"Maybe. I've never met Eccardian, his family kept him under wraps. But if I can see his body, maybe." She bites her lower lip, "With some time, I could pull off Chammady." A shrug, "Just need more body color since she preferred for all of her assets to be out and distracting."
She looks at the amulet, her fingers moving over the image of the monkey. There is a softness her her eyes when she looks back, "Monkey king."
Crosael smiles back at Cassian, looks down the ring, turning it and then answers.
With the monkey king comment, he says, somewhat proudly, "My sister made it."
Amaya hugs the big swordsman, smiles up at him. "Yes. But I think at least a week's worth of sleep first."
Azhar gets the impish grin he adorns when it's obvious he's up to no good,
Cassian returns from the alley with Tarvi and Crosael, speaking to them both. After a moment, he blushes and hands a ring and an amulet to the tiefling.
"...and then again, perhaps we should wait a little." he says pausing in mid stride. He looks around, finds an empty wall to lean against and waits for group to finish any possibly private conversation.
"I'm all for any option that keeps us free, because frankly I am way too tired to assassinate the Imperiatrix today."
Gravlax nods. "...and I'm not up for the paperwork afterwards. We're on the same page."
"Body color... um... that sounds good. Let's do that."
Crosael bumps Cassian's hip with her own, her skin darkening enough to be noticed past the color disguising her golden hue.
With the monkey king comment, he says, somewhat proudly, "My sister made it."
Crosael looks over at Tarvi, who nods proudly, then to Cassian. Her voice quiet, smiling softly at him. "And you want me to have it?" She reaches over to squeeze his hand, the fingers of her other hand tightening around the amulet possessively.
Azhar gets the impish grin he adorns when it's obvious he's up to no good,Amaya shoots Azhar a suspicious look,
and without further warning, he swings her up and into his arms so that she is fully supported against him. "It looks like Cassian and Gravlax are done with their talk. Perhaps we should go and see what's going on."
And with that the bard follows through with her previously unspoken threat and she smacks the big fighter.
Which doesn't get her put down, but apparently made her feel better.
Azhar is grinning widely as he approaches the others, a lithe, young, blood-spattered bard still supported (perhaps caught would be a better word) within his arms.
"So what's new?" he asks as they arrive.
When Cassian rejoins the party, he and Crosael are holding hands. He takes his back somewhat self-consciously. "All right, I spoke to the dottari, and they're going to try to keep the streets calm. As for Vourne, Gravlax has the plan." Cassian cedes the floor.
When Cassian rejoins the party, he and Crosael are holding hands. He takes his back somewhat self-consciously.
Which elicits the merest twitch of an eyebrow as the grin does not fade from Azhars lips as he waits for Gravlax to elucidate.
Gravlax chuckles without much humor in it. "I do have a plan," he admits. "We do this the Westcrown Way." He takes a breath, and launches into it. "We've been working with the dottari this entire time, and -- assuming someone has a contact there -- I can have backdated notarized paperwork within the hour. Egorian didn't hear about this because messages from the dottari were being intercepted by the Hellknights, I know that I still have the paperwork detailing the plans to set one group against the other. We'll have to dig up the Drovenge infernal contract as corroborating evidence."
"We should take steps to put that ghost to rest before the Navy lands, if possible. The lingerie shop ... is just going to have to wait."
"The goal here is to convince Vhourne that he doesn't have to stay and put the city into an Imperial Martial Law. I am under the impression that he wants to stay about as much as we want him here, so the excuse only has to be plausible on its face as long as the paperwork is sound."
"We -- by which I probably mean this group plus the dottari plus any allies we can scrounge -- meet the Navy as they dock in as much force as possible and with a friendly manner. To indicate that we have the forces to keep the city under control. And Vhourne is satisfied and leaves the city under the capable control of the dottari and gets the fleet out of Westcrown."
"And if I'm wrong and Vhourne intends to take the city and rule it by force, Cassian kills him and someone -- probably me -- impersonates him until such time as he can hand off power and have a regrettable accident on the boat back to Egorian. "
Gravlax looks around. "That's the plan."
Egorian didn't hear about this because messages from the dottari were being intercepted by the Hellknights
Azhar's eyes narrow slightly.
"We should take steps to put that ghost to rest before the Navy lands, if possible.
a small nod
"The goal here is to convince Vhourne that he doesn't have to stay and put the city into an Imperial Martial Law. I am under the impression that he wants to stay about as much as we want him here, so the excuse only has to be plausible on its face as long as the paperwork is sound."
and the small tension around the eyes releases as he nods in agreement. "I like it." he says quietly, then looks to the others.
And follows with an "Oh, sorry." with something of a guilty grin, setting Amaya softly back down on her feet...unless she really has decided to pretend to be sleeping.
And follows with an "Oh, sorry." with something of a guilty grin, setting Amaya softly back down on her feet...
Ending Amaya's death glare with a quiet, "Thank you."
We'll have to dig up the Drovenge infernal contract as corroborating evidence."
Crosael, her left hand still tightly gripped around something metal, "Do you want Chammady as a character witness as to the horrible thing her brother was doing, or do you want her dead?"
Ending Amaya's death glare with a quiet, "Thank you."
Azhar's grin becomes a little tight and nervous as his eyes communicate a further apology before refocusing on the others.
but says nothing, electing instead to see what Cassian and Gravlax have to say.
"Do you want Chammady as a character witness as to the horrible thing her brother was doing, or do you want her dead?"
"A character witness would be helpful, but is not strictly required."
"But would be helpful."
Cassian nods his agreement.
Azhar's countenance remains neutral.
There is a half smile at Azhar before Amaya turns a bit to address the group as a whole. "Since it will take the ghost over a day to remanifest, possibly as much as a week, do you think we still have to find a way to put her permanently to rest in the next eight hours?"
There is a half smile at Azhar before Amaya turns a bit to address the group as a whole. "Since it will take the ghost over a day to remanifest, possibly as much as a week, do you think we still have to find a way to put her permanently to rest in the next eight hours?"
"Sounds like she could probably wait," Cassian says.
"After Vourne, then." Azhar agrees, brushing Amaya gently with his leg and his eyes, all traces of nervousness erased.
Croseal moves in a bit in the circle of people, her right arm brushing against Cassian. "So we do a little clean up at the Arodennama, so that it matches the story we want to tell. Get a little rest and put on game faces?"
The women nod. Except for Fiosa who seems to have fallen asleep standing up.
"Yes," Gravlax says. "And I have some paperwork to scrounge up."
"So I'm on clean-up duty then." Azhar says with a smile as he rests a hand on Amaya's waist and leans close to her ear.
Tarvi steps next to Cassian, "So... Thekla is guarding prisoners?" She asks, knowing that it probably isn't the case, but really hoping it is.
Amaya nods,
Tarvi steps next to Cassian, "So... Thekla is guarding prisoners?" She asks, knowing that it probably isn't the case, but really hoping it is.
"No. We're going to take her to the Temple of Asmodeus and get her raised. I'll ask nicely first, I promise."
Cassian heads back in to fetch the body of his friend.
... The lingerie shop ... is just going to have to wait."
"There is a ... lingerie-related aspect to this?" asks a puzzled Zsz.
Out of the cobblestones, near Gravlax, the stone woman emerges. With the bindings gone, her height has doubled, leaving her smiling down at the swordsman as she holds out his ring.
Khazrae goes into the Arodannama with Cassian's group, keeping an eye out for any more devil, looking far more cheerful than she normally does.
Upstairs, she looks over the bodies, giving a delighted laugh (and a kick in the ribs) of the green barbed devil. She picks up the coin on Chammady's chest, "Anyone care if I keep this?"
"There is a ... lingerie-related aspect to this?" asks a puzzled Zsz.
"Disappearing shopgirls," Cassian says. "Gravlax and I were dealing with it."
"Sure, love. Just need to make sure I'm back at full for the meeting with the general."
"Just remind me if you think it's getting close or you think you need to get away."
Out of the cobblestones, near Gravlax, the stone woman emerges. With the bindings gone, her height has doubled, leaving her smiling down at the swordsman as she holds out his ring.
Azhar smiles up at the onyx woman, "Good to see you outside of the Arodannama, בעלעססימאַ. (Which sounds something like Bʻlʻssymʼa.) Would you mind helping us with the clean-up?"
Khazrae goes into the Arodannama with Cassian's group, keeping an eye out for any more devil, looking far more cheerful than she normally does.
Upstairs, she looks over the bodies, giving a delighted laugh (and a kick in the ribs) of the green barbed devil. She picks up the coin on Chammady's chest, "Anyone care if I keep this?"
Azhar eyebrow raises, "I do not...if there are no other objections."
After the clean-up, "Can we just go back to your place?" Her smile is barely there, "I don't want to have to explain all this to my parents."
"Of course, love." he says as his eyes focus more fully on her, "Are you feeling all right? If you're too tired, you know I would love to carry you if you would like to rest."
Azhar smiles up at the onyx woman, "Good to see you outside of the Arodannama, בעלעססימאַ. (Which sounds something like Bʻlʻssymʼa.) Would you mind helping us with the clean-up?"
She looks around, gaze settling on broken and burned forms. "Everything dead by you."
A pause, "Remaking the blanks מאַמזער גאַלעך forced take long days." She seems open to suggestions and far calmer than when she was being held prisoner.
Azhar eyebrow raises, "I do not...if there are no other objections."
Crosael looks at Cassian for a long moment, then carefully removes Chammady's signet ring and earrings without comment.
Moves next to Cassian. "Do you want help carrying her?"
She does, however, offer the big man her hand as they walk towards the Delvehaven.
Moves next to Cassian. "Do you want help carrying her?"
"Please," Cassian says.
A pause, "Remaking the blanks מאַמזער גאַלעך forced take long days." She seems open to suggestions and far calmer than when she was being held prisoner.
"Uh, guys? A little help? I...don't really understand."
Azhar eyebrow raises, "I do not...if there are no other objections."
He does frown slightly, "May I ask why?"
Amaya shoots him a dirty look, although with even less venom than her ones when he was carrying her. "I'm alright, I've just never had to use that much magic in one push before."
She does, however, offer the big man her hand as they walk towards the Delvehaven.
Taking her hand brings another smile to his face. He squeezes it lightly, and keeps hold while they walk. "I know. And I'm very proud of you for it. You guys did really good." he is being complementary, but also very sincere.
Azhar eyebrow raises, "I do not...if there are no other objections."He does frown slightly, "May I ask why?"
"The soul of your enemy is never something that should be left to chance."
.
Between the wiry rogue and the lithe disguise artist they are able to carry Thekla's slight form without staggering. As they get to the first ladder down, Khazrae looks at them both walks over and easily takes Thekla's dead weight. "Meet you downstairs." And she teleports away.
"We were lucky." The truth of that statement absolutely clear.
"Maybe," Azhar says, glancing down at the woman by his side, "but luck goes to those who have become prepared to take advantage of it. I'm still proud of you, whether you want to accept it or not." He bumps her lightly in the hip.
Cassian looks at Crosael and shrugs. "I guess that would have been easier."
"Anyone care if I keep this?"Azhar eyebrow raises, "I do not...if there are no other objections."
"I have no objections," Gravlax says.
He takes the ring from the stone woman. "If you have the time, we don't understand the changes that were forced. Can you explain?"
He takes the ring from the stone woman. "If you have the time, we don't understand the changes that were forced. Can you explain?"
She motions back to the 90-foot tall monument. "Was," she moves her hands in a compacting gesture, "all one, solid."
"מאַמזער want spaces, force I to make."
Inside the gothic architecture is oppressive, making you feel like you are being constantly watched. Behind a large desk is a priest carefully assessing stack of papers.
Her body convulses, glows and she coughs. The vicious wounds heal instantly. Then her body goes stock still.
The priest's forehead furrows a bit, "It worked."
A pause, while he puts two fingers to the pulse point of her neck. He nods. "Her body is alive, her soul just seems to be taking a little detour."
He motions for the group to take Thekla's body, "I'm sure it will be fine."
A few blocks away from the church, Thekla's body starts to shake, then the material components that the priest put on her body start to wisp off.
A deep intake of breath and her body gets lighter. Always perceptive, Cassian notices the color draining from her hair, leaving it white. A final jerk and Thekla's eyes pop open - the iris a soft gray.
She breathes for a long moment, then looks around, a deprecating smile coming to her lips, "That f*~%ing hurt. Please tell me that bastard died in just as much pain."
He gives his friend an affectionate smile. "There's more work to be done, but seeing as you've died, I imagine you've put in more than your share. Why not return to that woman of yours and celebrate life the best way you know how?"
He slides an arm around Crosael's slender waist. "Then, when this is all over, we'll drink the night away at the Walcourt and celebrate the ascendancy of our syndicate?"
Already half asleep, Amaya is too tired for her normal protestations, although she sleepily shakes her head and tries to undress herself.
Azhar chuckles softly and kisses his beloved on the temple. "Raise your arms, love." he tells her. Not a command, not a request, but something in-between. And as she complies with the suggestion he removes her shirt and underthings, folding them and placing them next to her armor, but always watchful and ready to catch or steady her if she begins to topple, trying too much in her fatigued state.
If she is still standing when his attention is again fully on her, he undoes any necessary fastenings, hooks his thumbs in her waistband and smoothly slides all her lower garments over her hips and down to her ankles. "Step, love. One foot at a time."and after folding these as well, he helps her to the water, gently lifting her into a sitting position where she can lean against him, and he can easily reach the soap sand without having to disturb her.
If she continues any half-hearted protests, he merely says "Hush, love. Let me take care of you." and continues about what he is doing. He pointedly does not take advantage of her more than what could be said of giving her body a good, but carefully gentle washing.
She motions back to the 90-foot tall monument. "Was," she moves her hands in a compacting gesture, "all one, solid."
"מאַמזער want spaces, force I to make."
"I don't think that is something we need to correct, is it?" Azhar asks of Gravlax. "Are you concerned someone else will try to take advantage? I think Cassian would rather enjoy having another little hidey-hole."
She returns the smile, looks about to argue then shakes her head. "Nope. You are right, boss." A wicked grin, "I deserve a day off and I'm sure you'll get me right back on the horse later."
Her grey eyes follow the movement of Cassian's arm, "I'll bring a few good bottles and we can talk about what the syndicate will do now we are on the top." Thekla gives a nod to the pair, smiles at the other women of the GMS and starts to pick her way carefully through the early morning streets.
Crosael's arm slides around Cassian's waist. She leans up to whisper into his ear, "Home?"
At the docks, there are many people, some familiar, some not. Ghanefini, in his role as the head of his family smiles ever so slightly. His son, looking uncomfortable in a formal dottari uniform that doesn't quite fit, stands with the other officers in the tight huddle.
At the top of the gangplank an officious little man, with a clipboard looks down at everyone before waving up the first person, ostentatiously marking off a name on the list.
Chammady is there, calmly blowing on newly painted fingernails. Her family's signet ring glinting in the summer sunshine.
He turns to Crosael. "Home it is."
Standing next to Chammady is... well, it's Cassian. You all know Cassian. There he is.
Gravlax is wearing his Imperial Scribe uniform. He's been wearing the black armor frequently enough that he looks odd in his scribe's garb.
He is carrying a ridiculous amount of paperwork, and standing perfectly at ease.
The half-protests die with Azhar's tender ministrations. She falls asleep when Azhar is about half done, a happy smile of trust on her lips. Her sleeping body curling against Azhar's when he holds her.
Just because he won't inappropriately touch, does not mean he is not sorely tempted too, nor does it mean he will not inappropriately look as he would not should they have been in a more public bathhouse. He does not, however, overly abuse the liberties afforded him, though the thought of doing so affects him noticeably. When he finishes washing her, he gently lifts her from the waters, snags two towels and bears her to the bedroom. He dabs her dry with one and spreads out the other, large enough for her to rest upon and cover the pillow as well. A soft, cool coverlet is placed across her and tucked around her shoulders to ward off any chill, then he tiptoes back downstairs to make sure her gear is cared for...though he is admittedly at a loss as to what to do with her other things. The caring of women's garments are not something he can claim to have had great experience with. After a few minutes of staring perplexedly at them, he decides to take the chance and washes them as well...and since there is no one around to see, hangs them out to dry along with his own things, and upon finishing cleaning up himself he pads back upstairs to the bedroom, lays down a towel on the floor and puts himself to sleep beside her... Or close enough, anyway. He only expects to be asleep for a couple hours.
Azhar is there in what appears to be an outfit just a step below what would be appropriate for court, with Amaya likewise attired, though still radiant by his side (in his eyes at the very least). He does not appear to be overly nervous, though this is obviously not his favored atmosphere and those who know him would wonder at the noticeable lack of weapons and armor, save for the very normal seeming belt knife at his waist.
Standing next to Chammady is... well, it's Cassian. You all know Cassian. There he is.
Gravlax is wearing his Imperial Scribe uniform. He's been wearing the black armor frequently enough that he looks odd in his scribe's garb.
He is carrying a ridiculous amount of paperwork, and standing perfectly at ease.
Azhar is there in what appears to be an outfit just a step below what would be appropriate for court, with Amaya likewise attired, though still radiant by his side (in his eyes at the very least). He does not appear to be overly nervous, though this is obviously not his favored atmosphere and those who know him would wonder at the noticeable lack of weapons and armor, save for the very normal seeming belt knife at his waist.
One by one, each representative of the twelve prominent noble houses is waved onto deck. Some you recognize: Chammady Drovenge, Eirten Oberigo (Who nods in your direction. Of everyone there is looks shocked to see Chammady and gives the red-head a wide berth.), Ghanefini Mhartis, Sascar Tilernos (Who looks vague and probably drunk.), and Mauro Atenaar escorting his wife Eliana. Other family representatives are less familiar personally: Salisfer, Grulios, Julistarc, Dioso, Phandros, Khollarix, and Mezinas.
Once they have all been allowed on board, the steward waves the small contingent of dottari captains and your group. The steward holds you for a long moment, clearly expecting someone else to arrive, but finally continues on. Everyone is led onto the top deck of Vourne's warhip the Asmodenaut where the representatives are seated around a long table with Vourne at the head.
"Her Imperial Majestrix was displeased with chaos that you have allowed to reign in her fine city over the past months. Normally she would hold Lord Arvanxi to task for mishandling his charge, but since he has fled his duty, restoring order falls to the throne."
"Queen Abrogail commanded that I come here with all due haste and settle the disharmony that you have brought to her empire." The pleasure a military rule would have given the stern general is quite well hidden under his stern demeanor.
"However, I have been informed that - following a quite distasteful outbreak of devils - the culprit has been found and dealt with." His eyes move over to Chammady, clearly suspicious if she had been in league with her devil-touched sibling.
He looks to the dottari and your group. "I was also informed that you would be bringing me evidence of this."