As Lev stirs the large pot of stew in the back, he can hear the line progressing much as it had. After almost an hour, the bell marking Isarn's curfew can be heard in the distance, and the mood in the front room suddenly shifts. Attendees are pressed through the line and before long Lev's pot of stew is fetched. The two teenagers from the front come into the back room. The pair quickly begin cleaning up and gathering all of the cooking utensils, though they leave much of the mess that was made untouched.
As the place clears out, Lev is joined in the back by the soup kitchen's full staff, Sylvia and Pasqual, Jean-André, and the two teenagers. "Gather up everything in the baskets," Sylvia commands her young assistants, though the work was already underway. "The guards will be by to investigate soon enough, and we don't want to draw any attention." The pair of teens give her a nod and begin wrapping everything up.
"Thanks so much for joining us, monsieur," Pasqual says politely. "According to Jean-André, you helped him get food for the folks here, and the guards off of some poor farmer. If that weren't enough, I listened closely today for a leak about your plan. Thankfully, none have reached my ear. Milani is certainly smiling upon us today."
"I do hope you find this place suitable for further discussion." Sylvia speaks very politely in the presence of the youngsters. "We brought the Corbeau twins to help us out tonight, as we plan to use them as lookouts for the operation you're proposing. Everyone will be a part of tomorrow's...festivities"
The two teenagers certainly hadn't appeared to be twins, or even like they were at all related. All the same, the gathered members of the Blood Rose all regard Lev eagerly.
Lev grins at the room. “Well, comrades, I’m glad to see your faces. Tomorrow we’ll face death and worse- the Gardeners will surely condemn our souls to the final blades if they catch us. Worse still, if we do nothing a soul much nobler than our own- that of Pauline Delarous herself.”
Leaning forward, Lev catches the eye of both twins in turn, making sure their gaze held the steel needed for the coming plan. ”We know where Pauline is right now, and we know where they’ll be taking her. I’m to disguise myself as a Gardener and forge some transfer papers for Pauline- while I’m dealing with the escorts, I’ll need folks to stir up a fuss, as if a mob were forming. I’ll convince the other Gardeners to give chase, and you lot will give ‘em the slip in the back alleys. Meantime, I’ll grab Pauline and do our best to disappear. We’ve got to be mobile since we don’t know exactly where we might intercept them, and be ready to escape their notice as soon as Delarus is away. Are you two the right folks for this job?”
The pair listen intently to Lev as he describes the operation he has planned. The ideas of a noble cause and an excuse to cause a disturbance resonates well between the Corbeau twins, though Sylvia is quick to jump in at the end of Lev pitch.
"These two wouldn't be here if they weren't the right ones," the confident woman gives the youngsters a scowl. "And that's because out of all our young agitators, these two listen."
"I will be with you the whole time," Pasqual picks up as his wife tries to scare the two teenagers straight. "Monsieur Bronstein and his associates are the primary agents of this operation. We are only there as support: we are looking out for the Gardeners moving this woman, and we'll be kicking off a loud distraction. That's is ALL! You two are absolutely forbidden to engage with the Gardeners or the guards, or anyone else for that matter. You are to follow only my explicit instructions, is that understood?"
The Corbeau twins, who had expressed an initial excitement, do indeed listen intently to their betters. They nod along in a way that convinces Lev that the two are not only eager participants, but will follow the instructions explicitly.
"Now, we are prepared to cause a scene out there," Pasqual continues. [b]"Knowing too much might mean implicating us further, but if there's anything else we all need to know, speak up. We also want you to pick an info drop nearby, so we can pick up any last-minute instructions from your team."[b]
Satisfied, Lev nods at the teenagers, glad for the assistance. ”Good! Glad to have you all aboard. As for the drop-off location, there’s a gas lamp a few blocks from here with a hollow base- Jean-Andre should know it. If anything seems to change I’ll drop off updates there.”
After exchanging pleasantries and finalizing the drop off location, Lev takes his leave of the Blood Rose members and heads back to his small room in Le Commune, exhausted from the busy day.
Under the cover of darkness, Lev's journey to the south side of the city is lengthy, but not at all risky. The few guards that bother with fulfilling their duty are not perceptive enough to spot the cautious halfling. The patrols lighten as Lev draws nearer to Le Commune.
Lev can sense the archers pulling their strings back as he nears the border of the private community. As protocol demands, Lev presents his empty hands to the visible guard, and those in the shadows relax. Lev is given a loose escort to the barracks where he finds his bed, and finally sleep.
11 Gozran, 4718 AR; Wealday
The common house awakened at its usual, normal hour. The many working petitioners to Le Commune are eagerly heading out for a hearty breakfast before their workday. Lev undertakes his normal assignment in the kitchens, as he's preparing food around noon, a young messenger comes to the kitchens and finds Lev. She lets him know that someone left a package for him at the All For One.
Lev finishes up his duty and goes to the All For One. Eugene greets Lev as he enters the All For One, hailing him over. "A messenger from the Sisters left this for you. I thought they'd not like you, so be careful with that." Eugene jokes as he hands Lev a long wooden box about 6 inches tall. Returning to his quarters, Lev opens the box finding a modestly sized pouch and several vials and scrolls, as well as a note.
Monsieur Bronstein, we have secured some curatives we could to help your mission. We suspect our mutual acquaintance will be weakened, use these as necessary to help with the escape. Anything that remains is a thank you.
- Chantel Couture
Within the pouch, Lev finds several alchemical items, a few scrolls, and another note, reading:
"Monsieur Bronstein, I [u]personally[/u] gathered a few items that might be helpful. A recompense in kind would be appreciated, should you find success in their use.
- Eva Bhannon
From the Sisters, Lev receives the following:
* 1 Potion of Cure Serious Wounds
* 2 Potions of Cure Moderate Wounds
* 1 Scroll of Remove Curse (CL 8)
* 1 Scroll of Freedom of Movement (CL 7)
From Eva, Lev receives the following:
* 6 Tanglefoot Bags
* 1 Scroll of Haste (CL 5)
The rest of the day drags on, but the Erastilians are more than prepared to fill it with menial work for Lev. As the sun finally begins to dip toward the walls in the west, Lev finds a moment to slip away. Arriving early, he watches as the elven members of the Cerulean Council slip in the door to Cerise sur le Dessus, when the bell finally tolls the hour past curfew, he secrets his way inside to meet with the others once again.