Zack/S1Lude4

A hour has passed since the ambush and capture of the investigator, not a day at all. Some Siddie screwed up somewhere. At any rate, Soran is still down there, talking with Syla while examining a few papers. The common room is pretty much empty besides that.

Diamond walks down the stairs, his wound treated and clothes changed. They are of silk and cotton, as before, but the entire ensemble is white and light grey. He wears long sleeves and gloves, now, as well, most likely to help protect the still mending burns from his fight from the Terrestrial. He'd stand out like a sore thumb, should he go stalking out into the night dressed like this--fortunately, he's been indoors, all this time.

Diamond approaches Soran and Syla from the stairs, simply stating, "It's been an hour, Soran--can you spare a minute?"

Soran glances up before nodding as he moves the papers aside.. "I can, Diamond." Syla glances between the two of you. "I suppose this is a private conversation, eh?"

Diamond smiles at her. "If you don't mind--I certainly couldn't tell you 'no', if you wanted to stay."

Syla nods slightly as she stands. "Alright. I'll see you two later then." She pats Diamond on the shoulder and manages a faint smile before heading up the stairs.

Diamond waits for the almost inaudible sound of her passage to fade; while the wind makes no footsteps, a soft breeze can be heard until it disappears up the stairs. He says, then, with no emotion in his voice, "You lost someone to the Hunt." It isn't really a question.

Soran blinks once before nodding, meeting your gaze. "Yes. I did. How do you know that?"

Diamond smiles softly, "It was... rather obvious with the severity of your reaction an hour ago. And, besides, it is a familiar feeling--my father met his end thanks to an Immaculate 'missionary'."

Soran nods slightly as he leans back, running a hand over his face. "I see. There are a a few distinct similarities between us two, it seems."

Diamond nods deeply, closing his eyes as he does so, before raising his head again to lock Soran in the eyes. "There are indeed. That's why it should be obvious, once you put that bitterness aside, that I need to leave the Lap as soon as possible, and draw attention /away/ from the rest of you."

Diamond continues, before Soran can interject.

Diamond says, "There's more to the Realm than trackers and investigators--they'll track us down using magical means if we don't draw the Hunt's attention /away/ from the city. This isn't some deathwish, this is a necessary precaution--the best way you can protect us as a Circle is to help me plan an escape."

Soran nods, closing his eyes as he rubs them for a few moments. "I don't like it. I don't like it one bit, even forgetting my personal feelings on the matter. The town is already crawling with soldiers at the moment. Any sort of escape that draws the Wyld Hunt away will be risky, at the best."

Diamond smiles sadly, "Look at it objectively. Worst case scenario, they get me, and the Hunt is deemed a success--and they never find out about the rest of you. If it works, not only will they fail to suspect your presence in the Lap, they'll be diverting resource to the South in an attempt to catch me. Unless they've got sorcerers, they're not likely to ever catch a wiff of my once I hit the desert. Either scenario is better than what happens if we do nothing. Think about it--we went to this trouble to avoid a mortal investigator. Now there will be far more cunning hunters after us, and they /will/ find your organization. Making a run for it is win/win."

Soran frowns. "The basis for your reason to escape is that they bring sorcerers to bear. They will have them, and if you say is true, they will find you. Also, chances are they will detect us anyways once they begin looking. I am going to attempt to arrange a way for the five of you, myself, and Syla to get out of town and leave the group in one of the commander's hands. We can also draw the Hunt away with a few flares of anima before making tracks with the help of Syla's magic. I promised to protect you all when I approached you, and I intend to fulfill the promise. To each and every one of you."

Diamond smirks. "So you do agree that I need to cut town... and maybe you have a point about the rest of us. What's your plan? We might have a better chance evading capture if we split up."

Soran nods slightly. "As it stands, we all are a risk to the organization itself at the moment. I would prefer not to split up, since if the Hunt catches one of us on our own things will get ugly fast. Their tactics are to swarm their target one at a time, after all. We probably can slip out in a few days time, since no one has yet to see who the banners belong too that isn't in our custody." He considers for a few moments. "I can arrange transport out of here, and once we're far enough we can attract attention, then lead them on a merry chase away if needed before Syla gets us out of there."

Diamond stays silent as well, before remarking, "As you say, then. Where do you intend to go?"

Soran nods, frowning. "That's the issue at the moment. Paragon is out of the question, for sure. Chirascuro I would prefer to avoid as well, too close to the Blessed Isle." He considers for a few moments. "Worst comes to worst, we could always pull back to Gem. They are no friend of the Realm, and we have friends there."

Diamond shakes his head, and walks around to see that map. He doesn't really pay it too much attention, as his mind is elsewhere, but it distracts his eyes. "The desert is a harsh place, Soran, as I'm sure you well know. With my charms, I can easily survive it, but we've at least one woman among us who I'll wager has never seen so much sand. Unless Syla is far more powerful than I thought, it'll be a long trip."

Soran nods slightly. "Syla hasn't let loose with her full abilities yet, but even then it will be quite the trip. Supplies can be arranged for as well, since we have another safe house farther out to the South. It isn't connected to the other ones just yet, either, but it is fully stocked."

Diamond 's mouth curls downward a little, as he asks, "So what's your plan for getting us far enough away to make some noise and survive it? If it were only me, I think I could smuggle myself out of the Lap with a little work. How do you intend to do so with all six of us?"

Soran nods slightly. "A variation of what allowed you five to ambush the investigator. Work out another identity for Ciel, perhaps a noble of minor import or just a wealthy merchant, with us posing as servants or escorts. Plenty of merchants are getting out of town due to what is going on. Bad for business."

Diamond 's tone sours a little, "They'll be on the lookout for anyone so exceptional," he says clinically. It's the first time he's addressed Ciel's beauty without some overdrawn compliment attached.

Soran nods slightly. "Perhaps, but she has been doing this for most of her life."

Diamond nods, and looks up with a confident smile. "Of course. Well, then I'll trust you both to your specialties..."

Diamond sort of drifts off, before he manages to say, "And, Soran--I'm sorry, truly. I've put every one of us in danger, and I owe you more than I can possibly repay. Tell me, please, if I can make amends."

Soran nods slightly. "Be ready to leave in at least six days. All the necessary preparations should be in place by then." He blinks before shaking his head. "Don't worry too much about it, Diamond. You've been a boon to this group, and once this dies down I'll be happy to have you back when I return. All five of you."

Diamond sighs and nods again. Nodding seems to be popular lately. Anyway, he doesn't offer any more words. He simply makes his way back up the stairs, and to his room. As he assumes the ritual stance of prayer, one thing occurs to him before he falls into evening meditation: he hates being helpless, but even more does he hate being useless.

Syla passes by Diamond as he walks back up, offering him a slight smile of encouragement before she heads back down to speak with Soran.