Alstair had returned to the Paper Tiger early that afternoon and now waited in the inn itself for Dom Leon. Already he was plotting out how to make his proposal without making himself sound truly mad. It was a difficult task. What he was proposing was in it's purest form outright treason against the crown. A crime no doubt punishable by death or life imprisonment. Neither option sounded that great to him. He needed to do handle this meeting delicately. Dom was still an enemy for the moment in Alstair's mind. He had not agreed to anything yet and could just as easily gut him as agree to help.
So now Alstair waited as patiently as one could wait for with such grave thoughts upon their minds.

Fion was serving drinks to a small party of young galdori when she saw an angular man walk into the bar. He looked pensive and a little troubled. She tucked her serving tray under one arm and walked over to him. Hopefully he wasn't a grabby one. She'd had enough of that tonight, already.

"Hello Sir," Fion said, inclining her head politely, "Would you like anything to drink?"

Alstair smiled and bowed courteously.
"That would be very nice young madam." Alstair replied. "I am waiting for company and may be in for wait." Alstair looked around the room as he returned to a standing position."Tell me do the seventen frequent this fine place often?"

Fion's eyes widened. Gollies were never, ever so polite to her. Well, save for Khymarah but Khymarah was quite special. She wondered if it was a trick but she refused to let her scepticism show in her body language. It was very bold of him to ask if the seventen came into the Paper Tiger but there was no reason not to answer him.

"Yes Sir, some members of the seventen have been known to drop by, when off duty of course." She said, keeping her head slightly down, shoulders rolled deferentially. "What would Sir prefer to drink today?"

Alioe help her if he turned out to be another Dom Leon. She was almost running out of Krogansberry syrup as it was.

Alstair smiled.
"As I figured. What does Madam suggest. I have been from this country for a great while and do not know what the local tastes are." Alstair said smiling."By chance does this fine place have areas for more private meetings? My guest I am entertaining like his privacy."

Fion maintained her submissive posture.

"We have some excellent local wines." She said, yammering off the same old spiel as always. "We have a nice Hinglewood sauvignon blanc, '01 vintage. We also have some excellent, aged scotch. Is there anything you would prefer?"

Fion almost raised an eyebrow at his next request. Privacy, huh? She hoped he wasn't entertaining a guest from Cooks.

"I'm afraid we don't offer private rooms, unless you're boarding in which case you are welcome to use your room however you see fit." Fion bowed a little lower, annoyed at how keeping to her place required squishing her breasts together. She wondered why politeness meant having your arms straight with your hands over your lap. "It's fairly quiet tonight, if you like I can direct other patrons to seat themselves away from you and your guest."

Her back was itchy.

Alstair nodded and looked at the serving girl.
"Stand straight. You need not treat me with any great amount of respect. I am no different than anyone else." Alstair looked at the girl a look of annoyance upon his face. "I will take a room then. sadly I must exercise my privileges tonight..." as Alstair said this he quickly showed his seventen badge and stashed it away again."For now I'll take the scotch."

Fion sighed internally. She hated it when enlightened galdori came into the Tiger. If she changed her manner Madame Olive would walk in and give her a talking to again.

She hated those talks.

"Of course Sir, I shall be back presently." Fion bowed a little deeper before almost completely straightening and walking back to the bar.

Fion decided she'd give him the single malt Kensers Stride, it was ten years old and probably her favourite whisky. She was supposed to know her wares and, in her defence, she had put money in the till every time she'd had some.

Fion returned with a glass of whisky on her tray, holding it at the galdor's level so he could take it when he decided he wanted to.

"Will that be all Sir?" Fion asked.

Alstair took the glass of whiskey from the girl with a slight nod.
"Thank you. That should be all till my guest arrives. Would you be willing to serve us when he arrives?"

Fion nodded.

"Of course Sir," She said, she was working for hours still, "if you gave me the name of your guest perhaps I could direct him to you upon his arrival."

Alstair smiled.
"I'm sure you'll recognize the name. My guest's name is Dom Leon." Alstair said with a smile.

Alioe damn.

"Of course Sir, I'll direct him here when he arrives." She said with a polite, reciprocal smile.

"What on Vita is he doing talking to Dom?" Fion wondered to herself as she walked away, "I have to listen in on this..."

Alstair smiled.
"This could be a most useful location indeed." He muttered to himself as he watched the girl leave."Now I need to reign in Sir Leon."
((I get the feeling we should wait for Dom before continuing this.))

((agreed. This could get very interesting. Al will certainly be piqued by her connection to the resistance.))

A galdor couple nodded their heads in thanks as Dom Leon swept out his hand to usher them inside as it had begun to rain. As the door swung inwards, throwing light onto the dark street, Dom made a mental check of who would see him entering the tavern. There was a small human woman down on her knees packing her wares, and an old galdori smoking under a shop roof overhang, but except for them the street was empty.

As he entered The Paper Tiger he estimated the amount and the race of its occupants but, not wanting to look overly shifty, walked straight towards the barmaid and held out his palms in greeting,

"Fifi!" He barred her path, "Get me some water. You can hold the glass out of the kitchen window if you so desire." As he spoke his eyes scanned the room for the mysterious Alstair, "Haven't seen a shady chap who looks like he's just walked off of the front line, have you?"

Alstair looked from his drink to see Dom Leon standing at the entrance. Alstair raised his hand to indicate his presence.
"I am here good sir." Alstair said over the crowd in a polite tone.

Fion didn't bother to hide her mild annoyance, experience had shown that he would just keep proding if she showed no reaction.

"My name is Fion, Mr Leon." She said dryly, pouring him a glass of water from a small pump. "There's a gentleman to see you, he's sitting near the fire."

Fion handed Dom his glass and didn't bother to turn away. He was surely going to say something before he ran off to talk shop with his... friend.

Privacy...

Dom held up his hand at Alstair. When he turned to receive the glass of water he raised an eyebrow at Fion's surly expression,

"Cheer up, it's spring."

It was almost an order, and sounded quite ridiculous against the thrum of rain.

"One moment, Mr. Murdoh, I need to make a quick pass over the building. The resistance would have no qualms targeting the humblest of taverns if it housed galdori, and I fear that sullen chap from earlier today may have overheard our conversation." He caught Fion's eyes, then looked back to his companion, "Old habits die hard."

"Come with me," He hissed at the barmaid.

"Now, I need you to do something for me tonight," He said, out of sight, "If, during the course of this evening, I knock my glass over, and make a scene in doing so, I want you to come to me and hand me this letter." He pushed a rolled up parchment into Fion's hands, "And say that it was delivered by a trained bird bearing the Seventen insignia."

If Fion was to read the letter, she would see that it summoned Dom to the Royal Palace, with a supposedly forged signature of an official at the bottom.

Dom turned to leave, "And don't let on that I'm drinking water. If I ask you for some spirits, make sure mine is non-alcoholic," He patted her face, "Thatta girl."

Alstair smiled at Sir Dom as he waited fir him to join.
The man was cautious. A good trait in men. It more than likely had been how he had made it so far in the seventen.
"Take your time Sir Dom. The night is still young and I'm sure Miss Fion is honored to be serving such a distinguished gentleman such as yourself. In truth I am honored." Alstair said as he took his seat at a table in a far corner of the bar. He could wait if it made the man feel safe. He was well aware of the resistance and their attacks and was more than willing to let him satisfy his own paranoia.

"Die in a fire." Fion thought ruthlessly.



Fion loved looking like... well, a busty barmaid. Nobody ever thought she was the one trading secrets. Even if Dom did on occasion she could see him dissmiss the idea just as quickly.



Fion tucked the parchment into her apron. Dom was so obvious about his signals. She could have thought of a million better ones but he probably thought she was too stupid to notice them.

She didn't flinch as he patted her face, just hated him quietly.

"Of course, Mr Leon."

Dom rejoined Alstair at the table.

"She's more than honoured," He said, settling himself, "Now, I'm going to leave the ball entirely in your court, Mr Murdoh."

Dom raised his glass to his lips, "But I'm sure there is one galdori in the room capable of casting Auditory Assault against his own, if he was curious. So be aware."

Alstair nodded.
"I suspected as such. Tell me Sir Leon. Do you love this nation and it's people? For though what I am about to say may sound treasonous. I tell you this now. I will give my life for this fine and nation and her people without question or concern and I feel that if you are to see what I offer you must be devoted body and soul to this proud nation before I even let you have a glimpse." Alstair said in a low voice, his eyes locked upon Dom with frightening intensity.

Fion walked near the two men on her way to attending to other patrons. She overheard the new galdor's passionate speech and it occured to her that he was probably going to die this very evening.

She'd probably have to clean up the mess.

At the word, 'treasonous', Dom's blood ran cold.

"I am devoted." He replied, keeping all trace of suspicion and unease from his voice, and returning Alstair's intense regard with a blank stare.

He waited for the galdor to continue.