Not able to track down any useful leads to approach the Duke he decides to just go find the man in the archives and get to work. When he sees an opening he approaches the Duke and makes small talk "Quite the night. Should be a historical evening for Taldor, no matter how tonights vote turns out." With a smile he extends his hand "Septis Hadrias my lord."
Victor begins trying to make his way to the Junior Senator, but finds the crowds a bit more pressing this trip...
Lillian slinks about the room looking for an opportunity to snatch the next item of interest. As she eyes the shield, she knows this is going to be more difficult due to its size. Waiting for the right tie, she strolls by and slips it behind her as she edges down a corridor into a backroom and deposits it out of sight.
With the shield removed, she returns to Maxillar and tries to get close enough to him to continue eaves dropping.
Despite only needing to make three of the five itens donated by Earl Vernisant to embarrass him, Lillian is able to also steal the ornate buckler, which is o exceptional quality. However, because of her devotion to steal all the itens, Lillian has the impression that she arrived too late back to the High Strategos company, as one of those talking to him nods and leaves in a hurry.
Septis finds Duke Leonard Centimus behind a table while he examines a huge book about heraldry. As a half-elf, it is difficult to ascertain his true age, but he appears young despite have airs of someone very knowledgeable. With a round face and a few extra pounds, the duke sits in a finely crafted wheel chair. "Yes, it should..." the duke answers, careful with his words. "A pleasure, Mr. Hadrias." He replies as he grabs Spetis's hand.
Up in the gallery, Sif finds more children than senators, being taken care by aides and maids and being entertained by an assortment of magicians, clowns and jugglers. One of them catches her attention for a couple minutes, a halfling wearing standout black-red-and-white attire and similar makeup, embellishing her round face to resemble a raccoon.
With a few well placed compliments, Sif manages to gain some favor, focusing more on those not accompanied by children. It is a bit infuriating, however, as many move their children away from her due to her profane heritage.
Victor chooses his path poorly and walks almost in circles in the senate floor, which is crowded. Once he gets to the Gallery, he recognizes Sif, but the distraction causes him to step on the foot of a little boy, who after a second to catch his breath, starts to crying loudly.
Senate Floor: 17
Sif tries to join in to the perfomances in the gallery, attempting to tumble a bit, but she gets caught up in her fancy outfit and makes a fool of herself. Embarrassed, she leaves the area immediately.
Septis shakes the mans hand and smiles "I was actually hoping to get your thoughts on the matter. You see I'm hoping to work my way toward a seat at the senate one day so I've been trying to learn from those with experience. If you don't mind me asking, so that I can have a better understanding of the workings of the senate, have you decided how you plan to vote, and more importantly what swayed you one way or the other?"
So focused on swiping the items, Lillian gets caught up in traffic and panics when she can't find the general where he was last. She tries to move about the room but gets caught behind some official procession of some kind and crosses her arms as she stands on her tiptoes searching without much luck.
After a couple minutes, Lillian finally finds the High Strategos, but to her frustration, it appears he had just now dispatched a couple aides around the senate, but she is too far away to grasp anything more than that. By sheer bad luck, it appears the High Strategos decided to act just when she was away.
The duke appears to be caught by surprise by your words, wasting no time before asking him about his vote. "What a direct way to ask me this, Mr. Hadrias... I'm surprised, even if I'm not certain if for good or bad." He smiles. "I'm torn between congratulating you for this effort, knowing to well that the senate would be well served by stopping walking in circles before revealing its intention, and advising you that such tactic could not be well received."
You have the sense that you got a good lead in this conversation and with a bit more of effort you'll be able to extract the information you seek.
Children are mean creatures. Untouched by the feelings of others, be them their siblings, friends, or complete strangers, these mean creatures laugh and make fun of Sif's unskilled moves. One has even the audacity to throw a half-eaten and thoroughly slobber covered piece of bread in her face before she can flee from the area.
Just as Victor had finally disengaged from the angry mother that insisted he had stepped on her 'precious prince' on purpose, Sif crashes on him in her hasty exit from the galleries, causing him to trip for about 10 feet before knocking down a serving girl carrying a plate with breaded shrimps surrounding a bow with dipping sauce.
Septis nods to the Dukes words. When he finishes he gives him a gentle, friendly pat on the shoulder and smiles "Well, I hope you're leaning more toward the congratulations than the rebuke. Maybe you would even go so far as to let me know who else I could talk to on the matter that would be willing to share their wisdom with me, regardless of their political leanings? As I said, my goal is to join the senate and I'm not going to let this opportunity slip by without getting a better idea of how the political process works from the masters who are already in the thick of it."
Lillian retreats from the High Strategos, frustrated that she wasn't able to complete her task as instructed. Moving towards the main area she begins to seek out her companions, catching up to them and whispering "How is it going?
Sif wipes the bread from her face and goes to find Lillian. "I got my stuff done. Been trying to influence things in general, but I'm not getting very far."
The duke ponders your words for a couple seconds before answering. "Yes, I guess I can point you to a few good politicians I know that could help you to form your mind. You need to have in mind, however, that since I'm not a senator, my view might be biased towards the administration of Taldor. And yes, I'm leaning towards congratulation you." He smiles and shifts in his chair.
"I believe, Mr. Hadrias, that we are all capable of achieving what we want if we try hard enough. It matters not if you are young or old, or to which race you belong, or what one have between their legs. Everyone is equally capable. I hope this also answers your previous question." He smiles once more.
Suddenly, you all hear a message inside your heads. "Good night, my aides. Is everything going according to the plan? I'd like to meet you. Come to the Gallery, please."
As you reach the gallery, you find Lady Martella grinning and clapping gently as she watches one of the jugglers, a small halfling that resembles a raccoon, but she hurriedly composes herself and dons her air of mystery once she realizes anyone is watching. As she notices you, the discreetly directs you to a small meeting point on the upper walkways she has sanctioned off, with some chairs and a pot of fresh coffee.
Once you are sit around her, she casually asks you. "So, how is everything going? Do any of you need any assistance?"
"I finished my assigned tasks, Lady Martella," Sif says, pretending the children who mocked her earlier aren't there. "I'm not sure if the bottle will stand up to inspection, but the wine is soured, and I discredited one of the opponents of primogeniture."
Victor blushes and says embarrassed ”I’m not accustomed to crowds quite this thick, or intense. I’m trying to make my way through them without offending anyone, to mixed results...”
Lillian is equally embarrassed. "I was able to misplace most of the items you identified Martella, but, " she sighs, shaking her head. "I grew too distracted in that task and lost sight of the High Strategos and let him get away."
She hangs her head, feeling failure. "I've failed you. I am sorry. I will try harder next time."
"I finished my assigned tasks, Lady Martella," Sif says, pretending the children who mocked her earlier aren't there. "I'm not sure if the bottle will stand up to inspection, but the wine is soured, and I discredited one of the opponents of primogeniture."
The lady thinks for a couple seconds before replying. "Very well, perhaps I'll need to ask someone to distract the one opening the bottle... not ideal, but doable, of course. May I ask you which noble you discredited?"
Victor blushes and says embarrassed "I'm not accustomed to crowds quite this thick, or intense. I'm trying to make my way through them without offending anyone, to mixed results..."
"Well, as long as you don't shove them aside and provoke accidents, you are good." She then removes another letter and handles it over to Victor. "Here, this letter needs to reach Lady Glorianna Morilla, in the courtyard."
Lillian is equally embarrassed. "I was able to misplace most of the items you identified Martella, but, " she sighs, shaking her head. "I grew too distracted in that task and lost sight of the High Strategos and let him get away."
She hangs her head, feeling failure. "I've failed you. I am sorry. I will try harder next time."
Despite trying to hide it, Lady Martella appears to be a little worried. "I believe we can handle whatever tricks he might come up with..."
Victor nods and takes the note, setting out to deliver it better than his earlier attempts.
The lady thinks for a couple seconds before replying. "Very well, perhaps I'll need to ask someone to distract the one opening the bottle... not ideal, but doable, of course. May I ask you which noble you discredited?"
"His name was Duke Georgi Backus Talbot II, Lady."
The lady thinks for a couple seconds before replying. "Very well, perhaps I'll need to ask someone to distract the one opening the bottle... not ideal, but doable, of course. May I ask you which noble you discredited?""His name was Duke Georgi Backus Talbot II, Lady."
She raises her eyebrows. "Duke Georgi? Wow, he is a powerful man... a very powerful man... with a lot of influence. Thanks, that was perfect."
Just before you leave, Lady Martella discreetly holds Victor's arm. "Just one more thing... I didn’t ask you here just to look over your shoulders."
She turns to Lillian. "I believe you are familiar with a young woman: Malphene Trant, the daughter of Senator Trant. She’s a belligerent, narcissistic ass, and a bully as well. If she’s here, it’s likely to intimidate one of more of the junior senators into backing her father. If one or more of you could keep an eye on her and... quietly intercede should she try, I would be quite grateful."
Lillian sneers at the mention of Trant. "Oh, I'm familiar with Malphene alright. Bully indeed. She and I are not on the best of terms unfortunately."
She looks around for Malphene and adds "Her father is a senator and she loves to ride his coattails, I'm sure she's here. I'll find her and gladly intercede if needed. Though..."
She turns to look at Victor and the others, "I may need assistance. She's stubborn and belligerent, but it's not her words I'm cautious of. She's not afraid of pushing me around when I'm alone."
"I can attend you, m'lady," Sif says with a heavy smear of sarcasm.
Victor casts a curious eye at Sif before replying to Lillian ”I’ll gladly try and help, My Lady. Give me time to get this delivered and I will try to rejoin you with utmost haste.”
Lillian picks up on Sif's sarcasm, turning to glare at her. "Thank you, my hand. Your service is most welcome."
To Victor she offers a pleasant smile and a nod, clearly favoring him in the exchange. "Do what you must. My servant and I will search for her in the meanwhile."
Without looking directly at her, Lillian claps twice and says "Come along now. Let us find our quarry."
This time with ease, Victor successfully delivers the letter to Junior Senator Duo. The young man diverts his attention from his twin girls and gives the letter a quick read, smiling and folding it. "Thank you very much, mister." He doesn't ask him anything and soon one of his girls demands his attention, leaving Victor free to do whatever he wants to.
Lillian and Sif move around the senate, looking for Lady Malphene but neither one of the two find her.
Septis was late to arrive to the meeting with Martella, showing up as the others were leaving. He gives her his report that he believes he successfully influenced Baron Nicolaus Okerra and convinced him that voting on their side would be beneficial. He also was able to confirm that Duke Centimus plans to vote with them because he believes that anyone can achieve great things given the opportunity, no matter their gender.
With his report given her goes back to work finding Countess Abrielle Pace to see what her thoughts are on the vote. He asks around about her trying to discover the best means of approaching the woman.
Unable to help Lillian for the moment, Sif decides to try to garner influence in the Arcade of Triumphs. She uses her knowledge of the nobility to make rhymes about the families whose triumphs are memorialized there.
Lillian walks along with Sif, building off of her rhymes and adding a few of her own. She points out a few individuals that her mother has told her about over the years that she seems to know quite a bit about.
Lily leans in to Sif and whispers "You know, for a servant you sure as hell know a lot about noble lines.[/b]
Sif rolls her eyes at the repeated servant jab. This b$@&* has no idea who I am.
"It's for work. All the little scions think they hot. Wanna be like me - dripping fine flows from head to toe. Got that noble blood, ain't got that fire though." Sif answers, giving Lillian a wink.
You work admirable together, entertaining both the young and the ancient with Sif's well made rhymes, some just enjoying the sound of the words, while others understands hidden meanings and approving her wit. Encouraged by your words, a guest points to a beautifully crafted light crossbow made of darkwood and bearing brass inlay and Taldan military symbols.
She states that the crossbow, called Dignity's Barb was a famed weapon of the Seventh Army of Exploration. According to her, it was wielded by General Gerefein and in his most famous act, he turned the tide of a vicious battle with a Kellid warlord. Through a chaotic blizzard, General Gerefein shot practically blind, yet his bolt struck a lethal blow, dashing the warlord from his mammoth mount and breaking the enemy charge. She then adds that, sadly, the crossbow is just a replicate, since the true famed weapon was displayed in the case a century ago and was lost.
Later on, another person gets interested in the pair, the senate's curator of antiquities, Copernia Vau, a middle-aged woman bearing a hair bun and discreet ancient jewelry. Taking a shine on them, she offers you a brief tour of the adjoining restoration room, where artifacts are cleaned and preserved. As part of her tour, she goes as far as to offer the two each a pair of vials so they can practice the skills she had described!
Lady Martella seems complete pleased with your quick report. "Those are some great news, Mr. Hadrias. I'm happy to see how right I was to bring you into this endeavor. You so far completed my assignment flawlessly."
---
Septis discovers little more than he already knew about the Countess, but the rumors confirms she is dangerous. While agreeable and endearing to those she considers useful or empowering, she is dismissive of "useless people". He also discovers she is a firm ally of Princess Eutropia, but another rumor suggests she is the kind of person that could betray her allies should things turn against her.
Arcade of Triumphs: 22
Gallery: 5
Senate Floor: 17
Deciding she has done all she can in the Arcade of Triumphs, Sif moves to the courtyard. She looks around for a clever way to leverage her extensive knowledge of the noble houses.
Lily listens to Sif talk in the courtyard and suddenly changes her mind about knowing a lot about nobility. She just knows the basics, nothing more.
Lillian on the other hand was school extensively and to the point of exhaustion on these topics. Names, figureheads, locations, customs, blah, blah blah. Over and over again, drilled into her by masters of various topics. As she walks about the room, she listens to what the people are discussing and then leads her own credence to stay the option towards support of Eutropia.
Septis made his way to find Countess Pace ensuring Lil stayed close since this one sounded like it may be trouble.
Lil just rolled her eyes and followed along after her 'master'.
He grabs a glass of fine wine from one of the servants on the way and approaches the Countess "My lady, a pleasure to meet you." He bows his head briefly, then looks in her eyes with a smile as he extends the glass of wine "It looked like you could use a refill."
Victor excuses himself politely from his current charge to continue his deliveries of notes, quickly heading to find Lady Morilla.
Despite with a good start, Sif soon finds herself confused about the 'who is who' of the nobles currently in the courtyard. Lillian comes to her rescue, intentionally or not, and the two once more work together in influencing those around them.
Meanwhile, Victor manages to navigate between the crowd and successfully delivers a letter to Lady Gloriana Morilla, a tall woman in comparison with her peers and sporting the finest of Absalom's fashion. Her attire is far less ostentatious than that of other present nobles, but she makes up for it with a grace of movement that allows her to easily shift between crowds. "Thank you so much for your assistance, sir..." the lady says as she draws not one but two letters for you while she quickly reads the one she just received. "This one should be delivered back to Lady Martella, while this one should go to Duke Centimus. Can I count on you, sir?"
Sif and Lillian continue to work on their net of influence and soon they start to also receive useful information...
"Oh, thank you, Mr...?" The countess says as she accepts the glass. She first smells its content and then tastes it, smiling soon after. "I've been looking for this particular wine the whole event, and I can't believe this is just a coincidence... no, you somehow knew about it. I'm flattered, and impressed."
After a couple minutes of conversation, Septis is fairly sure that the woman lacks any loyalty towards anyone but herself. While pleasing on the outside, he can't shake the feeling of being observed and tested, as if he was a sheep being rounded by an old wolf. One thing is clear, however: Countess Pace has no true commitment to Eutropia's cause.
Courtyard: 16
Gallery: 5
Senate Floor: 17
”I will do my best, My Lady,” he says as he takes the letters. He then turns and again begins trying to navigate the crowd...but finds it more difficult this time.
Septis keeps up pleasant conversation with the Countess and is happy to continue flattering her and putting on aires to win her over. Eventually, after he has gotten what he has come for he politely excuses himself. Having completed his tasks he decides he might as well take advantage of the situation and work on gaining some clout for himself. He really wants to get an introduction to the Princess but knows better than to approach her directly. Having seen Lady Morilla with the Princess at the speech she decides instead to make an approach on her first, but asks around to see if he can't figure out the best means to approach her.
Undeterred by her momentary lapse in knowledge, Sif keeps trying to influence the courtyard. At some point she slips over to Septis when she notices him observing Countess Morilla. She whispers how she heard the Countess can be influenced in his ear, then returns to her work in the courtyard.
While Sif slips away, Lillian mingles with the crowd and impresses numerous individuals with nuggets of useful information about Princess Eutropia's successes and placing in their minds how pivotal of a leader she will be. "The importance of the primogeniture issue is paramount. One simply must modernize our thoughts and philosophies as leaders have done in the past."
She goes on to recount numerous leaders and nobleman who had world-changing ideas for the better, comparing those to Eutropia's vision.
Sif and Lillian once more work together to share Eutropia's view of the future of Taldor... and many meet their ideas with enthusiasm. To Sif's surprise, the elite of Taldor appears to find the two recognizable and entertaining.
Septis talks and mingles with other senators, trying to extract any useful information, but the source of the information he was seeking is quiet unexpected... Sif, the tiefling girl he had not given much attention until this point. As she whispers to him, he discovers Lady Gloriana is much more than she appears. She mingles with the nobles of Taldor well enough, but she appears to never truly be at home. She secretly seethes at the haughtiness of her fellow Taldan elite, occasionally staring in awkward silence or letting out raucous laughter at jokes she finds no humor in. Such a woman might enjoy some subterfuge...
With two letters in hand, Victor decides to first take the letter to Lady Martella at her table in the Gallery. Paying attention not to push anyone in his hurry, by sheer unluck Victor steps on a tuna canape and slips on the floor, becoming the joke of a couple of obese kids that are, curiously, holding tuna canapes in their hands.
Gallery: 5
Senate Floor: 17
Victor stands and brushes himself off as best he can, weathering the brats teasing with a slowly growing red face, before he quickly departs and resumes his task.
Septis quirks his brow when Sif gives him some useful information, surprised the tiefling was able to do something helpful in terms of actually talking to people and gathering information. He gives her a brief nod in thanks and goes to approach Lady Gloriana. He sparks up a conversation with the woman introducing himself and talking for a bit about various subjects until eventually he notes "I can only imagine how difficult it must be to garner support from some of these politicians who think so highly of themselves..." he pauses and motions toward Princess Eutropia as he continues. "but I would imagine being friends with the princess is helpful in meeting the right kind of people?"
He places particular emphasis on a few key words and highlights the questioning tone at the end to convey a different, specific message to the woman then to anyone casually listening in.
Moving into the gallery Lillian continues her speech but suddenly is overly distracted by an extremely cute Is he a Senator? Don't I know him? and is barely effective in delivering her prearranged speech.
Sif returns to the gallery. Alright you little s#~@s. Let's try this again. This time she targets the children of senators she knows will be voting against primogeniture, making fun of their parents mercilessly.
Sif and Lillian cross the Emperor's Hall to reach the Gallery and are able to see Victor getting up from he floor, with something, that resembles food, stuck in his pants. Before they are able to reach him, however, he leaves for the Imperial Archives.
When they reach the Gallery, the pair once more start to influence the area by engaging conversations, listening to rumors and opinions and mingling with the kids which proves to be something incredibly effective to draw their parent's attentions. Lillian spend some time talking to another woman, a senator, but during their conversation she loses track and stares at a remarkably handsome man... to her surprise, the woman notices her gaze and turns to look at the same man. "Have you met my husband before, Lady Daraham?" She asks with clear jealousy in her voice (and perhaps paranoia?).
Meanwhile, Sif targets the children, put one against each other as they laugh mercilessly at each other's parents just to cry once their own parents are the target of her acid words. After some minutes she even manages to slip unnoticed by either the children and their parents as the children start to fight among each other. Their parents, annoyed by the commotion, try to fetch their own spawns and they scream, fight and cry.
Lady Morilla seams very pleased with Septis's introduction and subterfuge, but instead of agreeing to meet him somewhere else, she instead holds her ground, smiling, before starting a conversation that initially appeared to be about the festivities and the good luck of having such a nice weather this evening, but in truth was an entirely new conversation to those listening with a keen mind.
Leaving the mean kids behind, Victor reaches the Archives and finds Duke Centimus with ease... despite having never met him before, the fact that he was the single person in a wheelchair in the gala made him pretty easy person to be found. The Duke receives the letter but doesn't pay much mind to Victor, even if he seems pleased with what he reads. "Thank you, mister." He doesn't ask you to deliver any other letter.
---
While in the Gallery, while they are mingling with those around, Sif finally locates Lady Malphene Trant alongside some sycophants of her own. Discreetly, they corner the young Senator Duo and shove him into the Beldam II Waiting Room!
Courtyard: 31 (max)
Gallery: 11
Senate Floor: 17
Countess Abrielle Pace: 3 (max)
Duke Leonard Centimus: 3 (max)
Lady Gloriana Morilla: 1
Victor bows respectfully to the man, then departs quickly. He uses the item their benefactor had given them and said, ”I have a reply for you. I am on my way, where are you currently?”