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dotting
Trundling into The Blind Eye, a half-elf wearing a rich brown cloak over his RHC uniform seems to be struggling with the amount of paperwork in his hands. Quickly setting it all down on a nearby table, RHC paperwork on one side and various designs for an odd rifle on another, he calls out in a jokingly desperate voice.
"Food and drink! I need food and drink to survive this blighted foe of Risur! Else it be released upon the citizens for their eternal torment!"
Sophia sat in a corner of The Blind Eye with a bottle of wine to herself. She sat back on the padded bench that made up half of the table's seating, looking up at the ceiling lost in thought. Her regulation jacket was unbuttoned and hung open, making it clear she was quite done for the day. She absent-mindedly swirled the Pinot Noir in her glass as she thought about the past. It'll be three years next month since Anya passed away. I'll have to make arrangements to travel to Slate to visit her grave-site. I hope you're doing well Ani, wherever it is you've gone. Still looking upward, she hoisted her glass into the air as if toasting, and then took a drink from the glass.
She set the glass aside for a moment and picked up the mostly full bottle, looking at the label. Speaking to no one in particular, she remarked on the wine, "I'm not sure if it's the lack of magic or some technological advantage, but Danor has us completely beaten in Pinot Noir." She quickly topped off her glass before setting the bottle down.
Noticing the brown-coated half-elf walking in she snapped out of her melancholy and called out to him. "Jasper, over here, come drink with me!" She had only been at the RHC for half a year now, but she found the company there much better than back at the academy where the other Professors mostly kept to themselves socially. They were a stuffy lot to begin with, and her being significantly younger than them all only made it worse.
It helped that Shem had gotten a position at the RHC. She'd known him from way back before she left for Danor, and so she was happy to have a familiar face at the RHC. She'd been a bit reluctant to socialize when she first arrived, but after Shem dragged her out to the Blind Eye a few times against her will she'd started to remember how much she'd enjoyed the social life that came with her time at the Royal Ballet. And time with Anya, she thought briefly and letting out something between a sigh and a chuckle. She beckoned Jasper over quickly, "Come, paperwork can wait, and I shouldn't drink this bottle alone, or at the very least I shouldn't drink it while alone," she said with a wink. "Do you know if any of the others are coming here tonight?"
Hearing and seeing Sophia, Jasper quickly picks up the paperwork and moves everything over adjacent her table.
"Sophia, well met! Sadly, I can't leave the paperwork to multiply as I enjoy myself, but..."
With a flourish, he pulls a device out of his satchel and flings it to his left as it unfolds with a flourish, before placing it in the chair by the paperwork. The device started out as a cube, but untangles into a small skeletal-like robotic simulacrum. Immediately the eyes light up with an arcane glow as the gears begin spinning, as the construct reaches for the pen and starts on the paperwork with calligraphic writing.
"But I will take you up on sharing that bottle while Clicker here takes care of the work for me. I think a few others mentioned coming here, as I did my best to escape the Constabulary Office, even if I had to bring my paperwork with me to do so." Jasper states with a grin, as he takes up a chair at Sophia's table leaving the construct and paperwork to themselves.
Unfolding the schematics to the odd-rifle he has been tinkering with and designing on the table, he leaves them there for when inspiration strikes him as he reaches for the bottle and a glass.
"I don't know how you and the others handle the it, especially without a construct to help, on a normal basis. Ever since I transferred from being a tech, I thought the danger would be from the action, not ... that." the half-elf gestures towards the construct and the dreaded pile of papers.
Taking a sip of the wine and visibly slouching into the chair, Jasper continues, "Hopefully your day has been better than my own currently. I'm only now getting around to trying to figure the problems with something I've been tinkering with."
Entering the "The Blind Eye" was a rather unexpected type of visitor.
A rather unassuming woman, dressed in what seems to be a housekeeper or servent's uniform carrying a small brown leather suitcase. she seems to carry no weapons nor have any indication that she is a magic weilding sort. her dress almost floor length and the long sleeves seem a bit loose fitting.she wears white gloves and eyeglasses.
she adjust her glasses and approaches the bar. not taking a seat she simply stands at the bar. she sets the suitcase on the bar ever so gently. as though the contents were made of glass.
Looking to the barkeep Whiskey, por favor she requests. her accent hard to place.
the only thing that is definately evident is the small emblem on her suitcase. The symbol of Risur's Naval Command. In particular the warship, R.N.S. Impossible
the woman speaks in a familiar accent you probably have not heard in several years. there are not too many that speak in such an accent that you know. the emblem on the suitcase also seems familiar. something from your past.
when the galss is brought to her the woman sips the drink and turns to scan the tavern, like she is looking for someone.
Jasper glances at the newcomers as they enters, taking a visible double take towards the housekeeper when he hears her accent when she speaks and spotting the emblem on the suitcase. Nothing immediately springs to his mind from the Academy or the Constables, especially with her being a housekeeper, yet ...
Turning back towards Sophia he lets it settle for now, hoping it will hit him. It shows on his face something is on his mind, though.
One of the largest men you have ever seen enters the room. The RHC uniform just doesn't look right on a man eight feet tall even if it is properly tailored. He sits at the sturdy table and orders ale nodding to Jasper and saying Hello, mi amigo. I see you have your little friend doing your work again. With that said, Isaac pulls out his own little cube and sits it next to Jasper's it unfolds and begins to mimic what Jasper's is doing in an exaggerated way. Goliath there will keep Clicker company, though WORK should be left at WORK! He the grins as Jasper which unsettles anyone who can see it. When a man of his size emphasizes words they stay emphasized.
"I still say that as a constable my 'Work' is the City, if not all of Risur and beyond, meaning I can do my paperwork in a more comfortable setting if I please." Jasper grumbles at Isaac's jibe, as he pulls out some Leaf of Nicodemus and paper. "Besides, nothing in that stack is sensitive anyways."
Quickly rolling up a cigarette, Jasper immediately lights up before offering to Sophia and Isaac a share if they wish to smoke as they drink.
You make as much smoke as the factories around this town. My vice is alcohol and I'll stick to it thank you. Since you're not going to be polite and introduce me to your friend I'll do it myself. My name is Isaac Cogmeterperscond Esquire At least that's what it sounds like. Isaac takes out a small card and hands it to Sophia. It reads:
Isaac Kgmetrepersecondsquared
Technical Consultant
Risur Homeland Constabulary
Pleased to meet you, Senorita
Shem emerged from behind the bar, brandishing a bottle of spiced rum and wearing a tricorne that he had gotten from god knows where. "Go on break, sirrah." he says, in a surprisingly sober tone, to the bartender. "I'll cover for you."
The bartender looks at the half-elf with skepticism before building up the courage to whimper, "B-but... You don't work here."
Shem begins searching his pockets as if he'd forgot something. "Ah, right you are. I must be confusing you with one of those other taverns favorited by the RHC. I get these little establishments jumbled up all the time. I suppose I'll take my rum and go then." He moves to walk out, his slight limp obvious to anyone even mildly paying attention.
Moving to the table where most of the others are, he invites himself to sit down, scowling at Jasper's paperwork as he does so. "No rest for the wicked, no?" he asks dismissively before turning his attentions to Sophia. "Sophia. Bottle tree nymph. Ask me what that is."
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well Isaac," she says as she takes the card from the half-giant. "I think I've seen you around headquarters, good to put a name to that massive frame! Do you take wine? You're welcome to have some as well," she adds with a smile.
"Shem! I was wondering when you'd wander in here. Up to no good as usual?" she asks in a teasing manner. "I'd offer some wine to you as well, but you seem to have already secured your drink! So, a bottle tree nymph? I've no idea, what is a bottle tree nymph?" she asks, half expecting a punch-line.
Rose remained at the bar keeping one eye on her suitcase. the other on the gathering group.
her scan of the tavern stopped at that group. it would seem that it has captured her attention.
she finishes her whiskey in a one gulp. setting the glass on the bar.
she grabs her suitcase, and heads to the group moving ever so gracefully.
She moves to be sure she is addressing jasper and that there is no mistake as to who she is addressing.
Perdone señor, ¿puedo hablar un momento con usted? ... Might I have word with you? she asks her voice rather insistent.
here eyes glance at the plans he has among his papers.
A small smile crosses her lips as she immediately seems to recognize what he is designing.
"I suppose 'what' is a little insulting. More like who. A few blocks from here you'll find a grove. In that grove there will be trees. All of them have battles on the branches where leaves should grow." he seems a bit excited about it. "The dryads who live in those trees have turned them into small monuments, collecting bottles as they are trashed and putting them on the limbs. Most people don't see the dryads because they hide, but I convinced one to let me rest in her branches last night."
He smiles giddily and takes a sip of Sophia's wine. "They make it better in Danor."
At first, Jasper had wanted to ask further about this bottle tree nymph but the mention of Danor, ever how brief, sours his taste. "Yes, it makes me wonder which winery they captured and put to work to pull that off." is all he grumbles darkly before grabbing his plans and turning to the housekeeper requesting his attention.
"How may I help you..." Jasper trails off a moment as he catches the eye of the lady in question as memories dredged up by the mention of Danor and the lady's memorable eyes connect. "Damn, Molly really did pull off the impossible the next day didn't she? Its nice to see in person that you got out of that Nem-forsaken Danor."
Looking to jasper, Rose's eyes hard and cold of someone that has seen death. she sets her suitcase down and gives a curtsy. I am honored to have the chance to see that you are well. but I am wondering, have you heard from Molly?
A bit confused by Jasper's snide remark about the wine, Sophia turns to ask, but decides to wait until later as a woman approaches and begins talking to him.
After a small pause she turns back to Shem. "So a Bottle Tree, really?" she asks skeptically. Before he can answer, she continues "Although you convincing the dryad to 'rest in her branches' almost sells me on it. The girls were always fighting each other to get the spot nearest you when you showed up at our parties. I imagine a dryad wouldn't stand much of a chance either," she says shaking her head and laughing.
"Oh, where are my manners? Isaac, do you know Shemhazai? Shemhazai, this is Isaac Kgmetrepersecondsquared, although don't ask me to say that twice fast. Did I get it right?" Whispering loudly to Isaac and Shem she adds "At the very least I know I did better than the time I accidentally called Jasper 'Jasmine'." She laughs and takes another drink of her wine.
"I'm not one for innuendo, I shared her bed of leaves but did not take it any further. Innuendo was always Anya's domain." Shem says. He greets Isaac and offers him a swig of rum.
Issac accepts the rum and takes a small swig, for a man his size at least and passes it back. You did fine Sophia. Though you needed try my last name again. I'll take pitty oun your tongue. There's that big grin again, so many teeth, so big. Good dentistry though, unlike most of Risur. Issac turns to Shemhazai Nice to meet you, Shemhazai. You've taken the kings coin as well?
Sophia nods at Shem and smiles bittersweetly. "She always did have a knack for that, didn't she?"
"Thank you Isaac, I'll try to get it right-er next time! For now, however, I think the wine is making it an unnecessarily arduous task." she says with a grin. She lays back against the bench, rests her head upon it and listens to the others talking.
Looking to jasper, Rose's eyes hard and cold of someone that has seen death. she sets her suitcase down and gives a curtsy. I am honored to have the chance to see that you are well. but I am wondering, have you heard from Molly?
"I was about to ask you the same thing. I haven't heard from her since I received a note from her about being successful on her rescue mission all those years ago. What brings you here by chance?"
Blinking a moment, Jasper scowls as he realized that Sophia brought up the 'Jasmine' mistake again. "Oy! Must you tell everyone that!"
"Anyways before Isaac starts commenting on my supposed ill-manners, which I could have sworn the two would have meet before, the three here are some fellow coworkers of mine in the RHC. That is Sophia and Shemhazai, while the big one is Isaac."
"And to you all, let me introduce one of the reasons why I was even able to escape Danor in the first place. Please meet ..." Jasper trails off awkwardly as he realizes that he actually may have forgotten the housekeeper's true name. Turning to the housekeeper in question, "Umm, I am so very sorry but the only thing that comes to mind is Rose. Its been a number of years, and it was chaotic back then."
Rose turns to look toward the table. then back to Jasper. I'm sorry, perhaps this was not a good time.
she turns to the table and does a curtsy. Buena noches, I am
Rosealita Englasias. Servant of the household of Captain Rutger Smith, Commanding officer of the R.N.S. Impossible. and friend to Senor Jasper. Her voice is very polite and respectful.
Shem leans back and puts a friendly arm around Sophia and sighs as the conversation unfolds in front of him. His grin is as goofy as ever.
Lifting her head from the back of the bench, Sophia smiles and replies to Jasper's exasperation. "If I recall correctly, you weren't the one who turned bright red upon discovering the mistake, Jasper. You should be teasing me about it, and I should be the one complaining. If that isn't proof of what a crazy world we live in, I don't know what is!" she says, laughing heartily at the end.
Noticing the woman at the bar half-watching them, Sophia thinks for a moment. "Isn't that Selene?" she asks the others at the table. "We should drag her over here as well. And you're welcome to stay as well, no need to leave... Rose, was it? No sense not hanging around if you came all this way to talk to Jasper!" She looks and sees there's little seating left. "Isaac, Jasper, could you get your little homunculi to move another table and chairs over here?" she says, gesturing at the two robots sitting at the end.
Isaac seems to drift off into space for a minute and Goliath stops mocking clicker and gets up, drags a table over as well as three chairs. He then sits down at the "head" of the table, raises an imaginary cup and "drinks".
Rose remains standing and step back as the new table is added. Once the additional seats are placed, I thank you for the invitation, she starts as she moves to take one of the sets offered.
before she takes a seat, Rose motions to the barkeep for another whiskey.
looking to Jasper as she takes her seat, the powder chamber in you design is too large, the additional powder to increase the weapon range will gain very little benefit over the additional risk of misfire. perhaps, you should consider a new barrel design instead. Rose indicates the rifle design Jasper was working on.
turning to the other present, she adds in a respectful tone, If it is not too much trouble, perhaps you could tell me how you have come to know Senor Jasper.
Taking a look at the blueprints, Jasper ponders for a moment over the suggestion. Clicker on the other hand, nods its head, and grabs the pile of paperwork and ink and efficiently moves them to another table nearby to continue to work. Anyone watching would think the Clicker had looked at Goliath, and sniffed in derision at its antics before getting back to proper work.
"I completely forgot about the misfire potential. That was supposed to be a combination powder chamber and admixture chamber for a trick I was trying, but that would come back to haunt me when fired wouldn't it? It will set me back some time in building it but what if I ..."
What follows is Jasper scribbling out a new design, to most its a mess but to those interested in firearms its using a standard powder chamber, but strangely adding in a tiny arcane steam boiler built into the stock with piping leading to various ports and the powder chamber. Its a nightmare of a mess.
Oh yes, Jasper has caught a bit of inspiration and seems to be lost in thought in his design.
Rose places her gloved hand on Jasper's as he starts to write, stopping him before he really gets started.
Please, Senor Jasper, you have company, to work in their presence would be rude. she says with a polite smile, her voice calm and courteous.
Rose looks at Jasper, her sky blue piercing eyes look right into him.
There is something about Rose, you are a part of the R.H.C. some longer than others. but in your training there is something familiar about this Rose.
Then it hits you, those eyes, they have seen death, they are the eyes of a hunter.
you remember hearing of someone that has eyes like that.
could this be? one of the last known members of the now disbanded Guerrilla fighting group of the R.H.C? The Midnight Raiders?
last you heard all the members were either dead or in prison for Treason. nobody knows for sure the real truth.
"But ... but ..." The half-elf looks distraught at the thought of putting down the blueprints when he thinks he is on the verge of a breakthrough in design. He finally gives in with a sigh at those piercing eyes, as he tosses the blueprints towards Clicker, which packs them away in a satchel with the completed paperwork.
"There, I hope you are happy." Jasper mutters sullenly before he takes a sip of his wine followed by a long pull on his cigarette, which causes him to visibly relax.
"Well, staying away from tinkering, anyone planning on catching Rock Rackus's next show? I don't believe a word of it myself, but no one can deny its not entertaining."
Isaac smiles at Jasper and says All work and no play makes Jasmine a dull boy! Now drink up and relax! He then gives Jasper a mighty slap on the back
Jasper stumbles forward in his chair before bouncing off the table and coming to rest against the backrest once again from the half-giant's friendly slap. Fortunately, or rather due to his reflexes, his drink remains unspilled and his cigarette stays safe.. Sending an evil eye at Isaac for a moment, he turns back towards Sophia saying with a moan of despair, "Now do you understand why I was complaining about it? Isaac will never let me live this down now."
"Besides Isaac, you should know that I built Clicker to DO all that work, unlike Goliath over there which you made and named solely for a joke."
Not at all my friend! Goliath is there to do the things to dangerous for me to do! I don't know about you, but I'd rather be 30 feet away when trying to disable something that might explode! Though you do have me on the name.
Isaac then winks and grins at Sophia, I must thank you. He is right. I'll NEVER let him live that down. That's too good to let go.
"Rock Rackus? Show? Have I been missing something? What sort of performance?" she says with interest as she picks up her glass to take another drink.
Sophia is mid drink when Isaac calls Jasper 'Jasmine'. She narrowly avoids spitting her wine all over the table with a deftly placed hand over her mouth. Managing to stifle the laughter long enough to not choke on the beverage, she swallows and takes a deep breath before laughing. "I'm sorry Jasper, I wasn't aware I was arming the enemy!" she says looking in mock horror at Isaac.
"Look on the bright side though..." she adds, pausing to think for a moment. She opens her mouth a couple times, about to come up with a silver lining, but fails. Deftly sidestepping the entire issue, she turns to Rose and starts talking.
"So, Rose... Rose... where have I heard you name before? Oh, wasn't there a Rosealita serving in the Midnight Raiders? I remember my father talking about them a while ago said they'd been disbanded for some reason or another."
Rose's muscles visibly tense up at the mention of Midnight Raiders. she takes a few breaths then turns toward Sophia and with a very polite tone, I'm sorry, but I do not know what you are talking about.
She looks to Jasper, a cold stare, an unseen desire for him to not say anything.
It does not take much to see that she definately knows about that subject, and it is a painful memory.
But it is possible she knows the real truth as to what happened.
Jasper opens his mouth say something before freezing at Rose's stare and catching the hint it delivers. Deciding to explain Rackus's shows seems like a better option then tempting fate.
"Right, anyways if you never seen Rackus's show, Sophia, I'll have to grab an extra pass the next time I can. I know most Risur believes otherwise, but its hard not to think that the heavens aren't a massive dome as portrayed but physical worlds. Rackus's tall tales are about his supposed adventures to these worlds."
Getting the feeling that Rose doesn't want to discuss the issue, Sophia decides to not inquire further.
"Oh, now I remember! I think he became popular while I was overseas, so I've never been to one of his shows. That sounds like a lot of fun, whether or not his tales are true. If you get a pass let me know and I'll definitely be up for it!"
After noticing no one has gone to get Selene, Sophia decides to remedy the situation. Slightly less inhibited thanks to the half bottle of wine she's had, and half-standing to get a bit of extra height, she waves over at Selene's spot at the bar and shouts out to her. "Selene, quit hiding at the bar! Come join us!" She waves until she's sure Selene's gotten the message, and then plops back down on the bench, satisfied.
Reaching for her wine bottle to top off her glass, she notices it's empty. "Hmm, I guess that's a sign that I should stop for the evening," she says as she examines the empty bottle. Turning to Shem she realizes that he's finished the majority of his whisky and subsequently passed out. "Go figure, Shem was always better drinker than I was, he must have started earlier or failed to get quite so much sleep as he was claiming" she says with a grin.
Isaac nods to Selene and says "Almost as important as the ability to hold one's drink well!" He then laughs at his own joke and stops his foot, somewhere a machine is recording an earthquake.
Across the room sit a group of men they seem to be enjoying drinks and playing cards. they are not dressed in and kind of uniform, the seem to be local dock workers.
But it would seem that Sophia's words carried a little further than anticipated, at the mention of Rosealita and the Midnight Raiders, a couple turn to look in the party's direction.
after a second or two they turn and begin hushed conversations.
there is something not quite right about these Dock workers. they seem to have a sight military bearing to them, perhaps they are all veterans,
one this is for sure, they are no strangers to death
you think you hear them talking about Rose. they mention "Black rose" and one of them says something about a bounty and Cartel
the background noise seems to drown out the exact details but those are defiantly something that you could make out.
Rose continues to sit and listen to the group's conversations, her suitcase on the floor next to her.
she sits very proper, and remains polite to everyone.
Rose takes notice of the other group. but she seems to not be bothered by them.
Not paying particular attention to anyone outside his group, Isaac waves the bartender over. "Kind sir, if you would please bring us another bottle of wine."
Jasper noticing the dockworkers, tries to listen in on their conversation, but its just too noisy in the tavern to hear them from this distance.
"Anyone know who that group is?" Jasper asks the table. "Cause I really doubt that they are dock workers, unless that is where war veterans are all going in groups now a days."