A pause, and curious, "How was your day?" She moves, sitting on one of the low walls where she can see down the hallway to the entrance.
"She's struck blind but still can see? Nothing remotely that exciting happened to me." Gravlax thinks as he works his way through the apple.
"Bought some apples," he says, rather lamely. Comes to a decision.
"No, my friend has more exciting times than I do. And this is just fine by me."
"The others know that Arael and I headed here, but I don't know if any of them will actually come here." She swings her legs up, laying down sword and bow as she gets comfortable.
"I don't promise to be the most exciting of companions... I didn't actually sleep last night." She leans back, frame relaxed.
Until, about twenty minutes later, she moves, near silent, dropping down to the floor. Walking towards the hallway where the entrance is. She doesn't seem concerned though.
Gravlax perks up as Janiven walks toward the entrance, but doesn't move to follow her. He does pull out another apple, just in case.
Apples are lovely for throwing.
"Well, the initial odds are 25% terrible, 50% neutral and 25% tolerable but annoyingly positive. And a further 6 out of 9 within those odds that it will all end in sorrow. So overall... I'm not worried." The unspoken opinion that he could easily eliminate the halfling if she becomes a nuisance is probably easy to read in his confident body language. Not that he would do such a thing unless provoked. After all, he'd never hear the end of it from Azhar otherwise.
"And a 100% chance of made up figures?" Cassian says. He shrugs. "As long as it's on you, that's fine by me. I don't want to be responsible for every potential murder of an ally. It's exhausting."
Theater? Rev raises an eyebrow. "Fine. But you better find a date, or you'll look too suspicious. You don't exactly blend into the theater crowd." Rev tells his brother.
"He's got a point. Gigantor the Destroyer isn't exactly a common sight in high culture."
She looks like she is about to speak, but the sound of heavy feet coming in the entrance cuts her off. Moments later Rizzardo, Sclavo and Ermolos come in. She looks relieved to see the trio and smiles, Rizzardo returns to the smile, his eyes watching the woman.
Sclavo smiles at Gravalax, "I was hoping I'd see you here, friend." His grin grows a little, "Cassian managed to finagle a bunch of tickets to an small opera tonight." He rolls his eyes, "According to Rev, some of us will stick out if we aren't accompanied by a member of the more fierce sex." With a stately bow to Janiven, who looks ever so slightly saddened, but far less concerned.
Ermolos pipes up, "I'm not one for crowds, so I figured I'd give Jani the a free evening." He smiles at the older woman, "I know you won't leave Arael unguarded." She smiles back, "Thank you, in that case, I should head home..."
As she leaves, Rizzardo follows the woman, not bothering to say goodbye as they leave.
"And a 100% chance of made up figures?" Cassian says. He shrugs. "As long as it's on you, that's fine by me. I don't want to be responsible for every potential murder of an ally. It's exhausting."
Rev shrugs. It's theology, not gambling. Well, I suppose it is a bit like gambling. But that doesn't mean my math is wrong." Rev is confident of the odds. But then, he's a cleric of Pharasma. "I'll take responsibility if I'm wrong." He really doesn't think he's wrong... but if he is, he'll take care of the problem.
Rev shrugs. It's theology, not gambling. Well, I suppose it is a bit like gambling. But that doesn't mean my math is wrong." Rev is confident of the odds. But then, he's a cleric of Pharasma. "I'll take responsibility if I'm wrong." He really doesn't think he's wrong.
"Fair enough," says Cassian.
Theater? Rev raises an eyebrow. "Fine. But you better find a date, or you'll look too suspicious. You don't exactly blend into the theater crowd." Rev tells his brother."He's got a point. Gigantor the Destroyer isn't exactly a common sight in high culture."
Rev nods sagely. Really he does. Of course he's enjoying ribbing his brother... so maybe its not such a sage look after all. He breaks into a grinn.
Theater? Rev raises an eyebrow. "Fine. But you better find a date, or you'll look too suspicious. You don't exactly blend into the theater crowd." Rev tells his brother."He's got a point. Gigantor the Destroyer isn't exactly a common sight in high culture."
Azhar grins, "Well, I believe there were three girls going right? If we don't have anyone else coming along...guess I'll just have to have a harem!" he chuckles. "Don't worry, they'll be okay, I'll take care of them." his brow furrows, slightly, "..and come on, I'm not that big. ...and hey, I'm kidding of course, but..how would having a date help me to 'blend in'? You can't be telling me that only couples go to these things, do they?"
Azhar grins, "Well, I believe there were three girls going right? If we don't have anyone else coming along...guess I'll just have to have a harem!" he chuckles. "Don't worry, they'll be okay, I'll take care of them." his brow furrows, slightly, "..and come on, I'm not that big. ...and hey, I'm kidding of course, but..how would having a date help me to 'blend in'? You can't be telling me that only couples go to these things, do they?"
"You can go stag. But only if the thought of being a single man in a roomful of wealthy and lonely women appeals to you."
Azhar grins, "Well, I believe there were three girls going right? If we don't have anyone else coming along...guess I'll just have to have a harem!" he chuckles. "Don't worry, they'll be okay, I'll take care of them." his brow furrows, slightly, "..and come on, I'm not that big. ...and hey, I'm kidding of course, but..how would having a date help me to 'blend in'? You can't be telling me that only couples go to these things, do they?"Theater? Rev raises an eyebrow. "Fine. But you better find a date, or you'll look too suspicious. You don't exactly blend into the theater crowd." Rev tells his brother."He's got a point. Gigantor the Destroyer isn't exactly a common sight in high culture."
Rev gives Azhar a look... something akin to... what where you raised in a barn?! He sighs and shakes his head. "No guy would willingly go to the opera unless a dame made him." He wonders if he needs to explicate.
Azhar grins, "Well, I believe there were three girls going right? If we don't have anyone else coming along...guess I'll just have to have a harem!" he chuckles. "Don't worry, they'll be okay, I'll take care of them." his brow furrows, slightly, "..and come on, I'm not that big. ...and hey, I'm kidding of course, but..how would having a date help me to 'blend in'? You can't be telling me that only couples go to these things, do they?""You can go stag. But only if the thought of being a single man in a roomful of wealthy and lonely women appeals to you."
Or that. Do you want a bunch of cougars chasing after you?"
Or that. Do you want a bunch of cougars chasing after you?"
"Great for grifting," Cassian points out. "And then there's a simple fact of nature: cougars have daughters."
Azhar's smile broadens. He says nothing.
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Tarvi and Amaya are at the small garden across from the playhouse early, chatting easily about nothing of great importance. Tarvi in a simple sheath dress of a blue that almost matches her eyes and follows her curves from neck to mid-calf. In contrast, Amaya is dressed in a foreign style cut to make her seem as though she has no curves, the high mandarin collar, long sleeves and heavy material chosen to allow the eye to overlook her.
Sclavo arrives, dressed in a formal court uniform, the red and black of the Cheliaxian court matching the gothic architecture of the newer playhouse building. Shortly after Janiven arrives. The dress she is wearing almost fits her, except for a tightness in the bust that gives more cleavage than was intended. The dark grey dress with green lacing falls a midway down her thigh and she is wearing simple black flats. Every few minutes she has to remind herself to check her stride and her hands stay on the full skirt, as if she thinks it will jump up if she doesn't hold it down.
Rizzardo arrives, his dark hair, for once, neatly combed. His clothes much nicer than what he normally wears but not relatively normal wear.
Or that. Do you want a bunch of cougars chasing after you?""Great for grifting," Cassian points out. "And then there's a simple fact of nature: cougars have daughters."
"And those daughters tend to have fathers, and older brothers." He mentions to Cassian. "And said daughters tend to be... immature young malleable things with little personality and no sense." He almost fondly remembers his misspent youth for a brief moment. "No challenge there." He shrugs.
"Well, see you people there then, if you're coming that is." He adds. Before departing, he gives his brother his best stern older sibling gaze. He clearly thinks Azhar should get a move on and follow him, and one can almost hear him say mush to Azhar, to get him walking.
The wiry cleric shows up with his younger brother about ten minutes or so before they need to pick up the tickets. He is wearing well fitted black leather pants, a grey silk shirt, black boots, and a smokey purple cravat. He does not appear to have any weapons on him, although he is carrying a dark grey long coat. If there was fog, he might disappear into it entirely. He's not stealthy, but his boots do not echo in the street. He carries himself with the quiet assurance of an entitled aristocrat who comes to such events often. Well, that or the Tiefling just thinks he is better than all the petty nobles who are busy seeing and being seen.
Waiting a few blocks away from the stables, on the path she thought Melilot would take, is Fiosa, leaning against a wall seeming to try to blend into the woodwork.
hello
"And those daughters tend to have fathers, and older brothers." He mentions to Cassian. "And said daughters tend to be... immature young malleable things with little personality and no sense." He almost fondly remembers his misspent youth for a brief moment. "No challenge there." He shrugs.
Cassian smiles wistfully.
Cassian shows up to the opera dressed in a clean and new version of what he was wearing before. He touches Tarvi on the shoulder. "Showtime, ladies." He pauses, giving Amaya a once over, before turning to Tarvi and shooting her a meaningful look.
From there, he links his arm with Janiven's, nodding curtly, and goes to the ticket kiosk. "Lucius Doniven. There should be tickets waiting?"
Amaya 1st spoiler
Rizzardo 2nd spoiler
"And... sorry... I would have rather talked with you... but he... he is commanding... hits the must do as master 'requests' instincts" a sad smile on her face.
Tarvi shrugs, a half smile either for her brother or the girl next to her.
Janiven returns the nod, not as curt but not expecting anything else.
The old man starts to look through the list of names and, finally, pushes 10 tickets through at 'Lucius'.
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"Well, see you people there then, if you're coming that is." He adds. Before departing, he gives his brother his best stern older sibling gaze. He clearly thinks Azhar should get a move on and follow him, and one can almost hear him say mush to Azhar, to get him walking.
Azhar follows his brother, apparently taking it as something entirely normal.
The wiry cleric shows up with his younger brother about ten minutes or so before they need to pick up the tickets.
He is dressed appropriately in his single courtier's outfit.
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Azhar notices Tarvi, Amaya and Melilot so far appear to be unattached and approaches them. He removes his bowler in an exaggerated courtly bow. "May I have the pleasure of escorting you to.." he looks up, apparently belatedly realizing that they are already there, but takes it in stride, "..make that inside this fine establishment?" A sideways glance at his brother, might be interpreted as "are you sure this is what I'm supposed to be doing?"
Cassian passes out tickets. Rygel, sitting on his shoulder, does not get one.
Gravlax walks up to Tarvi, and smiles. "I understand there is a play later this evening. Do you have plans?"
"I hope you do not think I'm rude, but that is fascinating," Gravlax says. "I almost regret not being along to have witnessed whatever happened."
"Does it hurt? Or is it just ... it is?"
"I should purchase new clothes as well," Gravlax admits. "Perhaps we should shop together. As you say, a young man attending alone will draw attention -- and I would rather not."
Gravlax will pay for the clothing.
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At Azhar's offer, Tavri grins over at Amaya and then each girl takes an arm, leaving the very tall Azhar flanked by two tiny teenage girls.
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Azhar smiles back. This seems entirely appropriate to him. "Thank you for the honor, milady's." He says with a brief tilt of the head.
"You both look fabulous. Tarvi, your dress is amazing on you. I love the way it sets off your..eyes. Amaya, very um...should I just say non-standoutish seemingly by design?" he whispers the last then laughs, "Sorry, not quite sure what to say about that. Regardless," he waves it off, "Could I get either of you fine young ladies something to whet your thirst?" He looks around to check on the selection of drinks and snacks/h'ordeurves as they head towards their seats. He seems to be currently even more happy than normal, if that is at all possible.
Melilot shows up at the opera wearing a green dress and jewelry ...
Disguise:
... that, while appropriate enough, are clearly not anything she is particularly used to wearing.
Azhar having no further arms left, not that she could reach one anyway, she wanders in and collects her ticket from Cassian.
Melilot looks surprised that Fiosa is apologizing to her.
believe me i understand she says. i had not thought anything of it
Gravlax and Mathalen arrive at the playhouse. Gravlax's formal outfit is similar to Sclavo's except that instead of pure Chelaxian black and red, it is black and a coppery brown which matches Mathalen's hair.
Mathalen's outfit is black and dirty cream, the dirty cream of Gravlax's hair. Their relative statures are reversed -- she is currently taller than he is. And while the skirt swishing as she walks does not bind, it does have ... ruffles.
Gravlax approaches Cassian, stopping about six inches farther away than propriety dictates. "Have you an extra ticket for myself and my date?"
Gravlax approaches Cassian, stopping about six inches farther away than propriety dictates. "Have you an extra ticket for myself and my date?"
Cassian hands over the tickets.
Cassian hands over the tickets.
"Thank you," Gravlax says, and accepts them.
Gravlax cocks his head to the side, and considers the question. "Because I want accompaniment, primarily. I don't really know any of you. You are attractive, and seem friendly enough. If you are busy or uninterested, I will ask someone else."
Gravlax smiles, easily. It a smile born of years working in the Courts.
"I do not want to trouble you any further," Gravlax says. "It is rare to hear of so many new things on the same day."
He turns to leave, but stops and turns back. "...But if you find yourself wishing to discuss strange things with no antecedent in your personal history, I am willing to listen. It's my job. I'm good at it."
Azhar smiles back. This seems entirely appropriate to him. "Thank you for the honor, milady's." He says with a brief tilt of the head.
"You both look fabulous. Tarvi, your dress is amazing on you. I love the way it sets off your..eyes. Amaya, very um...should I just say non-standoutish seemingly by design?" he whispers the last then laughs, "Sorry, not quite sure what to say about that. Regardless," he waves it off, "Could I get either of you fine young ladies something to whet your thirst?" He looks around to check on the selection of drinks and snacks/h'ordeurves as they head towards their seats. He seems to be currently even more happy than normal, if that is at all possible.
Rev shakes his head and mumbles something under his breath about Azhar having learned his terrible idea of idea of charm from his mothers side of the family.
Rev shakes his head and mumbles something under his breath about Azhar having learned his terrible idea of idea of charm from his mothers side of the family.
"Hey, he's got two. Maybe we could learn something," Cassian murmurs.
On the stroll to the playhouse, Gravlax attempts to make small talk with Mathalen: "So, what do you do for money? I myself am a scribe at Court. It's where I know Sclavo."
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Apparently Thesing wasn't so impressed by your efforts on his behalf that he went to any effort on his part. The seats are in the cheap section with a poor view of the stage, but (which may be more beneficial for some) a decent view of the few private boxes. Looking around, picking out the mayor's private box (since he insists on having one in all of the buildings that he 'supports') is easy, his crest hanging above. When you enter, shortly before curtain, the box is empty.
Looking around, the crowd is actually decent for an impromptu show with no build-up, the theater over half filled, although it seems to be a more popular diversion for the merchant and scholar classes than the elite.
However, in the moments before (and a little bit after) curtain rises a number of the VIP boxes fill, primarily with young women being watched over by sharp-eyed duennas (mostly of a halfling persuasion). A number are quite pretty, although much of the appeal does come from perfectly corseted dresses, properly applied cosmetics and gemstones. The mayor's box remains empty.
The seats are in the cheap section with a poor view of the stage ...
Melilot glances at her excellent view of the back of the chair in front of her, and reflects that at least it isn't a mime show.
Before getting to the booth, Cassian leans over to whisper in Janiven's ear.
Cassian slumps way down in his seat and hides his face in his program. "Oh, lovely. Looks like no understudies this evening. How nice."
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Melilot glances at her excellent view of the back of the chair in front of her, and reflects that at least it isn't a mime show.Sclavo leans forward from the row behind, "I think they sometimes have... lifts... for those your size, would you like me to see if I can find one?"
Before getting to the booth, Cassian leans over to whisper in Janiven's ear.
She nods once, speaking quietly back.
Cassian slumps way down in his seat and hides his face in his program. "Oh, lovely. Looks like no understudies this evening. How nice."
Tarvi looks around, her eyes lighting on one of the upper boxes (granted she needs to twist in her seat to do so which tightens the dress around her for a moment). Seating back in her seat properly she looks at her program, and then an idle comment, "She still doesn't know that stone is a fake, does she?"
She nods once, speaking quietly back.
Cassian snorts in amusement.
Tarvi looks around, her eyes lighting on one of the upper boxes (granted she needs to twist in her seat to do so which tightens the dress around her for a moment). Seating back in her seat properly she looks at her program, and then an idle comment, "She still doesn't know that stone is a fake, does she?"
"Shhh!" Cassian hisses. "It was real. Real glass."
Rygel appears to have found a program and seems to be imitating his larger pal.
She smiles, appreciating the compliment even as she disregards it. "I am actually dragging Amaya. She loves music and singing, but avoid places with people like the plague."
Her own smile is pleasant, not touched by the forced merchant's demeanor that one would expect.
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Perception dc15:
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Melilot glances at her excellent view of the back of the chair in front of her, and reflects that at least it isn't a mime show.Sclavo leans forward from the row behind, "I think they sometimes have... lifts... for those your size, would you like me to see if I can find one?"
Azhar looked like he's about to say something. Nods and keeps his mouth shut.
]Tarvi looks around, her eyes lighting on one of the upper boxes (granted she needs to twist in her seat to do so which tightens the dress around her for a moment). Seating back in her seat properly she looks at her program, and then an idle comment, "She still doesn't know that stone is a fake, does she?"
Azhar's eyes seem pulled to the side as Tarvi shifts. As she turns back his eyes are where they should be. He whispers to her,
"I am a little ambivalent," Gravlax says. "A society event feels a little like work, but..." Gravlax shrugs. Smiles with a little edge to it. "If someone tries to kill you at the opera, I suspect you're allowed to fight back."
Gravlax pauses. "You may feel free to smack me if I treat you like a sideshow. Or smack Cassian, if you would prefer." He does not know if Fiosa can hear the grin which accompanies this statement as he walks away.
Gravlax's mouth twists as he tries to keep from laughing. "The truth is the heaviest burden of all," he says.
"Being a scribe is a lot of writing things down and making sure they're spelled right and keeping your mouth shut and not thinking about it too much afterwards. And being polite to people who are not very nice. But that's probably true of any job."
Rev shakes his head and mumbles something under his breath about Azhar having learned his terrible idea of idea of charm from his mothers side of the family."Hey, he's got two. Maybe we could learn something," Cassian murmurs.
Rev shakes his head.
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Azhar's eyes seem pulled to the side as Tarvi shifts. As she turns back his eyes are where they should be. He whispers to her...
Tarvi gets a look of absolute innocence.
She turns to head back inside, but turns back to the scribe, "Thank you for asking me though." A moment before she steps through the door, "Even if it was just to piss off Cass." From her tone, it is clear she thinks this is just a joke.
She does laugh, a bright sound, "Which is why I am so often between jobs, but such is life." Looking over at him, "And since your job seems far more wretched than my own... Which better damn well mean it pays better, by the way... what do you do to when you aren't slaving away for the thrice-damned court?"
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"That one? Which therefore means there have been others...which were not all Cass. Hmmm?" he pulls back a little, right eyebrow raised theatrically, "care to elaborate?"
waits for an answer before turning to include Amaya if she perhaps can't make out what they are saying, "Do you know anything about this?"
Azhar whispers to Tarvi, then pulls back a little, right eyebrow raised theatrically, whispers again, then waits for an answer before turning to Amaya and whispers to her as well.
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Amaya: "I've only known her for a few months, as far as I know she hasn't fleeced anyone in that time."
The opera is a silly tale of a young widowed princess following the death of her husband in a tragic jousting accident. The king, having no other heir, follows the time-honored tradition of auctioning off his widowed daughter-in-law to the noble who is able to win a tournament. Of course, during the course of the tournament, the silly girl falls for a handsome troubadour who woos her with song. The climax of the play coming when the princesses handsome lover breaks into the palace to steal her away from her approved match shortly before the wedding, thus leading to the pair of lovers being chased by the king's guard.
This particular performance is enjoyable rendering of the story, with the lead, played by Thesing Umbero Ulvauno in a beautiful tenor balanced well by the soprano voice of Ginevra Vibiana although the young actress doesn't have the power or consistency of the slightly older man. Sadly a minor accident when the handsome lover's horse kicks one of his drinking buddies as he is building up courage to steal away with the princess mars the performance slightly.
While the attention of most in the arena seating is fixed on the stage, those in the balconies and private seating seem far more interested in who attended the theater than the performance itself.
,
janiven (+2 FE)
Your group, with the dusky handsome Rev, the imposing form of Azhar, and the rakish Cassian, draws a fair amount of attention. As the opera is wrapping up, many of the balcony seats empty just a tad early, as if the people are trying to ensure they will be in prime position as the arena seats clear.
Shortly after the actors take their bow to applause, Janiven leans over to whisper in Cassian's ear.