Get moving.

Will found Dianna at the Inn, as he had expected. She seemed to be covering Francis' random public appearances, and had entered the Inn just before him. She had granted him a short visit with the fae prisoner that evening. He would need to get to Stars End as soon as possible.

A few hours later Will stood in front of a docking bay. He looked up from the scrap of paper Dianna had given him, then looked around. The spaceport was completely unfamiliar to him. It had taken longer than expected to find transport to the spaceport, and even longer to get directions to the bay. He stood outside a few minutes passed before the cargo hatch of the single ship within the bay opened. It seemed his presence had been noticed. The one who stepped from the ship looked to be dressed for the chill of space. A long black coat was buttoned closed to hide away what was worn underneath. Apparently human from the looks of it, the man?s black hair was kept cut in a short, uniformed way. Hanging from the hip of his belt had been a holstered weapon, though he made no motion to reach for it as he came closer. "State your business, this is a private bay? he said. Will had been in the right place; the one addressing him was sporting a Humanity First lapel pin.

Did they not know you were coming? Could be a setup? watch your ass.

Will pocketed the paper and raised a brow as he thought his arrival was expected. "Ah... Dianna Faulkner told me to come here, that she could get me the opportunity to have a word with your prisoner? he said. ?My name is William Somnia." He left his hands at his sides, though he held no weapons he would try to reach for.

?Ah, you're the one then. I apologize, you're not the first to visit today. You were given a paper by Ms. Faulkner, may I see it?" The man in the coat held out a hand. Will took the paper back out of his pocket, unfolded it and handed it to him. The crewman took the paper and began to inspect it. Then, after folding the paper and slipping it into his own pocket, he gave a gesture of his arm to signal for Will to step forward. "Come along. You will need to speak with the commander first. It will not take much time,? he said.

Will nodded and walked in through the hatch, pausing briefly to look around. As far as he knew, this was the first time he had been inside a spacefaring vessel. "Look her in the eye, she'll be offended if you don't," the crewman said, his tone a light whisper this time around as he escorted Will up the ramp; they were not alone. "Commander." He addressed his superior respectfully as he came to a stop a few feet away from the hazard zone. The ship vibrated as the hatch closed behind them.

Diplomacy? or at least civility. You're past the point of solving this with your fists now.

Will nodded to the commander and turned, following him. As they walked, Will could not help but take in his surroundings. He had never considered that he had lived his entire life so close to the opportunity to leave it all behind and explore the stars? There had only been a brief pause in front of doors that only split seconds later parted ways to allow them access. From there, they would continue until they came to the end of the hall. Two armed personnel were stationed in front of a door. One of them appeared relatively normal, while the other one wore wrapped bandages around half of his face.

"All clear?" the escort asked. The guard shrugged his shoulders. "No trace of the poison, I was lucky. Is this the one?" A mixture of personal and business talk, the latter being the main focus as Will's escort nodded then turned to Will. "If anything should happen, hug the wall just behind this door and do not move. By stepping through that door, you understand the risks that come with speaking to the prisoner. Are you prepared?"

No.

Will nodded slowly. "I am" he said, although to be honest he had not thought that many steps ahead. Press conferences, allegations, all the violence aside, he only wanted the truth.

And if this is all faked, you take them all down with you.

"She's been quiet for a while. That's never good? the guard with the bandages said before pressing a hand to the lock. Lights illuminating the hand for a short period of time before the airlock on the door released and opened. From there Will's first glimpse of the fae could be made, but she currently had her back to the door and appeared to be sleeping.

"Again. Under no circumstance do you touch the bracelet. You will be shut in there with her if you do, the commander has made it clear she would rather see the prisoner released into the depths of space before one of us are poisoned again." Will's escort reminded -- and this time with more detail. "You are on the clock now. Please make this visit brief.?



Will stepped into the cell, hands folded behind his back. If anything went wrong, he knew had no escape plan. He took a brief look around the cell before his eyes fell on the fae.

The doors came sliding shut as soon as Will entered into the cell, though one of the guards had been watching through the reinforced window on the other side. A faint hum from the lights radiated within the room, along the sounds of chains dragging against metal as the woman stirred. She rose to sit on her legs then turned to cast a tired, yet angered glare in Will's direction. Unlike the video, where she appeared to be shifting between glamour and not, her true form had been the only thing on display. Pale skin with purple veins spotted here and there, something which matched well with the stringy white hair that hung from her head. Two orbs of black voids made up her eyes and they stared deep at the man.

"I know you, you're running for governor as well.." Sharp teeth appearing as lips drew back. "What a crock of ****,? she spat to him. ?Could you take off this bracelet for me? You see, it's torture... I swear... Take it off for me, it hurts so much." She began to whine. She claimed torture, yet there appeared to be no marks on her skin; no cuts, no bruises, not even a trace of water if one would think hoses could have be used.

Only the very corner of Will's mouth turned up at her remark on the election. He knew it was over for him as soon as it had begun, and the controversy surrounding everything had begun to give him second thoughts. "You know as well as I do that if I try to take that off we both die." He crouched down on the balls of his feet, looking her in the eyes. "I don't know if I can do anything to help you. What I came here for is the truth..." he said to her. Will had little experience with fae outside their typical outward appearance, but he knew enough not to give them reason to attack.

Yeah, she?ll talk to you now.

The door slid open suddenly. "Restrain her." The voice of the ship's commander echoing out as two of the guards rushed past Will. They grabbed at the fae woman, one of them attempting to pin her form while the other went for the head. It was obvious they were trying to stop her from hurting herself. Will stood and watched, taking a step back from the three. He observed her treatment by the guards, hands still folded behind his back.

In the confusion of that very moment, time seemed to slow down as he considered his options. The situation could have played out in a million different ways, all based on his next action.

Take them down, remove her bracelet, set her free. They?re afraid of her when she?s free.

"I will have to ask that your interview ends here, Mr. Somnia, as you can see.. this one is unstable." The hissing lisp of the scaled woman somehow spoke above the sounds of the screaming and lashing fae. A woman came rushing into the room a few seconds later with syringe in hand. Drop her, take the syringe. "Hold her still!" she yelled and the two men's attempts to keep the prisoner from lashing out bore fruit as the needle pierced pale skin and pushed foggy liquid into the faes body. The prisoner shuddered after a few seconds, then grew limp. Her eyes glazed over and she began to chuckle quietly to herself. She?s sedated? you could get her outside and cut her loose.

Set her free? to kill again?

Will looked up to the sound of the commander's voice. "All right," he replied in a defeated tone. He looked back to the fae. "Do you have anything you want me to pass along to... anyone?"

"My love.. I will meet you soon." It seemed that was all she could say, and would continue to say as the guards left her to lie. The woman who had come into the room last began to inspect the two of them while asking questions in a hushed tone. The escort that led Will in earlier in the visit had now been moving in to step between Will and the fae. "The commander has spoken, Mr. Somnia. You must take your leave.?



The heavy boot steps of the snake woman began to circle about Will. The commander looked down at the fae and stared. Thin tongue darting from between lips then drawn back in a second later. "See that he is given his recording before he departs... If only our meeting had been on more pleasant terms." The commander dipped her hat to Will then turned to take her leave.

Will took one long last look at the sedated fae before stepping back through the doorway to the cell. He paused, looking to the commander. "Commander?" The scaled woman paused and looked to Will from over her shoulder as the cell door slid closed and locked. "Yes?" she replied.

Answers.

Light footsteps would herald the entry of another crew member. Traces of the commander's own features could be spotted, with scales of green that peeked out from the buttoned collar of her jacket but did not dare grow beyond the chin line, or the spot where only thin slits took the place of a more human nostril. What is different though had been the long strands of blonde locks, the cold blue almond shaped eyes, and the pink flesh which had been left uncovered by scales. This one had been a hybrid.

What in the absolute hell??

"We are finished, prepare the ship to leave in twenty minutes time." The commander said while bringing one hand from behind her back raising it to show that she knew they were treading the line of tardiness. The raised hand then beckoned to take a small device that the other woman held to her. "She is my youngest," said as she turned to face Will again. As ordered, the commanders daughter left to prepare the ship for departure. "Mr. Somnia, I hope you have gotten what you came for. Here is your recording, now you must be on your way."

Will looked to her daughter, noting her hybrid features only long enough to not appear to be staring. He nodded politely and took the device, dropping it down into his satchel with the rest of his belongings as they were handed over. He looked back to the commander. "I don't mean to take any more of your time... thank you."

Yeah, get out of here while you still can.

"Jeffrey will escort you off the ship." Motioning to the darker haired man who stood waiting off to the right. "I will now take my leave." The commander turned. Her hands found one another once more at the small of her back before she started down the hall. The escort turned and gestured for Will to follow. He stepped out of the ship and walked to the edge of the bay. Looking back at the ship as the hatch slid shut, he shook his head before turning and walking back towards the center of the spaceport.

Along the way he stopped at a second-hand store and spent the rest of his money on a small tablet. The shopkeeper had recognized Will from his interview and helped him transfer the recording to the tablet, as well as downloading the recent Humanity First broadcasts. A Somnia supporter who would be voting via absentee ballot, he offered him a room for the night in a nearby Inn. Will accepted? it was getting late, he had no money left to get home, and he was in no mood to walk back to town and deal with the things that went bump in the night.

Will woke early the next morning and spent the entire day walking back to Rhy?din. He watched the broadcasts and the prior night?s recording on a loop, considering and reconsidering every detail and word. As he approached I?Yulna he pushed through the door without breaking stride.

How are you going to explain this to her?

((Stars End portions from live RP with Humanity First/Francis))

Will sat in his deep Inn-issue chair in front of the crackling fireplace. As with most male humans he needed no excuse to enjoy a fire, though the rapid approach of Fall was as good as any. His feet were crossed on the low coffee table, mind just starting to fuzz over into unconsciousness.

The sound of Dianna?s footsteps on the stairs had not registered to him, but her knocks rang out in his head like gunshots. Will sat up with a start, head snapping around towards the door. In four months not a single person besides himself had set foot inside room 203. Who the hell would that be?

?Yeah?? Will asked, brows raised.

?Ser Somnia? Might I speak with you a moment, please?? the female voice answered near the door jam. There was little she could do to mask the prim lilt of her tone.

Almost sounds like? Will stood up, head cocked to the side as he padded barefoot to the door. Not expecting visitors at this or any hour, he was wearing only a pair of dark green silk sleeping pants. He grabbed a black robe from the coat hook next to the door and threw it on, tying it closed around his waist. He looked down at his crossbow, loaded and propped up behind the door. Planting one foot firmly about six inches inside the door he clicked it unlocked, opened it and peeked out. He glanced her up and down, then looked her in the eyes for a moment. It was a good disguise but from up close he recognized her features from the first time they had met, as well as the broadcasts he had watched on a loop. ?...Dianna?? He asked in a hushed tone.

When her name fell from his tongue, her eyes widened and an index finger came up in front of her lips in a shushing motion. When she spoke, she did so through a soft nod of confirmation and around the lift of her finger before dropping it midway through once she thought her point was made. ?I think you may have me mistaken for someone else, however I was hoping to speak to you on a rather urgent matter regarding some of your recent work. Do you have a moment or two?? Again her arms crossed, clearly uncomfortable in having to make such a request. Will stepped back and opened the door, motioning for her to enter. With a grateful bow of her head, she quickly slipped inside without so much as a look over her shoulder.

Will poked his head into the hallway and looked left and right before closing and locking the door. He turned around to face her, hands in his robe pockets. ?You weren't followed?? You?ll find out soon enough if she was.

?To the best of my knowledge, no. I didn?t take a direct route here, just in case. Full disclosure, I am armed, however I?m willing to disarm since you?ve granted me an audience within your private domain.? There was a slight tug at the lapel of her jacket to one side for emphasis.

Will shook his head slightly. ?Don't worry about it. I would expect you to be armed? I heard about what happened at your headquarters.? He walked back to the coffee table and picked up an unlabeled bottle of what looked like whiskey. ?So what can I do for you?? He unscrewed the cap slowly, almost idly. This should be? interesting..

Her shoulders dropped just slightly with relief though the furrow of her brow easily indicated that what he said troubled her. It was no surprise that such news would spread quickly but she couldn't help but what just what was being said. Lingering near the door, she watched his progress across the room with a small frown. "You know, I practiced what I was going to say all the way here and now that I stand here, it all sounds like insanity. I need assistance that I do not believe I can get through my conventional means.? She took a breath, holding it long enough to let her nerves settle. It wouldn?t do to dance around the subject, she knew that much. When she exhaled, it came with further explanation. ?They assassinated Francis. I?m fairly confident that I?m next if I don?t act quickly.?

See? Will paused, the cap in his hand. His brows shot up. ?Wait, what? Who did?? He was genuinely surprised? not that someone would attempt to assassinate either of them, but that someone managed to pull it off. Regardless of his feelings towards their movement, Will had hoped they would just leave town without incident.

?A member of his security detail, they say was responsible.? Her teeth worried at her bottom lip as she looked down at her shoes. ?They think me nothing more than his stand in mouthpiece, but I?m more observant than they give me credit for. I know how these things work.?

Inside job. Will motioned to the couch at the end of the coffee table and set the bottle in front of it. ?Sounds like you need this more than I do.? He sat in the chair. ?Who did this person work for??

A few moments of hesitation gave way to a brisk crossing of the room before she sat on the edge of the couch, crossing one leg over the other. Smoothing her hands down her knee, she clasped them over her kneecap and took a breath. ?Our security detail is assigned on a higher level by the movement's central offices. When an internal investigation failed to yield any definitive results, I looked into things myself. There wasn?t much I had access to, but the man?s personnel file indicated he specifically requested our sector. There were a few others too that have but I always chalked that up to Francis? popularity, you know?? A beat, two, three. ?I?m rambling, please forgive me. I?m just at a loss for what to do.?

?That's all right,? Will replied. ?Do you think your central offices... knew what this guy was planning??

?Pure speculation rather than anything substantiated, but yes. Failure is not? taken lightly.? She grimaced and tugged off the fake glasses, folding them shut and tucking them inside her jacket.

A very deep inside job. ?By ?failure? I?m guessing you mean the election? but if Francis let on that he knew the governor?s seat here held no power, then? I?m guessing he had planned to... take power,? Will mused out loud. ?Otherwise there?d be no point to even running.? He shook his head, feeling that he was beginning to go off on a tangent.

?Take power?? Dianna tilted her head to one side, her brows lifting with what appeared to be genuine confusion. ?I think? I think you may misunderstand. Such posts are stepping stones. Platforms of sorts for our message. Integration is a slow thing but having such prominence can speed the process greatly. There?s no? power taking involved.? Running her tongue over her bottom lip.

Will nodded. He understood, and by now the intentions of the movement were moot. He sighed. ?Sorry, I guess it doesn?t really matter at this point does it?? He paused for a second. You know better by this point. She came to you for help, not a political debate. You need a solution.

?It matters if you feel it does. I know our viewpoints differ, I'd be blind to think otherwise, but it has long been my job to adjust perspectives of our mission.? Her gaze, back to green as it was after removal of the glasses, followed each of his motions, interrupted in her study only by the intermittent drift toward the door.

?If they?ll be coming for you, then... you?ll need to disappear.? Will leaned over and picked up the whiskey, bringing it to his lips before pausing again. ?Is there anywhere off-world you?d be safe?? A swig. ?Any family or remaining contacts you trust?? He set the bottle in the middle of the coffee table.

The whiskey was tempting despite the fact she'd never drank in her life. A twitch of her fingers said that might change sooner rather than later. ?My father encouraged me to stay here in spite of everything and he's my remaining family at this point. He's blind to the risk? or more over, I think the cause is greater than the cost in his eyes. I couldn't return to New Braemia, not if I value my life, but yes, getting away is my ultimate goal. Are they any alternative spaceports to Stars End??

Will noticed Dianna eyeing the whiskey but had not pegged her for much of a drinker, given her prim-and-proper demeanor. He stood and stepped over to a nearby wardrobe and opened the doors, revealing a wide selection of almost every type of alcohol available in Rhy?din. He took a rocks glass from the middle shelf of his personal bar and walked into the room?s kitchenette. ?I?ve never been off-world, so I?m not sure,? he said as he opened the freezer and reached in for a couple ice cubes. ?Honestly, closest I?ve ever been to leaving the planet,? he said as he dropped the ice into the glass as he turned to head back into the living room, ?was being on your ship when I went to talk to the prisoner.? Will picked up the bottle and poured into the glass, setting the double-on-the-rocks in front of Dianna. ?But I have a guy. I can head there tonight and get the ball rolling.? He sat back in his chair, bottle in hand. Mitzo can point us in the right direction.

?Thank you.? Read like a book, she assumed, judging by the glass before her. The red that suffused her cheeks was thankfully a brief thing. One hand curled around the glass but though she drew it up, she didn?t drink immediately. ?If it?s a matter of payment, I assure you I can pay well. Particularly if this? guy? can be discrete about it.?

Will grinned. ?He's nothing if not discrete.? He picked the bottle up and took another drink. There was a long silence before he spoke again.

?For what it's worth, I'm sorry for your loss. You're right, I'm sure we disagree on a lot of things? and I'm sure you came to me for help because I'm one of the few here who wouldn't rather spit on you than give you the time of day.? He swirled the whiskey in the bottle. ?I don't care for all the murders that have happened lately, and that goes for both you and Francis.? He considered another drink. ?We're all free to exist in disagreement.?

He drank so she took the opportunity to do the same. The whiskey went down smooth but burned all the way into her stomach. It was impossible to hide the bitter face she made as she swallowed. ?Thank you, truly. I?ve been in this city for nigh on two years and though we have our support, the opposition is quite loud. I?ve an inherent mistrust of the local law enforcement but Commander Nastani spoke highly of your conduct. You seem a? what is the local phrasing? no bull**** sort of guy.? For that she had to down the remainder of her glass?s contents, the language strange feeling on her tongue.

Will laughed at that. She?s got you pegged already.

?Anyways. I don?t wish to inconvenience you long. How long should we expect preparations to take?? Dianna asked.

?Well, I won't know until I talk to my guy. Shouldn't be too long though? I can see if we can do this before sunrise. It's still early enough.? He stood, setting the bottle on the table. ?I'll have to get moving though.? He stood, walking to another chair and picking up the clothing draped over its back. ?I can give you the keys if you want to stay here until I get back. You'll be safe here, and the doors lock from the inside.?

For the first time since showing up at his door, she offered him a smile. Wan and tired, it was still genuine in the way it caught her mouth. ?If you think that?s best, I can remain here until I receive further orders. Otherwise I?m certain I could commandeer one of the other rooms here. Either way. Thank you again, Mister Somnia.?

Hmh? Cute. Maybe under much... much different circumstances. ?Don't mention it.? Will gave his trademark half-smile and headed for the main bathroom to change. He stepped back out a minute later, fully dressed. ?Seriously though?? he joked, ?if you're trying to disappear, it would probably be best to not mention it.?

?Oh.? Dianna said lamely as it dawned on her that he was right. It was best not to mention it should she wish to make an escape on the low down. ?Right. You?re completely right.?

?Ah?? Will pointed to various doorways in the suite as he gave her the abridged tour. ?Bedroom?s there, has its own bathroom and key, never been used. Kitchen, food. That's...? He paused, looking around with a slight frown. ?Pretty much it.? Note to self, get some things. Settle in. He fished the keys from his pocket, dropped them onto the table, and picked up the crossbow. ?Get some sleep, eat, whatever you need to do. I'll be back.? He said as he slung the crossbow over his back. He opened the door and poked his head out to check the hallway again.

Her intent gaze darted with each gesture, noting his on the fly layout as well as the momentary frown. It was a feeling she understood, at least on a base level, the spartan accommodations making for easy movement should the need arise. ?Very well. See you before long. Good luck and godspeed.? Sleeping likely wouldn?t happen, but she leaned far enough to retrieve the whiskey for a refill for the short term.

Will nodded and stepped out, pulling the door closed behind him. Hurry up. Will?s rates were not typically by the hour, but he still kept note for the sake of the approaching dawn. His talk with Dianna took around half an hour. Another half-hour?s walk west led him to Mitzo?s, where he would get a lead on a local shipping outfit with off-world connections after five minutes of ?negotiating.? Mitzo was always quick when it came to business, and since he was mute he was all business. Another half-hour north, forty-five minutes to arrange a seat on an unmarked freighter. Forty minutes back to the Inn. As he walked back up the stairs to his room and gave a few quiet knocks to let her know he was back, exactly three hours had passed.

((Pieced together by Will/Dianna RP))