Salonius quirks an eyebrow in query, but nods and follows Saul out to the Street,
"Well to answer your question Mister Gibson, when I seek to kill a pest, whether it is a new strain of aphid, or a particularly voracious caterpillar, I employ a few simple methods. First I research, which being at the Alabaster Academy with its fine libraries is most convenient, then if I cannot find sufficient helpful data I use trial and error. Most groups of pests share similar characteristics and careful study a method to eliminate them permanently can be derived. I do wonder whether I encountered such a pest recently - a matter I intend to delve into myself, so I should be able to seek an answer to your question in the process..."
As Saul knows where to squander his time due to the ring, he sees the young fuming woman marching geared up through Old Kintargo. By looking the other way he can avoid being asked where to find a Lucca Avalanti, but can listen in on her inquiring the townsfolk.
But Saul knows his town and this young lady Meliandri searches for, that currently works at his favourite bakery.
It takes some time, but with her intimidating appearance and persistence Meliandri finally finds this bakery and her friend behind the counter. "Good afternoon Mylady." Lucca greets Meliandri with a curtsy. "What can I do for you?"
As it is still quiet in the coffeehouse Laria tells Fhingle "Take some of yesterday's pastries, put them on a plate an bring them down into our basement. Just put it where the empty plate stands and come back."
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Saul is forced to split his attention between Salonius talking and Meliandri wandering by and talking to the neighbors, but he is able to pick up the gist of what the highly educated mage says."So, S, I don't suppose you would be willing to do a little research for me? Devils; how to kill them? Are they afraid of anything? Do they... wait a minute, did you see one too? "
Scowling slightly, are we really talking about this in the street? Salonius raises a hand and teeters it back and forth, "I saw a pair of eyes flowing with bloody tears and was told - by a man I had charmed - that there was a non human torturer by the name Ghenemal, or something very like that, who would select victims from the Holding House and torture then kill them. Given House Thrune's known, even flaunted, association with devils, and diabolism, that seems the most likely option. It is not my area, but I am never averse to a little research, though I will conduct it with discretion in this case."
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Saul is well trained at telling when people are uncomfortable, and he senses it in Salonius. It is clear he isn't comfortable talking about such matters in the street.
"Not to worry. This is my home. The building to our left is abandoned, and the building to our right is owned by a deaf little old lady. She is feisty, though. But no one is paying attention to us."
Saul does shake his head at the description of Ghenemal."That... is disturbing. That is just... wrong. I am becoming more and more convinced that this new mayor is going to be the end of our city. The things I've seen, the burned buildings, the proclamations, people jailed. Do you know that the two of the buildings burned had direct ties to religions other than diabolism? Like he thinks he can force everyone to worship Asmodeus. I tell you, S, if he pushes too much, the city is going to riot. People are already whispering here and there- I mean, look at us. And maybe that is what he wants. Gives him an excuse to kill more people or send them to the devils."
"I did not know that, and I share your fears, a mob would fare poorly against trained soldiers, devils, and attack dogs; would that the Silver Raven's still existed... They fought against tyranny during the Civil War, but alas they are long gone. In truth with a hegemony that is unwilling to listen to its people, and ignores legitimate protest, the peoples only option can be to fight for their freedom to fight an asymmetric all war using stealth and subterfuge to counter their subdugator's overwhelming strength... I must confess I have always found a certain romance in such tales," the young botanist says, his voice low, but tinged with longing.
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Sauls hears the longing in Salonius' voice, and understands the longing and romanticism of youth.
Careful, Saul. Push this boy too far, and he is likely to get himself killed. Asking questions is one thing, asking him to research is another thing... Showing too much interest in a rebellion is madness.
Somewhere, deep inside, Saul hears another voice. A smaller one.
Somethings are worth dying for, Saul. Have you become so jaded in your old age? What happened to your passion? Remember when you started out in this job, and you really cared about things? About your clients? About your wife, and son? What happened to that Saul?
Saul's normal thoughts think back against at the smaller voice.
That Saul died in a bottle a long time ago. That Saul died when she left and took him, the bright point of light in my life. That Saul died and is never coming back, just like them.
The boy would be about Salonius' age. You know what will happen with a boy this age. If you do nothing, he will simply do it anyway and you won't be there to do anything about it. He'll need your skills. Your street smarts.
It is hopeless anyway. What can a small group of people do against an army? A country? Devils? Nothing. You will all die.
If you die, Saul, more will rise up. Be their light. Be Salonius's light. Find redemption for your mistakes. Save lives; save his life. There is no other argument.
Fhingle nods and takes the plate in to the basement, Fhingle grabs the empty plate and puts the full one in its spot.
Meliandri notes the presence of the local cat-catcher, but shrugs it off. After all, a cat-catcher probably has to live in the tenements, and he’s probably catching cats again. She focuses on her goal of finding Lucca instead.
In the bakery, she slips around the counter, giving her friend a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. ”I will cut to the point, Lucca. I need to spend a few nights at your ‘ouse. Not long, no more than a week or two. I maaay ‘ave made my foster mother mad at me, among other reasons...”
Lucca smiles. "Partied too hard again and made a fool of yourself? Let's repeat that while you're here!" she suggests.
Salonius raises his brows and taps a finger against his chin, as he exchanges glances with Peeko, a jumble of emotions flooding across their empathic bond.
After a moment of silence he speaks slowly and carefully, "I am not a rash person, for the most part. I have no wish to engage in risk that is not calculated... But some things are worth risking a great deal for. Did you know I have seven sisters? Each older and bolder than me, if things continue the way they are they will be," he glances around carefully checking there is nobody near enough to hear, "storming the Opera House before you know it."
"If the Silver Ravens did exist once more, they would, at the very least offer hope, and a potential outlet for people's frustration. But they would need to do so with care and the upmost caution..."
Fhingle makes his way up stairs and goes to wash the dirty plate, once what is complete he returns to Laria.
"So we cannot use mint now and but we can catch rats and dogs for money?" Fhingle takes a drink of his coffee with sugar. "This town is very odd to me.
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Saul picks up on this line of thought.
"Carefully picking targets. Striking from the shadows, not engaging directly. Retreating. Protecting identities to lower the chance of reprisals. Watching others to know friend from foe."
Saul smiles. It was good to have someone to be honest with. "Many of these are the exact skills of a gumshoe."
"Perhaps there is nothing else to say at the moment. Are you interested in a morning pastry? There is a good bakery just around the block. My treat, for the newly released convict."
”Mmmmm. Something like that.” Mels decides, surprisingly, that discretion is the better part of getting a free place to sleep. ”We can discuss it at your ‘ouse. In the meantime, ‘ow ‘ave you been? ‘Ave the new mayor’s proclamations been ‘ard on your business?”
"The part about the spilled grain is an annoyance around here. But I bet you're hit harder by them." Lucca replies chekcing out what Meliandri's wears. "I have two more hours here. I can give you the keys if you want to wait at my room."
Grinning, Meliandri does a quick spin. "Sure, it is not fancy, but the breeches still get the point across, I think. I will see you there in a few hours, then." She takes the keys with a quick wave and a wink.
Once she's left the bakery, Mels looks around for a bit to get her bearings. As she looks, she once again sees the cat-catcher, with a skinny, thin man accompanying him. This time, though, she gives a wave. "'Ello. Did you ever find that cat you were looking for?"
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Saul gets a terrible look on this face, and he feels all over his leather duster until he discovers the package he left in an inner pocket. He pulls it out; it is the wrapped up fish that he put there two days ago but forgot about. He stands there a bit appalled and tries to subtly stick the fish in his pocket again. Well.... that explains SOME of the smell anyway.
"The name is Saul Gibson, miss. I do enjoy catching the occassional cat, and any other job that I'm hired to do. Unfortunately, that one was unlucky. The less you know about it, the happier you will be. This is my friend, Salonius Barradin."
Saul remembers the previous night at the coffee house, and what Meliandri ordered. Apparently, she didn't see him there, or hear him make his loud, ill-advised proclamation. That is a small comfort, actually.
"Salonius here is a botanist. Probably has a whole greenhouse full of mint he now needs to burn, eh, S?"
Salonius staggers back a step looking at the former contents of Saul's pocket in horror, Irori's undergarments, well at least that explains the smell, I will not have to drop subtle hints about personal hygiene.
"Argh? Oh, um, I mostly deal in fruit trees, but there are a number of ready made mint alternatives that have an almost exact approximation of the taste; Pycnanthemum pilosum, Tagetes minuta, Micromeria brownei, Satureja viminea, Elsholtzia stauntonii... I could go, but people usually appreciate it when I do not."
He shakes his head, "Saul please allow me..." Chanting and gesticulating a quick prestidigitation he scours the Investigator with a small cone of glistening bubbles that gently clean away the mess in Saul's palm. If Saul shows no sign of resisting he goes on to over the rest of the sleuths person, while turning to Meliandri,
"A pleasure I am sure... Have I seen you at the Opera? You might know one of my sisters? There are rather a lot of them. Oh and this, this spell, prestidigitation can be used to make anything taste of mint, or anything else for that matter; so if you have magical talent or a friend who is so inclined that sil... that proclamation should not be too problematic."
Meliandri wrinkles her nose and looks away from the remains of the fish. ”That is disgusting.” She continues her display of revulsion until the fish is magically taken care of before turning back to the conversation. ”It is not about taste. There is principle involved!”
While Salonius talks about his family, Mels nods along. She’s not quite sure about him, though the Barradin name seems vaguely familiar. She does listen as he talks about his spell, though. ”I ‘ad not thought about using magic for such mundane things. I ‘ave a dozen halflings at ‘ome for cleaning and cooking, you know. Besides, getting the flavor right for mint liquor would be difficult. Professional distilleries spend decades on it. Well, they did. Probably they will not around 'ere, with no market.”
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"Where are you headed? Could we walk for a bit and further discuss the proper role of mint in our society? It fascinates me."
"Ah, but no, people only look down upon magical flavouring because it is not properly coupled with texture and other ancillary factors. Poffin and Sarkov published a fascinating report using a dozen noted sommeliers, and a dozen Taldoran food critics, and convincingly demonstrated that magical tastes can replicate anything the caster has experienced - given that other appropriate factors are replicated. So if distilleries really spent decades trying to perfect mint flavours it was likely done in a very haphazard "homespun wisdom" fashion by very crude trial and error, I am confident that if worthy academics tackled such a matter they would be able to achieve, similar, if not far better, results in a matter of months, days if magic were to be employed!" Salonius enthuses emphasising his points with sweeping hand gestures.
"But truthfully I am sure I could produce a mint flavoured blackberry that would be almost disturbingly prolific within a year or two. Of course an apple would be more elegant, but given the possibility of destruction by our fabulously obtuse authorities something that spreads easily and is difficult to remove seems far more appropriate."
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Saul is a smart fellow, smarter than your average citizen by a fair margin, and even he can't help but be impressed by Salonius's vocabulary and apt mind.
"Wait a minute... are you saying... you could create a mint-flavored weed?" He busts out in laughter. "How about mint-flavored tobacco? I daresay you could get rich on that!"
"Mmmmm, well, yes, essentially - though I dislike weed as a term. As for tobacco, Professor Glenell did basically have that idea, the trouble is nobody seems to like tobacco for its flavour it seems to be some sort of addictive narcotic property. So while tobacco flavour is not problematic, it does not satisfy the same urge as true tobacco. That said Professor Simpson in Taldor visited last year and claims to have had some luck crossbreeding tobacco and tomatoes." Salonius continues, clearly warming to the subject.
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"I've actually heard of this one. Tomacco, he called it. Tastes like a grandma."
"So I know about this coffeeshop over in Villegre. Nice place, nice owner, nice little halfling works there. Anyone interested in nipping over to see how Salonius' spells can provide a bit of mint flavoring? I love fancy coffee."
I can't believe that I just suggested this...This place is so creepy.
Meliandri quickly finds herself out of her depth. She's never really considered herself an idiot. In fact, more often than not she's been the smarter person in any conversation, and certainly the more well-educated, but in this company and on this subject, all she can do is shrug. Besides, the whole process of breeding plants is...well...not the most interesting. Finally, she yawns a big yawn.
"I think I know the coffeehouse you are talking about. The problem is that I 'ave a friend's key to 'er 'ouse, and if it is locked when she gets off of work, she will not be able to get inside. Perhaps another time?"
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Confound it, I overestimated her interest in mint.
"Oh, of course, of course. I'm sorry to delay you. And you too, Salonius, I'm sure you have work at the academy that must be done. If you are still interested, ma'am, care to meet at the coffeehouse tomorrow morning? And you, Salonius? I am ever so interested in seeing how your spells can simulate the mint-flavoring."
Fhingle goes about cleaning the coffee house, and sorting things in the basement.
The door of the Longroad Coffeehouse flies open. A badly beaten up halfling stumbles in and while looking for someone he collapses.
Fhingle rushes over to his fallen kin, pulling out a bright green handkerchief to stem the bleeding.
Laria comes over, pushes Fhingle away and checks on the poor halfling lying on the floor. "What's wrong with you? Tell me?" She shakes the guy in panic.
"Maybe." Meliandri shrugs, turning away from Saul and Salonius, then looking over her shoulder. "Simulation is all well and good, but there is principle, as I said." With a wave of her hand, she heads back into Old Kintargo and toward Lucca's house.
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Saul calls after her, "Find us tomorrow! You can tell us about the principles!!"
Hopefully she shows up. Would make my job a lot easier. And I am interested to learn what she means by principle. Perhaps she shares a similar mind to myself and S.
Saying good-bye to Salonius , Saul waits the appropriate amount of time and continues after Meliandri, to see where she is staying. From what Meli said, she plans to be with a friend, and it sounded like it was an overnight gig.
Saul beats the pavement back over to the Greens to report to Meliandri's mother. "She likes fancy coffee with mint, reading revolutionary philosophy, and is now staying with a baker friend in Old Kintargo. Thankfully, that is near my office and I'll be planning on keeping some eyes on her. I'll check back in with you in a couple of days, unless something changes."
His job done for the day.. An easy day, just talking to the neighbors, for once... Saul lingers about the docks, taking in the sights and smells of the busy backbone of Kintargo's economy. He pulls the old fish out of his coat and throws it into the water. It's been years, but doesn't feel too long ago that I was on a fishing boat. Good old dad, Desna rest his soul, would be surprised to see me out of the boats and in an office.
Eventually Saul meanders back to his apartment for the night. As long as Meli stays put, so will he.
"Ah, forgive my unsolicited advice Meliandri, but I share a passion for philosophy and Peeko, my familiar, informs me you are reading potentially inflammable texts in public. As one who has just spent several days incarcerated by our new and entirely unreasonable authorities I would suggest you exercise more caution. The cells are not a pleasant place, and being tortured and slain are real possibilities. There is principle and there is cutting your nose off to spite your face - a fate which could well become quite literal." Salonius advises the girl earnestly, fully expecting to be ignored, but determined to make the effort.
"Well I suppose I have some research to do Master Gibson, please excuse me. I will meet you tomorrow and share my results - though as I have said the subject is not one I am an expert in. Good day."
He and Peeko head back to The Academy and delve straight into the libraries carefully, and discretely, seeking out knowledge about Devils and specifically how to harm, and/or slay them. Frustrated after three hours of fruitless study he heads for a different section containing Pathfinder Chronicles and tries his luck again.
[b]"I am going to knit your wounds with my magic, it may hurt a little but it will help in the end.
The leg wound of the halfling closes and and he wakes up. As he looks in two halfling faces he relaxes a bit. "Thank the gods." he tells with a sigh. "I ran into a group that call themself the Chelish Citizen Group. They gave me a beating and the dog they had with them bit me in the leg. I only got away, because I saw a small hole in a high fence and made a run for it."
"You'll stay here until you're fully healed. Come with me, I'll show you a room." Laria tells and helps the halfling up. She gives Fhingle a thumbs up for the impressive magic. Then she leads the halfling to the back, but not without grabbing a pastry to feed him.
Saul never fully relaxed notices what the passerby talk about. The nowadays usual complaints muttered about the government, gossip as always but one thing catches his full attention. A protest would be held in front of the opera. Right after the curfew.
Meliandri is met by Lucca. They exchange about the days since they met last time. Meliandri complaining a lot about the new stupid, ridiculous and outrageous rules in town. That's when Lucca tells her about the protest and invites her to come along.
Salonius hears it from his Professor. In another drunken stupor she makes fun of the students that told her they would protest in the morrow.
Fhingle hears a word about it here and there from the patrons of the Longroad Coffeehouse. Of course the regulars would know about that.
About time it gets dark, everyone hurries to get home. Everyone has internalized the times of the curfew now. The night passes uneventful.
The new day dawns. It is still not bright, and with all the clouds and the drizzle it will stay that way for some time.
Even with the cobblestones of Argent Avenue and the foliage of Aria Park still wet from the morning’s light rain, dozens of Kintargans have gathered along the facade of the opera house to protest the city’s new lord-mayor, Paracount Barzillai Thrune. The city’s new leader was appointed by Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II, in the wake of the previous lord-mayor’s sudden flight from the city - an event that still has local rumormongers whispering furiously. In a scant few days, Paracount Thrune has instituted martial law, a curfew, and seven outlandish and polarizing proclamations.
These actions and more have called many of Kintargo’s dissatisfied citizens here on this overcast morn. There’s been no sign yet of Barzillai Thrune himself, and the opera house’s doors remain tightly closed—as they have since the man chose the landmark as his new home—but judging by the growing sound of the protesters, he surely can’t ignore the scene on the streets below much longer. In front of the Opera House stand a dozen Dottari and a scowling woman, who seems to be in charge.
Devils are hard to fight, because mundane weapons hurt them much less. And they aren't hurt by fire at all. Which is no surprise for hell is known as a fiery place.
Some claim silver weapons would help overcome devils, others state only weapons infused with the power of good deities help. But you find nothing conclusive on that topic.
As the Alabaster University still resists to take anything diabolic into the curriculum despite the attempts of the church of Asmodeus, there is no extensive literature found on specific devils.
Salonius is less than enthused about the upcoming protests and instantly pictures his sisters attempting to storm the Opera House. While tending his trees he worries over the problem, eventually concluding that he ought to attend in the interests of damage limitation.
"Peeko I am going to rely on you, I want you to be ready to fly off hide and taunt those Dottari to draw them away from vulnerable people. Understand you are to take care not to expose yourself, but feel free to utilize your normal foul mouthed exuberance to its fullest."
"Peeko will do it Master, Peeko will do it! Peeko is very sneaky, sneaky Peeko!" The thrush enthuses.
Salonius prepares his spells with distraction of brutalizing guards in mind and then attempts to make a few minor tweaks to his appearance to disguise himself - lest he become known as a troublemaker. He borrows Professor Glenell's secret hair dye, turning his blond silky hair black and ties it into a short ponytail reducing its length.
"Master Peeko thinks you look stupid! Peeko's Master looks stupid!"
"Helpful as ever Peeks."
This done he heads for the Barridan home hoping to way lay any sister headed for the protest and curb their riotous impulses. Unfortunately he finds only his father home, the female Barridan's all abroad in the city long since.
This is not going to well... Sweating he rushes to the Coffee shop where he agreed to meet Saul, glancing around anxiously for the sleuth and if he is not there leaving a quick note with the staff before dashing to Aria Park.
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Saul, of course, wants to see the protest, though he is too street smart to get involved himself. Right out in the open, right where the government can see. Sounds like the opposite of what S and I talked about yesterday. Not smart people, not smart. I think I'll stand on the side and watch what happens, maybe pick a person or two of the ground before they get trampled. Because you know that is what is going to happen.
Saul heads first to the coffeehouse just in case Salonius decided to go there, and sees the note.
Once at Aria Park, his eyes scan the crowd for a black haired Salonius. Given the specific directions left by the intelligent botanist, he isn't hard to locate.
"So, S... this is what the city has come to. I am not surprised, since we haven't been the only ones talking. But I fear this. I have a feeling these people are about to get put down, hard. They haven't thought through the ramifications of doing something so publicly. Look for the young woman who we met yesterday. I bet she is here."
Saul sees the guards and the woman who leads them, but then wonders what other government agents are hidden in the crowd, like the Chelish Citizen group.
Salonius nods, already in the process of scanning the crowd for his sisters. Tense and wary he whispers to Saul without taking his eyes off the crowd,
"I plan to attempt a few magical, and avian, distractions to draw attention from the crowd should violence erupt. Then to beat an expeditious retreat. I will keep an eye out for your young Lady - you to Peeko."
Nothing escapes the sharp eye of Saul. They are not showing openly, but you notice them nonetheless. The Chelish Citicen group. Hiding their insignia below cloaks, but moving in the crowd to strategic positions.
So far none of Salonius' family seems to be here.
Furious with the closing of the Opera House Jhen purposefully strode through the crowd trying to gain a better vantage point as he thought, How am I to put food on the table if I can’t earn coin?
Making little headway he slipped through the park, avoiding the paths, but made his way steadily towards the towering shape of the opera house. Emerging at the parks edge he surveyed the crowd before him with his dreamy green eyes looking out for anyone he might recognize.
He paused for a second, smiled, and hopefully concluded, This is the largest crowd yet. Thrune will have to listen to the people and compromise.
"Laria I am going to the protest, I am little so I should eb able to move about without attracting much attention, I will be careful and come back a bit later ok?" Fhingle leaves towards the Opera house, as Fhingle is leaving he sees Saul come into the coffee house and then leave a few minutes later, Fhingle decides to follow saul.
Fhingle moves up behind Saul and his other really tall friend. "I cannot see past your legs, could you move a bit so I can see what is going on?" Fhingle's outfit is more disorganized than the day before, he is wearing dark green slacks with a bright purple top and a light brown overcoat.
"Oh? My apologies. Ahhh, you could try standing on the bench perhaps?" Salonius says, offering a sheepish smile to the halfling.
Mels pulls on her parade armor and sword-belt. After a moment, she elects to drag along her viola before following Lucca out the door and toward the protest. Once they arrive, Meliandri looks around to see if any other nobles have decided to attend...or lacking that, anyone she knows.