Triphylla whispers to Lope, "Thank you, friend. You have skill with brevity I have yet to learn." She decides to think on that later. Did she speak so much out of a desire for attention or merely as the result of a shortcoming not uncommon among halflings in a society dominated by humans. Taldan humans at that.
The halfling smiles to Lady Gloriana. "Where do all intrepid young girls get such ideas? From strong mothers! Well that's my greatest influence anyway."
She continues along this tack with her Ladyship. "My mother is an alchemist of some minor renown with, umm, influential clientele. My father was a champion at the Arena, on the early card. Perhaps you've heard the name Achlys? He was also a laborer. I often worked with him down at the docks and would occasionally sign on for overnights with the merchant ships, strictly within Taldor.
"We are exactly the kind of folk who make up the heart and soul of this city."
Lope blinks an eye to Triphylla, then focuses back on the other two "Certain girl taught me a thing or two while we were playing children games" he answers cryptically not yet prepared to reveal his family name.
The man places his hand casually over the pommel of his pace-bonded aldori sword "The Aldori, we do not care for such body distinctions. The skill with the other saber is the only thing we care to master to achieve in our hierarchy"
Noticing perhaps some rests of magical regents, Lope reacts adding "When we use magic, does it matter other than your mastery on the words and the movements? Why should that matter for good government?"
For a second Julia noticed several new burly looking guards entering who seemed familiar only for her attention to be grabbed by her finally spotting Martella again. "Well, she says in a apologetic hushed tone. "Perhaps to well... my older alter ego was able to gain Maxillar's respect but I think I may have convinced him to take drastic action while I was goading him. He seems to be plotting something with the Grand Prince who gave him some kind of offer. I don't know what but he mentioned heading off some kind of folly tomorrow and that I should stay to watch."
Julia shook her head. Her guilt and fear was only rising as she thought longer about what was likely happening. "It must be the vote, yes? What else could it be?"
Cyrene glances at the warriors but doesn't recognise them.
"There's at least one other person here on the sly." She says simply. "I slipped them and then watched them speaking to a number of senators." She follows up with her detailed descriptions of the senators in question. "What does that mean?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
When Cyrene asked about what she'd seen, Matrella ran her fingers through her hair nervously before replying, "You did well to spot them. Clearly they're an agent, but whose? There are many factions foreign and domestic... Some are on our side, some are very much not. Keep an eye out for them and anything unusual, but do not engage unless you can help it."
Present in the gallery are Countess Pace looking over the balcony and Wyssilka the Fantabulous who is surrounded by a gaggle of children who watch her antics.
Only ridiculously gauche noble clothing and fine jewelry set Countess Pace apart from any other Taldan. Her face is usually in a smile, though it quickly turns to a sneer when she loses control of the conversation. She has short but well-kept brown hair locked back in a stylized bun.
Triphylla suppresses a smile in response to Lope's wink. The duo is doing a good job so far working together with the Princess and Lady Gloriana. Now, thanks to her partner in crime, she knows another way to continue to try to impress her Ladyship.
"Is that so? I'm not surprised, as women use our minds to resolve conflict instead of swords. It's a wonder the Empire has survived with only men at the helm, but anyone with eyes can see the ship has been slowly sinking for centuries."
Julia nodded along as Martella gave out her new orders. Perhaps she had messed up with Maxillar but that only meant she'd have to work doubly hard to seek her redemption and make things right. "I'll find the warhawks and ruin them, Martella," she says confidentially before adding, "You have my word on that."
With that said, entered the crowd of nobility in search of the fools who wished to drag their homeland into a pointless war.
Valeria knew that she was on the right track when she heard about the kind of man Senator Karthis was. It wasn't until she heard about his time in Qadira draft dodging and why he hated them so much, not to mention wanted to enxlave their women, that she had just found a goldmine! Smiling slightly Valeria laughed and made her way back to where the various senators were gathered and began listening around for those who seemed to be wavering.
Since she has no immediate targets, or jobs from Martella, Cyrene wanders the gallery, using it to keep an eye on things going on below and performing a little mummery now and again when children glance her way.
Lope tries to say something witty related to the topic ongoing, but his efforts go poorly "Indeed, the nature of our nobles is that they would organize a deadly expedition to the depths of the sea rather than accepting the ship is drowning and we need to open new markets with Andoran, Absalom and other countries."
Princess Eutripia conceded with a laugh, "The Empire it not exactly what it used to be... But honestly I can't begrudge Qadria or Andoran's desire for self rule. It's not like Taldor is a small or a poor country although the cost of the army even in its reduce size is frankly staggering. If we spent what we have more wisely and for benefit of all, then everyone would benefit. It's funny though, a lot of people men and women, absolutely hate the idea of sharing."
Lady Gloriana nodded to both Eutripia and Triphylla replying, "I can only agree. The main thing that's holding Taldor back is itself, we remember the empire but forget that was crumbling generations ago. The world has moved on, and so must we."
Gloriana snorted at Lope's remark "Uff don't say that aloud! They might hear you!"
Martella beckoned you back over to her, saying "Triphylla managed to recover this." She hands you a folio which appears to be a tiresome noble's genealogy, "Honestly Earl Vernisant’s great grandfather was a grasping hack, but it contains all sorts of nasty gossip about everyone whose's anyone's ancestors. This might come in handy, although I won't blame you for deciding to burn it afterwards!"
Cyrene then wandered off to the Gallery however her attempts at disguise for the amusement of the noble's brats where met with yawns and disinterest from the children who seemed enthralled by the halfling entertainer, Wyssilka in her striking black-red-and-white attire.
"Move on we must, even if the nobles must be dragged kicking and screaming out of the past," adds Triphylla, feeling perhaps too comfortable in this setting. "Now I wonder, Lady Gloriana, who would you say we should talk to next so as to best influence the people to cast away the old ideas in favor of a more sensible future? If we could make one convert to our way of thinking, who'd have the most impact? Someone sitting on the fence?"
"Ah, I guess you are just right. Let's forget for a second on how to save our beloved country and let's focus on something more mundane but as important for our nobles' palate" Lope smiles while he shows his empty cup "Do you know where do they store the real good wine?"
"Damn it all," Julia curses under her breath as she tries and fails to gather much in the way of information about the militants. Of course, that did not mean she had any intention of giving up. Steeling herself, Julia once more went into the breach and tried at getting the militant conservatives to open up about their secrets.
Triphylla asks Lady Glorianna for advice on who to talk to and she smiles, "Well now Eutropia what do you think? Perhaps Baron Okerra needs a little reassurance?"
Eutropia nodded, "He's got a good heart but he does worry so..."
Lady Glorianna laughed when Lope asked about the wine, "The good stuff's languishing in the wine cellars more's the pity. Perhaps you could try to uh, liberate a bottle or two?"
for his combat skills. A bear of a man, he stands a head taller than the crowd, and while starting to show his age with flecks of white in his black hair and beard, he retains a youthful smile and gentle eyes.
Kalbio uncomfortably wears clothing of noble finery, constantly fidgeting with the cuffs or scratching at his neck. His calloused hands, simple hair style, and sun-beaten face all set him apart, as does his broad, genuine smile.
Pelligrina genuinely smiles at Senator Devries, though she adds a naughty 'sorry, not sorry' downward glance as she gently bites her lower lip.
"I'm only trying to do my part for something I believe in Senator Devires. I hope you will lend the Princess your support. It's been a great pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope we can reconnect some day in the future when I am also a senator."
With a light curtsey Pelligrina goes on her way. She is glad the Senator was so frank with her. It confirmed what she felt to be true. Some things can't be rushed without becoming forced. A single evening is too little time to do something that should take a couple of weeks at minimum to accomplish in a way that feels natural for the target. She will remember the lesson.
As she moves through the crowd, Pelligrina spots Countess Pace. Since she has yet to find Baron Okerra, she decides to take a stroll up along the gallery to see and hear what she can regarding the Countess. The view might also make it easier to find the Baron.
If she finds the Countess engaged with others at the time, she will linger and observe.
If the Countess is alone she will approach her and introduce herself.
"Please excuse me, but I simply must compliment you for your lovely gown. There is so much being worn here that is drab, while you are a ray of light."
Triphylla thinks she glimpses the beautiful Pelligrina arriving in the Gallery. Knowing this group is in good hands, and sensing her work with the Princess and her Ladyship is complete, She takes Gloriana's words at face value and begins to look for Baron Okerra.
The halfling continues west into the Senate chamber. Normally forbidden to any but the Senators themselves, Triphylla feels doubly scandalous being non-human, and the idea that she can simply waltz inside givers her a diabolical thrill.
Of course, almost everyone would recognize Baron Okerra. Dashingly tall, powerfully built, and with that exquisite beard and mane the color of coal, his reputation penetrates even the most remote feral dens of the city.
But to know of one is not the same as to know someone. Triphylla has only the offhand conversation between Eutropia and Gloriana to guide her: "He's got a good heart but he does worry so..."
She decides on an indirect tack, and boldly approaches the dais at the heart of the Senate chamber. After a couple buffoons take their turns pretending to gavel the session and announce themselves in preposterous titles, Triphylla stands in front of it, as to not be obscured. Then she affects her disciplined voice, projecting in the fashion of the great announcers at the Arena, who's mighty oration commanded an audience of thousands. As a child she would pretend to be the Voice of the Arena at home in the evenings, a source of frustration for her mother. Father, she knew, was quietly proud of her.
"One can imagine the ingenuity and stubborn precision required to craft such a device. First a screw turns a steady flow of river water up a cylinder through a tight iron shaft in the tower, to a height of nearly sixty feet. There the water cascades into buckets arrayed on the spokes of a large wooden wheel, the flow and capacity of each bucket exactly counting one minute of actual time. The bucket fills, the wheel turns, and the great hands of the clock tick ahead. Like time and the flow of the great river, the movement of the clock never ends.
"But how many of you have thought about that clock in the past, oh, twenty years? It no longer ticks. The wheel and the screw no longer turn. It reads eleven-twenty-three. So I ask the question: Has time stopped? Before you answer, think about Oppara. Think about Taldor. Has anything changed in twenty years? Anything at all? Has anything changed in two-hundred years? Are we Taldans not perpetually at war with out neighbors, perpetually distancing ourselves from the lower classes, perpetually gossiping about hats and beards? Taldor is stuck, like the hands of that clock, and it has been stuck for a very long time. Fix the clock, one might advise. But what's to prevent the clock from sticking again? I assure you it will.
"Let me tell you what time it is. It's time for change. Time for a new clock. Time for new leadership. And not from the same line of men who have carelessly allowed things as valuable as water clocks on the first pier to rust and seize through neglect; No! There is but one person who can fix what ails this state: I speak of Princess Eutropia! Cast your lot with her now and do so with conviction and stout heart. Send the message that Taldor is fearless. Taldor is powerful. Taldor is forever!"
"Do you know where do they store the real good wine?" Lope's question hangs in the air while he tastes a bit more of the wine, smiling kindly to his company and nodding to Triphylla as she walks away.
Cyrene continues to mingle on the balcony, holding conversations and keeping an eye on the senate floor below for her adversary.
Valeria was having trouble finding a good group to start spreading rumors among and she then remembered that she could think to the others and get responses. To her whole group she thought. I have some rumors to start spreading about Senator Karthis but I need a good place to start. Has anyone heard of any moderate groups that seem to be undecided on their votes?
Having finally gotten some information on one of the leading warhawks and their plans to influence the senate into accepting his folly, Julia decides to do what she does best. Tell a story.
Knowing that she'll only have a few more minutes until her ageing magic is used up, she'll quickly move across the senate floor from person to person as Dolores and weave a tale, or a lie if were being honest, about how Senator Karthis is far to inexperienced to be telling anyone, especially the elder senators of the assembly, about Qadiran agents and other such nonsense.
You spot the countess leaning over the balcony in the gallery, observing events below like a hawk. She's frankly quite a plain woman, albeit one with some of the most ridiculously gaudy clothing and jewellery you've ever seen. She seems to have a perpetual smile that rings false in your eyes and you hate the severe bun she's tied her hair up into.
Initially she was conversing with a servant before they wandered off leaving her to her thoughts. A perfect opening for you to introduce yourself.
"Please excuse me, but I simply must compliment you for your lovely gown. There is so much being worn here that is drab, while you are a ray of light."
The countess sniffs disdainfully before replying a little archly, "I should certainly hope so, my Marcello Upton boots alone cost more than your entire ensemble, still I suppose you have made the best of things the color of your dress complements your eyes. So anyway to whom do I owe the pleasure?"
Still you'd clocked Baron Okerra talking quietly with a huddle of other senators.
Each of you suddenly hears Martella's voice in your minds, as clear as if she was standing next to you, "Princess Eutrupia is preparing going to give a speech outside in the gardens, you might want to come outside and listen. Also we're nearly half way through I'd like a status update from each of you."
The Earl's loot is in the bag. Eutropia and Gloriana in pocket. Working on the Senate and Okerra. Will go upstairs last.
Her amazing speech largely falling on deaf ears, Triphylla sends the quick reply to Martella before returning to the gardens for Princess Eutropia's moment.
Just as Julia was about to put her lies in action she started to hear Lotheed's voice in her head asking for a report. Not wanting to leave Lotheed idle, Julia quickly summons her mental energies and responses with her answer.
At the senate floor. Trying to sully Karthis's reputation and weaken his pro-war speech before he give it. Will head to gardens after.
As she waited for a response after a couple of minutes Valeria was shocked that there were none. She thought back over what they had been told at the meeting and realized how stupid she had been. The badges only let them communicate with Martella! Deciding that one group was much like another she looked for a group of gossipers to start her rumors with.
When she heard the request for an update from Marta Valeria responded promptly, I have a good rumor to start that should help. Need good place to start spreading it. Suggestions?
Going good. Planning to use the speech as a distraction to direct myself to my mission. Lope smiles to himself after the communication ends, and starts walking into the servants area, looking after the pantry and the wine "That was a fun experience "
Cyrene has been feeling something off on the balcony and was just about to slip into the shadows to observe when Martella's voice came out of her broach and ruined any attempt at stealth.
Making a mental note to come back to the gallery later she looks for a quiet side room and speaks softly.
"Nothing new to report.
Still, the prospect of Eutropia giving a speech is interesting. There will be lots of people there to listen, which means lots of people watching the people listening. So Cyrene makes her way slowly into the gardens, making sure to snag an empty tray as she goes for extra cover.
There are enough seat for everyone and Martella motions you to sit down. You notice another one of her buzzing clockwork crickets on the table, she smiles in welcome, "Good some of you came, we really ought to witness this, it promises to be a historic moment. That's not the one reason I wanted to talk to you, there’s a young and rather unwelcome woman I noticed: Malphene Trant, the daughter of Senator Trant. She’s a belligerent, narcissistic ass, and a bully to boot. If she’s here, it’s likely to intimidate one of more of the junior senators into backing her father. If one or more of you could keep an eye on her and... quietly intercede should she try, I would be most grateful."
Turning to Cyrene she asked, "Did you spot any of the competition? There's all sorts here tonight, senators I've not seen in years. Oh more troops than you can shake a broom at, glad they're taking security seriously!"
The Trant family hails from Whitemarch, and its members are quick to use the threat of Qadiran aggression to maintain control of their holdings. While they don’t care one way or the other about women’s rights, much of their influence comes from supporting the staunchly traditional Maxillar Pythareus.
While you speak with Martella a sizeable crowd gathers to listen to Eutropia, dozens of senators, well-wishers, and various hangers-on chat excitedly.
Triphylla dodges through the mostly-human gathering to arrive at Martella's table. She takes a seat and motions the staff for a coffee, thinking that's exactly what she needs after the highs and lows of interacting with the Taldan upper crust.
She speaks low over the rim of her porcelain cup. "Baron Okerra is vulnerable, according to Lady Gloriana and the Princess. And available if one can pierce the ring of ne'er do wells in the Senate chamber. I could try again, but I'm keen to venture elsewhere. He may not even see me should I approach; tall as a tree, the Baron. I can shadow Miss Trant if that poses a greater threat to the outcome of this evening's festivities. Which one is she?
"Cyrene and Valeria, might I assist your efforts in any way?"
"Do you want me to kill her?" Cyrene asks simply.
After giving Lotheed her message, Julia went back to work sabotaging Senator Kathis. She actually had quite a few inventive lies that would play well with the pro-militant lot that Karthis was planning on pandering too but after some thinking she decided to change her mind. After all, why lie when the truth far more salacious and damning.
With that in mind, she worked the senate floor crowd. To a circle of older nobles she dropped hints that Karthis, "Was not a man who much cared fidelity or the sanctity of marriage," after which she found some military types and told them about his, "Peculiar love of Qadiran woman... especially ones from the Blue Lady," along with all his alleged troubles with pleasing them.
Altogether, after a few more conversations, Julia felt that she had certainly created a newfound image for Senator Karthis was not exactly pleasing to those in high society and waited to see if his speech would flounder as she had hoped.
Lope gets into the servants area and acts as someone who really should be there, trying to ask questions to a junior member who is less likely to pose questions back "Hello lad, I see you are serving my wine today" he shows the empty cup "I am curious to see how are you storing it to preserve its great quality, do you mind to point me to the pantry good lad?"
Countess Pace's snide remarks roll off Pelligrina like water off a duck's back, except for the semi-complementary portion.
"Thank you. At my age I am still my parents' daughter, and a dutiful daughter of course. I must for a time still live with my mother' choices while doing what I can to lighten my burden, like choosing colors."
Pelligrina indicates her dress.
"However I do expect my fortunes to rise considerably soon, as there are some exceptional suiters vying to be the one who puts a ring on this finger."
Pelligrina raises her left hand to show the bare ring finger.
"I am Lady Pelligrina Revay, and your boots, which are indeed extraordinary, narrows your possible identity for me. I will guess I am speaking with the Countess Pace. How have I done?"
It is at this point that Pelligrina receives Lady Martella's incoming message. Unfortunately she will have to cut things short. Pelligrina flicks her eyes to the side, as if she's noticed something taking place down below the balcony.
"Oh! By the movement of the crowd below I do believe Princess Eutropia will be speaking publicly quite soon. I am very interested to hear what she says. My apologies for breaking short this lovely chat. It's been my great pleasure to make your acquaintance."
She bids Countess Pace adieu for the present and makes her way down down to the main floor. As she goes she sends her reply.
Devries is a solid vote. Pace is very questionable. Shall I act on this? Still searching for Okerra.
Pelligrina briefly rendezvous with Lady Martella and the others, taking just enough time for imbibing a little caffeine. During her walk she has devised a couple of possible strategies for reengaging Countess Pace if she's the one who needs to do so.
She also asks around for information on Baron Okerra's location in case anyone else has spotted him. Finally she goes to hear the Princess.
Pelligrina arrives just as Triphylla is complaining about her poor reception in the Senate.
"Perhaps you'll have better luck than I with Baron Okerra. The Senate chamber was not constructed with people of my stature in mind. And anyway, I'd like to visit the upstairs and see how the children of Nobles are managed. I have doubts their parents spare them much care, but somebody must."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The senator scowled, crumpled his notes and stalked off in a huff.
To Pelligrina, Martella replied, "Mmm good news about Devries. Pace being two faced eh? Try and remind her that should the conservative factions get their way, she'll never be allowed to rise past her current station."
After listening to what Triphylla had to say, Martella said, "We do need to do what we can to ensure Baron Okerra stays on board. I trust between you, you'll think of something."
Just then Lady Gloriana rose and loudly clinked her glass proclaiming, "Friends! Taldans! Princess Eutropia would like to address the gathering, please led her your ears!"
With that conversation died away and all eyes turned to the princess who had climbed onto the garden’s stone railing, the better to be seen and heard. With a clear voice, speaking with conviction she said, "My friends, colleagues, and assorted enemies." This raised a chuckle, "It is wonderful to see you all out in your finery beneath the beautiful stars tonight and not a cloud in sight. With any luck, the weather will be the only thing that refuses to change this evening.
We have all gathered here tonight to honor Master Kalbio of Breezy Creek, a master artisan and true patriot, for his exquisite skill and service to our glorious empire. Master Kalbio demonstrates so eloquently that a heart may be noble regardless of the stature of one’s birth, and while it may be premature, I hope to be the first to congratulate you, sir, on the exaltation you will see tonight and welcome you into the ranks of Taldor’s long-lived aristocracy."
A ragged cheer went up from some potions of the audience although many of the more established and conservative senators scowled at the very notion of a weaver being ennobled.
You follow his directions and find a well stocked wine cellar with many barrels and a dizzying array of bottles neatly stored in racks. Currently you're the only one here but you don't want to linger long in case you get discovered!
Triphylla enthusiastically applauds the statement by the Princess.
"Nothing to worry about Triphylla. Baron Okerra was my initial assignment and I've given him plenty of though. He'll be in good hands with me."
Pelligrina notices the wayward servant out of the corner of her eye and thinks it odd. A good servant would know well that distractions and trivial activities should not happen, and thus potentially take away from the main events at any type of gathering. Certainly Princess Eutropia's speech would undoubtedly qualify, and the servants in the Senate should be among the every best.
Pelligrina continues to listen, but taps her compatriots and points out the oddly behaving staff member. She then motions with her head for them to follow as she eases her way to the direction of the apiary for a better look.
Though Julia tried to hide it, but small smile fell on her lips as she saw Senator Karthis be laughed off the senate stage. The smile only last a moment, though, and was quickly replaced with a look of cool resolve. The senator may have been a pompous warhawk but she knew the sting of jeers and a part of felt sorry for the man all the same.
Shaking her head of these doubts and unwanted sympathises, Julia left the senate floor and headed towards the gardens where hopefully Lotheed and the princess was still around. If Lotheed was still there Julia would be quick to whisper in her ear that, "That warhawk Senator Karthis tried to make a speech but was laughed off the senate floor thanks to some rumors and were my work."
Cyrene notes the servant when Pelligrina points her out and goes along with her to intercept the woman, simply because anything odd around the princess bears investigating. She can't figure out what the problem would be at this point, but still...
Triphylla dispenses with subterfuge. There's no immediate cause for it.
"You there!" she hollers loudly while approaching the peculiar staff member that Pelligrina pointed out. "Quit fooling around and tend to your duties or my father will have you dismissed. Freshen my cup at once!" She affects her most haughty tone, as would a spoiled petulant noble child.
Lope smiles and nods to the lad thanking for the information, while quickly descending into the place where he puts his merchant appraising eye into work.
Overwhelmed by the quantity of bottles in the place, Lope murmurs to himself "Curse! This is going to take more than expected"
The Aldori risks it a bit by staying a bit more, looking during more time for the bottle.
Finally locating the bottle, Lope quickly injects the substance provided by Martella.
Then, he attempts to unglue the bottle label using a bit of wine from his cup to soften the label, and stick the Qadiran one with the materials he has prepared, finishing his master work by placing the real label over it, now with some wine smears.
Lope smiles contemplating the result "Great. What a surprise when the label is revealed" he leaves the bottle, and carefully abandons the kitchen hoping he has not been seen.
Martella noted Julia's return and she beckoned her over to her table. When Julia explained what had happened, Martella gave her a feral grin, "Excellent! That's one less thing to worry about tonight."