B-Side

[Erynies Adrasteia]

That Ryn actually cracks a slight grin at. "Sounds like Rhea. Still, they wouldn't be here for no reason.'

"I'll have to talk to them." she grouches.

[Katarina Kane]

"That's the fun part -- no, you don't. You don't have to fall into those old routines if you don't want to. You're free now, remember?"

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"So are they. And they don't relent any more than I do. I don't like that they came after you."

[Katarina Kane]

"They didn't lay a finger on me, I promise. They seemed more...confused that I wasn't cowering in terror before them or something."

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"Rhea thinks that way of mortals. She always tolerated them more than me because of it. I still don't really understand that."

"But just because they wouldn't dare hurt you doesn't mean they can't be trouble. You think I'm messy. Rhea wants them to see and tremble at her work. Maybe she was satisfied by what I made of Rose..."

[Katarina Kane]

"But you've been showing more restraint recently," Katarina said, catching onto Ryn's way of thought. "And that must be because of the weak mortal corrupting you, right?"

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"And you did not know me as I used to be. Last the three of us came together Helike perished in fire and flood, both city and god alike."

"Soon after they cursed and scattered us, banished from mankind's land."

[Katarina Kane]

"Yes, well, I suppose deicide will do that," Katarina frowned. "They didn't look...

They didn't look like they could do that," Katarina said, with a slanty frown.

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"Things were different then. Bigger. No... More. You saw a glimpse of it in the desert. I could have pulled the stars from the sky for you."

[Katarina Kane]

"Maybe they're reeling from that, too. Being... less than they were."

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"It's not new. But it is worse this deep within human-schemed lands..."

"They might be unsure of who or what is to blame, though they will know I broke an oath."

[Katarina Kane]

"Through some kind of...psychic mumbo-jumbo or something? They'll just...automatically know? Because if so...they've been biding their time before coming after you."

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"They wouldn't just know where I am. But Mei can smell a broken Oath on anyone just as I can the crimes of the strong."

"Eumeinides, terrific curse on those who break their oaths. Furiae of jealous rage at deeds unjust and base. Erynies, veangeance dire for the helpless and meek."

"They're not title-words. Just... truth."

[Katarina Kane]

"What if the oath itself was unjust or base?" Katarina said, trying to work through the latest bit of Ryn-Lore.

[Erynies Adrasteia]

Ryn opens her mouth, then closes it again. For some reason her ears imagine the sound of Mei's amused chortle at the confusion of the youngest sister.

"That... might be okay." Katarina has a knack for asking questions that make the absolute seem uncertain, like she sees an entire half of the world Ryn is blind to.

[Katarina Kane]

"Well, there you have it, then," Katarina nodded, with a degree of certainty which either meant she understood this better than Ryn or much, much worse. "You shed off your oath because it no longer worked in the world you wished to be in, and so it's all fine then, yes?"

[Erynies Adrasteia]

Ryn looks at Katarina like she's trying to solve differential equations in her head.

"Maybe. Yes." she eventually cedes to Katarina's expertise. "But it's not me you'd have to convince."

[Katarina Kane]

"Well, if she's so bloody good at evaluating how important oaths are, she shouldn't need me to hold her hand through it," Katarina nodded, firmly. "And that's the truth."

[Erynies Adrasteia]

Ryn lets out an awkwardly snorting laugh that surprising even herself.

"They were simpler before mankind invented these thought-mazes."

[Katarina Kane]

"A lot less fun I'd assume, as well. Just wall-to-wall slaying of evil doers seems like it would get tedious after a while."

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"Hasn't yet. But I have found other things almost as enjoyable." she grins.

[Katarina Kane]

"And are much less likely to send you on the run through the desert. Again."

[Erynies Adrasteia]

"That can be fun." Ryn points out but before she can elaborate the doorbell rings.

[Katarina Kane]

"Sakra," Katarina muttered, getting up. "I was hoping to have a little more time before facing the music," she said, grabbing a robe, putting it on before going to open the door.

[Narrator]

At the front door is a kind of rumpled looking Latino, sipping straight from a Thermos. He's wearing what may have been a stylish coat once, about 20 years ago. It's hard to tell if it's actually too large on his frame or if the cut of an outdated style has simply sagged too much. He looks to be in his late thirties, early forties and almost chokes on his coffee (judging by the smell) when Katarina opens the door.

"Ah." he manages, holding the back of his hand up to his mouth to cough politely and wipe away any coffee residue. "Miss Kane, right? Sorry to bother you this early in the morning - well, I suppose it's not that early anymore but I understand you've had kind of a night, so I do apologize. I'm, ah, I'm Pedro Halcónez, with the LA Times, please don't slam the door in my face, I don't write for the gossip columns or anything, I was just wondering if you had a moment to answer some questions? About the.... Oh, I don't know if you've heard yet. There was kind of a bizarre incident at the party you were at last night? The one previous to the..." He makes some awkward gestures and kind of sways his shoulders to indicate dancing.

[Katarina Kane]

"You all write for the gossip columns, Mr. Halconez. I'm not sure how helpful I can be, as I have a very large headache here," she said, giving him a pointed look.

[Narrator]

"Please, Pedro is fine. I'll be quick and off the record." he says and pulls out a small notebook. "I've been trying to chase down people who were at that party just to get a better idea of what happened, you know? Police is trying to downplay it but enough folks saw the, ehm, excuse the wording, but the aftermath. I really just want to fill things in before people start speculating wildly, you know? Trust me, I don't care much for the gossip either. My aunt never shut up about the stuff as far back as I can remember, still doesn't. Keeps pestering me about this and that and I always have to tell her I really don't know who is breaking up with whom over what..."

Something about Katarina's expression seems to catch up to Pedro and he cuts himself off. "But you don't care about that. Of course. Anyway, I was just wondering if you noticed anything off at the party. You were there for a meeting with Mister Rose, yes? Did he seem off at all?"

[Katarina Kane]

"A meeting with Mr. Rose? I'm afraid that was cancelled; a scheduling conflict," Katarina lied. "Mr. Rose appeared to have his mind on something else during the party. Or you could call it his mind, I suppose."

[Narrator]

"I see, I see. You don't seem too disappointed it was cancelled, but I suppose that makes sense considering what happened. I'd be glad too to have avoided whatever happened there." he nods. "You worked with him before, right? Did you notice anybody he had particularly strong connections to? Perhaps someone he seemed to be particularly concerned not to displease?"

[Katarina Kane]

"Oh, I can tell you exactly who the most important person to Mr. Rose was. It was me!

Or, at least it was when I was in the room. When I wasn't, it was Sherri. Or Jessica, or Amanda, or whatever young prospect he was dealing with that day. He had a very... hands-on management style."

[Narrator]

"Did he now." he says, frowning slightly. "This might be a strange question but did anybody ever drop off the radar? I know people probably drift in and out of the public eye a lot but did you ever feel somebody just disappeared from his orbit?"

[Katarina Kane]

"No one I can think of," Katarina said, honestly. "Not every hot prospect becomes a star, and when you don't make it, you tend to get dumped pretty quickly. But nothing I would consider unusual, at the very least."

[Narrator]

"Right, of course, with the kind of attention you must garner slipping out of the public eye must be like disappearing off the face of the earth, right? Never mind, bad joke. Anyway, if you do remember anything you can always leave a message for me. Or if someone you know wants to leave an anonymous tip."

[Katarina Kane]

"Of course, Mr. Halconez. I'm certain the next time I want media exposure for something, I'll know who to call," Katarina said, flashing a fake smile.

[Narrator]

"Of course you don't believe me." he says, more amused than exasperated as he puts his hand on his forehead. "Here's my card." he says, rummaging through his pockets until he finally produces one. It's only mildly crinkled as he hands it to her, on it the slightly faded LA Times logo behind the 'Pedro Halconez - Investigative Reporter'.

"I'm sure you've seen all kinds of schemes and tricks." he adds, lifting his hands up as if in surrender. "Call my editor if you want, just... keep it in mind, okay? And watch out for yourself. I think Mr. Rose may have been dealing with some people who could, well, resort to exactly the kind of thing that happened to him."

[Katarina Kane]

"I will be sure to watch anyone that suspicious very closely, Mr. Halconez," Katarina nodded, taking the card between two outstretched fingers.

[Narrator]

"Much appreciated." he says, turning to leave but then pivoting back around. "I almost forgot. Somebody mentioned seeing you leave the building around nine? But you were already across town then, right, so they must have been mistaken. They seemed like they were from out of town, so maybe they forgot to set their watch to West Coast time, yeah?"

[Katarina Kane]

"I don't know what to tell you, Mr. Halconez. As you say, they must be mistaken," Katarina said, coolly. "Though I appreciate their attempt to salvage what is left of my reputation, the camera doesn't lie."

[Narrator]

"Well, I'm terribly sorry to have bothered you and I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me. Have a nice day, Miss Kane." he says jovially before walking off.

[Katarina Kane]

Katarina frowned, as soon as he left. "He'll need watching. And a witness? I didn't see any at the time. That doesn't necessarily mean anything, but someone paying attention to me and not the explosions is a problem...and suspicious."