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Jessibel waits until everyone's gathered upstairs before speaking.
After telling Davina a bit about the Kintargo Opera Guild , Jessi says, "The more I think about it, the more I believe the Opera House was the fourth casualty of Lord Thrune's preemptive strike against Kintargo--the Society features a lot of free thinkers more interested in the arts and Kintargo's best interests than in the interests of the empire and House Thrune. Barzillai probably thought that by occupying the opera house he'd take away a potential meeting place for any future troublemakers."
"If I can become a member of the Society, it would be a wonderful opportunity for us. There are a lot of powerful and influential people in the guild, and I'd be able to check the pulse of how these people feel about the new Lord-Mayor and his proclamations, gage their loyalty or lack thereof to Barzillai, and maybe eventually even prod or coax them toward rebellion against the tyrant."
Turning to Domitius, Jessibel smirks and says, "Ah, just wait 'til you see my armor in another 30 minutes or so when my prestidigitation spell wears off." Striking a domineering pose, she says, "Miss Cheliax Pageant Winner, 4716!"
Next she addresses Sabrina. "Want a roommate? We could split expenses. Money will be tight for me, too, especially if I have to pay tuition fees and whatnot."
Lastly, the girl addresses her co-conspirators. "Will be be walking to Redroof all together, or will we be splitting into two groups?"
Kiri considered and said, "Two smaller groups would be safer, less conspicuous."
"Are we sticking together?" Jessibel asks Sabrina and Domitius. Turning to Kiri, she asks the strix, "Would you care to join us? You could start my stealth training en route. Sabrina could probably use some, too."
Jessi also asks Leora if she's done with the Thrune pendant and CCG armband she loaned her earlier or if Leora would like to keep them for now.
“Ah, just wait 'til you see my armor in another 30 minutes or so when my prestidigitation spell wears off." Striking a domineering pose, she says, "Miss Cheliax Pageant Winner, 4716!"
Dom raises an eyebrow at this, thinking back on a long line of shenanigans he's seen the girl engage in. In the time she's been Miss Sabrina’s friend, she's done enough goofy stuff that she just might be serious.. In his best deadpan, he says, “Okay then, the new plan is, we put you in the lobby of the Opera House, you pretend you're a statue, and eavesdrop on everything that goes on in there. Try not to move when the hellhound is out,” he grins at the last bit.
Turning to Rexus, he asks, “Pardon my saying so, but you kind of got the bejeezus stomped out of you yesterday, being alone. What makes you think you'll be okay in the future?”
Jessi chuckles at Dom's words. "Yeah, staying still and keeping quiet--two of my strongest assets. But the cold sweat I'd break into every time Nox or her pet came near would give me away. Rexus--you don't know anything about Barzillai Thrune's scary bodyguard, do you?"
Kiri nodded and said, "I could, though I would recommend keeping in groups of three for this. That should be small enough not to attract attention and large enough to provide safety from thugs in the alleys."
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"I'm not in the mood to go crawling into tunnels under abandoned livery stables," Sabrina decides. "I'll stay here and keep an eye on Rexus if he wants. Or keep Laria company."
"So you think I should go with you for safety?" Rexus asks Domitius. "That makes a certain amount of sense. As long as I keep you lot between me and anything with teeth or a weapon." To Jessibel he shakes his head. "I have no idea, but I saw what happened at the protest. A knife to the throat should kill or at least incapacitate a normal person, but her wound was closing over and healing as soon as she pulled the blade out."
Once everyone has gathered in the more private room, "So it seems like there are less of the Queensmen and Dottari out today? " Leora asks her companions who had been out already that morning. "In that case, sure Jessi, you can have the stuff back."
"I'll put my normal armor on and a cloak. I like the idea of splitting up. "
Leora fills the group in on her conversation with Laria last night. "I wouldn't mind renting a room here too. Laria is definitely on our side and this place should be safe. She also mentioned there's tunnels underneath here leading out of Kintargo."
Davina agrees that splitting up sounds like a good idea.
"I'd like to stop by a store and pick up some more crossbow bolts on the way. Since we're going into some cellars, I don't have as many on hand as I'd like for that kind of adventure."
"Jessibel it does sound like the Kintargo Opera House Society would be a good group to get involved with. Especially since they are interested in the best for the city."
"There were few enough Queensmen out that people felt they could gossip openly about yesterday's events out in the open, at least. I'm sure you know as well as I that that could change with a wave of Barzillai's hand, though."
As Jessibel and Davina discuss the Opera House, Lydia nods her head with a smile. "The Opera House Society would be a great ally at this time; my parents have of course had many successful dealings with them in the past, and they have never been afraid to push the boundaries of what Cheliax may deem acceptable. I'm sure we would find a number of people bold enough to support rebellion."
"Taking a room here may be wise for me as well... Traveling to and from the temple may get more risky as time goes on. It would be for the best if we can stay together for the most part."
With the decisions made Kiri suggested a plan of action, "I'd suggest we go in groups of three to four then. that would make two groups, I also don't recommend drawing attention to ourselves by hurrying."
"So...me, Dom, and Kiri in one group and Lydia, Leora, Lucius, and Mrs. Eradon in the second?" Jessibel suggests. "Though we'd have our two biggest hitters in the smaller group, at least each group would have its own healer."
"Speaking of healing.... Lydia, were you able to make a trade for a curing wand?"
Cautiously stepping closer to Kiri, Jessi extends a hand and asks, "Um...could I please have my belt pouch back now? I'd like to leave most of what's in it here with Sabrina."
Domitius shrugs in agreement. "Sounds reasonable to me, Miss Jess. You guys, stay out of trouble," he says to Sabrina, Rexus and Laria.
At Jessibel's request, Dom eyes up Kiri, waiting to see if she does what Jessibel asked.
Kiri tossed the pouch up one last time and then pushed it into Jessi's outstreched hand with a gust of air and said, "There, everything accounted for as I never opened it. We'll work on your lessons along the way." She started towards the door and said, "As for the heavy hitters being together it means the small group can handle things nearly as well as the large one."
Davina finishes drinking her coffee, and gets ready to head out the door with her group. "A quick stop at Kelimber’s Dry Goods and Supplies on the way to the Livery and I will be all set"
Jessi catches the pouch, removes her backpack, takes her winter cloak out of it, and tucks her night tea stash and all her coin save two gold and all her silvers and coppers into a side pocket before handing the pack to Sabrina. "Take my share of the rent for our room out of that. I'll see you later tonight, I expect."
She then scampers after Kiri on her tippytoes, showcasing her stealth ability.
Lucius follows behind Davina ready to head out to the Kelimber's Dry Goods before heading to the Livery. "I'll be right behind you."
"Two groups sounds good." Dressed in her scale mail, Leora prepares to leave the coffee shop with Davina, Lydia, and Lucius. "See you at the Livery. " She says to Jessibel, Kiri, and Domitius.
Kiri would have rolled her eyes at Jessi's version of sneaking if she could, sadly she couldn't so instead she gave a flutey sigh of annoyance and said, "Fist things first fledgling, you're being obvious. The art of stealth is not to draw attention to yourself and that," she gestured at Jessi's tiptoeing, "Is bound to get you noticed. The first rule is not to stand out, assume a regular stride and blend in with the crowd."
The strix tried to blend in with the crowd but kicked a rock which went skittering away and drew some attention. She looked at the young woman and said, "The second rule is watching for obstacles like that rock. they can give you away and bring on your demise."
Kiri looked for a better opportunity and was obscured for a moment by a small group of people that walked between her and Jessibel. All of a sudden the strix woman was gone completely.
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The two groups set off separately through the streets of Kintargo. They use side roads when possible, to avoid too much attention from the militia and Dottari patrols.
Leora, Lydia, Lucius and Davina cross Bleakbridge with no trouble, but find it necessary to take side streets through northern Redroof to avoid a large group of Queensmen.
Davina looks around and finally up when she hears the odd buzzing sound. She asks the group "Do you hear that?"
Lydia looks at Davina questioningly. "Hear what?" she looks around, not really sure what she should be trying to find.
"Wow--she's good!" Jessibel whispers to Domitius, hoping the sneaky strix is out of earshot. An impish grin crosses her face and she adds, "Do you suppose if I backtrack a bit I can claim to have successfully hidden from her?"
Instead of attempting that, though, Jessi heads a short distance in the direction she deducted the strix must've slipped away, trying to spy Kiri.
Dom is impressed at how well Kiri managed to use the crowd to her advantage. He lost track of her, but does what he can to help Jessibel.
"I think she went over there..."
"Do you suppose if I backtrack a bit I can claim to have successfully hidden from her?"
Dom grins. "You can try, the gods know I've seen you talk your way into and out of more, but I think Kiri forgot to pack her sense of humor for the trip."
Kiri was amused and had managed to get behind the two. She listened to their comments and sent a sudden updraft of wind to blow Jessi's cloak up over her head before she said, "Cheating won't be tolerated in your training and thank you for the compliment." With her words she became visible again as the two realized she was behind them. She turned her head and looked at Dom, "A sense of humor does little to help one survive the streets of Red Roof, particularly when you're a strix. Cynicism and guile do you much better when it comes to surviving life."
Jessibel pulled her cloak back over her head and turned to face her teacher.
"Technically, that wouldn't have been cheating...in fact, it's proof of a lesson learned. I saw how you used the distraction of those people passing between us to make your escape and was simply using similar reasoning to suggest that while you were distracted by concentrating on hiding from me, I could use that to my own advantage to hide from you. See? I can't hope to duplicate your skill, Kiri, but at least I can learn the theories you use in your art."
Jessi hoped her strix teacher could see the convoluted nugget of truth in the pile of BS she'd just spewed out. She also resolved to try her own disappearing act when a similar opportunity arose. She let one opportunity slide by (thinking her teacher might be expecting such an attempt), but when a pair of burly men carrying a wooden crate between them passed, she ducked down and darted ahead into a small alley.
Lucius seems disturbed by the sound of a fly, but looking around and not seeing anything he just shrugs and pulls his hat down further. "Something sounds like a large fly."
Leora is relieved that their trip is going uneventfully until she hears the strange sound overhead. She nods at Davina's question, but doesn't say anything. She's trying to concentrate on the sound of the buzzing and looks around to see if she can spot whatever it is.
Kiri let the young woman think she had succeeded, it wouldn't hurt anything, but couldn't help a whistling laugh when Jessi tried to reach the roof and failed miserably. "A valiant attempt, you almost had me. Trying to jump to the roof was a mistake. Rule number three, when you aren't sure you've been spotted don't move, movement draws the eye and makes it easier to spot you."
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Both groups make it to the Livery without further incident.
The aged stable leans slightly to one side, its roof precariously propped up by aged wooden walls. All paint has peeled off from the outside, and the roof is missing many of the red tiles that once matched the nearby buildings', but are much more faded.
There doesn't seem to be any light sources in the building, so the inside will probably seem very dim to most of you, coming out of bright daylight.
"This place has really gone to pot since the Juliac family died out," Jessibel comments to the world at large.
"Should we circle the place first?" she asks, her eyes fixed upon her new tutor, Kiri. The girl hopes she's got the lingo right as she adds, "Reconnoiter and report back?"
Although the buzzing sound had ended in a strange way, Leora continues listening for it as they continue.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Leora says "Glad to see nobody got lost. Good idea, let's check the place out from the outside. "
Walking around the front of old livery, she looks for doors, windows, or other places to enter. If there are any windows, she will peek through them in an attempt to see inside. She also keeps an eye out to see how busy the area is. Hopefully no one would notice what they were up to.
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This old, backwater area of Redroof is not heavily trafficked. Many of the other buildings here are also abandoned, and the slums of the Devil's Nursery are nearby, where everyone knows to mind their own business. If anyone does see you entering the building, they probably won't think much of it.
The main doors of the stable are the most obvious entrance, as they are off their hinges and slightly ajar.
The windows are boarded up, but boards could be pried off if you wanted to go through them instead of the doors. Another door, boarded shut like the windows, is in the back, next to an ancient, rusted out stove.
As you walk around the building, a low growling comes from inside, as if some animal has heard you or caught your scent.
While Leora scouts the outside Davina peers through the slightly ajar doors. She's careful not to touch them. She's trying to see what is growling.
Kiri nodded in agreement with Jessi's proposal, "Examining the building is wise, it used to be a slaughterhouse when it was first built and then later was used as a stable by the long dead Juliacs. they wanted to make a living off of keeping animals alive, not killing them."
Kiri began to check the outside of the building for any decent entrances or hazards. She found what she was looking for, a weak wall, and began to make her way back to the others with a possible way in. It was around then that she heard the growling coming from inside the building. She made her way back around to the front doors and saw Davina looking inside. "Trying to spot the source of the growling?"
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Davina peers in and, once she holds her hands up to block out the daylight, can see with perfect clarity, although in grayscale, the inside of the Livery. There is trash, dust, and various debris everywhere. She can see piles of old hay decayed into mulch in the stalls, and bits of metal -- rusty old horseshoes, the metal parts of tack and saddles, and so forth, littering the floor. Her attention is more immediately drawn to two large dogs standing in threat positions in the middle of the room, with two smaller dogs behind them. They are different breeds -- this appears to be a small pack of strays -- and have no collar or other signs of being cared for by humans.
They appear to be aware of the presence of intruders. They are growling and bristling, but do not seem to be trying to approach the door.
"This poor place has such a sad history. They say it's either cursed or haunted. Nobody wants to spend the money to find out which or wants to spend much time here. It probably belongs to the city by now. The last Juliac family member died off decades ago. Rexus' information matches the rumors I've heard about the Silver Ravens using this as a hideout during the civil War."
She steps away from the door "There's a pack of four dogs inside. They don't seem to be moving toward us, but they are standing their ground. Is anyone good with animals?"
Dom peers in over Davina's shoulder. "Not really my thing. What were you thinking, lure them out or something? They're likely to stand their ground if we threaten them, aren't they?"
Lydia shakes her head at Davina. "Not particularly so, no. I could try spooking them with some lightning magic but the effects of that would be naturally unpredictable."
Lucius thinks carefully, but isn't sure how the dogs would react to them all. Knowing that he probably wouldn't be able to get the dogs to leave without a fight Lucius pulls out his musket and loads a regular shot into it just in case these dogs attacked. "I'm terrible with animals, but maybe we could throw them some food, and they'd leave us alone?"
Leora is surprised to hear just how much Kiri and Davina know about Kintargo. When they'd been doing some alchemy together, Davina had alluded to some research for a book she was writing, but Leora hadn't really connected the dots.
After walking around the building, Leora returns to the entrance where Davina is looking inside at the dogs. "I've never trained any animals but there are- were a couple of mastiffs at the Thrashing Badger. "
Digging through her pack, she finds some dried pieces of meat from the rations she'd packed. Leora pushes the memories of Hop and Lightning, the two dogs that had guarded the Badger out of her mind. With the meat in hand, she moves slowly to where Davina is standing in the doorway. "Be ready. I'm not sure if this will work or how long it will keep them distracted"
Leora takes a few steps inside, murmuring a brief prayer to Cayden to guide her.
"Good dogs. Nice dogs, " Leora says in what she hopes is a calm, soothing voice. "Lie down. Go eat your little snack. " She tosses the individual strips of jerky inside, trying to scatter them far enough apart so that one dog won't get all of them.
Jessibel draws her rapier, holds her buckler in front of her, and moves close to the livery doors, giving Davina and Leora enough room to retreat if the dogs attack.