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He then turns to Sai with a slight bow. "I will do no such thing. But, should the opportunity present itself, I shall have to take it. As I said, Justice will be dealt.. and I care not if it is by my hand or the local authorities.. But I will hear him out first."
Sai responds evenly, "I respect your position Awen. Thank you."
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Milton stands erect, places one hand on his mace and the other on his holy symbol before speaking, "Pathfinder Awen, It is clear that you and I have very different opinions on the purpose of laws. Laws provide the basic rules of society, without which we would have absolute chaos and anarchy, which is the route to destruction. Your abstract view of justice might be commendable within the bounds of Nirvana, but it would be equally laughable within Abaddon, and in neither locale is there much regard for the Law." He pauses to let the difference sink in.
"The tasks laid upon us by Qalkami are clearly focused on matters of law, contracts, and property ownership. These are my areas of expertise. Should we encounter a dilemma concerning crop rotation or animal husbandry, rest assured that I will defer to your expertise in those matters. In the mean time, keep an eye on your animals, that one," he points to Cuchulainn "appears about to hump that hassock, so please mind its mating habits."
Milton shakes his head, "Now, to finish out this discussion, because I want you to know that I am not unreasonable in this matter. If, during the progress of our work, we discover that he is guilty of breaking some local ordinance, then we can consider how to proceed then. If it is some law for which he has not been previously cleared, then we can allow the law to handle it. If we discover that he was guilty of breaking the earlier law, and if the local law has no prohibition against Double Jeopardy, then again, I can commit to seeing the law's will fulfilled. But, know this, the Venture Captain made it quite clear what our mission was here, and "justice" was never mentioned in that mandate, nor have you heard me advocate for it. Do not jeopardize the mission, or the reputation of the Society because of your misplaced quest for justice, and disregard for the Law."
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Before further comments serve only to enflame passions one way or another, Sai moves to the exit and says simply, "Let's keep quiet as we travel to the safe house where Carlin is staying. Considering he is being pursued, he may not stay long."
She takes her mask off its belt hook and reattaches it to her face as she leaves, barely waiting for the others to follow.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Adeah decides not to try and intervene. While she personally sides wholly with Awen on this, believing that laws only tend to get in the way and that justice is far more important than keeping with some old books, staying out of the way is far more entertaining. Just sit back and watch the fireworks. She elbows Nivik, who has so far been silent on the matter. "Wish I'd brought snacks."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Awen's face looses all expression at the insults thrown by Milton and his hand begins reaching under his cloak. With visible difficulty, he stops the movement long enough to reply "The Law is only applicable when it serves to protect the majority from the minority who would wish to use it for their own gain. That is where I come in.. to right the wrongs that are "permitted" to occur. If you do not advocate for Justice, then what use does anyone have for the law you hold so dear? Obviously, you allow your fiendish blood to corrupt your spirit and lead you astray.. whereas I have conquered such base tendencies. As have my companions.." with a pointed look at his dog, Awen also sweeps out of the room cloak flowing behind him.
Catching up to Adeah and Nivik, Awen offers in an undertone. [i]"Snacks might be enjoyable.. but it is good to know that I have a few here that share a healthy view of the world."[/b]
One the way to the hidey hole, Awen keeps his eyes peeled for the inevitable and for any sense of danger. His animals spread out behind him, waiting for his cue.
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"Lawbreakers, like yourself possibly, are the only ones who would disparage the law as you do. Your basic misunderstanding of the purpose of laws is common among the uneducated. I want you to know that I will not think ill of your ignorance. Have you mastered the basics of reading? If so, I have some literature and pamphlets you might want to peruse to become more knowledgeable about these things."
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"Milton, there is no need to stoke this fire. Awen is our companion and a member of this team. This infighting should be beneath you. As you have alleged, there is no evidence to support why he has stong reservations about the Law. It is possible that he, or one close to him, was the victim of a great miscarriage of justice due to an authority manipulating or violating the law with impunity. If he is willing to abide by his word to follow the rules of this land, allow him the opportunity to demonstrate that he can. Until that time, perhaps it is best to savor your victory in quiet, mirthful reflection."
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"As you say Fendel, Explore, Report, Cooperate. These are the bywords of our association. I know that you and I have had a rough past, but having shed blood together on behalf of the Society, it is perhaps easier to look past your inadequacies. Whereas, having just met Awen I have yet to determine what redeeming qualities he might have, beyond his apparent attractiveness to bestial creatures. As for mirthful reflection, I do appreciate your lame attempt at humor."
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"Let us survey the area around the structure for signs of egress and ingress as well as possible dangers before we all approach. For that we need quiet." Sai says quietly to the group. She motions for Fendel to take point, with his superior eye for detail and silent strides.
She places a hand on Awen's shoulder and turns to face him. Perhaps it is a trick of the light and the mask she wears, but for the first time her eyes seem to look directly into his.
"You remind me of my brother. That is a very good thing." comes her soft voice from behind the mask. Her eyes shift for the first time since they have met as she seems to slowly search his face. This is not just a trick of the light.
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Awen gives Fendel a long searching look after the mans surprising defense of him. "I am myself the product of such impunity to the law. A devil.. My mother.. This is neither the time nor the place for that story, only suffice it to say that I have made it my life's mission to hunt down a great many things. Lawbreakers and injustice being only two items on that list." With this, his voice trails off but his glare hardens on Milton. "Injustice will not be borne. Not while I can help it."
Awen bows his head under Sai's scrutiny, overwhelmed with emotion. It has been a long time since something could touch him.. he must be closer to loosing control in this fight than he at first thought. Finally with a bow to the young woman, he quietly replies. "I will take that as a complement.. and a prayer that I can continue to do so. I do not know your story, but your very demeanor is one of loss, I think."
At the destination, Awen laughs heartily at Miltons feeble and embarrassing attempts to keep quiet. "Allow the unlearned beasts to educate you on this, Milton!"
With that, the teifling motions to his friends to stay and then almost disappears into thin air.
The directions lead you to a glass-shaping workshop owned by an eccentric magmin.
"توهان هن کي چانهه ملازم خريد ڪرڻ چاهيو ٿا؟ اهو هڪ کنڊ رول جي باه وانگر ور وڪڙ ۽ مٺي چيري چٽڻي جي رنگ اٿس."
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Before starting on their way Nivik will use a wand to cast Mage Armor on himself. Once the party arrives at the workshop Nivik simply starts to look around as he has no idea what the creature had said to him. he could cast a spell to do so if he wished, however he'd rather see if one of the more charismatic might already know the language.
He does, adding many such similar statements.
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Milton expresses, "they are all certainly amazing creations. Do you find that being a creature of fire gives you a natural affinity for such work?" As well as other similar platitudes, before asking, "unfortunately, I am not here on a shopping spree, although I might purchase some. My real purpose here, is to see about aiding an associate of an associate with some inevitable problems he might be experiencing. Could you point us in the proper direction please?"
Milton is not above some graft, if he senses that such might aid the cause.
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Quietly standing near the group, just surveying the surroundings, Sai watches the interactions between Milton, Fendel and the magmin.
Eventually Sai speaks up in Common, "Not all of us speak the language but I have not heard either of you use the name Carlin as of yet. Please be more direct." She then looks at the magmin and continues in Common, "We seek the man known as Carlin. We know he is staying here. We do not mean to disrupt your business but we need to meet with him now. Please show us the entrance and we will be quick about it. Thank you for your cooperation."
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The detective quietly whispers to Sai, "Sometimes those who are avoidig being found would rather their name not fall off the lips of those seeking them out, lest those same words fall onto the ears of his pursuers. I know Milton is arrogant and foolhardy, but he has experience in this area, so I allow him to assist me."
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Sai turns straight to Fendel and says flatly, "Imagine I'm rolling my eyes at you right now.", then turns back to see the magmin's reaction to her previous comments.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Eventually Sai speaks up in Common, "Not all of us speak the language but I have not heard either of you use the name Carlin as of yet. Please be more direct." She then looks at the magmin and continues in Common, "We seek the man known as Carlin. We know he is staying here. We do not mean to disrupt your business but we need to meet with him now. Please show us the entrance and we will be quick about it. Thank you for your cooperation."
[dice=Diplomacy Aid]d20+5
"Carmaline?" the magman gestures to a set of glass lanterns all tinted in red. Kelsimak waits only a moment before scowling. He points to the back of the shop, and exclaims, “Then I never saw you! I asked no questions!" He speaks common, though it is a little broken. Then he runs to the front window and begins hawking his ware to a customer who is obviously not there. "I never saw you!" he repeats, if anyone approaches the rusty iron door he was pointing toward.
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The detective wastes little time moving to the back of the shop as well. He makes certain there is no traps or alarms placed on the iron door.
Before going through the doorway, Fendel snaps his wrist with a practiced precision and a wand drops in his hand. He briefly murmurs and tap the wand to his chest before returning the item to its hidden home.
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Adeah sniggers. "Now that's my kind of diplomacy. Straight to the point." Despite wanting to be part of the action, however, she hangs back at Awen's gesture.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The investigators find no traps on the door, however it is locked.
Why not just roll her eyes?
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Without turning to face him, say replies to Milton's most recent comments, "It has been a cooperative effort Milton. I believe that in this instance speed trumps subtly if in fact our contact is being hunted and on the run. That in no way diminishes the contributions of both you and Fendel. I expect you to continue to provide your considerable skills moving forward without waiting for me to lead."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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I wish they would all hold their tongues for five minutes! Five. My assumption is they will all argue in their sleep. This infighting serves no purpose. Enough...I must tune them out and focus on the task at hand.
The detective takes a moment to make certain he has all the correct equipment for the task at hand. He cautiously slips the tools into the lock and begins to manipulate the tumblers.
Anyway, are the rogues opening said door or are we taking a different route?
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While Milton continues his passive aggressive harangue, Sai doesn't let emotion control her tongue as she thinks to herself, Emotion seems to strongly control Milton's actions. He really can't keep from stroking his own ego in almost every interaction. I have made an error in trying to assert reason and expediency into this portion of our mission. I must prevent this from becoming a problem moving forward.
"Milton" Sai quietly says, turning directly to him, "I have offended you. I am not skilled in the ways of nuance and flattery. Because of this I only speak when I believe it will be of benefit to those around me. The loss of your respect was not worth the slight increase in efficiency regarding the meeting of this contact. I will remember that in the future. For now we must let them work in silence."