Boring Machines Disturbs Sleep

[Brian]

The girl flashes Tim a smile.  "I haven't had a chance to see him yet, obviously.  But if he has been freed, then I want to go to him, to see if...."  She trails off, spots of color in her cheeks.  "Well," she says, clearing her throat with a rough cough.  "We can end this charade, at least."  Then her eyes go to Tim.  "You aren't ... you aren't obvious, are you?" she asks in a whisper.  "You haven't let anyone find out?"

[Halbarad]

"I didn't think you would have," Tim replies quickly. "I was more curious if you had any further news of him past that he was released."

Tim sighs. "And I'm doing my best not to be obvious," he replies, thinking of his own situation as well as the stuff in the trunk back in his quarters. "If they've found out I don't know about it myself, and there's nothing I can do about it if that's the case. But I don't think so."

[Brian]

"I don't know much about it yet," the girl admits, coming to a stop beneath an otherwise abandoned tree in a small park, not far down the road from the tower Tim works at.  The park is not quite deserted, but has very few people in it.  It's also not much more than a lawn with a few large trees scattered across it -- about half of these trees have people picnicking beneath them.

She produces a sheet from the basket she's carrying, and lays it on the grass.  Shortly afterwards, she's unpacking things (mostly cloth wrapped bundles).  She continues, "What I do know is that Inspector Holmes and the Aliester Sondheim were behind it.  So I think we can assume that Dr. Shuker hasn't become an agent of Hathoway.  The important thing, of course, is that either he knows what he's doing, or he doesn't.  And in one case, he'll need our help, undoubtedly.  In the other, I should like to see him again anyway."

She looks up sharply.  "Jam?" she asks, holding up a small parcel of cloth-wrapped scones.  "I brought strawberry."

[Halbarad]

"Yes, thank you," Tim says with a smile.

"I'd like to see him myself if we can arrange it," he goes on after accepting the pastry. "It does sound like we're going to have to try to find out more about his situation before we do try to visit. The question is how, though."

[Brian]

The pastry is pretty fresh, which is good -- nothing worse than a brick-hard dried out scone.

"Neither of us could approach directly if he's being watched," the girl says thoughtfully, slowly.  "We'd be recognized -- unless we're willing to flee into his custody, and we've no real guarantee that it's actually safer there right now."  She pauses to set two large mugs (with very wide bases -- the better to not tip over on the uneven lawn) down, and then fill them from a bottle.  Looks like wine, though it's not labeled.  She puts one of the mugs near Tim, then takes a sip.

"If we wanted to that, we'd just have gone to great cousin Aliester."  She shrugs at that, then shakes her head.  "Never mind that, for now.  I'll try to figure something out about that.  You don't really even know Dr. Shuker, anyway.  Have you been able to discover any proof, though?"

[Halbarad]

Tim shakes his head. "Not yet," he replies, hoping he's right. "Lately I've been more focused on keeping my head down and making sure no one suspects me of anything." True enough, if not exactly in the way she's thinking.

"Anything new on your side?"

[Brian]

The girl grimaces, shaking her head.  "Nothing good, outside of Dr. Shuker's release.  I suspect that all of the machinations are the fault of Hathoway, one way or another.  And he meets with too many people for me to easily determine which one gave the instructions...."  She trails off with a sigh, then sips from her mug.  "It is an embittering process, this intrigue.  But if you've found nothing with Balmer, perhaps we should seek help."

Fussing with the basket absently, she asks, "Should we try and approach the King?  He may be able to launch an inquiry, but...."  She trails off again, shaking her head.  "No," she sighs.  "Of course not.  His credibility is ruined with the loss of the Starflare.  We'd be nothing more than a liability.  Oh, Tim, I just don't know what to do anymore!  Dr. Shuker's release should be a return of hope -- but we're still in the same mess!"

[Halbarad]

Tim considers for a few moments. "What about Inspector Holmes?" he offers. "Maybe he can't help us directly, but trying to get in touch with him for more information about Dr. Shuker might help us learn what kind of condition he's in without directly going to cousin Aliester. You'd be in a better position to find out whether it's safe to go see him, at least."

[Brian]

"That's true," she admits.  "I could arrange for a meeting ... but the Inspector is solidly the King's servant, so nothing I tell him would not reach the King's ears -- and so, Aliester's, too."  She sighs.  "I will send him a note.  We should visit him after your recognition, I think."

Changing the subject abruptly, she asks, "How well do your colleagues like you?"

[Halbarad]

"Well enough," Tim says with a slight smile. "I like Master Tavner quite a bit; he sounded sorry to see me go after my apprenticeship is completed. The other apprentices and journeymen are fun - although I do get some 'advice' about my dates with Catherine," he finishes with a smile.

[Brian]

She rolls her eyes at that last part.  "Just as well you're almost done, then," she notes.  "Otherwise it would be time for yet another awkward breakup, and yet another girl, hmm?  Or is that what you're trying to do?"  She giggles, then, serving a piece of chicken from the basket to Tim.  "Build up a reputation as quite the lady's man?"

[Halbarad]

"It can't hurt, can it?" Tim replies with a half-grin. "If I'm known for having a succession of good-looking girlfriends, maybe the trend will stick around?"

[Brian]

"Scoundrel," she accuses with a smirk she can't quite hide.  Then she looks curious.  "Have you chosen a speech for your recognition?"

[Halbarad]

"I was  thinking of talking about attention to detail, although poor Master Tavner said he'd have to change his topic if I did that. I'm not really sure what else to speak on, though."

[Brian]

She looks sympathetic.  "You've never really had the knack for public speaking," she says.  "Shall I write something for you?"