So guys, wow. I actaully managed to update again in less than a month! However, it is likely that you aren't as amazingly happy about this as I am. But I've decided not to post whole days and this is just part 2 of Wednesday. I hope you enjoy it and I'll UD soon as possible. Please, PLEASE, Please leave a review!!

Wednesday Continued…

Feeling like a looby, I left and wandered back upstairs to my room. Once I opened the door Pounce groaned, meowing loudly.

I thought you were gone for the rest of the day to leave me to my peace and quiet. Yet here you are, what are you hiding from this time?

I blinked at him, ignoring the question. "You're a lazy fat cat, do you know that?"

For your information I'm a constellation; I can take a break now and then, but don't change the subject.

"I'm not running from anything, it's near time for watch. I came to get dressed and then I'm leaving for the kennel." I hurried over to my clothes press and took out my uniform and baton. Carefully straightening the spike strip in my braid, I checked my reflection in the mirror. My watched me with those purple peepers of his, obviously not fooled. I laced my boots and went to the door, waving to him as I left. Outside, I sighed and idled my way down the stairs, not quite ready to leave.

In a daze, it took me a moment to realize someone was fumbling with the lock to our lodgings. Curious, I peeked through the eyeglass and saw a wet Rosto and his mot. I grinned; perhaps I could have fun after all. Nimbly, I worked the inner latch so he would actually have to pick the locks in order to get in. unfortunately they were his locks and thus much harder to break. They would get soaked. Not that I wanted to tease the Dove, she's the right sort of gixie, but the Rogue had me in enough trouble already, he deserved some discomfort.

The struggles with the locks continued for a moment longer before he swore and began knocking on the door. Grinning, I went to sit on the steps and watch the show.

"Hello! Someone let me in!!" His voice was slightly muted by the sound of rain outside; a feminine whine could be heard complaining nearby. The honey sweet notes jingling like the bells in the castle tower. The door to my left burst open with a fluttering Kora rushing to the door. She turned and saw me, then shook her head. Clucking, she undid the latch and let them in. Rosto's pale hair looked silver with all the water in it, but his black eyes were furious. It made me laugh. Behind him, nestling into his side was the source of the female voice.

The Dancing Dove was dressed in a tightly bound dress with a swooping neckline, white lace bordering the dip. The swishing, and dripping, petticoats were also white, but the skirt was a deep scarlet that matched the lip rouge she wore and the heavy blush. Her flaming curls fanned out, now sticking to her face in drenched locks, a light red ribbon holding the smaller, criss-crossing braids in line. Her big eyes were wide, framed by dark lashes, her full lips in pout. Her crimson painted nails clicked nervously or at least as much as possible since her arms were full of Rosto.

He thanked Kora before he noticed me on the steps, curled up in a ball and halfway into hysterics. I smiled annoyingly back at him and he rolled his eyes. With an exaggerated bow in my direction he said, "Thanks so much Cooper, I was so looking forward to a bath. Maybe next time you'll let me take it in water that isn't frozen." Stomping off, he pulled the Dove with him into his room.

In took me a few minutes to calm down while the hedge witch leaned causally against the opposite wall. "Are you alright now?" I nodded, still in a buoyant mood.

"As fit as a fiddle actually. Did you see his face?" My eyes were bright. She looked me over before answering.

"Yes, delightful, do you have fun flirting with him like that? I assume soaking Anya was a plus." Anya was his mot's real name. I scowled at her, grabbing my dropped baton.

"I was getting him back. See you tonight, I'm leaving for watch. If Ersken comes back here first tell him I've already gone to Jane Street." I went outside and ran the quick route through Westberk Street to the kennel. By the time I got inside I was drenched to the bone. Spluttering, I squeezed some of the rain out from my tunic until Ahuda barked at me.

"You get my floor wet and you'll be the one to mop it up!" I grimaced but nodded. "We'll be using the indoor practice area today; I think you're the first one to come. Start your stretches until everyone shows up." I turned and headed to the room. Inside I headed towards the rear where I could try my punching combinations. I started with jabs and through to crosses and reverse punches. Eventually I swung into the hooks and uppercuts. By the time I began blocks, I realized others were entering. A drizzled Ersken came over and gave me a miniature wave, panting from the run from Nipcopper Close.

The rest of the evening brought us to our usual beatings served up by Ahuda until we was bruised on our inner legs when we ain't fast enough. By the time we got into the main room Goodwin and Tunstall were chattering in the corner. Dragging my legs I want over to them.

"Why the long face Puppy Cooper?" They were my old training dogs so it don't matter if they still call me by the trainee nickname. Next to him, Goodwin cackled.

"It's raining and no one wants me as a partner. Are we still going to Nightmarket, because I'd rather not stand in the wet while you get pasties." He laughed and thumped my back affectionately; he's like a much much older brother. He led me to the door so I could get a good look outside.

"See there Cooper? It's stopped to a drizzle. I guess the Rain Goddess thought she'd had enough fun tormenting us." He looked up briefly and called out, "Meaning no disrespect!" it was in fact only misting; it must have ended while we was still with Ahuda. I shrugged and we filed out into the streets of the Lower City. Like I predicted we did go to the market, but Tunstall surprised me when we didn't go to Gemma's stall.

"The prices are shooting up because of the poor harvest. I'm going to stay away from extra goodies until things settle down. You musta noticed how edgy people have been lately." However, with sommat always going on in the late hours, we was kept plenty entertained throughout the night. As it so happens, we did see Gemma since she's our replacement birdie for her sarden mother.

"Hello there you. What can I do for ye today?" she asked Tunstall, brushing away one of her helpers who usually waited on customers. She felt like she owed us for keeping her away from her heinous family.

"How 'bout some tidbit about them glinters?" Goodwin put in, using our codename for the Coles. She straightened a little, realizing we weren't just hear for apple fritters and the like. She put up a finger and went into the back of her stall. She came back with a small basket. It smelled like my favorite pastries.

"Nothing of real interest, but I've got a couple of goodies in here for you, and a surprise at the bottom if you get my meaning." She put on a great show of batting her lashes at my dog. It was good acting of course, she'd sworn off men years ago. I think I should follow suit. "You know, I'm very excited. My friend's daughter is marrying this week, sweet lass. Lives over on the corner of Koskynen and Holderman Street. A Miss Aria." She looked at us meaningfully and I nodded. It seemed like we'd go a bit off track tonight. Digging into my pocket, I paid her for the pastries.

"Now I can't take that Beka love. It's a gift." I smiled at her but pressed the coins into her hand.

"You've already given my family a treat yesterday. Wheat's not so cheap that you can throw away your goods. 'Night." We all gave a half salute and went on our merry way. "I guess you got a smackering to eat anyways Tunstall." He grinned and took a treat.

"I wasn't going to but I guess our fine mot there's got us a tasty clue to sniff down." Stuffing a raston into his mouth, he peaked into the bottom of the basket. "Like I thought, she's left us some fake Coles. I'm guessing she didn't catch them when they gave it too her. To her lady friend's house then? I've got a feeling we'll meet some trollop instead." We grinned and headed south of nightmarket.

The colemongers case has become even more complicated before. The first signs started a couple of months back, around the same time Tansy's baker humiliated her. While I was brooding, we arrived in front of the home. It was a few houses away from the Noll's place and smack in the Cesspool. It was one of those joint apartments where families crammed together like rats in a line up. I took up a violently cold face; all business like so old neighbors wouldn't think I'd lend them a favor. Though with my reputation, I doubt they'd try that.

Entering the filthy grim hole of a home, we asked the nearest cove for Miss Aria. He looked at our uniforms and batons uneasily and pointed mutely to the door on the left. Goodwin walked up to I and knocked forcefully. A smiling woman wearing too much rouge and a dress quite like the Dove's, though admittedly not as rich, looked out at us. Her smiled faded, as she too, noticed our clothing. Moving aside she invited us in.


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Oh, and special thanks to xxTunstall Chickxx who is my best reviewer.