One more again.

[...]

Well would you look at that, Lady Belirae, who simply up and left her own gather, makes herself known in the tap room. Wide eyes glance around, as if she is paranoid of someone or something, and every little noise unexpected, causes her to nearly shriek in the most girlish of fashions. Her hand claps over her mouth, and she hurries into a corner table, making sure to wrap her hooded cloak tight around her, to hide her tattered clothing.

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

The cloaked figure, about to leave after discussing at the Beggar's Cart, approaches her table.

*grinds teeth*

"Lady Belirae? I'm surprised to see you, with Laibach confused as to your whereabouts and offering rewards for your rescue ... and you wander into this Inn.

May I sit? I am curious to discover what happened. I was absent, hunting down the Fallen Reeve, when you went missing."

[...]

Lyrah shifts about as Jaak approaches her, her hands coming to rest on something beneath her cloak as he speaks to her. Her eyes narrow a bit, gazing at him.

"I don't know."

She looked at him, and motioned to the chair across from her.

"sit if you must- but you wont be here for long. I won't be here for long. None of us shall be here for long. For the day will come when blood shall be spilled. Buckets upon buckets of it..."

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

*sits*

"You ... have news of another impending attack?"

[...]

"I have seen many things Jaakov. So many things. You wouldn't understand them. Your mind is far too boring and dull"

She wasn't trying to insult him, its just how her words came out.

"Tell me... Would the free city happen to have a spare room available? I cannot return to Laibach at this time."

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

*grinds teeth*

"Lady Belirae, your cavalier attitude towards protocol and etiquette is surprising with regards to your previous stances on the subject. You are ... a complex individual.

As you know, Trieste has an agreement with the Ard Rhi to be a safe haven for Low Clans in Gaul, in exchange for their continued freedom. If you are considered Low Clan, as I surmise, you are therefore able to pledge your alleigance to the City.

Pledged members of Trieste are expected to contribute to the Domain in a positive manner ... as long as you have the skills and resources to do so, I do not foresee any immediate problems."

[...]

"Complex only to some" she waves her hand a bit dismissively of the subject, and as he speaks of Trieste, she arches a brow. "Perhaps I will have to speak with your Doge then. Should she find her way here. If she doesn't? Well the next gather is there in any case is it not? It might serve me best to seek out a place to reside there for after Gather"

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

*grinds teeth*

"Accomodations, temporary or permanent, would be costly. Especially over the time periods discussed.

Would you have funds for such a venture? Or are you planning to eke out safety in sewers and shanties? If you have funds available, I could arrange accomodations while you got yourself settled."

[...]

Lyrah looked about the room, then back to him. "The very fact that you would suggest I reside in the sewers is... well, it's rather revolting. Then again, If one has no option, they simply must go wherever their feet take them. I am not sure what I have to offer at the moment, it is all so very 'up in the air' as it were. That being said however, I can make my home wherever I choose if need be. There is no need for your arrangements, as kind as it is for you to offer such things. No, I shall simply have to bide my time with your company until that lovely doge of yours shows herself here.. If she does indeed do so."

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

"Hm. Well, I was not intending to stay long. I have many matters to attend to. For my duties.

Help pass the time, then. Tell me: where did you go when you disappeared?"

[...]

"A lady never reveals her secrets. At least not in such a public place as this. Perhaps, if you had more time, we could speak on such matters, but I am not one to be so open. Besides, my whereabouts should not entirely interest you should they?"

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

"Potential dangers and threats are of interest to everybody, Lady Belirae. You do not appear to have had an easy time since we last met."

[...]

"Jaakov, tell me. Are you a fan of secrets? Of information that can be valuable? I happen to have something very very valuable to share with you, and i will give it to you free of charge should you wish it..."

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

*grinds teeth*

"Secrets serve a purpose - the Magaji and Kholo must monitor information for the good of the Domain.

All too often, secrets are made for selfish purposes, or to hide dishonour. Others attempt to profit from secrets like cowards, instead of exposing crimes by virtue.

Secrets and Lies often are fangs on the same viper. One must be wary when being bit."

*grinds teeth*

"If you have knowledge that would be pertinent, and of value to me, I would appreciate hearing what you have to say."

[...]

Lyrah simply shakes her head, her eyes rolling slightly as he speaks his 'words of wisdom.' which she just so happens to cut short. "Yes, yes, I get it, I get it. That wasn't the point of my telling you I had something... The point was, Jaakov, that the secret I am to tell you, this very very important bit of information, is something that I hold near and dear to my cold bitter heart, and it is something that I am trusting you with. I feel you have the ... capacity ... as it were, to understand the words which I am about to speak."

With that being said, she leaned across the small table between them, a smug grin crossing her lips, as she kept her gaze on his. "Appearances, are not to be trusted..."