Sounds of Resolution

[Naelona Ezel]

It was all the noise that filled the hallway, echoing in her wake was the soft footfalls of broken-in shoes. Naelona typically didn't frequent these parts of the Palace. While business was being set aside for a better time, this particular piece couldn't be left to wait longer than it already had. As it stood it should have been attended to and corrected over a week ago. Considering Naelona had been gone during that time, no progress could have been made. Yet like what could be said of all backlogged, important matters: there was nothing like the present.

Naelona still wasn't quite up to par yet. She still wore her characteristic black attire along with a warm thick gray shawl wrapped about her shoulders, folded neatly at the front. Only part of her hair was pinned back, the rest was left do lay as it pleased. Fashioning a neatly made bun had been too much work this morning. Not five steps behind Mar follow its Mistress loyally. It was a first in a long time for the familiar, but even the squirrel monkey seemed to have the sense not to desert her. That was how people vanished, after all.

Nearing a door Naelona paused long enough to pass a smoldering pipe from one had to the other, wrapping her knuckles solidly upon the closed door. Even Mar had the sense not to make a needless racket and hopped up upon Naelona's shoulder, abiding in the silence of the passageway. It wasn't everyday that Naelona sought out Iugo. Actually for the most part he was a boogie she preferred not to interact with. It was just an aura some beings had, and so Iugo also possessed it. Despite it all here she was tapping one finger impatiently upon the end of a spare pipe she had, concluding he should hurry up and answer the door while considering the boogie might not be there at all. The Ezel had presumed he would be within the labs after all. It wasn't something she knew for sure.

An oversight for sure.

[Doctor Nationis]

Night and day had blended into a mesh of pointless numbers and sayings. Noon could mean bed time while midnight could mean it was time to get breakfast. The doctor had not held himself together very well after his last encounter with Jasmine. Her exit was most... displeasing. At this moment Iugo was missing his jacket, revealing his messy white shirt, splotches of blood from his recent work decorating it. One sleeve was in it's proper place, though wrinkly from sleeping, the other rolled up to his pale elbow. The dark slacks that covered his legs were creased and well used, as the boogie rolled over on the table, hunks of decaying meat next to him from last night... yesterday morning?

The boogie slowly opened his eyes and saw a blurry world. His glasses were missing but that didn't concern him. A rapping at his door? Damn right it was his door... And his lab! Turning on his other side, it looked as if he had gone back to sleep. A moments pause ad Iugo growled to himself, picking himself up, looking angrily at the door. The offender was on the other side. Another growl joined him, causing Iugo to look over to the shadows, Loki standing up from his nest made from clothing of the dead. The panther was also sleeping, dreaming of catching a large bird and devouring it. "Calm down," Iugo muttered, forcing himself to sit up.

Iugo remained still once more, waiting out the sleep that still tried to embrace him. Swinging his legs over the side of the table, Iugo eased himself down, immediately wincing as he did so, grabbing his leg in pain. His stupid leg... A hand dove into his pocket and retrieved a bottle, rattling as he tore the top off and poured the remaining four pills into his mouth. With a mighty swallow, he downed the medicine. Still grasping his leg in pain, Iugo used the table to pick himself up. Loki had seen the trouble and was kind enough to pick up the dark wood cane and offer it to Iugo. Giving the large cat a quick smile of gratitude, the doctor mentally patted himself on the back, glad that Loki had wandered back. Screw Jasmine and her fears.

Limping to the stairs, he sighed, taking the stairs at his slow pace. So help them if the one knocking was not at the door when he got there... After his adventure up the short flight Iugo phased through the door, not even attempting to open it or announce his presence. In an instant he recognized Naelona, standing less than a foot away from him when he solidified. "What?" Iugo snapped, his response and mannerism more curt than usual.

[Naelona Ezel]

Iugo's sudden appearance startled Naelona. His characteristic irritance multiplied by her fatigued state only magnified the effect for her poor senses. Shutting her eyes for several moments, Naelona allowed her senses to regain their footing again before continuing. Glancing over the obviously upset and messy doctor, the woman regarded him silently. He seemed the sort to always be in some sort of mess, however this didn't quite match her known image of messes he was prone to.

"I've come to discuss with you a matter of importance concerning certain slaves and their immediate and future existence, Mr. Nationis." The boogie began to wonder what was on the other side of the door. What scene was lying captive within this particular lab, devoid of the gracing witnessing by her eyes.

"Give your.. relaxed state, I must therefor presume you have time for such a matter. Shall we?" It was less of an offer and more of an insistence as the boogie indicated they open the door and go in for a time. This certainly wouldn't be a short and simple thirty-second matter. Even Mar was unusually quiet for the time being, watching the mad boogieman from behind Naelona's shoulder. At least one of them had the sense to stay out of the main line of sight.

[Doctor Nationis]

The chocolate colored eyes watched Naelona, reveling in her unpleasant surprise. "Doctor," Iugo had growled, correcting her when she misspoke his title. How many times had he heard her say that? He may not have had the degree like those lousy humans, but he was more qualified to cut open someone and have the opportunity to fix what could be fatal. It was a choice to instead watch them suffer. Speaking of suffering and unrest... Naelona did not look quite herself. Iugo honestly did not spend enough time with her to be able to point out the small flaws in her normally perfect appearance, but then again... why did he care?

"Business then?" Iugo asked, leaning closer to Naelona, his cold gazed unfaltering. He allowed a few moments of silence to pass between them before standing up straight again. "I have nothing better to do. Please do grace me with your gracious presence and some shit..." The boogie muttered, though audible to the woman before him. Turning slowly the doctor made his way through the door, again utilizing his talent to avoid the annoying laws of physics. A click came from the door, now unlocked and free to be opened as Naelona chose.

Half way down the stairs, Iugo began speaking again. "Don't mind the mess." It was far from as horrid as his escapade of insanity months ago, but it was still a gruesome sight to the weak of heart. Eyes and ears and mouths and a nose lay about, all fresh. Was it from last night? Picking up an eyeball, the doctor examined it as he neared the end of the stairs. A green eye... That was yesterday. What time was it? Bah, semantics...

As Iugo picked his way to the table he once lay, Loki padded toward the stairs, looking up at the door way. Obviously there was a guest approaching. A woman he had not seen before. And a delicious looking monkey... squirrel? A perfect blend of the two meats? The large cat's tail swished left and right. It could be seen as a playful act, but those that knew of Loki or his past would know that his sense of play was nothing to be taken lightly.

The doctor made it to the table where he slept. Only a few bits of miscellaneous meats lay about and were quickly brushed aside to make more room for the doctor. Laying the cane down on the table, Iugo braced himself for a moment before using his arms and good leg to hop and turn himself around. A hand idly searched for a pack of cigarettes, but it seems that his last trip to the human world had left out an important item. Iugo would continue looking for something, either a half used cigarette or more pills, until Naelona decided to speak.

[Naelona Ezel]

Opening the door Naelona followed the doctor into the lab, wrinkling her nose as the sudden stench that assaulted her senses. Not all of it was unpleasant - they were boogies after all - but much of it was far past it's ideal state of usability in her opinion. If much of anything could be left at all. Some boogies did like dishes prepared with odd things like ears and noses, it was some strange fascination that Naelona had never quite caught and to this day still eluded her.

Following in towards the table Naelona paused briefly to look at Loki. The creature seemed familiar.. and some thought suggested she had seen it before. It certainly wasn't Iugo's familiar, yet all the same Naelona couldn't quite place who the beast belonged to either. "You had a visitor, or still have one?" Naelona remarked, eyes scanning across the room for the other boogie she presumed must be near.

"The matter I have come to discuss with you concerns a certain slave of note. Unfortunate circumstances has put her in my temporary custody and a distinct lack of paperwork has pointed no clear direction of resolution. There are only a few names to go by and yours is one of them." The other had still been completely elusive. Time was ticking by and too much had passed without leads. The slave would simply be sent off to be auctioned if nothing came to light. This was merely to find if she were to be sent off to be sold, or if some previous legality would rid the woman of her even sooner.

Standing just a leg's length away from the table Naelona observed the doctor with nothing short of a serious and all business expression. "Do tell me what you know of a Piper Wren, Nationis. I'd much rather be rid of this issue sooner than later." Iugo was a name the girl had almost failed to mention, but it was a name Naelona had learned of none-the-less. Drumming her fingers impatiently against her arm, the boogie watched the mad doctor, waiting for a response.

[Doctor Nationis]

Sure, she was judging his home. Let her look down at his messy tables and floors. They were all great meals. The chocolate eyes carefully watched her descend the stairs. It had been so long ago since she last visited. He had not been here a whole day and she came to introduce herself. Even then she did not like him. It was wonderful to know true friendships never changed. As she made it to the bottom, he found the empty bottle of pills in his pocket. Frowning at it, he tossed it aside, close enough for a playful Loki to slap a huge paw on it and drag it in for further playing.

At the mention of someone having visited Iugo only thought of Jasmine. Did Naelona know of this?! Anger welled up quickly, visibly evident. Fists clenched, Iugo managed a reply in a cooler tone than how he obviously felt. "Visitor, Naelona? You must have me mistaken for another boogie. No one who visits me here leaves unmarked." A hint of a threat was in his voice, glaring daggers into the woman a strike away. This Ezel always knew too much for her own good. He would do Wonderland a favor to get rid of this stickler. The monkey-thing would try and stop him, if it was brave enough to stay, but Loki could have another meal along with the doctor.

The insane rage subsided as his eyes followed Naelona's, resting on Loki. An aggravated sigh escaped his lips before Iugo returned his full attention to Naelona. "There is no other boogie. Just me and Loki. Drop the subject," He warned, before sitting back, using his arms to keep most of the strain off his back. She then spoke of legalities. Iugo did not focus on every word she said, but it would appear he did so. In fact, Iugo almost let his mind wander completely until a familiar name came up. Piper Wren.

"Oh, my slave?" He asked, the hostility leaving his voice. "I know that I found her outside the music lounge over a year ago. I kept a loose hold over her, as she was really my first human I owned. She remained in a dormitory with other humans and had no chores. Tristan came and interfered with my master-slave relation multiple times." At the mention of this man, Iugo's expression darkened significantly. "In fact, he is the reason Piper is still not in my custody. One day I took her to the Widow's Trap, as ever boogie is entitled to. Before I even began to start my lessons in obidence, that bastard flew in, tore the door off the room we occupied, and ripped her from her bonds."

Hoping off the table, Iugo buckled under the weight of his weak leg, but ignored it as he moved closer to Naelona, a dark determination set in his eyes as he placed his face inches from her own. "Tristan Blackthorne stole that bitch away from me," The doctor went on, a rough hand grabbing her by the shoulder before she could move away. "I own her, Miss Ezel. And if I do not get her back in my possession after the thief has died then I will make sure no one has her. Understood?!"

[Naelona Ezel]

"Indeed Iugo." Gray eyes narrowed at his hostility. This was going to be an interesting visitation, she could tell that already. "I was remarking on the fact as this creature is a familiar, it certainly isn't yours." Iugo had some little.. malformed.. thing.. Loki was something different. Looking to the beast for a moment the boogie tried placing it, but for the moment couldn't. Regardless she'd drop the subject as he requested. It wasn't the reason for her visit, after all.

Hearing Iugo's side of the tale procured several notable points to be aware of within her mind. Evidently this was something Mr. Nationis was par ill over with contempt for the recent past. The level of hostility was uncalled for, but not all had the calm and restraint the Ezel possessed. It was something she did well pride herself upon.

"Then take a hold of yourself then Iugo, and not the proprietor of legal matters." It was a warning if there ever was one. The Ezel never had responded well to threats. "Do you want this to be resolved, or not?" Yanking backwards from his grasp the skin of her shoulder crawled beneath the fabric from the contact. Walking past the doctor she looked at some of the jars uninterestedly, if anything to buy her a few needed moments to calm her startled chest. She hated contact. How difficult was it to understand this?

"I understand fully well, Nationis, that is why I am here. Now, listen and heed me. Upon Tristan's death I was left with the responsibility of absolving the matter of his belongings - including those of his slaves, which I was lead to believe were rightfully his. Now - hear me before you speak." Holding his tongue might not be one of his strong points, but silencing the Ezel before she was finished could only delay the matter longer. These matters did have a proper form to follow before they could be resolved, after all.

"I am aware he had an extensive history of slave interference, and needed your account on the matter - hence I am here. You are fortunate she has a good memory, or I would not be here. Now then, there is a considerable lack of paperwork and documentation from either of you. I have no doubt your claim precedes Mr. Blackthorne's, and by right - barring that another hasn't filed paperwork upon her in the meanwhile - she should be returned to you shortly."

"Have you any questions?" It would do ill if she continued and Iugo became lost along the way, or worse misunderstand her altogether. Currently Piper was in Nae's possession, technically. It was a promise that kept the girl there, but if there was a loophole she could use Naelona would be glad to be rid of her. Nae suddenly paused, frowning at one of the jars. That.. didn't look human at all. Disgusting.