Phillip's face is initially crossed with confusion, before he has a lightbulb moment and breaks into an honest laugh "In that case then well done Miss Ethel Braum... it would seem that you've exceeded your own expectations and belief in your ability." wide grin on his face most likely in stark contrast to Ethel's blush and concern.
"Our pantomine at the House of the Silken Veil a couple of days prior to this... you pretended to take advantage of myself... and it would seem that your performance was adequate enough to attract the interest of the Calistrian's, if for no other reason than they expect their cut." drawing her near for a congratulatory kiss "Be strong, you have the strength to explain this away without my help if you will it... or if you would prefer we can resolve it together. I'd wager that they may have deduced the issue already at any rate."
Ethel is first perplexed at Phillip's laughter, then flushed with embarrassment at his explanation. "It's true, though: Betta would sack me if she knew what I'd been doing this week. And I would like the satisfaction of quitting instead. At least, working through lunch had the benefit of getting my dresses that much closer to done. But I'm famished. Can we eat first and then decide what to do with the rest of the evening?" She climbs into the attic flat and waits for him to join her.
"Not to worry," the gnome replies. "My associate's olfactory orifice is unhindered by the gloom of night. I think the pair of us might attract less attention on our own, though, than accompanied by an entourage. I trust we can share any useful information we've mutually uncovered over griddlecakes?" He is clearly eager to conduct his investigation without direct supervision.
Snake just stares at the gnome blankly before turning to Gristav. "There must be some type of competition with you people. How many words does it take to say 'sniffer'?" he asks rhetorically. "Between you two and Raccoon... anyway, let's let the gnome go. He can take care of his part while we deal with ours."
Phillip winks "If she did find out... I'm sure she'd be open to blackmail into keeping her lest the word get wider and into her social circles." before following her up and into the attic space. "Of course, words can be put to rest until hungers are sated... though you've still the choice of where to seek that sating"
With a jaunty salute, the gnome parts company with Saul's men; with one last hopeful wag at Braddon, his dog follows him, and the pair are quickly lost in the cluttered environs and the deepening gloom. The evening is already too far gone for Snake's eyes to penetrate far into the darkness, although a nearly full moon provides enough illumination for the half-elves to see comfortably. If it is this dark in Lubbertown, it is undoubtedly full night in Riddleport proper.
Ethel goes about the process of changing from her working clothes into something more attractive for the evening. She doses herself with a dab of attar and then begins to brush her hair, sitting down on her bed next to Phillip as she does so. "It's been so long since I slept here, it's starting to feel like just a place I keep my clothes. We should eat in Free-Coin; it will be convenient to anything else we might feel like doing afterward."
Phillip smiles at the sign of his scent put to purpose and gives a shrug and nod to Ethel's suggestion of Free-Coin "As you wish Miss Braum... and as to lodging you need only ask if you wish be rid of it altogether... though I understand the purpose of keeping it." he reaches out with open palm to offer to take over the task of brushing out her locks.
Gristav returns to the gathered ladies briefly, certain to thank them, collectively or individually, if any present the opportunity.
Then, returning to Snake and Braddon, Gristav admits, "I have genuine lack of actionable motivations..." Meeting Snake's eye, Gristav stops and rephrases. "Piles of suck. Any way over any of them?"
Snake turns his attention to the ranger, "Well, do you wish to continue with your investigating or do we wait until morning?"
"Why aren't we finding Zaiomi?" Braddon folds his arms.
Gristav goggles and glowers. But maintains a level of voice that might not carry beyond the three gathered fellows.
"Were you...?" Gristav sighs. "Alright, I suppose with you not speaking Varisi..." Sighing again, Gristav gentles. "Zaiomi is the General's maid. She would be your aunt. And presumably to be found at the General's house. Is that a door you want to knock on? 'Hello, auntie, I'm your nephew, all unknown, and, well, Grandma's probably dead...' I don't debate your right to take that step, but I'm currently not feeling wise enough to advise for or against. But to answer your question: We aren't finding her, because she is not lost. Unless you insist. I will surely lend my support, even while I cannot support the lending." Gristav lays a comradely hand on Braddon's shoulder, imagining the other half-elf's burden.
Gristav returns to the gathered ladies briefly, certain to thank them, collectively or individually, if any present the opportunity.
"Zaiome esango dizu," one of the women reaches out to grasp at his sleeve, "denean Adalo kaleratu da, hura hartu behar zuen lehen karabana leku hau irten da. Magnimar, Kalsgard, Ustalav, ez du axola. Talde gisa zuen ahal den neurrian Riddleport from. Biloba bat hobeto Sczarni inork giltzapean ziega batean baino."
"As you wish Miss Braum... and as to lodging you need only ask if you wish be rid of it altogether... though I understand the purpose of keeping it." he reaches out with open palm to offer to take over the task of brushing out her locks.
She hands over the brush with a smile, turning her back and shaking her hair over her shoulders for him. "Mm, your room is nice, but there's not a lot of room for two. And I'd feel bad about leaving the girls in the lurch with the rent. You know that," she hesitates, "that Taffy Plimpton used to live here with them, before ... before she took the job at the temple."
Just as he's about to offer his opinion, Snake listens to the old women speak to Gristav and a confused look forms. "Ummm, it seems I got it wrong, bub," he tells Braddon. "Zaiome is actually the boy's grandmother."
"Yes!", Gristav agrees with moistening eyes. "Let's go! I'm happy for you, Braddon. Whatever questions this raises, surely it's the happiest answer.", Gristav grins.
Nodding along with her as he begins to steadily comb through her hair... speaking with a hint of playful teasing "Oh indeed... surely an attic shared between three in a roof space where privacy comes from a weighted chest is far more spacious than a lockable room with separate kitchen and amenities... Truly I do understand most keenly" before changing the subject to that of a certain diminuitive strumpet.
"She did?... interesting... I'm sure you know that Olin frequents her as frequently as his purse allows?" pausing slightly in his raking strokes before continuing "But she is nothing in the tapestry of the temple... an adjunct to those with the power and a tool to be used." attempting to reinforce Miss Braum's sense of calm and worth by further denigration of Miss Plimpton.
Braddon looks confused.
"Zaiome is Gramma? And she's not lost? Where is she?"
He looks around as if expecting to see someone, then stares hard at the little old ladies.
He leans in to Gristav and Snake and lowers his voice. "Is she one of them?"
"How is it, you aren't sure?", Gristav asks. Cogs of cogitation clearly clacking, Gris asks, nearly rhetorically, "You've never met? Nor knew her name? Well, come, she's the General's maid, and it's not too late yet, for such an introduction..."
Nodding along with her as he begins to steadily comb through her hair... speaking with a hint of playful teasing "Oh indeed... surely an attic shared between three in a roof space where privacy comes from a weighted chest is far more spacious than a lockable room with separate kitchen and amenities... Truly I do understand most keenly"
She laughs. "At least here we've a rod to hang our clothes from. You can't fold an evening dress and stuff it into a sea chest and expect to look elegant when next you wear it."
"I'm sure you know that Olin frequents her as frequently as his purse allows?"
Phil's position is such that he is robbed of the expression on her face at this revelation, but her gasp of outrage and the stiffening of her shoulders proclaim that she had not been in possession of that particular fact. "Oh, that -- oh!" she manages before there is a sound from the door; she quickly holds her tongue and glances over her shoulder.
The door swings open to reveal Maddy climbing up the ladder. She looks at the pair already in the room with mild surprise before smiling. "Oh, hello, Phil. Haven't seen much of you lately; Ethel's been monopolizing you." She climbs all the way into the room and closes the door behind her.
Snake glances over at the old ladies. "No, Braddon, she's not. She's as Gristav said: the general's maid. C'mon, let's head that way. Might as well get this over with. He could lock us up in the morning just as easily as he can at night." Snake then starts out but then stops. "Okay, I've got no idea where this general lives. I'll wait for one of you to lead the way."
Phillip finds Ethel's burgeoning outrage somewhat surprising given that she seems perfectly fine with the various criminal activities to which he has admitted... but it would seems that at least for the moment Erastil's moral outrage lingers on within her. Any reply that was germinating within his little grey cells is forestalled though by the arrival of Maddy.
Resisting a quip upon the lines of that being monopolized implies he is a mere commodity for sale, Phillip instead continues to brush as words are issued "And a good evening to you as well Maddy, how fare you this day?"
"Can't complain," she shrugs. "Don't mind me; I'm just going to change clothes." She walks past Ethel's part of the attic and behind a folding screen which offers a little privacy. "Win's shipping out in the morning," she continues. "We're all going to the 'Cress tonight to see him off ... and support poor Almah. Will you be there?"
"How is it, you aren't sure?", Gristav asks. Cogs of cogitation clearly clacking, Gris asks, nearly rhetorically, "You've never met? Nor knew her name? Well, come, she's the General's maid, and it's not too late yet, for such an introduction..."
"No, no. Gramma is Ananda's maid. If Zaiome is the General's maid then they're not the same, right? If they are the same, then she's not at the general's because she's been killed, right?. Unless they saw her in the last few days." Braddon points at a little old lady accusingly.
He growls at Gristav."Sam is gonna teach me this stupid language and I'll be able to ask my own questions. Have you guys done any bounty hunting? When did they last see Zaiome? Where was she living before she took off to the General's place? Have they seen her since? Who are her friends? Where can we find them? If there's any evidence she's at the General's now, of course we should go. Otherwise, turning up and asking him dumb questions will look really bad." Braddon folds his arms expectantly.
Phillip doesn't reply and instead looks to Ethel, seeking a sign as to whether she affirms or denies the invitation.
"No, no. Gramma is Ananda's maid. If Zaiome is the General's maid then they're not the same, right? If they are the same, then she's not at the general's because she's been killed, right?. Unless they saw her in the last few days." Braddon points at a little old lady accusingly.
Gristav steps into the path of the accusing finger, smiling gently at the offended elder. "Kohau buruan-duende guztiak da, mesedez barkatu", he pleads, before turning to Braddon.
He growls at Gristav.
"Sam is gonna teach me this stupid language and I'll be able to ask my own questions. Have you guys done any bounty hunting? When did they last see Zaiome? Where was she living before she took off to the General's place? Have they seen her since? Who are her friends? Where can we find them? If there's any evidence she's at the General's now, of course we should go. Otherwise, turning up and asking him dumb questions will look really bad." Braddon folds his arms expectantly.
"Going to listen, now?", Gristav asks with some petulance. "I've hunted bounty, but never men. It's not important when the grandmothers last saw Zaiome, nor are most of your other questions. Zaiome is your grandmother. Zaiome was Ananda's nurse. Zaiome is now the General's maid. And so presumably to be found at the General's house. Now, since my involvement in your family's affairs seems to be bringing neither you nor I any peace of mind, and given that your grandmother's health appears no longer in need of defense... I'll ask if you would like me to continue to have an interest in this matter? The Goblin has an interest in her answers, regarding that night, but you can manage that, and you might prefer something more like privacy for your first meeting. I leave the decision to you. Where you go next, and whether I go with you."
"No, no. Gramma is Ananda's maid. If Zaiome is the General's maid then they're not the same, right? If they are the same, then she's not at the general's because she's been killed, right?. Unless they saw her in the last few days." Braddon points at a little old lady accusingly.Gristav steps into the path of the accusing finger, smiling gently at the offended elder. "Kohau buruan-duende guztiak da, mesedez barkatu", he pleads, before turning to Braddon.
The random old woman whom Braddon's pointed finger designates gets to her feet with dignity. "Ez dugu Zaiome ikusi hainbat hilabetetan, she tells Gristav, "Adalo atxilotu zuten, ez baita eta joan zen morrontza sartu zuen polizia-buruak ere. Bere aktibatuta zuen atzera bere pertsona on bere familiaren mesedetan eta bere aukera bizi behar."
Then she turns her stern gaze on Braddon and goes on in heavily-accented Taldane, "Do not think because we do not speak your tongue we do not hear it. Show some respect for your elders."
"So, if she's at the General's place, now, we need to talk to her and find out what happened that night. Let's go."
Braddon takes two steps towards the river and stops.
"I dunno why he didn't mention it when I told him she was dead. Maybe he's up to something. Malkith has his symbol that shows we're working for him. But I could just rock up. He probably remembers me."
Braddon half smiles.
Phillip doesn't reply and instead looks to Ethel, seeking a sign as to whether she affirms or denies the invitation.
Ethel gives him a grimace and a shrug. "We could make an appearance," she whispers, "after we eat. We wouldn't have to stay all night."
The random old woman whom Braddon's pointed finger designates gets to her feet with dignity.
...
Then she turns her stern gaze on Braddon and goes on in heavily-accented Taldane, "Do not think because we do not speak your tongue we do not hear it. Show some respect for your elders."
Braddon looks from the little old lady back to his finger then puts it away behind his back almost like a school boy.
"Sorry ma'am. I was afraid this poor woman had been murdered on Sunday. I was surprised, and pleased to hear she's okay. I just want to find out what they did to her. I didn't mean to offend."
Phillip nods before replying to Maddy airily "Our path may see us through the 'Cress at some point tonight"
"So, if she's at the General's place, now, we need to talk to her and find out what happened that night. Let's go."
Braddon takes two steps towards the river and stops.
"I dunno why he didn't mention it when I told him she was dead. Maybe he's up to something. Malkith has his symbol that shows we're working for him. But I could just rock up. He probably remembers me."
Braddon half smiles.
"I'd expect he remembers you.", Gristav agrees. "Are you going? Are we?"
Phillip nods before replying to Maddy airily "Our path may see us through the 'Cress at some point tonight"
Ethel pins back her freshly-brushed hair, buttons her shoes, and smooths her skirts. "Yes, we wouldn't want to miss Win's last evening ashore," she calls to Maddy. "Phil mentioned some work still on his plate, so we might have to make an early night of it." She offers Phil a conspiratorial smirk. "We're going to get a bite to eat first; I had to work through lunch."
Maddy pokes her head around the edge of the screen. "See you later then. And Phil? Don't be a stranger. Feel free to drop by and see us anytime." She smiles at him and tosses a stocking in her hand onto her bed before vanishing back behind the screen to complete her toilette.
-------------------
The three men in Lubbertown, in possession of a little more knowledge than they had arrived with, start back south down the road toward the town. As they approach the stone arch at the city limits, Braddon is the first to notice three men skulking in the shadows on either side of the road.
Returning Ethel's smirk momentarially before Maddy's less than subtle invitation. He muses internally I wonder what Ethel will make of that... before waxing lyrically "Aye, no rest for the wicked." hesitating but finding no witticism to fill the void and instead settling for an appraising look up and down Ethel, a nod of approval at her resplendence and gesture for them to make way into the burgeoning dark.
----------------------
Ethel and Phillip regain the street. The sun's rays are limning the top of the ridge to the west; a half-orc with a flaming wick at the tip of a long pole is lighting the streetlamps ahead of the twilight. Ethel doesn't appear to have noticed Maddy's insinuation; at any rate, she says nothing about it as she takes Phil's arm and the pair join the burgeoning stream of citizens heading for the ferry and the nightlife beyond.
As they begin their walk, Phillip holds true to his promise of disclosure... and opens with a delicate matter "If I was not mistaken... it would seem that Maddy is possessed by the green eyed monster. A proposition was offered towards me... one that I have no interest in of course." adding the qualifier after the pause to reinforce what he hopes Ethel would already know.
As they march to see General Mescher Braddon suddenly stops and whirls on Gristav.
He steps up to Gristav, pokes him in the chest and growls quietly so Snake might also hear. "Two over my right shoulder watching us. Third over my left. Look out for more. Any trouble, go hard and go early."
Braddon whirls back and continues on, as if ignoring the shadowy figures.
As they march to see General Mescher Braddon suddenly stops and whirls on Gristav.
He steps up to Gristav, pokes him in the chest and growls quietly so Snake might also hear. "Two over my right shoulder watching us. Third over my left. Look out for more. Any trouble, go hard and go early."
Braddon whirls back and continues on, as if ignoring the shadowy figures.
Gristav goggles and glowers, surprised at the trespass, but comes to speed quickly enough, responding as if enraged, "If you hadn't whored and gambled away the entire purse, we wouldn't have to trot all the way to Free Coin for more! I just hope to get this done by dawn; I don't want to try sneaking it back in full daylight..."
As they begin their walk, Phillip holds true to his promise of disclosure... and opens with a delicate matter "If I was not mistaken... it would seem that Maddy is possessed by the green eyed monster. A proposition was offered towards me... one that I have no interest in of course." adding the qualifier after the pause to reinforce what he hopes Ethel would already know.
Ethel gasps in affront and half-turns as if she's thinking about marching right back up there but tosses her head defiantly and lets Phil continue to lead her toward the river. "Why, that artful cat! She's always been jealous of me, ever since I moved in. She got used to being the queen bee after Taffy left. Almah already had Win, so she got all the attention from Marce and Olin and Ewart until I came to Riddleport. Well, not all Olin's attention, apparently. What about...? What about the others?" she asks hesitantly as they approach the ferry dock. "Do they all ... 'do business' with Taffy?"
Forewarned, Gristav and Snake continue toward Riddleport, and even Snake's eyes have picked out at least one figure by the roadside ahead before all three separate from the shadows. One man grins, the moonlight gleaming off teeth within a swarthy beard, as he steps into the middle of the road beneath the arch; the other two remain at his shoulders, effectively blocking the way forward.
"Greetings, travelers," the man addresses them lightly. "Hasn't anyone told you about the curfew? The soldiers on the road ahead will shoot to kill at anyone traveling the road out of Lubbertown after dark. It's a good thing we were here to warn you. Why not come with us to the Dirty Angel and have a drink, spend the night with some new friends, and see to your business in town in the morning?"
"If we don't do our business in town this evening, we mightn't do business in town again...", Gristav patters, "And thanks to my prettier companion, here...", Gristav begins to gesture indicating Braddon, but his expression sours, and he growls at Braddon, "You know, I'm so angry with you, I can't even banter correctly. And that makes me even angrier. Here, these gentlemen are laying their tourist trap, with any stranger to town like as not to bite at their bawd's bait, and wake, or NOT, in the morning to find purse, scabbard, mouth, and mind all empty... an inspired play, and I haven't even the wit to turn it proper round upon them! I can't even properly couch the threat of the loss of those shining teeth, against the worthless wager of winning what weak coin your folly has left us. I cannot even properly point the promise to put before the General d'Gendarmes the question of this curious curfew!" Gristav draws and releases a deep breath, before asking of Braddon and Snake, "Shall we assure these street-agents, we are not be stopped, and if we are done even any delay, we'll dutifully deliver the lightest of them? To the General? Ahead of our planned meeting?" Gristav looks from one to the other, and nods, before turning more or less toward the gleam-tooth.
"Stand aside, gentlemen, and you yourselves might yet see us in your Dirty Angel. Or try to block us, and you yourselves might not be seen there, again. How does that phrase go? Aukera opari bat da. Egin behar izan dute."
Phillip shrugs "Only the one of which I'm aware... though I'm fairly sure that a torch burns brightly in Marce's heart for you." chuckling before a slight shake of the head and asking "I'm a little surprised at the ardor of your affront though... why do the revelations cut? Can you see them instead as opportunities? - strings that extend from them like a marionette... able to be plucked such as to elicit predictable reaction?"
Letting a pause hang before squeezing the hand of the elbow linked arm to mollify "All people have secrets and vices... it is the knowing of what baggage one bears and the way to twist it that tips the balance in your favor."
As Braddon gives warning, Snake keeps his eye out for any more that may be nearby.
When Gristav finishes speaking, a light promptly shines upon the end of his staff where a look of disdain is clearly seen upon Snake's face. "Look, bub, we ain't interested in making 'friends', so you need to do as the man says and move out of the way. And if you do, as a bonus, you'll get to keep that shiny tooth of yours intact. How's that sound?" he asks, obviously irritated by these thugs.
Phillip shrugs "Only the one of which I'm aware... though I'm fairly sure that a torch burns brightly in Marce's heart for you."
She flushes and looks away. "I'm not. He's had his chances if he'd chosen to take them. He's always very careful about ... keeping his distance."
"I'm a little surprised at the ardor of your affront though... why do the revelations cut? Can you see them instead as opportunities? - strings that extend from them like a marionette... able to be plucked such as to elicit predictable reaction?"
"I don't know," she confesses. "I suppose ... just the way they always talked about her, so somberly, in hushed tones, so shocked that a nice halfling girl could stoop so low, whenever her name came up. And then do you think he'd be with her and talk about us, how foolish or childish or ... or rustic we are?"
Phillip smooths his mustache with his free hand before replying "Words are chosen based on how the speaker thinks the listener will view them... I'm sure that Olin would speak words that he would think would engender the whore's favor, and Taffy would respond with phrases chosen to cultivate further visitation."
"Marce carries a weight with him that is heavier than that an itinerant woodworker should bear... of that I am fairly certain. As far as I can discern though his intent is pure and care sincere."
When Gristav finishes speaking, a light promptly shines upon the end of his staff where a look of disdain is clearly seen upon Snake's face. "Look, bub, we ain't interested in making 'friends', so you need to do as the man says and move out of the way. And if you do, as a bonus, you'll get to keep that shiny tooth of yours intact. How's that sound?" he asks, obviously irritated by these thugs.
The leader of the trio, now clearly revealed as Varisian, flinches as Snake's staff flares with light. "Azkar! Isilarazi handi bat!" he hisses.
As the man calls out his instructions, he snatches a dagger from his belt with almost preternatural quickness and throws it, burying it deeply in the witch's shoulder. Before it has even reached its target, his hand darts to the other side of his belt, and a new blade glistens in the unnatural light as he takes cover behind the river side of the gate.
As soon as his leader has cleared the path, the second thug charges straight at Snake, drawing a leather-wrapped baton. He strikes the tall man on the knuckles and snatches the lighted staff out of his loosened grip with his other hand.
The third thug, unable to get to Snake, charges instead at Braddon, swinging a sap at the back of the half-elf's head.
Braddon grunts in pain and annoyance, steps back between Gristav and Snake and pulls out his bastard sword.
"Okay, boys. Let's play for keeps."
He swings down and hard with the bastard sword in both hands at the thug who took Snake's staff.