Kush nods, wordlessly. The gravity of the developments in Kintargo weigh heavily on him.
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Kush agrees with Maralock; the mayor has Shensen's and Octavio's confidence - and that is enough for him.
Kush, almost without thinking, points to the first available team capable of the task: "We cannot leave them up there; they deserve a heroes burial at least."
Kush pours over a map of the city, then finally points to the Castle district. "I think we need to take the castle first. While it is under Thrune's control it will be a constant thorn in our side. But once we take it we have a strong point of defense that we can rally around in an emergency."
Kush is in favor to still extend safety and protection services to the Baron's family as well.
Kush's quiet nature does little to endear himself to Baron Jhaltero when the Raven's meet him in the context of an impromptu soirée. However, the Baron is an astute man who quickly picks up on Kush's signals - and the baron comes to appreciate the subtle nature in which Kush provides accurate estimates on peoples' words and actions at the informal gathering.
Kush approaches Sedranni's team with a request for a Special Order (furyborn amulet of mighty fists, 16100gp )
Kush acquires several doses of scent blocker. Kush decides to investigate the Church (presumably of Asmodeus) hoping that their archives can drop something useful. He gathers some basic information on the comings-and-going of the church (what kind of sentries, protections, etc he can expect); then attempts to sneak in at an opportune time when he can expect to look through their archives relatively unmolested.
Kush decides to finally upgrade some of his older gear. He searches about town to get a magical buckler; it takes him nearly beyond curfew but he eventually tracks one down that the owner is willing to part with. As part of his gear re-speccing he discusses possibilities at length with Hetamon before settling in on two items that will take quite a while to get done, but Kush is in no rush.
After getting permission from Tessara, Kush collects a few of the more questionable items from the treasury. Obscene and perverted - and just the right thing for the Queen of Delights; a token of the Raven's appreciation of her aid. Finally, the youthful vigor that the Queen of Delights instilled in the adolescent manifests in his first tentative attempts at dance. It really is a natural extension of his acrobatic talents and training in unarmed combat - but nonetheless it surprises Luculla when Kush asks her to teach him how to dance. Luculla only mouths a questioning why for a moment, before realizing herself what the youth is after. His appreciation for the arts grows, and it doesn't take long before Kush tries his luck at sounding the rebellion knowledge stores as well as the streets of Kintargo for clues on the Song of Silver.
Kush seems to be filled with renewed vigor and purpose. He smiles a bit more (something that was previously a bit of a rare occurrence - unless he was being sneaky, but few got to see those smiles). But he engages himself to find multiple allies to help him take the word to the street; he wants to recruit more pro-actively but his strength lies in identifying suitable candidates, not so much in the actual making-of-contact and convincing. Furthermore he's taken to some strange teachings from the Queen of Delights. He certainly comes back with more gold than he left with. And a smile. It isn't clear how his team and he earn it.
Kush wonders: "Perhaps we can incorporate the aid of the good admiral to reassure Count Aulorian. If news of some form of kidnapping comes about with a 'daring rescue' by the admiral followed by assurance of 'protective custody' by the navy... maybe the Count would be satisfied with just knowing his son is well and safe from those that would harm him. As a bonus the Silver Ravens can even offer to have 'secret' messages delivered from the Count to his son."
Kush is on a mission again through the week, acquiring various ingredients from various people. Followed by some extensive - and very careful - crafting.
Kush sports a rather attractive new ring along with a certain new found confidence.
Kush stares at Ramrut without comprehension. "I have no dealing with the abyss. There's no truth in that demonic pit of chaos."
Kush stumbles through the Lucky Bones; his eyes - both - are bloodshot and rimmed with a burgundy residue. He's tight-lipped to questions, but finally, when the main officers assemble he raises a hand and when given opportunity speaks: "I've been working alongside Luculla in the last while; I believe she still has value to give Kintargo." He rubs his eyes reflexively as the memories flit through them - even though by now all the remnants of the powdery drug have washed away - before continuing, "Mahathallah, the dowager of illusions, possesses a mindscape - a place that is both dreamlike and real. It is a place where seekers of secrets trade in their wares; knowledge, particularly secrets, are the currency of choice. Though, this being a whorequeen of Asmodeus, sometimes secrets are traded for with souls as well. I hope to convince Luculla that it is entirely sufficient to trade only in secrets - perhaps she will agree to it one day."
"In the meantime, however, she has found one seller of secrets in the mindscape who will trade the whereabouts of Rexus to us - in return for another secret." Kush looks toward Octavio, "Perhaps you know of something that is worth trading?"
Over the course of several days Kush's ardent work appears to have met with success. At least the vapors have significantly lessened.
"No! No you can't! That would defeat the point, you do not get to participate - you are the participant!" Maggie Fushi is indignant about Kush trying to wager on the common pot bet about what Kush is actually up to. "And no! You can't go tell Octavio about the secret betting pool either. It's a secret! *sqwaak!*"
The Fushi sisters have been in a state of agitated excitement trying to discern Kush's motives. He's been generally elusive, but over the course of a few days he's made a number of smaller withdrawals from the rebel treasury - a set of retorts here, a crucible there, a filter, and yet another filter. Kush has the earnest face of somebody that is expanding his knowledge in a field that had previously been wholly outside his comprehension, but still wants to make a good go at it.
Kush asks Hetamon to tailor him a cloak of elvenkind; or (as Kush phrases it) a "cloak that reflects my essence". Kush is oddly absent after the capture of Luculla. This isn't on the surface all that noteworthy - he is exceedingly adapt at moving outside perception - except usually he had still appeared near and far bearing cookies and pastries. As it turns out he has snuck into a variety of locations across Kintargo over the course of days. With unexpected fervor, single-minded.
Eventually - weary-eyed - he returns to the Lucky Bones. It appears he's malnourished with thick black lines circling his eyes. But his eyes also show a strength, as if he's found something that gives him hope. Kush seeks out Luculla in her cell - and for her part Luculla seems to welcome his presence in a bitter-sweet sort of way. Kush inexpertly but with solemn purpose enters a lengthy discourse with her, some excerpts are heard such as "rituals are wasteful distractions", "pursuit of fate-changing knowledge", "travel mindscape of Adyton", and finally "your faith does not need to waver: Mahathallah has no need for sacrifices - she seeks secrets and knowledge that you can find in any number of ways. Hidden knowledge of Irori and the mistress of the fates Pharasma for instance - neither of which require dark deeds."
Given Kush's preoccupation this week, he has no specific input on rebellion actions.
Kush shakes his head subtly toward a group of young misfits across the street, sotto voce he explains, "They look like they would fit the cause - but their loyalty is to themselves and easy money; one or two of them could sell us out fairly fast. That is the truth."
Munching on a cupcake Kush cautiously smiles at Ramrut, "Is not drink that made it like that. I don't know what it is. It is the Truth." Kush follows Ramrut about as he works out the patrol patterns, for Kush it just doubles up as a convenient way to be about somewhat safely and get Luculla's deliveries done.
Kush is a little startled, but thankful by the way he's received by the Silver Ravens. He's a little awkward around everybody, but he tries his best to not muck things up (as he thinks of everybody there as "polite society"). Luculla realizes quickly that she can get Kush to do pretty much any task no matter how menial by offering sweet pastry as a reward.
A dirty, scrawny young man steps out of the shadows. You could've sworn there was nobody there a minute ago; and then he stood there. The gaunt features hold a certain charismatic bent, perhaps fascination with the impossibly thin. His one eye is closed. He protectively raises his hands, empty, to ward of any initial aggression from his sudden appearance. "I am Kush," he says, as if that should tell you all you need to know. After a bit of a pregnant pause that may have given birth to violence Kush adds: "I have skills. Special skills that will be useful to you. This is the truth." The last sentence sounds like they are supposed to emphasize the depth of his skills - but he opens his closed eye and all hell breaks loose. A red bloodshot eye looks out from the man, including an impossibly large pupil and three black specks around it that appear to move. The more excitable of the Silver Raven are only just contained and for a moment Kush looks worried enough to make a run for it - but his red eye stares at Tessara (independently of his other eye!) and he stays. The week that follows proves that the pale Kush does indeed have useful skills.
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