The Broom Closet? [Miriam]

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

"What an... absolutely fascinating residence," Shaehern muttered to himself, trying to make himself comfortable as he could manage in what was essentially a glorified hole in the wall with a door. Two colored flames (yellow and orange) provided some dim illumination by which he could faintly see a shoddy living space. He had set himself down on what he assumed to be the bed as he held something quietly in his hands. It was truly a miracle that the little creature had not bit him yet, though that fortune may have had something to do with the crackers he had used as a peace offering. The little rodent was, in a word: adorable. He'd almost feel bad should he decide to offer it as a snack for Zalamel.

Today he was wrapped in blue robes and the majority of his accessories were silver. His favorite piece of this outfit were the wing-shaped earrings, each pointed downwards and about the length of his pinkie finger. For a change of style his hair was pulled back into a braid and tied with a violet strip of cloth.

Looking back it seemed very odd how he had discovered this place. It was by chance that a wisp had encountered the room while following a name it had been given to investigate. The name belonged to a little slave girl who had inspired a desire to steal her away in the wisteria-skinned Boogie.

In order to steal a slave properly one first had to acquire accurate intelligence on them. There was crucial information that Shaehern was lacking, the most glaringly obvious of which had been owner. Residence had also seemed to be lacking, though he had not been trying very hard to find it. This room, essentially a modified closet space, suggested quite a peculiar or strained lifestyle.

A green wisp rushed through a wall and into Shaehern's face. He dismissed his creation without a second thought. It was the sign that the target had moved position. If he was right she'd be back here in a few short moments. "Keep it quiet now, Zal," he muttered to the raven perched above his head. "Things are about to get interesting."

[Miriam]

After a long spring day, nothing quite delighted the spirits as a nice hot bath. Eyes shut in the midst of a cheery grin Miriam dunked herself back under the water, scrubbing out her hair and bobbing back to the surface. It was an odd hour for the pseudo-slave to be up, awake and about but this was one of the few times she could actually safely bathe and keep her secrets too, even if only by the feeble light of a small lamp.

"Ahh now I can sleep!" she chirped happily, swimming (quite literally) her way and climbing out. Patting herself down with a worn towel, the girl cast a quick glance around before piling her hair into the towel and squeezing the water from that as well. For a few moments her back was bare to the room, and with it the line pair of scale that banked the sides of her spine. Miriam worked quickly, and just as soon as she could her hair covered her again and the girl dressed in a simple robe. Typical slave quality, it really wasn't much, but it covered enough to get her safely back to her room.

Miriam couldn't quite be quiet enough, nor cautious enough peering from the bath door with her old clothes over her arm. Turning down the wick of the small (albeit partially broken) lamp she'd brought with her, and making a mad sprint down towards the South Wing - and right past it - to her own little hidden-away room. "Chiki.." Her soft voice called for her small familiar, a little white mouse she otherwise kept with her most all times. "Peach blossom...?"

The child had arrived at - for most purposes - looked like an empty hall, talking too a small closet door. After a moment the handle turned and Miriam went in, closing it softly behind, minding to let the door seem as old, worn, and unused as it ever had been. Once in she tossed her small stack of clothes aside while moving a short stool in the dark, stepping upon it while turning up the lamp to hang it upon a small hook that dangled from the ceiling. "Chi~ ah!" Having started to call for her familiar it turned into a muffled squeak. Miriam stumbled backwards, staring wide eyed at the boogie in her tiny room as the lamp swung haphazardly above their heads.

Her first thoughts were that her hair was down properly, and the second was to clutch the bathrobe and ensure it'd stayed in place from her impromptu flailing. "Who.. how..?" She squeaked, looking as startled as she felt. She recognized this boogie, she'd seen him in the orchards. Clutching the neck of her gown to her tiny little neck she made a quick bow instead. "What brings you here, Sir?" One of many questions racing through her little head.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

There were numerous ways to describe this particular situation and Shaehern could simply not decide which of them fit the bill best. Was it more like a canary who just realized a cat was in the cage with her? Or was it closer to compare it with a child who had just recoiled from a snake resting on the ground. Either way, his presence had made this one apparently very uncomfortable.

Looking down at his folded hands he felt the little rodent trying to burst forth. So cute was the creature and its attempts to escape to the little girl that he allowed it free. Better than having it bite him trying to get out. The little beasts were tiny, but had quite a powerful set of jaws considering their size.

All surprises considering it looked as though the girl was handling it quite well. "I was most curious as to why a girl like yourself would choose to live in such a peculiar room. I'm not terribly familiar with slave boarding strategies, but I'm fairly certain that we grant more spacious accommodations than this. Then again, this was certainly much more private, but why should a slave care about privacy in a place such as this? Wasn't the advantage of numbers in personal living space a much better advantage in case, say, a Boogie came by to visit?

"It's Shaehern, in case you forgot from that one night in the orchard. I took a special interest in you at that time, and for a while I thought I'd make you one of mine." There had certainly been complications in dealing with how to purchase (or steal) this slave, though. Namely that he seemed to be having issues finding out her owner, her residence, and most everything else. In many ways it was like she did not exist. Of course he had not checked the most rigorous of lists (dealing with Naelona was a challenge of a different sort) or he might have found something there.

[Miriam]

Chiki wasted no time bounding away from the strange boogie and into the girl's tiny hands. With a muted giggle she picked up and nuzzled the mouse a moment, a simple joy to her startled little heart. Setting he mouse upon a shelf the little rodent scurried away from sight as Miriam glanced cautiously back to Shaehern and his raven familiar.

"I live here.. because it's where I live." Miriam answered simply. Slaves didn't have choices. They didn't pick their quarters, they were merely given a place to sleep, and so a boogie had given her this place to stay. Never mind that 'that' boogie had been herself.. few even knew of this space in the wall. It bothered her little mind to consider how this boogie had found it. If one did.. there were bound to be more.

"Of course, Mr. Shaehern, I remember." She said with another mute nod of her head, clasping her hands back to her robe. If only he didn't! She couldn't forget.. she'd given her name as Chiki at that time as well. "I took a special interest in you at that time, and for a while I thought I'd make you one of mine." His words chilled her. Anyone's interest in her was the last thing she wanted from anyone! Be nice if he'd just hurry up and leave, then she could dress, maybe do a few chores to ease her mind and then go sleep.

"I don't understand why I'd merit your attention, Sir." Miriam said quietly, watching Shae's familiar with as much alertness as though it might try to devour her, fidgeting a little where she stood. Hopefully this visit would be short.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

This one had an interesting way of answering questions. She lived here because it was where she lived? It was enough to make him crack a smile as a lighthearted chortle issued from his mouth. Zal did not seem nearly as amused and he issued forth a solemn caw as he preened his feathers. It brought Shae back to the reason he had come here.

"The reason I am here, Chiki, is because you warrant some interest. To speak in an earnest fashion, I like to keep my eyes on the flow of information in Wonderland. I investigate those individuals I encounter and I take my pick of the crop." He found this one so terribly interesting simply because she had been so difficult to track. Otherwise she was rather plain and uninteresting and Shaehern still reserved the right to grow disinterested with her. Would anyone miss her passing if he did? Shaehern had to believe that they would a great deal or it would pass unobserved.

"You seem the type to enjoy when the deal is straight to the point, so I'd like to ask my questions. Who do I speak to if I want to negotiate your slave terms?"

[Miriam]

Zal made her nervous. Not so much in the 'it might attack and peck my eyes out!' way but more so for Chiki's sake. The little mouse was safely out of sight, and as far to Miriam's knowledge probably scurrying about through the walls towards the South Wing. That helped to calm her nerves - at least a little.

Clasping her small hands together Miriam listened quietly, her little thoughts aflutter. She'd made it a practice of keeping out of sight, and literally out of mind for some time now. It wasn't the first time some boogie and posed interest in owning her, but it still terrified her poor little brain all the same. Boogies were scary, big, mean creatures. And this little mess was quickly making Shae into one of the scariest of them.

What could she answer? She didn't serve anyone.. but 'Miriam Areanne'. The name used to belong to a boogie a handful of years ago - but she didn't "exist" anymore. Staring at him for several moments, eyes the size of peaches, Miriam stammered, absently worrying one finger with the other. "I-I'm not.. I don't-" she squeaked, no names coming to mind that she could use. Shaehern had a clear upper hand, he knew more about her than she did him. Who could she claim and get away with it? She didn't want more interest!

"T-the collective order.. or so I'm told." She added in a squeak barely above a whisper. Glancing up to the raven, the little girl had to fight the feeling of panic back down to where it belonged. "I-i just work around here. With the other slaves. I haven't really seen.. I mean I really- um.. don't-" To say she hadn't seen a master in a long time left clear grounds for a first-come-first-serve. It wouldn't matter what lie she told then. Looking down to her small toes she mentally uttered what tiny curse her mind could conjure. This was not going well at all.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

For a moment Shaehern examined the little girl before him. In the past he had used his eyes to discern things about people that a lesser observer would miss. Nervous habits were always a useful gauge of attitude, and the eyes of the untrained actor (or liar) gave a great deal away. This one looked like someone had just turned up the heat in the closet and all of her mannerisms communicated nervousness. Shaehern was not the type who enjoyed making people's skin crawl so much as inspiring hopelessness and jealousy. He could practically taste the desperation in the air. He enjoyed it.

Tapping his fingers together created the familiar tone of his rings hitting one another. It was a habit of his own, but it was one he developed to add more tension to the environment when dealing with slaves. This one certainly took a long time to create her answers. Shae knew that the answer a slave gave to a Boogie, even one that was not its master, should have been immediate. Shaehern expected whatever the child said to be a lie. If it was a convincing lie he might be generous enough to say that she was ordered to give it.

Nothing could brace him for what she said. The clicking of the rings stopped and Zalamel halted his grooming. It was as though the raven knew what was coming.

The closet filled with Shaehern Azhrarn's giggling. In between his laughing fits and breaths of air he managed to get a few words out. "Collective. Order. That's brilliant. Too good." Slowly his fits of laughter seemed to die down, though he was quite red in the face. If it were brighter in the closet this Chiki might have been able to see it. It had been a while since Shaehern had a chance to laugh like that without forcing anything. She had almost managed to cover up her slip up with his laughter.

"I like this one," he said with a terrible grin spread across his face. "I think I understand, little girl." He clasped his hands together and entwined his long and bony fingers. Zalamel issued forth another caw before hopping down from his perch and onto Shaehern's arm. The large was staring right at the little girl now.

"I do believe I know just who to talk to in order to clear this up." Already Shaehern's mind was forming a plan to keep things going. He'd claim custody of the girl before he left (damn anyone who stepped in now to stop him) and he would arrange to have a talk with his sources to figure out the specifics of this predicament. This would have been a terrible oversight if he was correct in his assumptions.

[Miriam]

Miriam's skin crawled with the scrutiny. Little goosebumps covering her sleeved arms. Her heart was pounding loudly in her ears, and with Shae so close Miriam was almost convinced he could hear it. Pressing her lips to a stubborn line she watched Shae for his reaction.

At sounds of his giggling (giggling!?) her eyebrows shot up to her off-white bangs. She gave him a straightfaced answer - and he was giggling..? Exactly what sort of menace had found this little hide-away closet anyway? If anything - maybe she could kill him with laughter. If he found that funny - how much more a slide-splitter would he find the truth?

"Understand what, Sir?" Miriam looked a little hurt by his laughter, but quickly stood a little straighter then Zalamel looked at her. "I do believe I know just who to talk to in order to clear this up." Miriam hesitated followed with a quick curt nod. The sooner he left - the better. She really wanted to be left alone now. If only he'd just forget.. forget..

The small girl looked up at the strange blue-clad boogie, looking him in the eye a few brief moments before diverting her gaze to one of his wing-shaped earrings instead. A boogie's terror really was in their mystery. "Is there anything else, Mr. Shaehern?" she asked quietly. Her short nails were pressing anxiously against the fingers of her other hand, leaving little crescents.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

After a few deep breaths Shaehern released his hands and stretched his fingers outwards. The need to giggle incessantly about her 'collective order' had finally subsided. Really, where had she heard such a thing? The truth would probably kill the girl more than whatever delusion she was in now. Her poor face spoke volumes of agitation at the circumstances of this meeting. In conclusion, Shaehern could not have imagined this going much better than it did. Poor Zalamel looked like he was getting bored in this cramped closet space, however. They'd have to leave soon before the poor thing got too restless. Truth be told, he didn't care much for this place either.

"I don't think we need to trouble your little mind with that just yet, dear." Yes, that little mind could be put to work worrying over so many other little details right now, if only she knew what those details were. Ignorance truly was one of the best defenses for her at this point.

Her gaze was leveled more at his ear now than his face. It was an interesting situation that she would not look him in the eye. Zalamel, on the other hand, couldn't seem to break his gaze from the girl. Perhaps the wily bird saw something that Shaehern's observant eyes had missed. The thought seemed preposterous, but he supposed that there was a small chance he missed something in this light.

"I believe there is nothing more we need to discuss dear. I leave you with a small parting gift." From somewhere in his flowing robes he produced a small bottle of yellow liquid plugged with a cork. Honey wine always seemed to have a pleasant taste. Thinking about it reminded Shaehern that it was past time for his evening drink and he stood up, ready to leave. He took a few steps away and passed the little girl, stopping just short of the door. He carefully kept a glance over his shoulder as he waited to gauge her response before he left, though he acted like he might have forgotten something as he raised a finger thoughtfully to his lips.

[Miriam]

Zalamel made her nervous, and she wished the creature would just go away. Familiar's could be troublesome beings - depending whose they were and what they were up to. Even for their own masters.. she'd heard of some of the problems Miss Ezel had been having with her own, some months ago. Miriam had never met the little beast herself, thankfully.. she rather avoided him.

Bowing slightly the girl moved out of the boogie's way, watching his decorated hands closely as he passed to the sounds of a soft rustle of material. She wasn't exactly sure what the liquid was, but she'd use utmost caution and find out later. Typically boogies were a bit tougher than humans.. but it didn't give reason to carelessly discard mistrust.

Waiting a moment, Shaehern didn't leave. Miriam frowned a little, and glanced up towards him to catch sight of him watching. A chill ran down her scaled spine. Either he had forgotten something - or she had. Obediently she opened the door for him, and waited for the boogie to leave the room. She wasn't going to move nor speak until he did if she could help it.

"M-Mr. Shaehern?" Little pink marks from her nails showed against her pale fingers, holding the edge of the door as she peered about it to him in the hall. It was empty, not a boogie or otherwise nearby, as it should be. After a moment's hesitation she shook her head instead and closed the door quietly, latching it as it fit seamlessly amidst the wall panels, worn as they were. Her little echoey voice coming from the other side of the wall, falling silent as soon as the words passed her lips. "Forget this room exists."

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

He drifted like a shadow at the edge of the portal with his eyes furiously scanning the little girl. Whatever details had caught the attention of his stern raven remained a mystery to him. Of course he now had to deal with the potentially awkward situation of having stopped on his way out. The truth was simple, that he needed no excuse to have stopped, only that he needed to look satisfied before he walked out.

Before he could put this plan into motion the child seemed to have taken his pause as a sign that something was amiss. She had sought to correct it by opening the door for him. How quaint this child was. It was amusing that he needed to not bother himself with anything more than one of his comical half-bows before stepping out the door. Zalamel seemed to take off as soon as he was into the open hallway. The dark bird seemed to bob gently through the air as he gained a little height and moved for a window. No doubt the creature was seeking his grisly dinner portions. Shaehern let the thought fall as he continued to saunter slowly away.

A voice called him back for just a moment and he could not help but turn his head. The door where the room had been shut for just a moment. A wishful thought from the child entered his ears, and no sooner had it entered his ears had he experienced a pounding sensation for a split moment in his head. Recovering after just a moment the sharp pain dulled into nothingness. He looked around for a moment with a twinge of confusion on his face before turning around and sauntering down the hall. After all, it was past time for his evening drink.