(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

 

Darnell: *gently presses his head over hers, "hugging" her as best he can* You're going to be all right now, Kendra. I promise. You and your brother both.

Kendra: I know.

Darnell: Good. *snuggles her* Good girl, Kendra. *just...loves on her as they head for breakfast*

Khal: *leads them into a private dining room that's already been set with lots of food*

Darnell: *blinks in surprise, the few of them aren't going to be able to eat all that, especially those who probably aren't even used to eating a "normal" amount* Are we expecting more people?

Khal: No, sir.

Darnell: *small, crooked grin* I think we're going to have a lot of leftovers, then. Thank you, Captain Khal. And please give our thanks to those who prepared all this for us.

Khal: Yes, sir. *he’ll smile as he turns to head out.*

Raida: *just to help put Talim and the kids, and perhaps even Wes at ease about eating too, she’ll go sit and start filling a plate for herself. She doesn’t mind serving Darnell, but she’s making a point for the other slaves, they can eat as equals, and so Darnell can get his own plate.*

Comments

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: Wes, Talim, please. *nods for them to do the same, then will get Jerrin and Kendra settled and will fix plates for each of them, assuring them that if he gives them more than they can eat, they do /not/ have to eat it all, just eat slowly until they feel full - only once he's sure everyone else is taken care of will he finally fix a plate for himself and settle to eat*

[socrowdedinhere]

Talim: *he especially gapes. He’s allowd at the table? He’s allowed Master’s food? He sits awkwardly, nervously even, like he’s half sure someone is going to storm in and beat him for this. And OMG THIS FOOD IS AMAZING WHAT?!?*
Wes: *more reserved, but also glancing at the door like he wxpects DuPrae to come in and beat hom for daring this.*
*While Jerrin is a little nervous, Kendra seems relaxed and eats without hesitation. Shen, Lopen, and Raida eat readily and will encourage the others as needed.*

[neverasked4this]

*Darnell falls easily, unconsciously even, into a sort of host role, making sure everyone else is settled and comfortable before really settling himself (food's involved, plus it's the humble serviceman in him). He'll gently reassure Wes, Talim, and Jerrin as often as needed that it's all right, they're permitted, they're /welcome/ and wanted, nothing will be taken from them, his only "rule" (and the parentheses on that is clear) is that they eat slowly so they don't make themselves sick.*

[socrowdedinhere]

Khal: *after a while he returns.* Sir? Are you ready?
Raida: *stands to gonwith Darnell, she’ll not heal Wes or the kids until she can make them sleep, so she might as well support Darnell.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *stands* Yes, Khal, thank you. *hand on Raida's shoulder* Stay with the children? *hand on Kendra's head (yes, he's already taken with her) - he's especially concerned about Jerrin and Kendra, being so young*

[socrowdedinhere]

Raida: ...*nods, and will settle, drawing Jerrin into her lap.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: Thank you. *gives her shoulder a squeeze, ruffles Jerrin's hair, and is ready to follow Khal*

[socrowdedinhere]

Kendra: *watching Darnell closely, and then seems she turns to stare at Raida as Darnell leaves.*
Shen: *will stay ti make sure these particular slaves aren’t given any trouble.*
Lopen: *will follow Darnell and Khal.*
Khal: Would you like a change of clothes, sir?

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *hesitates, looking down at his blood-soaked clothes - quietly* What can you tell me about the men I'm about to meet? *wondering if he should change or if he needs to keep the blood of innocent children to drive a point home to these men about the kind of person they were dealing with and what these people need protection from - he's NOT going to hand the household over to another DuPrae, for example, no matter what they say (he'll pull in Sidon's authority if he has to)*

[socrowdedinhere]

Khal: They’re good men, sir. They’ve been a buffer and voice of reason for this house and the bisiness the Master ran. He didn’t always listen, but he always considered their advice. ...Master often scoffed at them for being soft, but they knew business so he let them do some things. Not much, but enough that many of us know they did what they could.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: So they're good for business, but what about in dealing with all of you? I don't know if Elhokar told you, but I'm more concerned about the fates of all of /you/ than I am the business side of things. "Good" men, when it comes to humans, doesn't always mean good to or for slaves, regardless of their races. Too often /not/, in fact. *grim as he indicates the stains on his clothes* Am I going to the need the blood of innocent children to get them to listen, not just to reason and business, but compassion and care for the plight of a whole household - and mine-full - of people in dire need of help? *obviously upset by the situation here*

[socrowdedinhere]

Khal: No, sir. You’ll not need blood to get them to think of the people. With the master gone they spent the night haltung all mine priduction and having everyone brought above ground. It’s why they weren’t concerned with seeing you until after you had breakfast, sir. They were finishing up their work with that.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: …hence the spreading rumors. *nods, visibly relaxing - he'd not been aware how tense he was at facing a possible argument or, worse, crisis of some kind. He nods* All right, good. Actually, excellent. That's excellent news. Then yes, I'd like a chance to wash up and change really quick before meeting with them. Thank you, Khal.

[socrowdedinhere]

Khal: *nods* This way, sir. *he’ll take Darnell and Lopen to a room where the can was up and change into clothes laid out for them.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *will gratefully wash and change, though he keeps his trusty satchel despite the stains - he'll wash those out later*

[socrowdedinhere]

Khal: *when they’re ready he’ll take the two men to a small conference room where two older gentlemen are having a hot drink and a light breakfast. They look very weary, but still find their feet to give Darnell a small bow.*
Jatai: Master Detective. I am Counselor Jatai, and Counselor Nalan. *gestures to the man beside him.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *offers his hand to each of the men* Counselors, Darnell Barrett. Pleased to meet you. Please, sit. If I may, you both look exhausted. *knows why, but still mildly concerned*

[socrowdedinhere]

*They nod and sit*
Nalan: It has been a long night.
Jatai: We have some questions and concerns we would like to discuss with you, Master Detective.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *nods as he sits with them* So I've heard. And I with you. Please… *motioning for them to go first*

[socrowdedinhere]

Nalan: First, we’d like to know exactlt what brought you here.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: I was sent to the city by King Sidon regarding suspicion of activity that was mysteriously making someone very close to him very sick. *pulls up his sleeve to show off the brand* This is what brought me /here/. *covers the brand again* It had been my intention to arrest DuPrae and take him alive to Overseer Rei at the church since I have reason not to trust the law keepers here. Unfortunately, there was a fight and DuPrae took two blows to the head. The first one didn't knock him out as hoped. *grimaces* Neither did the second. *will never forget the sound or feel of the sick crack of Brogan's skull*

[socrowdedinhere]

Jatai: That mark...is tied to Lord DuPrae?
Nalan: *also seems unfamiliar with it.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: */scowling/ openly now* He's the one who put it on me, along with a cadre of accomplices all of whom I intend to discover and expose. And I can show you the room it was done in and the effigies he used against many of his victims to do it with. *pulls out his collection of figures*