I watch you like a hawk
like I'm gonna tear you limb from limb
Harper’s expression is too controlled to change outwardly, but Hadama might feel the uptick of confusion and burgeoning suspicion as Koa scarcely meets his eyes. Something about this entire meeting feels off, and Harper can’t put his finger on why, which is only further vexing.
“Is there reasonable suspicion they could not have succeeded in defending themselves against that many? Especially when one of the parties attacked willingly reported the crime?” Harper has trained many talented fighters, magical or otherwise, and while it would certainly be hard, it was only two people against less than double the attackers. Was that truly enough to warrant an investigation? If there was something to be hidden, why would they have come to Koa at all and risked it? (Oh but if only he knew.) “If the attackers were merely bandits they may have been solely relying on intimidation and little skill. Torchline has far more magical citizens as well.” Not everyone is an Accepted like in Stormbreak, he wants to say, but that’s likely too mean, even if Harper’s hackles are slowly rising as the information is kept and kept and kept from them.
Hadama asks it kindly, but Harper is beginning to feel a little too suspicious, a little impatient. His hand comes out in a stopping gesture. “I don’t mean to scrutinize your procedures, but it seems you are pursuing a lead based on a victim’s story which is understandably scattered, that they gave willingly, and with no physical evidence at the crime scene to support your suspicions.” His voice has dipped lower, the line of his shoulders hardening, but his frown is the last defense against a more severe change in body language - remaining fixed in a vain attempt to not offend. “You then expect us to be unaware of which of our citizens you want to interrogate? No. I’m sorry,” here his eyes flit between Koa and Hadama, because he normally doesn’t take any hard stance without his co-lead’s approval, but here he simply can’t abide it, “but no. It is our duty to protect our people. You are asking us to heavily risk failing that with this setup.” And Harper is a protective man. Almost overbearingly so. All of Torchline is his to protect, even those who hold no fondness in their hearts for him, and he will not risk them being snared in a trap they wouldn’t see coming.
“Is there reasonable suspicion they could not have succeeded in defending themselves against that many? Especially when one of the parties attacked willingly reported the crime?” Harper has trained many talented fighters, magical or otherwise, and while it would certainly be hard, it was only two people against less than double the attackers. Was that truly enough to warrant an investigation? If there was something to be hidden, why would they have come to Koa at all and risked it? (Oh but if only he knew.) “If the attackers were merely bandits they may have been solely relying on intimidation and little skill. Torchline has far more magical citizens as well.” Not everyone is an Accepted like in Stormbreak, he wants to say, but that’s likely too mean, even if Harper’s hackles are slowly rising as the information is kept and kept and kept from them.
Hadama asks it kindly, but Harper is beginning to feel a little too suspicious, a little impatient. His hand comes out in a stopping gesture. “I don’t mean to scrutinize your procedures, but it seems you are pursuing a lead based on a victim’s story which is understandably scattered, that they gave willingly, and with no physical evidence at the crime scene to support your suspicions.” His voice has dipped lower, the line of his shoulders hardening, but his frown is the last defense against a more severe change in body language - remaining fixed in a vain attempt to not offend. “You then expect us to be unaware of which of our citizens you want to interrogate? No. I’m sorry,” here his eyes flit between Koa and Hadama, because he normally doesn’t take any hard stance without his co-lead’s approval, but here he simply can’t abide it, “but no. It is our duty to protect our people. You are asking us to heavily risk failing that with this setup.” And Harper is a protective man. Almost overbearingly so. All of Torchline is his to protect, even those who hold no fondness in their hearts for him, and he will not risk them being snared in a trap they wouldn’t see coming.
will the hunger ever stop?
can we simply starve this sin?
HARPER
