The more Korva spoke, the more Indra began to like this tengu. "I suspect that many of us will come to have bounties on our heads as well. Kintargo is meant to be free. There's a streak of rebellion in this city that's waiting to be sparked. We help you, you help us. Seems like an equitable agreement that will profit all involved, yes?"
Indra offered her hand to shake.
Korva looks back at her sisters, and they all offer her varieties what you presume to be avian/tengu motions indicating assent (tilted heads and blinking of beady eyes), as she turns back to you and takes your gloved hand. ”Rebellion will be a new one for us, but we’re nothing if not resourceful. Our profit is your profit, and if you need something found out, just call on us and we’ll gather the intel for you. We’ll keep hiding out here for now, if you want to bring us some of that food you offered, but as soon as you’re ready, we’ll need some doctored papers and a... non-subterranean place to settle. Savvy?”
Nerris relaxes a bit upon solving the situation as peacefully as possible. While still upset about having to defend themselves from Chough she says,"What food do you want? I'm going to settle for soup but you don't have."
While talking she collapses a bit and then chuckles. "Right I forgot about the filth fever," she says propping herself up.
Alexite still eyes the tengus warily, but he seems willing to assent to this alliance. "Any port in a storm, I guess," he mutters. "I'm Alex--uh, are we doing real names?" He glances quizzically at Indra and Orrias.
"They offered their names, we should respond in kind. After all, trust is going to be crucial going forward. I'm Pip Fenstrad, at your service," he says with a bow.
"While the mystery of Miss Longroad's contact has been tragically solved, at least some new friendships have been made. Now then, I believe I have a few people to escort to Songbird Hall. Who will see to securing some food for our new friends?"
"I"m Sara and this is Ruina," Sara said after a bit. She then perked and remembered the large reptile that needed to be finished skinning and went back to her work there.
"Well in that case...yeah, I'm Alexite. Nice to meet ya, despite the circumstances."
"I'm Orrias, pleased to make the acquaintance of you and yours. Do you have an preferences for food? With Nerris a bit under the weather I can rustle something up." The elf smiles and extends a hand to shake, mind already abuzz with possibilities. "I...may be able to cook up some disguises for you, believe it or not. It'll take some work but it's manageable. We can speak more on that later."
With a series of deft cuts that leaves more than a little crocodile blood on the floor, Sara gets the white skin off and in fairly good pieces. It could make an interesting item for the right collector, or it could be fashioned into any number of clothing items. While skinning it, Sara finds something curious - a boot is lodged in the crocodile's stomach, somehow withstanding the acids there. It's a perfect match to the one on Nan's (still attached) foot, and they both radiate magic.
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It's difficult to tell if the tengu are smiling, but they appear to be grateful for the offer of food. "If you're buying, Orrias, we'll take anything you recommend. It'll be better than nipping bit here and there from the stores above. Speaking of," Korva points over your shoulder at an approaching Laria, "We all might have some explaining to do. As for disguises, let's talk more - I don't know what you'd do that we might not already try, but perhaps you have something more creative in mind than plague masks or too many scarves."
It takes a little time, but eventually you bring Laria up to speed on the developments of the past few minutes. She's mollified the patrons upstairs that the explosions from Nerris' bombs were nothing to be afraid of - "Likely just some students from the nearby academies testing out new experiments," - and though she is distraught to hear of Nan's fate, she is thankful to know the truth, and that Chough was put down before more innocents could be hurt. The halfling treads carefully near Korva, but they appear to quickly evaluate each other and come to a grudging respect - and all are able to part without blows.
- - - - - - - - - -
Alexite, Sara, Rexus, and Laria make a thorough search of the rest of the Wasp's Nest while Nerris, Indra, and Pip make for Songbird Hall, and Orrias takes the Tengu out to dinner.
Laria takes a look through the back room, and calls Alexite over to help her move a pair of decent sized crates back closer to the basement of her coffehouse. Cracking them open reveals several sets of fine embroidered Varisian clothing. "I've got one or two fences left in the city, though it might be a challenge to see which of them wants to take this off our hands after Barzillai's fourth proclamation." Laria confides. "I'll take a cut for my loss of a friend, but even after that we should still be able to get a good price from this. We should know in a week what the total will be, and I'll have it ready for you here."
In addition, you find the following:
- A satchel with some notes in what Laria determines to be Nan's handwriting, alongside a ledger.
- The satchel also contains 108 gold pieces, and an alabaster holy symbol of Abadar. The church here would likely pay up to 225 gold pieces for its fine craftsmanship, if accompanied by the right sales pitch.
- Chough was wearing three copper bracelets, each worth 20 gold pieces, and a silver locket bearing the Elven rune for "mother," likely worth 150 gold pieces to the right collector. Inside the locket appear to be bits of eggshell. Korva and her sisters made no move to collect these items, but if you press them, they shake their heads and push them into your hands. "Yours was the fight that brought her to peace, and gave us peace as well. Keep them, for your troubles."
- In the base of the statue of Calistria, just under the water line, there is a hidden panel. This narrow drawer appears to contain a fair amount of waterlogged paper, perhaps once scrolls. However, it still contains a solid gold holy symbol of Calistria, heavy enough that the gold itself would be worth the equivalent of one hundred fifty gold pieces, and a magnificently crafted whip with runes in the stitching that is embedded in every strand of leather that makes up the weapon.
"Huh," says Laria, "Glad you found that - I've been poking around in here for years, and that's the first I've seen of that one. I think you've got a Calsitrian in your party - Indra? Just might be exactly what she's looking for. At any rate, the place is yours now. That water," she points to where the crocodile came up, "That connects with the old sewers, if you want to have a back way in or out. You're always welcome to slip in through the coffeehouse, but that might be better if you are bringing trouble with you - or avoiding it."
She takes you through the holes in the wall to the west, and you find a sprawling series of rooms that appear to make up a bunk house, complete with two private latrines. Halfling and human sized furniture fills the area, half of which appears to have been smashed (likely the dire corby's doing). "We used to hide the halflings we freed here, a little bit of safety and comfort before we could smuggle them out on a ship to Varisia. Hope we can again someday."
She offers to connect you with craftsmen that she trusts, if you want to bring in additional supplies, furniture, or gear, but advises that it's likely best to travel as light as possible. "With that crocodile gone, getting things in via the sewer shouldn't be too difficult. All the same, be careful what you pull in, in case you have to make a quick escape. Is there anything that you think you'll need off the top of your head?"
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Rexus jots down a note and hands it to Pip, who then leads the two diseased women back across Bleakbridge (tolls and all - 3 CP each) to the Temple District and the beautiful Songbird Hall. Soria happens to be crossing the central nave when she spies Pip, and comes of to offer a warm greeting. "I wasn't expecting you by during the daytime - and through the front door! After your visit last night, I thought perhaps you had taken up appearing from the shadows. Shouldn't you be at Nandy's? What brings you by at this hour?"
Along the way, Pip tosses a whole silver to the toll collectors to cover the trio's fee and to keep Thrune's men from harassing Indra and Nerris as they pass.
"Hopefully our new home away from home will have a secret entrance that bypasses these louts," he thinks to himself.
Pip tries to guide his friends along the more scenic route through Temple Hill, avoiding Shadowsquare and the Temple of Asmodeus.
Upon arriving, Songbird Hall is a very welcome sight, especially as it offers protection from crocodiles, feathery furies, and the unappeased Calistria.
"I told Nandy that I needed the day off for personal reasons. At least I think I told her," Pip says with the smile of feigned ignorance that always disarms his stepsister.
"These are Misses Indra and Nerris; they're two new friends I made at yesterday's performance. Unfortunately, they've fallen a bit under the weather, and I was hoping one of our artful kin could give them a blessing. Oh! And I also have this note from another fan - a potential patron, even - for Father Vhast, probably about payment for the service."
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Indra has never been a fan of asking for help from anyone (or even allowing others to help her), but she'd be stupid to pass up free healing, particularly with a disease. Nerris certainly seems to have gotten the worse case.
She's not really spent much time in this part of town, mostly just passing through on her way to other places, but she's been curious about Songbird Hall. And indeed, the Hall doesn't disappoint. The architecture, the topiary, the flowers; still it's not as personally interesting as the Wasp's Nest, but she can see the appeal.
She nods politely to Soria as Pip introduces them. She can't help but look around distractedly, hoping against hope to catch sight of Shensen. She knows she isn't here, but there's always a chance.
Soria nods politely to the two women, "Greetings, Indra and Nerris, and the blessings of the Eternal Rose be upon you. I'm sorry to hear of your illness - please follow me."
She leads you to Vhast, striding across the nave and chatting a little more with Pip as she goes. The high priest is in his later middle years, and has a slight limp, but shares a polite greeting when Soria calls to him near a side door. After reading Rexus' letter, his smile warms considerably, and he invites you through the door and into his study. "It has been some time since I have seen our mutual friend, and I'm glad that the troubles of his family avoided him. I will help you with this request, and perhaps you might have him come see me himself some day. Until then," he scratches out a note of his own on parchment, sealing it with wax, "Do give this to him for me. Now, let us see..."
Vhast examines your injuries from the rats the previous day, clicks his tongue a few times, then claps his holy symbol of Shelyn and prays a blessing over each of you. When he is completed, he looks at you, satisfied, and says, "You might do well to rest for a few days, to recover your strength, especially you, miss," he says to Nerris. With a polite nod to each of you, he stands and excuses himself to another appointment, waving to those who greet him as he goes back out into the main portion of the church.
"You'd might not guess it to look at him now," Soria lifts her chin in Vhast's direction, "But he used to practice his ministry in Nidal. Illegal marraiges, of all things." She smiles happily at the idea of the kind man offering such services in that place of darkness. "Well, I must be going as well. Lovely to see you all. Pip, don't be a stranger. Come by for a new fitting tomorrow, I have something to try out on you for a client." And with that, she makes her departure.
Indra is taken aback to think of this fellow as a 'back-alley priest' in Nidal. Impressive. I guess you never know. She thanks the Shelynites for their help. "Much appreciated. And thanks, Pip." Hmm, I can see that I was right to feel that Shelyn deserves a bit more respect than so many other gods.
"Now then, are there any other errands we need to run? Otherwise, I think a certain halfling might want to take some time polishing a certain statue." Her wolfish grin shows off her small fangs. "Wouldn't want her to think you weren't appropriately apologetic, now would we?"
And maybe after that he can go about learning how to use a proper ranged weapon. Or at least an attack spell.
Nerris just silently looks at the priest in her weakened state. Upon hearing the statement about his work in Nidal she warmly smiles. After his work she says thanks him profusely.
"Before you go," Pip calls to Soria, "I happened to come across these fine old accessories. I used a bit of magic to shine them up and, well, I know you always said you found inspiration in small things."
Pip fishes the silver buttons from his pocket and offers them to Soria. He casts a quick glance to his companions before leaning forward on his toes to speak more quietly to his stepsister.
He steps away and rejoins Indra and Nerris.
"I've made my contribution to the Eternal Rose's artists for the day, so now my service is all for Calistria," Pip says to Indra with a humoring smile. "And I'm sure She and you will find it entertaining to watch me float out to the statue on a plank of wood and struggle to reach her nose."
As they walk away from Temple Hill, Pip takes a mental inventory of his possessions to relocate to the Wasp's Nest.
It is an exceptionally short list.
Soria smiles, and says her farewells to Indra and Nerris. She gives Pip a hug, as always, and is grateful for the silver buttons. "You might be wearing them in one of my designs soon, little brother." She resists the temptation to ruffle your hair, and heads off to her next appointment.
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Location: The Wasp's Nest under Long Roads Coffeehouse, Kintargo, Cheliax
Weather: Cool temperatures, few clouds in the sky
The six of you regather in the Wasp's Nest near the end of the day. With everyone gathered, its easiest to set up a meeting space in the large "Warehouse" at the very back of the hideout.
Laria's business has slowed for the evening, and she's able to take some time downstairs "Doing inventory," as she tells her staff, bringing with her a large pitcher of steaming coffee and a small basket of rolls that drip with butter.
Rexus has cleaned off an pair of unbroken tables and chairs from the bunkroom, and set a light on them so that he can study the documents that you took from the basement of the Fair Fortune Livery. His 'workstation' takes up the better part of a corner of the warehouse, and he gives anyone approaching a slightly nervous look, as though worried that air movement might disrupt his careful ordering of the loose pages.
Korva Fushi and her four sisters lounge on crate boxes on the western wall, illuminated by a lantern set in their midst. They have picked clean a pile of fish, thanks to Orrias' generosity, and three of them are playing cards while the other two appear to be checking equipment and sharpening their daggers.
When you've all arrived and settled, Laria grins at everyone and says, "Well, what a lovely little rebellion you've got started here. Rexus asked me to share a few thoughts with you on how you might prepare for the work you're going to do.
"Before anything else, you'll need supporters and allies here in the city. Taking actions to help the downtrodden and keeping an ear out for outspoken dissidents are just two possibilites, and I'm sure you'll find others.
"Then, once you feel like you've got some good initial recruitment under your belt, you'll probably need a better stronghold to operate out of. This isn't bad, of course," she waves her hand at the Wasp's Nest, "But it's going to be too small before long, and too noticeable in this neighborhood. At the same time, you'll want to secure the support of some other factions in the city that might ally with you against Thrune. You may have heard of the Rose of Kintargo - they're a group of Milani followers. There's also the Hellknight Order of the Torrent, a group dedicated to the recovery of abductees.
"Once those are secured, it'll be time to look outside of Kintargo for a bit, and talk to some of the other parts of the Archduchy of Ravounel. With places like Vyre allied with your cause, you'll be able to get external support for your actions here in the city, and that'll go a long way towards getting the support of the nobility here in town, too.
"Finally, with all those pieces in place, you'll have to go about actually taking back the city, and rise up to resist Barzillai's rule. Your actions yesterday and today are pointing towards this eventual reality, but it's still weeks, if not months, into the future before you're ready for that. And when you do secure our city? Well, then you've just got to figure out how to be in charge." She grins at this, as though imagining one of you in the seat of the Lord Mayor's chair.[/b]
"But for now, let's take care of the basics. You've got a team to help you," she indicates Korva and the other Tengu, "And they can help you secure some funding for your rebellion, or gather intelligence about a person or place here in the city. You'll want more assistance, of course, but they're a solid start. Now, how would you like to focus the efforts of your rebellion? Political clout and popularity? Sneaky, subtle opposition to Thrune? Rally some scrappers to get in open fights against Thrune's agents? What do you think?"
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"What do I think? She can bake and plan a rebellion? I think I might be in love."
Pip keeps his thoughts to himself for a change, quite nervous around Miss Longroad. He was quite taken with the woman, even if she is a bit older and hardly the "nice girl" his mother would prefer he find.
For now, Pip focuses on the documents spread on the table before him and Rexus.
He hopes to make some sort of breakthrough simply to aid the budding rebellion and not at all to impress anyone in the room.
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"I think in the face of an enemy as mighty as Thrune secrecy and deception must be our weapon and armor. I have some talent with disguises and nabbed a few of those militiamen's uniforms, with the right tools I can get us or trusted agents into some fairly secure places. I can also contribute forged documents and false orders to sow confusion--though again, it'll take time and coin to gather all the necessary supplies." Orrias rubs closes his eyes and scratches his cheek, frowning as he tries to run through the logistics in his mind. "To gather allies will also require a deft political touch, to recruit the assistance of merchants, ship captains, judges, priests...I fear if we attempt open combat in the street we'll be crushed by the enormous resources Thrune can bring to bear."
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Nerris scarfs down quite readily now that her sickness is cured. Looking at the others she shifts around a bit awkwardly. After a while she says with a roll in her mouth,"I would like to do this as nonviolently as possiblebut Alexite was right earlier. I'm a bit young to know exactly what I'm doing so whatever you decide I will gladly help."
=========
Indra approaches Pip bearing the magic whip. "Pip, I can tell this is magic, but I haven't really studied much on being more specific. Do you think you could tell me its properties?" Apparently, Calistria thinks of everything. She even provided me with someone who can tell me about magic items!
==============
She sits down to eat some of what Laria has provided and listens to her talk.
"Sneaky is probably the way to start, but I'm aching for action as soon as possible. If we can get some folks harrying the thrune-goons at every opportunity, people may start to wonder if they've thrown in with the wrong side."
Alexite scoffs slightly. "Huh. You're no fun, Ears! Here I was looking forward to some big fights with the Thrunies. ...you might be right, though."
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Pip pushes the papers aside to take a break, but he regrets the intermission when Indra approaches and turns the talk to Calistria again.
The one downside to the Wasp's Nest was having the statue of the Lady in the Room, well, in the room and constantly watching Pip.
While he works out how to raft over to the statue and repair her nose, Pip hopes that aiding Calistria's adherent will serve as a temporary placation.
"Um...it's a very nice whip. It is enchanted in such a way that curses the wielder if they attempt to use it against halflings. It's an astounding coincidence, I know."
Pip vows to take another look at the magic whip tomorrow, adding it to his "Appeasing Calistria To-Do List."
As the discussion broaches how the newly minted rebellion will function, Pip supports using Secrecy, followed by Loyalty, and suggests avoiding the open conflict of Security.
"Secrecy's good. I can probably get some help from the church of Ragathiel, but i don't know how much Father Rux will help. She went quiet for a moment, it was obvious that she was milling something over in her mind, never being able to hide her emotions well. She eventually let out a sigh and said, "And I may be able to help when it comes time to dealing with the nobles. Though i can't make any promises on how useful it will be."
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Laria smiles and nods. “All right, I like to hear that you’re playing to your strengths, but that you’ve also got some flexibility if you need to mix it up. Now, you six have your own lives to lead in public, and if you just disappear into your work here folks might get suspicious. It’s a tricky balance, but you can manage. Now, while you’ve got a few of us on your side, I recommend getting some more supporters. The more you have, the more they can help you get things done quickly. Nerris, from what I understand, you live in a part of town where you can probably help with that more readily.”
Rexus coughs, and stands near the table where he and Pip are working. ”There is a lot to go through here, several weeks worth, likely. I plan to work on this as much as I can, and if anyone else wants to assist me, it'll only make our work go that much faster."
Korva croaks from the side of the room, "We're much obliged for getting assistance from you all, especially given the circumstances. If it's all right, we'd like to report to Orrias for now, and have him send us out and about." To the tall elf, she adds, "Give us some parameters for a week's worth of work, either, ah, 'finding' funds for your rebellion, or getting some information on something. We'll get back to you with what we have then."
Laria sweeps her arms around. "I'm here to support you however I can - even if it's just for a cup of coffee. And Alexite, when we get out from under these damnable proclamations, I'm planning on serving massive mugs of your family's mint tea every day for a year. For now, everyone, get some more rest, then get ready to get to work! You look stronger and more capable now than even when I met you this morning."
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On the following morning, Pip awakens in the Wasp's Nest. He dresses in private, behind a tacked up sheet to shield Indra and the Fushi sisters from him.
He then sits down at the table in the makeshift common room with his journal and pen. He speaks aloud while pretending to write.
"Day 3 of the rebellion. The House of Thrune remains in control of Kintargo, I remain small, and Indra remains blue. However, I trust that I will see at least one of these change in my lifetime."
Satisfied that he's gotten a head start on irritating his new roommates, Pip sets about writing in his journal for real.
Writing in Halfling, he documents the eventful past two days. He writes not as a satirist, but as more of a historian, although he includes a few colorful jabs about the foes and hazards overcome so far.
Finally, he also jots some notes on ideas for the days ahead.
.....
Over the course of the week, he slips from the Wasp's Nest to work at Crissali's Fine Tomes.
He dedicates more attention and respect to Nandy when she offers advice to her assistant, solicited or otherwise, on the finer points of magic.
Pip also begs for another perusal of her own magic writings, hoping that he can learn more ways to work his own magic.
Nevertheless, Pip has only ever earned coppers and scant silver from helping at the bookstore.
It has been his performances that always draw the lion's share of his income.
He steers clear of Aria Park for now, but he finds other plazas, squares, and corners to set up his box and banner to entertain the Kintargans.
Pip also tries to rein in his more overtly political humor to avoid drawing too much attention while their rebellion is in its infancy.
"Did you hear about the wizard who tried to summon a donkey as a familiar? The beast kicked him in the stomach and declared, in a booming human voice, “YOU SHALL NOT ASS!”
Back at the Wasp's Nest each day, he takes odds and ends and begins a training regimen.
For instance, he lays the rings of broken barrels along the floor and practices hustling through them, picking up his feet to avoid tripping.
When Indra inevitably stares at him with bafflement, he explains:
"I won't let those Dottari give my noggin a floggin' again. Plus, if we have to withdraw from a skirmish, I won't be the one left behind, huffing and puffing for breath."
As he writes in his journal, Pip suddenly feels an intimidating presence behind him.
He turns and, with a start, discovers Indra looming over him.
"Gah! Sorry, I thought it was Calistria herself creeping up on me."
He pauses for a moment before his ally's glare jogs his memory.
"Oh right! The whip! Let me have another look at it."
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Indra's not had roommates in a while, and never by choice. Once she's satisfied the halfling will make good on any damage to the statue, she eases up on harassing him. Still, he is an odd duck, even for a slip. At least he's somewhat useful. She asks questions of him every once in a while as she tries to learn more about the practice of magic. And she only has to pester him about the whip once.
She kind of enjoys spending time with the tengu (enjoyment is a new thing for her. She's not sure how to feel about it). They are wonderfully droll creatures, who also are used to living apart from main society. They are quite adept at stealth and sleight of hand, two skills she is naturally talented at as well. She spends some of her evenings playing card games with them, with the understanding that everyone cheats and it's those that get caught that lose.
During the days, she makes her way back to either the Redroof district or Old Kintargo. She tends a number of small gardens around the city and just beyond the walls. With the help of the tengu, she sets up a few herb drying racks in the Nest. Once they are dried, she packs them into small bags for trade at Kilimber's Dry Goods or the Salt Market. Within a few days, she's set up a comfortable rhythm of life. And late at night, she dreams of a Kintago free of Thrune. Soon, milady. Thank you for the opportunity for sweet revenge.
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On the following day Nerris decides to spend time with her daughter while recovering from the filth fever. Placing her hands on her hips and giving a big toothy grin she says,"All right lets do something fun. What do you want to do today?"
Sally holds up a stuffed animal and says,"Sir bearington needs to go rescue the king. He can't do it alone. Will you help defeat the evil necromancers?"
Nerris just stands their slightly confused wondering what she would have done if she wasn't constantly sick as a kid. Her most vivid memory is practically begging Quinn to let her become his apprentice when he healed her of her sickness. From there she traveled all over Golarion from her home town of Sothis learning about medicine until he decided to retire here.
Throughout the rest of the week she helps Quinn with the surge of patients from the protest. Her demeanor starts to sour as she sees the extent of the injuries. She spends the rest of the week setting broken bones, cleaning lacerations, and treating disloacated limbs while Quinn handles the more serious cases.
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Orrias continues residence in his current flat, though he moves around a bit more. He leverages a few of his contacts with the students at the Alabaster Academy to obtain a few texts and treatises related to the Great Beyond...particularly those relating to the Hells and their inhabitants. A few articles on cyphers and mathematics complete his study regimen.
Over several days, the elf quietly begins acquiring supplies necessary for his craft--makeup, strips of cloth, and innumerable other nicknacks useful in the art of disguise.
Thrice during the week, Orrias is certain to slip into Wasp's Nest to confer with the tengu, comparing notes and planning the next move. He also floats the idea of acquiring a rowboat so the groups' comings and goings are more clandestine.
"For now let's emphasize gathering money and information, we're going to need plenty of both once we start attracting additional supporters, but before that we'll need the first two."
earns us 11gp
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Sara bid her new friends farewell for now before taking the hide and heading back to the shop. When she arrives at the Tannery, Mikhail had already closed shop for the day.
"Welcome home, Vorobey. I trust," Mikhail starts when he sees Sara walking in with the hide. He hurries out of his seat and
"Bogi vyshe, where did you find this. No... on second thought, i should not know."
"I skinned the beast myself," Sara said with a bit of pride and a smile. Mikhail placed his hand on Sara's cheek and gave it a lite pat.
"And your care for the trade shows. Is beautiful work." He says. Sara closes her eyes and leans into his hand for a moment, his warmth a welcome after the day she's had.
"I was hoping to make a nice bit of armor for Ruina out of it. If I'm to be serious, Ruina needs to be protected too. I dunno what I'd do if any harm came to her."
"She will be in the best of care. But now, sleep. Tomorrow we work." And with a gentle kiss on her forehead, Mikhail leads Sara back to their bed for the night.
While visiting Father Rux at the temple, she noticed some of the normal people who came for help seemed worse off, some with bruises or cuts, another with a limp or an arm in a sling. It was obvious the kind of care that was being forced upon those who needed help most under Thrune's rule. Rux offered guidance to Sara and, while she listened and prayed under his words, she knew what she had to do.
Towards the end of the week Sara forced herself to leave Mikhail and head home to Castilla Manor. With a kiss for luck she and Ruina made the trek. The atmosphere when she crossed districts was almost night and day. One of the guards almost didn't let her in until she showed her signet ring and even then it was tenuous.
"Ew, who let the trash in," She heard. She glanced over to see who spoke, she was use to this kind of treatment when ever she had to return as she refused to play by the rules of her upbringing. She saw a small park, nothing more than a few benches under the shade of trees. Five kids stood and sat there, looking to be in their late teens. She noticed one of the girls almost instantly.
"Hey Lucy," I said to my sister. She only made a face at me, one that spat curses and insults for embarrassing her as I did. I ignored their rebuttal and continued home. Once there I tried to move quickly. Gather some things of mine I needed to take back to Mikhail's, leaving others that were useless now, or at least for the time being. I had to be quick before Iggy or Mother came as they would have been noted at my arrival.
"Saraphim," I heard as I hurried down the stairs. I didn't even bother to look back. The doormen didn't react as I approached the doors. Mother had most likely told them to keep me in. "Saraphim stop this instant." Ruina rushed past me and threw herself at the solid wood doors. they budged ever so slightly but enough for me to quickly get out and away before Mother could reach me. I hurried out and back towards my true home. Away from my Mother who sought to use me, my brother who ignored me, my sister who loathed me. I returned to my husband that loved me and my friends that needed me.
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Alexite isn't even a little bit charmed by the idea of living in a dank basement with these people he just met, so--fond of them though he is--he bids them all farewell and heads back to his own small garret apartment for the evening. The next day, though, he's back, bright-eyed and eager to help Rexus sort through the documents they've uncovered.
"I'm a man with simple needs, Rexy," he says amiably as he sorts the documents into neat piles for further perusal. "I like good drink, good food, eager company...and none of that costs me all that awfully much. My family's better off than I might make it sound--pretty successful, historically--and I got some savings. So I figure I'll help out!" He grins and slugs Rexus (probably too hard) in the shoulder. "But hey--I spend some time in your world, you gotta spend some in mine, right? So we can hit the tavern later tonight, get some mead, maybe pick up a pair of friendly ladies for company? Or a lady and a man. I'm flexible to your tastes!" He grins.
Despite his banter, Alexite is a surprisingly adept assistant--clearly there's more going on in his brain than he lets on. He spends his days in the hideout, and emerges at night to hit up his usual haunts at the taverns around town. His only regret is that he can't felon Will what he's been up to; but while he sees the other man at least once most nights, he doesn't want to involve him yet. Not until he knows better what this new life is going to entail...
By the end of the week, it mostly seems to entail boredom. "Jeez, how many of these damn scrolls are there? You might be on your own soon, Rexy! I have...uh...stuff. Coming up."
Pip and Indra examine the whip, and the runes and symbols make it clear that it is enchanted to provide additional guidance on attacks and damaging opponents.
Rexus is a little put off by Alexite's talkativeness, and gives you a slight glare for the punch on the shoulder. As he settles into his work, he is grateful that you are able to help hand him the correct document at just the right moment, and that - despite your banter - you keep his piles neatly organized.
However, the nobleman is nonplussed by your idea of going out together, and after a few moments simply shares, "Yes, well, delightful as that might be, perhaps a calmer drink for me. I'm, well, not currently interested in romantic pursuits, but if something should work out for you..." he trails off as his eyes get lost in a document, and seems to forget about the conversation for a little while.
- - - - - - -
The week is pleasantly calm in the city, after the madness of last week's riots. It's just what many of you need to set your heads to your new purpose.
The Fushi sisters amass a small mountain of silvers, coppers, and a few gold sails over the course of the week, and they deposit these for you in the Wasp's nest for tabulation.
Rexus share's that he thinks he's gleaned something, "Possibly helpful, possibly not, but it appears that the original silver ravens were established in 4606 AR - immediately after the chaos of Aroden's death and the misery that followed, they banded together to help protect Kintargo from oppression. I know it's not much, but this is more concrete information about the Ravens than I've ever heard - an actual start date and time! It helps me to place them in context, and that will make deciphering the remaining texts a little bit easier. Not less time, mind you, but easier!"
Towards the later end of the week Nerris gathers everyone up into the area and tries to cook some fresh fish she bought. After nearly burning down the cafe she says,"Listen its kind of been a rough week so I hope we can enjoy this dinner together or at least my attempt at making food. I did promise food and well I was sick but now I'm feeling great. Also, I feel like it would be a perfect excuse to figure out plans about the rebellion."
Rexus, having subsisted mostly on pastries and coffee for the past week, is grateful for the offered fish. However, he only smiles politely after it is cooked, and simply picks at the less-crispy bits that have still been thoroughly cooked.
The Fushi sisters are less discriminating, and gobble it down happily. Korva pipes up to Orrias, "Aye, it'd be nice to not get our feathers wet going out through the sewers - a boat would be fine indeed!"
Figuring she needs the practice, Indra tries her hand at identifying some of the magic artifacts they have found.
cloak
boots
She's still new at this and it takes practice.
Eager to prove himself more helpful than a nuisance, and relieved to have the pressure of the spotlight drawn away from his own magical talents for a change, Pip assists Indra in her practice.
"Is this not the most beguiling darn cloak ever?" Pip exclaims in good-humored frustration.
Alexite rolls his eyes slightly at Rexus's rebuffing his plans. "Yeah, ok, definitely not hanging out here so much next week..."
As Nerris discusses planning the rebellion, and Pip and Indra wrestle with the arcane intricacies of a flat piece of cloth, Alexite wolfs down one of the fish. Hey, if you eat it fast enough, you can hardly taste it! Aloud, he says to Nerris, "What is there to plan? The Crows here are getting us cash, Rex'll figure out what the OR were up to, and I figure then we just hire some people and storm the castle. Easy, right?" He grins and reclines in a corner of the cellar.
Indra stops what she's doing and looks up at Alex's statement. If stares could talk, this one would have screamed "you idiot." She shakes her head and goes back to trying to identify the cloak, but with a scowl on her face.
Orrias looks up from his huddle with Fushi sisters, eyebrow arched sardonically. "A splendid plan, Alexite, for who amongst us doesn't savor the idea of walking right into the teeth of Barzillai's power, no doubt to be torn apart by devils in moments. Or far worse, to be captured and subject to Hell's gentle caresses," the elf drawls, then returns to planning how to obtain a rowboat.