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Zendara leans over and gives brother Carl a chaste kiss.
Thank you, that sounds lovely.
Then she goes back to the group and tells what she knows.
Looks like they have a temple accessible through the Pump Room, and the code phrase is "I can't get no sleep." If we want to get in that way, we'll have to dress up and go in relatively unarmored. Personally, I'd rather go in and wipe them all off the face of the earth if they are part of the cult that is destroying the world, but not sure they are one and the same... so, more undercover work and information gathering, or do you just want to go straight in and question and probably kill Da Vorre's wife? I'd be up for that as well. All of these delays and distractions and putting ourselves at risk to just find one more tiny clue is really frustrating me. I just want to destroy whoever is behind all of this.
Edwin listened to Zendara's account, dinally commenting, "I hope that my clothing would be considered appropriate for such an establishment. I don't depend on armor for defense. It sounds like a visit to The Pump Room is in order." He seemed genuinely excited at the prospect.
You sourced various expensive looking outfits and ostentatious jewellery from the many high end shops. Despite being a cesspit of vice, there was a lot of money sloshing around Port William (or perhaps the two were intimately related?). After all the island's many mines produced copious quantities of industrial metals in addition to gold, silver, and gemstones.
After some retail therapy you rested. Later in the evening, dressed to the nines looking more like socialites than adventurers and archaeologists you were whisked by a fleet of cabs to 111 Mercer Street, better known as The Pump Room. The long sleek dining room had fabulously expensive floor to ceiling glass windows, allowing diners within to be seen enjoying the eye waveringly expensive menu.
Your attire evidently passed muster, for you where whisked inside and sated at the bar by the team of efficient doormen and excruciatingly polite doormen.
The sommelier is called for and the suited gentleman appears momentarily armed with an impressive looking list of wines, the prices of which start off at expensive and end up being unlisted with prices so that that if you had to ask you clearly couldn't afford it. After giving you a moment to review the menu he asks, "Ladies, gentlemen, what will it be? We have several specials this evening, I can recommend the Annspur Red, the Coates du Kez Servingnon Blanc, an Essex Island Merlot, or something local perhaps? A carafe of Waiaki Sparkling wine is a most excellent way to start the evening!"
Xindyra also uses her sleeves of many garments to make herself appear fashionably dressed.
Oh, they must be capable, to be so relaxed and polite, this town being what it is. Mental note, if things go south, these guys will be able to put up a fight.
Edwin prepared himself for an evening at the Pump Room, casting a couple of spells. He double-checked his appearance with a mirror before entering the establishment.
Actually, we're not drinking alcohol tonight, in honor of our friend who recently passed. The last thing he said to his mother was "I can't get no sleep." I know he would want us to be wide awake and alert as we honor his memory. We could do with a nice dessert menu though. Bob always liked his sweets.
The sommelier nods smoothly, "Indeed! I shall check with the sous-chef, I believe we have a various confections infused with the finest denner resin, guaranteed to bring a smile to even the most jaded face!"
He departs to have a quiet word with the Maitre'de who greets you warmly and directs you to follow, saying "Ladies, Gentlemen, if you'd accompany me please, the private lounge awaits." You follow the immaculately dressed man through the kitchen, past a secret door in the walk in fridge (complete with caged ice elementals) and down a flight of spiral stairs. You felt the beat of the music through the floor before you entered the room, it was loud enough to be a physical force that you felt in the pit of your stomach as much as with your ears.
This was music the like of which you'd never heard before, complex and changing yet oddly repetitive and good to dance to. Oddly there was no band visible, presumably this must be some kind of magic. The 'lounge' itself was a cavernous dancehall painted in black. The ceiling held an illusion of lights that wheeled above in complex patterns.
Perhaps fifty people were dancing in the middle, many of whom where wearing outlandish dresses carrying things that glowed and changed colors in time with the beat. There were all sorts of races here, humans in exuberant platform boots and glowing hair, dwarves with beards braided with glowing thread, and several humanoid races you didn't immediately recognise.
The left side of the venue as you entered was one huge bar and you noticed various groups buying drinks or censors of what you assumed where drugs. The right side had various cell like chill out rooms with copious cushions and gauzy curtains to provide a modicum of privacy for the actives within. Most clientele didn't seem to care and you saw several groups up to things that night which would no doubt have scandalised your relatives.
[Smaller]"Careful, Denner Resin is highly addictive, even when refined. Unfortunate consumers could end up going great lengths to get more."
The lightshow above was a sight to behold, drawing her attention. Impressive, but, are those not stars that were included before the sundering event? There must be a few researchers working with this place, or an astrologer even.
Having a look at the gathered people, party making and others, Xindyra shares her impressions. Naturally....."You know, i think those dancers would welcome us over there. Though i'm bad at it, i must admit."
Ha ha. I don't think anyone cares if you are bad at it here. Let's dance!
Zendara grabs Xindyra's hand and pulls her into the middle of the floor with her, and starts to dance with abandon.
She is keeping an eye on the place as well though. Young and beautiful... this was fun, but also seemed just like what you would expect in a vampire den: enjoyable perhaps, but in no way safe. They had to blend in, get what information they could, and get out alive. She hoped the others weren't stupid enough to try any of the drugs.
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"Still, i'm not too confident in.....whoah!", as she gets yanked along by an enthusiastic Zendara.
Not being as savvy on the dancefloor back in active college days, Xindyra still puts in effort, and probably isn't doing badly. Even having fun.
Xindyra looks which of those people look easily approachable. Or, if they were lucky, someone would come to them before that.
Wild dancing ensues to the relentless beat of the music. The other revellers dance in and around you, but never quite close enough to touch, each time they turn aside at the last moment in time with the beat. As if in a trance you could easily stay this way for hours although gradually fatigue starts to creep in...
After a bit one of the female dancers with long braided hair with glowing beads takes a breather and beckons you towards the bar.
Edwin followed the dancer with the braided hair towards the bar. He had no idea of any religious significance of what was going on here.
He did catch her meaning as he ordered another drink: unbeliever
The woman seemed to be trying him not to ask too many questions. Her returned to his friends and whispered, "She warned me not to investigate further — called me an unbeliever.
Xindyra follows 'Braids' towards the bar. She keeps an eye out to see if any of the 'killer types' are showing an interest in their group, and if there are any particular visible distinctive details.
At the bar itself,
Perhaps she's heard of the word Ricken before, but it stays out of her memory's reach to recall what it was. Edwin filled in, though.
"A one night stand, hmm? That happens a lot here?
It has been quite some time ago, since last i did something impulsive like that. But under a more relaxed atmosphere."
"Much obliged to start the conversation, so why would you suggest it isn't worth it? How much do these shadow runners charge?"
The dancer gave Xindrya a searching look before saying, "Hun, this is a place were men and women come to loose their inhibitions. It happens, especially if somebody's paying, but that's far from required if you catch my drift."
When asked about the shadow runners she sighed deeply, "They ain't cheap, thing is nevermind the gold, you've gotta live with yourself after. Some people find that real difficult... Still if you're certain this is what you want Hun, talk to Kyle. He's the shadow in the boothe over there."
She took her leave after saying this
About ten minutes later a group came swaggering in, three guys and two girls. Each moving with the leonine grace of trained killers. They were wounded but in high spirits. Over the music of the dancers called out, "Hey Sharkey, what's the news?"
A man who seemed to be the leader of the newcomers adjusted his dinner jacket to hide a bloodstained shirt sleeve as he shouted to make his reply heard over the music, "We took down a nest! Damn nilhists, I can't believe how many are flocking to his banner. Just gotta look around and see how messed up this world is, he did this to us, how dumb have you gotta be to follow him?"
Somebody else called out, "What about Red?"
The man's mood soured and he grunted, "She got away..." Clearly in no mood to speak anymore the newcomers stalked off.
You asked who they were to be told, "The cult of f*@! Nylarthotep. Trying to take over they are, not gonna let them though! Now whose next at the bar?"
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With all that had happened Yukarii was more than a little fatigued and so did not participate much in the events that followed, the visit to the tobacconist, then the meeting to decide what to do afterwards. It wasn't until they looked at clothing for their next destination that she finally perked up. Yukarii bought a set of clothing for herself, the nice garments not all that comfortable given her preference for garb from her homeland but not so much as to be a real issue.
When they reached the club Yukarii had already called out Yukaari, the spirit hiding inside of Yukarii and matching movements so as to remain unseen. When Xindyra and Zendara headed to the dance floor Yukarii decided to join them. She hadn't had much of a chance to enjoy herself like that and it was a prime opportunity.
Yukarii was a bit disappointed at her performance out there, she knew she could have done much better, but she was still dancing when Xindyra went to talk with Braids.
Zendara sticks with Xindyra, but when "Red" is mentioned, she drifts back over to where Braids went, asking her who they were talking about.
Hey, thanks for the help earlier. Can you tell me who Red is?
After learning this information, she smiled. These people were definitely not "good" in a traditional sense, but if they were united against Nylarthotep, she didn't care. They were close enough to friends if they were fighting against the end of the world with her.
Still talking to Braids, she says
Oh, that is excellent news. That's who we are after too. We thought we were tracking her here... that guy in the tobacconist's shop must have outdated information. Do you know, is he one of them trying to throw us off course, or did he really think she still belonged here? She's been killing researchers who can help us stop the end of the world. Clara DeVorre, right? And the driver Teller, for sure. Is DeVorre himself in on it?
Braids replied, "Red's a 'wet worker', one of the better ones. Yeah she's Da Vorre's wife, look you don't want anything to do with her, she always was sadistic and that's before she defected to the opposition. Now she's drunk on blood and none too choosy about whose. As for Da Vorre pah, he's an impotent cuckolded. He's mad as hell, but there's nothing he can be do about it and he knows it. He was sobbing about it in here a week ago, nobody would take his money, nobody's going 1 on 1 against her."
She pointedly didn't talk about the tobacconist.
Edwin was off his game, and couln't seem to get a read on the situation.
Zendara nods to Braids and says
What about Teller? He with her? One of the nihilists?
After talking to Braids again, and thanking her, she fills in the rest of the group, suggesting that they talk to DeVorre himself so they can get paid for the job they were planning on doing anyway.
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She looked like she'd tasted something sour as she replied, "Yeah that one's a piece of work, one of their 'missionaries' as they call them poisoning the minds of anyone who will listen..."
After talking to the group and getting no other opinions, Zendara decides that they should go off and find DeVorre, since they now had the information that he had been trying to find someone to kill his wife, and they might be able to pressure him for information, or get him to pay them for what they were going to do anyway.
Edwin agreed with Zendara that talking to DeVorre was in order, given what they had discovered.
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"Sure, poking Devorre's side for info sounds fun."
Xindyra had been looking at the present patrons, with the whole 'one-night stand' comment in mind. But she puts it out of her mind, they had a mission to complete, thus distractions would be unneeded.
After having spent an hour or two in the club, you decide to leave. Nobody tries to stop you although your departure is noted. As you leave the pump room the moon starts to rise in the sky. This semi-respectable part of town is mostly quite, only a few people hurry by. Still when the wind is in the right direction you hear quick snatches of the raucous partying down town.
I guess the question is... should we go to his home now and possibly confront his wife immediately, or should we take the appointment that Ethel offered us and just meet with him in the morning at 8?
"Well, if his wife is also there, then there's two people to deal with if things go sour. I would prefer in the morning, when possibly obligations have them separate from the other."
Okay. Let's go get some sleep, then.
You're quite the dancer, by the way. Zendara adds as an aside to Xindyra, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
More soberly she says
I am glad we got out of there in one piece, honestly.
Yukarii was a bit disappointed to leave the club but it was for the best. She had definitely not been at her best and something about the place was beginning to bother her. When they began to discuss what they should do Yukarii nodded and said, "Yes, I agree that waiting until we can try and catch them separately would be best."
Edwin offered his opinion, "Meeting with Devorre tomnorrow morning sounds like a good idea; It will give us a chance to rest and prepare new spells for the interview." It will also allow me to clean and press my clothes, so I'm looking my best.
The decision was made to rest back at the inn before returning in the morning. It was likely that De Vorre's wife would be away, which made this a considerably safer prospect.
Cabs where hailed to save a long walk and everything went smoothly, and you arrived at your inn without incident.
Edwin cleaned his clothes carefully with Prestidigitation before retiring for the evening; he'd learned the hard way not to neglect this, even when he was feeling tired.
You walked into the foyer of Wayfarer's Inn and the receptionist, a plain looking young woman with short brown hair waved to Edwin as you entered, "Uh Mister Whiskers, there's a letter for you."
Mike.
The evening passes without event, and you wake up early the next morning with the dawn. The weather is chilly and overcast but it doesn't look like it'll rain.
Edwin showed the letter to the others, "Mike has a lead on some equipment, and will be back in a day or two."
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I am glad we got out of there in one piece, honestly.
"True. Though you've got to admit, there were a few cute ones among those dancers. Dangerous as they could be." ^^
"I believe we've quite drew attention, someone has been following us along the ride. I mean, if someone wanted us dead, we would be, but definitely somebody is going to be keeping an eye on us."
After a quick breakfast you head back once more to Oak Rise. At this time of day the town was sleepy with the vast majority of revellers not surfacing till the sun was high in the sky.
There was a distinct chill in the air as you walked, and your breath misted. You passed a few people in the centre of town, but Oak Rise seemed almost deserted.
A little while later you reach number 4, The Da Vorre residence. You notice a thin layer of ice on the fish pond as you walk along the path through the lawn to the porch.
You knock on the door and Ethel answers looking more than a little haggard, "Ah yes good morning. You wanted an early appointment with Administrator Da Vorre I believe? Very good, he's just finishing up with another appointment and he'll be with you in five to ten minutes. Please come in, sit down and make yourselves comfortable."
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Hi Ethel, thank you.
Zendara takes a seat, settling in to wait for the Administrator.
Looking at the sky, the grey mass above, and the deserted streets, along with the chill, a past conversation with a traveling ranger comes to mind.
She can't help but notice the sneaking shape.
Ah, good, but not good enough. But now i really -really- want to know.
As they walk, Xindyra chugs an extract of cat's grace to enhance her dexterity.
"Zendara, Yukari, could you start walking behind me? We're being stalked again, and i have a plan to get information."
Assuming the other two cover her back, when the group would pass something that could be snuck behind, Xindyra ducks away.
"I'll call, don't worry."
She then chugs down an extract of disguise self, then looking like a young brunette human with clothing she locals would wear.
When the stalker would pass by, Xindyra intends to walk a small distance behind them, trying to come across oblivious to the person.
If she comes close enough, she drinks an extract of Adhesive Spittle, and spits the goo at them, pulling her rapier.
Edwin noticed the shadow following them, and tried not to make it obvious that he was casting a spell to heighten his senses. Outside of number 4 he mumbled something about preparing for their meeting.
Edwin trusted Xindyra, and decided to go along with whatever she had in mind.
=== Rewind to the walk getting to the Administrator's office ===
Zendara walks behind Xindyra as requested, covering her movements.
Xindrya waits until they passed a narrow ally which she stealthily ducks inside to don a disguise. Then it was simply a matter of waiting... After about a minute her patience was rewarded as she noticed a woman in a heavy coat hurry past, it was braids from the club last night!
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Several options came to mind to catch the woman off guard.
Blowing into her ear? Covering her eyes? Surprise bear hug?
Or maybe a spanking on her hiney with the flat of her rapier?
So many options....
Taking a quick step to near braids, she uses the most mischievous one.
She whips, not too harshly though, her rapier against braid's behind.
"HI BRAIDS!"
"Naughty girl. If you wanted to talk some more, all you had to do was ask, instead of stalk.", she winks at her with a smile that is pure enjoyment and mischief.
Braids whipped around, eyes wild and gave Xindrya an incredulous double take before swearing, "@*$#!"
To her credit Braids composed herself immediately and she hissed at Xindrya, "Put that away and walk with me... We mustn't draw attention, the cult has eyes everywhere."
"You're going after Red.", It wasn't a question, "That utter $*^3# killed a close friend, I figure she'll kill y'all too unless you play it smart... Look Red has an ace up her sleeve, she's got these weird bracers that protect her from harm, like you stab her in the eye with a knife and it doesn't do anything! It's like magic but its not, they're something else very old and fragile. The one thing I know is they don't work when wet."
With that Braids suddenly turned aside.