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(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

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"What was it you said about her training agents, Vrischika?"<br />

"Yes... they are her eyes and ears in the city <strong>of</strong> Sigil and across the Planes.<br />

What they <strong>do</strong> <strong>not</strong> see or hear they may coerce from a<strong>not</strong>her man that has<br />

seen and heard. And who could think humans capable <strong>of</strong> such deception and<br />

trickery? Oh, Grace is indeed a clever one. Not as clever as her mother,<br />

perhaps, but clever nonetheless..."<br />

Grace interjected s<strong>of</strong>tly, "That is <strong>not</strong> the purpose <strong>of</strong> my establishment..."<br />

"Oh, but <strong>of</strong> course <strong>not</strong>! Did I dare suggest such a thing? But perhaps you<br />

should let the man judge for himself." Vrischika turned <strong>to</strong> me, eyes blazing.<br />

"Do you <strong>not</strong> wonder, little man? Does the mephit <strong>of</strong> reason and curiosity<br />

ever enter your mind as <strong>to</strong> this matter? Does <strong>not</strong> the arrangement at the<br />

brothel seem strange <strong>to</strong> you?"<br />

Vrischika went on <strong>be</strong>fore I could answer. "Occam's razor can leave a scar,<br />

but it can remove the cancer so <strong>of</strong>ten <strong>cause</strong>d by poison <strong>of</strong> liars and<br />

imaginers. And now here she is, traveling with you. Most curious. Why<br />

would someone, a proprietress <strong>of</strong> such an establishment, leave it for any<br />

reason? And for a man she barely knows? Questions, questions..."<br />

She hissed, "The answers may <strong>be</strong> painful, indeed."<br />

Grace s<strong>to</strong>od proudly, hands folded demurely in front <strong>of</strong> her, "He is well<br />

aware <strong>of</strong> why I agreed <strong>to</strong> travel with him, Vrischika... when he asked me <strong>to</strong><br />

<strong>do</strong> so."<br />

"Oh, I'm certain he did ask... what man could resist?" Vrischika sneered and<br />

looked away in disgust.<br />

I sighed, "Perhaps I should just look at your wares."<br />

The exotic goods sat <strong>be</strong>hind clean glass cases on stands and velvet pillows<br />

like a woman's collection <strong>of</strong> jewelry. A demon's <strong>to</strong>ngue lay moist and<br />

glistening, a stained lens, a small assortment <strong>of</strong> bottles, each with la<strong>be</strong>ls<br />

whose names were enigmatic, as plain as they were.<br />

A bottle la<strong>be</strong>led as 'Elixir <strong>of</strong> Horrific Separation' caught my eye.<br />

Smiling, Vrischika unlocked the case and presented it <strong>to</strong> me. "This stuff was<br />

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