"Hmmm, there's something strange about the handwriting in the Zigal letter," Karrin mumbles to herself, "almost as if there were two different writers . . ."
"Wait this means that we're down two members!" Karrin says glancing up, "Hey Renkar, where are we going to find another spell caster on such short notice?! I mean it's not like they're on every street corner or something."
Purring softly Blacky lapped at the cream, only stopping as the scent of another cat reaches her nostrils. Tensing up she stands, waiting to see whether she'll be defending or sharing her cream. Looking straight at the male cat and his strange pause she tilts her head to one side "Murr?"
Merle began cursing in her head when she found out swift hadent been seen for several days now what was she going to so? Fortunatly the answer provided itself not a minute later with the Tiefling womans outburst.
"What a lovely coinsidence im a spellcaster. Im Merle Barer pleased to meet you" holding out her hand as she said it. In her head Merle congratulated herself after all why search for swift when swift could come to her and even better get payed while she waited.
Finally getting his barings Seph finaly managed to say something to the other feline
Feline
H-h-hello I'm looking for a girl c-called Swift h-have you seen her?
Inwardly he winced. What kind of introduction was that and the stamerring? Seph was also fairly sure he was probably blushing as well.
Blacky makes a surprised sound at the question before recomposing herself.
Feline:
Curiously she watches the male, intrigued by him.
"We need a litterbox, Renkar"
Trying to compose himself a bit better he continues to talk to Blacky thankfully with a lot less stutering
Feline
"No my partner Merle sent me. She's out the front right now apparently some of the red armoured monkey men took away a friend of her's by the name of" Seph pauses for a second while he trys to remember the persons name "Skint I think it was so she is looking for swift to try and sort out what is going on"
Blacky makes a small sad and scared sound at the news.
Feline:
With a sad sound and a shake of her head she backs away a little.
Feline:
Renkar shakes Merle's hand
"A pleasure to meet you Merle! I am Renkar Sha'Hagmid. I am supposedly in control of this group of folks, although sometimes I have my doubts. We are the Company of the Silver Rose, a troubleshooting group who take on problems for our clients. If you are interested we have an opening at the moment for a spellcaster. We offer free room and board at the Copper Cauldron over here and we share all proceeds equally. Interested?"
"Very." Merle replies putting on her best winning smile
Seph watches the cat leave then turns to the cream. As he begins to lap it up he trys to figure out what seemed so strange about that conversation sure that if he was his old self he would be able to figure it out. Shrugging a little and deciding it probably wasent anything important he finishes the cream then heads back to where Merle should be.
Finding an out of the way spot Swift resumes her humanoid form before darting for the front door of the Cauldron, wanting to pick up some extra gear an explain she'd possibly be away a bit longer before heading off. Screeching to a halt near te group outside, her eyes stopping on Swiftfang and in her urgency she speaks in feline without carinf that the others are there to hear.
She murrs sadly before looking up at Renkar "I'm so sorry Renkar, I have something I need to look into, someone is in trouble because of my actions.. I'll explain later, and be back as soon as I can be. I just need to pick up some extra gear" She babbles her explainations.
Merle turns towards the Tibbit as she begins talking to swiftfang. So this was swift? Merle was rather suprised to say the least as she had been expecting some spoilt little brat or street thug who would deny everything and probably be blaming Skint for whatever had gone wrong. Instead she was out here apologising and possibly getting into trouble with her boss in order to help Skint. Looking at her babble a bit at her boss she decides to back Swift up a bit
"Actually sir this is what I wanted to see Swift here about. A mutual friend of ours has ended up in bit of trouble, all a big misunderstanding really im sure it will be easy enough to sort out and shouldent take that long to do. After that I would be more than happy to help you out with whatever endevour your planning to undertake."
Positioning herself so it looks like she's talking to swiftfang she then tells Swift
Feline
"Swift you and me are going to be having a very Long talk later but first lets get Skint out of this mess agreed?"
Renkar shakes his head bemusedly
"Well, I will be most happy to sign you on once you have finished your task. Come see me when it is finished at our offices there."
Renkar points to a building sporting a sign saying:
The Silver Rose
Swiftfang rowls at Swift
Feline:
Swift kneels before Swiftfang and quietky responds to the large felines words.
Feline:
Swiftfang yowls miserably
Feline
Deciding now would not be a good time to gloat about how she was essentialy right Merle addreses Swift again
Feline
Well we wont find out untill we get there and the longer we stay here the longer Skint spends in a cell.
With that and pausing just long enough to collect Seph Merle heads off in the direction of the barracks in the lady's ward.
Sadly Swift places her hand softly on Swiftfang's head and gives him a small, supportive stroke.
Feline:
She makes a small promise to him with a certain nod before rushing into the Copper Cauldron, getting changed as quickly as she can and darting out again and following the female catfolk, only now taking the time to appraise her, wondering exactly what she was to Skrint.
Slowing down enough so swift can keep up Merle walks alongside her in silence for a few minutes before deciding to break the silence before asking what she was thinking.
Feline
So how do you know Skint? Have you known him long?
;)
Leaving the Silver Rose behind, the catfolk travel along Copperman Way towards the Lady's Ward.
Kiosk merchants and customers throng the avenue this early Afterpeak, filling the foggy air with their cries:
"Pumpkins, squash and Hobbit Toes! Finest autumn vegtables from the Prime!"
"Bags, purses, satchels and backpacks! Custom made and off the rack! Exotic materials available!"
"Gnomish clocks! Finest in all the Wheel!"
The group makes its way to the end of Copperman's Way and enters the high-end shopping district that lines the nebulous border between the Market Ward and the Lady's Ward.
Perfumed society matrons chat with silk-clad merchants while stolid somber-clad nannies hang in the back with well-dressed children firmly under wraps.
A trio of Mercane wander by, their tall blue forms swathed in jewels and silks. A bevy of various men-at-arms follow close, scanning the crowd for danger.
An elegant blue-skinned ogre-like fellow speaks with a female Arcanaloth dressed in haute couture on the street corner. They enter a posh-looking tavern with a scowling bouncer at the door.
The group enters the Noble's District. Huge marble-clad mansions line the streets, all set back with sweeping lawns in front being tended by swarms of Halfling and Bariaur gardeners. Gorgeous trees of many varieties line the streets here, one of the few places outside the Forest District that they grow in the Cage.
Striking Spikeward, the group passes from the opulence of the Noble's District to the orderliness of the Firmground District. Walking along the Boulevard of the Fist, the group can see many Hardhead faction members heading out on patrol.
The shops and residences here are sparkly clean, with nary a beggar or urchin to be seen. In fact, very few people can be seen on the boulevard, and those that are on the road keep their heads down and walk briskly forward.
A group of Harmonium walking the other side of the boulevard veers over to the group's side and intercepts them. The largest of the bunch is a human male, perhaps late 20's, wearing the ubiquitous red Hardhead armor. He stops the group and asks in a gruff tone:
"Citizens. What is your purpose in this part of Sigil?"
Feline:
She replies in all honesty with the tiniestof shrugs.
Feline
So are you his G-girlfriend?
Merle's question comes out with a hint of nervousness especially at the end.
A small blush forms on the tibbit's cheeks and she clears her throat nervously.
Feline:
While on the outside Merle trys to remain completly without expresion. Inside she is practicly sighing with relief. Maybe she still had a chance with Skint after all.
She is suddenly pulled out of her thoughts by the Gruff voice of the Hardhead. Tacking an imediate disliking to the man Merle never the less remains civil when speaking to him
"A friend of ours was arrested earlier today over what im sure was just a big misunderstanding were on our way in order to sort everything out"
The Harmonium patroller frowns at Merle
"The Harmonium doesn't make mistakes, berk. If yer 'friend' was arrested there was obviously a good reason for it. Otherwise he wouldn't have been arrested in the first place."
The patroller jerks his meaty fist back over his shoulder
"Keep down this street, no loitering or congregating, until yeh come to the City Barracks. They'll have the dark on where yer 'friend' is being kept. Move out!"
With that raised-voice shout the Hardhead patrol moves by at a slow trot.
Merle begins to head towards the barracks whilst having a mental image of that guardsman coverd in grease go through her head. she lowers her voice so that only swift and the other two can hear her
Feline
Wow that man was a jerk. So what do you want to do when we get here? I'd rather avoid starting a brawl with the law but if you have any idea's im all ears.
The group continues on from their unpleasant encounter. The Boulevard of the Fist brings them in sight to their destination: The City Barracks.
The building squats like an enormous brick, grey and massive. The Barracks looks like it is compressing the very fabric of Sigil into dust with its weight. Grey slates sheathe the roof and grey walls rear to the sky. The walls seem to challenge the city with their massiveness.
The building has a large entrance, the border of which is bounded by a huge carving of two hands clasping to form an enormous fist. There are crowds of Hardheads moving to and fro, and there are four large guards at the top of the stairs.
The shadow of the huge grey stone fist covers you as you approach the guards. One barks out at you:
"Who goes there!"
Back at the Cauldron, Eir finds a nice solitary table, lights a cigar, and settles down for some drinking.
Ramona brings Eir a bottle of Grey Griffon vodka and a small shotglass.
"Be careful with that rotgut Eir, it'll turn yer brainbox backwards it will" she warns
Merle looks up at the guard trying to seem as plesant as possible
"Were here about a friend who was arrested He's called Skint and were trying to sort out what happend would you be able to tell us please?"
"Be careful with that rotgut Eir, it'll turn yer brainbox backwards it will" she warns
In reply, Eir pours, shoots, pours, shoots.
Then she leans back and resume with the cigar.
The guard frowns at Merle
"Yeh want to go to Diana inside at Reception."
The Hardhead guard pulls a necklace with a cheap clay medallion affixed to it out of a pouch
"You wear this." Points to the others "She's your alibi. Stick real close to her or there'll be Hell to pay."
The guard stands aside.
"Enter."
The Grey Griffon vodka burns a spicy trail down Eir's throat. The tension in her shoulders she didn't even know she had relaxes. Ramona clears her throat, still standing by the table.
"Anything to eat Eir?"
Merle will just continue in untill she comes to this Diana making sure to stay close to swift and the others. Partialy because of what the guard said and partialy so if anyone says anything they can try and do it quietly.
The entry foyer to the Barracks is a large open room that is thronged with red-armored Hardheads and their arrested perps. The group sees several members of the Mercykiller faction as well, leading a group of coffle-chained folks out the Barracks on the way to the Prison.
A woman screeches as a Hardhead muscles her through the foyer.
"I din' do nuffink yeh soddin' rank blexcove! That was all screed wot she rattled to yeh! "
The Hardhead looks unimpressed
"Save it fer the Guvners, berk."
The group sees a wide room entrance labeled Reception over its lintel off to the side. A small line of various folk wait to approach a large marble desk where a pleasant-looking blonde human female in red robes sits.
Merle will join the que and wait to get served
The line slowly dwindles as Merle, Swift, Swiftfang and Seph creep nearer to the desk. The blonde human finally faces them. She smiles, a rare sight in these confines it seems.
"Good Afterpeak citizens! How can the Harmonium be of assistance to you?"
Greep sits with Eir, to go over conversation he had with Wightscale
"Just some water for me, thanks"
-greep-
"Good afterpeak, we're here about our friend Skrint. He was unfortunately wrongfully arrested and we'd like to clear things up." Swift explains in her calmest and sweetest voice.
Greep sits with Eir, to go over conversation he had with Wightscale
"Just some water for me, thanks"
-greep-
Karrin joins the others when she's finished fetching the water.
"That's strange," Karrin says, "I don't see Blacky anywhere . . . and I just washed her! Oh, I'll have some milk please and maybe just a bite to eat."
Greep sits with Eir, to go over conversation he had with Wightscale
"Just some water for me, thanks"
-greep-
Renkar enters with the others and joins Eir.
"Ramona a small ale and some of Bess' Chicken Pie please"
Renkar looks at the table.
"I am assuming we have lost Swift again. That girl is a flighty as a cat . Are you ready to go meet with this Wightscale? Greep have you breifed them on what's going on?"
"Anything to eat Eir?"
"Popcorn"
Greep sits with Eir, to go over conversation he had with Wightscale
"Just some water for me, thanks"
Renkar enters with the others and joins Eir."Ramona a small ale and some of Bess' Chicken Pie please..."
"Shot of vodka with that?"
"I am assuming we have lost Swift again. That girl is a flighty as a cat [ooc]:). Are you ready to go meet with this Wightscale? Greep have you breifed them on what's going on?"
"Haven't been briefed. But please keep the brief brief, Greep."
<Pushes the bottle of vodka toward Greep, lifts her glass.>
"Looks like water to me. To Ffethpaar."
"Good afterpeak, we're here about our friend Skrint. He was unfortunately wrongfully arrested and we'd like to clear things up." Swift explains in her calmest and sweetest voice.
The blonde woman smiles at the young tibbit.
"Skrint ... hmmm ...Skrint. let me see here.." consults scrolls by her side "Hmmm ....you will have to pardon me citizen, but we have been processing gads of new perps these days. BOB!"
At the receptionist's holler, a small beholder comes zooming up to the desk from somewhere in the back area. The beholder is dressed in a weird custom Hardhead armor rig, with articulated metal sleeves for its many eyestalks.
"Wotcher need Mover Diana?" It asks in an gravelly alien voice
Diana looks at the abberation "Fetch me last Antipeak's arrest log for ..." She looks up at the group "Where was your associate taken into custody?"
"The Burrow in the Forest District, Guildhall Ward. Ahh I think I remember hearing summat about this one. Go on Bob, get crackin'!"
With that the small beholder flys off. It returns quickly with a scroll case hooked on one eyestalk.
"Thanks Bob" Diana says. She opens the scroll case and peruses the sheafs of parchment rolled up inside.
"Skarmand ... Skavonius ... Skegnek ... ahh! Skrint of Clearbrook! Held for suspicion of burglary and resisting lawful arrest."
Diana looks up at the group.
"He'll be in the Bucket now, awaiting trial. I would suggest you head over to the City Court and find out when and where his trial will be. The Mercykillers won't be much help, Skrint wont be released until the Guvners pass sentence."
The receptionist smiles at the group
"Have a productive Peak citizens. NEXT!"
Merle Sighs as she, Swift and the others begin to head for the courthouse. All the while wondering how she was going to sort this mess.
"Haven't been briefed. But please keep the brief brief, Greep."
<Pushes the bottle of vodka toward Greep, lifts her glass.>
"Looks like water to me. To Ffethpaar."
accepts bottle, pours for others
"To Ffethpaar."
-greep-
"Haven't been briefed. But please keep the brief brief, Greep."
<Pushes the bottle of vodka toward Greep, lifts her glass.>
"Looks like water to me. To Ffethpaar."
accepts bottle, pours for others
"To Ffethpaar."
-greep-
"To Ffethpaar," Karrin says accepting the drink, then not knowing any better, bottoms the glass in one gulp.
Karrin's winces as the strong alcohol snaps at her throat, but she easily handles the shot without coughing or spitting the drink back up.
"That's horrible," Karrin finally manages to spit out, "why would anyone . . ." her eyes temporarily haze over as the alcohol suddenly hits her, "oh I see . . ." she says, quickly shaking off the effects.
puts himself at attention in his chair to report
"Ffethpaar and I went to the Scaly district to check on disappearances." -greep- "We found a kobold tout named Gemerik, who introduced us to Wightscale at a tavern called the Scaly Claw. Wightscale was accompanied by a lizardman (Sallistith) and some sort of dinosaur folk (Sherekak). Wightscale is a small bluish-white kobold, who runs the local Street Guild."
-greep-
"After didmissing Gemerik, he offered to trade info on the disapperances." -greep- "He has had kolbolds go missing from the area near the Broken Claw enclave, starting about 3 months ago. I suggested the Claw was using the missing to mine salt. When he asked if I knew how to get to his people, I informed him we knew to loacation of the first portal and its key."
-greep-
"I explained our interest by saying we had a personal conflict with the Claw at a bar and wanted to make sure they cdidn't come after us for it." -greep- "He offered to combine forces with us to deal with the goblins and I tried to sweeten the deal by mentioning the profits the Claw has been making and that we could both acquire some of those profits. He was leary of working with outsiders, so I gave him my name but nothing else."
-greep-
"We have a meet with him at the Scaly Claw tavern at third hour Antipeak." -greep- "My understanding was that if it goes well, we will plan a joint move against the Claw. That's why I wanted to acquire the gear from Melchion quickly."
-greep-
relaxes posture after completing report
"Do you think it's a trap?" Karrin asks, "Do you think I might miss my big fancy dress up party? I might not get to wear my new dress if we get into a big fight and stuff . . ." Karrin looks a bit crestfallen, "I've never been to a big fancy dress party . . ." she mumbles to herself.
Renkar clears his throat
"I think that this will be a preliminary meeting at best. I would reccomend you ask this Wightscale fellow to assemble his people for the beginning of Before Peak tomorrow to catch the goblins at their nadir."
Renkar looks around
"I will warn you all to be wary. Kobolds aren't exactly paragons of trustworthiness. This Wightscale might be more interested in opening the salt mine under new management, and the Saltiere Society would definitely not be pleased with that outcome."
Renkar smiles at Karrin
"I think there will be plenty of time to go to your ball tonight Karrin"