She catches the eye of a server says off hand Tea please, black with lemon and a small pot of honey on ze side.
A pert halfling woman dressed in shimmering purple garments nods at Tereze's and Locke's request, sauntering off in the general direction of the bar.
I trust ze rest of your bath was relaxing? Although from you letter, clearly you were listening to the strange events that were happening in the city today.
"It was, as much as could be expected anyways," he says with a slight smirk and a wince as the man adjusts slightly in his chair. "Listening...perhaps. I may have also looked out of the bathhouse window and saw the gargantuan monstrous centipedes towering over the buildings in the distance," Torch says over his cup as he takes a swig with a lifted eyebrow. "I take it the statuettes were a little more...complicated...than they appeared?" The fragrant scent of lemon and bergamont heralds the return of the waitress as she sashays into the room; the woman bearing a silver tray laden with an ornate tea pot and several finely crafted teacups. The woman has to stretch and strain on her toes to reach the table to set the tea service, the view causing Torch and the half-orcs' eye to wander briefly.
"Would you like sugar or cream, miss?" she asks Tereze and Locke brightly as she turns prettily in place for the onlookers.
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"Oh, I am sure it is. Heard from some of the guard that the gore will take weeks to wash out without magic." Torch helps himself to some curried chicken and hummus, along with a generous portion of pita bread as an accompaniment. "That, along with skid marks from a charging tortoise." He snorts slightly as he takes another swig from his flask.
"Anyways, tell me...you didn't happen to share the subject of our...discussions...earlier with your Venture-Captain? I do appreciate discretion, when possible; Yasmin was always quick to shoot things up to the Decemvirate when it really wasn't necessary."
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Considering we had other options to accomplish our mission, we did not see any reason to bring up the details of your offer ze Venture-Captain. But as you know, Pathfinders are famous for always including everything in zeir Chronicles.
She looks at Locke with an impish look.
Remind me again, when did we agree to write our entries for the events today?
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(Sip)
(Sip)
(Is enjoying the tea)
Locke puts down the teacup with an equally mischievous smile.
"I have no idea, i do not think i saw anything to write them in."
"I do believe the assignment only said to retrieve the statues. Nothing further required."
Locke notices a few hair tips losing their blonde coloring, and excuses for a minute, after which returning to the table with a few more extracts on the belt.
Looking briefly at Torch with a faint smile, "Discretion is valuable indeed."
Torch grunts noncommitally at the pair's subtle wordplay as he finishes up his meal. "I think I have heard all I needed to this evening," he says as he wipes his mouth with a napkin. He tosses it haphazardly on the table as he rises, his guards moving to flank him as Torch prepares to depart. "I have other business to attend to before leaving town. Feel free to finish at your leisure. I am sure our paths will cross again...I hope that it will be on better terms next time." The Grandmaster exits the tavern shortly thereafter, quickly disappearing into the bustling throngs of the Market.
You notice that something about Torch's napkin on the table seems a little odd. Turning it over reveals that he wrote some notes on the napkin in charcoal pencil. They appear to be a series of notations recording the moves from a chess game. The game starts out with Black losing half of its pawns in the beginning of the game, but Black then makes some impressive comebacks with creative uses of its knights and bishops. The game ends oddly however, as the final move is recorded "Checkmate: Black Queen takes Black King."
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Tereze looks.
Most interesting.
Then she leans over and whispers to Locke. We may want to actually get help with zis, as it may be more zen zat.
Like what if one of the statues is a listening device, and zat is why he wanted it out of the box. Zen the Society loses by betraying it's secrets, which gets him the favor he wanted via blackmail...
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"A scrying statuette?
Peculiar if a smart application, indeed. Though i would think he would have more interest in it being inactive. Even the jobs of 'discretion' types get hampered if gargantuan insects run rampant."
"In any case," (drinks a bit of tea, puts cup down again) with the items stored away in the lodge, i would think any box capable off blocking magic would null any scrying done."
Locke looks with an enthusiastic smile.
"That issue aside, i would like to say thank you, for keeping us healthy. It may sound silly coming from me, but having you all, friends i would like to think, watching out for me, that means a lot."
(raising the tea cup in gesture of a toast...)
"To further adventure, and interesting times doing so."
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Tereze looks a little but taken aback by the change in topic but smiles as she hears Locke out.
Oh. I feel the same. It has been nice to be part of a group of friends rather then being on my own.
She also raises her tea cup
To Adventure with Friends!
She smiles and takes a sip.
Then she says curiously:
So will you stay like this from now on or back to the mask?
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"Staying like this has a limited time span. I will likely be able to refine it to last longer in the future, but eventually i will get my own body back. The invention of alchemically becoming a literal twin itself is amazing."
"I had not shared the whole story about my habit, but i suppose now is a time as any. I told Fiona truth about enjoying the secrecy, but it is also to prevent my involvement with the society from reaching my parents' ears. They are not keen on the organization, and my uncle is a traveling merchant. Something to do with the death of a relative from before i was born.", Locke dismisses that with a short wave.
"Plus, they want me to take over their shop when they retire.
Therefor they have expectations of their child being a proper raised citizen, instead of someone who is entertained by explosives and adventure."
(chuckles)
(equally curious smile, kind of like a younger sibling prying)
"Indulge me, if you please. What do you expect to see, when i do eventually stop wearing it?"
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Tetsudo's entry into the tavern is eventful, in the sense that the bouncers at the door object very strongly to the turtle's presence in the establishment. It isn't until after they find out that Torch actually also included the turtle specifically by name on the guest list that they reluctantly allow the pair entry inside. The entirety of the female wait staff engage in overt flirting with Tetsudo in an attempt to jockey into position to pet the turtle if its amenable to such things.
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A tall, athletic looking woman strides confidently into the room.Hello dears. I see you've just sent Torch off. I do hope you didn't interrupt his bath. His skin produces such marvelously beautiful pain.
She smiles at each of you in turn, taking your measure and noting any prominent religious iconography. She has a holy symbol of Nocticula hanging from a ribbon tied around her neck.
I am Melisande, recently arrived from the wilds of Sargava. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?
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Testudo smiles winningly at the women as they flirt, and Roshi is amenable to pets if lettuce or goodies is included.
As Melisande comes in, Testudo smiles and preads his hands wide.
Despite his ear bursting volume, he leans over and kisses her hand with a smile, his bald head giving a soft glint in the light.
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Melisande smiles at Tereze. I would not call myself an associate, no. I have she pauses, and clears her throat before continuing, heard tell of his exploits.
She turns to Testudo, lightly squeezing and caressing his hand after he kisses it. Well, aren't you an enthusiastic one, Testudo. I'm most pleased to make your acquaintance, Melisande Shahrizai de la Courcel. I've recently made it back to somewhat civilized parts after undertaking a task for Our Lady in Shadow in Sargava in a new village there. Pridon's Hearth or some such nonsense. Not sure what there is to be proud of, but there you have it. She clears her throat. Did I hear mention of tea? All of this venture captain this, decimvirate that nonsense has made me very thirsty.
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Locke's own curiosity is cut short, when the new arrival approaches them.
Religion wasn't a topic of interest, but the unholy symbol's ownership did ring a bell, from past classes in schooling.
A follower of the succubus queen? Today sure is a peculiar one.
"If we had not been on two missions with Testudo, i would think he had fallen under a charm, with such enthusiastic hand kissing. "
Locke's hair starts losing its bright blonde coloring from the tips again.
"Ah, has time expired already again...back to my own body it is then.", at which Melisande notices a distortion in the blonde's voice, as it sounds like a quartet of male and female voices speaking in synchronicity.
With a teasing smile towards Tereze,
"Well, i guess both our answers will be for another time."
Locke hastily dons the mask, as hair grows shorter, and a set of flight worthy demonic bat wings visibly (to those at the table and our new arrival) grows back on Locke's back, which carefully fold up on Locke's back again, before the mantle covers them up.
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Tereze recovers herself as her companion knight takes the focus off of her for a moment then quietly responds to Locke.
Yes... Another time.
Then with the smile once again fixed on her face she says to the others.
Ahh Yes, Drinks. She motions for a server to come over.
Please eat your fill of Torch's spread he laid out for us. Particularly you Roshi. Surely you must be hungry.
She sits back to watch what happens not even noticing as the tea swirls in her cup as it sits untouched on the table before her.
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A bulky man standing 6' tall strolls into the room. He peers around, eventually settling his gaze on you all. Adjusting the large sword strapped over his back to sit better over his shining breastplate, he walks over to introduce himself.
"Greetings! My fellow Pathfinders I presume? I've been sent by the powers that be to join your merry band on your missions for the foreseeable future. I'm Aryxis - I'm a bit of a jack of many trades, master of none!"
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As Tereze says that, a slender man with a wiry build strides into the parlor clutching a sheet of paper. He looks again at the paper, then looks around the room. Spotting the giant turtle, he approaches your group.
You can see a wayfinder handing from a chain off his vest, so he better be a Pathfinder! He has a mithral chain shirt for armor and several weapons on him including a rapier, a darkwood bow, and a morningstar. Although his clothing is impeccably clean and cared for, it isn’t fancy.
Perhaps the most notable feature of the man is the tattoo and skin bleaching of shadowy flames flowing from the left side of his face to behind his ear and down his shoulder. It continues under his shirt. The artwork is very professional and some of you may recognize the style as that traditional for wayangs.
“Pardon me, but is one of you Testudo? I was told to come to Sedeq in order to help with the recovery of some statues.” With a grimace, he adds “I fear I am terribly late!”
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The newcomer looks at the paper and then Testudo, then the rest of you.
“Greetings!” he says as he makes a slight bow and removes his hat with a flourish. “I am Kegan and was told to help your group with something to do with statues?”
Nodding towards the turtle, he admits “Roshi made it easier to find you.”
With a nod towards Locke, he says “Judging from the description — or rather lack of one, I would guess you are Locke.”
His eyes survey the women at the table, then looking at Tereze he asks “Would you be Tereze?”
Looking to Melisandre he asks “Are you Gwendolyn?”
Then turning to Aryxis, he admits “I fear that I have no idea who you might be!”
He seems slightly puzzled by the composition of the group.
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Judging from the description — or rather lack of one, I would guess you are Locke
(nods back)
"I am.You will excuse me for having to disappoint you, mister Kegan, but the statue affair has been concluded just recently. It was a messy business, it is currently impossible to miss the....'paint job', at the market square."
(chuckle)
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Testudo grins at the newcomer.
The big man stands and clasps Kegan's hand and slaps him on the back... clearly meant as a kind gesture, the poor man has to resist the urge to cough out his lungs from the slap.
The turtle rolls his eyes as he chews on a leaf provided by a curious bar maid who is currently rubbing his shell and commenting on the shine.
The turtle doesn't speak, but the intelligence in his eyes speaks for itself. And it seems to say "Don't look at me. I'm not the one in charge here."
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Tereze shakes her head.
Don't mind Locke, he likes to zink he is mysterious. She grins at Locke before continuing. Well zen I guess welcome. Sit and take part in ze food. I am Tereze, and you have the good fortune of eating on Grandmaster Torch's silver. She motions to a seat at the table.
She then busies herself making sure that everyone is comfortable, while not really saying much about herself...
That said you can tell a few things about her from her looks. She's young slim human woman, with long wavy dark brown hair is held out of her face by a white, blue and violet headscarf that is folded neatly on top of her head. She wears a lose fitting white linen blouse, multi-layered brown wool skirt and the orange sash tied around her waist, all of which are spotless.
She's not really dressed for combat but you can see a gold chain around her neck that trails down into her blouse.
She seems to move with a grace the even most of the human serving women can not match, but still nothing compared to that of the elves.
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Melisande chuckles at Kegan's question. I can be Gwendolyn if you want me to, for a small fee. She winks at him. In any case, I am here in a different professional capacity. Well, I say that as if the Society paid us. In any case, a capacity that allows for greater accumulation of wealth, which I enjoy. She gestures to the jewelry she is wearing, which is far more than needed to complement her noble's outfit.
Do we know what our mission is or where we are going?
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Perplexed by her answer, Kegan does correct Melisandre. “I don’t know about you, but in the past the Society has given me funds based on how well the mission went.”
Gesturing to the rest of the people at the table, he continues “As for the next mission, I imagine someone is going to need to report on the one just completed before we get a new assignment.”
As he says this, he nibbles on one of the appetizers set out at the table.
“Who is Grandmaster Torch? I don’t recognize the name.”
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Torch's just this guy, you know?
"This very influential guy.....who is likely able to make one disappear if he's feeling like it."
Looking over at Tereze,
"This number of additional agents only comes when others are hindered, do they not?
I would like to catch up with Fiona and Gwen. I do not want to just leave without saying goodbye, if so."
The sounds of muffled conversations drift through the tavern...
"What...you can't come in here! Where's your invite?" the bouncer protests.
"Why, Hassan, I do not need an invite," Yasmin replies sweetly. "Or do I need to remind your employer about the gold you have been skimming off of his coffers when you count the safe each night?"
"But how do you-" the bouncer lets off a choked growl.
"Excellent, it is good to know that we have an understanding about your situation. Now, if you will excuse us..." She says as your hear the sounds of several sets of footsteps enter the building.
The sound of slight clearing of a throat and light footsteps heralds the arrival of Venture Captain Yasmin Ka'al, the woman wearing tasteful yet functional Qadiran clothing as she steps into view of the now increasingly crowded table area. Accompanying her is Fiona, Gwendallyn, and a very bemused and distracted blond-haired elf clad in red robes. He appears to be clutching a sheaf of papers, the cover page bearing the Glyph of the Open Road, marking it as a completed Chronicle.
"Ah, it is good to see you have found our other Agents in the area. I hope your dinner was...satisfying?" Yasmin asks with a smile. "The Grand Lodge sent the Master of Scrolls to deliver our monthly supplies and missives from the Decemvirate. I thought it might be convenient for your travels for him to take your group back to Absalom for the return trip?" The Venture Captain gestures to the elf next to her, as he stares rather interestedly at the gaggle of females clambering over the turtle nearby.
"Yes, yes, no trouble at all," Kreighton Shaine says at his attention shifts briefly back to the agents before him. "Aram is very interested in those statues you recovered, as am I! So curious to think about, does the degree of magical energy applied affect the resulting type of creature brought forth? The size?" Kreighton begins to ramble, his thought process derailing into experimental musings. Yasmin barely contains an eyeroll, as she steps back into the conversation.
"I read from the reports Kreighton brought that Venture Captain Adril has a mission for you when you return to the Grand Lodge, if you are interested." Yasmin says. "He will most likely be in his office, if you wish to speak with him. Kreighton will be leaving in an hour or so, when you are ready."
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With an amused smile, Kegan gets up just before Venture Captain Yasmin Ka’al makes her appearance. He gestures to offer her the chair he had been seated in.
He listens to what she and the master of scrolls have to say. Is this her way of making sure Kreighton doesn’t get lost on the way back? I’ve heard that he is very easily distracted.
“I can speak only for myself, but would be happy to accompany him back to Absalom.” The sooner I am out of Qadira, the better!
Looking to Kreighton, he says “I am ready now. What ship will we be boarding?”
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Locke gets up from the seat, and heads over to Fiona and Gwen.
"I take it you are taking a break, huh."
Gwen shrugs.
"It seems the inn has some issues, and they have problems doing managing in my stead. As for Fiona, it seems she's been having visions of late, she felt she needed a break. I'm sorry to see you two, three, leave. But be sure to come by my inn sometime, ok?"
She gives a firm hug to Tereze, when she comes over and had their talk between them, then Locke.
Fiona is less of hugging, and more of vocal goodbyes, being on her guard with the so many people around.
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By all means, I am always ready. Melisande winks at the Venture Captain. Kreighton, good to see you again. I do so hope you are doing well? Melisande leans over and gives him a kiss on the cheek and whispers to him.
She smiles and sits back down to finish her tea.
Looking to Kreighton, he says “I am ready now. What ship will we be boarding?”
The elf looks up confused from his contemplations. "Ship? Well...I suppose we could sail to Absalom. Yes, yes...just think of the opportunities to calculate the effects of wind-based transmutation magics on the trajectories of-" Kreighton begins to wind up into another set of ramblings before Yasmin interjects.
"-What Kreighton means to say is that he will be teleporting you back with him to Absalom. The Society has not given you a ship yet, Kreighton. Do you remember what happened last time you tried to pilot something?" she says with an arched eyebrow.
"Quite clearly, actually. There was only a modest amount of casualties and slight damage to the surrounding Society property. I considered that experiment a success," Kreighton replies with only mild offense.
Kreighton, good to see you again. I do so hope you are doing well?
Kreighton seems extremely nonplussed and seems to be not sure of how to respond to Melisande's gesture. Yasmin merely arches an eyebrow and pretends to not notice the fraternization that appears to be going on.
Testudo mounts his fine beast who begins to waddle out.
This action is met with a loud chorus of disappointed waitresses in queue to pet the turtle, which is quickly dispersed by the impatient calls from the other tables that were being ignored while turtle time was happening.
After the group tidies up any loose ends they may have in Sedeq, they gather in a small courtyard at the Lodge in town where Kreighton Shaine awaits; his pack laden with reports and chronicles bound for Absalom. As the Pathfinders come closer, he smiles and pulls out a scroll from his pocket.
"Everyone set to go? Excellent, excellent. I am well-known in the Society for providing teleportation services! Now let's see..." The elf unfurls the scroll and begins to read an incantation within...
With a gut-wrenching twist and a sharp spike in air pressure, the Pathfinders find themselves whisked away to the Grand Lodge in Absalom. The group finds themselves upside-down, 10 feet in the air, above a colorful flowerbed currently being watered by a very surprised male human gardener.
A ring on Kreighton's hand glints with light as he is abruptly flipped right-side up and lands like a feather on his feet. "Interesting, the adjustments I made to the feather fall spell can account for unexpected changes to personal orientation! I will have to follow up on this discovery immediately-" The elf completely loses all awareness of the group's presence and begins striding away while talking to himself; bumping into several other Pathfinders on a walking path, as well as two trees and a shrubbery, much to the gardener's dismay.
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Kreighton, you're holding the scroll upside down...
Melisande laughs aloud and through focusing magical energy, somehow appears upright and on the ground.
I... That was unexpected, and hilarious. Thank you Kreighton. She chuckles to herself seeing her companions coming down around her. I'll have to try that myself next time I teleport.
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Tereze crashes down into the flowerbed and bruses appear suddenly as she absorbed the fall damage from her other life linked party members.
[ooc]Tereze takes 6 NL and Life Link heals all damage from Locke, Testudo and Roshi[/occ]
Ouch!! Roshi are you hurt? Tereze sits ups from the dirt and looks around.
As she hears the elf going on she shakes her head in wonder.
Standing up after seeing everyone is ok she brushes the dirt off of herself and says.
I trust zat does not always happen?