Happy Holidays, vulgarweed!

[goe_mod]

Title: Mice Chatter in the Known World
Summary: In Essos, Varys has his mice scurry around to find information on two elusive figures that have entered his sphere of interest: one A. Fell and one A. Crowley. An epistolary tale told about one thread on his spider web in the city of Myr of Essos where the only place of residence is known for these two: A. Fell Bookshop.
Rating: General

Happy holidays Vulgarweed! Thank you for such an interesting prompt and a completely new challenge for this year. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I had fun exploring this setting.

To My Lord Varys: 

I know not how helpful these will be but as you have requested, enclosed is any and all information on the personages going by A. Fell and A. Crowley. As per your instructions, interviews were conducted on notable persons seemingly acquainted with one or the other using the standard questions with some variances as needed. 

Transcripts of the interviews are done with only the interviewees' additions as you well know the questionnaire - seeing as my lordship developed the practice himself. 

I pray to the Seven that these prove fruitful to your goals in some way. 

Yours, 

Mushakah 

 

Varys sets down the letter that had been dropped off earlier by a little mouse, eyeing the volume of the attached scrolls with some disdain. He had been hoping for more information about the two men who had essentially reduced the Iron Throne to nothing but sad little steel shards, yet the dossier he’d been given was smaller than most of Varys’ books on the most common of commoners. He had a larger file on that poor Rickon Stark child and he had been, what, four or five summers? 

Any knowledge is good wisdom. A creed Varys routinely reinforced since he started his webs of information. 

The candle burning on his desk had enough light for some few hours still. With a flutter of his long sleeves, Varys makes himself comfortable at his cushion, scrolls rolled out gently on the floor and begins to read. 

 

19th Day of the Third moon of the year 297 AC 

Location: Myr near the A. Fell Bookstore

Target: Owner of the Store nearby bookstore 

M: Maiden praise be - you gave me a fright you did. What are you doing, sneaking up on a hard working lady like myself, huh? Could have whacked you with my broom and I should’ve. 

M: Oh now you’re apologizing? Trying to get in my good graces are you? I’m flattered but that’s not going to get you any discount here. Full silver and copper, you hear! Now, what are you looking for? 

M: Information on Mr. Fell? That old bloke? Haven’t seen him around much lately, did he get into trouble or something? The Association had been a tad worried when he didn’t show for the monthly meeting - they say he’s attended every single meeting since my grandpa owned this old place. Always brings the best cups of tea to share - but don’t tell Nina that. She owns the little cafe across the way and her teas are good, don’t get me wrong! But Mr. Fell just has some miraculous touch with the teas - never go cold during the whole meeting and those things can get long, especially with how much Ms. Cheng can go on. But she’s been getting this new drink - something with beans and wow it's some real good stuff. Just finished another mug of it myself, you know. You should definitely go grab some before you leave the area. We’ve been taking to calling it coffee, sounds good right? 

M: Oh my name? Maiden above, here I am going off and never introduced myself. Neither did you, now that I think of it. 

M: Mushakah? Interesting name you got there. Mine’s Maggie - proud owner of the Small Back Room store - lots of little knick knacks here and there, though I’m looking to find something to specialize in. Mr. Fell and that friend of his were giving some good ideas last time I saw them. 

M: You ask the strangest questions Ser Mushakah. How would I know anything of where Mr. Fell or Crowley are from? He’s just always been here, long as I can remember. Can’t imagine he’s come from somewhere far away, really. 

M: Need anything else? 

Supplemental notes: Maggie is the owner of an inherited store right next to the A. Fell Bookstore. She did establish that A. Fell is the owner of the bookshop and that they’ve been part of the Store Owners' Association for a very long time. I will interview the other stores in the area for further information. 

 

19th Day of the Third moon of the year 297 AC 

Location: Myr near the A. Fell Bookstore

Target: Owner of the cafe nearby bookstore

N: I see Maggie has already shared my name with you, mysterious stranger. 

N: Can I state it for the record? Was this, some sort of formal interview or something? You better buy something first and then I might tell you some things. 

N: Five silvers for the coffee. I don’t care if the listed price is two silvers - you’re paying extra. I’m the owner, why should I need an excuse to upcharge?  

N: Right, here you go - one hot coffee. Milk and sugar is over there to add as you need. Wait for it to cool or you’ll burn - or not. You do you, I guess. 

N: So, deal’s a deal so they say Ser Mushakah. Name’s Nina and I run the cafe here in Myr. Still thinking of a catchy name, but it’ll come to me. 

N: Fell and Crowley, huh? Interesting time to be asking about their whereabouts. Especially after those rumors of Westeros having the Iron Throne break. That was true? Huh, Mrs. Sandwich will be thrilled to hear that - has the biggest grudge against House Lannister that I’ve ever seen. Suppose there’s a reason she’s on Essos instead. If you don’t mind the Magisters trying to make everyone slaves every half dozen years or so, it’s not so bad. 

N: Right, back to those two knuckleheads. Practically joined at the hip they are. If Crowley is in town, you can bet he or she will be trailing behind Fell like a little shadow. It’d be cute if it weren’t so sickening. 

N: Look, sometimes Crowley is a dude and sometimes Crowley is a lady, don’t make it weird or I’ll toss your next drink all over you. 

N: Glad we got that straightened up. Five more silvers. 

N: Right, Fell and Crowley. Already said that they’re joined at the hip when Crowley’s in town. When not, Fell’s held up in his bookshop day in and day out. He’ll only come out for the Street Association Meetings and sometimes to feed the ducks over by the docks. Hardly ever sells any one of his books but pays his dues so the Magistrates haven’t closed him down or anything. When they’re together? Mostly just sit around, drink wine, stay inside. Play with the kids that come around every so often. And by play I mean babysit - Crowley is surprisingly real good with the neighborhood kids - designated babysitter anytime Crowley’s in town. 

N: I think the last person who entered Fell’s store that wasn’t Crowley, was some Red Priestess a while back. Melisandre I think her name was? Only remember because she came here afterwards and demanded I spell her name correctly and that I should consider believing in the Lord of Light since the end times were on the horizon. 

N: Pretty memorable experience if I remember it. 

N: Do I know where she went? Stranger take me, do you think I remember the coming and going of just everyone I meet? 

N: Sure, for another ten silver I can tell you that she was loudly proclaiming that her next stop was Dragonstone to find some Azor being. Coffee really does open people up, doesn’t it? Would you like another cup before you go? 

Supplemental Notes: Lord Varys, I think we should really look into this coffee business, it was quite delicious once I got used to it and gives quite a bit of energy. My hands are still shaking and I think I’d like to grab some more before I leave Essos. Maybe we can persuade Nina to open a branch store in Westeros? Food for thought. I’ll reach out to a few others in the area here before moving on and seeing if there’s any further information in Westeros - maybe I can see about this Red Priestess. 

Oh Father, I feel strange - I have perhaps had too much of this coffee.

 

19th Day of the Third moon of the year 297 AC 

Location: Myr on the streets near A. Fell Bookstore

Target: Unknown group of children, designated a - d to differentiate 

B: Looks like Nina got another one - think we should leave him here? 

C: We could at least move him to the side of the road so he’s not blocking the way. What if a cart ran over him or something? 

D: I’d feel more bad for the cart really. And the horses. 

C: Boss? Your call. 

A: I’ll just roll him over. Leave that waterskin by his head. He should be fine soon. 

B: Did getting rid of that oversized chair tire you out that much? 

A: Only a little bit. It really was very ugly. I didn’t like it. 

A: Right, I want to see if Warlock’s in - he promised to show off some new parts of his collection. And I only have until sundown before I need to get back home or my dad’s going to be mad. 

Supplemental Notes: I apologize Lord Varys! I didn’t mean to write this down in the official paperwork but I was already jotting it down before I realized. It was very strange - I wasn’t fully unconscious and I didn’t feel any hands rolling me onto my back. The waterskin was where one of those kids said it was and after drinking some of it, I did start to feel better. Maybe we need to reconsider this coffee in Westeros idea. I’ll continue the interviews on the morrow.  

 

20th Day of the Third moon of the year 297 AC 

Location: Myr down a side street close to target area. 

Target: Griff and Young Griff 

G: I’m not speaking to one of Varys’ little mice, get out of the way. 

G: Did you not hear me? I feel like I was perfectly clear and concise with my words there. Wouldn’t you say Young Griff? 

YG: Absolutely Ser! But why not see what he wants to ask? What’s the harm? 

G: Stupidity is the harm. 

YG: Very wise, Ser, I understand. 

YG: Oh, you only want to know about Mr. Fell and Crowley? Crowley is lovely to talk to about dragons. Once spent the whole day in the bookshop going over any books on dragons Mr. Fell has in stock. Ser Griff, how would you describe Mr. Fell and Crowley?

G: Bastard and bastard. 

G: The difference? Can’t you hear the enunciation? What sort of spies is Varys’ doing his dirty work for him these days that you can’t even pick it up. Fell is Bastard and Crowley is bastard - easy enough. 

G: Come Young Griff, we have more important things to do than to pander to an idiot. 

YG: May the Warrior bless your path, Ser Mouse! 

Supplemental Notes: Lord Varys, you and I both know who they were. I’m assuming you are already in the know and since this doesn’t have to do with my assignment, I’m to leave them alone. But just to state on the records, Jon Connington and his ward Aegon VI Targaryen have been spotted in Myr and appear to have been here for a period of time. I wasn’t even looking for them, just happened to bump into them on my way to the next target. I think I may need a vacation after this assignment is done - Lord Connigton is rather intimidating. 

 

20th Day of the Third moon of the year 297 AC 

Location: Myr - Brothel close to A. Fell’s Bookshop

Target: Lady Sandwich 

S: Sorry hon, can’t let you in. Brothel doesn’t open until right after dusk. Come back later. 

S: Oh, you just wanted to ask questions about Mr. Fell and Crowley? Fell’s a bore, couldn’t tell you anything about him. Crowley’s the one that comes over to chat when in town. 

S: What’s Crowley like? Sweetheart, I’m not a gal who works for free, especially if you want me to rag about another. A gold to start? I can work with that. 

S. So, to start, Crowley is especially sweet on Mr. Fell - makes me sick to my stomach sometimes with how those two are. They could be making some coin working for me, but no, they’d rather spend their free time staring at Fell. Don’t let the sunglasses fool you - everyone can see where those eyes are. 

S: Ah, before I forget, if you see Crowley loitering around here during working hours - don’t give them money just cause they’re pretty. They don’t work for me and any business under my awning goes to me, got it, stringbean? What is Varys feeding you poor things these days? He’s got enough money to shell out on a hot meal at least once a day for his mice so you don’t look like you’d fall over from a stiff breeze.  

S: How do I know who you work for? Darling, we in the trade know each other. Get a little wet behind the ears and you’ll pick up on it soon enough if you don’t die first. 

S: Yes, yes back to Crowley. Primary job is with some sort of gang out East, Asshai maybe but don’t quote me. Seems to do well with it, enough to get a lot of days out here instead of wherever they’re supposed to be. Volunteers with the neighborhood kids when here though - I think Mr. Fell and Crowley took a group of the kids on a field trip to Westeros actually. Kids should be back soon but who knows if those two will stay or travel around for a bit. 

S: Did I hear about the Iron Throne shattering, of course I did. Please, everyone’s heard of it by now - old news. Do I think Mr. Fell or Crowley had anything to do with it? Oh sweet Maiden, no. Those two are the least competent folk you’ll have ever met when it comes to direct action. 

S: Do I think one of the kids was responsible? Mr. Mushakha, I run a well respected brothel thank you very much. No talk of minors here. 

S: Now, I’ve got to get ready for the night, off with you now and mind your steps back to Westeros. Tell Varys I said hello. 

Supplemental Notes: It’s hard to say if Madame Sandwich is telling the truth about the cause of the incident, but I’m inclined to believe her. She did want me to pass along a tea container to you which I’ll leave in your hands; I have no care to open it. 

Supplemental Supplemental Note: Tenday after leaving Myr and back to Westeros, I did run into Melisandre, the Red Priestess while on the road. She told me that Mr. Fell - First name Aziraphale, is part of R’hllor’s light but should be demoted because of his insistence on not wearing red to honor R’hllor and only wearing gaudy ugly clothes made from samite in a rather beige color. I hastened away soon after that; she didn’t even notice while preaching about R’hllor. I’ll stick to the Seven for now, thank you. 

Supplemental Supplemental Supplemental Note: I apologize for how disorganized this is but I find myself running out of paper to write these notes down. I overheard two people bickering who called themselves Aziraphale and Crowley. I believe they said something about “Adam needing to stop rearranging furniture whenever he feels like it just because he can” and the other one replying that “he’s the prophesied one so he can do whatever he wants”. But by the time I reached where they had been, they were gone and I couldn’t see where they went. 

I’d really like that vacation, please Lord Varys. 

 

 

Varys seals the report from Mushaka, hiding it within a compartment few know exist. Normal procedure would have Varys burn the report as soon as he had memorized it, but well, he would need a few sips of wine before taking another glance. 

When the Iron Throne broke, two men (not men?) had been present with four children. The children had been unremarkable and disregarded immediately, but the Kingsguard had managed to get the names of A. Fell and A. Crowley before the six absconded out of the castle, faster than the guards could keep up. To assume that a child had been responsible yet no one could recall their features was far too much magic than Varys cared for. 

Joffrey may still be King of Westeros but with the Iron Throne destroyed, it seemed the fighting over the actual succession was at a halt. A symbol of power, the Iron Throne represents - and without it, it seems most of Westeros preferred to assume there was no King and no throne. More and more, Varys heard whispers of Houses that had pledged to the Baratheons and Lannisters pulling away, either moving for neutrality or towards Stannis Baratheon in Dragonstone or the Starks up North. 

Hmm… going on a vacation outside of Westeros didn’t sound like a terrible idea really. And Varys is interested in trying this coffee drink. If Mushaka was right, it could be a good way to supplement his coffers - especially on an extended trip overseas. Wine forgotten, and with practiced motions, Varys’ fire grew as new paper served as kindle.