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"How terrible." She's still talking, good. "So you're going to take down Strangford and avenge your friends?" Time to draw out whatever plan this vigilante actually has. If any...
2 MAY "That makes sense." Shadow says soothingly when Nessa pauses for breath. "The criminals at the top are the real problem. They're the ones who need to be taken down and you're right, when it's people like Strangford the ends justify the means. He has to be taken down. You help us and we can help you - everyone wins. Except him." The venom on the last word makes it sound like she has personal issue with Strangford, which couldn't be further from the truth - she has nothing against the man, but 'meaningless chatter 101' is to affirm everything your conversation partner says and then repeat it back to them in slightly different words. Then they feel like you're agreeing with them and that you understand. It makes them much more likely to keep opening up.
Luce could, but as I said, I'm still v. confused OOC if we think this person is the person we want or just knows the person we want.
My previous post was probably a bit snarkier than it should have been, I'm still not 100%, apologies. Nothing to apologise for. :)
I confess to being unclear - do we think this woman is the person we're looking for, or just knows who the person we're looking for actually is?She introduced herself with the name that was given to Ranna so I'm unclear about what's unclear... I blame the informant.
I confess to being unclear - do we think this woman is the person we're looking for, or just knows who the person we're looking for actually is?
Ok, can I ask around (hopefully Consort) to establish our Inquisitor's usual routine and when she's least likely to be home? [I'm assuming that Ranna was in fact given the right name just to move things on!] If so...
1st May "So..." Luce says, standing at the end of the small table which forms the Dusk Mite's 'command centre', such as it is. "We have a name and a location, which may be our target. We also have a physical description. So given another day or so I should be able to confirm if this really is our target. Casia, feel like doing some stealth-ing? Looks like you could use the exercise." Provoking her teammate might not be the best move, but Casia has been moping for days and prodding her temper is going to be the quickest way to get action from the Lurk. Given what Luce has learned over the past few days she is more sympathetic than she would have been, but inefficiency is still not acceptable. "Assuming that we do confirm our target I'd like to take a little more time to learn what else we can about her." The spider continues. "What are her weaknesses? What is her routine? We are not going in and running into an inquisitor in her dressing gown." She straightens up and catches everyone's eye in turn. "So Casia confirm our target. Once we've got that I'll work on the how. Jonah, check for any mystic defenses. Ranna, make sure you've got your non-lethal methods available. Everyone understand?" She waits a moment for objections.
Could this be one of my 2 free assists? Given that we've had prep time it makes obvious sense for it to be one. :)
I'm fine with RP-ing it out if the others are. :)
He can have Luce's crit succes cause I didn't go for recovery in the end. I did stress (badly) and started on my clocks. Which is why I need the skill to get a third downtime action! Not-at-all linked question... if Luce were to start up a clock on each of you entitled "background checks" how long would each of your clocks be? Asking for a friend...
25 APRIL "Well I'm always open to making new friends..." Luce replies delicately.
26 APRIL "Too much to do in too short a time." Luce makes her appearance without any sign of how much she has overheard already. "I can't make adequate preparations on this kind of time scale. Rush jobs..." She trails off and the disdain in her voice makes it clear what she thinks of rush jobs. "But circumstances dictate that we move quickly. So we will." She glances sideways at Casia - the young woman has ple ty of reason to want this job done fast, Luce just has to make sure it's done well. "It's good that you're here Engine. We need a proper briefing for this job." 28 APRIL Having received what she came for Luce nods and leaves without another word, vindicated in her decision to not employ Cinna directly. Does Casia know how much she is cared for? She wonders as she slips into the steady flow of unwashed humanity. Cinna is a weak point for her. Someone else to watch out for.
28 APRIL "And if you meant that then you wouldn't be talking about it so much." Luce counters. As Cinna leans back she shifts forwards, not giving the courtesan any room. "Now I respect your professional privacy but you're making a lot of leaps, a lot of assumptions, and that makes me think... why?" She pauses for a moment, giving Cinna a chance to speak if she wants to and actually focusing on the woman properly, letting the tiny tics and tells wash over her as she analyses the woman before her. "You care about Casia, far more than one would expect." She says steadily. "And the fact that you care about her means that you'll do things that benefit her where you can, as long as its not going to cause you greater harm. Now there is no harm here, I've paid you and been very clear about what I want. So why have you brought her up in conversation twice? And made assumptions to gow with them. Perhaps they aren't assumptions, she might have told you." She makes a peremptory gesture to stop Cinna's demur. "I'm speculating, of course. But I know that caisa likes women, that you like Casua and you have, without any reason, brought her up in a conversation she had no part in. Twice. So you have an ulterior motive." Luce leans back, letting the pressure off. She knows that she can be 'a lot', plenty of people had expressed that thought before. "As I see it Cinna, you have three options." She continues. "You can tell me the truth, without the subterfuge. You can keep trying to hint at what you want, or you can lie. Either way I expect the name I paid for, the rest is up to you."
28 APRIL "I'm assuming that you are good at your job, most people don't take that as an insult." Luce replies, although she does smile a little, to show that the comment is a joke rather than a statement of fact. Or maybe it can be both. The comment about Cas confuses the Spider a little. "And why are you talking about her?" She asks. "I was under the impression that she used your services, rather than offering them herself. Or is that not what you're suggesting?" In reality Luce is almost certainly that that isn't what Cinna meant. This kind of conversation, with sex as a transaction, is both familiar and very unfamiliar at the same time. She's had plenty of conversations like this about a number of subjects, and overheard many more. But sex amongst her... former social circle, was something taboo, to be discussed in code or by pointedly not discussing it. Unless you were a young nobleman who had drunk to much, in which case you bragged to your friends and exaggerated stories all the time. Cinna hadn't drunk much, if she was any judge, and had no reason to exaggerate, so the conversational leap was... interesting.
28 APRIL "Thank you for seeing me." Luce says, taking her seat opposite the attractively clad woman. "I'm not here for your professional services but I was hoping you would be able to recommend one of your colleagues who might have some time available. It seemed sensible to ask you rather than simply taking a chance." She pushes a small purse over the table to Cinna without further comment. She had engaged the woman's professional services and that meant paying, only appropriate from one professional to another.
25TH APRIL Luce sips on her tea and then lowers the cup enough for Mylera to see her smile. The silence stretches for a minute or two as the elder woman dangles her bait and the younger lets it hang, point and counterpoint. Still Mylera is a friend, something of a mentor and a gang leader not lacking in power and influence even now so Luce, after a suitable pause, puts her cup down carefully on the table and folds her hands together. "It seems to me that one can never have too many friends." She says slowly. "At least when friendship comes without obligation. Favours given freely and received in the same spirit are a blessing, which bind people together, but when people choose to forget their friends... well then when has to decide if they are a friend or merely an acquaintance." She picks up her tea once more, nearly empty, and looks to her mentor for permission to pour. "I don't know Lyssa and she doesn't know me." Luce says, finally getting down to business as she refills both cups - a sign that the social portion of the meeting is over. "So, as a friend Mylera, what are you hoping that I can give you?"
25 APRIL Only the truly suspicious or unspeakably crude would consider two ladies meeting over a pot of tea to be anything but a pleasant social occasion. Admittedly the personages involved are perhaps unusual, but when you remember that Mylera Klev first made her name as an instructor in dance it makes far more sense. Her academy was the place for the scions of the nobility to be tutored in the waltz, the foxtrot and other such refinements and accomplishments required in the ballroom. As such a meeting between a (former) dance mistress and one of her (former) students, no doubt a favourite or something of a protegee, is not unusual at all. In fact the only unusual thing is the quality of the tea service - which is truly exquisite. "Your sympathy is much appreciates Mylera." And it actually is. Which makes it all the more valuable, because in a world of empty words and emptier promises Luce knows that Mylera really does care. "Fortunately I believe that the divide will not be of long duration, for do the Prophets not also tell us that the seeds of life are planted even in the moment of destruction? Should my family fall, we will rise again, to new heights and upon a firmer foundation." She sips her tea slowly and keeps eye contact with the older woman opposite her as the conversation behind the conversation plays out. Can you still work? Or are you distracted by other things? I have goals and ambition. If your work will help me achieve them, then I'm interested. "After-all," Luce continues, "I recall something similar happened to you didn't it? That tragedy at your dance academy was shocking but it led you here." She gestures slightly with her tea cup, a tiny gesture which takes in the whole temple complex in which the pair sit. "You were able to rise from the ashes to become the Leader of Society that you are today, with the help of your friends of course." A gentle reminder of exactly who had warned her about the arson attack and had subsequently helped spread the names of those responsible around the upper classes. It had seemed like girlish gossiping, but when Mylera made her countermove she'd found far more sympathy than she'd expected and a number of planned-for obstacles simply hadn't materialised as the movers and shakers allowed a 'private vengeance' to play out uninterrupted. It had been Luce's first real attempt to use the things she heard at countless social events, and if it had been motivated by a child's indignation at someone trying to hurt her favourite teacher, rather than a sense of calculation, well... the results still spoke for themselves.
I concur - that seems reasonable.
I'm on my fourth bout of Covid so my posting will likely be slow/crap for a while.
21 APRIL "What about me?" Luce counters, not rising to Finraeth's bait. She doesn't need to say anything else. Ranna has made her point and now Luce makes hers - that the group has her support, quiet and unobtrusive though it may be. 22 APRIL
Cas/Fin/Luce: "I have no doubt there's a lot of things you'd like to know." Luce replies lightly, as she files away the fact that if Cass and Fin have the same tastes and Cas knows Fin wants her, then that means that Cass wants her too.
"But there's nothing else that you need to know." She continues, her voice cooling somewhat. "I've told you everything relevant and anything more will take more time and trust than one drink buys." With that she drains the rest of her glass and puts it firmly on the table. "I think I'd best be going. Can you look after your sister, or shall I send the two gents waiting on the corner to help you out? Engine won't be happy if you wreck her hard work."
I'll take the 8 tick clock. Luce believes in cold revenge. :) And yes, functioning vice looks very useful.
Sounds like a plan to me!
@Luce - That is exactly the sort of thing you can do with a long-term project! Although I'm surprised Luce's so bloodthirsty about it given her stated dislike for wet-work. I guess it's personal. That said, you are at 7/9 stress so I would definitely recommend you take a Downtime action to indulge and reduce your stress. Gaah - forgot that that was a thing. Ok, will rethink and post proper downtime things later. As for bloodthirsty, that's why I gave you a range of things. There are two people in the world that Luce hates with all the fury of hell - Susanne and Jennah. So tearing both of them down is something that will almost always override other things for her. So killing the sister wouldn't be her preferred option - she'd rather manipulate her into destroying her brother/ruin her life, but if it turns out that the best way to hurt Jennah would be to hurt his sister then she'll do it, because vengeance trumps everything else. Susanne doesn't get to die or anything so crude - Luce intends to rip away everything that her sister betrayed her family for and leave her in the dirt. It's not that cold with Jennah, theirs is simply a personal antagonism, so as I said above the goal is to hurt him by whatever means are available. It might be that, in the moment, she'd pull back from actually killing the girl - but we won't know unless it gets there. :)
22 APRIL Casia/Fin/Luce: Luce watches the whole interaction with amusement. She gets a very professional gaze and is reminded in the process of just why the working girls are so useful to Salia's networks.
"Pleasure." She says, shaking hands briefly and already wondering if she can get the young woman to share some of what she clearly knows. The interaction between Casia and Cinna is very interesting - clearly Casia is a client of Cinna's, but the relationship is too friendly to be a standard provider-consumer relationship. If she's not mistaken there's genuine friendship there, along with no little attraction on at least one side. Fin, however, doesn't seem interested at all. That's probably due to the serious injuries he's just recovering from, which makes sense. But then why is Casia pushing him, and especially towards her of all people... She raises her drink and sips, taking the time to reorganise her thoughts a little. Curiosity is tickling at her terribly but this isn't the time for it. Not yet at least. "She seems... nice." She says eventually, looking to Casia. "Not just friends either, right?" She raises an eyebrow and tries for a cheerfully conspiratorial tone - the one that Susanne could pull off so perfectly.
In terms of downtime I'm thinking that I want to Recover with Ranna and then start a long term project - which will involve the humiliation, conversion and/or death of the doxie that recognised Luce. Not because she recognised Luce but because she's Jennah's family and Luce is more than willing to destroy anyone touching Jennah's life. Open to the GM suggesting how that can go/what they're comfortable with. Anything from killing her through to turning her into an asset against her brother (or anything in between) is fine by me. Thoughts @GM Wastrel?
21 APRIL Those answers. Luce nods slowly a few times during the story as disparate bits of information, whispers, rumors and gossip that meant nothing at the time, weave themselves into a detailed tapestry of events. Quite the clusterfork She thinks to herself but it isn't until Ranna leaves that she actually speaks. "Let me come along the next time you're being offered a job." She says. "I read people well. At least I can guarantee that you won't be lied to again by a prospective client." She lets the statement hang. She's not one to judge - their methods could absolutely have benefited from her expertise, but she can't judge anyone on their motives. Not after everything that she's seen - and done. 22 APRIL
Casia/Finareth/Luce: "He has brains and a pretty face?" Luce replies, her lips curving into the closest thing Casia has seen her give to a real smile. "Well, what more could a girl want than that?"
Finareth is likely sharp enough to notice that Luce hasn't answered the question. Casia, less so. "Now, not trying to insult your handsome face." Luce continues, offering Fin a nod to show that no offence is meant. "But why is your sister trying to set you up? Can't a swell fellow like you make the ladies swoon by himself?" And just like magic, the conversational spotlight is back on the twins. It's almost like Luce doesn't want to talk about herself...
Three/four separate conversation/event threads running at the same time! I love it! :) This is what we live for!
Don't think she expressed her beliefs, drive, heritage or background at all. Thanks for that - clarity helps and I honestly hadn't considered that bit at all, so thanks again! If anyone else thinks of anything then please do point them out - I'm very much trying to learn here. :D That brings me up to 5XP again.
21 APRIL
So Luce stays quiet and watches the interactions, her busy mind cataloguing actions, reactions and information as it always does. These are her people now, she isn't going to use it against them, but she never passes up on more knowledge. Casia reacts defensively, as she always does to almost every question that isn't blatantly flirtatious or utterly innocuous, but this time is seems like there might be good reason. Luce has to admit that she didn't realise that the body count behind the Mites was that high. Everyone heard about Hutton but the rest... well she isn't looking for a wet-work crew. Once again Ranna is ahead of her so the Spider continues to keep her peace and waits for answers. Although Ranna's cavalier attitude to life does make her arch one eyebrow slightly. 22 APRIL
Casia/Finareth/Luce: Luce inclines her head in acknowledgement of Casia's thanks. "To true love." She says, raising her glass to the two other people at the table. "It was nice to do a little good alongside everything else."
Casia's question makes her pause for a moment - the instinct to deflect, to mislead is strong. She's never had a particularly good relationship with the truth - noble ladies learn to lie on their mother's knee and the last five years or more have been a parade of lies, one after the other after the other. No Father, Susanne did nothing inappropriate. No my lord, my sister only has eyes for you. No sir, I cannot. I have a headache. Of course sir, I'd love to. The lies can be exhausting, but what's a girl to do? There aren't many other options on the streets, not when Lottie had a better place than most. But maybe, just maybe, she can trust these people... "I have people of my own." She admits, taking a sip of her drink to help mask any tells. Everyone has them but Luce is far more aware of them that most and although she doesn't know her own she does know how to avoid the common ones. "You know what it's like on the streets - everyone has to pull their weight. This is me doing my part." "What about the two of you?" She asks, taking the chance to deflect the conversation back. "Did Lady-Killer here drag his..." A moment to take her guess. "Little sister into the embrace of crime? Or did Small-dark-and-stabby lead him down a path to depravity?" She smirks, making it clear that this is teasing. "I could ask around, but isn't small talk more fun?"
And proving that I *really* didn't get it, I tried to award myself too much XP! Only 4XP in total, cause I can't get 3 for calculation and conspiracy! :) 2 going into resolve cause I want to be bossier and 2 into special abilities.
Keeping quiet seems sensible to me! As for XP I have no idea really so do correct me if this seems wrong. 1 XP for desperate roll
Don't think she expressed her beliefs, drive, heritage or background at all.
So 5XP? As for downtime activities I don't know what they are, so I'll get back to y'all on that!
Oh please dear god HANDWAVE!
Casia/Luce: Surviving has taught Luce a lot of things - how to plan, how to make back-up plans, to always have certain useful items on hand and how, when everything goes to utter shoe-t, how to improvise.
The most important thing she learned, after one horrible time and a second near miss, is not to freeze up. Don't take a moment to plan, Don't think it through. Just act. So as Casia starts talking her fingers are already diving into her pocket to grab her last, oh-so-useful, vial of Slumber Essence and as knives flash she circles and thrusts the unstoppered vial into the man's face - or at least where she hopes his face is. 3 - 2 - 1 And just as she draws breath to scream the man slumps forwards into her arms. The last precious vial smashes on the floor under his weight but that just eliminates some of the evidence. She's strong enough, just about, to lower rather than drop the man and Casia is moving, despite the blood on her hands so everything isn't lost. "Lottie." She snaps, seeing focus return to the young woman's eyes. "Get your bag. Samy's waiting and we're going. Now!" As the prostitute turns to gather her things Luce pulls out the silver flask of brandy she keeps for special occasions and presses it into Casia's free hand. "Come on Spit." She says sharply. "Keep going, we need to leave and I need you to introduce me to my new boyfriend."
I can live with that.
Oh thank Artemis!
I think I do... Honestly I hate the idea, but hey - demz de roolz.
Hmm... I think originally Luce probably got some from someone rather shady who promised it would be an anaesthetic for her father and cheaper than opium. It's not really, but she figured out that there are other uses for fast acting sedatives and makes occasional purchases from said shady dealer for other reasons. As for how - I'm thinking either an injection (although things like hollow needles probably aren't common in this era?) or something a bit like smelling salts - a corked vial which you sniff/inhale. First wiff makes you woozy and then its much easier to get the second/third sniffs into them after that which knocks them out for a while? If so maybe Casia distracts him and Luce tries to slip in and Finesse the vial under his nose? She's got no other combat skills so hopefully that can be allowed...
I've got a vial of Slumber Essence which might be useful here but I've got no idea what the dice roll required here would be... Question for GM - how is Slumber Essence usually applied? Drops? Spray? Something else?
Fine by me.
If Casia's leading, then Stealth - sure. :)
"Sometimes it's only dreamers that can make the world a better place." Luce says with a hint of wistfulness in her voice. "Samy believes in himself and in you. That means a lot, even somewhere like this. Give him a chance Lottie - regardless of anything else he's probably the person that cares most about you in the whole world. That's got to be worth something. If you don't then you don't, but I'll see you once more to make this offer and, if someone gave me the chance to get out of here with someone I love, I don't know what could be much better." She turns to Rana. "Let's go. Lottie has to make up her own mind now." ----------------------
"Samy should be on duty up ahead." Luce says. "Wait here and take these. If I'm not back in five minutes then go and I'll catch up with Spit for a drink at our usual place."
Sorry!
Well that worked out ok :)
18 April 847 IE "We're here because Samy asked us to be." Luce says simply, giving Lottie a moment to adjust to that news. "He wants to leave Duskvol, for good, and he wants you to go with him. He cares for you, a lot, and you're the only person he wants to start a new life with. I came to ask him for a favour - he could have asked for coin, drink, drugs, anything in response and all he wanted was for me to come and talk to you. To tell you how he feels. He's in love with you Lottie and he has been for years - he just... didn't know how to tell you himself."
Luce is warm and surprisingly empathetic - her voice is soft and the gentle hand she lays on Lottie's arm speaks solely of comfort and understanding. It's a far cry from the business focused woman Ranna has seen so far. Whether it's an act or a more genuine part of Shadow's self... that's harder to tell.
Before I post, will Samy accept the others leaving and Luce staying to talk to Lottie?
I should clearly leave you to roll...
Well a brothel would have one or more discrete side exits no doubt, for patrons who prize such things. So while the roof would be a pain it would be easy enough for Luce to have called in a favour, greased a palm or two and ensured that one of the discrete side doors would be bouncer-less for a quiet twenty minute window - thus providing a simple means of egress! I'd hope that's not an overly difficult flashback to have arranged...
Luce just smirks and carries on. And then turns around and blows a kiss at her gang mate - just because she can.
"Who else will?" Luce counters swiftly. "Your brother?" She pauses, just to draw the moment out. This banter is fun. "You?"
Interesting. That's the first time she's lied. The analytical part of Luce's mind says, the thought helping to push the lingering rage away. Emotions make you sloppy. Then you make mistakes. No more mistakes - not here, not now. She takes a single deep breath and looks up to catch Casia's eye. A single twitch of her eyebrow is enough to make the other woman blush, just a little, which only confirms what Luce already knew. But which part of that was the lie She wonders, and the only way to find out is one which matches her own desires. Getting into a gang was something she'd been working on for almost a year. The resources, the protection, these are things that her family needs to survive long term. Since her presence has already sent the job sideways she had to offer, but she'd be lying to herself if she didn't admit that she's glad Casia turned her down. "I'll stay." She says simply. Because I want to know more about you Spit. |