Role Play 007A: Rowan's Secret
Full Text
RP #007A- Rowan’s Secret
All evidence Rowan can find toward getting to speak with Korr, after the meetings that get you into the Guild, seem to be either get lucky and run into him when he's free, or run the reason past one of the officers and have time made.
Today was not her day. Ugh. She really didn't want to tell an officer why she wanted to talk. Who knows, maybe she'll get lucky and find him walking around. Maybe. Nngh.
With so many places to look, she'd have the best chance if she picked a place and stuck to it.
Either the main hall by the officers offices and administrative facilities. Outside the main hall, where everyone enters and exits the hall. Or she could try wandering the grounds to find the High Ranked Officer Houses.
She decides to stalk the offices. Hanging around the houses would be a little creepy, even for her.
The offices aren't easy to get to without being noticed. But not impossible, either. There are clear paths she could try taking to look for his Office exactly. Or she could just people watch till she sees him.
She sneaks on through without much issue.
Now, to find Korr...
The place still had officers and other administrative staff wandering about. Korr's office was behind a secretary at a desk, and a couple of officers talking to said Secretary.
She sneaks past them quietly, slinking into Korr's office. To her surprise, the door is unlocked. She finds the office empty of people.
A shelf of books line a short wall, and the opposite wall has shelves of trinkets and artifacts. His desk is a large stone desk, dwarven style A suit of worn, beaten armor sits on a stand on display in the corner of the office. It looks sized for a larger human, around Korr's size.
Rowan: "Weird. Ain't he worried about security?" She muttered.
Irony aside, she sits in a chair, and waits. She does not move.
The chairs are all high backs, blocking the view of the door. And anyone coming in's view of anyone in the chair. After just a short time, maybe a couple of minutes, Rowan can hear the door open, and then close.She does not move, still.
There is a click, and some rough muttering as the door is locked. She then sees Zeki move forward to the desk, and start shuffling things on the top of it.
Zeki: "Alright, where did you put it...leaving your door unlocked, forgetting things... your age better not be showing now, Korr..."
She hasn't notice Rowan yet.
Rowan keeps still.
Zeki: "I'm not seeing it. Where the fuck did you leave it?!"
She eventually seems fed up, and goes around the desk to search it proper. As she sits down in the chair she just happens to glance up and see Rowan. She let's out a short beep like yelp, and then covers her mouth to stop it. She stares at Rowan wordlessly for a good moment, her hand still over her mouth.
Rowan raises a hand nonchalantly.
Rowan: "Yo. Do you know where Korr is? I wanna talk with him about something."
Zeki slowly lowers her hands from her mouth, having regained her composure.
Zeki: "Yes. He's at home. Taking the day off. As I was supposed to be, too. How did you get in here?"
Rowan: "Dammit." She muttered under her breath.
Rowan: "I snuck past everyone. But the door was unlocked when I got here. If I were a regular burglar and not one who worked for you guys, this could've been pretty bad, you know."
Rowan shuffles uncomfortably.
Rowan: "Do you know if I can speak to him at his home? This is... Kind of important. And- no offence- he's the only one I wanna talk to about this."
Zaki: "Dammit d-mm."
She looks pissed off at the door being unlocked.
Zeki: "No, His home is not to be visited by anyone but guild officers and those he directly invites."
She hesitates.
Zeki: "How important is it that you speak with him today?"
Rowan frowns, looking aside.
Rowan: "It deals with my personal safety. So."
Zeki:"Does it involve another officer of the guild in any way?"
She gives Rowan a side eyed look.
Rowan: "Kinda. Look, its complicated, and this wasn't something I wanted to share if I could help it, and if certain more people knew, it'll be really bad for me."
She grunts, frustrated.
Rowan: "Its something about me. Its not... Dangerous... But not everyone will agree with that."
Zeki gives Rowan a look.
Zeki: "I'm a tiefling, I'm far from a stranger to discrimination. But if you're so worried you'd break into the guildmasters officer to talk to him, then I guess."
Zeki leans back, her hands gripping her horns in frustration before leaning forward again in resignation.
Zeki: "I can have him meet with you at my house. Just, let me find the thing he left here really quick."
Rowan feels irritation build up and visibly seems ready to say something snappy, but then deflates, sighing into her hand.
Rowan: "Okay. Fine. Fine. Can I have your word that this stays between you, me, and him?"
Zeki: "Absolutely, so long as you promise not to tell anyone where my house is, and anything you may hear while there."
She starts digging through the drawers of the desk looking for something.
Zeki: "What the fuck! Where did you fucking...it's not fucking here! Where did you? Rrrrhhhgggggg..."
She sits up right slamming the drawer shut.
Zeki: "I think we're good to go now."
Rowan nods.
Rowan: "I promise."
She stands, ready to follow her out.
Rowan: "Make sure to lock the place on the way out. If you can."
Zeki steps out, checking the handle to make sure it'll stay locked, which it does.
The secretary goes to ask Zeki something and then pauses, seeing Rowan.
Zeki: "She had a meeting, missed that he was taking the day off. He also left the door unlocked. Again. I got this, have a good day, Bets."
The secretary relaxes and nods with a smile. Zeki heads out of the offices and towards the exit of the main hall.
Rowan: "Thanks." She says quietly, following along.
Zeki:"Better be a life or death thing you gotta talk about, Rowan..."
She mutters back as she leads Rowan out of the Main Hall, and through the grounds. She takes a winding path around the townhouses. And out away from the eyes of others.
Rowan: "It may as well be."
She kept pace, taking note of the odd path. If she were to take a more direct route. It was likely it would take only minutes to reach the main hall. Eventually, they reach a house with a garden of sunflowers of all kinds around it.
Zeki: "Right. This is it. Let's get inside. Then I'll go get Hatcher."
Rowan: "Alright."
Zeki unlocks the door, and goes in to show Rowan where to wait. Rowan heads inside as instructed, and waits. Zeki goes to direct her to a living room that is comfortably, but not extravagantly, furnished. Inside, they both see Korr sitting in an arm chair, looking like he might be asleep. Zeki stares at him mother fuckerly, but says nothing, merely pointing at the couch, and gesturing that Rowan should sit down.
She does, and does exactly as she did in his office. She waits.
Zeki: "Hatcher. Hatchter! Korr!"
Korr continues to look like he's sleeping. Zeki looks frustrated.
Zeki: "Dad!"
Korr finally rouses.
Korr: "Hmm, yes?"
Rowan raises a hand.
Rowan: "Yo."
Korr looks over at Rowan, rubbing his good eye.
Korr: "Mm, yes. You have something you wished to tell me, aye?"
Zeki goes and locks her door, then returns, pointing at Korr.
Zeki: "You lied to me. It wasn't in your office! And you forgot to lock your door! AGAIN! We're going to have a discussion about that later."
Rowan looks between the two.
Rowan: "Should I wait a minute while you two settle this?"
Korr: "No."
Zeki: "Yes!"
Korr and Zeki look at each other.
Zeki: "Fine! But as soon as she's done, we're having a discussion about this!"
Zeki turns to look at Rowan.
Rowan: "Okay. Straight to the point."
She looks at them both.
Rowan: "I'm undead."
Zeki looks a bit shocked. Korr nods.
Korr: "Yes. I'm aware."
Rowan: "What! Since when?!"
Korr: "Since a few minutes ago. When Pierce told me. He also asked if I had a meeting with you, as he saw you enter my office on my day off. I thanked him for kindly reminding me of our meeting. I then headed here to wait for you both."
Zeki looks floored.
Zeki: "When did Emmitt even come into this?!"
Korr: "He stopped by my house just after you left."
Rowan slumps back, annoyed.
Rowan: "Well, I guess I take back what I thought of your security. Ugh. But you're not the only one who knows. That big, bastard oaf- Emmitt. Emmitt knows too. And the things he said to me today sounded a little like veiled threats."
Korr: "And he won't do or say anything about it to anyone else. After all. If I'm aware of it. And it becomes an issue. Then the entire guilds reputation is at risk."
Zeki: "Wait...did you know she was going to go to your office today?"
Korr: "Nope."
Rowan looks at Zeki.
Rowan: "May I call your dad a bastard?"
Zeki: "Absolutely."
Rowan looks at Korr.
Rowan: "You're a bastard. Anyway. I'm sure you guys are wondering why I'm..."
She makes a vague motion with her hand.
Rowan: "Like this."
Korr: "It likely involves that debt you mentioned before. I would like an elaboration, yes."
Rowan: "Yeah. So. Mmn..."
Rowan shuffles in her seat. She's never told anyone this before, which made it particularly difficult to find the words.
Rowan: "... My family was poor. Really poor. My parents couldn't earn enough money to support us all. Especially my younger siblings. So I started stealing and selling things to earn money."
Zeki: "Did you sell your soul?"
Zeki sounds genuine in her question. Korr waves her off.
Korr: "Her souls still intact. There is clearly more to the tale. Continue."
Rowan: "No, I wasn't that desperate."
Rowan folded and unfolded her arms.
Rowan: "One day, I stole something inconspicuous from some shady guy. Thought it might make a good gift or something for my dad. Or earn a few copper. We were low on food that week, so I ended up selling it."
She crossed her legs nervously.
Rowan: "Well. Turns out that was a bad idea. They were a necromancer and whatever was in that flask was really important. Still dunno what, but..."
She closed her eyes tightly, and took a slow breath.
Rowan: "They got pissed. And took my soul. I can't die now, because of it. And they want me to find and return the stupid flask."
She was silent.
Rowan: "... And to ensure that, the bastard. They."
She scrunched up her face, taking shallow breathes, reliving the memory and trying to get the words out.
Rowan: "They- they took my family's souls!"
Korr's face hardens. His eye focused. His speech, normally marred by slurs of age, sounds sharp, crisp, and clear.
Korr: "Did this happen here? In Wreque? Do you know what this necromancer looked like? Did you get a name of any kind?"
Rowan: "No, it was several towns over."
Her voice sounds thick, and she rubs at her eyes with her palm.
Rowan: "I got a good look of the guy, at least, when he came to my home and demanded his stupid flask back. I didn't get a name though. Made his demands clear as day. Their- their souls will live in eternal torment till i get his shit back. And then he'll release them. Unless, of course, I bring him the necesssry fucking coin needed for resurrections."
Korr: "Could you sketch him for us? This is the form of Witch I will not suffer."
Rowan tries to compose herself a bit before answering.
Rowan: "I can try. I'm not exactly an artist, but I'll do my best."
Korr: "Anything can help."
Korr looks to Zeki.
Korr: "Our discussion and dinner will have to wait a little bit."
Zeki nods.
Zeki: "Understood. Do you want me to get any books from your office or study?"
He shakes his head.
Korr: "No. I'll handle this. And Rowan."
He looks at Rowan.
Korr: "My office is open for anyone who is in real need. Remember that."
Rowan gives a slow nod, staring at the table.
Rowan: "Yeah... Thanks."
She clears her throat.
Rowan: "So. Yeah. Our first meeting. When you asked what I thought about necromancers. I hope this makes it painfully clear."
Korr nods, and then thinks for a moment.
Korr: "Zeki, on second thought. I need you to go to my study. North wall. Second drawer from the East. Top row. You'll find an amulet. Golden pendant with this symbol. Bring it here post haste."
He points to a symbol on his own necklace.
Zeki nods and moves quickly to retrieve it. Rowan stays sitting there quietly, bouncing her knee up and down. After a short time, Zeki returns, locking the front door as she does. She hands the amulet to Korr. Who looks it over with approval and then hands it to Rowan.
Korr: "You should borrow this for the time being. If someone is willing to harm you as they have. They are willing to watch you yet still. This will prevent that."
Rowan takes the amulet, and looks it over.
Rowan: "What is it?"
She didn't have the energy for a more witty response.
Korr: "An amulet of proof against detection and location. It will keep you safe from divination and scrying."
Rowan nods, and clasps it around her neck quietly. She looks up at Zeki after a moment.
Rowan: "Does this fit your criteria of life n' death?"
Zeki: "Yeah. Yeah it does."
Rowan can see Zeki's muscles cording and straining, betraying the silent anger she was trying to hide. Rowan looks around the room uncomfortably.
Rowan: "I guess I should, uh. Get outta your hair now. Thanks for the necklace."
She says the last bit as an afterthought.
Zeki: "Mhm. Stop by my office tomorrow, Rowan. I'll make sure you get in our records and pick up a job."
Zeki was obviously trying to ignore her anger, but only finding mild success.
Rowan: "Yeah, sure. Got it. I'll, uh, see you tomorrow."
She gets up and starts heading out.
Zeki: "Yeah. I'll see you out. And lock up behind you."
Zeki goes to follow Rowan to the door.
Rowan: "Oh- thanks."
Rowan gives the girl an odd look but keeps quiet. Zeki hesitates before she opens the door. And looks right at Rowan.
Zeki: "None of this will this leave this house. You have my word."
Rowan:"Oh- I... Yeah, thanks. I appreciate it."
Zeki opens the door.
Zeki: "Don't mention it."
The irony was not lost in her tone, despite her quiet anger. That makes Rowan chuckle.
Rowan: "Gotcha."
Once Rowan leaves, she can hear the lock click. And silence from the house. There's a beat, where she stares at the door for a long moment. Then she turns and heads back to her dorm room.
Trivia
First story RP to not be public at the onset outside of the introduction RPs
Parent Plot
Comments