Evening at the Temple Steps
A steady glow from the Temple's outer artificial lighting contrasts with the ancient crumbling stonework of the entrance to the Temple. Perhaps the irony would be that the stonework is far newer than any of the lighting. On the steps, the Elite Guard keep their constant vigil, broken only at intervals by the Changing of the Guard. Each one is armed with a chitin blade and flintlock rifle, and they wear black robes and armor with silver trim bearing the Star and Anchor of the Temple.
Esther stands nonchalantly off to one side of the busy area. She notes a friendly face standing guard on the steps. { Now would be the best time, } Esther thinks.
Shimei of the Elite Guard stands as still as one of the statues within the entrance that look sternly down on the pilgrims and errand-runners passing by.
Esther joins the crowd and starts up the steps toward Shimei, a little quickly, as she doesn't want to miss the Changing of the Guard.
Standing just inside the gate's shadows is a tall cheetah slave. In the flickering artifical light her mane of red hair stands out. She watches the entrance, seemingly looking for someone or something. The collar around her neck is a magenta and green, indicating that she is the personal slave of Inquisitor Moffat.
Lieutenant Shimei still stands perfectly still … but his eyes flicker in Esther's direction, and he furrows his brow faintly.
The magenta-and-green of Inquisitor Moffat stands out like a beacon to Esther. { So he has a slave now? Hmm. I'd better be careful. } Esther slips out of the crowd near Shimei, her back turned to the slave.
Esther pulls a folded bit of paper from her pocket and approaches Shimei. With her other hand, she pulls her hood back far enough so that her face is visible.
A lady Kattha in a spotted fur coat walks up the steps, red sheer fabric of an evening dress visible beneath the fringes. She walks by, passing not all that far from Esther, and continues on up.
Shimei's eyes flicker back in Esther's direction. From an ear flick, more motion than one would usually see from an Elite Guard on duty (barring an obvious threat to respond to), it is not hard for her to tell that he's agitated by her presence … though trying not to look directly at her.
The red-maned slave watches anyone approaching the entrance, and spots the lady Khattha in the fur. Moving away from where she was leaning against the wall, she slings an instrument across her back, and walks to intercept the woman.
Esther slips the note firmly into Shimei's wide glove-cuff, and then walks around him so that he can see her face.
Shimei looks at Esther directly, as if he's seeing a ghost.
Esther says softly, "The Shiny Mug."
The Kattha walks up to the red-maned slave, reaching out to brush the slave's cheek. "My, what lovely fur you have. Ah. You are Caesar-Darling's musician, I see. Well now, let us not keep the Arch Inquisitor Majoris waiting."
Shimei moves his ear ever so slightly in a sign of acknowledgement.
Esther whips her hood neatly back over her face. She rejoins the crowd, but not before looking edgewise at the lady Kattha and the slave. Then she turns and walks down the stone steps.
The cheetah bows to the lady Kattha, answering with a nod. She turns to lead the woman on, with a glance behind her to see she is following, or perhaps just to look outside the gates, at the stars and the night.
