Autopsy Service?

[*Serena]

Sat in a corner of Khazeet's tavern, Rhistel browsed through the pages of the newly acquired newspaper, an expression of utter boredom on his face.
He still couldn't understand why he kept buying that piece of junk in the first place, considering the amount of futilities its page were filled with, but then again, as everytime this thought crossed his mind, he had to remind himself that, as long as he was going to stay in Sigil, he'd better keep himself informed, no matter how uninteresting the informations were to him... just as he'd better get used to that annoying place that the bazaar was, no matter how much he'd prefer to just be at home.

With another sip from his cup of tea, he browsed two more pages, then, as he was about to close the paper, he noticed the little advertisement.

For reliable autopsy service, contact L.

Leave a message with contact information at Grundlethum's Automatic Scribe, Clerks Ward.

Pricelist:
Autopsy 1,000 jink
Autopsy + Observer 1,000 jink + 1,000 jink per observer
Autopsy + Talking 1,000 jink + 2,000 jink per talker
Autopsy + "Helping" 1,000 jink + 5,000 jink per "helper"

All autopsys contain written report of causes of death. No affiliations with the Dustmen. No burial services.

L

He stared at the words for a while, now definitely more interested.
The letter at the bottom of the article was not an initial, and he remembered the woman that name belonged to. A peculiar woman, with a peculiar look... and a peculiar behaviour as well.
He hadn't been much interested in her, at least not until after seeing what she had done to the girls's arm a couple of days before.
An "accident", she said.
Well, he really wanted to see it for himself.

He read the advertisement again.
Autopsy service.
It was really a great idea, and why not, he could even use that time to improve his medical skill.

With a last sip, he finished the tea in his cup and stood up, folding the newspaper under one of his arms. With firm steps, he headed toward the Clerk Ward.

Now he only needed a corpse.


----------
----------


A couple of days later, a message was delivered to L through the Automatic Scribe service:
a request for an autopsy, including all the options described in the advertisement for a single person, with an offer of 10000 jinx for the service.
The signature at the bottom of the message just reads "Aidan"

[*Explicitron2000]

L was perturbed. Already? she thought as an offer was put out and for no less than ten thousand jink. And here she had hoped the additional prices would keep others from trying to invade her one place of peace. Then again, perhaps she had inadvertly invited the possibility with her price list.

[align=center]Perhaps it is a dead spellcaster? We'd be in luck then.[/align]

We're going to be watched. she reminded the voice mentally and added He might tell them if we attract too much attention. she read through the letter over and over again, trying to absorb all she could of the bare minimum required quantity of information provided.

[align=center]We'll just be more cautious then. Make it look like a standard procedure. We'll still need to find out more.[/align]

She was anxious, but couldn't help but to concur with that. It had been the original plan to start this business after all. Gain an access to corpses with minimal risks involved. Alright... we'll take this offer from Aidan. she thought.

[align=center]In the worst case we'll just get rid of him too. Just like last time.[/align]

L stiffened with the memory of the previous time. It wasn't exactly the same case, but she had pre-emptively acted to prevent being located. She wasn't fond of the memory or prospects and reminded That time was a mistake. using the Automatic Scribe service once more to deliver her message.

[align=center]No it wasn't. He would've ruined everything, we just got out of it and that was the only way to ensure it stays this way.[/align]

She hated when the voice was right. And it was almost always right, but it rarely made her feel more comfortable. At least most others could live under the web of lies they make for themselves to have a bearable reality of their own manufacture. To her, the simple reality was everyday matter.

Lady's Grace Aiden,

Your offer has been found sufficient and agreed upon. I have reserved space to conduct the autopsy within the Weary Spirit Infirmary, Hive Ward. I expect you to bring the deceased with you during tomorrow, close to anti-peak. The payment is to be presented before operation, three thousand of which is paid front, another three thousand after the autopsy is over and the remaining four thousand jink in exchange for the final report.

Questions pertaining the deceased may be inquired, but the client may omit any information they deem necessary. The client, Aiden, will be responsible of the corpse and its disposal after the autopsy and report has been concluded.

The terms are negotiable, incase concerns or inconveniences of procedure are found out before or during the process.

L

[*Serena]

After dismissing the courier, Rhistel went back to his seat and opened the message, straightening the parchment on the book that laid open on the table in front of him.

The corners of his lips curved in a slightly amused grimace as he considered the woman's choice of words.


Has been found sufficient and agreed upon.
"Oh well, lucky me," he murmured to himself with a sarcastic tone.

He went over the described terms once more before folding again the message and slipping it into one of his pockets.
Nothing he wasn't already expecting, after all, and totally acceptable; also, the place chosen was quite comfortable too, and definitely easier to reach than any other place, like the Gatehouse.

He closed the book and quietly crossed the Hall to put it back on the shelf it belonged to, then walked up the stairs and reached another row of bookshelves, slipping in the corridor they created.
He stopped in front of one of the gaps between the furnitures, just in time to see the portal react to the object he had in one of his bags.
Without hesitation, he walked through it, disappearing.


------


Less than an hour later, a courier is charged with a reply to the previous message.

Lady's Grace,
Writing you to confirm my acceptance of the terms listed in your previous note.
Will be in the designed place at the time described, as requested.

this time, the message blatantly lacks even a name at the bottom, still, the sentence pattern is easily recognizable as belonging to whoever wrote the other message L received.

[*Explicitron2000]

As she received the message, reading it through a couple of times over to ensure it had no surprises on it. Crumbled the paper and threw it away finally.

[align=center]Congratulations! Your first client.[/align]

The voice cheered in her head. L, herself was feeling less happy. For as long as she remembers, the interaction with others had never been something she was comfortable with. Are you sure we need to do this? she thought.

[align=center]Of course.[/align]

There was a pause, in her anxiety, L didn't really get anything done other than worry all the hundreds of scenarios where she may blew up her cover or arouse suspicion.

[align=center]You'll do fine. You've done this before. He's the one that will feel sick after he sees what you're doing.[/align]

Though she recognized the jesty tone of the voice, she had to think You're not helping. But it did get her rational enough to consider that most people are skittish around corpses and have weak stomachs, he might indeed be too skittish to notice anything peculiar. With this her supplies recovered, looking around the mockery of an inn room she had occupied for a month... already the walls filled with scribblings and symbols only she could truly discern the purpose of, this room could never be re-rented in such state, so she had to keep paying.

[align=center]No one ever comes in here. Get going.[/align]

The voice was now more insistent, and for a good reason. The less time she thought about it and just acted upon it, the less likely she was to not follow it through. Ensuring the door was closed and locked couple of times over, L finally made her way to the Weary Spirit Infirmary, a single operating table reserved for her for the evening. What if others come along?

[align=center]We remind the deal was only for one.[/align]

This caused her to relax a little. She had come in hours before the time she set, as such she made sure to know her surroundings will to the extent that she wouldn't arouse suspicion. Observe escape routes and simple hiding locations, see which ways doors opened, all the way to excruciating detail. After she felt content that she knew her way around in the worst case scenario, she simply waited.

---

When "Aidan" would finally find his way into the room she had reserved, of course assuming he didn't bail out, she would be there with her usual all-body thick gown in the hue of gold and indigo. On her also a full face mask, concealing her expressions but not the demeanor or voice. Oh her hands gloves with shining yellow trimmings and tiny slots for small vials, three on each on the backside.

She stood by a single operating table, it was well lit by a shimmering light stone above the table. Her demeanor stiff and anxious.

[align=center]You should greet him.[/align]

Reminded the voice. She didn't. Merely stared, trying to decide her course of action based upon "first impressions".

[*Serena]

Rhistel himself had to fight the urge to show up at the Weary Spirit ahead of time.
There's no need, he thought, and surely it's not the best idea to have her believe I'm stalking her.
Also, he remembered the place quite well, having visited it more than once. Not to mention that he could just stay in his laboratory, working on those enchantments he had waiting for days, and still have a clear visual of the road that leaded to the infirmary.

With a little luck, I'll see her when she'll arrive.


Of course, he couldn't imagine she was going to reach the place so early, thus completely missing her arrival. She probably had come from the other way.




At the designed hour, he finally shows up at the infirmary, opening the door leading to the operating room after knocking briefly.
L will notice immediately that he doesn't seem to be carrying anything with him, let alone a dead body.

Quietly closing the door behind his back, he turns around to look at the woman, flinching a little at the bright light over the table, then bends in a slight bow.

"Lady's grace. And well met again." He greets her with a neutral tone that perfectly reflects the expression on his face.


She will probably recognize him now, as he's exactly as he was when they met at the bazaar, maybe even wearing similar clothes: plain shirt and trousers in brown tones, a couple of small bags hanging from a leather belt and a heavy cloak over the shoulder, the hood pulled back.


//should she have a way to perceive magical auras, L would probably notice that, aside for the ones coming from enchanted objects he may be wearing, two more auras surrounds him: abjuration and divination (specifically, Superior Resistance and Premonition, which honestly I don't want to consider as "I see the future", because nope, but rather as a "my spider senses are tingling, someone is going to stab me" sort of stuff. Let me know if it's fine!).

[*Explicitron2000]

((That's all fine with me!))

[align=center]Well well, a small world.[/align]

Said the voice as she recognized him, a lump caught in her throat. He's going to get a pay back for hurting her. she thought. Externally she seemed to stiffen, the brown eyes beneath the mask darting rapidly over him to observe his intents keenly. At this point Rhistel was greeting her, she didn't reply.

[align=center]He doesn't seem to have a corpse with him. I urge caution.[/align]

Maybe I am the corpse to come... she thought morbidly, her fight or flight senses started to measure up her chances. Looking at the exit route, the anxiety failing to recognize his absence of hostile activities.

[align=center]He doesn't have many protections on. And he is acting calmly. Calm down, lets see what he has to say.[/align]

Needless to say, the pause of no communication from her had been very awkward indeed. She took a deep breath, her hand rested against the scalpel placed on the table. Quick to snatch if required, and she still had her gloves on if it got to a fight. Worst case she could abandon her mask and gown to disappear into the streets. Now she finally talked. Her tone was fairly frail and soft, much like back in the Bazaar, however it wasn't quite as even and measured as it had been back then, there was an edge to the syllapses spoken.

"Greetings."

[align=center]Great start... had it been five minutes ago.[/align]

The voice teased and didn't help. She already knew it was well past the reasonable time to say so and quickly continued.

"I cannot help but to notice that you did not bring a corpse with you?" she inquired and added. "Do you have the payment?" and now that she had started, it was hard to get her to stop talking "What should I know of the deceased before we start, and how long has it been dead?" she took a breath and seemed about to say something more until abruptly stopping, being reminded by her own internal voice.

[align=center]You're seeming suspicious. Let him talk.[/align]

[*Serena]

If he notices the delay in L's reply to his greeting or her uneasiness, he doesn't seem to mind: he simply waits calmly for her to acknowledge his presence, using this time to examine her a little more.
Then, upon finally hearing her reply and the following questions, he nods slowly, a pale smile of amusement on his lips.

"Yes, I have everything, of course," he replies quietly, "it was just a little uncomfortable for me to walk with a dead body on my shoulder, so I had to... find a more practical solution."

Thus said, he brings his hands on the sides of his trousers and starts looking for something in his pockets. His movements in whole seem to be really slow and pondered, something which could easily have people lose their patience over him, as it may seem he almost does it on purpose.
After few seconds of searching, he finally comes out with what seems to be a piece of folded white cloth.

He shows it to the woman, then, with a vague gesture to his surrounding, he asks politely
"May I?"

[*Explicitron2000]

Her anxiety diminishing visibly and his movements becoming more fluid, well all except her arms and hands which remain motionless and stiff. The brown eyes studies the piece of cloth and his words. This time she murmurs inaudibly to her right What do you think?

[align=center]If he wanted you harm, he would've already done it. There's no one in the Hive that cares about you. As for his corpse carrying, most actually don't like corpses.[/align]

That was a little more information than she wanted to know, but it also was not false once more. Edgedly she murmured and the stronger syllapses were more audible, though still quite soft. You didn't need to tell that!

[align=center]Then don't ask.[/align]

Said the voice with a wry tone. This time L turned her attention to Rhistel and speak to him directly. "Yes, you may. And discretion is... understandable." there was a pause before she realized to withdraw her hand and the scalpel from the operating table, as to give him some room. Further apprehension and she rested the scalpel on its sheath by her side.

After this her stiff hands shifted to remove her gloves, and it was quite the struggle indeed. The fingers had trouble grasping the fabric touching rest of the arm due to the unbending nature, but finally manages to remove them and show the wooden palms of each hand. Palm and the back of the hand had archaic carvings on its otherwise smooth surface, the fingers and wrist were jointed. There was a strong resemblance to the arm on her back infact.

[*Serena]

Rhistel watches L closely as she seems to be pondering how to answer him, a curious look on his face; he probably doesn't even realize how unclear his question was to begin with.
When she finally replies, apparently agreeing to have him move around without being considered a threat, he takes few steps toward the middle of the room and starts unfolding the cloth on the floor, glancing at the woman from time to time: until now, she seemed tense enough to jump at anything, and he definitely didn't want to incur in surprises turning his back on her.

"Well, not that I was afraid to be stopped while carrying the subject, I think I've seen worse things around the Cage," he adds as he carefully spread the piece of fabric, "but yes, it would have caused me unwanted attentions for sure, so I opted for discretion instead."

As the cloth is finally open on the ground, revealing its round shape, its surface suddenly stops reflecting the light of the room, revealing instead what seems to be an opening to a hole right where the floor used to be just seconds before.

The young man briefly looks inside it, then raises his gaze back on the woman as to speak again; his attention, however, is immediately caught by her wooden carved arms, and for a moment he seems to forget whatever he was going to say.

"That's quite remarkable."

The words come out from his mouth before he can even realize, a honestly impressed tone in his voice.

[*Explicitron2000]

[align=center]He's suspecting something.[/align]

The voice pointed out as he kept looking at her every now and then. It wasn't odd in her eyes, she had that effect to people usually, so she didn't react to it in any particular way. As the dark hole is uncovered, she studies it curiously. Never had she seen one before, but she had heard of them.

[align=center]Oh. A portable hole. Good thing we don't have a bag of holding.[/align]

The voice gave it a name. I knew that! she reminded in a murmur to her right. The brown eyes snap upon Rhistel as he glances at the wooden hands. Here we go again... she thought.

[align=center]A typical man. More interested of instruments than people... dead or alive.[/align]

"Do you have the corpse?" she reminded him in question form. This was a conversation she had gone through a dozen of times, as such she thought little about the need to hang on to the topic.