Desdemona frowned, a line appearing between her brows as she studied the mural once more. "Was it his city? Perhaps he inhabited this place much as any common criminal inhabits the low places of a normal city." She felt oddly drawn to the shadowy landscape.
"In any case, you're quite right, Broom. Cutting the Tatterman's tether to the world ought to have stopped such... such breaches. It suggests that there are other smoke-spewers out there - here in town, to be more precise."
Desdemona couldn't come up with any more information about the city off the top of her head, though she did recall Zandalus talking about "the spires of lost Carcosa, where black stars hang in the heavens, where the shadows of men's thoughts lengthen in the afternoon, when the the twin suns sink into the Lake of Hali.... [and] the sound of the shadows blotting out that yellow sky, as the Tatterman walks behind."
Desdemona muttered the words to herself a few times, unaware she was doing it, as she lookud upon the mural.
Reine just nodded in response to Broom's question, and gently nudged Des when the other began obviously muttering. She did her best to make the nudge circumspect. She'd picked up on the "don't embarrass yourself in public" vibe Des had been radiating lately.
Desdemona blinked at Reine's gentle nudge, surfacing from her sea of thoughts once more. "Carcosa! I mean... ahem. I don't believe we shall learn more at this juncture from viewing this... mural. Shall we proceed to speak with the nobles?"
John thanks the dwarf for the weapons and information.
"I bid you good day and you are most welcome for the fair trade."
He takes his leave of the shop and begins walking the streets.
He is headed for the temple, but keeping an eye out for his companions.
Broom, Desdemona, and Reine headed for the Silver Wagon to talk to Nasmith's nobles. "Prob'ly better if I don't go with you," he muttered before sheepishly taking a left at an intersection to leave the trio to their own devices.
The group made their way east and north through the middle of the village, still drawing the occasional stare. They passed the Builders' Hall, a sturdy and elegant two-story edifice among the much smaller houses. No one bothered them, though, and they were soon standing in front of a well maintained building with a silver wagon painted over the front door. It was much larger and more well appointed than the Stain, likely drawing a more upscale clientele than the town's other tavern.
Entering Thrushmoor's only inn, the group found themselves in a large, comfortable common room with large fireplaces on both ends. There were several scattered tables filling the open space and a few comfortable couches and plush chairs around the fireplaces at each end of the room.
A man and a woman were sitting on a couch at the west end of the room, both holding delicate cups of coffee and with a scattering of remaining pastries on a silver tray on the coffee table nearby. Both were dressed much more nicely than the average Thrushmoor resident and at a guess, were either nobles or wealthy merchants.
John retraced his steps past the Sleepless Building and then back east. He passed a bustling building that smelled strongly of fish, smoke, and salt- the Smokehouse. Further down the street, the town's chapel turned out to be a large, two-story wooden building that looked empty.
Just north of the street were a pair of small cabins painted in a similar white wash, possibly residences for the chapel's staff.
John approaches the chapel, bows his head respectfully for a moment, and steps inside to see if anyone is around.
"Hello?"
Reine gave the couple a quick once-over, then began looking over the room, making sure there weren't any less-obvious threats visible.
The actual approach to the strangers, she left to Desdemona.
...or Broom, whichever of the smaller women wound up speaking first.
Broom waved at Nasmith as he left "Goodbye! And if you drop by the Agency later today We can clean and mend your clothes for you!"
"He seemed nice, We wonder why John didn't want us to talk to him yesterday." she mused as the man disappeared into the village.
Inside Broom took in the common room with avid curiosity. It was opulent compared to any of the other places she had stayed since waking up and she felt a little out of place standing there in her traveling clothes holding her broom.
But still, it was a wonderful place to experience and she happily took a table near where the nobles were sitting. She still wasn't entirely certain why they wanted to talk to them other than it seemed that things may have started happening shortly after they arrived.
Despite not knowing precisely what to ask about, to Broom's limited knowledge she had never met a noble before and she had so many questions about what it was like and what they did and so was quite eager to strike up a conversation if Des didn't.
While Broom felt out of place, Desdemona had relaxed a bit as she stepped inside. She felt more at home than she had in the rest of the town, despite the unfortunate déclassé nature of the building.
She glanced at Broom and Reine, but when she realized that they didn't intend to initiate the conversation, she nodded decisively and strode over to the strangers.
"My pardon. Might we join you?" she asked, her tone indicating that the question was a mere formality before her intent. "I believe we may have some matters of interest to discuss."
John approaches the chapel, bows his head respectfully for a moment, and steps inside to see if anyone is around.
"Hello?"
The chapel was deceptively large, and besides the sanctuary there were offices and an infirmary that looked like it could provide healing, palliative care, and other services. Unfortunately it didn't take long for John to figure out the building was empty. The place just had the feel of emptiness.
As John made his way back to the door, he saw someone outside, coming in- a dark haired half-elf with a paint-spattered canvas bag thrown over his shoulder pulling a small wagon of painting and plastering tools. John had noticed that the sanctuary was adorned with what looked like new frescoes depicting the Lady of Graves pronouncing prophecies, judging the dead in the Boneyard, and a half-finished one of Pharasma overseeing births like a divine midwife in the sky.
The man didn't seem to notice John as he wrestled the heavily laden wagon up the couple of steps to the front door.
"My pardon. Might we join you?" she asked, her tone indicating that the question was a mere formality before her intent. "I believe we may have some matters of interest to discuss."
Both of the nobles looked up at Desdemona's interruption. The woman looked Desdemona up and down and Des had the distinct feeling her entire ensemble had been considered and appraised in half a second- it was not an entirely unfamiliar feeling. "I don't believe we do," she said sardonically.
The man snorted and stood politely. "Don't be tiresome, Deirdre." He nodded at Des, almost a quarter bow from the shoulders. "Paitr Conel, Lord Fearna, and Deirdre Naoise, Lady Usnech. We are pleased to make the acquaintance of a local woman of substance, Lady...?"
"Lord Fearna, Lady Usnech. A pleasure."
:D
"You don't know me? I'm sure you know Count Lowls," Desdemona said after introducing herself, skirting the matter of her family name. "In fact, he's the reason I've come to see you. Well, at least, part of the reason. But let me introduce my associates. This is miss Reine, and this is Doctor Broom."
She seated herself primly, smoothing her skirt. "I shan't take too much of your time, rest assured. I should merely like to hear what you know of the Count, and why you are here."
The shadows seemed to shift in her presence, but she maintained her calm facade while keeping an eye on them obliquely.
LOL
Paitr smiled at Desdemona, pausing on halfway down into his seat. "Well! Count Lowls is exactly why we're here! I'm studying at Lepidstadt and came to speak to the Count about his collection of a certain artifact from the Bay. It's quite exciting." Lady Usnech- Deirdre- visibly rolled her eyes, clearly not as excited. Paitr either didn't notice or was used to her expressions and ignored it.
"But your Count, Lady, seems to have disappeared. No one has been able to tell us when he'll be back. Can you tell us when he'll be back? As much as I enjoy your... quaint little town, I'd much rather not cool my heels in an inn when we could just go home and come back."
Desdemona's polite expression soured a bit into a slight grimace at Paitr referring to Thrushmoor as "her" town. At least, that was part of the reason for her expression. The fishing village having anything to do with her was overshadowed by the whispers in her mind. Why was the darkness telling her this?
The sly silence in the dark, empty corners of her mind, on the other hand, told her nothing.
"Yes, the Count has taken it upon himself to retire to the country for a time, just as we, too, were coming to meet him. I imagine he'll be quite some time. It would be a pity for you to have come so far and failed to reach your objective, however. Perhaps we might be of some small assistance?" She blinked at Paitr with all the waifish charm she could manage, without specifying how they might help the two, but leaving it open for Paitr to explain what he was after, if he was dull enough to do so.
And all the while, she was aware of the dark behind her eyelids, whispering to itself from one mind to another.
Broom sat for a moment at the table she had picked out and stared off into the distance as she cast her mind out into the sea of thought bubbles looking for anything she could find on how to approach nobility.
She was pleasantly surprised to find useful thoughts on the subject in amongst the background of gripes about taxes and general opinions about their laziness.
Seeing Des make the first move, she smoothed out her clothes and followed along. When introduced as Doctor Broom she smiled brightly and waved for a moment before remembering her manners and taking a serious demeanor and giving a curtsy, though the smile returned shortly thereafter.
She got the impression that he didn't much care for Thrushmoor from the tone of his voice, but that was OK. "Thrushmoor must be small compared to your own estates. Where are your lands?" she asked with genuine curiosity. "What are you studying at Lepidstadt? Count Lowel's find must be quite remarkable if you came all the way over here to have a look at it."
John steps out to the door of the chapel and says "Hello friend."
"I was just looking for the priests. Would you happen to know where they might be?"
"Yes, the Count has taken it upon himself to retire to the country for a time, just as we, too, were coming to meet him. I imagine he'll be quite some time. It would be a pity for you to have come so far and failed to reach your objective, however. Perhaps we might be of some small assistance?" She blinked at Paitr with all the waifish charm she could manage, without specifying how they might help the two, but leaving it open for Paitr to explain what he was after, if he was dull enough to do so.
And all the while, she was aware of the dark behind her eyelids, whispering to itself from one mind to another.
"Oh? Do you work with the Count in his studies?" Paitr smiled at Desdemona but she could hear the whiff of condescension behind his words.
She got the impression that he didn't much care for Thrushmoor from the tone of his voice, but that was OK. "Thrushmoor must be small compared to your own estates. Where are your lands?" she asked with genuine curiosity. "What are you studying at Lepidstadt? Count Lowel's find must be quite remarkable if you came all the way over here to have a look at it."
Deirdre groaned. "Ugh, you have no idea. We're both from Ardeal," the former capital county, home to the oldest noble families in Ustalav, "and my father's lands make this..."
Paitr spoke over Deirdre to answer Broom's other questions. His companion rolled her eyes again, apparently used to the interruptions and looking more amused than annoyed. "Oh yes. According to one of his papers he pulled a tablet out of a ruin at the bottom of Avalon Bay, covered in Aklo, Draconic, and another unidentified language. Fascinating stuff." He gestured at himself. "I study ancient languages, myself. Magical translation always loses something, don't you think? Much better to actually learn the language for yourself. It's the only way to really understand something. Unfortunately the Count refused to share the tablet with the University, so here I am."
LMAO
Desdemona smiled at him, trying not to let her instant ire flash in her eyes. "All of us are associates of the Count, yes. If you tell us about your field of interest in the tablet, perhaps we could be of aid to you." She slipped into Aklo, adding, <"There is much that might be said in private, don't you think?"> The shadows around her shifted visibly, in unnatural ways.
Bleh.
Reine didn't like these two. Maybe it was the pomposity, or the flat-out condescension. She didn't think either of them were lying, she just... something about them bothered her. So, of course, she gave the man a wide smile.
Broom was convinced that Lady Deirdre did not like Thrushmoor, but that was OK. She stared off into the distance for a moment as she sought out any information on Ardeal
She was a little disappointed that she wasn't able to find any information on the place, but it did sound very interesting. She was about to ask who Deirdre's father was when she was pleasantly surprised by the shift to her other language.
She paused for a moment, she didn't know if Derdre could speak Aklo and it would be rude if she continued talking in a language that not everyone might know. For a brief second she considered offering the use of the incense so everyone could converse more easily, but then remembered it was in the pack she had given to John.
"Well, We don't see why the Count would want to keep such a great find to himself. Maybe We can convince him to let you see it. We wouldn't mind seeing it Ourselves. Oh! You said he wrote a paper about it? Did he say anything else interesting about it or where he found it? You said it came from the bottom of the lake, in some ruins?"
Broom's voice suddenly became wistful as she stared off for a moment and asked to nobody in particular "We wonder how he did that, explored the ruins under the water and got the tablet. Down in the depths, surrounded by the darkness and the sounds. Wrapped in the water..." her voice trailed off.
Desdemona smiled at him, trying not to let her instant ire flash in her eyes. "All of us are associates of the Count, yes. If you tell us about your field of interest in the tablet, perhaps we could be of aid to you." She slipped into Aklo, adding, <"There is much that might be said in private, don't you think?"> The shadows around her shifted visibly, in unnatural ways.
Paitr's smile widened in what seemed to be genuine delight. "A fellow scholar! Goodness, your pronounciation is so... my goodness. Wherever did you learn your Aklo? It's quite... well, good."
Broom's voice suddenly became wistful as she stared off for a moment and asked to nobody in particular "We wonder how he did that, explored the ruins under the water and got the tablet. Down in the depths, surrounded by the darkness and the sounds. Wrapped in the water..." her voice trailed off.
The young Lord Fearna looked at Broom, surprise evident on his face. "And yours! I've never heard it spoken with such... excitement. That was amazing! Have you had access to one of those Darklands creatures? The way we learn it at the University is... ah, <We can learn much better way of formal language>." Paitr's Aklo was stilted and almost childish compared to the way it just flowed off of Desdemona's tongue and how Broom was able to virtually dance around the tongue-twisting words.
Paitr chuckled. "My written and reading comprehension is significantly better than my spoken language, I assure you." He looked back and forth from Broom to Desdemona. "Do you have access to Iris Hill? I would be happy to speak in private, even moreso if you could show us the tablet."
John steps out to the door of the chapel and says "Hello friend."
"I was just looking for the priests. Would you happen to know where they might be?"
The painter shook his head. "I wish I did. I haven't seen her in almost two weeks! I tried to tell the constable up at the fort but I'm from out of town and they wouldn't listen to me. I talked to the Sleepless Agency but I don't have any money to hire an investigator. Miss Wrentz said she'd look into it but it's been weeks and I haven't seen anyone come around from them."
He shook his head and wiped his hand on his paint-spattered coveralls. "I'm sorry, I didn't even introduce myself. I'm Lelwyn Hasok." The half-elven man put out a hand to shake. "They hired me to paint these frescoes but I've kind of been taking care of the place since Trilliss went missing."
"If you need ministering, I could talk to you. I'm a follower and some people say I'm a good listener. Do you want some coffee? Here, sit down and we can talk." To be honest, he seemed kind of like he wanted someone to talk to. If he was from out of town and didn't know anyone other than the priestess he must be scared and anxious himself.
The only language Reine spoke other than the common tongue was a dark and guttural language that she hadn't yet found anywhere else in her wanderings since awakening in the basement cells of the asylum. She wasn't sure what it was, other than to have a strong feeling that it was spoken by someone she both feared and hated, but she really didn't know who or why.
What she did know is that she had no idea what Desdemona, Broom, and the arrogant nobleman were saying. Which led to her eyes narrowing, and her features going flat.
She didn't need to know what was being said, but she did need to be alert, in case the words led to blows or some other danger. So she slipped into "alert" mode, which wasn't her most polite and engaging setting, but since she wasn't actually talking, that was probably OK.
Paitr's smile widened in what seemed to be genuine delight. "A fellow scholar! Goodness, your pronounciation is so... my goodness. Wherever did you learn your Aklo? It's quite... well, good."
Broom's voice suddenly became wistful as she stared off for a moment and asked to nobody in particular "We wonder how he did that, explored the ruins under the water and got the tablet. Down in the depths, surrounded by the darkness and the sounds. Wrapped in the water..." her voice trailed off.The young Lord Fearna looked at Broom, surprise evident on his face. "And yours! I've never heard it spoken with such... excitement. That was amazing! Have you had access to one of those Darklands creatures? The way we learn it at the University is... ah, <We can learn much better way of formal language>." Paitr's Aklo was stilted and almost childish compared to the way it just flowed off of Desdemona's tongue and how Broom was able to virtually dance around the tongue-twisting words.
Paitr chuckled. "My written and reading comprehension is significantly better than my spoken language, I assure you." He looked back and forth from Broom to Desdemona. "Do you have access to Iris Hill? I would be happy to speak in private, even moreso if you could show us the tablet."
Desdemona, somewhat mollified by Paitr's respect for her elocution - even though it came from knowing a language that she had the suspicion was flowing from the darkness through her mind - and where did Broom's knowledge come from? What caused that shadowy tracing of veins in her eyes, and under her skin? - smiled politely and switched back to Taldane, her focus slightly to the left of his eyes as she kept the shadows under observation. "We've been away from Thrushmoor for a time, and have not yet had the opportunity to return to Iris Hill. Once we've been to the estate and seen to the arrangements, I believe we might invite you to come and visit." Her gaze refocused, and fell on Deirdre. "If you wouldn't find it too tiresome, of course."
She had no real idea of what they might find at Iris Hill, but she was quite certain that whomever might occupy it now, they would bend to the will of the group. If nothing else, Reine might scare them off.
Besides, if these nobles accepted, they might learn something of interest from their reactions - not that she had any intention of letting them see whatever tablet the party might find. But something else might be arranged.
Lord Fearna exchanged a brief, unreadable look with Lady Usnech before turning his smile back on Desdemona. "Of course, Lady Lowls. That's exactly why we're here. We would be more than happy to be your guests at Iris Hill once you've had time to make arrangements. And please, be our guests here tonight for dinner and cards. We are absolutely starved for good conversation in this town."
Deirdre rolled her eyes and muttered "Speak for yourself" under her breath but didn't take back Paitr's invitation.
"Oh, thank you for the offer, but we wouldn't wish to impose," Desdemona smiled sweetly in Dierdre's direction, choosing not to correct their impression of her family name - for all she knew, she WAS related to that reprobate. "In addition, my associates and I have business we simply must attend to. Once we've had a chance to return to the estate, we shall arrange for your visit as soon as possible."
Rising, Desdemona smoothed her dress and excused the group from the nobles' presence. "It was certainly lovely to meet you, Lord Fearna, Lady Usnech. I bid you a good day."
***
Once outside, Desdemona asked the others quietly, "Well. Wasn't that odd? But at least we know that our reputations do not precede us for all the people of... well, outside Thrushmoor. I imagine we should look for that tablet once we arrive at Iris Hill. In the meantime, perhaps we should gather up John and be about our other business."
She eyed Broom, wondering as she had before whether she should question the woman about their shared language... but once more, she decided against it.
"Good afternoon." John says extending his hand.
"I'm John."
"Good to meet you Lelwyn."
After greeting the man he continues.
"I was looking for the priest to see if there was a source of healing magic available, but it's probably important news that the priest has been missing for two weeks."
"I'd love some coffee and I'd be interested to hear what you know about what is happening in town. I've only been here for a day or so and it sounds like there's been trouble."
Broom brightened up at the invitation and was about to accept when Des politely declined. "That is true, we do have things we need to do this evening. Perhaps if we finish early?" she added hopefully.
"We will see if We can get you an audience when we can."
She got up when Des did "It was nice meeting you". Just as she turned to go she remembered her manners and turned back to give the couple a brief curtsy before leaving.
...
"They were nice, but We don't think Lady Dierdre likes being here. Maybe they would invite us to visit their lands."
She nodded at Des' suggestion and followed along.
Reine, who hadn't bothered to sit in the first place, didn't bother to bow, either. Instead, she merely remained standing and kept both nobles quite openly in her line of sight as her companions each said their good byes and took their leave. Once Desdemona and Broom were at the door, Reine gave each of the nobles a polite nod - the closest she was likely to come to a bow - took three steps backwards, then turned and walked to the door herself. She preceded the smaller women out the door.
*****
"We probably shouldn't be leaving any one of us alone for too long," she said. "Where do you think we should look?"
"Good afternoon." John says extending his hand.
"I'm John."
"Good to meet you Lelwyn."
After greeting the man he continues.
"I was looking for the priest to see if there was a source of healing magic available, but it's probably important news that the priest has been missing for two weeks."
"I'd love some coffee and I'd be interested to hear what you know about what is happening in town. I've only been here for a day or so and it sounds like there's been trouble."
Lelwyn frowned. "Sorry I can't offer you healing. There may be potions in the infirmary but I don't have the keys to it, I can only get in here and the cabins."
He gestured at the closest pew. [b]"Here, sit." The half-elven painter went back to his wagon and pulled out thick clay jug and a more delicately made mug, then returned to John, sitting down in the pew in front of John and pouring steaming black coffee out of the carafe into the mug and holding it out to the Briarstone survivor.
"Well, to be honest, I don't really know for sure. It's kind of a jumble. I don't talk to many people- they're not too friendly- and what I've heard is weird, so I might be misunderstanding."
"I've heard people have gone missing, kidnapped right off the streets. People are blaming these creepy murals all over town. Some people are talking about a witch? I'm not really sure about that, but I've heard people saying a witch was going to come and snatch everyone right out of their beds." Lelwyn shook his head. "There's a crazy man walking the streets shouting that to anyone who will listen. Have you seen him? With a sandwich board sign and everything."
Broom, Des, and Reine retraced John's steps through the High Mart, then to Binter's Smithy, and then back through town to the Pharasmin New Chapel. They found John having a pleasant conversation with a half-elf in paint and plaster-spattered overalls in the chapel's sanctuary.
John found that Lelwyn confirmed everything Cesadia Wrentz had told them- the Count had abandoned the town, the militia was gone, people were going missing, townsfolk were scared the Briarstone Witch was going to return and sweep them all up with her magic. His sources were significantly less solid than hers were, though, and it all came through the lens of an anxious man who had been abandoned by the only person he knew in town. As far as Lelwyn was concerned, the whole town was a hearbeat away from disaster and as a stranger he was doing his best to keep from drawing any attention to himself.
As an artist, could Lelwyn tell John anything about the murals around town?
Broom was disappointed that they were in such a rush to find John. She would have loved to browse through all the stores at the market and admire the fancy items at the smithy. Still she enjoyed the walk through town, seeing all the people going about their work and at least glimpsing all the wonderful things that were on offer.
Once they arrived at the temple she eagerly took her magical pack back before introducing herself to Lelwyn. "Hello, We are Broom. Your work is very nice."She said, admiring the mural in progress. "Do you need any help?"
Upon hearing of the disappearance of the priestess she frowned "Well, We were asked to investigate the missing people, and the priestess was mentioned back at the agency. We should have a look around since we are already here and see if we can find anything. Don't you agree?"
Broom began having a look around the building, admiring all the artwork and iconography as she did. Beyond knowing that the church was dedicated to Pharasma, she didn't have any idea what the symbolism meant.
She poked around, looking for anything unusual, but as time went on the biggest thing she noticed was that the place hadn't been cleaned in a while. Her search started to turn into a spring cleaning as she took out a rag and duster and began tending to the pews and altar while commenting on the state of the windows.
Desdemona greeted Lelwyn politely enough, but as was her wont, she was distracted by the dark places in the church. She wasn't quite paranoid enough to draw her glowing dagger, but her attention plainly wasn't on the painter, nor was she absorbed by the religious imagery as Broom was.
:D
As she walked about, daintily sidestepping any pools of shadow she saw, she took in the church from a side she hadn't expected. The darkness behind her eyelids whispered to her, and she shivered, her smile frozen stiff as congealed lava.
When John brought the conversation around to the strange murals, Lelwyn shook his head. "It's not any medium I know. It almost looks like someone managed to capture shadows and stick them to walls. They're not painted or drawn, they're totally flat, just pure color. To be honest, it's kind of amazing. It has to be magic, right?"
***
Once they arrived at the temple she eagerly took her magical pack back before introducing herself to Lelwyn. "Hello, We are Broom. Your work is very nice."She said, admiring the mural in progress. "Do you need any help?"
"Help?" Lelwyn perked up at the idea. "Are you an artist, too? I don't need any help but I'd be happy to work with someone. Since Trilliss, um, disappeared I've barely had anyone to talk to. Do you want to help? Because I could come up with something for you to do, for sure." Again, the lonely half-elf seemed almost desperate just to have someone to talk to.
Upon hearing of the disappearance of the priestess she frowned "Well, We were asked to investigate the missing people, and the priestess was mentioned back at the agency. We should have a look around since we are already here and see if we can find anything. Don't you agree?"
Broom began having a look around the building, admiring all the artwork and iconography as she did. [dice=kn(everything)]1d20 Beyond knowing that the church was dedicated to Pharasma, she didn't have any idea what the symbolism meant.
[dice=perception]1d20+4She poked around, looking for anything unusual, but as time went on the biggest thing she noticed was that the place hadn't been cleaned in a while. Her search started to turn into a spring cleaning as she took out a rag and duster and began tending to the pews and altar while commenting on the state of the windows.
Lelwyn didn't object to them looking around, but as he apologetically reiterated, he didn't have the keys to the infirmary, or the priestess's office or chambers, only the main sanctuary area. There wasn't much to see in the chapel's large, half-painted sanctuary. It was relatively new, and the pews and other furniture were recently made, but there wasn't a lot to see there.
Broom enthusiastically accepted Lelwyn's offer and proceeded to chat with him while performing whatever tasks he had for as long as the group was willing to remain.
She asked him about a myriad of topics such as where he got his paint, where he was from, why he chose green instead of blue over there, if he had any siblings, what else he had painted, if he was a follower of Pharasma, why the priestess had chosen him, what were his brushes made of and so on.
She did also ask the group "Can anyone open a locked door? Xander might still be with the others, maybe we can ask him to help open the doors."
Desdemona, not used to being thwarted (at least, she didn't think she was), edged closer to the locked doors - and the shadow, as she had hoped, fell upon them.
"I'm good with locks, but I'm not sure that I'm okay with breaking and entering in a church." John says to Broom.
"We have already entered the church and we aren't breaking anything, just opening a lock. We are investigating. We are official investigators asked to investigate the disappearance of the priestess, so opening a lock to see if there are any clues about her disappearance is OK, right?"
"Okay, but we're not taking anything." John says.
"This town already thinks we're a bunch of thugs and bullies. I don't want a reputation as a thief to go along with that."
John tries to open the door to the priest's office.
"Seems locked pretty tight...."
Reine gave the painter a hard look, but didn't find anything particularly untrustworthy about him, so she looked around the church. Some of the iconography struck something in her - not a memory, exactly, but...
Without realizing it, Reine began to hum to herself. As she looked around the room, taking in the painting and the icons, the humming grew louder, and gradually, without her seeming to be aware of it, Reine began to sing. It was a hymn. A long, beautiful, haunting, and slightly disturbing hymn to Pharasma, in her guise as the goddess of death and judgement. Reine sang it, standing before the altar, with her eyes closed. Her voice rose clear and enchanting, musical and captivating, for all that she was merely one woman, unaccompanied, in a mostly-empty chapel.
As the song wound to a close, Reine's voice faded into silence, and she stood still, eyes closed, with a slight, soft smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
The lonely half-elf painter enthusiastically talked to Broom about painting and his implements, Pharasma (he was a follower), his family (he was from Cortaud, in Lozeri County, and had two sisters and several nieces and nephews), and leaped at the chance to go get a couple of canvases from his cabin to show the group.
John had just decided he couldn't get the door unlocked when Lelwyn came back in the chapel's front door with a pair of pictures to show the group. The half-elf just caught the tail end of Reine's song and his eyes were big as he stood in the doorway. "Sweet Mother, that was incredible! Are you in the choir?"
Desdemona's shadow returned to her almost guiltily as it subtly reattached itself to her feet while Lelwyn stared at Reine.
Broom stopped peering at John as he worked and turned in surprise to listen to Reine's performance. She grinned and clapped at the conclusion "That was great! You should sing more often. Do you think you were a follower of Pharasma? You are tall and stern, just like the pictures here, and you know her hymns too!"
She then had a look at the pictures the Lelwyn brought in, admiring each and asking questions about the subjects.
At the applause and plaudits, Reine looked startled, then frowned. She seemed mildly discomfited by the attention.
"I... I don't know," she said, not quite snapping. "I'm not... it just... sometimes music just happens."
Desdemona, for once distracted by something other than the darkness, stared at Reine with an expression of rapture. Her song had nearly moved the woman to tears, though she couldn't say why, other than its melodic beauty.
She slowly sat in one of the pews, her breath taken away.