"I suppose that'll save us the trouble of imagining a colorful nickname...", Gristav mutters past a smirk and a spoonful of stew.
Snake glances over at the muttering Gristav, unable to hold back the slightest of wry grins.
Phillip snorts slightly as the newcomer betrays his pseudonym before regaining his composure. With mock seriousness and hints of derisiveness he replies "So long as we're making up nom de plumes... call me mapache, perhaps Gristav can be the bolboreta... Larur the badger."
Sneering slightly before asking openly "You are met on the road, with no providence beside that which is meekly given, profess to no talents and give a false name when queried... and why perchance should any trust be given to you?" casting a glance to Saul thereafter that establishes deference to his will, but clear questioning of his motive if such an approach allows for entry into employ.
"Perhaps he needs a day to set me up in a lie? Or to be caught in one of his own? You know, to be fair? Equal of equals, something like that? Would that establish his bona fides? He's a wizard, Harry. And a wanderer, a walker, road-wear on his coat and face, and I like his taste in hats. If Saul won't have his hire, I will. Some people, you just feel you might be able to trust. You know?"
Saul quirks an eyebrow at the sobriquet. "Oho! 'Snake,' eh? There's a name to make a man think twice about crossing you. You hear that, Bojasc? You should consider an intimidating name like that. I might pay you better if it meant I was guarded by 'Wolverine' or 'Tatzlwyrm.'" The bodyguard twists his lip into a sneer at the needling. Saul sits forward with a more serious expression on his face. "Name like that generally means you've been a mercenary, a thug ... or a prisoner. I don't ask which, and I don't deny the talents learned in any of the three trades might come in handy in this business. But these lads around you, they all auditioned for the job, if you will: proved their usefulness in the heat of battle before I took them on. Well, except for Larur's friend there," he nods to Gristav with a disarming grin. "That's just pure nepotism. If you're willing to work for room and board on probation for a while... maybe you'll get a chance to prove yourself as well before the sun comes up on Moonday. Gristav is willing to vouch for you; we'll put him in charge of you. Fair enough? Sounds to me like you're a man with few options at the moment."
Gristav gestures patiently for attention. Acknowledged by Saul, he says, "Not that I feel charged, exactly, but to answer the charge of being unproven, myself: There was the boarding of the Cloud, which did not succeed, the magicking of her crew, which was ended. Of no use, perhaps, to you, save as a lever for Phillip's bargaining on woodworks. Of use to you, however unsuccessfully, my riding to carry instruction, however late it arrived. And my riding to delay Snake, so that particular secret could be maintained. Malkith will debate whether it was his questions or my return that unnerved the target to the point of recklessness, but even if he wins the debate, I've proven as sharp a mind as any blade here, and one wielded well for your will. I hope you'll agree."
Phillip smiles... not a kind and generous smile, nor a mirth filled and happy smile... but a cold grin. An outward veneer of pleasant presentation that only thinly covers a more predatory and calculating interior. He ignores Gristav's clumsily delivered baiting and simply sips at his drink.
"That's just pure nepotism. If you're willing to work for room and board on probation for a while... maybe you'll get a chance to prove yourself as well before the sun comes up on Moonday. Gristav is willing to vouch for you; we'll put him in charge of you. Fair enough? Sounds to me like you're a man with few options at the moment."
Snake nods in agreement. "Fair enough."
Turning to the halfling, a steely gaze about him, "No more so than I've got any reason to trust you, bub. Trust is something earned. Not just handed out due to a 'name' or some 'story' that can be concocted. I wonder what 'story' you came up with, Raccoon. Wait a minute, no I don't. I got a feeling it wouldn't matter anyway." He stares at him through narrowed eyes, leery of the small humanoid before finally turning his attention back to Saul. "Am I done here for tonight? I could use some rest."
Phillip's smile turns a little warmer at Snake's betrayal of his knowledge of the halfling language and words. Raising his glass in acknowledgement "Estaba de pé, outros correron ... hai pouco máis." taking a sip from the glass before "Believe what you will Serpe... and it is not my trust you asked for." settling back into his chair content that Saul has spoken and made his will plain... for ill or not yet to be laid bare.
"If we're discussing usefulness, I took out those thugs on Sunday, returned the General's daughter Moonday, found Lil Scarlet's hideout Toilday and brought in her other patsy tonight. I've been slashed by glass, crushed by a floating desk and zapped by some strange ghost. I want a pay rise."
Braddon nods, folds his arms and looks at Saul.
Malkith sits quietly, half listening to the conversations going on around him. He opens his mouth only to savor the stew he brought upstairs with him. His attention peaks at the occasional mention of his name, but never does he bother to respond. More often, he casts glances in the direction of Samaritha, offering her a weary smile. As the conversation turns to individual prowess and worth, Malkith stifles a yawn. Standing he, addresses Saul, "Where is Herr Weatherby now? I'd like to pose some further inquires to him when the sun rises again."
"Unless you have some news or an assignment to bestow this evening, Herr Vankaskerkin, I will be taking me leave. It's been a long day couple of days and I could use a good night's rest."
"Don't the events of those days deserve a recount? Or those seated at table, the same? Would you leave it to Braddon, or to Dayn?", Gristav asks Malkith.
"Braddon, I don't doubt you were first at risk, and bravely so. Still, you had help for all you did. And others have been working other needs of the house. You thanked me for the message on the road, but I heard in your tone, you felt I had missed my duty. I'll disagree that I had, but will agree that we had, in that we'd have all served battle better together, and we did not remain together. But I was not the first to walk off."
"If we're to make reports, or boasts, and aren't they the same thing...? Maybe then we can discuss numbers? We could start with Pi."
The harrower turns to the half-elf, "I doubt there's much to be done about the Captain's prestidigitation now, if there's anything to be done at all. Lets just hope his press gang doesn't decide to come looking for you during Herr Vankaskerkin's next casino night." He gives his companion a mischievous grin.
Addressing Gristav, he says, "The bound scribe downstairs should speak volumes as to today's activities; but I believe Braddon is competent enough to give an more or less accurate account of the details - in his own roundabout way. Now if you, or anyone else, wishes to share something that would contribute to the investigation into Little Scarlet, or another matter pertaining to the well being of our employer's establishment, I will gladly be detained."
"Before you go, leave the chemistries that were discovered under the lead. I don't want them at large in the world. I'd see them destroyed, or returned to their presumed source. For now, secured by Larur ought to satisfy everyone, while we debate."
"As for the investigation, I've a plan to meet at breakfast with a professional investigator, and hope to set him on the trail of... Braddon's grandmother. I'm sorry, Braddon, what's her name? I'll say this again; she's the most important part of this mystery, the damage we may yet prevent. I'll admit, I thought her a... a tool, an accomplice, perhaps. But Braddon, now I understand your vehemence, and the bloody intentions you expressed. I promise you, we'll... I'll do all I can, to find her."
"If we're discussing usefulness, I took out those thugs on Sunday, returned the General's daughter Moonday, found Lil Scarlet's hideout Toilday and brought in her other patsy tonight. I've been slashed by glass, crushed by a floating desk and zapped by some strange ghost. I want a pay rise."
Braddon nods, folds his arms and looks at Saul.
Snake looks to Braddon as he speaks of his mis-adventures. "You injured?" he asks Braddon.
Phillip doesn't add words to those already spoken, intent to bide his time until Saul speaks of his intent and reason for calling him to the meeting room... or at least until the most are gone and he has opportunity to speak more privately with Saul.
Gristav's mention of acting on behalf of Braddon piques his interest somewhat and his face turns to ken the response of the half-elf... and whether the intent is welcomed or refuted.
"I'm not badly hurt." Braddon pulls his shirt up to reveal the top of his hip adorned with a semicircle of purple bruise and black scabs.
"We were security for Saul's opening night of this casino on Sunday and a bunch of thugs tried to fleece the guests. We stopped them with arrow and steel and their accomplice was our... singer... who you've had the pleasure of not meeting yet and has hopefully run off. Malkith and Dayn tracked down the thugs hideout the next day and got clues that suggested Lil Scarlet, a famous whore in these parts, was behind it. Another whore, name of Oliver Bott, was caught molesting a young woman before the excitement, and it turned out she was the drugged daughter of General Mescher, the head of the Gendarmes. Fearing we'd been set up for her abduction, I returned her home quietly the next day and learned that she'd been burgled, her fancy birthday necklace taken and her maid, Mistress Vishki (she's my Gramma), was missing, presumed dead.
Malkith and I asked around and found out that someone had dressed as Gramma, got in and drugged Mescher's daughter before handing her off to some maids who brought her here and handed her over to Bott. And her flat smelled of the perfume Lil was wearing and the tea was poisoned the General said. (We bumped into him while investigating and he's okay but very strict.)
With only a general area, Dayn and I tracked down Lil's secret hideout, broke in with Malkith and Gristav, and got proof of Lil's crimes."
Braddon looks round to the others. "Did we show Saul? We've got her shawl, some vials of poison, all of it reeking of her perfume."
He goes on with his story.
"I also found a secret passage into a scribe's office, who'd done some weird accounts. So we waited till morning (this morning) and she didn't come back but the scribe did and Malkith and Gristav talked to him then took off leaving Dayn and I to follow him. We followed him to the harbourmaster's office, I came back here for help and got none..." Braddon glares about the room before continuing, "...and then there was a screech through the whole city and I ran back to Dayn and everyone went for the rooftops. So Dayn and I checked out the empty harbourmaster's office and the tide came in in seconds and flooded the docks. Dayn and I found a letter from the scribe to Lil Scarlet warning her about us, the room filled with water and the solid oak table crushed me against the wall as the tide rushed out," Braddon points once more to his injured side, "almost taking Dayn and I with it. Malkith read the letter which said the scribe would flee and meet Lil, so he, Dayn and me checked the docks and couldn't find a boat he was leaving on, so we went back to his work, I found his address and we went there and his wife told us (willingly once we told her about Lil)," Braddon smiles smugly, "that we'd missed him by half an hour and he was riding out tonight. So, the three of us got horses and took the Boneyard route to cut him off." Braddon looks to Saul. "Sam should have told you all that." He grins at Samaritha.
"So, we set an ambush on the main road, towards the city and our dumb scribe, wearing golden armour, riding alone, at night, walks straight into it and we took him without too much of a struggle, though he took an arrow from Dayn and a blow from me and still didn't fall, so he's tough, I'll give him that. We asked him a few questions and he, um, passed out. So we brought him back here and Dayn and Malkith wanted to go back through the Boneyard. Which is where the ghost zapped me."
Braddon looks to the others. "Did I miss anything?"
Braddon pulls his shirt up to reveal the top of his hip adorned with a semicircle of purple bruise and black scabs.
Samaritha stares a moment as Braddon displays his torso, catches herself, colors slightly, and looks away toward the other side of the room. Catching Phillip's eye, she smiles.
Snake looks to the ranger, looking as if he's contemplating something. Moving over next to him, "Not real sure this is gonna work, but I'll give it a shot." Placing a hand on the man's shoulder, his eyes glow a bluish-white as healing flows through him into the ranger.
He removes his hand as his eyes return to their normal color of blue. "I used it earlier this day on myself. Tried it again and it didn't work. Interesting." He then turns and walks out the door, looking around for Lucky. Where you hiding, friend? Come looking for me in a while, okay? You getting all this? Turning back around, "Well, Vankaskerkin? We done here?"
"Where is Herr Weatherby now? I'd like to pose some further inquires to him when the sun rises again."
"He's, ah, enjoying our more subterranean accommodations," Saul replies breezily. "I'm sure he'll be happy to have a civilized chat in the morning. Speaking of the morning, we're expecting a ship in with the tide; they'll be delivering some wines and spirits for the bar. Considering the sort of interest our business has attracted, I'd like you all to be on hand to keep an eye on the process. Strangers coming in and out with boxes... well, it'd be a prime chance for someone to get in and wander about who we'd rather not be prying. I'm sure you could still manage a late breakfast meeting," he assures Gristav. "But, uh, who is this 'professional' you're speaking of?"
Braddon watches warily as the big hand rests on his shoulder. His brow furrows, then relaxes, as the effect washes over him. He immediately lifts his shirt again to reveal fresh pink skin below his well defined abs where the ugly bruise had been only moments before. He looks about grins widely at Samaritha, then lets the shirt fall before turning back to Snake.
"Thanks. You got my vote to stay. Malkith can do something like that too. We were thinking of hitting Lubbertown tomorrow and asking around about Gramma. It's where the... Varisi?" he looks askingly at Samaritha, "the Varisi hang out."
"But of course," he responds to Saul, "we can wait till the afternoon. (They probably don't wake up till then anyway.)"
"When I was lunching at the Three-Billed Duck with the bosun of the Flying Cloud, a gnome and his clever hound were there. A hound might follow a trail by scent, I'm told by many, and the gnome and the hound are experienced investigators, I'm told by the gnome. Seems a slight investment of hours, to put the pair on the job. Natinilinus Greatreave. But if you need me, specifically, to watch boxes be delivered, I'll try to make the contract tonight. Or, if I'm too tired, I'll find the gnome at lunch. The stew-crock has to be returned, at any rate."
Larur grins at Gristav. "At least you won't have to go fetch the things yourself, like the damned carpet. Harbormaster's men will be delivering the cargo from the wharf."
"Thanks. You got my vote to stay. Malkith can do something like that too. We were thinking of hitting Lubbertown tomorrow and asking around about Gramma. It's where the... Varisi?" he looks askingly at Samaritha, "the Varisi hang out."
Snake nods to Braddon. "Will be there." He then looks to Saul, "Keep an eye on a shipment. Sounds simple enough. Easier than dancing anyway," he says with a straight face.
"If all goes smoothly, I'm sure we'll have the delivery sorted well before lunch," Saul assures both Braddon and Gristav. "And if all doesn't go smoothly, then we'll be glad we had all hands on deck, eh? Aye, let's see what you took from Lil's flat; if it's evidence, I'll see it locked in the vault. We're going to have a hell of time getting any of this to stick to her with Shorafa in her corner. Larur, we have a room still empty downstairs?" When the dwarf nods, Saul looks back to Snake. "Follow Mr. Felden downstairs and he'll give you a key. Breakfast will be in this same room in the morning."
Larur grunts and rises from the table to head downstairs to his office.
Larur grins at Gristav. "At least you won't have to go fetch the things yourself, like the damned carpet. Harbormaster's men will be delivering the cargo from the wharf."
"Well, there is that. And the deliveries are going where, how deeply into our defenses? Who is on the duty team, and who is excused? What's the plan?"
"Larur, we have a room still empty downstairs?" When the dwarf nods, Saul looks back to Snake. "Follow Mr. Felden downstairs and he'll give you a key. Breakfast will be in this same room in the morning."
Larur grunts and rises from the table to head downstairs to his office.
Snake nods and follows the dwarf downstairs. As they move out, Snake nonchalantly looks about for Lucky. Downstairs. Will leave the door open.
"Just to the bar," Saul replies. "Covey Smith will be here to see to the uncrating; he's our bartender. Deliveries generally come in the back door, but we might prefer the front way under the circumstances: further from the stairs and more open lines of sight than letting them skulk around the building and in the corridors? I'll leave it to you lads to decide. Ladies are excused, of course," he grins ingratiatingly at Samaritha. "Dockworkers can be a coarse lot."
"Then we'll want to cover the new carpeting, at least along the delivery path. And station men blocking the vault and stairs. And while excused, pretty eyes in the catwalks might still be useful, no?."
"Front door does sound best, but we should protect the carpets."
Braddon glances guiltily at Samaritha.
"Malkith is right though. We haven't slept proper for two days. If that's all, I'm off to bed."
"Judicious application of cantrips, such as prestidigitation and mending, ought to take care of any incidental damage to the carpets," Tendal puts in. "I can't imagine a few deliverymen, no matter how gauche, could do more damage than the crowd we hope to attract Sunday evening ... unless they're actively seeking to vandalize the property. That would be where you gentlemen would come in."
"Malkith is right though. We haven't slept proper for two days. If that's all, I'm off to bed."
"Aye, that's fine," Saul acquiesces. "Best you're well rested and alert in the morning if there's trouble."
The dwarf leads Snake down the stairs, through the kitchen, and out across the dim casino floor to his office by the cashiers' cage. Opening the cupboard hanging on the wall behind his desk, he lifts down a key and hands it to the man. "Through the marble atrium to the hallway, second door to the right," he instructs him in his thin wheeze of a voice.
Snake nods as he takes the keys from him. "Thanks." Heading out of the dwarf's office, he grabs his staff and lights the end of it, checking out the main floor as he crosses through it to reach his room. "Fancy place they got here," he remarks to himself as he makes it to his room. Opening the door, he sets his staff and pack down, taking a seat on the chair in the corner. "Alright Luck, where are you buddy?" He leans his head back to rest a bit until he shows. A few minutes later, a small creature quickly makes his way in and jumps up into his lap, startling Snake as he curls up and makes himself comfy. "Seriously? You know, Luck, you sure are... ah never mind." He scratches him on top of his head, relenting for now. "It's crazy already, Luck," he says as he leans his head back again. "Come here looking for work, and they ask me if I can dance. I'm pretty sure I've never been asked that before... I think. The one called Braddon, - that's gotta be the one Gristav was talking about being the 'second-prettiest'(too pretty for a man if you ask me), while obviously that Samaritha woman is the prettiest one going - was marked by a ghost. A ghost, Luck. But not killed. I'm gonna meet this ghost and ask him why. But that's for another day. And the halfling business," he stops, a look upon him as if he's trying to figure something out, "that was interesting. Something about that one." He runs the halfling's words through his mind again, looking for what might really lie behind them. "Hm. I'll be keeping an eye out." Turning his attention to Lucky, "Sorry, buddy, I gotta get up and turn in." Grabbing the mongoose and placing him down, he goes to close the door before placing his hat and his coat in the corner. "Get some sleep, Luck. Hopefully one of us can. It's gonna be another long day tomorrow." With that, the tall man lays down in an attempt to get some sleep, while his mongoose friend takes a spot on the other pillow right next to him.
"Phillip", Gristav calls, as the table starts to thin. "Regarding Cas. He remains motivated to do good work for us, and believes I remain motivated to help him with his issue. Which, in fact, I do. You and I spent our previous last words on the topic absolving and dismissing each the other, which neither of us accepted. How much cooperation, in the ongoing matter, would suit you?"
-----
Gristav nods a welcome to the passing Snake, and knocks at Larur's office door. Inside, he uncharacteristically gets right to the point. "I wanted to know those phials were under your key. And I wanted you to know, why I wanted that..."
-----
Sober and sombered, Gristav nods in silent service to the statue of the Spreader of Stars, as he passes. Within the room, he makes minimal adjustments for his own comfort, instead carefully cantripping clean his equipments from the ride, before finally lying half-dressed to rest on the layered skins.
Malkith reaches beneath the scarves wrapped about his person. When he pulls he hand out again, he is clutching a familiar pair of vials. "Poison," he informs Saul as he turns them over to his employer, "from Scarlet's apartment. Possibly the same sort used in the heist of Herr Mescher's daughter."
As the most recent arrival to the casino follows Larur out of the meeting, Malkith offers him a friendly nod of acknowledgement, "Ondo lo egin, bidaiaria."
Having heard Braddon's retelling of their time in Saul's employ, and see that business was coming to an end, Malkith watches Samaritha for a long moment before excusing himself and heading off to his room.
Samaritha's smile is met with a incline of his head and a slight smirk, and it takes all of Phillip's willpower to avoid a glance at Bojasc afterwards.
----
Phillip looks to Gristav and listens impassively. When he asks Phil responds simply and with but a hint of venom "My last words to you stand... take that as you will." his demeanour clear that he considers the matter well closed, and his dislike of Gristav has only deepened if anything since their parting.
As the others file out of the meeting room, Phillip does not stir from his bolstered seat - clear that he intends to have a relatively quiet word with his employer.
As the most recent arrival to the casino follows Larur out of the meeting, Malkith offers him a friendly nod of acknowledgement, "Ondo lo egin, bidaiaria."
Pausing a moment, he looks to Malkith, a curious look about him before giving a nod of thanks and then continuing out the door.
Phillip looks to Gristav and listens impassively. When he asks Phil responds simply and with but a hint of venom "My last words to you stand... take that as you will." his demeanour clear that he considers the matter well closed, and his dislike of Gristav has only deepened if anything since their parting.
"As mine, to you, then. We have an accord, if not an agreement.", Gristav says measuredly.
Malkith reaches beneath the scarves wrapped about his person. When he pulls he hand out again, he is clutching a familiar pair of vials. "Poison," he informs Saul as he turns them over to his employer, "from Scarlet's apartment. Possibly the same sort used in the heist of Herr Mescher's daughter."
Saul takes the vials and hands them to Bojasc. "Carefully now," he instructs the Varisian and watches him unstopper them.
Bojasc opens the first and grunts, "Empty." Setting it on the table, he unstoppers the second. "This one, too."
Saul picks up the first vial, peers in, and takes a sniff. "Not quite," he corrects his bodyguard as he does the same with the other one. "They've been used, yes, but there's a few drops left, surely enough for a skilled alchemist to identify what was in them. Careless of Lil to leave them behind like that. I'm no skilled alchemist, but I'd wager we'll find that one of these was Indigo Dreams. If we can identify the other, that might give us some idea what became of the General's daughter's minder."
"Is there any local specialist in alchemy you suggest, sir?" Tendal asks. "I could take them in the morning ... or fetch someone to come have a look at them if you think it's better not to let the evidence out of the building. I assume the matter is delicate and we don't want it bandied about."
"Well, Orik disposed of one of the most prominent," Saul smirks. "There's a dwarf in Rotgut, but I don't know as I'd consider him reputable. Probably best to find one in Lubbertown; they don't get involved in our politics, and we don't get involved in theirs, so they'd have little reason to talk. I'll send Bojasc with you ... after the delivery's been seen to, of course. You can keep an eye on La Barabbio as well; she's to be looking to hire musicians for Sunday."
"If the same tubes, the same source. And the signal source for the bottled rape is known. So returning the tubes may earn the deposit of learning what was in them... But a larger question looms. Why retain emptied tubes? Why not a fire, a public privy, a bush beside a trail, a faint splash behind a boat under way? This Lil looks less of either guilty or clever, every time we turn another track."