"I did promise Nicea a drink." Zara says simply.
'And as she things we are all super dull, maybe I can show her we aren't.'
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Nicea peers around gloomily as she wanders around the room, picking up her weapons. "Where do these stairs go, do you think? Maybe this area is safe enough to barricade at the glassworks and put a few guards in, huh? We really need to get to that goblin tribe, or go to that silly hunt. We also should ask that Tsuto a few questions, don't you think?"
Damieka nudges Zara and chuckles, "I see." She says and winks at the other woman for the help then goes back to checking over Davben's chest as if she is still looking for something to heal but then she sighs and looks about while Silva speaks then Zara and Nicea. She nods agreeably, "I think we did really well with all of this too. A drink would be nice after we get out of here but I agree with Nicea. This Tsuto needs to be questioned as well. Maybe he can be questioned in the morning before the hunt and at least one of us work on mister money bags to direct where we go then get rid of him while we check out the goblin tribes."
The ranger helps Davben with his shirt to cut down on any pain, "Maybe we should get you more spiritual healing on those broken bones. We don't want it to inhibit your abilities any ... uhm ... in case anything else comes up tonight." She blushes but tries to hide it with her hair by looking down and letting it frame her face as she glances up at him.
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Davben shakes his head at Damieka when she apologizes for not being able to heal him "Do not worry Damieka, healing isn't my specialty either." He smiles towards Zara "Just patch me up a bit if you don't want to waste your magic."
He winces a bit as the cleric helps him put his shoulder back into proper alignment. "I'll get healing at the temple once we get back, I should be able to keep from straining it until then." He looks somewhat confusedly towards Zara when she giggles like a school girl and looks towards him, wondering what the heck she's plotting.
His eye catches the pool where Erylium birthed the sinspawn and a thought crosses his mind "This pool... when the evil creature put her blood in it, it made a sinspawn. What would happen if a good creature does?" He looks curiously at Zara almost as if he expected her to try it.
At the mention of getting a drink with Nicea he nods a bit looking towards the tall warrior "That would be good, last time you went to bed early and missed out on the drinks." He smiles towards the ranger as she talks of anything else coming up "No need to fret, I'll be perfectly fine by the time we get back to the inn."
"We can go back to the temple, see if the Father can heal Davben. I still have some coin left." Zara points out rather than using the precious wand.
With some enthusiasm to Nicea's idea; "Yeah, well they have guards in place. But maybe wait until morning before talking to Tsuto? I'll check on the jail, make sure he hasn't done anything silly."
Dusting off her bloody thigh she adds; "I'll talk to Foxglove about cancelling the hunt, it might come best from me?"
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"I'm certain you can come up with a way to console him," Nicea says dryly, "Or perhaps he will postpone it. As we discussed before, it's not a good idea for a foppish noble to go blundering through the woods without escort, not while the goblins are rising. If he won't postpone it... well, he's a fool. We need to go to Thistletop."
As the party begins the trudge back to the glassworks, she shakes her head. "I'm as much for a good party as the next person, but when you're injured and looking at pitched battle the next day, drinking and carousing isn't the best idea. We'll need to be sharp against those Thistletops. Those things are small but damned mean."
"Whatever you say, Captain," Silva says, grinning and rubbing his chin, "We can save the drinking for after Thistletop. Though just a little bit before then probably wouldn't hurt."
Damieka grins then ducks her head as she wanders too close to a low beam and continues on walking while the others talk. Except Samara. Their second in command was always so quiet that even the ranger sometimes wasn't sure of where she was. She would have to work harder at keeping track of Samara as it would be a good test and training to do so. Yet, she did not think it would be a good idea to tell the nimble woman that she was using her to test herself. Maybe they could some day work together to train their skills more but for now she would do it privately in her own head.
"I have some money too." Damieka says, "So to the temple it is then back to the inn. A drink or two but not too much as none of us wish to be ill for hunting. Tomorrow morning Zara will talk with our foppish noble. Uhm. Foxglove. Who should speak with Tsuto? I'm not sure if it should be Silva but on the other hand it could help, unless you kill him of course then it would not be fun. Either way," She breathes in the evening air as they come out of the glassworks, "We will be off to Thistletop as soon as we can tomorrow."
The ranger thinks about it and hopes the others decide to go do the talking and leave her and Davben to sleep in a touch longer than everyone else but with her luck Nicea would want them up and about early. Or maybe not. She was so unpredictable and that's what made her fun.
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Samara listens to the others speaking silently, taking an accounting of all of the treasures they've collected since coming through the halls as per Nicea's orders, considering their values in her head.
She blinks slowly at all of this speech between her companions and comments, "I will wait to drink. Who is good at talking? That is not a thing I am good at... They should talk to Tsuto."
Zara is quiet but buoyant as they return through the tunnels, Damieka's words ring true and the dancer nods. Whereas Nicea's dry wit slightly confuses the her; 'Console him, how?'
"Go to Thistletop? That sounds quite hazardous, could we talk to the other goblin tribes... maybe break Nualia's hold over them?" she asks either out of fear or compassion.
"As for Tsuto, we have to see justice done... not let him face the rough music of Sandpoint for his crimes." Her voice is soft; "His intentions may be ill, but redemption may be available to us all. And his circumstances of birth and subsequent treatment not his fault, even though his actions are." the Cleric is ambivalent about the fellow, knowing he was responsible for many deaths - however feeling sympathy for how others have treat him.
"Er, well I'm kind of a people person... more or less," Silva claims, scratching his chin, "I dunno about talking to Tsuto, though. I can't promise that I wouldn't light his head on fire. Do you guys think he would talk if we tell him about how much we've screwed over his girlfriend's plan already?"
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Davben favours his side as they move back through the tunnels he's a bit disappointed that noone's going to test what happens if a good person bleeds in the pool. "I still have money, and, not needing weapons or armour, I'm not very likely to spend it on anything else. I don't think it is necessary for everyone to come to the temple, unless others need healing as well"
The injured monk considers Samara's question on who should talk with Tsuto "Silva seems to be able to talk his way into things. However it sounds as if Zara may have some fondness for Tsuto, he may be more willing to open up to her... especially if she goes dressed in her scarves." He takes in a breath ending in a wince of pain "I would volunteer, but most people do not understand my path of balance, and often don't take to me very well. I could come along to ascertain he tells truth if it's helpful."
At Silva's question Davben shakes his head "I do not think it is necessary to explain to him how we have ruin their plans, perhaps an approach more along the lines that we are trying to save Nualia and stop her transformation would be more effective." Going in to brag about how the party has stomped all over their plans, is probably not the best idea.
"I only have 1 scarf, I don't think it'd be right to question Tsuto wearing just that." Zara blushes; "Which reminds me I need to go to Vintner's place for some more scarves and a healing kit."
But she nods in agreement with what Davben's out-lined approach.
"He seemed awfully excited by the prospect of being a succubus' boy toy. This Nualia chick has him wrapped around her finger. What if he doesn't listen to reason?" Silva shakes his head. "The only way he'll think she needs saving is if he thinks her plans have a chance of failing. That we might take her down."
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Considering for a few moments, Samara remarks, "I agree with Zara. There is no need to be too harsh on criminals." She certainly always hopes for slaps on the wrist herself. "He helped create a threat to the town, though. That is a thing that he did. His treatment should be fair for his crime."
In reality, Samara wouldn't much care what they did to Tsuto, she just wants to make sure that if she were ever discovered committing some petty crime or another that her companions wouldn't rip her face off. She has a reputation in the town as a bit of a shady character.
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At Silva's comments Davben looks towards the man "You assume much my friend. If Tsuto does not listen to reason we've lost nothing but the trip to talk to him, but if he does we could gain valuable information. As I recall from his journal he did not seem excited about Nualia's transformation and in fact tried desperately to convince her not to go through with it."
The monk shakes his head "I understand due to your relationship with the man, and his sister you may not want to speak with him. If you prefer you needn't come, but I do not think we should dismiss the idea."
With a look to Samara he shrugs his good shoulder. "A threat to the town is of little consequence" at least to Davben it is "Despite his reasoning, Tsuto knowingly set about to disrupt the balance of the region, and perhaps the world itself. Honestly to fit his crime he should probably be destroyed, but restoring the balance takes presidence."
"People can be rehabilitated. Not that Tsuto is ready, he needs to be punished. But the town is important, it's a haven for people. A place where the balance could thrive." Zara says softly, concerned about the future.
Damieka listens and then takes a deep breath, "I was thinking and maybe I should speak with Tsuto. We are both half-elves and I know what kind of nastiness does happen to our kind of people. That may help to bring out some information. If someone could come with me to make sure I have backup then it would be a good idea. I can also make comments which would bring him to thinking that talking to me would be helpful."
She looks at the others, "It is not too late out so maybe we can get this done with Tsuto and Fox-whatever-his-name-is. Great. I forgot his name again. It is probably because he is so ... nevermind. What do you all think?"
Patting the ladies shoulder softly, "I'll go with you if you wish?"
"And it's Aldern Foxglove." she adds still quite unsure about her feelings for the foppish but doting potential-patron.
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"As Nicea indicated the fewer people present will probably make Tsuto more comfortable, however it also makes may make it easier for him to deceive us. I think two should go." He smiles towards the warrior "And Nicea dear, if you 'persuade' him with your hammer he'll most certainly be dead, and unable to answer questions. It seems Zara is rather eager to go."
Davben turns to look towards Zara and Damieka, if he were a jealous man he might suspect Zara of trying to weasel in on his girl, which might actually be pretty accurate, but he's not "It seems you're quite eager to go Zara, as one trained in detecting deception I was going to offer my expertise, but you go if you think it would be better."
In response to Samara telling the monk she's impassive to his balance he simply nods "Yes, I do not expect you to understand the significance of balance." This sounds vaguely like 'If you could understand you'd see how insignificant your town is in comparison.'
Putting her fingertip in her mouth and coyly looking to the floor she answers; "Some people have caused my naive, I'm afraid he might get past my better judgement." It costs her something to admit this to these people she obviously respects.
"So, if you want to accompany our Leader?" she looks away, before drawing in all her courage. "Nicea, can you promise me you won't torture him. It's not just because of him... but it's not good for you."
Still with her other hand upon Damieka's shoulder; "Damieka could sympathise with Tsuto, draw him into her confidence."
Damieka rubs her forehead and sighs at the three for the way they were trying to decide whom should go with her. She looks to the sky for a moment and wonders what to do when she sees a couple of kids playing with dice.
"May I borrow one of those?" She asks a child kindly and the boy glances at her then nods while handing her the die, "1 to 2 is Davben, 3 to 4 is Zara and 5 to 6 is Nicea." She says then tosses the die beside the boy.
Once the die has rolled she nods to the boy, "Thanks." She starts walking again, "So we will go see Tsuto after you get fixed up, Dav."
Damieka notices Nicea back at the glassworks and walks back, "Sorry I got carried away with walking."
"Ugh, whatever. Do as you will," Silva says with a roll of his eyes, irked by the pointless debating. At least they had more or less agreed on a plan. "I'm going back to the Rusty Dragon. For all we know Ameiko was asleep the whole time."
"That's a good idea, Silva. Make sure she has no rodent infestations and we'll be back later." Damieka smirks at the handsome man then winks to make sure he knows that she is joking around with him.
"Is there anything else for us to do here, Nicea? I'd like to get Dav healed up as quick as possible. Maybe we can do a full clean out of this place and deal with any loose ends once the goblins are dealt with." She touches Davben's hand being careful not to jar him any.
'Where to go? I don't want to stop Silva's rat catching with Amieko, or Davben & Damieka's 'healing' at the Temple. Nicea, probably finds me deathly dull and Samara... well she's so shy and pretty.' Zara looks around the group, as they start to split up and head there own direction.
"Well see you all in a bit, then." she looks to Samara and the private elf. "Do you want to walk with me? I was just going to have a walk around the town. A patrol - one might say, to reassure the people that all is well."
Holding the tall pole-arm, with her dark armour Zara does have a slightly officious prescense to her. As she decides to spend some time walking around the docks and ensuring that all is well.
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"I'd best be off to the temple lest I aggravate an injury." Looking to Zara and her bleeding leg as she talks of walking a patrol he offers "How is your leg Zara? You're welcome to come along if you need healing as well?"
Davben looks to Damieka as he starts off towards the temple "Are we going straight to Tsuto for questions after I visit the temple?" Assuming she is coming with him Davben will wait if she needs to talk to the others before proceeding to the temple with her.
Upon arriving the monk greets Father Zantus "Good day Father, I seem to have run into some trouble. Would you be able to tend to these wounds?"
Once Davben mentions Zara, Damieka looks to the other woman and gasps, "Zara. You should come with us to the priest and then go on your way to do your walk-a-bout. Save your energy for walking." She looks back to Davben and shrugs, "It may be best to go straight to Tsuto unless there is somewhere else we wish to go to first. I cannot think of anywhere at the moment. Can you?"
As they get to the temple the ranger keeps quiet as Davben gets his wounds tended to. She keeps her head bowed out of respect with her hands behind her back, behind her packs reverently.
Zara is gratified by the pairs concern; "I'll be fine it's only a smidgen of pain. By the morning I'll be fine and gold is too precious to waste on making sure I feel better."
Placing a hand on their shoulders, the dancer sees them on their way.
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Samara nods a couple of times towards Zara. "Patrols. Okay. That is a thing that I can do..." Given that she has had a few incidents with the authorities in the town, she cannot help but think how terribly ironic her doing patrols is, as well as how little comfort it may bring the people in the town.
I doubt that being a 'Goblin Slayer of Sandpoint' overrules my years of accumulated reputation, but it is time to make . She nods once more towards Zara.
The pair walk through the small town, their pace almost a meander. Zara nods to the people as they pass, even going as far as the occasional greeting followed by an enquiry to the towns-folks health and opinions on the weather. She wishes to try and make friends with them, primarily to ensure that the people are fine and secondary objective is that there won't be a repeat of what happened in the last village Zara was in.
To the few shops that are still open, the Varisian dancer sticks her head in and just wishes the proprietor & patrons a 'Good-day'.
As the continue down towards the harbour, she asks her companion. "Do you find being lieutenant demanding?" her voice is inquisitive but holds just a touch of envy.
"It sounds like you've had some adventures in town?" Zara asks carefully.
Silva takes the long way back to the Rusty Dragon, not daring to walk past Ven Vinder's shop. He only had one more spell for the day, and he was more than certain that it would not save his life if Ven laid eyes on him. Only then does it occur to him that he forgot to tell the others that they had been collectively banned from the general store. Oh well, it's like my dad always said: 'Never be a generalist.' There's plenty specialized stores around here!
Making it to the inn, the sorcerer stretches his arms out before walking in. Hm. Maybe I should just ask Ameiko to sell the stuff for us. I wonder if she's awake...
"How could that be? Your so nice, reserved and with a sharp wit and insight." Zara comments kindly, before realising how silly she sounds.
She pauses with a soft smile; "In fact your very presence is calming to me." 'Especially compared to the craziness of the rest of us.'
"I cannot imagine living in one area my entire life." whilst she walks down the street she imagines being able to make and keep friends.
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"I have travelled, but mostly stayed here, it's my home, I have a friend here." The use of a singular there might be noteworthy. "I have had trouble with the law sometimes. I am a trap maker by trade, because treasure hunting along is not a thing that pays my expenses. I am looked upon with suspicion." She pauses a moment in thought and says, "I am glad that you find me calming. I do not like social conflict. It is not a thing that I can deal with."
"That must be nice, to have a friend." she says softly.
As they plod down the cobbled streets; "Treasure hunting sounds demanding..." she pauses her voice being more hopeful; "But we got a good haul this time; you instincts are great."
"As a priest we can often be called to mediate social disputes, they are always tricky." she worries, remembering trying to calm harridans screaming at their wayward spouses.
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"I suppose. He is a strange man," says Samara in response to Zara's comment, "He runs the apothecary. I have spoken to Sheriff Hemlock many times too... um, but I do not think he is fond of me. I understand that he is doing his job... Treasure hunting is an enjoyable thing to me. I do not think that it is a thing that is demanding."
"Well eccentric's seem to have a good heart, at least in my experience. He makes unguents, perfumes and potions..." she says warmly. "We should visit him at some point, when we have some coin too."
Carefully pondering her words, like it seems that Samara does, Zara adds. "Sheriff Hemlock seems like a good man, a trifle stern though. I'm sure it's a misunderstanding and now that we're heroes..."
Nearly bursting out laughing; "We're , who would have thought it." she looks around as an old lady in a shawl looks sternly at her out burst. "Who'd have believed it?" she adds conspiratorially with Samara.
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"Ah. Yes. He does make those things, that is what he makes," says Samara, nodding slowly as Zara describes what the apothecary makes. He also deals in illegal poisons, which Samara uses in trap construction or just poisoning weapons.
She glances towards Zara and says, "I don't think anyone would believe it of me." She raises her hand awkwardly towards the old lady who looks even more stern at the sight of the elf.
"That's not true. I'm sure if they got to know you better, then they'd find you as charming as I do." she says kindly. "And I can tell, that's a nice scent you are wearing. So what's your friends name?"
Oh s#!%.
Silva could not claim to be the most moral man in the world, and now of all times, he most certainly could not claim to be the luckiest. It occurred to him that perhaps his lack of a butterfly tattoo was not such a good thing after all.
Desna, if you get me out of this in one piece, then I swear to you that I will stop procrastinating on adorning my body with your mark.
With all of the swag he could muster, Silva smiles and waves at Shayliss, moving to seat himself at the bar. As far from the young woman as possible. He was no longer certain that it was Ven Vinder he had to fear...
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In an exercise of all the willpower in his possession, Silva averts his gaze from Shayliss and orders his drink. The long seconds drag by as he waits for his beverage to be served, and in time, the resolve the sorcerer had conjured slips into nothingness. Oh man, this is bad. The sight of her nibbling on the cheese was strangely provocative, but it was her eyes that made him draw breath. He had merely the briefest glimpse, but that was all it took. Tearing his gaze away from her, Silva picks up the glass before him and drains it, not even entirely sure whether it is his.
When an even more familiar face suddenly comes into view, Silva very nearly spits the beverage out. Definitely worse than that time on the caravan... Silva decides, coughing and sputtering as he forces the drink down.
"Hey Ameiko, you doing alright?" he manages, his eyes now avoiding Shayliss like the plague.