however, that the concerns of the general public might still be well founded. It was truly a delightful thing.

"There will certainly be questions posed to her once I have her in my grips. I must say, though, I am not expecting to learn much." Part of him already anticipated that when he found her again she would be dead. At least, that was what Shae anticipated if the person playing with his head was nearly as good as he suspected.

Absentmindedly he reached up and started to stroke Zalamel's black feathers. The texture of bird feathers had always been something that intrigued him. These felt like something that was both coarse and soft, and the feeling of breaking or crumpling one in his hand would have made him clench his teeth. For a moment both he and his carrion-eating friend seemed content.

"I figured you'd be curious," Shaehern said with an impish smile. "Part of the reason I came to you is because I had figured you'd understand why I should be concerned with her. Promise you won't tell the others about how I actually do work when no one is looking?" He giggled after that last line, but then his face took on a very serious look. He meant it. He was already making his way to the door to leave, uncertain that he'd care to stay here any longer. A little bit of planning and then some honey wine was sounding more and more attractive with every moment that passed.

[Naelona Ezel]

By contrast to Shaehern's concerns, it was often Naelona who deemed the rest of Boogie civilization as 'contagious' in their senseless madness. Given the right frame of mind, most all things seemed sensible - save motive motivations never did. It was almost as absurd as her cooperating with Shaehern given their respective histories and reputations. All in all, in the end it all pointed to one truth. Anything was possible if you had a big enough snowball.

"It's possible to learn volumes from any slave, given the proper questions." Given - that is - that they actually knew something. The rest sans dutiful servitude were mostly worthless and were better off stuck in the kitchens - and not as the preparers. Almost as on cue, Mar shifted on his tiny paws - but still remained on Nae's desk at her glare of death - and licked his chops, staring at the far door most intently. Ugh, that was right. The familiar had developed a taste for slaves. It wasn't horribly unusual, just bothersome considering the creature never really ate - just snacked.

"Shaehern, it's no secret you don't hold the same interests as I, nor do I pretend to believe you do. Nor should you." Regardless of fronts, implied and concocted, Shae was just too flighty and whimsical for the serious sort of work Naelona had often poured her time into. His giggle wasn't a new sound to her, but the look upon his face as he said it was. It earned him a scrutinizing look. "Don't give me reason to tell, and I'll consider it." Naelona responded after a moment, watching her retreating guest. Mar was starting to chatter quietly for it. "I take it that answers the rest of your questions?"

Either that of her stern nature was getting to him, and he was fleeing to preserve his own distorted version of 'sanity'. Naelona actually snorted at the thought and did little to hide it. It was kind of funny.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

Even in cooperation it seemed that Shaehern and Naelona had very little in common. When he listened to her say something that he felt like he agreed with, he was agreeing with her opinion for a different reason. Slaves were a source of information, but the best information was given when the slaves did not realize they were giving it to you. Questions had a tendency to make them suspicious and Shaehern used such things only as tools to mislead a slave. Maybe he'd have to try being straightforward more often, but it had never paid off before.

Listening to the last words Naelona had for him Shaehern simply nodded in agreement. Really, even if she did tell anyone what he was like when he was serious, he doubted anyone would actually believe her. Still, even a rumor that a few people believed could eventually ruin his reputation in a better scenario. In the worst scenarios the higher ups would become suspicious and he'd be as good as erased. Last thing they needed right now was to worry about someone who could betray them at an inopportune moment.

"I thank you for that," Shaehern said as he took the final steps to leaving her room. Halfway through his fourth step he could not help but pause. The distinctive sound of a snort had come from Naelona behind him. Something like that was terribly uncharacteristic and turned the cogs in Shaehern's head. Curiosity demanded that he try to pry before leaving.

He turned around and drifted a little ways back into the room. "Amusement in the solemn leads to bemusement in the jovial. Is there a thought you'd care to share?" He tried to restrain himself, but his voice came out in halfway between his serious tone and his sing-song tone.