Spirits of the Earth

Connlaoth => Sirantil Valley => Topic started by: DragonSong on February 16, 2018, 12:36:19 PM

Title: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on February 16, 2018, 12:36:19 PM
@emeraldknight




The aerie was quiet, the birds all asleep or simply clucking quietly to one another from their perches. The sounds were a lullaby to Shae, curled up in the alcove where her low cot and small dresser resided. The manor was near silent, and for once sleep was easily within reach.

It didn't last long.




Quiet as a shadow the thief slipped through the halls. He knew exactly what he wanted, and he knew how to get there.

What he hadn't been expecting was the amount of resistance in his way. The servants he came across were easily dealt with, but it was like they traveled in a damn pack. No sooner was one dead when two more came peering out into the hallway to take her place.

So he left significantly more evidence of his passing than he would have liked. But he got the job done, all without even waking the master of the house. Going back the way he'd come was asking for trouble though, so he decided to sneak out through the west tower.




The ravens exploded into the air as a stranger entered their domain, the sound of wings and harsh cawing echoing through the aerie. Shae bolted awake, eyes wide as she looked around frantically.

A hand suddenly covered her mouth, the weight of a foreign body pressing her down onto her cot. Her eyes widened, staring up into a burning golden gaze, marred by a large burn scar over the left eye.

"Easy, little bird." The stranger smiled, his other hand moving to cover her throat. Shae thrashed underneath him, but he was far too strong for her to throw off. His hand on her neck tightened and she stilled.

The smile curved into a smirk, a snarl. "I should kill you," he noted softly. "But...I don't think you'll be telling anyone what you saw, will you, little bird?" His fingers stroked the garrote scar across her throat and she shuddered.

Then he was gone, the weight lifted as he vanished through one of the high windows of the aerie. Shae lay on her bed, panting and shaking. Then a sudden burst of energy shoved her from the cot and she bolted for the door to the aerie, sprinting down the spiraling stairs of the tower and into the manor proper.

As she threw the door open her feet slipped in something warm and sticky. She froze, eyes going wide as she took in the carnage around her. Her mouth fell open in a silent scream.

***

It was nearly a week before the "law enforcer" her master had contacted was set to arrive at the manor. Things were quiet, much more quiet than usual- eerily so. Hardly anyone spoke to each other as they went about their duties, and when they did it was in hushed whispers.

They still couldn't quite clean the blood stains in the hall in their entirety.

The staff's numbers had been reduced by nearly two thirds during the break-in. All of her closest friends, then people who'd practically raised her, who she'd grown up with, just...gone. Even if Shae could speak, she didn't know if she would have been able to after that.

And her master was growing impatient. She tried, over and over she tried to describe the man who had done this to her home, but no one could understand her. Kitty and Martha had been the only members of the household who ever read her signs with consistent accuracy, and they were- they were dead.

She felt trapped, more than she ever had before. The birds were her escape, forgotten or half-written messages littering the floor of the aerie. She'd tried reading them, but she only knew fundamental letters at best- maybe if she could have written it down they would have listened to her, but no one was patient or calm enough to try to help her through it.

And no one seemed to notice that she was the only one who'd survived an encounter with the thief.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on February 16, 2018, 10:12:11 PM
"Finally", he thought, relieved, as he gazed ahead at the luxurious manor ahead. It was a fair journey he had made, from Essyrn all the way up to Connlaoth, but Blood Diamond was sure it would be worth it. He had been hired cheaply by the affluent master of an old home in coastal Connlaoth to investigate a mass murder of the servants there, as well as a theft from the same incident. He wasn't quite sure how the man knew of him, but was delighted at the prospect of being valued for his work, even if the though of such a horrible scene disturbed him a bit. Although the pay wasn't anything great (Which was probably why he was chosen, instead of someone of more renown), the greatest reward was the respect it would earn him, and the work that would follow on from his fame.  "Blood Diamond: Avenger of the Deceased!". That title alone would be the real prize.

Looking at the manor, it was clear that the owner was quite wealthy, and with provisions from the trip almost gone, he could only hope they'd be kind enough to feed him. Breaking into a run, he soon reached the large door at the front, and announced his arrival with quick raps of his knuckles on the wood. Now was the time to prove himself. Now was the time to rise up and vanquish the evils of the world! Now was the time to become a hero of the public eye!

...It couldn't be that hard, right?
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on February 17, 2018, 07:52:00 AM
"Master Barkus."

Shae started as one of the remaining footmen came hurrying into the main hall where her master sat hunched over a table, glaring at an inventory list. They still hadn't figured out everything the thief had taken.

"What is it?" the merchant snapped, lifting his head to glare.

Samuel ducked his head. Everyone was on edge. "The- the lawman you hired is at the gate."

Barkus gestured vaguely, returning his attention to the list. "Bring him in then."

Shae sank further back into her corner, absently stroking Lyla's feathers. The raven was perched on her shoulder, ready to be sent with a message should her master require it. Everyone seemed to have forgotten they were even there.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on February 17, 2018, 08:35:35 PM
Diamond was greeted by a servant ushering him in, directing him towards a rather important-looking man sitting at a table with a list of some sort. The place was just as he imagined, quite exquisite, although strangely empty. He frowned, suddenly remembering why he was there.

At a glance, there seemed to be no-one else in the room, just the man who'd let him in and the man at the table, who was obviously the owner of the estate. The whole scene exuded a somber air, and seemed desperate to remind the swordsman of the tragedy that had taken place just a week ago. Looking down, he saw a faint trace of dried blood, and suddenly, he wasn't quite so hungry anymore.

After a few seconds of awkward silence, he realized he was expected to introduce himself. He cleared his throat.

"My name is Blood Diamond. I come as a lawman, and hope I may protect you from further grief, and defeat the devil that is responsible for this evil crime!"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on February 18, 2018, 03:39:37 PM
Barkus raised his head, frowning slightly. "Your name is...actually Blood Diamond?" He sighed and raised a hand. "Never mind, don't answer that. How much do you already know about the situation?" he asked curtly.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on February 19, 2018, 01:11:10 AM
He stopped for a moment, thinking. What did he actually know?

"Well, um, I know that there was a massacre of many staff here, and a theft as well. You, or at least I am fairly sure it was you, hired me to find the person who did it. And yes, my name really is Blood Diamond. Spread the word."
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on February 21, 2018, 07:34:47 AM
Barkus seemed to suppress a groan and muttered, "Wonderful." He sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Well, unfortunately it seems you know about as much as we do. Which means you were properly briefed, but leaves me rather disappointed anew with our lack of information."

Shae nearly stepped forward then, eyes going wide, a desperation to speak urging her hands into awkward, fluttering motions in front of her chest. Lyla fluttered on her shoulder- then suddenly cawed, loudly, drawing the attention of the room.

Barkus narrowed his eyes at the raven keeper and she shrank back against the wall, signing, Sorry, sorry! though she knew he wouldn't understand it.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on February 23, 2018, 09:09:11 PM
The man of the manor had spoken. It seemed as though Diamond would have to start from scratch. Before he could ask where the crime had taken place, though, a loud squawk rang out across the room, from the corner. The vigilante hadn't even noticed the girl standing there, a large raven perched on her shoulder. He looked curiously at her, and began to wonder how he could have missed her. It was like she blended in to the shadows, invisible to the unsuspecting eye.

She said nothing, simply drawing back and moving her hands around her in a strange manner. Confused, he had to ask, "Who are you?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on February 24, 2018, 08:29:19 AM
Shae flushed, pale skin going dark crimson. Cautiously, she spelled her name with her hands. S-H-A-E.

Her master sighed and waved a hand at her dismissively. "My raven keeper. A sweet enough girl, but you won't get any information out of her." He shot an irritated look in Shae's direction and she shrank back further against the wall. "The man who attacked my manor managed to escape through the aerie. But none of the staff remain who can understand her infernal gesturing."

Shae lowered her eyes, fighting back a sudden wave of tears. She couldn't help that this was her only was to speak! She clasped trembling hands in front of her body, shoulders hunching forward. Lyla cawed softly and shuffled on her shoulder, then started preening her beak through her hair.

Barkus gave another noise of irritation and snapped his fingers at her. "Come here, girl, if only to stop that bird's racket."

Head still bowed, Shae moved forward toward the table, and with a carefully gesture sent Lyla from her shoulder to perch on the back of Barkus' chair.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on February 25, 2018, 01:14:52 AM
Diamond couldn't help but feel sorry for her. "being unable to speak must be hard". The master ordered her to the table, apparently to stop the constant calling of her avian companion, and snapped his fingers. It seemed to Diamond that the man was being a bit harsh on her, and she was clearly on the brink of tears. He frowned.

"I will need access to the aerie, as well as any other scenes of criminal activity." He glanced at the raven keeper with her head bowed low, and thought of all she could have seen, all she would tell him if only she could speak. Deciding there would be no harm in trying, he added,

"Also, I would like the witness to accompany me, in hope that I may be enlightened."
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on February 25, 2018, 07:04:30 PM
Shae's eyes widened. Even Barkus' expression went from stonily irritated to mildly surprised. "Ah...is that quite a good idea? Do you understand her signs?"

Shae ducked her head again, twisting her fingers nervously back and forth in front of her body.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on February 27, 2018, 12:04:08 AM
"Admittedly, I do not yet understand her manner of communication, but in my experience, there are many ways to communicate besides speaking, and one of the most important things I learned in my training was how to use body language!"

With this, he puffed out his chest, sword arm up in the air and one leg forward in almost a lunge, in quite an exaggerated motion. "I look like a shining baco-beacon of heroism, do I not?"

At this point, Diamond's hunger was really getting the better of him. But he had a mission, so food would have to wait.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on February 27, 2018, 01:39:10 PM
Barkus and Shae exchanged a sidelong, rather dry look, animosity on her master's part apparently forgotten.

"Ah...of course," Barkus replied, a little befuddled by this young man's mannerisms. "shae can...accompany you, if you believe it'll be helpful."
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on February 28, 2018, 04:17:37 AM
"Thank you". With this, he turned to Shae. "Would you show me to the Aerie, please?"

Blood Diamond was finally ready to deal out justice, ready to take on the foul being that took such precious lives. Now all he needed to do was figure out how to understand Shae. "It can't be that difficult. The signs represent things, right?"

He had no idea...
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on February 28, 2018, 12:32:08 PM
Shae looked between her master and the stranger, then nodded and gestured for Blood Diamond to follow her as she led him toward the aerie.

How was she supposed to do this? She hadn't been able to make people who'd known her practically her whole life understand, how could she make him?
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 01, 2018, 09:51:55 PM
Surprisingly, the Aerie seemed to be one of the least affected places in the manor. Although it was true that much of the damage was repaired or cleaned up, there weren't as many traces left over, and the place seemed almost like the calm in the eye of a storm.

Diamond looked closely at Shae, her black hair camouflaging herself in the darkness. Hoping to make a quick start, he looked down at the raven keeper and asked a simple question, "How did the thief make his escape?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 02, 2018, 08:17:20 AM
Shae jumped a bit, unused to being addressed directly by strangers. She stared at him with wide eyes, trying to figure out how to explain.

After a moment, she gestured to her cot in its little niche, then pantomimed sleeping. She started signing, He woke me up, he was choking me, but then stopped. What was the point if he couldn't understand her.

She hesitated, then lifted her hands to her neck and mimed being choked. Her fingers settled over the garrote scar that encircled her throat and she winced slightly. She hated touching the thing, it always made her uncomfortable.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 04, 2018, 04:16:33 AM
"Cot.. Sleeping... Um, sorry, could you... uh, choking! Yes, you were sleeping, and he choked you!"

Diamond couldn't believe that he hadn't noticed it before. A large scar, right across her throat. How on earth could someone do that to her? He began to piece the scene together in his head. The fiend wouldn't have come into the room just to leave the same way, so he must've gone through the window. He pointed at it. "He left through here, I assume? And how did you get that scar? Was it the thief? Did he say anything?"

Quickly realizing he had asked too many questions, he began again. "Sorry, let me go one step at a time. Did the criminal leave through this window?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 04, 2018, 09:45:49 AM
Shae began nodding enthusiastically as he pieced together what she was saying- but then she was backing away as he continued asking questions, unsure how to answer one after the other.

Thankfully he settled on asking about the window, and she nodded again, pointing at it in turn.

An idea struck her, and she signed slowly, Window, then pointed at it again. Window, point. Window, point.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 08, 2018, 03:30:18 AM
The raven keeper nodded, pointing at the window to confirm his suspicions. "There we go, we're getting somewhere!", he thought, smiling. But then, she began making a strange motion with her hands, the left one held in front of her as her right hand glided up and down above it. She repeated this multiple times, pointing at the window after each hand wave. "Um... He grew? No, that would be silly. Open, close? Chop, slice?"

It was obvious that whatever she was attempting to convey was related to the window, but how? This had gotten confusing quite quickly. Blood Diamond let out a sigh, and tried to ask for clarification. "What does that motion mean? I do not understand."

"Well, that was a stupid question. Now all I'll get is more confusing hand gestures!
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 08, 2018, 07:38:42 AM
Shae frowned, then sighed, shoulders slumping. Well, one more try then.

She approached the window and pointed to it, outlining the shape of it with her finger. Then she signed again: Window.

She mouthed the word as she signed, slow and exaggerated.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 08, 2018, 11:49:02 PM
"Yes, the window, the window. What about it?" What was she trying to tell him? She moved her fingers along the edges of the window, before repeating that same hand motion as she mouthed a word: "Window".

"That movement... Means 'Window'?"

Of course! She must have been trying to teach him her way of saying it. "Window!" Blood Diamond repeated the sign enthusiastically, "Window, window! Yes!"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 10, 2018, 08:05:25 PM
The raven keeper broke into a wide grin and nearly bounced in place, signing excitedly, Yes, window, yes!

Maybe this could work, just a little.

But she should focus. This man was here to track down a killer. Shae gestured to her bed, then to the window again. Mouthing the words slowly as she did, she signed, He didn't kill me, even though it would've been easy. He just left.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 12, 2018, 06:08:53 AM
He couldn't quite pick up on every word, but Blood Diamond got the general gist of it. He read her lips, paying special attention to the hand signs as he did. Apparently, the thief, a he, did not kill her, despite being able to. "Why?"

Pacing around the aerie, he thought things over, trying to suss out all of the possible reasons for leaving Shae alive.

"I am sorry if you would rather I not ask, but were any of the deceased servants women? Because if so, then the likely reason for your survival may be... Quite troubling."

"I really hope I sound formal enough here! Diamond was more used to sword-work than detective-work, but justice was justice.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 12, 2018, 05:39:10 PM
A lump caught in Shae's throat and she nodded. Yes, she signed, mouthing the word. There were women.

Anna. Sirene. Liri. Tiana. Half a dozen others. Her eyes burned and she dropped her gaze, wiping at them surreptitiously.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 14, 2018, 07:18:02 AM
As the girl's head dropped, Diamond began to regret his line of questioning. "Do not worry, it will be alright. The truth shall prevail!" He carefully placed his fingers under her chin and nudged her head up higher. "Stay strong". At this, he turned his mind to figuring out his next move.

It seemed as though he had done all he could in regards to the aerie. He had the the testimony from Shae, and he had viewed the scene of the murder. "If the killer had no prejudice in his victims, then they must have... Known her!" He started back down the stairs.

"Thank you, your recount has helped me greatly. Uh... I'm sorry, but what was your name again?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 14, 2018, 09:18:38 AM
Shae flinched back from his touch, unused to gentleness from the men of the household. She blinked up at him and nodded slowly.

He seemed...very confident. Who knew, maybe he really would be able to do something about this.

She sighed when he asked her name. How was she supposed to sign this? She bit her lip and furrowed her brow as she thought. Carefully, she raised her hand and started to sign. A clenched fist, her thumb outside her other fingers. As she signed the letter, she mouthed slowly, S.

She signed it twice, then a third time, watching his face, hoping he understood. Then she moved onto the next letter, two fingers extended horizontally from her clenched fist, mouthing, H.

Her thumb moved to rest vertically against the side of her hand, her other fingers sliding down into another loose fist. A.

Another fist with her thumb in front of her fingers, but this time resting her fingertips almost on top of the line of her thumb. E.

She repeated each letter twice, then started from the beginning again. S-H-A-E
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 16, 2018, 08:04:49 PM
"S, H, A, E. Shae." Her name was Shae. Blood Diamond repeated her hand movements, making an effort to commit each sign to memory. "Thank you, Shae." With this, he smiled warmly, and came back down the stairs, into the room where Barkus had sat. "Excuse me, may I ask a few questions?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 16, 2018, 08:40:31 PM
The raven keeper smiled and, unsure what else to do, followed him back into the great room.

Barkus looked up from his ledgers, frowning slightly. "What? Oh, yes, of course."
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 19, 2018, 08:05:30 AM
"Thank you. The investigation into the aerie has revealed what could be a very critical piece of evidence." Diamond began pacing up and down the room. "The criminal did not simply slip past without noticing Shae. Rather..." He waved his hand as he turned to face the master, arm outstretched, "He choked her, and deliberately kept her alive!"

"Now, at first, I thought this could simply have been done out of unwillingness to harm a woman, but as you yourself must have noted... Some of the dead were women! And why harm Shae by choking her, unless wanting to deliberately remind her of the injuries that led to her current condition?" He pointed at the scar on her throat. "Whoever did this wants to keep her alive and suffering, and no-one would care to do so, unless they have a personal grudge against her. That can only mean one thing... Either you or Shae must have been close to the perpetrator!" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62LI-8UtIbU&t=179s) With this, he raised his hand high in the air, and brought it down to over-dramatically point at Barkus. "It all makes sense. They knew about the scar, even when it was too dark to see. They killed all the servants that could understand Shae to keep her quiet, to make her despair, and thus they must have known all of them! This is the piece of evidence they were trying to hide while doing so! The murderer was close... With... Shae!"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 19, 2018, 09:54:29 AM
The raven keeper and the lord of the manor exchanged a bewildered look as Diamond started his pacing and gesticulating.

Goodness, he's a bit of a blowhard, Shae thought despairingly.

But then suddenly he was making sense. Her eyes widened a bit. She hadn't really considered that, that the killer might have known her, because she hadn't recognized him. But...she didn't really have many memories before she'd come to live under Lord Barkus's care. It was entirely possible...

Those eyes. That scar. They flashed through her mind, vivid and haunting, and she staggered back, one hand clapping uselessly over her mouth to stifle a gasp.

Barkus started and turned to face her. "Shae?" His expression hardened and he stalked forward. "Did you know him? Is this man telling the truth?"

She shook her head desperately- not in denial, but confusion. She started signing quickly, desperate to communicate somehow, but Barkus smacked her hands down and she flinched back. "Enough of your infernal gestures! God you are useless," he snarled in her face.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 21, 2018, 07:24:03 AM
Blood Diamond watched on,  unsure what to do. He was uncomfortable with Barkus' confrontational attitude, but did not want to offend the man who hired him. In the end, he could not let justice go unserved, and thus stepped between the two, facing towards Barkus. "If it would be alright with you, I'd like to see a list of what has been stolen, as well as anyone who you think may know Shae and have a grudge against her. And if I may, it would aid me greatly if she could sketch what the thief looked like, to the best of her ability." The tension in the air was palpable.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 21, 2018, 08:05:15 AM
Barkus jerked back with a scoff at the younger man. "You," he barked, gesturing to one of the footmen waiting in the corner of the room. "You heard him, fetch a list. And if any of you who spoke with Anna about the girl's past."

Shae was shaking, and despite her natural wariness she found herself pressing close to Diamond's back, trying to shelter herself from Barkus's anger.

He wasn't normally like this. She knew it must be the grief and the worry, but- but it didn't make his words hurt any less. He's right, I'm useless, I can't do anything to help-

"And someone get the girl ink and paper," Barkus growled as he stalked back to his desk.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 23, 2018, 05:11:09 AM
"Crisis averted". Blood Diamond wiped the sweat from his brow as Barkus stepped away. Deciding to get on with the case, he collected his thoughts for a moment, before turning to Shae and pulling her aside, out of earshot of the master of the house. It wasn't that he didn't trust Barkus, more that he was afraid of another confrontation. "She must have it tough", he thought. "Shae, I want you to tell me about the person who- No, that's what the paper is for. Sorry, I haven't quite thought too much further ahead. Uh... Yes, do you know of anyone who might have done this? Someone who knows you quite well, and might have wanted to, well, make you suffer?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 23, 2018, 02:12:21 PM
Shae had to fight the urge to shrink back from his grip, but she listened as he spoke. Slowly, she shook her head.

After a moment, she tapped the scar around her throat, then made the sign for “memory”, then shook her head; she had almost no memories of what had happened to her as a child, who had tried to hurt her.

Her eyes welled up and she blinked, turning her head away.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 27, 2018, 07:10:36 AM
"I'm sorry, I don't understand". He saw Shae turn away. Diamond couldn't imagine the trauma she's been through in her life.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 27, 2018, 08:21:27 PM
She hadn't expected him to, really. With a soft, nearly soundless sigh, she shook her head again and looked back to him.

Little bird.

He'd called her little bird!

That was something, right?

Desperately, she started signing. Bird. She mouthed and signed the word, over and over.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 28, 2018, 07:15:48 AM
At first, Diamond didn't even know she'd begun to sign again. "I suppose that's one of the problems of being unable to speak". He attempted to read her lips, but had to confess that he'd never been too good at it. "Bur...N? Burt? Is there someone named Burt?"

He really was sorry for his lack of understanding, but he couldn't help it, just like Shae couldn't help her speech problem. Just as he began to give up on the interpretation, he glanced at her, in her usual hunched posture, and remembered the moment he first saw, her, hiding in the shados of the corner, with a bird. "A bird! Bird, right? Yes, what about it?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 28, 2018, 01:20:20 PM
Shae beamed and nodded quickly. Yes, yes!

Quickly, she pointed to herself, mimed choking, hands around her own neck. Attacker, she mouthed twice, throwing a fake punch to try to get the message across.

He. She pointed to empty air, mimed being attacked again. Him, the attacker.

She pointed to herself, then her lips. Called me, spoke to me.

She signed bird, then pointed to herself. He called me "little bird".
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on March 30, 2018, 08:52:02 AM
Blood Diamond wished so much that he could understand her. Shae was trying so hard to communicate, and he felt directly responsible for not understanding her. But her signing and mouthing only had limited effectiveness, and he just couldn't keep up. "I just can't imagine this being my daily life!" He almost teared up thinking about the difficulties she faced, and looked at her with guilt as he said, "I can't understand".

Before anything more could be said, the servant came back with the paper and ink for Shae.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on March 30, 2018, 08:27:53 PM
Tears of frustration pricked at her eyes and the raven keeper dropped her hands with a weary sigh, shuffling back a step.

But then ink and paper were being held in front of her face and she nodded. She'd never been a particularly good artist, so she set about carefully trying to render the attacker's face as best she could.

She paused a moment, considering, then took a sheet from beneath the one where she was attempting to draw the portrait and sketched out a rough outline of a bird. She looked up at Diamond and pointed to it, then at the half-completed face she'd drawn on the other page, then to herself.

He, she signed and mouthed, pointing emphatically at the drawing. Called me- here she pointed to her mouth and moved her lips dramatically to mime talking, then pointed to herself. Little bird. She pointed to the bird sketch again, then her chest. Back and forth.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on April 01, 2018, 08:57:46 AM
Diamond had to focus hard, drawing upon every bit of logic in his brain to decipher the cryptic signals. It shouldn't have been so hard, not with all the repetition and exaggerated movement, but it was just so difficult to understand! He almost felt like an idiot. However, as h began to piece things together, he realized roughly what she'd been trying to tell her, and jolted.

"He said 'Little bird'. He called you 'Little Bird'! And you don't know anyone who has called you that before?" Relieved, Blood Diamond wiped his brow and smiled. He didn't know what significance this would have, if any at all, but at least he was one step further along in communication.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on April 01, 2018, 04:39:00 PM
Shae nodded quickly in response to his first realization, then shook her head for the question. She didn't know anyone who might use that pet name for her- if it could be called that- but it had felt significant.

With a little shudder at the memory, she returned to sketching the attacker's face as best she could, highlighting the scar that had marked his eye.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on April 03, 2018, 07:15:07 AM
Blood Diamond sighed. His theory had to be true, it would just be too contrived if it wasn't. Still, if Shae had no idea where the name came from, or of who the attacker may be, then what could the answer be? Pacing around the room once again wasn't enough, and the vigilante soon found his head getting cloudy. Deciding to distract himself while Shae finished her sketch, he walked to the far side of the room and drew his sword, swinging it at an invisible opponent in a series of over-the-top swings and parries. "Oh, Shae, would you mind if I showed your sketch to the master?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on April 03, 2018, 09:40:13 AM
The raven keeper started slightly- it was rare that anyone addressed her by name. Then shook her head. She held the finished sketch out to him warily, knowing it wasn't all that good, but at least it was something.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on April 05, 2018, 08:06:42 AM
Recieving the sketch, Diamond scanned over it quickly. While lacking any strong artistic talent, it certainly showed the key features well enough. "Thank you. This should be of aid." Walking back over to where the master of the manor sat, he felt nervous, not only because of the tension from earlier, but also because if the drawing and the pet name bore no significance to him, then there was nothing else to go on, at least not at the moment. "Um, i'm sorry, I don't think you ever told me your name? Shae sketched this, and said- well, communicated through many means, that he called her 'Little Bird'. Do either of these clues ring a bell?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on April 05, 2018, 08:28:30 PM
Lord Barkus- still not bothering to introduce himself- took the sketch and looked it over. He shook his head with a sigh. "No, I don't recognize this. Or the name. Perhaps..."

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Almost everyone who may have been able to help you was killed in the attack. Perhaps talk to the kennel master." He shrugged. "He doesn't understand Shae's hand waving any better than I do, but he was the one who found the girl on our doorstep."
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on April 07, 2018, 03:24:29 PM
"On your doorstep?"

Diamond was quite surprised by this. It wasn't that he'd assumed anything different, but still, the revelation was quite interesting. "If I may, what exactly happened to Shae? The scar, the speech, all that?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on April 08, 2018, 08:09:19 PM
Barkus shook his head again. "We don't know. Even when there were enough people in the manor who understood her signs, we never knew. She doesn't remember."

He shrugged and glanced at the birdlike young woman, already shrinking back into her corner. "She was maybe...eight? A bit of a thing." He frowned. "Can't believe someone would do that to a child..."

His words were rather at odds with his treatment of the girl over the last few hours.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on April 12, 2018, 08:02:19 AM
"Doesn't remember? That's strange". Diamond thought about the evidence. None of it added up! It had seemed as though there was a reason for not killing Shae, and to have that reason, they'd have to know her, right? It wasn't like she was famous. But if this was the case, then how could no-one have any idea? The killing of all the servants who understood the signs couldn't be coincidental, could it? And if it indeed was not, then the perpetrator would have to know the servants, know exactly who each of them were to Shae, and so they would have to have been to the manor, after Shae's memory was lost, so why didn't she remember?

Clutching at any way to prove his theory, to not have to start back at square one, he rushed to Shae and inquired, "Were any of the birds harmed?" If they were, then the criminal would definitely have wanted to deliberately make Shae suffer. Well, maybe.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on April 23, 2018, 09:52:49 AM
Jumping skittishly, Shae blinked up at him in silence for a few movements before nervously shaking her head. Hastily, she raised three fingers, then signed, Missing.

She frowned, knowing he wouldn't understand, and tried again, mouthing the word. Gone.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on May 04, 2018, 08:51:09 PM
"Gone?" Diamond felt on the verge of a breakdown, and he wasn't really sure why. He just wanted things to add up for once! At least it wasn't that nothing had happened to them. "Wait, what am I saying? That's horrible!"

"Calm down. I need the list. Once I get that, I'll be able to sort out everything. All will be well" Still, it was no use just waiting around. He needed to ask the kennel master a few questions, maybe that would help. "Shae, would you mind showing me where I could find the kennel master?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on May 09, 2018, 09:48:21 AM
The raven keeper nodded quickly and turned on her heel, beckoning for him to follow her through the halls of the manor and out onto the grounds.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on May 13, 2018, 04:21:07 AM
Diamond followed, rethinking all the evidence thus far. The amnesia issues complicated everything incredibly. No matter how many times he turned everything over in his mind, he always came to the same conclusion: It must have been a personal attack on Shae. He sighed.

"Maybe this kennel master may be able to fill in the blanks..."
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on May 21, 2018, 09:09:28 AM
Shae led Diamond out of the manor proper and onto the grounds, guiding him toward the long, low building on the opposite end of the courtyard from the stables, where the happy barking of at least some dozen canines could already be heard.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on May 23, 2018, 10:06:45 PM
Really, Blood Diamond should have known what to expect when he heard the term 'Kennel Master'. Still, the barking was surprising. He wasn't too good at recognizing animal signals, so he couldn't exactly tell if the dogs were happy, or very angry. "I suppose I'll find out". He approached the building and stared, a bit nervous about the animals inside. Nervously, he gestured for Shae to go first, hoping maybe it would pass for politeness.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on June 01, 2018, 02:11:35 PM
Shae nodded and stepped up into the threshold of the kennel, knocking lightly.

"Whossat then?" Dorran, the kennel master, stuck his head out of one of the cages, smiling a bit when he noticed Shae, then pausing when he caught sight of Blood Diamond.

"Who's your friend, little bird?" he asked, tilting his head. Shae smiled and signed the two words that made up his name-- slowly, and she repeated it several times. Dorran blinked, then snorted. "Sorry lass; Bleeding Stone?" He shook his head. "That can't be right, I'm not understandin' ya."
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on June 06, 2018, 12:59:27 AM
The vigilante snickered to himself a bit when he heard the man's translation. He'd received many reactions to his name over the course of his career, but this had to be one of the best. Stepping gingerly forwards to introduce himself, he extended a hand. "Blood Diamond, at your service. I am here to investigate the theft and massacre that occurred here."

"Bleeding Stone!", he thought, triggering another bout of barely-contained laughter. "That's the best thing I've heard all day!"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on June 12, 2018, 01:34:21 AM
"Ah." The kennel master shook his hand, though it was clear "Blood Diamond" didn't make a whole lot more sense to him than "Bleeding Stone". "Name's Ivan. So. What can I go for you two, exactly?" he asked warily, glancing between the two of them.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on June 16, 2018, 07:53:54 PM
"I'm glad you asked. I have been investigating the tragic incident that you no doubt are aware of, and, well, the leads are rather sparse. However, the owner of the manor said that you might be able to tell me about Shae. We believe the incident may have something to do with her past."

He grimaced as he said it, feeling once again overwhelmingly sorry for the girl.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on June 17, 2018, 12:51:57 AM
Ivan frowned, a cloud passing over his features. "Aye. Reckon I know 'er better than most. At least...most of who's left."

He sighed and dragged a hand down his face, glancing sidelong at Shae, who was staring at the floor, wringing her hands. "What exactly do you want to know?"
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on June 24, 2018, 03:23:56 PM
Eager to figure things out, Blood Diamond opened his mouth to begin his questioning, but paused when he followed the man's glance to find Shae looking very uncomfortable. Hesitantly, he asked her, "Shae, is it alright if I ask about your past?" He prayed she'd say yes. It wasn't like he couldn't do it anyway, but it felt less like a violation of privacy if he asked first.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on June 25, 2018, 04:53:13 PM
Shae nodded quickly, though she kept her eyes downcast, arms wrapped loosely around her torso. She shifted her weight rather nervously from foot to foot.
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: emeraldknight on July 01, 2018, 05:36:26 AM
Hesitantly, he continued. "Mister, um..." He paused. "Oh, my apologies, I haven't even asked your name yet."
Title: Re: When Birds Refuse to Sing
Post by: DragonSong on July 13, 2018, 08:19:35 PM
"Dorran's my surname," the kennel master replied easily enough. "But just Ivan is fine, really. No need for all that "Mister" nonsense."