A Visitation

[Erica Carlisle]

Isolde wakes up to a familiar woman in a business suit standing in front of her cell. Funnily enough, the woman didn't appear to be reflected in any of the surfaces or showing up on the video cameras, but Isolde would have no way of knowing that. The woman smiled at her, "My how the mighty have fallen."

[Isolde Schwarz]

Isolde gives a start, but soon breaks out into a broad, toothy grin as she sits up.

"I am exactly where I wish to be. What about you?"

[Erica Carlisle]

"I'll admit I prefer posher surroundings to this place, but our mutual acquaintance asked me to check in on you. Do you require... assistance?" She smirks.

[Isolde Schwarz]

"If I was in here against my will, there would have been a body count."

[Erica Carlisle]

"One never knows. You could just be getting soft. Sired one too many of your unpredictable offspring perhaps."

[Isolde Schwarz]

"Ah, but I've found out so many wonderful things."

"In fact, I figured out why you've taken an interest."

[Erica Carlisle]

If she was surprised, she didn't show it. "Have you now? This is certainly just another contract job to me."

[Isolde Schwarz]

Isolde laughs.

"A little baby battlecrow, just barely peeking out of her shell, and you expect me to believe you're not interested?"

[Erica Carlisle]

"Oh... her," Erica says dismissively. "I've met her and I've yet to be impressed. We'll come to some agreement I am sure. We always do. People, even battlecrows, seem to not abide the idea of someone who would just walk away from a deal."

[Isolde Schwarz]

"I don't think she even knows you exist," Isolde grins.

[Erica Carlisle]

"Which is better for current contracts," she says with a shrug. "My present engagement is substantial and our mutual acquaintance is requiring much in the deal. I suppose you negotiated for a hunt and some jerky treats?"

[Isolde Schwarz]

"What I bargained for is my affair. At least I am not forgotten," she laughs.

[Erica Carlisle]

"Sometimes it is better to be forgotten, my dear. Leaves you so much more room to maneuver. But you should have at least let me look over the contract." Then she changes the subject, "Is there anything you want me to tell our mutual acquaintance?"

[Isolde Schwarz]

"As usual I'm ahead of you.

The one he seeks is here."

[Erica Carlisle]

She manages to cover her interest for the most part. "Well, one does let the hounds run out in front when one is hunting. It's just the way things are done."

[Isolde Schwarz]

"Test my leash sometime, and we'll see who is a hound."

[Erica Carlisle]

"Just because you were accused of being a witch doesn't make you my equal, Isolde," she says as her eyes flare with purple energy for a moment, "Don't forget that."

[Isolde Schwarz]

"Oh, I'm aware of what makes us different."

"It just means you only have yourself to blame."

[Erica Carlisle]

"You know, I'd forgotten just how insufferable you are. I appreciate the reminder," she scoffs before getting a malicious smile, "Next time, I'll tell him to make the contact. I'm sure you'll enjoy that experience oh so much."

[Isolde Schwarz]

"And maybe next time you won't name your bar after the one you're pining for."

[Erica Carlisle]

"It's called bait, something a 'charge blindly' predator like you wouldn't understand," she says, gesturing with her hand and beginning to fade from sight.

[Isolde Schwarz]

"I do so love our little talks," Isolde laughs as the vision dissipates.

[Ashlie Minamida]

Somewhere below, security camera footage is scrutinized by conduits and subroutines.

Code: Select all

>> Insufficient data to reconstruct full conversation
>> Likely telepathic intrusion or other means of long-distance communication
>> Possibly intended to be overheard, possibly ignorant of modern surveillance equipment
>> Battlecrow and Raven, possibly related to supposed dimensional event alluded to by Finn
>> Mythological title of Badb Catha, often considered sister to or part of the Morrígna or Morrigan
>> Chosen Mutant Alias of Samantha McManus, currently rooming with and possibly romantically involved with Tereza Rozanov

Across campus Ashlie pinches the bridge of her nose, a gesture that does little to relief the frustration of all this mythological mumbo-jumbo forcing itself into conjectures that are impossible to ignore. Conjectures that would be meaningless if people like their currently jailed 'guest' or Finn McCool didn't insist on acting on them none the less.