Payk starts at the voice and exclaims, “Woah, that’s handy.” He looks around and finally spots Ziera. “Can you hear me if I respond?” he asks at normal volume. He starts again as Glifdore’s hurried “Whisper!” comes across the spell. Payk blanches and looks around, but the other patrons do not seem to notice. He lowers his voice, “I want to help if I can, I’m not sure what I can do though. ”*
He seems both eager and disappointed.
Gray finished adjusting the sleeve of the garment, then stepped outside and quickly stowed the suit into his haversack. He then patiently awaited the others, specifically the elf, knowing that keeping an eye on each other will hopefully help forestall a repeat of the events that landed them in captivity.
All you have to do is keep your ears open and remember if anyone says anything about the name Thrune. And keep an eye on anyone you remember from our earlier meeting. We don't want to get kidnapped again. If you see anyone in trouble, signal someone, and then lend aid. We'll meet up again to pool information... probably at Asmodeus' Rest again, tomorrow, Glifdore? Are you handling the team meetings, or do you have a different method of sharing information?
Ziera knew it was probably a little strange to be still in the shop after the man she came in with had gone, so she feels some pressure to leave, but wants to take advantage of this connection before she does.
Antonio gave another whisper: "The fact that Thrune is missing is itself suspicious. They never cease trying to get their hands on everything, so why stop now? They have to be planning something, and we have to find out what. I'll ask around, but it might be difficult to distill the rumors from the truth. I'll meet you all back at the Rest by tonight, I hope."
Antonio picked out some cloths with some advice from Carew, and spent 25 gold for them. Making his way out of the shop, he gave a curt nod to Ziera, before closing the door. Not even acknowledging Gray's presence, he made his way around town, to find out why the Thrunes were not coming, and if there was some other event keeping them away during the night.
After Antonio leaves and there is nothing else from Glifdore or Payk, Ziera tells them that she'll try to check in at the Rest tonight as Antonio suggested, but she can't promise anything. Then she hurries out to rejoin Gray.
Still, he smiles pleasantly, ”Goodness gracious. I beg your pardon my dear, I seem to have become quite lost in my own thoughts and quite forgotten my manners. Are you alright?”
Quite all right, thank you sir. she says aloud, and then whispers Get the update from Glifdore.
Then she continues out to meet up with Gray.
Edmund nods politely as Ziera moves past. He browses about the shop before asking Glifdore his opinion on a selection of frumpy ascots.
Gray spied his elven companion briefly speaking to the older scholar who he had been briefly introduced to earlier, waiting patiently until the woman approached. "Very well then, my lady. Shall we retire to my apartments, then, so that we might get ready for the fabulous Ball?"
The now-handsome man's features pulled into a smile, his blue eyes filled with hunger. Restrained hunger, of course...it wouldn't do to make a habit of inflicting pain upon one's cohorts. People had a tendency to be wary of working with someone with such a reputation. Still, it never hurt to put his imagination to work. Especially on such an exquisite-looking creature.
As they walked, the inquisitor looked about for anyone trailing them, but kept a calm, normal pace as they walked. "Should we try to contact any of the other names we were given as informants, or do you think we are ready?"
Antonio said that he expected to meet up with everyone again tonight at the same place as the last meeting. Not sure where he got that expectation, but if that is happening, we might want to attend, to see if anyone else gathered additional information. That will cover most of the group... if they come, of course.
Since we have more than a day before the ball, perhaps we should try to also find Sydney. I tried to leave myself open to approach yesterday, thinking she might be more comfortable talking to just one person, but she's clearly spooked... and I can understand that.
I was thinking maybe we should stop by and ask the gnomes that were listed as low-level information dealers. Morgrim seems more likely to know something about Sydney, but both he and Stur might have insights that we need about our own team, what we've brokered for in the past, as well as goings on in town. They were listed as low-level dealers, but truly, without memories, low-level is exactly what we need. What do you think?
Gray mulled over the information for a few moments as they walked, his eyes constantly darting about. Waking up in the middle of a prison-type atmosphere with no memories tended to spook a person, and the inquisitor was already a cautious type to begin with.
"All of that seems prudent...though I might want to also ask about what types of intrigue and topics are discussed at these balls. I'd hate to start mingling and bring up taboo subjects trying to make small talk. I don't have anything pressing at the moment...so where to first?"
That sounds like another good thing to know. I guess we should hit Morgrim's place first. You want to wear that face, or another?
Glifdore frowns at the question. "I do not be knowing much in the way of that; but I'd be bettin' that Alden could help you. "
Payk sighs. "Perhaps you could ask Alden tomorrow, when we might see him again at the place we last saw him." He ruins the subtlety with a knowing wink.
Edmund goes about his business ordering his new clothes, which are still old clothes, at least in terms of style. He then takes his message to heart and makes himself scarce until the proscribed meeting time and place.
Gray shrugged at Ziera's question. "I suppose I'll trade it in for another, for now. This one is all for you." The man chuckled, even managing to wink at the elven woman before he slunk into a nearby alley. When he came out, his black hair was now a dirty blonde, his features more rounded, with a bit of acne on his chin. The circlet in his hair has been replaced with a rather worn looking hat that looked in danger of slipping off his head at any moment.
"Let's get going..."
Hold up. I need to change too. :) She steps into the aforementioned alley and comes back out with normal everyday nicer-side-of-poor clothing, rather than the upscale getup she was wearing earlier. Her face is still the same, but her hair is now auburn, with hints of gray.
They proceed to Morgrim's place.
Edmund retires to his residence, trying to figure out anything about the missing time. He spends a while just holding his son’s Holy symbol and praying for him.
The next day, he will go relatively early to the Rest, bring several books, and spending the morning with cups of tea, his pipe, and books.[/ooc]
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Gray waited at the mouth of the alley/changing room as Ziera did her own version of a quick change. The man nodded in approval at the disguise, thinking that constantly changing things up would make them harder to track. They proceeded to Asmodeus' Rest to look up Morgrim and see what other info they could gather.
How pointless. Ziera says to Gray in a low voice. Giving us addresses and keys in public so we can find each other, but nothing for our supposed contacts. This is smelling more and more like a set up all the time. Being brilliant enough to rescue us all from kidnapping, then giving us invitations to a ball but feigning to know nothing about what we are supposed to do there. Leaving a whole massive group of people to make it up as we go along, but stay hidden when we don't even know the city or ANYONE in it... but they clearly might know us, and be a danger to us in very real ways, since to all appearances someone has already acted against us. This is freaking asinine. ... and I was supposed to have been a cell leader for this shoddy outfit? Not likely. Grrr. I have been trying to jump in and figure this out, but I'm starting to think that Sydney is the only smart person IN this group. Getting far, far away from this whole mess seems like the best idea. I don't even know if we should *go* to the stupid ball. Anyone who recognizes us has an immediate advantage, and we were freaking kidnapped... all of us... assuming we followed protocol and worked to keep the group quiet, but we know that secret is out--we shouldn't be doing ANYTHING we planned to do in the past.
She fumes for a little bit longer.
I keep coming back to the fact that I *am* older. I guess you could also fake that physically, but I also feel older, somehow. And all we have to go on is the ball... and you bought new clothes for it and all. I get all that, and that we should still go. It just makes me so freaking frustrated. Wy are we even here? This is the first place someone would come looking for us. ... But we have to be here because it is the only place familiar, and the point where we have to communicate. I swear there is something wrong with ALL of it.
After this, she visibly calms herself, and then, looking resigned and deflated says,
Sorry, sorry. I'll shut up. It isn't like I have any solutions. ... So... ah, ... do you ... want to get something to eat while we wait, or do you want to bail?
I just hope that my presence does not ruin this next phase of the mission".
Gray listened stoically as Ziera went over the problems they were facing. He had the same concerns, of course...which was one reason why he kept changing his looks so often. That wouldn't deter magical scrying, of course, but he was confident enough to think it would throw off mundane shadows. "It all seems hastily put together...I fear that we have been compromised by a third party. But as long as they work towards Thrune's downfall, I don't particularly mind who I am working for. And with." He bowed slightly to Ziera, smiling slightly.
His smile disappeared as she talked about the time lapse. "I've noticed those things, as well. I have muscle memory for things I didn't know how to do before, and have magical boons that were unavailable to me from the last moment I remember before waking up. Perhaps answers will come to us as time goes on. At least we are aware of the potential issues, so perhaps we can better avoid them, this time." The inquisitor shrugged.
Gray grinned at the elven woman as she finished her rant, thinking for a moment before replying. "Something tasty to eat while we wait would be good...I'm famished." The man's eyes were filled with hunger...this time the mundane hunger of someone who wished to fill their belly with the slop of the day at a local tavern. Aasimar flesh was too valuable to waste on a light lunch.
Ziera goes up to the counter and orders hashbrowns, hoping they made more than slop. She hated slop.
Gray moved to a table with Ziera after catching Vince's glance, ordering hash browns as well along with sausage. After learning that the performer was the man they were looking for, the inquisitor settled in, ready to pounce on the man at the first opportunity.
Antonio entered the Rest, spying Gray and Ziera sitting at a table. Sitting with them, he spoke. "How goes it? You two seem entranced by the performer up there." He paused as he listened to the dwarf for a few moments. "So what is going on?"
Ziera makes eye contact with Vince when he moves, and smiles, but then looks away and doesn't otherwise acknowledge him.
Gray, can you talk to Morgrim and perhaps find a place where he would be comfortable conducting some business? ... Maybe someplace less public than this? I'll explain what we're doing for Antonio.
She casts message (as surreptitiously as she can) and points to Vince (under the table), so that he can hear what she says to Antonio without being obvious about listening. If Antonio notices or asks, she just says "just trying to keep everyone safe and informed, as always."
To Antonio:
We're still just trying to collect information about House Thrune, as well as some of the other group resources. If you remember the information we were given about contacts and roles, you were information gathering and social presence, Payk and Adrien could do rogue work, Vince was a frontliner with Mercenary contacts, Gray and Sydney were interrogation, Glifdore and I were cell leaders, etc. So, Morgrim, the bard we were just listening to, was also listed as an information dealer that we use as a source sometimes, specializing in house politics. We're just trying to follow up on some of the information from that initial meeting, and of course find out as much as we can about the party so we will be more prepared, though of course, he doesn't know about the organization we belong to, or who belongs to it, and we probably should limit who we talk to in front of him so he doesn't sell us out like any other piece of information. Have you been able to learn anything additional since we talked earlier?
Antonio whispered under his breath, already used to the magic. "It appears that House Thrune truly does not intend to go the party - it is a family matter, in which Alana Thrune has chosen not to go, and thus, prevents the rest of the Thrunes from going. I don't know the reason, but it seems sincere. So while I cannot eliminate the presence of a spy, I can say that this is quite an insult to whomever has organized the party. Perhaps not at the level of full resentment, but a little push here and there from us could turn some tides."
"In addition,", he noted, "There appears to be other rumors of Thrune holding their own party soon. Not sure how we should be reacting to that. On one hand, it is a goal right there in front of us, but on another, it is likely equally fraught with danger. It is directly on their home turf, after all."
"As for this Morgrim, I don't trust anyone who is willing to sell secrets. Let's just get what we want from him and then leave him be."
Gray nodded to Ziera, slipping away from the table and taking a seat next to Morgrim. When the bartender comes, the inquisitor held up his hand. "I'll pay for this fine fellow's drink. He has such an engaging presence, and speaking is thirsty work."
Gray's eyes followed the bartender as he wandered away to get the drink, flitting back to Morgrim once they had a semblance of privacy. "Hello, Morgrim...I was hoping I could persuade you to perform some more...private...story-telling for me and my companion over there. Yes, the pretty middle-aged woman. Specifically stories about the upper class and their dynamics. Surely you know a few?"
The young man kept his face calm, and as the bartender returned Gray asked the dwarf a question about the set he had just performed. When the drink-server wandered off again, Gray asked, "What say you?"
Vince, never one to pass up excitement, hops up as well and follows the dwarf.
Gray eyed Vince with disdain, but proceeded to follow Morgrim to private dining area, subtly waving Ziera and Antonio over, as well. He hated to draw attention, but with more minds in the room they were likely to be more thorough, as well.
Ziera stops using Message.
In response to hearing that the Thrunes were soon going to throw their own party, Ziera says to Antonio, Interesting. Perhaps that is something we can use. Excellent work. In a lower voice, she continues As for trusting him... who said anything about trusting? We don't remember the last 5 years of our *lives* ... we are severely, desperately in need of any and ALL information that we can get, about this town, about ourselves, about each other... we don't know who kidnapped us, how our memories were stolen, or even who our own friends and enemies are. We can't trust anyone without more information... and that is what I am trying to get. I hate the Thrunes, but as far as I am concerned, that is a very low priority right now. We can't complete a mission that we don't know anything about, and we can't really even work together unless we find a way to trust each other.
Then, seeing Gray wave her over, and seeing Antonio *and* Vince come along, she wonders why Gray is inviting the whole world, and wonders both whether he has a plan, and (again) whether she can really trust him. She severely revises what she was planning to ask Morgrim. On one hand, it would be nice to just be able to relax and trust all of these people, but on the other hand, every aspect of what was currently going on told her that she couldn't. This was seeming less and less like a good idea. She proceeds to the private dining room, sitting in the back and motioning Gray to proceed.