Change of Location (Alana)

[Rutger Kilborn]

In the end, it didn't take long for Rutger and Alana to convince the German Minister that they should be allowed to take over the case from the British Ministry. A few owls and a Floo Conference later, and the arrangements were set, just a day shy of a full week after the most recent murder had taken place.

They were going to stay in a hotel right in the heart of London, called the Avalon hotel. Rutger liked the central location of it... close to the Ministry, and close to other magical areas of the city, yet still in the middle of the muggle area. This was important, because one of the patterns Rutger had determined was that all of her victims were wizards and witches who were aligned with muggles and muggleborns.

They arrived by portkey, in an alleyway a few blocks away from the hotel. Rutger had packed light, of course, being a man. He only needed a few pairs of pants and a few shirts, and one set of robes. The rest of what he had brought was about Kryshna... the files and evidence that he had collected over the years since he had been chasing her.

He got up from the ground and brushed himself off, then looked around for Alana. "Everything OK?" he asked her.

[Alana Kalb]

Alana was thrilled, and a bit amazed, that it didn't take too long to get clearance for the two of them to get sent to England to further investigate the murders. She wondered, as she had the entire time Rutger and her were planning this, what the local Aurors would think, but Alana knew they would just have to deal with it.

The Avalon hotel...Alana thought the place had a ring to it, something that she liked. She read up on it and found that it housed both muggles and wizards, which she thought would be bad. She didn't want Kryshna to find her and Rutger and kill the innocent, unaware muggles, but she knew that's what she had been doing all along, and being at the Avalon may prove to be beneficial. Rutger had to convince her of that.

Being a woman, she wanted to bring every outfit she owned, but after thinking about it, Alana settled on bringing a couple of pantsuits and just a couple of normal outfits along with her robes, something casual. She managed to get it all into one suitcase, and she was quite proud of herself for that.

"I'm alright," She replied, dusting herself off. "Am I the only one that hates traveling by portkey?" She asked, picking her suitcase up.

[Rutger Kilborn]

Rutger gave a rare laugh at her comment. Portkeys were definitely not his favorite mode of travel, either. He preferred the clean, simple method of apparating. Portkeys and brooms and floo network... they were all messy ways to travel, in his eyes. The chances for a messy landing were all too great. In this case, the portkey had been necessary, because they hadn't actually been to London before, and they wouldn't have known where a safe place to apparate would be.

"I'm not fond of them, either," he replied. "But at least we're here."

He picked up his suitcase and took a look around the alleyway. There didn't seem to be anyone around, save for a stray cat poking through a garbage can on the other end of the alley.

"Supposedly the hotel is a few blocks from here. I guess we may as well go check in, then we can get set up. I've requested a suite for us... We'll have adjoining rooms and a lounge area... we'll set that up as our workspace."

[Alana Kalb]

Alana made a mental note at the laugh she got out of Rutger, knowing it would be a while before she got another one. He didn't laugh too often, even though Alana had been trying to break him and make him more outgoing and fun-loving, but she knew he could never be that way. It was hard for Alana to give up on him, her stubbornness wouldn't let her, but she's been able to tone it down a bit.

As Rutger described the room, Alana couldn't help but hope the room would be really nice. Knowing the Ministry sent the two of them and made the arrangements, she knew it was going to be. That was one thing that Alana always needed when she traveled was nice room with a pretty view, even if that trip was because she was on business.

"Hopefully the Aurors already on the case won't get too mad we're here. I mean, they shouldn't since we have more experience with this than all of them put together, I suppose." Alana said, and started walking out of the alleyway ahead of Rutger, not sure where she was going, despite living in London most of her life. She figured Rutger probably wouldn't, either, so she didn't worry about her formality of letting the man lead. Alana was excited to see London again, even if the circumstances were less than desirable.

[Rutger Kilborn]

Rutger walked up to the entrance of the alleyway, then stopped, looking each way. He wasn't entirely sure which direction to go to the hotel. Muggles were walking all around, brushing past them as if they weren't even there. With a street so crowded, it wouldn't be safe or appropriate to perform magic.... even a simple "point me" spell could attract attention that they just didn't need at that moment. So they would have to find it on their own.

Reaching into a rumpled coat pocket, he produced a detailed map, which had been sent to them by the British Minister, Vincent Corrigan. There was a glowing red X in the middle, and Rutger realized that was where they were standing. Their destination was also marked with a glowing green arrow.

"From the looks of this map, we should go left," he said to Alana, and he began walking.

He also rather imagined that the local aurors would be a little angry that they were taking over the investigation. He had been on this case longer than Alana had, and had investigated several other murders that had been connected to Kryshna's case in France, Spain, and Italy. He had also investigated a similar case in Greece, only to determine that it was unconnected. But because of these experiences, he knew how the local ministries could resent the intrusions of some foreigner on a case involving their own people. Still, he couldn't worry about that. He and Alana were the best people for the case, and the British would just have to understand that. All he wanted was to catch Kryshna and stop her from killing anyone else.

"I doubt they'll be thrilled to meet us, but they'll have to get over it," he said simply.

[Alana Kalb]

Alana looked around her as they walked, seeing the people around them laughing and going about thier lives, having no idea what was going on. To them, her and Rutger would appear as tourists on a leisurely trip, and Alana wondered what they would do if they knew about the murders, which one of them would be affected by the knowledge and who would push it aside as if it were nothing. She always marveled at muggles, and envied their ignorance of the wizarding world sometimes, especially times like this. Sure, there were murders all the time in the muggle world, but Alana didn't think they could be to this level.

She stood on her toes as she walked closer to Rutger, trying to get a look at the map. They were getting closer to the green arrow, which she assumed was the hotel. She looked from the map to the street and tried to find the hotel.
"I hate how maps are on a much smaller scale," She said as she backed away from Rutger. She hated how people invaded her "personal space" so she wasn't going to invade his since she was done with the map. She sighed, looking around her again. Her suitcase was getting heavy, and she wished she hadn't brought so many things.
"I can tell you that London hasn't changed since I lived here. It's still gloomy," she said, looking up at the sky. Alana didn't mind; she liked a cloudy day every now and then.

"The best part will be seeing their faces as we walk into their meeting. But...we'll walk in, not my barge-in option I wanted to use with our Minister. We should--or rather, I should act like a professional when we meet our new co-workers, right?" Alana said. She acted immature sometimes, but she at least knew how to control herself. With this case, whenever she was investigating or in a meeting, she was calm, but times like now where she didn't have anything going on, she let herself seem like nothing was wrong. It helped her deal with everything better.

[Rutger Kilborn]

When they had been first partnered together, Rutger hadn't really cared for Alana's breezy, casual attitude and frequent attempts at levity. But she had her strengths as well, and he had come to appreciate her for that. Of the two of them, she was the "people person." He was too serious, too immersed in his work, to pay any attention to pleasantries. So sometimes, during interactions with other people, he had a tendency to step on a few toes and trample over their feelings. He didn't mean to, and he was usually very sorry if he realized what he was doing. But most of the time, he didn't even realize it, and it was left to Alana to smooth the ruffled feathers. Fortunately, she was good at it.

"You'll do fine," he assured her. "I'm sure they'll like you. Me... well, let's just say I'm not here to make friends. I just want to stop Kryshna before anyone else is killed."

[Alana Kalb]

Alana smiled up at Rutger for his comment. She liked being accepted, or at least tolerated well, especially since she was going to work with these people for a while. At least, that's what Alana thought. Of course, she wouldn't be sad if she left in a month or so, since that would mean Kryshna was caught and no one else would die because of her.

"Well, I'm not here to make friends either, but I seem to do that a lot, don't I?" She asked. People were her department, and she didn't mind. People seemed to like her, and she didn't mind. It was easier to get along with them than to fight over everything.
"And I'm sure you'll get along with them fine after they get used to us being there. Plus, you've got me to clear things up for you." She said with a wink.

"How much further is the hotel? I don't want to keep leaning over your shoulder." She said, switching her bag from her right to her left hand. She hoped he'd say it was right around the corner; her bag seemed to be getting heavier the more they walked.

[Rutger Kilborn]

If Rutger had noticed that she was struggling with her bag, he would have offered to carry it for her. It wasn't that he wasn't chivalrous; it was just that sometimes he could be a little short-sighted and clueless.

He stared down at the map for a moment, and it seemed like they were almost there. He frowned and looked around, trying to see something that looked like a hotel.

"I suppose it's over there," he said, pointing about half a block away, to a green awning that extended to the curb. A long black car had just pulled up to the curb, and a uniformed man was helping passengers step out of the vehicle.

He glanced at her, and that was when he saw her switch her bag from one hand to another. "Do you need help with your bag?" he asked.

[Alana Kalb]

Alana looked over and saw the car, thinking that where they were getting out from must be the hotel.
"I wonder if they're important," Alana wondered out loud. She never heard of any regular person getting help out of their car, and Alana slightly wished that her and Rutger had gotten a car, until he offered to help her out with her bags.

"Yes, thank you." She said happily, handing the bag over. She wasn't going to bother him about taking it from her, but he had offered, so she didn't feel as bad about giving the bag to him. "Should I take the map, or is there no need for it?"

[Rutger Kilborn]

"You can take the map," he said, handing it to her. "Just in case I'm wrong. It also maps the directions to the Ministry, I believe... we're not going there yet, so it's not glowing."

He took the bag from her, and immediately noticed that it was rather heavy. He didn't have a problem with it, but he could see why she was struggling. For just a split second, he wondered if it was full of shoes or something. He had heard that women liked shoes, although he couldn't imagine why. He was pretty sure he only owned two pairs of shoes, and he was bringing them both.

While she was thinking about how much easier it would have been to take a car, Rutger was thinking the opposite. To him, it seemed like such an awkward mode of transportation, and he wondered how muggles were able to stand traveling in such a manner. He liked being able to apparate, and to get exactly where he was going in the blink of an eye.

It took a few minutes to get to the hotel, and Rutger deftly moved past the muggles, who were unloading suitcases from the back of the car and stacking them on a strange sort of rolling cart.

Inside, they reached a lobby area with sofas and tables, and he nodded to them. "I can check in, if you want to rest for a moment."

[Alana Kalb]

Alana didn't mind cars too much, since she spent time with her squib aunt who drove everywhere, and she had gotten used to it. She definetly preferred it over portkey, but everyone who knew her knew how much she absolutely loathed portkeys.

Alana was amazed at the hotel they had walked into. She hadn't stayed in too many nice ones, but this one rated amongst the nicest ones she was ever in. She traveled with her aunt a lot when she got older, and it was because of her Alana could sleep almost anywhere. They never stayed in nice hotels, so whenever Alana went on cases for the ministry, she was always pleased with the accomadations.

"No, but thank you. I can wait until we get to the room." Alana replied. She wouldn't feel right just letting him go up, just something she always felt.

[Rutger Kilborn]

Rutger nodded. "All right, then," he said. "This shouldn't take long, anyway."

As it happened, there was no line at the front desk; the people who had been getting out of the car earlier had just finished checking in and were on their way to the lifts, followed by the bellhops, wheeling their luggage on the carts.

Rutger went up to the front desk and gave the clerk his name and some information. The Minister had given them something called a "credit card" which they could use to pay for the hotel stay. Rutger still wasn't quite sure how this strange plastic card was supposed to signify money, but he assumed that the clerk would know what to do with it.

A few minutes later, they were all checked in and the clerk gave them keys to rooms 506 and 508, adjoining suites with a lounge connected to them. A bellhop came forward and offered to carry their suitcases, but Rutger waved him off, preferring to do it himself.

He turned to Alana, and it was obvious just how tired he really was. "Once we get up there, we can take a little while just to get settled and rest a little," he said. "I don't think the Ministry is expecting us until tomorrow."

[Alana Kalb]

Alana watched the whole transaction between Rutger and the man at the front desk and bellhop with a smile. She hadn't thought he would be thatuneasy about doing things like the muggles do, but then again Alana only knew about it because of her childhood trips.

Alana took her suitcase before Rutger could take it, seeing as the room wasn't far away and he had been so kind in carrying it all the way to the hotel.
"So that means we can do whatever we want today?" She asked, heading towards the lift. She wanted to go shopping since it had been so long but she knew Rutger would probably disapprove of her idea, so she decided against it. Plus, she though, this wasn't a leisure trip. She wouldn't be allowed to go visit anyone, and any shopping done would be for essentials she would need for the case, like a new set of robes should hers rip, new shoes if she didn't bring enough, that sort of thing.

"I promise I'll find something quiet to do if you wanted to sleep. How much did you get last night? You look dreadful, Rutger." Alana said lightly, trying not to make it sound rude. It wasn't meant to be, but Alana couldn't help but think it had a tinge of annoyance in her voice. She didn't like the idea of him staying up into odd hours of the night researching this case. Yes, she knew how important it was to him, but besides being her partner he was a person, and Alana wouldn't let him waste away due to his obsession with this case, even though Alana sometimes got carried away as well.

[Rutger Kilborn]

Rutger would never admit it to Alana, but he suffered with terrible insomnia, which went all the way back to his days at the research facility where he had been held as a child. The conditions in which he'd been kept had been pretty terrible, especially at night. There were horrors in the dark... ones with tiny little teeth or that scuttled around on six legs. And although he had long ago conquered his fears of bugs and rats, the night time still brought about the fear of the unknown. Sometimes he would wake in a cold sweat, dreaming about the rats nibbling at his toes. Other times, he just couldn't sleep at all, and his mind just kept working. Most of the time, it was easier just not to try to sleep at all. After all, there was work to be done.

He raised an eyebrow at her when she said he looked terrible. "Thanks a lot," he said, just a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

But then he relented. Deep down, he knew she was right. He needed to get some rest. He doubted he'd sleep very much, but he was going to collapse if he didn't at least try.

"I'll try to get some sleep," he promised her. "But you know how I am... I don't like to spend so much time away from the case. I have this feeling... I think she's about to strike again soon."

[Alana Kalb]

Alana nodded, knowing what Rutger was talking about. Over the years, she developed this feeling that wouldn't go away once she was on a case, and it seemed to stay in the back of her head nagging her when something was about to happen.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I can feel it too. It's a good thing we didn't have to wait too long to get here." Alana said as they got onto the lift. She allowed the attendant to press the 'up' button, and Alana turned to Rutger.
"If I hear anything while you're sleeping, I'll wake you up and let you know. It wouldn't do any good to be in a meeting and having you pass out. I worry about you, Rutger," Alana admitted. She was scared they'd be on a chase, ready to finally get Kryshna, and he would pass out from how exhausted he was. Alana knew that was highly unlikely, since the adrenaline would keep him going, but sometimes Alana thought of the worst, despite being so optimistic.

The lift stopped and Alana looked at her room key.
"Which way do we go?" She asked Rutger. She looked around to try to find any clues as to what way they was supposed to go.

[Rutger Kilborn]

Her concern was sweet, and he couldn't deny that she had reasons to worry about him. If she didn't occasionally make him rest or stop to eat a proper meal, he probably would run himself into the ground. Rutger had long suspected that this was the real reason he had been assigned a partner; because someone thought he needed someone to take care of him. And although he appreciated it, there were things about him that she could never understand.

"I appreciate it," he said, his voice gentle. "But you really don't need to worry about me so much. I'm used to getting by on just a little bit of sleep."

He didn't elaborate on that, but he gave her a slight smile before he turned away to get his bearings. "We're in 506 and 508," he said. "I'd say we go left."

[Alana Kalb]

Alana wanted to yell at Rutger for telling her not to worry since she was a woman and therefore it was in her nature to worry, but she quickly pushed it aside. She knew Rutger wasn't the type of guy that wouldn't accept so much worrying, and so far Alana had been right in her assumptions.

Alana could tell there was something Rutger wasn't saying by the smile and the look in his eyes, but she wasn't going to question it further. Everyone was entitled to their privacy, and Alana was the last person to pry into someone's life, knowing she wouldn't like it if someone did that to her.

"That may be, but how about if you got some sleep now, I'll put my things away and then I'll make you some lunch. I'm decent in the kitchen, don't worry." She said with a laugh. She could make some basic dishes her mother taught her, but that was about it. She knew enough to save money on ordering out so much. "You'll at least have something to eat when you wake up." She added.

[Rutger Kilborn]

He gave her a sidelong look, with just a hint of a smile on his face. "You're going to do this the whole time, aren't you?" he said. "Make sure I sleep and eat and take care of myself?"

It was sort of touching that she cared enough to make sure he was OK. Strangely enough, no one had ever really done it before, except possibly for his mother, but he had been too young to remember her. Even when he got out of the facility, Uncle Morty had never really known what to do with him. He'd make him dinner, of course, and he'd tell him to go to bed... But he never made Rutger eat or sleep or anything... For the most part, he was rather a hands-off "parent." He figured Rutger was old enough and knew his own mind enough, so he wouldn't try to convince the child to do anything that he didn't want to do.

Since he and Alana had become partners, she had always tried, in subtle ways--and sometimes not so subtle--to convince him to eat or get some rest. Now that they would be staying in such close proximity to each other, it would be easier for her to do so... and harder for him to ignore.

"OK, you win," he said, as he reached the door of room 506. "I'll get some rest."

[Alana Kalb]

Alana smiled up at him, nodding slightly. "Of course I am. If I didn't make sure you ate and slept sometimes, who would?" She asked. She knew if it weren't for her, Rutger probably would have over-worked himself. She often thought he should lighten up and enjoy life, but she would never voice that opinion. It would probably upset him more than Alana would want to. Plus, why should she have the reason to say that? She already thought she overstepped her boundaries by trying to take care of him, but Alana didn't care about that now.

Alana smiled when he said that she won. She liked when she got her way; it made everything else just a bit easier to deal with.
"Good. I'll be in to make sure you're resting, lying down at least, in ten minutes." She said, and continued down the hall until she reached room 508. She hesitated putting the key into the door and turned to Rutger.
"Ten minutes," She said, and entered her room.

Alana put her suitcase on the floor beside the bed and sat on the edge of the bed. She took her shoes off and looked around the room. The only thing she needed to be comfortable was a good bed, which just by sitting on it, Alana knew that she would be able to sleep well, all things considered. She just hoped the things she would see wouldn't be as horrific as that night... Alana stood from the bed and began unpacking, not wanting her mind to wander. She would need to remain busy. Besides, she had a lunch to plan, and she had no idea what to make.