Rannveig stops dead just before arriving at the table. Her gaze flicks back toward the door, to Ylva sitting patiently outside. After a moment, her golden eyes find their way back to the table, where Esme has joined the rest. The tall woman's awkwardness fled as her wariness rose.
Moving purposefully and smoothly, as one aiming not to arouse a sleeping snake, Rannveig takes her seat. She watches the whole room as best she can, seeming not to notice the conversation going on. In particular, the witch has her attention, watching Esme like she would a hungry bear that hadn't yet decided if she was food or not.
"And this is my lovely daughter Olivia, who apparently doesn't have long to spend with us, my friends." Azura's eyes again take on a mischievous glint as blows a few smoke rings. "Of course, the dance isn't for an hour yet at least. Our guests have offered to tell us of their adventures. Maybe you'll reward them with a song when they are finished?" she winks and smiles at Olivia and is rewarded with smoldering look which turns Azura's smile into a chuckle.
A low 'wolf' whistle issued forth from the rogue's mouth as the halfling girl descended the stairs. Dimitrio nodded his head in appreciation and addressed Azura loud enough for the girl to hear, "One girl more beautiful than the next. It must be something in the water here in this town, yes?"
He then stepped outside of the table and bowed to the young halfling, "My lady, you are the prettiest girl I've seen in town. I'm sure your dance card will be very busy tonight but please save a dance for Dimitrio, yes?"
Esme looks relieved when Rannveig enters but mistakes the girl's anxiety to be about the men at the table. She also notices the interplay between the halflings and lifts one arched brow.
“It is both an honor, and a joy, to meet you both, Gregorio, and, Olivia,” Nathaniel says as he stands from his seat. “Please, allow me to introduce myself and my, my, friends. They are,” He points to each of the others in turn and he says their names, “Miss Esmerelda Proust, Sir Nicu Constine, Sir Donavan Ravencourt, Master Luc Rockburn, Lady Rannvieg Pack-Bound, and Dimitrio Carini. I am Nathaniel Artegal Boote, but please, I prefer to be called Artegal.”
Nathaniel tries to stand casually, but finds himself straightening into a posture of attention at every moment. Even though he is pointing to his traveling companions, his eyes never look away from the Halfling girl. He makes eye contact with her at any time she turns her eyes toward him.
When he finishes the introductions, and after hearing Dimitrio’s comments, he smiles, and then is about to say something to the man, but then thinks better of it, and moves to stand next to Azura. He offers her his hand, and says, “Thank you for this hospitality. A song would be excellent, kind, but if it is not too much trouble, and as I have no desire to keep your children from the things they are looking forward to, could you please tell us a little more about this festival. I am curious as to how something of this kind came to be. I think it was said earlier that the village once had more orphans than it does now, and this intrigued me. Forgive me for being blunt, but what did your village suffer that would cause there to be so many orphans in the first place?”
Nicu sits back silently as Artegal leads. The smallest among us, yet the largest of character, that lady's tomb will be well guarded one day. The obviousness of the question made it difficult to ask, yet it flows naturally from the Paladin and with focused attention Nicu awaits the answer, a strange dichotomy of emotions swirling through him as he's both fearful and eager to hear the tale of the orphans.
Ninefingers remains quiet as the family members are introduced. He smokes his cigar listening to all the polite conversations.
Donovan tips his hat as he's introduced, keeping quiet. Boote was a hard act to follow.
A low 'wolf' whistle issued forth from the rogue's mouth as the halfling girl descended the stairs. Dimitrio nodded his head in appreciation and addressed Azura loud enough for the girl to hear, "One girl more beautiful than the next. It must be something in the water here in this town, yes?"
He then stepped outside of the table and bowed to the young halfling, "My lady, you are the prettiest girl I've seen in town. I'm sure your dance card will be very busy tonight but please save a dance for Dimitrio, yes?"
Olivia's eyes widen again and she takes a step back at the man's advance. Her eyes narrow briefly and she cocks her head a moment as she gazes at him. You get the distinct impression that she is sizing him up.
"Yes... something in the water. I believe you must mean what my mother calls "the kick". Drink enough of that and all the girls will be more beautiful than the next. Better yet, buy a drink for one and you can both be beautiful." she winks and flashes an impish grin as Azura again voices her merry laugh. "But if you dance the Paniere with us, you'll get to dance with all the girls, at least twice! It's a group dance, and possibly the only way I'm going to get Gregorio to dance with Alexandria tonight. She shoots the young man another long-suffering glance, but he is safely behind the bar and busy with other patrons.
When he finishes the introductions, and after hearing Dimitrio’s comments, he smiles, and then is about to say something to the man, but then thinks better of it, and moves to stand next to Azura. He offers her his hand, and says, “Thank you for this hospitality. A song would be excellent, kind, but if it is not too much trouble, and as I have no desire to keep your children from the things they are looking forward to, could you please tell us a little more about this festival. I am curious as to how something of this kind came to be. I think it was said earlier that the village once had more orphans than it does now, and this intrigued me. Forgive me for being blunt, but what did your village suffer that would cause there to be so many orphans in the first place?”
Azura’s bright blue eyes seem to dim and her gaze falls to the table. Olivia’s eyes turn immediately to seek out her mother and she is suddenly close to her side, her small hand stroking Azura’s ample shoulder.
“That, Sir Artegal, is most certainly a tale of woe. But of course, it would be.” she raises her eyes from the table and kisses Olivia’s hand, offering her a weak smile. But when she grasps Artegal’s proffered hand it is with surprising strength. ”But it is a tale worth hearing, so I will tell you. The town of Piazza was founded by several merchant families that banded together to put down roots. We came to make a safe place, but things kept going wrong. Sickness took many that first winter and since, but there have also been strange accidents and disappearances. There are some that think this land is cursed. I wish I could say I don’t believe in such things, I did say so once. All I know for certain is that death takes more than his fair share in these lands. I am too young to have survived my husband, a daughter and a niece, but here I sit.” She lifts her tankard as if toasting with an unseen party and then downs its contents in one gulp.“In the village where I was raised, we always said the laughter of children was the bane of evil spirits. So we began the Children’s Day festival, for many reasons really. To celebrate that winter and her icy scythe have left us, to rejoice in the loved ones we still have, to comfort each other for our losses and most importantly to heal and open our hearts to be family for each other. I don’t know if the children’s laughter can keep evil spirits away, but things have been improving ever since.”
Almost as if by cue a temple bell begins to peal and brings Azura to her feet. "Oh! The last orphan has been adopted. If you folk have any shopping to do you’d best be about it soon. The shops will close down just before the street dance begins at sundown. Sophia and I share a kitchen, and she made a magnificent lamb stew today. I can fetch your supper and give directions if you need them." Azura busies herself gathering empty dishes and then hurries off into the kitchen. Olivia watches her with a concerned look on her face until she is out of the room and then darts over to the bar where she speaks to her brother in a low and urgent manner. They both duck down under the bar and you hear the sounds of rummaging through bottles.
You are only able to make out some of what they are whispering to each other.
O: Quick, where’s …..?
G: ……., like always. Why?
O: ……… the town, the deaths. ………., I know it.
G: Damn! …… stay and watch ...
O: Oh no! You’re ………….. where is it? Ah! Ok, here, …….
G: …., where’s ….. stuff?
O: …. back now, no same …….
G: …… hurry, go!
O: Quick, where’s the rum?
G: Under the bar, like always. Why?
O: They asked about the town, the deaths. She’s back there crying now, I know it.
G: Damn! I could stay and watch her.
O: Oh no! You’re going to that dance if I have to drag you there, now where is it? Ah! Ok, here, pour it in here.
G: There, where’s the vanilla stuff?
O: Put it back now, no same place it was.
G: Fine, there, now hurry, go!
Ninefingers listens intently picking up bits and pieces of the conversation. He kicks Nicu under the table with nudge to indicate to pay attention.
Almost as if by cue a temple bell begins to peal and brings Azura to her feet. "Oh! The last orphan has been adopted. If you folk have any shopping to do you’d best be about it soon. The shops will close down just before the street dance begins at sundown. Sophia and I share a kitchen, and she made a magnificent lamb stew today. I can fetch your supper and give directions if you need them." Azura busies herself gathering empty dishes and then hurries off into the kitchen.
Not knowing much about his parents, Dimitrio had been adopted by his Varisian family, the rogue sympathized with the children's tale.
He tried to break the somber mood, "Well it sounds to Dimitrio that you all found a way to make the best of things. And lamb stew sounds delicious. Dimitrio will have some stew before going out dancing. A man must have his strength for such long celebrations."
He waved to Olivia, "Young lady, I will be looking for you later tonight so you can show Dimitrio some local dance moves, eh?"
"Aye, do need t'do some shoppin' would you fine folks know where I can find the weaponsmith and which Gods da'ya'll pray to? Could use t'find a fella member th'cloth." He smiles, "Plenty of time t'tell 'bout me adventures later." He sets down four gold coins.
Donovan's eyes widened at the amount of coin Luc left on the table. I thought Dwarves has a reputation for miserliness...
Catching bits of of the whispered conversation, Donovan's brows furrowed in concern. It sounded like they'd unexpectedly uncovered a tragedy. At least that's what he hoped. Sad that tragedy is the preferred option in situations like this..
All his training told him to pay attention, to look out for clues that hinted toward anything more sinister. In Ustelav, tragedies were rarely random.
Luc nudges Nicu just in time, the half elf catches every word of the conversation. "Strange, wasn't that, for her own good do you think?" Nicu looks to Luc and his other companions to see if anyone else heard the same conversation.
"Aye. Definitely sounded worrisome."
Luc makes eye contact with Nicu that would suggest that he heard everyword. Something to discuss in private. Luc will make hunch check to get a sense that something is wrong with this situation.
He is not sure what to make of the situation.
I elect to not make a perception check
"Some things, said in private, are meant to remain private. I hope I have not created a problem for anyone, but particularly our gracious host or her family. Maybe I can show that I am appreciative of their hospitality, later, and make better anything that was made ill. Thank you for the drinks, “ Nathaniel says before excusing himself to go.
I won’t leave immediately, waiting to be sure no one has a question or comment for me, but it is obvious to everyone that I am disturbed by what I take as a misstep on my part, and regret that I have possibly upset our host. When I leave I will try to find where the celebration is going on, keep to myself, be polite to strangers, observe all that I can, and think about how I can try harder to not be rude in the future.
Olivia follows after her mother when she raises up from behind the bar, the fluttering hem of her yellow dress seeming to twitch anxiously. Gregorio looks thoughtful, but he addresses your questions amiably. He seems to have his mother’s friendly and open nature.
He chuckles at Rockborn’s mention of a weaponsmith, "Do you not have enough yet, sir? Each of you look to have more arms than we have in my whole family! But there is the Outfitters, they have quite a few weapons and armor. The Silversmith deals in some weapons, and of course Sertino’s Knives and the Boyer. Olivia and I can guide you once my mother returns to take the bar. You’ll have to forgive her. It’s only been about a year and a half since my Papa disappeared. We still don’t know what happened, but my mother is certain he must be dead. It is still very hard for her… for us all, I guess. Please don’t dwell on it though, you could not have known." He takes three of the gold pieces and tries to give one of them back. "This will cover the mead and the tobacco, the food is part of your boarding at the Inn. My uncle Jovanni and Aunt Sophia own the Inn."
The a low guttural rumble that vaguely resembles a belly laugh, "Always room for another weapon." He flexes his fingers then pops a fresh cigar in his mouth.
"So, where'd your pa go missin' at?" his interest is obviously piqued. he continues, "This town has had it's fair share of bad luck....death, orphans, and missin' people." He frowns.
Actually, my words are meant for my travelling companions, and not for Olivia.
Actually, my words are meant for my travelling companions, and not for Olivia.
Gregorio nods, his mouth turned down with grim expression. He comes closer to speak only to the dwarf and his near companions. ”He was helping with the construction of the Secolo Theatre the night he never came home. Papa was a skilled carpenter… he helped build many of the structures here, the Inn and the Tavern are almost completely his work. A lot of the women in town say he must have run away with one of the merchant caravans. But my father was devoted to us; he would never have done so. He was helping with the theatre to give us a proper place to perform. Have you ever heard of ‘The Blue Star of Varisia’? My Mama was once a part of a travelling company of performing minstrels and that was her stage name. Papa had the envy of many when he caught her eye and won her heart, he used to say."
"Olivia was the child of Mama’s friend and performing partner Sasha Suncatcher. Sasha was killed by brigands on the road and my Mama barely escaped with her life. Mama and Papa adopted Olivia and settled down to raise her and it wasn’t long after that I was born. We came here to help Jovanni and Sophia set up the Inn. We love the people here, but sometimes I wish we had never come to Piazza... I’m certain my Papa was murdered, though I can’t begin to guess why. But that simpleton of a Constable never found a thing..." he shakes his head sadly.
Olivia returns holding a tray over her head, her face set in hard lines. She sets it down a bit abruptly and turns that smoldering glare on Artegal and says pointedly “Here, I thought these would serve better since you need to be on your way soon. You’ll have to forgive my mother, she is likely to be delayed.” she is stiffly polite and clearly upset. On the tray are several types of roasted meats and vegetables on wooden skewers. Lamb, carrots and potatoes on one type, sausage, and rolls on another, and a third type of grilled winter vegetables such as squash, small onions, and some unidentifiable root vegetables. She does have a few bowls of the lamb stew as well that appears to be served in a crusty round of sourdough bread that has been hollowed out like a bowl. The chunk of removed bread sits on top like a jaunty cap.
Gregorio speaks softly but there is a light tone of reproach, “Livi, be fair. How could they have known?" She swings that glare up at him so swiftly that her curls and twitch and swing back and forth with the momentum. She opens her mouth as if to say something, but as she takes in the expression on his face, the hard lines of her face soften and her expression shifts from anger to worried concern and she merely says ”You’re right. I’m sorry, I shouldn't speak to customers so.” she casts her gaze down to her belt where she fiddles with a small whip coiled at her side.
Nicu blanches at the shiny luster of gold. "Gods, Luc, that's worse than the emblem on your armor! I've said it hundred times and I'll say it again, the glimmer of gold proceeds tragedy. Yes, superstitious, I know, but I'm telling you, evil lurks in that particular shade of yellow." Nicu makes a sign warding against evil and pulls a long draught from his mug while scraping his chair away from the gold coins.
"I'm certain my Papa was murdered..."
Nicu turns a short, meaningful glance at Artegal as Gregorio voices his concern. Yes, my friend, I'm with you on this one, something here calls for justice. "Please, tell us, Gregorio, what makes you so certain your father was murdered, and my apology if it stirs deep emotions, we just want to help. Was there something about the 'event' that made you suspicious? Had anyone threatened him prior to his passing?"
Nicu turns a short, meaningful glance at Artegal as Gregorio voices his concern. Yes, my friend, I'm with you on this one, something here calls for justice. "Please, tell us, Gregorio, what makes you so certain your father was murdered, and my apology if it stirs deep emotions, we just want to help. Was there something about the 'event' that made you suspicious? Had anyone threatened him prior to his passing?"
Olivia bristles as Nicu mentions murder, "Greg, what have you been telling these people!" but this time he rounds on her with a fierce intensity that appears to shock her as well as nearby patrons who can't make out the words, but notice the tense postures right away. "Don't hand me that! You know you think so too! What if they can do something, Livi?"
Olivia raises her hands in a placating gesture with a stunned look on her face and tells him, "Fine! Easy little brother, but don't let's talk about this here. Let me tell mother we're leaving and let's be on our way." she turns and trots into the back and returns shortly.
Azura comes behind her, her face looking freshly scrubbed and pink. She is much subdued and smiles and waves to your table as she resumes her place behind the bar. She pulls a flask from another vest pocket and ducks down under the bar and retrieves a large bottle of rum from which she begins pouring the contents of into the flask, splashing some out onto her hand and the bar. She appears to have imbibed quite a bit more alcohol in the short time she has been away. Olivia's worried look has returned and her manner is brisk as she strides toward the table and bids you all to gather your things and grab some food to go "Come, there is little time to shop before the dance begins. Let's go." she pulls her brother by the hand and leads you out the door to the tavern.
Dimitrio smiled at the young halfling, "Why in such hurry Olivia? I'm sure the boys will be there waiting for you; Dimitrio would."
The rogue swallowed some stew down and put a piece of lamb between two breads. "OK I'm ready but please tell me about your performing family. I also used to be part of a dancing troupe."
What does that look mean? Is she angry with me, disappointed? It couldn’t mean anything else, could it?
I follow Olivia as soon as I am sure everyone else is moving to follow her as well.
Finally, I step as close as I dare, (within a step or two) of her and say, “Miss Suncatcher, um, thank you, for helping us find our way, and, well, please forgive me, and pass on to your mother my apology to her as well. I didn’t mean to upset her, and I should have been more careful about a subject that I should have known was delicate. If you don’t mind, I hope you don’t think me rude, but could I ask you how old you are, please?”
After Olivia has either answered the question, or made it clear that she is not going to answer the question, I will drop back and find Constine.
To Constine
“Sir, I am worried about this line of inquiry, regarding the matter of this family’s circumstances. I feel we should proceed cautiously, and before we take any further actions, we speak to the local authorities. It is not that I do not believe that the loss of this man was painful to the family, I am only concerned that this kind of situation lends itself easily to emotionally charged disassociations, lack of clarity, you understand. It may turn out that the local authorities have done all they can, and the last thing I would want to do is get ourselves on the wrong side of the law in a village where we are strangers.”
Rannveig trots along behind the group, glad to have Ylva with her again, and being out of doors. She listens to the talk of murder with an air of interest. Observing the other's reactions, she reminds herself that this sort of thing is harder to determine in polite society. Left to her own devices, she would simply do her best to track down the killer and put them down. If she could not, that would be that.
As long as she was traveling with this group, however, it seemed best to follow their lead when it came to humans and their laws.
Finally, I step as close as I dare, (within a step or two) of her and say, “Miss Suncatcher, um, thank you, for helping us find our way, and, well, please forgive me, and pass on to your mother my apology to her as well. I didn’t mean to upset her, and I should have been more careful about a subject that I should have known was delicate. If you don’t mind, I hope you don’t think me rude, but could I ask you how old you are, please?”
Olivia relaxes her pace some outside the tavern to allow the trailing party members to follow. She is clearly agitated, but she does not shy from Artegal’s proximity. In fact she closes the remaining gap as she seems to want to keep the conversation as quiet as possible. “Gregorio is right that you should not be faulted for asking a simple question. You could not know have known that dredging up the past would endanger her. But my mother’s grief is still fresh. She was sick with drink for weeks after Papa never came home. She is better now, some, but she will still go after the strongest rum we serve when she cannot distract herself from the pain. We will simply have to check on her often tonight. You could help with that if you truly wish to make amends. I just wished that today would be a good day. She loves the festival... she was it's inspiration." She lifts her eyes to meet his and he recognizes the shine of unshed tears in her green-gold eyes, but they do no more than shimmer there.
As she crosses the street facing west and the setting sun hits her in full, her hair and eyes seem to absorb and reflect back the reddish-gold hue, turning her momentarily into a shining bronze rendering of herself. The effect is striking indeed and you can plainly see where the name must have come from. She draws the glance of many when this happens and a young man up the street even makes a joke to his friends by shielding his eyes as if in pain. Olivia smirks as she passes back into the shaded street going south.
"I am twenty-one as of this past winter. And you?"
As Artegal drifts back to speak with Nicu, Olivia and Gregorio speak with Dimitrio more openly as they lead the group south through the crowded streets. "You are a dancer, Dimitrio? What troupe did you travel with? We have many such travelling performing bands come through here, more so in the past year since the Theatre has been finished. Azura and Sasha travelled with a group that performed plays and concerts as well as dancing. They both play instruments as well as sing, but what they were truly famous for was their daredevil act! My first mother was an acrobat and danced with the whips and ribbons, as I do. But Azura's skill is with these..." she reaches into her neckline and removes what appears to be a blue metal throwing star in the shape of the Varisian symbol. The sharp edges have been blunted for it's life as a pendant, but the implement looks cruel indeed still. "As Sasha Suncatcher leaped, flipped and spun wearing a blindfold, Azura flung these at her at high speed, never failing to strike the wooden buckler Sasha wore on her arm."
Their moods both seem to lift as they launch into the tale of the only time Azura missed, Gregorio taking the lead. "Sasha missed a step, becoming tangled in her flying skirts and Mama's spinning blade flew unhindered into the crowd. It flayed the forehead of a young man in the front row and made a terribly bloody show. They were both so mortified they canceled their shows and bustled him off to a healer. He was fine, ultimately. You know how even a small head wound can bleed. But Mama was beside herself with regret and begged him to let her make restitution. He agreed but would take none of the gold she offered. Instead he simply requested she join him for dinner. She agreed and that night he confessed to her that he had been in the front row of all their shows that day, for he could not take his eyes off her. They were together from that day on and everyone concluded that Pharasma herself must have tripped Sasha that day. Papa kept the blue star as his lucky charm, that is the very one. The only time she ever missed on stage." he smiles proudly and seems wistful, as if he wished he could have seen it.
The streets are crowded with people milling about, doing their last festival shopping. Some hawkers are still crying their goods, appealing to more wealthy looking passers-by. An old blind woman selling scarves and sarongs is slowly packing up her wares. As Rannveig passes by, she notices a dark, smooth looking slip of cloth hanging from the far end of her rack that sparkles faintly. It looks as if she has missed collecting the piece and Rannveig picks it up with a delicate touch to simply place it with the old womans stock. But as she lifts it she is transfixed by it's beauty. A piece of fine dark purple silk with silver stitching, it appears made to resemble a clear night sky full of stars. The old woman senses her presence nearby and turns toward her "Oh, did you find something you like, miss?" She reaches out gently with gnarled old hands and touches the fabric. "Yes, that is a pretty one, I think. You should take it. A festival gift for you, I insist. Lovely things are meant to be loved." and she turns back to her chore. She seems unsettled by something as Esmerelda Proust draws near, turning toward her almost as if she had something to say or sensed something that concerned her and then shaking herself abruptly as she turns again to packing up her wares.
Ahead you notice Olivia and Gregorio take a right hand turn and lead you only a short distance to a shop on the outskirts of town with a simple sign that reads "Outfitter".
Rannveig nods shy thanks to the old woman, clutching the sash to her like a keepsake. She runs a hand over the smooth fabric, remembering long ago nights with her family under the cold clear northern sky. Then, remembering where she is, she hurriedly folds the little scrap up and carefully tucks it into a pouch, hustling to catch up with the others as Ylva gave her a quizzical twitch of the head.
As Artegal drifts back to speak with Nicu, Olivia and Gregorio speak with Dimitrio more openly as they lead the group south through the crowded streets. "You are a dancer, Dimitrio? What troupe did you travel with?
A smug smile showed in the rogue's face, "I was the star performer of the Carini Band. When Dimitrio danced, it was said that Shelyn wept a tear of joy. We had a little misunderstanding a few years ago and I took my show elsewhere but the troupe still misses Dimitrio and would like nothing more than to have him back."
The rogue then shook his head at the girl's sad tale of love, "Such is the way of love. Much joy but usually comes at a price."
"How about you Olivia, are you breaking all the boy's hearts around here, eh?"
"N'ver been seen th't play, don't really fancy that stuff, meself." He shrugs. He follows along. He listens carefully to the guides. "Perhaps, we can talk to this Constable." He exhales loudly, "I would like t'take a look 'bout that theater though"
Olivia seems distracted after their story and stands facing away from the shop, toward the setting sun gazing out into the distance. She is absently twirling her blue star pendant on it's cord and does not seem to hear the question directed at her.
Gregorio watches her for a moment and then turns to Dimitrio and lowers his voice slightly, "She's pretty picky, Master Dimitrio. She usually plays matchmaker for the boys who pay her too much attention. Mama thinks she should travel, but she stays. Probably to watch over me and Mama." He smiles ruefully, shaking his head.
He turns to the Dwarf when he mentions the Constable, "Aldo will be out for the street dance. He is probably in the square helping to set up now. I wouldn't expect much though. The theatre has been running puppet shows and children's plays all day. I think the last one is starting soon though, it's meant to occupy the little ones so their parents can come dance. We could probably check it out tonight after the festival is done. Unless you need your rest?"
Donovan kept quiet still, following the others and keeping an eye on Rannveig in case her anxiety regarding cities and towns flared.
Standing to the side alone in front of the Outfitters, Esme is mulling over Olivia in her mind.
"A bright sun for such a dark past, if what she says is true. She speaks of romantic fairy tales but treats neither her 'mother' nor her 'brother' with fondness. This light seems ill-fated. Finding what it burns for fuel should be entertaining...and gratifying.
Her musings are interrupted by a small figure in a black shawl that drops down from the roof beside her. Kneeling down, she whispers into its ear after which the 2' tall monkey scampers back up the building and heads off toward the inn.
Perception rolls from earlier:
"I feel we should proceed cautiously, and before we take any further actions, we speak to the local authorities."
Quietly, to Nat, "Certainly, Sir Artegal, I do understand your concern regarding the authorities and I'll let you make the proper inquiries, please let me know if I can assist in those conversations." and let us hope we don't alert any nefarious individuals that our attention has turned to this matter
Rannveig, as per usual... well...wolfed down the food Olivia so generously provided. Peering into her pouch, she fished out the purse Donovan had recommended she obtain from among the odds and ends, scraps of trail rations and pretty stones. Pulling out a handful of coins, she sifts through them until she finds four gold ones and hands them out to Olivia, murmuring that she and Ylva would take a room to themselves.
That completed, she takes several steps towards the town square, obviously excited to head towards the dance. After a few yards, she pauses and turns back to the group, cocking her head questioningly.
Donovan was a practical fellow. He was probably the most pragmatic and down to earth knight who ever lived. He was a voracious reader, primarily concerning himself with the field notes and reports of the Pathfinder Society and the exploits of his own family.
There were kernels of wisdom in all of them, mostly concerning the notion of "be prepared". He'd taken the concept to heart and carried an awful lot of tools with him. He'd managed to core things down to what he felt was essential, but he'd been teased about being a portable general store more than once.
So, when Rannvieg took an interest in learning how to outfit herself, Donovan was all smiles.
He showed her how to put together a kit for a specific purpose and organize it efficiently so it wasn't all jumbled together. He showed her how to take a button-front leather pouch and put it upside down on a shoulder belt so that in an emergency a good yank would pop the button off and drop the contents of the pouch right into the hand. He showed her how to make contingency plans for how to fight against creatures that steel could not harm.
"You can't ever be too prepared. It is always better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it." he told her when they began their shopping trip. "As long as it's not slowing you down, anyway."
Gregorio and Olivia lead the party through Piazza to the various stores they wished to visit. The streets are becoming less crowded as many of the merchant wagons and tents are packing up and rolling away from the small town.
Gregorio greets nearly everyone in his warm, affable way. Olivia seems tense and somewhat occupied with her own thoughts, but she also greets people in a pleasant, familiar way. A vague sense of strangeness about the pair of them comes over you and as you watch them interacting with the people of the town. After considering for a moment, you realize that Gregorio seems to have what might be described by some as the more Halfling-like nature whereas Olivia seems more reserved and careful.
Esme rushes to the old woman, catching her before she falls. Lowering her to a sitting position, she looks into her eyes for any sign of what is wrong. She does not call out Olivia.
She reaches her in time and supports her weight, lowering her gently to the street. Her breathing is ragged and and her heavily cataracted eyes reel in their sockets. "Noooo... pleaaase... Esssmeee... go..." her voice is strained and somehow... distant, the words carried by breath alone. No one has heard anything nearby.
When her blind eyes lock on Esme's eyes, her body goes rigid and she grasps Esme's green wrists with more force than she can possibly contain in her feeble body. Esme's mind flashes with an image of her mother from memory, her hand extended and her fear for her child plain on her face.
"This place is thinning... dangerous... go now!" the woman's breath smells of the grave and suddenly Esme is certain that she will not survive the night.
Her grip on the maiden goes slack and Esme must again support her as she slumps, her eyes slipping closed as she drops her unseeing gaze from Esme's face. She breathes still, but it is weak and shallow.
Esme lifts the old woman and heads to the inn. Her confusion and concern for the old woman flow to Ariadne through their empathic link and the familiar heads to her as quickly as possible.
Esme rounds a corner, halfway back to the inn, as the monkey drops down beside her. Looking down, Esme says, "Bring the others to my room. Quick!"
Sensing her urgency, Ariadne scampers back to Outfitters, where she will slip inside, running up to the first party member she sees. Looking frantic, the monkey pulls on their sleeve toward the door.
As Luc is finishing up his bartering with the Outfitter, the door to the shop opens with the tinkling of a bell and Donovan and Rannveig look up, expecting to see Esme, but instead are greeted by Ariandne, Esme's pet monkey. The creature is chittering anxiously and tugging at their clothes toward the door.
The Inn is mostly empty as Esme enters, the proprietress Sophia is sweeping the small lobby room as you enter and she looks up and gasps as she sees the old woman limp in her arms. “Oh Magda! What has happened to her?" she drops the broom and rushes to aid Esme with her unconscious load. Esme indicates that she means to take her to her room and Sophia asks “Are you a healer? Can you help her?" as she assists them up the stairs and settle Magda on the bed in Esme's room. She stands nearby wringing her hands and looking on as if unsure of what to do.
As Luc is finishing up his bartering with the Outfitter, the door to the shop opens with the tinkling of a bell and Donovan and Rannveig look up, expecting to see Esme, but instead are greeted by Ariandne, Esme's pet monkey. The creature is chittering anxiously and tugging at their clothes toward the door.
Dimitrio had just finished arranging his equipment on his person to be able to dance tonight when he sees the monkey. He invokes Desna's protection, "I knew it! The monkey has gone rabid. Keep that thing away from me; its bite is probably worse than a rat's bite."
The rogue looks around to try and find Esme, "Wait, shouldn't the 'odd girl' be with it?" Invoking Desna again, the rogue states, "Something is not right here. I never seen the monkey by itself. I smell a rat here, eh?"
Ninefingers whirls and twirls his new silver mace getting a feel for the weight. "This 'ere is a guud weapon." He takes his dagger out of his sheath and nicks the grip of the mace a bit, looking at the shocked sales clerk, "Hands slip with sweat and blood." He explains.
Nicu hovers near the shopkeeper, picking out a moment to lunge forward when others aren't plunking their dastardly gold upon the counter in plain sight. His transaction competed with haste to avoid the next clinking of yellow coins, he moves away from the sight of such foul yellowed luck and rejoins the others, "Bad luck, the flashing of gold this festival brings, I'm warning you all, evil rides a horse of nightmares hiding in the misdirection of gold, like a carnival magician's trick." Nicu's dire predictions are interrupted by the rabid, chattering monkey, "Well, anticlimactic that, but I'm sure of it, something worse that a rabid monkey is headed this way."
As Donovan's improvised class went on and on, Rannveig's eyes slowly glassed over. Eventually, she found herself with a new backpack, full of objects she only barely understood how to use. She nodded to his truism about being prepared - she just hadn't come across a situation where flashing fang and subtle magic wasn't prepared enough.
By the time they were done, Rannveig wondered at her new outfit. At first, she had frowned at the way it got in the way of running, but after some...creative work with scissors, it was slit highly up the side, displaying the leather breeches underneath, and could be easily tied up around her waist if necessary. Underneath a dark brown cloak with several pockets sewn into it was slung a bandolier, laden with odds and ends Donovan had insisted might come in handy. She had refused to wear the gloves, though, which waited still in her pack. She hadn't liked the feel of something between her and her weapons. She'd also turned down the suggested new boots - her makeshift wraps of leather and fur were pliable, soft, and quiet, and she liked them. Altogether, the effect was unique - but Rannveig definitely seemed pleased.
Waiting for Donovan to finish his purchases, she idly swished her new skirt back and forth, a tiny absentminded smile playing about her lips.
The monkey continues to make noises and tugs on Rannveig's new skirt and Donovan's sleeve and even makes a unmistakable beckoning gesture.
Gregorio and the Outfitter eye the creature with some concern which increases at Dimitrio's exclamation. "I've not seen this creature before, you say it is with your group?" Gregorio looks to each of you with a questioning look and then scans the shop. "Where is the young lady in the costume? Did she not come inside with us?"
Outside the shop Olivia and Artegal are stirred from... whatever had their attention occupied and hear the commotion of the creature now as well.
I move a step closer to the shop, and turn to address Olivia, trying, very hard, to not look as though I am putting myself between her and the monkey, even though that is my intention. I don't want her to think that my first thought is that she needs protection, no, but I do want to be ready to protect her if I have to.
"I believe that the monkey is a bonded creature, of some kind, to our companion, Esme. It is harmless, well, it it is usually harmless, unless it is under Esme's instructions to be otherwise, but Olivia, if you are curious about the animal, I could, well, I could try to ask Esme to let you get close to it. I can't promise anything, as Esme, is, well, she is different."
Olivia turns and searches for signs of the green-skinned young woman. "But where is it's master? And what has gotten it so upset?" She begins to stride back the way you came looking for signs of trouble and uncoils the whip from her side.