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[G] [C] 742.07.05 | Naturally Suspicious - Printable Version

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742.07.05 | Naturally Suspicious - Ulliendis - 14.Jul.21

Ulliendis had planned on spending the rest of the day collecting pity for the injury he received on the Sands and ending the night in someone’s comfortable bed. But before he could leave the Hatching Grounds, he spotted a face he hadn’t seen in a while and frowned at it. Why was Gangleri at the Weyr? And who was he with? Ulliendis didn’t recognise the pretty woman his old teacher had linked arms with but a lot could change in the time he’d been away.

But that mystery was secondary yet also in the way of finding out why Gangleri was around. Ulliendis did his best to linger without looking too obvious as he chatted up others and played up his injury that really didn’t bother him until it seemed clear Gangleri would stay for all of the festivities but his wife wouldn’t linger beyond the dinner that was being prepared as they spoke. Perfect. That gave him time to freshen up and pounce later on.

After the dinner and when the drink truly started flowing and the music picked up, Ulliendis surveyed the crowd. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and it showed just how important Hatchings were when times were normal and more so with the deaths. People needed reasons to celebrate and lose themselves in happiness for a while. He could get behind that and tossed back the rest of his wine in a silent salute to it.

It also made people less aware of their surroundings and Ulliendis took advantage of that to approach Gangleri when the Harper was alone and conveniently tucked off to the side of everything. “What are you doing here? Did the Hall send you?” Couldn’t they leave him alone?


RE: 742.07.05 | Naturally Suspicious - L'ri - 14.Jul.21

Gangleri still hadn't gotten over the immense kick he got from introducing people to Quil as his wife. Why yes, this powerful dark sorceress queen was his wife, thank you, he knew he was incredibly lucky to have convinced her to marry him and enrich his life with her presence. And yes, of course she was a much better wife than yours. Not that Gangleri ever said such things directly, but he was sure the point got across. It was his right as a Harper after all, in fact part of his job sometimes, to act so terribly smug about things. He always reigned it in when she gave him that look though, the one that very plainly said that was quite enough. As much as he enjoyed the show, he did also genuinely adore the woman and didn't want to grate on her nerves too much.

That was why he had not objected to her skipping out on the party, even though it would surely mean his demise if the young ladies couldn't keep their hands off of him. He'd probably be fine though, K'dar would be back after dropping her off and his presence would probably be enough to keep at least Mylorah in check. He hoped.

He had secured a glass of wine for himself and was sipping it as he watched the dancers when a familiar face approached him and he raised an eyebrow. "Ullie?" What was he doing here? Gangleri had heard that his former student left the Hall a year ago, spent time lazing about his house with Geric, and then... where had his younger brother said Ullie had gone after that? Ah yes, to Fort Weyr. If Ulliendis had gone to the Weyr to become a candidate that would certainly explain why he was here, but then why was he asking about the Hall? Unless this was a deep cover assignment.

Gangleri studied the young man for a moment, taking another sip of his wine before asking, "Should the Hall have sent me? I was just here to support a friend."


RE: 742.07.05 | Naturally Suspicious - Ulliendis - 15.Jul.21

"A friend? Uh-huh," Ulliendis didn't believe that. Why would an old Harper be at a Hatching to support a friend? As far as he was aware, no one with Harper training had been Searched recently and if Gangleri really wanted to support that friend, he would have attended the several that had taken place already that year. It was far too suspicious, especially since he was currently standing alone at a party instead of with said friend.

Maybe he was the friend that needed support?

Ulliendis eyed Gangleri for a long moment, studying the Harper and trying to see if he was subtly relaying some sort of message he should know about. Nothing about this made sense. Gangleri was just a simple performer now anyway, so why send him? It wasn't like you were able to continuously hop around each branch, learning everything. You picked a path and stayed on it. Still, he had to ask.

"Are you back? And that so-called wife of yours?" Gangleri had wandered off via horse before he had left the Hall. Something about his wife's death and needing to find himself if he recalled correctly. He surprisingly hadn't been paying much attention to the drama surrounding older Harpers at the time as he struggled through books he was told to study while preparing for an event he was to attend. But now Gangleri was back and had a new wife?


RE: 742.07.05 | Naturally Suspicious - L'ri - 15.Jul.21

What in the world was Ulliendis up to? It was clearly something since he was giving Gangleri a look. He blinked, tilting his head curiously. Clearly Ullie thought something was up, and for some reason didn't believe him. Though that still didn't bring any clarity to the situation. It was possible that the runaway Harper had people in the Hall pestering him and trying to get him to come back, but it was just as possible that the runaway was a cover and he was being pestered for updates.

If Ulliendis was still working just in a more subtle capacity, then Gangleri didn't want to interfere. But then if he was on the run then he should probably just reassure the lad that everything was fine, he really was just there for a friend. And then Ullie had to bring up Quil and the decision was made for him. Gangleri had to fuck with the kid now. His lip twitched into a smile and he glanced around before leaning in and saying, "Come on, Ullie, you're better than this. I used to be able to tell people you were one of my brighter pupils."

He rolled his eyes a little and shook his head before casually looping an arm around the younger man's shoulders and steering him even further away from the party towards more seclusion. "I'm honestly surprised it took you this long to make contact, though I will say it was nice to be able to enjoy dinner and the party a bit more. There have been a few whispers as of late, inquiries. You're being sloppy, Ullie, you were taught better than that. Try to keep things a bit more subtle."


RE: 742.07.05 | Naturally Suspicious - Ulliendis - 16.Jul.21

"Yeah, well, you were always a good liar," Ulliendis replied as he followed along; not that he had much choice with the arm around his shoulders and risking a scene if he pulled away. But Gangleri believed he had been a good student? He hated studying and bullshitted his way through most things, but he supposed the latter was a good trait for info-gathering in places you aren't supposed to be.

When they reached a bit further away from the crowd, Ulliendis finally shrugged out of his old teacher's grasp so he could turn and glare at him. "I had no reason to make contact with you and I am certainly not sloppy." Unless he wanted to be. Being a sloppy drunk was fun and made it easier to listen in or slink off to places because no one took him seriously. Actually, sloppy and ridiculous were how he went through life in general which was why the Master Harper had liked him for being a spy. But accidentally sloppy in his work? Hardly.

"I'm just trying to figure out why some old guy is hanging around kids. Don't think I haven't noticed the way Mylorah has been looking your way since she got off the Sands earlier." Was that the friend Gangleri was here for? He had no idea how they would have met without the Harper being sent on a mission of his own but Ulliendis still didn't believe that.

But the biggest issue was the inquiries. Was the Hall starting to ask after him? Did they want to bring him back? Did they not trust him anymore? What had changed recently that would draw their attention and send a Harper that he had some personal connection with? Ulliendis was surprised they didn't send Geric as a completely random go-between that wouldn't be too suspicious.


RE: 742.07.05 | Naturally Suspicious - L'ri - 16.Jul.21

Somehow Gangleri managed to not twitch too much when the younger Harper said Mylorah's name. He nearly dropped the entire game to insist that he wasn't some terrible lecherous old man who only came to Weyrs to indulge in a vice for young woman. A vice which Gangleri most certainly did not have! Elsewise he could have just indulged any young thing that tried to catch his eye and taken them for quite the jaunt.

Still, he wasn't here to let Ullie get a rise out of him, he was the one getting rises today. "What can I say, I've always been popular with the ladies. She is certainly not the first one to have her eye on me, and I'm sure she won't be the last. Perhaps if you were a better student you'd know what that feels like. And I could tell you any number of reasons for why I'm here, but if you can't figure it out for yourself then why should I bother providing you with more?"

Gangleri smirked, shaking his head. "No, I suppose if you really can't solve even that little question I may as well just head back to the Hall once the party is concluded. They'll probably want to hear from me sooner rather than later, you know how impatient they can get." Was he being an enormous ass at the moment? Yes, he most definitely was. But was it entertaining? Oh yes. He'd just have to get Ulliendis a drink to make up for it later on. And perhaps do a few more favors to avoid any real grudges depending on how irate the younger Harper was.


RE: 742.07.05 | Naturally Suspicious - Ulliendis - 16.Jul.21

Ulliendis was starting to get seriously pissed at the older Harper. Being a better student had nothing to do with how many ladies looked his way. He wasn’t lacking in female or male lovers since coming to the Weyrs and even in the Hall he had a few lovers. But that wasn’t the defining characteristic of a Harper no matter what the world seemed to think of the craft. He was so disgusted with Gangleri for trying for such a low blow that he couldn’t even dignify it with a response.

At Gangleri’s declaration that he’d have to return to the Hall and report back, Ulliendis barked out a laugh. “Oh yes. They will always want to hear from you given how you like to run off for months. The Master Harper is going to start leashing you soon if you’re not careful.”

Ulliendis took a step back from Gangleri and gave a shake of his head, mocking the old man’s feigned disappointment. He’d finally had enough of the game and being played; because that was most certainly what was happening. Gangleri was talking out of his ass, as usual, and had no clue about what was really going on with him and Ulliendis didn’t feel the need to correct him. “You’re still a pompous ass pretending to know everything except in this case you’re trying too hard and it’s finally come off as over the top and unbelievable. I can recommend a few classes for you to sit in on when you run back to your masters and explain how you almost ruined everything.”


RE: 742.07.05 | Naturally Suspicious - L'ri - 16.Jul.21

Gangleri's face twitched, and then his lips curled up into an amused smirk and then he couldn't help but let out a loud laugh as he was finally called on his bullshit. "Ah, Ullie, I'll have you know I've ruined plenty of things. Give yourself some time and I'm sure you'll ruin your share too. And I really am just here to support a friend so you don't have to worry about me pestering you or bringing anything back to the Hall aside from the usual gossip and possibly a few letters for other people. Really though, you should try to lighten up. Not everything is a conspiracy against you. Let me get you a drink."

He reached over to give the younger man a quick friendly slap to the arm before beckoning him to follow back to the party. "Oh, and I am actually quite fond of my wife. I would appreciate it if you did not include her in your attempts to annoy me. My previous wife, my horse, and my firelizard are still free game. Oh and I suppose Geric if you really wanted to. He's doing well, in case you were curious."

Though that still left the mystery of what Ulliendis was doing out here. He'd run off and become a candidate quite some time ago, before the string of murders had started.

...

Before the murders. Was it possible... no, Gangleri dismissed the thought. He didn't think Ulliendis was capable. Some of the murders had clearly required brute strength, and while Ulliendis was good at networking and eavesdropping he was less talented at working as a part of a team. Though it was entirely possible he'd learned and improved that skill since the last time Gangleri had seen him in the Hall. No, at best he thought the younger Harper might know something, but he probably wasn't involved. Unless it was part of a bigger assignment.

He'd have to wait until the young man was in a better mood if he wanted to try to get any honest information out of him. "So, aside from a drink provided by the party, what else can I do to try and get back into your relatively good graces again? Need me to deliver anything back to the Hall?"


RE: 742.07.05 | Naturally Suspicious - Ulliendis - 16.Jul.21

That was one thing about Gangleri that was almost utterly reliable; the man was unflappable. Or, he came across that way. Ulliendis wasn’t a master at reading people though he thought he was damned good all the same and he couldn’t read minds like a dragon so he would never be able to say for certain. But Gangleri would smile and joke and let the anger of others just roll off his back. Like now. Damn him.

The anger fled out of him as he was chided and he rolled his eyes at the slap to the arm and beckoning, but he did follow like a good student—even if he wasn’t one anymore. “I’ve messed up plenty,” he grumbled under his breath but didn’t elaborate, “and it’s not a conspiracy if it’s true.” He had been trained not to trust easily and to always keep an eye over his shoulder so what did Gangleri expect? Ever since he packed up and left the Hall a year ago, it felt like he had more reason to be cautious, especially around certain people.

Ulliendis sighed and tried to shake himself out of the mood he had riled himself into. It was a party, he was fabulous, and he should be having a great time! Except it was still humid, his hair was still a nightmare, and one of the scratches from a hatchling’s tooth was itchy again. “Bring Geric with you next time. I miss him and I think he’d like to see a Weyr and how they’re constructed. I could give him a tour. The next Hatching is at Ista, by the way.” He hadn’t been there yet but he’d only need a couple of weeks to familiarize himself with the layout and snoop around thoroughly so he could give his friend a proper tour.

He accepted the drink and sipped it while glancing around the area, eyes finding a particular brunette with ease as she danced to a catchy tune. Ulliendis had decided that was the friend Gangleri was there for but even if he was wrong, the warning would still stand. “Be careful with Mylorah, Gangleri. She’s full of information as she knows everyone and loves to gossip but she’s a lot smarter, no, craftier than she appears.”