Her brief theft accomplished, she takes a calming breath and prepares herself for her next task. Focusing her psychic talents inward, she implants a hypnotic suggestion in her psyche, then moves to the still open window. Can't risk him spotting me slipping out the front door. Besides, jumping out the window is still less painful than spending another night with him. Leaning out the window as far as she can manage while keeping her balance, she checks to see that there are no witnesses before dropping her satchel to the street below. Before she can rethink her next course of action, Laetitia carefully slips out of the window and hangs onto the frame, lowering her body much as she can before letting go.
She lands with a pained grunt, her ankle having twisted slightly after the fall. Her psychic gift activates a moment later, deadening the pain centers of her brain and restoring her to full strength, if only for a while. She tests her ankle for a second and, finding it as good as new, slings her pack over her shoulder and makes her way to the Honeydew Bar.
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"You've got my word then."
With that said he followed Jix to the tavern. He really didn't need a reason to go, but there was a bit of a glimmer in his eye as she made her speech about not getting involved. It looked like someone was smiling down at him from on high today.
"I've pissed off plenty of people in my time. Maggory wasn't the first, won't be the last. The way I see it... we're both in this business together. No way his servant is going to keep quiet about a ratling coming in to take his son and his son's stolen money."
"No sir, can't take the chance of him coming after you while I'm out hunting down some leads. That's why I'm going to be by your side, sticking out like a sore thumb until we find that boys mum, partner."
"Feckin' load a rubbish this is!" She cursed as the pair proceeded down the docks towards the tavern.
"I could disappear right into the crowd, I could. Leave you lolly-gaggin' be'ind me. But then I'd 'ave to worry 'bout ya squealin' to the constable when they inevitably find ya with that naff getup of yers an' yer completely barmy 'eight." Jix chastises the man looking him up and down judgmentally. "Stick out like a sore thumb is right on point." She sighs. "So ya'd best stick wit' me ifn ya don't want ta end up a dead tosser 'nstead a one what's still kickin'."
"We find the lad's ma an' then we're done though ya hear? This ain't gonna be a permanent deal I got enough troublesome people about without addin' yerself ta the lot ya hear?"
"Oh an' if ya even think 'bout gettin' cheeky wit' me there'll be a bolt comin' shortly ta kiss yer nethers ya hear? So don't go fallin' arse over tit for me splendid self right there loverboy?" She fallowed up with a wink that said playful but a smile that whispered that she meant business.
Kali opens the door to find two young women standing outside.
@ Kali
The woman appears from northern descent, with her braided white hair. She is well dressed but not to the point of being unreasonable for travel. By her side, the other girl is clearly subservient to her in some way, the easy tells are there, the constant eye checking, the back positioning, the nervousness of the way she bit her lip.
@ Lia
You can feel the alarmed eyes of Lia boring into the back of your neck now that the alcohols worn off. You know from experience that Kari isn't racist against tieflings but still had that unfortunate tick of being 'surprised' by them.
The tiefling in question stands before you proudly in ash color skin and wears a mop of obsidian black hair. She is quite beautiful, once you got over the shock of seeing her oddly demonic features and appreciated how they came together to a bit...alluring.
Both
From inside the room, Desoran the mage, still in his incredibly revealing outfit,claps his hands excitedly.
"More guests! Please do come in"
Lia and Kari both feel a tug and end up in the very luxurious, but oddly feminine room full of fluffy pillows and cute things.
"And you, Kali, you're not the first to call me a con-man, after all we are in Riddleport." he raises his eyebrows in a comedic gesture. "But if you insist on being paid in gold, that can be arranged as well. It just seems rather....boring, to be honest. How does 40 gold sound?"
You track the girl to...you gotta be s#@*ting me....the same friggin inn you were just at? What the hell is the world playing at today....
After asking around, it seems your girl is upstairs in an occupied room of someone else's. There are only two residents, one being the guy you just left. But why would she see him? It's either him or the other mystery one though.
You find a few important looking papers and quickly stash them in your bags for a more thorough check later.
The easy part finished, your daring escape only leaves you slightly wincing but that is also easily rectified. You then set off.
The Honeydew bar is winding down for the night, but they're still serving none-the-less. They seat you at the bar and let you look over the menu before a server comes to you.
A sorta-partnership established. You find yourselves far enough from the docks that tensions ease up. The boy tugs at Otho's pants, pointing to what looks like an establishment called 'The Honeydew Bar.'
"The guy who's been helping me works here." he says softly. There is also a noticeable grumble from his belly, and possibly one of yours.
"'Cause it's best we use all our resources avialable to us, that it is. An'fer no other reason than that clearly!"
The rat-girl smirks and throws the door wide open with one arm and grinned wide as a chesire cat, "Oi cookie! Throw some foodstuffs me way an' mayhaps toss a crumb or two fer the biscuit arsed lecher what that's followin' me in 'ere!"
She tossed a wink to the tall man behind her, "'e's been beggin' fer 'elp all day~"
With that she pulled out her bag of coin and made for the counter.
Kali finds herself stopping in surprise. Not at the reactions of the two women, but at their presence. She wants to leave, but the same pull that has them has her as well.
Turning on Desoran, there's a brief flash of anger in her eyes, but it fades as quickly as it had come.
"My apologies for being boring," Kali replies, "but I don't believe you could give me what I want."
Throughout most of this ordeal, and it was an ordeal for her (She just wanted some honest work, after all,) her expression and voice had been neutral, almost flat, but now her eyes narrow in the beginnings of a frown and her voice has taken on a cold, icy edge.
Laetitia surveys the common room of The Honeydew for her new acquaintance before taking a seat at the bar. She gives the menu a cursory glance, then reaches into her satchel and retrieves the pilfered papers, looking over them as she waits for her mark to show. At the server's appearance, Laetitia gives a faint smile and places an order for a honeycake and a mug of their sweetest ale. But before the server can retreat, she calls them back to ask a few questions. "You wouldn't have happened to see a half-Elven fellow in here tonight, would you? Kind of a smarmy git? Shifty looking?"
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"As I see it, you're the one who's flirting mouse. What is your name anyway?"
"Oh please do 'urry cookie! I do believe me dear mate's gone completely mental be means of famishment, I do!" She chortled jubalently to herself as she made herself comfortable.
"Oh, mouse, ain't never 'ear that one before. You sure ya don't write them play reviews? Ya sure could with that kinda sharp satirical whit, let me tell ya." The rouge rolls her eyes and pat's the seat beside her.
"Well? 'urry up then! I don't buy a meal fer jus' anyone ya know? The way you popped that tosser out there was rather impressive if I do say so meself. . . Ya ever think about a career in caravan work? An' the name's Jix Rissi by the by, though most fellas jus' call me Jinx." Jix proceeded to fold her arms behind the back of her head reclining.
"A pleasure I'm sure." The ratfolk girl's tail swung passively beneath her as she grinned up at the giant of a man.
Kali sees the newcomer looking her over.
No, not her. Her clothes.
She was doing well to hide it, and most of the time Kali might not have spotted the contempt, no, more like disapproval, in her eyes. The tiefling felt her cheeks color as what she'd said ran back through her mind. All she could do was nod in return to the greeting as she crossed her arms over her chest and hunched her shoulders.
Great, she must think I'm a prostitute, or that I was going to be sleeping with him. This day just needs a lynch mob and I think it'd be down there with the three other worst days of my life.
A few moments later, three bowls of piping hot beef stew are set in front of you all. It doesn't look like there's much meat in them, but as its nearing the end of usual supper time, its not surprising. To make up for that, the portions are larger and there's even a small extra chewy loaf to dip into the broth.
The cook actually hangs by and pats Thomias down on his head, a smile on his face. Seems he's missing a few teeth, and by the extent of his pot belly, its easy to see the man enjoys his food and rink himself.
"Who's this lot Thomias? That oaf of a father of yours finally let you get some bodyguards of your own?" His voice is coarse and deep, and he speaks in a swinging manner that seems to follow the manner of his steps.
Thomias shakes his head.
"Father's going to be looking for me." Thomias says meekly. He turns to look up at the cook, Bjorn, with pleading eyes.
"So its finally time is it..." Bjorn says in a quiet voice.
He turns to the two of you.
"I knew the lads mother before that prick of a father drove her off. She's not in Riddleport I'm sad to say, but shouldn't be much too trouble getting to where she's settled now. How much did the boy put together to hire you two?"
Desoran the mage nods happily.
"Miss Neve, well met." he says with a welcoming smile on his face and then introduces himeself. He's honestly not a bad looking man, once you got over the zebra-print bathrobe that he wore a bit too loosely around his person.
"Kali, I still haven't heard an answer from you. 40 gold enough for you to teach a black market, book counterfeiter a lesson or two?"
His eyes are twinkling and he glances over to Lia and Kari.
"And if you're after the tome I think you are Miss Neve, this little excursion might prove useful to you as well. After all, I'm sure you've come to loathe those who make fraudulent copies of ancient texts?"
PUtting together a disguise takes some time. You have to wait a round for the times to match up.
The server is a lad probably just entering adulthood. You can the shadows under his eyes and the slouch in his back as he turns back to answer your question.
"Yeah, think so. He left though, no idea where."
With that, a bell rings and teh waiter trudges off to get another table's order. However, it seems the cook has other ideas and carries the order out himself to an odd table with a ratfolk woman, A giant of a man (but not an actual giant), and a kid who looks like he's seen better days. You watch as the begin to discuss something, happily at first, but then taking a more serious turn.
Jix wasted no time in diving into her meal with reckless abandon, a fervor that was almost savage and animalistic in nature. When the meal had disappeared before her Jix licked her lips clean and stared up at the cook before her, a man who was obviously in on the scheme that Thomias had clearly been cooking up for some time now.
"Well, ta be perfectly honest wit' ya cookie, I'm 'ere doin' this completely outta tha goodness a' me 'eart. Can't stand ta see a young lad in such need ya know? 'ad ta drag this 'un be'ind me kickin' an' screamin' but I know 'e'll grow from actually doin' some good fer a change, right there cookie?' The rogue indicates to her pseudo-partner with a pointed thumb.
She nudges the bowl towards Bjorn with pleading, puppy do eyes. "There wouldn't 'appen ta be seconds fer a poor starved good Samaritan such as meself now would there?"
Kali sighs as Desoran asks his question again.
"Fine, yes," she half-snaps in exasperation.
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"I did some banding before settling in at the docks. Reminds me... I need to check on Scoot and the cart later..."
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That was smooth. So smooth that Otho would have believed it himself, if he didn't know better. He mashed the loaf onto the stew until the whole thing became like a meaty paste. It was gone in three scoops. While he wouldn't have been averse to more, but there was work to be done.
"You can ignore most of what Jinx here said, except for the part about the goodness of our hearts. I'm not getting anything out of this other than peace of mind. I've met his lordship and can see why she ran off. So what can you tell us?"
Bjorn, the cook lets out a hearty laugh and scoops the bowls up.
"Ay ay! Another serving, on the house."
Before he leaves, he answers Otho's question.
"The lad is the unfortunate offspring of my cousin's biggest mistake. She tried to stick it out a few years, but couldn't handle his 'lordship' so she tried taking off with Thomias in tow. You can see how well that turned out. Long story short, she's taken refuge in a town far east."
You can read Jix and Otho's spoiler for this post.
With your keen perception, you can also tell that the young boy is injured but feels comfortable around these folks.
Desoran the mage re-introduces himself, but looks positively pleased as punch at the agreement of the work.
"Excellent! I'll be here for the remainder of the week so just pop by when the work's done. No need for proof. I'll know..."
"As for the book Miss Neve, I believe you're familiar with one of the more obscure tomes. A 'Moonlight Symphony'? A collection of music and essays attributed to an unknown religion several hundreds of years ago."
There are no rooms available for rent, but making your way up the stairs, you hear voices speaking. You quietly listen in.
Uou can read Lia and Kalisuel's spoiler for this post.
"Oh cookie! You're a man after me own 'eart, I swear you are! A right crumpet at that!" She tosses the man a fun wink and shouts after him as he heads towards the kitchen. "I could absolutely murder a 'oneycake right now love!" She smirks as he leaves and proceeds to bring her tail up to smack Otho on the rump playfully beside her as she brings up her mug of water to her lips and takes a sip.
"So a caravan man are ya? Now that's what I like ta 'ear. If yer outta work I 'appen to 'ave a regular caravan I guard I'm on break from. The pay's good and the people are all right as rain, aside from one sodding little tosser, I think you'd fit in well."
Kali turns to leave at Desoran's apparent dismissal. That was fine with her. The sooner she could get away from him, the better she'd feel. As she headed down the steps with "Miss Neve," an icy chill runs down her spine.
"How did he know my name," she asks in a soft, fearful voice that is just loud enough for the other woman to hear.
"How could he? No one wants to talk to me," Kali says helplessly. The small, ashen-skinned woman gives a bitter chuckle as she continues, "most of the time, 'hey fiendspawn' seems to be enough to make it clear they're talking to me."
After Kari is introduced, Kali remembers some of her manners and gives Lia, who was most likely a noblewoman from her speech and dress, a polite bow.
"It is indeed Kali, Miss Lia. It is a pleasure to meet you and Miss Kari," she says somewhat stiffly, "and if you don't mind, can we find somewhere private to discuss the details. I'd rather not have unfriendly ears eavesdropping on our conversation."
Owl slips into the room uninvited and shuts the door. He leans against the wall and looks over the person. "Good evening Desoran. This rabbit hole I find myself wandering has lead me in some surprising directions. I hope there is a light at the end of this tunnel to illuminate the truth."
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Their best bet was to get someone skilled at a little smuggling. Enough to get them past any roadbloacks. Jinx's silver tongue was good, but an extra head never hurt. Otho just wasn't sure if he knew anyone in town that fit the bill.
Her tail whipping him wasn't helping.
"Stop it," he warned as he slapped it away, "Anyway I don't think I'll have much of a job to go back to, so what the hell... I'm in, just tell me how much trouble I can expect from your 'little problem.'"
Kali followed Lia out of the inn and into the streets.
"No," Kali answers when ask if Riddleport was her home, "I have no home."
"I'll take that honeycake now."
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While she slid up to them, cake and sympathy in hand, it was no surprise that Otho was a bit skeptical. Chel girls like her were usually trouble. Still, he'd hear her out at least.
"So Tish, what exactly do you want in on? What's you're angle?"
The woman moved with a feminine grace completely foreign to Jix herself, who abandoned such sultry femininity in favor of a more tom-boyish attitude, but Jix did have some familiarity with the people who moved in her sort of way, those trained in the art of men's base desires.
As the woman took a seat, Jix gave her a knowing smile. "Calistria's blessings upon ya stranger. An' aren't you jus' a giddy kipper wanderin' straight up to a group a strangers an' invitin' yerself to the fun."
She then nodded to Otho. "Trus' me now Othy, ya can't afford 'er pleasantries bes' jus' ta stick ta business wit' this un." Jix said smirking at her new traveling companion's annoyance to her little love tap earlier.
The ace-shot caravan guard then returns her attention to the new woman seated amongst them. "Now not ta seem like a complete prat but why should we be bringin' you along now? Ya gotta understand from our perspective, a dodgy woman of a suspicious nature comes ta the table uninvited knowin' more about us then she should and askin' to tag along? Seem's just a tad too serendipitous to this little rat, so it does."
Laetitia's attention flits back to the ratwoman at the questions she poses. At the claim that she knows more than she ought to, a sweet, tinkling laugh escapes her, colored with just a hint of condescension. "Oh, but were you trying to be discreet earlier? I've been quietly observing the two of you since you made such a spectacle of an entrance. You haven't exactly been being subtle, and if I've taken advantage of that fact to seize an opportunity..." she says, before trailing off with a shrug as if to say 'Whose fault is it really?' "The two of you transporting little Thomias are bound to raise suspicions along the way, and a whole slew of questions you'd rather not have asked. But, who would think twice about a boy and his mother traveling through the countryside?"
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"No terms. You've got your reasons and stated them. And... you seem to get along well enough with the boy. Far as I'm concerned, if you're willing to help out then you're in."
He leaned in careful to keep his voice down. As Tish said, they were being a little obvious here.
"Now what's going on here will be called a kidnapping. There will be bounties on our heads and I have no intention of going back to prison. Can you think of anyone else who can help us get out of town clean and quiet?"
"The Lady in the Room knows this dodgy chav is sorely lackin' in both regards." She mouths the words, "You should be ashamed." before turning her golden eyes back on the new woman before them.
"'Sides I owe a great deal to the women a the worl's ol'est profession, I do. So consider us partners! Jix is the name, by the by, most folks call me Jinx." Jix reached out eagerly to shake hands, grinning ear to ear, before a ring back at Otho playfully. "'e kin be a 'alf psuedo-partner. . . twice removed."
"I 'ate to be a buzz kill but ol' Othy's got a point. What's the plan 'ere exactly? Otho ain't gettin' outa 'ere wit' a bounty on 'is 'ead. An' e's promised to drag me poor self down wit' 'im if 'e goes so tha's unacceptable fer me." The rat-girl mutters.
"Why try to fool myself. Not having found one is the same as not having one," Kali says, her voice that of someone who'd long ago grown weary of her lot, and had accepted that it would never change.
"Four and one score years tells me otherwise," she adds, "and you'll probably find some reason to hate me. Everyone always seems to."
Once the door is closed, Kali turns to Lia and Kari.
"Before I begin, can you two trust each other," she asks pointedly.
After making yourself known to Desoran, he shifts his attention from a book he's reading to you, frowns and cocks his head, and smiles.
"Aren't you a bit old to play dress-up?" he asks coyly. He chuckles a bit, but flicks his wrist to illuminate your end of the better so he may better watch you. He calmly folds his hands together and looks at you curiously.
"The truth is what you seek? What truth are you looking for?"
You both arrive back at the inn without incident, passing an odd table with a mountain of a man, a ratfolk woman, an alluring young woman, and a small boy. Paying them no mind, you continue up to Lia's room.
Otho, no one comes to mind for smuggling work. You aren't exactly the most discreet of individuals at times and most smugglers stay clear of your kind.
Thomias is wolfing down the honey cake, just as Laetitia expected. He seems happy that such a pretty lady is being kind to him, almost motherly. Thomias gets up and quickly goes to the back to see his friend the cook about getting more honey cakes.
Plans are moving along well...
There are three sharp knocks on the tavern door.
A moment passes.
The door bursts into splinters and a somewhat rough group of people move in shouting loudly, waving weapons, and forcing patrons and workers alike down to the floor. More come into the building and quickly move up the stairs to secure everyone inside the private rooms, the attack coming so quickly that everyone is quickly pinned and restrained.
And then he steps in. A large bruise covering his face and a snarl curling on his lips. He glances around the room, notices Otho and his mouth widens to a grin. He spits on him and gives a swift stomp to the face while he's at it.
"Know your place vermin." he glances and purposefully walks onto Jix's tail as he orders men to search the building.
Minutes pass as all of you are held under sword and spell, but a guard comes back to report. Thomias is no longer in the building, at which Duke Maggory flies into a rage.
"Throw them into the cells! I'll have them all hanged tomorrow! Everyone last one of them!"
A painful half an hour later, you are all stripped of your possesions and clothing. You are given dirty rags to wear and are all put into the cell together.
"Age is but a state of mind. Never too old for anything," he says looking up at one the lights whimsically. "Your calm suggests my name proceeds me or you are very confident in your magical talents. And your comment suggests great perception which implies great knowledge. I am in need of knowledge." Owl paces about his side of the room, looking about at the odds and ends while keeping Desoran in his peripheral. "The truth is I am looking for the daughter of man fraught with worry over loosing his little girl," he says with some flair. "I was going to make a deal with a rather skittish man for a lead but one of the women who was in here ran him off over a case a mistaken identity. Silly girl. I met her again and thought she was attempting to meet with him but instead I find you." He looks the man over with intense scrutiny. "A step up to say the least, and I am never one to let opportunities slip by. Care to shed some light in the right direction?" he asks, standing directly beneath the floating ball of magical light.
From what you know, Desoran is an extremely powerful mage that is respected by both sides of the law. He is known for thinking towards his own ends, but acting fairly and never breaking an agreement. It would be wise not to cross him, and you know he has a thing for cute boys.
Desoran smiles as he bows his head to you coyly, a slight glowing to his eyes.
He ponders the information you give him and storkes his chin thoughtfully. Something that looks like a wisp flows through the window and slowly melds into Desoran's head.
"Tell me Owl, what would you give for your life? Not in a threatening way of course, but I have a dire need of a favor right now. What do you say? A favor for information?"
Humiliated.
The word was the only word that fit, but it was nowhere near strong enough to describe the roiling cauldron of emotions that Kali had become since Duke Maggory had burst into the tavern Lia was staying at.
She'd been in a similar position before, but at least she'd been out cold for the whole ordeal. No, this time she was awake and aware of what was happening through the whole ordeal as they stripped her of armor, gear, and clothing. She'd remained stoic through most of it, but when they tore the battered holy symbol from her hands, the cracks in her mask yawned wide. Fear, embarrassment, and anger finally came to the surface and the small, young woman tried vainly to cover herself up. She barely noticed she was being half dragged to a cell before rough hands pushed the rags into her hands and threw her into the rough stone of the wall. Hastily, she did her best to dress herself in what was little more than filthy sackcloth.
Once she was as decent as she was going to get, she just focused on a spot a few inches from her feet as she curled up in the corner of the cell.
"I think this is the worst day I've ever had," she mutters quietly to herself, though it is loud enough to be heard by those nearby.
Owl pretends to ponder the question a moment. If he was nervous about being asked about how much his life was worth, he didn't show it. "Among the things I own, my life is certainly one of the most expensive. But nothing is ever off the table." As he says this he sits on the table and crosses his legs, bouncing one up and down in a mesmerizing fashion. Part of him wondered how true the rumor of Desoran's preferences was and if he was young enough to use that to his advantage. "I have been known to at least risk it from time to time. If the price is right. Currently my reputation is on the line and I am at my wits end. Woe is me." He feigns desperation like a diva. If he was entertaining enough, maybe the reward would be higher. "But as they say, the devil's in the details. So what's the details?"
But a former child of the streets never forgets her most trusty tools.
The woman hocked a phlemmy lugi to the floor of the Honeydew Inn with a resounding splatter and continued to glare daggers at the nobleman throughout the rest of the journey to the cells.
Upon rejoining with the others in the cell, stripped, humiliated, and now garbed in what can only be described as filthy rags, Jix cursed at the guard that had tossed her into the cell, shacking a small, rage-filled fist after him as he turned back to leave. "Oi! Where do you think yer goin' to ya mingy little prick?! Git yer arse back in 'ere an' scrap like a real man! Are. . . are you smirkin' at me ya smarmy git? Oh you are, ain't ya!? Ohhhh, ohhh I'm gonna be right chuffed when I put a bolt in yer back so I will!" She then proceeded to point back at Otho whilst continuing her tirade. "An' ya can't leave me dressed in this! I look almost 'alf as bad as this naff fool."
She pouted and stamped her paw to the ground as the man disappeared from sight before turning to get a look at the rest of her cell-mates. An odd assembly of folks to be sure. She knew Otho and Tish now but the other three, she'd have sworn that they just stepped into the inn a moment before all the excitement went down. One looked well-kept and throughly out of place in the rags she has been garbed in what with her extremely fashionable white hair, the other seemed like your average lower class worker, and the other hudled in the corner, well she looked like an outcast, just like Jix.
The rat-folk rouge strolled up the the tiefling in the corner and crouched beside her. "Oi, no love don't worry yer pretty little 'ead too much. It could be a lot worse." She smirked and winked at the woman. "Could be rainin'." Jix chuckled and reached out to shake hands with her fellow prisoner, still beaming despite the dark situation. "Don't fret now just listen to yer good furry friend and we'll all get outa this one right? The name's Jix, by the by, most folks call me Jinx. What's your's love?"[/b]
Laetitia blows out an exasperated breath from her spot on the cold cell floor, watching idly as it pushes a long lock of her dark, glossy hair up out of her face. A few moments pass as the hair drifts down to settle back over her face before the action is repeated, another sigh sending the offending lock back up into the air. There is, after all, so little entertainment to be had in the dungeons.
She had known better than to attempt to fight back when the bar was stormed, seeing her odds of escape dwindle as more of 'his Lordship's' men flooded the common room. She had hoped that her chances might be quite a bit better when the guards were divesting her of her things. Alas, no matter how she tempted, or gave heated, half-lidded gazes, or made a performance out of undressing, the guards might as well have been eunuchs for all the good it did her, for the end result was still the same. Thomias' father must be paying his men very well, Laetitia thinks, for the alternative--that she is losing her touch--is not worth humoring for even a moment.
Having grown tired of her little distraction, Laetitia takes up the mirror she was able to sneak past the guards, checking her appearance for the fifth time in about as many minutes. To her satisfaction, the rags she was forced to put on have done little to dull her appearance; if anything, the scant fabric highlights her curves more so than her usual form-fitting attire. Pleased, the vain mesmerist sets down the mirror and resumes her lounging, head pillowed on her arms and legs crossed at the knee, one foot idly bouncing up and down. "I'd wager you're rethinking those terms right about now," Laetitia teases Otho.
She eyes the three new women who were rounded up along with them, wondering if they were somehow involved with the plot or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. She wonders, but not enough to bother with asking; whether they were involved or not, their fates were intertwined for the time being. Might as well learn the names of the people she'd be swinging next to. Turning her head back to stare at the dingy ceiling, Laetitia half-heartedly waves and calls out, "I'm Tish. This is Othy. So, who are you three?"
"I guess," Kali says to Jix's comment about it raining.
When the introductions begin, the young tiefling looks like she wants to just hide, but she'd been asked to give her name, and if nothing else, the orphanage had instilled at least some manners in her before leaving her to die.
"Kalisuel," she says softly, "though most people just say 'hey, fiendspawn' if they want my attention."
Her voice at 'fiendspawn' is as bitter as lye. The epithet is hard to deny, though. Her eyes glow dimly violet in the gloom and her skin is as grey ash. She's petite, almost delicate, but the way she had to be restrained after they took the battered Iomedaean holy symbol from her made it clear that there's definitely steel hiding behind the lovely silk.
Jix proceeded to walk herself over to a corner of the cell, facing the door, and recline her lithe, sinuous form against it, patiently watching the outside, waiting for her moment. Her golden eyes glimmering with excitement in the anticipation of what was to come.
Soon.
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"Otho," he corrected while glancing in Tish's direction. A purple bruise grew where Maggory had kicked him.
"Right now I'm thinking about how I should have broke our good lord's legs while I had the chance. I must be getting soft."
Off in his own corner, with his back turned to the rest, he's slipped out of the rag they'd given him. While the others talked he busily reworked the cloth into something akin to a wrestling thong. Part of him though about having some modesty in front of the women gathered here, but frankly he didn't care. Modesty belonged in the outside world, not in a cell.
What did bother him was how easily he'd caused all of this. Just like before, with Bern, he'd let his temper flare. Now these people, good or not, were suffering for it. Maybe he was just cursed to do the same for the rest of his days. The only thing that mattered now was doing his best to make sure they got out of this situation alive.
"So Kalisuel," he'd finished with the thong and moved on to gathering rocks and pebbles, grinding down the weakest ones, "what did you do before getting mixed up in my mess?"