Kage likewise attempts to listen in on the latest rumors. He soon finds that he has little patience listening to others prattle on.
Maylinna's ears twitch, but then resume a more relaxed position. She studies Eris closely for a moment, then she sighs. "My apologies. Perhaps you used that term unwittingly. Know that I am an artist, not a mascot. You may think I am overly sensitive in this regard, but I will not allow my artistic integrity to be cheapened by base assumptions of my species."
She twists the measuring ribbon around her hands. "I am nobody's 'pet.' I will not 'purr' for you. Disrespect my wishes and you can join the ranks of the other 'ladies' who will never wear my originals. Are we in agreement?"
Jon-Wyn and Kage are able to learn few rumors of any real value. There's a fair amount of looting going on in Old Korvosa by those brave (or foolish) enough to venture into the quarantined areas. Crime is actually flourishing in the city, as the main city watch has been more and more replaced by the Grey Maidens, who are focused on stamping out pockets of unrest rather than being concerned with stopping crime. That doesn't mean that thugs and criminals can be open about it, but that there is little to no follow-up investigation.
As the night draws to a close and the drinkers start departing one by one, Kage considers what they had heard, nothing of great import but the general note of discontent was hard to miss. In a matter of fact way he remarks quietly, "It seems the queen is walking a tightrope. On one side there is the current unrest. On the other the general lawlessness threatens to undermine the entire social order. I must admit a certain fascination with it all, can she do it?"
Eris shrugs. "If I caused offence, I am sorry, it was obviously not meant in that way. To be perfectly honest, I was thinking of you purely as a remarkable designer first, and everything else second which ironically probably led to my slip of the tongue in the first place. Rest assured that I am not making any base assumptions on either you or your species. As to your deal, I believe that we have an agreement"
Mollified, the seamstress becomes all business. She finishes measuring Eris, making a few flattering comments about her lines, and then she begins pinning various luxurious fabrics about her.
A few hours later, Eris has a trendsetting gown that will be finished in another day, and has managed to get an earful of the ladies whom Maylinna has dreadful disdain for -- including the duchess Vettya. Apparently she is still desperate for one of Maylinna's works, but cannot stop from being offensively pandering in her assumptions about the Catfolk species.
Yanmei takes mental notes as she sits back and observes. She commits to memory the mannerisms and look of the seamstress, intending to help Eris with her disguise later.
Eris spends the time making flattering comments about the work of the seamstress, taking care never to be sarcastic, and always casually switching the natural flow of the conversation back toward the nobility, and the duchess. Eris is careful to make this seem natural and not intentional, and works on becoming the ideal customer, gradually agreeing with Maylinna views, gradually picking away on the topic just in case there is useful information to be gleaned. Once the dress is finished however, Eris swiftly makes a choice. The dress is wonderful, but she doesn't want a paper trail nor does she believe the Mantis might well shell out for a wonderful dress (I don't know the gp value of this outfit).
"This is such a wonderful outfit" she gushes quietly, before reddening slightly. "Unfortunately, would you mind keeping it on hold, at least for a day or two? Unfortunately my partner insists on putting a cap on my spending habits, and in most situations, I need permission before dipping into my funds to purchase this wonderful outfit. I don't imagine an issue with this, as you have outdone yourself and I look stunning I should think, but I still need to confirm. Its such a pain.
As the business concludes, Maylinna opens a paper fan and begins cooling herself as she looks dubiously upon Eris. "Permission? Why ask for permission when you can better ask for forgiveness? While wearing this ravishing piece? I can perhaps include a few alluring underthings to better sweeten the... penance?" She gives a knowing smile and reflexively purrs.
The celebrating assassins revel deep into the night, well past the city's mandated curfew. Astrid's endurance doesn't sustain her, and soon she is snoozing at the table while Nordusk drains her unfinished drink.
The rather inebriated assassins return from their celebration of missions accomplished, each propping the other up and making sure the twists and turns are navigated with only a small number of accidental detours. They finally arrive to find Vernai Acantha at the altar to Achaekek going through her nighttime obediences. She finishes and draws herself up to stand imperiously over the tipsy mantises.
"Sort out which one of you lot is truly blind, and not just blind drunk, because I've only the one spell. I've no way of knowing when I'll deign to request another, so you had better be sure," she announces to the masked figures before her.
Regardless of her threat, Kage is correctly applied the spell and his sight is restored. "Now, sober up quickly and get on those assignments before Her Majesty contacts us again." While her eyes blaze with rebuke, she holds her tongue and does not chastise the assassins further. With a wave of her hand, she dismisses the group to their bunks.
Chagrinned at Vernai Acantha's rebuke, Kage meekly returns to his bunk. He can't help thinking however, that Acantha's anger had mostly been for show. It was expected of her, just as it had been expected of them to celebrate Astrid and Nordusk's first mission. His master had confirmed as much years ago in similar circumstances, of course he'd been very much younger than Astrid at the time which had added to the scandal.
In their bunks Kage spends a time staring at some old desiccated flowers abandoned in the corner, to purify the air. He remarked softly, "Till you loose something, it's hard to appreciate what you have..." Sometime later he broaches the subject of what to do next, "So Captain Narvin and Thialia Bolton have fallen. That leaves Duke Royn, Mrako the Marvelous and Devin Garellious from the initial list. Anyone have a preference for who we strike next? Or we could wait for the ladies, I believe they have been busy..."
"I have some information on Mrako. He ain't making it easy. We'll have to sneak or fight our way in. But let's offer our aid to the ladies. See if they want some back up."
Eris calls a group discussing with everyone once the team had successfully reunited. "Yanmei and I have made some inroads into a next target. I personally, can mimic the appearance of a famous seamstress, and I have also managed to purchase one of her outfits. Technically, I could use it as a example of "my" work if we were using it to infiltrate, although I would prefer avoiding that if at all possible, since using the dress in an obvious way potentially risks diminishing its usefulness in a future mission. I think the Duke Royn is a viable target, although my disguise could only grant me an audience with the duchess instead, and even then its an awkward audience since the real version simply hates the dutchess. Still, the angel is at least workable, and probably allows me to take one or two people with me if I was able to gain an audience, as assistants or something. Its certainly going to be a tricky ritual to carry out, thats for sure".
Kage ponders this information and asks a few questions, "Can we assume the dutchess knows of your seamstress' ire? If so I wonder if you could bill the meeting as a reconciliation." There is a certain irony to that which made the young Tith'Kali's eyes glitter.
After a moment's pause he asked one final question, "Do you think you could string this out, so we have an initial appointment and then perhaps a measuring at a later date? The first would let us know the lay of the land and the second priming us to strike."
Eris pauses for a moment before answering. "Its possible that I could string it out for two appointments, but remember Sa'Kage, every day that you delay, is a day where someone realises my subterfuge. The last thing we need is something as simple as her sending a message to the real seamstress over something as trivial as changing a measuring appointment time. If thats what you wish, then we can try it your way, but I think we would need some methods in place, the longer the delay".
Kage shrugged almost imperceptibly, "I had thought to take the whole team for this. You can only assume a duke will be more serious about their security than the average mark. It seems that will be difficult. You correctly point out it would be strange for a seamstress to have a large retinue. And I must concede your point over the chances of discovery if we attempt more than one touch."
He sighs and then asks, "So what to do? I suppose you could justify a porter and an assistant. That should cover you, Yanmei and one other of us. That leaves two unassigned, how to get them in? I'd be disappointed if a Duke's roof wasn't warded..."
"Depending on how much cloth and equipment she brings, a slightly larger retinue could be warranted. She could add another assistant and another porter perhaps. Particularly if you offer to provide attire for both her and her husband.
[dice=Int]1d20+2
Yanmei creates a passable note to the Duchess suggesting a reconciliation and hopes for a meeting.
Her note is apparently well-received, as the messenger returns with a hastily scrawled response.
Dearest Maylinna!
So wonderful to hear from you! No hard feelings, of course. Please, do feel welcome to drop by any time. I'm looking forward to your purr-fect designs!
Vettya
"Jon-Wyn has a point...maybe there is a gathering to be attended soon. Most of high society live from one occasion to the next." Yanmei shrugs, "Still though, we have the invitation and we should act quickly on it. How can I best assist in this?"
Kage seems pleased with Jon-Wyn's suggestion, and his strange red eyes glitter as he exclaims, "Now that we can work with. Miss Yanmei is no doubt correct, there will be a ball and the good Duke and Dutchess will want to look the part. We should put our ears to the ground and find out who is hosting the next society ball and the theme so Eris may suggest suitable attire! As far as the actual rite goes, does anyone have any suggestions? While being measured perhaps?"
As the others talk, Gafar sits back and sips a steaming cup of coffee. He allows the others to sort out the details, smiling as Eris points out the myriad flaws in Kage's original plan. Kage's performance of late has been slipping. I must wonder, what is so special about the Tith'Kali? Perhaps I should observe the female specimen for comparison.
At the call for suggestions, Gafar finally gives his input. "I favor the idea of a poison, a topical powder applied to the inside of the suit. Or perhaps we add a little something to the duke's drink. Alcohol is a neurotoxin; poisons dissolved in it are undetectable by magic."
There is a large event honoring some local heroes who helped stop the further spread of the plague that has ravaged parts of Korvosa. After the ceremony in the grand square, there will be a reception in the palace. The event is scheduled in two day's time.
"I believe I overheard something about a reception in the palace in a couple of days. That can be our excuse for getting to see them."
Kage flashes a feral grin at Yanmei, as he expands on this, "Yes. How clumsy of us, we can of course make up for it with some rather [i]special[i] tea, curtesy of your good self. Mmm this will be positively delectable, by the time our designs would be ready for collection, the poor duke would be too inconvenienced to pick them up...
Mwahahaha!
When they reach an agreement on how to proceed with the ritual, Gafar retreats to another room. "Come Yanmei, we must begin preparing the poison."
Jon Wyn considers the others for a moment, particularly Kage and Gafar. "Erin, you want to work on the disguises with me? "
Yanmei nods and accompanies Gafar, "I hope that I can assist in your craft. I am comfortable with the use of toxins but have no skill in creating it myself."
Kage notices Jon-Wyn's momentary scrutiny and adds, "I also have some small skill in disguises although I defer to your collective expertise. I think it best if I pose as a porter or bodyguard, with the right clothing and makeup I can look and act the part."
The Duke's estate is an opulent, well-guarded compound with high walls and attentive guards. Eris, disguised in the form of the Catfolk seamstress, leads her entourage of attendants through the gates. Guards inspect her cart full of bolts of cloth, ribbons, thread and adornments as well as the attendants themselves to make sure there are no weapons smuggled into the manor house.
The Duchess Vettya welcomes Eris with open arms, though she takes pause for a moment at those that accompany her. "I was not aware you had such a full staff! You always prattled on about the purity of your craft, dear Maylinna!"
She crosses the floor as the estate staff draw the others to an antechamber so they can prepare for the fitting. Vettya leans in close with a smile, "I know lots of artists are seeking patrons these days. Hessbrandt, Salvatore, and Tolf have all moved from their studios. I'm so glad you've seen reason, but you know that I would have to have exclusive access to your designs." The duchess is impossibly smug, holding herself as someone clearly reveling in the victory of a long-standing bet.
"How are things on the streets, my dear?" she asks with a satisfied smile.
Dressed as befits a porter of a good but humble background, Kage made light work of carrying two heavy suitcases and portable stands. As they filed into the room he was careful to keep his eyes down and to maintain a respectful distance from his betters (Eris and the Duke and Dutchess).
While Eris talked to the Dutchess, Kage was busy setting up the stands. He placed the first case upon it's stand, and opened it with a flourish to reveal a veritable rainbow of cloth samples. There was everything from vermilion velvet to deep blue satins and delicate rose colored silks to the purest white cotton and pastel damask. 'Show them what they expect.' Master Brinn had said, and that was exactly what they had done.
The second suitcase contained a great variety of lace trimmings, chalks, pins and tape measures. There was also an antique copper urn with matching bone china tea service. When the time came, he would assemble it just the way Yanmai had shown him. Of course he wouldn't dream of actually using it. Yanmai was the expert and besides he didn't know which things where poisoned.
With the attention elsewhere, Kage surreptitiously watches the Duke and Duchess's body language, sizing them up.
Eris inclines her head at the Duchess. "I only bring along my full staff for my most highly prized clients" she remarks, putting on a look that is almost a cross between resigned and subservient, based to mirror an opposite as to what the duchess might be feeling at the moment.
"Business is...uncertain" Eris remarks carefully to the Duchess's question, attempting to reference the current political environment as diplomatically as possible without being direct about it. Pulling out her measurement instruments, Eris bends to her work. "If you want full and exclusive access to my highly prized designs then thats perfectly fine miss, I'm sure you can probably afford them" she remarks casually.
The duchess moves to Eris and gives her a condescending hug, then scratches the fur under her chin. "Indeed. Who would have believed it took a plague and civil unrest to get you to see reason?"
She then spins on her heel and strides away. "The servants will help you set up your studio in the south wing. You may be aware there's an event coming up, so I will want something fashionable to wear for it. I believe the queen will be in attendance. So I expect your best work."
The duchess is clearly full of herself, abrasive and condescending. It's no wonder the real Maylinna refuses to work with her. There doesn't seem to be much subtext.
"Perhaps you could think up a better adjective besides fashionable...for someone with my level of expertise, that doesn't really narrow it down as to what style you might prefer" Eris responds politely, before tilting her head, sizing up the duke. "Also if the Duke is going, I'll need to know what he expects to wear as well, or alternatively let me outfit both of you at a discounted rate. We wouldn't want both of you showing up at a high society event and not wearing fashion outfits that clash with each other now could we!"
Holding a large swatch of fabrics, Kage waits at a respectful distance just behind 'Maylinna'. When the time came to discuss color palettes with her grace he would be ready. While they were planning, Kage had suggested it would be auspicious to incorporate colors from the ducal coat of arms along with those from the arms of society ball's host.
Jon moves about 'assisting' in the same fashion as Sa'Kage. In fact they look much alike. Rather than trying to hid Sa'Kage's physical eccentricities, Jon opted to copy them, so the two looked a match pair. This way they became more an oddity rather than as people, if the duke and duchess considered them as such. Also, for Jon, it was a disguise he could easily slip if needed.
Yanmei supervises the equipment as the guards rummage through it. She lifts her arms obediently as they pat her down. Her smug smock was tied around her waist may have helped put the guards at ease as any concealed weapons would be easy to spot. She causally flashed a wink to one of the guards, flirting up a contingency for later.
The duchess pauses at the base of the sweeping staircase leading up to the second floor and turns to look over her shoulder. She waves her hand like she's shooing away an annoying insect. "Oh, I imagine the duke will want to wear one of his old military uniforms. He'll insist on looking as dour as possible, I'm sure." She scoffs, then looks as if struck by an idea.
"I don't suppose you could liven up one of his uniforms? Add a few more accoutrements to the ensemble?"
Eris scowls slightly in irritation. "Upgrading a military uniform is so risky to pull off correctly, since you don't want to accidently mock or dishonor the wearers accomplishments if you do so, meaning it generally has to stick as close to the theme as possible, which limits the alterations to do. I...I could try, but I couldn't say for sure unless I saw the Duke in it himself, so I can check the fitting, and ask him for his own personal opinions - since he would know better than I what is acceptable on military dress and what isn't".
The duchess puts on a mirthless smile and her demeanor turns icy. "Listen, my pet. If this task is going to be beyond you, please let me know." She lets that statement hang ominously for a moment. Hearing silence, she brightens. "Excellent. I will have his uniform brought to you and you can make the required adjustments to match my piece."
She turns and glides up the stairs as the house servants escort you to a small suite of rooms in the south wing. Before you can get settled, another servant announces that Duchess Vettya's fitting shall be at three o'clock. Duke Royn's uniform is also provided; the military dress implying that the duke is a strikingly tall and gaunt man.