Marisa holds up her hand as Saersha attempts the kiss, the look on her face equal parts frustration and reproach. It was clear that this was typical for greetings for them. Hearing Zev's reaction causes her to almost flip over a card by accident while shuffling. "Please, do not encourage her. You can be sure that she does not need it." Resuming shuffling, she turns to the former gladiators.
"I never went to watch, my parents said it would have been too much excitement for a lady. A few of my older cousins would go occasionally, though, to place bets and to enjoy the 'spectacle of the masses', as they so inelegantly put it." She flips over three cards as she says this, looking down afterward to see the result. Tsking to herself, she shuffles them back into the deck and finally puts it away again.
"I've yet to encounter such a thing as too much excitement." Ryn replies with a chuckle.
Ada nods in greeting as she follows Tuli. I wonder what trouble is about if Tuli is around. Erras meows and runs to Tuli for a pet. She takes a seat in the dining room.
Ada is about to introduce herself when Saersha enters the room looking very pleased with herself. Ada allows the peck on her cheek, but looks uncomfortable at others seeing it. I've told her enough times I like men. How am I supposed to get one to look at me when I have those two looking so alluring? She inwardly sighs, and nods to Ryn in recognition.
"Ada Melgath. Nice to meet you all. I've seen a couple of you at the arena in the pits. I probably even patched you up a time or two. That's what I did for my family, patch them and other fighters up, and send them out again. I got tired of just doing that so I joined the Pathfinders."
She studies Zev for a moment. I understand scars from fights and battles, but those look deliberately done. I wonder why? She gives a small smile trying to hide her lower tusks from the group.
Azura finally gets ushered into the house once everyone starts to assemble. She looks slightly surprised at Saersha's unconventional greeting but does nothing to stop it.
"Hello! I'm Azura. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say the Society sent me along because I have a fairly eclectic education and a way with words. Also I get along well with all kinds of people."
She smiles easily and her sunny disposition seems completely genuine.
"Everyone needs encouragement if it's for what makes them happy." Zev replied to Marisa, noticing the difference between the relaxed Saersha and her while she played with her cards.
"Oh, you're a healer? That's wonderful! You'll be great to have along, Miss Ada." he says to the Shaman. When he notices her staring at him, or more likely his scars he gives her a genuine smile. "You have a lovely smile."
"Pleased to meet you as well, Miss Azura." he says when the last lady introduces herself.
With introductions complete Ulfr stands (to the chair's relief) and moves to the table to await their Captain.
Marisa rolls her eyes in a manner that is somehow both elegant and childish at the same time. "Far be it from me to interrupt your good intentions, but 'no' to dear Sae here somehow gets translated as 'not this instant, ask again two instants later.'" A small smile graces her lips as she says this, and it is clear from her tone that she has no animosity toward Saersha.
"Still, she is not without her positive qualities, as I am sure she will be happy to tell you."
"Hmm, that would be aggravating." Zev says. "Well then, while we wait would you like to talk more about your positive qualities?"
Marisa shrugs. "There is not much to brag about, truthfully. Being raised in my house I received a decent amount of education in history, politics, religion, the worth of items, how to behave at social events, which fork to use in what order for which course at formal dinners, and just about every other 'necessary' skill befitting a young lady. Since my... disownment," she pauses as she says this word, clearly focusing on staying calm while talking around the topic, "I have discovered that I have some aptitude for divine magic, that a quarterstaff is not just an aid for long hikes, and that a loaded crossbow pointed at someone's head is almost as effective in 'diplomatic discussions' with your rivals as a well placed argument can be."
"Impressive, that knowledge will come in handy as a Pathfinder." The education, he thought. Not so much the fork thing. "And I would call a well aimed bolt a well placed argument, make no mistake," he chuckled. "You use Divine magic as well? What kind?"
Marisa blinks at the question of 'kind' with regards to her magic. I always thought divine magic was divine magic, the only difference being the source... Shrugging, she pulls out her holy symbol, a silver coin with an open, lidless eye upon it. The coin is divided down the center of its face by a noticeable condition change: half of it is polished and pristine, the other tarnished and blackened, though not pitted or rusting.
"My power supposedly comes from the master of magic himself, the seeker of knowledge for its own sake, lord Nethys. I honestly do not know much about it, ironically enough. I just... know things. And sometimes my knowledge of those things is enough to make them happen, if I focus hard enough." She pulls out her cards, but for once doesn't begin shuffling them. Instead she merely sets them next to her symbol and gestures to them, Vanna White style. "Like these, for instance. I have no ability to commune with the dead or mystically read someone's fortune with them. What I can do, however, is to use them as a calming focus while I pull from the knowledge I have to get insight into a question asked. Sometimes the answer seems related to the cards being shown, other times they are merely an aid to keep my attention focused." She shrugs, gives them a quick shuffle, then replaces them once more. Taking the symbol next, she puts it away as well.
"I am sorry if I am not more specific. Truthfully, part of the reason I joined the Society in the first place was to learn more of my powers and how to best use them."
Zev keeps his smile as he watches the Oracle explain her powers. "Oh, no worries, thank you for the explanation. I hope you are able to learn more on your journey. You're capabilities seem very interesting so I can't wait to see what all you an do."
Azura sits and crosses her legs, puts her hands in her lap, and listens intently to Marisa's description of her practice.
Marisa gives Zev a polite smile, but the look in her eyes is a bit discordant. Say that when you might as well be speaking undercommon for all the understanding I will have of your words. At least Azura can translate for me. Giving the other woman a sad smile, she pulls out her deck once more, shuffling and dealing cards in a pattern that some might recognize as variant of solitaire.
Feeling that Marisa wanted to the conversation to end there as she turned back to her deck as she had been doing Zev gives her another bow as he turns back to Ada, curious if her concentration had wandered back to his scars as he talked with Marisa.
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Noticing that Marisa starts to fiddle with her cards again, a sure sign she's feeling uncomfortable Ada tries to pick up the conversation. She picks up the conversation with Zev.
"I also channel divine energy. Mine comes from a different source than Marisa. I draw my power from the spirits of life. I visit with Erras every morning, and I'm given my spells for the day." she looks around. Erras must still be with Tuli. He likes other cats. Erras likes smoked fish, and brushed every day." her voice trails off. Good move Ada bore them with stories about your cat.
"What of you all? Have you had interesting missions with the Pathfinders?"
Ulfr gives a off hand and very incomplete summary of their exploits. Nothin' too crazy. A few smashed pugwanpi's, some dead ruffians in the streets. Nothing that wouldn't be out of place in any other town I've visited. Our last noble did get himself arrested though. Hopefully Marisa doesn't have to do the same.
He chuckles.
But seriously, we just managed to get a lucky break and now we're chasing the lead. Let's just hope there's a nice trap at the end.
The card she was about to move to the correct stack hovers an inch above the table for a moment at the offhanded jibe from Ulfr. Breath deep. Focus. It is not worth losing your emotional center over.
Setting the card down correctly, albeit a tad forcefully, Marisa gives the man a forced smile. "Yes. One can dare hope that."
Under her breath, though, she mutters to herself.
"Is féidir liom a bheith cinnte an dóchas céanna ar do shon."
"I can certainly have the same hope for you."
"That sounds pleasant, and Erras sounds like a good cat. I'm glad we'll have someone such as yourself accompanying us." Zev replies.
When she asks about previous mentions he tilts his head slightly. "... well there was those rampant spirits, and the thugs throwing barrels at us... and the thugs giving us a fine. And I did not know Trevor had been jailed. Worthless guards." he says, disgust coming into his voice at those last lines. Turning to Marisa he adds "Hopefully that won't befall you as well, I don't think we'll be able to keep playing nice with these guards if they keep fining and arresting us for defending ourselves."
His trail of thought is interrupted when he hears Marisa speak in Celestial. "Oh! That sounds beautiful, what is it?"
"You'll find that if there's a clearly marked trap, Ulfr's likely to spring it. Face first." she says with a chuckle. Trying desperately not to stare at Azura, she hears the oddly musical words coming from Marisa, though too quietly to even guess at what language it might be.
Marisa focuses on the words of those around her. Calm... calm... it is ok... you can still understand them... no need to panic...
Looking up at Zev, she shrugs uncomfortably. "I have it on good authority that it is celestial." Her eyes drop down to her cards again, noting with some frustration that she has done all she can in this game. Damnation... barely broke even... bad luck... bad sign... Shuffling the deck again, she deals a new set as before.
"It's very pretty."
Azura spares a comforting smile for Marisa for just a moment, then adds, "It's supposed to reflect the music of creation. On a more mundane note, we've mostly been tasked with historical research for our recent project. It's been a lot of reading and note-taking and honestly I'm glad for the opportunity to stretch my legs a bit!"
Some of the areas our investigations have led us to are....not the safest. So far we've had maybe two leads we followed that didn't end in bloodshed." Ryn says with a shrug. "Just want to make sure you know what you're getting into."
A couple of servants hurried into the room with steaming platters, followed by trays of bread and fruits. As they were setting out a few more items of food, The Venture captain herself arrived, In a well made gown split for riding, her hair already up and pulled back in an intricate bun with two dangling braids.
"There is no need for formalities, by all means eat, and we discuss what progress has been made. The Lord Mayor wants to speak with me about the disapearances that have been hitting places, notable underbridge. I sent word that we are not common mercenaries but I at least have to hear him out. A shame about Trendon, it would appear that his former family has ... had him detained about something... i dont have details yet. What happened to the twins? I had a note sent there to the temple and it was all closed up locked away solid."
She asked the group tasked to find Natalya Vancaskerkin, while she took a peice of the cut in half bread and slathered some sort of honey jam over the top of it in a bit of a hurry.
Ulfr doesn't need to be told twice. He immediately tucks in and starts eating like he was starving.
No idea. He says between chewing a honeyed roll and trading a chunk of meat in half. The black one just collapsed and her sister got all worried. She didn't explain. Ryn and I carried her at times and we're fine so I may not be contagious? he shrugs and keeps making food magically disappear.
Near Ada a certain red shape materializes from the border furniture and slowly approaches her kitty. The fox keeps low to the ground as it approaches, but appears more curious than anything else.
Putting away her cards, Marisa serves herself a polite portion, eating with the same elegance normally reserved for a formal dinner. "Perhaps I should go with you. I may no longer be a member of my house, but I should be able to convince him of your good intentions. I was not aware that people were disappearing, do you have any further details?"
Once allowed Zev took a seat and gathered himself a samplings of meats. For the moment he simply ate in silence as the others talked.
Azura picks out a pair of bright fresh fruits - an apple and a plum - and proceeds to carefully nibble on them in sequence. She listens intently as the problems are described, apparently content to let the Venture-Captain explain the situation.
"Yeah that's pretty much it. Marinah Came down with something...we're not really sure what...and Sarinah had us take her to their temple. They're working on figuring out whatever it is and curing her."
As she speaks Ryn begins plating what turns out to be an impressive amount of food, even considering her frame, beginning to eat from what's already there even as she plates more, getting some of everything.
"As far as our missing Tower Girl goes we do have a last known location for her."
Ulfr manages to swallow an entire slice of roast at once to say, From the nearest thing I've ever seen to a corpse informant who wasn't an actual corpse. I think. In any case, I trust that man as far as he could throw me, which in his case was zero with all that phlem. If it's not a trap I'll be surprised, leading to my comment earlier.
"If it's not a trap you'll probably be disappointed." Ryn says laughing.
Having eaten all the small bits he had placed on his plate originally Zev began gathering more, having narrowed down which meats he liked best. His eyes lazily dirfted about all those assembled, catching sight of the fox approaching the cat as he ate.
"As long as it's not another trap with guards I think it'll be okay." he adds.
Ulfr smiles at Ryn and Zev's comments. It's a joyous, kind thing that immediately makes him look nicer and even a little younger. It's quickly ruined by another bite of roast.
"You have her location? Thats wonderful. I cant wait till you can bring her back so I can hear her report and find out why she went dark. Do take care the Underbridge area is becoming rougher by the day it seems."
She began taking a long drink from a glass of cool juice.
"No as much as your words might help me sway the mayor miss Vanderale, I need you all to focus on finding The informant before her former friends find her first. If you all have nothing left to ask me I shall let you get back to it."
She began blinking as she suddenly noticed Zev.
Marisa nods her head at the declination, finally taking her final bite upon her fork and chewing it daintily before swallowing. Probably for the best, I am not sure if the mayor is aware of the reasons behind my exile... if he is it might not have been an easy conversation...
"Yes, one question, perhaps my new associates can answer it though. What was this agent working on prior to her disappearance? Was it related to our studies of the Irespan or is this an entirely separate matter?"
Ada fills her plate high. She eats with good manners, but it's clear she enjoys her food. She notices the small red animal moving in her direction, but is careful not to show any interest. Erras looks interested, but aloof at the fox's approach.
"Some of my family live in the Underbridge area. It's a bad neighborhood. Is that where the person we are looking for is staying?" she fills her plate high again, and continues to eat.
The bright red fox sniffs and circles the cat, carefully investigating this newcomer and her pet half-orc.
Erras turns his nose up at the other animal's approach. When it gets within a foot or so he turns and meows. The familiar seems to realize that it's not a wild animal but another magical beast, and allows the approach.
The fox looks surprised. It wasn't every day you met such an intelligent cat, or animal for that matter. His ears perk up and he advances within swiping distance, still slightly wary of a trap.
Azura finishes her plum, places the pit on a plate, and dabs at her lips with a cloth. She nods at Marisa's question.
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When he notices that their host has finally noticed him he gulps down the bite he was eating and offers her a weak smile. Not wanting to be any ruder and thinking fast he says "I'm just a stray that followed these nice people to the good smelling food."
... damn you, brain. He thinks after the fact as he blankly stares at her.
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Azura looks to Zev and says with a lilt, "You're much more than that, I think. Your history is written all over you."
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Ulfr hears the exchange and that infections grin re-appears. May I keep him, mommy? he asks innocently.
Zev couldn't help but chuckle at Azura's spot-on comment. "True, all too true. Does it provide an interesting story for you?"
"I'm a good cuddler!" he says as a quick aside, prompted by Ulfr.
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Azura's tone shifts to a softer, more compassionate one and she replies to Zev, "It speaks a tale of suffering and of sacrifices willingly made, even if unrecognized." She hesitates, then adds, "But it also speaks of your resolution against sorrow, and that the scars of our past do not prevent us from pursuing a better future."
Zev listens to the Bard speak, then opens his mouth. Then closes it. And then opens it. "Suffer... is what you do in Nidal. What everyone does. What everyone has to do. Everything here is... backwards. It's... nice."
"Well that brought the tone down a bit. Sorry!" says Azura after a moment. "Um, so, as Marisa said, is the missing operative related to other work that we've been doing locally, or is this an unrelated incident?"
Saersha listened as their employer entered and began speaking to them. Her face seemed slightly disappointed at not getting to meet the twins, but she was still interested in everything that was said, "This Underbridge place sounds...interesting." Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she spoke but otherwise seeming serious. "What information does the woman have anyway? What is it she was involved with?"
"All good questions," affirms Azura.