Cimri looks out the window at Robert, "I assure you it's safe, at least this time".
She turns back to the rest of you, "That is not my chest, mine is much more... splendid". She grins flirting with the boys. "I assume it is a test as to our loyalty, shall we meet with our benefactor now to show that we'll not be touching his chest much less anyone else's chest tonight?"
Castiel smirks at Cimri. Pity. I had hoped... He shrugs and follows her to the next room.
Robert smiles but keeps his counsel. He knows the day of settling accounts with Cimri is fast approaching.
He follows the others.
"Safe, yes. I am sure that you mean that, Cimri."
"Very well." Alic easily falls into step behind Cimri and the others, heading for their mysterious employer. "Don't be so serious, friend," he says, glancing at Alexander. "There's more to life than somber study. We should enjoy it as best we can, and keep entertained when we're able."
Alexander lets out a 'tsk' at Alicarus's reply. "True. But this is business. People that mixed the two tend to get screwed over." He simply states. Ge takes a quick breath and follows the group to this mysterious benefactor.
As you head up the stairs you see that the second floor fared little better from the fire but is intact enough that it is not dangerous. As you come to the top of the landing you see an open door to the left. Stepping to the doorway Cimri in the lead states, "Hel, what in the Hells' are you doing here, who is this with you?"
As you look past her you see the room is in disarray with toppled bookshelves, a table, and some chairs half-coveredin ivy suggest this room was once a library. Two of the chairs are already occupied by a human female and a male drow elf perhaps?
The ashes and pulp of burned, waterlogged books lay heaped amid fallen
furniture, creating a large nest of sorts against one wall. Resting on this pile is an earless panther like beast. It raises its head to assess your presence but makes no movement and no sound.
However, what draws your attention is a set of folding paper screens that divides the room. A lantern flickers on the opposite side, projecting the silhouette of a desk and high-backed chair upon the thin paper.
At the same time the light behind the paper screen slowly intensifies, casting the stark silhouette of a bald figure seated at a desk upon the divider. Before Hel can respond to Cimri's question a shuffling sound emanates from behind the scrrem, a high-pitched voice, sounding as though it could belong to someone either very young or very old, wheezes from behind the screen, “Cimri. Is it done?”
Castiel walks in and leans against a wall, easily within reach of both the windows and the door, should the need to bolt arise.
but not very well.. :-p
Well, Cimri, this is certainly... different. I must say I've seen more excitement today than in a while.
Hel's expression might charitably be called a poker face; uncharitably, it might be described as being flat and affectless. She neither knows nor, apparently, cares what the details of the creature or her table companion are; she gives Cimri the faintest sliver of a smile, and even that doesn't quite make it to her cold eyes. "You don't bluff quite as well as you think you do. I'd rather work directly for the person in charge."
Her eyes shift to watch each of the other individuals as they enter, and something in her expression shifts slightly, just enough to turn it from idiot-simple to predatory; it's clear, even as she shifts in her chair and adjusts its positioning slightly to enable her to get out of it just a mite more easily, that she's not pleased to be in the room with so many males.
"Come out now and show yourself."
Cimri's lips turn down in a sour look at Hel's reply, before she can retort herself Robert blurts out, "Come out now and show yourself." The creature in the corner begins to growl at the tone of the Cleric.
Cimri turns back to Robert and glares at him. "What he means to say my Lord is that we would be honored to be acknowledged by you face to face".
The figure behind the screen responds shifting slightly in his seat, "I will honor you with gold and influence but my identity must be kept a secret. Should you presume to order me about again Master Longacre your study group will be as influential as you will ever get".
He shifts his chair towards Cimri, "Report".
Cimri responds with the tale of what took place, what was recovered, and finally how the tanner was cowed. The man nods on occasion but does not interrupt Cimri's tale.
“Excellent. You’ve done well, Cimri, and your associates sound like individuals of rare potential. You’ll all find your payment waiting in the parlor below, along with a gift for each of you. Go, enjoy, celebrate. You deserve a reward for your impressive work. We’ll talk more in the near future. Before you go, I would suggest that you become familiar with Hel Blackfist and Cole Sungazer, they have agreed to assist in our endeavors”.
That being said, the screen begins to fade to black. Cimri grins, "It seems that chest was meant for us after all". she states as she puts down the lockbox and heads out the door, you hear the stairs creak beneath her feet as she heads down the stairs.
Cole smiles at the introduction. "Of course. It will be an honor to work with all of you." He inclines his head slightly, sharp eyes darting to each person as if he's taking measure of each of them. "Please, just call me Cole."
Pelleas snorts at Robert's comments towards their unknown patron, especially when the man reprimands him. Otherwise, though, the tiefling remains quite silent and lets the others speak, knowing his rough and perhaps even rude personality won't do him any favors. Finally, he gives Cole a nod as he introduces himself, extending one gloved hand towards the other man. "If you wish," Pelleas replies, in response to Cole's comment on his name. "My name is Pellease Markov, Third-born son of House Markov, of Cheliax. I've been sent to Longacre on... family business, or so I was told. Still, my father wishes that I stay, so here I am." The tiefling has a derisive tone, but seems to give weight to his father's wishes regardless.
"Alicarus Vorasik, the pleasure is mine." Alic had stifled some laughter at their employer's response to Robert's demanding tone, amused as always to see someone who's used to getting their way finally hampered. "We've quite a nice little group here, outcasts and diabolists and dilettantes. Where do the pair of you fit in, I wonder?" The man shakes his shoulders and deftly winds his the hanging chain about his arms, where it sticks to leather and cloth to hold in place. "Shall we gather our earnings while we meet and greet?"
As the group file into the room, Alexander's raised an eyebrow at the sight of the two, no three people already occupying the building. Guess it isn't as secure as Cimri thought. He slowly moves a hand towards his dagger on his belt, but stops as he notes the stillness of the room. No, possible allies? Maybe. Adopting a more calm stance, he listens carefully and smirks slightly as the Asmodean gets chided. But his attention soon returns to the two, three, no, the four occupants of the room. Right, lets see.
His eyes widen slightly. Rather exotic creatures in our mist. Interesting. He smirks slightly, finding more allies such as these will be useful. So these are a start. "Interesting group we're becoming. An old acquaintance of Cimri's, a Strix that decided to come down from their lofty peaks, and a real Krenshar. Tonight is definitely getting interesting." He clasps his hands in front of himself. He raised an eyebrow to Cimri before turning back to the newcomers. "Greetings Hel, and Cole. And I must say it is nice to meet new allies after a couple decided to leave." He then turns his attention to the true mastermind behind tonight. "And salutations to you, and thank you for hiring us." He bows his head ever so slight before looking ahead again. "And sir, since we are in your employment, may we have a title, name, or a moniker for we can refer you as? Before we reconvene in the other room to receive our payments for tonight? Oh, and may I be so bold, what is the Krenshar's name as well?" As he speaks in a clear, calm tone, his mind is filing all the new information away. Hel. A female human. Looks to be a mobile person, has burns on arm. Also has dark kohl around eyes. A focus point? Unarmored. Maybe Monk, or spellcaster? Cole. A male strix. lightly armored, has to be. Must be good at scouting. Also due to how wings formed, must be good at going unnoticed in local populace. Summery. Both are useful...
The pale young man raises an eyebrow. His cheery demeanor falls off like a mask. "I see I need to work on my disguise a bit more," he says dryly. His cloak shifts on its own and his flares back, his wings stretching out for a moment before settling in to a more normal arrangement folded against his back. With the cloak open, it becomes much easier to see the cloth wrapped longsword at his waist and his slightly worn leather armor. "My reasons for being here are complicated, but suffice to say that I have no love for some of your enemies. And the enemy of my enemy is at least useful to help me stab them."
Your benefactor responds to Alexander's inquiries from behind the darkened screen, "You may call me Razelago. My faithful companion is Gaurig. I am sure that ours will be a beneficial arrangement moving forward Alexander".
"I'm here for the money," adds Hel, "though there are ... some issues I noticed in town I'd like to take care of." Specifically, she thinks to herself, the existence of a temple to Iomedae. "But as for an old friend of Cimri's, you are wrong; we've played a few score hands of cards, and she accurately guessed my need for funds, that is all." The pale-complexioned woman glances at Cimri and adds, "Not that I haven't enjoyed our play, my dear; call it paranoia. Speaking of which ..."
She stands and takes three or four graceful steps around the table, to 'side' more with Cimri and the tannery robbers. "Master Razelago. Might we inquire as fom whom you work? Might we presume that your influence - or the influence of your patron - reaches into the local aristocracy?" She glances sideways at the others 'Master Razelago' has hired on through Cimri, and adds, "I would not like to think that acting in your service would lead to conflict with the local nobility. Nobility can, after all, be ... touchy ... about their perogatives."
Castiel smiles and sketches a very shallow bow. Castiel Vasago, at your service. He shrugs, and leans back against his wall. I don't much care who you work for, or what they want. I'm more interested in this for the entertainment value.
"My family sided with House Thrune before their rise, you'll see no conflict with the aristocracy from me. I may not share the political acumen of my brothers, but I'm no fool; our continued service has done much for us." Pelleas grins, heading downstairs with Alicarus as he continues to talk. "Moreover, our power and influence lends me more time to continue my experiments. You know, don't bite the hand that feeds you, and all that."
Col shrugs. "Political associations mean nothing to me. Human kingdoms come and go, or don't go as it seems with House Thrune, but my people have never particularly cared. While it serves my goals, I am fine being allied with anyone who can give me money and resources to defeat the ones who I hunt."
Alic titters briefly at Pelleas's final comment. "Oh, I don't know that I'd go as far as that. After all, once you're used to feeding it's easy to be given poison, or rotten food without questioning it. Even a playful nip every now and again keeps things civil." He sighs. "And, sometimes, if the hand stops pretending to feed you anything good, you snap it off entirely. Keeps things interesting and proper, everyone grows from the experience."
Rezalgo responds, "Indeed, you can safely assume that the aristocracy of our great nation is the power behind me and now you.
It would be unseemly of course to discuss this in circles outside of this room".
Cimri pauses at the door, "I am happy to have the extra hands. Now, for those of us who participated in tonight's job, let's go get our well deserved pay. Then we can all leave together and discuss how best to work together. Assuming of course you have more work for us Razelgo?"
Again the man behind the screen responds, "I will contact you all when I do. Do not fear with all that is taking place here it shall be in the very near future".
"Of course," the Blackfist agrees with Razelago about discussing power politics outside of the room. Back-room deals stay in back rooms, she thinks. Any two-year-old should know that.
Hel glances at Cimri at the not-very-veiled waspish snipe about participation that evening, her own expression once again relatively flat. "Fine." And she moves to follow Cimri and the rest down the stairs, listening to the boasting and bragging and explanations, the spoken lack of interest, the self-conscious 'evilness' being spoken. Her fingers twitch, though it might be difficult to determine if it's that she's resisting the urge to strangle someone, or just wanting to have a pen and paper to take notes with ...
"Of course," Cole says evenly. "I'm sure you're more than aware of how much I value discretion. If that's everything, I'll leave to get acquainted with my new... allies then." He shrugs his shoulders and his wings wrap around him against, folding over each other to form his feathery cloak.
Alexander bows his head once more. "Thank you." With that, he follows the others to the room with the chest where their payments reside.
Castiel sketches a polite bow Thank you. He follows the others to receive payment. Well, today seems to be full of surprises, now doesn't it?
As you arrive back on the first floor you see that the table which held the trunk has become a bit more crowded by plates, bowls and silverware. More come from what must be the kitchen held aloft by some sort of unseen magic. Enough for place settings for you all. The smell of food begins to waft through the ruined house, causing your stomach to grumble.
Cimri grins and heads to the chest and picks up a note, she reads it, A fine feast for fine friends.
Cimri almost laughs out loud, "Friends? Well, a free meal is a free meal". She places the note on the table and opens the chest and gasps. "There is as much here as we took from the Tanner!"
Castiel grins and sets himself to eating, once all are settled. His manners are suited for a noble's dining hall. Well, I must say this is quite the treat!
"Free is usually good," Cole says. "It seems that our employer has a fair bit of magical aid as well. Interesting. His resources are certainly not lacking." He grabs a roll from one of the floating plates and tears a large chunk off with his teeth.
"Aren't we friends, though?" Alic frowns slightly at Cimri's comment. "All of us. Comrades at least, now. We've stood together in alliance on business, we've spread word of our own influence and shaken things up, won a victory over the mundane. It's something to start a bond over, at the very least. Why not friendship?" The man breaks into a smile as he takes a seat at the table.
"And now we can break bread together as well. Community is very important, you know, and now we're a happy little family, well. My Lord knows well, family is very, very dear." Once drinks are served, he takes up a goblet and raises it. "I propose a toast: to the beginning of our new friendship, family, alliance, or whatever else you may wish to call it. I think this is the start of something beautiful."
If Hel is invited - and since Cole is digging in, then she figures she is as well - she will eat very carefully and fastidiously, piece by piece and bit by bit. She will lift a goblet to the toast, giving a brief smile to Vorasik. "To camaraderie," she suggests. "Comrades - companions - fellow soldiers."
"We are comrades," Cole says, picking up a goblet of his own. "If you wish to be... friends, only time will tell."
"I do hope so." Alic smiles and sips at his cup.
Cimri listens as the group banters back and forth. To her delight, wine glasses and eight bottles of a fine Wiscrani barbera wine float out.
"This is why I am doing this, for the finer things in life".
After that several loaves of fresh bread, garlic-flavored butter, and a variety of smoked fish and boar’s meat finally come out from the delicious smelling kitchen.
After she eats her fill Cimri stands up, "Shall we part company? When I receive word from Rezalgo I shall inform you all, well, those of you who have not decided to go rogue anyway..."
"... I suppose," Pelleas says, shrugging. The tiefling has stayed silent, mostly, not being one for socializing or the company of others. He sits instead listening to the others until the food arrives, and he idly snacks and sips his wine until Cimri offers that they depart. "We would do best to remain separate, I would think. You know, no contact when not doing business for our... patron? Not everyone here is so loyal to the crown as we, or willing to work with them in any case."
"...But what is extermination, dear Hel?" Alicarus can't help responding to the woman's comments, and seems to be enjoying the chance at such conversation. "Extermination, were we to define it, might well be considered as the removal, typically through destruction, of some group or another, usually considered pests. But wouldn't you say the Iomedaeans removed, destroyed, even, if they were converted away from such misguided, corruptible faith as they now possess? I think you and I seek precisely the same thing, Hel Blackfist: an end to the church of Iomedae and its presence here." He crunches into the final piece of garlic-buttered bread and sighs as though in ecstasy. "Marvelous cooking. When it comes to theology and the law, semantics should not be underestimated. I've seen men put away for lesser definitions than that. I once sent a man to the rack myself, over the precise meaning of 'flogging.' He found out just where his wordplay went astray, I think. So it seemed from the screaming."
When the meal is finished, Alicarus nods at Cimri, and sighs at Pelleas's ultimately wise suggestion. "Ah, you make a good point, my fiendish friend. Still, parting is such sweet sorrow--and that is a topic I'm particularly familiar with, hmm?" Alic titters, although it can't be wine going to his head--he's barely finished one goblet in all the meal and conversation, despite his earlier toasting. "If we wish to draw apart for now, I understand, but you shouldn't have trouble finding me, even if I live on the streets. Just listen for the sound of laughing children, and if I'm not there myself, they'll show you the way if you ask."
Despite the oddity of the statement, there's no malice at all in the aasimar's voice or expression. He stands, pushes in his seat, and bows to the group. "I do hope some of you might come calling. Especially you, Miss Hel. You've a sharp mind and a keen spirit, and I enjoyed that talk immensely. Finest theological debate I've had in months." With a final rattle of his chains and a smile as he turns, the Kuthite makes his way back out of the house and into the night, happy if anyone joins him but content if he walks alone.
"A most verbose argument," Cole says dryly, downing his entire goblet in two long gulps. "You are perhaps the most curious holy man I have ever met. So few of your kind are interested in conversion. It's so much easier to simply bleed their enemies dry. Personally, I find myself agreeing with them, but if you believe that those foolish enough to tout Iomedae's dogma can be persuaded, it would be fascinating to watch."
"Yes, I prefer my anonymity. I have rooms in town, so if something comes up, feel free to seek me there. If I am not around, it's hardly a large enough town that you won't be able to find where I'm wandering around."
Castiel remains silent through the meal, but plucks a odd lilting tune on his harp as an accompaniment to the conversation.
"I agree," replies Hel, "that complete elimination no matter the means is extermination. I propose a race," she offers to the inquisitor. "You, to convert as many as you can; I, to send to the Inheritor as many of her lickspittles as I can. I concede you have a much more challenging task, so perhaps a ratio - one convert to three corpses?"
She has, in truth, been seen here and there about town, mostly where-ever dice are rolling or, more likely, cards are being shuffled. She will walk back with Vorasik, continuing their conversation - though she can be somewhat discreet in her word choice, it's likely that anyone listening in for more than a few minutes would be able to pick up the topic of her vituperation. If, of course, they understand her word choice; it's clear she's at least moderately educated.
"Ooh, a challenge. I accept wholeheartedly. This should be fun." Alic smiles broadly. He gladly walks with Hel, conversing on this and that, mostly revolving around the misguided faults of Iomedaeans and similar faiths--although he doesn't mention Shelynites himself. If they are brought up, a glimmer of rage mixed with manic excitement enters his eye, and he begins to wax rhapsodic on just how they've gone wrong and how he seeks to bring every last one of them to his new faith of Zon-Kuthon. "To convert the followers of Shelyn to the cause? That is the finest goal I might seek to accomplish on this mortal plane. My second-greatest achievement, if I succeed--and I surely hope I do."
Likewise to Hel, Alic is skilled in speaking in some jargon and more complex words, although many of his choices are somewhat more steeped in legal vocabulary and archaic wording.
Alexander enjoyed the food with everyone, reminding him of times earlier in his life. Ah. I need to see if there is a way to talk to the cook... Or see if it was done with magic. Either way, it brings me back. He thinks, with a soft smile.
With the talk of splitting up for the time being, he nods his head once in agreement. "I agree. After all, we did commit a crime of robbery tonight. So it would be best to split up. I believe Cimri can easily find me when she requires my services again. " With that, he leaves, with a garlic roll in his hand and heads to the inn where he is staying for the time being.
Cole does nothing but raise an eyebrow at the message. "Finally. Let's see just what these fools want with this town. And how many of them I'll have the chance to bleed. But not today. Not quite yet. But soon, soon I will have blood shed to spare." He takes a few minutes to touch up his disguise, adjusting his wings and applying a little make-up to hide his grey complexion a bit. He chuckles to himself. "Those others, they'll have to meet him soon. I'm sure that will be an... interesting day." He absently tucked his cloth wrapped longsword under his cloak and departed for the Ash House to meet with his new companions.
Cimri finds Alicarus in his alleyway home, accompanied as usual by some of the local children. This time, he's giving them a lecture on medical care while actively dressing his own wounds from the prior day. His "congregation" is enraptured, apparently hanging on his every word. "Pain sometimes leads to more pain, and often it does. Magical healing is all well and good, when it can be afforded, but it drains the purse and the soul. Cheapens the love that our Lord is so graciously giving us. It's important to always remember, keep an open eye, ear, and heart, little ones. Why?"
"The open eye pierces the darkness to see the beauty that lies within. The open ear hears the whisperings of the world to understand the truth. The open heart welcomes the beauty and accepts the truth, and through it we are made whole." The response is clearly a litany, although some voices are more hesitant in speaking than others. The strongest voice comes from a young girl, perhaps twelve years old, with a bound leg and a makeshift crutch.
"Indeed it is. And what my eyes, ears, and heart perceive is a visitor to our congregation." Alic finishes setting a stitch and looks up to Cimri. "Please, Cimri, what is it?" He listens to her question and nods, then stands, either unaware or uncaring of the way the skin is pulled tight and the stitches tug at his wound. "Of course. I'll be right there."
There are a few murmurs of protest among the children, but Alicarus hushes them with a look and a smile. "I'm sure I'll return soon, don't you worry. Take care of each other while I'm away, though, of course." The congregation nods, and Alicarus walks away, only limping slightly once out of their sight. "So what is it today, dear? Armed robbery? Perhaps silencing a loose tongue? I know--fetching some sweets from the bakery."
Castiel smiles and looks Cimri over. I am always ready to spend time wit you, my lady.
After reading the note, the young woman takes the time to get breakfast in the nearest public house; while there, she burns the scrap of paper, with meticulous care making certain that all of the part written upon is ash in the wind before flicking the last corner into the fire. Perhaps people will think her a bit obsessed with burning things, considering the deep charcoaled coloration of her arm and hand; she doesn't care one way or the other, so long as they don't try to stop her.
After eating with her usual fastidious manner - food being something she no longer takes for granted - she double-checks her personage and equippage before heading out of town in a direction that will not lead her immediately to the Ash House. Her stride is swifter than most, however, and though she handles her three-section staff through her training routines as she moves, her 'wandering' will lead her soon enough to the Ash House itself.
Without announcing her presence, she checks in the first floor's 'dining room' for the presence of others; should none be there, she proceeds up the stairs to the study/library/office, wherein she expects to encounter the krenshar. There, she nods courteously to it, and says, "Good morrow, Gaurig. Is Razelago here?"