Diablotin 2 session 72

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Session

Session date:

Diablotin date:

Sanadhil and Yanina

[DiablotinNarrator] So, San :) How would you like to try and see the Empress?

[Sanadhil] hmmmmm

[Sanadhil] I suppose I can send her a congratulatory note on the borth of her son, with peroperly bsubtle-ish undertones of 'when you are feeling up to it I would love to see you again'

[DiablotinNarrator] OK. You will receive a note back a few days later, in her handwriting, saying that you are welcome to visit and pay your respects in person on [insert date here].

• Sanadhil will arrange to do so, then

[DiablotinNarrator] (fortunately for you it's not the day of your first class or something ;)

• Sanadhil will dress appropriately for a social bisit with the empress
• Yanina will receive you in her sitting room, which is adjacent to her bedroom. Servants are present but non-conspicuous and, you assume, discreet.
• Yanina looks well, if perhaps still somewhat pale. She is seated by the window, which is open to let in a light breeze, and wears a loose dark green gown.
• Sanadhil will smiles and bow politely when he sees her.
• Yanina smiles when you arrive.

[Yanina] M. Orecalo, how kind of you to visit.

[Sanadhil] Very kind of you to receive me.... I'm glad to see you looking so well.

[Yanina] That's sweet of you to say - I know I look wretched.

[Sanadhil] hardly possible.

[Yanina] It will be a while before I can fit back into most of my gowns, I suspect :p

[Sanadhil] How terrible

• Sanadhil says a tad wryly
• Yanina smirks.

[Sanadhil] Your son is doing well, I trust?

[Yanina] He is quite well, thank you. Would you care to see him?

[Sanadhil] I wouldn't want to disturb him if he is sleeping....

[Yanina] He is, but he's a sound sleeper - just looking at him won't bother him at all.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] Well, I would be honoured then

• Yanina gestures for one of the servants, who will take you in to the adjacent bedroom to see the baby.

[DiablotinNarrator] The Prince-Imperial is sleeping in an ornate gilded cradle. He has a tuft of red hair and a peaceful, if somewhat wrinkly, expression.

• Sanadhil looks at him, and then smila at the mother

[Sanadhil] Your hair, then...

• Sanadhil says quietly

[Sanadhil] (smiles)

[Yanina] It seems so... probably just as well.

[Sanadhil] (is that her way of saying that who knoes whose kid it is? ;p)

• Yanina says mildly.

[Yanina] (possibly?)

• Sanadhil nods

[Yanina] Well... you probably don't want to stare at a sleeping baby all day.

• Yanina says with a smile.

[Sanadhil] he looks well..... but I confess I am more interested in his mother, yes

• Sanadhil returns said smile
• Sanadhil steps out of the baby room @_@

[Yanina] How are your studies going?

[Sanadhil] Oh, very well.... I've actually recvently taken a post at the Castalia :)

[Yanina] Oh, that's splendid! Congratulations :)

[Sanadhil] :But it if it my other studies you are interested, there is a matter Phedre wished for me to speak to you about as well...

[Yanina] :Oh? Do tell.

[Sanadhil] Thank you, it was a very sudden appointment, but shoudl provide some very intersting opportunties

[Yanina] Can I offer you anything? Something to drink?

[Sanadhil] :She wants to know if you would be interested in becoming more active in the service of The Serpent.... of Ophion.

[Sanadhil] That would be lovely.

• Yanina nods.
• Yanina 's servant brings you a glass of dry white wine.

[Sanadhil] Thank you

[Yanina] :I would want to know what it would entail... more meetings?

[Sanadhil] I hope you will be back in public life soon?

[Sanadhil] :More discrete meetings with a more select mebership

[Yanina] I believe so - there will be an official celebration of Leolin's birth, of course, in a few weeks' time.

[Yanina] :Similiar in ... nature?

[Yanina] I understand you're probably quite busy with your various obligations, but I'd be delighted if you could attend the party.

[Sanadhil] Ahh, of course - I expect that will give people something cheeries to look forward than other matters that have been in the news of late

[Sanadhil] and yes, i would be honoured :)

[Yanina] Yes, it's been rather grim, hasn't it... treason and the threat of war are not pleasant topics.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] :More serious in focus, typically:

[Sanadhil] :Though I thin k it cold truly open your mind...

[Yanina] :Hm... it does sound intriguing. Would it be very risky?

[Sanadhil] :She think s that the visions and dreams you have mean that you could personally contribute more to the greater goal of returning Ohion to power. There would be risks, but not ones that are insurmountable without some planning

[Sanadhil] no, and not on top of a second year of poor harvests

[Yanina] :I would be glad to assist, if I can. It might be a little while before I can get away... will that present any problems?

[Yanina] Indeed...

[Sanadhil] :We can work with that, though I can help you as well.... if you need an excuse to be discretely absent...

[Yanina] :That could be helpful, yes. We'll confer about this, then?

[Sanadhil] :Yes.... though i would be happy to spend more time with you in any case.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] A party seems just the thing

[Yanina] I hope that it will lift a few spirits, yes.

• Yanina will continue to make secret plans with you on when/how she can get to a meeting, then :)

Guillame and Aden

[DiablotinNarrator] Guillame, you arrive home one afternoon to find Aden waiting for you. He's pacing, looking upset.

[Guillame] Aden! Is something wrong?

[Aden_] Guy, thank goodness - I thought you'd never get here and I'd have to leave without you.

[Aden_] I received word from Greywatch. My mother...

[Aden_] ...she's dying.

[Guillame] ...

[Guillame] What? How?

[Aden_] She's been sick for a long time... I expected it, I suppose, but still...

[Guillame] I didn't realize...

[Aden_] Will you come with me?

• Aden_ seems anxious that you might say no.

[Guillame] When do you leave?

[Aden_] Now, if you're able... otherwise, I guess you could follow later...

[Guillame] I'll have to make arrangements - for Silvia, especially... I'm sorry. I will follow as soon as I can.

• Aden_ nods.

[Aden_] I understand, of course...

[Guillame] I'm so sorry, Aden

• Aden_ looks unhappy, but nods.

[Aden_] If you can get away, you can take the teleportation circle to Val des Fentes... I'll let them know to expect you.

• Guillame gives him a big hug, suddenly
• Aden_ hugs back, tightly.

[Aden_] I should get on my way... I hope I'll see you again soon.

[Guillame] You could tell me about it, before you go, if you want to.

[Guillame] If it would help...?

[Aden_] I ... I don't know if there's much to tell. She's had a swelling in her breast for years, there's not much the priests can do about it... I guess it just keeps spreading, somehow, inside her...

• Aden_ bites his lip.
• Guillame listens, and just holds him

[Aden_] She's gotten weaker and weaker, and there's a lot of pain I guess... they can help with that, anyway.

[Guillame] It sounds like an awful ordeal for you both

[Aden_] It's ... strange. And ... I hate to think about such things at times like this, but I don't even know what will happen with the succession.

[Aden_] My father's still alive, technically he's still duke as they've never actually divorced, so...

[Guillame] *nod

[Guillame] Well, you

[Guillame] 've got yourself a pretty good role on your own sweat

[Aden_] I'm not angling for it, but on the other hand, I .. don't think my father should have it either.

[Guillame] *nod

[Guillame] Maybe somebody at the palace could help?

[Aden_] I don't know what arrangements my mother might have made. It could be that it ends up in the hands of the Chancellor.

• Aden_ leans his head against your shoulder.
• Guillame strokes his hair

[Aden_] ...I should go :/ I don't want to leave, but I don't want to be too late, either.

[Guillame] Yeah, you shouldn't be late. I'll be with you soon - I'll send some runners right away, and see to Silvia's arrangements myself

[Aden_] ...I love you.

• Aden_ says, holding you for a moment longer before letting go.

[Guillame] . o O (Where could she stay? With Portia, or Ysabeau maybe?)

[Guillame] I love you too!

• Aden_ hurries off, then.
• Guillame drafts some letters with instructions for running the estate in his absence, and goes looking for Portia
• Portia can be found. She looks as though she's getting ready to go out.

[Guillame] Hello Dear... bad news, I'

[Guillame] m afraid

[Portia] Oh? What happened? :o

[Guillame] Aiden's mother is dying...

[Portia] Oh dear... I'm sorry to hear that. Is she ill?

[Guillame] Yes; apparently she has been for some time.

• Portia nods.

[Portia] Send my condolences, of course.

[Guillame] He's asked me to go and support him there

[Guillame] I will, of course

[Portia] Oh... certainly, I understand.

[Portia] Silvia will be fine with me for as long as you need.

• Guillame is visibly relieved

[Guillame] Thank you very much

[Portia] No need, my dear. After all, this is family.

• Portia adjusts one of her pearl earrings and smiles.

[Guillame] Did I tell you that she's taking some... alternative lessons now?

[Portia] No, I don't believe so. What sort of lessons?

[Guillame] Well... Silvia is sort of... gifted?

• Portia nods, listening.

[Guillame] In the undercity they would have called her a Seer - she can sometimes hear thoughts, or dream the future.

[Portia] Hear...thoughts?

[Portia] Hm.

[Guillame] It sounds a little crazy to explain it, to be honest, but my research suggests that this was a normal and celebrated, if rare condition pre-exodus

• Portia nods again.

[Portia] Is there anything I should ... watch out for, while she's under my care?

[Guillame] However, without guidance, it can take a toll on a young child - it can cause madness, for example.

[Portia] Madness.

• Portia says, sounding a bit wary at that.
• Guillame shudder

[Guillame] Yes...

[Portia] Will I be able to get in touch with you if.. anything odd happens?

[Guillame] I was able to find her a tutor - she's pretty reliable, although she herself is touched by madness, as she didn't have a tutor herself.

[Guillame] I expect so - you can send a message to me through the circle to Val des Fentes

[Portia] Very well.

[Portia] You go ahead - don't worry about us.

[Guillame] My only main advice is not to lie to her - I've never done so myself, but I imagine it's a quick way to lose the respect of someone who can hear your thoughts.

[Portia] That... makes sense.

[Portia] I'll do my best, then.

[Guillame] Thank you Portia - I'm lucky to have such a good friend and wife.

• Portia gives you a brief hug.
• Guillame hugs her back more firmly

[Guillame] I've already sent instructions for the upkeep, but if anything arises that you want to handle, go right ahead - and if you have any questions, just send them on to me.

[Portia] I will. Give my best to Aden, too.. I'm sure this is terribly difficult for him.

[Guillame] I will - he'll appreciate it.

• Portia sends you on your way, then.
• Guillame gives her a peck on the cheek, and goes to throw together some provisions

Dominik and Theron

[DiablotinNarrator] Dominik, you are just getting ready to leave your mother's house. Stepping out the door, you find a young woman on the threshold, looking anxious and very pregnant. You recognize her as Taralynn, Theron's girlfriend...wife...whatever she is these days.

[Taralynn] oh!

[Dominik] Hello. What brings you around to this doorstep?

[Taralynn] I...uh... was looking for Theron.

• Taralynn says, wincing somewhat in the middle of her sentence.

[Dominik] (is he home?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (you haven't seen him)

[Dominik] He's not here, and I do not know where he could be.

[Taralynn] Oh... void.

• Taralynn winces again, more obviously, and her hand on the railing of the steps is white-knuckled.

[Taralynn] Uh... can I come in?

• Dominik shrugs and lets her in
• Taralynn waddles in, looking around the grand entryway of the house.

[Taralynn] He didn't come home last night...

[Taralynn] I hoped he...uh... might be here.

[Dominik] I don't keep track of his movements. Lets find you a place to sit down.

[Dominik] Shouldn't you know where he is, considering your current situation?

• Taralynn takes another step and her water breaks on your family's lovely marble floor.

[Taralynn] Oh! Sorry.

[Dominik] Void!

• Taralynn leans on the bannister.
• Sydona appears at the head of the stairs to see what's all this racket.

[Dominik] You fool! If you where having the baby now why did you come here?

[Sydona] ...

[Taralynn] Well, where was I supposed to go, stay at home alone?

• Taralynn shouts back at you.

[Taralynn] I didn't know it would be this fast.

• Sydona hurries down the stairs.

[Dominik] My oh so responsible brother has set things up wonderfully for you it seems

[Sydona] Dom, go and find your brother. I'll take care of her.

[Dominik] And how do you expect me to find the slacker? Do you know where he is?

• Sydona shakes her head, but is preoccupied with the girl in labour in her entryway.

[Taralynn] He... maybe... with Phedre. I don't know.

[Dominik] Fine! I'll track the imbicile down... you will all be staying here, I take it?

[Sydona] She's not going anywhere in this state.

• Dominik says as he heads towards the stables
• Dominik will ride off to Phedre's home, cursing under his breath the entire way.

[DiablotinNarrator] You make your way to Phedre's house, which is fortunately not terribly far away.

• Dominik will knock await the doorman or whoever comes.

[DiablotinNarrator] A servant comes to the door and eyes you a bit warily, since you probably look kind of terrifying atm ;)

[Dominik] Im Dominik Rademacher. My brother may be visiting and I need to speak with him if he is here.

[Servant] Please wait here.

[Dominik] It is rather important, so hurry.

• Dominik growls
• Servant departs, leaving you standing in another fancy entryway, this one fortunately not covered in sploosh.
• Servant returns a short while later with your absentee brother, who looks like he just dragged himself out of bed.

[Theron] ...Dom? Wha...?

[Dominik] You look well rested it seems. Glad to see it. Your... companion is making a mess of your families entryway since you is about to give birth to what I assume is your child.

[Theron] ...

• Theron goes paler, which mostly just means his freckles stand out more.

[Theron] I'll... uh, I'll hurry.

• Theron runs off to go get actually dressed.

[Dominik] Glad to see you take these things so seriously, leaving her alone with not help right before she is to give birth.

• Dominik calls out after him.

[Theron] Shut up!

• Theron shouts back over his shoulder.
• Theron returns a few moments later, still pulling on his jacket.

[Theron] Look, she said she was fine yesterday...

[Dominik] Take the horse, assuming you can remember how to ride. I'll make my way back on my own, and hopefully miss most of the messiness.

[Theron] I ... thought I'd be back sooner.

• Theron will take the horse, as directed, then.

[Dominik] I'm sure your hostess was keeping you well occupied.

• Theron ignores you.

[DiablotinNarrator] You going back to the house, or elsewhere, to avoid the inevitable scene? ;)

• Dominik will get himself a drink on the way back to take some of the edge off before finally returning home to see how far the disaster has unfolded.

[DiablotinNarrator] When you arrive home, maybe an hour or so later, Theron is in disgrace in the sitting room, and your mother and Taralynn and just about all the servants in the house are evidently quite occupied in Theron's bedroom.

• Theron is having some drinks of his own.

[Dominik] Events are still well under way I take it.

[Theron] Oh yes...

[Theron] I ... suppose she'll forgive me once it's out, right?

[Dominik] Women forgive much... but they never forget, or so I've heard.

[Theron] Mother, on the other hand, will never forgive me for this.

[Dominik] And why should she... you abandonded Taralynn with nobody to turn to when she was about to give birth to your child? What did the two of you intend to do when the time came anyway?

[Theron] She told me it was my bed that was going to be ruined, since I'd made it and was busy wallowing in it :p

[Theron] She... I didn't really ask, she said she'd made arrangements with a midwife, I don't know why she didn't go there.

[Dominik] because she wanted you to know and be there.

• Theron sighs.

[Theron] Well, she doesn't want me there now. She wants me down here, suffering :p

• Dominik helps himself to some wine.

[Dominik] At least you are here. Be thankful I found you.

[Theron] ...I am.

[Dominik] I should have just wandered off and had a few drinks and said I couldn't find you. It's what you would have deserved.

[Theron] Look, you don't understand... I meant to be home last night, I just...

• Theron rubs his face, blearily.

[Dominik] Just what? Found yourself in an inescapable situation?

[Theron] ...Rather, yes.

[Theron] Phedre's been very helpful to me, and I couldn't just...insult her.

[Dominik] And does your precious little Taralynn know what repaying the courtisies with Phedre likely entails?

[Theron] She knows.

[Theron] Believe me, she knows...

[Dominik] Oh how could I forget how you met.

[Theron] -_-

[Theron] I love her. I really do.

[Theron] I don't know what I'd do without her...

• Theron glances up at some particularly loud screams from the bedroom.
• Theron finishes his drink, and helps himself to some more.

[Dominik] I'm not one to judge what people do in thier relationships... but if what you say is really true, I would have stayed with her.

[Theron] She said I should go... it was all right... she said... :/

[Theron] ...she said if she wasn't so uncomfortable, she'd come with me, to keep an eye on me -_-

[Theron] Gods, if something happens to her, I'd never forgive myself.

• Dominik shakes his head

[Dominik] Maybe in the future you'll remember that. I'm done talking to you.

• Dominik walks out of the room, bringing the bottle of wine with him
• Theron knows where to find more wine!

[Dominik] (the wine is for me)

[DiablotinNarrator] Not too long afterwards, you hear some commotion that seems to indicate the baby has arrived safely.

• Dominik will seek out his mother to get information
• Sydona is wearing a makeshift apron and looks rather harried, but is smiling.

[Sydona] It's a boy...

[Dominik] So they'll both live, then?

• Sydona nods.

[Sydona] It came out the wrong way around, or it'd probably have been born on our doorstep.

[Sydona] But she did well.

• Sydona sounds conflicted.

[Dominik] A grandson

• Sydona nods.

[Sydona] She says his name is Tristan, and I rather doubt Theron will argue with her.

[Dominik] No likely not. Is it his?

[Sydona] Well. A very good question, I suppose.

[Sydona] Hard to tell at this age.

[Sydona] If he says it is, then who am I to argue?

• Dominik shrugs

[Sydona] I... suppose I want them to be happy together. If that's what they want.

• Sydona says with a sigh.

[Sydona] Thank you, Dom.

• Dominik frowns

[Dominik] I don't need thanks.

[Dominik] And you least of all need to thank me.

• Sydona smiles.

[Dominik] They need to thank you

[Sydona] She already did... so there's that, at least.

[Dominik] Theron should be on his knees thanking me.

[Sydona] ... I wouldn't hold your breath on that one.

[Dominik] He has no idea how much he almost missed. He didn't deserve to be here and yet he was.

• Sydona nods.

[Sydona] I think he knows that.

[Dominik] Be sure to remind him of it several times before he makes his escape. I need to be away from this place for a while.

[Sydona] I don't know if he'll ever admit it, but... I think he knows.

• Sydona nods.
• Sydona gives you a hug before you run away.
• Dominik stiffens initially but will hug his mother before he leaves.

Ysabeau and Peran

[DiablotinNarrator] OK, Ysabeau, since you have a small amount of information now about your parents' pasts, what is your plan?

[Ysabeau] (Do I know that the person who owned the factory that burned down is named Peran?)

• Ysabeau would also check into the street names listed on her parents' marriage record.

[DiablotinNarrator] (wait, what?)

[Ysabeau] (My parents died in a factory fire, was the owner the guy you mention as being the dude they thought they could get work with in Diablotin? Peran, you called him in the email.)

[DiablotinNarrator] (oh, I see what you mean... no, the factory owner was not named Peran. So if they thought they could get a job with someone named Peran, evidently they didn't.)

• Ysabeau will try to figure out where the streets are and who Peran is and if s/he is still alive, then.
• Ysabeau can use a map to find Moss Lane and Thrawl Street, and could check tax records if there's no business license records for a mill owned by someone named Peran

[DiablotinNarrator] Thrawl Street is in Pearl City, you can determine quite easily. It's a fairly run-down area, even for Pearl. Moss Lane is a little place in Rhenea, near the edge of the Shambles.

• Ysabeau will also look up the recent censuses for Chanuiers and Fougeres

[DiablotinNarrator] You can find records of a mill on the river owned by someone named Peran Haupt.

[DiablotinNarrator] Moss Lane is small and would be searchable in under a day, certainly, even if you had to knock on every single door. Thrawl Street is longer and would take some time.

• Ysabeau will try to determine from census records if any living Chanuiers and Fougeres might live on/near Moss Lane and Thrawl Street, still. And whether someone named Peran Haupt still lives. Is his mill still around?
• Ysabeau would prefer not to knock on every door if she can help it, hence the census records. :)

[DiablotinNarrator] The mill is still there, yes. Census records are... overly optimistic ;)

• Ysabeau will try Peran Haupt at the mill, then...

[DiablotinNarrator] You could go to the temple nearest that area and ask of the priest if there is anyone of that name in the neighbourhood, they would be most likely to know.

[DiablotinNarrator] You make your way to the mill, which is a water mill on the river, grinding grain.

• Ysabeau will do that, then (and also Temples in the Thrawl Street and Moss Lane areas to ask about the family names). She will have let Martan and Murienne know what she was doing/where she is going and when to expect her back.

[DiablotinNarrator] It is busy enough, though at this time of year should probably be busier.

[DiablotinNarrator] A woman, maybe in her late twenties, is directing people there.

• Ysabeau dressed in a common woolen dress so she doesn't look too out of place.
• Ysabeau will approach her.
• Claudine is short, slender, with wavy brown hair and an apron well dusted with flour and grain husks.

[Claudine] Yes?

[Ysabeau] Excuse me, Madame, I know you are busy, and I apologize.

[Ysabeau] Can you tell me whether this mill is still owned by someone named Peran Haupt, please?

[Claudine] We've got no work right now, if that's what you're here about.

[Claudine] M. Haupt is my father. He's still the owner, sure enough.

[Ysabeau] No, I wish I was here about grain to grind, I'm sorry. It looks to be another difficult winter. Is there any chance I could speak with your father?

[Ysabeau] I have reason to believe he may have known my parents.

[Claudine] He's a busy man.

• Claudine looks skeptical.

[Ysabeau] (SM: Is she asking for a bribe? If so, I'll slip her what seems a reasonable amount.)

• Claudine mostly seems to be wondering what your ulterior motives are. A bribe might smooth the way, though.

[Claudine] What's your name?

[Ysabeau] Before I was married, Ysabeau Chanuier.

[Claudine] ...

[Claudine] All right. I'll take you to speak with him.

[Ysabeau] Thank you.

[Claudine] My name's Claudine, by the way. Claudine Rochin, or Haupt before I was married.

• Claudine says as she escorts you to speak with her father.
• Ysabeau smiles warmly to Claudine, but will be on the alert for funny business, since it may be known she's the new spymaster's wife.

[Ysabeau] Pleased to meet you, Claudine.

• Claudine smiles back, but a bit warily.
• Claudine leads you to a tall, brown-haired man who seems to be directing things inside the mill.
• Ysabeau will chat with her about the mill, etc. - small talk.

[Claudine] Father... This is Ysabeau Chanuier - she wants to speak with you.

• Ysabeau smiles and holds out her hand in greeting.

[Ysabeau] Good day, M. Haupt.

• Peran looks at you, seems startled, and doesn't give his hand in return.

[Peran] What do you want?

[Ysabeau] I'd like to ask you about Mathurin and Therese.

[Peran] They died.

• Ysabeau will drop her hand and be even more alert for funny business.

[Ysabeau] Indeed they did, but before that they lived.

[Ysabeau] It's their lives I'm interested in.

[Peran] You're their daughter, then...

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] And you were, I think, at some time, their friend.

[Peran] No.

[Peran] Mathurin was my brother. Half-brother.

• Peran amends.

[Ysabeau] He was?

• Peran nods.

[Ysabeau] They never told me about their families.

[Ysabeau] What happened? Why did they leave?

[Peran] No, well.

• Peran sighs.
• Ysabeau 's voice trembles a little.

[Peran] The girl converted and all, but his father - my step-father, that was - wouldn't hold with the marriage anyhow.

[Ysabeau] Converted? From what, to what?

[Peran] There'd be no sewer filth in his house, he said. She was a Rat, but they did the ritual that changes you into another House, thinking that'd be enough to change people's minds. It didn't.

[Ysabeau] Oh.

• Ysabeau swallows, trying to digest that.

[Peran] So they left, I suppose they thought they'd go someplace and start over, where people didn't know or care where she came from.

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] I was raised to believe I was pure House Owl.

[Peran] I imagine that's what they wanted.

• Ysabeau nods again.

[Ysabeau] What else can you tell me about them?

[Peran] Well, her name wasn't Therese Fougere, or least not until she converted. Rats don't have names like that, not most of 'em anyway.

[Peran] It was Tersa, I think. No last name, I guess in the sewers they didn't need 'em. She must've just made that one up out of thin air.

[Ysabeau] (Um... the Rats I know do... Knowledge: History roll? Have people from House Rat changed the way they name each other since they emerged?)

[Ysabeau] It means fern...

[DiablotinNarrator] (Rats who've assimilated have taken surnames, yes, and give more Aveyronnais names to their children. But older ones, or more traditional ones, don't have surnames.)

• Peran shrugs.

[Peran] I always sort of hoped they made good for themselves...

[Ysabeau] What were... my grandmother and grandfather named, please, if you don't mind?

[Ysabeau] They did, while we were away from Diablotin. I remember a very happy childhood.

[Peran] Mother's name is Gabby... Gabrielia, really. She went back to Haupt after her second husband died, think she had better memories of the first one.

[Ysabeau] The first one being your father, right?

[Peran] Her second husband's name was Aulin Chanuier, he's the one who'd be your grandfather, but he's dead these past five years.

[Peran] That's right. His name was Peran too, same as mine.

• Ysabeau smiles a little.

[Ysabeau] Would your mother want to speak with me, do you think? Would that be possible?

[Peran] I think she'd like that, yes.

[Peran] We saw your name in the papers now and again - wondered if you might be related.

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] I have a sister, as well. She's in training to join the priesthood.

[Peran] She's got family there, then - my sister Vilana's a priest as well.

[Ysabeau] Is that so? I'll tell Murienne. Mama and Papa raised us religious, but when they died and I had to raise us both on my own, I had to make some hard choices.

• Peran nods.

[Peran] I never knew you existed. I saw their names in the paper, when the fire... but I didn't know about any children.

[Peran] It looks like you came out all right, though.

[Ysabeau] I guess you could say so.

• Ysabeau smiles a little more warmly.

[Peran] You look like her.

[Ysabeau] I know. So does Muri.

[Ysabeau] You look like Papa, a bit.

[Peran] Why don't you come to dinner with us, all the family, your sister too of course.

[Ysabeau] (SM: is that a genuine invitation? Or is he angling for something)

• Peran seems sincere.

[Ysabeau] I think I'd enjoy that - Murienne too. I would worry that we might draw too much attention to you, though...

• Ysabeau says, a bit uncertainly.

[Peran] Well, I wouldn't worry about a thing like that.

[Peran] You've met Claudine, of course, but I've got three other kids as well, and I know folks'll all want to meet you.

[Claudine] Please, come - I never had a cousin before :)

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Ysabeau] Neither have I.

[Ysabeau] When would be a good time? Where should we go?

[Ysabeau] What can we bring? Muri and I are both decent cooks.

[Peran] Oh, just to my house, say tomorrow night, so I give my wife a bit of warning? And don't you worry about bringing a thing.

[Ysabeau] All right - where *is* your house?

• Ysabeau will discuss final arrangements with them, etc
• Peran gives you the address, which is in Rhenea (but not on Moss Lane)
• Ysabeau will go home after chatting with them a bit longer, and tell Muri, Martan and Merrow about it... :O

Alma and Leonien

[DiablotinNarrator] Alma, the Duke of Friaul has invited you to tea, as he had previously promised.

• Alma sighs upon reading the invitation -_-
• Alma makes sure she looks presentable, and selects something nice to bring as a gift.
• Alma asks Beatrix what old people like. ^_^
• Alma arrives promptly of course.

[Leonien] Countess, so lovely to see you.

• Leonien says when you arrive.

[Alma] And you, Your Grace :)

[Alma] How has your day been?

[Leonien] Thankfully free of attempts on my life. So far.

• Leonien says dryly.

[Alma] Well you can rest assured I won't be trying to break that run -_-

[Leonien] I do appreciate it.

[Leonien] As I appreciate your previous efforts in preventing such attempts.

[Alma] No thanks are necessary, Your Grace, it was within my power, so I did it.

[Leonien] It was of this attempt that I wished to converse, if you are willing.

[Alma] Yes, certainly...

• Alma puts on her diplomacy face :)

[Leonien] The young woman who made the attempt - what do you know of her?

[Alma] Her name is Thea Vermillion, she was leader of the Levellers. She is an acquaintance of the Duke of Corcyra, and had gone missing some time ago. Which is why the Duke asked me to scry her.

[Alma] Aside from that, I don't know much about her, aside from her current situation.

• Leonien nods.

[Alma] Do you wonder if her motives were personal, rather than those of Kavreshar?

[Leonien] The Vermillion family is an old one, once prominent in House Wolf. They produced an Empress, Luxinie II, although that was nearly a thousand years ago now.

[Alma] Ah, yes, I hadn't made the connection.

[Leonien] More recently, though, they have fallen on ... I would say, difficult times.

• Alma nods, not recalling any Vermillions of note at present...

[Alma] (Any others, that is.)

[Leonien] Thea's mother, Sirine, was formerly employed as a prostitute. If Thea is her only child, then she would be the last of that line...

[Leonien] I do believe that she most likely harbours a personal animosity towards me.

• Leonien looks mildly uncomfortable.

[Alma] I do recall... animosity in my observance of her, but I assumed it was simply hatred for nobility...

[Leonien] It may be, but she would have had reasons to target me particularly, even aside from ... whatever Kavreshar's motives might be.

• Alma nods.

[Leonien] Her mother came to me for assistance. This was many years ago, of course... I felt there was little I could do for her. She was addicted to sheen, any money I had to provide would only be spent on feeding her habit.

[Alma] A tough situation :/

[Leonien] Indeed.

[Leonien] However, in a moment of ... intense stupidity and weakness, I did offer her some coin... in trade. She took it.

[Alma] I see...

[Leonien] I have no pleasure whatsoever in admitting this, Sister. It was a terrible thing to do. I should have just given her the money and bid her begone.

• Alma nods.

[Alma] And so you suspect, or know that... Thea is your daughter?

• Alma ventures...

[Leonien] I do not know. But... it is possible, at least.

[Leonien] Whether she is or not, I suspect would be impossible to prove, given her mother's... profession. But she may believe it to be true.

[Alma] (SM 49 since he's sneaky!)

• Leonien seems highly regretful and uncomfortable about this whole thing, but you do have to wonder why he's telling you any of this,

if it's so embarrassing...

[Leonien] I am uncertain if this has bearing on the investigation into her activities... but I felt obligated to inform someone, in case it was relevant.

[Alma] Of course...

[Alma] I'm not sure immediately what that connection might mean.

[Alma] Can you think of any particular reason that *Kavreshar* might wish to see you dead?

[Leonien] I have given that much thought. My only idea was that, perhaps, if this beast can assume another's form, it might be attempting to take my place and thus gain access to the Emperor.

[Alma] Yes, that is very plausible. Would the poison have allowed her enough time to get back to Kavreshar and have him take your place?

[Leonien] On the contrary, it seems to have been a very quick-acting poison. If that was her plan, then perhaps she intended to have him come immediately and remove my corpse, then take my place.

[Alma] Risky, considering you could have eaten as soon as it was brought...

• Leonien nods.

[Leonien] It is often my custom to work undisturbed for an hour or two after lunch, though - she might have counted on that time to enact her plan.

[Alma] If I had been thinking more clearly, I could have caught her...

[Leonien] Don't blame yourself.

[Alma] She was the perfect inlet to scry on Kavreshar...

[Leonien] If she can be located, she could be the perfect bait for Kavreshar.

[Alma] He's immune to divinations through some means. It was as if he was invisible when I was scrying Thea.

[Leonien] That does make things difficult.

[Alma] I've been unable to scry her since, but I will continue to try...

[Alma] It is also extremely troubling that she is with child...

[Leonien] ..yes.

• Leonien agrees.

[Leonien] I appreciate your efforts, Countess. I also have my people looking for her, and I trust we will inform one another of any further developments?

[Alma] Though I suppose that makes it all the more true that she could be of benefit to lead Kavreshar into a mistake...

[Alma] Yes, of course, Your Grace.

• Leonien continues to make polite small talk for the remainder of tea, then.
• Alma sips :3
• Alma doesn't at all mention him being murdered in the dream realm.

Ilphere and Loick

[DiablotinNarrator] Ilphere, the Chief Sorcerer sends a message indicating he would like to consult with you at your earliest opportunity.

[Ilphere] :o

• Ilphere will oblige...
• Loick welcomes you effusively to his office in the palace.

[Loick] Thank you so much for coming, your highness.

[Ilphere] Of course...! I admit I am quite curious...

[Ilphere] What is it you require of me?

[Loick] I was informed that you might be of assistance in dealing with a ... rather unusual situation.

[Ilphere] Oh...?

[Loick] If you would come with me, I can explain.

[Ilphere] Very well...!

• Ilphere is intrigued...!
• Loick escorts you to his carriage, to take you to his house.

[Loick] The Warlord and M. Rademacher recently discovered a young woman who is under some form of ... I would say possession.

[Ilphere] M. Rademacher ... Dominik?

[Loick] Yes, that's correct.

[Ilphere] I see...!

[Loick] They brought her to me, thinking that I would be best equipped to deal with her, but I'm afraid I have had limited luck so far.

[Loick] My assistant mentioned that she had heard you were quite skilled in dealing with extraplanar matters, and I believe that is what this may be.

[Ilphere] I have some experience, yes... I will do what I can!

[Loick] Thank you, I appreciate any advice you can provide.

[Ilphere] When you say 'deal with her,' though...

• Loick sighs.

[Ilphere] WHat is it that you wish done?

[Loick] The girl is Madelen Levernois. She's the illegitimate grand-daughter of the Countess of Ameron. It would be very ... unfortunate, if she died during these efforts.

[Ilphere] I see...

[Loick] Ideally, I would want the entity driven out of her body, and destroyed separately, or if not destroyed, then dismissed from this plane.

[Loick] I have had no luck in determining what this entity might even *be*, however.

[Loick] It is not a ghost, or the effect of a Magic Jar spell, for it has lasted much too long for that.

[Loick] There is a creature called, alarmingly, an intellect devourer, but again, that form of possession would only endure for about a week.

• Ilphere thinks...

[Ilphere] (roll k: planes?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (sure)

[Ilphere] (24 :/)

[Ilphere] (I forget if I have a destiny roll left)

[DiablotinNarrator] (you don't know of any possessing-type creatures, apart from ghosts already mentioned)

[Ilphere] I admit nothing you haven't mentioned is coming to mind... but perhaps if I were to examine her...?

[Loick] Of course.

[Loick] There are two other details, which I am uncertain whether they're relevant or not, but you ought to know everything I do...

• Ilphere listens.

[Loick] This girl is also the grand-daughter of Raimar Langevin. The Countess was his sister, and she took in his son and raised him as her own after the war. The son, Reginald, fathered this girl on a servant.

[Loick] And until she came into my ... care, she was working as a, uh, courtesan at a place called the Jewel Box.

• Loick says politely, as if you haven't heard of it.

[Ilphere] (Raimar Langevin was a contender for emperor wasn't he?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (yes - later started a war over it vs. Tristane)

[Ilphere] (Raimar Langevin was a contender for emperor once... so he would have passed through the arch. Hm... I wonder if that might be relevant...

[Loick] I'm not certain. But in any case, here we are...

• Loick says as you pull up to his house in the Grand.
• Loick escorts you inside, to an upstairs room. He unlocks the door. Inside is a naked girl with manacled arms, sitting and looking

blankly at a wall.

[Loick] The chains are dimensional shackles...

• Ilphere nods...
• Loick says hastily, in case you thought he was just being cruel ;)
• Ilphere peers at her curiously.

[Ilphere] (I'll cast detect magic on her I guess?)

[Loick] I attempted Break Enchantment on her, but no effect. I think the shackles are preventing ...whatever it is... from leaving her body, but to remove them might mean it escapes permanently.

[DiablotinNarrator] The shackles are magic - otherwise you detect no magic on the girl.

[Ilphere] There is no magical aura on her...

• Ilphere purses her lips.

[Madelen] Please, just let me go.

• Madelen says, her voice low and hoarse.

[Ilphere] What is your name...?

• Ilphere asks the girl.

[Madelen] Madelen. I don't know what's happening.

[Ilphere] (SM)

[Ilphere] (31)

• Madelen seems scared, and sincere.

[Ilphere] Hm...

• Ilphere looks to Loick.

[Loick] I know she seems like a normal girl :/ Sometimes I ... worry about what we're doing.

[Ilphere] How was it determined that she *is* possessed?

[Ilphere] Or otherwise... not what she seems.

[Loick] The Warlord and M. Rademacher observed her speaking in a voice not her own, behaving... strangely. I have also heard this voice, and I firmly believe it's not human. It's as if it can only gain control of her occasionally, though, and other times she's herself again.

[Ilphere] Hm...

• Ilphere thinks.

[Loick] I wonder, if we took her into an anti-magic field, what would happen...

[Ilphere] Perhaps she could be enchanted or otherwise put into a trance state, and the other induced to come to the fore so that we might learn more about it...?

[Loick] Of course, that would also cancel the effect of the shackles.

[Loick] Hm..? Oh, perhaps, yes. Can you do that?

[Ilphere] I am no enchantress, sadly...

• Loick nods.

[Ilphere] I do have a friend who is quite skilled.

[Loick] Do you? That would be... helpful, if your friend is trustworthy of course.

[Ilphere] He is employed at the Castalia.

• Loick nods again.

[Ilphere] I trust him fully...

[Loick] Very well, then, I'm happy to have any help we can get.

[Ilphere] His name is Sanashil Orecalo...

[Ilphere] Shall I send for him, then..?

[Loick] Oh? I've met him. His girlfriend is my assistant :)

[Loick] If you can, please do.

[Ilphere] Oh yes, of course...!

[Loick] I had another thought, but it would require some ... additional spells.

[Ilphere] Oh?

• Ilphere prompts.

[Loick] Well.

[Loick] What if there was a dimensional lock cast on a certain area. We take the girl into the area, remove the shackles, and cast banishment.

[Loick] It could force the creature out of her, but it wouldn't be able to leave the area.

[Loick] Then we might be able to get a look at it, and hopefully destroy it.

• Ilphere nods...

[Ilphere] Obviously we would want to be fully prepared... not knowing what its strength might be.

[Loick] It might also require whoever is doing this to be able to see and effect other planes - such as the ethereal, perhaps, if that is where this entity hails from.

[Loick] Certainly.

[Loick] We could make use of items from the treasury, if necessary. They must have something that lets you see the ethereal, surely.

[Ilphere] I know of a priestess of Owl who can see spirits...

[Loick] Ah? Perhaps that would be of help too, then.

[Ilphere] She is a ... sensitive soul.

[Ilphere] One would want to make sure she is fully briefed on the situation before she sees the girl like this.

[Loick] Of course.

• Madelen begins to scream.

[Ilphere] ...!

• Ilphere looks over.

[Loick] Oh dear... I hate it when she does that.

[Ilphere] (what is she doing, just screaming?)

• Madelen 's body throws itself to the ground and thrashes about.
• Ilphere casts detect magic again.
• Madelen does not seem to be doing this at all voluntarily.

[DiablotinNarrator] You still don't detect any magic on her apart from the shackles.

[Ilphere] I see what you mean... :o

• Loick nods.

[Ilphere] (Can I get another K: planes roll now that I've seen this in action? any bells rung?)

• Loick casts Hold Person on the girl, who falls immediately still of course.

[DiablotinNarrator] (you can roll)

[Ilphere] (37)

[DiablotinNarrator] (You believe this is really weird. It's possibly, of course, that the girl is just crazy, but somehow you don't get that feeling. You don't know what could be causing it, but you think she's under some sort of external influence.)

[DiablotinNarrator] (possibly this is something no one has ever encountered before...!)

[DiablotinNarrator] (or at least, never managed to trap.)

• Ilphere shakes her head, mystified.

[Ilphere] I think we should call the Countess de Beziers...

[Loick] Very well. We'll do that as soon as possible.

[Loick] I appreciate your assistance with this matter, your highness. It's ... very troubling to me.

[Ilphere] This is like nothing I've read about in all my research... I wish I could have been more helpful.

[Loick] Even just knowing that it's something perhaps previously undiscovered is helpful!

• Madelen 's body relaxes as the hold spell ends and she seems calm again.
• Loick sighs.

[Ilphere] Does she not remember these spells...?

[Loick] She doesn't mention them, at least.

[Loick] Possibly when the other entity has control, it takes her over so fully that she doesn't recall what happens?

• Ilphere nods...

[Loick] I think it best if we proceed as quickly as possible, then.

[Ilphere] I agree...

[DiablotinNarrator] (And we'll end it there, so we can pick up with you guys trying to fix Madelen next time.)

[Ilphere] (woot)