The crowd seems mildly offended as Zhi breaks away as well. When she confronts the servant, he acquiesces to her demand. "Of course not. My apologies, my lady. I beg forgiveness."
Eutropia finishes the rest of her speech without a hitch. Soon, the members of the crowd begins to filter back to their previous locations, though the princess remains in the courtyard, moving about and greeting various dignitaries.
The crowd seems mildly offended as Zhi breaks away as well. When she confronts the servant, he acquiesces to her demand. "Of course not. My apologies, my lady. I beg forgiveness."
"On second thought," Zhi muses, "I'll take that."
She deftly reaches out and attempts to snatch the wafer from the apologizing servant.
"It's for the bees, is it? Don't concern yourself with it. I'll see that it gets where it needs to be."
As she returns to the others, she offers up the suspicious substance.
"Anyone have any idea what this is? It might just be bee food, but the fact that he was trying to give it to the bees right as the Princess was speaking is way too coincidental in my book."
"This is turning out to be harder than I thought," the small woman says. "Can someone take a walk around the servants area? I haven't been able to figure out the best way to get to where they keep the wine."
"I'm going to head upstairs. I might have more luck with the entertainers being up there."
Touched by the speech, Sara moves to greet the Princess, practicing what she will say. That was beautiful, you are inspiring, I had a doll modeled after you when I was a child.
Perhaps not that last one. Everyone had the Princess Eutropia Miracle Doll, that didn't make her unique or special or at all memorable. All my life I've wished for a chance to compare myself to you. You are remarkable and talented and inspiring. Thank you for being who you are.
Yeah. Perhaps that.
She watches as the crowd and hangers on gather around her, and the Princess moves strategically, greeting people of high import. She sighs and turns, heading back to the Senate, hoping to finally catch the eye of the Baron, and spook him into paying his debts before she was called into action by her Lady Lotheed.
Zhi snatches the strangely colored wafer from the servant, who seems thoroughly unnerved by the whole affair. He quickly scurries off back into the senate building.
"Zhi if you need me to bully the servants, would you try to get an eye on the Baron for me?"
"Zhi if you need me to bully the servants, would you try to get an eye on the Baron for me?"
"Ok, I'll see what I can do there." she replies.
Zhi makes her way to the senate floor.
As she enters, she coyly hides part of her face behind her fan. She looks around the arrayed seats, noting Baron Okerra's location as well as getting a glimpse of the soon-to-be-noble Kalbio.
He's cute.
She catches herself and shakes her head.
Focus.
Approaching one of the Baron's many hangers-on, she says shyly, "Many pardons please, but could you be introducing one to the Baron?"
"Of course, madame. One moment, please."
The aide waits for a break in Baron Okerra's current conversation, then clears his throat. "My lord, this young lady here would like to speak with you."
The towering baron turns and smiles regards the petite Tien woman with gentle eyes. "Of course! I always try to make time for my fans. It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady." He bows and takes Zhi's hand, brushing his lips across the back of it. "May I have the privilege of knowing your name?"
Despite the weathered lines in his face, his smile remains youthful.
Playing the part of an irritated noblewoman, Sara strides into the servant's quarters and loudly demands to talk to someone IMPORTANT. "My husband, the senator, will NOT be happy at the state of this. My evening is RUINED."
Zhi bows in response to the Baron's greeting.
"One is known as Hayashi Zhi and she is most pleased to be meeting the one known as Baron Nicolaus Okerra. One's father, the most honorable Hayashi Hisashi, has spoken much about the Baron."
"However, one has no wish to ... how to say? ... overstay one's welcome? Perhaps one may speak with the Honorable Baron later this afternoon?"
Zhi then makes her exit from the Baron's presence.
Knowing that she should return to the others, to her surprise, she finds herself gravitating towards the young weaver.
Stupid, stupid!
Unable to bring herself to talk to the young man, she attempts to listen in to any conversations he's involved in.
Sara's imperious demands begin to gather attention among the servants. One of them approaches, hands clasped in front of her. "What seems to be the problem, my lady?" she asks humbly.
---
The baron seems surprised as Zhi suddenly breaks off the conversation. "Hmm? Oh, yes, of course. I would be delighted to speak to you further."
The Tien woman moves closer to Kalbio of Breezy Creek. The young man's calloused hands, simple hair style, and sun-beaten face all set him apart, as does his broad, genuine smile as he marvels at the wonders of the gala.
He's currently speaking to a pale woman in a black dress. "Yeah, I reckon my weavin' skills are purdy good," he says, tugging at the cuffs on his jacket. "Good enough for the prince to take notice, at any rate."
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She gestures the servant closer, shaking, brimming with rage. In a hushed voice, she speaks. "My husband donated a one hundred and FIFTY year old wine to this event, and I was informed it was misplaced by one of you, you common folk?"
She grips the servant by the shoulder and gulps. She chokes her voice as if near tears, bending over and clutching her stomach. "Tell me I was lied to. I need to know it's safe. Bring me to it, show it to me, please." She sniffs and pulls herself upright, looking distraught.
The servant nods in concern. "Wait here, my lady. I shall try to find the missing bottle." She disappears into the kitchens.
He's currently speaking to a pale woman in a black dress. "Yeah, I reckon my weavin' skills are purdy good," he says, tugging at the cuffs on his jacket. "Good enough for the prince to take notice, at any rate."
Zhi conceals her grimace behind her fan.
Gaaahhhh! Why do the cute ones always come across as 'box-o-rocks' dumb!
She then wanders off towards the servants area.
Seeing the young Tien woman, Sara ushers Zhi over and explains the situation, whispering. "Perfect timing, I'm the wife of Sir Lotheed, you're my friend who teased me by implying my husband's wine had gone missing, possibly teasing me. I overreacted and flew here in a rage, the servant is about to bring out the bottle to show it to us."
She tilts her head upward and wails, in mock tears.
The Princess' speech was certainly impressive. She was glad Her Highness had avoided suggesting reclaiming lost glory and instead framed it as not wanting to fall behind the nations that had split off from the Empire - as noble an idea it is to say you want to see your children surpass you, the concept doesn't seem to carry over as well when applied to entire nations.
Focusing on the present, Zhi's sudden approach and departure from the Baron gave Maria an opening. She wove her way through the crowd towards the Baron, approaching from an angle he wasn't watching. Hopefully, the first he knew of her approach was when she started talking, casually raising a glass of red wine she'd grabbed off a servant earlier to her lips.
"I believe we've a mutual acquaintance, my lord."
Already bored with the bees - "they're so much more orderly than wasps" - Zileska meanders about in the circuit around Duke Centimus, trying to get a bead on the wheelchair-bound noble who seems reluctant to discuss the circumstances of his injury.
Melodie, seeing Zileska circling, takes a more direct route to Duke Centimus, she curtseys low in front of him and puts on a smile. "A historic day, my Lord."
Baron Okerra starts at Maria's sudden appearance. He quickly recovers his composure, though, and favors the tiefling with a charming smile. "Ah, do we indeed? Well, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss...?"
---
In the archives, Zileska meanders around Duke Centimus while Melodie directly approaches him. "Historic indeed, milady. One way or the other, Taldor's future shall be decided here tonight. It's quite a privilege to be a witness tonight."
He engages in small talk with the singer for a few minutes, but it's hard to get a good read on him.
"So, your Grace," Melodie offers, after a few minutes ineffective small talk. "Might I ask you interest in the archives? From what I have been told it is mostly old knowledge of little import? " She allows her voice to rise at the end of the sentence, turning the statement into a question and folding her hands in the attitude of someone willing to learn.
The servant returns to Sara with several bottles of wine. "I found these bottles, my lady. Is one of them what you are looking for?"
---
"Just because knowledge is old, doesn't mean it isn't important. I would argue the contrary, in fact. Those who forget their history are oftentimes prone to repeating it, usually to their detriment."
The woman sniffs and sobs, leaning down to bury her head in Zhi's shoulder, feigning tears. "What if it's not there? Find it for me. Please."
Come on, Zhi, this is your moment. Reach out and find it so I can go spook the Duke. Baron. Whatever.
"Just because knowledge is old, doesn't mean it isn't important. I would argue the contrary, in fact. Those who forget their history are oftentimes prone to repeating it, usually to their detriment."
"Surely the repetition of history is an end in itself, this is Taldor afterall!" Melody offers with a musical laugh, forgetting her cover in the enjoyment of an actual debate. "Surely the last thousand years of our history and nobility have been epreserving and celebrating the glorious achievements of Taldor? Would you suggest that our nobility is a mistake, my lord? Surely on a day such as today, when we gather to celebrate not only our history, but the nobility and ability of any to rise with great enough skill and hard-work we can see the best in Taldor, it's people and, by extension, our history?"
Melodie throws herself into the debate, keenly interested now in the Duke's opinion as her mission slides away momentarily.
Centimus chuckles. "I would not suggest that the nobility as a whole is a mistake, but rather that certain members of the nobility have made mistakes over the centuries. The key lies in recognizing when one has erred and having the courage and grace to own up to these errors. Only then do we have the potential to grow and change. I say we should look to the past for guidance on what not to do, rather than pretend that it was all glory and riches."
"Greyson," she said, introducing herself. Regardless of what she intended tonight there was little point concealing her identity from the Baron.
"I mention our mutual friend because I was hoping you could settle a bet between us - a word from you would go a long way towards that. I'll spare you the details, it turns into a long and boring story, but the crux of it is the nature of someone who would leave a debt unpaid. What would you say about someone who'd refused to repay a debt despite, by all appearances at least, to have the means to do so?"
Zhi steps forward to look dismissively at the bottles of wine presented.
They both look the same.
"Neither one of those is your bottle, dear friend," the small woman says with a satisfied chuckle.
As she turns from the servant, she gives Sara a subtle shrug of her shoulders.
"I told you they lost it."
The servant apologizes and heads back down to the wine cellar. Zhi follows in her wake, careful to remain unnoticed. She hides behind s rack while he servant replaces the bottles and departs. Confident that she is now alone, the Tien rogue examines the other wine bottles here. After a few minutes, she successfully identifies the one Lady Lotheed is looking for.
---
"I would say that person is committing a heinous crime," says Baron Okerra. "Our society is one built on law and order. Not adhering to these structures invites chaos and decay. When one takes on a debt, one makes a promise to repay it. The person you speak of should endeavor to fulfill their promise at their earlier convenience."
After a few moments, the baron's eyes widen slightly as he realizes what Maria is getting at. "Oh. I think I know who this mutual acquaintance is that you mentioned. If you will excuse me, I think I need to have a brief conversation with her." He heads off towards the senate gallery.
Trying to keep her smile appropriately subdued (and her tail from moving about under her coat too much), Maria figured now was as good a time as any to get started with Pythareus.
Making her way back to the Arcade of Triumphs, she kept an eye out for the High Strategos and what he was up to.
Figuring it is time to check in with her boss, Sara heads up top to the Gallery, hoping to see what Lotheed needs. While atop the building, however, she gets distracted by the jesters. "Show me how to do that one. Please," she says to Wyssilka the Fantabulous after a particularly impressive acrobatic display.
Zileska, meanwhile, continues to listen in on the conversations swirling around the Duke, trying to get a bead on anything that might influence his opinions or mood.
Maria drifts close to High Strategos Pythareus, being careful to remain unseen. The imposing man speaks with a few nobles, but it's clear that he is not having a good time. He looks like he would much rather be inspecting his troops or training on horseback than politicking.
Sara heads up to the gallery, where she watches Wyssilka and her troupe of halflings juggling, tumbling, and performing simple comedy skits. When she asks Wyssilka to show her how to move, the halfling laughs. "Of course! You put your left foot here, hold out your arms, and--" The jester pirouettes on a pointed foot.
Sara copies the halfling, just managing to perform the move. Wyssilka does it a few more times, and the children laugh as they watch the towering woman spinning around next to the little halfling.
"Not bad! Keep practicing and we might have a job for you!" Wyssilka laughs.
Across the gallery, Sara can see Baron Okerra conversing with Martella Lotheed in hushed tones. After a few minutes, the baron nods and heads back down to the senate floor.
Down in the archives, Zileska tries to get a read on Duke Centimus, but the cagey half-elf continues to play his cards close to the chest.
Challenged, Sara grits her teeth, points her toe and does it better.
Zileska continues to be stymied by Duke Centimus's calm countenance. Despite her best efforts, she just cannot seem to get a good sense of the man.
Up in the gallery, Sara attempts the maneuver again. This time, she does much better. "Fantabulous! Now, then, all together, folks!"
The halflings stomp their feet to provide a lively percussion as Wyssilka and several others join Sara in an impromptu dance. The tall woman is the centerpiece of the performance--as she spins and pirouettes, the jesters caper and prance around her. Soon the performance comes to an end, and the children laugh and cheer. Some of the other nobles in the gallery provide polite applause.
She smooths her dress and bows, heading over to Lotheed. "Everything okay, ma'am?"
Martella stands by the balustrade, keeping an eye on proceedings on the senate floor. She turns when Sara approaches. "Yes, things are going well. Baron Okerra just spoke to me to acknowledge the debts he owes. That's one task completed."
She reaches into a pocket and produces a sealed envelope. "When you get a chance, I need you to deliver this to Count Orlundo Zespire in the archives."
She nods, secretly peeved that she was not the one to bully the older gentleman. Sara gazes at the seal before tucking the envelope into her purse. "How will I know the count when I see him?"
The servant apologizes and heads back down to the wine cellar. Zhi follows in her wake, careful to remain unnoticed. She hides behind s rack while he servant replaces the bottles and departs. Confident that she is now alone, the Tien rogue examines the other wine bottles here. After a few minutes, she successfully identifies the one Lady Lotheed is looking for.
Glancing around to be sure there are no other servants around, Zhi pulls the syringe containing the putrifying agent from her tools pouch and sets about completing her first task.
---
Once finished with the wine, the well-dressed rogue heads back upstairs and makes her way to the Arcade of Triumphs.
Upon reaching the area, she begins moving slowly around, looking for the items she was told to remove as well as other small and easily portable valuables.
Noticing Maria there as well, she casually approaches the young woman.
"I've finished in the kitchens," she says quietly. "Need any assistance here?"
"Count Zespire tall and lean. He has brown-and-gray hair with a widow's peak. He's wearing a green doublet with gold accents and has a rapier at his belt."
---
Zhi expertly inserts the putrefying agent into the wine, confident in her success. She slips away from the servants' area without incident. Martella's half-brothers will be in for a surprise later this evening!
"Strategos Pythareus over there. From what I can tell, he's more interested in horses and training his troops than anything happening here." She filled Zhi in on what she'd picked up about Pythareus while looking over some of the items on display.
"Don't suppose you can help on any of that?"
Maria attempts to hold her own as the nobles around her discuss esoteric objets d'art, but her observations seem a bit bland compared to their conversations.
"Strategos Pythareus over there. From what I can tell, he's more interested in horses and training his troops than anything happening here." She filled Zhi in on what she'd picked up about Pythareus while looking over some of the items on display.
"Don't suppose you can help on any of that?"
Taking a very casual glance over to see Strategos Pythareus, Zhi says quietly, "I don't really know anything about animals. Won't be able to help you there."
She points to a helmet behind glass.
"Now that I can tell you is worth a bit of coin. Don't think it goes with my dress, though."
Centimus chuckles. "I would not suggest that the nobility as a whole is a mistake, but rather that certain members of the nobility have made mistakes over the centuries. The key lies in recognizing when one has erred and having the courage and grace to own up to these errors. Only then do we have the potential to grow and change. I say we should look to the past for guidance on what not to do, rather than pretend that it was all glory and riches."
"I concede the point, your Grace." Melodie replies, glad to see the Duke coming out of his shell. "Would you not suggest that your point has been met though by the process of Exaultation? Bringing new and valuable blood into the ranks of the aristocracy demonstrates very practically that we, as a society, can both grow and change. I cannot imagine that this was common practise in the early days, to which so many of our peers refer with longing."
"Begging your pardon, my lady, but I'm sure you realize that the whole Exaltation ceremony is a farce--a show the Grand Prince puts on for the common folk of the empire. Do not mistake me, the idea behind it looks good on paper--the hope that one day anybody, even a simple weaver from Breezy Creek, can rise above their station and become a member of the vaunted nobility. But in reality, the majority of those exalted are given empty titles and then forgotten, lost in the shuffle of the system." Duke Centimus shakes his head sadly.
---
The helmet is more than just worth a bit of coin. With its mithral filigree, inset bloodstones, and roc feather plume, it's a fine treasure to be sure. Zhi gives a good rundown of exactly how valuable the helmet is to those around her, and several of the guests seem quite impressed by her insights.
"Are you a connoisseur of fine arms and armor?" asks one guest. "Perhaps you would be interested in Dignity's Barb?"
She gestures to a nearby case, where a darkwood light crossbow sits. "This is not the original, of course--that was lost long ago. This is merely a reproduction. But Dignity's Barb was a famed weapon used by General Gerefein of the Seventh Army of Exploration. In his most famous act, he turned the tide of a vicious battle with a Kellid warlord. Through a chaotic blizzard, General Gerefein shot practically blind, yet his bolt struck a lethal blow, dashing the warlord from his mammoth mount and breaking the enemy's charge. Glorious!"
"Another of our nations mistakes then." Melodie shakes her head in feigned sorrow. "What would you suggest then, my Lord? What corrections to the weave of history should we be trying to make?"
"I believe tonight's vote is the first step in the right direction. Primogeniture is an ancient and restricting rule that should be abolished. Any person is capable of rule, regardless of the condition of his or her body," Duke Centimus says. He rolls forward in his wheelchair a few inches to emphasize his point. "My accident has not impacted my political abilities, has it? Then why should the gender of the person who sits on the Lion Throne make a difference? If the vote goes our way tonight, it will pave the way for further changes in Taldor's sometimes stifling bureaucracy. This can only be a good thing for the empire."
"Yours is a point well made, my lord." Melodie curtseys gracefully. "Alas, I must depart - an aide's work is never done, but thank you for your time and conversation my Lord." Her smile, and thanks are genuine. The conversation with Duke Centimus was unusually forthcoming and extremely pleasant for someone used to being looked down on for her age, gender, status and mere existence.
Sara heads to the Archives. Lost among the stacks, she runs into Zileska. "Oh dearie me. Zileska, would you lend me a hand? Our mistress expects me to deliver this letter to a man with a rapier and a green doublet named Count Zespire, here somewhere around the Archives but for the life of me I cannot find him. You're wiry and clever, would you be able to handle the missive?"