“And gods forbid a drop of guilt in the sleeping mind of Roland's sweetheart Darius Agnes.” He rolls his eyes, but Darius doesn't catch it.
“Never ever” He smiles again. "It’d ruin my complexion. If I had time for guilt or worry, I’d begin to show age." He playfully laughs.
“That’s why I look this way? Wish I received that advice forty years back. If I heard that as a boy, I’d been quicker to throw away my emotions than you have.” Sinclair smiles slyly. Darius cracks for a second, wincing, recoiling. His teeth clench, and his brow comes down in a moment’s fury.
“Careful boy, you’ll get wrinkles if you keep making faces like that.” Darius returns a smile now, while Emile makes a feeble attempt to cover his. Some nerve was hit, a fist of Darius' still clenched. “Better. Emile, I must get to going. Can’t stay up as long as I used to, told Catherine to stop by at 11:30, and she’d be in my ear for an hour if I was late. Wish I could say it was a great party. Lucia, a pleasure if I had you longer.” He smiles, bows, and walks south. The Guardsman intercepts him, and they begin to talk.
Valentina, in the room with Helmuth, answers his request for information. "We know that she was likely poisoned hours ago, and the evidence covered up with potions of delay poison. Eduard had no relevant information about who might have been around her hours ago to poison her."
She looks about the room at everyone assembled. "We also know that it's extremely unlikely that there's anybody here at the party capable of casting delay poison or creating a potion of that spell, so either the killer isn't present or the poison was purchased - a search of nearby apothecaries might yield results."
"We also know that the primary reason to kill Abigail is to forment war, but mass killings of Galatians all over the city calls that specific motive somewhat into doubt."
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"When Abigail collapsed, I was nearby and immediately cast a spell to detect poison. With this spell, I was able to identify the poison as Black Lotus extract. I next cast a spell that should locate any amount of this poison within 500 feet. There was nothing except what was already killing Abigail. As the poison has to be administered via contact with the skin and as it is fast acting, it is impossible that someone could have given her the dose and managed to move 500 feet away before it took effect. While others were trying to keep Abigail alive, I used my physical contact with her to try to divine how this happened. My vision suggested that a key event happened about four hours earlier."
"Since she died, I tasted a bit of the wine that she drank two hours before. It has a potion that is designed to delay the effects of poison for about 2 hours. So I believe that about four hours before her death, while still at her home, someone gave her a dose of a similar potion, then dosed her with the Black Lotus extract, and then administered another dose of the delaying poison potion at toast made by Emile."
"I realize none of this is actionable by the authorities, but it should make you consider the possibility that the killer acted long before the party and only needed an accomplice to administer the potion in time to keep it from killing her until later. I actually do have a suspect who may have administered the poison. Eduard identified her as Blair, a Galatian who visited just before they left for the party. Asfal knows of her. I believe she may be lobbying for the council to enact an extradition agreement with Galatia. Perhaps Abigail opposed the agreement and so was eliminated. No doubt the Galatian government will want to try to extradite those they think might be responsible for the other murders committed this evening."
Halcyon concludes her report and waits for questions. She looks very tired, a little like slightly deflated balloon.
For a time Halcyon says no more, but he face betrays a struggle. Finally she speaks up, "I have a suggestion. Although Vincent has been very helpful through the evening, even before Abigail fell to the poison and I only had a suspicion that something foul might happen. But at times, I've had reason to wonder. Since a potion was part of the plot and since he has a magic carrying case full of potions, I suggest you confiscate his potion carrier and test all the vials inside for Delay poison potion. I also fear the blond man named Asfal may not be as he appears or claims. More than that I cannot say."
Helmuth takes a breath through the cigar, this time not letting the smoke into his lungs. “It won’t be necessary, my good man.” He refers to Marcus, perhaps forgetting his name. “I’ll personally run the guest list by our Society records. If someone has so much a hint of magical lineage we will find know. Divine influence however, will be more difficult to track. I would welcome any assistance”
He looks to Raphael now. “We will be questioning the servants later. Did you find anything in your second examination? Anything gained examining the body?”
Helmuth gives his attention to Valentina. “There aren’t many apothecaries in Roland, we should be able to investigate most of them in the coming week. I am just fearful it may have came from elsewhere. Murgleis or Tizona, gods know where.” He gives something she says thought, his mind somewhere else. He focuses on his cigar as he responds to her. “I don’t follow your war logic. Many dead Galatians seem like a louder declaration of war than a single one.”
Back to Halcyon. “Ah, Vincent Durant. If a bodyguard takes a life is it irony? I will be confiscating these potions and this case of his, and will personally put a detective to inspecting them. ” Another puff. “A shame if you are right though, he is my second favorite Durant.”
Helmuth addresses Seth, giving him a small salute of the cigar. “Now, for our trips home this evening. I have my two men, um, people, and they will be able to assist us. I believe the most able escorts are myself, my two fellow Guard, Seth, Tomas, Vincent and Eduard.” He gestures to Marcus, Halcyon and Raphael. “I don’t have good measure the merits of magic, sorry, but I know steel and the men behind it. Perhaps it would be better to leave one of my men with the de Beaux family and Eduard with the Bolton girl. So that leaves four or five by my count, depending on if you’d trust Vincent escorting a bunch of his own.”
His progress on the cigar is slow, he likely will be smoking it for the rest of the night. His hand leaves his gun, playing with a cartridge on the bandolier hanging around him.
It is 11:30PM. There are 30 minutes until the New Year.
"I meant that if there was a single Galatian who opposed the war or was helping to soothe diplomatic relations, their death is a greater pointer than many Galatians of different political leanings being killed all over the city."
She thinks for a moment. "We might want to look into the political dealings of those deceased when we get a chance."
"Also, are you believing that everyone should have some sort of escort?"
"Valentina I believe he wants to escort everyone who came with now way of protecting themselves. I just wish that I could get any of my boys here to help. They are too spread around the city and I have no way to getting any of them." Seth thinks for a moment and holds out his hand. He counts using his fingers, and then he stops counting and continues to speak. "I think we can trust Vincent enough to escort a few people home. Considering the amount of people here, we need every man and woman we can get to help out."
Lucia laughs along with Darius, but stops when his demeanor quickly changes. She listens along and nods her head to Sinclair as he leaves. Lucia still a bit startled about what happened, stays quite to see what will happen next.
As Helmuth turns to him and asks him what he'd learned, Raphael replies, "I've only cemented my personal opinion that those that I've interviewed had nothing to do with the murder. If they were lying when they answered my questions, then they've powers to lie beyond the ken of we mere mortals. That said, the nature of the murder seems only to cement that this was a carefully orchestrated job. I doubt they'd employ random folk working in the kitchen for something so time sensitive. It would be too hard to control when they can be free." He pauses a moment, studying Helmuth, before continuing, "As for the body, I've not deigned to make use of that potion you loaned me. I thought it prudent to speak with the rest of my companions so that anything we seek with it will be informed by evidence."
He thinks a moment, then continues, "As for this business of escorts, I'm a capable fighter, but I didn't bring arms nor armor with me, save my dagger. If one of your men has a bow or a crossbow, I should be fine."
Halcyon wrinkles her nose at the smell of the cigar smoke. She slides he chair away from the offensive smoke. "What is this potion?" she asks Raphael. "If anyone can cast locate object, we could attempt to locate any trace of the Delay Poison potion. Alas I can only cast it with the help of my ring, and I used that up for now when I tried to locate the poison. But if we do, we should wait until we have Vincent's empty potion vials in the open. I fear his magic container may shield the contents from such divination."
To the whole group she asks,"Can anyone remember the seating arrangements at the head table? Assuming the potion was not in the wine bottle, which is unlikely, as there would have to be many doses to avoid being too diluted, then someone had to slip it into Abigail's glass between when it was poured and when it was consumed. Who was sitting next to her? Did anyone else move by?"
Regarding the question of escorts, she says, "Perhaps we could all travel together and stay at Marcus's tavern for the night. Safety in numbers? That would leave the soldiers and bodyguards to see to the rest of the guests. I'm sure Emile has room if people feel safer staying off the streets. A guard could patrol the hall outside their rooms if needed for extra security."
Darius calms, passing his hand through his hair. “Emile, you really should choose your guests better at times.” Sinclair manages to convince the Guardsman in the front that letting him leave is what Helmuth would have wanted. After he talks circles around the boy, Sinclair departs into the darkness.
“You know, it is kind of funny that you mention that.”
Darius seems a bit surprised by the statement. “Oh? Is this where my invitations stop?”
He explains. “Funny that you mention it now I mean. After the murder. Like Sinclair is the problem guest this evening.”
Darius chuckles lightly, though it doesn’t last as long as before, it doesn’t sound quite as hearty or genuine. “That is funny I suppose.” He chuckles again. A woman approaches the three of them. She has long, chestnut hair that drapes down past her shoulders, down the back. Her eyebrows are sharp, arching into small sharp points. She wears a brass wind-chime like necklace that jingles as she walks, and has a small white dove pin on her chest.
It seems she is only familiar with Emile. She speaks to him. “Sinclair always has places to go doesn’t he? I wasn’t aware we were allowed to leave, yet, he departs.” She gets a look at Lucia, and her gaze passes onto Darius and back to her. “Estelle Bellerose, a pleasure. I sincerely hope I did not interrupt anything.”
In the Smoke Lounge, Helmuth looks a bit disappointed at Raphael, though he looks pleasantly surprised when he mentions he can fight. “Ah, all is well. Give the potion here then, that isn’t exactly something you are allowed to walk around with without my supervision I suppose.” He answers Halcyon for Raphael, quick to intercept anything. “Just something one of my boys made. A little divination of sorts.”
Helmuth thinks for a moment. “Let’s see… Her bodyguard was next to her. Then the de Beauxs were all in a line, that other blonde one was somewhere, and the Agnes twins and ... ” He pauses with a little laugh, glancing up at the Oracle. "... And Durant. Though I don’t remember all their seating arrangements.”
“A bow? How antiquated, I don’t think my men will have anything of the sort. And while I’ll lend you a potion, I couldn’t in good faith give you a Guard issued firearm. Giving weapons to civilian hands is hardly a good practice for a captain. I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for a dagger.”
He brings the cigar to his lips, still blue from a drink far earlier in the evening. “I am sure that Seth will protect you all, I suppose we could hold down the fort here. Try with Communications once more for additional reinforcements. If any feels a dire need to leave, we could spare a man to escort them at their own risk… ” He thinks on it as he blows out smoke. “It should work for the evening. I’ll grab Vincent’s potions and what not. See if it makes him squirm.” Helmuth smiles, looking at the guests. He tips the cigar to the door to the ballroom. “Well, shall we?”
"I could escort somebody to their home or to my own. I never go unarmed and my clockwork servant could help quite a bit if I was to be attacked." Valentina raises an eyebrow. "I don't have much of a desire to stay here and batten down the hatches with many of the guests, as I think might happen. However, I'm also limited in who I could escort by whose home I wish to visit, or who I wish to be at my own home. Raphael, I trust you enough - do you require an escort?"
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Halcyon wrinkles her nose at the smell of the cigar smoke. She slides he chair away from the offensive smoke. "What is this potion?" she asks Raphael. "If anyone can cast locate object, we could attempt to locate any trace of the Delay Poison potion. Alas I can only cast it with the help of my ring, and I used that up for now when I tried to locate the poison. But if we do, we should wait until we have Vincent's empty potion vials in the open. I fear his magic container may shield the contents from such divination."
To the whole group she asks,"Can anyone remember the seating arrangements at the head table? Assuming the potion was not in the wine bottle, which is unlikely, as there would have to be many doses to avoid being too diluted, then someone had to slip it into Abigail's glass between when it was poured and when it was consumed. Who was sitting next to her? Did anyone else move by?"
Regarding the question of escorts, she says, "Perhaps we could all travel together and stay at Marcus's tavern for the night. Safety in numbers? That would leave the soldiers and bodyguards to see to the rest of the guests. I'm sure Emile has room if people feel safer staying off the streets. A guard could patrol the hall outside their rooms if needed for extra security."
"that does sound like a smashing idea, all who wish to join me at my home and business may do so if they desire the safety of numbers, it is certainly where I am going as soon as I get my rapier," he then goes in the direction of the closet where it was stored, his sister (presumably) at his side, when he turns to halycon and says to her "I strongly recommend you come with me for tonight, we wouldn't want someone to take advantage of your condition" he says, tapping next to his own eyes.
After Helmuth listed those seated at the table with Abigail, she sighs softly. "Unless one of the Galatian guests dosed the wine, it seems Vincent is the most likely to have the skills to pull something subtle off. I'd like to know how Vincent reacts to having to give up his potion case for inspection."
She gives Marcus' hand a squeeze when he offers her a place to stay and an escort. "Thank you. I accept your kind offer. Just let's keep close to Vincent for a little while."
"Maybe some of my men are still at my tavern when I get back. I can come back with a few to help escort people to their homes." Seth then starts towards the door and waits for everyone to leave first and then he takes up the rear.
Lucia listens to Emile and Darius, but her attention is towards Estelle as she approaches. "You are not interrupting us at all. Lucia Varianna, it is nice to meet you."
Helmuth appears a bit giddy, but the boy keeps his cool. "Would you like to watch me seize Durant’s evidence, Madame Oracle? And perhaps like a rat, he will retreat back to his nest. Then we can properly determine what is behind this all." He smiles widely, removing the cigar from his mouth. "If all goes well, I may make Commandant."
He seems to agree with Seth’s actions, quick to match the mercenary’s exit from the room. “Excellent Seth, that’d save a second embarrassing call to Communications. I am sure some of your men would be happy to tote around their new firearms. Just a couple of your few soldiers would do me wonders if you could spare them.” Helmuth departs with Seth.
The door to the coat room opens, the fair-haired bodyguard exiting followed by the sergeant. She holds her gun at her hip, aiming it at Eduard’s back as the two of them walk out. It appears she doesn’t want to draw attention to the situation. Eduard’s golden eyes glare at anyone that looks his way, even with his helmet on one can feel the malice. Eduard is without his blade for the second time this evening, though his hands hold manacles this time around, not the body of Abigal Bolton.
Marcus passes through the coatroom as the Bodyguard and Guardswoman leave the room. He dashes back north, rapier in hand.
Estelle doesn’t seem to notice, or doesn’t seem to think it is her place to watch the spectacle. She carries on while Darius takes in the scene, almost dizzy with delight. Emile’s eyes flicker over, though he is quick to return back to the conversation. “Forgive me Lucia, I feel as if I am almost out of small talk for the evening. I’ve gone out of my way to talk to most-all guests, but all seem to want to ignore the elephant in the room.”
Darius comes out of watching the scene in time to deliver a quip. “The dead, Galatian elephant at that.” he corrects her. He looks to her now. “Agnes, Darius Agnes. Of the Agnes Mining company.”
She looks a bit appalled by his statement.“Um, y-yes, that one. I am sorry, am I supposed to know wh-” Something clicks. A rant heard from the mouth of an intoxicated silver haired angel an hour prior. She almost forgot. “Oh! Oh. You are Agatha’s brother, it all makes sense.” She covers herself before he responds. “The hair I mean. You have the same hair.”
“Let us pass the time until the Guard decides what to do with us all. What do you do, Lucia?”
Darius elbows Emile as Estelle and Lucia make introductions. "Not the same hair I hope. I have put days more into making my fair hair perfect. Feel it, Emile, nothing softer in this realm." Emile laughs, and it may have even been genuine.
"I am not going to indulge you in this again. You do this every time I see you." Darius chuckles to himself, almost giggling. He plays with his hair as he listens to the two women talk.
Seth walks along side Helmuth towards the front foyer and responds. "I'm sure they would, of course we would need some sort of compensation, but that is something we can talk about at a later date. When I get back, I will gather as many as want to go and we will return to assist you in anyway possible."
"I used to help my father with his business, but that was before I was married to Seth. Now I just watch over our small tavern and help him with his business from time to time." Lucia turns to Darius and Emile and watches them banter about Darius's hair before turning back to Estelle. "What about you? What do you do?"
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Raphael smiles as he hands over the potion, "I'll give some thought to the nature of the questions we should seek and let you know. As for firearms, I've never had the knack for them. I grew up shooting a bow and arrow though and am a solid shot. It was also my weapon of choice in the Guard, aside from my wits, of course."
He nods as Helmuth motions towards the door, "Yes, that might be for the best." As they leave, Raphael falls in alongside Valentina, speaking to her quietly, "I might take you up on the offer, though there's someone else I might wish to see home safely. After the events tonight, a drink and a talk with a level headed friend would do me good. Emile was kind enough to pay my retainer with an exquisite vintage."
As they walk through the ballroom, Raphael spots Lucia, Emile, Estelle, and Darius. Quirking his eyebrow in amusement as Estelle covers her faux pas, he sizes up the slender man.
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Helmuth appears a bit giddy, but the boy keeps his cool. "Would you like to watch me seize Durant’s evidence, Madame Oracle? And perhaps like a rat, he will retreat back to his nest. Then we can properly determine what is behind this all." He smiles widely, removing the cigar from his mouth. "If all goes well, I may make Commandant."
As Helmuth gets up to leave, Halcyon thumps her staff loudly on the floor and says with surprising authority, "HOLD! Quit thinking of promotions and think about our safety. Even if Vincent did administer the potion, it's possible he's gotten rid of the evidence. If you waltz in like some petty dictator and demand to see his potion case after meeting we us, it could prove dangerous for us. I don't want him thinking we've singled him out. I don't want him as an enemy. Please just go in and ask everyone in the room to show us the contents of their pockets, pouches, and purses and let Marcus and I look for magic auras. Anything suspicious and I'll taste test it for a match with the potion I tested earlier. If Vincent offers up his pouch, then there's no need to demand it from him specifically. If he doesn't, you know he has it, so then you can get aggressive with him and he won't link your suspicions to us."
To herself, Halcyon thinks, The boy needs to take some lessons in politics from his father.
“Charity, mostly. I work with the kinder hearts of our city to provide relief to the more unfortunate ones. Did you know most ratfolk prefer life in the sewers due to the oppression and victimization they experience on the surface? I am just trying to be among those taking the first steps to undo what we have done to our downtrodden brothers and sisters.”
Raphael is among the first enter of his party. Estelle greets him with a smile. “Darius, Lucia, this is Raphael Montefiore. Raphael this is Darius Agnes and Lucia Varianna.” Emile seems flustered that he didn’t get to make the introduction.
Raphael inspects Darius, sizing him up and gathering his memories as to who he is. Darius thinks it is something else entirely. “You know, Raphy, you could be more subtle. Or be a little more forward. It is this in-between state I don’t care for. Act uninterested or engrossed and we may have something.” He sticks a bit of his tongue out when he smiles. You aren’t quite sure how serious he his being. "As she said, I am Darius. A sincere greeting."
Helmuth jumps as the staff knocks on the floor. His cigar drops from his hand, and he instinctively grabs the grip of his pistol. He lets go of it, turning to the Oracle. He listens. “I’ll be anything but petty, I assure you.” Helmuth jeers. He brings down his boot, crushing the cigar on the floor, sending the lit end to a poof of cinders. He twists his heel. “Though you are right. Know I didn’t quite intend to place a gun to his temple and demand he turn over what he holds.” Helmuth may have done this at some point in his life. He just may have done it tonight were it not for this intervention.
He thinks a moment. “Right. You and the chatty one may inspect, and I’ll watch for any fishy business. Maybe have the Law-man frisk him if you like, though it would seem like singling him out if you didn’t do the same to all else. Let us hope courtesy and tact doesn’t let a murderer slip away.”
He continues out the ballroom, leaving cigar and ash behind him. “Worry-not on payment, Seth. It’ll all be out of my own pocket. You are a fair man, give me five men and a price and I am sure I will find it agreeable.” In the foyer now, he stops at the northern door before proceeding. He waits for the last of the party to enter with him, giving a nod to Halcyon as she passes.
“ATTENTION ALL. There is nothing more I seek than the security and safety of all of our guests tonight!” he bellows, quick to silence other conversations. He glances at the sergeant, perplexed as to why the Galatian guardian is bound and with a pistol to his back. He resumes. “And for that reason, I cannot advise that anyone leave this evening. Doing so may endanger yourself, and as additional reinforcements arrive, we will begin to escort each of you home.”
He looks over the crowd. “For the security of all, we would like the check everyone’s belongings. As the Halcyon and Marcus approach, please empty your pockets and any containers you may have. If you have objections to the matter…” He pauses thinking, scratching at his chin. “Speak to me, I suppose.”
A few members of the party begin to reach into their pockets if they have them. Some place their belongings onto tables, while others merely wait or watch. Vincent begins to untie a bag at his leg. He puts in on a chair, placing a jingling, clinking pouch beside it. Asfal strides to Helmuth. It appears he holds an objection.
“Though you are right. Know I didn’t quite intend to place a gun to his temple and demand he turn over what he holds.”
Halcyon keeps a stern, respectful expression on her face as Helmuth responds to her suggestions. After Helmuth leads the group back toward the dining room, she glances at Marcus behind Helmuth's back and gives him a sheepish grin for just a moment.
Once the people start placing items on the table, Halcyon casts Detect Magic and along with Marcus, she begins to inspect the items, looking for anything with residual magic aura. She also looks over the people, to see if anyone seems to trying to keep anything hidden.
When she sees Vincent pulling out his potion case, she relaxes a little, then keeps an eye on Asfal as he marches forward. Will there be Galatian fireworks tonight? she wonders.
If anything looks suspicious, she'll cautiously make a taste-test.
Seth continues to follow Helmuth, and responds to his money question before the reach the foyer. "I am unsure if I can five men, but I will try to. Also I will keep payment easy in you, only 50 gold per man I am able to get." Seth walks into the foyer and looks around the room as Helmuth gives his quick speech.
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Raphael turns to listen to Halcyon as she makes her demands of Helmuth. Feeling embarrassed that he didn't think of the implications. It is well that Halcyon has her wits about her or else I may have made an unfortunate enemy out of hand.
"Thank you, Estelle, for your kind introduction. I cannot stay long as duty calls, but I would be remiss if I didn't stop to check how you are managing." Raphael returns Estelle's smile with a warm one of his own, even as he fiercely studies the silver-haired male Agnes twin. He hides a scoff as a cough under his breath at the name given to him -Raphy indeed- but he returns the greeting politely, "The pleasure is mine, Monsieur Agnes. I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting before. I'm sure such a memorable occasion wouldn't have slipped my mind."
He turns and addresses Lucia, "I am glad to meet you as well, Madame Varianna. Am I correct that you are married to the venerable Seth Varianna? I believe he mentioned that you were here and I regret that our paths had not crossed before now. Your husband has been a good friend this evening in the midst of this tragedy. I regret that he has been so continually stolen away from you."
Valentina follows behind Raphael. "You said you want to bring somebody, or you want to stop off at somebody else's house?" asks Valentina, trailing behind him. "I mean, I'd like to see everybody safely home, especially these people who I consider my new friends. But not everybody is somebody I'll be inviting over. Especially since you have some of Emile's wine."
Vincent first grabs the dark, clinking pouch. He opens it, taking each small glass vial out, placing each on the table nearby. There are twelve empty vials, a rainbow of remnants and residues of potions. Some of them begin to roll off the table as he places the next down, though he always catches them before they falls.
“A moment, please.” He reaches into his armored wrist, removing a silver dagger. From his other wrist he removes another, crimson, almost startlingly so. He smirks, reaching a hand into his collar, removing a blade on his back. “You are an Oracle, Halcyon. How many do you think I have?” He winks. A fourth blade on the arches of his back. A fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth at his waist. Two on his left leg, one on his right. A twelfth blade in his boot. A thirteenth on his shoulder. A final fourteenth on his heart, tucked under leather armor.
They all are lined on the table, blades facing away from him, hilts close. Lined like they are, they cover a quarter of the table’s edge. He grabs his magical bag from the chair and thrusts it to Marcus. “There should be twelve more in the bag, careful.” He smirks. “Unless you aren’t too fond of your fingers. My potions are there as well, all labelled, feel free to check them.”
He reaches for one of his daggers to play with, but retracts his hand before grabbing one. He looks to Halcyon. “You know, with all of us being shaken down like this, shouldn’t someone search you all?” He sounds playful, his dark eyes looking for some reaction. It seems some of his potion effects have faded. “I’ll even volunteer. Look you over if you like. All of you I mean. I, umm -” he tries to correct himself, “All of you as in your group, not just you all over.” He appears flustered. He turns to Marcus with the bag, attempting to dismiss his last few sentences. “Did you, uh, find anything to your fancy, Marcus?”
Outside of this he has assorted pieces are armor that may be enough to cover a human of his size. It seems to be a thicker, studded leather. There appears to be a crude holy symbol of a woman with a small blade. There is a decorated box filled with a gray ointment, and two pouches of dust. One pouch’s contents is a glistening gold, while the other is darker than a moonless night’s sky. The magical bag also contains a number of mundane items, including threads, rope, bandages, a spare change of clothing, a single rose, a small, battered firearm, a crossbow, twenty bolts, a pouch of bullets, two wooden logs, flint, three belts, a large fur jacket, a bottle of cologne, a masquerade mask, three peaches, a container of water and a small array of both Durendale and Galatian minted gold coins.
With the exception of Asfal Stormborn, all of the guests empty their pockets and containers of their belongings. Some even remove their magic items for closer inspection. Asfal watches each person show their belongings to Marcus and Halcyon.
- Agatha Agnes is without any magical items at the moment. She is with a magical aura but makes no mention of it as she opens her purse. She is appears innocent yet inviting to the bard and the seer, and the curl of her pouting lip is mesmerizing.
- Alexander Ravenhall is reluctant to show his belongings. He whispers curses as you pass along to him. He reaches into his shirt, removing a gray concealed gray mask on his breast. His ring a thick reflective collection of coils that he flashes briefly. A bag at his side contains a number of coins (A platinum one, how rare), and a dagger tucked into his waist.
- Alistair Hawthorne has a myriad of magical items. In his shirt he has a small black bird tucked in. It is a wonder it hasn’t made a sound thus far. It’s eyes appear dead, lost.
- Aron Carlisle removes an insect-like amulet. He lets them inspect it freely, mind elsewhere. He doesn’t offer anything else, and magical detection fails to find anything more.
- Beatrice has nothing on her. She gives only a smile to the investigating party, focusing on Marcus.
- Bertrand has a small collection of trinkets, though nothing of significance besides a large white pearl (3rd).
- Caroline de Beaux reveals a little cannister of dried leaves. She had the container ready, not hiding its presence.
- Darius pulls up his pant leg, revealing a small anklet, though it doesn’t seem magical. It appears he just wanted to show it to someone.
- Eduard is still a hub of magical effects. It appears every item on him is enchanted besides the handcuffs. He looks down on the bard and oracle as they pass.
- Ellen Merlot foreits her thin glasses to the kitsune and the oracle. She reaches for them afterwards, grasping for them far too early. It appears she needs them to see as well. She grins as she gives away her purse. It appears to have a cheat sheet of the guest list and their occupations.
- Emile expresses a joking disbelief when the two come to him. He relinquishes his bracelets for a few seconds, wringing his hand around his bare wrist in their absence.
- Ernest shows his little construct man first and foremost. After it touches the floor, he reaches into his bag and removes two thick tomes. One is faded weathered leather (stone manual) and the other is his spellbook. He has a pouch of spell components that smell oddly of soil and fields.
- Estelle has nothing save for a brass necklace. Her belongings must lie in the coat room.
- Francis Lyon is with the same ring as Alexander. His wallet however is with fewer coins, though he stills carries an abnormal amount of pocket change. He smiles at Halcyon.
- Helmuth does not show any of his belongings, though from a glance one can tell his musket, pistol and bandolier are magical. He tilts his head to tell them to move on as he talks to his sergeant. The two Guardsmen keep an eye of Eduard as they chat.
- Nishara shows a dark cloak, a few potions of little significance and a chain shirt with a bit of magic in it. She doesn’t ask her brother about the ring she gave him earlier.
- Sinclair is absent. It appears he left the party.
- Tomas Parisi searches for a ring, but is unable to find it. He says he must of forgot it at home. While his bow isn’t on his person, he carries ten twisting arrows in his bag. The arrows appear hooked and serrated. The thought of removing such an arrow sends shivers down your spine.
Helmuth finishes his conversation with Seth. “Fifty gold? I suppose with Guard guns in hand, it is worth the price. I will give the gold to them when they arrive. Though on a night like this, you should buy them a round of drinks afterwards.”
Asfal objects to the search and seizure of everyone's belongings, especially by non-Guard individuals. Helmuth insists it is all voluntary, despite not making a mention of so earlier. Helmuth notes that is is curiously suspicious that an innocent man would not show his belongings, but Asfal is persistent in not allowing his belongings to be searched.
He waves over the Sergeant, asking her why the Galatian bodyguard is bound. She says he refused to drop his weapon before when she threatened to fire upon him. She said that threatening to fire at the corpse of Abigal however made him drop his weapon. Helmuth seems surprised by this, and reprimands her for such actions. As he scolds her. he eyes the bodyguard carefully. He does not remove the man’s shackles.
“Memorable indeed. Normally I fling glitter in the air and have a chorus of angels sing a prelude to my entrance, but tonight's circumstances are just as memorable for our convergence.” He smiles wide, passing his hand through his hair once more. “May as well make the best of the evening, I’ve never stayed the night with Emmy before, I'd love to see the bed, darling.” Emile shakes his head with a smile to the flirtation.
“And perhaps you never will. It is a host’s duty to send away unruly guests.” Emile winks. “Careful of the cold, Darius. You aren’t layering well this evening and it is a tad nippy.” Darius remarks with a quick “you’re no fun” and drops his flirtatious game, if only for a moment.
As Marcus casts his spell, Halcyon freezes for a moment. She suddenly realizes that an entire room of very important people is focused on her. In her entire life, she reflects, she has never been the center of attention of more than one or two people at a time. Her family had kept her out of society because of her disability. Her stomach suddenly fills with worms and she loses all color in her face.
But she masters the moment and forces herself to focus not on the people watching her, but on the items that are being placed on the table. She casts her detection spell slowly and deliberately to help calm her nerves and bring her attention to the items being offered for inspection. She sees but pretends to be unaware of Vincent complying with the order. She deliberately starts on some of the items that are between her and Vincent, and works her way toward him so that she can get those inspections over with as soon as possible.
She starts with Tomas and quickly moves past his strangely twisted arrows, wondering why he has them with him at the party. Darius is next but as he has nothing but a bit of non-magical jewelry, she passes him by and procedes to Emile, who only has bracelets with an interesting but harmless enchantment.
That brings her to Vincent, who by this point has his potion bottles on the table. She risks a glance at his face, knowing her eyes are hard to see beneath her tinted glasses. His eyes meet hers and he gives her a charming if somewhat wry smile, as if he can tell she can see him. Then she starts to test his many potion bottles, touching a drop of whatever remains in each vial to her tongue. Her heart is pounding for fear she will find something incriminating, but as potion after potion comes up benign, with no hint of the potion to delay poison, she begins to relax.