Dark Hallway(#23007Rato)
The hallway is dimly lit and narrow, but the rooms that open off of it are easily discernible, as each has a label on the door. Immediately inside the entrance, to the left is labeled "The Hard Work Room." Opposite this lies "Chief's Office." Just past that, on the right, and directly across, on the left, are matching jail cells, one labeled "Cell 1" and the other, "Cell 2." Both of these doors have a small rectangular hole cut into it about 5 feet from the floor, and a stepstool sits on the floor in the hallway nearby.
The door to cell number 1 is unlocked and the door to cell number 2 is unlocked.
The hallway ends in a blank wall; from the faded square at about eye-level, it seems something may once have hung on the wall, but it is there no longer.
Contents:
Daniel
Sign(#29805h)
Obvious exits:
 Hard Work Room leads to Hard Work Room.
 Main Room leads to Main Room.
 Cell 1 leads to Jail Cell.
 Cell 2 leads to Jail Cell.
 Chief's Office leads to Chief's Office.
===================== Bree Time ========================
Real time: Tue Dec 19 18:27:30 2006
Bree time: Mid Morning <09:22:30> on Highday of Autumn - November 12,1439
Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous Moon
==========================================================

                              Breelands Weather                              
The mid morning autumn air is cool but pleasant around you. Heavy snows fall down from the daytime sky.

            Only just in the main room is Daniel Thistlewool, stomping his boots noisily to slog off the slushy snow sticking to them. He does not remove his cloak, however, and it is quite cold, at least in the main room of the constabulary.
            The room is otherwise clear of other constables for the moment, who must be engaged in pursuits in the fresh fallen snow.

             Within the hallway already, leaning outside the door to the Chief's Office, there is one figure, previously unmoving, cloaked in a dark grey, but without the hood drawn- unusually for her. The head glances up at the sound of boots, and a wry and fleeting smile lights the features if only for a moment or so as the gaze falls upon the newcomer.
             "Ah, good..." Those velvet tones again, though they are not cold, "Chief, it is a concern that your headquarters here are quite deserted... But I am glad you have come, I was about to depart for the day."

            Raised eyes spot the occupant of whom he had seemed to take no notice to that point, and it is as if he expected her presence. A warm smile overcomes, and he makes his way across to her assertively. But the oddities in his behavior continue, with each new meeting. Opened arms swing wide as he approaches, in an invitation of some undisclosed sort. "Depart? How long have you been waiting?" Said as he closes the distance.

             And, as the arms spread, Scarlet looks momentarily bewildered. After all, there's only one other person in the world who's ever done this. Only one until now. She answers the question before anything else- "Perhaps a half hour, an hour? I was here earlier than anticipated..." Then, eyes flick both ways up the hall, as though to check they are not being watched and then... almost gratefully? she moves into those open arms. Scarlet draws in a very quiet breath.

            His arms wrap around tightly for a brief moment, before releasing, but his hands remain on her shoulders. The warm smile refuses to leave, and there is a brightness in his eyes. "Well. Come into the office? Much warmer." He doesn't give time for acceptance before releasing her to step past and into the office.

You pass through the door into the Chief's office.
Chief's Office(#21233Rhn)
            From the doorway this room looks large and cavernous. Its floors, walls (what can be seen of them) and ceiling are all dark wood. It is easy to see that the room is naturally dark, especially at night, but in several places, dispersed throughout the room, big round candles are standing to give light when needed.
            To the left, on the wall that the doorway is in, a bulletin board is hung. At the top, "Notes for Daniel here, please" is written, and several small notes are attached. Further around that side, on the wall perpendicular to the doorway, is a humongous depiction of the Breelands, including Combe, Archet, Staddle, and the hill itself. Attached to the picture in several places are small gold-colored badges which read, "With Strength We Serve." There is a wooden stepladder against the wall to the side of the picture, which is tall enough to extend practically from the ceiling to the floor.
            About twenty feet from the door, on the opposite wall, is a large window which looks out onto the hillside. In front of the window, is a large wooden desk, covered in papers and well used. A huge chair sits between the desk and the window. The chair has a few pillows piled up on the seat.
            On the right side-wall, there is a huge brown sofa. A pillow is perched on one end of the cushions and a light blue blanket is draped over the top of the back. There is also a table with a drawer in it, nearer the door. The drawer is cracked open a few inches, and one can see inside just it enough to be able to see that the drawer is divided vertically into files.
            In the midst of it all, there is a huge rug covering the majority of the floor, on top of which sit a few chairs, presumable for guests in the office. At the near edge of the desk, and facing outward, is a wooden block, attached to which is a brass nameplate which is engraved with, 'Chief Daniel Thistlewool.'

             There was something almost tense and uncertain in Scarlet's whole body during the hug and yet, it was far, far from resistance. The question is followed by a short nod of her head, and she follows, stepping through the doorway after the Chief. "How are you, Chief? You look well..." And she bites her lip at the words, quickly turning, shrugging off the cloak, and dropping into a seat.
            His back is to her as he proceeds to his desk, pouring two cups of tea in turn. "Well?" He noted the hesitation at the words. "Well enough that I'm not bed ridden, like that pour Mr. Heathertoes. Heard he's not been seen emerging for a fortnight, or some such." The sounds of pouring tea.

             "Heathertoes?" A frown, eyes searching. "What is that about, then?" A pause, and she glances across to the fire, regarding it a moment, before shifting her attention once more back to the Chief. "I did have a rather curious conversation with one Mr. Bill Ferny just the other day, which I think, you should be interested to hear about..."

            "Oh?" Said as he turns with one cup extended out for her. "Then tell." Smiling eyes meet hers.

             Scarlet takes the cup, but as yet, she does not drink, merely wrapping her hands about it for the warmth. "I saw Ferny walking most genially along the East Road, looking every picture the model and upstanding citizen that we all believe he is not." A pause, and she finally takes a sip, "He continued to ask whether /I/ had any inclination as to whether you intended to accept the offer of being Mayor, if you were not to arrest him." Those searching eyes again, but she continues quickly, "He asked that I should explain that his intentions are good and fair, and that," She seems to be searching her memory for the exact words here, "that I should sort things out with the collection office, and that he, himself, should be happy to help you, Chief, in anyway he is able. He said he seeks to.. now, what was it? Change a perception or similar nonsense."

            Daniel's smile fades to passive seriousness at the change of conversation. He takes the seat near hers, which faces partly at an angle, along with his tea, which he neglects. "He's a fool, and has far more mouth than is good for a man. I will send for him, and have him discuss it with me here. What do you think should be done with him?"

             "He did appear, for the most part, sincere in his desire to change... After all, what man mentions their "auntie" to me, especially, if he is not truly attempting to make a point." A pause after the last question, and a coy smile that suggests she has been thinking this over. "Well, my dear Chief.. I did inform him that I was in good standing with the Breeguards and that, being that he and I have been aquaintences of a sort for many years, that I would do all I could to insure he was not to be arrested. Now, you see, have we not the perfect leverage for anything we would like from Ferny? If I return to him, and say I have done all I can to convince you, or that, perhaps, I myself need more help from him in some form or another in being willing to convince you to let him remain free... should he not readily agree? I think he has forgotten that he held some sort of power in his own bargain and worries now, about his name being tarnished further- something that would surely come from being sent to jail, do you see?"

            Daniel considers the words, at times showing disagreement and dubious eyes, but for the most part respect and acknowledgement. "Yes, but what use could we make of him? I find him the type more likely to be trouble, than of any use."

             "I had not thought that far ahead, unless we were to bind him in some contract or another that would be easily accessable should we need it in the future. If you were able to make dealings with myself, Chief..." Scarlet trails off then, realising the comparison she has just made, and so burries her face in the cup- drinking quite purposefully until she has thought of something more to say. "He is the type to make trouble, yes... But if you and I hold some power over him, he cannot make trouble without our knowing, and without our seeing to it that he regrets having made the trouble."

            "No . . . I think there is merit to your idea. I would not go through such efforts to merely avoid his trouble, for I find it an irritant at best. If we are to deal with him, he must serve some purpose. Perhaps it is enough that we have him reserved, so to speak, so that we can put him to use if some purpose arose. Perhaps, dangerous work I'd not wish you to undertake . . . or yours." He sets his tea on his desk with a reach; having left it entirely untouched.

             The expression brightens at the first words, the eyes alight with pride, and then becoming carefully serious again as the conversations continue. "Yes, that is what I was thinking, that we should be able to use him for some purpose that we ourselves were unable or otherwise unwilling to do. Of course if he thinks he owes you or I a great favour for not having him sent to jail.... perhaps it would be easier for I. I would say that you had taken much convincing and pains on my behalf, and that I don't think I shall ever be on such good terms with the constubulry... If the task that he has asked me to do was quite grievious for me, perhaps he shall feel a favour is owed, to make up for what I have suffered for him."

            Agreeable nods, and a deep inhale. "I think you're quite right. Clever, at that. I will let you speak again with him." That said, it is as if he could not wait for an opportunity to divert from serious matters. He relaxes visibly.

             And Scarlet, too, takes the opportunity to divert from such seriousness and business matters, with a mock frown, "Why, dear Chief, I would have thought you already knew of my cleverness! Or has it taken you until now to realise it, in which case I am severely disappointed and must wonder about what sort of appearance I have been giving out!"

            Sarcasm infiltrates his smile in return as he leans forward, placing a hand on her left. "I assure you Scarlet, that I do not doubt your cleverness, and never have. Will you forgive me? Is it possible?"

             Eyes flick toward the hand, then up again toward the eyes. She seems to regard him, thinking, the lips pursed as though trying to make a decision regarding his question. "I do not know. Perhaps I shall in time, I think that you have undone all the hard work of our friendship however." And she stops short, it seems, her own smile mischevious and the eyes alight.

            The Chief's head hangs dramatically, the hand remaining in place. "Not again." He drones the words, then simply remains there hanging, clearly at an incredible loss of words, and broken.

             "Again?" The word is quiet, almost afraid. After all, perhaps this is not an act- it seems altogether too serious to be so, and she cannot see the expression. Biting hard upon her lip, Scarlet's own hand moves, cautiously, to cover the Chief's, her own head ducking that she might look up at the face. "Chief, you know I could not... I mean, you couldn't... ruin it... it is impossible, I think..." And all this is very quiet, very concerned.

            Gentle laughter begins near the end of her concern, and bright eyes emerge to spot hers. He stands quickly, places a sudden light kiss on her forehead, and turns back toward his desk. "Anything else then? I imagine it is your bedtime."

             Scarlet attempts a smile, but it is hardly genuine, nor as bright as often it is in the present company. "That was unfair, I could not tell whether you were--" The kiss, and she appears to freeze up a moment, turning her head away as though searching for her cloak, or similar, as her face becomes a pale shade of pink. "Whether you were serious, or otherwise... Nothing else, no... I suppose I should--" and she interupts herself now, standing up.

            Amused eyes watch her from behind the desk as he takes his seat behind it. "I was surprised to have fooled you, my dear. I felt it entirely transparent. You may stay here if you wish. You know I enjoy your company. And it is warm." He reaches for a parchment that is half covered in scribbles, then his quill.

             "I could see only the top of your head... It is not an awful lot of information to aid me in knowing when you are serious, in this particular instance at least." And she stands there a moment longer as though unsure, but, as he begins to focus elsewhere, she takes up her cloak and throws it over her shoulders- drawing up the hood. "No, you are quite right, I had best be returning home. Do call on me if you think of anything else regarding this Ferny business, won't you?" And she takes a step or two toward the door.

            "Hold on!" Slightly shouted from his desk as he darts upward and makes his way around the desk to her quickly.

             Scarlet stops dead in her tracks, then turns quickly, saying nothing but waiting for what has made him call out so.

            Another reach, for the shoulders again, and focused eyes make their way toward hers. With a lowered forehead, he asks, "Are you upset?"

             Deep breath, and something about her expression shifts- a wry smile forms at the words though again, the eyes are not bright. For a moment she does not answer, but seems to think on the question, as though there were more to it than being asked. Finally, she replies, "I am not upset... I do not know what I am. Perhaps... perhaps it is sleep, having caught up on me at last."

            There's a stubborn curiousity in his gaze, and he seems unwilling to accept her explanation. And so he does what any good inquisitor does, and says nothing at all; merely allowing silence and a steady gaze to remain, as well as the opportunity for further words.

             But she knows this game, oh yes. This game she has played many a time herself, and has been in the same position for petty crimes in her earlier days. The gaze is met- her own is defiant, and yet inexplicably sorrowful. Has it always been that way, deep down? "It matters not, Chief. I am fine. What said could have possibly upset me, hm?"

            Daniel's eyes soften, showing his rejection of the continued words, along with his own indication of sadness. He takes a single step closer, turns his head slightly. His hands draw down her arms a little, and he raises his chin. "I had jeopardized our friendship before. I would not wish to again. Is it that? If not, I do not know."

             Scarlet breathes deeply- she seems to be about to start shaking very lightly for whatever reason. A soft smile follows, a gentle shake of her head. "No, you had not, and it was not that. I had not meant for the question to be answered.. Nothing has been said." Her voice is quiet, yet still controlled. The eyes, however, although drawn upward to his own face, cannot remain still.

            The moving eyes cause a deep creasing of his brows, and he follows their every move. Perhaps his concern and conduct is the very cause of it, but the possibility, if recognized, does not deter him for the moment. One hand frees from the arm to fall into place against her cheek, assuming no flinch or dodge. "Come, sit. You do not seem well. I will sit with you."

             And the roaming eyes stop all of a sudden, as soon as the hand is removed from her arm. There is certainly no flinch or movement from the hand, no... quite the contrary.
             Gaze shifts to the seat, to the well worn couch, back to the Chief. "No, I... I should not.. I mean to say, I should go... I just.. it must be the sleep. Or perhaps.. perhaps I am coming down.. with something..." Amidst the fluster, the refusal to sit is rather definite, and the excuses made for the behaviour are not entirely believed.

            Continued doting. He hand at the cheek tests her forehead. "Don't feel warm." He shakes his head, then brushes hair back from her face. And his patience continues; unwilling to release her immediately, but not insisting on sitting her either. "Are you shivering?" Now he seems to be inspecting her palor with his eyes.

             "I am not," Comes the reply, for the shakes, which had been beginning to surface earlier have certainly subsided now. "Chief, you are no healer, as much as you have tended to the injuries of your charges and children with cut up knees," She seems to have composed herself a great deal now, able at least, to form coherent sentences. "And I am fine, I assure you. Nothing can be done.. I would be better to return home and rest."

            Daniel's hands fall away at the commentary on his healing ability, and his own expression sags; almost ages. He steps away back toward his desk. "Then rest well. Call for me if you need anything." The words have a lack of energy and routineness to them.

             Scarlet doesn't move for a moment, regarding the Chief carefully. "Now I have said something to upset you..."

            He sidles into his chair, and responds candidly. "I think you are concealing things from me, which is your privilege. There's nothing to be done. I certainly am not owed your every thought." He looks up at her. "Please, do not mind me. You have my invitations."

             "You are quite right, you are not... and I have never been one to speak my deeper thoughts, you have known me long enough now to know that. There are things I will not tell my mother. There are things I will not tell /myself/ for fear of making them real. And if I speak them aloud, how real are they then? And if I speak them to someone else? Or..or if I speak them to you?" There is a note of anger in her tone, though it is one coming only from pain and sadness and confusion. "I would tell you everything if it would not tear me into a million pieces to do so." This is quieter, now... more gentle. "And if you are going to close to me because there are things I cannot say..." She leaves the thought unfinished, turning around to face the door- perhaps to hide her expression, or really in preperation to depart.

            "I'm not closing to you." He speaks to his desk. "I remain open. You wished to leave. If you want to stay and talk to me, then do. It is clear you have things to tell me, and I would like to hear them. I won't close to you again."

             "I cannot." It is a whisper and nothing more, even as her back still faces him. And whether it is said in response to his offer of staying to talk, or to some other internal battle is unclear. "I must just.. lay down in the dark a while... I am sorry for having been a burden, I am... "

            A shaking head. "I fail to see how you've been a burden." He frowns more deeply. "Stay here. Rest. I won't bother you. Perhaps we can talk after awhile."

             "I have... I have just not been myself. I caused you concern. That is how I have been a burden." Scarlet eyes the couch, bites her lip, regards the chief a moment and then sits. "Perhaps we shall, though... though I do hope it shall be more light-hearted than we have been..." And she lays herself down, placing her hands under her head.

            Daniel seems satisfied with her solution, but remains at his desk. The crackle of the fire become the sole music, and the waves of heat it causes. He goes to his parchment, where he will work and occasionally glance toward her.