His hands spend some time in the obvious places before he reaches around her torso and pulls her close enough to start planting kisses in the hollow of her collarbone.
His control finally breaks as he is kissing up her neck towards the spot just behind her ear. His hips begin to roll underneath her. He makes an incoherent noise of desire.
The Raven looks at the shack, shakes his head, and says to the doctor, "Blood may require spilling this evening."
The Raven will leap, hustle, and generally parkour his way to the roof of the townhouse. He will first look for direct access, and if not available, will secure a hook and rope -- and go down to a window.
Gravlax moves to attack the closest surviving nun.
Rolls without any buffs other than normal flank.
Confirm offhand crit
"Well, clearly we get that now," says Cassian. "Oh well. Not like we can't get in there later."
He writes back, 'I should hope so.' On his next trip, he leaves a shaving kit.
"I'm the one who's done a lot of things," Cassian says. "And if you're really good, I'll tell you about them sometime. Now you going to give me your name, or are we sticking with Bangs?"
Cassian bursts out laughing. "You still don't get it, do you? Well, I'll make sure to use little words, and maybe then something will sink into that little pea brain of yours. I. Don't. Trust. You. Until I do, you can stay tied up all you want. Now... I admit my reckoning of time is a little off. I sort of lost track of things while that b$@!* was hitting me, but I'll bet you're starting to cramp. And every moment in those bonds you're getting worse and worse. You know what? You can actually lose blood flow to limbs that get tied up. Lose it long enough and the limb dies. Just shrivels up and dies. So I got all the time in the world, Freakshow. You're the one who's counting the hours."
Done with the conversation, Cassian begins to inspect the cell, looking for all the world like he's trying to find a way out.
Fort Save DC 18:
Text: With another flick of her wand, Zsz says, "Velare." Cataracts sweep across one of the nun's eyes, leaving her sightless.
"He makes his money as a carver, so you can find him at any of the street markets most days." A smile, "Unless he is out of town collecting more base material." A shrug, "Not horribly useful, I know, but he doesn't really keep to a schedule." She shakes her head, "You don't need an introduction from me."
Zsz smiles brightly. "Thanks, Janiven. I appreciate the advice."
"Just a guideline I've used." She answers honestly. "Plus there wasn't anyone in the group that interested me enough to make me question it."
"Ah. Well, then do let me know if that ever changes for any new member of the group," Zsz says. "As such a person would be quite interested in getting to know you better if that happened to be the case."
"I can't take these, it would be like I was using our attraction to blink you for money."
The Raven looks at the shack, shakes his head, and says to the doctor, "Blood may require spilling this evening."
The raven considers him for a moment. Its head cocks, "Can I drink it after it is spilled?"
The Raven will leap, hustle, and generally parkour his way to the roof of the townhouse. He will first look for direct access, and if not available, will secure a hook and rope -- and go down to a window.
There is, indeed, a trapdoor that leads into the building, but it feels like it is barred from the inside. Which give The Raven two possibly noisy entrances - breaking a glass window or breaking the trapdoor lock.
Janiven, still chuckling slightly, "When we do... We might want to check some of the statues that were lining the arena, if we want to see if one of them is the dead Pathfinder."
And the time after that he gets a vial of oil that smells like chocolate.
"Hell, its better than 'Nice Ass' which is normally what cocky confidence men try to name me." A beat, "Thekla."
"What kind of jobs do you like to take these days?"
Her voice, hard and ice cold, "Oh, I get that you don't trust me. And I certainly don't trust you."
A pause and her eyes flash, "And my body is starting to cramp and I'm losing feeling in my arms." Fact, stated simply with very little feeling. "Her shadow, starts to move slightly, [b]"But how about this, untie me or you will be in here when they come back to torture me."
The dazed nun stands there, taking no actions. The un-dazed sister takes another step forward, closes her eyes for just a moment to concentrate her will, reloading her crossbow, aiming carefully that the spellcaster on the stairs and firing.
Gravlax moves to attack the closest surviving nun. But the nun manages to parry both of his sword strikes with slapping palms.
Azhar follows Gravlax to attack the nun that damaged Zsz, his first swing deflected, the second just barely breaking through the red robed woman.
With another flick of her wand, Zsz says, "Velare." Cataracts sweep across one of the nun's eyes, leaving her sightless.
Fiosa starts to bleed from the same point where Zsz was shot. Peeking down at the basement below and Cassian feels a warmth settle over him. Janiven takes a few more steps down the stairs shooting directly into the blinded nun. She still manages to deflect the arrow, almost supernaturally aware of the combat around her. Amaya moves down the stairs, pulling out her crossbow and loading it, hopeful she can be of help. Tarvi gets onto the first riser and waves a bolt of magic into the blind nun. Mathalen lets lose with a flurry of blows, somehow she manages to put just enough power behind the quick strikes to knock out the nun.
Taking a step since his intended target fell, Cassian's blades flash. And the blind nun dies a very, very quick death.
A few seconds after she falls, some of Cassian's wound heals. Then, a little bit after that Mathalen's wounds disappear. Looking near death but satisfied, Fiosa channels.
Fire -15,-33,-43,-46,-83, -98 (dead)
Nun2 -64 (-10 hp) stable
nun3 -73 (very dead)
nun4 -67 (-13 hp) dying
nun5 -59 (-5 dying)
nun6 -73 (very dead)
Azhar -0
Cassian -0
Gravlax -0
Zsz -0 (-2 CON, -7 addl' HP)
Fiosa -1/23
Mathalen -0/40
With the assassin nuns no longer trying to cut everyone free of the mortal coil, you are able to look around the ossuary. A large room are heavy with countless wooden shelves. In places, the shelves extend out into the room itself, creating something of a maze. Resting on the shelves are hundreds and hundreds of polished black pottery urns, each with a series of spidery scratches on the side that could be writing. Here and there between the shelves, in nooks and alcoves along the walls, hard cots provide spartan beds.
Looking around the urns, all of the jars are labelled in Infernal.
The ashes go back 150 years but over two-thirds of the ashes are 70 years or older.
Zsz pulls the crossbow quarrel out of her arm and begins looking through the shelves of urns.
"I hate constitution damage," Zsz remarks idly. "I feel like Galt after that day they decided to let toddlers vote on all the amendments."
"Any of you up for going for drinks when we're done here? I wouldn't mind one, personally."
She thinks for a moment, then sends a Message Fiosa's way.
The raven considers him for a moment. Its head cocks, "Can I drink it after it is spilled?"
"Blood spilled is like food dropped into the street." The Raven shrugs. "I'm not sure the five seconds rule applies."
In a choice between two potentially noisy and potentially flashy entraces, The Raven chooses the flashier.
He attaches the grappling hook to the window, and will enter the room by crashing through the window, pausing to pose.
Gravlax starts to search a different part of the ossuary.
"Any of you up for going for drinks when we're done here? I wouldn't mind one, personally."
"I'm up for a drink," he says. "To wash the taste of dead people ashes out of my mouth, if nothing else."
He tries to press as many points of contact against her as possible, kissing her passionately, as though he is hungry, hungry for her. No pretense of subtlety remains, and his desire is evident.
He tips her backward and leans forward, getting his legs underneath him, and standing. One hand slips down to hold her up, the other continuing to hold her tightly to him.
He continues to want her.
"Sure, why not?"
'See you on the 10th.'
"I have no way to judge your ass, Blondie. Yet." He gives her a little grin. "Seriously, though, I'm a thief and a spy. I do that kind of thing.
Cassian sighs wearily. "Look, Freakshow. I'm trying to help you, but you're clearly too stupid to take it when it's given. Now you're going to learn a lesson about threatening someone who isn't brain damaged."
He walks over, shaking his head sadly at her. "Oh, Freakshow. If only you were a tiny bit smarter, you'd be escaping with me right now. Instead, you're going to go to sleep. Have fun with the halfling. Night, stupid." He shadowstrikes her until she falls asleep, and then "escapes."
She sits up a little straighter, "First things first." She holds out the rings, "Do you know how much these cost?"
"I can't take these, it would be like I was using our attraction to blink you for money."
"I do. I bought them." Azhar almost smirks, but his smile broadens, he reaches out and closes her fingers around the jewelry. "I bought them for you, because I want you to be protected. And I want at least the chance to spend more time with you." he draws back, taking a breath, "Look. I know I pressed things too quickly, but I meant what I said. I care about you, and these were gifts I want you to have even if you decide you don't want to see me anymore. It's what I am choosing to do, so you don't have to feel guilty at all, okay?" he sits back, "I really want you to have them."
Cassian points out the jar that says Coriana Heavenscape on it. "We talking to her now or later?"
Cassian points out the jar that says Coriana Heavenscape on it. "We talking to her now or later?"
Zsz looks to those who have the candles.
Azhar produces the two candles he carries for anyone to use.
Cassian points out the jar that says Coriana Heavenscape on it. "We talking to her now or later?"
"Do we have any idea how many nuns live here?" Gravlax asks. He continues to look at name plaques, even after Coriana's remains are identified.
"Do we have any idea how many nuns live here?" Gravlax asks. He continues to look at name plaques, even after Coriana's remains are identified.
Cassian attempts to come up with an answer to Gravlax's question.
Knowledge: Local
Rygel assist
"Do we have any idea how many nuns live here?" Gravlax asks. He continues to look at name plaques, even after Coriana's remains are identified.Cassian attempts to come up with an answer to Gravlax's question.
After thinking it over and having a short (and unintelligible) discussion with Rygel, Cassian comes back with, "That was probably all of them. We're safe enough to do the seance here, or we can easily transport the ashes elsewhere to one of Janiven's safehouses."
Gravlax starts to search a different part of the ossuary.
"Any of you up for going for drinks when we're done here? I wouldn't mind one, personally.""I'm up for a drink," he says. "To wash the taste of dead people ashes out of my mouth, if nothing else."
"I'll buy a round," Janiven comments. A quirk of her lips, And another for anyone who got injured, if they want it."
Fioda nods at Zsz's words. Still looking tired, but happier. From the back of the room where she is searching for the pathfinder's ashes, "After we question the psychic vibrations of Coriana remaining in her physical remains? Sure."
Tarvi, on the other hand, suddenly breaks out in a bright smile. In a 'whisper' to her brother, far too loud to have a chance of being unheard. "That's how..." A wider smile, "It finally clicked. I totally know how to finish the necklace I've been working on." It seems likely she completely missed the drinking question.
Mathalen, looks up from her examination of her scorched clothing. "F!*$ yes. Booze."
Azhar produces the two candles he carries for anyone to use.
When someone places the candle on the ashes and lights it (where ever that may happen) the flame burns for a moment, flickers, turns a deep azure blue, and begins to smoke. Slowly the smoke forms the shape of a curvy woman's body with long hair, all in shades of gray.
The smoke woman looks around at each of you, curiosity clear on the smoky features.
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Zsz eventually finds the carver in an out of the way corner of a lesser market. The corner the quiet man choose is heavily shaded by thick trees and is buiser than Zsz would expect.
The carvings laid out on the hand woven cotton mat are nature-themed, the wood perfectly choosen to 'color' the figures and of a fine quality. The green-haired man smiles at Zsz when he notices her and seems to pick up his bartering speed, trying to hurry along the general public.
When they have a little privacy, he bows his head. "Message from on high, just passing through, or do you require my assistance in some manner?"
"I'm sure you would have done the same, if our positions were reversed." Fiosa says with far more confident than is strictly sane with someone they haven't known for long. "And I wasn't sure if you wanted me to bring it up around the others, but I think I can repair the damage the posion the assassin's were using."
"With your permission?"
Moments after he pauses, the raven lands on his shoulder, looking for all the world like the man summoned her there.
The loud entrance, however, wakes the man who had been sleeping peacefully on the bed. A shout, a demand to know what the hell The Raven (not using the name, of course) is doing.
Her own response is fed by his passion, her legs tight around his waist, her body alternately pressed against him and writheing into him.
A growl of protest as their bodies part slightly when he lifts himself to their feet, her legs immediately working against gravity to keep him close.
She tugs at his pants when he stands, trying to rid him of the impeding cloth as quickly as she can, only barely keeping herself from ripping them from him body.
Janiven nods, Tarvi looks far more excited than she should be allowed to be. "Tonight? Or give it a little time so our little performance isn't remembered if something goes wrong?"
She nods, a small grin in response. "Then I'd guess you're already trained and able to find jobs for yourself." Her hazel eyes sparkle with interest, "Which means that the first question is, what are you trying to get for yourself from our friendly little social club? Because that would be the determining factor." She studies him carefully, a serious edge beneath the friendly surface as she waits for his answer.
As he walks over, before he starts to pummel her into unconsciousness - which frankly probably wouldn't take more than a hit or two. She winces, swears, "F~@%. Look, we are obviously coming at this from the same damn problem." She rolls slightly so that she can look up at him more easily.
"Mine? I know you are lying to me. You are not the person who hired me, nor one of his lackeys. While I'm sure there are humans in some part of his schemes, he doesn't trust most of them." Her eyes flare, "So, we make this a deal rather than a game of trust... What do you want to untie me?"
Finally, She nods. "Thank you, Azhar. I will continue to work at keeping myself not-dead."
Fire -15,-33,-43,-46,-83, -98 (dead)
Nun2 -64 (-10 hp) stable
nun3 -73 (very dead)
nun4 -67 (-14 hp) dying
nun5 -59 (-6 dying)
nun6 -73 (very dead)
Azhar -0
Cassian -0
Gravlax -0
Zsz -0 (-2 CON, -7 addl' HP)
Fiosa -1/23
Mathalen -0/40
The Raven strides over to the man, drawing his sword.
"I am The Raven, , and I am here to offer you a choice. Although if you do not lower your voice, I will kill you in your bed."
As she writhes into him, he twitches into her in response. Call and answer.
After standing, he uses one to hand to loosen his pants, stepping free of all lower-body covering as he turns and carries her to the bed.
He sets her down, and his hands go to her waist, her pants. He makes a small yet urgent noise, and tugs at them, trying to step away and pull them free.
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When someone places the candle on the ashes and lights it (where ever that may happen) the flame burns for a moment, flickers, turns a deep azure blue, and begins to smoke. Slowly the smoke forms the shape of a curvy woman's body with long hair, all in shades of gray.
The smoke woman looks around at each of you, curiosity clear on the smoky features.
"Hello, Ms. Heavenscape," Zsz says pleasantly. "We've been tasked by the Pathfinders with uncovering lost knowledge connected to the lodge of Delvehaven, which may be crucial in ending a dire threat to the city of Westcrown."
"We were wondering if you could tell us how to get into Delvehaven safely, without setting off whatever traps were left by the local Pathfinders. And also, perhaps, a bit about events from Bisby's return to Westcrown to the sealing of Delvehaven ... particularly anything about the artifact Bisby brought back from Mwangi, or the ultimate fates of Bisby, Liriam, and Sivanshin."
Tarvi, on the other hand, suddenly breaks out in a bright smile. In a 'whisper' to her brother, far too loud to have a chance of being unheard. "That's how..." A wider smile, "It finally clicked. I totally know how to finish the necklace I've been working on." It seems likely she completely missed the drinking question.
"There are very few problems that can't be solved with nun murder."
"We'll come back in a few nights."
"Like you said, it's a social club. Thought I'd get out more." He looks her over. "And you lot could probably use a professional like me."
"Didn't realize you knew every single corner of the operation," Cassian says, slowly and sarcastically, since that's the only tone of voice this dunce seems to understand. "I mean, you've already displayed such stunning intelligence, I shouldn't be shocked that you know literally every single cell. Look, you can talk to me or not. I don't really care anymore."
He turns to Melilot. "So I wanted to warn you, specifically. I don't think she will be able to connect pain in her hand with you cutting her fingers off. She is literally that stupid. I've never seen anything like it."
To both of them, he says, "Look, I tried. I really did. But taking her prisoner was your call, Rev. So I'm leaving it to you. Good luck."
Cassian will hang around for questions, but will otherwise leave.
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"Hello, Ms. Heavenscape," Zsz says pleasantly. "We've been tasked by the Pathfinders with uncovering lost knowledge connected to the lodge of Delvehaven, which may be crucial in ending a dire threat to the city of Westcrown."
"We were wondering if you could tell us how to get into Delvehaven safely, without setting off whatever traps were left by the local Pathfinders. And also, perhaps, a bit about events from Bisby's return to Westcrown to the sealing of Delvehaven ... particularly anything about the artifact Bisby brought back from Mwangi, or the ultimate fates of Bisby, Liriam, and Sivanshin."
The diminutive smoke woman smiles at her name, her eyes absolutely focused on all of you but not seeing you as you are. "For pathfinders like you, slipping past the seal shouldn't be that hard. Or if you borrow any of the lodge's wayfinders." The gray back straightens. "I know, you can borrow mine." She reaches into herself, where a belt pouch would have been, once upon a time, and holds out a circular whisp of smoke. "Just as long as you stay within its light."
The eyes sharpen, "Just remember, what we sealed in there is part of history. To hide it away, to lie about it once you have brought it into the light of morning is vile."
A pause, a pleading in her stance, "Did the resistance keep that devil-bonded family out of Westcrown?"
"There are very few problems that can't be solved with nun murder."
"I once knew someone who used it to get the most stubborn of stains out of clothing and furniture," Zsz remarks absently.
The eyes sharpen, "Just remember, what we sealed in there is part of history. To hide it away, to lie about it once you have brought it into the light of morning is vile."
"Of course," Zsz replies.
A pause, a pleading in her stance, "Did the resistance keep that devil-bonded family out of Westcrown?"
"House Thrune is still powerful," Zsz answers, "But the resistance nonetheless still fights on."
He turns to Melilot. "So I wanted to warn you, specifically. I don't think she will be able to connect pain in her hand with you cutting her fingers off. She is literally that stupid. I've never seen anything like it."
noted Melilot replies. thank you
"House Thrune is still powerful," Zsz answers, "But the resistance nonetheless still fights on."
"And Westcrown lies in darkness," Gravlax shakes his head. "But that is why we seek to learn more about the artifact."
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"House Thrune is still powerful," Zsz answers, "But the resistance nonetheless still fights on."The head turns, a smile blooming on the lips, the stance straightening. All giving a potent image of how vivid and proud Coriana must been in life.
"And Westcrown lies in darkness," Gravlax shakes his head. "But that is why we seek to learn more about the artifact."
She twists, the smoke moving erratically as if lashed by a wind, even in the stillness of the building. "Darkness?" Her head cocks slightly to the side, "And you think Bisby's artifact may have something to do with that?"
"Dontalus and Ilnerik." The traces of fond sorrow under the wispy words. "We had given them up for dead, lost in the Expanse trying to find Jaytirian. And then one day, years after Aiger had marked them as lost in the Delvehaven's books, they come stumbling off a ship, worn drawn, and aged decades beyond their years. The only survivors of one of out lodge's more successful explorers, the Amber Privateers."She straightens more, reflexively swallowing, even though her body is long to ash. "And... the stories they brought back, horrid. Cannibalism, simian demons, jungle rot, and river madness. How they survived... what they had to do. It's really no wonder they weren't the cohesive duo that had left Westcrown years before."
Another lightning-quick flicker, and when the smoke still her hands are clasping together in front of her, "Not that we say how deep the divide was when they first came back, it took a few weeks for us to see the strain. And then..." Anger and deep soul weary sadness, "Aroden was supposed to set foot... and instead." She shrugs.
The smoke shakes, re-centering her. "We didn't know how bad it would be." A fond smile, "Aiger decided to hold of on sending in a report until we had a chance to truly examine the prize that took so many lives." A touch of wonder, the glint of obsession that must have driven her to the Pathfinders.
"It was an incredible piece, the Aohl. A golden eagle's head interlocked with that of an obsidian bat." Shakes her head, "You could feel the power locked in it, but we never had a chance to find out what it did. The notes and rubbings Ilnerik took suggested a culture with a dualistic pantheon, true balance."
Her gaze flickers around the group, searching for the eyes of anyone who truly understands the excitement at such a find. "Can you imagine what lost secrets we could have uncovered if we had been given the time to really unlock Jaytirian's cultural and religious life?"
She lets that roll through her mind, clearly arguing with herself about the cost versus the freedom everyone should have to do as they wish.Finally, She nods. "Thank you, Azhar. I will continue to work at keeping myself not-dead."
"I'm glad." Azhar says, his hand stroking hers lightly, clearly dialing it back a notch. "I want you to be happy."
"Did you still want to check with Zsz about dinner sometime? Or should we let that go for a while?"
Knowledge History:
Knowledge Arcana:
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She twists, the smoke moving erratically as if lashed by a wind, even in the stillness of the building. "Darkness?" Her head cocks slightly to the side, "And you think Bisby's artifact may have something to do with that?"
"It is quite possible."
The smoke shakes, re-centering her. "We didn't know how bad it would be." A fond smile, "Aiger decided to hold off on sending in a report until we had a chance to truly examine the prize that took so many lives." A touch of wonder, the glint of obsession that must have driven her to the Pathfinders."It was an incredible piece, the Aohl. A golden eagle's head interlocked with that of an obsidian bat." Shakes her head, "You could feel the power locked in it, but we never had a chance to find out what it did. The notes and rubbings Ilnerik took suggested a culture with a dualistic pantheon, true balance."Her gaze flickers around the group, searching for the eyes of anyone who truly understands the excitement at such a find. "Can you imagine what lost secrets we could have uncovered if we had been given the time to really unlock Jaytirian's cultural and religious life?"
"Where are Bisby's notes? Perhaps once we have freed Westcrown I can look further into Jaytirian's secrets, but I think for now our priorities must remain here." Azhar's fingers touch the wayfinder, Coriana's wayfinder, in something approaching a caress. It is quite possible that he actually is considering disappearing into the Expanse once he considers his current duties here complete, inhospitable as the description of the jungle morass may have been. "How complete do you think their study of Jaytirian may have been?" Azhar seems very focused on the spirit. Almost intrigued, even beyond the subject matter at hand. How long has it been since he and his brother wandered into Westcrown to ensure a friend safe passage? "My brother and I were
Just about to head into the depths of Sargava and the Mwangi Expanse when we we're sidetracked here. I may yet meet up with him later, assuming he has decided to continue on without me."
Janiven nods, "Just drop me a line."
She nods, slides off the table. "I'll show you the more social areas." She starts to head towards one of the doors. (And she does have a rather pert ass.) Commenting over her shoulder, "Any jobs through the guild takes a ten percent before any split that the participants arrange."
She opens the door, down a sloping hall and into a decently sized room with a small bar tended by a very large half-orc and a number of scattered tables. One table has a card game going and the suspicious looks at the new person are remarkably non-hostile.
"For jobs - heavy, wet, or not noticed until it is too late?" As she stops at the bar, motioning to herself and Cassian. The half-orc pours her a virulent green liquid and then stares at Cassian.
Tarvi doesn't stop, but there is a momentarily pause in her step as she looks at Zsz with sharp, sapphire eyes. The smile that steals over her is a happy, friendly one. "I think I may be a little slower to jump into bed than some people in our little group, but there is someone who has just gotten back to Westcrown that I wouldn't mind getting to know better."
Vitti doesn't smile, but he straightens, his body inflating slightly with some positive emotion. "I am always pleased when people positively recommend my work. How much of a modification to your abode were you hoping for?"
She lays her callused hand on Zsz wrist, not closing it just touching, and a summer's day warmth spreads through Zsz healing her of constitution damage.
Then, very politely, "Maybe later, if you would like, I can show you were there are some boutiques that make clothing that would be similar to the attire you like and light enough not to weigh you down." Suddenly realizing that could be taken as offensive, she quickly explains, "Not that you don't have a fine, attractive body that you should be proud of, but it did seem to distract... some of the others when the death eater dropped you."
Merchant Lefty does stop screaming, but he looks neither impressed nor frightened. "Well, " the diminutive use of the title clear in his voice. "As I see it you have less than a minute to leave before my men cut you to ribbons." Dismissive and defiant.
The raven, clearly not trying to be helpful to either party just asks The Raven. "The blue eyes are pretty, can I eat them?" The man does seem to be reaching for a sword leaning against the wall on the far side of the large canopy bed.
The instant that he starts to step back her hand goes up, behind his neck, her upper body lifting from the bed, pulling him into a hungry kiss.
Fire -15,-33,-43,-46,-83, -98 (dead)
Nun2 -64 (-10 hp) stable
nun3 -73 (very dead)
nun4 -67 (-14 hp) dying
nun5 -59 (-6 dying)
nun6 -73 (very dead)
Azhar -0
Cassian -0
Gravlax -0
Zsz -0 (-2 CON, -7 addl' HP)
Fiosa -1/23
Mathalen -0/40
"Will do," Cassian says. "Probably the night after tomorrow." He, of course, is going to walk Tarvi home, because she should not be left out after dark.
When they get home, he ruffles Tarvi's hair. "Well, Tadpole? What did you think about your first real job?"
Cassian sits alone in his room long after dark. Still twitchy from the job, as well as the teasing. He waits patiently until Tarvi is fast asleep. Then, he sneaks out, heading for Janiven's to fulfill her fantasy.
He moves swiftly and silently.
"Ten percent is a reasonable finder's fee," Cassian says thoughtfully, taking in the room. "Jobwise, I don't like to be noticed. Violence doesn't bother me, but I don't like it for its own sake."
He turns to the half orc. "Rum."
"What about you, Blondie? You have a specialty?"
Tarvi looks a bit surprised. "That was a job?"
"But..." a jumble of pride if it is true but not convinced her brother is just trying to boost her ego. "...I didn't do anything really. I mean just got visually gropped by..." she considers her word choice, "men who need to bathe more often."
Then her eyes spark as she remembers what she did before that, "Oh! And pointing out the red-head.... Who is she anyway?"
He know the best paths to Janiven's apartment. He has two obvious routes into Janiven's large studio room. The first would be to pick the exterior lock (child's play for Cassian) and then the multiple locks she has on her door (harder for the rogue but well within his talent if he takes his time). The second would be to climb from the roof to her top-story windows and pick the lock on one of them.
The green-gray man reaches behind him, not looking, and grabs to bottles, one a light amber and the other so deeply brown it is almost black. Thekla looks at the bartender for a moment, an interested smile creeping onto her lips, as she looks back at Cassian, looking at the rogue more intently for a bit before she speaks.
"Over the years I've had to do it all. I try to not play the part of a heavy, you wouldn't believe what you have to do to make someone believe that you will hurt them without actually hurting them when 'ya'll just a gal'."
"Nowadays, most of the jobs I shepherd are of the 'not seen' variety." A rolling shrug, "Which is probably why the boys at the door directed you to me instead of one of the others." She takes a small drink from her booze. As she does so, her sleeve falls down a bit and Cassian's keen eyes can pick out a tattoo in a ink so close to her skin color that most people wouldn't be able to pick it out without knowing it should be there.
She really trys to not show the itty-bitty jealousy that she feels when he brings up the beautiful, dark-skinned woman, but Azhar does detect it - she doesn't seem to be letting it affect her decision making. "It would be nice to get to know her better... she really doesn't like to talk about herself much, more suggest things without actually letting you know anything."
Azhar smiles a small genuine smile. "So when are you thinking? Later this afternoon? Maybe tomorrow? Tomorrow might be better, I think, unless you have other plans. I guess we could wait a little longer." he tries to create something of a wistful nature in his demeanor...
bluff:but it's obvious that he's acting and bursts into a broad grin afterwards.
"Chammady... something. It'll come to me. She was at the big party at the mayor's place but cut out before the orgy got started. Don't worry, Tadpole, no one you know participated. Honestly, there was no one left that I wanted to sleep with. That I wasn't already, I mean."
"As for who she is, I'm not really sure. Well, I know she's a noble. I know she's wealthy and well-connected. And I know she has a list of suitors around the block. And now, thanks to you, I know she's packing more magic items than I am. I don't like her, Tarv. She's up to something, and I'm going to find out what."
Cassian is going through the front door, and he will take his time.
Cassian snorts. "Didn't know there was anyone left who thinks ladies can't handle themselves. Actually, I take that back. I can think of one off the top of my head... apparently all combat is based around upper body strength. Doesn't take much of that to plant a blade in someone's liver, and he's seen me do that. Many, many times." Cassian pauses. "Well, not many many. I'm not a psychopath."
He chuckles. "At first, I thought I was going to have to fight you. Gotta admit, I prefer this."
He sifts through any bowls of nuts or other snacks, selects one, and hands it to Rygel. "So what's with the tattoo? And do you have more of them?"
"Where are Bisby's notes? Perhaps once we have freed Westcrown I can look further into Jaytirian's secrets, but I think for now our priorities must remain here." Azhar's fingers touch the wayfinder, Coriana's wayfinder, in something approaching a caress. It is quite possible that he actually is considering disappearing into the Expanse once he considers his current duties here complete, inhospitable as the description of the jungle morass may have been. "How complete do you think their study of Jaytirian may have been?" Azhar seems very focused on the spirit. Almost intrigued, even beyond the subject matter at hand. How long has it been since he and his brother wandered into Westcrown to ensure a friend safe passage? "My brother and I were
Just about to head into the depths of Sargava and the Mwangi Expanse when we we're sidetracked here. I may yet meet up with him later, assuming he has decided to continue on without me."
"Dontalus probably has his notes." Smoke Coriana's head cocks. "Or maybe Ilnerik has them, I mean he is the scribe."
"If Ilnerik has them..." a shrug. "Dontalus and Ilnerik started fighing a month or so ago and Ilnerik just dissappeared last week."
Fire -15,-33,-43,-46,-83, -98 (dead)
Nun2 -64 (-10 hp) stable
nun3 -73 (very dead)
nun4 -67 (-15 hp) dying
nun5 -59 (-6) stable
nun6 -73 (very dead)
Azhar -0
Cassian -0
Gravlax -0
Zsz -0 (-2 CON, -7 addl' HP)
Fiosa -1/23
Mathalen -0/40
Tarvi doesn't stop, but there is a momentarily pause in her step as she looks at Zsz with sharp, sapphire eyes. The smile that steals over her is a happy, friendly one. "I think I may be a little slower to jump into bed than some people in our little group, but there is someone who has just gotten back to Westcrown that I wouldn't mind getting to know better."
Zsz's answering smile is extremely high-wattage. "Oh, I'm glad," she says happily. "So ... should getting to know each other better involve something along the lines of dinner and a show, or something more along the lines of packing a lunch and breaking into abandoned buildings until we find something interesting?"
Vitti doesn't smile, but he straightens, his body inflating slightly with some positive emotion. "I am always pleased when people positively recommend my work. How much of a modification to your abode were you hoping for?"
"The extent of them depends someone on the expense involved, I'm sad to say," Zsz admits. "I was hoping to give it much more of a 'natural cavern' feel. I don't sleep well unless it's completely dark. But my funds for doing so are, alas, not limitless." She thinks for a moment. "A lock on the bathroom door that cannot be opened from the outside would also be nice."
Then, very politely, "Maybe later, if you would like, I can show you were there are some boutiques that make clothing that would be similar to the attire you like and light enough not to weigh you down." Suddenly realizing that could be taken as offensive, she quickly explains, "Not that you don't have a fine, attractive body that you should be proud of, but it did seem to distract... some of the others when the death eater dropped you."
"Why, thank you, Fiosa, I do appreciate it, but solving the problem with magic is half the point. I shall simply have to endeavor not to fall unconscious again." She thinks for a moment. "I suppose if it was very distracting, it might be a sensible precaution to buy some lingerie, though. Do the boutiques cover that? We could shop for some together!"
"Was that a death eater? I didn't even see the tattoo. My, they are everywhere, aren't they?"
It is quite possible that he actually is considering disappearing into the Expanse once he considers his current duties here complete, inhospitable as the description of the jungle morass may have been. "How complete do you think their study of Jaytirian may have been?" Azhar seems very focused on the spirit. Almost intrigued, even beyond the subject matter at hand. How long has it been since he and his brother wandered into Westcrown to ensure a friend safe passage? "My brother and I were just about to head into the depths of Sargava and the Mwangi Expanse when we we're sidetracked here. I may yet meet up with him later, assuming he has decided to continue on without me."
"Friendly warning if you do," Zsz says to Azhar sotto voce. "Jaytirian's one of those areas that is simply rife with cannibals. Unpleasant people, really."