Since the return of the de Bellefeuille sisters – and prior to it, apparently – there's been a great deal of traffic in and out of Bellefeuille Manor. Mostly it's been Templar officials of various sorts, with the occasional healer and life mage mixed in. The Inquisition has continued their investigation of the circumstances surrounding Katherine's kidnapping and recovery, despite her safe return.

Ostensibly, the Inquisition is merely "ensuring that all the guilty parties involved have been apprehended" – or slain, as the case may be. Given, however, that particular attention has been paid to the death of the Eeee Elise tortured, and the many deaths associated with the capture of The Siren's Tail, Elise suspects that she may be under consideration for the list of "guilty parties". The frequent visits to her household have caused something of a disruption in the staff's normal routine.

Elise isn't certain if the military branch of the Temple is supporting her or not during the investigation. Shortly after her return, a Major Irontooth, along with two captains, debriefed her regarding the events surrounding the apprehension of The Siren's Tail. Major Irontooth appeared satisfied with her veracity. Though he didn't seem impressed by her results – not surprising, given her own unhappiness with them – he appeared to believe her decisions were reasonable based on the information at hand. "It's easy for armchair generals to say 'You shouldn't have done that,' or 'Only a fool would have sent in such a unit then,' after the fact, and safely away from the action. We that have been in the field understand that you must work with what you have – and sometimes, that goes badly." He left her with a caution that "not everyone will agree with me on this matter" and that the Inquisition would be continuing their investigation.

First Ones 20, 6105

A life mage journeyman – a Kadie with healer training who came late to her calling, judging by her age – had been paying regular visits to check on Elise. Her leg has been a constant ache to her since the battle on Siren, and the Life mages have warned her that further damage was done to it by the rough use she gave it during the fight. She's been ordered off her feet entirely for a full 30 days.

Since her confinement to bed, Elise has taken up reading to try and get her mind off her pains – both due to injury and unwelcome company. Her life mage attendant has been a constant bother, and the elder de Bellefeuille sister finds that having something to do makes her and her condition more tolerable. Though grateful to rest directly after her return, and for a few days following, time has worn the welcome of rest and the poodle lady sorely finds herself wishing she could walk about. She rests now in her bed, book resting on her chest, eyes tracing along the text of the book on military strategy that was her father's.

The squirrel mage clicks her tongue against her teeth as she works – Elise isn't sure if this is part of her craft, or just a nervous habit on the journeyman's part. A faint haze of light, shimmering in multiple color, hovers around her hands and encases Elise's leg as the Kadie moves them over her limb. For a little while, at least, the pain ceases. Indigo pokes her head through the door and clears her throat to get Elise's attention. "Miss?"

Elise's lifts her head, looking over the edge of the manual. "Yes, Indigo, what is it?" she inquires.

"Miss, there's an investigator downstairs wanting to speak with the assistant cook, Lisa Dravon. She's off duty today. Ought I tell him where she lives?" the Aelfin asks. She has a certain put-upon, harried look to her as she makes the inquiry.

"Not that I like the help being bothered at all manner of hours, but yes, it would be best not to hinder any investigation. Please inform him, Indigo," answers the head of the de Bellefeuille household.

"Yes, miss," Indigo accedes, with a weary sigh. "I'll fetch her directions from the study." She bows.

That evening, after covering the ordinary household business with her mistress, Indigo raises the subject again. "Miss, how long is the Inquisition going to keep on about … all this?"

Frowning, Elise shakes her head. "I wish I knew, Indigo. I had expected an investigation, but not … " she gestures towards the door and the stairs beyond, "… this. I am not even certain the military supports what was done, and most certainly the Inquisition has yet to be satisfied."

"Can't you… " Indigo shifts in her chair, glancing around before continuing in a lower voice, "… make them, well, stop? You are a noble. It's hardly fitting for them to be treating you and your staff in this fashion."

"Can I … or should I, Indigo?" The elder of the de Bellefeuille gestures her assistant forward.

The Aelfin scoots her stool closer in response to the signal, though she looks uncertain on how to respond to the question – or even if a response is expected.

"Indigo, I know you are aware of what occurred here some time ago. I have always trusted you, Indigo, and I tell you I am not entirely certain I should avoid this investigation. I had considered … turning myself over to the Inquisition for what I have done." She pauses, glancing to the door again and wondering if the Inquisition is still here. There's a certain considering look to the noble's eyes that hints to her dedicated servant she might be considering the matter of turning herself over right now. But if she is, she turns back and makes no movement towards it save to continue speaking. "I was warned against such things, both by my sister and the military. My sister tells me I should not at all consider myself guilty while the military suggests those who do not fight cannot know the pressure of conflict. Why then do I still feel guilty?"

The Aelfin looks shocked by Elise's admission. "But – but – you've told them everything, haven't you? I mean – surely if they meant to charge you with anything – they'd have done so by now?"

Elise nods. "Yes, I told them all I know, and my reasons – be they good or ill. I do wonder at their hesitance as well, and I have thought long on the matter. My trouble is this: are they hesitating because they are uncertain … or because I am a noble, thus protected?" says the Gallee. She frowns all the more for explaining her trouble, ears flattening a bit against her head. "If the former is true and I turn myself over, I may be forcing punishment upon myself. If the latter is true and I did nothing, would that truly be acceptable?"

"I am sure you don't deserve punishment," Indigo says, staunchly, "of any kind. You've already suffered far worse than you could ever have deserved," she adds.

Elise reaches over and pats her personal assistant's hand. "As a noble and an officer I have a duty, in any situation, to do what is right. But … " she lifts her hand and gently gestures Indigo to go, " … you too have suffered. Take some time to rest and relax. I will see you soon enough, and I will have no arguments."

Five days later, Inquisitrix Faith returns to Rephidim, after an unexpectedly long delay in Gallis – apparently, she found something worth investigating there, even after word of Katherine's safe return reached her ears. On the morning after her arrival, the Inquisitrix calls on Lady de Bellefeuille.

Given Elise's indisposed state, Indigo shows the Inquisitrix into her bedroom – curtains drawn back on the great canopied bed that houses the noblewoman. Faith looks travel worn, her whiskers drooping and eyes reddened, but she appears as impassive as ever in executing a Temple salute. "I understand you wished to see me, Lady de Bellefeuille?"

"Yes Inquisitrix." The poodle noble rests sitting up, back supported by the large headboard of her canopied bed. She rests her hands neatly in her lap, and does her best to appear presentable despite the circumstances. A nod is offered in lieu of a salute. "I imagine you are aware of the investigation in to the happenings surrounding the abduction of my sister, and of my involvement in her recovery?"

"I have not been able to review the latest developments as well as I would like, Lady de Bellefeuille," Faith answers, "but, yes, I am familiar with the situation." She walks to Elise's bedside, watching the poodle with expressionless eyes. The Aelfin secretary hovers by the door, uncertain whether she should stay of go.

"And your opinion of the matters, official and personal?" inquires the Gallee. She tilts her head and looks up, voice steady and tinged with authority – Indigo would recognize it as Elise's professional voice, the one she uses on duty.

"I do not believe I understand you, Lady de Bellefeuille. What information are you looking for?" the Inquisitrix asks. Her own tone is professional and impassive – the same voice Elise has heard from her in all their encounters.

"Your eyes betray you, as much as you would like to hide your intentions and considerations, Inquisitrix," Elise says, continuing her own professional guise. She twines her fingers together, tapping her thumbs against each other in consideration. "I have heard it said you are a … what is the term … 'commoner sympathizer'? Now I do not put much stock in rumors, but I suppose it is relevant. Tell me, what is your opinion on how I performed in the rescue of my sister?"

Faith's green eyes do not flicker at Elise's insinuation. She unfolds her hands and opens a notebook held between them, flipping through the pages. "On 1 Midsummer, 6105, you tortured an Eeee known as 'Voice' to gain information on your sister's abduction. Voice revealed to you during this interrogation that Lady Katherine had been removed from Rephidim at dawn. Voice died on the following morning of wounds received during the interrogation." She flips a page and continues, her recitation monotone and scarcely pausing.

As the feline reads off her report the poodle leans her head back and listens with impassive attention. Showing neither surprise, nor anger, at any of it.

"With my approval, you set sail on Sweet Destiny in pursuit of The Siren's Tail, which you believed held your sister, based on information from Voice and gained by Lord Grant de Ayde. You were accompanied by certain guards and by the Lords de Ayde and haut Glas. Seven days later, you sighted Siren. The Lords haut Glas and de Ayde, at haut Glas's suggestion, attempted to infiltrate the vessel, shortly before Sweet Destiny hailed them in the name of the Temple, and ordered their halt. The infiltration attempt was not successful. As a result of their covert presence, the Body of the Sisters was able to convince some of the crew to take arms against the two lords, and to gain enough confusion to prevent Siren's captain from halting at Destiny's command." Faith's eyes scan over the notes, jumping from one point to the next as she talks.

"Members of the Body killed the captain, pilot, and navigator of the ship, along with two other crew members. The infiltration group from Destiny slew three mercenaries defending Siren, and three members of the Body. You killed four of the Body. Your personal guards were all slain during Siren's resistance. The last member of the Body was killed by one of the sailors from Destiny. Katherine was, at this time, recovered, and Siren taken into custody due to damage inflicted during Destiny's assault. Destiny towed Siren to a paquebot. During the return to Rephidim, haut Glas died of injuries sustained during the assault." Faith finishes, glancing up. "Have I missed anything important, Lady de Bellefeuille?"

"No you have not," answers the Gallee. She turns her head now to the window, looking out to the clear sky beyond. "It is a troublesome matter, is it not?" She smiles, faintly. "You seem like a well and true sort, Inquisitrix Faith, and They know the Temple could use more like you. But, to the matter hand, do you believe it just to punish one individual … and by extension do harm to several innocents?"

"Yes," Faith says, flatly. "If one man commits a crime, he must be punished for it. A law unevenly applied has little power and less value. A man should not be exempted from punishment because his wife will go unsupported or his children unfed if he is not allowed to remain free and whole to assist them."

"I see." Looking back, Elise asks, "And your opinion of me in this matter? I think it is rather obvious I too am being investigated – as is only correct, such as you say."

The gray-tabby Khatta stands by the bed, her ears canted to either side from lack of sleep. She watches Elise with steady, unblinking eyes. "My … opinion," and for once, there is a trace of inflection in her words, "is that this investigation is not complete, and that I do not have the facts necessary to form a sufficiently accurate picture of the circumstances you have been involved in."

Again, the Gallee nods. "Then I see you have your work ahead of you. Investigate the matter, Inquisitrix, and I imagine you will return to me once you are done if I bid you to do so or not. Though I do bid you return when you have your evidence before you. You will find me available," she taps a finger against her cast-bound leg beneath the covers, "and willing to cooperate as necessary with whatever you need."

"I see. Do you have anything further to offer at this time, Lady de Bellefeuille? Information which may have been overlooked, or suggested avenues for my investigation?" Faith asks.

"You are aware of my … ah … trouble a while back, with something of a ritual?" inquires the lady.

The feline pauses, then nods.

"Then you are aware of why I might hold a certain … desperation … on the recovery of my sister, and the use of my 'presence'? I seem to have a certain startling effect on Eeee who dream." The poodle smiles faintly again, though it is a bittersweet sort of smile.

Faith only nods again. She continues to stand in place, as if waiting for Elise to continue.

Elise gives a faint snort of disgust. "There is another matter I have no mentioned, for fear of repercussions from within the Temple. Are you aware that a certain rogue captain acted not only on the puppet strings of the late High Princess, but also by those from within the Temple?" offers Elise, pausing for the Inquisitrix's answer.

The Inquisitrix takes a few moments before responding. "It has long been insinuated that Captain Rockmore had support from the Temple in stealing the boomer, though the news from Babel laying the blame for the boomer at the feet of the deceased High Princess has cast some doubt as to whether or not the Temple ever held the genuine device. In any case, I have neither found nor heard any credible proof regarding what Temple officials might or might not have been involved. Do you have some evidence regarding them?"

"No, but that is not the point, either. I was afraid that those very people knew I was aware of them, and that the abduction of my sister could have been a ploy to remove or silence me. One of many scenarios I envisioned, for I seem to have a great many quiet enemies these days. But it is something you should be aware of," says Elise.

Faith nods slightly in response. "You do not know whom this party or parties would be, but you are concerned that said parties suspect you know whom they are?"

"I was party to the group that ended the Dream Ritual, as well as a conspiracy on Caroban. I imagine that sort of performance record might do to make a conspiring party nervous – after all, I had little idea as to the name of those on Caroban at first either. They might fear an investigation," explains the poodle. "Also, regarding your investigation, I tell you now I will accept the judgment of the Temple, whatever comes. I believe you to be impartial and fair-minded. I ask you keep special attention for those who may pressure you to do me help or harm."

Again, the gray-and-black Khatta only nods. "Do you have anything else to share with me, Lady de Bellefeuille?" She takes a pencil from a pocket of her robe, and jots something into her notebook.

"No," says the lady. She settles back against the headboard again, reaching for her book and putting in on her stomach, brows narrowing as she stares at it thoughtfully. "Wait, there is something I should say," she looks up, specifically at Faith's notepad, "for the record. I do not hate the Eeee. Unlike my sister, I have tried very hard to see them as people and look beyond what Eeee time and time again do to me and mine. It is no false statement to say that I have suffered much at their hands, but … I do not hate them. I cannot bring myself to hate them even if so many of them hate me. 'Godslayer', hmph. I … deeply regret what I did to that man, despite him provoking me as he did." Her words, unlike her previous or Faith's normal, are given with sure inflection and a strained sort of heartfelt fervor.

Faith's pencil pauses, then moves over the page again for a moment, before she returns it to the holster inside her notebook. "I see. If that is all, I will take my leave. Good day to you, Lady de Bellefeuille. I hope your leg recovers swiftly," she finishes, with a nod towards the injured limb.

Elise returns the nod, offering it as both an agreement and a sort of salute. "I appreciate your words, Inquisitrix Faith. I am sure I will hear from you again. Good day," she bids her in farewell.