An Inquisitrix Aeonian has a lavishly decorated suite all to herself. While indoor plumbing is unheard-of anywhere but on Rephidim and perhaps a few scattered oddities of places on the surface, this happens to be one of those 'oddities'. A large porcelain bath, however, is to be filled the old-fashioned way, by calling for service to have steaming-hot buckets of water poured in, with a selection of bottles of various bubble soaps and lotions on a shelf nearby.

Sunlight filters in through rippling curtains that sway in the breeze from the open glass doors to a balcony overlooking one of the pools in the rear of the hotel. A four-poster bed is neatly made up, and the room is not only clean, but has that certain FRAGRANCE of being clean.

Turtle sits in front of on of the room's desks polishing and occasionally fiddling with her automatic crossbow, making sure it still in top condition. The healing burn marks on her neck are quite visible right now, as she wears a fluffy white robe with a stylized temple emblem over a comfortable dressing gown.

Outside, a shadow passing in front of the curtains gives warning, and then the sound of fluttering wings heralds the approach of Neekto, Inquisitrix Turtle's personal assistant and secretary, a Korv (crow) Acolyte of the Rephidim Priesthood. He lands, perching on the railing of the balcony, his silhouette visible through the curtains. "Inquisitrix? I hope I am not disturbing you?"

Turtle turns and gives Neekto a look of half-interest. "Not at all. I was considering looking for you anyway to help me with my crossbow."

Turtle lifts up the crossbow, and still polishing, "You know, Neekto, I'm a bit concerned about these Gallis folk. I was quite amazed at their treatment of the 'common peasants'. It makes me very uncomfortable."

"May I come in?" asks the crow. "And how may I be of assistance?"

Turtle flourishes with her hand. "Please do." She goes back to looking over the weapon. "I wish you to check up on my stock of ammunition. I'm not certain how much was brought with us."

The crow hops down from the railing and waddles into the room through the curtains. He blinks, looking around at the furnishings.

"Certainly, Inquisitrix. I will do so," the crow adds. "But, first, I have something for you." He digs into a pouch at his belt, pulling out a small stoppered jar.

Turtle looks up from the bow, then places it carefully in her lap, and examines the jar, reaching lightly out for it.

The crow waddles over, holding up the jar. "I found a highly-recommended alchemist who claimed to know something of this allergic reaction of your kind. He made this salve to speed the process of healing."

Turtle's eyes crease a bit, and for once the small polite smile on her face seems a bit genuine as she takes the bottle. "I appreciate this very much, Neekto." The smile fades quickly then as the moment passes. "I will apply some of this immediately, and see if it does the job." She uncorks the bottle, and hesitantly rubs a bit on.

Neekto's smile lasts longer than Turtle's, even though the constraints of a beak make it all the more subtle. "I was told it won't have immediate results … but perhaps it may help." Actually, the results aren't all that bad. There is an initial tingling and even a bit of a sting … but that quickly subsides, helping to dull some of the residual pain.

Neekto says, "Now … should I be off to check on things for you?"

Turtle winces slightly at the sting. "It appears to be effective. Thank you." She stoppers the bottle again.

Turtle says, "Yes, please do. I may go out for a bit later, and I wish to take my crossbow with me as I usually do."

The crow bows his head. "You are most welcome, Inquisitrix. I hope for a speedy recovery. I will return with a report as soon as I have finished taking inventory." With that, he hops back to the balcony, ducking under the swaying curtains to do so.

The crow flutters away, his shadow disappearing, leaving the Inquisitrix alone in her suite once more.

Turtle goes back to her crossbow, looking over it with the same frowning concentration as before.

For some while, Turtle is left alone with her finely-crafted weapon. It seems to need more attention on the surface than it did while in Rephidim, but this is not something she is unused to, for she had this weapon for quite some time (QUITE some time) in the outpost in Aelfhem, another locale on the surface. It worked noticeably better in Rephidim, but it's still a trusty mechanism nonetheless.

A knock on the door to the room interrupts whatever train of thought the Inquisitrix is currently on. "Inquisitrix?" It's the voice of Soran, the female gray Jupani guard. "Will you admit a guest? It is Inquisitor Melchizedek to see you."

Turtle looks up abruptly at the door, a bit stunned. Wasn't he supposed to be leaving Gallis? A nervousness suddenly clutches her chest, as she calls out, "Let him enter." her cold voice a bit shaky despite her efforts to control it.

There is a silence outside, then the door opens, admitting Inquisitor Melchizedek, looking the same as he did before, dressed in a dark brown dress uniform. Having digitigrade legs and hooves, he does not wear the black boots that most Inquisitors of his present station would have, but he does have the thick leather gauntlets. A dark gray hooded cape drapes across his shoulders, going underneath a pair of mostly ornamental pauldrons that bear the sign of Rephidim Temple. He bows. "Good day, Inquisitrix Turtle."

Turtle politely puts down her weapon on the desk and stands, holding on to the edges of her robes. "Greetings again, Inquisitor," the nervousness moves down into her stomach, "I did not expect to see you again so soon. Why did you come to see me?"

Turtle's eyes flinch a bit downwards, although her mouth is still stiff.

Melchizedek turns to look at the door, waiting until Soran closes it again. Then, he turns back toward Turtle, his gaze falling upon the wounds on her neck. He frowns, then says, "I was concerned for your health. It is unusual for an Aeonian to fall ill. I felt it reasonable … " He frowns, pausing a bit. "I wanted to see you again before I left for Bosch."

Turtle manages to follow his gaze, and pulls her robes on closer around her, hoping to hide her neck. Her tail twitches a bit nervously, as she answers. "That is most kind of you. I'm not quite certain yet the cause of my illness, but it has not bothered me at all since that night." She feels the ache inside just as she speaks that. Her eyes widen a bit. "Until now." She looks down at the bottle Neekto brought in. Could it be her wounds?

Melchizedek pulls off one of his leather gloves, then reaches up toward Turtle's neck. "That wound looks recent. Were you injured today?"

Turtle closes her eyes involuntarily, drawing back a bit. "No, it occurred earlier this week. I made the mistake of putting on a necklace before finding out what it was made of," she sounds a bit annoyed at being examined in this way, "It was iron."

Melchizedek winces, drawing his hand back. "I am sorry to hear that. Perhaps this might account for your illness … though it does not account for mine."

Turtle still flinches a bit, "Well, I had considered … yours?" She opens her eyes, furrowing her brow.

The Inquisitor nods. "Did I not mention that? Pardon the omission. I hope that you are not ill because of anything you may have caught from me. I have been travelling to many lands. It is not unfathomable that … " He lets the thought fade away.

Turtle brow furrows further, as her face gets very cold. "I see."

Melchizedek's gaze snaps away. "In any case, I have disturbed you enough. I felt a need to see you, and I have seen you. I shall depart now."

Turtle's cold thoughts are interrupted by the heaviness of his departure, and the confusion shoots through her again. She crosses her arms, trying harder to contain herself, as her voice remains rigid. "You may stay longer if you wish. I really should do something to apologize for… how I acted last time we spoke." She looks away as her demeanor gets softer.

Melchizedek stops, looking back to Turtle. "I suppose I shall remain a little longer, then."

Turtle's stomach gets queasier. "Perhaps some tea would help us both a bit," she says, a bit shakily.

Melchizedek nods. "I would very much enjoy sharing some tea with you, Inquisitrix."

Turtle walks over to a fancy bell-pull near the bed, and pulls on it, ringing for a servant.

At the door, a cocker spaniel in a red uniform arrives, bringing in a service tray. "You rang, madame?"

Turtle nods slowly, politely, walking back towards the door. "Would you please bring myself and the Inquisitor some tea?"

The cocker spaniel nods. "Of course, madame!" Among other things, the service tray includes a full tea service, which the canine sets out on a low table near the couch and some chairs.

Turtle continues on, her heart beating a bit faster (should she be really concerned?), pointing out a chair to Melchizedek. "Please, have a seat," she requests of him evenly.

Melchizedek nods and takes the chair.

The cocker spaniel finishes setting out the service, then says, "If you need anything more, just ring. It is our pleasure to be of service!" He smiles and rolls the cart back out of the room, and one of the Jupani guards closes the door again.

Turtle watches the servant leave, then sits down herself, reaching for a cup. She fumbles for a bit of small talk. "So, how close to finishing your outpost checks have you come now?" she asks.

Melchizedek says, "Oh … if the war ends soon, and I make good time, I might be able to complete the entire tour in … a century, perhaps."

Turtle begins pouring tea, looking a bit uninterested in what he is saying, then stops suddenly. "A century?" she asks, a bit of disbelief in her voice.

Melchizedek adds, "Some of the larger outposts will present much more of a challenge to audit. I will not be spending the whole time travelling." He frowns, then adds, "This is not an assignment I was intended to return from. Some in the Temple may not realize the nature of Aeonians, but even if they did, they may simply not care."

Turtle feels a bit inwardly guilty even more now for her words, but says nothing except, "I wish you guidance and protection from the Star all the way from now… " in a polite fashion.

Melchizedek frowns. "I have lived a long time apart from our people. As you can see, I am one whose birth was considered an ill omen. I was content with my fate, so I believed, but … " He looks back to Turtle. "For some reason, I now find myself regretting it. I have felt many curious things since I met you. I do not know how to say it except that for some reason, you frighten me and intrigue me at the same time, Inquisitrix."

Turtle raises an eyebrow, and seems at a loss for words at that statement.

There is another rap at the door, this one much more loud than the other. "Inquisitrix?" It is Rathos' voice this time. "There is a message for the Inquisitor. It is urgent."

Melchizedek looks down at his cup of tea, which he hasn't even touched. He sets it down on the table. "Please pardon me, Inquisitrix." He stands, heading for the door.

Turtle opens her mouth, about to reply, then stops.

Turtle looks away. "Certainly."

Turtle sips her own tea, as he leaves.

Melchizedek goes to the door, and has a loudly whispered conversation with a Jupani. Melchizedek appears to be annoyed and even agitated as the discussion progresses.

Turtle's ears flick around trying to hear, but besides that, he expression does not change, calmly sipping her tea.

Melchizedek comes back from the door, as the guard leaves, looking visibly shaken. "I have bad news, Inquisitrix."

Turtle turns and gives the Inquisitor a wilting look, "Yes?"

Inquisitor Melchizedek says, "The Ashdodites have openly attacked Rephidim. We are most certainly at war. You will not be picked up to return to Rephidim, but rather I have been instructed … to take you with me." He frowns. "They have no idea what they ask. Bosch is no place for anyone. Certainly not for … " the black unicorn looks at Turtle's garb, "… a vacation."

Turtle wilts even further. The knot in her stomach from the previous night is tying itself back into place again. "Well, if that is what they wish, I will do so. When should I be ready to leave?"

Melchizedek's frown remains. "By this evening. Please accept my apologies, Inquisitrix."

Turtle puts down her teacup, her face very cold, thoughtful. "It is not your fault. I will seek out my assistant, and we will prepare immediately."

Melchizedek bows. "I must make preparations. I will have someone check on you later. Thank you for the tea," he adds, looking at the cooling cup he had set on the table.

"You're welcome," Turtle leans back, looking away towards the wall. Her expression remains the same, but the look in her eyes seem to drift off elsewhere.

Melchizedek leaves while the Inquisitrix is looking away, his departure marked by the sound of the closing door.