Hazelnuts and plaid

[Helene Dakesh]

"Of course. This will pass. We will survive this. All of us."

[Avato (Patchwork Bloke)]

"Here here," Avato says stoutly, tail wagging. 

[Varric]

Well, don't see that often (ex-noble Toukami kitsune turned bandit leader). Probably chaff but... (not exiled but embedded?) hmmm. Two dwarves, Nyrian born, typical meatheads (sully our good name, stupid cliches). Human wizard, failed out of uni (not thinking about that thanks). Human ranger of Teiris (freedom includes deciding to be an asshole true enough). Merikos kender and merikos orc lovers, also meatheads (it's a theme!). Pretty typical so far, aside from the boss. Huh, never mind. Dopplegangers are pretty damn rare (wish it said how per was caught/identified). Catfolk medic, focus on (hello hello) tonics and the like. Two elves, siblings, young and stupid (both surrendered and went for plea deals, interesting). Human monk, cast out from the Brotherhood of Seals (strange, no mention of why but even ex-monks aren't often the bandit type). 

Humming silently, Varric carefully returns the files from the cabinet that he found them in. He pauses to listen, as he's done every two minutes since his entry, to see if he's clear, before resuming his work. In theory, he could have simply accessed all of the paperwork and reports he's looked at so far through legal, official channels but that would have taken a lot of time. Weeks perhaps. A basic understanding of the toxin's source gained, Varric continues to dig, looking for more information on not just the case itself, but also on the players. 

Came about typical enough, with some travelers bringing word to the guard about attacks, the guard sending out a patrol. Then another and another, as each patrol came up empty-handed. Finally adventurers were notified and Isabela (trying to connect with Hawke (mostly restricted from fights, this was mild) with something she'd not cancel on?) tapped Hawke to come with her and her crew to hunt them down. Nothing stands out about the travelers, though he nevertheless notes their identities and information down just in case. Moving onto the bandits themselves, he tries to find out what else the guard has on them, including any files from before or after their capture. Elves got Geased and put to work in Outer Crafting. Kitsune leader... hmm. He and the monk are at the Rock (damn, what did-- ah. Took captives for raping, yeah, that'd do it). Catfolk is... huh. Prismatic Safety Criminal Captivity Center? Why'd she get sent to PSC3 instead of being Rocked or paroled? No explanation given... Rest were all killed on site. So... the medic is my best lead on this approach.

[GamesMaster]

The medic turns out to have had a steady job before she took off to go banditing -- at Feline Felicity Alchemical Products, right on the edge of Cattown. As he slips off that way, however, Varric discovers that time has not stopped while he was researching. And the situation has gotten much, much worse. 

There's a crowd gathering outside the jail where Hawke is being held, mostly feline but some other non-human races as well, protesting the captivity of the Champion of Coalside. There's not a small number of half-orcs wearing Adrift uniforms, clearly on their day off but also clearly incensed about this whole thing. He spies the Guard trying to break up the protest ,however, and decides to steer clear, given he can't do heavy activity while under the influence of the tonic he's taken. 

As he gets to Cattown, however, he finds another protest: this one mostly human, with Catfolk attempting to counter-protest. This one has signs like "cats go home" and "Nyra is a human city" -- not an unusual sentiment, but why here and now of all days and times? 

[Varric]

Well, shite.

The investigator stares at the crowd for a long moment, then several more. There are far less guards in hand here, which makes sense even if that sense is copper and not gold. Between many of the reserve duty already having been called towards the Lantern, the lower guard density in Coalside (per capita or per terra) despite Aveline's best efforts and said worthy being incommunicado... Well, he can't really blame the guards that are here from not wading into a crowd that out numbers them twenty to one (and yet he manages to do so anyway) but dammed if it isn't inconvenient.

Clicking his tongue with annoyance, he begins the laborious process of sneaking past all the everyone without exerting himself (which also precludes using any other extracts or complicated magical items). This Niko better know something useful...

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

The shop is deserted save for one cat, nailing boards over the windows. Varric is startled to realize he knows this cat: Nikolaos Kingfisher, zi'Huntinghawk's former apprentice, now graduated and running his own alchemy shop it seems. His fur is ruffled, his tailfur standing on end as he works frantically to protect what is his from the coming onslaught. 

[Varric]

Making sure to keep an ear on Niko's movements, Varric slips around the shop. His first priority is determining if anyone else is around. His second is trying to get a feel for the place and its proprietor. Defend or flee?

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

There are cats scurrying to and fro, but the main bulk of the protest is still a few streets over from the shop, though it's moving this direction. If he wants to speak with Niko, now would be the time, before he has to flee. And it seems fleeing is his choice; he keeps turning at every sound, ready to bolt. 

[Varric]

Without saying a word, Varric slips over to Niko and just starts silently handing him things to pack.

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

Niko actually packs up three vials before he jumps, startled, and turns toward Varric. "<cat>Who you catcat? <common> I mean, who the hell are you?!"

[Varric]

"Don't recognize me?" Varric asks in a non-threatening tone. He steps forward, into better lighting, and tilts his head properly so Niko can get a clear look at him.

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

He stares a moment, then snaps his fingers. "Ah. zi'Tethras. The dwarf. I got it. Odd place for it, savvy? 'chu downtown for?"

[Varric]

Interesting (disappointing) reaction. No fear, no wariness (barely anyway, and fading at my identity, not increasing). Nothing to hide? (Or nothing to remember?) "Following up on some... interesting gossip, I suppose. Well. I say interesting but that's only one word of many that would be accurate."

[Nikolaos "Niko" Kingfisher]

"Yah?" His tail whips, and he doubles the speed of his packing. "Little busy herenow," he adds. 

[Varric]

"Yah," Varric replies laconically, just watching for a moment. "Short staffed maybe?"