Septis and Lil show up after the expansive line has already formed. Letting out a deep sigh he goes to get a place in line, not looking for or waiting on any of the others. He had a job to do and he was confident he wouldn't need the help of the others, though they very well might need him in which case they can come and track him down, as he doesn't want to spend one more minute in this ridiculous line then he has to. He turns to Lil and comments as he points toward the Senator's entrance and them not having to wait in line "See another benefit of me eventually getting my seat on the senate... not having to wait in long lines with the rest of the riff-raff..."
Lil rolls her eyes "I hope you have more aspirations than just skipping line when you become a senator Master."
Septis shoots her a glare of ice and nearly shouts back "Well of course I do..." Noticing he drew the occasional glance from others nearby he adjusts his robes for a moment and continues in a calmer tone "I was simply stating that with that kind of power comes other ancillary benefits, like not having to stand in ridiculous lines."
Lil simply nods and shrugs. As the two slowly make their way through the line they look at the other various people waiting around them talking about how that one lady is wearing clothes that are so out of style for the time, and the other gentleman has facial hair that looks like a raccoon is nesting on his face, among other gossip to pass the time.
Sif waits in the line, pretending to be one of the noble-adoring commoners. She stays away from the other employees of Martella, wanting to make them less conspicuous. Her nice outfit and jewelry make her appear like some successful performer.
Lillian slowly moves towards the line, showing off our her new fancy wardrobe and accessories and walking with a casual elegance. Her clothing and pearls scream of wealth and nobility, not sparing any expense for the event tonight. Of particular note, the new pearls that dangle from her pale neck help draw attention to her upper body and specifically her purposefully exposed cleavage.
Though the line is long, she doesn't worry about missing out on anything quite yet. Before getting in line she pins the accessory identifying her as an aide that she received from Martella. She doesn't know if Martella is listening, so she whispers towards the pin "I'm here, getting in line now."
As she approaches the line and sees Sif in the back, she looks at her curiously as she passes. Clearly not in the same frame of mind, she leans in and whispers Come on, let's move up."
Continuing on, she struts up to Septis and announces upon arrival. "Thank you for holding the place for me."
When it becomes obvious that Liloria is Septi's +1, she turns to face her. Looking her up and down, she can't really see her too well under the cloak and hood. She asks Septis while still looking at Liloria "What is your servants name? Was she not allowed to dress to the occasion or is this considered fashionable from where you are from?"
Victor awaits Lady Martella to provide her escort as her personal aide, as previously discussed. When she arrives, he falls into step as would be expected of an aide and with a bow of his head greets her with ”My Lady.”
As they approach the gathering, he says quietly to her without facing her ”So...anything further I should be aware of?”
Lil scowls at the woman "I can speak for myself, my name is Liloria. As for my clothes, well yes Master doesn't buy me lots of pretty clothes..." she shrugs as she continues "Though I prefer not to be wearing any so it's usually not a big deal..."
Lillian can see, when Lil turns to address her that she has horns under her hood, very similar to what one would expect from a tiefling.
Septis looks over to Lillian as she comes over and addresses him. Before he can get a word in though Lil responds to the woman. He shakes his head as he tries to correct Lil "I know you aren't used to events like this but you can't speak out of turn like that Lil... not only will it potentially get you in trouble it will make things more difficult for me... If you can't behave I will send you away!"
Lil turns away from Lillian and nods without saying another word. Septis rolls his eyes and looks to Lillian "So now you want to join me when I have a better spot in line... "
Sif shrugs and follows along with the others, pretending to be an attendant of Lillian and Septis.
Lillian is taken aback and straightens her posture, tilting her head a little bit at Liloria. Whether it's the discovery of her tiefling horns or her words that set her back, she doesn't confirm. She pats Lillian on the shoulder and points behind Sif. "Why don't you be a good girl and go stand over there while I talk to your Master."
She turns her back on Liloria without waiting for a response and steps between her and Septis. She pouts and sticks out her bottom lip as she says "Awww. Are your feelings hurt already? Can't a Lady change her mind? Did I hurt your feelings?"
Lil bumps Lillian with her shoulder as she begrudgingly moves back toward Sif and whispers to the tiefling "Filthy humans always think they are so superior... while my master might want to bed her, I doubt she can offer much more of value than that..."
Bumped by Liloria, Lillian tries to refrain from turning around pushing the servant to the ground. Controlling her temper she rubs her shoulder where the demon pushed her and plays it up to Septis. "Can't control your pets, I see. Someone needs to teach her some manners. Quickly."
Septis shrugs nonchalantly "You have done nothing of the sort and you are of course welcome to change your mind, I suppose it is to be expected..." he stops himself short of making some comment that might be considered inappropriate to a strong willed woman and changes the subject "In any case, while we are standing around waiting perhaps we should discuss the tasks laid out ahead of us?"
When Lillian complains about Lil he smirks and replies "Oh, don't you worry, I will be sure to teach her some manners..."
Lil bumps Lillian with her shoulder as she begrudgingly moves back toward Sif and whispers to the tiefling "Filthy humans always think they are so superior... while my master might want to bed her, I doubt she can offer much more of value than that..."
Sif just grunts, not wanting to comment on Lillian right in front of her. Instead she says, "Nice horns."
Lil smirks and replies to Sif "Not bad yourself. I'm Lil by the way. Why are you following these two around anyway?" she motions toward Lillian and Septis.
Nodding to Septis, she puts away her pout for now and places her right hand on her hip. She looks up to Septis and asks curiously "Not a bad idea. A planner, are you? Do you think you can take care of the things you were tasked with by yourself or should we all work together to ensure they get done."
She takes her hand off her hip as she realizes how that sounds "I'm not saying your not capable of holding up your end of the workload by the way, I'm just curious how you think we should approach it. My friend Martella mentioned you were aiming for a senate seat? Which one is that? Hmmm?"
Septis nods to her last inquiry and works his way back from there "My father's seat, he passed away not long ago and the seat should have fallen to me, but the other senators are blocking it. As for our tasks, I'm sure I am more than up to the task especially with Lil to assist me. However, I assume the better we all do together, the more likely Martella will be to help us achieve our own endeavors. I suppose the whole 'the weakest link is what breaks the chain' applies here and I would hate for one of the others to fail at what was required and mess things up for the rest of us."
He smiles coyly as he returns the platitude "Not to imply, of course, that you aren't up to the tasks ahead either."
Victor awaits Lady Martella to provide her escort as her personal aide, as previously discussed. When she arrives, he falls into step as would be expected of an aide and with a bow of his head greets her with "My Lady."
As they approach the gathering, he says quietly to her without facing her "So...anything further I should be aware of?"
As Victor arrives, he finds Lady Martella talking to another senator, requiring him to keep his distance for a couple minutes before she can join him. "Sir Victor, I'm glad you asked..."
Discreetly, she handles him two itens: the first one is an ornate syringe, while the second is a simple piece of paper. "This syringe contains the putrefying agent that Sif will need to foul the wine in the kitchen and this paper contains the list of itens Lillian will need to disappear with... I have some matters to attend, so if you could give them these itens, I'd be grateful."
"Good luck, Sir Victor... we'll meet inside, for I sadly can't wait with you in the line and you can't enter with me like the other senators."
”Yes ma’am,” he replies and tucks the items away securely. He bows to her before turning and heading for the much longer line.
He finds them in a small group. Good idea, all of the same group entering together.
He approaches, giving Septis a nod. He arches an eyebrow at the new woman among their number waking with Sif, but sees the pin and assumes she must be the companion Septis had mentioned.
”Our benefactor has sent me with some things for you,” he says quietly as he hands the note to Lillian and the syringe to Sif.
Sif takes the syringe and tucks it away in her clothing. "Thanks Vic. I think I should sneak off and use this early, before things really kick off."
Septis notes Victor's arrival but doesn't saw a word to the man. After Victor hands Lillian the letter Septis continues their previous conversation. "In any case, do you know much about Duke Centimus or Countess Pace? I'm afraid I'm not as familiar with them and any ammunition I have before approaching them could help. What about Baron Okerra?"
Not waiting for an answer he proposes a bit of a quid pro quo "You're supposed to look into the High Strategos and liberate some items donated by Earl Vernisant if memory serves? I can share what I know about both of them if you think it might be helpful."
Lil noticing Victor looking her over smiles as she saunters over to the muscular man. "Hello handsome. So you're coming along for this game as well?" She gives him a devilish grin as she asks "Maybe you and I can set carve out some time to get to know one another a little better while the others are running about doing whatever it is they are going to be doing. What do you say?"
Victor raises an eyebrow at the forward ness of this lady. She must mistake him for someone of some sort of merit to be so forward...surely. ”I beg your pardon, ma’am, but do I know you?” he asks in confusion.
Lil gives him a wink "Not yet. I saw you briefly at the clothing store. My master brought me along to help him pick out an outfit." She takes his arm in hers and smiles "I'm sure we can find a place where you can get to know me better if you like."
Victor blushes and looks to Lilly, not sure how to respond in this situation. He doesn’t want to create a scene and draw attention to themselves, but also doesn’t want this woman thinking she has ensnared his attention.
”And your name, madam?”
"You can call me Lil, or if you prefer, sweatheart..." she replies with a flirtatious grin.
Sif is clearly taken aback by Lil's complete lack of social decorum and obvious nymphomania. She can't help but comment to the succubus wannabe, "Yo. You just met this prick, and clearly he's as prude as my great uncle Karlaf. Why don't you buy him a drink before you take off his pants? Or is Septis here just your pimp? You here to work the rich boys and earn a little coin for 'master'?"
Lil turns to look at Sif and gives her a violent glare as if to imply she would have to wait in line if she wanted a piece as she has first dibs. Turning back to Victor she grins "Oh do you need some liquid courage handsome? I'm sure I can find us something when we get inside. Don't worry about her though, she is just jealous that I'm much more attractive then she is."
Lillian takes the note, quickly skimming it to memorize its contents. She folds up the note and stuffs it into her dress just so she can reference it later if need be. She is startled when Sif calls him Vic. She snaps her gaze around to look at Victor accusingly. Is there something there? Is he trying to make me jealous with.... that?
Lillian turns back to Septis and nods, "Yes, yes I do. I've spent a fair amount of time studying politicking and those three are quite unavoidable. I'll gladly share, our fates are bound tonight are they not? The collective success is good for us all."
"The Baron is a noble and hero in the county of Meratt, renowned for his good looks as he is for his combat skills."
"An attending duke of Grand Duchess Cisera Tiberan of Tandak prefecture, Centimus is an intellectual and tinkerer whose head for systems makes him a good administrator, if a little awkward with people."
"The countess is a member of the senate from the western borders of Taldor. She has a reputation of seeking to advance her plans by any means available."
When Liloria all but takes her clothes off for Victor, Lillian tries to ignore it. When she drops sweethert however, Lillian bites her lip and clenches her fists.
Without turning to face her, Lillian addresses Septis. "Your servant is going to ruin our operation. Clearly she doesn't understand her place here tonight. She can't keep her mouth shut long enough to understand that speaking that way will draw undue attention. Either teach her a lesson or I will."
Folding her arms she says sternly as if lecturing "I will not have this operation foiled before we even set in the door! Do you not understand what is at stake? Are you taking this seriously?"
Septis hadn't been paying particular attention to Lil as he was talking with Lillian but when she complains he looks back toward Lil and says something in a vile sounding tongue that no one else understands. While the words themselves are unknown the meaning is pretty clear that he is scolding her and making some sort of threat.
Lil stares at him for a moment then simply shrugs as she lets go of Victor and steps back toward Sif and states in common "Fine, I'll keep quiet but there had better be some sort of entertainment for me from tonight's events..." She stands back pouting at being scolded but doesn't say another word.
Septis turns his attention back to Lillian "Sorry, of course this is a serious matter, I wouldn't be here otherwise. She will stay quiet." Having no desire to lingure on the topic of his companion he promptly changes the subject "Anyway, thank you for the information. Now for what I know. I'm sure with your obvious wealth of experience in the political circles you know about the High Strategos, however the Earl is a bit of a lesser known figure. He is a proud man with considerable political ambitions. He and I are actually alike in many ways. Earl Calhadion Vernisant is the appointed leader of Greater Ridonport and a hereditary senator. Lately, he has played up his being a direct descendant of General Arnisant, a prominent historical military figure, and has been using his pedigree to make his political enemies appear to be unpatriotic. Which isn't too bad of a strategy I must confess."
Lil's licentiousness curtailed for the moment, Sif turns to the rest of the group. "As soon as we get inside I'm going to break for the kitchens and try to get rid of this syringe. Then I'll come back and try to figure out which senators to smear. Sound good?"
Nodding to Septis's handling of the situation with Liloria, Lillian then takes note of the information he passes along on the Earl. "Thank you, that is most useful."
When Sif comes up with a plan, Lillian concurs "Sounds good. Good luck."
Thinking about Sif's plans further, she wonders if they need to plan for trouble. "Should we have a code word or something that means someone is in trouble or needs help? I have to admit I've never done this kind of thing before."
Septis shrugs "Even if we had a code word how would we communicate it to everyone?" He continues adding his thoughts on the plan "I am going to seek out my targets and try to garner some influence with them before achieving my objectives."
"Do I look like I'm in my element here? I'd sooner be calling it like it is than all this sneaking and conniving."
Free of Lil’s clutches, composed himself quickly before he quietly falls in behind Lilly and Septis. He listens intently to their insights on the people inside, just in case any of the information would prove useful later.
As they near the entrance, he mutters ”Best to end plotting, too much whispering will draw attention. Best to look like the excited guests we are supposed to be...”
Lillian frowns at her companions lack of interest in subterfuge and secrecy and then just shrugs to agree with Victor. She steps away from the group and begins to complain about having to wait in line. "I can't beleive we have to stand out here and wait so long. The gala will be completed before we even make it to the door."
Looking up the line she tries to gauge how much longer it will be. "Maybe we can slip the ones at the front a few coin to get in there. I don't want to miss anything!"
The line moves painfully slowly and you imagine it will take several hours for you to reach the front. Dozens of overeager merchants attempt to sell you a variety of wares, from refreshments to food, fans and even novelty Taldan flags and phony pieces of historical memorabilia. Several others in the line begin to bemoan the wait, touting their respective level of importance based on association with their affiliated nobles and senators. Aside from the endless rant and offerings, a couple conversations draw your attention:
Two young wannabe senators talk with each other as they walk past you. "...so, my uncle is a merchant and he's getting coins from all over the old colonies during these week." The second one nods. "Yeah, the empire is great and is rising once more... maybe some of the old colonies are starting to regret leaving..."
An enormously fat noblewoman talks to another one, with evident disgust in her voice. "I hear tell the emperor’s going to exalt another of his Ulfen bodyguards like he did for Baron Vinmark. Last thing we need is another barbarian lording it over us..."
Another pair of noblewomen, this time pretty young, walk slowly while drinking an elaborate drink. "Have you heard High Strategos Pythareus is back in the capital? I guess that means the marriage between him and the princess is back on... He’s so handsome; he’ll make a lovely emperor..." The other girl, however, doesn't appear too happy with the suggestion. What a waste... do you remember that Eutropia brought that disgusting mutt of hers to the Elbistan Tournament last spring, and the wretched beast drooled on the silk table dressings? She’d never get away with such impropriety if her father weren’t pulling strings to protect her... such a childish behavior...
Sif listens to the rumors with interest, especially that about the Ulfen guard, but isn't really knowledgeable enough to know what they are talking about. She swallows to keep her nervousness down around so many judgemental nobles.
Lillian was contributing to the complaints of how long it was taking in line until she starts hearing everyone else complaining. She keeps her complaints to herself, wondering if they are going to miss the entire event because they are stuck in line! When talk of the High Strategos is mentioned among a pair of women however, Lillian pauses to listen in as it aligns to her goals of the evening.
Princess Eutrophia and the High Strategos? No, it can't be.
Shaking her head at the thought of the idea, she files these pieces of information away for later use this evening if need be.
Looking around, she tries to find a way to get inside instead of standing here. She asks "Do you think if we splashed a few coin to the men up front we could get inside instead of wasting away out here?"
Septis is happy to continue complaining about the wait even if others of the group don't continue with him. He listens to the gossip but doesn't pay any of it much heed as most of it sounds ridiculous or unimportant for his purposes. Lil remains quiet with a scowl on her face as she waits with the others. When Lillian suggests trying to buy early entry he shrugs "You are welcome to try, but I'm sure there are several here who could pay more than we that don't seem to be getting in. I will save your spot in line if you want to give it a shot."
More than once, while waiting in the line, you notice guards walking along the line to ensure everything is in place. From time to time, some more distinguished guards approach the line to address more sensible matters, like when someone tries to sneak ahead in line.
Just as Lillian and Septis mention finding a way to get ahead, one such inspector approaches you from behind. She is exotically beautiful and slim, with olive skin and deep black hair. "Excuse me, noble ladies and lords, but could you follow me? Due to our security protocol, you were selected for a random inspection... rest assured that you will not lose your place in the line. Please, follow me." There is authority in the woman's voice, as if she was used to have her orders being obeyed.
"Of course..." Sif mutters to herself, looking unsurprised. She follows the woman resignedly.
Lillian takes note of the heritage of the woman and files it away. Perhaps it will be useful later.
Unable to determine whether this is innocent or not, Lillian grows suspicious and hesitates to move off when Sif just goes ahead and agrees. Lillian doesn't move quiet yet, looking to Victor and Septis first to see how they handle this.
Victor looks to the others and shrugs, ”Of course, madam. What seems to be the trouble?” he asks as he steps out of line at her request.
Lil still scowling watches the woman approach. Not talking she had nothing better to do then watch her surroundings. This was the first ‘guard’ that had pulled anyone aside. She had definitely taken a specific interest in their little group. She hesitates a moment considering whether to say anything and decides not to as she thinks I will save Septis if things go wrong and maybe the handsome one, but screw the other two b#$&!es.... She inches up to Septis’s side while she waits for him to act.
He notes the woman’s ancestry which makes him wonder slightly about the woman not being Taldan, but her sense of authority seems appropriate for a guard so he shrugs and follows along.
When Victor and Septis both willingly follow this guard away, Lillian relents and decides to fall in behind them. Not sure what to expect, she tries to figure out why they have been randomly selected.
Victor looks to the others and shrugs, ”Of course, madam. What seems to be the trouble?” he asks as he steps out of line at her request.
"Just some routine inspection... nothing more." She answers as she continues to guide you to the steps. Once you are away from the crowd, the woman turns and introduces herself, her demanding appearance almost completely gone. "Very well, my name is Kathann Zalar, and a friend in common asked me to help you enter the senate..." She then proceeds to inspect you, suggesting that she is indeed a member of the senate's protection detail. However, when she discovers Sif's not-so-well concealed syringe, she gently hides it better, winking at Sif in the process.
Once she is satisfied, she points you to the steps once more. "I know I've said I'd return you to the spot you were in the line... but instead I will move you ahead of the others, since I believe you are citizens of utmost credibility and are not intending to do anything dire, right?"
Lillian is surprised at the pleasant turn of events. She shows Kathann the two daggers she has hidden and asks if they are okay as well. "For insurance purposes only, I assure you."
At the offer for a better place in line, Lily is all smiles. "Oh, why thank you. That offer is most graciously accepted! And indeed! We are nothing more but a few Lords and Ladies and, " she turns to face Liloria but not Sif as she finished "their well behaved servants."
If Liloria is going to speak or not, Lily keeps her back to the others and raises her fingers to her lips. "Shh... Better you get into your role now and learn to speak only when spoken too." With a wink she turns back around to the others, the overjoyed smile reappearing. "Shall we?"