Emiliano Diego Thanos's page

Marea appears at Deigo's side almost noiselessly, as halflings tend to do. She digs an elbow into his bicep and whispers, "The streets are clear, and you're on duty tomorrow morning. Might be time to sleep it off so you're not fired for being still drunk on duty."

"Balderdash! I'm not on duty!" Diego replies cheerfully, just loudly enough to prove that he IS, indeed, perhaps, a little drunk.

"Oh. Tomorrow. Right you are lass! Sorry lads,..." Diego looks at his meager winnings, and his not as meager losses, with a look that doesn't really seem all that sorry. Diego withdraws gracefully, and bows, mostly stable, to his host.

"I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality good sir. And the dice lessons. Much more instructive than some." He grins at Dom.

"But unplanned excitement & new friends aside, I DO have work to attend. Should be time for a brace of fresh air and a nap before duty calls? What do you say Lads? Shall we leave our host to some peace and quiet before the dawn? After all we JUST met the man, we cannot reasonably expect our new friend here to host our little party ALL night. We'll save that for the NEXT party!" Diego adds cheerfully, as he grins happily and winks in camaraderie to Godlas, already treating him as an old friend.

Diego grins at Godlas' humble claim to be terrible at dice.
In Diego's experience, the ONLY ones who ever claim to be bad at anything are those who are terribly good at it, and are looking for new victims.

So of course Diego happily joins in the game, frequently refreshing his luck with sips from his mug. He joins in with a few anecdotes of his own, most are even mostly true.

When they are re-joined by Cambino and his dutiful friends, Diego happily waves at Marea, his manner indicating he is far from sober.

Diego smiles and stretches out once more, enjoying the fire & the company. He takes another sip from his suspiciously still-not empty mug.

"Oh I don't know sir. Our tale is less of adventure, and more of just fighting boredom. One goes to work, goes out drinking with his friends, spends time with female friends, does a little bragging, does a little dueling with some over-primped peacock rapscallions who seriously had it coming,..."

Diego grins cheerfully and winks at Godlas.
"Entertaining at times certainly, but hardly bard-worthy good sir. One enjoys hearing tales that remind him to always aspire to something greater. After all, we should only be comfortable and stop striving to achieve when we've gone to meet our Powers, yes?"

Despite his obvious dedication to relaxing for the moment, once Goldas begins, the youthful Diego is all attention. He listens intently, not even removing his eyes from the speaker to take a sip from his cup. (If any of his companions notice that Diego's cup never seems to empty, they probably don't mention this in front of the others.)

"Oh thank you sir. I do love a good tale. Seems that the most entertaining ones are also those with the best morals. And unfortunately, also the most likely to draw unwanted attention." He muses. The meaning of the tale is obviously not wasted on the firebrand youth.

"Alas, I am more a man of action than a, 'gardener'. BUT I've always loved a good tale. I can't help but wonder what would happen if some child were to pluck a few weeds? Perhaps your tale of warning might become a story of adventure and victory, Eh?!?" He asks cheerfully, taking another pull of his mug while casting an eye over Goldas's bookshelves.

Diego plops himself into a chair, glancing for a moment in surprise at how comfortable the well-used furniture is. He stretches out his legs, and savors a long sip of the wine. He sighs in pleasure, saluting their host once more, who is still gazing somberly into his cup.

"Rest assured milady, the law is difficult for those of us who live here to fathom as well!" Diego chuckles.

"You can do the same thing for years with no trouble, until you cross someone who has a few more gold than you, then WHAM! You find yourself imprisoned for breaking a law that hasn't been enforced for a century or more, but is still on the books." The dandy shrugs. "Most convenient for those with the coin, assuredly."

Diego gestures towards Kyldare once more, and drains his cup.
"Well, it seems that your fortune is also our own! While certainly no scholar, I have a vested interest in history. Some history, at least. At least a desire to not repeat the mistakes of the past. It seems we'll be here for a little while at least. With Master Kyldare's kind permission, I'd like to hear any tales he might see fit to share as well. If that's alright?" He asks, glancing at both their host, and the visiting Qareen, not wanting to intrude, but obviously curious.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Diego bows his head at Quareen with a small smile, and gladly accepts a glass of wine from Cambino.

At Cambino's inquiry, Diego raises an eyebrow. With a glance at his friends, he asks their host,

"Is everything Alright? We didn't mean to cause you any trouble. Is there something we can do to help in some way? it would be only fair payment for our unexpected visit this evening."

Diego slaps a hand over his heart, as if wounded, then turns it into another bow, lower this time.

"You are quite right milady. On both counts! My sincere apologies and gratitude. Every once in a while I need to be reminded that I'm not, always, as clever as I think I am." He smiles.

Diego salutes Qareen with the flask, holds it up high briefly, (His friends realize this is a silent benediction to his Patron Power) and takes a sip. He then offers the flask once more to Qareen.

Diego laughs aloud at Theo's comments. A short bark of genuine mirth. The dandy punches the cat-man on the shoulder.

"Hah! I see what you did there! 'Devilishly handsome' indeed! I knew you had the makings of a punster inside! We'll have you quipping during duels in no time!" Diego laughs.

He then turns back to the now unveiled Qareen and bows low to the dark-skinned beauty. Although he bows low, his eyes never leave the woman's face.

"The pleasure is most assuredly mine milady. May the peace of a good drink and the blessings of a good time be yours as well." Diego returns the woman's foreign greeting with an enthusiastic, paraphrased version of one of his own Power's common blessings.

Diego starts to hold out his flask again, then hesitates, his eyes flickering back and forth between Qareen and Godlas uncertainly.

"I beg your pardon Lady, I wished to offer you a friendly drink in way of greeting, and I would NEVER insult a woman by being so bold as to ask her personal questions when we've only just met, but,... are those real or illusion?" He asks, gesturing to Qareen's flickering hair. There is nothing on the young dandy's face except genuine, innocent, curiosity.

"Apologies for my asking, but alcohol and flames mix about as well as THIS group and boredom!" he adds with a disarming smile, chucking a thumb over his shoulder at his companions.

Diego continues to hold the flask out halfway, one eyebrow raised in curiosity.

Always looking for new friends, or at least new drinking buddies, Diego steps forward and extends his hand in greeting.

"Well met Master Kelvyre! Emiliano Diego Thanos, at your service! Delighted to make your acquaintance. We are all grateful for your hospitality on such short notice." Diego introduces himself grinning.

"Please, do not blame Cambino Good sir. I'm afraid that he fell in with a bad crowd. Through no fault of his own, he has ended up associating with drunken rapscallions, well-intentioned if easily-distracted do-gooders. Swashbucklers all. Such folk simply cannot be trusted!" He rambles on freely, grinning as he relaxes with one hand patently obviously resting upon the hilt of his sword pommel.

"May I offer YOU a drink? In payment of your kindness?" Diego adds, holding out a flask towards the gentleman. Still grinning.

Diego either has failed to notice the figure in the shadows, or figures that he does not wish to be seen, and is successfully ignoring him thus far.

"Pity, You'd think the fellow would be USED to dealing with insults by now! Some are just slow learners I guess!" Diego Laughs as they follow Cambino with jolly haste. The dandy pauses only long enough to bow and doff his hat to the shouting Thaddeus before turning a corner and vanishing from sight.

Unperturbed by Theo's refusal to sample his flask, Diego raises an eyebrow at the normally more stoic Vittorio's outburst.

"I'll drink to that!" Diego salutes once more with his flask and matches words to actions.

"Lead onward then Noble Cambino! If you have no where suitable to go, I know a place,..." Diego offers, drawing groans and head shakes from his friends, who are quite certain that any 'place' Diego knows involves a close proximity to, and availability of, alcohol.

”I just got this post, and I’m not gonna lose it like I lost this duel,” Teresina yelps, and starts down the ladder. Her injured leg dangles as she uses her good leg and the strength of her arms to lower herself as quickly as she can.

Diego observes Teresina descend the ladder, injured, with an appreciative eye of her athletic prowess. Shrugging, he takes a healthy swig of his flask.

"So, maybe NEXT time then!?!" Diego calls, waving at Teresina's fair and retreating form.

"Thaddeus, you rube," admonishes Domenico, springing to his feet with an annoyed expression. "How you make a small part of me wish that my friends were in fact murderers."

"Thaddeus! You can be replaced with something small, slimy, brown and generally foul-smelling. What was it? Oh yes, HORSE-POCKY! You uneducated imbecile. I KNOW your stupid enough to try to get us arrested to cover your own combative inadequacies. But I didn't know you were stupid enough to get yourself arrested too! Well, learn something new every day. Jack@$$!" Diego salutes Thaddeus' inured form with his flask and takes another swig.

To his companions, Domenico claps his hands together amicably, "You all did very well! Perhaps it is time to make a hasty return to somewhere that is not about to be overrun."

Diego tucks away his flask and kerchief, and grabs the side of the ladder that Teresina just used, using his gloved hands and booted feet on the outside of the ladder to ride it down much faster than it's builders intended. On the ground he dashes towards his friends.

"Domenico has the right idea I'm afraid. Who's injured? A quick swig of Cayden's best and we'll be back to swigging the local swill before the local gendarmes have their heads out of their collective arses!" Diego pants out, smiling.

Acro: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Diego salutes Teresina with his blade and sheathes it. He then bounces lightly across the unstable boards and moves to join her on the platform. He draws a handkerchief and offers it to her.

"May I?" Diego asks with a raised eyebrow, indicating her wound.

"I, have some experience in such things. Seems a shame for such a perfectly honorable, and lovely, lady to to go pale from blood loss. Of course, I find that a good drink often makes such wounds seem to vanish almost magically. Or at least they seem to vanish when your too drunk to feel them. Would you care for a sip?" And he pulls out his pocket flask with his other hand.

"For medicinal purposes. Of course. I would never dream of taking advantage of a wounded lady." Diego adds hastily. HE stands there, with handkerchief and flask held out in either hand, waiting for her reaction.

(Either she'll accept, or try to slap him, or pass out from blood loss. Or some interesting combination of the three. Either way, Diego looks forward to the next few moments even more than he did the dancing duel on the boards.)

Diego/Teresina:

"Huh. You don't look half as nice now as you did a moment ago." Teresina tries a swift attack, but waves her arm to keep her balance on the bridge, and her attack swings quite wide of Deigo.

"Damn and blast!"

"Aw now, That's just the lighting. YOUR just as lovely as ever! Whoops! Mind your blade luv! We don't want to hit the face, remember?" Diego grins.

Bluff:(Pretend to lose balance) 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Diego's eyes widen as the rickety bridge shifts and bounces under their movements, and Diego's arms go wide as if trying to recover his balance,...

Acro: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Rapier att: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Rapier Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 5

,...and when Teresina reacts Hopefully denied her Dex bonus to AC to take advantage of Diego's momentary lapse in balance, the wily warrior springs again, catching the guardswoman unprepared.

Unfortunately, Diego fears he may have underestimated the durability of Teresina's armor, as his attack was more forceful than he intended,...

"Why can't we have both?!?" Diego calls back. He waves, looks like he might lose his balance, recovers, and waves again.

Diego/Teresina:

Teresina easily parries Diego's blade, then sets herself for an attack...

... but cannot bring herself to strike. "Why didn't you wear a mask or something?"

"What? And deny the world this?!?" Diego asks in mock astonishment, flamboyantly indicating his face.

And then Diego makes another attempt to bounce his way to victory!

Acrobatics: (DC:5) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Rapier att: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Rapier Dmg 1d6 ⇒ 2

But alas, while his footing his sure, Diego's point work seems to be suffering from his precarious perch.

Diego decides to try a different approach,...

OK, NEXT round, Diego will not use Adoration (only so many uses in a day) but will take a 5' step BACK this round, then next round use BLUFF to convince her that he is slipping, and then attack with a bonus! (hopefully) ;P

While still trading wise-cracks of course! :)

Diego:

This isn't difficult terrain (like bushes or mud), it's just that you have to keep your balance as it sways.

Are you still using Adoration?

Ah, ok Got it. Makes sense. :)

(I THINK this is how it works) I will use Adoration, preventing her from attacking me, then delay MY attack until after 'her turn'. Hopefully drawing first blood and ending the duel. However, since I likely missed, does that attack still break the Sanctuary-effect? If so, she not gonna be happy with me! :) (Actually, either way she not gonna be happy with me!) :P

Diego/Teresina:

As Diego steps onto the rope-and-plank bridge, it sways beneath his feet like a light boat on the water. Nevertheless, the lightfooted cleric makes it to the center of the span without a stumble.

Teresina advances in turn, though Diego’s presence makes the footing even worse.

Teresina proves even more nimble than Diego, and sets herself to lunge as she reaches him.

A bemused look crosses the woman’s face as she hesitates. ”You look rather dashing standing on this silly bridge, sword in hand.”

Diego spreads his arms in a 'what can I do?' gesture. His teeth actually gleaming under the effect of his prayer.

"I have that effect on women. So I'm told. Perhaps after this, we can go get that drink together?" Diego raises his eyebrows hopefully, even as he leans forward to pink his opponent in a non-vital area.

Question, does my 'Agile feet' ability to ignore difficult terrain count/work on the bridge? :) I'll roll in case it does not. ;P

Acrobatics, vs DC:5 (Technically I can't fail except on a 1) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Diego lunges across the bridge, using the rickety boards bounce to enhance the speed of his attack,...

Rapier attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Dmg, IF hit 1d6 ⇒ 6

,... If not his AIM.

"Come my lady! THIS is far better! Let us dance!" Diego calls across the bridge to his would-be girlfriend.

"I'll even meet you halfway!" Diego grins, and matching actions to words, steps lightly onto the rickety bridge and proceeds rapidly to the center. He then adopts a relaxed, patient stance, indicating he is willing to wait for Teresina to make the first move.

Diego MOVE action to half way across, 20' or half of his movement. He then waits for her, and is prepared to use his Adoration power (as Sanctuary vs 1 att) if needed.

Emiliano Diego Thanos wrote:

"From up here, we can see the entire Ballroom!" Diego laughs over his shoulder, grabbing the ladder with one hand. He motions for Teresina to join him with his blade.

Teresina:

"Follow you and get a blade in the face for my trouble? I think not!" Teresina calls back to Diego, dashing for the other ladder.

Diego looks wounded.

"What? I would never!" He protests plaintively.

Seeing his would-be girlfriend's goal, he clamps his own blade in his teeth and scampers up the ladder to the top. Once there, he takes a brief moment to see how his friends are doing. He sees The unpleasant Thaddeus already lying on the ground, and Vittorio being approached by the Captain.

"Well,... THAT didn't last long. I was hoping with all of that talk he would last longer?" Diego snorts aloud to no one in particular. He shakes his head in an 'Oh well' gesture, and goes to meet his dance partner.

The map link is at the top of the page just under the campaign title (Map - deserted courtyard). I think it disappears if you hit REPLY and go into the composition page, so you may have to click it before you reply to a post. And there's absolutely ZERO problem with repositioning your duel before your first action. I hope you note the elevations are specified for your swashbuckling needs. ;)

Ah hah! Technical details, good to know! Thanks! And yes I did note the heights. THAT'S what made me want to go vertical! :) Let's hope Diego's Dex can keep up with his mouth! ;P

I keep losing my link to the map, have to go to your profile to find it. :) I'm going to scoot Diego & Partner a little more north. I'd REALLY like to go Errol Flynn and don't want to spend 3-4 rounds running like a coward to get there! :)

Diego circles his partner as they slowly maneuver their way away from the others. Diego decides he likes this sharp-tongued lass, and continues to verbally spar with her as he 'casually' makes his way closer to the platforms on the other side of the courtyard.

"There. THIS is far better, don't you think? We don't want anyone else cutting into our dance. Or stepping on our toes, do we?" Diego grins.

(Free action) Bluff:FEINT: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

At the captain's call, Diego lunges forward with sudden viciousness, startling Teresina and causing her to visibly flinch. But he never actually comes close to striking her, instead stepping back and holding his arms wide.

"On second thought, let's make this dance really fun shall we?!" He waggles his eyebrows as if about to make an improper suggestion, then turns and dashes towards the platform above them.

It turns out that little Diego is VERY fast on his feet, covering the distance to the platform by the time Teresina realizes what he is doing.

"From up here, we can see the entire Ballroom!" Diego laughs over his shoulder, grabbing the ladder with one hand. He motions for Teresina to join him with his blade.

Bluff/FEINT (Free action) Move- Started in L23. end up on ladder at E24. (Technically I think I still have 5' move left to start up ladder? If she flat out runs she can barely reach me still, but after a full move cant attack :) Diego thinks he's Errol Flynn!

After two of his companions choose their partners, Vittorio says, "Here I thought everyone would be jumping at the chance to teach Thaddeus a lesson... Apparently, he's so distasteful nobody wants to touch him with a three-foot blade.". He sighs loudly, then turns, "Fine, I'll do it, but one of you will need to clean my blade."

"Okay!" Diego pipes up,

"But I'm using his cloak to do it!"

Teresina:

"Let us find a space where we can dance without running into other couples, shall we? And I would be pleased to know your name. I like to keep track of my victories." Teresina favors Diego with a dimpled smile as she leads him off to the side, away from the others and any obstacles. "I will try to avoid the face, but cannot promise, particularly if you insist on blocking or parrying with it! To first blood, then?"

Diego happily follows Teresina with a cheerful, if fox-like, grin.

"Name? Of course! So silly of me! You weren't quite in the room yet. My sincere apologies. Emiliano Diego Thanos, at your service my lady. For this dance, and many more I'm sure." He says with a wink.

"Well I promise you, my face doesn't want to parry your blade any more than yours wants to parry mine!" Diego laughs.

"Yes. To first blood, please. Anything else would be, SUCH a waste." Diego says, giving Teresina a frankly admiring look.

The dandy slowly draws his sword, salutes, and bows.

"When your ready m'lady."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Hah!! Diego laughs aloud at Vittorio's comment, smiling.

"Well said Vittorio! We'll have you writing poetry for the ladies in no time with turns of phrase as that!" He laughs.

Diego's eyes slide aside to Thaddeus for a moment. He continues in a lower voice.

"Ware lads, I fear that, Thaddeus at least thinks he is more than he seems. At least the others talk of playing nicely. I fear that given the chance, Thaddeus will not stop at a playful scratch. I got my fun just pricking his ego. I'll let you lads wrestle over who gets to deflate him properly. I'll watch your backs. I have, other plans for the evening." He winks.

Standing up straighter, Diego makes a pretense of carefully studying his erstwhile opponents. He points to the cheeky, wise-cracking slim lady who led the way.

"Teresina volunteered first. And only a truly ill-mannered brute would keep a lady waiting." Diego nudges Dom and Vitt with an elbow each, as if accusing them of being ungentlemanly.

Diego steps forward and bows to Teresina with a deep bow and a flourish of his own wide-brimmed hat. His long feathered plume barely missing the ground as he does so.

"My lady. I would be honored to have this dance with you. I promise that my blade will not scratch that pretty face of yours, if you will do the same for me!" He grins, flipping his hat completely over and around before resettling it on his head.

"And afterword, I'll buy you a drink!"

Diego looks concerned. He counts himself, Dom, and Vittorio. (Conveniently ignoring the sight of the others coming up behind them.) Then he makes a show of counting the Red-cloaked group before them.

"Your right! It isn't fair! There are three of us and more of them! Perhaps we should let them call for more help first?" He grins broadly and interlaces his fingers together, then flexes his hands forward, popping his knuckles.

"... doubt they'll follow. How long should we wait?", Captain Mola's voice floats back from the darkness down the street where the Cardinal's guards are clustered.

"Here they come now - some, at least," a different woman's voice chimes in.

"If one side is outnumbered, we'll simply choose partners for the dance," a third woman laughs, "I'm certain we are all polite enough to wait our turn."

"Doubtful," comes Thaddeus's rumbling contradiction, "Well, gentlemen? Are you ready?"

"Laddie, I was BORN ready!" Diego drawls his retort in a heavy, obviously affected, brogue. He claps his hands together and rubs them briskly.

"So Thaddy, will you be taking your lesson privately? Or are we going for the whole class at once?" Diego asks smiling. He seems unaware, and unconcerned, of whether or not Dom and the others are coming up behind him.

Domenico nods to Thaddeus and says, "We'll be right over." But when the Cardinal's Guard exits the establishment, Domenico says, "I've always said that etiquette and swordplay can be remarkably similar!" He's never said that. "Either way, these rubes need to be treated to a lesson in both."

He picks up his things and starts out towards the night air.

Diego Laughs broadly.

"How fortunate they decided to pick a tavern that hosts such excellent educators then!" Diego calls back to Dom.

Diego waves at Vittorio dismissively, blowing a raspberry.

"Nah. YOU worry too much old man! THIS is just,... a little light entertainment!" Diego rubs his hands together gleefully.

Diego barks a laugh, snatches up his hat from the table and settles it on his head at a rakish angle.

"Well lads. I feel like making some mischief!" He grins at his fellows, and swaggers for the doorway, tying his now-empty mug to his belt.

She steps forward one pace towards the Guard. "My name is Arabela Mola of the Cardinal's Guard, and we are all at your disposal for etiquette lessons -- now, if you like, or at a time more convenient to you."

One of the women in the group behind Thaddeus pipes up. "There are several deserted warehouses in the area, with empty yards on quiet streets that might suit as a schoolhouse."

Thaddeus snorts in derision. "I am certain these gentlemen are busy, and probably will be whenever our schedules are open."

"Not at all sir! I, for one, am NEVER too busy to aid in the education of Etiquette to the less- fortunate!" Diego declares, standing swayingly up to join the others.

"IF your feeling up to it of course. You do seem to be a little unsteady on your feet sir!" Diego adds, peering at Thaddeus at a distinctly tipsy angle.

Marea's gentle sigh of resignation is lost amid the scuffle of boots and chairs as the two groups size each other up.

When the talk of impugning and extensions comes up Theo nods at Cambino's question "Indeed, it seems an impugnee must be an astute mathematician to keep track... three were explicitly stated as extensions, and I believe two more were implied, that would make the count five extensions, and with the original impugning it would be six altogether." He looks up to Diego's wide-eyed innocence "Are you sure friend? Maybe you should consider switching to impugning. Your compliments would seem to have fallen on deaf ears, yet you're surprisingly efficient at impugning."

Diego shrugs modestly.

"What can I say? It's a gift!" The dandy grins at Theo.

The woman regards Deigo with a flat, disinterested gaze. ”We have not been introduced, sir,” is all she says in reply.

Diego slaps the table with his unoccupied hand.

Thaddeus, though, narrows his eyes at the disparagement of the uniform. ”These are the uniforms of the House Guard of the Cardinal of Westcrown. By impugning them, you impugn the Guard. By impugning the Guard, by extension, you impugn the office. And by extension, the Church. And by extension, the Crown. And further, Asmodeus himself. Consider yourself educated.”

Diego holds up his fingers, one at a time, as Thaddeus pontificates. When he has to release his cup to start on the next hand he looks baffled. (Whether because he is not used to counting so high, or why there is no longer a drink in his grip is unclear.)

"I've lost count as well. Seems even we Countryside Nobles can only be educated so much." He says with exaggerated sadness to his friends around the table.

Wait, Impugn? I could have sworn I was complimenting them uniforms. Truly." Diego earnestly tells his table-mates with wide-eyed innocence.

A brief frown flickers across Diego's features as Suzie scurries back to the debatable safety of the main bar. The dandy may be cavalier in his relationships with women, but he doesn't abide ill-treatment of any woman. And seeing Suzie demonstrate such abject fear enough to send her scurrying for cover quite frankly ticks him off. If he were a feline like his friend Theo, his hackles would be raised.

Diego takes a long pull of his mug (for both dramatic effect, and a shot of courage) ;) and slams it back on the table.

"Easy Theo. Last I checked peacock wasn't on the menu." The dandy whispers with a smile to his feline compatriot.

"Well said my Lady! Good Manners Needs Must! Well said!" Diego slurs loudly and salutes the woman with his half-empty mug before taking another long drink. A wink to his friends tells them he is not nearly drunk enough to slur. Yet.

Diego asks his companions around the table in a stage whisper that carries clearly across the room,... "I wonder if they'd tell me where they got those outfits? I have that Costume ball to attend next week."

At the bar, Marea facepalms herself. Suzie tentatively reaches out and pats her arm.

"Ahh Suzie you truly know the way directly to a man's heart." When asking if they need anything else Theo sighs softly "If I could find some excuse to keep you here and enjoy your company all night my dear I would already be making it. Though it pains me to let you go, I think it may cause a riot amongst the other patrons if we were to hog all your attention." He slowly rubs his furry chin. "Then again, some things are simply worth fighting a riot over..."

Diego Raises his mug in salute to both Suzie and the feline warrior.

"Well said my friend, well said! I may have the heart of a lover, but YOU have the heart of a poet my Feline Friend!"

"Not just yet love. Maybe later!" Diego waggles his eyebrows at Susanna as he tears into his plate with gusto. The dandy salutes the serving lass with his mug and another wink before almost draining it in a single long draught as well.

Diego makes an (obviously) pretend face of unhappiness. Then bursts with a snort of laughter.

"You know me too well Dom! Truly, I cannot leave a friend with a dry throat. On that, at least, we can agree!"

Diego smiles and pushes an empty mug over to Dominico with a murmured word. When Dom looks in the mug, it is indeed filled with beer. Diego winks. (Then glances aside to make sure that Marea did not notice his little prayer and gift.)

"If anyone asks, NOT drinking is against our religion, right lads?" Diego asks earnestly, but with a broad smile.

Diego's eyes light up as his mug is filled. (Amazingly, no one has ever actually seen Diego spill so much as a drop from his favorite mug.)

"Thirsty? Always Suzie! You know that! Although right now I'm more than a little hungry, for some of your attention!" The dandy smiles with a wink.

Seeing the girl's nerves, Diego adds, "Maybe later. When your not so busy?" He asks flirtatiously, but gives the girl a reassuring squeeze on her hand instead of the playful pinch he has been known to bestow.

"Wait!" he says, then hastily takes a deep drink from his stein, gulping thirstily, and slams it back on the table already half empty. Again, the drop that splashes upwards falls back into the mug and not the table.

"Seems you missed my cup! Can't have that! I have to catch up to these lushes!" Diego chuckles good-naturedly to the lass as he waggles his eyebrows then adopts his usual 'empty-mug-puppy-eyes' look once more.

Suzanna gives Diego a look that indicates what he can do with his mug, then moves to refill the stein. She flounces over and leans in to give the dandy (and anyone else who cares to look) a daring glimpse of décolletage. Leaning towards her to take advantage of the view, Diego instead whispers in her ear as she pours,...

"Suzie, what's wrong? These commoners be nervous, but ye're scared. And I've seen ye serve an orc. And slap him too! Is all a'right? Whose in the back that makes ye an' our host so nervous?"

Bernard doesn't smile in return, but grimaces in the direction of one particular private room. "Don't know, really. Strangers. Not Hellknights. Dressed in black and red and with His own unholy symbol on them. Best keep your noses clean tonight. They might have a straight line to Him." The man shudders and turns back to his ale.

Diego shudders in sympathy, (although for reasons that Bernard isn't aware of), Nods his gratitude, and re-settles his chair to the floor. The fact that the usually easy-going Bernard didn't even crack a smile at Diego's self-depreciating attempt at humor tells him more than the man actually said.

"Well. There you have it lads. Strangers, but not Hellknights, dressed in church colors and wearing His unholy symbol, and taking over our favorite party room." Diego whispers, chucking a thumb at the room in question.

"I don't know about YOU guys, but if this turns into an UNholy priest club, I'm gonna find a new favorite watering hole!" Diego grimaces comically and reaches for his mug. Upon realizing that it is still empty, he looks both very surprised and extremely depressed.

Diego turns and waves at the bar until he catches Suzie's attention. (Instead of yelling across the room as they would normally do. 'The atmosphere is becoming positively depressing' Diego thinks darkly.) He points at his empty stein with a sad face, then grins hopefully.

Diego winces to the chuckles of others as Theo mentions getting struck in the sensitive spot.

"You,... may have a point. I'll take that under consideration." Diego promises blandly.

"Yes, the old listen-at-the-door trick is a tried and true favorite. I, however, was thinking along the lines of something a wee less likely to get us kicked out of our favorite watering hole permanently."

Diego slyly peeks at the table behind him, and spots a regular that he knows by face and first name, but little else. (Less likely to have offended him at some point. Or owe him money.) The dandy leans back on his wooden chair, and address the patron in a hoarse whisper barely heard above the chatter at the next table.

"Oi! Master Bernard! Sorry, but we seem to have arrived late to the party. Who secured the back rooms then? It's usually US being told to go out back so as not to disturb the rest of the payin' clientele." He grins roguishly.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"Ah, good help is SO hard to find." Diego sighs to his fellow table-mates.

"She's crazy about me, really. Seriously, follows me about all the time with those big hopeful eyes of hers. I haven't the heart to tell her that I see her her as a sister. My little sister!" Diego tells his friends for probably the dozenth time.

"Now,... What IS happening in yon back room lads? And how are we gonna find it out?" He whispers intently, obviously eager to get back to the crux of their original conversation.

Diego makes a show of nursing his injured side and pouts, looking quite wounded. Much to his companions amusement.

"I assure you, my opinion of the woman is quite high." Diego tells the diminutive damsel with a wounded air.

"Almost as high as her own opinion of herself. And well deserved!" He adds sotto voice to his companions with a lascivious wink.

Under cover of his companions chuckles (and a few humorous groans from the next table) Diego whispers back to Marea,... "Cautious does not mean fearful. We can't be afraid to speak the name. That hasn't been outlawed. Yet." He says with a smirk. Nevertheless his hand curls protectively around the holy symbol engraved on the side of his mug as he says it.

"If your so fearful of my besmirching the lady's good name, perhaps you should spare her my further ill-mannered attentions, and help her by fetching our drinks. She is busy after all, and would likely appreciate the help. You know what we'll have. Off you go, there's a good lass!" Diego sits up and says at normal volume, waving his fingertips at Marea in a good-natured 'hurry up' gesture.

Emiliano (Emil to his coworkers and family, Diego to his friends) drops into a seat next to Domenico. After removing his hat he also moves his hair out of his eyes, but does so with a snap of his neck, causing his hair to flip back. He smiles at the others.

"Ah but Dom! SOME company is so much better if private!" Diego declares with a friendly leer and a wink at one of the barmaids. A lass who had been known to spend some time after hours with Diego.

"I have to agree with you about the drink of course! But give me enough good drink, and good company, and you can KEEP my dice!"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Diego leans forward as he places his own personal mug on the table to be filled once they order. He also lowers his usually boisterous voice to an almost normal level of talking. (Downright quiet for this group.)
"I see what you mean Dom. Yon SuzieQ barely looked at me just now. As if she barely knew me. Takes a bit to make that saucy tart nervous."

Diego leans back, tilting his chair onto the back two (not-too-wobbly) legs. He takes a glance towards the back of the pub, then drops his chair down again. "Sorry. No Dice. I'd happily take your money, Cayden knows you've taken your share of mine! But I'd rather snoop and find out exactly what is going on, and spend my coins on drink!"