Destiny's Tears: Zykovian's Sidetrack

[Keia]

"Of course, I can be more generous . . . ," Zykovian replied as he fished several coins out, giving her two additional half-credits, and holding three in his hand. "I would think there is more there to be had, but I don't expect to be taken advantage of either."

 

[Rystil Arden]

*The woman nods slightly.*

"Da other one, he tooks ou'a map of the ward, like. And 'e made me point to where we was 'xactly o'it. An'e'as more points onda map, witta lines in between all crisscross like. 'Dat worthya coin, guv'ner?"

 

[Keia]

"Ahhh . . . so he triangulated the sights of the blood markings and the deaths of the mojiin, most likely, looking for an origin point. But I doubt that he took into consideration traffic flow or the time of the incidents," Zykovian mused. He looked to Lyveria for her opinion as he added another coin to the woman's hand. "Have to seen this tall bitch at any other time or anyplace else in the ward? Did the bitch use her hands to write or a brush or something else? Anyone you can point me to that would know more?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"I'z on'y seen 'er once, an'once was more den enough. She was all creepy and sh*t, an'i'she could kill da big lizards, she could kill me too, ya? Da writing? So 'er'and, dey's was covuhd wit' scaley gloves, see? And dey had claws at da end, guv'ner, so she dips the claws in blood and she scratches it onto the wall, see?"

"Triangulation does seem the most likely motive for collecting data points such as the ones she mentioned."

 

[Keia]

"So where was the middle point according to the map? Can you tell me the other locations that he marked?" Zykovian asked as he gave the woman another coin. "So the bitch was definitely wearing the scales and head of a lizard, but was tall. Did you see her face at all?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Didn't see da face, no, but wearing all scaley armoury clothes and sh*t, ya. Dat's why I say I think she's a bitch, but can't be sure, right guv'ner? Don't know where da other dots was on da map, neither. Wit' a dagger to me throat, wasn't lookin' so close."

 

[Keia]

Zykovian nodded, looking disappointed, and offered the remaining two coins he had in his hand to her. "Thank you very much . . . and I'm sorry for your experience earlier. I know that sorry doesn't help much but that and a few coins might help a bit. Maybe with what you've given me, I might be able to stick it to the guy that hurt you, but I honestly don't think it's enough to get there first."

Looking to Lyveria, Zykovian offered, "Looks like we try and find the other points on the map and go from there. Do you have any other ideas or questions?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Wateve'. Jes' glad you decided to pony up a bit more coin...I knew youse got more than jes' one credit, what with d'ore wit' the neck thing. Dem's not cheap'ores, guv'ner."

"It would be nice if she remembered the rest of his map so that we could know his calculations and figure out if he's using triangulation and if so which kind."

"No tr'angles, 'ore, jes lines 'tween da dots."

"One does not necessarily need to have drawn a triangle to be using triangulation, Miss. What is the other alternative, connect the dots?"

"I dunno. I'm leavin' now. So long guv'ner, 'ore."

*The woman waits a moment to see if Zykovian might hand off another coin for her most recent addition, and either way, she heads back off into the shadows.*

 

[Keia]

Zykovian T’Erilan, Male Altanian Arcanist/Marksman

Zykovian is lost in thought as the woman talks, his mind working furiously on the possibilities and only partially on what the woman said. Only belatedly did he realize that the woman thought Lyveria was a whore. He thought it best not to mention that at the moment, and better to send the woman on her way.

He walked out of the alley with Lyveria in tow and looked for the next likely spot for a blood marking. He looked for runners . . . or even Bajir if he was lucky or unlucky enough to spot him.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Zykovian's wanderings do not lead him to a blood marking or Bajir, at least not before he sees a dirty little boy who looks like he might serve as a runner.*