Open Hate Dries Slower Than Paint

[Caden S. Freemont]

Pieces began to fall into place as first Seersha introduced herself and Bezine followed with her own explanation. It was as though the Fates were plucking their strings, moving each piece into place so that he could not escape any part of his past. Well, you did come back. What did you expect would happen?

"Cade is fine," he said, rocking back on his heels and trying to sort his thoughts. "I tend not to advertise the Freemont name if I can help it. I'm still unsure how I want to connect myself to that side of my family." He cleared his throat. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Seersha. I knew Bridger when I was a kit; he was a colleague of my mother's."

He waved a paw down the street. "I was just on my way to the same tavern, though it's been so long I couldn't quite remember how to get there. Somebeast there from my past who I wanted to see. Shall we walk together?"

 

[Seersha Vorsky]

Looking for the same tavern? What're the odds ...

Seersha blinked a way any sort of suspicions for the moment and gave Bezine a shrug. "Sure, please feel free to join us," she added. Once more, the weasel adjusted her pack on her back and double-checked her grip on the letter.

"So, you knew Bridger ... and you're going to this Thorn in the Side ... may I ask -- who are you looking to find at the tavern? Is it Rind? I was told he could point me to who I'm looking for," Seersha asked, hoping she could find more details with careful probing along the way. Was he actually trustworthy? Time would tell, she supposed, but it couldn't hurt to ask some questions on the final stretch of their journey.

 

[Bezine D'Oiravere]

Well, Bezine thought on reflection, the girl was suspicious, which was definitely a Winder character trait. What she wasn't was clever about it. Seersha had given away more information than she'd sought in the asking, enough that a savvy beast of nefarious intent could have buffed their way right into her confidence. She was lucky to have met Bezine so early; there were plenty in Bully Harbor who would have taken advantage of her naivete. There later will be time to train her up in these things, she reminded herself. For now, they needed to find Kaden - or Rind, as he was apparently going by now. If he's been hiding from his daughter this whole time, the rind will be all that's left of him .

"Per'aps you could set ze poor girl at ease by saying 'oo it is you look for," Bezine chimed in, offering a suggestion that modeled the kinds of questions she normally used in such situations. It was an old spy's trick; get the other side to reveal information while giving up none yourself. I guess old habits really do die hard, even around friends and family.

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

Caden nodded slowly. Seersha was looking for Rind. She was a light-furred weasel. Calling him by his full name would cause confusion. He let out a slow breath. Well, Winder did have a reputation for being popular with the jills, and Seersha was certainly the right age. But did she know that Rind and Kaden were one in the same beast? Caden did not feel it was his place to reveal his old friend's identity. He had taken a new name for a reason.

"I'm looking for Kaden Winder," he answered with some hesitancy. "He was a close friend of my mother's, and he and I became friends when I was an adolescent before I left the Imperium. I've been gone twenty-odd years and thought I'd check in, see if he was still around."

 

[Seersha Vorsky]

Seersha giggled and then let it turn into a chuckle of disbelief. She stopped in her tracks for a moment, placing her paw on her rapier's hilt. Okay, maybe she understood what her siblings meant that she was too trusting. Maybe word got around after the other questions she asked and these were spies sent to capture or kill her. Maybe, just maybe, they knew she was coming before she got here! It just seemed so odd, so coincidental. Too coincidental.

Though, reality is strange... no ... this is too strange, isn't it?

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, stop, stop. Okay, wait, wait." She stopped her laughing and squinted. "You're telling me that you are the adoptive daughter of Kaden Winder and you, you sir, are a family friend of his that is also coincidentally coming back to look for him when I'm looking for him. You both also know each other. Listen, I know I'm new here but c'mon. Who are you working for? What crazy beasties set you two up for this?"

Seersha looked around herself in disbelief. She could actually see the tavern in the distance. Maybe make a break for it?

"I mean, really? What ... what're the odds, y'know? 'Uh? C'mon. Did word travel that fast here that someone was looking for him? Was it Vorsky enemies? Someone want revenge on Kaden?"

 

[Bezine D'Oiravere]

Bezine stopped in her tracks as the young jill got a healthy measure of suspicion and skepticism right at the wrong moment. Bezine gave a wide shrug, letting her own disbelief show. "In zis town, coincidence is ze only zing you can count on one 'undred percent of ze time. Is 'ow I get exiled last time - but non relevant," she amended quickly. "I won't lie, zere are probably many beasts who want revenge on Kaden. I'd like to give 'im a few 'its about ze face too, for 'ow 'e 'urt you. If you want to go alone, you go alone." She gestured down the street. "Ozzerwise, I gladly go wiz you for moral support. And maybe kick 'im between ze legs, I non decide yet on zat."