Sigil: City of Doors

A small man carrying a golden staff resembling strongly that of a dragons head in one end and a olive robe moves to the front desk of the barracks. Around his shoulder an arm of unconscious taller woman, and it is clearly quite an effort for the slim figure. The woman is passed to the Harmonium. The woman is medium height, dirty ginger hair, face dirty with old stained tears on it.

"Notary Milley Krown reporting in. This woman known as Bennise has lead myself and two other residents of Sigil into a trap only couple hours ago. It is yet to be discerned whether her participation was voluntary so I urge to be allowed to question her before consideration of pressing charges. She appeared disheartened over the matter which leaves room to a possibility that she was being blackmailed. With me was a Kaorti called Hecate, and a human called Reshar Jaham.

She traveled to the Guild and Market Ward to prey upon those with sympathy with an act of damsel in distress, only to lead us into a group of thugs. Unfortunately the thugs were disposed by negative energy and were untreatable, however I feel the situation consented use of force as a form of self-defense. Reshar Jaham deserves a worthy recognition for the assistance.

I would also get Bennise to be double checked by infirmary for any persistent harm that may have escaped my or mister Reshars notice at the time."

((Thanks DM Deliria! =) ))

Milley changes to a more official red Harmonium apparel, though still a cloth and keeping his staff with him. Approaching the woman in an openminded fashion to find out her angle, takes a seat and sets a couple empty parchments on the desk, taking a quill to be ready to scribble down any necessary information...

"Hello Bennise, we met earlier but I don't think we have properly introduced each other. I am Milley Krown, notary of Harmonium. I must first of apologize and regretfully inform that none of the other survived the incidence. I would like to ask you a couple of questions, you have a right to remain silent however.

Would you like something to eat or drink? Although I must remind that we cannot supply alcoholic drinks to suspects.

And is there anyone you'd want me to contact for you?"

Any answers he'd quill down on the parchment, and if she wanted anything to eat or drink that's readily available, he'd ensure they're got here. And any contact information for people is taken down, a parchment given for her to write the message unless illiterate in which case he'd offer to write what she wishes to say.

"What was your role in this ambush?

What did you get for luring unknowing victims into the ambush?

Why were you involved?"

Waiting for her to reply in these questions and quilling the answers down before he'd continue on the following statement.

Bennise is no longer crying by the time Milley arrives for questioning. She cautiously takes a seat and listens to him. When he mentions that she is the only survivor, all the color drains from her face. It takes her a few minutes to come to grips with the situation, but eventually she pulls herself together enough to answer some of his questions.

Something to eat and d-drink? Anything would b-be fine. F-fresh or not.

Someone to contact? No... No, he's d-dead now.

When the food and drink arrive, she eats ravenously, with little care for how it looks to others. When he starts to question her again, she gives him answers readily, though more out of resignation than anything else.

The ambush.... I was supposed t-to find people with money and b-bring them to the hive. It's j-just what it l-looked like.

They were going to p-pay my brother and me p-part of the money, and take part to p-pay them b-back.

When asked why, she sits staring at the floor for a few more minutes, but eventually she looks up and talks, with a more defiant tone.
Why? To p-pay off our debts. My brother and I had l-less than nothing, and our p-parents d-died owing a lot of money. So the d-day after the funeral, they came to c-collect. We gave them everything. They s-said that wasn't enough. We had to w-work off the debt. We could either work for them, or s-s-sell ourselves... sell our b-bodies, our l-lives to them. So we ch-chose the only thing we c-could. B-But now they are d-dead, and so is m-my brother. So I'm f-free now. In a way.
Bennise stares straight at Milley, and many different emotions cross her face. She is hurt, lost, alone, but also relieved. So d-do what you have to, h-hardhead. I have n-nothing to work off, and n-nothing to r-return to. I d-don't care anymore.

Though Milley attempted to remain with his thoughts concealed by expressionless face, he couldn't but help to reveal sympathy to the tale told. Putting it all down on parchment, and then reflects on it a bit to consider the options which also leaves a brief tedious silence before he speaks again.

"Was it your brother that pushed you to safety? Even if we stood as enemies at the time, it is an action I can commend and recognize as heroic. I believe what you did was wrong, but I also understand why you did it. But you also have already suffered more than you deserve. I could let you walk or I could take you in, however I am left with a choice. A man of law would let you remain in the cells reflecting on things you've done. A man of morals would let you go as you already have cells of your mind reflecting on things that have happened.

You said you had nothing anymore to lose, and that you no longer care what happens. Unfortunately I believe you in this, and it saddens me. If you return to the Hive, they still will wish the debt paid and I fear such will bring you memories of the past too soon. If you want, I could arrange you a job in one of the gatetowns where you can start over. It will be harsh to start anew again, but it will likely be less harsh than in the Hive. But I feel it might do you good to change the scenery for a while to get your bearing before you are ready to come back.

So I will let you choose with your own conscience. Would you rather to go to cell and await judgement by the court, return to Hive where people are after you and memories of past around each corner or take alternative option of trying out life in new environment where you won't become rich or famous but will have a steady income without fear?"

Bennise listens quietly to all that is said. When she is asked whether it was her brother who pushed her to safety, she just nods quietly. For the rest, she listens quietly until she is given a choice. At that point she stands up and looks angrily at Milley

How d-dare you p-p-pretend to c-care what happens to me! Of c-course I want to be f-free! Why would y-y-you even ask? You d-don't underst-st-stand anything! If you h-h-hardheads really c-cared about a-anyone else, or d-d-did anything useful, then p-people wouldn't h-hate you so m-much!

She sits down, looking a little shocked herself at what she just said, then answers again in much more calmed tones.

Y-yes, I want to leave S-Sigil. I d-don't want to be p-put in p-p-prison. Even if f-freedom comes from a h-hardhead, I want to be f-free.

As the taller woman stands back, Milley warily leans back on his chair, lets her speak but clearly is prepared to defend himself quick if required. As she sags down after the outburst the Hardhead akin relaxes and inclines his head. Though remains quiet for a good long while before he replies again...

"You are right... I am a member of Harmonium. But I am also a human. We humans don't want to live by each others misery, instead we hope to live by each others happiness. Unfortunately I cannot offer you happiness, but I can try to offer you a bit of relief from your misery to best of my talents.

If there's anything you'd like to get from the Hive or pay your last respects, now is a good time for it. I can escort you if you feel the people whom you "owe" money pose danger otherwise I'll remain behind to arrange you a job and place to stay. It might take a day or two to handle and you can remain here if you wish for that time. If you choose not to come back here, so be it. As of now, you're free of charges and free to walk away."

Finishing the paperwork to make it official, he makes documentation to set her free and takes it to the casefile and inform any necessary high-up as he went.

With that he'd go out his way to contact four of the gatetowns via personal trip to Fortitude, Excelsior, Ecstasy and Tradegate for any inns, stores, bakeries and taverns to find out if they'd be interested in hiring a woman with said description and a fair wage for now. Explaining the situation though keeping exact details secret while describing it as "having had very difficult times in life and needing change of scenery" if any employment option is found he'd then go to find an inn nearby that would have some sustainable prices in comparison to the salary and make note of them before returning back to the Sigil and Barracks and instruct Bennise about them. Unless of course she simply left in which case the work would be inevitably deemed futile.