Once everyone was back together Ludvic would scratch his head. "I do apologize for dragging you guys away from your business. That was never my intent. I'll buy you all a drink when we are done with the translation. Now that the team is back together though, lets get to work. Ellon and Fraejia have the right idea as well. It might cost a bit of money to get it identified that way but I can cough it up for the occasion. Lets get this done so we can get some relaxation in."
Returning still behind her compatriot Opal stays quiet while the group deliberates. I haven't convinced anyone of anything in quite a while. Perhaps I'm starting to meet with some success after all. That would be nice.
"I'll hold you to that, Hearthrend. Be warned, I ain't cheap!" Razza laughs, putting an arm around his shoulder.
"All right, so how exactly are we finding fish boy? It wouldn't be too hard to just ask around for him but if we've got assassins on our tail then letting the whole planet know we're looking for the guy is a pretty good way to cause him to disappear under mysterious circumstances."
Opal steps just out of arms reach. We have both a name and an employer. It should not be hard. Does this city have public transit?
Using the knowledge her player has in an attempt to simulate someone way smarter than him, Opal suggests Perhaps he is staying at an inn. He is not a local.
There are air-taxis and buses, along with an underground train system that leads most everywhere.
Gandro walked down the stairs from his room and took a seat at the bar, signaling for an ale. Where's that fish? He thought to himself.
"Definitely not a bad guess, Opal. Probably somewhere near the water? Fish like water, right? Razza scratches her head, trying to remember where the good inns in that area were; she never spent much time there herself since the coastline is generally a bit more high class than her preferred scene.
Alright alright. Let's head back to the netkaf over there Neve brings up all the close by inns that are on the waterfront and also separately puts in Qeetan abd Qeetan's boss's name.
"Well it's time for a old fashion investigation. We will start hitting up inns along the water line until we hit a lead. If it starts getting dark we can just bunk at one for the night. Let's keep our eyes open for any other activity as well.
"It sounds like we have a plan then, let's get to it."
"Tik'Klik."
Tik'Klik moves to a computer, and a small crystal extends from one finger as he touches it to the computer. Small bits of electricity surge over the computer.
After near an hour of wandering near the ports, you come across this pub that advertises it's services to aquatic races, showing an image of a happy undine and merfolk dining together.
"Tik'Klik."
Tik'Klik moves to a computer, and a small crystal extends from one finger as he touches it to the computer. Small bits of electricity surge over the computer.
** spoiler omitted **
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Hmm... Smells like sushi. Worth a shot, at least. Razza walks through the door, peering at the customers in an effort to pick out Qeetan.
"Hrm, all of these fish people look the same to me. Anyone else see the guy?"
He will follow inside and so a quick look around.
He will walk up to who ever is behind the bar and take a seat. After buying the team a round what ever drink they would enjoy he would start talking to the server. "Excuse me but we are looking for a gentleman by the name of Qeetan'Chachol. Anything you can do to help us would be greatly appreciated. "
As they entered the pub Fraejia found herself intrigued by the place, she'd never been into an establishment for purely aquatic species and was rather surprised at teh breatheable air inside, she figured it would have been filled with water. She began looking around in wonder as she searched for Qeetan.
I suppose we can simply wait in the foyer? Assuming they accept landlocked patrons.
Opal's diction made Ellion consider the viewpoint of the watery races. "Do you think we are exotic to them because they are more comfortable in the water? Or perhaps not as our kinds are more numerous." He awaited Opal's reply, gazing at her nostrils and lips. Even she has no signs of the terrain shift in her recent evolutionary history through vestigal traits.
Come to think of it, neither do the others. They were a colorful group, and the rather bland elf allowed himself a moment to take in their physical characteristics as those more interested in finding this particular person went about their tasks; generally, he would have been aiding more directly in the search, but one assassination attempt was enough for a day.
He kept his ears open while their presence presided in the establishment.
Opal stands by the door, waiting for the Arynth from before to appear.
It would certainly make sense for the former case to hold true. Sea bound creatures are alien to us, in turn they must certainly find our ways strange. In time, we may become inured to one another, though a rift will always re... main... She stops ruminating for a moment.
Ellion? You are staring. Be careful, I've found many people do not take kindly to such behavior. Have you not seen Forlarren before? I myself have met few as well.
Qeetan approaches the Below the Tides pub after his dinner... not that he really enjoyed alcoholic beverages... he was looking for companionship and the only place in this city that he could find another Arynth was in that pub, even if the chances were abysmal. At the door, he recognizes the woman he met before.
"Hello again, miss..." He seems to be thinking, but it is not the case, for Arynths have great memory... he is just a bit embarrassed for showing that he does not know the forlarren's name. "...pardon me, but I fear you never told me your name."
Remembering the awkward meeting from before, he made what he could to avoid such situation again. "I assure you my meeting with your group, if they are indeed inside this pub, is purely by chance, for I'm not following you... if you prefer, I'll even turn back and leave you to your own business."
Qeetan waits patiently for the forlarren's answer.
Without turning to him Opal speaks up My apologies. My name is Opal Ganymede. I have an unfortunate habit of forgetting pleasantries. She seems to remember something and makes eye contact at this point.
The others are here actually. This meeting is fortunate, the fragile men were looking for your aid with a tablet of some sort we recovered. It came with Tik'Klik, the robot you fondled. Stated blankly.
As many of you look and ask around for Qeetan, many of the other patrons stare and roll their eyes at you, obviously a little annoyed at the dry-folks' invasive intrusion into their bar, but nonetheless continue with their drinks.
Ludvic will slip from his spot at the bar when he see's Opal talking to what he could only assume was their fishy friend. He quickly finished off the drink that he had ordered just in time to hear the conversation. At that point he stood next to the two and smile, putting his hand out for a shake. "Fragile man Ludvic Hearthrend. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard from my sources that you might be able to help identify a strange item as Opal stated. Do you by chance know of some place private around here that you could take a look at it? I would also need to know your price as well."
Qeetan accepts the man's hand but nods at his question. "Nice to meet you Ludvic, I'm Qeetan'Chachol Shaaldanarth Vrulsh and since I'm the Shaaldanarth, I think I may be able to help you... I'm not from this town and only know the inn I'm staying, even though I'd avise you that it might not be safe from prying eyes, for the Thrune have eyes everywhere."
He then remembers about the hooded figures that were after that group and looks around, trying to discover if they are still being watched.
"You also misjudges me for being in this planet, or do not know much about the Arynths, for you would already be paying me with the knowledge that I'll forever gain while I help you with your 'strange item'."
Ludvic will grin at him. "I like the way your people think then. We would be happy to share any findings about this tablet that you would like to know or that we discover. We might as well simply stay here if you can not guarantee it's not being watched. Lets head to a corner booth for us to speak at." Ludvic will lead him over towards one of the less inhabited spots of the bar in the corner. He will motion for the rest of the group to come over as well before he fished the tablet out, doing his best to hide it form any prying eyes. "So what can you tell us about this?"
Neve coughs. Seriously we should probably head back to our ship before we start flashing things around. Only place on this planet that I feel, like, safe. If you're fine with that I mean Qeetan
Qeetan looks at Neve before answering, trying to sense any kind of treachery upon her words.
"I agree with your terms, young lady, but if you could tell me your name, I'd be more comfortable. I'm Qeetan'Chachol Shaaldanarth Vrulsh, at your services." He then follows her wherever she leads him.
Qeetan takes the tablet in his hands with the careful as if he was handling the most expensive and fragile crystal. He observes the item, trying to recall any knowledge about it.
He then flexes his fingers, showing countless suckers upon his palm. He opens it widely and touches the tablet fully, closing his eyes and remaining calm and quiet for a full minute.
Neve is a bit flustured by the formality. Sure thing Qeetan, I'm Neve... Neve Aurora. Navigator and Pilot of the Heaven's Scythe. Which is our ship. Where we are going. Before we get jumped by more assassins
"Oi, don't sound too disappointed Neve; we definitely could get jumped by more assassins on the way there!" Razza smiles, blatantly way too eager to get jumped by assassins.
She turns to Qeetan, grinning. "Name's Razza, by the way. Sorry about scarin' you earlier, gotta protect the ship's property, you understand." Her teeth show big and pointing, but her face is otherwise friendly and unthreatening. "Neve's right though, we should get to the ship before we talk too much about this thing. I doubt anyone would bother paying for someone I can't handle in a fight but no assassin worth their salt is gonna play fair."
Fraejjia was fascinated by this place, it was something she'd never seen before and it kept her from paying much attention. She questioned many of the different races in the room about their peoples, "Where are you from? What are you? How old are you?" Her questions continued in that vein as all of them were new to her and she couldn't help but bother them. She was so preoccupied that she didn't realize they had found Qeetan already. As frigid as her demeanor could be at times Fraejia seemed to have found her element in this establishment, or so she thought despite the dirty looks she started to get as she went from a nuisance to a pest.
Opal stood listening to the exchange between her acquaintances for a while, before noticing Fraejia.
Do you understand what I mean now Ellion? Now calling to her
Fraejia? We're leaving for the ship now.
Opal moves to the door and holds it open.
Do you understand what I mean now Ellion? Now calling to her
The doctor nodded. "Indeed..."
He was, however, distracted by their new arrival. Queetan'Chacol Shaaldanarth. Though cumbersome for many, his elder experience with languages made the pronunciation passable after hearing it. His main focus was not on linguistics, but rather on the creature's claim about knowledge it would "forever gain"; even in his lengthened state, Ellion did not deceive himself as an inevitable well of knowledge, but rather a mind that had the opportunity to learn for longer than others. Perhaps there is something unique about their physiology - an internal repository or inherited consciousness. Such traits generally made members of the races that possessed them rare and reclusive.
One more person to study.
Not fully trusting this enigma, Ellion followed silently.
Despite being engrossed with her questioning she heard Opal call out to her and looked up to se she was holding the door open. the esper looked at the victim of her interrogations, smiled, and quickly went to leave. She glanced at Opal as she passed and said, "Spoil-sport," but left the building anyway.
"Yeah good point. It would be best to be some where safe. We can figure it all out at the ship for now." He will follow everyone out of the pub as they begin to walk. "Awww Fraejia maybe we can pick you up a gold fish when we head back out." He teased lightly as they walked.
You take the long, surprisingly uneventful walk to the Scythe to see the two chefs, the Tengu Jei, and the halfling Roddick, wheeling in carts of food, roddick cursing under his breath, and Jei whistling an elaborate tune.
In the safety of your ship, Qeetan finally has the time to study the tablet.
In the midst of his reading, you hear the captain let out a curse you've never heard before as he waks on deck. Damned berucrats! He said, then looked at Qeetan with the tablet. This the expert? What do you see?
Qeetan takes his hands from the tablet and withdraws his hands, apparently having completed his analyses. He eyes the group before speaking, noticing the growing expectation. I think an explanation of my limits and abilities should be held before I reveal my discoveries. He also notices the new man, probably the captain or their boss by the way he spoke to them.
"Nice to meet you sir, I'm Qeetan'Chachol Shaaldanarth Vrulsh, at your services."
He then changes back his attention to the group.
"I'm the Shaaldanarth and it means, in Arinth, my people language, 'the one who reads what is not written', and from this tablet I read death and destruction in overwhelming intensity. I also sensed that it is only a part of whole, even if the exactly meaning had not presented itself."
He pauses before continuing.
"I sense you seek even more knowledge about this tablet, even if it is beyond my reach in the present moment. When I touch a spoon, I'm able to sense its purpose, and even its user sometimes, but not the name 'spoon', for the object doesn't names itself... the same happens with this tablet. I know it was used for destruction even if I do not know its name... not yet."
Nice to meet you, er... I'll call you Vrulsh, if that's fine. He said, reaching out his hand.
He whistled. Sounds official, I trust you're pretty damn good at your job.
He scratched at his beard. Part of a whole, eh? Like a puzzle piece?
He looks to Elion and Ludvic. What the hell happened to you two? Looks like you've been thrown off a pegasis.
Ludvic will give a slight shrug. I'm fine, if not a bit disappointed in my own aim. We were attacked by a man who seemed to be interested in murdering us. Sadly he was not kind enough to give us a reason why before he booked it. If it does have something to do about the tablet, it is apparently known that we have possession of it. Hopefully now we can figure out what to do with the damn thing. I vote for getting the, pardon my pun, hell out of this place before they send some one a bit more competent after us.