Gunla waits for Eli to enter before stepping through the door, herself.
Inquisitor Gunla Whelk, miss.
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Panting for breath, Gunla only barely allows Vlachus to finish his train of thought, before stepping up. If you sent your friend... Cyne out for fruit, Valchus, then how did a gods-damned foot end up in the package? Is your "friend" connected to the Mongrels? Furthermore, exactly what are you doing performing Lars' grocery shopping for him? And what the hell is this "incident" about which you are being blackmailed? I want some answers before I get in any deeper.
I guess you do, Gunla mutters to herself. Glancing over at her charges - her assignment - Gunla breaks for the stairs.
Glowering down at the over-zealous guard, Gunla gradually raises her gaze to meet that of Lars' and his men. Now it's three against nine, and I'm growing rather angry. Still like your chances, you worms? Gunla unceremoniously rests a boot on the toppled guard's shoulder, and stares down the other men with a deadly serious expression. Intimidate: Gunla readies her katana.
...alright, Gunla mutters with a sigh. One quick step backwards puts Gunla outside, and another swift movement slams the door shut on Lars . Shouting through the door as she leans into it with all her might, Inquisitor Whelk's voice is confident... devoid of the alarm and the confusion that she feels. One day we will come to blows, Highby! When that day comes, you'll thank me for having put it off for so long! What now? Gunla thinks...
Gunla shouts. Balthe! Eli! To me! Then, quietly. You really want to do this, Lars? If I walk away from this, you're finished. Zeusemande isn't here, Highby. Think nine men is enough? Intimidate:
Gunla's Perception (to notice the object) Gunla's Knowledge (local) (at the mention of the Mongers)
You'll do no such thing, gentlemen. I've committed no crime, and my authority is just as great as this man's. This is an inquisition matter; stand down. Draw a weapon and you'll face the High Inquisitor before morning. Gunla's Intimidate check (to stay the guards) Now calmly explain what's happened, Lars. Because from where I'm standing, you're looking a more criminal than anyone.
Gunla's mind races. Her face is grim. Capitan, she manages to acknowledge Vlachus as he rushes through. Then, jaw set and expression grim, she allows the progression to pass, giving Eli a nod, as if to say "go"... ...and then plants herself firmly in the doorway, utters a prayer , and draws her katana. To run would be incriminating, she thinks. Irori is with me...
Do you have proof - even evidence - that you were bid by this... Cyne, to deliver this parcel? If this official denies asking you to deliver the item, could you refute him in a court of law? Do you have an order? Physical documentation? Anything? If not, I fear that this set-up might have been for me as much as for you. I'd hoped that my escort was requested in order to keep you safe. I expected an ambush... just not this kind. Gunla's sigh is almost a humanly vulnerable one. A small departure from her usual steel.
No, Gunla swiftly replies. Her voice is hushed, almost a whisper. Gunla's eyes narrow in thought. Why would a man ask you to deliver a package if he planned to meet with the recipient at the time of its delivery. Can you hazard a guess, bard? Any guess? I'll aid you; but if you're holding anything back, have it out now. Right now.
Flatly, as always: I would not subject my position or yours to the indignity of answering your question, Highby. You disgrace us both. Is your delivery in order? Would that you simply answer my question and in doing so assist all present in the conducting of this delivery plainly and frankly, one might perceive that you take some degree of pride in your professionalism and the esteem of your station. Perception
I know little that you do not. Likely less.
In a low voice, so as not to overshadow the music, Gunla replies to Eli. It's no simple delivery. That's all I know. Call the rest a hunch. Later, as Balthe prepares his uniform, Gunla makes one last declaration. Her tone is soft but stern. If things are going to get... messy, bard, then they'll begin to do so soon. If there's anything more you care to tell me, now is the time.
Assuming that this delivery goes smoothly, then, all I have is to go on is your speculation. Worse, that's all you have to go on. Gunla scans the alley one last time, then pushes back into the street, addressing Eli as she passes him. ...and a craftsman you may be, Eli - but a craftsman of bombs and alchemy. Lest I am wrong, this assignment will not consist of a simple or standard delivery. If it does, count yourself lucky that your debt was paid so easily, alchemist. Gunla, realizing that she has no idea where to go, stops at the sidewalk, and uncomfortably waits for the hymnist to take the lead. Her cloak - having flared out behind her as she strode decisively forward - settles into an equally anticlimactic stillness. ...and if it doesn't, do your part to help and count yourself lucky that you have a home to go back to, and not a cell. You gave me a name and a lead and I gave you a shakedown and a warning. All I expected in return for my lenience was enough gratitude to merit a simple favor. Do I expect too much?
You know that the parcel is related because you are privy to the identity of the sender, then?
Gunla dismiss this last with a gesture. And what is it that implicates the inquisition as having anything to do with the alleged blackmailing?
Mm, is Gunla's initial reply. Once clear of the restaurant, Gunla abruptly halts the procession, stepping into an alley or behind a commercial dwelling. Believe me when I say, hymnist, that you'll know when I am threatening you. My words carried a most sincere warning. Larz serves a ruthless inquisitor. Speaking ill of any member of the inquisition... present company excluded... is ill-advised. Gunla pauses. Especially that one. Pausing again, Gunla continues. Eli. Watch the street. The inquisitor clears her throat, and then adds, uncomfortably, Please. Gunla takes a hard look around before continuing to address Balthe. As for your plight, why tell me? Few have cause or opportunity to "blackmail" the truly innocent. Furthermore, to imply that the inquisition is carrying on "evil doings" without evidence is foolish. If you're wrong, you're likely to have your reputation ruined, along with your career and quite possibly your face... and if you're right, you're even more likely. If there is something you'd care to bring to my attention, have out with it. Gunla leans foward. Her world-weary gaze, affixed with grave severity on Balthe's own eyes, manages both steel and sorrow at once. Please understand, hymnist; I must tread twice as carefully as anyone. So, too, should you understand that one must choose his battles carefully when coming to conflict with the man whose errand we are presently running.
Gunla neither frowns nor smiles at the remark. Just be grateful that you've been called upon to pay your debt with such a simple task as this one... The doubt in Gunla's voice is plainly evident...
Gunla keeps her lips pursed tight, but still manages a short sigh, through her nose. Highby is an inquisitor, and you'd be wise not to refer to him as a "bully," or as anything else. An inquisitor is not a priest, Balthe. We are... forgiven the use of certain methods and unfettered by many of the rules which would otherwise govern members of authority within the church. Speak carefully and tread lightly. Gunla frowns at the lunch break, and frowns even more severely as Balthe begins to fiddle with the package. She does not object - not yet - as it is not her job to deliver the package, strictly speaking, but rather to assist Balthe (whose job it most certainly is) in doing so. All the same, Gunla sits, and facing the door. She declines any offer of food or drink. As for me, I'm "here" because it is my job to be here. Your parcel - your job - is apparently one of some significance. There is a vaguely nagging emphasis on the word job, but Gunla's eyes are on the entrances and exits.
Gunla, nettled by Balthe's attempt to put her at ease, quickly and crisply answers for Eli before the alchemist has a chance to speak. Her voice is somewhere between a growl and a purr; gentle in a vaguely-threatening way that shares much in common with the soft growl of a tiger. Eli is indebted to the inquisition, and to me in particular. He - on my insistence - will be escorting you to the drop-off... as will I. Gunla spares Eli a stern (but not entirely unkind), "this is how it's going to be; got it?" glance, but otherwise keeps her eyes on the streets... both ahead and behind. What is in the parcel. This last statement is less a question and more a demand of information (albiet a flat and conversational one).
I know, Gunla says, flatly. Her stern, sorrowful eyes are, as always, expertly scanning her immediate surroundings with an almost paranoid vigilance.
Gunla rests one large hand firmly on the back of Balthe's neck, and the other on that of the indebted citizen. Walk and talk. She begins to move, relaxing her grip only if and when her conscripted allies begin to freely do the same.
Gunla is good to go. I gave her armor and weapons befitting her station (but all non-masterwork) and 10 sp. Some notes: her traits are Bully (she had to be tougher and meaner than her peers, growing up), and Birthmark (in the shape of Irori's holy symbol... this might be the reason that High Inquisitor Mezmer spared her). She has proficiency with the longsword and the whip due to a half-orc trait, but I gave her Exotic Weapon Proficiency (katana), because that seemed cooler, more intimidating, better-suited to Irori, and mechanically superior to the unarmed strike (which, as Irori's favored weapon, she is also proficient with). |