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Weighing your options like melons in the supermarket, you come to a solid conclusion in seconds flat: based on all the clanking armor, the courtyard must be a regular Donut Convention! If they catch you snooping around, well… there’s gonna be <span class="mu-i">two</span> dead bodies! Three if TT doesn’t immediately ditch you.
This realization leads to another one… if there’s that many flatfoots, you reason, then maybe…!
You take a steadying breath as you rise from your hiding spot and stride into the courtyard like you own the place! A panicked squeak leaves your companion’s lips as she scrambles to join you, but before you can respond to her frantically yanking the hem of your robes you’re stopped by a gruff ‘<span class="mu-i">Oi!</span>’
One of the courtyard patrollers clanks over with scrutiny burning in their eyes! “Who do you think you are, hm?” Asks the female Gnok, her sharp teeth clenched in annoyance! “This is a crime scene!”
Harnessing an authoritative tone you never knew you had, you match her stony glare with one of your own as you continue to walk deeper into the yard! <span class="mu-b">INSPECTORS NOTAN AND OTZI,</span> you snarl, who does <span class="mu-i">she</span> think she is?
“W-why-” The guard stammers, clearly not expecting her question to be reflected back at her, “<span class="mu-b">H-HIGH B-BELLCOUNTER IRYA,</span> inspectors… bu-”
Walk with us, you bark, prompting the guard to fall in next to you, you’re here to <span class="mu-i">work</span>, not to <span class="mu-i">gab!</span> A few other guards step out of the way of your confident strides, much to Tzah-Tzie’s clear delight!
“A-apologies, Inspectors…” Irya mutters, her tone somewhere between confused and embarrassed, “We were told you’d arrive today, but we weren’t informed how soo-”
Your job is to <span class="mu-i">inspect</span>, not be <span class="mu-i">expected</span>, you snap, relishing the shock your words produce on the guard’s face! As far as you’re concerned, everyone here’s a suspect!
“Wouldn’t be very smart to advertise our dealings, now <span class="mu-i">would</span> it?” Adds your partner, slathering her words in a thick blanket of smug!
As the words leave her mouth, however, you stumble as a familiar voice rings out across the courtyard! “<span class="mu-i">W-WAIT! THAT VOICE!</span>”
Turning towards the disruption, a pit forms in your stomach as a pair of guards approach with another in tow between them!
“What is it, Tybe?” Asks one of his escorts!
“<span class="mu-i">H-HER VOICE!</span>” Sputters the gaslit guard, “<span class="mu-i">SH-SHE’S A COURIER! SHE SAID SHE WAS!</span>”
Tzah-Tzie’s time to shine! Turning to see what she does, the pit becomes a canyon when the girl responds by giving you a sheepish grin!
Damn it, TT!
>CONTD.
