Noticing Maria's interest in the historical displays, the senate's curator of antiquities, a middle-aged woman named Copernia Vau, engages in conversation with Maria, showing off several of the items and answering the tiefling's questions about Taldor's glorious history.
Rather engrossed in the displays and the conversation with Ms Vau, Maria continued examining them.
Scandalized not by Zileska's appearance, but by her snatching up the last letter, Sara takes a moment to collect herself. And to admire the view.
"Turning into this kind of party, is it Zileska?"
Taking advantage of her unexpected free time, Sara leans in and, in a hushed tone, speaks to her benefactor. "Milady, if I may ask, why did you hire me? I may have party experience, but if you haven't noticed, I'm not particularly ladylike. I just beat a woman because she bothered me, and bragged to one of the highest political figures in the senate about being tried in suspicion of murder and graverobbing."
She grabs a glass of something bubbling from a passing tray, "I'm not trying to second guess you, or suggest that I shouldn't be here, I'm just," she takes a healthy sip, "curious."
Martella laughs. "Don't sell yourself short, Sara. There's more to playing the Great Game beyond smiling and pretending to laugh at inane stories. You have a...particular set of skills that your fellow agents don't possess. I chose you because you are good at beating and bragging, not in spite of it. I believe the five of you combined make a rather cohesive and competent unit."
Smiling at the nearby attendees, Zhi continues to listen as the High Strategos continues to drone on about dry logistics.
Who would come to a party like this and spend all their time talking about the second legion and the third cavalry?
She smirks.
He should be gossiping like a good little power monger.
Zhi continues to listen to Pythareus's boring conversations. After a few minutes, though, a pair of Ulfen guards approach and salute him. "High Strategos, the Grand Prince will be arriving shortly. The meeting room is all set up for the two of you in the Emperor's Hall."
"Excellent," Pythareus says. "Once we are in the meeting room, ensure nobody comes in or out of the Emperor's Hall. The prince has requested privacy until after the vote is complete."
"Yes, sir!" The guards salute again and retreat back into the crowd.
Blushing, Sara curtsies and excuses herself.
She watches the courtyard below for a few seconds and decides to go down and talk herself up to Lady Gloriana Morilla.
"Milady, didn't we meet once before? At Reginald's ball last spring. You look positively fantastic, truly splendid." She extends her hand forward. "Miss Burke, if you don't remember. How do you fare this evening?"
Lady Morilla is staring at a nearby gaggle of gossiping nobles in awkward silence when Sara approaches her. The woman turns gracefully and regards Sara. "Was it Reginald's ball? You do seem vaguely familiar." Morilla takes her hand and smiles. "Ah yes, Miss Burke. Thank you for the compliments. I am faring quite well, thank you. And I shall fare even better when the vote has passed and this silly succession nonsense is finally settled. There is no better choice for the heir to the throne than Princess Eutropia, would you not agree?"
Zhi takes her exit from the Strategos' presence and makes her way to Lady Lotheed to pass along what she overheard.
Melodie, once Sara leaves, simply stays in place keeping an eye on Zhi's back as she does a much better job than Melodie could ever do of spying on the High Strategos.
While keeping an eye on Zhi, Copernia Vau interprets Melodie's interest as a keen love of history. She offers to take Melodie and Maria on a brief tour of the adjoining restoration room, where artifacts are cleaned and preserved. As part of the tour, she offers the pair one bottle each of universal solvent and unguent of timelessness so she can practice the skills she describes.
Zileska ducks into the kitchen for some lemon juice and water to wash off the small amount of wine that soaked through her corset and left a mark on her skin. While there she notes that one of the servants has a nasty gash from a mishap with a carving knife, and she stops to assist.
"This cut is bleeding a lot," she says, "but it didn't sever the muscle. It'll probably heal up overnight. In the meantime let me just cover the wound so it doesn't get any errant food or detritus in it."
She expertly assists in applying a tied-up bandage for the hapless kitchen servant.
The servant thanks Zileska for her skillful healing. Her reputation for treating the servants well begins to spread, and they share some of the evening's gossip with the Calistria. They also show her how to use the servant passageways to move about the senate more freely.
Martella seems intrigued by the information Zhi reports back to her. "What are those two up to, I wonder? With luck, it will be crafting a concession speech and nothing more! It's too dangerous to try to spy on that meeting directly, but I thank you for letting me know."
Late in the evening, a silence falls over the gala, and the crowd parts as servants unroll a red carpet through the Arcade of Triumphs and the senate floor. Grand Prince Stavian III and a host of his Ulfen Guard then arrive, ascending the 100 steps to the building. Guests quickly flock to catch a glimpse of Taldor's leader, who briskly moves toward the Emperor's Hall, which is closed for the remainder of the night. Several guards are posted at its entrances to ensure the Grand Prince is undisturbed.
The arrival of the Grand Prince causes some turmoil among the assembled guests. Maxillar Pythareus retreats to convene with the Grand Prince in the Emperor's Hall, while Princess Eutropia recuses herself to partake in several private meetings before her father's expected speech
"I can't imagine a better fit. She positively radiates a sense of trust and leadership. It's a shame she left, I was really hoping to meet her."
"You know, I had a doll of her when I was a little girl. The Princess Eutropia Miracle Doll," she giggles, hiding her mouth with her hand.
Maria wasn't going to say it out loud, but she had something of a dim view of the Grand Prince. He had his merits, but she felt that they didn't outweigh his faults. Not helped by the fact that he tended to look rather sleazy at times, which was not the most beneficial thing a monarch can have.
Regardless, Maria made her way to the courtyard to continue schmoozing.
After her, surprisingly interesting, tour of the Arcade Melodie decides to stick with the group for a while and follows Maria out into the courtyard, discussing various dignitaries with her colleague.
Lady Morilla laughs along with Sara. "Those dolls were my idea, you know. Endear the princess to the younger generation so that some might grow up to become movers and shakers among the government and lend support to her policies. I'm glad to see they had at least some success!
"I think the princess would have liked to meet you too, Miss Burke. Alas, if you had come by earlier, I could have introduced you to her. Perhaps there will be time after the Grand Prince's speech tonight."
Morilla notices the badge on Sara's dress. "It would seem Lady Lotheed chose her aides tonight well. I've noticed you and your friends making quite the splash throughout the gala. When you have the chance, please tell your patron that she can count on me for anything she might need in the next few days before I return to Absalom."
Maria and Melodie make their way into the courtyard to schmooze with the Taldan elite gathered there. While the latter doesn't make much headway, the former gossips freely about the goings-on in Oppara.
Displaying all the stubbornness that her father continually redresses her for, Zhi returns again to the Arcade of Triumphs.
I'm not leaving money on the table, dammit!
Once more she walks by the displayed small shield and attempts to time her passing just so ...
She then joins Maria and Melodie in the courtyard.
"Do either of you know how to use one of these?" she asks, holding up a slender wand. "Father tried to show me one time, but it didn't ... I couldn't ... "
She rolls her eyes in annoyance.
"I don't have the knack for it."
With Copernia still distracted in the restoration room, Zhi finds it easy to time her approach and snatch the buckler off the display stand. Earl Vernisant's collection is now embarrassingly bare.
Lady Morilla laughs along with Sara. "Those dolls were my idea, you know. Endear the princess to the younger generation so that some might grow up to become movers and shakers among the government and lend support to her policies. I'm glad to see they had at least some success!
"I think the princess would have liked to meet you too, Miss Burke. Alas, if you had come by earlier, I could have introduced you to her. Perhaps there will be time after the Grand Prince's speech tonight."
Morilla notices the badge on Sara's dress. "It would seem Lady Lotheed chose her aides tonight well. I've noticed you and your friends making quite the splash throughout the gala. When you have the chance, please tell your patron that she can count on me for anything she might need in the next few days before I return to Absalom."
She blushes and curtsies. "Thank you for your high opinion ma'am. I will pass the word along. If you'll excuse me, I think I see some of those friends just across the courtyard."
She attempts to mingle some and talk to interesting people on the way.
Sara joins the other three girls just in time for Zhi to pull out her wand and show it about.
"Don't you just point it at something and it goes? I never quite understood it myself."
Sara's efforts at mingling fall flat as those she tries to talk to quickly make excuses and depart, seeking more engaging conversationalists.
Sara joins the other three girls just in time for Zhi to pull out her wand and show it about.
"Don't you just point it at something and it goes? I never quite understood it myself."
"That's what I thought," Zhi responds with a frown. "Father didn't appreciate my cheek. He explained that it's more involved then that. You have to have some knowledge of the magic involved."
Her eyes glance away.
"I don't."
"What is it supposed to do?" Melodie asks, taking the wand and carressing it delicately, almost like a flute. The wand makes a single pleasing chime which has Melodie flushing - an easy thing given her paper thin skin - with pleasure.
"I think I can use this yes."
"What is it supposed to do?" Melodie asks, taking the wand and carressing it delicately, almost like a flute. The wand makes a single pleasing chime which has Melodie flushing - an easy thing given her paper thin skin - with pleasure.
"I think I can use this yes."
"I'm not sure what it does," Zhi answers. "The well-dressed man who gave it to me made some smart-assed comment about needing help influencing people."
She smirks.
"I almost told him he could take his wand and ... well, ladies at parties like this don't mention things like that."
Zhi smiles at Sara.
"Unless, of course, they're trying to pin Lady Horse-face. Then they're at liberty to mention whatever the hells they want."
After helping out some of the hapless servants, Zileska slips out of one of the servants' passages and starts looking to track down Kalbio. The hapless craftsman is probably either completely swarmed, or completely ignored. Either way, an underdressed Calistrian courtesan is probably outside of his experience.
She circles the (whatever room is A6 because I can't find the key anywhere) with an eye toward discerning what seems to draw Kalbio's attention.
Zileska circles the senate floor, keeping an eye on Kalbio. The wide-eyed man looks incredibly awkward among the mass of party-goers, and for a party supposedly celebrating him, most of the nobles are studiously ignoring him. He seems rather lonely and overwhelmed by all of the hustle and bustle around him. Zileska thinks that Kalbio can easily be influenced just by showing kindness or genuine interest in him. And being a hot, half-naked half-elf won't hurt, either.
"I need a little quiet time to settle my head," Zhi says. "I'm going to head over to the Archives. While I'm there I'll listen for any quiet conversations."
Zhi quietly browses the books in the archives, alert for conversations. As she mingles, a guide leads a group of nobles over to an old blueprint of the senate building. The guide explains that the current structure was built atop the ruins of several older senate constructions. To keep the attention of the crowd, the guide goes on to describe how some levels of the old senate involved the intentional immurement of workers—a grim reward from the nobles of the time. The crowd murmurs with delight at the macabre anecdote.
A few minutes later, an old librarian named Pabrus Telecoum approaches the Tien woman. Assuming her studious silence represents a vested interest in Taldan history, he offers her a dog-eared and crumbling journal donated to the library but considered unsalvageable. The text itself is a somewhat compelling tale of a young wizard's growth to womanhood and inheriting her family business in Cassomir 250 years ago. Though large portions are missing or damaged by water, tucked into the back of the book is a scroll containing several spells: animate rope, blur, flaming sphere, hypnotism, mount, and web.
Zileska homes in on Kalbio and, if he doesn't currently have a drink, offers him one.
"This is your first time in Oppara, isn't it," she says conversationally. "I hope you're enjoying the party."
She waits for him to reply, leaning in slightly to hear his response, her body language showing that she's listening for what he has to say rather than just waiting for the opportunity to expound on her own opinions.
Kalbio's wide eyes widen even further when Zileska approaches him. His eyes drift down to take in the half-elf's chest and exposed midriff before quickly snapping back up to her face. "Uh, y-yes, ma'am. I never been to the big city before! This whole shindig is a sight to see though, ain't it?"
He nervously downs the offered drink in one big gulp. "I wish my mam and papa could be here to see it, too. I reckon they'd lose their minds! Did you know they have something here called 'indoor plumbing'? You don't have to go outside when you have to do the necessary!"
"It is, indeed, quite a change," says Zileska. "There's so much to see and do."
"Are you going to go back home after all of this is done, or will you be moving here to Oppara? To be honest, I'm not sure if your new title means you're expected to be in the court, or if it's a formality and you'll be returning to your former business."
"Shucks! I haven't really thought about it!" Kalbio admits. "I reckon I'll have to move here now. Everybody's gonna want my tapestries even more now that I'm an honest-to-goodness nobleman! And I'll probably have lots of new o-fficial re-sponsibilities, too!"
He smiles sheepishly at Zileska. "I sure could use a big city friend like you to help me adjust to this place. That is, uh, if you wanna be my friend, ma'am. I'm sure a purdy lady like you has lots of friends already."
"I'm not sure what it does," Zhi answers. "The well-dressed man who gave it to me made some smart-assed comment about needing help influencing people."
She smirks.
"I almost told him he could take his wand and
"Slide it securely into his bum for safekeeping?" Sara finished for her, grinning.
... well, ladies at parties like this don't mention things like that."
Zhi smiles at Sara.
"Unless, of course, they're trying to pin Lady Horse-face. Then they're at liberty to mention whatever the hells they want."
"Hey I stand by all that; I meant every word."
She waves goodbye as Zhi takes her leave and turns to Melodie. "You seem quite tittilated, first time handling something like that?"
Zhi looks over the hidden scroll curiously.
This is the same type of writing that Father tried to show me.
Hoping that Melodie can make heads or tails of it, the small woman heads back to the Courtyard to display her find.
"Of course I'll be your friend, Kalbio," says Zileska soothingly.
"In a city like this you'll discover that many people will say that they're your friend, but it's only because they want something - your influence, your prestige, something that you can offer them. And a lot of people spend a lot of time pretending to be friendly, helpful, and trustworthy... but you only find out who's really your friend when times are tough."
"I don't have a need for anything from you, though," she continues, "and I like your directness. It's a refreshing change from the way that most courtiers hide their intentions and try to manipulate people."
"Have you made any other friends yet? Who do you like?" she asks.
Kalbio grins like a schoolboy. "Hot dog! I made me a friend!" For a moment, it looks like he might hug Zileska, but then he blushes and starts fidgeting with his cuffs instead.
"I ain't made any other big city friends yet. Everybody else seems so busy, running around all over the building. Maybe you can introduce me to some of yours?"
Maria and Melodie spend some more time in the courtyard, winning over the upper crust of the Taldan nobility and improving your reputation at the party.
Spending a bit more time in the servant area wins the affection of the help. The head cook Dedrien Nos wishes you well in your political ambitions by donating two potions of delay poison in case you prove less popular with others.
Soon, servants begin to bring out a light supper, placing various expensive cheeses, fruits, pastries, and wines out on tables or carrying platters to offer momentary repast. The food placates the masses left confused by Stavian's abrupt arrival and sudden disappearance, and soon conversations return to normal. Socializing becomes easier, as interested parties jockey for positions in food lines to speak with important dignitaries.
Zhi takes her time perusing the presented fare. She finally settles on a berry pastry and a glass of white wine.
As she wanders the tables paying an eye to the other delectables arrayed before her - chiefly necklaces, earrings, and other valuables - she notices Baron Okerra.
He is certainly handsome, even if he looks like he's older than Father.
She frowns as she remembers her introduction to him.
Damn, you only get one chance to make a good first impression and yours was fake.
The small woman straightens her shoulders resolutely.
Maybe we can fix that.
Approaching the Baron, she puts on her winning-est smile and dropping her Princess personna, she says "Excuse me, Honorable Baron. We met earlier this evening. However, I was not entirely honest with you and I wish to apologize."
She bows deeply, just barely keeping her glass of wine from spilling.
"My name is actually Mai Zhi and I work for Lady Lotheed. I'm not a princess, I'm a product of The Narrows. You seem to be a sincere and honest man and ... "
She looks around at the gathered throng.
"And you seem very out of place here."
"I'd be delighted to introduce you to a few people I know. There are a surprising variety of people here; anything from high nobles to rogues and the occasional cleric like myself," says Zileska. "But, I'm not going to offend a Mrs. Kalbio, am I? If you're already married I wouldn't want you to get in trouble."
Baron Okerra smiles at Zhi. "I appreciate your honesty. Please, call me Nicolaus." He holds out his hand for her to shake, his grip quite strong.
"You're right. I hate stuff like this. I am a man of action--I care little for fine words, although I do like fine wine." He takes a sip of the dark red vintage in his glass. "I would much rather be riding or sparring than here at this fancy gala, but a man of my station must make an appearance at these functions. The people of my barony need to be represented in the senate, even if doing so takes me away from them for a time."
---
Kalbio blushes again. "Married? N-no, ma'am, I ain't got a missus. That is, uh, well, I've been with ladies before, if you take my meaning. But I just haven't met that special lady yet, you know?"
"I understand your meaning," says Zileska to Kalbio. "Are any of your tapestries on display today? Did they put up some of your work for people to appreciate it?"
She waves goodbye as Zhi takes her leave and turns to Melodie. "You seem quite tittilated, first time handling something like that?"
"I've handled a nobleman's wand before Sara, although this is a lovely example." Melodie replies absent-mindedly, before nearly dropping said object as her entire face, and much of her neck flushes a shocking crimson. "No! Not like that! I didn't mean..." She buries her head in her hands, "Why does this always happen in front of people I like?"
A few moments later, when her face looks a pretty shade of rouge, rather than full crimson Melodie looks up at Sara and attempts to answer her original question.
"It's a spellcasting wand - they hold one spell and enough power to use it a certain number of times. The problem with being given them is that you never know what spell they contain or how much power there is left. This one seems to like me though, so whatever the spell is I can probably make it work..."
When Zhi returns with the diary, Melodie (who seems to be becoming Zhi's personal loot hauler) leafs through it with interest. "This is great. The story of how Lady Annable becomes a wizard... ooo and she takes over the family business too!" She flicks through the book to the end, before coming across the scrolls in the back. Finding that, at a quick glance, she can't make much of them, she tucks them back into the book and continues on, sticking close to Sara.
"Yep! Let me show you!" Kalbio walks around the senate floor with Zileska, pointing out several tapestries hanging from the walls that he crafted. His needlework is quite remarkable, the colors vibrant and the designs pleasing to the eye. "My mam and papa saved up for years to pay for my apprenticeship. My mentor said I had a natural gift, that I was some sorta 'prodagee.' I don't know bout that, but I think I'm purdy good."
"Biggest issue with using any sort of magical device like a wand or a scroll; if you don't know what you're doing then it can, quite literally, blow up in your face. Fortunately I learnt that little hazard second-hand."
"What in the hells was that?!" she called down, this being far from the first explosion her father had caused down there, but certainly the loudest. She was relieved as a somewhat singed Jarek stumbled out into the stairwell, coughing as he tried to clear the smoke from his face.
"Let's just say I'm more out of practice with wands than I thought," the detective replied, holding up the remains of a wand he'd received just the other day as payment for a case.
Now that the group had done all they intended to, an idea formed in Maria's mind. Despite a few occasions where it would have been useful, she hadn't exercised her cold reading skills. She was curious about Baron Okerra after speaking with him earlier, curiosity that only grew as she saw Zhi talking to him. Maria had been feeling a bit protective of Zhi after the thief first hired her to find her father. She figured Zhi had been through enough in her life so far and didn't need any excess hurt on top of it all.
Not that she'd ever tell the Tianese woman any of this, of course.