Tollard puts some of the shellfish on his plate, and takes a bit of chowder. His small stature makes him a light eater. He looks to see if Orla joins him at the table, also keeping an eye out for Kemmen or any other friends who may be around at the mealtime.
Zadkiel notes a large man surrounded by a knot of other men talking by the sawing shed
Zadkiel taps Tsun on the arm and points, "Pretty sure that's our man."
Myriana was disappointed, but not surprised, that Tsun, Annabelle, and Zad had moved on without her. She felt kind of bad about that, she didn't mean to ge...."What's that meow?" A marching band of tiny constructs caught her attention as it went strutting by, the banner proclaiming a shop Annabelle would like to see. Her mind suddenly made up, and distracted again from her boring and strenuous task of going to the lumber yard, Myriana began to follow the band, hoping they would lead her to the store so she could tell Anna about it later.
The tiny parade ends up traipsing down a side street, The street plaque reads 'Lower Jewel''. They troupe to a shop with a cog-shaped sign bearing the legend 'Gnorolio's'. The small band files into a small door set within the larger door, disappearing from view.
"Sure," she says to Alyse as the two set off through the crowd in the direction of St. Cuthbert's, sipping their Kaveh.
“It’s not far,” comments Alyse. “Hopefully we get there without running into anything that might make us spill our Kaveh.”
The two walk up to the grey stone edifice of St Cuthbert's. Brother Tilner, a priest Alyse is familiar with, welcomes her and Calita inside
"Please! Come have some lunch!"
Inside several people are eating, including a solemn young man and a quiet dwarf woman
Alyse smiles mock sweetly at Brother Tilner then heads inside. “Well, that was easy,” she whispers to Calita. It does occur to Alyse that maybe she’s been slightly unfair in her opinion of the brothers of St. Cuthbert. Although she implied to Calita that she was kicked out of the lodging house for having a paying job, it was more that having a source of income gave her a chance to leave. She found the constant chores somewhat mind numbing. Working at the Lightning Guild is certainly more exciting and challenging – but it’s also more dangerous, and you never really know if you are going to make enough jink to have a kip and hot meal at the end of the day.
In the dining room, Alyse looks about, searching for familiar faces.
Estevan looks concerned for a moment
"I'm sorry, Ser Modron. I didn't mean to upset you. I know that separation from your kind is stressful. My apologies "
He taps a clawed finger to his lapis lips
"I do not know too much about this Modron, save that my organization has employed him to research information in the library several times. He is quite a diligent investigator , and he requires no sleep, so he can usually get the job done in a very quick manner. His name is Olli I believe, and he works out of the Lady's Library near the Court District. "
Not knowing how to comfort Congruence, Sara stands a little closer, hoping her presence will help the modron.
"Well Ser, not everything may ever go as planned, but we are still very gratefull that your donation did."
Sara holds out the letter, unsure if there is any protocol for approaching.
Alyse smiles mock sweetly at Brother Tilner then heads inside. “Well, that was easy,” she whispers to Calita. It does occur to Alyse that maybe she’s been slightly unfair in her opinion of the brothers of St. Cuthbert. Although she implied to Calita that she was kicked out of the lodging house for having a paying job, it was more that having a source of income gave her a chance to leave. She found the constant chores somewhat mind numbing. Working at the Lightning Guild is certainly more exciting and challenging – but it’s also more dangerous, and you never really know if you are going to make enough jink to have a kip and hot meal at the end of the day.
In the dining room, Alyse looks about, searching for familiar faces.
Many of the faces are new to Alyse, but she remembers the solemn halfling Tollard from her stay here
Estevan looks concerned for a moment
"I'm sorry, Ser Modron. I didn't mean to upset you. I know that separation from your kind is stressful. My apologies "
He taps a clawed finger to his lapis lips
"I do not know too much about this Modron, save that my organization has employed him to research information in the library several times. He is quite a diligent investigator , and he requires no sleep, so he can usually get the job done in a very quick manner. His name is Olli I believe, and he works out of the Lady's Library near the Court District. "
Not knowing how to comfort Congruence, Sara stands a little closer, hoping her presence will help the modron.
"Well Ser, not everything may ever go as planned, but we are still very gratefull that your donation did."
Sara holds out the letter, unsure if there is any protocol for approaching.
Estevan takes the letter and nods gracefully to Sara
"While I enjoy helping others, it is always nice to be recognized for ones actions"
He looks the two over appraising lay
"Have you two considered your plans for life after St Cuthbert's? The Planar Trade Consortium is always looking for apprentices. We do a lot of cross-planar work, and there's a lot of different specialties. If you're interested, go see Renala Darkthorne in our Apprenticeship Department"
He looks the two over appraising lay
"Have you two considered your plans for life after St Cuthbert's? The Planar Trade Consortium is always looking for apprentices. We do a lot of cross-planar work, and there's a lot of different specialties. If you're interested, go see Renala Darkthorne in our Apprenticeship Department"
Congruence states matter of factly to Estevan, "Meal Donor Estevan, your apologies are acceptable to us."
However, something he says catches the modron's attention and confuses them. "What do you reference by saying 'after St. Cuthbert's'? Will St. Cuthbert's cease existence in the near future?"
Sara stares for a moment at Ser Estevan. Getting an apprenticeship at the planar trading company was the opportunity of a lifetime. Sure, it would be hard work, but you get to travel the planes, see something else than the ratty old cage. So many opportunities....
"..Ah, I ah... I dont know what to say. A thousand times thank you Ser Estevan"
Seeing Congruence his confusion, Sara quickly tries to explain. "Oh no congruence. St. Cuthbert wont go away. But we will grow up. We will find another place to live when we are older so the brothers can help other children."
Myriana was delighted as she realized what this new place was likely called and thought that Annabelle might like it if this cog was any indication. It looked like her kind of place at least. As she thought that she realized that she was supposed to be helping both Ana and Tsun and had gotten separated from them. She looked around in something of a panic and decided that she'd best go find at least one of them. With that in mind she tried to backtrack her route to at least the place where she first saw the little band of constructs march past. finally arriving back at her starting point she then tried to remember where the lumber yard was and how to get there from here.
“Oh, there’s Tollard,” Alyse tells Calita, pointing out a halfling with unruly hair and white eyes. “He’s alright – I don’t think he’ll mind us joining him.”
She walks over to the Tollard’s table, pulls out a chair and sits, waving Calita to do the same. “Tollard, hello,” she says. “It’s Alyse,” she adds, remembering that the halfling doesn’t see that well and not sure if he will recognise her voice. “This is Calita. She’s Cl- , uh, new here.”
Zadkiel notes a large man surrounded by a knot of other men talking by the sawing shedZadkiel taps Tsun on the arm and points, "Pretty sure that's our man."
"Oh, thank you." Tsun strode over and raised a hand in greeting. "Hello, cutters." He smiled a bit, thinking, they're actually cutters. "We're from St. Cuthbert's Lodge for a delivery. We're ready to help whenever you give the go. "
"Alyse, yes, good to see you," Tollard says without a hint of irony. He speaks in her direction, but does not necessarily register actually seeing her. "Please, have a seat. The crab is tasty today. And well-met, Calita. Where do you hail from?" His manner is pleasant, if a bit distant.
Zadkiel notes a large man surrounded by a knot of other men talking by the sawing shedZadkiel taps Tsun on the arm and points, "Pretty sure that's our man.""Oh, thank you." Tsun strode over and raised a hand in greeting. "Hello, cutters." He smiled a bit, thinking, they're actually cutters. "We're from St. Cuthbert's Lodge for a delivery. We're ready to help whenever you give the go. "
The man surrounded is a large fellow, taller even than Tsun. He is dressed in thick leather clothing that has seen a lot of use. A cap with ear flaps sits perched on his long blonde hair and a craggy brown face wreathed in a tangled long salt-and-pepper blonde beard smiles as the two approach
"Good Peak to yeh! And here I was afraid the brothers might send a troupe of scrawny folk!"
The man sticks out a large hand
"Ivar Flatfingers at your service"
Myriana was delighted as she realized what this new place was likely called and thought that Annabelle might like it if this cog was any indication. It looked like her kind of place at least. As she thought that she realized that she was supposed to be helping both Ana and Tsun and had gotten separated from them. She looked around in something of a panic and decided that she'd best go find at least one of them. With that in mind she tried to backtrack her route to at least the place where she first saw the little band of constructs march past. finally arriving back at her starting point she then tried to remember where the lumber yard was and how to get there from here.
[dice=Knowledge (local) to find the lumber mill]1d20+4
Myriana remembers it was on the edge of the ditch, Sigil's giant bay/sewer. She can head through Hellgate to get there
Recalling how to get to the lumberyard from Myriana quickly began to make her way there taking care to watch for trouble along the way. As she went she continued to look at everything around her, the sights and sounds and smells intoxicating. Despite the distractions she was careful to not let herself become sidetracked again.
Myriana walks through the infernally-influenced district quickly. Although the facades of the buildings are fascinating in a gothik fiendish way, few people save for traveller safe on the streets. She does see a large insectile fiend slouch by, its aura radiating a bitter cold. It doesn't pay the young cat folk any mind, as it seems heavily involved with a giant mug of what smells like black Kaveh.
After getting through Hellgate Myriana nears the Dotch. She sees the lumberyard up ahead, and her sharp eyes spot Zadkiel and Tsun talking to a very tall man
Her destination in sight Myriana hurried and reached the spot where Zad and Tsun were. "There you are! Why'd you go off an leave me like that?" She stood with her arms crossed beneath her breasts and a look of annoyance on her face. "I was only gone a minute and then I turned around and then you weren't there and I had to find my way here through the scary fiend infested area on my own meow."
Sara stares for a moment at Ser Estevan. Getting an apprenticeship at the planar trading company was the opportunity of a lifetime. Sure, it would be hard work, but you get to travel the planes, see something else than the ratty old cage. So many opportunities....
"..Ah, I ah... I dont know what to say. A thousand times thank you Ser Estevan"
Ser Estevan smiles
"It is nothing. It is merely an opportunity. Life is filled with them. If you feel as if it would suit you then try. If not, then find your own path. This city holds a million. "
Alyse experimentally digs some crab meat out of a claw with a long black-painted fingernail as she waits for Calita to respond to Tollard.
Zadkiel smiles and readies to introduce himself to Ivar just as Myriana arrives. His smile broadens a bit and his eyes briefly, obviously, play over her form. "I believe that you disappeared on us first, where might you have gone? And, as for the fiends, I'm sure you're the resourceful sort and wouldn't have any trouble with them, they are a pleasant sort."
Calita follows Alyse inside, smiling at the Brother at the door as the pass through.
Taking her cues from her guide, she follows her through the hall and takes a seat opposite the halfing. "Well met," she responds, smiling at the halfling, oblivious to his condition. "Do you live here? Alyse thinks I might be able to get a bed her as I need somewhere to stay. I've only arrived recently from a place called Conchord, although more specifically it was my posting in the city of Gyr that led to the accident which stranded me here."
Grabbing some food from the table, she continues. "So where do you come from? Do you like being here in Sigil?"
Sara stares for a moment at Ser Estevan. Getting an apprenticeship at the planar trading company was the opportunity of a lifetime. Sure, it would be hard work, but you get to travel the planes, see something else than the ratty old cage. So many opportunities....
"..Ah, I ah... I dont know what to say. A thousand times thank you Ser Estevan"
Seeing Congruence his confusion, Sara quickly tries to explain. "Oh no congruence. St. Cuthbert wont go away. But we will grow up. We will find another place to live when we are older so the brothers can help other children."
Congruence appears visibly relieved, which is saying a lot for a modron. "That does make more sense and is more comforting. We are growing and learning much on this day."
They then listen to the exchange between Chore Friend Sara and Meal Donor Estevan. Thinking for a moment, and looking between the two, Congruence speaks up, somewhat unsure about their inquiry, "Meal Donor Estevan, could... an apprentice... travel to Mechanus?"
"You mean you thought that we should have been willing to stand around and wait for you, without your asking, when we're in the middle of an errand." Tsun gives Myriana a look that says Really?
He extends his hand to the foreman. "I'm Tsun. Pleasure to meet you. You cutters on break, or ready to go?"
"I grew up in The Hive," Tollard explains. "Sigil has its good places and its bad places. It's a mixed bag really. I've never been able to compare it to anywhere else."
"What about Gyr? Is it far? I don't think I've ever met anyone from there."
"I think it's a Prime world," Alyse offers, talking out of one side of her mouth as she chews on some crab meat.
"Oh," Tollard says, suddenly more somber. "That is what you meant by being stranded here. I am sorry. That always seems to be hard for people. How long has it been? It's usually not hard to get a bunk here at the lodge. I've been staying here a while now, but if all goes as planned I may be able to get out and get a place of my own." He seems hopeful, but still somewhat distant and spacey.
"You mean you thought that we should have been willing to stand around and wait for you, without your asking, when we're in the middle of an errand." Tsun gives Myriana a look that says Really?
He extends his hand to the foreman. "I'm Tsun. Pleasure to meet you. You cutters on break, or ready to go?"
Ivar grins
"Ready to go! We just got a load of fresh oak from Fraligar, and we've sawn it proper. We just need you cutters to help load it and then ride back with our driver to your kip."
He gestures to a pile of boards by a large shed-like building
"There they are, and here comes the wagon"
A large flat-backed buckboard wagon with two fiendish oxen in the traces pulls up to the pile
"Me and the boys will give you a hand"
They then listen to the exchange between Chore Friend Sara and Meal Donor Estevan. Thinking for a moment, and looking between the two, Congruence speaks up, somewhat unsure about their inquiry, "Meal Donor Estevan, could... an apprentice... travel to Mechanus?"
Estevan smiles at the modron
"Of course! We have interests on all the planes. In fact, should you come work for us, I'm certain your heritage would guarantee you would be sent there as a liaison"
Zadkiel joins in the labor.
Myriana stood there tapping her toe as she looked at Tsun like he was daft and simply replied. "Yep." She looked at Zadkiel then and smiled as she said, "I heard the most amazing music and it lured me into a bar and the guy singing had me sang and read my future and it was fun meow!" As it came time to start the work Myriana did what she could to help though she was a bit distracted at the moment.
"Oh," Tollard says, suddenly more somber. "That is what you meant by being stranded here. I am sorry. That always seems to be hard for people. How long has it been? It's usually not hard to get a bunk here at the lodge. I've been staying here a while now, but if all goes as planned I may be able to get out and get a place of my own." He seems hopeful, but still somewhat distant and spacey.
"Oh?" Alyse looks up in mild interest. "What's your caper?"
Estevan smiles at the modron
"Of course! We have interests on all the planes. In fact, should you come work for us, I'm certain your heritage would guarantee you would be sent there as a liaison"
A muffled chattering emerges from Congruence's backpack, "skreee chitter tsk! ... chitchit? ... rrrrr."
nervous - must warn master! ...
but confused about why worried?? ...
still hungry :(
A muffled chattering emerges from Congruence's backpack, "skreee chitter tsk! ... chitchit? ... rrrrr."
The modron looks confused for a moment and looks to the ground and then to Estevan. Congruence mentally reaches into something he has only done once before... a source of information and data that the modron doesn't understand but for some reason, intuitively trusts.
Congruence bows as Sara did upon their arrival, "Thank you for the kind offer, Meal Donor Estevan. We will thoroughly consider an apprenticeship with your organization."
Congruence nods and then turns to Sara. "Chore Friend Sara, are you ready to return home? Or do you want to go see Renala Darkthorne?"
Sara looks concerned again as Congruence his backpack makes weird noises again.
"Yes Congruence, if its possible I would like to talk to miss Darkthorne"
Sara bows again to Ser Estevan, this time a little deeper. "Thank you again for your donation, and for providing this opportunity. We shall let the abt know about your generosity."
"Conchord is the world I'm from, I guess what you'd call a Prime World as Alyse put it. Axos is the city I was in there, the capital of the Independent Nation of Gyr. I was part of a diplomatic party there, in my own country's embassy." She take a some more food, delighted by the entirely new taste of the crab.
"I've only been here for a little over a week, and sleeping on the street for most of it. Honestly, I'm not all that interested in finding my way home, I never really fit in too well with my own people, that's why I was in Axos in the first place. What I am interested in is finding my friends though, the Gnome and Gargoyle who were involved in the same magical accident as I was. I guess it's entirely possible that I was the only one transported, but knowing Phillius and his experiments, I doubt it."
She sighs. "I'd love to not be beholden to anyone, so finding somewhere to live independently would be absolutely amazing. But finding a steady revenue stream is my first step upon that path. Have you found yourself a job too?"
fumble
As Tsun begins to load the planks he sits his foot badly in one of the ubiquitous puddles that Sigil's irregularly-paved surface sports. He slips, the several planks on his shoulder clattering off and bruising his side as they fall
A muffled chattering emerges from Congruence's backpack, "skreee chitter tsk! ... chitchit? ... rrrrr."
The modron looks confused for a moment and looks to the ground and then to Estevan. Congruence mentally reaches into something he has only done once before... a source of information and data that the modron doesn't understand but for some reason, intuitively trusts.
[dice=Knowledge Local]1d20 + 2
Congruence bows as Sara did upon their arrival, "Thank you for the kind offer, Meal Donor Estevan. We will thoroughly consider an apprenticeship with your organization."
Congruence nods and then turns to Sara. "Chore Friend Sara, are you ready to return home? Or do you want to go see Renala Darkthorne?"
Congruence
Sara looks concerned again as Congruence his backpack makes weird noises again.
"Yes Congruence, if its possible I would like to talk to miss Darkthorne"
Sara bows again to Ser Estevan, this time a little deeper. "Thank you again for your donation, and for providing this opportunity. We shall let the abt know about your generosity."
Estevan smiles at her
"Thank you. If you wish to talk to Lady Darkthorne she is down the hall in an office labeled 'Apprenticeship'. Now, please forgive me, but I have several urgent matters to attend to."
He bows and points them towards Lady Darkthorne's office
"Conchord is the world I'm from, I guess what you'd call a Prime World as Alyse put it. Axos is the city I was in there, the capital of the Independent Nation of Gyr. I was part of a diplomatic party there, in my own country's embassy." She take a some more food, delighted by the entirely new taste of the crab.
"I've only been here for a little over a week, and sleeping on the street for most of it. Honestly, I'm not all that interested in finding my way home, I never really fit in too well with my own people, that's why I was in Axos in the first place. What I am interested in is finding my friends though, the Gnome and Gargoyle who were involved in the same magical accident as I was. I guess it's entirely possible that I was the only one transported, but knowing Phillius and his experiments, I doubt it."
She sighs. "I'd love to not be beholden to anyone, so finding somewhere to live independently would be absolutely amazing. But finding a steady revenue stream is my first step upon that path. Have you found yourself a job too?"
A small child near them perks up and speaks to Calita
"Oi! I sees a gargoyle wots wuz plenty Clueless. 'Ee were beint dragged off to the Prison by some Red Death. Caterwauling an' the like all the way"
Cant:
Tollard has finished eating, but stays to chat with the newcomers. "A bit of irregular work. As a librarian. The cutter can't seem to keep his books dry. I've got my work cut out for me there. I'm hoping it turns into something regular, even though it means I'd have to leave the Lodge. This place has been good to me, but I don't think it should be forever."
When the child speaks up, Tollard pays close attention to Calita's reaction.
Calita nods at Tollard's words, but then turns, her attention fixedly placed upon the small girl at her statement.
"A smallish Gargoyle? Tiny horns and a devilish looking face," she asks excitedly. "You didn't see a Gnome with light blue hair and probably wearing a dirty pocket laden smock as well did you?"
Her attention is now firmly on the young girl, a hopeful look on her face.
Estevan smiles at her
"Thank you. If you wish to talk to Lady Darkthorne she is down the hall in an office labeled 'Apprenticeship'. Now, please forgive me, but I have several urgent matters to attend to."
He bows and points them towards Lady Darkthorne's office
As they turn and walk down the hallway, Congruence turns to Sara, "We are pleased you are inquiring about an apprenticeship. They would be improved by your presence among them." After a pause where the modron processes and calculates their next statement, "Your presence has... improved us greatly, Chore Friend Sara."
"Agh!" Tsun yelps in pain as the boards hit his side. He thins his lips and grunts in frustration at his momentary lack of coordination. He hefts the boards back up on his shoulder and gets back to work.
"Oi! I sees a gargoyle wots wuz plenty Clueless. 'Ee were beint dragged off to the Prison by some Red Death. Caterwauling an' the like all the way"
Alyse turns to look at the child coldly for a moment, eyes narrowed , before turning back to Calita.
“Cutters with wings and horns and such are pretty common in the Cage,” she says. “Even if that story’s true, I wouldn’t assume it’s your friend. What are the odds that magical accident would have sent you all here? It’s a big multiverse …”
Sara has had to be tough on the streets, but somehow this weird metal cube with a face and arms and legs managed to get her all sentimental. Maybe its like the sibling she never had? It does feel a bit like having a little brother. Probably.
"Aw, Congruence, thank you. Your... presence, has greatly improved me too. Chore completion has improved 65% since you started helping out. And I do like our conversations."
Sara does her best to try and expres herself in a way that she things Congruence would understand.
"Hey Congruence, has anybody told you about hugging yet?"
"Oi! I sees a gargoyle wots wuz plenty Clueless. 'Ee were beint dragged off to the Prison by some Red Death. Caterwauling an' the like all the way"
Alyse turns to look at the child coldly for a moment, eyes narrowed , before turning back to Calita.
“Cutters with wings and horns and such are pretty common in the Cage,” she says. “Even if that story’s true, I wouldn’t assume it’s your friend. What are the odds that magical accident would have sent you all here? It’s a big multiverse …”
Alyse looks anxiously at Calita, waiting to see how she will respond.
Calita nods at Tollard's words, but then turns, her attention fixedly placed upon the small girl at her statement.
"A smallish Gargoyle? Tiny horns and a devilish looking face," she asks excitedly. "You didn't see a Gnome with light blue hair and probably wearing a dirty pocket laden smock as well did you?"
Her attention is now firmly on the young girl, a hopeful look on her face.
The young kid shakes her head.
"Naw, but the gargoyle wuz a small 'un. That's true"