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Message: <blockquote data-quote="drnuncheon" data-source="post: 1018761" data-attributes="member: 96">It is an unusually bright and cheery day in Sigil. Though the place seems to lack a definable sun,there are no rain clouds. The cobblestone streets glisten with moisture from last night's rain, and theair has a fresh and clean smell to it.Ailsa can be seen, several yards away, sitting on a stone bench. She is chatting with a man thatdoesn't look /quite/ human, but is almost so. He is dressed like a nobleman.Kraydn, quite lost, wanders the streets of the Market Ward, not far away at all. "Where the blazes isDey?" he grumbles. "Or for that matter, /anyone/?" He cranes himself up, feeling even shorter thanusual amidst the lanky forms of the city's inhabitants.Sulemein slips through the streets with a bundle under his arm - a loaf of bread can be seen stickingout. He pauses for a well known street urchin and flips her a second loaf of bread and wedge of cheese."You be certain to share this, alright?" He hardly waits to hear the usual thanks, though he doesglimpse the radiant smile as he departs."Excuse me, this one wonders if you could direct him - well, 'sod off' to that one as well, 'berk'."Kraydn sighs, peering upwards at the arch of the city above him, as if he would use it to navigate likestars on the ocean. "It must be around here somewhere, this one hasn't gone far." Catching aglimpse of a familiar creature, he begins pushing his way towards it. "Su - Sulemein? Hallo! Sulemein?"Sulemein's face splits into a smile, the rare light shining off his bare scalp. "Ah... friend Kraydn.Are you enjoying this lovely day?" He dodges a rather large, nasty looking eight-legged beast andstands before Kraydn."This place is bewildering," Kraydn confides in the young monk. "This one took a shortcut down analley, to try to get to the Market, and when he turned around, these tall floating fellows werebuilding a wall across it. This one tried to get them to tell me how to get back, but they just madefunny little pictures in the air."Sulemein nods slowly, "Ah, yes... those called 'Dabus'. The Lady's caretakers for Sigil... Few possessthe ability to understand them. Shall I show you the path to the Market?""No, no, this one /found/ the Market. It's that one's home that he's lost."Sulemein laughs softly. "Ah... I understand. Come, friend. Let us return you then." With that, the monkturns down yet another twisting alleyway.Kraydn follows, grumbling. "This one doesn't know why they had to build a wall across /his/shortcut..."Sulemein laughs softly again. "None have yet discerned why they do what they do. Sigil tells them whatmust be built, what must be torn down, what must be altered..." He shrugs his free shoulder lightly,"One must simply learn and live and adapt..." He pauses, pointing up to the corner of a building,surreptitiously, and speaking quietly, "Look there, friend... Do you see that?" The monk points to acuriously squiggled marking, almost invisible unless one knows where to look.Kraydn says, "Eh? That squiggle? What of it?"* * * * *Syova appears from around a corner, craning his neck this way and that. He extends an arm to pointsomething out to...nobody? The movement of his mouth indicates he's talking to somebody at least, ifnot himself. He gestures at a number of other things before his arm falls back to loiter in its usualplace.Ailsa glances up from her spot on the bench, and waves to Syova. "Hey," she calls out. "Over here,Syova!" The noble sitting beside her looks startled, and glances up to the paladin with a scowl.Having more of a defined direction to head in, Syova alters his course as needed. The crowd seemswilling and happy enough to let the man pass without incident and he's able to close the distanceseparating him and Ailsa quicly enough."I still believe we would have bested those fiends, Sir Knight! There were but eight of them! A scantchallenge for those of our stature. But yes! Of course! Such a battle would have been quite unfair andso you allowed their insults to go unanswered! Such compassion! Such generosity! Well done, Sir!"Syova absently mutters, "Yes, thank you Bors." He greets Ailsa with a smile, "Good morning to youpriestess."Ailsa grins up at Syova. "Syova, meet my new acquaintence, Lord Derek of Sanneth. Derek," she says,"This is my friend Syova, a paladin. He and I have had some adventures together."Lord Derek inclines his head stiffly to the paladin. "It is a pleasure to meet you," he says.Syova inclines his head politely, "Hello to you, Lord Derek."As soon as Sulemein and Kraydn come into sight, Ailsa waves to them as well. "Kraydn, Sulemein!" shecalls out. "You can meet my friend Sulemein, and my husband, Kraydn, as well," she tells Lord Derek inan undertone.Lord Derek looks less than pleased for some reason, and rises to his feet. "Unfortunately, dear lady,"he says while giving her a half bow, "Business takes me elsewhere in the city. Perhaps, at anothertime. Until then, I will consider your words. Yours must be a very...fascinating goddess."Kraydn looks over, distracted from his host's tour by Ailsa's words. His eyes catch the well-dressedalmost-human standing next to his wife, and a brief scowl crosses his face. One hand touches theleather scabbard of his blade lightly, but he forces a grin and a wave - which becomes rapidly moregenuine as the interloper moves away.Sulemein does not acknowledge Ailsa as yet, while he conducts his little lesson, "There are suchmarkings all over this city. Those not of the city do not realize their importance. They are manythings. Markings to depict locations, directions...""Um, yes, markings. This one sees his wife, Sulemein..." Kraydn is already moving through the crowdstowards the tall woman. "Darling! That one won't believe what happened on the way to the Market thismorning..."Syova takes a step to one side, moving out of Derek's way.Sulemein lifts a shoulder in resignation, though he is unsurprised that the lesson may have been lost.Such is the way of Kraydn. He turns with the groceries and follows. and inclines his head to thedeparting noble.Lord Derek gives Syova another nod, and then strides quickly through the crowd, in the directionopposite from the one that Kraydn arrives.Ailsa looks up at Kraydn, and Sulemein behind him. She then looks beyond the two, and calls out,"Deynann! There you are!""Who was that fellow?" Kraydn asks, peering with narrowed eyes after the departing Lord Derek. "AndDey? Where? This one is still wondering why he wouldn't show us where he lived..."Dey, walking through the Market with a strange, organic-looking, semi-spherical, chartreuse-ish thingin one hand, turns his head rapidly at the sound of his name. Brushing some of his hair from his eyes,he half-waves toward the group, though his feet are still taking him in the same direction.Sulemein slides the bag from his shoulder so it dangles before him as he turns to observe Deynann'sapproach. He looks at the 'thing' curiously.Kraydn begins pushing through the crowds. "Dey! Where is that one going in such a hurry? We need totalk about the-" He realizes that he's shouting this across the busy Market, and stops. "-the thing,Dey!" He waves his hands in a complicated set of gestures that do nothing to convey any actualinformation to one who is not capable of reading the Vhal's brain.Syova blinks curiously at Kraydn's antics. Performance art now? Always full of surprises, that one.Slowing, Dey swings a low arc toward Ailsa, head tilting to one side in his puppy-ish way. "Couldn'task for a better day from the Lady, could we?" he says brightly, though still some distance away.Kraydn makes it through the crowds and drapes an arm over his brother's shoulders, steering him towardsthe others. "Come on, Dey. We've got to talk about the," - he leans in close - "thing that's pretendingto be you," he mutters. Then, louder, "And that one needs to tell me more about these 'day-buss'. Dothey just go about building walls wherever they please?"Ailsa blinks at Deynann, and then chuckles. "Ah. You're referring to the Lady of /this/ city. Yousurprised me there for a moment, Dey." She glances around at the group. "Speaking of the Lady," shesays, with a sigh, "I'm not going to be allowed to go home."Sulemein blinks as he looks at Ailsa, "You will not be allowed home, friend Ailsa?"Deynann nods at Ailsa's comment, "I'm sorry to hear that," he murmurs, attempting to console her.Looking up at Kraydn, he blinks twice, asking, "Oh? Did you learn something?"Ailsa shrugs, and shakes her head. "During my prayer time this morning, Lianna told me, in no uncertainterms," Ailsa says with a wince, "That I am required to be here. So... here I will stay."Sulemein's fine brow quirks slightly as he studies the sorcerous envoy. "Come, friend," says he,speaking softly into Deynann's ear. "I have some salve, should you desire it, lest you becomeinfected...""Hmmm," says Deynann, nodding to Sulemein. "That would be appreciated, friend." He winces as he toucheshis aggrieved side, as if in example."...and they'd just built this wall, right across the alleyway," Kraydn continues, blithely ignorant. "Dey? What kind of fish is that?"  Distracted, he peers across the crowds. "That ifrit has it on aleash..."Sulemein's head slowly swivels as he watches Deynann a moment, then nods. "As you wish, friend. Shallwe go inside, that you might have... privacy?" (He says it as 'prih-vass-ee')Syova continues to wallow in his own apparent ignorance of something or other (though not as blithelyas Kraydn).Deynann clears his throat, "Well... it's really not so serious. I should be able to make do, but thankyou." Smiling at Sulemein, he then steps back. "I was just on my way to an appointment, I shouldn't belong. Maybe we could share a dinner, later."Ailsa looks a little surprised, but nods to Deynann. "Well, alright," she says. "I could heal you, aswell," she says. "I've gotten even better at healing. I think it's by practicing on Kraydn," she says,with a wink.Sulemein nods knowingly, "As you say, friend..." Then, "Of course, friend. Supper would be pleasant. Wemay dine here, or take your family out." He adds, "And friend Syova, as well."Syova brightens and he beams at the monk and the sorcerer in turn. "Of course. I would enjoy that.""But, Dey," Kraydn protests as his brother pulls away, "What about the imposter? That one said he wasgoing to go looking, did he find anything out?""Nothing yet," Dey replies to Kray's question. "I'm on my way to an appointment which should be alittle more promising. Dinner... where? And when?" Another pace backwards.Ailsa glances over at Sulemein, and then back to Deynann. She shrugs with one shoulder. "I would beperfectly content eating at that open air place that we were at yesterday, if everyone else is up forit," she says. "As for time... early evening?""Why doesn't this one go with you, that one can show him some of the city," Kraydn suggests. "Lianna'st-ts, Dey, this one hasn't seen his brother in five years, and now he keeps running off at everyopportunity!" The younger Vhal's stubby finger waves as he makes his point. "Mother and Father would bemost upset if they knew this one was just abandoning you...besides," he mutters, "that one needs toremember how proper Vhal speak."Deynann smiles and nods at Ailsa's suggestion, "Sounds right as rain," he replies, then looksquerulously to Kraydn. "You know how busy I am. I'm sorry, but... I really must be going." He tossesthe chartreuse thing in the air, catching it on its way back down. "Tonight, then. I'll let you knowwhat I've discovered." A smile, his unoccupied hand pulling some of his hair back behind his ear, andhe turns and walks away, a little less casual in his stride than before.Ailsa watches Deynann go, a frown marring her pretty features. "I suppose that I'd be a little uptight,if someone was trying to pass himself off as me," she says. "Maybe he'll calm down after we get rid ofthe imposter."Kraydn frowns, and the little Vhal seems to deflate slightly, with a sigh. "This one is worried abouthis brother," he says to the others. "Something's happened to him. He's changed so much from the way heused to be."Syova turns to Kraydn as his brother vanishes back into the crowd. "How would one recognizethis...other? How does he, it, differ from Deynann there?"Ailsa looks up at Syova, starts to speak, and then closes her mouth again. After a couple of moments,she says quietly, "We might not be able to." She looks back into the crowd, where Deynann haddisappeared.Kraydn looks at Sulemein. "Su? That one's seen more of Dey recently than any of us..."Syova mms. "I imagine that may have been it, hmm? Deynann has always been very sociable."A woman with long, purple hair steps through the crowd, standing several feet away from the group. Herfeatures are mostly human, though there seems to be some celestial blood intermixed. "Psst," she says,to get their attention, before stepping up. "I didn't want to interrupt anything private that you haveto say to each other, but I must talk to you."Sulemein starts to reply to Kraydn, but is interrupted by the new arrival. His brow lifts, then he bowsslightly. "Perhaps you would prefer to speak within," he gestures to his abode/office.The woman studies Sulemein for a moment, appraisingly, and then nods. She glances questioningly at therest of them, before saying, apologetically. "If you don't mind? It is terribly important."Kraydn frowns, leaning closer to his wife. "We'd better be careful," he says. "If it can look like Dey,maybe it can look like anyone!"Sulemein nods once and turns to open the door. He stands by, to allow the others entry.Ailsa looks at Kraydn and nods to him. She turns to look at Merilee, and says, "I believe that we cantalk to you," she says, cautiously. "Sulemein, do you care to lead the way?"Sulemein stands by the open door, and nods to Ailsa as he enters. A chandelier of torches lies highabove, and when a cord is pulled a cover is raised, to bathe the room in light.The purple haired woman follows the group inside, nodding. "My name is Merilee," she says,informatively. "I assure you that I come to you with only the purest of motives. Which might bedifficult to believe, in this festering hellhole, but please try to give me the benefit of the doubt."Kraydn peers at her suspiciously.Sulemein, having somehow known her name was Merille, inclines his head as he offers her a seat on oneof the several mismatched pieces of furniture. "I am called Sulemein."Merilee sits, gingerly, on one of the chairs. She nods to Sulemein, and looks to the othersquestioningly.Ailsa obligingly fills in, "I'm Ailsa. This is my husband Kraydn, and our paladin friend's name isSyova."Syova smiles for the second or third time today and finds a comfortable place to stand, "Hello to you."Merilee nods all around, and then sighs. "I wanted to warn you away from the man that you were justtalking to. He is a menace, pure and simple. Are... any of you sorcerers?"Sulemein allows a negative shake of his head. "No sorcerers, are we...""A menace?!" Kraydn explodes. "That man is this one's brother! He's no menace! He-" A thought seems tostrike Kraydn with the force of a hangover. "Oh. The imposter!"Merilee looks startled at Kraydn's outburst. "Your... brother? An imposter? It seems that I've stumbledonto something here," she comments wryly. "Maybe I should tell you why I know the person is a menace.You see," she says, "I am a sorcerer. He caught me one night, on a little-used street."Ailsa frowns, but nods for the woman to continue."This bears a rather disturbing similarity to the other fellow's tale..." Kraydn mutters. "Let this oneguess...he took away that one's magic?""A loud sniff. "And now lewd and indecent stories. I could have told you she'd be trouble.""Bors, please."Sulemein listens quietly as he closes the door to the outside. "On what occasion did this occur,friend?"Merilee continues. "I was able to break free, but it wasn't without considerable effort. He is strongerthan any man I know, and more dextrous, and his skin was like stone -- she stops, looking down atSyova's waist for a moment, and then looks back up at him. "Hmm," she says, bemusedly. "Umm... anyway.I cast a haste spell on myself, and ran. He cast haste on himself as well, but I ran out onto a publicstreet, right into the chest of an angelic being. There were a lot of people around, and the magicstealer must not have wanted to chance a public confrontation, or was at least afraid of the angel."Sulemein repeats his question quietly, from the door, "When did this incident occur, friend Merilee?""It couldn't have been Dey," Kraydn says firmly. "This one loves his brother, but 'stronger than anyman I know' he's not. Not even with magic." He tugs on his beard, then adds, "Too, Deynann has neverbeen known to try to steal magic from others."Merilee coughs, looking up at Sulemein. "I'm sorry," she says, her cheeks staining red. "I did not meanto ignore you. I think that I'm a little overwrought. It happened... two weeks, no two and a half weeksago. And he's been hunting me ever since.""Splendid!" Kraydn says brightly. "Then all we need to do is wait for the false Deynann to come getyou!"Sulemein frowns at Kraydn as he goes to a sideboard, and pours a glass of clear water. This he takes toMerilee, "Friend Deynann has told us of his lengthy absence from this city for some months...""An excellent plan! Well said, good Kraydn! And then we will set wrongs to right and bring thiscreature to justice!"Syova considers this before he displays his by-now perfected maneuver as he nods and agrees with hissword. "If her safety might be assured, Kraydn's suggestion isn't a poor one."Merilee looks pained, but says, "If that is what it takes to catch the bastard, then I will volunteermyself as bait." She hesitates, and then says, "So you're telling me that there is someone else in thiscity that looks like this soul stealing person, and that he's a nice person, and that he hasn't evenbeen in the city recently?" She shakes her head, studying Sulemein. "I do not sense that you areplaying a cruel joke on me, but you must admit that it's rather difficult to believe..."Kraydn looks rather startled as his plan is accepted, and then pleased. "Well then! This one can assureyou," he tells the woman, "that his elder brother is no sort of soul eating monster."Sulemein murmurs softly to Merilee, "You appear to be no stranger in this strange land, friend... Haveyou never seen anything odder still?"Merilee gnaws on her lower lip. "You do have a very valid point," she says. "This is a very strangeland. Alright," she says. "I'll be the bait. How else should this plan go?"Sulemein inquires of the celstially descended one, "Is there a pattern that you have discerned, in yourhunter's attacks?"Merilee considers. "I have actually only seen it go after me. But it waited until I was alone, so thatit could ambush me. It came as a complete surprise, and I was almost not able to escape... I think thatit won't attack unless the odds appear to be very much in its favor."Kraydn hmms. "Perhaps these ones could conceal themselves, while that one tried to, er, attract itsattention."Sulemein nods slowly, considering. "Perhaps I might prove able to shadow her, unseen and unheard..."Syova expands on the idea further. "If it hunts by sight, perhaps Kraydn might disguise himself as thislady. It would keep her further from any danger."Ailsa laughs out loud, and then suddenly realizes that Syova is serious.Kraydn looks at the tall, slender woman, and then at his own stocky form. "This one is not certain thefalse Deynann would be fooled..."Syova cocks his head and makes some pantomime with his hands, "There are...spells. Yes?"Kraydn snorts.  "Deynann's the spellcaster of the family, Syova, that one knows that."Sulemein shakes his head slowly, "It is more likely that this creature is able to track by scent...perhaps sorcerous scent, and knows her taste now..."Merilee grins, looking Kraydn over from head to toe. "Perhaps, though I'm no mewling kitten to protect.I think if I have some back-up, I will stand a higher chance of being able to protect myself. I wouldrecommend very highly enchanted weapons...it will be hard to damage it."Sulemein flexes each hand slowly, causing them to elicit a crackling sound. "I am prepared in thatregard..."Kraydn grins like the sea-wolf he is, and pats the elven rapier at his side. "Oh, yes, we are more thanprepared.""Have no fear, good lady! We will win the day!"Syova pats the sword's hilt, "Hopfully, Bors. Hopfully."Merilee eyes Syova again, but then looks away. "So. We lure it into a trap, and beat on it until itdies. You seem to be content with the magical nature of your weapons... I'm trying to think if I'mforgetting anything."An eyeblink is the distinction between a not-there and a there. In this case, the 'there' is thatrepresented by a very Dey-like form, complete with eyeblinking and pushing back of hair while hegathers his surroundings. The 'not-there' having been a low table, which Dey now stands upon. Uponnoticing Kray, Dey immediately starts to speak in excited tones, "Kray! Ailsa! I found out more aboutthe thing!" He's smiling, quite pleased with himself, until a nagging reminder about this wholeappearing act sinks in. "Oh. Um, hello." The purple-haired woman takes him aback, enough that he stepsoff the table, and not realizing that he'd not been standing on the floor, falls over quite heels overhead.Ailsa stares at the new Deynann, quite astounded."Gaaah! It's come for her already!" Kraydn springs back, forgetting the effect of his magicalboots...and ring. As Deynann crashes to the ground, he crashes to the ceiling. And then to the ground.Merilee gasps, and backs up against the wall. Her hands go up into position to begin casting a spell,though she hesitates when she sees the sorcerer fall."There it is! Attack! To arms! To arms! We go to war!"Syova quietly rubs his eyes.Deynann rights himself, looking at the other sorceress and, instinctively, preparing a counterspell.When she hesitates, so does he. "... Merilee?" he hazards.Sulemein is apparently used to these sudden surprise visits from Deynann, given the nature of theirrelationship these past years. Sulemein notes to himself, Besides... this is Sigil, the land ofinsanity.The sorceress narrows her eyes, ignoring the Kraydn ping-pong effect for the moment. "I have just beentalking with this group of people that is trying, very earnestly, to convince me that you're not who Ithink you are," she says. "And I want so desperately to believe them. But how do you know my name?"Kraydn sits up, rubbing his head. "Ouch."Sulemein interposes himself between sorcerers, "No sorceries in my home, if you please...""Ah... heh." Deynann forces his hands to his sides, standing up and cautiously stepping forward,offering a hand to the woman. "A pleasure," he says, inclining his head. "Oh, -that-. Well. Let's justsay, two can use the same face in reverse directions, yes?" A wry grin, one that was perhapsconsiderably more rare on the other-Dey than on this one. "I've heard about you. You were the 'one thatgot away'. I think there was a considerable amount of malice associated with that thought, however."Looking back at Sulemein, he nods. "Except for the entry... I understand. I won't annihilate yourliving space today. Oh, my -manners-." A bow to the woman, in true Vhal fashion. "Deynann ibn Tayyar,the nice one."Sulemein nods in appreciation to Deynann, "I do not mind your entry, friend Deynann - that I have grownaccustomed to, though your landing requires greater practice..."Merilee relaxes a little bit, and nods to Sulemein. "You have my word." She looks over at Deynann then,and steps towards him. "Merilee of Misty Vale, the only one. I hope," she adds, nervously, taking hisoffered hand. "I apologize for my suspicion, and hope that you understand my reasoning." She glances atKraydn. "I was just telling these people that you were a menace, and to avoid you, when I saw themtalking to you out on the street this morning."Still rubbing his head, Kraydn asks, "Did that one have his appointment, then? And what was that greenthing anyway?""... ah. Well, let it be known that it was me only in appearance. I haven't seen these people since...yesterday." Dey shrugs, then smiles to Marilee. "I understand your suspicion, and I'm sympathetic. Ican also see why he'd choose you... well, aside from the bit about being a sorceress." A wry grin as helooks back to the rest of his companions. "I also know of one of his abodes. And another of his --well, its -- forms. I had a run-in with a couple of its associates, acquaintances, lovers...whichever.""But we set her straight," Kraydn adds. "And she's going to help us find the false you, since it'strying to suck out her magic...soul...whatever. It tried to do it before, so all we have to do is waitfor it to try again, and we've got it!" Then Dey's words seem to penetrate. "Wait...that one didn'tspeak to us this morning?"Sulemein frowns at that and moves to Deynann. He studies the man closely. "Open your tunic please,friend..."Ailsa arches a brow. "It sounds like this imposter has an interesting life, anyway," she comments,archly.Deynann looks at Sulemein, "Look, I already had one man propose me, earlier. I'll be honest, Sulemein-- I prefer ones with hair."Sulemein frowns, "Please do so, friend Deynann..." It sounds less of a request, than one of suspicion."Dey," Kraydn says, "this one didn't say anything when that one started up with an ifrit, but..." Hesearches for the words. "It's one thing when someone's at sea, and there aren't any women around,but..."Ailsa elbows Kraydn in the ribs.Kraydn oofs, but does not shut up. "Mother and father want grandchildren!" he protests.Deynann shrugs a little, opening his tunic modestly. "Kray, before you start in... the female gender isinfinitely preferable. And I don't need to hear any more of your sea-m... sailor stories."Sulemein nods perfunctorily as he studies the sorcerer's side, and touches the flesh there."Curious..." he remarks, then pulls out a small, sharp knife. "Friend Deynann, we encountered one withyour appearance less than one hour previous, and I witnessed wounds that healed as I watched... Yourhand, if you please...?"Kraydn scowls, and pushes his way across the room towards Dey and Su. "Wait a moment, that one's notgoing to be slicing this one's brother up!"Sulemein looks now to Kraydn, "When we encountered your brother earlier this day, he seemed not to knowof us. I also witnessed wounds on his side - wounds that healed as I observed them.""I think that if we're looking to verify my identity, no blood needs be shed over it," Dey says, eyeingthe knife. "I still owe you an enchantment on those rings, for example."Merilee watches the interaction with a certain amount of bewilderment, and then says, "We were thinkingthat we would try to lure it into a trap. It wants me. It probably wants you, if it knows you're backand can blow its cover. And then we kill it." She tries, and fails, to sound nonchalant about it.Deynann nods to Merilee, "I'm hoping that it will pay a visit to its abode tonight. At least, the abodethat I hope it's using."Ailsa considers. "Why is it that we didn't get any treasure when we all went out after the Queen'sStar?" Her words are obviously meant as a test of some sort.Kraydn opens his mouth to correct Ailsa, then closes it as he catches on.Deynann smirks at Ailsa. "Funny. I haven't heard of the Queen's Star, myself.""And who did this one catch his brother smooching behind the well-house when he should have beenfetching water for the bath?" Kraydn crosses his arms triumphantly.Deynann coughs at Kray. "Which time?"Ailsa breathes a sigh of relief. "It's good to see you, Deynann." She looks over at Merilee. "Don'tworry. We won't allow anyone's soul to be sucked."Sulemein murmurs softly, "Unless this creature has the capacity to read one's mind for the properresponses, as does a Doppelganger...""Ooh. This one hadn't considered that. Perhaps we should ask it questions that only Dey would know theanswers to...that is, ones that we don't...no, that wouldn't work." Kraydn scowls, deep in thought.Ailsa grumbles. "I think that what we've discovered will convince me. I don't want to succumb toabsolute paranoia... Besides, it didn't do so well this morning, so I'm guessing that it doesn't havethat ability."Her husband turns to look at her. "What does that one mean? It did a damned good job of being Deynannthis morning. This one was entirely taken in!"Sulemein studies Deynann for a moment, then nods slowly. "Very well, friend Deynann... Yet we mustsomehow mark you, then, that we might know you from the other."Deynann adds, "It's got more than my identity. I think it wants you more than it wants me. It's got anego problem, you see." Looking to Sulemein, he produces a signet ring from his satchel. "Will this do?"He jams it onto his right hand's ring finger.Sulemein nods as he studies the man, "The ring may suffice..."Merilee leans over, and whispers to Syova, "Are they always like this?"Syova nods and agrees."There are any number of ways to prove that I am who I say I am. I don't think it knew me at all --probably just saw my face at one point or another. One just has to decide when to be satisfied, that Iam who I say I am." Deynann shrugs at the questions, then looks to Merilee. "With the rage this thingfeels for you, no doubt it would have already attempted to teleport away with you."Merilee nods. "Yes. It is angry that I had the audacity to not allow my soul to be sucked," she says."Silly me."Sulemein looks thoughtful, "I should wonder if it would actually keep our dinner engagement thisevening..." He shakes his head.Deynann eyes Kray. "Kray, what do you mean, it... fooled you?"  He blinks even further. "Dinnerengagement?"Ailsa hehs. "Yeah... we invited it to dinner tonight. Thinking it was you, of course. Thinking it wasyou that was acting strangely because you were being impersonated by this thing.""This one thought it was you." The shorter Vhal's dark skin flushes as he admits it. "It was walkingdown the street, and it said it had an appointment." His eyes widen. "Oh no...Dey, this one told itthat we were looking for an imposter! It knows we're onto it!"Peering at Kraydn, Dey slowly asks, "You... did... what?""Well, this one thought it was that one!" Kraydn protests. "If it looks like that one, how is this onesupposed to know it's not that one? And now it looks like someone else, too? This one's head isbeginning to ache.""I think it's a natural shapeshifter, yes," Dey says, then adds, "Kray... don't worry about it. Iwasn't sure you were you when you and Ailsa appeared... and you had somehow known about magic beingcast on you. Speaking of which..." His head tilts, "How -did- you know that?"Kraydn frowns. "Well, it's not like nobody's ever cast spells on this one before...""Mmmhmm," Dey says, unconvinced. "An invisible sorcerer of, might I add, not inconsiderable skill.Casting an otherwise undetectable spell with no visible effects."Merilee breaks in, realizing that to be heard, she is going to have to interrupt someone. "Deynann. Yousaid that you know one of its bolt holes? Are you planning on us lying in wait for it there, then?"Deynann nods to Marilee. "I informed the doorman not to mention my presence. Thinking that I was it,and thinking that its alternate appearance was its me-appearance's lover, it agreed not to say a word.I studied the place well enough to teleport all of us there, to lie in wait. We need not to kill it,though -- only it knows everything that it's done."Merilee looks a little confused at Deynann's explanation, but slowly sifts through it, and then finallynods. "That sounds like a workable plan to me."Deynann scrutinizes his brother a little further, then shrugs, turning back to Marilee. "You like myidea? It seemed rather appropriate, even poetic."Merilee grins, an almost feral gleam in her eyes. "I find it very appropriate. And yes, even poetic...when do you think we should lie in wait? Tonight?"Deynann grins at Marilee. "I thought you might enjoy it. Yes, tonight... though there's no telling howsoon it might arrive. It left some belongings there, so I imagine it felt like the place was eithercompletely secret or disposable. Hopefully not the latter, but since it left some 'magic make-up'there, I think it's likely the former."Ailsa cracks her knuckles. "Well, given that we're in a strange place, surrounded by all manner ofstrange creatures, I have prayed for some of my more violent spells."Merilee arches an eyebrow. "Magic makeup. I... see." She looks around at the group, and says, "Well andgood then. What do we do until then?"Deynann nods to Ailsa. "I think my role will be best served by preparing countermagic, in case it'smore formidable as a sorcerer than we might have expected. It would leave us back at the beginning ifit had an opportunity to teleport away."Sulemein nods slowly as he considers, "I believe it likely our best opportunity, yes..."Ailsa frowns at that thought. "Yes, we wouldn't want it to do that. It needs to be finished." Sheconsiders, and then adds, "You and Merilee both should be as careful as you can be, since it soundslike you're her primary targets.Kraydn nods. "That's right...stay behind Syova and I. This one, at least, hasn't got any magic for itto steal."Deynann shakes his head. "Don't kill it... not immediately. We need a chance to interrogate it."Sulemein lifts his hands, "I shall fight to subdue, then..." He looks to Deynann, "Perhaps you have thesorceries to prevent its scape, in fashion similar to the means employed to bring you here thisevening?"Deynann sighs, and nods in agreement with Merilee. "If possible, I'd like to see if we can't 'return'what magic it's stolen to its victims."Merilee's shoulders sag, and she nods. "I would too," she says softly, "Since it took some of mine. Ican't cast as powerful spells as I could before my encounter with it."Kraydn frowns. "Bah, might as well hit it with a fish. If this thing heals as fast as that one said,we'll need to do everything we can to keep it down."Deynann grins at his brother. "If given some time to prepare, we won't be the only ones fighting it.Not by a long shot."Kraydn says, "Then let's get to it."</blockquote>

Verification