Letting out a very audible "Hmm?" as Tal reacts a certain way to her touch it is quickly drowned out in an "Oomph!" as he picks her up, causing her feet to kick back and forth as if she was dangled over a pit.
Being set on the ground she pays close attention to Tal's lecture, even though she wears a very severe cattish grin while she nods along. "Oh, don't worry. I will be a very, very good lady... to both Lily and you." She then proceeds to take his arm again, this time in a much more "ladylike" fashion.
Feeling like he has been had Tal blushes a bit as he turns his face away to inspect the gear that he is toting with him. Not looking at Monday as he answers Tal clears his throat, Ah, yes well, I, uh, will have to take that for what it is worth then and hope for the best. Gorum give me strength. As Monday takes his arm again Tal finally looks back at her. Well, yes that is much better now. Thank you. Nothing wrong with this at all. Just escorting you as a proper gentleman should. Yes nothing wrong at all. Tal mutters the last line another 2-3 times obviously to himself as he still does not know what to make of this or how Lily will react.
Monday happily smiles to herself as she lets Tal escort her home to his awaiting lovely wife.
Poor, poor bastard Tuesday thought to himself, shaking his head as the dutiful hound led the fox straight into the hen house.
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"Caw! Imps! Master saved Vasco! Imps tried to take his wings, but master drove them gone with magic. Made Vasco's wings good again..."
He pauses to think for a while, before correcting himself, "...better, made wings better again. Master is a good man."
"Imps?" he asked.
Near the Academae, I suppose. Karvosa always had a problem with them. But what brought him here--and into the Hellknights' wanted list?"A good man indeed," he agreed, turning things in his head.
Noticing Vasco's clever eyes surveying his surroundings, he smiled, closing his fist and holding it up, getting the raven's attention.
He placed a pen on his knuckles, and let it dance between his fingers, before it disappeared.
"Imps?" he asked.
Vasco croaks again, affirmingly. He is clearly not fond of the little devils.
Noticing Vasco's clever eyes surveying his surroundings, he smiled, closing his fist and holding it up, getting the raven's attention.
He placed a pen on his knuckles, and let it dance between his fingers, before it disappeared.
The raven follows the pen intently. Seeing it dissappear down Raveen's sleeve, he caws loudly and bobs his head up and down, as if pointing to the man's hands with his beak.
"Caw! Tricks!" he croaks triumphantly, "Sleight of hand! Legerdemain! Prestidigitation!"
Vasco seems quite comfortable being handled by Raveen, perhaps sensing his familiarity.
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"Imps?" he asked.Vasco croaks again, affirmingly. He is clearly not fond of the little devils.
Nasty little buggers... he mused.
Noticing Vasco's clever eyes surveying his surroundings, he smiled, closing his fist and holding it up, getting the raven's attention.
He placed a pen on his knuckles, and let it dance between his fingers, before it disappeared.The raven follows the pen intently. Seeing it dissappear down Raveen's sleeve, he caws loudly and bobs his head up and down, as if pointing to the man's hands with his beak.
"Caw! Tricks!" he croaks triumphantly, "Sleight of hand! Legerdemain! Prestidigitation!"
Raveen grinned, drawing out the pen from his pocket to the perceptive bird.
"Like many of your kind, you have keen eyes," he said, throwing it back carelessly to his pocket.Vasco seems quite comfortable being handled by Raveen, perhaps sensing his familiarity.
Raveen grinned, observing the well-groomed bird.
"I knew a crow very long ago--a cousin to your kind. He never spoke as you do...though, in a strange way, you remind me of him.Vasco--what do you think of your master? He seems...to be perpetually nervous."
Raveen grinned, drawing out the pen from his pocket to the perceptive bird.
"Like many of your kind, you have keen eyes," he said, throwing it back carelessly to his pocket.
Vasco enjoys the praise, flapping his wings and puffing his chest.
Raveen grinned, observing the well-groomed bird.
"I knew a crow very long ago--a cousin to your kind. He never spoke as you do...though, in a strange way, you remind me of him.
Vasco--what do you think of your master? He seems...to be perpetually nervous."
Shifting his weight on Raveen's shoulder, Vasco once again pauses to think what he should say. Faceman seemed nice, but master always told the raven that he was too trusting. Still, maybe Faceman could help master...
Lowering his voice to a hoarse whisper, Vasco explains, "Bad men want to take master away, but master has done nothing wrong! Caw! Unfair, unfair!"
Tal, Monday, Tuesday & Mera [Bot] are going to Tal's abode.
Naberius is in hiding.
Raveen & Vasco are gathering information.
Janiven, Gorvio, Vitti & Morosimo are returning the horses.
I will let the encounter at Tal's play out(you all get there safely) before I resume the storyline.
As the group makes its way into Westcrown, Naberius excuses himself. The haggard wizard makes his way back to the abandoned temple, where he carries out whatever secret knocks or passwords Janiven instructed him to perform . He ignores any rebels that might be present, and rather unceremoniously crashes in his private corner of the hideout.
He sleeps restlessly, plagued by elusive visions of hellish torment...
Tal stops a block away from home as he wants to reiterate to everyone, Please let me talk first and try not to do anything to make this appear worse than what it is. Extricating himself from Monday's arm Tal continues, We are almost ther and you are safe enough that there is no need to hold onto my arm any further. That would just complicate things as well.
Tal takes a few steps ahead as he mutters to himself. How is this going to turn out? I see no way this is going to end positively at this point.
The last block stretches out before Tal like an eternity as he tries to place one foot in front of another. With each step a different option of trying to tell Lily what is going on plays through his head at lightning speed. Each possibility ends with someone getting upset or worse. Why did Tal agree to letting Monday and Mera accompany him? It should have een just him arriving home at first and telling Lily over a quiet meal what has been going on.
Without consciously doing it Tal has reached the front door and just stops as the last scenario plays out in his head. It is of Lily grabbing a cleaver from the table and throwing it at Tuesday only to have the cleaver pass right through him. As the scenario ends knocks on the door and tries to sound like his usual cheerful self before he opens the door. Hello dear, I am home.
bluff
The result is a high pitched sound as Tal's nervousness gives way and his voice cracks.
The door opens to the living space that Morosimo slept in the night before. The blankets are folded up nicely in a corner of the room while the 2 chairs are against the wall to create enough room for Morosimo to have slept. The pleasant aroma of fresh bread wafts from the kitchen that is behind a wall to the east. The atmosphere is one of coziness and comfort but without extravagance.
sense motive check auto make...
Coming from the kitchen Lily appears with her hair tied up to keep it out of her face as she has on her cooking apron over her traditional pants and blouse. A look of concern on her face as she hears the difference in her husbands voice. Moving quickly over to him wringing her hands in the apron to clean them quickly she asks/tells What is the matter Tal? I go t your message last night and you should be ashamed of yourself. Sending a lad to carry a message to me at that time of night. I know you were trying to be kind and let me know what was gong on but the risk to that poor lad wasn't worth it. Now you come home earlier than I expected today. You should be at work right now. This isn't your day off. Have you been fired?
Grabbing her husband by the arm she pulls him to one of the 2 chairs in the room and sets him down. As she does so she can't help but notice that there is still a gash on his arm that was not healed from the skirmish that Tal and the others were in earlier that day. Lily starts in on another welcome home rant. Before Tal can cut her off she gets the following out. What has happened to you? Tal, don't you sugarcoat anything now. Not after some of the other stunts that got pulled while you were on guard duty. Did someone try to jump you while escorting what's his name? Let me get you some gauze for that. At least it doesn't seem too deep this time.
Tal let himself be lead to the chair and listened as Lily fussed and scolded and chided and tended to him. It was just her way of showing how much she cared for him when she got agitated this much. Tal just hoped that she kept her focus on him rather than on their 'guests' for the next few minutes. Taking a deep breathe to come clean all at once Tal explains quickly. The meeting last night was not for a job opportunity like we thought. In fact while there and talking to the owner of the note word reached me that a group of hellknights were coming to search that exact building for traitors. Not having many options at that time I fled with the proprietor too avoid capture and questions. I don't need to remind you that questioning by hellknights even if innocent is not something one does willingly. Another big breathe in and now for the hard part, As it turns out the hellknights were right. The meeting was for recruiting those that are unhappy with Westcrown the way it is. Janiven, the owner of the note, was hoping to recruit me after she heard me talking about you 1 day at work. She knew we wanted a family but wanted to wait for better times. Well she wants to help with that and makes those better times start now. By the time we escaped the hellknights it was to late to get to you but Morosimo said he knew of a path to get to you that only he knew about and that he could move safely at night.
Taking Lily's hands in his Tal apologizes. I am sorry for risking him but I wanted you to know that I was at least safe . It was a risk I had to take as at that time I could be and still am technically running from the hellknights. Those of us at the meeting are all keen to avoid them. I say others as there are 3 of them who have come to meet you since I have talked about you so much. I will tell you more once they are inside but wanted you to hear this from me now before I brought them in. They wish to help make this city better and I think once you hear what they have to say I hope that you will understand more of what happened just now. I can take you to Janiven as well if you like.
slightly breathless at running through that so quickly Tal knows he skipped everything about this morning but that would have to wait momentarily. Going to the door Tal opens it and lets everyone in announcing them as they enter. Lily, this is Monday, Tuesday and Mera. Monday, Tuesday, Mera, this is my lovely wife and the reason I am considering helping the 'Children of Westcrown'. Please all of you play nice and not offend my wife with any of your posturing. Please.
Entering before his sister, incase the woman was as jealous as Tal had let in, Tuesday takes a moment to greet Lily with a deep bow before moving off to the side, presuming it is safe.
Actually bumping into Tuesday as he steps in front of her Monday takes a moment to right herself before entering without a care in the world. Upon seeing the housewife and husband she immediately hustles over in a bob, giving the other woman a pleased grin. "So you are the most delicious woman Senir Tal has been regaling us with. A pleasure to finally meet you." While giving Lily a curtesy she lets her words flow very languidly, putting extra emphasis and draw on certain ones while wearing a hungry grin.
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Shifting his weight on Raveen's shoulder, Vasco once again pauses to think what he should say. Faceman seemed nice, but master always told the raven that he was too trusting. Still, maybe Faceman could help master...
Lowering his voice to a hoarse whisper, Vasco explains, "Bad men want to take master away, but master has done nothing wrong! Caw! Unfair, unfair!"
"Bad men--the Hellknights? The Rackers?" he asked.
"Bad men--the Hellknights? The Rackers?" he asked.
The bird hesitates for a moment, before answering, "Yes... No! The ones with horns!"
The ones we defeated, then?
Vasco shakes his head from side to side in an oddly humanlike gesture.
Listening to her husbands words Lily's worried expression over Tal's wound take a back seat to what she just heard him say: traitors. Clearly missing more of the story she has no clue as to who this Janiven is, why Tal is talking about being a traitor or not, who the others were at the meeting, but more importantly why is Tal mixed up in this? Half formed questions keep trying to make their way out but Tal just keeps rambling on as is his want when nervous.
Not able to get a word in to ask questions for clarification Lily is forced to wait and continue the job of bandaging Tal's arm. Just as she finishes Tal stands up and heads to the door opening it and inviting strangers in. As is the case when there is too much to digest at one time autopilot kicks in and lily found herself greeting the 3 people as they came in as well. It wasn't till the extremely tall man bowed and walked past her without a word that she recovered her wits. Looking at the women in particular she does not hide the fact that she is scrutinizing them closely. Excuse me for being blunt, but exactly who are you and what does this all have to do with my husband and therefor myself? It was suppose to be a business meeting last night and now I hear that you are all traitors or worse. This last part is clearly in response to Monday's inflection of words and the look on her face.
Sense motive on the three strangers Tal brought home
Trying to avoid as much conflict as possible Tal interjects quickly. Lily, just please listen to what they say and keep an open mind. After all is said and done I think that we can all come to terms about what happened last night and this morning. Once you have heard them out and we go to speak with Janiven you will come to realize, as I did, that their over all goals align themselves with our future wants as well. That did not come out right,Tal thinks to himself as he finishes. Hopefully Lily understands and they can get past this awkwardness and onto the real matter at hand, the involvement of Tal and possibly Lily in the movement.
Diplomacy check to make it sound as least dirty as possible to his wife about him being with the two women last night.
@GM: Do the branches of Hellknights share information about escapees?
I would say not. I like to think of it like the government agencies on TV shows - Never sharing information, always looking to take credit, stepping on each other's toes, etc.
Watching the sparks and daggers fly in Lily' words and glare Monday keeps her lips pursed and lets her eyes quickly dart back and forth between the couple like a happy cat whose attention has been entirely absorbed by a new toy. When the fireworks die down for a moment the spiritualist finally interjects, after running through her own thoughts. I'm carrying Tal's child. Your Husband wants us to have a threesome. Tal thought you might need help around the house, in all the wifely matters. "Yes, your hubbie speaks true on that part, we were invited to a meeting by Miss Janiven regarding the state of Westcrown before the Hellknights started barging on the door. Rather than deal with whatever spurious questions their torturers might have had in store for us we elected to run, very quickly, and hide until morning. So this morning we thought we'd return the favor and go interrupt one of their meetings."
Standing their with her hands clasped in front of her she rocks back and forth smiling until an errant though she almost forgot strikes her. "Oh! And the reason Tal's helping is because he wants to make Westcrown safer and happier so that you two can become a family."
Lily face relaxes slightly when Monday corroborates the story that Tal told her. Not that she doubted him or that she believed that Tal would lie to her but another voicing the same thing was reassuring in and of itself. Yet Lily was not ready to relax completely as Monday mentioned this morning. Pouncing while she had the opportunity to Lily looked first to Tal and then Monday as she asks concerned once again. What do you mean by return the favor and interrupt one of their meetings?
Standing their with her hands clasped in front of her she rocks back and forth smiling until an errant though she almost forgot strikes her. "Oh! And the reason Tal's helping is because he wants to make Westcrown safer and happier so that you two can become a family."
Waiting for an answer she is caught off guard by what Monday tells her next. Shooting Tal looks that a mix of love and embarrassment Lily doesn't know to be proud of her husband or tell him off for airing their personal lives to people. Instead it is a mix of both as she answers Monday even though Monday never asked a question I didn't now that Tal was so open about such matters to others. But thanks?!?
When Monday interjects on Tal's behalf and backs up his story and stays quite cordial about Tal gives her a nod and tries to give her a thumbs up when Lily is not looking.
stealth
Lily perception
Lily is too keen though and picks up on her nonverbal signal. Tal doesn't mind as this is going better than he anticipated. At least it was until Monday blurted out about Tal and Lily being a family. Trying to save face Tal starts rambling again and just makes things more complicated than they need to be. Well, now what I meant was that this place just isn't safe for anyone to have a family including us. Now if we could help out and make this place, Westcrown I mean, better then having a family would be more worthwhile. That's not to say that I don't want a family, I do want one eventually, but that is down the road and who knows what could happen and really this is just the beginning as the start of this group has had quite a rough start if you ask me. Its a wonder that we are this far with what has transpired and to look too far to the future just isn't wise at this point in time. We don't know how far this group will go and what the outcome will be. So really this talk of family and stuff is nonsense. No wait that didn't come out right. Its not nonsense but its nonsense to be talking about it right now.
Tal can face down a hellknight and taunt it, can talk tactics with the best of them, but remove that shield and he is a rambling mumbling idiot when flustered.
Thankfully for Tal Lily puts a finger over his lips. Your rambling dear. We will talk about that later but right now what concerns me is this morning. Turning to Monday as Tal is too tongue tied at the moment to talk straight, What exactly did happen this morning with, I am assuming, the hellknights. And is that why my husband is injured?
"Oh." Monday's expression changes as she's abruptly brought back into the conversation, becoming flat she states very matter-of-factly "One of the people that was supposed to come to the meeting was nabbed by the Hellknights and was on their way to the citadel when we jumped em and busted them out. Tal took on the commander and his lackey by his self to buy us time. Tal is, obviously, up and about, the commander, not so much."
Tuesday, to his credit, refrains from rolling his eyes at his sister's slight embellishment of the ambush.
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Raveen, having noticed the time, wrapped up his information gathering, and turned to the raven, which always managed to be within sight.
Witch-spirits or familiars always had an acute relationship with their masters...perhaps he may also provide me with some insight.
"I need your opinion on something," he said, turning at Rigo Scriba under one of his disguises, and visiting a talented (and willing to be discrete) street artist.
Raveen commissioned two posters (quality no less than DC20 Perform (Art) check: with 3d10 sp as a cost (as per Core).
silver pieces.
"CoT, and CoT: Children of Twilight, versus our apparent new enemy: the Council of Thieves," he commented in a whisper to Vasco once he rolled it up. "Word of us will spread quicker if we ride on another's coattails--would you not agree? We should not add too much information: It's intimidating."
And--
Inspiration.
The poster is of a beautiful middle-aged woman minding a child, and looking in pain. The child, however, is not in pain, but is holding a knife against the woman's back, hidden in shadow. The edge of the poster holding the knife also has silhouettes of several horned creatures in black fire, and the closest creature is a Shadowbeast.
Rolling up the two posters, he then leaves, and purchases two higher-than-average quality wines.
"Poor mother," he said, smiling at the poster. Mean people, aren't they? Like the Hellknights."
"Uh, it's great!" he said, avoiding any angry gaze from the street artist, before rolling up both posters and slipping them into his side pouch, patting it.
"Vasco, please go ahead and join with your master. I have something I must attend to. You were very helpful," he said, petting the raven.
Upon seeing the little raven off, he then headed to the edge of the city.
.
hours from ~4PM.
@GM: Do the branches of Hellknights share information about escapees?I would say not. I like to think of it like the government agencies on TV shows - Never sharing information, always looking to take credit, stepping on each other's toes, etc.
By the way, the irony of Raveen both living and commissioning anti-Thrune posters in Rigo Scriba (where the garrison of the Rackers is) is not lost on him--or perhaps on Vasco.
Vasco seems confused about the pieces of paper Raveen is having drawn. He tilts his head at the posters. If he could furrow his brow, that is probably what the raven would be doing.
"Vasco, please go ahead and join with your master. I have something I must attend to. You were very helpful," he said, petting the raven.
Vasco caws happily, and takes flight. It had been a long day, and he was hungry. He makes his way to the temple, roosting on the roof until someone opens the door so he can slink in.
sense motive
Lily looks quickly to Tal for confirmation as she finds this almost impossible to believe. But why would you do such a thing? Now for sure you are labeled as traitors and will be hunted down. Killing a hellknight of all things. Flopping down into the remaining chair Lily places her face in both hands. Talking more aloud to herself than anyone else in the room everyone can hear her. We will just have to sell everything and leave the city. My father won't be happy that we are leaving but I can tell him that Tal got a different job as a caraan guard or something along those lines. Its not as if we have such established jobs that we couldn't find something some other place. We would have to sell the house quickly and find a ship that is available for passengers. I could cook to help pay for the travel expenses. Where would we go though?
Standing up Lily starts to make a sweep of the room, It doesn't matter where as long as we get away. Just need to focus on packing up what we can take along and if we can sell those items that we can't. Turning to Monday and the rest with a sad but determined look on her face, I am sorry but I am giong to need you to leave as Tal and myself have a lot to do and a very short time to do it. I wish you the best and hopefully your group does some things to improve Westcrown.
Monday hmms and haws at Lily's suggestions in faux-politeness before pointedly interjecting, "We weren't idiots. We all wore masks. They quite literally didn't know what hit them."
Before lily can get too far along with her task at hand of emptying the house and preparing to move Tal grabs Lily's hand and draws her close to himself. Hon, wait a minute. There is no need for that. First the attack this morning happened to prevent our names from being given to the authorities. That is the only reason i went along with it: to protect the both of us. Second, i did not kill the hellknight but just knocked him out. Unfortunately i did kill his man with him but that was necessary to keep the rest of the group alive. Believe me i wish i could have avoided that, but it was either him or us. As for the rest, it is as Monday says, we never used names and kept our features hidden so they would not know us. As long as we keep our wits about us no one will be the wiser. We don't have to leave at all. We can stay and continue to live in Westcrown. What this group plans from here I don't know but i was hoping that you would at least listen to Janiven soon and judge for yourself if it is something we can be a part of. I say we as I will not do this any longer if you do not want me to.
After Tal has gotten Lily to stop for the time being Tal figured he might as well keep going with the surprises. Letting her sit down he goes to get her something to drink. Here, take a sip. It will help. The other reason I wanted Monday here was so that she could explain to you just how diverse of a group this seems to be. I don't understand 1/2 of it but I thought she should be the one to explain it directly to you.
Tal steps behind Lily and rest a hand on her shoulder for comfort and support. Go ahead Monday if you please, Tal says as he indicates Tuesday.
@Tal: Good job on RP'ing both Tal & Lily!
@Raveen: Most people are tight-lipped, they are just glad that some Hellknights 'got what was coming to them!' You do hear a rumor that they have increased patrols form Westcrown to Citadel Rivald, but they are keeping mum lest the embarrassment they suffered gets out. You overhear one Dottari saying that Shanwen was demoted. Concening the artist, you got an adequate one. His work will never be in the Lord-Mayor's house, but it won't be in a whore house either.
@Naberius: Tarvi sees the mage come in and she hopes for the opportunity to speak with him without Gorvio around. She left the jewelry store promptly with the very hope of speaking to the man. She was surprised when he gave the secret knock and was alone. She was going to ask him where the others are, but the man's haggard appearance and curt greeting said that he wanted to be left alone. He promptly went to where he had spent the previous night and was soon asleep. Tarvi sighed audibly and went back to her one and only magical tome. She had hoped that Naberius might have a book he could lend her or at least suggest a book she should study, but it looks like she will have to wait to get her answer.
@Raveen: When you arrive at the hideout, You see Tarvi, Janiven, Arael, Vitti and Morosimo and Mathalen. As you arrive, Vitti is regaling everyone with how he beat a Hellknight with his club, interrupting now and then to interject growls.
@Tal, Lily, Monday, Tuesday & Mera: I will continue to let you all RP the scene at Tal's out.
Narrowing his eyes at Tal as soon as the man indicates him he relents once Monday hives him a nonverbal go-ahead. His shoulders slumped he turns and promptly walks into, and then through, the wall. A faint shimmering silver sheen outline covers the wall where he entered, as well as his scarf pressed against the wall on the outline where it had been on his neck. After a moment it unceremoniously falls down to the floor.
Waiting for a bit Tuesday then reenters through the wall next to where he first entered, putting a hand over his beck to hide some of his body's damage as he does so. Fully material again he reaches down, quickly picking up and donning his scarf.
will save vs faint
Lily looks first to Tal then to Monday waiting for whatever turn of events was going to take place. She was sure not expecting the tall silent man to walk through the wall. It was all she could do to not faint at the sight. What in heaven or hell are you and how are you apart of all this. Oh my god this is not right not right at all. Somebody please explain this.
At Lily's quite expected reaction Tuesday begins furiously bowing apologetically.
Stepping up Monday takes Lily's hand before calmly and cheerfully speaking. "It's alright, Tuesday is a protective spirit here to keep me safe and company. Aside from him my abilities lie in protection and healing so I promise you, I will do everything I can to keep him alive and safe... that way you two can start a family." Her expression grows wistful as she releases the other woman's hand, unconsciously bringing her hand up to her side to feel the scars underneath her clothing.
Snapping back to the present she adopts her usual grin before adding "And if not I can always bring him back like I did Tuez! Then he can stay with you forever!"
Tal gives Monday a shocked look when she mentions bringing Tal back. Uh, thanks Monday, but the whole point is to avoid needing that type of service. I am not sure that offering such services is that consoling or helpful right now. Tal does try to smooth any ruffels he just cuased with MOnday by continuing on, From what I have seen of Tuesday he is exactly that Lily. He is a constant companion and shares a unique connection to Monday. Now you know as much as I truly know up to this point. Janiven would know more and I think she is expecting me and hopefully you to come visit later this evening. That way you can ask any questions you may have and we can proceed form there. Does that sound like a workable arrangement?
@Raveen: Most people are tight-lipped, they are just glad that some Hellknights 'got what was coming to them!' You do hear a rumor that they have increased patrols form Westcrown to Citadel Rivald, but they are keeping mum lest the embarrassment they suffered gets out. You overhear one Dottari saying that Shanwen was demoted. Concening the artist, you got an adequate one. His work will never be in the Lord-Mayor's house, but it won't be in a whore house either.
@Raveen: When you arrive at the hideout, You see Tarvi, Janiven, Arael, Vitti and Morosimo and Mathalen. As you arrive, Vitti is regaling everyone with how he beat a Hellknight with his club, interrupting now and then to interject growls.
In enters the Masked Conspirator, cloak, mask, posters, and wine.
"Good evening to you all," he said to the gathered folk, getting the pouch and wine on the dinner table. Bejeweled Tarvi and Mathalen the masked man's gaze lingers upon them for a second, before breaking, and turning to the table at large.
"Brethren, might I borrow these two for a spell? We must discuss something privately," he asked, motioning to Janiven and Arael.
"Excuse me, Vitti,"" he said, nodding to the green-haired man.
"First of all--are you well and healthy?" Cathas asked the priest once the door was locked, leaning on the priest's table. "It would be a lousy rescue if we didn't manage to get one thing right."
Topics Cathas wishes discussed w/Arael and Janiven (for self reference):
1: Is Arael well? (Check)
2: The Bastards of Erebus and how Arael ended up with Hellknights: 3: What is their relationship to one another.
4: The next mission.
5: Masked & Cloaked being our Modus Operati.
6: The Morale Stance: Posters and Propaganda. We need experienced underground leadership. Perhaps we can consider recruiting disgraced nobility.
6: The Financial Stance: The end of this month is a week away, and the tax caravan is probably laden with goods. Cathas wishes to strike it.
Mera had known that this conversation would likely not go easily. Had she been some common man's wife and he had returned with these stories, why, Tal would already be out on his ass. That is why she had already been rehearsing a way for her to swoop in and save the day.
.... and get something she had been scheming up in her mind.
Mera, silent until now, glides forward with the elegance and grace that accents her beauty and marks her as 'special'.
The man has a good heart, I should do what I can to assist to prevent him from surviving battle to only be executed by his wife. And while Monday has good intentions, this is clearly not the correct approach for this situation.
"Excuse me, do pardon my interruption."
She raises her hand with her dainty fingers pointed towards the ceiling. "I've kept my piece until now, but I would like to add something if I may."
After waiting for some type of confirmation she will continue. "First, I would like to thank you for having us out of the cold and into the warmth of your home this fine evening, it is much appreciated. My name is Mera Wist-Thrune," she adds a slight pause, " of house Wist-Thrune."
She bats her eyes a few times and smiles with an air of motherly nobility. "It appears you are concerned for your husband's well being and I can completely understand this. This man has a wonderful wife and a home to care for, what could be possibly be mixed up in?"
She arches her brows and adds a slight bit of concern to her voice. She places a calm hand on top of Lily's and reassures her again, "As you are aware this is a dangerous city, full of dark corners and shadowy movements and as such my father has been in search of someone to help protect me and guide my path. I have started down a path which requires the services of one who would protect me against those who would due me harm. It was during these moments that I have crossed paths with your husband."
She turns towards Tal and opens her hand in a sweeping gesture, "Today he thoroughly demonstrated his ability to protect me. Today I was attacked and had your husband not been there I would have surely met my end." .
"And so he has proved his worth saving my life. I was going to save the official announcement until later but it appears that now may be more appropriate."
Mera stands tall and erect and with as much authority and nobility as she can radiate she announces, "The house Wist-Thrune has officially entered into a binding contract with Tal Bernard Mainz for the protection of Mera Wist-Thrune for a term of six months. The contract shall begin this day and shall pay a monthly amount of fifty gold per month."
Mera extends her hand to shake with Tal. "The employer, house Wist-Thrune, also reserves the right to add an additional bonus of up to twenty-five gold for additional services rendered upon request."
She turns her back slightly so that Lily is now behind her and she winks with her left eye and smiles. "Congratulations."
In the heated exchange with MOnday and with her husband, combined with the shocking demonstartion by Tuesday, Lily had almost forgotten about the other woman Mera. It wasn't until she stood and commanded the attnetion of the room that Lily took full notice of her.
She raises her hand with her dainty fingers pointed towards the ceiling. "I've kept my piece until now, but I would like to add something if I may."
Lily nods her head politely at the refined and diplomatic woman indicating that she is willing to listen to what Mera is saying. As Mera talks Lily's eyes get a bit bigger in recognition of the Wist-Thrune name. Not sure of how this is going to change matters she bides her time and continues to listen.
As Mera continues on Lily's demeanor goes from worry to distrust to finally astonishment at the thought of Tal getting such a lucrative job. such is her astonishment that she completely misses Mera's veiled wink at Tal. Gathering herself and trying to sound composed her voice is think with emotion as she realizes what this income would do for her and Tal. It would be the start of affording some luxuries and preparing the way for any children to have a head start in life. I don't konw what to say other than thank you. I didn't know that Tal was so sought after as to have such a job. I knew he was good at his job but I never knew how good.
Throwing her arms around Tal she gives him a fierce hug and a passionate kiss as it seems the stress of the last while fades away. Braeking from the embrace she adjusts her apron to look more presentable even though her eyes a glistening. Sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen in public. I was just so overcome. I, ah, assume that the details are still to be arranged as to his hours but that is something we can adapt to.
Wiping her eyes with the apron she looks at Monday and Tuesday and back to Mera. Sorry if I missed something but I am curious though as to what this has to do with Monday and Tuesday being here. Is Monday a Wist-Thrune as well and looking for Tal's service? This has to be related to last night and this morning doesn't it?
At first ooing and clapping at Mera's performance and at Tal's job offer her attention soon falls back to Lily as she brings her back into the conversation. "As I said previously I am a healer, Tuez on the other hand makes for an excellent scout. Plus, I was told there would be a beautiful lady here waiting... I was not disappointed." As the last words leave her mouth she gives Lily a rather hungry look.
Fidgiting under the scrutiny from Monday, Lily tries to her best to remain cordial. Wh, why th, thaank you for the compliment. But what I meant was, would you be using my husband as well other than to have him as part of your group?
sense motive on Monday's look
Startled a bit as Mera gives her offer Tal nods quickly to carry on witht he pronouncement. He remembered that Mera did tell him that she had an offer for him that he could not refuse and this must have been what she was talking about. Hoping to stem any further discussion about terms and details at this point Tal answers Lily's question. All 3 of them are part of the group but I believe that Merais the only 1 hiring me for the time being. If I judege the situation correctly this offer solves 2 issues. The first of which is a reliable job and income should I join the group. I can not very well continue with my old job if I am called away to help them. Second by being her guard it gives a plausible excuse for us to be seen together on a regular basis. Otherwise why should we ever be seen together when we are in such different classes. Am I right Mera?
There are others in the group as well but as Monday mentions, they all have their areas of focus. What the next goal for the group is I don't know but if we go to see Janiven then we may find our answers then.
Looking out the window at the sun high in the sky Tal looks back to the gathering. Perhaps we could have a bite to eat before we head out?
"Yes... something to eat would be quite nice now." Monday adds without taking her eyes off of Lily.