I'll grab a room in the Pit. I know the guy who runs it. Not that the greedy bas***d will give me a discount or anything. I'd like to visit an old friend of mine in any case.
"That sounds pleasant, especially since I spent all my coin on this sword." he replies with a smile to Azura before it turns into a smirk. Dropping it he turns to the mites. "We're going to leave for a bit to rest and get food, we'll bring you all back some and and then have fun exploring, okay?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"All right, let's go," says Azura. She grabs Ryn's arm and starts pulling toward the room with portal. "Reasonably clean sheets and a fresh bit of food, here we come."
"Don't we have rooms paid for by the Lodge? Ms. Heidmarch should put us up for a day or two." Ada hurries toward the portal ready for a rest.
Breaking into a beaming grin as she slips her shield over her back, allowing herself to be dragged along, Ryn looks over her shoulder to the others. "Well, you heard her, let's get out of here for now!"
"That's a good thought, Ada," says Azura. "Let's look into that!"
"Mmm, room and food," Zev happily mumbles as he follows after Ada.
The party retraces their steps, delving back into the dungeon level beneath the Crow and returning to the subterranean library. The faceless stalker is putting a few books on a shelf when it looks up and sees their approach.
"Oh, by the way--I didn't give you my name. It's Vell." It says as the party approaches the rune-covered archway.
"Nice to meet you, Vell!" Zev happily responds.
"Yes well met Vell. We're going to make use of the portal out into the city, but we'll likely be back in a few days." Ryn says to the faceless stalker.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Saersha kept Embyr close for a time as they made their way to the portal but eventually released her grip on her maid's waist. It seemed that maybe Embyr's heroics in trying to murder the late king for them and her subsequent near injury had caused the possessive mage more than a little concern, concern she needed to alleviate by way of physical contact. When they reached the librarian Saersha nodded in greeting once more and responded by saying, "I'm Saersha and this is Embyr," she gestured at the former towergirl come maid, "A pleasure to meet you Vell."
Walls by and says, Ulfr., in passing.
"Pleased to meet you, Vell," says Azura with an awkward curtsey. "I'm Azura."
"By the way, Vell, do you know if this portal works both ways? Do people ever accidentally arrive here from the city?"
Embyr relaxes slightly when Saersha lets her go.
Vell nods at each of the party, lingering a bit on both Saersha & Azura. "I meant to introduce myself before, but... well, I started talking about my books and got sidetracked."
"By the way, Vell, do you know if this portal works both ways? Do people ever accidentally arrive here from the city?"
"This portal does go both ways. It can't be opened without the command word, or your shard. I generally don't let others follow me through--it's for their own safety, as much as it is for mine."
"That's considerate. Well, I suppose we'll see you in a day or so, Vell. Um, should we call out when we get back, just so you aren't surprised too much once we're back?" says Azura.
"That would be quite kind of you."
"All right, I'll give a holler once we come back. Might be a little while, but don't you worry!" says Azura to the faceless shifter.
"So, uh, to make this portal work requires the fragment... Ada? Ready to go?"
"We'll also try to make sure we aren't followed, or if we are we'll bring to a snack I guess." Ryn says with a chuckle.
"Oh that's a good idea," Zev agrees with Ryn, not finding issue with her comment.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
When Ada raises the shard to the archway's mouth once again, the portal opens in a *crackling* of ancient arcane power. There's a brief moment of silence as the party steps through...
...and in a fading glow of violet light, they emerge in a shadowed alleyway. Above their heads is the massive Irespan, and surrounding them is the decrepit remains of a rotting, broken-down house. A runed circle in the ground is the only indication of the portal's origin point as it disappears behind the team.
"The Shadow district, eh?" Natalya says. "As soon as we get somewhere respectable, I reckon it'd be a good time for us to part ways."
"I'll be honest--if I stick with you, I'll probably get in the way."
"Well, let's see about getting ourselves a place to sleep for the night," says Azura. "Shall we lean on our contact? Ms. Heidmarch? I'd imagine we'll need a few rooms at least."
Let's do it. I need to meet a guy.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Ooo! Ryn! We should go shopping and look for a new shield for you," says Azura, grabbing Ryn's arm suddenly again. "Something lighter so it's easier to throw. Even if we can't afford one right now it would be fun to look!"
Saersha was relieved to be out of the depths of the catacombs for now, it would be nice to sleep in her own bed for a change...damn, she thought, I never expected I'd think that!. She looked to her companions and said, "I, for one, am heading home. I need to show Embyr where she'll be living now and what her duties would be." She pulled out a scrap of paper and scribbled on it then handed it to Azura, "My address, come here and find us in the morning."
With that she turned to look at Embyr, "Come we have things to do." She led Embyr off and headed in the general direction of the Alabaster District.
Saersha considered and then said, "I'm afraid I only have one bed at the moment but it is big enough for both of us, I have a spare room that is just being used for storage so we can get that cleaned up and a bed for it so you have a room of your own." There was a wicked tone in her voice as she looked sidelong at Embyr, "When you need it of course." She pursed her lips as she considered things further and then asked, "Are there any questions you have for me Embyr?"
"Oh, sure! Thanks, Saersha," says Azura. "We'll grab you for breakfast and whatever other errands we get up to."
"Have a good night!" she says with a wave. "You too, Embyr!"
"I'm Ada. I can help you organize those when we get back." she indicates the shelves she didn't get to.
"I'm headed to the Manor. I'm sure I have some cataloging or something to do. I also have to get this armor fitted to me." she looks around the darkened area. "Let's walk together to better neighborhoods."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ryn smiles as Azura enthusiastically grabs her arm, "Oooh a new shield would be good, and shopping is always fun." she says with a grin. "We can see if there's anything interesting or fun for you too."
"Bye Saresha, bye Embyr....have a great night!" the gladiatrix says with a smile, not bothering to avoid being suggestive.
"That seems like a good idea, Ada. Saersha, are you sure you don't want to stay with the group, at least until we are out of this rough part of town?"
"Good point! Last thing anyone needs is you two running into a bunch of idiots thinking with the wrong heads." Ryn adds, giving their surroundings an apprehensive look around.
Zev puts his coat on and checks to make sure his tail is properly hidden before stepping through the portal.
”Do you need any help with that?” he asks Ada afterwards, before looking around as Ryn brings up a pertinent point.
The party sticks together as they make their way out of the Shadow district, the evening sun sinking beyond the horizon and bathing the City of Monuments in a romantic orange glow.
The lust mage and her newly-hired maid part ways with the team, with the pair walking the immaculate & cobbled streets to the Marble neighbourhood of the Alabaster District, and the rest setting off for Heidmarch Manor.
------------------
The stately manor is quiet as the team approaches, its eaves & gutters casting long shadows over the courtyard as the sun goes down. The lady of the house, Sheila Heidmarch, is in the garden, drinking tea from a porcelain cup while deep in conversation with a familiar-looking Koriah Azmaren.
She looks over her shoulder as they approach. "Ah--Pathfinders! Greetings once again. How goes the hunt?"
------------------
Embyr's head has been on a swivel ever since the two of you turned onto Emerald Boulevard--the street your little townhouse is on. The sheer number of high-class homes here, and the finery of its citizens in particular, make her low-born garb stick out like a sore thumb. One husband & wife, dressed in fine silks and gilded with finer jewelry, sneer at the two of you as you pass.
"We will have to get you some more suitable clothing for your duties at home but when we are traveling I expect you'll need your current equipment and clothes so we'll keep those for you."
"...I'll get clothes?" Embyr remarks as the snooty couple pass by.
Her face reddens and she gives an unconvincing cough. "Sorry."
"I'm afraid I only have one bed at the moment but it is big enough for both of us, I have a spare room that is just being used for storage so we can get that cleaned up and a bed for it so you have a room of your own. When you need it of course."
"Um..." Embyr starts fiddling with her fingers.
"Are there any questions you have for me Embyr?"
The young rogue looks at you and pauses, seeming like she's about to ask you something.
"...nothing, ma'am." She shakes her head as you arrive at your house.
One husband & wife, dressed in fine silks and gilded with finer jewelry, sneer at the two of you as you pass.
As they continued on Saersha noticed her maid's discomfiture and said, "Don't mind them, Mr and Mrs Santiago Divargo are stuck up snobs, they treat everyone like that." She grinned evilly, "watch this pet."
Saersha looked back at the couple, "Oh Mr. Devargoo~ooo! Mom said to tell you she missed your visits when Mrs. Divargo was away." She turned away and then hustled Embyr forward a short ways to get clear of the couple.Saersha looked back at Embyr, her expression fond, and said, "You don't need to be sorry that people are snobs, that isn't your fault it's theres.' she smiled slightly, "What you need to learn is how to use that to your advantage."
When they reached her home and Embyr said she had no questions Saersha looked at her and said, "I can see you have something you want to ask, but you seem afraid to," Saersha turned to look at Embyr, meeting the young rogue's eyes, and grasped Embyr's hand's gently, "I won't ever be angry with you for asking an honest question Pet" She brought Embyr's hand up to her lips and gently kissed the woman's knuckles then caught Embyr's eye and asked, "What did you want to ask me?"
"Hello, Miss Heidmarch!" says Azura with a happy wave. "Hello, Miss Azmeren. We've had some success - we've made it through part of the causeway and we seem to be getting closer to the piece we're looking for. A few pests, some mites and spider and such but nothing really dangerous."
"We need to get a little rest and recuperation before we head back in."
"Oh! We found a bunch of old art pieces, inscriptions and carvings and the like, like this one," she says, taking out one of the small chunks of masonry. "You think the Society might want to purchase them for the collection?"
Embyr sucks in a breath of air, steels herself, and looks you in the eyes.
"...am I allowed to refuse you? When you start... well... touching me?" She trails off.
Sheila takes a sample of masonry and gives it a look over.
Her eyes widen and she grins. "Ooh... I would indeed."
"In fact, I think I know a buyer who'd be quite happy to purchase them for at least double their going price on the market. Have you heard of a Feargus Greenthorne?"
"I have heard of him! I've never met him, though. Would you be kind enough to make an introduction for us?" she places the piece on the coffee table.
"But I apologize - here you were in the middle of a conversation and I just interrupted. Blurted right out! We have a lot more pieces like this to bring up over the next few days."
"Do you mind if we use your guest rooms while we clean up and prepare for our return trip?"
"I'd be happy to make an introduction when morning comes around." Sheila gets up from her seat. "And I do have a few guest rooms available. All I'd ask is that you not make too much of a mess for the help to clean up."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Saersha's gaze was actually nervous as she said, "I find myself more fond of you than I expected to be Embyr, and I don't say that often. My family line is an unbroken one, all women, one mother and one daughter, we avoid emotional attachments except to each other and even then only because we are family."
Saersha sighed and looked up at Embyr, her gaze was disturbed, nervous, and...and a little scared, "Do you not want me to touch you Embyr?"
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"I find myself more fond of you than I expected to be Embyr, and I don't say that often. My family line is an unbroken one, all women, one mother and one daughter, we avoid emotional attachments except to each other and even then only because we are family."
The rogue tilts her head in interest.
"Do you not want me to touch you Embyr?"
She notices the anxiety in your voice and makes a little gasp. "No! No! I mean--it's not that I don't enjoy it, I just--" She swallows. "--I'd... I'd appreciate it if you asked first..."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Thank you so much. I'll keep things tidy, I promise," says Azura.
She bustles off down the hallway toward one of the guest rooms, with her companions (hopefully) in tow.
"Ada and Zev, why don't you take the room on the left, and Ryn and I can share the room on the right," she says.
"It'll probably take us a few days back-and-forth to get all the pieces out of there, but if Mr. Greenthorne really is willing to pay above market value, that could be a big boon for us!" she says excitedly to her friends as she slings her pack off her back and stretches her sore muscles.
Ulfr parts from the company just after Saersha and her pet do. He walks to the Pitt at a leisurely, confident pace. It was already late, so he was sure he would find his man.
The pit is full of gladiators and sweat and even a little bit of blood, as was usual, when he walked in. He reserved a room on one of the upper floors, mingled and bet a little, and then made his way over to one of the larger reserved tables. There he found Roarus Maximilian , one of the better story singers of the Shoanti tradition in town. He spends some time there listening to a few of his takes from the gathered gladiators. When the crowd finally thins out late at night, he makes his move. He buys Roarus a drink (and a good one). I've just come from beating the snot out of some monsters with the Pathfinders,and I find that it holds about as much interest for me as my former life at Serpents Run. I'm looking for another way. Another Passion to advance my calling. Rage for the sake of rage does not seem to be enough. Would you teach me?
Taking a deep breath and drawing the hand back to her side Saersha continued, "When we are in public I won't touch you without permission or unless you touch me first." She paused and then added, "But I ask that you accept I may not always stop myself in time and forgive me for the occasional lapse in self control, like when I saw you nearly get killed by Zugga and kissed you afterwards." She watched for assent to that portion and then continued, "While here, at home," she quickly added, "or in a suitable private place," then slowed again, "I can grope you all I want." Seeing an interruption coming she held up a silencing finger, "But regardless of where we are, if either of us says to stop we stop." She looked closely at Embyr and asked, "Agreed?"
Roarus is an absolutely massive man, only a couple of inches taller than you in height. His brazen, bald scalp is intricately decorated with tattoos of blazing flames that wind their way down the back of his neck and to his shirtless torso. A grandly-inked tattoo of the sun is prominently displayed on his muscular chest. His earthbreaker lies off to the side, within arms reach of him.
"Ulfr! Kel-grish!" He cheers as you hand off a fine mug of Summersdawn Mead.
"I've just come from beating the snot out of some monsters with the Pathfinders,and I find that it holds about as much interest for me as my former life at Serpents Run. I'm looking for another way. Another Passion to advance my calling. Rage for the sake of rage does not seem to be enough. Would you teach me?"
Roarus grins. "You know, you're not the first man to ask me that today."
"I'd be happy to take on a second student. Do you seek to inspire others with the power of music?"
"Would you accept a compromise Pet?"
Embyr listens attentively, and then she nods rapidly.
"I assume you don't like being touched so much when others are around to see? That it embarrasses you?"
"Yes." Embyr nods.
"When we are in public I won't touch you without permission or unless you touch me first." She paused and then added, "But I ask that you accept I may not always stop myself in time and forgive me for the occasional lapse in self control, like when I saw you nearly get killed by Zugga and kissed you afterwards."
"Okay..." She nods again.
"While here, at home--or in a suitable private place--I can grope you all I want." Seeing an interruption coming she held up a silencing finger, "But regardless of where we are, if either of us says to stop we stop. Agreed?"
Embyr nods quite readily. "Yes. Yes. Please yes."
Ulfr nods, but slowly. In a way. The magical and inspiring music of performers is well and good, but not my aim. I am a student of Rage, and their dainty songs are not my goal. I seek to inspire more than good feelings and a bit of encouragement. I seek to pour the power of Rage into others and drive them to do more than they ever thought possible.
Roarus grins. "So does my other student. You've come to the right thundercaller."
Ulfr smiles, I knew that already. That's why I'm here. The question remains. Will you have me?
"When can you start?" The shoanti downs his mug of mead in one long draft.
Ulfr opens his hands wide, I'm ready whenever you are.