Mera nods along with her group, but all the while is thinking about making an introduction to Nonon. The best course of action would be to go through the person she wants to see the least, her "betrothed" the famous composer and tutor Seoghal. It takes all of her strength not to groan audibly as she tries to think of another way to get in front of the man that does not involve him in it.
"I can get us in front of him tomorrow." she lies with an air of authority. "Right now we need to be being our preparations so that we may have our plan of action straight."
Turning to Ailyn she holds her hand out expectantly, as if she owed Mera something. The diva shoots a glance at the the circlets and then turns away from Ailyn to face the group. "Let us begin our preparations now, we have some work to do. Janiven have dinner brought in here please so we can get to work. Tal, see what you can find out about the mayor's home Vaneo Arvanxi. A rough layout or floorplan in advance may help us move throughout it easier if need be. Monday, can you see if you can make friends with any of the guards of the estate? Having an inside man or two can't hurt us if we need to go down that route. Naberius, do you have any contacts that can get us dirt on the mayor? I can try working on this as well, but as much information we can collect ahead of time may come useful. We need to figure out ..."
Mera rambles on for a minute, ticking off things on her fingers. She turns back to see Ailyn hasn't left yet, surprised. "Oh Ailyn, you're still here. Good. Be me a dear and refill this please." Mera hands her the empty wine glass and turns back to talk to her group some more. Without turning around she adds, "Oh, how should we contact you when we need to speak again?"
"I dunno, Areal got mad the last time I brought new friends home..." the spiritualist murmurs as she goes about thinking of the best way to do so.
The phantom had spent most of the conversation dreamily aloof, letting his eyes lazily flow about as everyone talked about the murderplay and the events after. Tuesday wasn't all that interested in dying... again.
Once the diva declares that she can get them an audience he rids himself of the disinterested air as he he turns to look at her. Staring his head starts to tilt to the side.
Seoghal? Tertious?
Stay calm.
Seoghal.
Please, calm down...
Her fingers, previously running up the side of her face while it wore a bored expression, her default expression when thinking heavily on a subject, started to brace against her head as she tensed.
To her credit other than that slip she kept her usual detached appearance while conversing with her brother.
The floor plan of the Mayor's house. that is not going to happen. I have as much likelihood of doing that as I do of acting on stage successfully. Instead of answering accordingly Tal merely looks to Janiven and Areal. Any suggestions on how to get the mayor's blueprints?
"Tal, see what you can find out about the mayor's home Vaneo Arvanxi.
"Any suggestions on how to get the mayor's blueprints?"
"Bribe the right people," the wizard states matter-of-factly.
Such is life in Cheliax.
"Naberius, do you have any contacts that can get us dirt on the mayor? I can try working on this as well, but as much information we can collect ahead of time may come useful."
Naberius nods, and tries to think what he knows of the mayor off the top of his head...
"Bribe the right people,"
"I dunno, Areal got mad the last time I brought new friends home..."
"Well, I wouldn't suggest that you actually had to bring them here insomuch as you were to, how to say, visit their personal chambers of choice?"
Mera smirks at the binder's response. Naberius truly knows how things work around here it would appear.
Mera also ponders what she's heard of the mayor that she can contribute.
Mera's voice bringing her back to the conversation Monday begins rolling her head from side to side. "True, but I'd hate for something bad to happen to them after we pull this off because they helped us."
Mera considers Monday's statement for a moment.
For shame. You have such talent that could help us here. That attitude won't get you very far in this city girl.
She nods and smiles, "Excellent point Monday, I totally overlooked that. I'll defer to your judgement on the matter."
Looking among the group she asks, "Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on the best path forward?
Monday shrugs apathetically. "Probably still do it, just don't get mad when we keep getting more members."
Mera frowns. "I wasn't really thinking of recruiting them permanently. More along the lines of ..." She adds a pause while she thinks of the right phrase. " a temporary mutually beneficial relationship for all parties involved."
Monday crosses her arms as her eyes flit upward momentarily. "I suppose, that does sound better than your other way of phrasing it. You know, you're going to get me a reputation as a honeypot if this keeps up." As the last words leave her mouth a slight grin forms on it.
Tal looks at Naberius, I am sorry. I was always on the lawful side of matters here. I have not had the experience of needing to bribe people to get things accomplished. If you have any ideas on who to bribe and with how much and when then perhaps I should just follow your lead in this matter.
While he is hiding his jealousy quite well, Naberius cannot help twitching a bit at Mera's plan for Monday.
Looking among the group she asks, "Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on the best path forward?
Naberius shakes his head. There was little to do but prepare for the worst...
Tal looks at Naberius, I am sorry. I was always on the lawful side of matters here. I have not had the experience of needing to bribe people to get things accomplished. If you have any ideas on who to bribe and with how much and when then perhaps I should just follow your lead in this matter.
Naberius raises his eyebrow at the bodyguard and says, "Bribery is completely within bounds of the law, according to the Asmodean Principles. You would not want to call it that, of course, unless you want to be charged with the attempted corruption of a public official. Ask them for their favorite charity. Frankly, I am surprised you have never had to resort to such 'donations' to get by, living so close to the Heartlands..."
The wizard sighs, "Rego Scriba is likely to have some records of the building, if we can find the right official. I suppose will do my best to find out whatever I can about the Lord Mayor AND his residence, if you do not feel up to the task..."
Monday blinked. And then she smirked. "Of course there could be some guards or servants who are suckers for the strong and silent type..." she cooed to no one in particular.
Only half hearing what Monday was implying it was still enough to drag the Phantom out of his murderous thoughts. His eyes going wide he began looking around in worry and confusion.
"As you might have noticed, we are not Pathfinders. Nor am I an adventurer, whatever that means..."
Ailyn looks at the dour man. Yes, I suppose you haven't had an adventure in your life! she thinks, but instead she says, Of course not, I have been told that you all have had different professions before you took up the mantles of Freedom Fighters.
"Pardon me..." he sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose and taking deep breath. "There is some sort of a preliminary date set for the actual performance, is there not? These are hardly spontaneous occurances. There are a lot of preparations on multiple fronts, not to mention the large sums of money involved with each process of stagecraft. We are talking about amounts you do not spend if you do not intend to make a profit. What are we talking about, a week? A month? Surely you must have a rough idea, seeing as your whole plan hinges on it..."
To be honest I have no idea how long it takes to stage a play. Can't be any harder or longer than to stage an expedition I would imagine. She holds up her hands helplessly and looks at Mera.
It is while she is holding up her hands that Mera places an empty wine glass in one of them. She sees Mera eyeing the circlets and so she rises, gives Mera a bow and hands her the circlets and walks out of the room. Certainly you have some sort of serving wrench around her to be a bar maid! she whispers to Janiven who is also on her way out the door to find supper for the group.
"Oh, how should we contact you when we need to speak again?"
Janiven will know where to find me and I'll be keeping tabs on you all! She says with a laugh over her shoulder as she exits the room.
"I dunno, Areal got mad the last time I brought new friends home..."
Arael says sharply, Last time Miss Monday you brought home tiefling scum, although, I must say they seem to be working out nicely.
Any suggestions on how to get the mayor's blueprints?
Arael is about to answer when Naberius offers a bribery solution. Arael nods his head in agreement. 'Contributions' and 'taxes' are always appreciated, or another way would be to visit the tavern that is close to the Lord Mayor's house. Maybe you might find some house guards that will be willing to talk freely after they have had a few drinks.
"I dunno, Areal got mad the last time I brought new friends home..."Arael says sharply, Last time Miss Monday you brought home tiefling scum, although, I must say they seem to be working out nicely.
Monday rolls her eyes before turning and staring them sternly at the priest. "Then I guess they're failing at the whole "scum" thing, aren't they?" she says in a voice that was closer to Mera's than to her own.
To be honest I have no idea how long it takes to stage a play. Can't be any harder or longer than to stage an expedition I would imagine. She holds up her hands helplessly and looks at Mera.
It is while she is holding up her hands that Mera places an empty wine glass in one of them. She sees Mera eyeing the circlets and so she rises, gives Mera a bow and hands her the circlets and walks out of the room.
Naberius scoffs derisively as the Pathfinder takes her leave, turning his attention back to the rest of the group.
Well, it is apparent why she needs us to do her work for her...
Monday blinked. And then she smirked. "Of course there could be some guards or servants who are suckers for the strong and silent type..." she cooed to no one in particular.
Arael is about to answer when Naberius offers a bribery solution. Arael nods his head in agreement. 'Contributions' and 'taxes' are always appreciated, or another way would be to visit the tavern that is close to the Lord Mayor's house. Maybe you might find some house guards that will be willing to talk freely after they have had a few drinks.
"Ah, hm... Yes," mutters Naberius. He gets up to pour himself a glass of wine, and fixes his gaze on a crumbling fresco on the wall opposite to Monday. The wizard clears his throat and takes a sip.
As non-chalantly as possible, he muses, "That is a sound plan. If Tal is not feeling up to dealing with the bureaucracy, perhaps he should be the one who talks to the guards. I am sure he could find more common ground with other hired swords than corrupt city clerks... And as a bodyguard to Lady Mera, it would not be at all suspicious for him to investigate the residence beforehand. That is assuming we even make it to the celebrations afterwards, but that should only make it easier to convince the guards that sharing information would pose no threat. If we are to die on stage, what would be risk?"
The conjurer takes another sip before sitting down, still admiring the fresco with great interest.
Smirking Monday uses all of her willpower not to giggle as the infernalist goes to great length to look in the opposite direction of her.
As Neberius mentions sending in Tal the phantom looks visibly relieved, sinking into his chair and letting out a soundless sigh.
Mera nods, following along as Naberius speaks. She totally misses his intent on the fresco. She shoots a sideways glance at Tal, unsure if their proximity together will cause him any uneasiness after there previous encounter. "Splendid. Well thought Naberius, I should have come up with that myself. Hows does that sound to you Tal?"
"Then I guess they're failing at the whole "scum" thing, aren't they?"
Arael waves his hands dismissivly, Exceptions! Exceptions! he mutters.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Monday quips while arching a brow at the increasingly flustered priest.
That should be easy enough. I will go tomorrow after we meet with No-one and talk to the guards. As Naberius is kind enough to point out, the common people are who I deal with and relate to. It shold be easier than most of the conversations here. Looking at Mera mostly and the others, Enough talk though, we apparently need to get prepped for tomorrow. Mear what do I need to do?
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Mera stares at Tal blankly.
Me. Damnit. You need me, not your wife. Why didn't it work? Who actually falls in love anymore anyway?
"Perhaps I should go with you as part of the facade?" she asks curiously.
Shrugging his shoulders noncommitally, If you think that would be appropriate. Although it might seem strange if the person I am guarding is following me while I am talking to the guards. Besides you might have to do some sweet talking to No-one to get us all parts in the play.
Looking at the crown/circlet things tAl picks one up. How do these things work anyways? Is there some sort of funny chant you have to say each time you want it to work?
Anything to stay away from Seoghal a little longer.
Mera takes it from Tal and examines it closely. She flips it over and over in her hands and pulls it close to her eyes squinting. She traces her pointer finger over a section of the inside rim twice. She moves her mouth slowly the second time and nods to herself once in affirmation. She turns back to Tal and hands the circlet back to him. She says, "Repeat after me, I'll speak slowly."
Mera switches to Azlanti and sounds out hte words carefully, "mi sento abbastanza. Oh così carina. Mi sento abbastanza e spiritoso e allegro."
After Tal attempts to work his way through it, fumbling half of the words terribly with the wrong inflection, Mera turns away from him to face Naberius, completely unable to hide her bursting smile of laughter.
Naberius shakes his head at Mera's jest like a tired schoolteacher, but smiles politely nonetheless.
Tal tries to prounce even the first 3 words. Not having much luck and seeing Mera turn away apparently in disgust Tal takes the circlet and throws it to Naberius. Here, I give up on this. I am not going to bother anymore. You should be able to handle the linguistics needed.
Naberius catches the circlet, and pretends to inspect it again for a moment before trying to hand it back to Tal.
He says, "In my expert opinion, I do not believe this particular item has any command words. These engravings are merely decorative. Just wear it. You are going to need it more than I will..."
As everyone starts scattering, Naberius approaches Mera. With a furtive bow, he lowers his voice to whisper, saying "Lady Mera... if you do not mind, I would ask to speak with you in private."
Having been in and out of the conversation Monday hadn't even realized it had ended. Getting up with a realized start after everyone else she was about to traipse off after Naberius when she spy's him speaking with Mera. Cocking her head to the side she smiles before heading off after Areal instead.
"Ari! Ari" she calls out after the taller man as she scampers off.
Tal gives Naberius a look as he explains there is nothing that needs doen with the circlet. If you say so Naberius. I am still not sure about this thing though if you insist I will try it out. He gives Mera a scowl as he is not sure who to believe at this time about the magic and how to activate it.
Mera feigns embarrasement when Naberius 'corrects' her. She legs her shoulders sag some and looks to Tal, "Yes, I'm afraid he's correct. My apologies Mr. Mainz."
The meeting concluded, she begins to leave when Naberius begs her ear. She nods in ascent and replies in kind, "Of course." She leads him back to her room and shuts the door for privacy. She motions him to take a seat and does the same. She looks at him curiously, "Is this about the joke with Tal and the circlet? I'm sorry, I couldn't resist I know I should not have."
Naberius sits down and smooths down his coat. He shakes his head to Mera's query and says, "No. How you treat your retainers is of no concern to me..."
The wizard glances nervously at the door, and continues in a more hushed tone, "I apologise profusely for the inconvenience, but I need to ask a favor of you. Had I any other option, I would certainly not be bothering you. However, with Raveen's sudden departure, I believe you are the only one who can aid me in this matter..."
He pauses, looking for some sign of approval before making his plea.
Meta motions silently with and upturned hand for him to continue as she ponders what exactly it could be. A favor from me? This is quite unexpected..
Naberius takes a brief moment to compose his thoughts. When he speaks, he does so very hesitantly, weighing every word carefully before voicing it. "Due to circumstances that are completely outside my control," he says. "I cannot publicly reveal my true identity. My intention is not to misguide you or the others, you understand, but to keep my own personal affairs separate from those of this... budding organisation. It would only be an unnecessary complication to our operations. But I digress..."
The wizard takes a deep breath, and continues, "We are about to embark on a mission where we will be unable to avoid publicity. In fact, our objective is to actively seek attention. You know these social circles, and they know you. Would it be possible for you to present me as, say, a distant cousin of yours? Were you to do so, I believe I could play the part adequately enough. By myself, I am bound to attract some unwanted attention. In association with you, however, I believe such curiosity would be sufficiently... redirected."
As he stops to wait for an answer, Naberius steals another nervous glance at the door.
Arael stops as he hears Monday's call Ari? he thinks to himself. He turns and looks at the woman, Look, if it is about your..uh..recruits..I have already conceded that they are working out well. He motions to the two tieflings helping prepare the evening meal bantering back and forth playfully with each other. Although I have heard complaints from those that occupy rooms next to them that they are being kept up until all hours of the night.
Well this is unexpected.
Mera inclines her head as she listens to this man request his favor. She holds both of her small hands before her and opens them in a welcoming gesture out towards her fellow Chellaxian... Is he? Who is he then if he is not whom he says he is?
"Of course, of course. I'm here to help Naberius. Let's see, who are you.." She squints at him and says, "Hmmm. You know, I think perhaps you might be able to pass as my cousin Marcus Leroung. All of the Leroung boys, there are at least seven of them, well known teachers and scholars and the arcane arts. He has been out on study to somewhere Katapesh I believe, Gods save him. I simply don't know how he can put up with that heat." Mera makes an exhausted sound as if it's unfathomable.
She nods and says, "Yes Marcus, I think that will do. Though, he used to walk with a slight limp in his left leg, but I'm sure you can pull that off with a little active thought."
Grinning playfully Monday raises her hand and begins overdramatically waving her hand up and down dismissively. "Good to know, on both counts! But," stopping she clasps her hands behind her back as she steps up to the man, her playfulness starting to seep into mischievous, "I was actually wanting to talk about you and Janiven."
Naberius looks to his cane and nods. "Marcus Leroung," he says, putting emphasis on the surname. "They are well known scholars indeed, not only in Cheliax but across many of the former colonies as well. Yes, that is certainly a part I could play..."
He stops to think for a moment before adding, "However, is that not a bit too... high profile? Are you quite certain there will be no actual Leroungs in the audience, or at the celebrations afterwards?"
About us? Arael says furrowing his brow. Now what is she up to? Do you want me to call Janiven over or did you want to speak to just me? He says as he nods in the direction of Janiven and Ailyn pouring wine and getting food from the helpful, happy tieflings.
Monday simply shrugs. "If you'd feel more comfortable. I was just curious about two. How did you two meet? Did you recruit her or did she get you?"
A bemused smile crosses the priest's face. That is an interesting tale! One day close to dusk, I came upon a group of thugs terrorizing a woman and her small child. Armed with my longsword and faith in The Inheritor, I attempted to intervene. After early success, I soon found myself in a dire situation-until Janiven appeared and came to my aid. After curing the woman, her child and ourselves, Janiven invited me to a tavern for a drink. After several glasses we both discovered we had much in common in regards to political ideology and a desire to reform Westcrown. That all there is too it. Unfortunately it is not glamourous.
Monday leans in as Areal speaks, interest fully showing on her face. "Ah, so she's a hero's hero! Aside from politics and a drive to do good do you have anything else in common with her?"
Mera pauses in thought, her eyes unconsciously looking up towards the ceiling as if they hold the answer. "Hmmm. It's possible I suppose. If we want to dig down into the dregs a little bit more, there is House Rogarvia. I haven't seen any of them since they fled Westcrown for Varisia when I was a child. I doubt anyone here has heard of or could place my cousin Felipe Rogarvia if their life depended on it."