Laria Longroad NPC's page

Laria shrugs and smiles... "Very well... tea it is."
She plates a mincemeat pastry.. slides it to Bastargrae, and nods to her worker - who prepares the tea.
"It is black tea.. so it's not useless.. not as much pep as my house brew of finely roasted coffee, but...." She shrugs, and smiles politely. "I hope you enjoy it."

going downstairs into the Nest, or get a table here, or....?

As you enter, you are hit with a wave of a pleasant mix of aromas... baked bread, sweetness, and rich scent of roasted and brewed coffee beans. There are a few small groups of patrons - not terribly busy.

The halfling woman smiles and winks...
"Good to see you, Master Black. Hello everyone. Let me know if you care for coffee, tea, sweetbreads..." she offers with a casual gesture... "Mincemeat scones have just come out of the oven."

Laria nods to Bastargrae, then looks to Erodel and Indio.. almost apologetically "Well... I suppose it could've gone far worse." She heads to the secret door. "Shall we begin the search? I'll start upstairs if you care to start here." She opens the secret door, and gestures inside.

Inside the Wasp Nest the Fushi sisters are resting, Rexus is studying the documents, and a few other recent recruits are milling around... cleaning, sorting through costume pieces.... No one seemed to have any clue the Dottari had just been there.

Laria comes down.. fuming. "Who was it? Who tipped them off? I've been trafficking people through here for years and have never had this happen." She runs her fingers through her hair, and exhales... cooling down just a bit. "Why did you stay in here? ... instead of..." she gestures toward the secret door entrance to the Wasp Nest.

You return to the first room of the cellar Laria referred to as the Wasp Nest. She descends the ladder once she hears your return, and puts a hand to her mouth when she sees what remains of Nan. She looks to the tengu sisters.
"He said he was smuggling textiles." she shakes her head. "I'd told him the crackdown made moving people out of the city near impossible... far too risky."
Then looks to you. "I apologize... I did not expect this kind of trouble... how horrible. You've done well nonetheless. Get some sleep.. we'll talk once you've rested."
"Consider the Wasp Nest yours... with the Bellflower Network now locally inactive it will see no other use, and I hate to see go to waste. May it serve you well as a base for the Silver Ravens.

"Secret door straight ahead as you come down" She points west as she sparks a lantern.. "I'm sure you'd spot it quick, but I'll save you the time." She follows Indio.

The basement is about 30 by 40 and contains large sacks of beans, cooking ingredients, and general supplies. There are torch sconces but none are lit. Laria pries at a seam in the wall, and a hidden door swings open.
She scoots back to the steps up.

"Bake to baking.. I'll leave this unlatched... " she pauses on the steps "all good on lighting?"

"Well... bunkroom is up here if you need to stash this or that for now...."
She bounds up onto a table on the other side of the room, and yanks a little ring in the ceiling... a trap door opens, and a telescoping wooden stair slides down..."Heads up!" with lethal speed.

"The trap door going down is in the pantry over here." She jerks a thumb toward the wall behind her. "Whenever you're ready.. don't mean to rush ya."

"Mhmm. I'm convinced." She looks to Rexus... "You've done well, Rexus." he nods.

"Strength and vision, passion and compassion, guile and wit...."

"I have a bunkroom upstairs you are free to use if and whenever needed. Also.. below this building are tunnels and chambers.. which you will be able to use as a headquarters until you find better... I call it the Wasp Nest. There is one thing I'd like you to do for me first. A contact of mine, named Nan, was using a room down there to stow some supplies. He went down not long ago to check on them and I've not seen him come up.. I'm hoping he's just laying low. I'd go check on him myself, but I need to remain here.. waiting on other agents to check in...."

Laria is stunned. "My dear... I am part of the Bellflower Network. We liberate slaves... that is.. until this week. Barzillai has stepped things up.. most of my agents have bunkered down or've fled the city. But.. The chance will come. I swear it."

"Master Sweetgulp... I'm filled to the brim with anticipation... waiting to hear what has compelled you to join your Urban Adventurer's Club."

He then directs his most charming smile at Laria, and once more kisses the back of her hand.

"Besides which, what kind of churlish man denies a lady's command?"

"An excellent question, good sir."

To Erodel she responds, "No I haven't... I'm sorry."

She shakes a finger toward Idril.. "Mmm. Thought I'd seen you. I do enjoy the opera from time to time... or did, I suppose. You most definitely have the impetus to drive out Thrune."

She nods listening to Asha.. "Oh Professor Aulorian, is it?.. I've not met the man, but I know of him through his students."
"Pleasure to meet you both."

A slight smirk appears on Laria's face.. maintaining the narrowed eyes as Bastargrae speaks. "Oh.. you crafty devil.. make me out to be the crazy woman. Come in acting all... nonchalantly charming, and not ranting about teas superiority over coffee." She winks.

"Indio Black, and.. Erodel? Voralius.. If I may ask.. I'd like to hear more about you, and what drives.. all of you.. Idril, of course, I understand the force that compels her, but what interest have you...in rebuilding the Silver Ravens?"

"..any troubles of note at the Fair Fortune Livery?"

Laria smiles... and allows Indio to take her hand.
She throws a bun at the sleeping man... "Watch the counter!"

Then turns back to you as she grabs one of the trays.
"Come.. let's catch up on old times in my office. Get that other tray for me would you?"

Once all are inside, she kicks the door closed.
"So? How'd it go?" Rexus flashes a big smile.
Laria then looks you over as she sets the tray of coffee cream and sugar down. "And who do we have here? Masters Black and Voralius, of course.. and Master Sweetgulp" she narrows her eyes.. "We've had a brief encounter." She looks to Asha and Idril.

You enter Longroad's Coffeehouse... there are only two customers inside, and one of them is slumped over asleep. The other is pacing and quietly talking to himself.. as if rehearsing a speech or some such thing.
You hear a female voice.. "Be right out!"
Not long after, a blond halfling bounds out.. drying her hands. "Welcome..." She sees Rexus, he nods.. she continues ".. old friends.." She glances around to see who's around.
"Let me set you up with a proper halfling first breakfast!" Her gaze then falls on Bastargrae... she shoots Rexus a "meaningful" look - who shrugs unaware of the issue.
"Master Sweetgulp, yes? ... How lovely to see you again." as she turns away to load up a couple serving trays with drinks and pastry.