"You know, that is none of our business, so no? And it is for the last few days with this curfew thing. It's not like we have a lot of experience yet. But I guess he'll get out this week." the guard elaborates.
After only a few minutes being stuck in the Aulamaxa manor, Meliandri decides she's bored. Her visit with Pellius and conversation with her mother aside, it's been a slow day. A trip to the coffeehouses of Villegre could be just the cure to that, though. Dressed in clothing that's more casual and less suited for the manor, Megs sets off into the afternoon, heading for the Long Roads coffeehouse.
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Saul sighs in frustration, wondering if that is enough information to break even on this case, as he dumps the two gold over to the guards. As they leave, he turns to Alamara.
"I guess that is our day's work. Do you want to come back tomorrow? Maybe we can figure out some way to get eyes on the castle. If Shensen and Hawke are locked up in there though, I don't think we are getting them out, not without an army."
Saul proceeds over to the academy to let the Professor know everything that has transpired. "Salonius is definitely in the Holding House, ma'am. He was caught outside after curfew, we checked it out, along with the bird, who saw him again. Then we talked to some guards and they confirmed it, he is in there, locked up, and probably will get released in a few days. But the goons we spoke to didn't know enough to give an exact date. It sounds like it just depended on the mood of the jail boss."
Saul pauses for a second, and then says, "I hate to bring it up, but a deal is a deal. Can I have the two gold payment for this information?"
With that business taken care of, Saul ambles back to his office. It was a long day... much of it was sitting, but it required sharp attention. Sauls stretches out his legs and rubs his temples.
Case of the Missing Botanist. Solved? Hard to say. This city is going to Hell. I wish I could say that all the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place, but it feels more like someone has kicked a stained glass window and is moving onto the next one.
Alamara starts when the guards mention that Shensen is possibly in Kintargo Castle. It is all she can do to not set off for that place at a run now, but Saul Gibson has gotten them this far, so she decides to trust him a little more.
"Saul Gibson, I will return tomorrow and see how we get into Castle Kintargo. Or at least confirm the presence of our friends inside." She turns to go, but remembers something and calls back to the sleuth. "No armor tomorrow either?" She is hopefully he will disagree, but predicts there is much more sleuthing to do before force will be of much help.
She returns to the laundry, keeping her hands busy with the work, while her mind wanders over all that has transpired over the last few days. The intrusion of the new Grand Mayor, this Thrune, has upset her life greatly, along with the lives of, it seems, many others. How to make it all go back to the way it was before? That question burns in her mind, inspiring all kinds of deeds of derring-do in her imagination, but none of them seem quite practical so far.
"I'll just keep watching and learning, and look for the right opportunity to set these despot back." she thinks, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
Peeko curious, and enjoying the thrill of being a spy decides to follow the guards home, curious as to where they are being barracked. He flits between rooftops and chimneys prepared to drop his pursuit instantly if his targets show a hint of suspicion.
Peeko spies on you, what you going to do? Peeko is so sneaky! You can't see his beak-y! Peeko is sneaky beaky!
Peeko follows the guards for some hours, but it is not very interesting. The get lunch, some beer, do some minor shopping and go back to the Holding House. There the next pair of guards leave as these two come back.
Alamara gets scolded by her mother for leaving her most of the day alone with all the work.
The Long Roads Coffeehouse is located in Villegre, just northeast of the park. The establishment caters to an eclectic mix of customers, serving coffee and food to bright-eyed students of the Villegre and delivering fancy desserts and pastries to the noble estates in the Green. It is known as much for its traditional halfling fare as for its lovable proprietor, Laria Longroad.
Meliandri enters, looks around and decides for a table to sit at. A charming halfling serves your table this day.
Just as Saul is alone again and leans back in his chair to relax a bit, there is a knock at the door. As he opens he finds a woman, which obviously belongs to one of the noble families, judging by the clothes. "Mr. Gibson?" she asks as she walks into the office, past Saul and takes a seat. "What are your references?"
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Throw in a diabolical Lord Mayor, and business booms! And the luck of the stars be on me, they are all dames. With faces to make a bishop put off the cloth.
Saul sits up straight and tries to look professional. Taking in the clothing of the new visitor, Saul answers, "Of most interest to you, likely, I just satisfactorily assisted the Jarvis family. If you need more, I can give you details about the Case of the Orange Pips, the Case of the Baskervillian Helldog, or the Case of the Scarlet Dress. All great stories, trust me. And true! "
"I need a babysitter. Have you done that?" The dame asks.
Salonius sighs heavily staring at the walls of his cell, having grown weary of using prestidigitation to create crude models of trees to plan the layout of a new orchard. Maybe I should not have told Peeko to leave, but it is not like we could converse. I hope he is not harassing that poor Investigator. Come on Salonius only a few more days, patience, you simply need to endure a little boredom and solitude, that should be nothing.
"Grande Tian Tea Latte, skim milk, no foam, extra 'ot, caramel and mint." Meliandri rattles off her order imperiously, then buries her head in a copy of Imperial Betrayal. It’s, perhaps, not the wisest book to be reading in public, but then again, there isn’t yet a proclamation against words.
It’s not until her drink comes that she surfaces from her book. Taking a sip, she looks around the room to see if she recognizes any of the other patrons. Of course, this close to curfew, it’s unlikely, but there’s always a chance.
Peeko returns to Saul's place of business and after hopping about outside for a while follows a Noble woman inside hopping discretely up onto a shelf out of her view and watching.
When the woman asks for references he tilts his head to look at Saul inquiringly. Peeko can give a reference?
"Yes, mother." says Alamara, rolling her eyes at the nagging, but understanding the reason behind it. "I will work double tonight to make up for the lost time." She sighed, knowing that if she missed again tomorrow, she would be in for it even more. Maybe she need to charge for her services like Mr Gibson did. He did seem like he could use a partner...
Letting her mother return to their flat, Alamara takes on double work trying to make up the loads that she missed, dreaming of a fancy coffee shop order.
"Just look at it this way: You're finding a person, before she is lost, and keep her that way. I could just stick a guard to her, but it would work a lot better if someone like you, who can do it without being seen does that job. Because if the leash is felt, someone might struggle against it."
She puts a ring on the table. "This job is easy money for a man with your skills. If you put on this ring, which is a family heirlooom, tells you exactly where the person you shall take care of is, and what sate she is in. And these coins tell me, that you will take this job and fulfil my request to your best abilities, won't you?"
"Did I mention, you'd get that every week?" she adds while stacking 5gp on the desk.
Fhingle looks around the coffee shop that Laria owns, feeling safe here knowing that his master will not find him no matter what. Fhingle looks up at a pretty woman enters, orders a rather extravagent drink and is reading a book. Fhingle gets down from the stool he is sitting on and walks over to her.
"Hi!" Fhingle says slightly louder than what would be considered normal. "I am Fhingle who are you? I don't see many pretty ladies like you around here."
Fhingle is average height for a halfling, his brown hair is slicked back leaving his wide brow open, there is some scaring on there that almost looks ritualistic in purpose. His brown coat covers a pair of purple slacks and a green button up shirt.
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Saul's eyes bulge out a bit at the sight of five gold, and the promise of 5 a week. I wouldn't even need to work any other cases...
"I... uh... ah... that makes logical sense, ma'am. Prevent her from being lost. I've never done that before, but ah... I don't see why not."
"One condition, though... I don't go out after curfew. Unless the state of your daughter is extreme peril. Otherwise, I don't dare defy the proclamation. I'm sure you understand that."
"It'd be your job to make sure she isn't out either. You just keep an eye on her, keep her away from trouble with our new ruler and see to it that she is safe at home when it's time. How'd you do it is yours to decide." the woman tells. She takes out a note with an address on it.
"That is where she should be at night. But if she stays somewhere else inside, you don't need to drag her there. But if she is out during the curfew it is your job to get her off the streets. If you don't like being out then, make sure she is where she belongs before that."
"Meliandri Chastain-Aulamaxa. And I expect regular reports about her whereabouts and activities, if they threaten our good family name." the woman adds. "But make sure she doesn't notice that, or you're babysitting her on my account."
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Saul stands, pocketing the five gold that the noblewoman left on the table. He shows her to the door politely. "I am on the case, ma'am. It is unorthodox, but I have it all in hand. I am a wealth of ideas and experience."
With her out, he flops back down on a chair. How in the hells am I supposed to corral an out of control socialite? I'm 52! She won't look at me, or want anything to do with me! Which means beating the concrete, following her, constantly. Without her seeing me. Ugh. What a terrible gig.
I need someone young on this. A handsome boy? A fun girlfriend? How about.... a young paladin? Who does well in obeying orders, appreciates hard work, and knows a sword. Oh Saul, you genius.
Reenergized by the prospect of the regular weekly income, and of a superb new plan, Saul jumps up, grabs his longspear, and is out the door. He tracks down Alamara's flat without too much difficulty. The two had a long day together, and she told the gumshoe about her life, the superficial matters anyway.
Alamara wasn't there; just the old mother. Saul leaves quickly after learning Alamara is absent...I am not about to deal with an angry mother. I would be suspicious too about an old man looking for a young woman.
It was a short walk to the laundry; Saul was familiar with the place. It where he dropped off his clothes every few months for a good washing. Maybe with the new income I'll be able to afford a monthly wash! Now, Saul, don't start seeing yourself as all high and mighty. This gig may not last two weeks.
Finally tracking down Alamara-- it was pretty simple to slip into the laundromat's side door to the back workroom-- Saul lays out his proposal.
"Here's the thing, young paladin. My partner is gone; your leader is missing. We have a lead and I think we should keep working it-- together. You proved yourself today. You were ready for a fight, but didn't go picking one. A young one like you, why... I expected you to simply charge the jail, and you didn't. Then I expected you to charge the guards, and you didn't. You're my type I think. I think you would make a partner, and I have the perfect assignment for you, when we aren't working our primary case."
Saul describes the visit with the matronly noblewoman."The dame said her daughter needs looking after. It's a bit of a hard job for me... I'm an old man, I can't be seen following a young woman. That's how scandals start and how old men end up in the slammer. But you-- you could befriend her, spend time with her. Go where she goes. And the main job is too keep her inside during curfew. Not bad, eh?"
"You'll be able to quit this job. I'm offering you 2 gold a week to do it, plus an additional 5 silver to pay for incidentals like expensive coffee and booze. Maybe a couple of nice outfits suitable for a socialite."
"What say you? We can go find her right now. Tonight, I'll just be... your fun uncle. I can feel her...somewhere in Villegre." Saul shows her the ring, attached to his finger.
”’Ello. Meliandri.” Mels looks down from her book, then buries her head in it again, ignoring the halfling for now. The passage she’s rereading seems especially fitting, and it’d be a shame to lose it halfway through. Once she’s finished, she looks up and properly takes in the garishly-dressed little man.
”More accurately, Meliandri Chastain-Aulamaxa, which is why you do not see many pretty ladies like me. The only other one is five years old, and there are not too many other noble girls around.” Mels closes her book and slowly offers a gloved hand. ”You are not waitstaff, so what are you doing ‘ere?”
Alamara is surprised to see Saul at the laundry, but even more surprised when he offers her a partnership. Two gold per week! That's more than her mother and her make combined. The offer was just too good to turn down. Alamara springs on Saul with surprising exuberance, hugging him and accepting his proposal. "I'd love to take that job, Mr Gibson! Partners! Gosh, I didn't know I had what it took to be a master sleuth, but I guess I underestimated myself."
She looks about the laundry, at the unfinished work and blows a loose strand of hair out of her face. "Can you front me the first week, sir? If I leave now, they will fire me. And I need to make sure my family is fed. If so, I will leave now to find this girl. How hard could that work be? Maybe we'll be best friends? Like sisters?"
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Saul hands over the two gold and five silvers, but then takes in what she is wearing. "I can't guarantee that you'll be best friends or sisters, sister. I hope you are up to this... she could be a spoiled noble for all I know. Sounds like it, actually, if you believe the mother."
"I do know, that if you show up dressed like this, there is a chance that you won't make a good first impression. It is only late afternoon, so how about you stop at a shop first?"
"Also... your weapons. Might be hard to make a sword work with a dress, but I just can't see leaving it behind. It's just too risky."
Finding Saul's strange activities exceedingly dull, and largely unfathomable Peeko follows along at a distance - since his Master told him to. He flitters about in the periphery of Saul's vision not deigning to interfere, and snagging a few conspicuous bugs with the air of one doing them a favour Peeko is very rich, so Peeko does not really need to eat you - Peeko is rich - but Peeko eats you anyway.
Spying Alamara he chirps a greeting landing on her shoulder and whispering, "Friends are better than sisters, sisters are very bossy and unfair. Master has seven sisters and one of them made Peeko wear clothes!"
"I am staying here for a bit, I help out as needed. I am looking for things to do today, do you have things you need done?" Fhingle sits down at the table.
Alamara looks herself up and down, and shrugs. Appearance has never really mattered much to her, even in her role as defender of the faith, the steel suit is not adorned, but practical.
"I haven't much experience with fancy things, Mr Gibson, but I will do my best to make the right impression." They stop at a moderately priced shop and after a few minutes trying things on, she picks out a well-made tunic and long skirt. Tying her hair up in a ponytail and wiping the sweat and dirt from her face, she actually looks a bit more presentable. Not exquisitely rich, but perhaps at least middle class in work clothes kind of look.
She smiles at Saul and takes a half-curtsy, trying on her best manners. "I suppose this is as ready as I get. We'll have to solve a case or two more before I can get the really fancy clothes."
As Saul and Alamara are ready and finally make it to the Longroad Coffeehouse they are welcomed by a polite halfling woman. "Welcome. A table for two?"
"A coffee as dark as your soul?" Laria replies with a smirk while leading the two to a nice table at a window.
Fhingle looks up at Laria talks to the new people, a funny expression on his face, not quite glee but not quite fear.
"Yes. And a coffee. Black. No sugar. No cream. No froo froo milk, syrup, or foam."
"Make it two," says Alamara, not knowing what else to get. She just copies what Saul does...
As the coffee bar hostess makes some comment about Saul's soul, Alamara stares at her. "What is that supposed to mean? What do you know about his soul?" Her tone is inquisitive, not irritated.
"Of course. Some of our famous pastries too?" Laria asks before she leaves to get the coffee.
Saul gets the feeling the halfling is scare but excited at the same time, his eyes show fear but his half smile show excitement.
"Do you know them?" Fhingle whispers to Meliandri
At the point of contact with the subject, Alamara gets a case of cold feet. "I don't know what to say to her. She's not like me. What could I possibly have to approach her about?" She looks at Saul with such a worried look, fearing that she doesn't have what it takes to be a master detective after all.
Laria comes back and serves two coffees, black. "How you take your coffee tells something about your character. But it doesn't go as far as to tell me the color of your soul. It's just a saying, probably brought up by someone who takes his or her coffee with all the frill you despise."
In addition she puts a small pot of milk and a cup of sugar with a spoon in it on the table. "Just in case you change your mind." she tells with a smile.
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"Go see what she ordered and then order the exact same thing. Maybe it show you are soul mates or whatever, if you believe the tribble that the barista is spouting. She's weird. This place is weird. I'm much happier in a bar. Meanwhile, I want to talk to that strange halfling. He is giving me the creeps."
Saul walks over and gets the attention of Fhingle, hoping to distract him so Alamara can talk to Meliandre.
"Hey Mac, you got a problem? You're half grinning at me with that halfling face ever since I walked in the joint. I'm no genius, but that is not something a normal person does. Like you know something I don't. Spill it."
Peeko watches on bemused, having flitted in and alighted upon the rafters. Ugh, Peeko should probably not talk in this place? They might shoo Peeko out? So Peeko hides and watches the strange people being strange. Peeko hides.
"Nothing to tell, just an issue that I have, always flinching when a man who carries himself like you comes in. You remind me of my former master." Fhingle says while scooting back a bit.
"Was?" Fhingle looks a bit confused, taking a few minutes to think it over.
"I was yes, my master died .... I am not sure how long ago now it feels like so long ago. I wandered alone in this town for a bit till Laria found me."
"He is dead, he is no longer a concern." Fhingle's demeanor changes a bit but then back to a smile.
Alamara bucks up her courage and approaches the half-elf debutante. "Excuse me, miss. I couldn't help noticing the book you are reading..." Alamara says hopefully, trying to start a conversation. "And then I wondered what that wonderful drink you ordered is? I am new on the coffeehouse scene and am always looking for new things to try." The poor girl is quite nervous and stutters and stammers her way through the intro line.
That's as close as Alamara can get to a Bluff.
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Mysterious little bugger. Like wringing blood from a rock. Saul stands up and looks out a window and sips his coffee. The ex liked her coffee, liked it with cream and sugar. She didn't have a black soul; hers was always cheery and bright. They had a happy life for a long time. But people change. And Saul changed a lot when he went from overqualified fisherman to private eye. The long nights on stakeout, the stress... It drove him to the bottle. Haven't had a coffee for a long time. It reminds me of her.
"Grande Tian Tea Latte, skim milk, no foam, extra 'ot, caramel and mint." Looking up from her book, Mels takes in the situation in the coffeeshop. She’d started ignoring the halfling as soon as she’d realized he was just another servant type, going back to her book instead. It wasn’t a question of being polite or rude, or of not wanting a conversation. Almost all her interactions with halflings was as a superior, though, and superiors didn’t need to respond to their subordinates unless they felt the need. The awkward girl in the middle-class-esque tunic, though…
”The book is called Imperial Betrayal. One of my favorite classes at Lady Docur’s was taught by a Galtan exile. She ‘ad a lot to say about ‘Osetter, but did not ‘ave us read the book itself, so I ‘ad to find it elsewhere. In the end, I ‘ad to disagree with Professor Vetta and agree with ‘Osetter and Jubanich.” Meliandri pauses, sliding the book into her handbag. ”There comes a time when the operation of the empire becomes quite odious, and any change is better. Even change like Galt.”