The Underlying Cause Part 2

Xull’rae looked at the images again carefully. They looked like animals, but none she had ever seen before except the snake one. She heard him and did not become a pest. Doing her best to smother her curiosity, she asked more helpful questions, "where have these things been spotted or one of them as you said...a general area or somewhere specific?"
Cogliostro thought upon that same point a moment longer, though he knew why in his own case. But he did not know why it couldn't be done in the case of a certain gaily painted man. Then a look of surprised realization dawned upon his features, and he spoke aloud to himself, forgetting the others were present at the moment. "I'll be damned...he can't sense them, at least not from afar. Must be a ‘fail-safe,’" nodding at his theory, it was then that it dawned on him that he had spoken it aloud in mixed company, and he let out a small cough, trying to pass it off as inconsequential and continued quickly, "at any rate, it’s a specific location." He paused a moment, thinking, when a small frown settled upon his features as he then resignedly opened the top most restraints upon his jacket, reaching inside to pull something out, a small, silver chain pulled over his head a moment later. His hand was held in front of him for a moment, as he regarded that which lay within, and then he set the chain upon the table's surface, revealing the small, odd shaped silver amulet which rested upon its length. It was three-dimensional with miniscule blue-white gems set within it. Another heartbeat of contemplation, and he pushed the amulet towards Xull'rae. When she looked him in the face he decided to explain, "I had wished the Malaugrym would be around to carry out the transportation, I have not seen him around, and have no way to contact him right now. As such, you can use this device to get your small party to the location."
"As to why they can't be retrieved..? It makes sense," Xull’rae offered to his aloud thoughts. She was of course just taking a guess to such a puzzle. She shrugged going silent, as she listened and watched him. Then she looked at what he offered with surprise. It also mirrored her tone, "I see. These medallions must be very important for you to trust me so with a pretty gem encrusted thing so as this." Her hand came out of the folds of her piwafwi to receive it.
"Mm, important to a certain clientele, yes," Cogliostro said carefully. A pause had been taken 'ere he answered, hesitance in answering plain, debating whether to let her know just how important. He finally settled on a half truth, figuring he had no choice right now.
Xull’rae sighed, "so secretive," she said at length and then without warning she slipped a jab in, "I understand...but I have a suspicion that all this is over a woman...why? It is because men do drastic and sometimes stupid things for the notice or acceptance of the female. That I know is true everywhere, not just down here."
Cogliostro merely frowned deeper in response for the first few moments, and then he said, "most clients do wish a certain degree of secrecy in dealings like these, yes." He purposely avoided the part about the female, but Xull'rae would be sure to know her assumption correct all the same. He spoke again before he lapsed, "at any rate, the location has been keyed into its ‘memory’. All you need do is to mentally convey your desire to go to such location when ready, and it will take you there." There, he gave another pause, then he continued, "the amulet has other uses and it would be best if you did not delve into finding out what those are. It is for your own protection, of course." It was not a lie, but it was as much for his own as for hers. He had given her something far more powerful and "destructive" if used in certain aspects than he wished to, but the situation warranted haste, and as such he would take his chances that she wouldn't abuse the amulet's powers.
Xull’rae shook her covered head and went about putting the amulet on and then hiding it behind the folds of her cloak. She then responded dryly to Cogliostro’s warning, "yeah yeah I know the drill it's for your protection not mine and if I snooped, you'd be forced to harm me in some way...I know."
"Mm...Perhaps," Cogliostro said softly. The frown didn't soften any at the prospect. He decided to clarify something, "but I am honest in so much as it could harm you in certain circumstances." He went on to say more, "at any rate--"
But Vesz’aun cut him off, "so, this is all well and good, human, but if I am to partake in this mission, wouldn't it be best if you had just fixed my blade? I mean, what good will I be? A bladesinger without a blade just doesn't add up somehow....So that leaves me as what, a singer?" He was somber of manner as if he were truly worried about his part in this mission.
"Well you do have a nice voice Vesz'aun," piped in Xull’rae with a wink.
A glare is offered to her, then it faded and a grim, almost humored smile etched itself upon Vesz’aun’s features as he responded to her, "well, yes, that's a given, but all the same, a little steel wouldn't hurt...."
"Then I'll give you a little steel," announced Cogliostro as he undid the remaining clasps upon his deep maroon jacket. Underneath revealed his brawny, hairless, olive-hued chest beneath. His right hand reached behind the breast of the jacket, and a highly reflective, silvered dagger was produced, and summarily and off-handedly embedded deep into the table's surface. The movement was repeated twice more 'ere he began to clasp his jacket once more, producing a total of three identical blades, "there, a little steel," Cogliostro said again, urging the bladesinger to take them.
"Well...you could use my dagger, it's decent...not a thinblade but it's something...I can use the human’s daggers," Xull’rae offered to Vesz’aun. Anything to make this go as smooth as possible she was willing to do.
"No," Cogliostro said firmly and then repeated, "he will use the steel I have provided him," giving a pointed glance to the drowess at that moment, his tone not allowing argument and he wasn't quite sure if she would know why he refused to let her aid the bladesinger in such a manner or not.
"Eh, they are a bit, mmm, short for me to be Bladesinging with," Vesz’aun pointed out, slightly irritated.
"You were a thief long before you were a bladesinger, correct? And were you not able to survive well enough with the mere daggers you possessed back then?" Cogliostro asked Vesz’aun.
"Well, yeah, but all the same...." Vesz’aun protested.
Xull’rae nodded, not fully understanding the mage’s hidden meaning, but got the gist of it. "I'm just hired help, so whatever, that’s between you and him," she shrugged, confused yes but not really admitting it or caring all the same.
A return nod was offered to Xull'rae, then Cogliostro’s gaze turned back to Vesz'aun and he said, "all the same, you will use them, and you will not complain about the subject any further, at least not in my presence. If it helps, think of this as an opportunity for you to recover some long neglected skill. You are too dependent on your vaunted Blade. That strength of yours becomes a weakness, when you come to rely on it and it alone as much as you have. So, consider this my favor to you." It wasn’t hypocritical, he and Xull’rae had favored weapons and both he and her had other weapons they used constantly. What he wasn’t saying was Bragh could have tainted the blade and therefore corrupt Vesz’aun so it wasn’t really a favor for him as much as it was for the red headed drowess, since she lost the fight to reclaim the blade for the bladesinger.
"Gee, thanks," Vesz’aun said ungratefully. A scowl was offered, though a half-hearted one, along with a shrug as he slowly took the daggers to hand, placing the first in his recently emptied sheathe, and the second two were used to replace the more mundane ones which resided in his boots.
"So I guess we are ready?" asked Xull’rae. Her hooded head looked from the drow to the human, standing slowly. She was eager to get a start, an urge to keep busy and not think of the yearning she felt within her soul. Her resolve must not break, she was determined to figure things out on her own and not fall prey to what was taught to her.
"Mm, my suggestion is that you think over the matter for a bit and rest before departing. It would not hurt to wait until morning, and as the locale is underground, you have no concerns which the surface may offer to deal with." When Xull’rae waved and began walking away, he said loudly and more quickly before she had a chance to get out of earshot, "gather some supplies of food and water at the very least, and consider taking some more cannon fodder along, as you may need a small force to hold the area a few days."
Xull’rae never stopped as she shrugged though she did grace him with a response, "fodder are a waste and a nuisance, but again if you think we need some, I'm sure Vesz can recruit them, as for food, supplies and such...that’s what this place is for. Sleep on other hand is not a bad idea after a bath and massage, which I'm sure, is available here as well."
"Mm, very well," was all Cogliostro could say while another frown creased his ageless countenance, but after a moment he added in reluctance, "if I absolutely must, I will relinquish the draegloth's items over to you, though I daresay I am very wary of doing so."
Now that was a pleasant surprise, but she did not let it show as all she said was, "and with good reason...I understand that, he doesn't like you."
"True enough," Cogliostro admitted, then said, "but it is not my welfare that I question in this case. I for one am still uncertain as to whether or not he will truly follow your command when push comes to shove. And as he is more than capable of slaughtering the two of you without the items, I am loathing making it even easier for him." When Xull’rae stopped and slow turned around, Cogliostro realized how his words sounded and hastily made known his intent, "that is not meant to demean your skills in any way, shape, or form, by the way...he is simply that powerful. I myself had to use underhanded means in order to safely rein him in the first time, and I am admittedly unwilling to expend all the resources it would take to face him in proper battle and win."
Xull’rae did not say that the creature was already showing signs of loyalty and has a drive to restore their house, not to mention the same like-mind to harm Cogliostro. Instead she hid parts of the truth through the expected latch of arrogance, "well no, not that easy...I'm more skilled than he is in certain areas...and in that area I should remind him of mother, so it should keep him at bay if I must use it."
He felt like sighing in defeat, but seeing Vesz’aun taunt and still made him nod that at least one of them had sense to fear the creature. Xull’rae’s position was a tough one, so he respected her strength of character and let the matter go, "mm, yes, a good point. At any rate, I will inform my associate that she is to relinquish the items to you, should you have want of them in the morning."
Cogliostro’s genuine concern for her was confusing. When she worked for him before, he acted like she was expendable and now that she had more choices she wasn’t? It had to be work related anything otherwise would be revolting but could have its uses. She nods and says, "very well."
"Now," his form slowly rises from the table, "I must take my leave, whilst I go, hm, pay Master T'orgh a visit, I will make it a point to dissuade the remainder of the Tower's inhabitants from bothering you whilst you take your, hm, leave of absence. We both know the measures they may take against you, but fret not over the matter too much. You have my backing in the situation, and as such you have the backing of all the agents in my employ. There is, of course, a plant within the Tower itself, who will keep the others informed should any offensive be planned against your person. In such a case, the others here will take care of it. Though it never hurts for you to remain cautious, as I know you will."
By the gods he was such a windbag! She could take care of herself. His interference would be what killed her. Though hearing there was an agent of his on the Tower undercover didn’t escape her or the fact his lackeys were prepared to back her at his command. True they could do the exact opposite, but the gesture clearly showed his interest for her well being and now it was beginning to intrigue her. However instead of voicing her displeasure she turned the conversation in a completely different direction. "Oh...yes, not what I say matters...it is just a suggestion really...but if indeed this mission and further ones are to help a woman whom you know and or care for, it is ok to say so. You humans are not swerved like we drow are in the matters of what you call love. Either way, if such is the case I'd get rid of the fiend witch if I were you...it's obvious she doesn’t like women of any type and if you are going so far as to hire drow to help this person, then you are drastic. This means you know the threat she could pose to the person you are trying to protect and help...besides if you do love this person and they feel the same...they will not understand why you deal with the demon."
Here he was offering advice that he never expected her to throw some back on such a different subject that it slammed him off guard, "Mm," for various reasons, confusion of his own on the scope of his relationship with said woman amongst them, as well as a wariness to admit such, he formulated no true answer to Xull'rae’s musings despite them being so close to the actual truth, though he did offer up a sad, somewhat grim, and most genuinely thankful and friendly smile all wrapped up into one, which he hoped would convey his true appreciation of her words.
A sudden, somewhat puzzled glance had been given to Xull'rae, though for what exact reason none could be sure, perhaps not even Vesz’aun himself. His ebony lips had parted, as if he were about to comment or retort, perhaps, but then he thought of the night's earlier events, and conversations, and he thought better of it. He'd done enough damage tonight, why take the chance that he would do so again, especially after making some sort of headway towards fixing the rift which had been created. He did however take silent mental note of that which Xull'rae had said, amongst all the other points of conversation that had come up with the human.
Cogliostro cleared throat to break the small awkward silence and said gruffly, "in any event, if it should come about that I do not return, I wish it known that I have found our rather brief time together most intriguing...in a good way, for the most part," a short pause, then he added in, as he knew she were drow, and would probably think nothing of his vaguely emotional parting, "on a more practical note, my associate has been given various instructions on what resources should be granted to each of you for your overall recompense of services thus far. And she has been instructed to give the lot of you whatever continued aid she is able to, for so long as you wish it. Or at least for so long as this enterprise survives after my fall."
Xull’rae snickered, finding his awkwardness entertaining. She quipped at him, her voice full of humor, "some dire straights you are going into then Baldy...now I know it's definitely over a woman...I hope for your sake she is worth it...in any case knowing you...you are too much of a prick bastard to die and will return to frustrate me and my kind as if you never had left." She was no fool, she knew he was serious, but she also knew it was too easy to just hope he was right and not return, so instead of ending their "maybe" last meeting in a bad way, she decided to let the sap have a nice one so she could hook him again if one day she really would need him as a trump card.
"Mm, I for one hope that is the case," again he avoided the topic of the female in question, an amused, thin-lipped smile creasing his visage despite the grim undertones he couldn't completely hide, which were brought about by the levity of his upcoming situation. He parted with, "sweet water and light laughter to you both." He gave a respectful inclination of his head was offered 'ere he turned to go, the slight mockery of using an elven greeting actually being meant wholeheartedly all the same. With that, his form retreated to the ruination that was his office, leaving them to their thoughts, Rengar silently making his way after the human as well.
Despite himself, or perhaps because he was one of the rare drow who understood certain surface race concepts and emotions to a degree, Vesz’aun did not mock the human, and in fact he managed to return the polite inclination, even though his scowl barely faded in the process.
Xull’rae frowned behind her hood but her tone couldn’t hide her disapproval as she mumbled it, "I always hated that expression. Stupid elves don't know there is no sweet water here and light laughter...if there is it's because you are dying and someone is ‘happy’ over it..."
Vesz’aun now stood, allowing his crimson gaze to follow the human before turning to face Xull’rae, "well now...shall we take up that drink before retreating for the night?" asked Vesz’aun while motioning towards the stairwell leading downward.
She gestured for him to go first while she followed him, "I'll pass on the drink as I prefer a bath and a bed instead to help sort my thoughts...I don't like this confusion...if it continues to distract me I'll die before I understand what’s going on."
Vesz’aun turned to look over his bare shoulder, "you'll get used to it, believe me, I know," he remarked, not exactly in a bitter tone, but enough resignation held within the words to portray he did not like the fact that he was in a constant state of confusion, one born of his mix of emotions brought upon by Xull'rae herself. He grinned and winked then, as he added in, "and yes, I think I'll go arrange us a bath...." He said it in jest, trying to be off-handed in manner to such a degree that maybe it would slip by her and she would agree. His expectance was etched plainly upon his features even if he didn't realize it.
Xull’rae sighed and realized with slight annoyance that she could not deny such a face in her moment need. "Very well," she said at last, giving him permission to get started, "but make sure it's hot, I hate lukewarm old water...and make it smell nice," she added in. She had to accept his presence even if she did not want it, to deny him now would tear the fragile threads of trust and attention they gave each other. Vesz’aun had many uses that she would need later. If they parted ways badly now, she would have to kill him, such was the drow courtship.
The true intricacies of why she accepted were largely lost on him, though one could not say he didn't care about the why of it. He just wouldn't allow himself to dwell on the matter at this time, for if he did, he would think better of taking up the opportunity, as he had no rational desire to be played, per se, or to simply be "settled for." So he simply nodded and hastened forward, traces of a shit eating grin erupting on his features.
Xull’rae was barely noticed his devilish smile, still wrapped up in her own thoughts. She was not entirely loathe to the idea of him actually joining her in the bath if she got a massage out of it, but she wasn't sure she wanted the bladesinger knowing she was a untouched by any other, new, a virgin. She wasn’t even sure if she wanted him to be her first. Down the stairs she went, to find out.