As Tuesday slinks off after Thesing, causing the etheric tethers binding them to start to tug at her consciousness as well, Monday leans in to whisper to Mera. "Hey, Calsenica is a little bit off her feet right now, why don't you swoop in and prop her up a bit? You might end up enjoying it," she says in her usually effervescent tone before turning serious. "No matter what though, do NOT let her go after Thesing or let him after her tonight. Keep her focused on the play, or yourself, got it? Good!"
Giving the diva a quick peck on the cheek she then scampers off after her brother.
Mera smiles in acceptance of the task. She watches Monday skip off and thinks to herself, I hope they'll be ok by themselves.
Turning her attention to Calsenica, she approaches her and begins to recite her line from earlier. ". You shall see how devotedly I attend his pleasure, for he speaks the truth!" She shakes her fist in front of her, her face full of conviction. She let's it hang in the air for a moment before throws her arm around her and smiles. "That was excellently delivered, I was am a true beleiver in your talents. Don't worry about Robhal, it's just his job to tear eveyrone down to try and make them work harder. What do you say we go out for a celebration drink, hmmm? I could use some company tonight and I just adore spending time with you."
While Vasco loses the crafty actor, Tuesday is about to do the same when a telepathic message from Monday, He's over there by the chicken vendor! allows Tuesday to keep track of the man.
Tuesday sees Thesing disappear in an ally-way. He cautiously approaches and sees Thesing talking to a flamboyantly dressed man. The man's silken, brightly colored clothes contrast sharply with the dark, dank alley. He listens intently as Thesing speaks, taking quick puffs of his pipe.
'She is one of Robahl's favorites'
'Did not do that well today'
'Raveen spent more time playing with pigs than playing with her'
'Amoureux seems to have taken an interest in her well-being'
When Thesing is finished, the man pulls some coins from a belt pouch and gives them to Thesing who bows deeply. Both men then exit the alley separately.
As Mera speaks, Calsenica's face begins to have some color return to it. She concentrates on Mera's advice, mouthing the words silently as Mera says the lines. At the end she is feeling much better (of course, the remains of the pig have been cleaned up and Garrald's retching has ceased as the man has gone to get rid of the carcass.)
Ohhh! I would love to go out she squeals as she looks around and notices that it seems everyone has left except Naberius and them. Would you care to join us for dining? She entreats the man not expecting an answer in the affirmative since the man has not joined them previously.
"Excellent!" she says as she claps her hand together.
Mera answer for Naberius, "Of course he would! Come cousin, let us spend some quality time together, no?"
Should we go after one?
Ohhh! I would love to go out she squeals as she looks around and notices that it seems everyone has left except Naberius and them. Would you care to join us for dining?
"Excellent!" she says as she claps her hand together.
Mera answer for Naberius, "Of course he would! Come cousin, let us spend some quality time together, no?"
Naberius stops wiping make-up off his face, looks up at the women and sighs. "If you insist..."
Should we go after one?
Vasco lands on Monday's shoulder, hastily gobbling down an indistinct hunk of meat. After finishing his meal, he quorks, "Caw! You follow Meanface, and Vasco follows Moneybags! Yes?"
The raven bobs his head excitedly, as if to congratulate himself for coming up with such an ingenious plan. Master would be proud!
"Right! Good Vasco the Valorous!" she congratulates the familiar while reaching a hand up to gently pet the side of his head.
Thesing starts to head back to the theater. He is no longer trying to be stealthy and as a result many stop and ask him about the play. He gives out some autographs and many kisses to his female admirers. On returning to the theater, he is surprised to see it dark and empty. He calls out, Calsenica? Where are you lass? It is time to see you 'perform'!
The mystery man enters the building next to the alley through a rear door. On the front of the building is scrawled, 'Mother Kass' Boarding House - Private rooms!'
"If you insist..."
Calsenica clapps her hands together. I do! I do insist! Where should we go? I am in the mood for some ham! She says with a wink.
"Alas, dear Calsenica's performance for the night has been put on indefinite hiatus while under the tutelage of a certain lady of honorable renown." Monday cooes to the confused man as she stalks up to him on her tiptoes like a child about to spring a surprise.
Or a cat cornering a mouse.
Tuesday quietly follows right behind her.
Ack! Egads woman from which crevice did you slither from? A surprised Thesing retorts.
"Ohhhhh, just the kind you find inbetween buildings where characters of ill-repute converse and exchange coins." Monday happily replies, wearing a wide smile all the while.
Quickly gaining his composure, Thesing narrows his eyes and says, No doubt! Please don't tell me that Calsenica would rather spend time with that diva Mera instead of quality time with me!
"Okay then, I won't tell you," Monday is all too happy to respond with. "And it's all your fault too, running off like a fool and leaving her let Calsenica finally notice, ahem, quality performance partners."
Mera grins and throws her arm around Calsenica and shouts, "Ham it is! Ham is a huge favorite of yours, is it not cousin?"
The trio depart out of the theater and make their way to a fine dining establishment that Naberius would find tasteful enough and yet would not be overly expensive as to draw concern from Calsenica. Once dinner has been ordered and drinks are placed for all Mera begins to compliment Calsenica's work thus far. "Of particular note I have really taken to how you are throwing yourself into the role. Today I was truly awed by your emotional investment into your character."
She sips her wine and nudges Naberius to speak up and say something under the table.
She sips her wine and nudges Naberius to speak up and say something under the table.
Naberius is lost in thought during most of Mera's praise, going over his lines and mentally congratulating himself for getting most of them right. Truthfully, he was quite enjoying himself on the stage. At least he thought he would be, without the very real threat of a painful death in the near future. Already a bit tipsy from the few drinks he had for encouragement earlier during his performance, he settles to drinking in silence until being put on the spot by Mera. The conjurer startles slightly, clearing his throat in an effort to buy himself a few seconds and formulate a response. He shoots Mera a flustered glance.
I thought you were supposed to take care of this!
"Hm? Ah... Yes, quite," mutters, still trying to come up with something congenial. "I can—without any exaggeration—tell you that you are already a far better actor than I. You two work so well together, as well. I daresay, I have never seen such chemistry!"
The wizard makes a quick retreat back behind his wine glass, nodding in mock appreciation. In truth, he had payed little attention to anyone else's performance, aside from Mera's. However, empty compliments still came to him easily enough...
The mystery man enters the building next to the alley through a rear door. On the front of the building is scrawled, 'Mother Kass' Boarding House - Private rooms!'
Vasco makes an effort to try and find a window from which he could see the bright-plumed man, but finds himself thwarted by the incomprehensible human construction. He does his best to memorise the name of the establishment (one letter at a time) before flying back to the theatre.
Thesing stares at Monday cooly for a moment. Well if Calsenica is not available, I guess I will have to find another to 'perform' with. I would 'perform' with you, but I feel my talents would be wasted on a woman of your breeding. Thesing says mockingly.
Calsenica blushes as Mera offers her praise. She cannot believe that the legendary Mera Wist-Thrune is taking an interest in her! She was ecstatic when Delour seemed to forgive her and became a patron, but Mera? Mera is in a league above Delour and possibly Thesing. Oh! Thesing will be upset when I am not there to 'perform' with him. It is odd he calls it performing. She wonders if it all an act with him or if there is any truth. she thinks as she sips her wine.
When Naberius speaks she almost giggles. It is obvious that the man wasn't paying attention to the conversation, but she appreciates his praise nonetheless. She smiles at Naberius and asks, Nonsense, you seem to be great actor. What made you take up the theatrical arts and what plays have you performed in? Did you join because your kin here is such a highly regarded actress? Calsenica winks at Mera.
Monday just slowly rolls her eyes. "No doubt, if your flailing about onstage is any indication then your bedside performance would make for a perfect lullaby. Alas, I like shows that don't put me to sleep with their bland tediousness."
Mera grins ear to ear at Calsenica's comment. I love watching Naberius squirm under the scrutiny of conversation, I hope he doesn't hate me for it later.
She offers up a slight giggle at her wink, mostly for show to encourage the woman. She tips her glass and settles into her seat, "Absolutely it's because of that! While I know it well, I as well am interested in hearing your story."
Since the stage was cleaned up and the pig was exsanguinated Tal saw nothing better than taking hte meat home with him. Throwing itin a sack to keep people fromnoticing it too much he madesure to drop the pig off at a butcher for processing before heading home.
While the others are dining out or chasing Thesing Tal was having a quiet relaxing night with his wife and drinking away the cares of the stage.
I have wasted enough time gabbing with you, Woman! Thesing retorts. Unless you are interested in sharing my bed and see a real man 'perform', I must be off to find a replacement for Calsenica!
Calsenica is glad to see that Mera is in on the fun. Yes! Please share for us how you became hungry for the fame of the stage. She coos at Naberius.
"Real man? Bah," Monday all but snorts at Thesing's proclamation. "What are you, little man? An actor? I happen to currently be with a 'real man' at the moment, a man who dreams of hell and breaks the spines of Devils, who I can say fulfills me and anyone else who is lucky to have and not squander him. But what about you, little man? You, full of sound and fury, surrounded by your pomp and pageantry, are nothing, not even a hack."
Keeping her eyes locked with his she steps in front of him to keep him from leaving, at least for right now.
Breaks the spines of devils? Sounds like a fun night! Thesing says sarcastically. As far as being a hack, guttersnipe, We will see who the audience showers with flowers and praise and who the audience showers with yesterday's garbage! Thesing says confidently.
Monday's lips curl into, well, you could say it was a smile. "Oh, believe me, I always have a fun night. And speaking of your much required audience, you sniveling addict going through the withdrawals of your ego, it might be quite hard for them to boo your prescence or cheer your death scene if it's already happened before showtime, now wouldn't it?"
She smiles at Naberius and asks, Nonsense, you seem to be great actor. What made you take up the theatrical arts and what plays have you performed in? Did you join because your kin here is such a highly regarded actress? Calsenica winks at Mera.
She offers up a slight giggle at her wink, mostly for show to encourage the woman. She tips her glass and settles into her seat, "Absolutely it's because of that! While I know it well, I as well am interested in hearing your story."
Calsenica is glad to see that Mera is in on the fun. Yes! Please share for us how you became hungry for the fame of the stage. She coos at Naberius.
Naberius sighs and takes a deep gulp of wine, his mind racing for something to say. Already in a state of mild drunkenness, he is unable to come up with anything coherent. The conjurer visibly gives up on the effort after a moment, instead tapping into his previous vigour on the stage. He launches into an largely improvised story, told in a exaggeratedly melancholic tone:
"Oh, but it is a tale of woe! I was betrayed, you see, by those closest to me. Family. Until very recently I had been travelling the world, trying to forget the bitter sting of treachery. After a while, my journeys brought me to Katapesh. You will not find such a wretched hive of scum and villainy anywhere else on Golarion! A city ruled by monstrous individuals who hide behind masks of pleasantry, served by the wretched masses of humanity, all enslaved to their masters by their own greed and ignorance. No sin was too taboo, no desire so depraved, that they would not fulfill it for the promise of coin. Or your very soul..."
"It is there that I sought to lose myself, to forget my past and float into obscurity. So I did, sampling every vice imaginable. I will not go into details, for the very memory fills me with the deepest shame. Needless to say that after a while I had spent what was left of my fortune, though the loss of honour was what pained me the most. As I finally laid dying in the gutter, watching the uncaring masses of foreigners pass by, I cursed the gods that had brought me so low. I am not a religious man, but in that moment of desperation my curses turned to pleas. I called up to the heavens, praying that they release me from my plight."
"Abject foolishness, of course. No help came from those higher powers, forces as uncaring as any in the passing crowd. However, my delirious cries did bring someone to my aid. Quite unexpectantly, there was one kindly soul amongst the others. She was a foreigner, but not quite like those desert-folk that inhabit Katapesh. She hid her face behind a veil, but her voice was more beautiful than any I have ever heard. It cut through my hallucinations, and brought me back from the brink of insanity. She took me in, having her servants carry me to her villa. There she nursed me back to health, in body and spirit. Indeed..."
"Indeed, she was a skilled healer. Not in the traditional sense, but she was a nurturing spirit. Rare is the person who can listen to your woes and not take them into themselves, that possesses such a zeal for life that those around them are similarly heartened by their presence. She was such a blessed being. She taught me to live again, and I adored her for it. Finally, I felt like I could once again face the world. After having dwelled so long surrounded by strangers, I longed to make amends with my family. Home called to me, but I had no one left. Truthfully, I had always felt like a stranger myself, even amongst my kin."
"All except for one. We had been long estranged, but I reached out to her, begging for succor. To my surprise and delight, she was willing to give me a chance. So I returned here, with nothing but my name and the clothes on my back. It was Mera who took me under her wing, and introduced me to theatre. Truly, I am lucky to have such a magnanimous cousin! After watching her on stage, I felt inspired like I had not been since I was a boy, starting into my studies in the arcane. It was not long that I felt the urge to step into the limelight myself. As you can readily see, I take to it quite well. It seems acting is in our blood..."
The wizard leans back and hides behind his glass, doubly awkward in the silence following his bolsterous oration.
Obviously, the story is false. Perhaps in an effort to make lying easier for himself, Naberius mixed elements of truth into his lies. Almost everything he said about Katapesh could just as easily be applied to Westcrown. There are moments in the tale where his real feelings clearly shine through, as if the imagined events indirectly tapped into some place of authentic emotion.
The part about the healer, in particular, brings a very real flush to his face.
Mera sucks in her cheeks and raises her eyebrows some when Naberius finished, a little taken aback by the monologue. "Well now! I am sincerely humbled cousin. In all honesty I can truly say that you have become a far better student than I ever thought possible. You've continued to impress your talents upon those around you and I do think you have quiet the bright future ahead of you!"
She raises her glass and signals the help. "Another bottle please! My dear cousin speaks so much more freely with the liquid courage!"
Calsenica absentmindedly puts her hand to her mouth as Naberius continues his tale. She doesn't even realize when she bites down on it, drawing a crimson trickle. At the end of his tale, tears are welling in her eyes. You poor, poor soul! I had no idea! I am truly sorry. I thought your standoffish nature was amusing, but now that I have heard your tale, I can understand it. She wipes a tear from her eyes and repeats Poor Soul!
Tut! Tut! Simple child! I have no fear of this play, but you on the other hand? I can take care of myself, but if you and Mera were both in dire straits, who would Raveen come and save? Not you, my dear. I don't think you would even receive help from your fellow cast mates - I know I wouldn't help you! You might call it ego, but is it ego when it is well-earned? Face it you poor simpleton! I am the star of this show and, well, you are expendable! Thesing says with a cruel laugh. Now if you are not going to amuse me with your base antics in my bedchamber, I would request you move out of the way so I can find an appreciative partner. Maybe two, or perhaps three!
Without breaking her smile Monday rolls her eyes again. "If you could somehow manage to wound up a couple of lovelies I could see myself being in the same bedchamber as you, but I doubt you're capable of that."
Without breaking eye contact she continues. "Stupid man, to have something so backwards. It is the actors, not the play I care about. You? You're just a face that gives people fleeting amusement, soon to be thrown away and forgotten as the next thing comes about. Mera? Calsenica? They'll rise in your absence while time will make a fool out of you. And that's how you will end, a pitiful, destitute, nobody that the stage and the audience have long since forgotten."
"But enough about you. Yes, I'm sorry, not, but there are people besides yourself to talk about. As I stated I am interested in the actors, and you are too. Or at the least, you are into Calsenica, going beyond her remarkable talents and taste. An interest that results in you getting palmed some coins in an alley in exchange for words with someone else concerning dear lovely Calsenica."
"THAT. Is what interests me, silly little Thesing."
Calsenica absentmindedly puts her hand to her mouth as Naberius continues his tale. She doesn't even realize when she bites down on it, drawing a crimson trickle. At the end of his tale, tears are welling in her eyes. You poor, poor soul! I had no idea! I am truly sorry. I thought your standoffish nature was amusing, but now that I have heard your tale, I can understand it. She wipes a tear from her eyes and repeats Poor Soul!
Naberius blinks, taken aback by Calseinica's apparent gullibility. He clears his throat.
I did not think such innocence would be even possible in this day and age...
"Now now," he says, handing the young actress a handkerchief. "I am quite fine now, obviously. No offense has been taken, I assure you..."
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Mera is caught off guard by Calseinca's reaction as well. She quirks an eyebrow at Naberius. I guess his acting ability has exceeded even his own expectations. She raises her glass in salute to him before taking a drink.
Mera slips an arm around Calesinca and asks, "So. How about you and I go grab a nightcap in the Wist-Thrune manor? While I technically don't reside their any longer I still keep rooms there. I could show you around? Hmmm?"
Looking to Naberius she adds, "My cousin has come down with a case of the Monday's. Have you heard of them? Terrible sleeping disorder from what I hear. You lay in bed, unable to sleep and moan all night long. Absolutely dreadful, you don't get any sleep at all! I simply don't know how he can function during the day. You're truly talented cousin. Truly."
When Calsenica looks to Naberius out of concern, Mera will jerk her head and move her eyes towards the door.
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Thesing bursts out laughing. Palming coins? I have no idea what you are talking about. I leave so I can mentally prepare myself for the next day. I do not frequent back alleys and if anyone should know it should be you as I am sure you are no stranger to back alleys and palming coins.
Come by my chamber in about an hour and you will see what lovelies I am entertaining. I would bet you, but I am afraid of where your coins have been.
Calseinca claps her hands excitedly. Ohh! I would love that! Will your cousin join us? She glances pleadingly at Naberius. I hope an evening out will cure you of the Mondays. They sound terrible! Where is the pain that distresses you so? Oh you poor man. To have such a tragic life and now to be visited by these Mondays each night. tsk tsk.
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Looking to Naberius she adds, "My cousin has come down with a case of the Monday's. Have you heard of them? Terrible sleeping disorder from what I hear. You lay in bed, unable to sleep and moan all night long. Absolutely dreadful, you don't get any sleep at all! I simply don't know how he can function during the day. You're truly talented cousin. Truly."
Calseinca claps her hands excitedly. Ohh! I would love that! Will your cousin join us? She glances pleadingly at Naberius. I hope an evening out will cure you of the Mondays. They sound terrible! Where is the pain that distresses you so? Oh you poor man. To have such a tragic life and now to be visited by these Mondays each night. tsk tsk.
Naberius blushes, finishing his drink in a single gulp.
"Well, um... as it happens," he says, fumbling for words. "I have to be elsewhere. Doing Mondays. Uh... I mean things! Yes, things."
Collecting his new staff, the wizard beats a hasty (if a bit wobbly) retreat back to the hideout.
Calseinca watches Naberius as he quickly leaves. She looks at Mera and smiles, Was it something we said? She then finishes her wine. I am ready to go if you are?
Monday shrugs and raises her hands up to the side, palms up. "Poor Thesing, you're as bad a liar as you are an actor. Here I was hoping for some amusement and yet you've bored me even more than when you were onstage, a feat I did not believe was possible, congratulations my silly sir. Well, you may like to go to bed a disappointment but I'm off for my usual night of fulfillment and panacea for the day."
With that she turns, and then immediately spins on her heels to face the prima donna again, smirking. "Or were you sincere in inviting me along to see who all you could lure back to your room?"
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You will have to come in an hour and see! Thesing says dismissively.