Pakuzzo shrugs in reply to Cerenity.
"You can fight, and you're willing to stand with us. Anything else is between you, the gods, and whoever wants you dead, if anyone. Besides, we've all done things we're not proud of."
He blinks.
"Well, not me personally, of course. Anyway, tit for tat: I'm a son of Kintargo hatched and raised, my kin are from Vyre, I used ply my trade as a courier, and I have a severe dislike for anyone who presumes to tell me how to live my life at the point of a sword, which puts House Thrune at the very top of my enemies list. And recently all of my rabble-rousing acquaintances were murdered, put in jail, or were forced into hiding right before the new Lord-Mayor came to power, and if you think that's a coincidence I'd like to sell you the Arch of Aroden. Oh, and I talk to birds, which in a roundabout way lets me do magic tricks."
Listening to all of this Marillo felt far beyond confused. The Tengu made sense. He had seen his like before. But Cerenity? Talk of 'ruins' and her 'people' hinted at something. But he knew enough to know that it wasn't his business.
Oh, and I talk to birds, which in a roundabout way lets me do magic tricks."
This earns an eyebrow raise from Luthor, but he doesn't say anything about it.
When they reach the last alleyway, he stops and speaks to the group. "This is me here. Try not to be too conspicuous." He turns on his heel, and casually begins walking down the alley. In a moment he's blocked from view, but a few seconds later the silver fox comes bounding out and takes off towards the livery. When it reaches the gate, it slips inside.
Now hidden from view, and hopefully appearing to any strangers as a city pest lurking about an abandoned place probably full of mice, he sits back on his hind legs. He quickly scans the place for signs of magic with detect magic. He then lifts one paw, and then with purposeful movement sets it back down on the ground in front of him, a bit forward of the other. He concentrates for a moment, and then a flood of images and flashes of light enter his mind. Fighting to remain in control, he tries to sift through the information for anything useful, or anything that might warn him of serious dangers lurking within.
The silver fox darts for the gap and just manages to catch his shoulders. Stopping to look at the doors a moment, he turns his shoulders a bit and slips them through before squeezing his hindquarters into the dilapidated building.
The acrid smell of stale urine with a touch of rot assails your senses as you squeeze through the doors. A single beam of light illuminates the middle of the room a few yards, surrounded on all sides by the darkness. One can assume there are...or were stables on both sides, but can't quite make them out. A heavy dust clings to the air.
As you concentrate on the structure, an imagine begins to form. A simple blob of colors in the beginning. The colors ooze around and around, but remain shapeless, amorphic. Then suddenly, nothing.
Lurio's head still throbbing, he closes his eyes a moment.
In an attempt to be helpful, Rexus retrieves a bit of ice from the establishments proprieter and studies the injured noble a moment. Ultimately, he wraps the ice in a cloth and holds it against Lurio's right shoulder. "It'll be ok" he whispers.
Pakuzzo waits outside the livery with Marillo and Cerenity, waiting for Luthor to report back. He doesn't like waiting, but is forced to admit to himself that the fox is going to be a lot less noticeble than the rest of them.
"Be inconspicuous, he says... 'Why no officer, we're just hanging around these stables for the ambience, lovely picnic spot, care to join us for tea...?'"
"Why not add that our pet fox wanted to commune with spirits?" she chuckles
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"Oh come now. A four armed tiefling, a tengu, and a dashingly handsome young man are a dime a dozen in these parts. But in all seriousness, this is the safest place for us to be right now. As our friend here can likely attest to, tieflings aren't treated all that well by House Thrune. They're usually taken as slaves, conscripted, or forced into slums like these. Anyways...once the fox gets back, we should return for the others. As much as I am sure that he trusts his powers, we should explore this place fully once everyone is rested and is together to watch each other's backs."
She turns to him lifting up one hand and seems to point to the sky
"I am not a tiefling. Though we share a few common traits with SOME tieflings. I can assure you. I am not one of them. Your people know us as Kasatha. Best way to translate it I suppose" her voice did not carry any form of anger or resentment. She was merely educating them
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"Huh. Never heard that one before. I take it that your kind isn't from Cheliax then?"
She shakes her head
"Not quite. The first of our people... were not locals"
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Marillo nodded and let it drop. He'd met enough tieflings who were ashamed enough of their heritage that they would make the most outlandish of claims. Some were delusional enough to even believe them. Regardless of whether or not she was telling the truth, he didn't care enough to push the issue. Rather he looked back at the building, waiting for Luthor to return.
Looking up, you notice the trio of children has closed the distance some between themselves and the barn. They still play their game, with the makeshift bolas, but it seems to only be for show at this point.
The group stands midway between you guys and the livery, cutting you off from a direct path to Luthor.
Lurio stays still in his seat, taking the time and help from Rexus to undo the breastplate off of his shoulders. The noble's physique is impressive; strong, lean, ready for combat. Lurio took to the physical hobbies of the social elite quite readily. Settling back into the chair he has claimed, he hoped for the relaxing darkness of sleep to soon come. Yet there was that coldness upon his shoulder and he jumped for a moment, looking back towards Rexus with a smile. Taking the cloth, he applies it against the temple and lets out a sigh of relief as it helps numb away the throbbing pain.
"Thank you Rexus, much obliged." He murmurs, leaning back in his seat as Crady snores away softly. Looking back towards the man, he nods and speaks softly,
"So...when we recover whatever it is that we're supposed to recover from the Livery, any idea what you'll do then? Your mother believed in bringing back the Silver Hawks once more and I am inclined to believe that she is right in that vein of thinking. The populace is ready to ignite, they just need firestarters."
This was getting a bit odd. And after all the happenings today. Well. Her paranoia was at rather high levels. As she watches the children with discerning eyes. Her hands on her weapons the whole time.
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Pakuzzo is getting a little annoyed that these tiefling kids keep edging closer and closer to the livery. While trying to look casual, he keeps watch on them out of the corner of his eye.
Marillo looks at the shadows, looking for areas from where an ambush could be launched.
Metronicus leans himself up to a sitting position on the floor, listening to the two nobles converse.
Considering the question, he strokes the brown hair sprouting out of his chin. Looking back to Lurio, he answers "I suppose it depends on you lot. I've not the capabilities of fight back on my own. Yet, if you feel up to the task, I'd gladly do anything and everything in my power to aid you. As rightful Kintargans, we have a score to settle with this Thrune!"
Kid 1 > "You saw that dog. Two tails! Think of what we'd get for that?"
Kid 2 > "But it's their dog..."
Kid 3 > "It's fine. We'll be quick, just like the game."
Kid 2 > "Oh, ok. Better get us more than 2 copper though!"
Somewhat disappointed, but not entirely unsurprised either, Luthor relaxes. It seemed to be your average run down building, with the most exciting thing being the structure's curious ability to stay standing for so long. He paces back and forth by the door for a moment, then satisfied makes to leave the way he came. He pokes his head out through the gap to make sure the coast is clear, then begins to wiggle his way through (assuming it is clear).
As the silver fox pulls himself out of the building, two of the kids fling their makeshift weapons at his legs. The unbalanced items hit the ground several feet in front of Luthor and slide harmlessly past him.
The third child tries to coax the 'dog' into his arms. Stepping away from his companions, he leans over on one knee. "Here cutey pie. Here boy. I've got food. Who's a good boy?" coos the adolescent tiefling, holding out a salted green cracker.
Seeing the children's attempt at catching Luthor, Marillo beams a smile and laughs. "Come on fox! No time to play with these children, time to go."
Pakuzzo, realizing what the kids are up to, shakes his fist and shouts at them.
"HEY!! Hey, you brats! That's our fleabag you're trying to poach! Get lost before I tan your hides!"
Cerenity too will step up, one hand on her weapon, obviously not showing it to the children, she talks in a clear voice
"You realise this can be seen as theft? Do not make me tell your elders you are stealing just to make money" she seems to loom over the children
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The child attempting to coax the 'dog' looks up suddenly and you three. "Uh...Uh...nevermind. It's not worth the coin!" and takes off running into the slums.
The bigger of the two looks over at the runner, and back at you. As his eyes fall on the four armed being, he stammers "Uh...sorry. No o-offense intended.." and turns away. The remaining children, hurry towards the alley's, without running.
Luthor hesitates for a moment, looking after the retreating tieflings, then shakes his head and bounds back to the group. But when he transforms back into human shape in broad daylight before them, it's not Luthor that's standing there; it's a tiefling with orange hair, an emaciated and pale face, and claw like hands.
Let's head back, I'll only look like this for a few minutes. I'll explain there.
Pakuzzo glares at the kids' backs as they run away.
"Hmph. Nice attempt at larceny, though; with experience, they may have a future ahead of them. Anyway, back we go."
Upon returning, Luthor cheerfully reports to Rexus that the Livery didn't appear to have any psychic imprint such as might be associated with haunting.
...doesn't necessarily mean there's nothing in there of course; a couple of zombies would probably go undetected. But I think we can safely rule out powerful ghosts and whatnot. So long as we have some sharp blades about us I think we'll be fine.
As you pass the required painting of the queen, the older elven woman nods to you and motions towards the back.
Rexus jumps as the bookshelf slides to the side, pointing a finger in your direction. He visibly relaxes, as you appear. Smiling at the news, "Granted you went during the day. Perhaps the terrors come after dark? Either way, it sounds promising. I trust your travels were uneventful."
Glancing towards the resting noble, and the seated Crady, he asks "You wish to rest for now and go this evening? Or shall we search out our clues now?"
"Sorry, my friend. It seems that the strike was more disruptive than I imagined..." Lurio says with a grimacing smile. The man's righteousness was a welcome salve to the cool cynicism that was Luthor. To take the path of rebellion was to invite the wrath of hell but how much more suffering would occur upon a bended knee? It was these thoughts and the thoughts of the Dwarven woman's last moments that kept Lurio upon the path of vengeance. "You are right, Kintargo needs this help and with the Glorious Reclamation occurring, there is no better time than now."
Lurio would rest some more, in-between sleep and consciousness, before the door opened upon the bookcase. He would jump to his feet, drawing his blade out as well, but the sight of his comrades would bring a smile to his face as he places the falchion down once more and nodded.
"I am glad to see that you are all alright. How was the Livery?"
Lurio would listen in to the others, adjusting the ice pack upon his head once more as Luthor explains his findings.
"My head is still aching, truth be told, but it is managing. We could go back altogether or rest. I know by tomorrow, I shall be as right as rain."
Crady waves to everyone returning from The Livery, and listens to their report.
"Could be zombies". What a happy little fox spirit Luthor is.
"I still think traveling under the cloak of darkness might be easier, but I will bend to the will of the group', says Crady, as he gets to standing position, wiping his nose.
"We can go now, but if we need patching up we'll be kind of limited for options," he answers, falling into a chair. "Frankly, I think we can slip past the guard patrols tomorrow when there's more people about to occupy them, but I still want to see this place for myself, so I'll go if we're all going right now."
"The zombies and ghosts aren't going anywhere. But for us it has been quite a long day. Let's rest the night. I'll go out, get us some food. We rest up and go explore the place when we're at our best. I mean, who here has the heard the story about the vampire hunter who only hinted at night? It's a comedy for a reason. Let's not be like that." Marillo eyed Lurio as he said this. His friend looked worse for wear. And from what little he knew of magic, spellslingers ran on...some kind of internal power. And they had to rest when it was used up. He didn't quite fancy going into a potentially dangerous place when so many of them obviously weren't ready for it.
Lurio will chuckle at his friend's mention of the vampire hunter, nodding at the wisdom inherent in the words. If the dead haunted the place, one more night wasn't going to change a thing for them but it would for them.
"We rest here then. I've been camping near my family's mines before so I do not mind the tight quarters. I'm just glad I took you to that bath recently, Crady." Lurio murmurs with a tired smirk on his face, looking between his allies.
He stands and offers the comfort of a chair to the gunslinger first. She was a strange tiefling but he had been raised in a gentlemanly sort of way. Resting against a wall, sleep would come quickly for the nobleman and he would doze without disturbance.
~~~~~~~~
Come the morning, those who slept in at all would awaken to the sound of metal being swung quickly through the air. Standing off on his own would be Lurio, carefully practicing with the large blade he carried with him and already adorned in his armor.
Those who woke early would have seen him rise at what some would imagine to be the break of dawn, stretching out and teasing the ache from his muscles. He would've quietly taken a moment to pray, no words spoken and the prayer fast, before strapping on his armor.
A bruise remained from the club that struck him so perfectly before but his head was a dull ache and his senses seemed sharp once more. As everyone began to awake and finished their morning rituals, he would grin and nod.
"So...are we all ready to take on the Livery and see what mysteries it hides?"
Pakuzzo stretches, yawns, and scratches himself as he blinks the sleep out of his eyes. Crouching down, he inspects his bow to make sure the string stays taught.
"As ready as we're going to be. One sec--"
Bow in hand, he walks over to the closest window and sticks his head out.
"Hey! Vinz, COME."
It takes a few moments, but the giant raven eventually flaps his way to perch on the windowsill, his black frame obscuring most of the view. He leans inside the rooms and 'awks' at the group, and then sets to preening himself.
With Vinz accounted for, Pakuzzo turns back to the rest of the group.
"So we're basically going to need to get inside the livery's gate first. Anyone here experienced at picking locks?"
"Not I. Up until yesterday I was an honest man. Well...mostly honest." He sighed and thought to himself Yesterday I killed a man. Two..no, three men. And today I'll probably have to learn how to pick a lock. In for a copper...
Metronicus wakes up to the sound of metal whipping through the air and everyone else rising.
Picking earwax from his ears, Crady chimes in, "Good morning, all. I will need to commune with Kintargo this morning before we leave. I need to make sure Kintargo gives me more healing blessings to keep you guys alive. Then we'll figure out what to eat for breakfast."
Despite the cramped quarters, Crady finds an empty corner of the room, sits down to face it, and begins to mumble a slurred type of Taladane, gently rocking back and forth.
After an hour, Crady drew back from the corner, with a chagrin. "It's not a lot, but I have twice as much healing blessings as yesterday. Still, it would make my work easier if none of you met Pharasma today."
Luthor strides into the room in fox form, a thin tail hanging from his lips. He jumps vertically, and his legs extend to catch him as he switches back into human form, slurping in the tail as he does.
"Someone mention breakfast?"
She walks in. Dressed. You can tell she gives a yawn. Even if her face is covered. He top arms stretching up and her lower arms stretching to the sides
"Morning..." she seems to grumble
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The tengu (sort of) frowns impatiently at the newcomers.
"Alright, well grab something to scarf down quick and let's get on with it. The sleep was necessary, but we should dawdle any more than we have to. I'd like to see what's in that livery before noontime."
As you all wake up and start moving about, you notice Rexus is missing. Shortly after Pakuzzo retrieves his friend through the window, the bookshelf slides to the side, revealing Sir Victocora.
Walking in with a tray of paleo breads, he glances to Lurio. "Apologies for the poor breakfast options, but it's become harder for me to obtain suitable items." He sets the tray down upon the table and steps out of the way.
"Whenever you all are ready, we'll head out."
Stepping out into the sunlight, one must take a moment to adjust. Yesterdays haze gone, it's as though the city had been born anew with the morning sun. Citizens are beginning to pour into the streets and go about their business.
As you wind through the streets towards the livery, you pass by several churches and other sites. Rexus leads you to the opposite side of the road as a patrol of robed humans head your way sporting the symbol of Asmodeus.
"Those are Thrune Redactors" he whispers.
Without any further interruption you arrive at the Fair Fortune Livery. From the outside, it's not much to look at. It's crumbling walls leaning heavily to the south, one marvels it's still standing. The two oversized doors held together by a massive rusted chain, though a gap remains. A strong aroma of stale urine hangs in the air. The sunlight makes it appear slightly less ominous than the previous day. Save those in your menagerie, the area seems deserted.
"Well I hope one of you knows how to get that thing open. Frankly I'd rather like some company as I'm eaten by zombies this beautiful morning." He shape shifts and slips through.
"Ungh"
"Grrrrrr"
Marillo watched Luthor struggle to squeeze through, paying attention to what troubles he was having and what he was getting stuck on. When he was through, he followed suit, doing his best to follow suit.
Doing his best to ignore the scent of stale urine and rot, Marillo made his way through. The darkness, for him, meant nothing. He could see everything as clearly as if though it were open to the sun. Once through, he pulls out his knife (once again regretting leaving his katana with Lurio's mask at the man's estate), and looked into where the shadows would have been for him for any possible danger, as well as any other ways in for everyone else.
Lurio shakes his head, dismissing Rexus's fears and eats the bland yet filling meal. It was good to have something in the stomach, just enough to keep the body going. No amount of will could help a failing body, after all. When they emerged back on to the streets, Lurio was almost worried there would be wanted posters and Thrune guarddogs on every corner. Yet somehow it was almost worst than that; the city was continuing on as if nothing had happened at all. The thought that those citizen's lives were so easily hidden away that they could be ignored sent a chill of anger through Lurio's form but he kept it in check for the moment. He had a goal today and it would take more than one mere noble's anger to burn away the foulness that was House Thrune.
He eyes the Redactors with a vicious gaze for just a moment, hating that such people exist. They sought to extinguish their fire by changing their history, eliminating their dissenters and creating a perfect Kintargo built in House Thrune's image.
"Don't worry Rexus, they won't stop us." He murmured for a moment before they made their way into the Redroof District and towards the dilapitated building known as the Fair Fortune Livery. The small of urine was pungent yet dry and the building looked like it was a miracle that it was still put together.
"My goodness..." Lurio commented before watching Luthor and Marillo easily slip in past the rusted gate. He grimaced a moment and did his best to slip on through as well.
He grumbles as he gets stuck for a moment, looking around quickly that there were no other eyes watching them before trying again.
He seems to just get into a worst predicament before he looks over at the others with an embarrassed look upon his face.
"Sorry. Breastplate. Keep an eye out for me, will you?"
He'd finally squeeze his way through, looking at the others as he tries to brush himself off.
"You'll have to teach me how to move better, Marillo. I can't fight House Thrune if I'm being beaten by a gate..."
He seems to get his composure quickly, looking in through the dark windows of the livery. He looks back and calls out quietly.
"I don't suppose any of you magically-gifted have the ability to create light, do you? I rather not light a torch and burn the place down..."
Marillo nodded. "Will do. And you can show me how to actually fight with that katana I've been performing with. Something tells me that my juggling isn't going to be enough." As he said this, a thought crept into his head. Maybe they should indeed start practicing when they had the time. If two people worked as a team while moving through the shadows, the chances of being caught could actually be lowered. They'd need to learn how to watch each other's backs. Maybe even have hand signals....but that'd have to wait. There were other tasks at hand.
After Sir Victocora offers the paleo bread, Crady takes a few and eats them. If any remain, the urban druid wraps them up in a old handkerchief.
Passing the Thrune redactors, Metronicus murmurs, "Change all you want. Kintargo remembers the Truth in all things."
Once at the Livery, while the rest are squeezing themselves in through the door gap, Crady walks around the building several times, looking for any other way in, but mainly communing with the building, talking to it, and attempting learn all Kintargo will currently tell him about the building.