Teodor nods and smiles as d'Bear speaks, then nods to Davalus. [B]"Besides, I'm not at liberty to disclose my source. Diabolists have a ...poor history with whistle-blowers."
Selwyn nods at her dismissal and instead heads back over towards the meeting waiting for a proper moment to enter and watch over the procedings.
"Very well, then, it's agreed," Kroft says. "I'll institute a low-level curfew: no one into or out of the city, or moving between districts, after dark each night. The Guard will need to be out in force anyway. Does anyone have anything else they'd like to propose...?" As she waits for an answer, Selawyn slips into the door.
No one seems thrilled about the Asmodeans' terms, but no one objects either. Kroft bites her lip, then nods. "Alright, then," she says, "Thank you all for coming, and for volunteering your temple's resources--what you have--to fighting this plague. I certainly appreciate it, and you can rest assured that your city thanks you. Now, let's all go about getting this thing under control. If you need me, you know where to reach me. Dismissed!"
A couple of the more light-hearted clerics grin at her treatment of them like soldiers, though Leroung smiles wryly and d'Bear just looks miffed. As Teodor and Korriban reunite with Selawyn, Kroft strides over to join you and says, "Come back to me tomorrow--I'm sure I'll have work for you, with all that's going on." She grimaces, then gives you a curt nod and heads away.
Doctor Davaulus still seems to be looking your way with interest, but he's distracted by the approach of one of his Physicians, and begins an animated conversation with that man about where and how they can begin setting up hospices. Ishani also heads across the room to join you.
"Thank you so much for escorting me, and for beating back some of that crowd that was gathered outside the Vault," he says, giving you a little bow. "I would like to remain here to talk with my colleagues for a little while, but I don't want to detain you. Feel free to head off--the streets get quieter this time of day, so I should be fine to return to the Vault on my own."
Korriban nods at Kroft as she informs them that she will have jobs for them. He leaves with Teo and Sel. When he notices Davaulus staring at them, the rogue just stares back until one of his minions comes to him. When Ishani speaks to them, Korriban nods. "Alright then. We'll be on our way out. Thanks for coming, Ishani. Take care of yourself."
When the three are a good distance away, Korriban speaks. "Okay. I don't like Doc Macabre. There's just something about him that runs me the wrong way."
When it comes to a plan, Korriban shrugs. "I've got to get my coat from Tress. Also, I want to visit Tayces family and see how they're doing."
As Carmelizzia moved on and asked about the Rosa Lantressa stopped and had the expression of a deer in the head lights on her face. This wasn't good she'd just been warned about this and now knew that word had gotten around, it was only a matter of time til the king of spiders found out. Maybe she should consider the offer that had been made by Koriban's mother more seriously. She gave her visitor a gesture indicating that she should keep her voice down, made sure the door was closed, and said, "Yes, I do know him, we met a few days ago when I was trying to collect my pay from a client and have been working together on something. Is there some reason you ask?"
Sealwyn nods at Korriban's suggestion. "Yeah, let's check back up on them just to see how their doing."
Then she seems to remember herself, and shakes her head. "Ack, sorry, I'm jabbering away like usual. And folks're probably going to start arriving soon! I'll leave you to freshen up...I gotta few little last-minute touches I want to make myself. Thanks, Tress." With a little smile, she makes her way out.
The night is slow, and you've barely seen anyone before you get a note from Halvara that a group is waiting for you out front. When you head out onto the deck of the ship, you find that it's your friends: Korriban, Selawyn, and Teodor.
It takes the three of you some time to make your way back uptown to Old Korvosa, and although it's still a pleasant day, the tension that you sensed while escorting Ishani downtown is still palpable. Working your way east, you press through the crowded streets onto the docks of Eel's End, the complex of ships renting space from Devargo Barvasi where Lantressa works. The plague doesn't seem to have slowed traffic or commerce here, at least; the sound of carousing booms from the elegantly painted ships moored to this long pier. In the late evening sun, you can see signs in several languages hung from ropes and nailed to pilings near each ship. You make your way to the southwestern ship, which bears a sign reading in Taldane, "The House of Clouds--The Caress of Our Lovelies Will Take You Straight to Heaven!" Sailors, thugs, drunkards, prostitutes, and what could even be a few well-dressed nobles carouse on the pier, seemingly oblivious to the city's recent troubles, but you make your way up the gangplank.
A single long structure sits atop the main deck of this ship--the double doors always hang open to reveal a large room decorated with throw rugs, large pillows, and air thick with incense and lit by large red paper lanterns. The scent of anise, rosewater, and cinnamon pour forth from smoking bronze braziers set on silver stands carved in the likeness of slit-eyed serpents and proud hunting birds here and there, while several scantily-clad men and women loiter about the barge's deck. After making your intentions known to the older half-elven woman who seems to be in charge, you only have a few minutes to wait before you see Lantressa headed toward you out of a cloud of incense smoke...
As she exited the interior of the ship Lantressa spied her friends, and then she noticed Madame Halvara. She looked at the madame and mouthed, "Sorry, I'll make sure he doesn't come by again" as she went past. Reaching them she said, "Quickly, lets go before too many people see you." She didn't slow down to talk until they were out of sight of the ships. Once they were safely away she said, "Korriban, you need to not come to the House of Clouds anymore. Devargo still holds a grudge and our association is getting around. It'd be best if we kept our connection as quiet as we can until things can be resolved between you two. From what I've been told if he finds out that I'm associated with you in any capacity I could be in for a world of hurt. Either one of the rest of you need to come get me there or I need to meet you."
With her concern voiced she slowed down and pulled Korriban's cloak from her pack which she handed to him, "Thanks for the use of that, I appreciate it." She looked at the others and asked, "So, where are we headed to now?"
Korriban walks with the others to Eel's End. When they close, the rogue makes sure to remain as inconspicuous as possible. He makes sure to disguise himself, bluff, and sneak his way to the House of Clouds.
When they get to the brothel, Korriban relaxes. He looks around at the decor and whistles in amazement. That's when the half-elven woman appears. Korriban smirks and says, "Hello. We're here to see Lantressa. She has something of mine and we're here for a visit."
Korriban is blissfully unaware of the half-elf's thoughts. That's when Lantressa appears. Korriban follows the tiefling to her room. When they get there, Korriban listens to her as she talks about him not showing up. Korriban shrugs. "Don't worry about it. If Spiderman finds me, then I can try talking to him about clearing things up. Also, I can lie with the best of them. I can make sure his gaze isn't on you. I just came for my coat and to pick you up. It's time I stand up to him. But, for the sake of your job, I'll try to stay away." He then grumbles. "I'll show him who's a little kitten."
When Lantressa returns his coat, Korriban smiles and takes it. He puts it back on and pats it. "There. Now everything's right with the world." When she thanks him, Korriban smiles. "Don't worry about it. A lady should never be exposed when she doesn't wish to be." When she asks about the plan, Korriban says, "I'm thinking about visiting the Soldado family to check up on them."
The four of you make your way safely into, and out of, the brothel and back through Old Korvosa. The sun is setting as you cross into North Point and then over the North Bridge and make your way to Trail's End. It seems to you that there aren't as many people on the streets this evening as there usually are...perhaps the plague's psychological effects are already beginning to spread.
When you make it to the Soldado home, your knock goes unanswered for several long minutes. Finally, Tayce opens the door. You know immediately that something is wrong; her eyes are darkly shadowed, and she just stares at you listlessly. "Oh, it's you," she says. "Come in..."
Korriban frowns at Tayce and enters the home. "Tayce, what's wrong? Is Brienna okay?"
The greeting they got from Tayce had Lantressa very worried. She looked at the woman once they were in and said in a worried voice, "Please don't tell me she's gotten worse."
"No, she's not, and yes, she has," Tayce says. She looks exhausted, and defeated. "That potion that the Doctor gave her a few days ago made her feel better that day, and she was alright the next day...but she's gotten steadily worse. I can't...I don't think..." The Varisian woman's voice catches, and she begins weeping quietly. "I sent the boys to stay with their uncle...I don't know what else I can do for her."
Brienna Soldado lies in her bed, asleep and breathing shallowly. Although her face is pocked by the red spots that you've seen on the faces of all plague victims, she's still a sweet-looking young girl. The more alarming change is her body: she's frighteningly thin, and shivering under her threadbare blanket.
"There, there child." Teodor pats her damp hair.
"The Lord isn't ready for your end."
Korriban frowns. He asks, "May we see her?" At Tayce's agreement, Korriban heads upstairs with the others. He watches as Teodor aids her.
Korriban is unsure about her condition. "I don't know how much time she has left. But, she doesn't look good." He digs into his coat pocket and pulls out a potion, its amber liquid shining in the light. He turns to Tayce and the others. "I did manage to buy this while we were out on the off chance that we would be infected even further. It can remove diseases." He turns to Brienna. "She needs it more than us. It could save her life." He looks back at the others. "I'm just hoping that we each have enough funds for more. Because I feel like we'll need them."
As Teodor smoothes her hair, Brienna's breathing steadies...slightly. She still looks pretty seriously ill.
Selawyn seems muted by the fact that Brienna is still sick though she is heartened by Korriban's offering of his potion of remove disease. Stepping forward she also offers a small vial. "It's not as magical as the potion Korriban offered, but this antiplague should help out if anyone else gets sick please take it."
Lantressa gasped at the sight of the little girl, the disease had obviously ravaged her body, and the tiefling felt a desire to hold the child in her arms and comfort her. The disease made her desire impossible but she though of another way that she could offer comfort. She looked at the child and said, "I'm sorry you're feeling so bad, I hope what my friends have will help you. And I hope this will comfort you as well." She began to sing quietly, her voice had a dark timbre to it but was nonetheless beautiful. There were no real words to her song, it was all hummed, but this didn't detract from the effect but rather it made the song even more peaceful for the lack. She continued her song until the potions had been given and the girl had fallen asleep.
As Lantressa begins her song, Tayce stares at the vials you hold out to her. "These...these are..." She bursts into tears again, then seizes the vials impetuously. "Thank you. Thank you." Moving quickly but gently, she tucks away the antiplague, and settles herself on the bed with Brienna. Lifting the girl's head, she slowly tips the potion into her mouth. Then she lays her child down, and holds her breath.
A few minutes later, you can see some sort of change sweep through Brienna. Her body shudders, but then her breathing steadies and comes back much stronger than before. The pustules on her face and neck dwindle, to the point of being bare blisters. Best of all, she rolls over of her own accord, and slowly opens her eyes, looking up at her mother. Tayce sobs in relief.
"Mama...? What is it?" the girl asks, clearly sleepy.
"Nothing, Little Breeze, nothing," Tayce whispers to her, leaning in and kissing her on the forehead. "It's all right now. It's all all right." She holds Brienna for a few moments, rocking her and sniffling, humming along to Lantressa's song. Then Brienna stirs.
"'m sleepy, Mama..."
"Of course, dear. Of course. You rest. I love you, Little Breeze." Kissing her one more time for good measure, Tayce lays her daughter down and draws the blanket around her. Then she leads you out of the room and back to the living room. There, she hugs you each, hard, starting to sob again.
"Thank you so much for this...for everything you've done. When she got sick again...or, well, when she got worse again...I never thought she'd recover." Tayce wipes her eyes. "Ordinarily, I'd insist on you staying here, and I'd make a feast for you..." she gives a shuddering laugh, "but I've nothing in the house now, I've just been too...oh, I can't believe she'll be alright!" She buries her face in her hands and sobs. "You're all--please, any of you, come here if you ever need anything I can give. Anything at all!"
You stay long enough to make sure that Tayce is well and find out what her plans are (she intends to let the boys stay with Grau a few more days to ensure that she's not sick either), then make your farewells. Although the streets are still quiet and tense as you make your way to your homes in the dark, you all walk rather more lightly than you have before, and with a spring in your step: the feel of a good deed well done.
Each of you awakens the next morning to a message from (you infer) Cressida Kroft, sealed with a pseudodragon mark.
Lantressa was relieved that the potion worked and gladly accepted the woman's hugs. She promised she'd come back if there was anything that Tayce could ever do for her while resolving to herself that she would do all that she could not to call that marker in.
It was a long night for Lantressa, she no sooner got home than she was told she had to work a shift that night servicing clients. She knew it was because of Korriban's visit the day before but she didn't hold it against him, and it was the least she could do for Halvara after all the woman had done for her. It honestly turned out to be a slow night what with the bloodveil growing to affect more and more people. It wouldn't be long, she feared, before business would dry up completely. Thank the gods they had bouncers with orders to turn away any who looked infected as well as had a Calistrian priestess on hand who regularly checked the girls and boys of the brothel for disease and treated them if needed.
She received the message after getting dressed and read it before quickly gathering her belongings and heading for the door. Something had come up and she was asked to come help with whatever the problem was. She told the guards as she left, "I'll be back in a few hours I hope, if it looks like I will be longer then I'll send a note for the Madame to let her know." With that she made her way to Citadel Volshyenek. Once there she pulled out the note and said, "I'm to meet with Kroft this morning, can you tell me where I'll find her?"
Korriban smiles as the potion works on Brienna and at the heart to heart between Tayce and her daughter. When Tayce escorts them to the living room and gives out her hugs, Korriban is slightly crushed by the amount of force. But he doesn't care. He's just happy that he helped save someone's life. When she thanks them, Korriban nods. "It's no problem, Tayce. Just make sure that Brienna recovers."
Korriban managed to get a good night's sleep. He changes into his normal outfit and makes his way down the stairs for breakfast. Seeing Verik approaching with a message, Korriban takes it and reads it. He frowns for a moment before finishing his meal. He finishes getting ready. As he leaves, he lets his family know that he'll be out doing a job for Kroft. He rushes to the Citadel and sees Lantressa there. He approaches and pulls out his note. "I'm with her. Kroft asked to see me as well."
As the two wait to meet with Kroft, Korriban decides to break the awkward silence. "So... how are things going? Any trouble?"
"She's right in her office, uh...ma'am," the guard says to Lantressa, looking a little uneasy. He seems to take comfort when Korriban, Teodor, and Selawyn show up. "This way, please." He leads you through the courtyard into the keep, and thence to Kroft's office.
The Field Marshal is pacing about her office, examining several pieces of paper. "Ah, good," she says, sounding rather distracted. "Thank you for coming. I have a task for you: someone claims to have discovered a cure for blood veil, and I need you to investigate it. It is more than probably a fraud, but that Dhatri insists that someone look into it just in case. Apparently she's been selling it to people and making gold hand over fist. The woman in question is the proprietess of a shop in the Heights...let's see...'Lavender?'" She checks the name on a piece of paper on her desk. "Yes, that's it. Sound like something you can manage?"
The name caught Lantressa's immediate interest, "Lavender, I think I know who you mean. Yesterday, before we brought the priests here, I had a job at a place with that name. She had me modelling and selling a new lipstick for her." She scoffed as she continued, "I highly doubt she has an antidote, but I agree with Dhatri, we can't afford to pass up any possibilities for a cure."
Selawyn was happy to see that everything was going to be all right. She wanted to try and stop this from ever happening to another person if it could be done.
Selawyn quickly rushes to the field marshal not wanting to be late. When she explained the situation Selawyn felt equal amounts of hope and disgust. If this really is a cure then it will be a blessing, but if its fake then I'll hang whoever did this for making money off of desperate people.
Korriban looks at Lantressa. "So, that was the job you had. A... unique job, to the say the least." Korriban looks back at Kroft. "Well, then. We can't let her get away with the possibility of being some snake oil salesman. And if it's a cure... well, let's just say that this will be over soon."
"I'm inclined toward Lantressa's feelings," Kroft says dryly, "But best to be safe. If you've no further questions, then off you go--just let me know what you find out and how it goes."
Once you've taken your leave of Kroft, the four of you make your way north up the island toward the Heights. Korvosa is noticeably quieter than it has been in the past few weeks, and the cool, dry breeze swirls clumps of discarded paper and other refuse about the streets between hurrying pedestrians.
You find see evidence of the shop you're looking for long before you see the shop itself. A line of Korvosans stretches for nearly four blocks to the south, people crowding each other somewhat as they jostle and shift restlessly in place, but otherwise behaving in a relatively orderly fashion. The shop itself is the one that Lantressa recognizes: purple-tinted windows, purple curtains, purple everywhere, basically. A new (and rather hastily made, by the looks of it) banner swoops over the entrance, proclaiming in tall purple letters: "Lavender's Luxurious Liniment: Either You've Got It, or You've Had It!"
Selawyn looks over the line of people and the gaudy shop with some disdain. She begins walking forward angry at the thought that this place might be cheating people out of their money. "Let's head in there and have a talk with the proprietress." Selawyn's tone leaves little doubt as to how nice this talk would be.
Lantressa nodded when she saw the place and knew it was the same one. She looked to the others and said, "Yep, this is the place I was at before." She looked at Selawyn and said, "I agree that talking would be wise but lets not antagonize her yet." Seeing the line the tiefling realized that time was of the essence and started for the front of the line. When she got there she looked at the bouncer and said, "I did some work here yesterday, is it possible to speak with Proprietress Venda for a few minutes?" She batted her lashes at the bouncer and said in her most adorable voice, "Please, it's very important."
Korriban looks at the line and says, "Boy, their just lining up to be conned, aren't they?" He then looks at the shop. HIs eyes widen. He claps a hand over them. "Ah! Too much purple! It's so tacky!"
He watches as Lantressa approaches the guard and tries to charm her way in. He scratches his chin before snapping his fingers as an idea forms. He approaches and places his hand in Lantressa's. "That's right. We want to talk to this Venda. I just wanted to meet the woman who got my girlfriend a great job and to see if there was anything I could do to help her." He subtly looks at Lantressa and winks, indicating her to play along. He also points to Teodor, who the rogue noticed that his symptoms have gotten somewhat worse. "Also, my uncle is very sick. I would be willing to work for free if I could get some of the cure to help him."
Lantressa played along easily with Korriban and leaned in and gave him a toe curling kiss on the lips before saying, "Isn't he just the best boyfriend ever!" She grasped his hand with hers as they waited for a reply.
The bouncer, recognizing Lantressa, grins. "You're the 'boyfriend,' huh? Yeah, I'll bet. Well, if you wanna talk to Ms. Loggari, nothin' to stop you. This line here's only for the Liniment, you can go on in. I don't know about the workin' for free thing, though--you'll have to talk to her about that. Or get in line like everyone else."
Lantressa played along easily with Korriban and leaned in and gave him a toe curling kiss on the lips before saying, "Isn't he just the best boyfriend ever!" She grasped his hand with hers as they waited for a reply.
Korriban is shocked by how good the kiss is, but returns it with gusto. When it's over, he looks back at the bouncer with a smile.
The bouncer, recognizing Lantressa, grins. "You're the 'boyfriend,' huh? Yeah, I'll bet."
Korriban's brow raises. "And, what do you mean by that?"
"Well, if you wanna talk to Ms. Loggari, nothin' to stop you. This line here's only for the Liniment, you can go on in. I don't know about the workin' for free thing, though--you'll have to talk to her about that. Or get in line like everyone else."
Korriban nods and smiles. "Thank you so much, sir." He looks back at Lantressa. "Come on, dear. We don't want to keep her waiting." He then moves to go inside.
When the team's inside and the crowd continues to distract everyone, Korriban huddles them and explains his plan. "Okay. We already have someone on the inside with Lantressa. I'm thinking that if I pose as her boyfriend and ask for a job, we could have more people on the inside to work and do some recon on this place. We could also see how they're making this "cure". Also, if Venda lets me work for some of the cure to help my 'uncle', we could analyze it and figure out if it's the real deal or not."
As you make your way inside, you're assaulted by a menagerie of heady scents that twists throughout the cramped but stylish perfumery. A dizzying assortment of bottles--from gaudy ceramic containers to graceful crystalline vials--lines a variety of lace- and ribbon-strewn tables, shelves, racks, and an eye-catching display in the wide front window. Across from the orchid-tinted front door's glass panes runs a long counter, stacked high with hundreds of simple clay phials bearing round, magenta stoppers. Behind the counter, another banner identical to the one outside (though smaller) swoops, and a woman that Lantressa recognizes as Vendra Loggari. The proprietress recognizes Lantressa at the same time, and waves brightly. She's swamped behind the counter by a press of customers, though, apparently greeting each one personally in turn. The shop is densely crowded with eager consumers of the Luxurious Liniment.
Lantressa was kind of surprised at Korriban's return of the kiss, he'd always been so reticent before, shocked into immobility. She had to admit to herself that she rather liked it. Lantressa nodded her thanks to the bouncer, took Korriban's hand, and leaned against him as they entered the building.
As they entered the shop Tressa was surprised at how busy it had become here, well maybe surprised wasn't the right word, disturbed was more like it. All these people and no one knew or sure if the cure even worked. When Vendra spotted her and waved Lantressa waved back enthusiastically and pulled Korriban in that direction. when they got near there she said, "Vendra, could we have a moment of your time? It won't take long and I think we can be of help to you."
After stepping aside with Vendra Tressa said, "It's good to see you so busy, and the turn around from lipstick to liniment is amazing. This is my boyfriend, Korriban, we heard you had a cure and wanted some, but I know we can't afford the price. Would you be willing to let us work for you today to earn some of it? It certainly seems like you could use the help."
Selawyn waas nearly overwhelmed by the sheer number of bottles on display. She looked around for a few moments to steady herself a bit before she noticed the middle-aged man who didn't seem to be moving with the line. Tapping Korriban on the arm before they got to close Selawyn motioned towards the suspicious man. "If this place really sells the cure then why isn't that guy getting any closer to it?" Selawyn then moved around the line to get a better line of sight towards the middle-aged fellow. The man might be trying to steal something from the store, and while she might be investigating a con-artist she wouldn't let any pickpockets escape either.
Korriban enters the store with Lantressa leaning against him. His face turns red at the contact, but tries to remain cool.
Korriban is amazed at the amount of bottles and lace and the heavy scents of perfume wafting in the air. He looks around. 'By Calistria and Shelyn's heaving chests, this place is even tackier than I thought. The scents. The bottles. The f***in' lace!' Through the crowd, Korriban manages to see the odd man. 'Well, that's odd. That guy doesn't really belong here. Also, his behavior is off. Better keep an eye on him.' When Selawyn taps his arm and points him out, Korriban nods. "I see him, too. Keep an eye on him for now. He does seem off."
When Lantressa asks Vendra for a moment of her time, Korriban smiles and says, "Indeed. We have a proposition that we can all benefit from."
When Lantressa introduces Korriban as her "boyfriend", he smiles and shakes her hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Loggari. Tress here as been happily telling me all about working here. She even tried out the lipstick on me quite a bit that night." His face slightly reddens at the memory of that kiss. He continues. "Anyway, we heard through the grapevine that you came up with a cure for the bloodveil. I've been looking for a job for a few months and my uncle..." he points to Teodor. "...has been really sick. I'm so sorry for bringing him here. But, he insisted. Anyway, Tress suggested that maybe I could get a job here. I can do whatever you need me to do. I don't even need all that much money. I just need some cure for my uncle. I could work for free if needed. All that's important to me right now is my family's health." He looks up at Vendra, squeezing Lantressa's hand.
Although Selawyn and Korriban both keep a sharp eye on the scraggly, muscular man, he doesn't appear to be doing anything suspicious. Well...nothing more suspicious than not desperately trying to get the cure. He seems to be just killing time in the store...
Vendra smiles when you pull her aside. Her smile drops quickly when both Lantressa and Korriban mention working in exchange for the cure she has. "I'm a little bit surprised that you can't afford it, given what I paid you the other day!" she comments tartly to Lantressa. Korriban's story about his "uncle" seems to move her, though. She bites her lip, then sighs. "Well, listen--I'm not in the habit of doing this, and I don't want people to hear that just anyone can waltz in here and get some of this liniment by putting some elbow grease into it. But...Lantressa did do such a wonderful job with our sale yesterday, and your poor uncle seems so...confused, or something, and...well, I'd just love to help you. If you're willing to put in some work selling here, I'll let you take a phial at the end of the day in appreciation. I can set one aside for you now." Bustling around the counter, she makes some room. "Lantressa and Korriban, why don't you work on the actual sales. If your bodyguard there--" (she appears to mean Selawyn) "--wants to just make sure no one gets grabby, that would be great. Maybe we can park your poor uncle on a stool in the back or something...?"
Korriban grins as Vendra agrees to the deal. 'She's wary about something. We starting to get to her.' He looks at Lantressa. "You hear that, Tress! We got the job!" He kisses her and lifts her, laughing in joy. He then puts her down and turns to Selawyn. "Think you can run security?" With Teodor, he makes sure that he's safe and a bit out of the way.
He then heads to the counter and begins to help with the job.
Lantressa laughed as Korriban picked her up and returned his kiss quite firmly before he set her down. She turned to Vendra and said, "Thanks Vendra, you won't regret this." She too went behind the counter and began to help with sales. She took the orders and money then handed the cure to the customer all while trying to chat amiably and cheer them up.
Selawyn seems surprised at being asked for security, but she shrugs as that's probably what she was going to be doing here today regardless. "I'll make sure they don't do anything crazy." Selawyn takes up position along the line keeping an eye out over the entirety of the line now, though an ever watchful eye keeps a lookout on the man who wasn't seemingly interested in the cure.
Korriban works with Lantressa, talking to customers and selling the "cure" to people. He keeps a smile on his face, really getting into the job. His opening speech includes: "Come one! Come all! Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Children of all ages! Come to Lavender's! We sell perfume, bottles, lace! All kinds of things! And now we have what you need to fight off the bloodveil!" He thinks to himself, 'And, if you aren't satisfied, you get a money back guarantee!'
As you move to take up positions working at the desk and in the floor, Vendra guides Teodor to a corner at the back of the room. "Now you just sit here and take a nice rest, uncle!" She smiles tightly at the three of you who will be working, but seems to relax slightly when Korriban and Lantressa put on their best salesperson faces and begin to draw in more of the crowd. She's charging two gold sails apiece for the tiny jars of liniment, which seems like a steep price, but the people who push their way in seem eager to pay it...
A few hours pass without incident, although Selawyn's beginning to get leery of the rough-hewn man who's not buying anything or going away. Just as this is becoming an unbearable feeling, though, something happens: a young woman, pinch-faced and nervous-looking, but well-dressed, starts asking Vendra questions. This alone isn't unusual, but it's clear that the young woman is beginning to get hysterical.
"I'm not trying to question your business practices, ma'am, but you have to understand I'm getting married in two weeks! I don't want to catch this plague, I've got too much good in my life--and even if I survived, I don't want to be disfigured for the rest of my days! Please, you understand, when money is tight in my family, this is a huge investment for us!" Her voice is rising steeply in pitch and volume, overriding Vendra's soothing words, when the brawny man suddenly claps a hand on her shoulder.
"Listen 'ere, li'l lady--you got nothin' t'worry about with Lavender's product," he says with a smile. "Name's Barney Siggs, an' I'm a dockworker here. I caught that blood veil two days ago, an' thought I was like to die." He sees her pull away from him, but waves a hand in reassurance. "Fortunately, Miss Loggari here spotted me in my misery an' offered me a trial batch o' this 'Luxurious Liniment!' Lady, this is the real stuff. Not only did it clear up that blood veil in just o'er a day, I think it healed me bum leg as well! I'm feelin' fitter than ever. I was just spendin' some time in here wonderin' if there was anythin' I could afford t'get my lady-love, but t'tell the truth I'm lookin' to buy it t'express my thanks to Miss Loggari for the effects of her Liniment."
The woman stares at him for a moment, then rushes to dig out her purse. Vendra smiles broadly at the man.
Korriban is happy to be helping with the sales, using his natural charm to aid things and gathering plenty of information to use against Vendra later. He sees what's going on out of the corner of his eye. He sees the woman saying that she's to be married and that she's need the cure. That's when the Brawny Man steps in and spins his story. He stares at the man. 'So, that's what he's there for. To make sure no one backs out of a deal and to con people further by playing the role of an innocent. Well, that's no fair. Let's see if I can do anything about that.' He looks at Lantressa and discreetly nods in the direction of the woman, the Brawny Man, and Vendra.
He looks over to the woman. "Excuse me, ma'am. I can help you over here. I got plenty of these to sell."
When the woman arrives, Korriban begins to check her out with her cure. He uses the noise levels, crowds, and chaos as a distraction. He whispers to her, "Listen, ma'am. I'm with certain parties. These parties want to check into the validity of this cure. Don't panic. I'm going to pass you some money with your order. If you or anyone begin to show signs of bloodveil, go to the Temple of Abadar. Say that you wish to meet with Ishani and tell him that Korriban sent you." Along with the bottle, he discreetly slides over 75 sails. He smiles and says
The young woman moves over to Korriban, clearly eager to receive her cure, but starts back slightly when he begins whispering to her. Nonetheless, she listens intently and stifles a gasp when he slides her the money. Nodding fervently, she takes her cure, stuffs the small purse of coins into her pocket, and makes her way out of the store.
As you go back to work, you notice Vendra glancing at you out of the corner of her eye. But she says nothing.
You keep working as the sun slides up to, then spills past, its zenith. The line out the door doesn't slacken at all during the afternoon, and several times Vendra has one of her bouncers head into a back room, from whence he eventually emerges with a fresh crate of phials. Finally, as the streets outside are turning orange with the sunset, Vendra announces that it's closing time. This produces a general outcry among those who have not yet gotten their doses of Liniment, but the perfumer is insistent: only those who are already inside the shop are allowed to finish their purchases. This may be a practical matter as much as a policy one--the stocks of Liniment appear to be running perilously low.
Once the last customer has been tended to and the last people are out of the store (Barney Siggs is the last person out, tipping his hat and winking at Vendra), one of the bouncers shuts the door and they begin straightening the place up. Vendra pays her shopgirls from the till, then begins to count the remaining money. Glancing up, she sees that you're still there.
"Right, then," she says rather stiffly. "Thanks for all your help today! Hope I see you again soon and whatnot."