As she extends the letter forward, Sara catches sight of who she believes is the Count and snatches it back. "Sorry, think I found my luck. Maybe you can still check on our patron and see if she needs you."
Sara slides and squeezes between people and rows of books, narrowly avoiding a nasty fall. She approaches the Count, arm outstretched. "Count Zespire? Howdoyoudo, Sara Burke, aide to Mistress Lotheed. I have something for you."
Count Orlundo Zespire turns to regard Sara. "Do you now?" He accepts envelope and opens it, reading the letter contained therein. His face betrays no emotion as he does so.
"Thank you. Could you wait a moment, please?" The count sits at a nearby desk and pens a short message on a piece of parchment. He rolls it up and seals it with wax, stamping the wax with his signet ring. "Please deliver this to Junior Senator Duo in the gallery, and tell Lady Lotheed that her message was received loud and clear."
"Thank you, sir."
She takes the message back to Zileska and passes along the letter, along with Duo's name and location. "He's up top, in the gallery. Do you mind?"
Zileska starts to pivot to find out what their patroness needs next, and just as she's about to reach the lady, Sara plucks at her sleeve. Oddly, she doesn't seem perturbed in the least by the sudden change.
"Junior Senator Duo? I'll take care of it," she says. She taps the letter against her hand a few times, then turns and heads toward the gallery with a swinging stride that says better stay out of the way of these hips.
"If you see any of the others, pass on what I said about the Strategos," she whispered to Zhi, "maybe one of them will be able to get through to him. I'll go find Countess Pace."
Maria quickly moved off to find the countess, a few discreet inquiries with other guests directing her to the Gallery. She didn't have her hopes up that Countess Pace would be voting the way Lady Lotheed wanted - if a noble dresses that gaudily, then they're the sort who really like being a noble and how things already run.
Still, never judge a book by its cover as they say, so started to properly observe the countess, taking in any and all detail that could help and any snippet of conversation that could be useful.
Sara, feeling confident that she had served her mistress, strides into the Arcade to look at the items. She pauses to talk to Zhi. "Any more progress on your end? Zileska and I are on some errands for our Lady, I thought I might take a second and just," she fixes her eyes on the silk fan, "take the scenery. The Earl Vernisant donated these, yes? I wonder what he was disgraced for..."
She handily handles the silk fan, returning to Zhi.
Zileska makes her way to the gallery, only to have her progress stymied by a large contingent of senators and aides making their way down the stairs. Of course, they stop right at the bottom and linger there as they engage in inane conversation. The half-elf tries to squeeze past the oblivious crowd, but her progress is slow, and by the time she gets to the gallery, Junior Senator Duo has moved elsewhere.
Maria stays near Countess Pace, trying to observe the woman's actions to get some hint as to her loyalties, but the investigator finds it hard to get a good read on her, especially with all of the children and halflings running around providing distractions.
Your senate aide badges buzz softly and you hear Martella Lotheed's voice in your ears. "Would you kindly join me in the gallery? I would like to check in on your progress. There will be refreshments."
When you first arrive, you find Martella grinning and clapping gently as she watches one of the jugglers, but she hurriedly composes herself and dons her air of mystery when she sees you approaching. She gestures for you to follow her to a sectioned-off meeting point on the upper walkways with chairs and a pot of fresh coffee.
"So, how are you finding the gala?" Martella asks. "Have you been able to work on the tasks I assigned you? If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them."
"About as enjoyable as any excessive display of noble back-slapping and inanity can be. The ones not prattling on about their clothing seem to solely be currying influence for the mere sake of it. Present company excepted, of course. I take it Baron Okerra found you without much difficulty?"
Seeing the brass cricket again made Maria more willing to speak her mind, and she'd been glad to warn Lady Lotheed about this particular quirk of her's in their correspondence.
Martella nods. "Yes, the baron and I had a lovely little chat. He will be a worthwhile ally to our cause in the future. Thank you for speaking to him."
Like Maria, Melodie notices the cricket, although she is still quiet. "Duke Centimus is in favour of the vote - there will be no trouble from him." She finishes under her breath "He's too nice to cause trouble."
After the others report, she speaks up again. "I'll move on to the rumour spreading. Lady Lotheed - can you describe my targets? Anything in particular you want me to say about them?"
"I'm not sure who would make the most prominent target for the task," Martella admits. "Keep an ear open on the senate floor and you should be able to identify a good candidate. You'll need to tailor the rumors to the target so that they are believable."
Martella produces another sealed letter and places it on the table. "I have another message that needs to be delivered as well. This one goes to Lady Gloriana Morilla in the courtyard."
After the rest of you have reported, Martella inclines her head. "I didn't ask you here just to look over your shoulders. There's a young woman here: Malphene Trant, the daughter of Senator Trant. She's a belligerent, narcissistic ass, and a bully as well. If she's here, it's likely to intimidate one of more of the junior senators into backing her father. If one or more of you could keep an eye on her and... quietly intercede should she try, I would be quite grateful."
Melodie nods to Lotheed and heads for the senate floor, where there seems to be much lively debate and general excitement.
Weaving through the crowd Melodie listens out for useful information, picking a few helpful openings.
Wandering around the senate floor, Melodie happens upon an elderly senator spouting fiery rhetoric about how repealing primogeniture would spell the end of the Taldan empire once and for all! While most of the old man's arguments are illogical or patently false, a few of the guests nearby seem to be smirking slightly in agreement with his position. Most notable among them is Earl Calhadion Vernisant. The ambitious noble has recently begun pushing to become one of Grand Prince Stavian's top advisers, despite a recent setback that left him significantly shamed. It is Vernisant who is displaying the pieces from the museum tonight.
The changeling feels like he'd make a prime target for further discrediting.
Graciously, Sara takes the next message, resolving to deliver it soon.
She passes the courtyard knowing that she needs to do something but finds herself back in the Arcade before much else is said or done, taking the scenery.
As Sara lingers in the Arcade of Triumphs, she spies Dame Malphene Trant. She's a towering, broad-shouldered, athletic young woman, giving Sara a run for her money in terms of physical stature. She's currently milling about, idly eyeing the weapons on display.
"So, how are you finding the gala?" Martella asks. "Have you been able to work on the tasks I assigned you? If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them."
"Lady Martella, It's not my place, but I have to ask ... "
The small woman looks out at the crowds of people engaged in self-congratulatory celebration.
"Do you really enjoy this life? What I mean is, if you had a da... a child, would you want this kind of life for them?"
Martella seems a bit surprised by Zhi's question. She follows her gaze to the crowds below. "Honestly? This is not the life I would have chosen, for myself or any child of mine. But it is the life that I was given, and so I have to play the hand I was dealt to the best of my advantage. I don't necessarily enjoy my work, but I am good at it. And since my family cut me off, my only other alternative would be to find a dullard suitor if I ever want to see my ancestral home again. That will not be my fate. I will forge my own path to success."
She leans back in her chair and takes a sip of coffee. "And if and when I have a child, I hope they will be born into a nation in a better state than its current one. That is what we work towards here tonight."
Zhi's frown leaves little doubt as to her feelings on the possibility of changing the entrenched rulership.
--
After the meeting, the rogue heads back down towards the Arcade of Triumphs. She proceeds to walk through the area, seeking out the remaining four items that need to be relocated.
She starts with the silver dagger. When no one is looking she palms her own dagger as a replacement.
This is where her confidence lies; surveying her target, identifying the safest avenue of approach, waiting for the proper moment ...
now ...
She attempts to swap her dagger for the silver ceremonial one.
She looks over the dagger before stashing it in the sheath vacated by her own dagger.
Zhi then continues to wander the area, looking over the other items.
Zhi deftly swaps the daggers out and moves to a private location to examine her prize. The ornate silver dagger is of fine craftsmanship. It's at least masterwork, and may possibly even be magically enchanted. The placard claimed that one of General Arnisant's lieutenants used it to slay the vampire Malageur during the Shining Crusade, though the veracity of the claim is difficult to prove.
Glancing over the other items, Zhi notes that the spyglass appears mundane, though still an expensive trinket. The buckler appears to be masterwork. The journal is hard to appraise, though the placard claims it belonged Earl Vernisant's great grandfather and details his extensive genealogical work to connect their family line to the heroic Arnisant legacy.
Sara taps Zhi on the shoulder with the beautiful and elaborate silk fan, extending it briefly to fan herself and show it off before hiding it back in her purse. "How's your progress, sticky fingers? Anything you need help with?"
Sara taps Zhi on the shoulder with the beautiful and elaborate silk fan, extending it briefly to fan herself and show it off before hiding it back in her purse. "How's your progress, sticky fingers? Anything you need help with?"
Zhi stiffens at first then relaxes when she realizes that it's Sara.
"Picked up the dagger," she says quietly, indicating the well-worn dagger on display.
"I think I'm going to pick up the spyglass next. Although I'm not sure where I'm going to stash it."
She glances over at the Dame Trant.
"She certainly looks like a handful."
"I imagine it collapses. You know, as if the telescope were telescopic and all that. If it doesn't fit in your bag, it would probably fit in my purse. I'll let you borrow it for a small favor. Won't go with your outfit, though."
She follows Zhi's gaze to the tall woman. That won't do at all.
"Should I make my hair higher? Like do a bigger better bun than the one I have now? I have a mighty need to be the most vertically oriented woman here."
As the High Strategos passes through the room, Sara points him out. "What do you know about that one? Is he good with birds and small children? Maybe he eats elves? Anything?"
"I imagine it collapses. You know, as if the telescope were telescopic and all that. If it doesn't fit in your bag, it would probably fit in my purse. I'll let you borrow it for a small favor. Won't go with your outfit, though."
She follows Zhi's gaze to the tall woman. That won't do at all.
"Should I make my hair higher? Like do a bigger better bun than the one I have now? I have a mighty need to be the most vertically oriented woman here."
The young rogue glances appraisingly back and forth between the Dame and Sara.
"I think you've got her beat by a just a bit in the vertical department. Although she looks like she might be packing a little more horizontally."
As the High Strategos passes through the room, Sara points him out. "What do you know about that one? Is he good with birds and small children? Maybe he eats elves? Anything?"
"I heard he's the outdoorsy type, horse riding, swimming, blah, blah, blah."
She leans in close to the taller woman.
"I bet he does it with his shirt off," she adds with a giggle.
The young rogue glances appraisingly back and forth between the Dame and Sara.
"I think you've got her beat by a just a bit in the vertical department. Although she looks like she might be packing a little more horizontally."
Staring, she mentally compares her body against the other woman's. "Oh Zhi, she doesn't have me beat, that's a matter of opinion. And in my opinion, it's not about one's top half, it's about the lower, where we seem to be," she pats her hip, accentuated by her new corset, "evenly matched. And svelte and athletic though she may be, I feel that if we were to wrestle, I could pin her." She sneaks a sip of whiskey from her flask.
"In all avenues other than blood and status, I think I have her soundly beaten. Or that's what I'm telling myself." She takes a deeper drink from the flask, coughing and offering it to the much shorter woman.
"I heard he's the outdoorsy type, horse riding, swimming, blah, blah, blah."
She leans in close to the taller woman.
"I bet he does it with his shirt off," she adds with a giggle.
Sara bends at the knee to allow Zhi to whisper in her ear.
"I have a proposal. If you would kindly deliver our Lady's missive to the fair Lady Gloriana Morilla out in the courtyard, I'll lend you my purse and," she smirks as her eyes fall on the military man, "go see a man about a horse."
Zhi moves with grace, dodging though seeming impenetrable spaces between gathered nobles, nodding and bowing the whole way.
Zileska tries to do something - anything - and continues to fail.
Following Melodie, Maria likewise kept an eye and ear out for any potential information.
"May be worth letting Zhi know about a few choice pieces on display for her... 'attention'?"
As she spoke, she continued to observe the crowd, trying to identify anyone else of note.
Zileska pushes her way through the crowd, this time spotting Junior Senator Amadorian Dou at the far end of the gallery. He stares at the curvaceous half-elf as she delivers the message to him. "Hmm? Oh yes, thank you very much, madame," he stutters, blushing in embarrassment.
Maria scopes out the crowd in the senate, but nobody in the crowd stands out to her.
Dropping her flask in her bag, Sara strides up to the High Strategos with confidence and poise. Bluntly, she thrusts her hand forward, ready to embrace his.
"Sara Burke, a pleasure." She takes notice of his perfect posture, the tension in his arms as he reaches for her hand. He was truly a natural leader of both man and beast.
"I believe I've seen you in the woods, sir. Atop your horse, out hunting with your dogs. Truly beautiful, inspiring even. Perfect form, I simply needed to congratulate you on it."
Having finally completed a task, Zileska gives a coquettish curtsy to the blushing Junior Senator before she returns to find another task.
Finally she settles on rejoining Zhi.
"This has been a vexing evening," she says. She leans first to one side, then to the other, taking a bit of pressure off her feet and keeping a hand at her hip. "Shall we take a pass at Senator Trant? Size does matter but it's not everything."
Zhi eyes the people around her as she wanders amidst the banners and flags. Arriving at her destination in a roundabout manner, she casually looks over the spyglass.
Doesn't look that special.
Despite it being her target, she can't help but look over the other displayed items - her eye seeking easily disposed of valuables.
She shrugs and then wanders back to the brass and glass tube.
With a quick glance, she stashes it in the borrowed purse and then moves on.
Having finally completed a task, Zileska gives a coquettish curtsy to the blushing Junior Senator before she returns to find another task.
Finally she settles on rejoining Zhi.
"This has been a vexing evening," she says. She leans first to one side, then to the other, taking a bit of pressure off her feet and keeping a hand at her hip. "Shall we take a pass at Senator Trant? Size does matter but it's not everything."
"Sure, let's see what the big girl's up to," the small woman replies.
"Personally, I can't see how people spend their entire lives doing ... "
She gestures indicating the gossiping nobles.
"This."
Zileska considers Zhi's comment for a moment, then makes a moue and says, "It all depends on what excites you. Some people love gossip and socializing - I know that I do. Some people like action, some like curling up with a good book, some like having a coiled leather whip run up the small of their naked back while they're stretched out in fur-lined cuffs."
Zhi looks distinctly uncomfortable as Zileska's description gets more and more vivid.
"Uh ... " she can't seem to meet the priest's eyes.
"You don't really do that, do you?" she asks finally in a small voice.
Maria continued to scan the crowd, now starting to regret not brushing up on what she knew of the nobility.
Zhi looks distinctly uncomfortable as Zileska's description gets more and more vivid.
"Uh ... " she can't seem to meet the priest's eyes.
"You don't really do that, do you?" she asks finally in a small voice.
"We're trained in all sorts of ways to excite people in the house of the Unquenchable Fire," says Zileska casually. "But gossip has its own amusements. What's right? What's wrong? What's scandalous? Gossip is a kind of power for people who cannot confront their enemies directly and physically. It is a way to exert one's station. And seeing someone brought low, someone who has wronged you, is a delicious taste of honey indeed."
"'Someone who has wronged you'," Zhi quietly repeats to herself thoughtfully.
"That wouldn't be a bad thing in the right situation."
With a singularly wicked grin, Melodie moves on, away from Earl Vernisant until she finds a group of younger senatorial hopefuls who seem eager to talk.
"Did you see Earl Vernisant over there? I don't know how he manages to show his face this evening. Do you think he knows that the curators have removed most of his donations as fakes? What sort of man would display fakes in such an august company as this?"
High Strategos Pythareus seems to approve of Sara's direct approach. He takes her hand and shakes it firmly. "Good evening, my lady."
His chest puffs out a bit with pride as she praises his horsemanship. "Very nice of you to notice. I have honed my skills as an equestrian over many campaigns. Do you ride, my lady, or perhaps train horses? I would be happy to share a few tips with you."
---
As Maria scans the crowd on the senate floor, she finds herself inadvertently getting caught up in one of the many debates in the area. The investigator holds her own in the discussion of the validity of primogeniture. The nobles gathered around nod in approval.
---
Melodie's words cause the young nobles to head to the Arcade of Triumphs to see for themselves. Noticing the empty display cases, they laugh and start whispering to other guests in the area. The changeling is confident that the rumor will soon spread like wildfire, adding to Earl Vernisant's humiliation.
---
Zhi swipes the spyglass without much effort, hiding it in her purse. She and Zileska then decide to approach Dame Trant. A trio of young nobles' sons wearing tacky jewelry have joined the imposing woman, and they are gossiping and laughing just a bit too loudly as they finish off their glasses of wine.
"You see? says Zileska to Zhi with something like a mischievous smile. "It all depends on your perspective. For instance, say that there's some snotty b!+@! who's been nosing around making trouble for you... you never have to face her directly to set in motion the whispers that will ruin her reputation."
The half-elf tugs at her corset and adds, "Though that in turn depends on the kind of reputation that someone has in the first place."
She certainly hadn't intended to get drawn into the debates, but managed to hold her own - being able to reference some of the individuals who'd been involved (in one form or another) in the cases her father had worked had given her a few examples to draw on.
Feeling somewhat emboldened, she made her way back to the Gallery, intent on trying to find an opening with Countess Pace again, or at least get a feel for the attitudes of the other nobles who were there. She'd picked up the identities of a few others who were in the Gallery so used that as her opening.
Several of the guests who were watching Maria debate from the gallery recognize her as she makes her way among them. She chats with several of them about the local goings-on in Oppara, winning them over with her knowledge of current events and gossip. As she converses, she's able to learn the general movements of the crowds within the senate by watching from the upper floor.
She shakes her head, letting her grip on the man's hand linger. Letting go smirks. "No. I train dogs, but horse are alien to me. I admire them, of course, who doesn't, but I don't trust animals that are taller than me."
"But if you wanted to teach me, I'd be honored to listen. I feel that under your guidance, I could easily face my fears. A big brave man, out in the open, nothing to hide."