Edwin edged closer to the Ambassador, ready to intervene if things turned violent.
Surprised, Zendara turns her head and realizes that everyone is listening to her, and she's drawn Doctor Munroe's attention to the creepy guy rather than finding out what Marek knew, as she intended. Awkward.
Once Doctor Munroe says his name, Zendara realizes that she's heard of him: creepy guy is actually Count Alexi Skarbek III, the Kez's ambassador to The Merchant League. She shakes off the awkwardness, waves at Marek in farewell, and hastily follows Doctor Munroe, hoping to help soften what looks to be a hostile confrontation.
"What?!" cried Dr Munroe hotly before continuing in a low dangerous voice "No. I will not be goaded. What do you want Ambassador?"
Edwin told Ambassadoe Skarbek, "Viscount Syneco can try all he likes, but you know he's never going to win Princess Ardula's hand." It seemed like a weak retort, but it was the best he could come up with at the moment.
Edwin wondered what Sharbek's ultimate motive was here. He presumed that the Ambassador wasn't at this gathering just to try to recruit Dr. Munroe, although he didn't doubt that he would like to. I imagine he wants to get an idea of when our expedition will be leaving.
Zendara thinks it is a low blow to goad Doctor Munroe about joining Miskatronic's big rival, Nalanda, but he seems to be holding it together pretty well.
She stays close in case it goes beyond verbal sparring.
If there was anything more to the Professor's statement about Mariam Yukarii was unaware of it. She was relieved that he found her words of advice about Mariam to be of potential use and said, "Of course Sensei."
Yukarii drifted over towards Zendara at about the same time that the red-haired young man began to gush his enthusiasm at the possibility of going on the expedition with the Professor to Zendara.
She realized quickly that this could turn into a crush on the young man's part towards Zendara. This could be fun to watch Yukarii, Yukaari said, we should encourage this.
Yukarii shook her head slightly and thought back, No Yukaari, we won't.
Spoil sport!
Then the Ambassador arrived. Yukarii didn't know who he was or who he was connected with but the sudden tension ratcheting up in the room when the Professor saw him brought her on edge. All of the sudden talks of Emperor's and Princesses threw her off since she wasn't from here and hadn't picked up on the politics yet. As the man spoke to Edwin Yukarii tried to discern what he meant with his words.
She figured he was being open about everything but the ratcheting tension caused her to focus on bringing Yukaari out again in case of trouble.
Xindyra's more up-close examination gets her cautious. The man's build, there is a disciplined and dangerous vibe coming from him.
Though the name doesn't ring a bell, the professor seeming upset must mean the man is not one to be taken lightly.
No way, that ruthless man is involved in a race to get to the expedition's goal? Life takes a turn for the worse, if interesting.
Hmm....surely there is more to his claims, but i guess we shall have to wait and see.
"The answer is no." replied Dr Munroe emphatically as he folded his arms, "This is also private property Ambassador, I'm going to have to ask you to leave..."
Zendara waits to see if they are going to announce who is going on the trip, or at least tell them when it will be announced. She assumes that Doctor Munroe means to leave as soon as possible.
_____
After the meeting breaks up, she goes to check with Miss Trenchard, to see if the clinic has sent word about Sheldon, because she still wants to get his side of the story.
Ferian makes sure he's close to the professor and the ambassador as they have their conversation, though he has no intention to intervene. Dr. Munroe seems more than capable of holding his own.
When the confrontation ends, Ferian relaxes a bit, which he finds surprising. He hadn't realized how tense he had become at the situation. Perhaps, like Dr. Munroe, he took it as a personal affront that the ambassador had the nerve to try to recruit for his own school in the middle of Miskatronic University.
Ferian lingers along with Zendara to see if final selections are announced, but otherwise returns to his normal duties at the school.
As the meeting winds down, Dr Munroe returns to the lectern and addresses you, "Well that was a bit more exciting than anticipated... It seems we need to move the departure day forward, perhaps as soon as this week. As for the Kez, don't worry the ship we've chartered is seriously quick, much faster than their ponderous cutters. So we're still in with a short! The expedition selection will be announced tomorrow morning at 9am. Check you pigeonholes!"
With that he walked out and the meeting broke up.
Miss Trenchard spots Zendara and as she approaches she tells her, "I received this about fifteen minutes ago, it's addressed to you." She hands Zendara a letter.
Sister Mary.
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Edwin replied to Dr. Munroe, "There's also whoever it was that destroyed the Kez frigate that was chasing Mr. Kor's vessel. Things could get more complicated than just a race against Viscount Syneco!" He was glad that he knew how to swim, although he hoped that his aquatic prowess wouldn't be tested.
Zendara thanks Miss Trenchard for the note, and hopes to be able to see Sheldon sometime soon. She looks around for Xindyra, so they can compare notes, but since she can't go see Sheldon yet and doesn't have any other leads on where to find information about the murders, that's it for today.
Xindyra quickly stepped aside when the pompous man turned around to move away.
What an unpleasant fellow., she thinks as she rejoins the group.
Not much notes to compare, but (assumingly?) seeing the note Zendara got, "Hey! That's a good development."
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Yukarii happened to hear Sheldon come up between Zendara and Miss Trenchard and found her curiosity piqued. She could find out little herself when she tried so she decided to sieze this opportunity. Approaching Zendara closer after Miss Trenchard moved off she asked, "What have you heard about Sheldon? I couldn't turn up anything when I asked around before but it sounds like you know him."
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Edwin overheard the three women talking about the incident in the chemistry lab; he went over and said, "I couldn't help overhearing you talking about the breach in the elemental containment field yesterday. I heard that Sheldon Park was the one responsible, but my understanding is that he's usually very responsible; it doesn't sound in character for him at all. I was planning to look into it after this meeting."
He's in the Munoz Clinic, but unfortunately there is a quarantine in effect over there, so we won't be able to get his side of the story for a couple of days, unless someone can think of a trickier way to get in. I wish I knew an invisibility spell or something... although might not be worth the risk. Sister Mary said it might be the red plague... did you hear about the attempted murders?
If Yukarii is interested, Zendara runs down all she has found out about the events of that day up to this point.
EDIT: Just saw Edwin's post as well, so let's just say she starts out talking to Yukarii, but when she finds she has an audience, she goes into full bard mode and tells the story to the whole group of stragglers... including Ferian maybe, since he said he was still waiting to find out so he might still be there.
(The only thing she leaves out is the bluff she used on Sister Mary. She doesn't want that out there to embarrass anyone, and she thinks that Sheldon will be okay with it and understand when she tells him.)
Yukarii listened to what was said and considered it carefully. Was there a work around? She wasn't entirely sure but a glimmer of an idea began to percolate and she asked, "So you know how close he is to a window? Preferably one with the blinds open?" Her smile was slightly mischievous as she said, "It is possible that Yukaari could reach him and ask the questions, if she will stay focused on the task at hand."
Ferian is just about to exit the meeting, when he hears Zendara, Yukarii, Xindyra, and Edwin discussing the incident with the fire elementals from before. He had thought it had been a simple matter, but perhaps there was more to it.
After listening for a few more moments, Ferian considers introducing himself, but decides formalities can wait till some other time. Instead, he interjects, "If Sheldon is by a window, perhaps I can scout his location for you. Or rather, my heron can do so. I doubt he would draw much suspicion as he often flies around the campus anyway."
I really don't know whether he is by a window or not, sorry. I know the nurse there, but although I was extremely convincing, she stuck to the rules and wouldn't let me see him at all. It would have to be more of an exploratory excursion since I don't even have a room number unfortunately. The heron idea sounds good, and if the heron can find him, then maybe Yukarii can help. Otherwise, if we could find out where the Clinic staff hangs out, maybe I could pick up additional information from them.
Xindyra attentively listens to the plan, and nods.
"You know, it would be likely that, in case of a more quiet environment for a recovering patient, Sheldon could be found on the second floor.
Less people walking by that keep you awake with chatter or yelling, and such."
"But anything larger than a bird can not easily enter, the windows open but a few inches for ventilation."
Great idea. And the clinic staff might hang out over at Mac's since it is overpriced for students. You guys want to go hang out there and see what information we can dig up? We're not going to hear about the trip until 9am anyway.
Edwin replied, "Sounds good to me." He had briefly considered doing some more work on his studies, but there seemed to be a good chance that all that would have to be put on hold for many months.
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Ferian nods at Zendara’s suggestion and says, “Seems reasonable. I’m afraid Zephyr won’t be able to help in small spaces, though. He’s not exactly a small bird.”
Zendara takes whoever wants to go and finds a central table at Mac's. She orders a light dinner and starts listening to the people in the room.
Edwin went along with Zendara to the pub. He ordered a drink and some munchies, and checked out who else was here.
Ferian goes along with the others. He has Zephyr follow as well, but leaves the heron to perch outside as usual. Inside, Ferian orders a beer. It seems like the sort of thing people drink in bars.
Xindyra goes with the group, enjoying the place she hadn't hung out at in the past.
Mac's pub was originally a cellar bar but at some point in the past decade it was extended into the building above which used to be a restaurant. The main taproom is at ground level with an extensive subterranean bar below which is favoured by dwarves, gnomes and halflings. As you approach you hear the strains of a chamber quartet playing classical music, there's a fair number of customers - largely an older crowd, mostly from the maths and chemistry departments.
Professors Ellery and Upham are deep in conversation whilst propping up the bar.
In a booth at the back near the jakes, Xindyra and Ferian spot "Old" Waldron, the head doctor at the clinic speaking in hushed tones to Professor Francis Morgan, the head of the Archeology department. It's too noisy to hear everything but they manage to hear some of the conversation:
Waldron told Morgan in a hush, "...we don't think Ellen will make it. Her symptoms have gotten worse, bleeding from every orifice and nothing we've tried, magic or alchemical, can stop the bleeding. She's had several transfusions, a new and risky procedure but we're running out of compatible donors."
"And this is consistent with the red plague?"
"It seemed so at first, but generally we'd expect necrosis of the skin leading to septic shock. Now we suspect poison, some kind of novel and potent anticoagulant..."
After you've been there for quarter of an hour, a rather harried Dr Munroe turns up and immediately threads his way through the crown to the downstairs subterranian bar.
Zendara sees Doctor Munroe come in, and since she isn't picking up on anything upstairs, she tells the group she is going to head downstairs.
She heads downstairs and asks to speak to the proprietor (perhaps Mac?) to see if she can sing something... tasteful, of course, for a mature crowd. She thinks it is a good idea because it will give her a chance to see the whole room and find out who the players are in this little game.
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"But anything larger than a bird can not easily enter, the windows open but a few inches for ventilation."
Yukarii smiled and said, "That wouldn't be a problem for Yukaari, as long as the window is open and I can see inside it should be fine." She hesitated then as the mention of a second floor was brought up, "A second floor could cause problems though, There is only so far from me that Yukaari can be and remain manifest."
[ooc[Please tell me this place has seven support pillars and seven ceiling fans with irregular spacing.[/ooc]
As they entered Mac's Yukaarii looked around for some of the interns or nurses from the medical ward. She figured she could sweet talk the information out of one of them on where Sheldon was in the ward.
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"The harbor master is adamant it's not passed its airworthiness certificate, he wouldn't accept the one we had done just last month in Issenport. Claims it's not valid."
"That's complete ********. The aeronaut's guild gave you the all clear. Can we not take this to a magistrate to get sorted out?"
"Sure. How long is that going to take though?"
"Damn it, could take weeks, especially if they're behind this."
"Certainly seems that way, I found a dead sheep's heart under my pillow last night as did the mate and the mechanic..."
"Short of running the blockade seems we're screwed."
"No I won't do that sorry, would be my livelihood gone."
"Well ****. Guess I'm going to have to charter another boat..."
"Sorry. You know I'd take you if I could..."
Edwin had been to Mac's a few times, but not regularly; his antique clothing purchases had left little left over for other discretionary spending. He went downstairs to check out the crowd in the subterranean bar. The patrons there tended to be closer to his size than those upstairs.
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Having overheard something of interest Yukarii headed in the direction of Dr Monroe and the dwarf. It seemed there was another problem to be dealt with if this expedition was to happen. When sh reached the two she said, "I couldn't help but overhear this latest problem the two of you were speaking of Dr Munroe." She gave him a questioning look as she asked, :Is there some way that I might be able to help resolve it?"
Ferian takes in the sights and sounds of the bar. He would prefer to be in a university building, or - even better - the forest, but at least he's in good company. As he observes the other professors and the doctor, he listens to what he can and relays the information to his companions.
With Zendara and Yukarii heading for Dr. Munroe, Ferian decides to stay on the ground floor and continue listening to Old Waldron and Professor Morgan's conversation. Perhaps there's something he can learn about the patient's mysterious condition that could be of use.
Dr Munroe states at Yukarii for a moment, wags a finger and seems about to say something when he apprantly changes his mind. He pulls Yukarii a seat and invites her to sit down. To the Dwarf he says, "One of the applicants." Turning to address both of you he says, "Braenar Cloudchaser meet Yukarii. Yukarii meet Braenar. Well now that you ask, we need a ship. Until this morning I thought we had one..." and with that he let out a harried sigh.