"Of course. You have my word. Thank you for giving us this chance," Rose replies earnestly, channeling her best Konstiantina. To add, she bows slightly and earnestly as a sign of respect. Just as she turns to leave afterwards, one thought strikes her that prevents her doing so.
She leans back to the counter and whispers. "You say she's been with the family for a long time. Is she loyal to you, then? If so, is there anything we can tell her to win her trust? Something about her only you would know, and implies our cooperation? Or can we not mention you to her at all?"
Neffery's shoulders were beginning to relax as Rose turns to leave, and he's fishing in his inner coat pocket for his handkerchief, when she turns around for another round of whispered questions. "Rusmonya works for Vernisant now, and I would prefer it if my involvement were not known at all." He gives Rose a wry smile. "But I am certain you will have no trouble persuading her, your group is certainly... imposing."
Happy that Neffery has now opened up and given everyone a fantastic lead, Adriel reaches over the counter and pours herself another drink, proud of the job done.
She turns to listen to the conversation between Rose and Neffery, "We are adaptable if that's what you mean Sir? We can absolutely operate out of sight. Anyone have a plan to get in there without causing a raucous. Admittedly, a raucous is my own particular specialism, perhaps one of you are more subtle."
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Mirann turns back from the door after having the situation explained, and moseys on over to the bar. As the plan becomes clear, she orders a whiskey, asks for a piece of paper, dips the paper in said whiskey, then trails it along her wrists, neck and lips before shooting it back. She glances at her fellows and mutters, "Don't anyone worry, I know what I'm doing. I'm gonna get a look at what awaits us. Reconnaissance.
She then asks for another shot, spilling the drink across her lap and screaming.
The dancer dramatically rises and marches over to the office door, ripping it open. "Who is in charge here? This bartender tried to take my drink, and spilled it across my lap! Said I had had toooooo many. I need to have a word with the manager!"
She takes in the surroundings to the best of her ability, wobbling from one leg to the other and scowling.
Confused at first about Mirann's actions, Neffery looks about to faint as the entertainer marches up to the door to the back office and yanks on it... only to find it locked. He comes out from behind the bar, wringing his hands and shooting extremely concerned looks towards the entrance and the windows facing the street.
"Ah, please, milady, calm down."
Raesilia goes uncharacteristically white in the face as Mirann storms forward to rip open the door, about to put the entire party in the direct spotlight of Earl Vernisant's guards for not good enough of a reason. Too overcome with shock to stop her, she is halfway through swiftly pulling up her cloak and leaving when the door behind is is mercifully and miraculously closed.
She lets out an audible sigh of relief and turns back. Her immediate thought was to admonish the other woman in no uncertain terms, but then she remembered she'd made a similar mistake in front of Martella Lotheed and the others just five days ago.
She apologizes to Neffery, puts a gold coin on the counter and motions the group to follow her outside, in safe distance to passersby.
"Mirann. I... admire your enthousiasm, but you have to consider things like opportunity cost," she whispers as gently as possible, when everyobmne is there. "If there had been guards there - maybe luck favores us and they were absent for a stroll - you'd have suspiciously exposed the entire group and the investigation directly to the earl, for very little gain. You could have just asked master Neffery for a sketch, since it is his own store and he is an artist. And what he couldn't show us we could improvise by being careful. But I think he's so scared now that we probably shouldn't bother the poor man any more."
She sighs and crosses her arms, looking down. "I apologize as well, everyone. That was poor on my part. I interpreted his words incorrectly - Figured that a secret safe made by Neffery himself with the express suggestion to check it meant he'd had already had what we needed and simply wanted us to walk in and take it. Until he mentioned it being guarded, that was."
Taking a deep breath, she looks back up. "I suppose the plan is now to come back at night? Maybe we can combine it with a visit to the canal."
Konstiantina raises a palm, forestalling any further apologies. "What's done is done. We've accomplished our goals. Well done, everybody. What matters is that we now know to return after dusk and investigate this safe. Since the canal affair seems to take place later at night, I suggest we come here, and depending on what we discover, then proceed to the bridge."
She glances around at everyone, taking in their reactions.
"As for our approach: alas, I don't think there's much room for finesse. Is anybody skilled at picking locks? We'll simply have to present ourselves to this Rusmonya in force and convince her to stand down. With luck, our intrusion here will be justified by the outcome of this entire adventure, and the Earl's downfall."
"...We'll simply have to present ourselves to this Rusmonya in force and convince her to stand down...."
Lotti pats the taller woman on the knee and smiles gently. "I'm quite sure that kind of... theatrics, shall we say, will be as needless as those we just witnessed inside - and likely just as detrimental to actually bringing the Earl to justice. But I agree that there need not be any blood shed." Her smile widens. "I think we could arrange for a visit tonight by a naval officer and her entourage. Surely this Rusmonya knows what such a visitor expects and will react accordingly. And if not, well..." A few multi-colored sparks of light dance around the elderly woman's fingers.
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Konstiantina looks down at Lotti with some measure of amusement.
"I've been called many things in my time, Mistress Lotti, but never theatrical. I'll add that to the list."
She glances up and down the street, hand resting on the pommel of her blade. "Regardless, please elaborate on your plan. Do you mean we should bluff our way in by posing as a naval officer and his entrouge?"
A hint of a smile returns to her face. "Because that seems the very definition of 'theatrical' if you ask me."
"Nonsense, young lady - purely business and nothing more." Lotti's serious tone is offset by the twinkle in her eye. "But our friend here doesn't quite look the part of a captain, now does he?" Now it is Marius's turn to have his knee gently patted. "Nor does he quite have a way with words that will set a wary guardswoman's mind at ease. Nor does he quite have a captain's uniform. Let's not put pressure on him to produce all that at a moment's notice as if by magic, shall we?" She lets the sparkles linger a bit longer on her fingers and raises an eyebrow suggestively at Konstiantina.
"Why, Lotti, are you suggesting a plan that requires our honorable paladin to lie ? How scandalous of you!" Rose replies, a grin returning to her features.
Then, she begins alernating critical looks between Marius and Konstiantina. "Marius has the experience, though, and familiarity with the jargon. He knows how a naval officer should act from having witnissed it firsthand. I think that might be more important, personally."
Throwing a look to her left, she observes the crew of a ship docking in the harbor, and smiles. "And if all we need is a uniform for him... well, I can take care of that."
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"Why, Lotti, are you suggesting a plan that requires our honorable paladin to lie ? How scandalous of you!" Rose replies, a grin returning to her features.
"Of course not - at least, not anymore than the poor dear's already had to to stay in your company." Lotti returns the grin. "And while I admire your... devotion to the lad, having to steal a captain's uniform - and then resize it to fit him - is almost as risky an endeavor to undertake in a single afternoon as attempting to force one's way into a locked office in front of the building's proprietor. Or were you planning to find a crew uniform, find a shop that sells the embellishments needed to make it an officer's uniform, and then find a place to make all those adjustments yourself in a few hours?" She shakes her head. "The simpler the plan, the fewer things can go wrong. Trust me on that one."
Lotti clears her throat, then continues. "And if it's jargon you're worried about, that can be taught." Her voice is rough, much deeper than her short frame would suggest her capable of making, and the spitting image of Marius's own accent.
Rose holds Lotti's gaze a bit longer than might be expected, as if mentally already in the process of getting by each obstacle. Even the devotion jibe doesn't seem to faze her! However, she then eases into a smile. "In that case, far be it from me to argue with my elders! Tell us more; what exactly do you need us to do?"
"I don't doubt the silver tongue of anyone present, but I daresay you're all rather overcomplicating things," Marius interjects, straightening his coat as he walks. "A finely spun tale and a flawless costume is all fine and good--but when the safe is learned to be broken into and the guard or guards questioned, it will be all 'oh yes Captain So-and-So came by in the dead of night, very peculiar' and it won't be long before inquiries turn up the culprits--namely, us."
Marius' smile turns sharp now. "But a handful of sneak thieves, dressed all in black with their faces masked? With luck no one would notice them at all, but even if they did--this is a Navy town, those thieves are like as not catching a boat for distant shores, not tarrying about." The nobleman's gaze turns to Mirann and Adriel. "And without offense intended I daresay I know who those thieves might be."
Holding up a hand to forestall immediate objections, Marius continues. "Now of course if the Earl's people start asking around--or gods help us, deploying divinations--they will doubtless still find us. But I think in this instance anonymity buys us more time than a perfect disguise..." He winks at Rose, "...though I know that must gall you."
Tilting his head at Lotti, Marius arches one eyebrow. "Well? You're the voice of aged wisdom, dear Lotti. What do you think of this soldier's plan?"
Lotti pats the man’s knee again. ”It’s a lovely idea, but how well can everyone see in the dark?” she asks gently. ”And while it only takes one silver tongue to open door, it likewise only takes one noisy accident to summon the guard. Are you that confident in everyone’s abilities? Or were you planning to send those two off by themselves? Are you so confident they can handle any troubles that might reveal themselves cut off from any backup?” She nods at Adriel and Miann.
”I’d thought about the stealthy approach, but I didn’t feel confident in my own silence,” she continues after a few moments. ”I also considered offering myself as a distraction - you know how Wobblekins runs away sometimes, and these poor old legs can’t keep up with him.” She gestures at the large cat sprawled out on the warm cobblestones. ”But there’d be no good reason for a guard to help an old lady such as myself. They have a job to do, after all.” She shakes her head. ”So then the question is, what would a guard at a private officers’ club expect as part of their regular duties? The best way to not raise suspicions is to show someone exactly what they expect to see, after all.”
"I think in this instance anonymity buys us more time than a perfect disguise..." He winks at Rose, "...though I know that must gall you."
Rose chuckles. "I suppose that as an artist, I do feel somewhat offended!" she jokes. "I agree with Lotti though in that being invited in is safer than breaking in. The guard could disable any alarms and get us into the room before she could call out for help. A missed alarm or an observed break-in attempt means all hell breaks loose - to say nothing of how Nefferey wanted us to keep the store *intact*. I'm sure that, ah, Adriel and Mirann could make short work of the safe once we're in?"
She sits down to momentarily pet Wobbekins. "And what I'm missing so far is how to actually deal with the guard once we're inside. Is attacking her with a spell the only option? I'm not sure what best to tell her. She was a friend of the family for a long time and must dislike what the count did to Neffery, but he wants us not to mention him to her at all. We could make vague allusions to how the earl has wronged many people, including him, suspect further evidence of it is in the safe, promise to only take that and simply leave? He seemed to think we'd be able to persuade her still."
Kneeling down to be level with Lotti, Marius sighs. "Ms. Qeb, you have this vexing habit of assuming something foolish and the presenting that as the argument one of us has made. But yes, I do intend to send these talented ladies in, so that those of us less skilled in stealth," he nods a head to indicate the gnome. "...can wait in reserve to respond as developments warrant. Because whether we are sneaking or bluffing a crowd of five is sure to gain attention. Breaking up into specialized pairs or trios is just sound tactics."
"As for the guard, we should knock her out. A bit crude, yes, but presenting folks what they expect to see and all that. But after we're free and clear she will still have to answer to the Earl. If we try to persuade her we must rely on her ability to lie to him or his agents--or not to get cold feet. She won't thank us for it I'm sure, but putting a goose egg on her head protects her from retribution."
Konstiantina nods to Marius.
"I'm in favor of keeping this simple. Use a ruse to get her to open the door if necessary - Ms. Qeb, your magic should prove sufficient - but once that's done, all we need do is show our superior numbers, subdue her if necessary, and then knock her out or tie her up in the tap room where she can't see what we're doing. That done, we try our hands at the safe, and then depart."
Her expression is grim. "We are engaging in this act of breaking and entering on the presupposition that the Earl is a criminal figure, and that our crime will become justified in light of the revelations we shall bring to the court. As such, I am not overly worried about the consequences that may hound us tomorrow. It's a wager, but a sound one."
Rose blinks at both Marius' suggestion and Konstiantina's unexpected approval of 'ends justify the means'. "I... can certainly get behind the idea of a crime justifying the uncovering and ending of a far more major one, even if the court might not see it that way."
She scratches her chin and frowns. "Though, that depends on what exactly we're doing. I admit I feel uneasy about this approach. This guard is a supposedly innocent woman. We're talking about assaulting her, which very well might not be necessary, and I'm not convinced this method protects her from the earl's wrath. You think it makes a difference to such a man what the reason for 'her failure' is? And what sort of precedent does this set for potential future allies? I'd like to place this handling of her on 'last resort' status and talk to her first."
She looks to see how Mirann and Adriel feel about all this.
A few seconds of silence go by, then Rose brightens and snaps her fingers. "What about this? We could explain the situation to her, then offer to help her stay safe and disappear."
Letting the words hang for a moment, she then elaborates. "As it stands, this is a no win situation for her. These documents are proof the earl is involved with major abuse of power. If that isn't enough reason for her to stand aside, she simply has the poor luck being stuck protecting something beyond her paygrade. Eventually, if we don't, someone else will come for them again and again. If they succeed, her safety isn't guaranteed. Even if she survives those break-ins, there's a good chance the earl will take revenge on her no matter how subtle the theft is."
She looks around the others one by one. "But what if he can't find her? If we point this out and help her, we don't have to inflict harm on an innocent. All it needs is a place for her to stay safe until we're done and can take her back to the capital. I can handle things from there. And I'm sure we can think of a temporary shelter, can't we?"
Her gaze pointedly lingers on the only one with an estate in the city.
Konstiantina bows her head.
"I must admit I have very little experience with these matters. I'll agree to whatever the group deems best. That being said, the less harm we do to the guard, the better."
"Let's remember to keep Rose away from any orphanages there might be in town or we'll have an entire caravan in tow when we return to the capitol," Lotti murmurs to the man kneeling next to her, then gleefully takes the opportunity to pinch his cheek. "And don't think I didn't notice you ignoring my first question about seeing in the dark, young Master Erallan - nor your vexing habit of assuming something foolish and presenting that as an established fact. Why would you think our silent duo would leave any trace of wrongdoing? Do you have yet another vexing habit of tearing things off walls or destroying property?" She winks at Marius to show she's teasing him now.
"I think we should try and go around the guard if we can," Mirann limply offers, very much wanting to avoid any and all potential violence that may arise. "The disguise plan is certainly very theatrical and in the best way, but I think it may have a number too many moving parts. I think what works best is if we just, find a way to get her gone."
"Could you elaborate, Mirann? Do you have an idea for getting her out of the building? As it stands, if we go with Lotti's idea to bluff us inside and then my idea of talking her over once we're in, the plan sounds straightforward enough to me."
Adriel listens into the debate with curiosity, trying to work out others' strengths more clearly by listening to their go to plan. She is quiet for some while until she chips in with one short and simple question.
"The only downfall I see, is that some people are not as convincing in such a situation as others. Pulling off such a bluff convincingly can be challenging."
"How can we be so sure she'll take the offer? It sort of directly implicates us if she refuses, but, also, I can't think of a better thought."
Mirann nods and points to Adriel after her statement, tapping her nose. "This lady gets it. But still. It's our best plan."
Looking over Lotti, Konstiantina and Mirann - and not hearing an objection from Marius - Rose nods. "All right. Then it seems most of us are in agreement. We'll wait for the cover of night and allow Lotti to talk us in. Once inside, I'll take over and try to convince her to stand aside. If it fails, we'll subdue her. Let's go back to the mansion and make our preparations. We'll just have to hope that between this and the smugglers, we can collect enough evidence to overcome the influence of this artefact the Earl has."
Back at the Erallan estate, the staff has prepared diner for you it is obvious that special effort went in preparing and presenting it. Those used to Opparan cuisine find familiar dishes, but with a local twist, and while the seasonings are not as refined as in the capital, the ingredients seem fresh and of the highest quality.
Afterwards, under the pretext of an after-dinner walk, which also gives you the excuse to bundle up in heavy cloaks against the chill fog that has suddenly descended over the town, you make your way back towards the chandlery. The wooden building looms before you shrouded in mist, its windows dark, a single lantern hanging above the front door, its light casting a weak halo that does little to illuminate its vicinity.
Lotti fusses over a few small details as the group approaches the chandlery. ”Marius, that uniform looks quite lovely on you - and I’m so glad you found a few hats and accessories so everyone can get a feel for what it might be like to enlist in the navy. Right then, is everyone ready? Remember, let’s see how far the ruse can take us before we reveal the trick.”
The old lady rubs her hands together, and faint light glows between them as if she were holding an unseen candle. Smiling, she raises them as if she were washing her face. Wherever the light touches, wrinkles disappear, skin becomes ruddy, hair darkens, and even her eyes and ears subtly change shape. After a few seconds, a completely different woman stands before the group - this one clearly a middle-aged halfling with a captain’s uniform and polished boots. She nods, clears her throat, and marches up to the chandlery door as though she couldn’t image the others failing to fall in line behind her.
”Open up Rusmonya!” she barks, voice rough as seawater and harsh enough to cut through cannonfire. ”Is this how the Earl treats his invited guests?”
"Impressive," murmurs the paladin as Lotti remakes herself into the image of a halfling officer.
But she's determined to remain in the wings, and so stands to one side, back to the chandler's wall, watching the street with slow, measured sweeps of her gaze to make sure nobody is coming to interrupt their attempts or watch their break in.
Outvoted, Marius just shrugs and keeps his misgivings to himself. Before the party heads out he quietly belts on his falcata under the heavy raincloak before following Lotti et al into the mists.
While Lotti works her transformation and begins the ruse, Marius finds a spot nearby to keep watch. He remains with easy signalling distance in case he's needed but otherwise keeps to the shadows, remaining unobtrusive and out of the way.
After a moment, unhurried steps sound inside and the click of a lock being undone as the door opens a fraction and the half-shadowed face of a half-orc appears in the gap, towering above Lotti.
"Yes? Who are you?" She scans Lotti from head to foot, glancing at the ones standing behind the would-be captain. "I have not seen you before. You are authorized by the boss?"
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"Of course I am," Lotti snaps back, indignation in her eyes. "What, you think I just decided to waltz off my ship and leave my comfortable cabin for a whimsical evening of knocking on random doors in the middle of the night?" Turning to Rose, the captain whispers loudly, "If this is the caliber of the Earl's crew, perhaps we should reconsider."
Returning her attention to the half-orc, she continues, "Well? Are you going to let us in, or just stand there?"
Rusmonya scratches the side of her nose, shrugs, then swings open the door to allow Lotti and her entourage inside. The interior of the chandlery is completely dark, but the guard starts lighting a few lamps until at least your side of the room is dimly illuminated.
"Drinks?" the half-orc asks as she moves behind the bar. "Are you here to meet with the Earl? Shall I send him notice that you arrived?"
"I'm quite sure he's already on his way," Lotti replies briskly. "Scotch, if you please." Looking around the room, she wrinkles her nose at the open windows. "Do you get any complaints from the neighbors about the lights?" she asks, tapping the bar repeatedly with one finger. "I'm assuming the Earl doesn't want everyone to know about this, or we'd be at his estate instead of..." She pauses, drawing out the silence just long enough to be noticeably awkward. "...here."
Rusmonya pours scotch for everyone who has made their way inside. "Complaints? Who would dare complain to the Earl? Nah, I just keep the lights off because I like it that way. And if someone might want to break in, they'd think the place unguarded. But I see in the dark just fine." She taps the side of her nose, winking. She slides the glasses across the bar, then pours herself one as well, leaning on the countertop and watching Lotti and the others with mild interest.
"Aye, mayhap we should, cap'n," Rose answers Lotti, dressed in her own dark cloak. Her earlier shawl, dress, expensive jewelry and high-fashion hairdress had been discarded in favor of more common ones to go along with the hat and cloaks. Her naval accent wasn't nearly as good as Lotti's, but hopefully serviceable.
With everyone inside, Rose looks to 'her captain' when offered the drink and very slightly tilts her head sideways, silently asking Lotti for permission. Not for the drink, obviously, but for taking over the conversation and proceeding with the plan right now. However, in case Lotti wanted to prolong the ruse for whatever reason, they could play it the other way.
”Hmm, now that’s smart thinking. Maybe I was wrong about you - you’d fit right in with my crew.” Lotti winks back at “Rosie” and throws back her drink. ”Ah, that’s not too bad,” she muses. ”Not as good as the stuff we had in... Which port was that now? The one with the statue.” She lets her expression soften slightly, setting up Rose’s act as best she could.
Aside from the occasional passer-by vaguely glimpsed through the fog, Marius doesn't spot anyone.
Inside the chandlery, Rusmonya smirks. "There's another port with a statue? Unbelievable." She turns her own empty glass over in her hand. "I prefer the fruitier stuff, myself." She puts the glass down and straightens up, reaching for a cluster of keys at her belt. "I suppose you'll be wanting the office. I'll be out here keeping watch and humming, so you know I'm not listening to your meeting." She gives Lotti a level look as she goes to unlock the door leading into the room behind the bar. "Just a moment, I'll light the lamps."
After a few moments, the half-orc returns, the door to the office invitingly open as she takes up position at a table next to the entrance, her legs stretched out leisurely as she starts humming. She is rather good at it too, her voice rich and deep.
Lotti keeps her eyes from widening in surprise and instead gets to her feet. ”I was indeed wrong about you - here, as an apology.” She flicks a gold coin to the bar next to the half-orc and strides purposefully into the office. ”You lot coming or are you just going to sit there trying to drink each other under the table again?” she calls over her shoulder, a bit of the snap returning to her voice as she addresses her companions.
Mirann follows close behind, keeping her head low.
Konstiantina smiles warmly at the half-orc, pleased beyond measure that this is proceeding so smoothly, and follows behind Lotti as well.
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"Aye, aye. Cap'n. And I's on guard duty again, right?" Rose responds, quickly adepting to the stroke of luck and winking once at Lotti. She then saunters over to the bar and lands herself in a chair near the half-orc in a defeated posture, shoulders sagged.
After the others find their way inside, she sighs wistfully. "I swear. Must be 'çause I'm new. Never let me in on the interestin' stuff, they don't. Wot's a girl gotta do to prove 'erself...? An' dare say I'm loose-lipped or such. Pfah!" she complains to the half-orc, and takes a sip of the drink offered her earlier.
She brightens after tasting the drink. "Say, that's some really good stuff! Wot's that?"
Rusmonya shrugs. "'s not my job to know the names of drinks." Her speech has gotten a little rougher as she figures Rose for a fellow guard. "Give it time. Fancy folk like them want ya to say yessir a lot and keep yer mouth shut otherwise." She pulls out a long-stemmed pipe from an inner pocket and starts stuffing it with tobacco from a little pouch at her belt.
Like the front room, the back office is decorated with a nautical theme. A shelf along the south wall holds a collection of ships in bottles and other sailing collectables decorated in Taldor’s blue and green shades. A heavy, ornate desk stands in the middle of the room, and on the wall behind it is a glass-fronted shadow box containing a replica of the shattered Shield of Aroden, the legendary shield that saved General Arnisant’s life.
Konstiantina slows as she enters the room, taking everything in, then slowly begins to walk the perimeter, tapping on things gently as she searches for the safe.
Mirann breathes on the glass, full of envy. "Do you think anyone will notice if that shield goes missing?" she whispers to no one in particular.
”Yes,” Lotti replies briskly. ”If it’s the first thing you notice when entering the room, then it is the first thing someone else notices as well - and they will definitely notice right away if it’s missing. Focus on what we came here to find.” Remembering the painting at the museum, the “captain” scans the room for traces of magical auras.
The only magical aura that Lotti can detect in the room comes from a pearl held in the mouth of a lion statuette that sits on the desk. The aura is one of transmutation.
Marius remains by the window, remaining quiet watching the night outside for any surprises. He listens intently to Rose's patter with Rusmonya in case there's a bluff he needs to play along with, but otherwise keeps his head down.