Merula Antius's page

Oathday, 2 Erastus, 4708
Knowledge (Nobility) - Carowyns: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Does Merula know these Carowyns?

Merula is nothing if not soothing, when she needs to be. "Come and sit down in the parlor, Deya. Whatever it is, it will not grow worse in the time it takes to have a glass of cold cider." There is nothing stronger in the house, or she would offer a generous drop of brandy in tea to blunt the edge of her friend's distress. She sits down beside the distraught dancer and gently chafes one of her nerveless hands.

Though it takes all of Merula's practiced control to keep a rein on her expression at the news that Ruan has been missing three whole days already, she does manage it. But by the time Deyanira finishes the explanation, she is looking a little white around the lips herself. Her low, near-hoarse voice, however, remains steady and reassuring. "You've done right to bring this to me. I will make inquiries. In the meantime, you will stay right here, and do whatever you need to do to be able to sleep. Junie will take care of you. I promise you, I will find answers."

She does not recriminate with Deyanira now; does not even feel vindicated, since this is far worse than the situation she had imagined to warn the Mirukovas against. More than that, she knows too well the frenzy of vision-blurring, lung-sucking terror and self-blame her friend must be experiencing. Merula entrusts her to Junie's no-nonsense care as soon as possible. In the worst case, she trusts Junie to know whether and how to administer some of the drops Mamma uses for peaceful sleep when it has eluded her for several nights in a row.

In hardly any time at all, Merula leaves 22 Crescent Street with apparently nothing more than her veil, gloves and a fine pack, on a mission she will not be the one to carry out.

Starday, 20 Sarenith

Her friends are mostly fine. A couple of them got sick, but the troupe pooled funds together and got a cleric to do a home visit for them. Merula finds a spot for Ivy with Deyanira Mirukova and her brother Ruan; with many of the regular shows cancelled they are struggling to make ends meet - although Deyanira is hopeful that some private performances might soon bring in some income. "I heard from a friend that some nobles in South Shore are throwing secret parties. If Ruan or I get invited to perform at one of those that will be a lot of money, I think."

Merula's contained relief at the idea that Ivy could move from Bridgefront and take up residence with the Mirukova siblings at their rented apartment in Ridgefield quickly turns to contained alarm. "Parties mean a great many people all in a crush... Are you sure it is safe? If just one person there is coughing, then both of you could fall sick too. I beg you will not consider it except in the direst circumstance. No, I will get word to Ivy that you want a roommate, and she will move quickly, I am sure. In the meantime, to make ends meet — here. We former Follies must stick together, after all. And if you need anything else, send me a message at 22 Crescent Street." Merula presses a small pouch of coins on Deyanira and Ruan. While it is not strictly true that there is a kind of rainy-day insurance fund for performers and musicians in the Farrago during lean times like this when the shows all close unexpectedly, she thinks that in the future there should be. And it is true that the troupe combined resources and helped those of its number who have fallen ill over the past few days.

Merula will try to give Deyanira and Ruan a month's rent for their Ridgefield apartment suite. She would know about how much would be right. (And now that I think of it, she also recently paid Deyanira quite a bit to retrain, so she's not super worried about them being thrown out of their home.) She will also contribute a share to the Farrago's fund to get healers' visits for the ill once she knows about those. Please let me know what these numbers should be, GM, and I'll subtract them in her next bookkeeping entry.

Wealday, 24 Sarenith

Although most of her students cancel the dance lessons for fear of the plague, Druvalia Tuttle insists that her daughter follows the regular schedule. Cordelinda is even stiffer than usual, and almost bursts into tears after one too many mistakes. As Merula leaves the residence, her keen ears catch a fragment of conversation from an adjacent room.

"... come to any of the meetings, and the donations stopped as well. Darb is quite worried."

"Arbiter Zenderholm is one of the heads of the congregation, is she not? Strange that she would just disappear like that."

Merula, who came to give Miss Cordelinda Tuttle's lesson on Wealday the twenty-fourth in veil and gloves, only because Magistrate Tuttle made it clear in a sharply worded note that if she cancelled two weeks in a row their business relationship would come to an acrimonious end, tries her best to be patient and cheerful with Miss Tuttle to bring her out of her doldrums. As usual, she feels she has very limited success. She lingers to hear what she can of the conversation in the other room while she is replacing her veil prior to leaving. One of the Bank of Abadar's most senior judges is missing? Has she fallen ill? I would have thought arbiters have magic, and would be able to cure themselves.

Remainder of Sunday, Sarenith 14-Toilday, Sarenith 16, 4708

Merula spends the theatre's two dark days after the worrying episode of Brienna Soldado's sickness training herself and Isi during the mornings, and in the afternoon visiting with friends and reinforcing the social bonds she has neglected for the last month — as well as subtly probing for anything her contacts in the entertainment world may have heard about Lamm, 'Jenny,' the mysterious sunken ship, or the equally mysterious and possibly contaminated silver purse. At night, Shrike stakes out Eel's End for a few hours and shakes down one or two revelers for the same information, targeting those who look like sailors especially, but she goes home relatively early.

In the course of her journeys across the city, she replaces her grappling arrow, weapon rags and a few other sundries. Thinking of the stale air of the Soldados' sickroom, the infected giant zombie, and Lamm's unsettling focus on diseases in his library, she also buys a vial of antiplague from a shady Bridgefront apothecary for the next time she has to venture somewhere unclean.

Sense Motive, DC 20: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Merula asks for more detail about the journey and makes small talk for a time until Audria feels safe to bring up her true request. She trades questions about the encounter with trouble on the road, Bartholomew and Olga's children and their farmstead, and how 'that young cousin of Master Orsini' is getting on, for the latest news of Audria's and her own friends in the temple of Shelyn and the theatre world over the last two weeks: Deyanira's dramatic resignation from the Marbledome, the ripples of shock and solidarity over Gaekhen's death, shows that have opened or closed, a messy and public falling-out between the first and second violin in the Follies' orchestra.

"I need some help," she tells the dancer quietly. "It never sat well with me that Halvara was left to pick up the pieces after what happened to the King of Spiders. I want to do something about it, but in a way that gets her and anyone protecting her behind bars or at the gallows after a fair trial. Think you know someone that could help," she asks just over the background conversations before taking a bite of whatever the special of the day is.

"A fair trial?" Merula's smile is gently sardonic, though it does not seem that the mockery is directed at Audria. "It is a noble goal, but I'm afraid I don't know anyone who can guarantee that, in this city. It sounds like you would first need the cooperation of some... redbreasted friends."

A flash of cold purpose flits over her expression like a cloud, before she veils her eyes and sips deliberately from her tankard. "But I might know someone who has a few tidbits they would like to know."

After a fortnight of the city lurching from one crisis to the next, Merula finds it a pleasant change to see no one's blood except for that from a ripped toenail or skinned knee for nearly the next two weeks. Her life returns almost to the previous six months' normal, except that now when she wakes from a nightmare in the grey predawn light only a few hours after slipping in through her window, she knows that Isi is sleeping just down the hall. Each time she remembers, it is as though a great crushing weight has been lifted from her chest, and she can turn over with a muttered prayer of thanks to the Hunter and go back to sleep. If she sometimes gets up anyway to slide noiselessly to his door and open it just a crack to check, well, that is her business. And, of course, she goes to Zellara's twice a week to tend the garden and Gaekhen's tree.

Each day Merula goes out to take lessons, give lessons, dance for the Farrago, or simply spend time with her family on days off. Each night after the first five days, when she does not have to wake unusually early in the morning to learn the secrets of the double fan, Shrike watches patiently for usable information or any sign of her quarry from atop roofs and behind corners in the grimy alleys and stinking piers of Old Dock, paying special attention to Eel's End and its ship the Dragon's Breath. She returns home late, practices with the billy-jacket and tumbler's dummy, and falls into bed. Occasionally for color, she finds some unlucky spider-sipper wandering out of the Dragon's Breath fuddled and alone, and whisks him or her into the shadows for a terrifying 'chat' — albeit one that usually ends in an unseen escort out of the stalking grounds of the Old Dock rushers and night-prowlers that might otherwise have fallen upon such unfortunates. In spare moments she performs drills that apply her new double-fan techniques to combat with the branch-spear and other weapons, still making use of the tumbler's dummy.

Late Evening, Sunday, 7 Sarenith, 4708*, Three Rings Tavern
Merula arrives at the Three Rings Tavern at half-past the tenth bell, her silver-blonde hair pinned in a low, loose chignon and her pale cheeks still slightly pink from scrubbing away makeup and paint. It takes her a moment to recognize Audria with the new hair color, but she waves slightly when she does. As usual, the bar has plenty of custom, but it is relatively quiet compared to the roar of an ordinary tavern, and as many of the patrons are nursing cups of coffee or tea as flagons of ale or glasses of wine. Merula ducks past the sour face of the imposing Shoanti bouncer with a diffident nod, and in short order is able to get a mug of her usual from the middle-aged Chelaxian woman tending the bar — a retired adventurer, she's heard. She soon slides in across from Audria holding a thick pottery tankard of something that smells herbal and green, almost minty.

"Hello, Audria; how did you know about this place? Don't tell me: you're a regular." Merula's slightly mischievous smile stays in place as she adds, "I do hope your period of rustication was peaceful. Your friend is holding her own, by the way. She seems a bit rattled by the recent goings-on, and it is of no help at all that one of her own friends is considering joining up with the Grey Maidens."

*Hope this date is okay, as this is in about the right timeframe and would be a reasonable day for Audria to go to the theatre, find the Farrago is performing or soon to perform, and leave a message for Merula to meet with her afterward in the evening. The next two days there are no performances and Merula has no obligations — perfect for adventuring.

Fireday, Desnus 15, 4708 — New Korvosa Theatre Stage Door

Merula laughs and takes Trinia's offered hand in a quick handshake. "A pleasure, Miss Sabor. Rehearsals are not typically open to the public, but I suspect Director Florescu will not mind at all if you like to come and use us as your models, as long as it is not messy or noisy. I will ask her for you."

She seems about to reply to Eliana before the guard interjects. Interesting that they should be here for her, but perhaps she is one of the Queen's court musicians now. She settles for, "You are very kind, Miss Eliana. And how splendid you all look in your gowns! But I should hate to keep you out past bedtime." Her eyes find Audria's with an exceedingly mild glance. "Take care on the way home, and thank you again!"

From the wings during the show, Merula smiles to see Keyra looking absorbed in the spectacle in a box seat with Miss Mhartis, and at one point she thinks she spots Mamma's and Isi's golden heads down in the stalls. She is interested to note that despite what she told Cressida Kroft, Shrike actually might not have been terribly out of place in the audience, for a fair number of people of means seem to have been interested enough in the premiere to come incognito. Saratha will be happy that her advertising worked in some form.

In a sense, the unrest may have been fortunate for the company, because the new venue is, if anything, better for this purpose than the old. Slumming it in humble Ridgefield for the evening is daring enough to feel exciting for the young gentry, but close enough to the Heights that their indulgent parents will allow it, and convenient to the Posh and Turtle for acceptable refreshments before or after.

Merula chats and laughs with the other performers until they begin to split off in groups, enjoying the shared high of a successful show. By now everyone knows she isn't much for drink, though not either of the real reasons why. Aylos still tries to include her on occasion, as he does tonight with an exaggerated grimace: "Come along to Three Rings for a mug of cat-lap or that hideous sage water you like?" But he never presses or asks why when she declines, even though the past six months must have been puzzling to him. He knows she's no ascetic. Alone among the Farrago company, he was there for her early days with the Follies, and a few truly regrettable late evenings in Old Dock where it was a wonder they weren't all mugged or worse.

In all the chaos of the search for the missing ring before the performance, with everyone rifling through every nook and cranny of the building and the still-packed moving boxes in every spare moment, then running about with their hands full of costume pieces and props, it was no trouble to set aside a few things in a darkened corner of the trap room. Merula passes under the stage and collects them on her circuitous way out of the building, stuffing them in her soft rucksack in mere moments.

Quite a few people are waiting at the stage door, one of them a rawboned Shoanti chatting to Gaekhen. Her eyes slide right over the two of them without pausing, but she checks upon seeing Audria, Talanaliel, Audria's fellow musician friend Eliana, and a young woman she doesn't know all clearly waiting for her, accompanied at a respectful distance by two men in the same uniforms she observed at Castle Korvosa.

Audria feels her cheeks heating slightly as she holds out the flower.

"You did great, Merula," Audria says with a smile. "We all enjoyed the performance."

"Goodness! For me? I love purple iris." Merula accepts the flower with aplomb, tucking it carefully into her arm, and does not joke about how the purple iris symbolizes admiration. "Thank you, Audria. I am so glad you enjoyed it, and I truly appreciate that you came. And you brought friends!"

Her engaging smile encompasses not just Audria, Talanaliel and Eliana — whom she now remembers she last saw as the flautist as Eodred's Remembrance — but the pixieish blonde woman, and the two bodyguards as well. The one she doesn't know must be someone important, to have the Queen's personal guards accompanying her. "I know it will not be to everyone's taste. Did you find it very shocking? Shall we be run out of town by tomorrow?"

The lighthearted tone says she does not consider this a serious possibility, but in point of fact, Director Florescu had made sure they all knew where the fastest back exits in this new theatre were for exactly that reason.

Fireday, Desnus 15, 4708 — New Korvosa Theatre
Merula arrives to an atmosphere of tightly controlled panic just in time to get into her costume and get out on the stage for dress rehearsal, in which everything short of an actual injury that can possibly go wrong, does. The second violin (of two) in the orchestra arrives halfway through rehearsal, without her instrument or her sheet music, on the verge of hysterics due to the imp attack in which both were stolen from her. The entire production must take five while she is calmed down and replacements found. The magical ring that produces the illusory sound effects of everything from a rushing river to the screams and clashes of battle to shadow monsters smashing buildings — an expensive trinket, and Saratha's jealously guarded secret — is missing, so everyone backstage is searching for it frantically between their own numbers. Gaekhen perfectly hits his marks, but otherwise mistakes and mishaps abound. Gisela, whose veteran's calm before a show is usually a rock to everyone else, is provoked into a lively and creative stream of Varisian cursing by one particularly heavy landing fouled by a loose greave on her costume. It requires another delay for an emergency repair, and her costuming is already the most complex, since it must suggest a knight's heavy armor without interfering with her movement in any way: Brekka's jumps and spins are the most technically difficult of any of the dancers. Merula herself stumbles badly into one front aerial, for absolutely no reason at all except nerves, and narrowly avoids spraining an ankle by dropping into a roll instead. Even breezy Aylos is not unaffected. The third time he drops his sword instead of stabbing at her with it as a Chelish soldier in the final battle, Merula accidentally catches his eye and they both simply burst out laughing.

Fortunately, the old adage about a terrible dress rehearsal leading to a lucky performance seems to hold true. Saratha finds her ring in a not-yet-unpacked lockbox, where she herself put it for safekeeping during the move. A kind of calm falls over the dancers in the shared dressing room after the afternoon's fiasco, and Merula hears more than one person murmuring an echo of her own thoughts: Whatever happens, at least it can't be worse than that.

And indeed, when she does finally take the stage for the first number, everything seems to flow. Merula feels strong, light, limber, and connected with the rest of the cast and the stirring new music throughout. The song that plays while Hommel and Brekka first travel back to the town, wariness turning to playfulness as they trade provocations and the lead in their dance and slowly fall in love, might even be a hit in the taverns if someone set words to it, she thinks. Tsomah's most impressive choreography is in the first battle and the final one, and she is too focused on getting her own piece of the final clash right to really analyze the effect of the total performance as it is happening, but she thinks it goes exceptionally well. There are no stumbles, no missed catches, no dropping of weapons.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Perform (dance), dancer's garb: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25

The show ends in a blur and the relief is immediate and total. She can see now why people chase this feeling, sometimes for a whole lifetime. It hardly even matters if the audience applauds, although of course she hopes they will and that the production as a whole will succeed despite its treatment of the Chelaxian and Shoanti factions as equals in both virtue and folly.

Mostly, Merula hopes that Mamma, Junie, Isi, and Audria and her friends liked it, or at least were not disappointed by the spectacle, and that Keyra Endrin and her father actually made use of the tickets she left for them. She is reasonably sure that Isi and Mamma will do so. Isi loves music and exciting battles, and Mamma likes an inevitably doomed romance, as well as tragedies caused by no particular fault in people other than their circumstances. She is less sure about Junie, who likes happy endings and dislikes the Shoanti, and even less sure than that about Commandant Endrin.

Merula, who changed at Zellara's abandoned house again before hurrying to the New Korvosa Theatre in Ridgefield, finds herself distracted for the entirety of the rehearsal. It doesn't help that the company's leading man, Lennick Imlios, was apparently injured in the riots — "Not killed, thank the gods, but he'll be out for weeks!" His understudy Gaekhen, that shy Shoanti boy who even roped in his uncle or grandfather or something to help Director Florescu with the costumes and historical accuracy and so on, is younger and physically better suited to the role of Hommel, but clearly rattled by the idea of performing on opening night and bearing so much of the weight of their success or failure on his shoulders. He makes mistake after mistake in their two numbers together.

Merula tries her best to be patient with him and joke him through it despite her own nerves. Gisela, who will be opposite him as Brekka through practically the entire show, has less tolerance and makes several pointed corrections that leave the air of the theater practically creaking with strain. But he redoubles his efforts, and is noticeably improved by the end of the night. Aylos steps in to haul him off for drinks afterward, but it is still a relief to be able to wave them off and find an upstairs closet to change in, then slip out a window into the night air of the slick-shingled rooftops. The Dock Trade in Mainshore will have what she needs in some darkened corner, and then it's not far to the abandoned butcher shop — down in Five Corners near the wall, as Dal described it.

Wealday, 12 of Desnus, Eodred's Remembrance
So would I, madam. So would we all. This is the first whisper she has heard of any possible foul play surrounding the King's death, and if the Seneschal was indeed responsible for — well, poisoning him, as the elderly lady seemed to think — that would be an excellent explanation for his disappearance: fled, dead, or arrested. But what possible reason would there be for the Seneschal to turn on his king after serving him for so many years? And if it was true, what reason would the Queen have now to keep it quiet? It could only increase sympathy and support for her if such an event became public knowledge.
Knowledge (Nobility) - Neolandus Kalepopolis: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 Is there anything more that Lania knows about the Seneschal besides his name and job title?

Merula leaves Castle Korvosa the same evening as the Remembrance, as soon as it is complete and she can do so while still being polite. As she leaves she explains to the others of their party, primarily Audria, that she wants to check in with her troupe at the theater they have been using for rehearsals, now that the streets are more or less safe, and see whether the performance she has just been promoting to some of Korvosa's wealthiest and most influential people is still happening.
Unless this doesn't work for some reason, GM, she will do just that and then go home.

The Remembrance of King Eodred Arabasti II — Wealday the 12 of Desnus 4708
Despite her early grouchiness, when Merula awakens the second time she finds that she has slept well, and if her dreams were anything but peaceful, she does not remember them. She spends some time in the morning admiring the view from their window of the docks and High Bridge, which she has never seen from this height before. Though simple, the food they are served is more plentiful and more varied than she gets most mornings, and she eats well while peering off to the right to try to pick out their house in Pillar Hill.

During the ceremony, Merula notes with mild concern the absence of Marcus Endrin and Seneschal Kalepopolis, and with interest the Queen's change into a still rich and flattering version of mourning attire. She rises or sits gracefully when indicated, and attempts to keep up with the prayers without much success. Abadar's she mostly knows, from long childhood practice, but the others are a mystery. The time she has spent in the Sanctuary of Shelyn over the past week is probably more than she has spent in any proper temple in the past five years put together.

When the guests are served finger foods and allowed to mingle, she eats and drinks but little, though she savors the delicious small bites of tarts and pastries and admires the more elaborate display-only creations from afar. Mostly she devotes her efforts to finding some attendees who look like they might be tastemakers or gossips, and sowing the seeds of potential interest in Hommel and Brekka. If asked about the brooch, she also manages to drop into conversation that she has heard the two girls who found it were accompanied by a violent and probably disturbed elf in a bird mask. She would take 10 for 16 on any necessary Diplomacy checks to improve attitudes and make requests to go see the performance. No need to roleplay this if you don't feel like it, GM. Just starting on downtime related things.

She happens to drift near Audria and Abella while the latter is expanding upon her explanation of nobles and how to propitiate them. "All that is well enough as far as it goes," says her husky voice practically from behind Abella's shoulder. "But I would caution you to know your audience. For instance, Lady Keyra's father, Lord Endrin, despises being 'toad-eaten,' as he calls it. His people call him 'Endrin' or 'sir,' never 'my lord.'"

"I-- I guess that means having lessons with Miss Keyra at the Sanctuary is not going to be possible," she says, looking more than a little deflated at that thought. It seems that in the short time she's gotten to know her, Audria has taken a liking to Keyra.

She looks up at Merula and then down at Pip since they appear to be the most knowledgeable about such matters.

"I didn't make a fool of myself in there, did I?"

"No. I think you have done your teachers proud by reminding Her Majesty that some of her subjects are suffering in ways she could ease," Merula says. "Even if it is a somewhat impolitic thing to do upon just meeting her. And, as I said, she may subsequently call on you to be her instrument as a result. But we will see, I suppose."

"Tease me all you want. I will do the same when any of you are faced with someone who leaves you speechless. As for Sabina, with my talent and genius, we will be drawn together. Great people are drawn to each other, and I can sense greatness better than anyone."

"I'd expect nothing less from a friend," Audria laughs before twirling to a halt in front of the flustered mage. "And if we didn't like you, we wouldn't tease you. It's okay to laugh at yourself, Abella. Trinia always tells Ellie and me that if we can't laugh at our selves, then what can we laugh at?"

Merula opens her mouth as though to continue in this vein, but then closes it with a thoughtful look. When she had given Merula the nickname of Dove, Abella had seemed to have a strange sixth sense that looked right through her. It was more than a little eerie, and she had been momentarily afraid that the odd death-mage had recognized Shrike's face in hers. That fear had been quickly shaken — Abella did not seem like the type of person to pretend not to recognize you if in truth she did — but still... "But, if you truly do not like it, we will not quiz you, Rook." She turns her gentle smile to Audria. "For that is not what friends do either."

"I think you might be on the nose with that. But, at this moment, my concern is finding a way to get the riots in check. Korvosa has suffered a major trauma and unless we can stop the hemorrhaging, getting her breathing isn’t going to help much." Dal tugged at his collar. "I cannot wait to get out of this costume."

"Pray do not say so in earshot of Miss Audria's... associate. One simply dreads to think." Merula's languid expression and bored tone are belied only by the sly crinkle of amusement at the corners of her eyes.

Merula makes a final courtesy upon Queen Ileosa's departure and follows her red-armored bodyguard back to the stage hall. She maintains her silence until Captain Merrin has departed.

"Well! That was... impressive, in several ways. Those were noble words, Audria and Dalmano, but I fear no good deed will go unpunished for you. Her Majesty made it sound as though she now wants to send you all on other missions in the service of the Crown." She adds to Audria's observation, with a bland look at Abella, "And the lovely Captain Merrin did seem rather dour, but it would be terribly romantic if a soft heart was hiding beneath all that splendid armor, don't you think?"

"I know what they say about me. And though parts of it do not love me, I do love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. I will not see his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city torn apart." She raises her head, gazing intently at those before her. "This brooch is a symbol of Korvosa itself, and I choose to see in its return a symbol of what our city could be, if everyone conducted themselves with your grace and courage. You have done my heart a great service today. Thank you."

"Your Majesty is everything gracious and kind," Merula murmurs, and curtseys again in acknowledgement of the queen's thanks. Her sympathy for the young queen is steadily increasing. This eloquent speech is much more gracious and self-aware than she had expected, and the opposite of the rumors claiming her to be entitled and disdainful of her adopted city. Has someone been spreading them deliberately to discredit her? "A steady and compassionate hand is just what Korvosa needs. May all misconceptions be cured, and may Your Majesty's reign become as renowned as your love for her."

Merula catches Dal's glance and shakes her head ever so slightly. While it is not offensive to fall to one's knees before the monarch for any reason or none at all, it is not required either. She does not know what Abella is thinking with this surprising show of overawed gratitude and humility, though she is reasonably certain from all her other words and behavior that it is false. I hope the others can remember the Queen's correct title at least! It should be 'Your Majesty,' not 'Your Highness' or 'Your Grace,' for she is a queen regnant now. No doubt many people will be making that mistake for the next little while, until we all adjust to King Eodred's death.

Merula would know and do whatever the correct etiquette thing here is, and she shared that knowledge with Audria and anyone else who was worried about exactly this moment as a brief etiquette lesson back at the Sanctuary of Shelyn, since that was officially the reason for her being there at all. So, if it is actually right to kneel like Abella, strike this post and she'll be doing that. I think Abella is being over the top on purpose though.

When the Captain introduces them to the Queen, Merula sinks into a deep and graceful courtesy, which she holds until they are acknowledged by Her Majesty before rising. She steals glances enough at the Queen from beneath her lashes to see that if anything, the stories about her ravishing beauty do not do her justice. But mostly she tries to keep her eyes modestly cast down and avoid drawing attention to herself while taking in what she can. Mamma will want to know every detail.

The amount of splendor in this one small space approaches the overwhelming. Everything in the room, from the rich furnishings to the Queen's exquisite tailoring to the fragrance of the incense-perfumed air, speaks of an expensive and exotic taste that can only be Her Majesty's own, if its contrast with the rest of the castle is any guide. She would not say it speaks of good taste to flaunt a love of every fine thing money can buy in front of ordinary citizens while the blood of quelled riots is still wet in the streets, but it does seem like the sort of thing that the overindulged and childish woman Ileosa is rumored to be would not think twice about doing. Likewise, it shows poor judgement, or a lack of consideration for appearances, or both, to speak of the city's 'enormous loss' while wearing no black at all, but a fortune in emerald silk.

But then, most in Korvosa would say it is the privilege of a monarch to rule and protect her people, not to feed and clothe them. The quelled riots are in some sense the queen living up to her new responsibilities; charity is the proper role of the churches of merciful gods, not the state. And she cannot blame this young, beautiful woman for failing to mourn the dissipated old man she had been married to as a girl practically fresh out of the schoolroom. In her position, Merula would likely feel as though she had been granted a second chance at life.

"C-could you introduce me as Audria Lumina, Sister in the service of the Eternal Rose?"

"Dalmano Imperiosus, servant to Korvosa and her disadvantaged peoples. [...] And his faithful familiar, Pockets."

"You're not going to introduce the cat, are you," Talanaliel asks Sabina. The way the little thrush says cat makes it sound like a curse. She glares at Pockets before turning her attention back to Sabina. "If you are, then please introduce me as Talanaliel, Servant of Shelyn, the Eternal Rose, and Mentor of Audria Lumina," she requests with all of the majesty a three ounce bird full of indignation, righteous or not, could muster.

"A-A-Abella. Tribas…tarion."

Merula's lips twitch, but she stays well behind Audria and the clearly tongue-tied Abella. She whispers to Pip, "No one told me we were all doing titles. Now what should mine be? 'Merula Antius, Dance and Proprieties Instructor to the Gentry.' 'Merula Antius, Understudy to the Second Principal Lead in the Not-Yet-Produced Theatrical Masterpiece Hommel and Brekka.' 'Merula Antius, Just Along For The Ride.'"

DC 12 Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Once Abella has been ushered into the next room, Merula returns to where she was standing before to wait with the others.

An Audience with the Queen
By purest habit, Merula returns the armored woman's bow with its equivalent in a graceful courtesy. (Only if Dal, Pip, Brother Theolan, Jessica and any other Sanctuary of Shelyn party members are included in Sabina Merrin's look) She trails after the businesslike Captain Merrin along with the other members of the Shelynite party, her hatbox tucked under one arm. The captain's scars impress her more than the eyecatching armor: despite her apparent youth, this is clearly not someone to be trifled with. Although it is odd that a queen's bodyguard would ever have scars in the first place, rather than having her injuries tended instantly by the queen's healers. Perhaps she wasn't always a bodyguard.

Lost in these thoughts, Merula appears momentarily thrown when the guard-captain asks for their names, but by the time the main body of the group has responded and it is her turn, she is able to say, "Merula Antius, if you please, Captain Merrin."

Okay, so if I'm understanding this right, Merula now has gone through the clothes-and-gear checkpoint and into the room with the stage, so that she won't be in the way. I think I know which token is meant to be Merula on the roll20 map, but I can't control or move it. However, if I'm right about who is who, she's only twenty feet away through an open door, so she probably has a very good chance to overhear Abella still talking to the guard.

Perception vs. DC 2 (0 for hearing details of a conversation, +2 for 20' distance): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Merula turns after hearing one of the guards behind them say stolen item in a stern tone. Hiding her alarm, she walks unhurriedly back to the doorway just past the checkpoint, in time to hear Abella's response in full.

Placing one hand on the doorway, she remarks lightly, "Did you send word to anyone officially that you would be bringing along this mysterious found jewel, Miss Tribastarion?" Merula can know only the basic outline of the story as potentially related by Audria, but she can certainly lend credibility to Abella's words by treating the brooch's existence and their innocent plan to return it as common knowledge. "Perhaps it slipped Brother Theolan's mind in all the excitement when responding to this invitation. He was not involved in the doubtless heroic circumstances surrounding its recovery, correct? And I understand that the reward promised by the flyer was tantalizingly vague. It may be that he did not know of its importance."

If a Diplomacy roll to soothe any ruffled feathers would be in order here, please let me know, GM. In-character, Abella might have convinced herself otherwise, but to my knowledge, the return of the brooch was not the reason any of us were invited to the castle, and the only representative of the constabulary who definitely knows we possess it and the circumstances around that is the single Korvosan Guardsman who accompanied us into the jeweler's shop, where we explained the whole situation. No one has declared notifying any city or royal official of anything beyond that. It's not unreasonable to assume that the guardsman might have reported up the chain of command that the brooch had been found, but it's also not unreasonable if he did not, or if that news didn't make its way to royal ears yet; we didn't ask him to do anything and the Guard has been rather busy lately.

"Perhaps we will have to become Dread Lords, whose duty it is to entertain everyone," Merula murmurs, with the tiniest suggestion of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

When the time comes, she hands over the hatbox containing the bronze combs, silk wrap, new slippers and gloves to be inspected without turning a hair.

Merula gives the long-suffering Miss Mhartis a sympathetic glance and waits with interest to see if Abella will produce the flyer and brooch.

Merula keeps her face blandly pleasant in the face of the magistrate's mingled scorn and calculation, giving nothing away. "Of course," she murmurs deferentially when the justice has finished speaking, with no real idea of what to say or do next. Fortunately, the arrival of the senior aide and the implication of special treatment makes further mollification unnecessary. By way of farewell, she simply bows her head in an entirely proper gesture that also holds a not-very-well-hidden relief. "Magistrate."

Miss Cordelinda's lesson next Moonday is certainly going to be... interesting.

After that, the prospect of allowing an unknown magic to affect her seems hardly frightening enough to rate a shudder, and Merula places her hand on the orb with only the barest hesitation. To both questions she returns a simple "No," exactly as instructed, and then it is over, and she is freed to return to their little group and await the others after their own questioning.

***

Merula half-smiles at Audria. "I will be very obliged if you do not repeat that nickname in her hearing. But in case you were wondering—" her eyes flick to the talking bird without surprise— "yes, it was earned because nothing less than total capitulation will do; or at least the appearance of it.

"I expect that Dendren fellow will depart once his delivery is made, and you can breathe easier, Mister Ooray," she adds kindly, recalling the other recent stressor. "Regardless, if he is down with the servants, I daresay he may not even find out you are here. We are guests, after all. Or we soon will be, I hope."

Merula's expression grows briefly pained at Pippip's coarse language, but soon smooths out again into concern and resignation at the growing scene, Keyra's observation, and Audria's bold decision to interfere. "Oh, dear," she sighs quietly to Lady Keyra and the others left behind. "Miss Audria is pluck to the backbone, but I think she is about to learn that when it comes to Dread Lords, discretion is the much greater part of valor."

With the flicker of a wink at her student, she trails after Audria.

"Magistrate Tuttle, please forgive the interruption and permit me to present to you Acolyte Audria, Chosen of Shelyn," she adds, hoping to prevent the haughty bureaucrat from taking offense at being approached, against all rules of etiquette, by an animal-festooned Young Person who has not been properly introduced to her. "It is in her divine gift to mediate disputes and restore harmony. If you would be forbearing enough to summarize the thorny legal issues here for us laypersons, perhaps she can help."
Diplomacy, Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Knowledge (Local) DC 8: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
"But certainly I know of master swordsman Vencarlo Orsini. His Orsini Academy is famed for the fencers it produces from the young scions of noble houses. Although, the latest on-dit is that he has almost entirely retired from teaching, himself, and now leaves that work to one of his most senior students." Merula looks concerned because Pippip is concerned, but not truly worried; her preoccupied gaze slips again toward the nervous scholar.

I knew that Dendren fellow was no common ruffian. He has noble blood, or I'm a Linnorm King. But those people he was with certainly seemed to be your average small canting crew. So what was an Orsini Academy student doing, running around consorting with lowborn criminals? Did his master know of his extracurricular activities? Would he want him to?

"What is it you are concerned this Dendren will do if he sees you?"

When asked about her father, Keyra's expression turns sour. "I haven't really seen him. He sends messages and quick little notes here and there, but he's been too busy to come home." She shakes her head slightly. "I know he's doing his best to keep the city from burning, but..."

She doesn't finish her thought, but Merula can tell Keyra's fighting to keep herself from looking sullen and disappointed. Clearly, she's ashamed of the selfish feelings she has when she knows Korvosa needs the Sable Company Captain's attention during these times.

Guilt tugs at Merula's heart. She has been doing almost exactly this to Isi and her own family. "...But you need him too," she finishes softly. "It's all right to say it. I am sure he would also rather be spending his time with you, even if duty keeps him away right now." She has had only limited interaction with Lord Endrin after being hired, but by all accounts and everything she has observed, he is a good man and a good father, so she is confident in that much.

Across the room, Magistrate Tuttle continues to lecture the clerk regarding the law. A rather dour faced man with a long nose dressed in some kind of official robes speaks up, "Please, Madam, would you possibly be willing to file complaint on this later? We would very much like to finish this process and be shown our rooms."

Spinning towards the man who had the audacity to address her mid-sermon, Druvalia spits, "I will be finished when I'm finished!"

A man in what might be loose scholarly clothes nervously rubs his hands on the legs of his trousers.

Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

She rises to her feet, unsure of whether to approach him with a glass of water herself, but at that point Pippip arrives, looking red-faced with the effort of holding in his news, so she just listens. "And this would be the missing Mister Hooray," she observes in an aside to Keyra. The servants' gossip is more or less what she would expect, so she commits it to memory and sets it aside, but the rest of his statements have no meaning to Merula, so she holds her tongue about them.

Merula will go with anyone who wants to talk to the sweating man. Is there something we should roll to recognize the name of or know things about Vencarlo Orsini?

Oh sorry, the old man was Toff Ornelos. But if there's a reason for him not to be there, feel free to swap him out for any old man art of your choice.

"Hello, Lady Keyra. It's good to see you." Merula smiles in welcome recognition at Keyra Endrin — she has a soft spot for the girl, since she remembers being similarly coltish at that age, and similarly likely to make her governess despair of her "hoydenish ways." She pats the hatbox containing her accessories, including the silk wrap and two jeweled (rather than her current pair of wooden) combs. "I still have a card or two to play later, I hope. And thank you, that is kind; you look very well yourself. Though the ruffle is a most hateful invention, is it not?" Her gray eyes twinkle conspiratorially. But she does not wish to linger too long on the subject of looks, even to compliment the effort that went into that artfully pinned hair; Keyra can be highly self-conscious, in the way of many adolescent girls. She is made enormously uncomfortable whenever anyone calls her pretty or remarks upon any unusual aspect of her appearance, like her fiery hair or height, even if the attention is meant only to be flattering.

"This is not precisely my troupe — I am more like a hanger-on of theirs — but permit me to present them to you." She gestures gracefully to each person in turn. "My friend Audria, a chosen acolyte of Shelyn, and her intelligent thrush companion Talanaliel. Her senior in the faith and head of the Sanctuary of Shelyn, Brother Theolan. A friend of hers and of the church, Jessica L'Morie. And Audria's companions in certain mysterious recent events which I understand to have earned them the new Queen's personal gratitude."

She will stick to descriptors she could easily have obtained from Audria. "Abella Tribastarion, a naturally gifted mage who can heal or harm with equal facility. Dalmano Imperiosus, a kind of witch of the streets, and his familiar Pockets the cat. And Pippip H— wait a moment. Where did Mister Hooray go?"

She looks around, then shrugs philosophically. "Well, I'm sure he will turn up. He is a scholar, tutor and bard. Everyone, this is Lady Keyra Endrin of House Endrin, who is bidding fair to be a better dancer than I am — and certainly a better swordswoman." The house she names is that of a relatively minor but old and well-respected noble family with deep connections to the Sable Company, the Korvosan Guard, and the much larger, wealthier and more influential House Jeggare. Its current head is also the current Commandant of the Sable Company, Marcus Endrin.

"We are not here to perform, more's the pity — except in the sense that we are all dancing attendance on the new queen." Her voice is light and matter-of-fact, giving no hint of her feelings on the matter, if she has any. "I suppose there will be only solemn music and speeches, if anything, since this gathering is officially a remembrance."

A sudden worrisome thought swings her head around. Keyra would not be here at all if her father had been killed, and she is not acting as Merula would expect if he had been badly hurt, but still— "Forgive me, I have been talking nothing but trivialities. How is your father? Your household? The past few days must have been hard indeed for you, and for all his people."

"Sorry, I guess it never really came up. Elli and I have performed with Merula a few more times since then, but the last time was," she turns to Merula, now christened Dove, raises an eyebrow in question, "what? Six or seven months ago? The last time they called us in, they just said you'd left."

Dal turned to address the others, “I’m so sorry,” he said. “You all don’t know each other? I just assumed that you were another member of this merry band prior to, uh, our…eventful meeting,” Dal fumbled over the end of the sentence, uncertain of how much to say when so many strange ears could be listening. He snatched a glass off of a tray, nearly toppling the entire arrangement, and gulped down the chilled water. “Inheritor, save me! That’s much better.”

Merula gives Dal a curious look*. "I have known Audria for a few years now," she says cautiously, "but we have not shared a stage in over six months. It was around then that I had the good fortune to audition for a more permanent arrangement with Saratha Florescu's troupe, the Farrago. But I still see Cherie from the Follies fairly often — you will remember her better as her usual character Dame Vedra, perhaps." This last she addresses to Audria.

*To be clear, Merula did introduce herself, as a stranger would, to the whole group besides Audria when she arrived at the Sanctuary of Shelyn at least several hours ago. She was just being polite to Abella, whom she assumes forgot her name or was not paying attention.

Merula tilts her head and blinks in mild confusion, and then chuckles, a low melodic sound that otherwise has nothing much in common with a dove's coo. "A nickname, already? I'm honored."

"Goo-dropping...?" Merula begins to ask, but is distracted by Abella's greeting. She returns the bow, with an apologetic smile. "Oh, have we not been introduced? I beg your pardon, how shatterbrained of me. I am Merula Antius. The pleasure is all mine, Miss Tribastarion."

The nickname 'Canary' appears to give her pause, but then her brow clears and she laughs a little. "Just as you say, with her beautiful singing voice. Audria and her friend Eliana were kind enough to step in for two of my previous troupe's regular canaries when they fell ill at the last minute before a performance as the 'fairy garden' at a private ball. And the rest is history. That was almost two years ago, perhaps."

"Speaking of which, I recall that party had quite a bit of minor magic around for decoration — dancing colored lights, floating trays of food and drink for the guests, and so on. I should think most nobles would not be alarmed by the small and common magics that improve their lives. And I believe some families who can afford it even keep magicians and priests on staff full-time to tutor their children and heal them of any minor ailments and injuries. But of course it all hinges on how... well-inlaid they are, let us say." Her smile turns slightly ironic.

Merula smiles, amused. "What an unconventional way of thinking. I imagine exposing who was discomfited by the idea of touching one would also reveal much."

Merula leaves Dal and Pippip's comments alone for the present and watches the faces and bearing of the Korvosan Guard and Sable Company soldiers with what she hopes is casual interest as they proceed up the ramp to the great gate. There seems to be tension between them and the Hellknights. No doubt they did not like that the Nail had to be brought in to restore their brand of bloody-booted order. But is it anything more than that?

When they are granted entry through the gates, she disembarks and enters the castle behind the others, unaffected by the fine surroundings but looking around covertly to see if anyone she knows is here. She spots Keyra Endrin, her red hair as neatly arranged as Merula has ever seen it, slouching and mutinously scratching at the uncomfortable-looking ruffle of her high-collared dress as she studiously ignores the attempts of her governess Miss Mhartis to bring her in to a polite conversation with an old man with a long beard. That means her father must be around somewhere too; perhaps with the Sable Company guards outside, although she did not see him there.
Friendly - a distraction from the boring conversation

A coldly emphasized word from the nearest desk with an ensorcelled orb causes her to glance over and then immediately turn her face away, hoping not to be noticed. Perhaps the intricately braided and artfully tousled new style with the combs that Audria's friend Jessica kindly helped dress her hair in before leaving will disguise her. Druvalia Tuttle and her daughter Cordelinda can be difficult to placate at the best of times, and it looks as though Magistrate Tuttle, ever the stickler, does not appreciate being subjected to a magical effect outside of the strict legal guidelines for such things: "—ven if it is accurate, on which I place no assurance—"
Cold - Druvalia is already annoyed about something else and Merula did not show up to teach her daughter yesterday

Merula winces ever so slightly, not envying the person on registration duty, and does everything but actively hide her face. "There... isn't any chance those magical orbs will do something else we would not like if we knew about it, is there?" she asks quietly to the group at large, her eyes flicking from Brother Theolan to Audria to Abella, Dal, and Pip.
Just to have something to talk about in case these NPC opportunities don't pan out. Who else do we see in this room? Anyone who might be important later? :)

"Oh, certainly," Audria says, affecting the airs of a suitably stuffy and snobbish art critic, "but I must agree with Mister Dal, here. The tastefulness of it is absolutely deplorable. It's too imposing and clashes terribly with the color of the sky. They should have had the good sense to change that at least. It also has that air of 'Chelish and trying too hard' about it, wouldn't you agree?"

"Oh, no! - I think the opposite," Merula says thoughtfully. She casts Audria a look that is all bland innocence. "They could have fit ten more spires on top there, at least. One can only call it a lack of vision."

But she, like Audria, sobers quickly when Dal makes his fundamental objection to the old pile more clear. Going to wait a bit to hear from Dal before responding to that.

Dal tugged at his collar, “Overwhelming is one way to put it. Other words tend to come to my mind. Disgraceful, for instance.” [...] “Deplorable is another,” he added. [...] “Pride. Oh, Prideful. That’s another.”

"Deplorable...? I suppose it is no Imperial Palace in Egorian, but unless your standards are high indeed, it cannot exactly be thought a hovel." Merula has only the average level of civic pride, but she is bemused at the insults to her home city's most famous landmark.

It would be entirely impossible to commission and receive a properly fitted new gown on less than a day's notice, even now that she has money in her pocket and it is safe to go about the city; and anyway she is wary of appearing presumptuous by wearing a courtier's clothing when she is a nobody. Accordingly, Merula makes do with accessorizing: a bronze silk evening wrap, new slippers, lace gloves, and an understated pair of bronze combs set with moonstones. These accompany her to Castle Korvosa in a small hatbox.

While she may still be underdressed, it would be even worse to be thought an uppity 'mushroom,' as nobles and gentry of old families sometimes term newly successful merchants and others with more money than good breeding. There is a delicate balance to be struck between showing she has made an effort without becoming distastefully ostentatious: she intends to use the combs to effect the kind of braided updo made fashionable by the Queen's own preference for more elaborate loops of braid, and to make sparing use of the cosmetics brought by Audria's other friend — the half-dressed one who seemed so bent on embarrassing her. She had stayed far away from that little performance, suspecting there was some kind of inside joke happening. The girl's friendships are her own business, anyway.

***

Once they are handed up into the cart and get under way, she recognizes the over-ornamented armor of the Hellknight in command — the Brother calls him Maralictor Georgiy — as the same long-haired officer she had seen from the rooftop that morning.

Up close, he is surprisingly handsome, with laughing brown eyes. This makes her distrust him even more. What manner of person could be happy or proud after all the bloodshed of last night? Some of those his soldiers killed had doubtless needed killing, and she is in no way grieved over them; but the Hellknights had also ridden their horses straight into crowds, laying about themselves with their deadly long-hafted axes and clubs, without any regard for what their targets had or had not actually done. Probably even more people than they killed directly were crushed and trampled due to the panic they caused.

When her eyes happen to meet the Maralictor's, she smiles as though in simple anticipation of the coming party, and looks away, privately resolving not to be taken in by this butcher.

***

"It certainly is," Merula agrees with at least one of Brother Theolan's statements upon their arrival near the base of the great pyramid, staring up at the castle's ominous spires with trepidation. She has been inside its dark stone walls but rarely, and is confident in her human guise, but she is momentarily grateful that she never met the then-newly-married Queen Consort. "It never occurred to me before to think why they built it on top of the existing ziggurat. Small wonder superstitions sprang up around the Crimson Throne."

Midday of Toilday, 11 Desnus, Sanctuary of Shelyn
A human woman arrives at the Sanctuary and slips in the main door without fanfare. Her slate blue dress, cut to make the most of a tall, slim figure, is decorated in muted bronze designs — not as plain as a tradeswoman's but far from as richly embellished as a courtier's would be, or even a wealthy merchant. Her platinum blonde hair is dressed in a loose braided chignon, and despite a rather distant gaze when at rest, her gray eyes seem to smile readily when speaking to someone. She introduces herself as Merula Antius, and offers, to anyone in the Sanctuary party who is interested, a crash course in making one's bow to the queen, eating at a royal banquet, and even the steps of one current popular dance that might be danced at a fancy fete. When everyone leaves for Castle Korvosa, the woman accompanies them at Audria's request.

As instructed, I won't vote on the group's activity. Shrike will be heading back to Sanctuary of Shelyn after trying her best to sell and buy weapons here. She would not come to the Sanctuary as Merula, and has her armor, regular outfit and shrike mask on her in her backpack, so she needs only a minute away from other people to change identities. But depending on the outcome of this interaction, may have to go to her home again first to retrieve her bulkier weapons. She did inform the others last night that she might be late this morning.

Moonday, 11 Desnus 4708