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As morning begins to merge into midday you are approached by a wizened looking halfling woman name Kora. She hands you a sealed letter bidding you to read it. She curtseys awaits your answer and goes about her day.
The letter reads....
"Greetings! I trust this missive finds you in good health. My Name is Lavinia Vanderboren and i humbly request your attendance at my estate on festival street and blue skink lane tomorrow evening. I think i can present you with an opportunity uniquely suited to your skills. Please inform the carrier of this letter of the response to this invitation, and i hope to be speaking to you soon."
The young woman known only as "Jetsam" was at work inside the Seekers' Lodge in Sasserine's Merchant District, cleaning, helping with food prep (the members had learned the hard way not to let her do the actual cooking), and doing other odd jobs to earn her room and board there when she was told she had a visitor. Highly flustered by this unexpected turn of events, the pretty and petite lass smoothed out her wrinkled work clothes and fussed a bit with her curly dark hair to make herself more presentable. An amnesiac since an accident or similar violent incident on the high seas south of the city, Jet literally had no idea who would be visiting her or why. Perhaps it was someone from her forgotten past who knew her, Jet hoped feverishly.
Nope. Awaiting her in the small lounge just inside the lodge's front door was an older halfling woman she was certain she'd never seen before. The woman smiled and handed her a letter, waiting expectantly for the recipient to read it...which Jetsam did. Jet fought through her impetuous nature, neither accepting nor declining the invitation, before telling the halfling that she'd certainly entertain the offer and get back to her and this Lavinia Vanderboren woman before the deadline the next evening. Something buried in her subconscious--a nugget from her past, the young woman hoped--urged her to give the message carrier a tip. Handing the halfling a silver coin and flashing her most winning smile, Jet again assured Kora that she and her mistress would receive her answer on the morrow.
As soon as the halfling had left the building, however, Jet's smile vanished, instantly replaced by a contemplative frown. The name 'Vanderboren' sounded vaguely and frustratingly familiar, but exactly where and from whom she'd heard it uttered remained elusive. After finishing chopping up the carrots, onions, and potatoes to be used in the stew the lodge would be serving to its members that day, Jet asked around the place if anyone knew the names 'Lavinia' and/or 'Vanderboren.'
Even when she got her answers, Jet wasn't satisfied with them. After fortifying herself with a bowl of stew, the young lady opted to venture deeper into the city to research her would-be employer further. Spending the late hours of that afternoon and earliest hours of that evening in the Drunk Bear tavern, Jet casually asked around about Lavinia Vanderboren, learning little (if anything) more. She returned to the lodge as anxious and uncertain as she'd felt upon receiving the missive earlier in the day.
Jet did not sleep well that night. Both her rescuer (an adventurer named Parlan Meade) and her subsequent weapons trainer (the older, well-respected Seeker veteran named Elianas Guntner) were out of town on ventures and would be away for months. She was, for the most part, on her own now, and had to make this decision herself....
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Ordak finds himself sitting at a table playing a game of stones, something he enjoys while back in the city between journeys to the wilderness. Studying the board for the best place to land the stone; “You know, most of the time it is someone’s lost pet or a child that has decided to take up and adventure and I am sent out to look for them.” His eyes perk up as he has spotted the best move three turns in advance; “There we have it, try to get out of that one… Do I look like someone they want to see find them in the dark? Let alone Marzgi..”
Ordak raises an eye as the halfling woman appears, sealed letter in hand; “Thank you.” mumbling under his breath as he reads the letter. A job, haven’t had a request like this before. Seems so official. “I’ll do it!” he says without thinking it over too much; “What’s the best way to get there from here?” he takes mental notes of her instructions.
Watching the man across the board place his stone; “Now where did you take that from?” he says while thinking; the Merchant District. The pay for this job should be well. Losing the game, and gives the man the 2 coppers that was the wager; “A rematch sometime. Maybe with no interruptions.”
Ordak makes his way along the water’s edge to the Merchant District so that Marzgi can follow him. No need is having a giant snake slithering through the road when she can swim along just as easily.
Leaning on the wall outside Featherwhisper's the slender, Half-elf woman finished tidying her hair after her morning bath. 'So good to feel clean again!' she thinks with delight.
She is wearing leather armor dyed a deep blue under a soft, grey coat, tight black pants and calf boots complete her attire. Oddly she also is twirling an ebony cane with a silver head.
Noting the Halfling woman approaching her she straightens up and awaits her curiously. Shrugging at the instruction she takes the letter in one gloved hand and carefully reads it.
After searching her memory for the name of 'Vanderboren' Lily thinks to herself 'How interesting!'.
"Please inform Lady Vanderboren that I will be most delighted to attend."
Once alone again Lily decides to spend sometime gaining information on the Vanderboren's and maybe hints as to why she's being summoned?
It had been more than six weeks since Nassor had been ashore, and his first steps onto the dock were a bit unsteady without the boat’s rocking. Mango, perched on his shoulder, dug his claws painfully into Nassor’s shoulders to stay balanced.
If you had asked the Harbormaster, he’d say that the Heron was a week late in arriving at Sassering. The Heron’s captain would agree; a squall had pushed the ship too far south to clear the Hook Peninsula.
Nassor knew differently. The Heron was right on time.The proof was this halfling, waiting with a message for him.
He glances at it, then folds the letter and puts it away.
“A fine day to you, sweetness,” he tells the messenger. “Tell your lady I’ll be there.”
A half-orc sits out at the end of the dock which extends away from the Azure Cathedral (in the district of the same name). His legs hang over the end and, absent-minded, he tosses small rocks into the water, focusing on the concentric rings that expand from their points of contact.
His tunic and breeches are very simple, and of earthy colors. A bandana contains his normally wild hair. Along with covering up the tribal tattoos on his torso and arms, this completes the look of a reasonably civilized individual. His earthy-green skin and slightly protruding fangs give away the less accepted half of his ancestry.
Nearby and behind him, a sleepy feathered deinonychus lays curled up and resting its head on a low, sawed-off post of the dock that only reaches six inches or so above the surface. His feathers are bright red and yellow, and the head reveals blue leathery skin that emerges from them. Every once in a while his eyelids open to reveal bright opaque-green eyes.
Tedros sits at this dock when he wants time alone, to think. Sometimes, it's just to mentally recuperate from the busy interactions with the more worldly locals of this (failed?) colony. He'd learned to get along with them in offering his services for pay, but they could be a lot at times. The merchants and ship captains generally wouldn't be at this place of worship. This doc was used to launch mission trips and aid supply shipments, he thinks?
So it was slightly startling when he hears footsteps stomping along the wooding dock, and nearing him. His body goes rigid. He stands up and turns to greet the stranger. He knows better than to show aggression, and even failing to return a friendly smile can be used against him in this community.
Morning is almost over. The observation comes to him like breathing.
The stranger is an old (?), or at least middle-aged halfling. He smiles when she introduces herself and offers his own name. Accepting the sealed letter, he holds it in silence until she is off the dock and departed through the cathedral. Acting incapable of more than simple responses does get him a ways sometimes, and keeping things simple to start with was always safe (as long as he's friendly enough).
He sits down on the dock and opens the letter. Struggling a bit, he unconsciously sounds out some of the words as he pushes through reading it. That skill was still somewhat new to him, so he always takes a little longer than others.
This "Lavinia Vanderboren" must have been told of his skill in navigating nearby wilderness trails or routes between islands. Still... a fear pinged in the back of his head. Usually he had to look for and struggle to obtain work. This seemed too easy. Could she possibly... be looking to lure him in and sell him off to distant lands? It's a fate he's familiar with and known to happen to members of his tribe.
I should be on my guard.
He'd been having a decent morning, but now this brought a jumpy feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Today was a tough day working the docks of Shadowshore. A ship had come in carrying some loot they wanted to get by customs. The pay was better than a normal merchant ship, which is why Trace preferred to work in Shadowshore. Good pay to keep your trap shut. But always hard work. It had to be unloaded quick and efficient. He felt the purse in his pouch. He never hung it on his belt or put it in a pocket, but kept it within a belt pouch that was harder to get off or into.
Lessons he learned from his da before his life was cut short settling a gambling debt. The lure of easy money was his Da's bane and ended him.
But today, weary as he was, was a good day. He had silvers to give to Ma for food for the next week for his brothers and sisters. Living In Cudgel was for the poor but it was better than living in the dark alleys of Shadowshore.
As he approached The Silverlode, a Tavern near home, and where he occasionally spent some time, playing darts and having a drink, he saw the halfling woman with ther letter before she saw him. His heart quickened for a second. hed seen the woman at the Inn that night hed met the 'Noble' when hed answered the bills post.
Then she turned to him and walked up handing him the letter ...he read it.
"Greetings! I trust this missive finds you in good health. My Name is Lavinia Vanderboren and i humbly request your attendance at my estate on festival street and blue skink lane tomorrow evening. I think i can present you with an opportunity uniquely suited to your skills. Please inform the carrier of this letter of the response to this invitation, and i hope to be speaking to you soon."
Hed met no Lavina Vanderboren....but hed certainly heard of her and her family. Now they were Nobility!. smart he thought. shed used an intermediary to recruit.
He put the letter back into the envelope and looked at the Halfling Woman...Kora was her name...he remembered.
Thanks to You Kora. Tell your mistress Trace...no...rather Daniel Tracelon will be there.
he didnt know where Festival and Blue Skink was, but hed find out.
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Well...all the hours she'd spent researching the Vanderborens and Lavinia hadn't been very fruitful, but she'd picked up a few tidbits. She realized now that she'd heard the Vanderboren name previously during her stay at the Seekers' Lodge, where there'd been talk of the boat fire and the passing of Lavinia's parents.
Careful! Jetsam reminded herself. You can't be sure this Lavinia didn't kill her parents to come into her inheritance!
The next day around noon, Jetsam headed farther into the heart of Merchant District--beyond where any errand had taken her in the past. She'd seek out the Vanderboren estate, answer the halfling's message, and then get a room at a nearby inn where she could retire after the meeting with Lavinia; it wasn't very smart to travel back to the lodge alone after dark. Besides, if the meeting went well, Lavinia might have need of her services early the following day, and she'd be nearby to answer any such summons.
Tedros spends the next afternoon at his makeshift campsite out of town. It keeps him comfortably close to business but doesn't betray the location of his kin.
He's currently coaxing Dejen to lay down on his bedroll and "take a nap" while he goes into town on business. They are rarely ever separately and so it's not going well. He finally gets some progress out of laying dried meat just off the head of the bedroll and then quickly departing. If this is a trap he'd rather Dejen not be caught up in it too.
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As he approaches the estate, he hears commotion behind him, well-to-do nobles scattering and parting from some point. He just barely spies a patch of the bright feathers emerging from behind a well manicured bush.
Tedros sighs to himself.
I certainly can't leave him unattended in this district...
He retrieves his companion, smiling weakly at passing nobles around him as vague re-assurance.
They proceed to the estate for the meeting.
Lily performs her usual housekeeping, making sure all her equipment is cleaned and ready for use.
She has a sum of gold saved but earning more is always the best idea, she's had lean spells before and prefers to avoid them.
An hour before the stated time for the meeting she strolls through the streets, planning on observing from outside for a few moments before entering.
Finding a comfortable wall Lily leans against it and eyes the estate, looking to see who is entering and leaving.
Having just completed an early morning training session, Aliyah is surprised to be greeted by the halfling woman as she leaves the arena. Accepting the letter, she takes the time to read it through.
It seemed as if her performance in the arena had gained some attention, exactly as she'd hoped, though she was definitely curious about what opportunity a noble might have to offer.
"Thank you, I will attend." she replies, tucking the letter into her belt and making her way to Featherwhisper's bathhouse taking the time to pamper herself, treating her body the way a master warrior does their weapons and armor, spending the rest of her day looking into anything of note about Lavinia Vanderboren.
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Nassor ambles along Mead Street in the Noble District on his way to the Vanderboren estate. He is carrying a dozing fruit bat in the crook of his arm and a dozen pineapples in a sack slung over his shoulder.
The bat had only bitten one of the pineapples, but she had had touched them all, and the fruit man had held very strong opinions about that. So Nassor had turned over several silvers from his share of his just-completed voyage and carried off the pineapples. His wife Mela would probably have some opinions about that, as well.
“These will have to satisfy you for the day,” Nassor scolds the napping Mango, as they approach the Vanderboren gates. “Even if there’s food there, you can’t be getting into it and scaring the rich lady.”
He’s pretty sure Mango understands, but understanding is not the same thing as caring.
Well. This halfling was a bold one.
Nathrae reads the letter given to her in the privacy of her Jasidian quarters. She gives the messenger a curt nod. "I will attend. Thank you."
Wonder who this 'Lavinia' is. I hope she's not like Anwyn--if she's to fawn over me, it should be out of respect for the Ruby Sorceress, not out of fascination with me being drow.
She rises from her seat and prepares to choose something from her wardrobe to properly represent Wee Jas in her next social outing.
Trace had left quite early for the meeting, meandering through Cudgel and crossing one of the arched bridges of Sasserine, that allowed ships to go under, stopped and looked down as a trade vessel moved in. It looked to be carrying a large cargo. He shook his head, none of that now. He had a mission.
He moved through the merchant district, doubling and retracing steps to insure he wasnt followed. Finally he had come to Red Skink Way and looked across the canal to the Vanderboren Estate. Nice large walls with guards. , From there he headed down to the 15 Horses and a Mule Tavern and waited watching who somes and goes, out the window watching the Estate.
After making his way through the Market Distrct and finding where he needs to meet the following evening, Oridak heads to a close tavern. Looking for a meal, bed, and possibly a game of stones. Crossing the bridge, this muscular Half-Orc wearing leathers and short kempt hair might catch the eye of Trace who is watching the Vanderboren Estate. Before he leaves the bridge, he kneels and speaks towards the water.
Entering the tavern he looks around for anyone that might be playing a game of stones, his game or choice, but also notes if anyone is dicing or playing cards. Finding a table or empty barstool he gets the notice of the bartender or the tavern girl; “Ale and a meal, please.”
Looks around the room to see what he can see while waiting for a drink.
Trace who was trying to blend in, had turned to watch the Half Orc who talked to the water come in.
When he turned to look around he caught Trace staring at him, and Trace snapped his head around but kept the stranger in his peripheral vision.
He is going to break his neck like that. Turning his attention to the mug of ale set before him he says; “Make it two, and bring the meals to the table over there.” Once the second ale is placed before him he gets up from his stool makes his way over to the man who is trying to not be seen watching him.
He places the ale in front of the man as he sits down; “I’ve learned that if you confront a predator you do one of three things. You confuse it and it will be caught off guard and give you an opening, it quickly pounces, or it flees.” he takes a drink of his ale; “Mind if I join you, and are you interested in a game of stones?”
Trace swallowed hard. umm never played. Not a Predator. Saw yoi talking to the water. Was curious. he looked at the half-orc with an appraising eye
names Danial Tracelon. Most called me Trace
“Talking to the water?” he gives the man a puzzled look. Looking outside the light goes off; “Oh! Yes, that is where Marzgi stays. It’s best that she stays in the waters instead of slithering through town. She is my python, and a hefty one at that.”
“Never played stones? It’s really an easy game.” pulling free a rolled-up piece of leather piece of leather. As he unrolls it on the table it shows a grid of 18 by 18 one inch squares. Placing a bag on the table, it loosely falls open to reveal a mixed bag of white and black smooth stones. “The simple rules of it is we take turns placing our stones on the board. You want to capture my stones, while I yours. Once stones are fully circled, captured, you collect them and keep going. Most captured stones wins.”
He pulls a few white ones out and places them next to Trace; “There is more to it than that, but I’ll go easy on you. Trace is it? Oridak Din, Oridak will do.” Oridak takes a drunk from his ale as he pushes the other towards Trace. Making the full assumption that this man wants a drink or even willing to play a game of stones.
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Vanderboren manor is located in the eastern section of the merchant district; the seven foot tall stone wall that surrounds the estate is impossible to miss, as is the towering gothic, three story tall manor. Leering gargoyles and capering nymphs festoon the eaves of the manors roof and a host of trees and bushes give the manor a nice buffering calm from the rest of the city around it. The gates are unlocked and no one bothers them until someone knocks on the front door. Several moments later the same halfling that gave you the missive greets you. Kora Whistlegap thanks the Party for arriving more or less on time and askes them to wait in the atrium the Lady Landerboren will be with them shortly.
The last to arrive at the Vanderboren estate for the meeting is a petite young human female. Her wavy black hair is shoulder length, her eyes sea blue, and her general countenance is that of a friendly individual.
"Name's Jetsam," she tells the others. "I'm fairly new to this town," she adds before turning to face Kora, "and it took me a while to find this place. My apologies if I'm a bit late."
The young woman is dressed in black leather armor, wears a small buckler on her left forearm, and has a sheathed blade at her hip. She takes a seat, crosses her legs, and silently peers at the others who have answered Lady Vanderboren's call, wondering if she's as out-of-place amongst these adventurers as she feels.
Shrugging as she watches the motley collection of adventurers enter the manor Lily tidies herself up and politely knocks. Entering the antrium and nodding politely to anyone else here.
She wears a grey coat over dark blue leather armor and is idly spinning a silver topped cane in one hand as she looks around.
Trace had headed over across the bridge from Red Skink Lane to Blue Skink Lane...as he did, he strained to catch a glimpse of the Python...but alas he didnt want to stare...yet. He glanced back at Oridak, and continued. As he entered he nodded at Kora and then went inside.
When they all were there, he stood up. he was average height, average weight, totally unnoticeable, except the two bandoliers of daggers criss crossing his chest and the pair on either hip. Leathers and a long hooded cloak enveloped him.
He said Names Daniel. Daniel Tracelon. Im a dockworker, like my Da. I fix things. You can call me Trace.
The sailor — with his weathered skin and line of nautical tattoos on his forearms and hands, he could be nothing else — is old enough to be the father of anyone else in the room, save the dark-skinned elf and perhaps the halfling. He drops onto a chair with an audible sigh.
On his lap is a large fruit bat, though it’s only partly visible: the bat’s head is thrust into a large sack, from which you hear chewing noises. The bat’s wings are spread wide for balance, and for a moment it seems to be tattooed as well, though the pattern — familiar constellations from this region of Oerth — seem to shift depending on which way the animal is facing.
"A fine day to all of you. I am Nassor,” he nods to the others. ”Lately of the Heron, and more ships than a man can remember before that.”
He looks around at the room’s finery, and the plush chair he finds himself in. ”After such a life, this is … a surprise. I love surprises.”
A half orc wearing tunic and breeches of very simple, and of earthy colors stands at the edge of the atrium. A bandana contains his hair. His earthy-green skin and slightly protruding fangs give away his ancestry.
Tedros speaks little until he realizes his is the last name to give. He stares at his feet alot and mutter.
I'm Tedros. This here...
He gestures at the creature clinging to his leg.
is Dejen. So, you all got the same invite?
He looks around, sizing up the others in the atrium. These folk did not seem to be in his situation.
In stark contrast to the half-orc, the stunning dark-skinned beauty standing near the wall is almost impossible not to notice. Adorned in a simple halter and short skirt that allowed her to move freely, her presence is enhanced by brilliantly colored flowing scarves, made of heavy silk and reinforced with leather straps, draping off of her hips and upper arms.
Tall and athletic with a rich bronzed complexion, and long dreadlocked hair falling to one side, she sways gently from side to side, almost as if to the rhythm of music only she can hear. "Aliyah! It is a pleasure to meet you all." she says with a warm smile, her voice carrying the rich tones of a Touv accent.
“Not bad, depending on what this job is we may have plenty of time to play more.” looking at the setting sun; “It seems it is time.” As they head over to Vanderboren Manor, Oridak points out Marzgi to Trace; “Those who are friends don’t have anything to worry about.”
Oridak takes in the structure, the details of the gargoyles and nymphs, he can see how people enjoy such things. The half-orc is dressed in travelers’ cloths with leather armor. His outfit looks worn, but well-tended too.
“Oridak Din, I am a guide and a hunter.” slithering in behind him is a large python. Looking at the bat and small creature clinged to Tedros’ leg; “this is Marzgi. She attacks when threatened or hungry, and I keep her well fed.”
Pulling the letter from his pocket, “If this is the invite, then yes. Did any of yours have details other than arrive here and now?”
"Not me." Says the slender half-elven woman holding up one wall.
With a spin of her cane she continues, "The new head of the Vanderboran house has an opportunity to offer those who attend this meeting." She looks around, "We're here I guess we wait for our hostess to arrive and present her offer to us."
Jetsam had very nearly leapt to her feet and unsheathed her blade when she saw the large snake slither into the atrium behind the half-orc who introduced himself as Oridak, but a couple other folk seemed to have brought along their unusual pets as well. The thought almost triggered a memory in the young amnesiac.
Did I once have...a cat? A very small dog? Something small and white, maybe?
The flashback went no further so Jet started gossipping . "I don't know much about this Lavinia woman, but I did hear that her parents passed away in some sort of boating accident about a month and a half back. Do any of you know something more about our potential employer?"
He pulls away from Tedros' leg and cautiously approaches the python to sniff it a bit. The way he approaches seems to indicate that he's aware of where the head is.
"The new head of the Vanderboran house has an opportunity to offer those who attend this meeting." She looks around, "We're here I guess we wait for our hostess to arrive and present her offer to us."
At this Tedros visibly un-tenses. He had still had it in the back of his head that this could be some trap, so evidence to the contrary was welcome. Hopefully the work here would pay well.
Trace looked at the strange two legged lizard-like creature near Tedros and his jaw opened and closed a few times before he finally uttered what in the sewers of hell is that....
Sewers!
Tedros looks genuinely taken aback.
No, this reptile of ancient ancestry found me in the jungles around where my people reside. We have never parted since. In your tongue, I believe the term is "deinonychus."
Trace tries to say the word after Tedros Day on Knee chusss
As the small feathered creature approaches Marzgi, he begins to coil up as if he is ready to spring. Tongue flickering in the air, does this creatures scent taste familiar. Marzgi does not strike, yet.
New head? Oridak thinks to himself. Not that he is a man of the city, but this is a larger house and news, make up rumors really, travel fast.
As Marzgi begins to coil Oridak lets out a click of his tongue and the python untenses his coil. “I would not do that little guy.” he says to the feathered creature; “He is well fed, but does have a taste for chicken.”
“Deinonychus…” the strange word rolls around his mouth. “It is a beautiful creature. It must be fast if it lives in the jungles and is able to flee from predators.”
Turning his attention to Jetsam; “I know nothing more than this paper. It is sad that her parents passed. I wonder if there is some kind of concern around what might have happened.”
"Possibly," Jetsam replies to Oridak, her attention momentarily drawn away from the fascinating deinonychus. "Or maybe her need for assistance comes from taking on new responsibilities now that her parents have passed."
"Maybe someone's shaking her down for debts owed by her parents," the young woman theorizes, shrugging her shoulders.
Or maybe this Lavinia is hiring muscle to shake down folks who owed her parents something they never paid off....
"Good fortune and sorrow are often traveling partners," Nassor remarks, as he holds out a piece of half-chewed pineapple to the tiny thunder lizard. "But this does not make their shared visits easier. The lady Vanderboren may simply feel … unsettled."
The last arrival to the gathering is the imperious-looking elven woman in a deep, ruby red dress, her dark blue skin and stark white hair marking her as something unique. The symbol of Wee Jas around her neck gleams as she finds a seat and sits down.
"Am I late? My apologies."
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Kora returned leading the group to a dining hall where there would be wine and a light repast.
"Lady Lavinnia will be with you all shortly."
She began excusing herself. The room was well adorned the table old but gleaming made from a dark oak. As the party makes their way into the dining hall five figures emerge from a room at the end of the hall and file past.
a jaunty male half-elf dressed in leather armor and armed with ahaldozen daggers of different shapes, a dark-skinned dwarf with a sour expression dressed in green and brown robes and clutching a large curved spear, an attractive but haughty-looking woman dressed in dark purple robes and with a tattoo ofa crescent moon on one cheek,A large burly looking half orc female with tattoed arms wielding a large spike mace in dark tanned hides with long dark hair and daintily jutting upwards tusks and lastly, a tall and handsome man dressed in polished breastplate carrying a bastard sword.
The man in the breastplate stops for a moment studying the group for a moment then speaks.
"Hmm. You must be the help Lavinia’s bringing in to do the chores. Best of luck to ya!”
He then turns and hurries after the others.
Once the other group has left, a frowning Jetsam huffs and comments, "Well, if these 'chores' don't work out for us, at least now we have something to do in our spare time: apparently the circus is town...."
Trace looks at them intently, thinking he recognizes them...and keeps quiet.
Taking in this man, high dressed in armor polished to look more formal than functional; “A lot of what I do someone might consider a chore, but I enjoy it and find it relaxing. I’ll just wait to see what Lady Lavinnia’s request is before calling it a chore.”
While seemingly twirling her cane idly Lily takes a long look at the other group, trying to remember is she has any knowledge of their identity?
As Marzgi begins to coil Oridak lets out a click of his tongue and the python untenses his coil. “I would not do that little guy.” he says to the feathered creature; “He is well fed, but does have a taste for chicken.”
Tedros chuckles nervously and motions for Dejen to return to his side.
He is not a chicken, but let's not find out if Marzgi can tell the difference.
“Deinonychus…” the strange word rolls around his mouth. “It is a beautiful creature. It must be fast if it lives in the jungles and is able to flee from predators.”
Thank you. Yes, very fast , and very nimble he states proudly.
as he holds out a piece of half-chewed pineapple to the tiny thunder lizard.
Oh, uh... maybe set it down in front of him. I don't really mind, but you don't want him accidentally "nibbling" on your fingers.
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Tedros walks around the room, taking in the fineries, running his hands along the well-crafted wooden table. It always gave him mixed feelings of awe, but of not belonging in such a place. Then five entered...
"Hmm. You must be the help Lavinia’s bringing in to do the chores. Best of luck to ya!”
Nervously, Tedros whispers to the others, Chores? Are we to be house servants?
Aliyah remains silent, taking in the vast assortment of people and companion beasts assembled for whatever purpose they'd been gathered. The man in armor, that she recognizes. Not the person, but the attitude, the arrogance that many in the arena had, convinced they were superior warriors, until someone showed them different.
Nassor smiles and nods at the knight's bit of peacocking. It might have been a taunt, certainly, or perhaps he sincerely wished them well. Or maybe he was afraid for his own job, whatever it was.
As the group of strangers moves on and Jetsam mutters after them, he murmurs to the others, "The lady needs more help than I thought, it seems."
to pick up on if it was actually an insult.