After a couple days of downtime it becomes apparent to the group that their efforts of speaking out are meeting mixed results. While Sara and Rossana's speeches seem to be effective to their target audiences and there are people talking about Bimble's pamphlets, there are just as many if not more people spreading other rumors and misinformation. Overall the result is an uneasy and confused populace not sure which information is accurate and which is fabricated.
During those 2 days a final accounting of the dead from the massacre is released: a total of 78 senators slain, alongside 102 aides, defenders, family members, and staff, as well as Grand Prince Stavian III himself, in what many Taldans are already beginning to call the Exaltation Massacre.
The attackers appear to have been an assortment of mercenaries and killers from Andoran, Cheliax, and Galt, though arguments rage over who brought these assassins into the heart of Taldor’s government. While the rumor is that the Lion Blades believe Stavian himself hired these agents, much of the Taldan citizenry is less convinced, especially given the emperor’s own death in the violence. Many suspect Princess Eutropia or High Strategos Pythareus.
With the empire’s central government in shambles, local governments are doing the best they can to fill the void. Eleven major claims have been made for the throne by various nobles claiming relations to the Stavian line. Two candidates in particular, Princess Eutropia and High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus, stand above the rest, and various nobles and polities have already begun arguing that their chosen scion is the true inheritor of the Primogen Crown.
A day later, Martella comes to the Silent Horse to invite the group to a private meeting. A short carriage ride brings them to a tidy townhouse in the Aroden’s View district. She leads you inside, a cozy fire and the scent of tea warm a small library. A friendly catch-dog trots over to investigate, wagging its tail as it takes a particular interest in Rossana before it returns satisfied to its owner’s side as she rises from the chair and you note that it is Princess Eutropia. Martella moves to take a seat in a nearby chair as the Princess gives you a polite nod, then speaks.
“For those that don't know me, my name is Eutropia Stavian I, firstborn of Stavian III, and I thank you for coming. I wanted to express my gratitude in person for rescuing my old schoolmate, Martella. She is a dear friend, and I am in your debt."
“You are bold and resourceful, yet apparently relative unknowns on Taldor’s political stage. Those are all incredibly valuable assets. Now more than ever I find myself in need of talented allies. My father, Pharasma rest his soul, seems to have been convinced my efforts at social reform were the precursor to usurping his throne. Some... dear friends... feared he would try to kill me at the exaltation; you may have noticed the Lion Blades on the scene in response. I had never imagined he could... That he had slipped so far.”
Eutropia takes a moment to compose herself, and then she continues. “Apparently, in his paranoia, my father formally adopted Maxillar Pythareus in a private ceremony to declare the general his heir. Or so Pythareus claims, and he has presented documentation to support his claim. There are even those nobles who believe the vote against primogeniture was a farce, or was coerced by those same elements that attacked the senate."
“The Ulfen Guard has sealed the palace and refuses admittance to anyone until the question is resolved. Normally this kind of issue would fall to the senate, but with the senate decimated and no emperor to approve new members... this situation is entirely unprecedented."
“I don’t know if I’m the best candidate for the throne, but I know Pythareus is not. He’s a warmonger and a regressive traditionalist. He preaches about waging war on the ‘upstart colonies’ and bringing them back into the empire by force. I won’t let him march us back into endless war, and I need allies of uncommon skill to ensure our nation’s future. I would be honored to have such noble allies as yourselves in this War for the Crown.”
It is pretty apparent that the princess is being genuine, though she seems to be choosing her words carefully.
Rossana was quite excited to see the Princess once more. Not only did it dispel some of the more gruesome rumors stating that she had been a casualty, but it also meant that Rossana would have a chance to speak to her once more. Being asked for help directly made Rossana's tail wag a bit unconsciously. It seems our fortune is turning around at last.
"Princess Eutropia, I would be honored to serve under you," Rossana states, giving a formal curtsy in her currently green gown.
The shock of seeing the princess makes the young woman speechless for a moment. Having missed the chance to meet her at the gala, parades were the only time she's ever seen the woman. Sitting down her hands fidget into her skirts, until it occurs to her that she shouldn't be sitting in the company of royalty, and pops ups.
After Rossana speaks she adds her own agreement "I'm just a baker, your majesty, but I'll help in anyway I can." including as best a curtsey as she can mimic from her friend.
Capricia listens impassively as the Princess speaks.
Just another lying, self-serving politician, the ex-pirate decides, telling us only what she thinks we want to hear while no doubt leaving out any of her own misdeeds in this royal mess!
Still, Capricia notices Rossana's unintended tail-wag and hears the awe and reverence in Sara's tone as she addresses the princess. Her two new friends are buying into all this political spin and mudslinging, and she feels it her duty to protect her more idealistic friends from Eutropa's inevitable betrayal.
Besides, if the two choices are to either support the princess or High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus...well, there really is no choice, is there? A potentially underhanded, power-grabbing princess or the man responsible for destroying her ancestral family and besmirching the honor of the Maxeme name...or what little honor remained after her grandfather turned from privateer to pirate several decades back.
"You're much more than a mere baker," Capricia gently chides Sara while offering a nod to Eutropa, acknowledging the princess has her service.
"My sister has never said anything except good of you." Caspian adds, with a courtly bow and a gentle kiss on the princess' outstretched hand. "And the work you have done for Taldor has been that which is definitely needed. My sword, loyalty and honor I Caspian Lotheed swear to you, Eutropia Stavian, as my house has served yours in ages past."
It is notable to those that pay attention to such things that, despite his invocation of his family and the Princesses, Caspian has sworn personal loyalty to the princess, rather than the more formal oaths of a liegeman to his sovereign or one noble family into alliance with another. It appears that the Princess is not the only one capable of choosing her words carefully.
The Princess smiles and nods to each of you in turn as you pledge your support, she quirks her brow as Caspian actually pledges himself to her directly, but doesn't seem to make particular note of it. Not waiting for Otavio to pledge his support specifically she adds "Thank you all. So, I'm sure you may be wondering what happens now? Now we rally our resources and allies. This is not a war we can win by swords; Pythareus commands the entirety of the Phalanx, and much of the rest of the military is fiercely loyal to him. This is a war we must win with words and guile and allies. We need the people of Taldor to unite behind a single monarch to dispel the military’s desire to settle this with force of arms. I don’t want the blood of common Taldans spilled to slake some petty squabble between nobles.”
She motions toward Martella as she continues "I will leave you in Martella's capable hands. She will be in touch once we have decided the best way to utilize your groups talents moving forward. However, before you depart, I would like to bestow on each of you an honorary title of knight for pledging your support to my cause. While I lack the official authority to knight you at this point, I wish to provide you this honorary title out of respect for your pledge to me."
When you are each ready to bend a knee she will tap each shoulder in turn with her sword as she then asks you to rise and uses a title of Sir or Dame, as appropriate, preceding your name.
Rossana can barely keep herself in a speakable state from her excitement as she is knighted. Soon I'll be free again. Yes! Dame Thorn. He he.
Unlike Rossana and Bimble, Capricia seems less-than-thrilled at being knighted. The princess's "I don’t want the blood of common Taldans spilled to slake some petty squabble between nobles” comment rings hollow in her admittedly biased ears...and if the deaths of 78 senators and over 100 of their aides qualifies as a mere 'petty squabble,' Capricia doesn't want to see what an all-out Taldan civil war will look like.
Still, she accepts the knighting without comment. Lady Belacrest sounds OK to her; Lady Maxeme would've sounded even better, but that's a family name she needs to keep hidden at present. Her lips twitch into a smirk as she thinks, It would never do to have it come to light that Princess Eutropa is associating with pirates!
Oddly enough, despite the pledge of personal loyalty, Caspian declines the knighthood with a slight shake of the head and falls quietly to the back of the group where he makes eye contact with his sister and shares a smile with her. A knighthood is wrong - too obvious and, for him, unnecessary.
I suppose if Bartelby ever marries and has a child then it might matter... but Grandfather has titles to spare. He concludes with a mental shrug. With that his mind turns to other matters, both family and otherwise - such as an intriguing notation he found in Master Ficklebopper's spellbook.
Sara is in a state of embarrassing shock (brown eyes wider than empty kitchen and a mouth so open a swallow might nest any moment). She stares as each member of their group, bends a knee, and becomes More (except for Caspian who was already more).
At her turn, she steps hesitantly forward. Then stops. "I, your majesty, decline. FOR Now!" she adds quickly and a touch too loudly. "I think, if the hearts of the people are what we need to win, then we should have at least one of us working toward that goal. And that's me, basic commoner at your command." her eyes dart at Capricia and gives a quick smile to her friend "When we win, if you are still willing, I'd be honored." she'll give a deep curtsey and steps back.
Capricia quirks an eyebrow at Sara when the bard refuses to be knighted, along with Caspian.
Hmm...if I'd known refusing was an option, maybe I'd have done so. Too late now....
Still, she understands her friend's thinking on the matter and gives Sara a nod and quick return smile.
The princess knights those who wants it and accepts the others polite refusal. After she departs is finished Martella sees you all out and notes "I shall find you when we are ready for the next step. In the meantime enjoy your accommodations and see to your own business."
Otavio is entirely too sober for the current proceedings and, so, bounces back and forth between daydreams of drowning himself in troughs filled with alcohol and paying attention to the heir to the throne's words, unofficial and unempowered as they are. When he speaks, Otavio sounds solemn, but the sober drunkard's pissy mood shines on through no matter how hard he tries to hide it. "It is the thought and sincerity of it that empowers the idea, your grace, and ideas need no mortal coil in order to thrive and survive." Sadly, said mortal coil often ends up paying the costs for empowering an idea. And Eutropia's idea seems to fit right into that category.
"Yes, I, Otavio Stivalo, accept, and I do hereby vow to unofficially quest in thy name until the 'un' can be discarded." After all, when given the choice between the army and a pretty face promoting - wait, she's actually promoting some pretty solid ideas ... - the choice is enough. May those noble officers drown in the blood they oh so love to spill!
Emboldened by her lady's words and faith, Rossana eagerly begins making plans as they leave. "We'll need a lot of people on our side if we want to make enough of a difference," Rossana points out to the group. "After all, Oppara is a large place. If Princess Eutropia will be needing us soon, it would be best if we found ways we could be useful. Maybe we can even get some agents like Lady Martella! Oh, what to do? What to do?"
-----
During the week, Rossana will keep herself busy with hosting a couple tea parties for the noble ladies in Oppara, in celebration of the end of primogeniture in Taldor, as well as to help cement their place in it. While hosting these events at her house's property, Rossana will subtly begin attempting to win over some of the noble ladies to the beginnings of her own court. With them, it would be simple to stay up to date on all the gossip around the city, as well as have extra allies at most events.
Talking with her friends, and hearing Rossana’s and Bimble’s plan, she decides that those with power often forget about the people standing right next to them with a pint of mead or a swish of a feather duster.
Sara already knew plenty of people around the restaurants and taverns that make up Oppara, but to truly know what is going through the minds of would be kings, she needed closer ears.
Dressing in her special non-hairy hat, morphed into a pleasant scullery maid outfit, Sara starts in the kitchens of not Pythareus himself but a whispered ally. A secret meeting with willing ears...
… goes off without a hitch. “Remember this is our country. Nobles serve us as much as we serve them. Or are supposed to. I’ve met the Princess, and she seems genuinely nice, and not in the fake half smile we get sometimes like they are glad they scraped us off their shoe. If you hear anything…”
After several such visits she gets word from a young gardener that Sara needed to see something for herself. Slipping into the opulent hedges one night with the gardener in question...
... was much easier than she had thought possible even with his misunderstanding exactly what his reward for getting her in was going to be.
The acts the nobleman's son was performing with the eager young wife of his father's closest friend... well that almost made Sara sorry she rebuked the gardener's advances.
A letter detailing the scene (including a drawing of the very unique birthmark the young woman had under her skirts) was discretely delivered the next day.
Caspian sends a few letters but then finds himself at something of a loss. Most of his 'friends' in the capital are precisely the wrong sort of people for what he needs right now, so he buries himself in the notes he's picked up from Bimble's spellbook instead.
And buys himself a fine new outfit...
Near the end of the week Martella seeks you out in person. She wants to make sure everything is alright and thanks you again for working with Morilla and her new agents to rescue her. After some small talk she reveals the real reason that she has come, the mission she is planning will have you heading back to the Lotheed estate and will likely have you running into Bartleby. She tells you it may be a good idea to send word ahead that you will be returning, but keep it is vague as possible as to the reason why. She is still working out the details but you'll likely be helping a neighboring estate to get reestablished.
A relatively quiet week passes in the city as each member of the group works on their own objectives. Much of Taldor runs on routine, without the need for direct oversight, and while an eerie quiet falls over the city, the citizens maintain their daily lives with little disruption for now. Talk in the street focuses heavily on the Exaltation Massacre and the War for the Crown, with everything from accurate news to wild speculation making the rounds. For now, at least, Oppara seems to be holding its breath, waiting to see if civil war is inevitable.
Despite the chaos and violence that rocked the senate and the factionalizing of the nation's aristocracy, remarkably little violence has broken out across Taldor. Over a dozen nobles—mostly Eutropia's distant relations—have declared themselves the true inheritors, but for now the empire runs on momentum. Most of the populace waits nervously, unsure of what to do without a senate to declare an official heir or an emperor to appoint new senators.
After you have had time to rest and attend to your own matters, Martella sends word to meet her at the Porthmos Club—an exclusive teahouse in Oppara's Aroden's View district. She instructs you to pack for a long trip through the country, and to bring at least one fine outfit, a suitable hunting outfit, and at least one respectable mask or costume.
Caspian, being a ladies man/man's man/man-about-town, is already well supplied with outfits but he visits his tailor anyway hoping that a few hours spent in the minutiae of fashion might help take his mind off the past few days. Speaking to Martella had helped, especially with the rather intriguing threads she had left for him to deal with.
Standing perfectly in place while Monsieur Jenappes applies his measuring tape, Caspian's analytical mind whirls, rapidly forming and discarding conclusions until only one sensible result remains.
Eutropia wants us to renounce the Palace. It is a stewardship after all and as she's cut off from the normal royal resources she needs alternate income... Which means our job is to convince Bartelby to give up his title. Smiling slightly Caspian has to offer his sister a mental round of applause. Bravo, sister dear. Bravo.
----------------
He arrives at the Porthmos Club neat and tidy. His valet, Smith, is already on his way to Meratt with much of Caspian's luggage.
"Bravo, Martella. Bravo." He greets his sister with a smile. "I'm sure you don't expect it to be easy, but the squirming will be quite a sight."
While walking around the city to get a better feel for its layout, Capricia stumbles upon a catastrophe: Some noblewoman's fluffy white cat has gotten loose and climbed a tree. Capricia to the rescue! All she gets for her kindness is a bunch of scratches and white fur all over her clothes.
Developing Capricia's Persona
Demonstrate Might (Heroism)
***********************************************
Taking a cue from Sara, Capricia decides to be nefarious: She'll sneak into the grounds of the villa of a nobleman loyal to Pythareus and vandalize their carriages and pull up their newly-planted flower beds!
Developing Capricia's Persona
Sabotage Opponent (Subterfuge)
Capricia depends heavily upon Sara and Rossana to pick out the various outfits Martella requires of her new agents. When she arrives at the teahouse, she has to muffle an amused chuckle: The place is a much grander version of a seedier saloon in Little Oppara named the Port Moss Club. The pirate version's name comes not only from Porthmos but also acknowledges the great swaths of spanish moss that cloak much of the tropical imitation.
Capricia raises one eyebrow as she considers whether true Taldan nobility add a splash of rum to give their tea more character. She rather doubts it.
With news of more activities approaching, Rossana quickly prepares a new dress for the event; a nice dark blue with a stylized butterfly pattern after her familiar's appearance. Though her newest item allowed her to give the illusion of any clothes, Rossana still enjoyed making her own real set. Combined with appropriate riding attire as well as a couple of nice ball masks, Rossana prepares her luggage for the trip. One nice dress indeed!
----------
After exciting helping Sara and Capricia with their outfits, as well as any last minute tailoring anyone needed, Rossana arrives at the Porthmos Club quite excited for the extended trip. "This is going to be so much fun!"
Rossana's shopping trip is pomp and poof, overwhelming and delicious at the same. Heaven,chaos, silk and too many laces for sense. An experience Sara could not have attempted without her friend. In the end she limits herself to one truly stunning gown of red and black with a back up in case that is torn and bloodied.
Her costume is dove gray with a plunging neckline, pink ribbon tail with a mask of soft fur, whiskers, round ears: a mouse.
She has never been on a hunt, being a city girl through and through, but she doesn't wish to abstain like Bimble (even though it is rather sensible). To many things might happen. So she takes direction completely on that one from Rossana. Leathers, skirts, and a hat helmet like thing.
Most everything else is nice and sensible.
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As the group arrives Martella gives Caspian a wry smile and a knowing wink. As you take a seat and tea and biscuits arrive Martella pulls out her mechanical cricket once again setting it on the table. She pulls out a stack of papers and lays them on the table in front of you all before beginning. She looks to you each and smiles “You are all here not only at my request but at the request of the Princess. As you can imagine, you'll be going on a little trip and seeing that you have bags packed I appreciate you agreeing to this on such short notice. So..." She slides the papers over to you and continues with a grin "Please, have an estate..."
“I wish I could say this little gift didn’t come with strings attached, but these are tangled times. As the Princess noted, the Ulfen Guard, the emperor’s personal bodyguards, have locked down the imperial palace, and they won’t allow access to anyone until Taldor has an official Grand Prince once again. It keeps unreasonable sorts from looting the palace, I suppose, but it has also sealed away Eutropia’s personal wealth. The Stavian family has another estate, though, the Palace of Birdsong, but the Stavians entrusted its care and maintenance to stewards two centuries ago. These stewards now refuse to leave and, I’m told, are courting Maxillar Pythareus’s favor. It doesn’t help matters that these squatters are mine and Caspian's family, or that my half brother Bartelby has been squandering the estate’s fortunes."
“While we technically have the authority to demand the estate’s return, we lack the power. If we could weaken Bartelby’s power base and woo some of his subordinates to support us, we could reclaim the Palace of Birdsong. That’s where you and your lovely new home comes in."
“The Lady Allis Betony died nearly a decade ago, leaving no heirs. We purchased her estate at auction last week, and I have taken the liberty of drawing up a few documents listing you as Betony family scions. You’ll be arriving just in time to make your debut at the annual Tanager Jubilee."
She nods toward the outside window where you see a large fancy carriage and horses now waiting outside. "The carriage and horses are yours to keep, as you can’t very well be seen walking to the jubilee; I’ll be riding with you and then on to Cassomir once we near the county border. Make friends, learn the lay of the land, and afterward do what you can to win the nobles’ and citizens’ loyalty. Undermine Bartelby, and wherever you can, try to improve peoples’ lives and engender loyalty. For any overt actions you take, you’ll likely want to hide your identity to keep Bartelby from cracking down on you."
“I feel I must stress the importance of your task. The princess has sold her townhouse to fund this plan, and at this point her resources are perilously thin. If we’re to stand any chance in this bid for the throne, we need a suitable base of operations and steady income.”
She grins as she looks to each of you [b]"Before we depart one of you will need to sign your name to these papers, to take ownership and you will be pretending to be some distant relation of the Betony family, thus giving you the right to claim the estate. The rest of you are welcome to play whatever roll you feel you can pull off, but I would suspect you being relatively unknown as you are it would be a simpler and more believable approach to not aim too high. I will leave this decision for you to decide among yourselves." She pours herself a cup of tea and sits back in her seat to let you all discuss among yourselves.
"I know of the Betony Family from out there, though I did not have the chance to meet them, and a short jaunt out into the countryside will be quite the wonderful experience," Rossana states.
"I might be able to pull off being a distant relative with my shapechanging, though I don't know how my father will react to me suddenly having my own estate. Or I could be the group's personal tailor! Be in charge of all the designs and such. That would be a lot of fun!"
The enormity of what Lady Martella is asking of them falls hard on the young woman. Before they were aids, pawns, just helpful bits to move other bits around the board... now... EVERYTHING DEPENDED ON THEM!
Sara leaned back in her tea house chair, pulling her black cinnamon roast with her, slipping, mind whirling. "You would be our best bet Rossana, being a noble woman already and not known there like Caspian. But can you keep your shapeshifting up at all times? And would anyone be able to see through it, with magic of their own?"
She thinks more... "We could fudge and smudge the details a bit, saying your family itself was connected to the Betony Family, allowing you to be you. Though that means your family could legally get involved a bit, right?" she looks at Bimble with the question.
Bartelby is the eldest son of Count Mercater Lotheed and runs the county of Meratt like a personal kingdom, with little regard for broader politics beyond his borders. Like most Lotheeds, he commands considerable arcane gifts as well as considerable contempt for anyone who does not—including his half-sister Martella. Bartelby is clever and strong, a combination that makes him arrogant.
The Palace of Birdsong is one of the Stavian estates, but the Stavians haven’t visited it in centuries. Fairly humble, as palaces go. A century ago, the Lotheeds were appointed as regents to oversee it and the county.
Aside from what Martella mentions you don't know anything else of note about the Jubilee.
As Bimble inquires about the Jubilee, Martella puts her cup down "It’s an annual sort of founders’ day celebration. Local tradition claims that when Count Markolian Stavian broke ground for the palace some eight centuries ago, a scarlet tanager landed on his shovel and sang his praises. It’s a day off for the lower classes, but the aristocracy celebrates with two days of feasting, games, dancing, tournaments, a hunt, and a masquerade ball. Making a good showing at the jubilee is an excellent way to win influence in the region.” She nods to Bimbles suggestion he would not make the best candidate for taking ownership of the estate.
When Sara notes about shapeshifting and having to pretend to be someone else Martella interjects "Whomever claims the estate, the relationship is distant enough that there is no need to hide your name unless that is just something you want to do." She smiles and looks to Sara "Even you could claim ownership, but as Sir Ficklebopper noted in order to not draw unneeded attention it would be easiest if a human were the one to play this role."
Sara is caught somewhere between a flutter of insanity at the possibility and a creeping insult at the 'Even You' part of Martella's statement. A feeling she hopes she can not show all over her face.
Looking around she asks "Who is willing to try it? And then once we have the willing ones, we can discuss which would be best."
"I've heard of this Bartleby--eldest son of Count Mercater Lotheed who runs the county of Meratt like a personal kingdom, with little regard for broader politics beyond his borders. Like most Lotheeds, he commands considerable arcane gifts as well as considerable contempt for anyone who does not. Bartelby is said to be clever and strong, a combination that makes him arrogant. It's unfortunate such a man was allowed to wield such power over Meratt."
"A reasonably description of my brother, if lacking in... color." Caspian comments dryly. "He's the eldest son. Which explains almost everything about him, including why he is in charge and why he is arrogant. It's a family trait but he was practically bred to it."
He nods as the group discussion centers on a candidate. "Rossana makes the most sense. If you could bear to be considered my friend Lady Thorn then it may be that you came to the capital looking to find your way in the world and I made the connection to the Bettony estate. As such I am duty bound to escort you. I've warned Bartelby that I am coming home, but whether he will want me staying with him... is another matter entirely."
"We could say it comes through my mother's line, and now that primogeniture has been overturned, I felt able to come forward," Rossana suggests. "Your idea is great Caspian. And Sara, you could be my handmaid. You would get to wear dresses and such, but be able to sneak away if needed during parties."
Sara laughs at Bimble's complement. "I do have a habit of getting into trouble, but I do think Rossana is perfect for it, now that we know she won't have to be someone else." Looking around "Any objections to Rossana being the new Lady Betony?"
"No," Capricia replies to Sara. "Who am I supposed to be, though--Lady Betony's bodyguard? Are bodyguards invited to costume parties?"
"You could just be her friend. Travelling with her to make the young noblewoman more comfortable." Sara suggests to Capricia "Nobles don't, or at least, shouldn't just be surrounded by people who are working for them."
"Yeah!" Rossana agrees. "You could be of another small house from here, since they probably wouldn't of heard of it just like the Thorns."
"Unless you want to be one of mine?" Caspian offers. "A useful person I've found to help/assist/protect Rosanna. My ex-fiance has a lady who fulfills the same function. Her name is Sara and she has the most dangerous taste in shoes I have ever seen."
Once it seems that the group is in agreement Martella goes through the papers with Rossana showing her where to sign. She notes as she points out various parts of the paperwork "If it should come up, these documents make you out as the second cousin, once removed, of the late Lady Allis Betony implying your great-grandfather was grandfather to Allis. It's unlikely anyone will care to go looking back that far but you should understand your cover..."
Once the documents are signed she splits the pile giving one set to Valeria and another she signals an errand boy over who opens a satchel for Martella to place the papers and then promptly make his way out of the building. She looks to everyone and smiles "Alright, any other questions or should we depart?" As she realizes she hadn't answered Bimble's earlier question she notes "It will take about 5 days to get to Meratt."
"I haven't been out of the city much at all, so this will be a wonderful trip!" Rossana says, her excitement quite high as her tail swishes back and forth.