Illendur tries to not look panicked, and does his level best to follow the page to the study. So everyone needs to help me explain the best we can, just like we did at the guards outside...
The half-elf mops his brow, expecting the sweat is more from stress rather than the heat of the day...
"Maybe somebody small could sneak in and check on the kid while we distract the Lady?" Ash suggested, eyes sliding toward Jixel again.
"We'd still need a good topic to distract her with, of course."
Jixel cocked her head at Ash's suggestion, having been quiet of late and trying to remain fairly inconspicuous at the back of the group.
"Indeed, Jixel can be sneaky, but depends on how busy it is inside. How big too!"
She then hopped forward a bit quicker to catch up with the page.
"Young fellow, tell me, do you know a Susie? Quite a singer I hear?"
Inside the wall, the grounds were decorated with an elaborate garden and held a few buildings. The page looked over his shoulder to glance at Jixel, not slowing as he led the group toward the main house. "Susie, one of the orphans? Yes, I know her."
Ash glanced over his shoulder, and frowned. Nudging Illendur, he whispered, "Uh, do those... is it normal for guards to be patrolling a place like this? I understand the need for security, but... it just makes me wonder if they're keeping people out, or keeping people in."
The tactical part of Zander's mind had made note of the guards, and J'r-V'zz silently plotted their movements on the graphic in the corner of the Warforged's vision.
There was enough going on, however, that Zander didn't feel the need to mention it to anyone. Though he did perk up when he heard Ash question Illendur.
Illendur shakes his head, No, they are typically just another status symbol for the wealthy. Nothing unusual there at all. Turning to the page, How is Susie doing? Her friends are asking for her.
"Her friends, my lord?" He shook his head as he continued walking toward the house. "I didn't know she had any outside the school. She's doing well, I think? She's very friendly, very kind. She seems happy?"
This news sounded positive, and Jixel felt reassured that there was a Susie here and all was well. Perhaps, this fact had been Peekee's prediction with her bone of prosperity, if Susie was in fact prospering out here. But what of the woe? It was this that kept Jixel moving, wondering if even though Susie might be fine, that perhaps something was "wrong" here that their team of oddballs could help with.
"Thank you young man, this is good to hear! Have you always had guards patrolling here? Or is it something new?"
The page shrugged. "They're normal? I guess? I don't know much about lords and ladies, uh, ma'am. They've been here since I've been here."
"Thank you," Jixel replied, pleased with the information the little page had shared. She wondered why the high security was needed, but it if was nothing new, then it didn't seem like something to overly worry about.
Her questions answered, the ratfolk was happy to keep making their merry way through the grounds.
"Other humanoids are symbols of status?" Zander's question wasn't quite soft enough so as to be asked entirely to himself, but it couldn't have been heard by anyone not standing right next to him.
"The heavily-armed kind are, at least," Ash whispered to the warforged as they walked. "It allows people to see that you wield power. At least, as much power as money can buy. It suggests wealth, you see."
Leading the group through the beautiful gardens in front of the house, the page opened up the beautiful, 10-foot tall double doors carved with an intricate tableau of the entire Sovereign Host involved in blessing humanity with their gifts.
The ceilings inside were 25 feet high and the foyer had a beautiful, intricate parquet floor extending the length of the hall. A magnificent harpsichord sat at the far end of the room, with a few tasteful chairs arranged around it as if awaiting a tiny, intimate concert. Light from a huge crystal chandelier glittered off the walls and the dozens of seals of Kol Korran and a scattering of holy symbols of the Sovereign Host and the other Sovereigns. The room was an impressive display of wealth and taste, even to Illendur who saw this kind of thing regularly.
Just inside the doors, a striking, golden haired tiefling with golden horns and eyes was walking toward the doors and came to a halt with a smile. "Thank you, Dalen. You can go back to what you were doing." The pageboy scurried off after sketching quick bows to the group.
The tiefling's smile was turned on the group. Unlike the guards on the street, he didn't restrict his smile or greeting for Illendur alone "Hello. I'm Willifort Crowell, Lord ir'Cassalanter's assistant and the ir'Cassalanters head of staff. I'll be happy to take you to Lady ir'Cassalanter." His voice was like warm honey, the kind of voice that made people subconsciously smooth their clothes and turn their heads to see who was talking.
He looked curiously at the disparate group. "Do you mind me asking what you're here for? I hope I'm not overstepping when I say you don't look like you're here to adopt." Crowell smiled easily at his little joke, appearing perfectly comfortable and at ease even when faced with heavily armed strangers.
Illendur marvels at the opulence of the place, even remarking as they enter, Those are Darkwood doors... very lavish - nice touch.
Returning the Teifling's nod Illendur introduces himself, and allows his companions to provide their own introductions. Good day Willifort, I'm Illendur D'Phiarlan, and my colleagues and I are doing some good will work with the refugees whom Dok here has worked with in the past, he attempts to be smooth, indicating the Shaman with an open hand, We would like to inquire about the well-being of little Miss Susie, some of her former acquaintances were concerned about her - and we'd like to be able to reassure them of her well-being and happiness. Sort of a type of community service we're trying to provide the less-fortunate. The opening made, he waits for the others to fill in any gaps the warrior may have missed; plus their own introductions, of course.
"The heavily-armed kind are, at least," Ash whispered to the warforged as they walked. "It allows people to see that you wield power. At least, as much power as money can buy. It suggests wealth, you see."
"Ah," Zander (seemingly miraculously) kept his response to that single syllable, and seemed to be pondering Ash's words, when they arrived at the large wooden doors.
He recognized the doors as being larger than optimal for their purpose, and noted - as a mater of course, not out of any deliberate intent - the relative weaknesses inherent in their construction, should they need to be destroyed later. Aside from that, however, the significance of their material was lost on the warforged.
When Illendur indicated that it was appropriate to introduce himself, Zander did so. In typical Zander fashion.
"I am Whurzander. Are you one of the humanoids that denotes status and wealth? You do not appear to be heavily armed, so it is unclear."
Ash cleared his throat in the moment that followed. "They call me Ash," he said, smiling. "Please forgive Whurzander, he has an excess of curiosity." His speech patterns were surprisingly erudite, for a shifter.
Nudging Zander, Ash continued, "Perhaps we might clarify such matters at another time, Zander. For now, our questions must concern Miss Susie."
Willifort nodded at Illendur, his expression only betraying a hint of confusion. "Miss Susie? Oh! Of course. I'm sure Lady ir'Cassalanter will be happy to introduce you. She is one of the stars of the school. A beautiful voice, and so well mannered."
The tiefling actually chuckled at Zander's question. "I... yes?" He actually looked amused by the odd question and his chuckle turned into a grin at Ash's interjection. "No need, Ash. We're always happy to answer questions at Cassalanter Villa. That was just a new one to me."
He gestured toward one of the doors at the end of the hall. "Would you care to follow me?" Crowell leads the group past a closed door to the west- Illendur notices it and every other door are also made out of darkwood- to another set of double doors, these hanging fully open. The foyer at the end of the entrance hall continued the parquet floor and 25 foot ceilings, though elaborate floral arrangements replaced the seals of Kol Korran and instead of a chandelier light flooded in through the glass wall on the far side of the dining room through the archway to the north. Several other doors led off this foyer but the tiefling took the team up the grand staircase to the second floor.
At the top of the stairs was an elegant ballroom with a polished marble floor decorated with a mosaic depicting the Sovereign Host but with Kol Korran displayed most prominently. Gilded mirrors and handsome tapestries lined the walls and to the west, thick crimson drapes were held back with golden ropes to let the sun shine in and give a view of the compound's gardens and other buildings.
There was a balcony wrapping around outside the ballroom, where a dark haired woman in a yellow dress was leaning against the railing and smoking a cigarette. Willifort stopped suddenly and held up his hand for the group to do the same. "I'm sorry, would you give me a moment?"
The tiefling opened one of the glass doors onto the balcony and closed it behind himself to speak with the lady in the yellow dress. Either through enchantment or engineering, their voices were completely inaudible. The only other thing in the ballroom with the group as they waited was a tall object covered in a drop cloth standing in the far corner of the room.
"Nice place...."
After a short conversation, Willifort came back in from the balcony. "Sorry for the confusion. Lady ir'Cassalanter will receive you on the terrace." He gestured at the door leading out onto the wide balcony where the woman in the yellow dress was just now stubbing out her cigarette in a crystal ashtray and watching the group curiously.
Illendur will self-consciously straighten his armor and clothing before putting his gauntlets behind his belt and crossing into her presence, Just be polite everyone, She's an important person, and un-used to the likes of us.... Approaching the blond in the yellow dress, he will bow as formally as his armor will allow...
Waving his companions forward, he will straighten and address the lady of the house, Thank you for your time today, m'Lady. My name is Illendur D'Phiarlan, I am sorry to interrupt your day, but my companions and I are on a mission to aid the less well-fortunate of our fair city. There is an orphan child in your care, a Miss Susie, and her waif companions had grave concern on the streets where Dok indicating the street shaman, tends to their concerns. We sought to give succor to the less-fortunate and bring them word of Susie's well-being and success. Swallowing nervously, the half-elf continues, Again, you have my apologies for intruding on your time, but it would mean the world to these indigent urchins to know that their boon companion is well, and cared for in such a place as you offer to her. Of course, we wouldn't deem to tell them where she currently resides, but a message of glad tidings would warm their hearts.
With that awkward introduction completed, he stands to the side to allow the others to make their presence known.
Lady ir'Cassalanter smiled at Illendur. "Oh, you're not interrupting, Lord Illendur. I'm impressed, to be honest. There aren't many people in your position who would go out of their way to even talk to street children, much less care enough to check on Susie. She's thriving here. An incredible, resilient girl. You can talk to her if you like. Or any of the exceptional children we have here at the house."
The lady of said house turned her smile on the rest of the group and waved at a set of outdoor furniture, picking up her ashtray and cigarette case to meet them. "Please sit. You and your friends. Would any of you care for something to drink? Something to eat?"
Dok takes a seat and grins at the nice rich lady.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Jixel was impressed, by this woman, the good news, Illendur's noble greetings, and definitely the opulence of the establishment.
Stay near the group's rear, the ratfolk gave the best bow she could, and then quietly did as Dok had done, and found herself a seat.
At the mention of food and drink, she kind of looked to her companions for a cue, that it would be acceptable to accept the offer. In her mind, she was already conjuring imaginations of what variety of cheeses might be in a high-class place like this!
Zander managed to approximate a bow, mimicking the others, but he didn't say anything, having taken the hint from Ash's surreptitious elbowing.
He also did not take a seat, but did move to join the others in creating a non-threatening gathering. He did, however, place himself where he could see as many avenues of approach as possible. But that was just part of who he was, and not a conscious choice.
Once the group was seated, Lady ir'Cassalanter picked up a small bell and shakes it. Though no sound was audible, she set it back down on the table like it had worked normally and pulled out another cigarette. She took a moment to light it and took a deep drag.
"It's nice to see others take in interest in the plight of our city's orphans. Are you..." she took in the varied- and heavily armed- group arrayed in front of her and smiled "philanthropists?"
Jixel thought that was a pretty odd question, actually, but it did make her wonder if this particular group of individuals... was having an unexpected effect on her. Could one do good, and also commit crimes? She had her doubts. Philanthropy and getting-paid, didn't seem like such a great combo.
"I'm not sure about my friends here, but we all appreciate good things you see. Helping the street children by sharing of young Susie's good fortune, might do very well to help them... umm... aspire to more than say... nicking fruit. It is an honor to meet you Lady, and if we can be of service in some way, please do say so. We are a group of umm, many skills."
She winked a bit mischievously then.
Lady ir'Cassalanter's smile split into a grin at Jixel's wink. "You certainly look it." She nodded and looked around at the assembled trouble shooters again as she took another long drag from her cigarette. Her grin faded as she shook her head.
"With a great deal of help we've been able to build a few shelters for the children but it's not enough. There are just so many out on the streets. Throneport avoided most of the depredations of the Last War but that made it so that everyone with the means and no reason to stay where they were tried to get here. The Children's Armada was an incredible humanitarian effort but without their parents or other adults it turned into an equally incredible humanitarian crisis." Lady ir'Cassalanter shook her head, looking angry for a moment before taking a second to visibly calm herself down.
"I'm sorry, I'm sure you know all that." The beautiful noblewoman took another drag on her cigarette. "I get upset. We do everything we can and it doesn't address even a fraction of the problem. And that's not even taking into consideration those poor souls in Field Ward or those lucky," she did air quotes around the word "enough to have secured housing for themselves in those tenements and warrens in Dock Ward. It's just never enough."
She cleared her throat and forced a smile back onto her face. "But you are helping, and I thank you for that. You're doing more than most." The lady of the house gestured north down the length of the terrace. "I can take you to see the children. And if you wouldn't mind doing me a favor, I'd appreciate it if you could take a gift back to their friends for me."
Illendur nods deeply in her appreciation, Thank you my Lady, we're simply trying to do the best we can. It would be uncouth of us to always be taking from society, and helping those who cannot help themselves is a way for us all to feel something greater than ourselves. Even if we are a bit unusual, we're trying to make our lives, and the lives of those around us better.
Regarding her request, Of course, we'd be more than happy to deliver a gift to their friends from you! It would be our pleasure.
Lady ir'Cassalanter's smile looked a touch more genuine as she turned it on Illendur. "Sadly, that is a sentiment I wouldn't expect to hear from a House scion, my lord. I'm glad to hear it, just surprised. Maybe I could try to convince you to talk to a few of your friends and family members later."
A servant they hadn't seen before emerged from inside, probably summoned by the silent bell, and she smiled at the young woman. "We're going over to see the children, Pru. Could you have refreshments brought to our guests, please? I'll have another coffee. And could you send Willifort to us, too? I need to speak to him. Thank you, Pru." The young woman nodded a quick acknowledgement and disappeared back into the house while Lady ir'Cassalanter stood up and smoothed her skirts.
She gestured down the long terrace. "Shall we?" When everyone was ready, the noblewoman proceeded past the group down the terrace, walking past a few more obvious areas for sitting or looking down on the gardens before coming to a set of stairs leading down to ground level.
Lady ir'Cassalanter then took the group across the grounds toward a secondary building. The visitors heard children laughing and playing before they got to the building. Four not-yet teenage children were playing outside, two boys and two girls, one of whom had a head of glorious, flaming red hair. A pair of older children- a boy and a girl- looked on nearby, either too old to play whatever game the young kids were playing or too interested in their own conversation to get involved.
With a glance at the Lady to ensure that it was permissible, Ash approached the red-haired child, presuming it to be Suzie. He called out, not loudly, but with a carrying tone. "Miss Suzie? Your friends sent us. They want to be sure you're all right."
In truth, he'd been more assured by the Lady's presence and speech than by anything else he'd heard. It seemed his fears had been unfounded. He didn't mind passing on the childrens' well-wishes, and returning to them with the good news, though.
Perhaps there was even room for them as well here, rather than on the streets?
Illendur bows deeply in thanks to the Lady, You do me much honor, M'lady. I don't oft feel like a house scion, given that my mother was human and looked down upon in my house. But I thank you for the compliment, I'm not sure my word carries much weight with many folk - but I am honored by you. He nods deeply to the servant, If I may also impose for a coffee, black, that would be most appreciated.
Illendur observes the children playing, with a wistful tear in his eye, and he embarrassedly attempts to shift his weapons out of view of the youngsters. Tell me, Lady ir'Cassalanter, what drives you to aid these unfortunates, if I may be so bold. You've spoken of the crises begun by many others, and the unfortunate side effects of well-intentioned folk; but why would you open your house to them? I do not decry your actions, but from my experience, most above myself in station do not pay heed to the less-fortunate than they in such a loving and welcoming manner.
The stress of the social situation is obviously causing the armored half-elf to perspire more than before, and trying to hold a conversation with the lady was making him uncomfortable.
Lady ir'Cassalanter nodded at Ash to go ahead and Susie stopped when the shifter approached her. As out of place as he looked in his adventuring gear, she didn't seem afraid of him. Whether that was childlike curiosity, faith in the Cassalanter security, naivete, or something else was impossible to know, but she smiled at Ash and nodded.
"My friends? How do you know any of my friends?" It was a fair question- how could street urchins get someone like Ash to do anything, much less an entire group of such formidable looking adults?
Meanwhile, the lady turned her attention to Illendur. She shook her head, closing her eyes for just a moment at some remembered pain. When she responded, her voice was hushed and her eyes shone with unshed tears. "I know how easily the lives of children can be snuffed out. We lost our oldest, Osvaldo, and my little butterflies..." Lady ir'Cassalanter shook her head and took a deep, ragged breath. "I'm sorry, just give me a moment." As she turned away from the group, the previously unshed tears started to leak down her cheeks.
From the main house, the beautiful tiefling majordomo emerged with a young male servant carrying a tray covered with a silver lid. Willifort sped up when he saw Lady ir'Cassalanter in distress, not quite running but not walking either.
Seeing the Tiefling humanoid approaching at speed, and with reinforcement carrying some unknown device hidden beneath a metal containment shield, Zander went to full alert mode. But even as J'r-V'zz scanned and reported no new threats detected, Zander was able to interpret the approaching humanoid's expression as one of concern, rather than hostility. Further, the Tiefling humanoid's focus was on the female humanoid called 'Lady ir'Cassalanter.' Zander returned to his non-alert mode immediately, and only one who was intimately familiar with warforged in hostile environments would have been able to detect the difference.
"Why," Zander asked quietly, "are Illendur and Lady irCassalanter's eyes leaking? We are not able to detect any known aerosol irritant in the immediate area."
Ash rubbed his neck and shuffled his feet, suddenly feeling awkward. "Uh... well... they ran us down with an apple cart and tried to pickpocket us, actually. But we talked to them, and they told us about you, and... well, we just want you all to be all right. Should they try to come here?"
He glanced back at the Lady, and instantly became ten times as awkward.
Oh crap. The noblewoman is crying. We're about to be ejected, aren't we.
At least they'd ascertained that Red Susie was doing well.
As uncomfortable as it seemed things had become, what with the Lady's watery eyes and all, Jixel thought everything seemed pretty wonderful. Susie was well! There appeared to be no "wrong" here, other than Zander's misinterpretation, which in itself was rather humorous.
At the back of the group, and just smiling at the childen, Jixel couldn't help but wonder where the expected "woe" was. Had Peekee been wrong? Or had the near future now ended, to make way for the far?
She stepped forwards then, towards the playing children.
"Hello friends! I'm Jixel. What is this game you are playing? Is there space for one more?"
"I am knowing many of the small folk on the streets. They come to me for help when they are hurting...." Dok supplies helpfully to Ash.
Somewhat relieved, Ash grabbed Dok's shoulder and pulled him closer. "Yes, perhaps you've seen Dok before, or have other friends who have visited him?"
Susie laughed at Ash's description of their encounter and covered her grin with both hands. "Oooooh you mean Nat, Jenks, and Squiddly!" She shook her head, blushing but clearly not surprised. "Yeah, when the Hope people came around they hid but I hadn't had anything to eat for three days and my arm hurt so I said yes." The girl held up her arm and waved it around to demonstrate that it was all fixed. She made an embarrassed face at Dok. "I went to your clinic, Mister Dok, but there were so many sick people there out front and I was too scared to go in."
Her smile returned in an instant. "But the Hope people gave me some really good food and fixed my arm and gave me a bed and everything." She shook her head. "It was nice when we were closer, I thought I could maybe see them sometimes. But once Lady Ammalia said I could come here it's too far, and we're always doing stuff. My bed here's even bigger! And the food is really fancy. I didn't like it at first but now I'm used to it and know how to use all the forks and everything." It was clear that Susie was perfectly happy where she was.
She stepped forwards then, towards the playing children.
"Hello friends! I'm Jixel. What is this game you are playing? Is there space for one more?"
It probably helped that Jixel was around the same size as the kids, or maybe they were just naturally trusting. Whatever the case, they quickly described the game- "ooze tag"- and the rules seemed pretty simple: one person was the ooze and every time they tagged someone they had to hold hands and try to tag the rest of the group, each tagged person enlarging the group until finally it was everyone chasing down one last screaming, laughing child.
Pretty soon, Jixel was being chased by four children all linked into one "ooze" as they laughed trying to catch the adult ratfolk.
The two teens looked over, then at Lady ir'Cassalanter, Willifort, and the servant, apparently deciding that if the adults were fine with Jixel playing then it was not their problem.
From the main house, the beautiful tiefling majordomo emerged with a young male servant carrying a tray covered with a silver lid. Willifort sped up when he saw Lady ir'Cassalanter in distress, not quite running but not walking either.
The noblewoman composed herself quickly and briefly chatted with the beautiful tiefling, who nodded and rushed back into the house. She turned back to the group and a huge smile that looked quite genuine dispelled her tears like sun on morning mist. Lady ir'Cassalanter stepped up with the servant and gestured at the tray as he lifted the lid. "Refreshments for our guests." She leaned in conspiratorially and dropped her voice. "Let's give them a few minutes before we tell the children, otherwise it will all be gone. I swear, trying to feed a dozen children costs almost as much as maintaining our stables."
Jixel left the high-level socialising with her fellow team members, and focused instead on the children. Such a wonderful game! It was good for young pups to develop skills such as this. Obstacle avoidance. Teamwork. Escape. Perhaps also a lesson in trade-offs. Size and mobility didn't always work hand in hand. Speaking of hands, the ratfolk needed to get a move on, or one would soon touch her and anoint her as ooze!
The children were quick and knew the layout of the gardens better than Jixel and absorbed her into the blob in short order, laughing uproariously as they caught the friendly ratfolk.
With refreshments on offer and having composed herself, Lady ir'Cassalanter returned to speaking with Illendur. "Excuse me, Lord Illendur, it's just that remembering what happened to my oldest..." she took a deep breath "it's not so long ago that we lost him." She shook her head. "I hope to insure that I keep my little butterflies and make sure this city doesn't lose any more of its children to neglect."
On closer inspection, two of the children running around with Jixel had Lady ir'Cassalanter's dark hair, pale eyes, and tawny skin. Her little butterflies appeared to be twins, in fact, and maybe six years old. They certainly seemed happy to have playmates and school chums on hand.
Illendur bows to the woman, and to the servant who brought the refreshments, Thank you, your generosity does you great honor. For a child to be so happy, and know which fork to use when, is a great thing. the half-elf smirks at his own jest, even if no one else does. He watches the children play with Jixel for a while before commenting, Truly, there are some bright spots in this city, and it is good to be reminded of them while we can. Looking to Ash and Dok, Gentlemen, anything else we require of the Lady ir'Cassalanter on this fine morning? I believe we have satisfactory reports to deliver to the other children about their companion. This has been a very pleasant way to pass the time for certain.
Susie laughed at Ash's description of their encounter and covered her grin with both hands. "Oooooh you mean Nat, Jenks, and Squiddly!" She shook her head, blushing but clearly not surprised. "Yeah, when the Hope people came around they hid but I hadn't had anything to eat for three days and my arm hurt so I said yes." The girl held up her arm and waved it around to demonstrate that it was all fixed. She made an embarrassed face at Dok. "I went to your clinic, Mister Dok, but there were so many sick people there out front and I was too scared to go in."
Her smile returned in an instant. "But the Hope people gave me some really good food and fixed my arm and gave me a bed and everything." She shook her head. "It was nice when we were closer, I thought I could maybe see them sometimes. But once Lady Ammalia said I could come here it's too far, and we're always doing stuff. My bed here's even bigger! And the food is really fancy. I didn't like it at first but now I'm used to it and know how to use all the forks and everything." It was clear that Susie was perfectly happy where she was.
Ash smiled at the child, relieved that she was doing well and not in any danger. "Your friends will be happy to hear that you're all right! Do you think the Lady would mind if we sent them here?" He didn't really think she would, but it seemed rude to just leave the child at that.
He bent down and winked. "I bet you're the best one with figuring out all the forks and knives!"