"Or perhaps it can be reasoned with...given that we would be able to maintain a line of communication...give me a moment."
Argor then goes through a series of preparations, altering his spell allotment and his various arcane resources to alter his potential options. He then refers to his spellbook once more before casting another incantation. He then closes the tome and puts it away once more, before reciting another spell, and then fading from sight.
"I will see if this creature has the intellectual capacity for diplomacy. Remain here unless I call for you. Hrimnagel, if you are confident in your ability to remain unseen, you may accompany me up the stairs in case hostilities arise."
He then flies up the stair, staying as close to the ceiling as possible, and once he gains a visual of the subject, studies it for a moment before speaking.
__________
That's unusually bold for Argor, Cladissa thinks as she slinks up the stairs stealthily. She pauses before she can be seen by the robot guards.
Hrim accompanies the insane Argor upstairs. The deep gnome expects to quickly call the toughs to handle the gearmen who probably won't listen to Argor.
"I'll try to prepare myself as best I am to restrain it, should it come to that."
While Argor floats up the stairs, Nyugusk consumes an extract of long arm and his second extract of enlarge person.
:
"Greetings and salutations. My name is Argor Constantine. How may I address you?"
As Argor's disembodied words echo across the chamber, the two gearsmen robots drop into combat stances. They scan the room but do not seem able to detect the arcanist. He floats silently across the room, waiting for a response as the possessed Blakros man twitches like a poorly operated puppet. It's head twitches side to side as it attempts to find the sources of the voice. It responds in a robotic sounding language, a series of tones in rapid succession. "000100110011100111..."
It takes Argor's spell a moment to comprehend and translate the strange language,but then he begins to hear words. "I am unit 589735642. Tonal quality indicates male humanoid presence. Argor Constantine, have you come to return me to the ship? Was my message received?" The sound of its voice seems to emit from the vibration of the metallic layer covering Pendleton rather than from any mouth.
Argor: "I am unaware of any message or ship, but if aiding you in this endeavor will result in no further violence, to anyone, I am sure we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement."
"Unauthorized humanoids were detected with stolen (unintelligible) technology. Elimination protocols were enacted. Unless I and all the robots under my control are immediately returned to the ship of our origin, I will continue to broadcast and eliminate all threats to that goal."
"You have 10 seconds to proffer an affirmative response."
"10"
"9"
"8"
Argor: "Some of your servitor constructs assaulted us, and were disabled in the process, but we can aid you if you make certain concessions in return."
"What concessions?"
Argor: "Firstly, I would like you to,release the biological organism from your control. In return, I promise to offer you a suitable replacement."
"I need no replacement. I need only guarantee of transport back to my point of origin.This meat means nothing."
Argor: "Can you release it from your thrall without causing it any harm?"
"Should I be convinced that is a logical course of action; affirmative."
"And what does your ship look like? Any distinctive physical features?"
"Classified."
Argor: "Do you know the location of your ship?"
"Where am I?"
Argor: "The city of Absalom."
"This means nothing to me. Do you have absolute geolocation coordinates for this location? A star map of the local sky?"
One of Argor's colleagues at the Arcanimirum is an astronomer, she undoubtedly has a copy of what the creature needs.
Argor: "I can acquire that data for you."
"I will require the map, and transport to the closest contiguous piece of land to my point of origin, as well as the release of my servitors before I release this human"
Argor: "This can all be arranged, if you also guarantee to cease all hostilities on both your part as well as from your servitors."
"This is acceptable. I will uphold my end of the bargain as long as you uphold yours. Should you break our agreement, I will kill this human....And you," it adds as an afterthought.
It's terribly hard to read a machine, but as far as Argor can tell it's being honest.
"Shall I accompany you, or wait for you to bring transport to us?"
Argor: "Await for my return."
"Standing by."
Argor floats back down the stairs before making himself visible again. "I have negotiated a ceasefire with the thing, but I must go acquire some things. Remain here and make sure it doesn't try anything."
Without waiting for a reply, he soars out of the building, empathically calling to Arctyryx as he leaves. At the door, he commands the raven, "Go and inform the Ulfen to prepare their ship for travel."
He then heads to the Arcanamirium to speak with his astronomer colleague there to acquire a variety of starcharts, specifically one of the skies over Absalom, before returning to the museum.
Hrim blinks several times and then says to the rest of the team in his small, thin voice, "that was a pleasant surprise."
"It's a surprise, certainly, but it remains to be seen if it is pleasant," Cladissa replies as she watches Argor float away.
Hrim's shrug at Cladissa's reply is obscured by shadows.
After several long moments tick by, Cladissa coughs softly. "Soo, anything interesting happen while I was away?"
Nyugusk shrugs and grins. "I already told you about my bioregenerative sweat, right? I still have some left if you want to try it while we wait for Argor.
"That was definitely my coolest discovery. That and the ability to sprout wings and gills and fins...I guess I spent most of the time you were gone in my lab. I, um, missed you though. The house really isn't the same without you.
"I guess I kinda miss Argor being there too."
Hrim whispers a reply to Cladissa, "My friend, Madame Fitrigbit Batbongle is missing, since we returned from our last mission.". Overwhelming emotions are barely contained by the deep gnome.
Nyug looks toward where Hrim's voice came from. "You didn't tell me that! I mean, I guess I didn't really ask you anything either. Anyway, what I mean is...sorry.
"Is there maybe something we can do?"
"Oh, no!" Cladissa remarks. "We'll-- we'll start looking right away, I promise!"
Then, swallowing her chagrin, she adds, "and, who was she, exactly?"
Hrim replies in smaller and thiiner voice than usual, "she's the older gnome lady that I brought to house months ago. She tends a shrine to Count Ranalc on the outskirts of the city.". You remember the gnome was quietly pleasant and almost bleach white and frail.
Argor has little trouble procuring what he needs, and within a couple of hours returns to the museum. He explains his plan to the others (out of necessity). The thing covering Pendleton explains it is a cyberplasm. Thrassk points out that parading a bunch of robots through the streets to the docks will likely cause a panic, and hires a carriage to take them. He pays the driver extra for his discretion.
With the Freaks escorting the the carriage full of alien war tech, they make their way to the docks. In the cover of a boathouse, the small longship is loaded with the passengers and sets out to sea. The journey to the northern coast of the Inner Sea takes several days, but it goes smoothly. As long as the humanoids seem to be keeping up their end of the deal, the cyberplasm is robotically pleasant and cooperative.
Once they are unloaded on a beach in Andoran, the cyberplasm leaks off of Pendleton, forming a swarm of silvery buzzing particles. With little in the way of goodbyes, the robots turn and march off to the north.
Pendleton is confused, but greatful to be rescued. He puts in another good word for the Society and the Freaks with Hamaria Blackros.
With the Technic League team mostly slain and the cyberplasm on its way home, the surviving staff of the Blakros Museum can begin cleaning and
repairs. With the chaos in the museum put to rest, Nigel Aldain immediately begins assessing the damage in hopes of still opening the following night.
Gerva Golda says she will go back to Numeria and return to the Technic League. Befriended by the Freaks, she offers to simply report that the cyberplasm destroyed anything of value. She ensures the team that no more Technic League agents will be sent after the Blackros's.
Captain Dreng is stisfied with yet another successful mission and rewards the Freaks with 3,235 gold pieces each. Further their reputation continues to spread around the city and region, earning them even more fame.
Several hours after the completion of their mission, the various Freaks are approached by young messengers wearing Blackros family livery. Each begs pardon, and delivers a note:
Dear Friends,
It has come to my attention that our family is once again in your debt. I must thank you for rescuing my dear cousin Pendleton. I would like to invite you to attend a dinner to be held at Damian and I's estate in the Petal District, Fiddlemourn Manor. The event is to convene at sunsent two days hence. I dearly hope you will be able to make it! Feel free to bring a companion with you if you are so inclined.
Yours,
Michellia and Damian Blackros
PS:The event is formal wear only.
Cladissa nods, more remembering the chalk-bone scent she exuded that made her animal instincts wary. "Oh, yes. Sorry, I wasn't myself when I met her. But maybe we can pick up a trail, find some clues where she went."
* * *
Even though she feels a large amount of skepticism, Cladissa follows along with the plan to move the strange entity and its hostage out of the city and comply with its demands. It's with a huge relief that the being frees the Blakros family member and heads toward its home. While she can't help but wonder if it won't become a plague upon some other unsuspecting lands, her brief time with Gerva makes her hope that the lands of Numeria would be prepared for its arrival.
As for Gerva, she thanks her for her help and bids her a fond farewell. There's a strong part of her that wants to ask her about the serum she and her fellow freaks had taken, but considering the Technic League's feelings of propriety over all things Numeria, she holds her tongue unless Argor or one of the others broaches the topic.
As the robots and the strange silvery cloud fade off into the distance and the group contemplates their return to Absalom, she looks at Argor and smiles. "Well done," she notes with respect sounding in her voice. She turns away to face the way home and begins walking, her tail swishing back and forth and her wings twitching a bit before settling down.
* * *
As she reads the note from Michellia , Cladissa reaches the bottom and her mouth goes dry. She knows that she will attend, but the offer of bringing a companion has her thoughts straying to Roald. Roald! It's been... what? Months? she thinks in a near panic.
Her mind whirls as she rushes home. So much had transpired since their date, and oh, gods, meeting his sister, was he even still interested? Should she still be interested?
Feeling a strange sense of urgency, she employs her wings to get home and fills Jannicke in on the mission at the Blakros museum while she fusses with finding an outfit. Finally selecting a modest dress of a creme color, she gives the half-elf a quick hug and sets out for Roald's home near the Catfolk alley.
She knocks on his door and waits.
Roald answers the door, wearing a purple and crimson silk and velvet doublet. He looks as if expecting something mundane, and then a flash of surprise crosses his face. "Cladissa!" he exclaims. "What a pleasure. It's been ages since I last saw you. Please, come in."
Roald steps in to the house, and waves her in with one hand.
"It has!" she agrees with a laugh as she steps across the threshold. Her wings twitch and flutter on her back as she suddenly realizes this is happening. She moved so fast she hadn't had time to plan what to say.
"I hope this isn't a bad time? I mean, I'd heard you were busy and traveling, and I had some stuff going on, and... yeah, these happened," she confirms, unfurling her wings and closing them again. "So, how have you been?"
Roald takes in the wings. He seems shocked, then amazed. "They are gorgeous. You look like an angel now."
He is uncharacteristically silent for a moment as he gathers his thoughts before continuing. "Oh, I've been fine, thanks. Just working, as always. Unless I make a conscious effort to take time off the business takes up almost all my time. I was just doing some paperwork, but I'm happy for the break. May I offer you something to drink?"
Cladissa feels her knees go wobbly and her insides turn to mush at the compliment. She just smiles silently for a moment while she tries to keep her wings from sending her flying into the ceiling.
She nods her head at the offer of a drink. "Yes! Please, that would be nice. How was... Cassomir, was it?"
Roald sets about making some tea. It is ready in a minute or two, a smooth green variety in small porcelain cups. "Boring. Taldans put on such airs. I was going to investigate a ship that was for sale. I find myself in need of a new transport vessel capable of carrying large beasts. As my business expands so does the demand for my services. But, I don't want to spend my time with you talking about work. Why did you come here Cladissa?"
A sudden urge to be helpful almost had her suggesting that Argor or Auronee may be able to procure a sizable vessel, but a glimmer of good sense holds her tongue before she voices that suggestion.
When Roald asks why she'd come, she pauses in answering and blows softly on her tea while her mind spins. Should she be coy? Was that a loaded question? Does he really want her here? Why did she come? Should she bring up the invitation?
She looks up over the rising steam and watches his face. "Well, lots of reasons, actually," she begins as she sets the cup down. "I owe you an apology, for starters. And I owe your sister thanks. And I was wondering if you would be available in two days for a formal dinner to which I have been invited."
She felt nervous, she realized, at relaying the Blakros invitation. But she had cause to marvel at the absence of the crippling fear that would have had her dithering and hemming about it, perhaps not even able to work up the nerve to invite him. She smiled earnestly and quietly thrilled at her own boldness.
"Apology? Whatever for? As for the dinner, well, normally I dread formal dinners. But with an angel at my side, I think I might quite fancy one." Roald offers his trademark grin. "Who shall have the honor of our presence?"
"It's with the Blakros family," she says, flushing at the compliment. "Michellia and Damian. My team and I helped them out a couple times. It's at their estate in the Petal District. I've been there once before; I can show you the way."
She tucks her hair back behind her ears and takes up her tea. "I'm just sorry that I've been so distracted. And for coming here when I had that bad day."
"It's okay. I understand, I've been distracted too. Anyway, I'd be happy to accompany you. The other guests will no doubt be distinguished members of the city elite. I might meet some new clients as an added bonus."
Cladissa perks back up. "Yeah! You should bring your owl! Oh, and I can fly too now! We should fly together!"
Cladissa and Roald sip their tea, continuing to catch up on recent events, and close the small distance that's developed between them. When they both get hungry Roald has his chef make an excellent meal in Galtan fashion. They take the repast on his back balcony, overlooking the city below them stretching to the sea. At the end of the evening, Roald escorts Cladissa home, and leans in for a kiss after saying goodnight...
Argor is relatively quiet during the voyage, looking over his spellbook and making small notes in the borders here and there regarding some tidbit of his art he has gleaned from his adventures.
Upon return to within sight of Absalom, he turns to his Ulfen and says, "See to it that the ship is properly tended to, then return to the Sanctum and await further instruction, or for a new job as determined by Master Giles." He then floats into the air and soars on ahead of the ship.
He heads straight for the Arcanamirium, where his apprentice, William Lightstaff, is waiting for him in his office. "Master Constantine! I..." he is cut short by Argor lifting his hand to silence the boy.
"Master Argor," is all Argor rebuffs him with.
"Master Argor...the arcanascenti request your presence sir."
He arches an eyebrow, "Truly. Very well. See to it that your lessons are complete. I do not want to learn that you have faltered in yet another conjuration while under my tutelage, understood?"
Young Lightstaff hangs his head and grows pale, but Argor departs before the young mage can reply.
__________
The meeting was more than Argor had expected. It would seem that his ventures with the Society, as well as his supreme understandings of conjurative magics had earned him enough clout to warrant his promotion to the ranks of the Mavens. He had been granted administrative rights over several courses in conjurations, particularly the arts of summoning creatures from other realms, his specialty. He takes to the position with incredible zeal, and soon enough, has garnered a decent amount of respect from his peers, despite his comparatively young age.
_________
Upon receiving the messenger, Argor politely bids him adieu and sets about making preparations for the dinner. He spends the next few days making sure he has proper attire for the dinner, and patiently goes about his regular business dealings as he awaits the scheduled time. The mention of bringing a guest momentarily brings up a pang of regret, but soon enough he clenches his hands into fists as he remembers the betrayal Jannicke had shown him, and the guilt fades into tempered anger once more.
As Argor's mind grows idle in the days before the dinner, he ponders who he could take to the dinner as a companion. He decides to exercise his contacts, and speaks with both Nuar Spiritskin and Lady Dacilane on separate occasions, to,determine who might be viable options. His conversations led him to one particularly interesting observation...
He returned to Verde Heights and writes up a message:
Dearest Lady Imrizade Blakros,
I hope things have been well with you since our previous meeting. I would like to apologize for my lack of social interaction. I was quite focused on my business enterprises, as well as my dual responsibilities to the Pathfinders and the Arcanamirium. To that extent, my own social interests were forced to fall by the way-side.
Nevertheless, I have been wishing to have a chance to speak with you on various matters. Would you do me the honor of meeting me for brunch tomorrow to catch up?
Sincerely,
Argor
"Reginald," Argor calls out.
A few moments later, the older butler enters.
Argor carefully folds the letter and places it in an envelope, preparing a wax seal for it as he speaks, "See that Lady Imrizade Blakros receives this," handing the prepared message to the man, who bows as he takes the missive and departs.
Cladissa and Roald sip their tea, continuing to catch up on recent events, and close the small distance that's developed between them. When they both get hungry Roald has his chef make an excellent meal in Galtan fashion. They take the repast on his back balcony, overlooking the city below them stretching to the sea. At the end of the evening, Roald escorts Cladissa home, and leans in for a kiss after saying goodnight...
Cladissa's eyes close softly as her heart speeds up in anticipation. As she senses him near, she feels a rumble grow in her chest and she realizes she's purring. Her eyes flutter open to see his smile and she smiles back. Then she closes her eyes again as she melts into the kiss.
______________________
How she got inside the estate shall forever be a mystery because Cladissa doesn't recall her feet ever touching the ground. She stumbles into her room and meets Jannicke, who sees the look on her face and instantly demands details. After a bit of joint squealing, Cladissa tells her about Roald -- how they met, his courtship, their date. The mood dampens when she talks about meeting his sister Jentessa, since that brings up Argor's dinner party. They quickly move on to brighter topics, like choosing what to wear for the dinner party.
Her wings necessitated alterations of almost every outfit she owned. She and Jannicke selected the dresses that she wished to have Maylinna alter and debated about purchasing a a backless dress for the dinner to wear something new.
At Cladissa's initial reluctance, Jannicke asks her bluntly, "Do you realize how much money you have? I stumbled upon it accidentally, mind you. You have thousands of gold!"
Cladissa closes her eyes and does a quick calculation in her head. "Over twenty thousand, I should think with the most recent payment," she says matter-of-factly.
Jannicke nearly falls over. "That's a fortune! What are you planning on doing with it?"
She shrugs. "I hadn't really thought much about it. I don't really need much. I don't really want to buy a business or anything."
Jannicke looks incredulous. "Then why not buy some magical items? Your Pathfinder missions are often so dangerous! They could really help!"
"Okay," she acquiesces, still a little unsure. Jannicke offers to help, making suggestions and doing a bit of shopping for her.
The next day, Jannicke heads out to the Wise Quarter with a list of a few items to look for, while Cladissa wings her way to Maylinna's in Catfolk Alley in the Foreign Quarter.
At first, Maylinna gushes over the wings, and excitedly jumps at the chance to design or adjust some fashions that accommodate the new appendages. When Cladissa slips that she's taking Roald to a fancy dinner, however, she gives her a disappointed look.
Cladissa is able to distract Maylinna by forwarding on the compliments that she received on her dress from the well-traveled Raeng-Woo, and pretty soon has her excited again about her designs being on display at another Blakros event.
With the promise of having an original fine gown ready in time for the dinner, she leaves Catfolk Alley and heads to a bistro in the Ivy District where she meets up with Jannicke for lunch.
________________
"I thought you only ate meat," Jannicke comments when Cladissa orders a salad.
"Not anymore. I fixed a lot of that when I got enough control to grow the wings, she says with a note of pride. "So, what have you got for me?"
Jannicke goes over a list of various useful items for a witch that are on sale at the various shops. When she reaches the one at the bottom of the list, her voice grows tight. "This is a headband of vast intelligence that had been commissioned by a business owner for his son who didn't really have much of a way with people. But for whatever reason, couldn't pick it up. Forfeited the advance, so you could get it for a discount."
"What's wrong with it?" Cladissa asks, noting the tension in her voice.
"Oh, nothing with the item. It's just for sale at the Sanctum. Argor's shop."
Argor grows more and more restless as he awaits Imrizade's reply. He finds his attentions drawn to his scroll tubes, and the fact that they are rapidly growing empty.
I should take some time to replenish my supply. Looks like I need to take a visit to my scriptorium.
He heads out to his second story balcony and floats into the air, and flies towards the Sanctum. Several of the citizens moving about the Wise Quarter note the passage of his shadow over them, and wave up to him, excited to notice one of the now famous Pathfinders. He politely waves back at some of the more notable individuals, before coming to ground at the back door of the shop and entering, making his way to his destination.
"I'm sure he's not going to be there," Cladissa reassures Jannicke. "He's become a hot-shot teacher over at the Arcanerium, so that's where all his time is being spent." Even so, Cladissa's own heart thudded in her chest as she and her friend wove through the streets of Absalom. She reached out and gave Jannicke's hand a squeeze.
__________________
"Wow, it's really nice from the outside," she comments as they approach the Sanctum. When they cross the threshold, the scents slam into her -- parchment, inks, rare reagents and ingredients, exotic fabrics and the hint of acrid ozone of active magics.
Jannicke guides Cladissa to the counter where she greets the attendant -- an obvious acquaintance of hers. Cladissa is introduced and pleasantries are exchanged.
"So, I'm to understand there's a headband for sale?" she begins when the time for business arrives.
A silver robed man with dark shoulder length hair greets her, "Indeed you are correct, madam. Good day again, Ms. LeGrande, I take it this is the friend you spoke of earlier? Give me just a moment to retrieve it from the vault. Feel free to browse the reagents and select any you may require for purchase as well," he says as he steps through one of the doors behind the counter, another attendant stepping forward to aid the women with anything they may need.
Moments later, the other door opens and a familiar voice speaks up, "Arryn, I am going to be in need of these inks and parchments for personal use, I will refund the..." the voice pauses.
In the other doorway stands Argor, holding several rolls of parchment and a parcel of ink vials.
His voice becomes much more flat as he adds, "Cladissa. Jannicke. To what do I owe the honor."
Cursed. I am simply cursed, Cladissa thinks as she stands frozen in place at the counter. Then suddenly sensing Jannicke's dread and despair next to her, she asserts herself.
Taking a step forward to interpose herself between the two exes, she forces a smile on her face as her tail begins swishing back and forth. "Hello, Argor."
She makes a show of looking around the shop before returning her gaze to him. "This is a lovely shop. I feel quite chagrined I have never decided to visit earlier."
"Truly? I was beginning to believe you were letting your personal feelings towards me dissuade you from the plethora of services The Sanctum has to offer. I find that you are here now, with your current company no less, rather surprising..." he looks past Cladissa to Jannicke for a moment, then returns his gaze to Cladissa.
"To what do I owe the honor?"
"Oh! Well, with all that had been happening recently, I had actually accumulated a rather sizable amount of gold, since I hadn't been spending it. So, I thought I would see what items I could procure that would augment my own abilities -- since I can only imagine that the Society would continue to find greater and greater dangers for us.
She glances over her shoulder to confirm that Jannicke was still there, and to give her a comforting look. Then she looks back to Argor. "Miss Legrand was available to assist me in searching for the best arcane objects within my budget."
Argor sets his scrollwork supplies down, then folds his arms behind his back and asks, "And what has Miss Legrand advised you to purchase? Perhaps some enchanted claw guards?" reaching up to scratch his cheek a moment before returning to his previous posture.
Realizing that he was letting his emotions get the better of him, he adds, "My apologies. That was a childish retort. I am certain that The Sanctum will be able to provide you any sort of item you desire. Was there something in particular you had an eye on?"
"There is," Cladissa nods her head, eyes narrowed. "Mr. Giles is fetching it from the vault."
She brings her hand up and regards her nails. "Claw guards? An interesting idea. Perhaps even a muzzle! But no, that's rather out of fashion this season. I'm looking at a headband of intellect."
"Ah, yes, that particular item. A wizard by the name of Richtor had made an arrangement to have that item crafted, as well as hired out some other services we had to offer. Unfortunately, he has not returned from a venture he had departed on, and given the amount of time that has passed, his claim to the item has elapsed. Given the potent amount of arcana imbued within the item, it is quite expensive and most customers cannot afford it, but I do believe you have a rather deep coin purse."
From the second door, Arryn enters, carrying a mahogany display box. He looks over to the women, then to Argor, and visibly gulps.
Argor looks to Arryn and says calmly, "Go ahead, Master Giles, show them the item."
He nods and sets the box on the counter, and turns it to face the two women before opening the case...
Cladissa leans over it. It was pretty; a tightly-woven band of silver, gold, electrum and platinum threads, but hardly something that seemed worth nearly 16,000 gold pieces. With a word and a gesture, she brings up her arcane sight and observes the transmutation magics coursing through the fibers. That was where the true beauty lay.
"It's lovely," she says.
"Indeed it is," Argor says as he uses a can trip to levitate the headband at eye level for Cladissa. "Simple, yet elegant and refined. It's design will let it go with any style of high society fashion, yet be comfortable and remain reliably in place during combat," he continues as he spins it before her. "It is a magnificent item, one that I considered purchasing myself, but ultimately I have decided to save my coin for something a bit more potent."
Cladissa arches an eyebrow at that.
"Thank you," she says to Mr. Giles. "May I try it on?"
Then, making conversation, she turns to Argor. "By the way, Hrimnagel told us that a friend of his, a lady gnome, has gone missing. I wonder if you might assist us in trying to locate her, or at least picking up her trail? He's so quiet, but I think it would mean a lot of we helped him."
"Of course," Argor says as he floats the circlet over and onto Cladissa's head.
As her eyes are on the headband, Argor's eyes again dart to Jannicke, and then back to Cladissa.
"And how is everyone at the manor?"
When Cladissa mention's Hrimnagel's plight, Argor pauses a moment, before adding, "A search could be arranged. If he would like, I may be able to use some contacts I have developed to begin such an endeavor via arcane methods. A diviner at the Arcanamirium I have been aiding in some research could perhaps give us an idea of her location, for a reasonable donation to his research, I would believe."
Argor gathers his supplies, and steps around the counter. "I trust Master Giles can conclude the details of this transaction. Cladissa, let me know if Hrim requires my assistance in his search,"
He then walks towards the front door, and simply says "Jannicke," as he passes, not making eye contact, and then takes to the skies immediately upon his exit. He grits his teeth as he flies home, frustrated over having to see his ex-paramour and the "friend" she betrayed his emotions for.
When Argor returns to Verde Heights he is informed by Reginald that a reply has arrived from Miss Blakros. The butler hands him a folded piece of expense perfumed parchment sealed with the Blakros sigil in golden wax.
Dearest Argor,
I had feared that you all had completely forgotten me in the interim since our last meeting. It was with great joy that I received your note. I haven't had the pleasure of much company lately. I cannot wait to meet you for brunch tomorrow! Just let me know the time and place, and I will be there.
With affection,
Imrizade
Argor's mood does an immediate about-face as he reads the letter. He tells Reginald to arrange for a new messenger to be prepared for his reply.
Lady Blakros,
It would be impossible to forget someone as beautiful and talented as you, though it saddens me that I may have allowed my preoccupation with business to hinder our friendship. Let us meet at 11 o'clock at a lovely Osirian diner I have heard about, The Oasis. I shall make the arrangements.
Eagerly Awaiting the Dawn,
Argor
He prepares it in an envelope and gives it to Reginald.
"Well aren't you a whirlpool of emotion today," says Arctyryx.
"Things are truly starting to progress for me, Arctyryx. Finally," Argor says with a smile.
The first day after the mission passes.