Diablotin 1 session 7

Diablotin 1 session logs Previous Session 7 Next

Summary

Fourth-month, 2196:

• 1st: The group talks to Maze and sees Izaguirre while on patrol.
• 3rd: Boden goes to dinner at Lygia's house and meets her mother.
• 4th: Falke visits Catiana and they discuss Martan Kizer, the late Duke of Friaul.
• 6th: Belden's first meeting with the Ostraka.
• 7th: Loch has a strange dream, then tracks down Jenai.
• 9th: Pavo goes out to dinner and spends the night with Adrius.
• 10th: Kalman talks to his mother about Davilas.

Logs

Session Start: Mon Nov 25 17:47:27 2002
* Logging #changeling to 'logs\diablotin7'
* Topic is '(Tobias) All Boggan Booty belongs to me!!!'
* Set by Melange on Sun Nov 24 18:26:33
(Curtana) Anyone have any questions or anything before the game?
(Kalman) I sent you the little thing Rob and I just did...
(Kalman) it is short
(Curtana) okay, I'll check for it
(Kalman) *hop*
(Kalman) Have you thought of any specific bastardly things for Devil Ass to have done? ;)
(Kalman) also.... IS the Imperial palace the type of place rumoured to be filled with secret passages and whatnot? Do I know if the rumours are true, if there are any?
(Pavo) You mean like threatening your sister? :D
(Kalman) well, other things
(Kalman) ;)
(Curtana) I haven't had time :) I'll send you an email about it this week, though, if that's okay.
(Curtana) And yes, the Imperial palace complex is said to be full of secret passages, rooms, even whole sections.
(Curtana) You might know of one or two that are fairly commonly known.
(Kalman) 'k
(Kalman) so it is entirely likley that there are ones that go into Davilas's rooms, then ;)
(Curtana) Yes, it's possible,
(Curtana) but you don't know where they are.
* Kalman wonders how I would find out about such things
* Kalman hmmmmms
(Curtana) *shrug* :)
(Kalman) I could spend time exploring there maybe
(Kalman) but that might look a bit odd ;)
(Boden) Its not like he doens't know you are planning to kill him.
(Curtana) Okay, I'm ready to start as soon as Terry gets here.
* Kalman drums her fingers and waits for terry
(Curtana) And don't worry, you'll get time for individual stuff tonight. I won't take up all your time with some useless mission ;)
* Curtana is now known as Narrator
(Kalman) (*snick*)
(Pavo) I may have to reboot... bleh
(Kalman) do it now then
(Narrator) yes, do
* Vess has joined #changeling
(Belden) YAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
(Belden) hi Terry
* Vess is now known as Loch
(Narrator) So, people ready?
(Loch) Hi all
(Kalman) (Yup)
(Loch) (yes)
(Falke) (yup)
(Narrator) 'k, I'll start then :)
(Narrator) It is the first day of Fourth-month in Diablotin. Spring is evident as much in the fresh breezes from the south as in the small flowers that manage to poke their heads up here and there between the cobblestones.
(Narrator) For many people in the great city, the spring weather is an excuse to clean houses musty with winter dust, to buy new clothes or spruce up old ones, and to plant gardens in whatever small space they may have.
(Narrator) Your thoughts, however, are taken up with other matters, whether personal or general in scope.
(Boden) (how much time has gone by since our last session?)
(Narrator) (less than a week)
(Narrator) (dude, I emailed you a timeline :)
(Boden) (ok)
(Narrator) Boden and Kalman plot against Prince-Imperial Davilas. Belden eagerly anticipates her first meeting with the Ostraka. Falke thinks about his friends, and about one old man in particular. Loch worries about his sister Romary. And Pavo ... well, perhaps more than any of his comrades, Pavo plans to enjoy himself.
(Narrator) On this morning, the sun is bright, the robin's-egg sky dotted with a only few light clouds. Pearl City's denizens are out in their brightest finery. Whores with fresh flowers in their hair wave to you from their windows and doorways.
(Belden) . o O (I wish they wouldn't.)
(Narrator) A small group of urchins lounges by the old statue of Empress Dorea in White Bear Court, tossing pebbles and catching them on the backs of their hands in some kind of game.
* Boden now wears a chain shirt underneath his cloak.
(Narrator) One of them, a small boy with blond curls, waves to you as you approach.
* Kalman will wave back, why not
(Narrator) Some of you (those who met him before) recognize Maze.
(Belden) Maze?
* Belden smiles and waves.
(Narrator) Falke, you recognize one of the other kids as Symeon, who is a grandson of Lucky Aric's.
* Kalman doens't know the kid, but whatever
(Falke) (ok)
* Maze leaves his companions, a boy and two girls (you think one might be his sister, whose name escapes you) and runs over to you.
* Pavo waves to Maze!
(Pavo) Hey!
(Maze) Hi!
(Maze) Whatcha doin'?
* Kalman thinks for a moment, and then remembers hearing about this kid...
* Boden has been kind of sullen and glum lately.
(Belden) Making our rounds.
(Pavo) Just on patrol...
(Maze) Yeah?
(Belden) It's pretty quiet today, though.
(Belden) SO far!
* Maze laughs
(Narrator) The other kids are sort of looking at you and him strangely
* Falke smiles pleasantly at the kid he doesn't know.
* Maze shuffles his feet
(Belden) What have you been up to?
* Loch stands their quietly, idly scratching behind Willam's ear
(Belden) Behaving yourself, I hope.
(Pavo) Don't answer, she might arrest you!
(Maze) We're just playing.
(Maze) And keeping an eye out. You know.
* Kalman quirks an eyebrow but stays quiet
* Maze says, winking.
* Maze smiles at you cheekily
* Falke grins.
(Belden) Well, try to keep out of trouble, ok?
(Belden) :)
(Maze) Uh, yeah.
* Maze laughs
(Maze) You wanna meet my friends?
(Maze) If you're not too busy....
(Belden) Sure!
(Maze) Great!
* Maze seems excited
(Falke) I know one of them...
(Maze) That's my friend Syme...
* Maze gestures to a boy about his age (11 or so) with dirty-blond hair that sticks up in a sizable cowlick.
(Kalman) (How old are these kids?)
(Maze) And my sister Jess...
(Falke) Hi Symeon, been raising hell lately?
(Symeon) Sure.
* Maze points to a girl of about 13 with chin-length straight dark hair
(Maze) And that's Vee.
* Maze points to the last child, a girl perhaps 14 years of age with tousled black curls who seems slightly better-dressed and cleaner than the others.
(Maze) She's going to be a witch when she grows up.
* Maze and the other children laugh.
(Belden) Hello!
(Falke) Hello Jess, Vee.
* Belden says cheerfully to the children.
* Falke nods to each in turn.
(Kalman) Hey there.
* Symeon and the girls say hi politely
* Kalman waves at the bunch, trying to be friendly.
(Maze) I promised my friends I'd show them something cool.
(Maze) So these are some guards I know.
* Maze says to his friends
(Belden) Oh my...
* Symeon and Vee look unimpressed
* Belden looks self conscious.
(Symeon) So?
(Symeon) They probly just arrested you once or somethin'
(Falke) . o O (I better not tell them about all the cool places I used to explore while I'm on duty...)
* Kalman grins
(Maze) That's not true...
(Maze) Er, not exactly.
* Maze looks a bit embarassed
(Belden) No, Maze helped us out with a case a while back.
* Maze looks grateful to Belden for intervening
* Maze smiles at her
(Symeon) Really?
* Symeon seems incredulous
(Belden) Yes!
(Pavo) It as his SISTER we were going to take in and interrogate :D
* Falke grins. He wasn't around for that episode.
* Belden rolls her eyes at Pavo.
* Jess_ looks a bit embarassed
* Symeon and Vee giggle
(Narrator) A carriage clatters down the street, stopping some short distance past the square where you stand.
(Maze) Hey, that's it! That's his carriage!
* Kalman watches it go by idly
(Belden) Hm?
* Maze says excitedly but quietly.
(Belden) Whose carriage?
* Maze specifically does not point
* Belden asks equally quietly, then
(Maze) Him. The Boss.
* Loch eyes the carriage
(Kalman) who?
* Maze looks at you like you're a bit slow
(Kalman) ...
(Falke) ...
(Narrator) The carriage has stopped by a house.
* Falke watches closely.
(Narrator) From it emerges a tall, very thin man dressed in clothes that are clearly expensive. He has short brown hair and otherwise seems quite nondescript in appearance.
* Belden watches too.
(Narrator) He stands by the carriage and helps out a young woman, dressed in similarly expensive clothes. She is tall, with light brown hair bound up in a complicated hairdo.
(Kalman) (Noble? Any crests or anything? Or just richly dressed?)
* Maze and the other children watch as well, but subtly.
(Belden) (it's not whatsername is it?)
(Pavo) Mr. Izzy?
(Belden) (Althea?)
* Kalman tries to be subtle as well, I suppose
(Narrator) (No crests, but clearly rich)
(Narrator) The woman glances in your direction. She does indeed look familiar. She smiles and takes the man's arm.
(Kalman) (Not to me or Falke, presumably...)
(Narrator) The two of them go into a building. The carriage waits.
(Narrator) (Not to you, at least.. I make no claims for Falke ;)
(Belden) (What is the building?)
(Loch) (Noira Langevin?)
(Kalman) (fair enough ;)
(Kalman) (What building is it?)
(Narrator) (No, not Noira. She had black hair.)
(Narrator) The building seems to be a private residence.
(Belden) (q) That's Althea... I don't know her last name. She was at the House in the Grand.
(Belden) (q)I've seen her in Rhenea as well...
* Maze mutters to his friends "I told you I knew him."
(Boden) who in that what?
* Falke smiles and commits her appearance to memory.
(Belden) (Q) Where we brought that necklace to, back then, Boden.
(Falke) ...
(Belden) (q) So it was his house...
* Pavo yawns.
(Belden) (q) Or a house of his.
* Maze is hiding behind the statue, so as not to be seen from the vantage point of the carriage or the building.
* Kalman is a little lost, having missed the first adventure
* Maze seems nervous
(Falke) (q) He does have a few.
* Boden is also lost, but he's used to it.
* Kalman glances at Belden and Falke
(Loch) (q) I guess we were played for then
(Falke) (q) I guess so.
* Belden shakes her head disgustedly.
* Kalman shrugs and watches the house again
(Pavo) We knew it was his house anyway.
(Narrator) The carriage sits patiently waiting. The coachman is dressed in a blue uniform.
(Belden) (we never knew that for sure )
(Kalman) (q) Is there any purpose to lingering here?
* Kalman asks, curiously, since he isn't entirely sure what is going on ;)
* Loch shruggs and looks to the others
(Belden) (q) I wonder what they're doing...
(Falke) (are there any distinguishing characteristics about the carriage or the coachman?)
(Pavo) (Just means he's being "sure":p)
* Kalman glances over at the other kids to see what they are doing
* Kalman will also glance up into the windows of the place
* Pavo yawns
(Narrator) The carriage is black, no distinguishing marks, but very high quality. The coachman looks to be in his mid-to-late-twenties, though you're looking at the back of his head so it's hard to tell any more.
(Falke) (nod)
* Pavo ponders tying a ribbon to the carriage :)
(Belden) (No one else coming or going atm?)
(Loch) I'm not sure there is much we could do
* Maze is still hiding. The other kids are looking on curiously.
(Narrator) No, not at the moment.
(Falke) (q) Nothing, if you have nothing on him.
(Belden) (q, to Maze) Whose house is that?
(Falke) Let's get going.
(Maze) I don't know, but I could find out, I guess.
(Falke) The streets of Pearl City won't patrol themselves...
(Kalman) (no one in the windows then, I guess. good enough ;)
(Falke) (Do I know, Julia?)
(Narrator) (No, it's a big neighbourhood :)
(Kalman) (heck, I have city lore... do *I* know? ^-^)
(Kalman) (I doubt it, though)
(Belden) (q) That would be great, we'd owe you one...
(Narrator) (nope)
(Belden) (q) well, we already do
(Maze) (q) I'll see what I can do.
(Pavo) Just don't get in trouble finding out who though...
* Kalman nods
(Maze) Nah.
(Falke) (I have city lore, and I grew up here... and I didn't know. ^-^)
(Pavo) Or you'll have to drop by the guardhouse and see us after all
(Belden) (you're not a tousle-headed urchin)
(Falke) (I was, once!  :^D)
(Belden) (everyone knows they have a bonus)
(Kalman) (*snick*)
(Falke) (hee!)
(Maze) I'll probably have to do that anyway, if I want to tell you, though.
(Pavo) (It's a specialty class for young rogues)
(Belden) Well, we'll sure look forward to seeeing you
(Maze) Okay..
(Loch) Let's get going
(Maze) C'mon...
* Maze says to his friends.
(Maze) Bye!
(Kalman) right, then...
* Pavo whistles...
* Maze says to you
* Belden waves.
(Falke) Pleased to meet you. Keep out of trouble, Symeon!
* Maze and his friends head off in the direction away from the carriage.
* Symeon sticks out his tongue at you, Falke
* Kalman waves to the kids and then keeps on going the way they were going originally
* Falke grins, not expecting Symeon to heed the admonition.
(Narrator) That would be towards the carriage.
* Falke will try to get a look at the coachman as they pass.
* Pavo will flash a winning smile at the coachman should he look our way.
(Narrator) The coachman is pretty ordinary looking, a young man of about 25 with dark brown hair.
* Belden will try to subtly scope things out as well.
(Narrator) He pays no attention to you as you pass.
* Falke will just greet him. "Good day!" and hopefully get a good look at him that way.
(Narrator) He nods politely to the guard who greeted him, then.
* Kalman will just get a better look at the house and stuff, but not really scrutinize it...
(Falke) (yup)
* Boden just kinda meanders and stays with the group.
* Pavo flashes his smile.
(Narrator) The house is quite a nice one for Pearl, three stories.
(Narrator) But the shutters are closed, which is a bit odd for this weather.
(Narrator) The coachman does not smile back, Pavo.
* Belden glances over at Boden.
* Pavo shrugs and walks on.
(Belden) Hey Boden, are you feeling alright?
(Boden) I'm fine.
(Belden) You seem down or something...
(Narrator) You walk on, soon leaving the carriage and shifty house behind you.
(Boden) I don't wanna talk abou tit.
* Kalman frowns a bit, but keeps quiet
(Belden) Alrihgt...
(Belden) If you change your mind, I'm always willing to listen...
* Belden resolves to pray for Boden, that he might find a way to deal with whatever is bother him, and feel better soon. :)
* Loch watches the exchange quietly
(Narrator) So, you continue on with your patrol, which passes otherwise uneventfully.
* Falke keeps an eye on the streets, not really feeling he knows these people well enough to say anything yet.
(Narrator) Now we'll go on to do some individual stuff, because I know people have lots of things they want to do.
(Belden) . o O (poor Boden. I wonder what's wrong)
(Belden) . o O (He seems so gentle, despite his size)
* Loch will approach Belden after patrol is over
(Belden) HEllo Loch!
* Belden chirps.
(Belden) What can I do for you?
(Loch) Pasith, may I have a moment of your time
* Belden is taken a little off guard when you call her by her first name.
(Belden) Sure!
(Loch) I need to ask a favor of you.
(Belden) What is it? I'll do my best.
(Loch) There is a man, a member of the priesthood, called Brother Jonas. Have you ever heard of him?
(Belden) (have I?)
(Narrator) (no, it's not a name you remember)
* Belden thinks.
(Belden) No... I don't think I have.
(Belden) Is he of my order?
(Loch) I don't know. I was hoping you may be able to find out a little more about him.
(Belden) (sense motive)
(Belden) Well, I might know someone who knows him, I guess.
(Belden) Why?
(Narrator) (You're not sure... Loch seems a bit worried, maybe?)
(Belden) Is everything okay?
(Belden) You seem worried about something...
(Loch) No... everything is not okay.
(Pavo) .oO(Such gloom...)
(Belden) .. Do you want to tell me what's wrong?
* Belden looks concerned.
(Loch) I need to find out about this man. Is he respected? Has he had any trouble in the past?
(Falke) (are we all hearing this?)
(Kalman) (Presumably not)
(Loch) All I really know is that he used to be a history teacher until recently and now works in the Imperial Library.
(Belden) Oh! In the library!
(Belden) Brother Butler is in *charge* of the Imperial library!
* Belden says brightly.
(Belden) He was my teacher.
(Belden) He's sure to know him.
(Belden) But... you seem to think he's done something wrong...?
(Loch) It's personal Pasith.
(Belden) Well.. alright...
(Loch) Thank you very much.
(Belden) But I have to say, I don't know how I feel about snooping around in someone's past without knowing why...
(Belden) It seems sneaky.
(Belden) I'm sure you have an honest heart though...
(Belden) It must be for a good reason, right?
(Loch) You're right, I shouldn’t have asked you to do this without some explaination
* Loch will find a place to sit down
* Belden will sit down next to him.
(Loch) I would appreciate it if you wouldn't speak about this to anyone else.
* Belden nods.
(Belden) Alright...
(Loch) Thanks.
(Loch) It has to do with my sister, Romary, and Brother Jonas.
* Belden listens.
(Loch) Romary has recently finished her training to enter the priesthood. Jonas was one of her teachers.
* Belden nods.
(Belden) ANd now...
(Belden) ?
(Loch) Their relationship is a little more than student teacher.
(Belden) Oh...
(Belden) And now he works at the library; I see...
(Belden) You want to make sure he is not simply abusing his position of trust and authority...
(Loch) Yes
(Belden) I understand.
(Loch) I've talked to Romary about it and she doesn't see any of that, but I'm not sure how she would
(Belden) I'll do what I can.
(Belden) It would be hard, I suppose...
(Belden) They say love is blind.
(Belden) :/
(Loch) and just so you know, Brother Jonas isn't of House Ox. I'm not sure what house he is.
* Belden nods.
(Loch) This really bothers me, on many levels... I've been reading...
(Loch) when I first heard that she had fallen in love with someone from another house, I thought I could deal with it...
* Belden nods.
(Loch) ...when it turned out to be one of her teachers, a man twice her age... I could barely contain my anger.
(Loch) Then I did some research on the houseless and everything I read makes it look so bad
(Belden) (argh, I haven't had time to read thre friggin file dammit)
* Loch will stand
(Loch) I appreciate anything you can find out
* Belden nods...
* Loch will head off then
(Belden) (DAMMIT)
(Narrator) Belden, I'll give you some time before your Ostraka meeting if you want to read over the file.... I can go to someone else's stuff.
(Narrator) We'll go to Boden, 'cause we usually end with him and that's not fair ;)
(Narrator) Boden, your thoughts of late have naturally been with Lygia. She has been staying with her mother since the attack, and you aren't sure whether she has gone back to the Southern Stars since that time.
(Boden) (I really don't know what I would want to do....)
(Narrator) Her mother invites you over for dinner one evening, in order to thank you for your help to her daughter.
* Boden will accept.
(Narrator) It's up to you whether you want to go, though.
(Narrator) Okay.
(Narrator) Their home is a modest but pleasant one in the Pavillion. You have seen the outside of it before, but not the inside.
* Lygia meets you at the door. She looks much better, with a bit of colour in her cheeks and her long black hair brushed until it shines.
* Lygia smiles warmly up at you.
* Boden will smile at Lygia
(Lygia) Boden, thank you so much for coming. My mother really wants to meet you.
(Boden) I'm glad to come.
* Lygia closes the door behind you and shows you into a cozy sitting room. You have to duck slightly to get under the lintel.
* Boden looks very happy that Lygia is looking better.
(Lygia) She's just working on things for dinner, but she'll be here in just a couple of minutes.
(Boden) ok.
* Boden will sit.
* Lygia sits as well
(Lygia) How are you doing?
(Boden) ok.
(Lygia) Really?
(Boden) Well...
(Boden) no, not really.
* Boden smiles shyly.
* Lygia smiles back
(Boden) I'm doing the best I can, but it doesn't seem like much these days.
(Lygia) I'm alright... I wanted to let you know, I'm doing alright.
* Lygia takes your hand gently
(Lygia) My mother is looking forward to thanking you ... I should thank you too.
(Boden) I haven't done much yet.
* Boden looks a little glum, but takes her hand in his.
(Lygia) You helped me when I needed help. That's more than lots of people would have done.
(Lygia) You did everything you could.
(Boden) Its not done yet.
(Boden) but it will be in time.
* Lygia looks a bit surprised
(Boden) I have a friend helping me.
(Lygia) Oh?
(Boden) yeah.
* Boden nods
* Rosiane enters the room, wiping her hands on a white apron she wears over the dark green robes of a priestess of the Order of the Bear. She is shorter than her daughter by a good four inches, but has the same black hair and warm smile. She is younger than you expected, only in her early thirties.
* Lygia stands
(Lygia) Boden, this is my mother, Rosiane. Sister Rosiane, I suppose.
* Boden stands as well.
* Boden will smile and offer to shake hands.
(Boden) a pleasure to meet you.
* Rosiane shakes hands as soon as she's finished wiping hers off
* Boden is visibly nervous.
(Rosiane) I'm glad to meet you too.
(Boden) (he stutters a bit.)
* Rosiane smiles.
(Rosiane) I've heard so much about you.
(Rosiane) Please, you can come into the kitchen for dinner. We won't stand on formality here.
* Rosiane leads the way
* Lygia follows
(Narrator) The kitchen almost glows with warmth, and on the polished wooden table sits a huge meal: bowls of peas and radishes, wild rice, some unidentifiable material wrapped in dark green leaves, steaming cups of herbed broth, and a great stuffed goose. A mug of ale sits beside each of the three places at the table.
* Lygia gestures to a chair for you - they gave you the biggest one.
* Boden will thank her and sit.
* Lygia and her mother also take their seats
* Rosiane bows her head over the food
* Boden will quickly bow his head as well.
(Rosiane) For what we are about to receive, and for all the blessings of this life, may we be truly thankful.
* Lygia bows her head as well.
(Narrator) After the blessing, everyone begins to eat.
(Rosiane) Boden, tell me a little about yourself. Lygia says you're in the Imperial guards...
* Boden will eat politely...trying to be extra polite.
(Boden) Yeah.
(Boden) er..Yes, I am.
(Boden) I've been in the Guard for about 4 months now.
(Rosiane) Do you enjoy your work?
(Boden) I'm good at it.
(Boden) I like that.
* Rosiane nods
(Boden) Its a big city though, everything happens so fast.
(Rosiane) Yes.. I know what you mean.
(Rosiane) I understand you haven't lived in the city very long, it must be overwhelming to you at times.
(Boden) yeah.
(Boden) But the guards I'm with help me out.
(Lygia) It's overwhelming even to those of us who've lived here all our lives, at times.
(Boden) We get along really well.
(Rosiane) That's good.
* Rosiane nods, smiling
* Boden will smile too.
(Narrator) You eat your meal in peace and harmony. It is all very delicious.
(Narrator) For dessert, you are served a bowl of bread pudding with raisins and a dash of brandy, hot from the oven.
* Boden will make a nice coment on the cooking.
* Rosiane thanks you for the compliment
(Narrator) After the meal, you are poured a small glass of dessert wine. ;)
(Boden) :)
(Rosiane) I just wanted to do something to thank you for everything you've done for Lygia. She's everything I have...
(Boden) .oO(I want to ask her about what she does...but I don't know how...)
(Boden) I was really glad to be able to do something...
(Boden) It didn't seem like much...
(Boden) but I tried.
(Lygia) You were there when I needed you.
* Rosiane nods
(Rosiane) And you seem like a good man.
* Boden nods and turns a little red about all the compliments
(Rosiane) I just want you to know that you have my blessing, and you are welcome at my home any time.
(Boden) Thank you.
(Boden) That means a lot to me.
* Rosiane smiles
(Rosiane) You two youngsters can go into the sitting room - I'll clear the table.
* Lygia will clear a few dishes from the table anyway, then go into the sitting room.
* Boden will join her.
(Lygia) I hope that wasn't too awkward...
(Boden) Your mom seems really nice.
(Boden) No, no, actually, it wasn't awkward at all.
(Lygia) She is...
* Boden says a bit surprised at how easy that went.
* Lygia smiles at that
(Boden) (Is Lygia's mom Hot?)
(Narrator) (Yes, for a woman in her 30s)
(Belden) (milf!)
(Lygia) It's hard for her.. she doesn't have anyone but me...
(Boden) Has she been in the church long?
(Lygia) She started her training after I was born... so she became a priestess when I was about 6.
* Boden nods
(Lygia) I guess before that she was kind of... different.
(Lygia) More wild... but she doesn't talk about that part of her life very much.
* Lygia shrugs
(Lygia) I don't know who my father was.
* Boden nods again....He nods a lot since he is bad at this kinda thing.
(Lygia) Someone tall, I guess.
* Lygia chuckles.
* Boden chuckles too.
(Boden) why do you say that?
(Lygia) Well, because I'm tall.
(Lygia) But my mother isn't.
(Lygia) So I must have gotten that from my father.
(Lygia) Anyway.
(Lygia) I'm glad you could come over. It meant a lot to her to be able to thank you.
(Lygia) I'll be back at the Southern Stars in a couple of days.
(Boden) Thats good to hear.
* Lygia smiles
(Lygia) I really want to go back. I've missed it, honestly.
(Boden) Did you tell them much?
(Lygia) Well, a few people know, but not many.
(Lygia) I think I'll just try to get everything back to normal, as much as I can.
(Lygia) I hope I can.
(Boden) It will just take some time.
* Lygia nods
(Lygia) Will I see you there once in a while?
(Boden) You sure will.
* Lygia looks relieved
(Lygia) I'm glad.
* Boden says with enthusisasm
* Lygia gives you a quick kiss on the cheek
(Narrator) You talk a little while longer, then return to the barracks. No chance of hanky-panky in her mother's house ;)
* Boden will beem a big smile to her.
(Narrator) Okay, I need to move on, or we'll be out of time.
(Narrator) We'll go to Falke next.
(Narrator) Falke, your days have been quiet of late. Often, when your days are quiet, you seek out your patron, Catiana Rademacher, for some sort of advice, assignment, or just companionship.
(Narrator) (Just an idea... you don't have to follow it if you have something else you'd rather do :)
* Falke wants to ask her about some history.
(Narrator) (but I thought you might :)
(Falke) (No, I did want to go see her)
(Narrator) Catiana and her husband Emmeran, along with their daughter Elfea, live in the Grand Vallon, on Medusa Road, in a house that is modest by comparison to some in that area, but still seems outrageously large and luxurious to you.
(Falke) (yup, but I never touch their silverware!)
(Falke) (Everyone is so prejudiced...)
(Belden)(why bother with the cutlery when they have such lovely crystal)
* Falke heads to Medusa Road in some civvies that are a bit better quality than what he wears when hanging out in Pearl Town.
(Narrator) The servant who answers the door knows you and lets you in, though you detect a faint sniff of disapproval.
* Catiana being mostly bedridden, she spends her time in her suite of rooms on the main floor, so that she does not have to traverse the stairs.
* Falke is used to the disapproval by now, I daresay... :^P
(Narrator) Her rooms are hung with drapery of a pale, silvery green that shimmers and glistens in the dim light.
* Catiana sits upright in a large bed, propped up by pillows and reading a book. Her short grey hair is styled to stay off her face, so that she rarely has to adjust it.
(Catiana) Falke? It's been too long, my boy.
* Catiana smiles as you come in
(Falke) I've been busy settling into my new job...
(Catiana) How is it going?
(Falke) I do wish you wouldn't call me "boy" though, my lady...
* Falke says with a pained expression.
(Catiana) Come have a seat over by my side, then, young man.
* Catiana says, chuckling.
(Falke) Well enough... a bit slower than expected but I suppose one should be grateful for that.
* Catiana gestures to a chair beside the bed.
* Falke goes over and sits in the chair.
(Falke) You're looking well.
* Falke smiles.
(Catiana) Thank you, dear. I've been getting plenty of fresh air through the window, at least.
(Falke) The blossoms do smell lovely this time of year...
* Catiana puts her book aside on a small table
(Catiana) They do, don't they?
* Falke runs his hand through his short hair.
(Falke) The prettiest smell there is.
(Falke) What have you been up to?
* Catiana chuckles
(Catiana) I don't get up to much these days. I read, I sit, I think about the past...
(Catiana) I talk to visitors.
* Catiana smiles at you.
* Falke smiles.
(Falke) The past...
(Falke) Now there's something I've suddenly developed an interest for.
(Catiana) Oh?
* Falke nods.
(Falke) Perhaps you can help me, oh learned one.
* Falke grins.
(Catiana) Perhaps...
(Catiana) What were you wishing to know?
(Falke) I'm thinking of a certain lesser noble who would have died in his sleep back, oh, about 30 years ago...
(Falke) Bright green eyes, like mine.
* Catiana arches an eyebrow
(Catiana) Not quite ancient history, this.
(Falke) Ancient for me.
* Falke grins impishly.
(Falke) He would have been in his forties at the time of his death.
(Falke) Does it ring any bells?
* Catiana thinks for a moment
(Catiana) What House?
(Falke) I don't know that, either I'm afraid...
* Falke says, a glum expression on his face.
(Catiana) May I ask why you're interested?
(Catiana) It's most intriguing.
(Falke) Well...
* Catiana folds her hands over the blanket, listening intently
(Falke) I wouldn't tell just *anyone
* but... let's just say I have reason to believe he's not quite as dead as they made him out to be.
* Catiana looks a bit surprised
(Catiana) You've met him?
(Falke) Not him, so much...
(Catiana) Do tell.
* Catiana looks quite excited, for her.
* Falke looks at her thoughtfully for a moment.
(Catiana) Yes, dear, I know who you're talking about. Indulge me and tell me what you know, first.
(Falke) :^/
(Falke) He was quite bored so he got himself involved in some rather exciting ventures. They turned out to be less than profitable in the end.
(Falke) He lives now in much reduced circumstances.
(Catiana) I'm surprised.
(Falke) Why?
* Falke asks curiously.
(Catiana) I would have thought he'd have something squirreled away for just this sort of situation.
(Catiana) But perhaps it's run out...
(Falke) Well, he seems content with what he has.
(Catiana) It has been a long time.
* Falke nods.
(Catiana) You're speaking of Martan Kizer, the Duke of Friaul. House of the Wolf, dear.
* Falke grins.
(Catiana) Of course.
(Falke) Did you know him well?
(Catiana) Clever, clever man,
(Catiana) Yes, I knew him...
(Catiana) I wouldn't say "well"... he is a good deal older than me, no matter how I may look these days.
* Catiana says, chuckling
(Falke) I didn't mean-
(Catiana) No offence, Falke.
(Catiana) He's about 12 or 15 years my senior, I imagine.
(Catiana) Very dashing figure he used to cut at court, though.
(Catiana) Handsome... it more than made up for him being so short... but he used to wear high shoes to make him a bit taller.
(Falke) Being small would have its advantages...
(Catiana) I imagine so.
(Falke) How many people were clever enough to link his street name to him, in the end?
(Catiana) Very few. They kept it all very quiet, the Emperor and his cronies.
* Falke nods.
(Catiana) I suppose perhaps some of his family knew too.
(Catiana) The Kizers are still very important in the House, of course.
* Falke nods.
(Catiana) Though they were probably happy to be rid of him.
(Falke) Does he have any children?
(Catiana) Not in wedlock... His wife died 10 or 15 years back.
* Falke grins.
(Catiana) He got around, though.
(Falke) He seems the type...
(Catiana) Some people say he was Princess Ombretta's first, though I can't vouch for the truth of that.
(Falke) Oh... Was the story of the stolen ring merely propaganda, then?
(Falke) To cover up a possible scandal?
(Catiana) Well, he may have stolen a ring too, I suppose.
(Catiana) Though if not, it's a nice metaphor.
* Catiana says dryly
* Falke laughs.
(Falke) It's legend on the streets. And it *was* a ruby ring, so the story goes.
* Catiana chuckles
(Falke) Jumped right into her window and stole it off her finger...
(Catiana) Honestly, if that was the case, it's much more likely her that did him in, in the end.
(Falke) That's too bad.
(Catiana) She was always a vindictive girl.
(Catiana) So, where is the old rogue these days?
(Falke) Living down on the docks.
* Catiana snorts slightly
(Falke) He goes by the name Grey Grizzle, now...
(Falke) It happens to the best of us.
(Catiana) How quaint.
(Catiana) If you see him again, tell him Catty remembers him, will you?
* Falke grins and runs a hand through his own greying hair.
(Falke) I'll see what I can do.
(Catiana) Excellent.
(Catiana) You have a real talent, you know.
* Falke inclines his head politely.
(Falke) Thank you, my lady.
(Catiana) Not at all.
(Falke) Hopefully it won't go to waste.
(Catiana) I grow weary, though. I think I shall rest, and dream about the days when I was young.
* Falke nods.
(Catiana) Thank you for coming by, though.
(Falke) Of course. It is always a pleasure.
* Catiana smiles at you
(Catiana) Goodbye, Falke.
* Falke stands up and bows politely then leaves.
(Falke) Until next time.
(Catiana) Quite.
(Falke) (ahhhhhh! Not the Gwydaines!)
* Falke heads out into the streets again, and does not touch the silver NOR the crystal.
(Narrator) (heh :)
(Narrator) Alright, we'll move on to Loch now...
(Narrator) Loch, you have awakened several times over the past few months filled with a faint sense of unease and images of rats scuttering through your mind, but this morning's dream was more vivid than any other.
(Narrator) You dreamed of a dark, underground space, a place bounded by stone and water. In your dream, you saw rats, millions upon millions of rats, sitting and simply staring at you. One, whose fur was red, stood on its hind legs at your feet.
(Narrator) As you watched, it grew, changing into a young woman clad in furs. Her hair was red and short, and though her left eye was a bright green, her right was a milky white. Reflected in that strange eye you saw... something, you cannot remember what, but it jolted you into waking.
(Narrator) Her face reminded you of something, someone, though the white eye was wrong.
* Loch will ponder this while he is getting up and cleaning up
(Narrator) Your day passes uneventfully, though the image of the girl's face stays at the back of your mind.
(Narrator) You patrol as usual, though you are a bit distracted by many things.
(Narrator) Finally, as you are leaving Pearl City for the day, you pass by the Riverbend Ridge, and it comes back to you - the ratcatcher. It was her face, and yet not hers.
(Narrator) It is an unsettling thought.
* Loch will return to the Riverbend Ridge after he has finished his patrol
* Zelias greets you as you enter
(Zelias) What can I get for you, sir?
(Loch) A plate of food, a drink of ale and a moment of your time, if you don't mind.
(Zelias) Of course, of course.
* Zelias gets you a bowl of fish stew, some bread, and a mug of ale, then sits at the bar with you to talk.
(Loch) (w) Jenai Koval, have you seen her around lately?
(Zelias) (w) Jenai?
(Zelias) I see her from time to time on the street, but not here.
(Zelias) Are you looking for her?
(Loch) Yes, I was wondering if you knew where she lived
* Zelias thinks for a moment
(Zelias) I think on Black Bell Alley.
(Loch) (Do I have any idea how to get to Black Bell Alley?)
(Zelias) I'm pretty sure she has her own house there.
(Zelias) (Yes, you know where it is, it's somewhere you have patrolled before)
(Loch) Thanks. Good stew.
(Zelias) Any time, sir.
* Zelias returns to his work behind the bar.
(Loch) Oh, by the way, has Gabrielia Ragusa been back here?
(Zelias) No, I haven't seen her since just after... all of the unpleasantness.
* Loch nods
(Zelias) She stopped back to pick up her things and said she wouldn't be back.
(Loch) Thanks again
(Zelias) Not at all.
* Zelias returns to work
* Loch will finish the meal, pay for it, then try to find Jenai's house.
(Narrator) Okay, you do so.
(Narrator) You head to Black Bell Alley. It's a short street, only four or five houses. You hear a dog barking from one of them... that could be it.
(Loch) (I'll try the house with the barking dog)
* Jenai answers the door after a minute or so
(Jenai) Yes?
(Jenai) Is there a problem?
* Jenai says politely
(Loch) Hello, Jenai. I don't know if you remember me. We met at the Riverbend Ridge, a few months ago.
(Jenai) Yes.. I remember you...
(Loch) My name is Loch de Champe
* Jenai nods
(Jenai) Did you want to come in?
(Loch) (how does she look?)
(Loch) Yes, please.
(Narrator) She looks fine, same as you remember her. Maybe a bit tired.
* Jenai stands aside to let you enter and closes the door behind you
(Narrator) The house is small but clean and neat.
(Jenai) Is it about that business?
(Loch) I'm not sure...
* Jenai shows you into her kitchen and offers you a seat. Her dog lies by the fireplace.
(Loch) If it's not too much trouble, could I have something to drink... water would be fine
(Jenai) Of course.
* Jenai will get you a mug of water.
* Loch will attempt to cast detect magic subtly while she is distracted.
(Loch) (if possible)
(Narrator) Yes, it's possible. You don't detect any magic in the kitchen or on her.
* Loch sighs slightly
(Jenai) What's troubling you?
(Loch) I have to appologize
(Jenai) Why?
* Jenai seems genuinely confused
(Loch) You see, I am a Sorcerer, and I've been having some strange dreams lately
* Jenai sits down on the bench beside you.
(Jenai) Strange dreams?
(Jenai) And it has something to do with me?
(Loch) Yes, involving visions of rats...
(Loch) and your image was in them.
* Jenai looks very surprised
(Jenai) I don't know what you mean.
(Loch) In the dream I saw a rat change into a likeness of you...
* Jenai runs her fingers through her short curls
(Loch) With the business back at the Riverbend Ridge, with the shapechanging waitress...
(Jenai) And if I dreamed that I was the Empress, would that mean anything?
(Loch) I don't know... maybe I'm just jumping to conclusions
(Jenai) Maybe...
* Jenai looks into your eyes. Both of hers are a piercing green.
(Jenai) But it's really bothering you.
(Loch) It just seemed very real, I guess I had to be sure.
(Loch) Yes
(Jenai) I promise you I can't change into a rat, if it makes you feel better.
* Loch chuckles
* Jenai says with a smile
(Loch) I already cast a spell to see if you were a magical creature.
(Jenai) Really?
(Jenai) I didn't even notice.
(Jenai) And what did you learn?
(Loch) I was subtle
* Jenai grins roguishly
* Loch smiles
(Loch) That you are in fact, not magical.
(Jenai) No?
* Jenai seems faintly disappointed
(Jenai) Not even a little?
(Jenai) Are you sorcerers supposed to be more sensitive to ...weird things like this?
(Loch) (Am I? I sort of assumed so)
(Narrator) (yeah, that's a fair assumption)
(Loch) (That whole in touch with magic thing)
(Narrator) (yep... it varies from person to person, but sorcerers would all be reasonably "attuned")
(Loch) Yes, our touch on the magical makes us attuned to "wierd things"
(Jenai) Must come in handy.
(Loch) and it seems to have drawn me to you.
* Jenai laughs
(Jenai) Well, here you are.
* Loch sighs
(Jenai) I'm sorry.
* Jenai becomes serious again.
(Jenai) I guess this really matters to you, huh?
(Jenai) It's not just a clever scheme to get to meet the ratcatcher?
(Loch) It does matter, and it was a clever scheme to meet you, I thought
* Jenai laughs at that.
(Jenai) Well, if I have any dreams about you, I'll be sure to let you know, Loch.
(Loch) I suppose I should introduce you to Willam as well.
* Loch will pull the little hedgehog from his pouch
(Jenai) Alright...
(Jenai) Oh, he's adorable!
* Jenai glances up at you
(Jenai) Is it alright to hold him?
(Loch) of course
* Loch will pick up Willam and hand him to her.
* Jenai gently takes the hedgehog and holds him
(Jenai) My dog is Toby...
* Jenai nods in his direction
(Narrator) The dog's ears perk up at the sound of his name
(Jenai) And I have ferrets too.
* Loch will try and call the dog over to him
* Jenai pets Willam
* Toby_ looks up at Loch, but isn't persuaded to move from his comfy spot
* Loch will go over to Toby then and give him a good rub
* Toby_ rolls on his back quite happily
* Jenai laughs at the two of you
* Loch looks back at her
* Jenai has a bright smile, looking much less tired than when she answered the door.
(Loch) Reminds me of our dogs back on the farm... they were a little bigger than this fella though
(Jenai) Toby has to be small to fit down holes and tunnels...
(Jenai) He's good at what he does.
(Jenai) I've had him for three years now.
(Loch) So is Willam, at the first sign of danger, he rolls up into a ball and lets me deal with it.
* Jenai laughs at that
* Jenai pats Willam again and calls him a clever little beastie.
(Loch) Willam and I have been together for over ten years now... he's small but very loyal
* Jenai looks impressed
(Jenai) Ten years is a long time.
(Jenai) More than half my life ;)
* Loch will leave Toby and go back to Jenai
* Jenai hands Willam back to Loch carefully.
(Loch) How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?
(Jenai) Seventeen, more or less. I'm not quite sure.
* Loch sits Willam on his shoulder
(Jenai) I was found...
(Loch) found?
(Jenai) My parents... that's what I call them... took me in when I was probably a year old or so.
(Jenai) But they were never quite sure how old I was.
(Jenai) So it could be a few months either way.
* Jenai shrugs
(Loch) I think you're doing very well for yourself
(Jenai) I guess.
(Jenai) It's not most people's idea of a dream job, but I like it.
(Loch) And that makes it worthwile
(Jenai) It needs to be done, and it's something different.
(Jenai) I like that.
(Loch) That's what I like about my job. It's something that needs to be done.
* Jenai nods
(Jenai) I can understand that.
(Jenai) I was just making dinner when you came in... do you want some? It's just soup...
* Jenai gestures to a pot of soup over the fire
(Loch) I wouldn't want to impose, but it would be nice to stay and talk.
(Jenai) It's not a problem.
* Jenai will get two bowls and ladle up some soup for the two of you.
(Jenai) What House are you, by the way?
* Jenai asks as she sets the soup down.
(Loch) I'm supprised with the farm comment you haven't guessed. I'm House Ox. And yourself?
(Jenai) My parents were Ox as well. I'm... I guess Ox, as much as anything.
(Jenai) They adopted me, so that's what I consider myself.
(Loch) It sounds right to me
(Jenai) But I always wonder.
* Jenai shrugs
(Loch) Want to see some magic? It's nothing really but you might enjoy it.
(Jenai) Sure!
* Jenai seems interested
* Loch will cast Mage Hand and use it to fill the soup bowls with the laddel
(that should easily be in the five pound limit)
* Jenai laughs
(Jenai) That's pretty impressive
(Jenai) So all of those years of study were worth it, then.
* Jenai jokes
(Loch) Very much so, now I never have to pick up my utensiles when I set the table.
* Jenai laughs again
(Jenai) You're funnier than I thought you would be. You seemed so serious....
(Jenai) Not that that's a bad thing.
(Jenai) I was just surprised.
(Jenai) Pleasantly surprised.
* Jenai grins
(Loch) Thanks... I guess I have a hard time losing the work face, I take my job seriously.
* Jenai nods
(Narrator) You finish your soup and Jenai clears the table.
(Jenai) It was nice meeting you, Loch. Very.
(Loch) Yes, it was nice meeting you again too. Could we get together again, sometime?
* Jenai looks a little surprised.
(Jenai) Of course.
(Jenai) If you want.
* Jenai grins
(Jenai) I'd like that.
(Loch) I do.
(Jenai) Alright. I'm here every evening. Come by whenever you like.
(Loch) Good evening, Jenai, and thankyou for the lovely soup.
(Jenai) Thank you, Loch.
(Belden) (it 'as rats in it!)
* Jenai smiles again as she shows you the door
(Loch) I’ll be sure to take you up on your invitation
* Loch smiles and waves as he leaves
(Jenai) Good. If you don't, I'll come and haunt your dreams again.
* Jenai says, waving goodbye.
(Narrator) Okay, we'll move on to Belden now.
(Narrator) Belden, your first meeting with the Ostraka is on the evening of the 6th.
(Narrator) You make your way to Brother Cleas's dilapidated mansion in the Old City.
* Belden hugs her cloak close to her shoulders... she isn't fond of Rhenea at night, especially not when she's alone.
(Narrator) You ring the bell and the door is immediately answered by a tall young woman in her mid-twenties. She has brown hair to her shoulders, which is tied back in a ponytail, and wears dark red robes.
(Young_woman) Hello, are you here for the meeting?
* Belden nods.
(Young_woman) Please, come in.
* Belden steps inside.
(Belden) How many people are here?
* Belden feels a little nervous.
(Young_woman) About a dozen so far.
(Narrator) You see that the entryway is crowded with people, about a dozen or so, milling about and talking quietly to one another. You don't see Brother Butler or Brother Cleas, though you see a couple in clerical robes - a young man in the purple of the Owl, and a young woman in the brown of the Ox - and a couple of others in the black robes of professors at the Castalia.
(Belden) When will it start?
(Young_woman) Brother Cleas is just getting everything set up for the meeting. It should only be a few more minutes.
(Young_woman) What's your name, if I may ask?
(Belden) Oh, I'm sorry...
(Belden) I’m Belden.
(Belden) Sister Pasith.
(Young_woman) Pleased to meet you. My name is Antje.
* Young_woman is now known as Antje
(Antje) I'm a junior researcher at the Castalia. What do you do?
(Belden) I'm a guard, actually.
(Antje) Really? I have a friend - colleague, really - in the guards.
(Belden) What's their name? I might know them.
(Antje) His name is Loch de Champe.
(Belden) You're kidding!
(Belden) :D
* Antje shakes her head
(Belden) He's in my squad!
(Antje) Really?
* Belden nods, smiling.
(Antje) That's such a funny coincidence! What are the chances of that...
(Narrator) At that moment, Brother Cleas enters the crowded room.
* Belden looks up at his entrance.
(Brother_Cleas) Greetings, brethren and compatriots, old and new. If you would be so kind as to follow me...and do watch the steps.
* Brother_Cleas turns and exits again through the same door he just came in through.
(Narrator) People start to follow him.
* Belden whispers to Antje on the way up the stairs.
(Belden) (w) How many of these have you been to?
(Antje) Five...
(Narrator) The stone stairs on the other side of the door lead downwards. The staircase is lined with small magical lights, so it is quite easy to see your way.
(Belden) (w) this is my first one...
(Antje) (w) It's usually interesting...
(Narrator) At the base of the stairs, you find yourself in a large, well-lit room, which is dominated by a large round stone table which seems built into the very floor. Chairs encircle it, and at the centre is a stone bowl, empty.
* Antje takes a seat and others also do the same. There are about twenty seats, and as people file in, you can tell that some are going to be left empty.
* Belden sits down, and looks around the room.
(Belden) (is Brother Butler here?)
(Narrator) Yes, he is sitting across the table from you.
* Brother_Butler smiles at you
* Belden smiles back.
* Belden fidgets with nervous excitement.
(Brother_Cleas) Thank you for coming.
* Brother_Cleas says once you are all seated.
(Brother_Cleas) I'm heartened to see some new faces here tonight.
* Brother_Cleas smiles in your direction.
(Brother_Cleas) And perhaps others will drift in as the meeting goes on.
* Brother_Cleas sounds hopeful.
(Brother_Cleas) By coming here, you are making a great statement. You are saying, publicly and without fear, that you believe the current way of doing things is wrong, that our society is wrong, and even that on some matters our church is wrong.
* Brother_Cleas looks around the circle.
(Brother_Cleas) Some of you share my own burden, while others sympathize with those of us whose only crime is that our parents were not of the same House.
(Brother_Cleas) Whatever your reasons are for being here, I am grateful to you, and the Houseless are grateful to you. Though our group is small now, our numbers are growing, as is our influence.
(Brother_Cleas) I have one piece of good news for you tonight. Our petition has reached one hundred signatures, which is a real breakthrough! Just think, there are one hundred people in this city who are willing to subscribe their name on such a document. Truly we live in changing times.
(Narrator) There is a small burst of applause from the group
* Belden will join in, then.
(Narrator) As Brother Cleas speaks on, a slight commotion from the stairs draws your attention for a moment.
* Belden glances over her shoulder in the direction of the staircase.
(Narrator) A young man enters the room quietly, clearly trying to avoid drawing attention to himself as he slinks toward one of the vacant chairs. It is your cousin Ganges.
* Ganges notices you and you see his eyes widen. He smiles faintly, puts a finger to his lips and takes a seat across the table from you.
* Belden waves a couple fingers at him :D
(Narrator) The meeting goes on. It mostly consists of people talking about various instances of discrimination they have experienced or witnessed, and a few suggestions for ways to improve the situation.
* Belden will mostly listen, since this is her first meeting...
(Narrator) At the end, there is what seems to be a little ceremony.
* Brother_Cleas takes a disk emblazoned with the colours of the six Houses and places it in the bowl.
(Belden) . o O (Eh? What's this?)
* Brother_Cleas speaks some words, and a small fire consumes it in a burst of heat.
(Narrator) When the cloud of smoke clears, all that is left in the bowl is a pile of gleaming white powder.
(Narrator) After that, the meeting draws to a close, but some people stay to talk for a while.
* Brother_Cleas comes over to thank you for coming, but he is much in demand and can't talk for too long.
* Belden can't decide if she should go find Brother Butler or Ganges!
* Ganges comes over to you, solving at least part of your dilemma.
(Ganges) Cousin, I didn't expect to see you here.
(Belden) Hey you!
(Belden) I only found out about this recently...
(Ganges) What did you think?
(Belden) Brother Butler told me.
(Belden) It's interesting...
(Belden) How long have you been coming?
(Ganges) Maybe six months now?
(Belden) That's great!
(Ganges) I guess I think that they're doing a lot of good... even if it doesn't seem like much on the surface.
(Belden) I'm curious about the ritual thing at the end...
* Ganges nods
(Belden) Do you know what it means?
(Ganges) It's something from the Almas Genara... I can't pretend to understand all the nuances, but something to the effect that in the Centre, there will be no Houses, just people, or souls or something.
* Belden nods.
(Belden) I like that idea...
(Ganges) Me too.
* Ganges looks a bit wistful.
* Brother_Butler joins you
(Brother_Butler) I hope I'm not interrupting...
(Belden) Hello, Brother!
(Belden) Have you two already met?
(Brother_Butler) Hello, hello.
(Brother_Butler) This is my first meeting as well.
(Brother_Butler) So we haven't been introduced.
* Belden glances at Ganges to see if he actually *wants
* to be introduced
(Belden)
(sense motive)
* Ganges doesn't seem to mind
(Belden) This is my cousin, Ganges.
(Brother_Butler) Pleased to meet you.
(Belden) And this is Brother Butler; I'm sure I've told you about him. :)
* Brother_Butler shakes hands with Ganges
* Ganges nods
(Ganges) A lot.
(Ganges) Glad to finally meet you, Brother.
(Brother_Butler) Likewise.
(Belden) We were just talking about the ceremony...
(Brother_Butler) Yes, it was very interesting, wasn't it?
(Brother_Butler) I believe Brother Cleas designed it himself. A very striking effect.
* Belden nods.
(Belden) In the centre, there are no Houses... hmmm
(Belden) I've been doing some reading... but it's difficult to find anything that hasn't been approved by the establishment...
(Brother_Butler) Yes, it's a tricky theological question... How to express dissent without having your works destroyed at some point down the road.
(Brother_Butler) But fortunately, since I've take up my new post, I've found some very interesting documents.
(Belden) I was hoping you could help me in my studies...
(Brother_Butler) Of course, of course!
(Brother_Butler) I plan to share what I've found with the entire group here, once I've formulated my thoughts on the questions.
(Brother_Butler) But perhaps you could help me with that.
(Brother_Butler) If you have a bit of time, perhaps in the evenings?
(Belden) Oh I'd love to!
* Belden looks at Ganges.
* Ganges smiles
(Belden) Really, I'm so excited about all this!
(Ganges) I can tell!
(Ganges) I'm glad..
(Ganges) It's good to see you here, really.
(Belden) You too.
* Belden says warmly.
* Ganges gives you a quick embrace
* Belden hugs him back.
(Ganges) You two can talk about religious stuff now, I'm going to get going.
* Ganges teases
(Belden) I'll see you soon!
(Ganges) Yeah, see you.
* Belden briefly wonders if he's seen Althea any more, but figures this isn't the time to bring that up.
* Ganges leaves, then
(Brother_Butler) What a nice young man.
* Belden nods.
(Brother_Butler) So, shall I expect you evenings for a short while?
(Belden) I'll come as often as I can.
(Brother_Butler) I need some trustworthy help in transcribing these documents...
(Brother_Butler) You're the best person I can think of for the job.
(Belden) Thanks... I'm glad I have your confidence. :)
(Brother_Butler) Anyone else might leave out a word which could totally change the meaning of a passage.
* Belden nods.
* Brother_Butler tells you how to find his offices in the Athenaeum, then.
(Brother_Butler) Just tell any guards you run into that I'm expecting you.
(Brother_Butler) Alright?
* Belden nods.
(Belden) Alright!
* Brother_Butler smiles warmly
(Brother_Butler) I'm looking forward to it.
(Narrator) Was there anything else you wanted to do at/after the meeting?
(Belden) Me too!
* Belden is bursting with enthusiasm.
(Belden) Oh!
(Belden) I almost forgot, omigosh.
(Brother_Butler) What?
(Belden) Do you know a Brother Jonas?
(Brother_Butler) Yes, he's just started work at the library over the last month.
(Belden) This might sound like a weird question, but... what do you think of him? Is he a good man?
(Brother_Butler) He's in the Order of the Cat, but I would say he's much more contemplative than many in that order.
(Belden) Ah...
(Brother_Butler) He is quiet... I haven't gotten to know him that well, I'm sorry to say.
(Brother_Butler) But he seems like a good man.
(Belden) Ah, well, that's okay.
(Brother_Butler) Why do you ask?
(Belden) I feel so weird about it...
(Belden) But a friend of mine asked if I knew him.
(Brother_Butler) Oh?
(Belden) See, his sister and Brother Jonas... well.. you know.
(Brother_Butler) He's only recently arrived in the city, as far as I know. He worked at a seminary before.
(Brother_Butler) Ah...
(Brother_Butler) I see.
(Belden) And he's worried, because there's this big age difference... He was so upset, I figured I could at least ask.
(Brother_Butler) Oh...
(Brother_Butler) Well, I will try to get to know him better.
* Brother_Butler smiles
(Brother_Butler) Is there anything else I can do for you, dear?
(Belden) No, you've been great, as always
(Belden) :)
(Brother_Butler) Oh, thank you.
* Brother_Butler is flattered but embarassed at the praise.
(Brother_Butler) I look forward to seeing you soon, then.
(Belden) Alright!
* Brother_Butler nods, smiling, and will leave
(Belden) I should get going, though.
(Brother_Butler) Good night, Sister.
(Belden) Good night Brother!
* Belden calls out over her shoulder as she leaves.
* Belden resists the urge to skip
(Narrator) Okay, we'll go on to Pavo now.
(Pavo) arf!
(Narrator) Pavo, your aunt has finally managed to set up a meeting for you with Adrius Valenze, on the evening of the 9th.
(Narrator) Was there anything you wanted to do before that?
(Pavo) Don't think so
(Narrator) Okay, cool.
(Narrator) You are to meet him at a tavern in Rhenea called the Dreaming Demon at sunset.
(Narrator) You arrive a bit early at the Dreaming Demon. It seems like a decent, fairly quiet sort of tavern. A short, stout, middle-aged woman with blonde hair is wiping down the bar as you enter. She smiles as you enter.
* Pavo dresses up in some nice sexy threads. Black, with red bits.
(Nellaura) Welcome, young fellow. I'm Nellaura, the owner of this place. If it's dinner you're after, we have smoked herring or pork pies today. We've got plenty of ale and good wine, too.
* Nellaura seems glad to see a customer.
(Nellaura) Take a seat wherever you like.
(Narrator) The tavern is mostly empty, just an old man snoring in one corner and a couple of young women sharing a meal and talking quietly to each other.
* Pavo smiles. "I'm meeting a friend actually, but I'll take a drink..."
(Nellaura) Right away, sir.
(Nellaura) Ale or wine?
(Pavo) Wine, please.
(Nellaura) Red or white?
(Pavo) Red.
* Nellaura will go to get you some red wine, then.
* Pavo takes a seat at a smaller table.
(Narrator) You sit for a while, watching the sunset over the Black Down.
* Nellaura brings you your wine
* Adrius enters the tavern, looking around to spot you.
* Pavo is in mid sip as he sees his date.
* Adrius is probably about 18, with rich, wavy brown hair tied back in a ponytail and sparkling blue eyes. He is dressed in a debonair outfit of red and gold. He is quite short and slender, and really does bear a striking resemblance to the woman in your aunt's studio.
* Adrius smiles at you and approaches the table.
(Adrius) Are you Pavo Arsenios?
(Pavo) Indeed I am. You have to be Adrius, you look to much like your sister not to be.
* Adrius grins
(Adrius) Yes, that's me.
* Adrius takes the seat across from you.
* Pavo appraises him, hoping that he looks a bit diffrent than his sister nude.
* Pavo smiles.
(Narrator) Well, he doesn't look to have any breasts, at least ;)
(Adrius) So...
(Adrius) You're a guard, right?
* Pavo takes a sip of his wine... licking the red liquid from his lips before he answers...
(Pavo) Yup, for a little while now.
(Adrius) What's it like?
* Adrius waves to Nellaura, who heads to get him a drink. He must be a regular...
(Pavo) Up and down really. You get to help people... most of the time.
* Pavo nods to Nellaura... "Very friendly..."
(Pavo) You see a lot of really nasty things too, though. Those I could live without.
(Pavo) Keeps me in shape too...
* Pavo shifts his shoulders slightly so his torso moves just a bit.
* Nellaura brings Adrius a glass of a very pale pink wine.
* Adrius chuckles
(Adrius) Showing off already?
* Adrius says, teasingly
* Pavo shrugs, grinning. “I might as well start early, no?”
(Adrius) Why not?
* Adrius has a very musical voice.
(Adrius) Your aunt told me a little bit about you, but not much...
(Adrius) You used to go to the Castalia?
(Pavo) I should probably be glad it was just a little :)
(Pavo) Yes, for a while. I decided that I was... undecided. So I stopped.
(Adrius) Makes sense.
(Adrius) What did you study there?
* Adrius sips his wine
(Pavo) Oh... art. Just the beginning really. Enough to remember how many legs a man has.
* Adrius quirks a brow
(Pavo) Not bad, just not me.
* Pavo looks completely innocent... (Two, right?:D)
* Adrius restrains himself from making a comment ;)
(Pavo) And you're the musician, to your sisters thespian?
(Adrius) That's right.
(Adrius) She's tone-deaf, but jealous. ;)
(Pavo) Ha!
(Adrius) She had to do something that wouldn't require a sense of pitch.
(Pavo) Oh, don't let her hear you say she settled...
(Adrius) And besides, most people would rather look at her than listen to her.
* Adrius jokes.
* Pavo winces dramatically :)
* Adrius chuckles at the wince
(Pavo) They dno't say the same about you sometimes?
(Adrius) Oh, probably. I leave those jokes to her.
(Adrius) She needs some sort of arsenal.
(Adrius) So, what did you want to do tonight?
(Pavo) From what I saw she had her own arsenal.
* Adrius chuckles
(Adrius) You and half the city, I suppose.
(Adrius) I just suggested this place to meet because it's quiet... But we can go somewhere else, if you'd rather.
(Adrius) Whatever you like.
(Adrius) It's on me.
* Adrius smiles
* Pavo shrugs. He seemed if he might cry if I didn't get anything :)
(Pavo) But I'm open to suggestions.
(Adrius) Well, if you just want to talk, I'd say we should stay here, because it's so quiet.
(Adrius) But if you want a bit more... excitement, we could go to the theatre, or somewhere else.
(Pavo) You know, I'd like to go to the theatre... for a while at least.
(Adrius) Sounds good, then.
* Adrius finishes up his drink.
(Adrius) Antenia's show is playing at the Imperial. Interested?
* Adrius stands
* Pavo nods... sounds good.
(Adrius) Great.
* Adrius will lead the way.
* Pavo sips out the last of his drink, leaving a small circle of red in the bottom.
* Pavo stands and follows closely.
(Adrius) We'll have to rush a bit to get there on time, but that's okay.
(Narrator) You make your way to the Imperial, where the play "The Three Daggers" is just beginning as you slip into your seats.
(Narrator) The play tells a story of murder and revenge. Antenia plays the heroine, who eventually kills the lover who betrayed her. She is very good.
(Narrator) After the show, there is thunderous applause
* Adrius asks you if you'd like to go backstage at all, or just leave
(Adrius) ...
(Pavo) We'll, I'm sure I'll get the chance to meet up with her sometime at my aunts... so unless you'd like to talk to her.
(Pavo) ... we could wander off somewhere quiet again...
(Adrius) No, she's insufferable after a good show.
(Adrius) Besides, if we leave now, we can beat her home.
* Adrius says, grinning
(Pavo) Haha
(Pavo) Dibs on the house, eh? :)
* Pavo will wrap his arm around Adrius... "Lead the way."
(Adrius) We try to stay out of each others' hair, but it doesn't always work.
* Adrius will hire a carriage to take you there.
(Adrius) It's a lovely stately home in the Grand, with a path lined with willows leading up to the door.
(Narrator) It's a lovely stately home in the Grand, with a path lined with willows leading up to the door.
(Narrator) You get to the home and Adrius leads the way inside
* Pavo follows, grinning.
* Adrius shows you around a bit
(Pavo) (Hopefully my aunt won't pop out of the kitchen)
(Adrius) (heheh)
(Narrator) If there are servants, they are very subtle. The house is quiet.
* Pavo 's hands roam along his back and stomach from time to time as he explores the house.
* Adrius ends the tour with his suite of rooms.
(Adrius) Now, is there anything I can get you?
(Pavo) .oO(Suite...)
(Pavo) (That is not meant to read "Sweeeet")
(Pavo) No, I'm think I'm fine.
(Adrius) Alright...
* Pavo mrrowls at Adrius
(Pavo) :)
* Adrius grins back
(Adrius) So... are you interested in waiting for Antenia?
(Pavo) I might have to play hide and seek around this place later... it's rather large...
* Pavo raises a brow.
(Adrius) Or not.
* Adrius covers hastily.
(Adrius) Really, either way, it's up to you.
* Pavo stifles something in the general area of a smirksnickerchuckle.
(Adrius) Sorry... I thought you knew...
(Pavo) She's had her good show for the night, hasn't she?
(Adrius) I suppose. And she'll find someone to entertain her, I'm sure.
(Pavo) My aunt wasn't much more detailed than your sister was, it seems...
(Adrius) I guess not...
(Adrius) Now I've probably ruined this.
* Pavo wraps his arms around Adrius and pulls him close, to ease some of the discomfort his gaffe caused.
* Adrius will let himself be pulled, then ;)
* Pavo leans in to nibble at Adrius' lip for a moment. "It's not your fault I have particular tastes, now is it?"
(Adrius) No, I suppose not...
* Pavo grrs playfully at the smaller man.
* Adrius eeks playfully back
(Narrator) You pass a pleasant evening together... you think you hear someone come home at some point, but you're a bit distracted at the time.
* Adrius says to you later:
(Adrius) Loick - you know Loick, right? He's having a party in a few weeks.
(Pavo) Yeah... we've ...met :)
* Adrius chuckles
(Pavo) Am I invited?
(Pavo) :)
(Adrius) Well, you are now.
* Adrius smiles
(Pavo) Well I suppose I could tag along... just for a little while, maybe.
(Adrius) I'll be looking forward to it.
* Pavo mrowls and gets distracted again...
(Narrator) Okay, and with that, we'll move on to Kalman...
(Narrator) Kalman, your anxiety over your sister and the situation with Davilas continues.
(Narrator) Ivona's fifteenth birthday is at the end of this month, on the 21st, and shortly thereafter she will be presented formally at court for the first time.
(Kalman) (yeagh, that's a lot sooner than I though it was o_o)
(Narrator) (you've got a bit of time yet :)
(Narrator) You make up your mind to go to your family home and speak with Ivona, or perhaps with your mother...
(Narrator) (am I right in guessing your intentions?)
(Narrator) The servants let you in and tell you that your sister and mother are both in the gardens.
(Kalman) (I wish I had that List of Evil Things Davilass has done, though ;)
* Kalman will go to the gardens, then
(Narrator) (sorry..... just ran out of time)
(Kalman) (fair enough)
(Narrator) It is dusk, and the gardens of your family house are truly lovely in the dim light. Fireflies dart here and there, shedding a faintly luminous glow over the scene. Your mother and sister sit in a gazebo lined with tiny magical lights.
(Kalman) (Where is father?)
(Narrator) (you're not sure)
(Kalman) (goody)
* Ivona and your mother are talking about clothes when you get there - her dress for the party, you presume.
* Kalman will approach them quietly, sneak up on them, if I can ;)
(Narrator) You can :)
(Kalman) Ahh, the two fairest flowers in the gardens
* Kalman will say once he's pretty close
* Ivona and your mother both jump slightly and laugh when they see you there.
* Kalman grins at them
(Neima) Kalman, dear, come and have a seat...
* Neima pats the bench beside her.
* Kalman will do so
(Kalman) Party planning is it?
(Neima) We were just talking about Ivona's party, and her presentation too.
(Neima) You'll escort her at the presentation, of course, but who are you going to bring to the party?
* Neima clearly has this all planned out already ;)
(Kalman) ...
* Ivona bounces happily at any mention of the events
(Neima) If you aren't sure, I can pair you with someone.
* Kalman sighs
(Neima) Katia Dyess will be there...
* Neima hints
(Kalman) I thought you'd given up on that
* Neima looks wounded
(Neima) I'm just trying to help you.
(Kalman) . o O ( I should bring Pavo. That would shut them up ;D )
(Pavo) (I look snazzy in just about anything... or nothing...)
(Kalman) I'll think about it, mother
(Neima) And it would be appropriate for her to be paired with you... you are one of the most important people there, after Ivona, of course.
* Kalman says uncomfortable, thinking she wouldn't want me to bring Eglorine
* Kalman eyes Ivona, since she knows
* Neima says, but seems willing to drop that subject for the time being.
* Ivona gives you a sympathetic look.
(Neima) You can wear what you want for the party, but you'll have to wear house colours at the presentation.
(Kalman) Of course
(Kalman) (what are our house colours again?)
(Narrator) (I have a recollection of blue and grey)
(Narrator) (But maybe I'm insane, and we never made it up ;)
(Narrator) (I think it was mentioned the first time you played... but I'll have to check the log)
(Kalman) (the CC booklet says Dark Green)
(Ivona) (Right, but that's for the whole House... Noble houses have their own - Like the Dyesses are black and gold)
* Kalman makes a mental note to arrange for time off...
* Ivona seems a bit sorry for you, but mostly excited
* Kalman grins at her
(Kalman) You look like you're about to pop :D
(Ivona) I'm just so excited!
(Ivona) I can't believe it's almost here!
(Kalman) me neither
(Neima) She can't stop talking about it.
* Neima smiles proudly at her daughter
(Kalman) My little sister, almost a grown woman....
* Kalman messes up her hair a bit
* Ivona ducks away from you
(Ivona) I won't let you do that when I'm 15...
* Ivona jokes
(Kalman) You're still my *little* sister ;)
* Ivona sticks out her tongue when your mother isn't looking
(Kalman) so, who else has been invited?
(Ivona) Oh, everyone!
(Neima) Well, everyone important.
* Neima concedes
* Kalman frowns
* Kalman isn't sure we can not invite Davilas...
(Kalman) define everyone?
* Kalman tries fake a good mood, for now
(Neima) Well, the Imperial family, of course, or as many of them as can come.
* Kalman eyes Ivona
(Ivona) The Marcoux's, the Warings, the Talaveras...
* Ivona ticks them off on her fingers
* Ivona seems very wrapped up in the party-planning
(Neima) And a few people from other Houses...
* Kalman nods
(Kalman) . o O ( no Vaillancourts :( )
(Neima) The Menomonies and the Deveraras... and the Dizons, just to be on the safe side.
(Kalman) The Dizons?
(Kalman) Hmm, I wonder if Tristane will be there
(Neima) She's invited.
* Neima says with a hint of disdain in her voice.
* Kalman nods
(Kalman) That doesn't mean anything, necessarily
(Kalman) I worked with her for a while
(Neima) Really?
* Kalman says, maybe a bit defensivly.
* Kalman liked Dizon
* Kalman nods
(Neima) Well... we have to make sure we're covered.
(Neima) After all, the emperor won't live forever....
(Kalman) I suppose not.
(Neima) So it'll be a bit heavy on the Lizards, with a smattering of others.
* Kalman smirks
(Kalman) Thank you mother, for a very amusing mental image
* Neima looks a bit confused, but smiles
(Neima) You're welcome, dear.
* Ivona giggles into her sleeve
(Kalman) So, who is Ivona getting paired with? Anyone?
(Ivona) For the party, I get to dance with whoever I want to!
(Ivona) And at the presentation, you're the one who escorts me.
* Kalman smiles
(Kalman) Well, I wasn't sure about the party
(Neima) We're making sure there are plenty of eligible young men there.
* Neima smiles affectionately at her daughter
(Kalman) well, that's good, I suppose....
(Kalman) Like who?
* Kalman sounds dubious
* Neima gives you a slightly funny look
(Neima) I can show you the list, if you like.
(Neima) I wouldn't have thought you'd be so interested.
(Kalman) sure..
* Neima hands you the list on her lap, then
(Kalman) I'm just looking out for Ivona's best interests, that’s all...
* Kalman looks it over
(Narrator) Davilas is definitely on the list
* Kalman can't help but scowl
(Kalman) . o O ( ...not touching my sister! )
(Narrator) Along with about a dozen other unmarried men from good families, though.
(Kalman) Well, most of them look alright, I suppose
* Neima smirks faintly
(Neima) I'm glad you approve.
* Kalman glances down at davilass's name again.
* Kalman frowns, then sighs
(Kalman) . o O ( no easy way to do this... )
(Kalman) I'd rather Ivona not have to socialize much with Davilas Dyess, though.
* Ivona purses her lips but keeps quiet
(Neima) Why on earth not?
(Kalman) He's an arrogant ass who flaunts his status, and uses and abuses the people beneath him when he can get away with it.
(Kalman) . o O ( that and he's a RAPIST )
* Neima 's jaw drops in shock
(Kalman) ..among other things.
(Neima) I can't believe you would say such things about the Prince-Imperial, and your cousin!
(Kalman) I wouldn't say it if it weren't true, mother.
* Kalman tries to be calm.
* Ivona is flustered, agitated
(Ivona) Please... don't fight...
* Ivona says to your mother
(Kalman) I'm sorry, Ivona.
* Neima sniffs, offended
* Kalman takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly... but the idea of Davilass even *talking* to his sister makes him so very angry.
(Neima) Regardless of what you may think of him, Davilas is a very considerable candidate for your sister's hand in marriage.
* Kalman scowls
(Neima) So you'll just have to learn to put your little tiff aside for now.
(Kalman) this isn't a little tiff, mother.
(Neima) Well, whatever it is.
* Neima says dismissively
(Kalman) Ivona is *never* going to marry that......
(Kalman) . o O ( RAPIST! DAMNIT MOTHER!!! )
(Kalman) *scoundrel*.
* Neima looks at you seriously
(Neima) Kalman, if there's something you are trying to tell me, I'm not understanding it.
* Kalman rubs a hand over his face
(Neima) Where did all of this anger come from?
(Kalman) I know some things about him that I would rather not offend your ears with.
* Neima looks shocked but vaguely intrigued
(Kalman) I'm certainly not going to discuss them with Ivona here...
(Neima) Ivona, go to your room.
(Kalman) Yes...
* Ivona rings a little bell and a servant comes to take her away....
* Kalman looks at her apologetically.
* Ivona looks annoyed
(Neima) Now, what is this about?
* Neima says once Ivona is gone.
* Kalman is trying to decide if my mother would even believe me.
(Kalman) (sense motive?)
(Neima) (She's upset, but also concerned about you, you'd say)
* Kalman sighs
(Kalman) Mother, I really wish you would just take me at my word about this.
* Neima sighs as well, frustrated
(Neima) Do you think I'm a child, that I can't hear whatever it is you have to say?
(Kalman) I don't even know if you'll believe me, or if you'll think I'm making up stories.
(Neima) ...
* Kalman runs a hand through his hair
(Neima) Please, tell me.
* Neima says more gently.
(Kalman) ..
(Kalman) He raped a girl, mother
* Kalman says very quietly
(Neima) What girl?
(Kalman) does it *matter*?
(Kalman) One that I *know* of
(Neima) I suppose not... I was just wondering.
* Kalman scowls
(Neima) Well...
(Kalman) (I will look at her to try and decide if she believes me or not)
(Neima) We can't not invite him, of course.
(Kalman) no, we can't.
(Kalman) ...
* Neima seems torn... like she wants not to believe you, but kind of does.
(Neima) I'll do what I can, Kalman.
(Kalman) I went to see him the other day about it.
* Neima says softly
(Neima) And?
(Kalman) He also said some unpleasant things about Ivona
* Neima thins her lips
(Kalman) I've heard of other things he's done as well..
(Kalman) But, I hope you understand
(Kalman) This isn't some...
(Kalman) little tiff.
(Neima) Alright... I'll do what I can... but if I find out you're just slandering him for some reason of your own, I'll be *very* upset with you.
(Kalman) I wouldn't do that.
* Neima sighs
(Neima) I know.
* Kalman nods
* Neima leans against you gently.
(Kalman) Thank you
* Kalman will give her a hug
(Neima) I just want what's best for her... and for you.
(Kalman) I know
(Kalman) I do appreciate it.
(Kalman) . o O ( ...sometimes :p )
* Neima just sits there with you quietly, then.
(Kalman) (hurray!)
* Belden has quit IRC (Quit: Diablotin: All in the Family)
(Narrator) The stars are coming out over the city as you sit and think.
(Narrator) The End.

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