Scout works with one of the horses to prepare it for Sergei's act.
Simon smirks and walks over to Tarrio with a less smiley expression than he usually has, more serious and apologetic.
"Sorry if I came on too strong last night. Happens when I drink. Not the first time. Probably not the last. Very sorry and I won't let it happen again. Friends?"
He offers a hand.
"No worries at all friend!" Tarrio says with a grin. "But I must insist that you and Lolly take the Six Candles. Belonda and I'll be over at Helman's if you need us." He points towards a corner of the plaza as he grabs Belonda and walks off. Lolly looks to Simon, and heads towards the Inn of Six Candles.
By now the beginnings of a crowd are forming around the circus tents, curious as to what spectacle has popped up overnight in the Grand Plaza.
Scout goes out where the people can see him. He says, "We are members of a circus that has just arrived here from the Empire. We will be performing several shows throughout the day. Fear not, our regular announcer has a much better speaking voice than I do. For now I'll just give you a tiny taste of what's to come."
Scout does a couple of simple juggling routines with his clubs (takes 10) and then goes back to helping prepare for the show and working with the horse that Sergei will lift.
Zathyl helps the rest of the group set up for the show.
"Anyway, has anyone seen Veilwar? It seems he is more scarce than usual... Where has he disappeared to now?" As Zathyl says this, he scrunches his brow ridges in thought.
The crowd shows some nods of approval at Scout's juggling, and when they hear that shows will be performed throughout the day, some of them begin to disperse but stay close to the circus tents
What seemed to be a spot of shade shifts to reveal Veilwar swaddled in his dark robes as he coolly regards the crowd.
Jack, with his combination of terrible intimidation skill, giant size, and clowning acumen, stands still, making angry faces at every child who walks by and then immediately transitioning into the silliest faces he can, following this up with a backwards cartwheel if they still look frightened.
As the three that have the answer to his question leave without answering, he calls after them, voice raised well above an inside voice, "BUT YOU HAVE COW, YES!?"
After the bit of comedy, Sergei, with his new worry, speeds up his activities, to do his best to get everything fixed up and ready, so he can't worry about what might go wrong.
The Six Candles Inn's common room goes silent as the door opens and a creature enters. It's black and white, with four legs an two arms, slightly larger than a dog, and carrying a pack on it's small back. Two merry blue eyes shine as it looks around, and a blue tongue lols out the side of it's mouth in amusement. A painful looking scar mars it's forehead.
The creature pulls a white tuber from it's belt pouch, and bites into it with a crunch. Then the creature moves over to the front desk of the inn, standing up by placing it's forepaws on the wood of the desk so it's head is at eye level with the innkeeper's face. "Greetings, I would like a room please." It digs into it's belt pouch and places a gold piece on the counter. "No need for food, I don't eat much. Although if you have horseradish... or even better... wasabi root, I'd be happy to get some more. This is my last one." It waves the white tuber around, and seems to be enjoying the way the innkeeper goggles at it. It's voice is surprisingly musical in it's tones.
Simon follows Lolly to the Six Candles.
"I'm afraid he doesn't like me very much any more..."
Lolly and Simon enter the Six Candles to the sight of a soft magical lighting which illuminates hardwood tables and comfortable-looking chairs. The few patrons who have come downstairs are currently enjoying very expensive looking breakfasts. Through a set of glass doors farther back a pleasant courtyard boasting several small tables set for more intimate dining can be seen.
None of this is immediately noticeable however, due to the fact that a bizarre, four-legged creature currently stands at the main counter in front of a gaping, slack-jawed innkeeper. After rubbing his eyes as if to make sure he's not dreaming, he says to the odd creature, "Wait one minute! You'll need two more pieces of gold if you hope to get a room. And quite possibly a reservation!"
The creature tilts it's head at an angle impossible for a human, almost looking at the innkeeper upside down for a second. "Oh my, things are much more expensive in town than I'd been led to believe." Shi responds, still blinking at him upside down while rightside up. "Does it make a difference in price that I don't eat? Well, other than horseradish, but it's more a vice than a requirement? Or is food extra on top of the cost of the room? Sorry, I'm quite used to more out of the way inns that include food in the price."
"Yes, food will be twenty gold pieces for our world-renowned ten course mean, or just five gold pieces if you just want the luncheon," the innkeeper says haughtily. "No, no, no, what am I thinking - we don't allow animals to stay here. ESPECIALLY not without a reservation. You really must leave lest the guests become frightened."
Shi shakes his head. "What's wrong with animals? Not that I am one. However, that seems rather expensive for food. On the other hand, since, as I said, I don't eat food, it may just be that I don't realize how expensive food is." Shi responds, his tongue lolling out of his mouth even further in humour. He seems to be enjoying the discomfort of the innkeeper. "Have you even asked to see if I do have a reservation? Shi'Vatha? You might want to check your records, before you assume I don't." He says with an almost evil grin on his muzzle. Although how he get's a grin on his muzzle is anyone's guess.
"Cow or no cow. Show must be going on. Can satisfy crowd now with show? Or little things? Will probably detract if share too much, yes?" he asks the others still at the wagon.
"Ya, lets do a few simple things first. Some of them have already had a taste, but I guess a lot of them are new faces and we can give them a little excitement before the main show. You think the children would like Slatha doing a little performing for them while we set up for the main acts?" Zathyl says while he pulls out Slatha from his scarf.
"Ah, is good." Sergei nods. "Shows for children are being best kind. Children understand all of Sergei's jokes." he grins widely. "Adult... far too serious, sometimes. Need to lighten up. Sergei is unsure of how to do minor show, though. Last time, others are not being interested, or are saying Sergei is boring in lifting." he sighs.
"I like your jokes just fine friend... Maybe, most Adults just don't get them. Different places, different senses of humor I think. As to your lifting... Hmm... As I recall, most of those who didn't like your act thought they could do better... and many of them were barbarians. Try lifting something heavier than me and maybe put a little bit of show boating into it. Or instead of lifting something, bend some iron. I'm sure you can think of something." Zathyl claps Sergei on the back and goes to fetch a small table to set up for Slatha.
After fetching the table, he sets it up where the children can see it and sets his familiar on it. After having a brief "discussion" with his snake about his act, Zathyl will try to wave some of the young ones over to see Slatha's side show. "Come on don't be shy. My little snake friend will keep you entertained until we can start the main show. You can pet him if you want, but I implore you not to pick him up please. Enjoy the show." Zathyl will leave Slatha to his own devices to go continue to help set up, though he will keep an eye on them.
Slatha will first create very simple, obvious, slow moving illusions using Prestidigitation and interact with them (almost like puppets in a puppet show) but instead of using them to act out something, he will use them to accentuate his movements in a small but fluid and precise hypnotic dance.
Before Zathyl gets Slatha's show going, Scout says: "Just let me know when you want me to do some juggling and tumbling."
Simon will wait until the adorable thingy is finished talking with the innkeeper.
Not much use trying to speak when something interesting was going on.
Simon waits til the black and white ball of adorable looks at him and he makes some quick gestures that only he would notice.
"The authorities will be notified if you do not cease heckling my guests and I immediately!" the innkeeper hisses at Shi'Vatha.
"Aaah, what a lovely couple," he says, composing himself and turning to Simon and Lolly. "Although a bit under dressed if I do say so. You must be here for the room and spa package. If you'll ignore this thing I'd be happy to help you over here."
The crowd responds moderately well to Slatha's performance - they've seen charmed snakes and small illusions but the combination of the two is at least somewhat novel.
Soon after the performance, Belonda returns from Helman's. "Good news and bad news. The folks at Helman's seemed to like the idea of a circus in the neighborhood. You should have a bit of a crowd worked up soon enough. Also Tarrio vanished before we entered and he's now loose somewhere in the Plaza."
Shi grins lopsidedly. "As you wish, sirrah. However, may the goddess have mercy on thee... although she's not generally known for that." He steps away from front desk, and turns to see the Neko man making small motions with his fingers. Shrugging, he steps toward the Neko, and bows low, which is quite the production, considering his front legs drop his lower body down to the floor, and then his upper torso bends over, it's quite the spectacle.
"If I might suggest, good Sirrah, you would do well to find a different inn to stay at? This one is likely to experience bad things in the near future." The eidolon's tongue lols out to one side, in amusement. "You wished to talk to me? Or did I misinterpret?"
He keeps the corner of his eye on the innkeeper, without trying to make it obvious, to see if the man steals the gold coin he had put up earlier, or calls for him to retrieve it.
"Newlywed is gone missing on day of wedding? This cannot be happening! SEE! THEY NEEDED COW. Why Sergei has to be so stupid. Should have just convinced others to get cow. Now marriage is doomed! the big man seems extremely excited. "Show Sergei where he disappears? Sergei is not being excellent at tracking, but is good at getting people to share things they see.
Zathyl takes a minute to contemplate what that could mean, "Are you saying that he up and disappeared or did he use his ring? If it's the former then he might be in trouble... If its the latter, then he just might be getting himself into trouble. Either way, maybe we should look for him... but I think we should get this show going first before the crowd starts to get bored and/or violent... What do you guys think?" Zathyl says, speaking to those present.
"Mmmm... Sergei is thinking should put friend ahead of money " he frowned, "But cannot undo dislike of crowd.."
Scout comments, "The problem is that it will be almost impossible to find him if he doesn't want to be found. Unless there is some way to detect his ring when it is active we could only wander around and hope that he would choose to talk to one of us."
"Ah, but you forget my friend, I am a druid and we are sensitive to fluctuations in magic and the natural world. I could find him easily enough if I pick up his trail and follow it. The only problem we have at the moment is the promise we made to the crowd... It could make life very difficult here for us if we don't at least try to perform the show that we promised them.... We can only delay or give them "tastes" for so long..." Zathyl says worriedly. He still continues to help setup while talking, but his concern shows that he thinks Tarrio might be in trouble.
"We may as well put on a small show and then break to look for Tarrio if he has not shown up by the time the show is through. Somebody is going to have to stay with the wagons though."
"Sergei will stay with wagons. Your shows are being better than Sergei's. Feel free to go do shows for people, while Sergei waits and hopes. Does Belonda know why tiny friend would go missing?" he tilts his head. "Without telling? Is very strange how people do this. Perhaps we can ask Madame... name. Madame name if she knows where he is."
"What? I didn't do anything. I was just coming in to speak to these people here. Why would I talk to you, little badger thing?"
If Sergei's going to watch the wagons, Jack can join the others in the show.
Assuming that Zathyl and Slatha are finished, Scout will go on stage and do a performance. It will be in 4 parts.
Part 1, juggling - taking '10' with a result of 18.
Part 2, juggling - going all out.
Part 3, tumbling - taking '10' with a result of 18.
Part 4, tumbling - going all out.
Jack will take 10 on Sleight of Hand and Acrobatics, to get 20 with each.
Shi tilts his head, looks at the strange man, and then shakes his head. "Strange humans around these parts. I think I need to talk to someone about putting in a bigger presence in this city. The whole city lacks manners." He steps out of the inn, and finds a place to watch the entrance to the inn out of the way, so he can wait for the people he was here to meet.
Belonda shakes her head. "Tarrio's pretty good about staying out of trouble, my guess is that he is the trouble. I'll run back to tell Mama Bobo - carry on with your show but keep an eye out for anything suspicious." As Belonda leaves, a rowdy group of adventurer-types show up from the direction she originally came; it looks like the patrons from Helman's are showing up.
Scout pre-show doesn't go over too well, but the crowd does at least stay to heckle him. "Oi! Where's the ringmaster? Someone tell him that his puppet's broken!" The acrobatics quickly quiet the hecklers however, and an impressed crowd begins to throw some coins to the stage. Jack's act pleases them as well, but it's clear that they want more.
Over at the Inn of Six Candles, a number of soldiers wearing the livery of the local temple of Thyr suddenly come storming down the stairs. They are led by a cleric in nondescript homespun robes that typically denote higher levels of ecclesiastic significance among the orders of the God of Law and Justice. All of them are fully armed.
"There's been a robbery," the leader states. He directs a few of his men to spread through the inn, placing one at the door. "Nobody goes in or out until we've found the thief." He takes the rest of his men and pushes through the main entrance, forcing Simon out of the doorway as well. Just Simon - it seems that Lolly either miraculously vanished or slipped away while Simon was sending messages to Shi'Vatha.
Once outside, the cleric completely misses Shi'Vatha and heads straight for the circus tents with his remaining soldiers. "Where in the nine hells did this come from? Probably those damn gypsies..." he mutters under his breath.
Sergei stays with the wagon. He thinks about bringing the ringmaster to the stage... Then makes a mental note that they do need to finish taking him to the river. It was the river, yes? The cat had said many things during his seven deaths. Most did not make sense.
Shi sees the Thyr priest, and eyes him and begins to follow along, dodging from place to place, keeping out of sight and following without being noticed as best he can. Fortunately he's good at that.
Is this the person he was to meet, or is this a fake priest? He's trying to figure that out as he watches and listens to the man. Did Shi know the name of the person he was to meet?
"So... It seems they want the "ringmaster" so that we can start the main show. Should we go get Simon so we can start this?" Zathyl says, currently picking up Slatha and the table after his little performance.