perception from earlier
Azhar's head snaps around, "Rev!" he says sharply with a disapproving look on his face."What?! ...oh.Fiosa nods nervously, not entirely sure of her action.
He attempts to be reassuring. diplomacy.
"It will be alright Fiosa. It's much more likely to be Sarenrae"
Shortly after the group gets back through one of the lesser used gates into the city, Janiven pulls up short. She and Arael slip off the mount and she tosses the reins to Gorvio. "Just in case they have a good description of our friend," casually smiling at the half-elf, "I'll take him to the safe house through the back allies." Smiling at everyone, relieved now that Arael has been recovered and everyone is back in Westcrwn in one piece, "Tomorrow, we can celebrate, my treat."
"Famous last words."
Even from outside the old stables everyone can hear the operatic tenor berating the man inside, Don't you know who am?
Gorvio pales.
"Well, he's in luck. The horses are back," Cassian observes, leading the horse into the stables.
Shortly after the group gets back through one of the lesser used gates into the city, Janiven pulls up short. She and Arael slip off the mount and she tosses the reins to Gorvio. "Just in case they have a good description of our friend," casually smiling at the half-elf, "I'll take him to the safe house through the back allies." Smiling at everyone, relieved now that Arael has been recovered and everyone is back in Westcrwn in one piece, "Tomorrow, we can celebrate, my treat.""Famous last words."
Rev grins evilly at this.
"Well, he's in luck. The horses are back," Cassian observes, leading the horse into the stables.
Rev stifles laughter.
As you enter the stables you see a tall blonde man with bright blue eyes and a strong square jaw looming over an frustrated and annoyed looking stablemaster with matted hair and bloodshot eyes.
The blonde man turns as you enter, his eyes immediately drawn to the horseflesh. He moves towards the horse that Azhar is on. "This is the horse I needed." He shoots a look up at the large swordsman, "And this... mercenary," his tone suggesting this is not a palatable job, "Has gotten the beautiful creature all... lathered." Disgust very in is operatic tone.
Turning back to the hung-over stable master, "Don't you realize that I need this horse for the elopement of the dowager princess?" A dramatic intake of breath, then his fine tenor returns, "The princess and her handsome lover - played by me, of course - flee the city perused by the king's horsemen." His tone turns acidic, "Are you trying to ruin my career?"
Opera is a very popular art and Thesing is a minor celebrity in the city.
"Mr. Ulvano, we took the horse out to give your performance an air of authenticity. We were hired by..."
And a wretched toupee. But he is one of the best directors in the city.
"...Robahl Nonon."
For a brief moment Thesing's brow clouds, quietly (the first time he has said anything quietly) "How did he know about my impromptu performance..." But the question is passed quickly, because Thesing is the center of his universe and anything he does must be known to all and sundry. "Well... I guess that may be acceptable, but it seems a shame to have the magnificent beast so... dirty."
A moment of indecision, when the high strung actor can be sent either way.
"...Robahl Nonon."
For a brief moment Thesing's brow clouds, quietly (the first time he has said anything quietly) "How did he know about my impromptu performance..." But the question is passed quickly, because Thesing is the center of his universe and anything he does must be known to all and sundry. "Well... I guess that may be acceptable, but it seems a shame to have the magnificent beast so... dirty."
A moment of indecision, when the high strung actor can be sent either way.
"Dirty? Flush with victory! Mr. Nonon knew your handsome lover character would be imbued with such masculine power, the beast had to match or else be overshadowed." Cassian lies utterly without hesitation, and never seems to be groping for the right response.
The Raven rides the Hellknight's horse into Westcrown, through the main gate.
"Dirty? Flush with victory! Mr. Nonon knew your handsome lover character would be imbued with such masculine power, the beast had to match or else be overshadowed." Cassian lies utterly without hesitation, and never seems to be groping for the right response.
Thesing consider for perhaps all of a second. Then his proud head lifts with approval combined with a condescending sniff. "That does make sense." Looks at the horse again, "But the tack just will not do. For the handsome lover, the tack needs to be... more, like the tack on your horse." He says to Cassian, "Switch it over." His tone calm, but demanding.
Thesing consider for perhaps all of a second. Then his proud head lifts with approval combined with a condescending sniff. "That does make sense." Looks at the horse again, "But the tack just will not do. For the handsome lover, the tack needs to be... more, like the tack on your horse." He says to Cassian, "Switch it over." His tone calm, but demanding.
"Good eye," Cassian says, gesturing vaguely behind him for someone who knows anything at all about horses to switch the tack from one to the other. "Once that's done, there's only the small matter of the tickets."
As the Raven approaches the gate, he sees wagons being searched, messengers being stopped and questioned. As the Raven start to move through the main gate, you see recognition for the horse on the faces of the dottari, and they automatically start to wave you through.
It's only when you pass by, closer, that they look up and see a lightly armored man rather than the heavily armored knight that they know should be astride the mount.
But by that point, the Raven is through the gate, and while there are men calling for him to stop, there are none that could hinder his progress.
"Good eye," Cassian says, gesturing vaguely behind him for someone who knows anything at all about horses to switch the tack from one to the other. "Once that's done, there's only the small matter of the tickets."
Gorvio, still slightly in shock but ready to help, slides off the horse he was riding on, and sets to work changing the saddles.
Thesing, who had almost dismissed the blue-eyed horse warmer from his mind, turns back to Cassian, "Tickets?" his voice slightly curious.
Gorvio, still slightly in shock but ready to help, slides off the horse he was riding on, and sets to work changing the saddles.
Thesing, who had almost dismissed the blue-eyed horse warmer from his mind, turns back to Cassian, "Tickets?" his voice slightly curious.
"For your performance! It was the only payment I would dream of accepting. We really could not live with ourselves if we missed the great Thesing Umbero Ulvano onstage triumphantly redefining yet another classic role."
"For your performance! It was the only payment I would dream of accepting. We really could not live with ourselves if we missed the great Thesing Umbero Ulvano onstage triumphantly redefining yet another classic role."
One can almost see the actor's self-importance puff up. "Well, I was not told about your payment." Just the right note of 'alas, what hardships the world piles upon me', "But you have done such a good job of reading my mount, so what is your name? I will leave it with the front of the house so you and some of your little companions can see me."
"Some kind dottari may be along for this horse. Which way to the back door?"
One can almost see the actor's self-importance puff up. "Well, I was not told about your payment." Just the right note of 'alas, what hardships the world piles upon me', "But you have done such a good job of reading my mount, so what is your name? I will leave it with the front of the house so you and some of your little companions can see me."
"Lucius Doniven. And thank you again for your generosity. I really cannot wait to see another incandescent Ulvano performance."
"Lucius Doniven. And thank you again for your generosity. I really cannot wait to see another incandescent Ulvano performance."
The handsome blonde man smiles, turns in the direction of the red-eyed stablemaster. "If you can be so good as to have this fine beast sent over to the Antonio Playhouse in the next hour," casually tossing a platinum piece the older man's way. Turning back to Cassian, "You remind me of a manservant I once had, very talented, such a pity I had to fire the lad... never did manage to keep my pleats crisp." And with that he exits.
The handsome blonde man smiles, turns in the direction of the red-eyed stablemaster. "If you can be so good as to have this fine beast sent over to the Antonio Playhouse in the next hour," casually tossing a platinum piece the older man's way. Turning back to Cassian, "You remind me of a manservant I once had, very talented, such a pity I had to fire the lad... never did manage to keep my pleats crisp." And with that he exits.
"Seems like I remind everyone of someone," Cassian mutters. Then, cheerfully: "Looks like we have plans this evening."
Azhar, who has been trying very hard to stay behind the scenes and not spoil Cassian's virtuoso performance breaks out in a big smile. "Yes, it seems we do. That was..." he pauses, actually quite impressed by Cassian's ability to positively manipulate the situation, but still not quite wanting to compliment a fabrication, he finally settles on "..something." He shakes his head, continuing to smile and claps Cassian lightly on the shoulder.
Rev is still trying his best not to laugh. Finally when the actor has gone, Rev gives in to his amusement. "Nice." He eventually says to Cassian when he stops laughing.
A number of eyes follow Thesing as he leaves and he almost glows under the attention.
Tarvi slides off her horse and comments, "That is a very pretty man." her voice soft, perhaps smitten.
The older man, heads over and starts taking the reins of the horses as soon as people dismount, his actions curt and abrupt, not quite rude but not caring if you take it as such.
Cassian fights the grin blooming on his face at the brothers' approval. "I wonder if they'll let Rygel in."
A number of eyes follow Thesing as he leaves and he almost glows under the attention.
Tarvi slides off her horse and comments, "That is a very pretty man." her voice soft, perhaps smitten.
Cassian cracks up. "I'm going to spend this cash on a better class of murder implement. Also, Tarvi... I'm not going as your date. Because that's creepy, and frankly you can do a lot better."
The monkey sits up, pulls on the little red vest as if smoothing out wrinkles, and looks over at Cassian with a look of ['i]I'm more of a gentleman than you[/i]'.
Cassian cracks up. "I'm going to spend this cash on a better class of murder implement. Also, Tarvi... I'm not going as your date. Because that's creepy, and frankly you can do a lot better."
Tarvi looks around at the people there with a considering look, then shrugs. "Too many choices." With a smile, "I'll see whoever is coming in a while." Tarvi and Amaya leave, a snipet of conversation about how one would set a glass piece in gold floating back.
Fiosa looks up at Rev, a shaky smile. "Thank you, Mr. Rev." She looks like she is ready to leave, but is uncertain if the thin man is done questioning her.
Except of Gorvio, the rebel forces leave the stables, a lightness in their step at a successful mission.
janiven perception
gravalax perception
When you arrive at the safehouse, looking into the main room, you see Janiven, nearby eyes half-closed, resting but looking in the direction of the door. Further into the room, apparently being ignored by her, is Gravalax.
Her green eyes fly open as some instinct tells her that she is being observed. And she starts to slip out of the room, quietly so not to disturb the white-haired scribe.
The monkey sits up, pulls on the little red vest as if smoothing out wrinkles, and looks over at Cassian with a look of I'm more of a gentleman than you'.
"You like the vest, huh?"
Tarvi looks around at the people there with a considering look, then shrugs. "Too many choices." With a smile, "I'll see whoever is coming in a while." Tarvi and Amaya leave, a snipet of conversation about how one would set a glass piece in gold floating back.
"Or there's that."
Apparently, she thought chasing after the monkey would not require weapons because she carries neither bow nor longsword. Seeing Cassian as Rygel reaches him, she holds out the letter, "I recognize the seal as the mayor's, but I," slightly embarrassed blush on her cheeks, "I've never learned Infernal."
Fiosa looks up at Rev, a shaky smile. "Thank you, Mr. Rev." She looks like she is ready to leave, but is uncertain if the thin man is done questioning her....
"Just Rev." He smiles back at her, for once not predatory. He wonders if he should offer assistance. "If you need help understanding you newfound abilities. I can probably be of some... guidance." He finally offers before she leaves.
"Just Rev." He smiles back at her, for once not predatory. He wonders if he should offer assistance. "If you need help understanding you newfound abilities. I can probably be of some... guidance." He finally offers before she leaves.
Waiting for the halfling to be gone, Cassian raises an eyebrow. "That something we should be concerned about?"
She sheathes her blade when she sees the noises she heard inside were just Gravalax. Arael, from a few feet behind the slim ranger, looks at Gravalax, then with a questioning eyebrow, at Janiven.
She hands over the letter, listening. Shaking her head, "The Rack is far more concerned with hunting down rebellious elements in Westcrown than the bandits who 'only affect the poor.'" her voice heated. Then thinking about it, "But I haven't heard of the Bastards of Erebus before... I wonder what they are doing that makes them so interesting to our mayor."
Gravlax swallows. "Gravlax d'Antonio," he says. "I bought enough for everyone. Even Cassian."
Janiven, her voice wry, "Martyr." Pushes the half-elf in the direction of the hallway of monastic rooms. "Get yourself cleaned up and get some sleep." When it looks like Arael may have an objection she cuts him off, eyes hard, "You aren't going back to your apartment until I am sure that none of your neighbors had something to do with your incarceration. Now, mush."
Humoring the human woman, Arael leaves with a sarcastic bow to the human pair.
Cassian, reaches down to help Rygel back onto his shoulder, turns to go, pauses, and turns partly back, nodding toward the room where Gravlax resides. "He's still an ass, but I understand his value now." Cassian then leaves.
When Cassian acknowledges Gravalax's value, she nods.
Rygel, quite happily takes his proper place, only slightly consternation that the trim woman was able to keep up with him when he bolted.
"Just Rev." He smiles back at her, for once not predatory. He wonders if he should offer assistance. "If you need help understanding you newfound abilities. I can probably be of some... guidance." He finally offers before she leaves.Waiting for the halfling to be gone, Cassian raises an eyebrow. "That something we should be concerned about?"
"Well, the initial odds are 25% terrible, 50% neutral and 25% tolerable but annoyingly positive. And a further 6 out of 9 within those odds that it will all end in sorrow. So overall... I'm not worried." The unspoken opinion that he could easily eliminate the halfling if she becomes a nuisance is probably easy to read in his confident body language. Not that he would do such a thing unless provoked. After all, he'd never hear the end of it from Azhar otherwise.
"I got a report on the ambush from my friend, but it was eccentric. I'm curious to hear what he left out."
sense motive dc16:
Cassian fights the grin blooming on his face at the brothers' approval. "I wonder if they'll let Rygel in."
"I have very little doubt if you wanted to badly enough, you would find a way to get him in." Azhar says, still smiling.
Tarvi looks around at the people there with a considering look, then shrugs. "Too many choices." With a smile, "I'll see whoever is coming in a while." Tarvi and Amaya leave, a snipet of conversation about how one would set a glass piece in gold floating back."Or there's that."
Azhar shrugs, "I do plan on attending. Is anyone else interested?" Azhar looks around at the others still in attendance.
Azhar shrugs, "I do plan on attending. Is anyone else interested?" Azhar looks around at the others still in attendance.
i believe that i will go Melilot says. but i will need to go clothes shopping first
Slowly, cautiously, not certain if Gravalax is pulling her leg. "It went mostly well..." She recaps the tense scene, with highlights of the bravery of the rebels, the Raven's , Azhar's smiting of Shanwen, and the final fate of the unconscious hellknights. "Does that sound like what your friend told you?"
Waiting a few blocks away from the stables, on the path she thought Melilot would take, is Fiosa, leaning against a wall seeming to try to blend into the woodwork.
Azhar shrugs, "I do plan on attending. Is anyone else interested?" Azhar looks around at the others still in attendance.i believe that i will go Melilot says. but i will need to go clothes shopping first
Many of the rebels demur (most of them having to make up a day's work), the exceptions being Rizzardo, Sclavo, and the already departed Tarvi and Amaya.
Theater? Rev raises an eyebrow. "Fine. But you better find a date, or you'll look too suspicious. You don't exactly blend into the theater crowd." Rev tells his brother.
Gravlax takes another bite of apple. He is careful not to drip juice onto his tunic.