#elsewhere

A patrol car parked in the driveway, Sergeant Danica Marshall, in uniform, raps lightly on the door of Nadeen's mortal abode.

Nadeen opens the door, and raises a brow at the officer in uniform, "Greetings, Officer"

The troll rumbles a bit uncomfortably. "There is a bit of a situation. It could involve either Officer Marshall or Thane Danica... Is this a bad time?"

"No, please come in, officer" She says surprised and lets her in so they can be alone. She checks to see if the woman has a body cam and if it's on. Something she can't talk about. But she doesn't believe the local force is requiring that

Danica hesitates, clicking her car key to ensure that it is locked, then heads in. She doesn't seem to be wearing a camera, but then again, they are a small township. Perhaps such measures haven't been instituted here yet - or perhaps a Sargent who may use unusual means may have blocked the measure.

"Now, can I get you a drink?" She leads her into the parlor/dining area, "And what's this situation?"

"Is the name Jasper Hob known to you?"

She muses over her contacts, parents and otherwise "No. I've only known one Jasper come to think of it, rare name. And hob was definitely not his surname"

"Has this Jasper Hob lobbed some sort of complaint? Is he a criminal, or is he claiming I am?"

Danica's brow furrows. "Petty criminal, brought in for minor theft, pickpocketing, nothing to keep him down long, but as soon as he's free, he's back at it. We caught him this time when they reported a squatter at a foreclosed house... there's enough evidence there to potentially book him for real, but he claimed..." She pauses, to remember precisely. "That he was working for you, Nadeen? I doubted it. And you've confirmed." She straightens, giving a short bow. "That's all I needed to know."

Nadeen raises a brow, "I'd like to talk to Mr. Hob. Is he one of us? Kith?"

"He is. Pooka, of a ferret nature. Or a weasel, perhaps. He's in the back of the patrol car right now, in fact."

"Did this happen on April the first?" She says as she rises. She is dressed, and clearly she intends to check this fellow out.

A solemn nod, and she turns, holding the door for Nadeen. In the driveway, there is an open patrol car, and a slender fellow crouched near the side of the car, fiddling with something around his ankles - a pair of cuffs. Another set lies open on the ground, and his hands are free. When the two step out, his eyes widen, and he starts shuffle-hopping down the walk and away! Danica growls...

Tall and slender, he has tanned skin and slicked back dark hair that matches the thick tail behind him, darkening to black at the tips of his hair and tail both. Rounded ears and dark splotches around each eye.

Nadeen snaps her heels together smartly , boots clicking, "Surrender yourself to the officer immediately, young man!"

As dictum washes over the pooka

"Awww, for Crissakes..." He struggles against it for a moment, making another step, before drops to his knees. Turning up his gaze, he gives Danica a bright smile. "Why if it isn't Dani my old buddy, old pal of mine! And who is this lovely lady, don't tell me, you're setting me up with a friend? Younger sister? Hello, I do like a strong, forceful dame..."

Nadeen leans forward "Mr. Hob. you've now come to my attention. Had you come to me in my duty as Reeve I might have interjected on your behalf, but instead you slandered me. That is your choice, your deceptions, while needful, did not have to take the form of defamation of accusing me of patronage of your crimes. I am very upset with you, Jasper Hob. " Her voice is not hot and angry, but cold , precise, and the offense taken like the sharp point of an icicle cutting through the skin. "This is not a good start for us. I suggest you think very hard on how to regain my good will." And she plucks a hair from him and looks it over "Yes, this will do should I decide I need it."

Up till now, she has shown Silverwolf her kind side, her nice side, but this man did not come to her as Reeve, and she is a sidhe, should the idiot have doubted it and of a Winter House. Now her features are as dangerous as a frost that could choke your breath before you can exhale, a promise of almost casual power ready to burst forth should he ire her further.

"My LADY, Why, I was so blinded by your loveliness that I didn't recognize you at first. Slander? Slander?! I would NEVER do anything to stain your snow-white name. I merely spoke in the hopes of our future-long-history of acquaintanceship that I am hoping to start, as of today, in fact!"

Though he has the decency to flinch at her angry stare.

"Please, lady, a chance to explain!"

A look to the Sgt, "I suppose I should hear him out. Forgive me if I'm delaying your rounds, please, sergeant."

Danica scowls. "If you wish it, I will leave you to speak in privacy. However, don't take your eyes off him, or he'll be gone as soon as you blink."

"Please remain actually" Then allowing the ice of her eyes to thaw just a little, she looks back at Jasper "This was not a good start start. Jasper, not at all. I try to make allowance for the straight speaking challenged, but as they say 'this better be good' and.. as truthful as you can manage"

"I beg that my good Countess make allowance for my speech deficiency, that is, I stutter a bit and sometimes folk mishear what it is I have said." He says, his voice smooth with no trace of any such lapse, but indeed pleading. "When I say I worked for you, I mean that I work FOR you, I seek that my skills may be well turned to your own needs! And how better to catch thy attention? Hearing that there is a new Sheriff in town, why, it twists my heart so. For you, I could change my ways, be no longer a roller of jacks or padding my feet, so long to the trade of freeing boots and never again prig nor praunce. Though if I might be called a pennyweight, what is a penny today? Nothing anyone would miss, and indeed, only such is what I have dared pocket."

A brow "Somehow I don't see you as the serving maid or cook type, Jasper."

"Oh, I would surprise you with what I can do..." He says, and Danica shifts her weight, very tempted to show him what SHE can do with a boot. But she resists.

"That is- " He hurriedly continues, "I am a man of many talents and if you are seeking talented folk, perhaps there are openings that you didn't even know needed filled-"

That growl and shift of weight again and he rolls his eyes pleadingly to Nadeen.

She gauges him,

Her gaze catches that... he's a bit at an awkward angle, one leg bent underneath him, and a hand back to support... the softest of clicks! And he stands, stretching! Ankles free.

"Lady!- " Danica shifts to grab at him... but before she can snatch the Pooka, he is lowered in a deep, sweeping bow, almost to the very ground.

"Ah, free at last, that I may properly pay obeisance to you, my lady." He says smooth as silk...

"Sgt. What's his reputation amonng the kithain set? Mortal legalities aside?"

"Mmm. He's a fairweather friend at best. Comes and goes at his own convenience. When there is plenty, he's around to stretch out a hand, but if there's work to be done, I can't say I've seen him running to the front of the line. Though if he has stolen from kithain, I've either not heard of it, or he's not been caught... or not reported. I'd say he's not trustworthy, but Pooka seldom are. It's their nature."

Jasper turns up his head to pout at Danica. "Rude, madame, rude."

"How long will they hold him, and how great is the risk of him forgetting?"

"How long would be up to me, Lady." She scowls down at him. "He could be out on the streets this afternoon, or tossed in the holding cell for a week while his paperwork is processed. Little danger aside from boredom, and perhaps time to better think over changing his ways. If possible. Can a zebra change it's stripes?"

"See, this is what we're dealing with? A wallet here, a dinner there, nothing much that they didn't have to share. And for that, my liberty? Where is the justice? How can I learn, and improve, whilst surrounded by negative Nelly and trapped with the darkest elements of the underworld as my only companionable guide?"

SNORT from Danica.

Nadeen looks him over "Somehow, Jasper, I think you'll survive. Tell you what, stay in your cell like a good little boy for THREE nights. Give the Sgt no trouble, do not attempt to escape, and I'll seriously consider your request for employment. If she tells me you tried to escape, or misbehaved beyond mere talkback, I shall consider you insincere and your offer as well. What say you?"

"Lady, you can't tell me you'd consider hiring this..."

His eyes widen and he bows low again. "My Queen, my savior! For you, I would steal the very stars from the sky. Let no lock exist between you and your goals, that I may strike it free, let no trap be set that I cannot spring! Though I may be but a lowly rogue, I am neither cat-burgler nor devious serpent, though catsnake I may be called, I am more than the sum of my parts! You shall not regret your faith in me!"

"I have few enough resources of my own, Thane," She says, "And that includes those that offer service. I cannot take only what the Count offers when I am not even sworn to his service. Further, I am to be Reeve to the commoners, yes? He is one. If my mercy is misplaced, he'll find I'm not going to be happy about that. But I do have the job of hearing him out and trying to make him feel a part of the community. I must indeed, consider it. Please release him in 3 days IF his behavior is as I requested. If I need to pay a small bail to make it legitimate, I will."

A glance at Jasper "Jasper, your word choice is alarming giving your verbal restraints, don' t make me regret this. You know the old Varich saying.. Fool me once? The rest of it is 'And make an enemy for life". Daireann maybe the House of Vengeance, but the motto of servinng it cold? That's Slavic, as am I"

"Even the most upright of citizens may find that circumstances beyond their control necessitate backdoor dealings. Allow me to open doors for you, if needed, and I will be forever your most humble servant. I am but a humble clerk of Saint Nicholas, else my name is not Hasper Job." He stands and bows deep, hands held out and wrists together towards Danica. "Take me away, I can handle the darkness, knowing that at the end of three nights, rises the Sun."

"Patron Saint of Thieves" She notes "Among other things."

Danica takes the wrists, twists them behind his back, and snaps closed the cuffs again. A hand on the back of his head as she pushes him into the backseat. The door is closed tight, though Jasper continues to grin and wink through the window.

"I hope you do not regret this. I would not like to hear that he takes advantage of you after I made introduction."

"If he does, it's not on you, Dancia, but I thank you for your concern, and if he does, well, he may end up turning to you for protection" A beat "From me"

She grins at that, a touch grimly. "How is your own search going? Any good leads?"

"It all keeps coming back to the same one so far, and there are complications there but... who knows. I do have a friend who has spring arts. I think Marigold should meet her"

"Spring arts? Hmm. That is an area we lack." She admits. "And may well provide Miss Mari with some relief. We'd all be quite obliged if your friend would see her. Complications, though? Are they on the wrong side of the law? Beholden to some other party, or perhaps just not interested? You might consider advertising more selectively if so - though, to post such at another hold may seem an attempt at poaching." Danica muses.

"She's only to visit. I's my Housemate, Bridge Sylvi Davis, formerely of Rivervale. "

"Ah. I know Emissary Sylvi, and had heard she is now with Darkgate. My apologies, I assumed that the one was the same as the other. So she is clearly not in line for your position."