In the well-kept corridors of the Audit, Leeta has been waiting for quite some time, only occasionally bothered by a curious guard, but soon being left alone whenever her collar colors are seen.
Leeta has managed to organize her affairs in just one day. Her impending departure has forced all her to make sure Moffat's remaining secrets rest with someone safe. She sits on a bench, mandolin case beside her, and holding a folder in her hands. She watches the hallway, her anxiousness has faded to boredom. Zorah has to come soon.
More time passes. But, some time after it seems as if Zorah won't be coming, but before Leeta has reason to give up entirely, the very tall Savanite shows up, striding down the corridor … and doesn't seem to be noticing the red-haired Savanite seated on the bench.
Leeta stands, pulling the mandolin case up by its strap and slinging it behind her shoulder. She looks to see who else might be with the tall Savanite, and prepares to move towards her.
Zorah is followed by a couple of lesser slaves, who stop as she stops which is as soon as she sees Leeta. She turns to her companions, and motions for them to go on without her, looking very nonchalant … though Leeta knows her well enough to see that there is a tinge of anxiety. But then, that has afflicted the whole Temple after recent events.
Leeta approaches Zorah, looking for someplace private in the hallway to pull off to. Her hand flashes quickly, "It's Important", in formal as she nears her taller sister.
The corridors of the Audit are fairly free of places under repair to duck into for privacy, as with her previous secret meeting in such a place, but with all the traffic and the silence afforded by hand-sign, a T-section provides access to a much less-used accessway that suffices for now. Once there, Zorah looks back, using her own body to shield her signs from any potential prying eyes. She signs, "What is it?"
"You know about Jena Rika, your owner?" Leeta signs, holding out a folder she carefully sorted this morning. "It's all here, everything she did. All the ways to keep it secret, or all the ways to expose it."
Zorah's eyebrows raise at this, and she hesitantly reaches for it, giving Leeta a questioning look that says "how?" as clearly as anything.
"Remember who owned me sister. You run faster, but my eyes are better, I found things in the darkness." The red-maned Savanite's ears wiggle. "It's too long to explain. I don't know what to do with it, and it might hurt you. I thought you should have it. I am going away, I have to set things right before I do."
Zorah looks surprised. "Where are you going now? Your fortunes have been astounding already … I hope that you are not slipping in the world?"
Leeta shakes her head, pulling back the scarf so her sister can see her collar. "I'm the slave of the Inquisition's candidate, they're taking him someplace safer than the Temple… after, what happened. I'm going with him. Everythings fine, I have so much to tell you! I wish I had hours, but I don't."
Zorah smiles a bit, then signs, "… so … the rumors are true … " Her eyes roll back, and she faints.
Leeta drops everything and grabs for her sister.
She holds up her older sister, guiding her down to the ground. Leeta chirps quietly at Zorah, brushing her face and trying to wake her up.
Zorah shakes her head, blinking her eyes several times, before focusing back on Leeta. "You're not joking, are you?"
Leeta shakes her head solemnly, "I wouldn't, not about this. It's true… and… there is just so much to tell. You have to trust me Zorah, I found out things. Dadee isn't being mistreated. The Champion had him in the Sanctuary of Roses. He's gone to the north now, but I hope he comes back. There's more."
Zorah grabs Leeta's arm, then lets go so she can sign, "You sound like you're going to hit me with these signs and then run! Give me an hour for the whole story, at least!" Her eyes are hungry with questions.
"There is so much, I don't know where to start, and I don't even know if I have the time. I found Cloud-Mark, and Moon-Brow, and other things." Leeta opens the folder, showing three numbers written on a piece of paper. "These are really important, you'll need to know these. Someone will want them from you in a few days."
Zorah looks overwhelmed. "What next? I feel as if you could tell me you were being promoted to leader of all Rephidim, and it wouldn't be more astounding." She looks at Leeta incredulously.
Leeta brushes her sister's arm soothingly, "I know, it's notfair. I can't believe it myself. Cloud-Mark is safe in the Sanctuary of Roses, no one knows she's there. I don't know about Moon-Brow, she's someone's dancer… but she's very sick. There's more, and its very dangerous."
Zorah looks surprised. "A dancer? That's a change. I had tried to find her, and thought she was serving as a gardener … and Cloud-Mark … well, my sources are not very reliable at times."
The fire-haired Savanite looks around quickly, to see if anyone is watching them in the hallway, then signs very close to Zorah. "She was dressed as a dancer… Long-Lope, Creen-Song and Emerald-Eyes aren't dead, and Third-Eye is back. But Watch, She'd different, she's changed. You have to believe me, I know!" She puts her hand over her heart, "In here I know she is. Trust me, you need to trust her."
Zorah's expression shifts to alarm at the mention of Third-Eye, and she shakes her head. "I … " She just gives up signing, and gives Leeta a quick hug.
Fire-Mane holds Long-Lope tight, hugging her for a long time then letting go to sign, "I can spare an hour for you, as long as we need. It's important you believe me. Last night I sent someone to the Procession. I found… " She starts telling the story, briefly but with some detail, from when she saw the coat, what she found along with it. How the errands led her to Jezebel and how they reconciled at the funeral. She has to leave out so much, but she tells Zorah she has to believe, to not give into the fear. Changes are coming and the sisters will need each other.
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