View source for Kalyrra (prime)/2023-11-05 Danger

If anyone asked, Kalyrra would say she was having a rare streak of good luck.  She recently completed some training goals, work was less risky lately, and even her personal business was more settled than it had been in years.  Things finally seemed to be going her way.  How incredibly odd.

Carefully, she crumpled the bit of paper in her hand as stepped out of the post office.  It seemed her efforts here had been successful, too.  She only just hired the seasoned informant last week, on another contact's recommendation.  Not one to hire unfamiliar faces, Kalyrra had to admit she appreciated the speed with which they apparently completed the job.  She didn't think her mark, or their contract, would be so easy to investigate.

Melting into the shadows, she made her way through the darkened streets toward the east side of town until she grasped hold of a familiar ladder.  With one last calming breath, she slid down into the dimly-lit bar and stalked over to one of the smaller alcoves.  The informant sat perched upon one of the long-legged chairs at the table just inside.

“What do you have for me?”

The informant started slightly, blinking at the newcomer before responding, “Everything checked out fine.”

Kalyrra raised an eyebrow at the informant.  “Fine, you say?”

The informant nodded briskly, occasionally darting their tongue out along their bottom lip.  “Yep, just fine.  There is no need to continue to pursue the mark or this contract any further.  Everything checks out.  Nothing of any note to report.”

Kalyrra openly stared now.  “...nothing to report at all?”

Again, the informant nodded.  “Yes.  Should I look into something else for you instead?”

Kalyrra glanced out of the alcove's entrance, making mental notes about who was nearby as the informant's eyes followed her movements.  “No.  No, I'd much rather you tell me what has spooked you.”

The informant spluttered indignantly, “Spooked?  What makes you--”

“You've been lying since I got here.”

“Wha-- just because I didn't find anything wrong doesn't mean--”

“Why don't you tell me what you did find, then?”

It was the informant's turn to stare.  Kalyrra shook her head and exhaled.  “Look, if you want the paperwork left saying everything is fine, that's one thing.  Just don't expect me to believe that's the truth.”

The informant wiped the palm of their hand down their pant leg, clearing their throat as they stood to leave.  “I've told you all I know.”  They scratched at their ear for a moment before continuing.  “Keep your silvers.  We're done here.”

Kalyrra blinked once and then twice more.  No one refuses payment for services already completed without very good reason.  And was that scratch what she thought it might be?

She turned to leave, but stopped short of the ladder.  Approaching the bar, she waited until the bartender turned his attention on her and leaned in close to ask, “Did you see anyone else enter around the time the person I just met with arrived?”

The bartender peered down his nose at her, weighing his response.  “...no.”

“Are you certain?”

“...yes.”

Kalyrra pinched her nose, exhaling slowly as she backed toward the ladder.  “All right, thank you.”

The bartender nodded, then returned to drying a freshly-cleaned glass.  As she climbed the first rung of the ladder, she heard a soft call from somewhere behind her.  “Take care where you stick your nose, girl.”