Conversation · Joyce Messier

"Try not to be scared. This is just how the real city looks."

"Oh, I'm not frightened, officer. I'd never..." She leans against the railing, looking up at the grey sky.

"I'm surprised that woman hasn't put me to the sword yet. Maybe she will? You should ask your questions while you can."

Dark eyes survey the coast leading up to Martinaise. Dull grey metal rests in her scabbard -- a sword. The wind is too loud for her to hear...

"Have you been spying on me?"

"'Spying' has such a negative connotation. I did track your progress along the coast, however, and decided I would be better able to assist you from here..."

"Then there's the matter of that little scamp in old-lady clothes. She threatened to paint the Cor-de-Leite red. Like blood, you see. Well, I like it the way it is -- white."

What is this? Destruction of property? Hooliganism? Elder abuse?

"Sounds like Cindy the SKULL alright. Want me to book her?"

"No need -- Lilienne and I are getting on much better. For one, she appreciates the concept of rent."

"That's just Cindy being Cindy. You can ignore her."

"It's just as well -- Lilienne and I are getting on much better. For one, she appreciates the concept of rent."

Leave it be.

"No matter -- Lilienne and I are getting on much better. For one, she appreciates the concept of rent."

What is this? Destruction of property? Hooliganism? Elder abuse? And who is this scamp, anyway?

"What brings you here?"

"I need your help with something, right away! No time to talk!"

"Of course -- how fortuitous that I'm so close at hand. What do you need?"

...then secures the mooring line. "It's good to see you here, detective. I only just arrived myself."

"Hello, ma'am."

"Hello, detectives." She fastens the end of the line around the post and straightens her back.

"It's good to see you here. I only just arrived myself."

"Hello, detective." She fastens the end of the line around the post and straightens her back.

[Leave.]

You leave her fastening the mooring line around the post rotting in the water.

The woman is tying a complicated nautical knot around the post, while occasionally exchanging a few words with the other woman.

"I'll just keep the Cor-de-Leite in the channel, if that's okay. It's too shallow near the pier..." She winds the mooring line around a post.

"Aye, ma'am... And it's a jetty, by the way."

"Of course. Jetty. I prefer a good jetty to a pier any day. Jet-jet-jetty..."

Something about the way she says it makes you want to sing.

She's tying a complicated nautical knot around the post.