Log:A Pickpocket in Chinatown, Scene 9

A Pickpocket in Chinatown 2010/11/24 	 Harlequin Jian Lorelei Trick 9

The ruined fishing village on Sandy Bottoms Island

The door to the restored pub in the ruined village stands open. A warm light spills from the interior of the pub into the street.

Lorelei, a brunette today, approaches the pub of the ruined fishing village with Chen. She hopes the glamour is sufficient at least to throw off any possible tail.

The interior of the pub has been quite professionally cleaned it seems. The furniture fairly glows with polish as does the floor. A fresh pine scent fills the air. Harlequin sits at a table near the center of the pub with Trick not far away.

Trick is not in fact sitting quite where he seems to be sitting, just in case there's any trouble.

Chen is looking forward to seeing Trick again and making sure he is okay. Seeing Sasha and Trick popping out from more of less under her nose was quite a shock.

Lorelei says to Chen, "I just hope no one's followed us. I keep remembering one of the Chinatown metas is supposed to be invisible..."

Lorelei glances about once more before going into the old pub. She's pretty sure no shapeshifter is following, anyway.

Chen points a finger at Harlequin, "If we were followed he can just pop away again."

Trick gets up as Lorelei enters - seeing it's not here. But then she drops the glamour.

Chen follows in and grins at Trick, or where Trick seems to be seated, "Hi. You get into a lot of trouble for an invisible person."

Harlequin idly thrums his fingers against the surface of the table as he waits. He glances over at Trick then back to the open door. "Madame Lorelei, Madame Li."

"Lorelei!" grins trick. "Um, it really is, Lorelei, right?" To Chen he says, "Only when I'm in Colonial Bay!"

Chen laughs, "Yeah. That's why I came here. Lots of fun trouble in the city."

Lorelei says, "Yes, it's me." SHe hadn't though about the problem of not being recognised by Trick because of the disguise. "It's been a while - you've grown!"

He's also grown wary. "Are you sure it's reallly her?" Trick asks Sasha.

Harlequin watches Trick's reaction to Lorelei. He then looks at Lorelei. After a moment, he murmurs, "Unless she is another fae, yes, it is her, Trick. She is under a glamour. An illusionary disguise, Trick."

Trick grins and vanishes from the one spot and appears a few yards away. He goes up to Lorelei grinning. "In that case," he says, proffering it, "Here's you PDA - and you owe me a kiss!"

Chen laughs again. She was going to remind Trick about that deal.

Harlequin tilts his head to one side. "Truly? What a good deal for you, Trick." His tone is gently humorous.

Lorelei can't help but grin. She's forgotten how self-assured Trick was. "You're right, I did promise!" She gives him a kiss, on the cheek. At which point Trick's composure goes away completely, and he turns quite pink.

Harlequin thinks. o O (And now he will always prefer blondes.)

Lorelei thinks. o O (Yes, he is growing up, isn't he?)

Trick says something incomprehensible.

Chen says quiet. She knows when not to be flippent. No, honestly, she does.

Harlequin murmurs after a moment, "So, you indicated you could help me get Trick enrolled at Lord Markham's, Madame Lorelei? I must admit I have never enrolled anyone before so the process is, hmm. opaque to me."

Lorelei says, "Well, I was a bit involved in enrolling several of Trick's friends. I've already talked to Lord Markham, and it will be no problem. In fact, Trick has a standing invitation from back then."

"The others are still there?" Trick manages to get out at last.

Harlequin nods to Lorelei. "Ah, good. That makes matters simpler."

Lorelei says, "Yes, last I heard... Porthole was living with his mother for a time, but she decided that Lord Markham's school was the best place for his education after all..."

Lorelei nods to Harlequin. "Has there been any trouble?"

Harlequin shakes his head. "None. But then I live far away and down below, so its difficult to find me. And my home is not unprotected."

Lorelei nods. "Good. How did you get here - any chance you were followed?"

Chen says, "I bet he popped. Like he did outside the coffee shop."

Harlequin shrugs. "I would think it unlikely. I opened a gate to the island and we stepped through. A mage could possibly trace us, but its not likely." He looks over at Chen. "You mean like Sasha? Our styles of transport are similar, but not identical."

Lorelei smiles. "All the same, it's best not to hang about too long. Lee has at least one magician... "

Lorelei asks Trick, "Are you ready to go?"

Trick nods. He still seems to be having a bit of trouble talking to Lorelei. "Thanks for... stuff," he says to Harlequin.

Harlequin nods. "But it is Pride who truly wants Trick." He snaps his gloved fingers. "That reminds me." He reaches into his cloak and takes out two letters. "These are for Pride and Lee. Could one of you deliver them or nmake sure they wind up with one of their men?"

Chen grins, "Yeah, right. It's cool. I know how to keep my mouth shut. Having Silk Dragon for a mother taught me that when I was still a kid.

Lorelei says, "Shouldn't be too hard... what are they?"

Harlequin tilts his head at Chen's comment. "As you will." He then says, "They detail what Trick overheard. I think its best that Pride and Lee have as few secrets as possible between them. Better for peace that way, no?"

Lorelei frowns. "I'm not sure. Maybe. Or maybe secrets are all that's keeping it from blowing up...."

Chen says, "Do you have another one of those letters?"

[To Chen] Lorelei says, "Got a plan?"

Harlequin shrugs. "I think in this case it will buy more time. The old man seems to be the key." He sets one of the letters on the table, then waves a hand over it. There is a brief glow and then there are two. "Now I do, yes."

Chen says, "Well I just thought, you know, that maybe if Tim Lee and Pride are getting toknow what Trick overheard, maybe the guys and girls in colorful spandex standing in the middle between the two ought to hear it too."

Lorelei says, "Well, it was posted on HeroNet..."

Chen says, "It was? Oh. Right. Forget I said anything. I can't get access to that."

Lorelei says, "Well, there may be heroes who can't either..."

Harlequin picks up the duplicate and holds it out to Chen. "Well, this one will last a few days. Long enough for it to be copied, no?"

Chen waves the letter off. "Nope. Not me. Tim Lee's bunch already know I helped Trick. If I... Uh... Huh. If you're telling Tim Lee, he's not going to be sending out his guys to beat it out of me is he? Right." Her hand goes for the letter.

Harlequin hands over the letter then stands up and shoots his cuffs. "So, shall we get Trick to school? I am certain that he looks forward to seeing his friends again. And getting used to the smell of chalk."

Lorelei nods, "Thanks, Harlequin.... I think we should be going now. Hopefully the way we'll be going no one but the fae will be able to follow.... I've tried the route before and it should be safe...."

Trick makes a face at the mention of the smell of chalk.

Lorelei says, "Don't put him off! Don't worry, Trick, it'll be fine. And I promise I'll visit, if you like."

Harlequin looks over at Trick then murmurs, "You have the numbers and the route to take, Trick." He holds up a finger. "But we have deal. YOu try it for two semesters, yes?"

Trick looks between Harlequin and Lorelei, and nods.

Harlequin looks back to Lorelei. "A path through Faerie? How interesting."

Lorelei nods to Harlequin.

[To Chen] Lorelei says, "Could you deliver those letters, maybe? The way I'm going isn't exactly a direct route. I may be gone a day or so, and that's if I don't get lost."

Chen goes over to Trick and with a grins offers her arms for a hug, "You take care. I like your style and I like you. So don't get yourself hurt, you hear me."

Trick smiles and hugs Chen.

Chen hugs Trick smiling.

Trick says, "Thank you too!" to Chen, before releasing her. Then tosses her PDA back to her with a cheeky grin.

Chen laughs as she catches it. "Good journey."

Chen nods to Lorelei, "Sure. I know who to give them to. I'll deliver those letters."

Lorelei grins too. "Come on, Trick. I hope you don't mind getting a bit wet - thanks Chen, Harlequin! See you soon."

Harlequin nods to Lorelei. "Safe journey, Madame Lorelei." He looks at Trick. "I will say goodbye to Ziand for you. Be well, Trick. Learn well."

Trick grins, "You've still got to tell me where to get a skull like that."

One can almost hear the smile in Harlequin's voice. "Someday I shall, yes."

Lorelei walks with Trick to the sea and, getting him to hold her hand, walks into the waves, the two somehow vanishing from sight as one of the waves laps at their legs.