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As the beautiful mahogany wood of the box is uncovered, Passio ahhhs with the light of excited discovery in his eye. As Mai holds out the box to Samara, Passio takes the opportunity to pass his hand over the top of it, looking into himself and to a window for another place. As the search of the surroundings begins in earnest, Passio seems to sense Itra's reluctance to carry all the bottles. "Ah, well if you need a hand, I am always willing to provide help." Even as the cheerful man reaches for one of the flasks of alchemist's fire, a slight crack of electric energy arcs from the forefinger to the pinky of his outstretched hand . Passio smiles good-naturedly, oblivious to the growing alarm of his companions as they eye his hand's proximity to the volatile fluid.
Passio recognizes that his previous spell had no affect on the beastly creature. Aside from their difficulty in hitting the fast moving creature, he feels confidant they will triumph over the last remaining vermin without need of him expending the powerful energy raging within him. "That's right, get that ugly rat!" Passio calls out encouragingly to the press of warriors. He deftly moves out of the way and off to one side where he can observe the progress and also see a more overall view of the warehouse interior.
Unsurprisingly, the wild movements of limbs and melee draw Passio's eye above all else.
"Aw, rats! Passio blurts out. Instinctively, Passio raises his hand feels his power open from within. That raging part of himself that he held in check like a wild storm in a bottle, what others called magic, reached out and tried to touch one of the oversized rodents. A simple befuddling trick Passio had picked up amongst his large family, it wouldn't destroy, but it certainly would make it easier to end the threat if it succeeded.
Passio looks around somewhat nervously. All this cloak and dagger stuff sure felt weird. Passio walks up behind Samara and pats her shoulder congratulatorily. "Excellent! Now let's get inside before our rather eclectic appearance in front of this beautifully apportioned architecture is noticed by less than savory folk." Passio glances at the yawning darkness of the other warehouses high windows. The wood creaked underfoot as they all gathered around the door peering in. A feeling of apprehension fills the sorcerer. An electric charge begins to build up in him. He clamps down on it lest the storm inside him burst out with his comrades so close. "Yes...inside would be best," Passio attempts to enter and get his eyes adjusted to the light inside.
Passio enters the store and scans the room. He is very much intrigued by all the bits and bobs he sees. He spies a well worn booklet entitled How to Find Your Perfect Love and he is reminded of his friend Jace, the cleric dedicated to love. He leaves the discussion to Itra as she seems to have a handle on things with their new task giver. Approaching Galfon, Passio lowers his voice and says, "I should probably inform you if you have not already been advised. We have been experiencing some unusual followings. Another on our way here has occurred; I saw a man dressed in very brown and dust colored clothing. He was definitely watching us, and this is not the first such sighting of strange and unusual people following us. Please keep your guard up."
Passio strolls easily down the road in the company of old comrades and new. He looks around constantly. He knows that no matter how one would like to assume the good others, not everyone chooses to listen to the whispered words of decency and goodness, that Passio is sure blooms in every heart...somewhere deep down, sometimes very deep down.
The time with the little orphans has served him well. It seems he had already learned to be much more mindful of his surroundings.
"Ah-ha! Our brethern in the 'discovery of routes'," bellows a voice from the top of the stairs. The man's clothing seems to be more or less a plain dark blue at first glance, but on closer inspection one can see the subtly worked pattern of billowy clouds with jagged lightning and swirls to depict wind. Interspersed amongst the loose cloth was a surprising number of small orphan children who peered at the newcomers with wide eyes. Their noses red from illness, the children's eyes were wide and cheeks flushed from the excitement of their evening. Some carry blankets wrapped around their shoulders while others hold steaming mugs of something delicious, and all wear thick woolen socks most too large and held on by yet more woolen socks. His eyes twinkling mischievously, the robed male with the chestnut hair stage whispers, "Go, little ones, the new warriors are in need of your magic!" Shrieking in delight, a small storm of orphans descends the stairs like a cascade of water scuffling their feet on the rugs and quickly scatter for their attack!
After the ensuing melee, the man roars in laughter. Wiping tears from his eyes, he picks up the youngest "witch" who giggles and throws her arms around his neck in a fond embrace. "Now that you have been fully initiated to this band of very bellismo young Pathfinders, I now give you my name. I am Passio Tempesta-Nato!." The one called Passio does an impressive sweeping bow, his one empty arm sweeping before and across his body. His cohort squeals as she is dipped and made part of the gesture all at once.
"And I see that we are ready to leave?" A great chorus of awww!s and no!s are this statement's reward. Looking out over the mass of sad eyes bleary with fatigue and puffy from their colds, Passio smiles warmly. "Ah-ah, mio cherubini, no need for the unhappiness. I, Passio, will return to you. Prometto! Pappa Jace will be here to look after your shining faces." Passio leans in close to the sea of children and once again stage whispers. "And you now how much he needs your magic already!" Passio winks and tidal wave of sock scuffling orphans descend giggling and shrieking on the hapless cleric once again. Laughing softly, Passio eyes the now hope-filled children with a fondness then turns to the most likely wry expressions of his former and new companions. Passio ruefully looks a way with a small blush while scratching the back of his head. "It's all for the good of the bambinos, no?" Then, suddenly non-plussed, Passio approaches the newcomers with both hands outstretched to grasp theirs in an enthusiastic hand shake if they allow it. "Much good we will do yet, eh? Let us go! Andiamo!"
Passio chuckles goodnaturedly at Mai's directive regarding tidiness even as he hungrily tears into the bowl of surprisingly well-flavored broth "Jace...that is awfully decent of you," Passio says softly. "And don't worry I will make sure your actions today get you the credit you deserve." Passio flashes a winning smile at the man making the decision to forego their Pathfinder Society assigned duties for a higher calling at this time. Passio offers Jace a bowl of the Tian spiced broth. "Come let us share this last meal before we leave you to your good works." Passio looks at the cleric with affection.
"...and then you point your finger like this!" Passio helps the girl reach out to touch Jace. The burst of static electricity causes a quiet snap!, and Jace yelps from where he was folding a sheet. The girl giggles and begins shuffling her feet on the simple carpet. Her new thick woolen socks were probably building up a good charge. Passio had just returned from the Market where he had purchased a bunch of socks, a couple of rugs to protect cold feet on their way to the privy, and some thick blankets. The children already seemed to be doing better after being given some soup by Mai and the medicine Jace had provided. While obviously still sick, most of their fevers had broken. Even through their congestion, the children's beaming trust and thirst for life was evident. There was still quite a bit of coughing and sniffling, but they would be fine. Jace gave Passio a wry look. He just grinned at the cleric and winked. And when the girl zapped Jace again, Passio burst out into laughter. Rich and warm, the children were soon infected as well, and a rush to scuffle feet on the rugs ensued. The children loved their "magic". Deep in his heart, Passio knew the magic was their smiles.
Jace seems a little out of sorts, but chooses to address the issue by telling a story to the youngsters. Seeing their faces light up with a little laughter even in sickness is enough to bring another smile to Passio's face. Passio doesn't interrupt his friend and wonders if the time alone with Mai had served to allow them a chance to learn more about one another. Wooing was always about learning more of the one pursued. Or so Passio assumed after watching so many plays. Passio looks down and away as Jace tells yet another anecdote about the princess. A shadow of regret passes over his face.
Passio looks a little confused for a moment. "Samara? Yes, she's very nice. Everyone seems to fall all over themselves for her when she is willing to talk. Look at Faeron. Not very nice to anyone else, but very nice to Samara. Let me tell you. It's obvious we need her to do all the talking on this trip. I bet she could have charmed old Auntie Baltwin right out the door!" Passio's eyes fill with a light that resembles hero-worship. "I hope people like me half as much as they do Silver-Tongue Samara!"
Passio looks at the six ailing children. He can't help but bring a sleeve to cover his nose and mouth to block out the stench of sickness and sweat. Looking at the child, Passio can see that the girl is sick...but no more than one gets occasionally when the weather changes. Not a master of healing or illness, the girl still looks piteous to him. Even as Jace's requests more light, Passio is already casting Dancing Lights and sends the orbs to their farthest circumference to illuminate the room as best they can. Then he leans down close to Jace and whispers so as not be overheard by the children. "You are more knowledgeable of healing than I, Jace. Tell me truthfully, is the medicine we have here enough to help them?" Passio wonders if the old woman downstairs ever had a chance of keeping these children healthy or cared for. Six a-bed and seven more? No wonder she was so bitter. She needed extra arms, not medicine! These children would live as they were young and resilient. What they needed was baths and clean sheets. Passio guessed Baltwin was in the process of transferring the children from one side of the room to the other hence the cleanliness on one side. "We should get these children into the clean beds as we help them bathe. Then clean this side of the room. That would be the best for them, no?"
As the blow against Auntie Baltwin lands, Passio is horrified. He allows his hands to drop in defeat as he watches the woman crumple and dissolve into weeping hysterics. "Cowards do not get to question another's honour."[/b] Passio shakes his head sadly. "As do not the weak it would seem. I suppose I know not what qualifies as honorable in the eyes of one who has set himself above the law. I only hope that somewhere within your knightly codes, mercy exists." Seeing Jace's gesture, Passio moves past the elf knight and follow's his friend upstairs leaving the sad, broken woman kneeling before Mai's ministrations.
Passio does nothing except hold up his hands and continue talking, hoping both his friends and Auntie Baltwin see reason. "If you stand down now, Faeron, we can still salvage the honor of the Silver Crusade and the Pathfinder Society. Why don't we offer to let Miss Baltwin tell us what she needs to help these orphans. Even if she has been acquiring it in a less than savory manner currently, perhaps giving her the chance to tell Ollysta Zadrian what could help her and the orphans would be better than whatever is about to happen here now."
As Corbyn sets himself and begins to examine the bedraggled woman, Passio pushes his way into the house raising his hands and attempting to interpose himself between his comrades and the orphans' caretaker. "Wait, wait! This will serve us not! We were but to discover the truth and report it. We should not be assuming the laws of Absalom will back us. Especially with violence! We need to stay calm." Passio half turns to Auntie Baltwin. "You are right, we should not be disturbing you. We are not the law nor agents of it. Merely members of the Pathfinder Society who are attempting to ascertain whether our charities are being used to their fullest or abused."
Turning resolutely to Faeron, Passio says emphatically with a determined expression. "Stand down, soldier. We have our answer. Now it's time to return to our duties and report, so that cooler and more fit heads than ours can pass what judgement she decides." Passio's emphasis referring to Ollysta Zadrian couldn't be more clear unless he named her out loud. Lightning crackles in his eyes, and his expression like a thunderstorm.
Walking up, Passio hears the near-hag's screeching. Passio whistles from high to low. "Uh-oh Samara, looks like you're people skills might be needed after all."
Passio taps Corbyn's shoulder. "Um, I hate to be a nuisance, but the old girl's got some magical talents...that kitty there is a familiar of some sorts. Perhaps you guys want to calm down a little? We won't be doing any orphans any favors if we start slinging magic all over the place." Passio stage whispers to Mai, "Remember what happened at the cloth sellers." He raises his eyebrows and bunches his lips as if reminding a wayward child of a past transgression. Obviously Passio's mind has already forgotten any part he may have played in that debacle.
Looking at Samara with amusement, Passio says, "It seems obvious they have already discovered her duplicitous nature by the tone Mai levels at her and the righteous fire coming from Corbyn's eyes." Passio shrugs and begins walking towards the house at Mai's beckoning. "I admit I was merely trying to honor your request not to force you to speak. After all perhaps your amazing people skills need time to recharge" Passio gives Samara a comforting smile. "I envy you your skill."
Passio hears a low rumbling voice of anger that while not understandable is very distinguishable as Faeron. Corbyn becomes very serious, and Mai acquires a stance that emanates satisfaction. Passio glances at Samara and purses his lips. "Sooooo...looks like things are under...control?" Passio raises his eyebrow and tries to ignore the partially angry and partially pleading tone now coming from over little Mai Lin's head. The he grins and shrugs. "Well, what about that refreshing beverage? Join me?"
As he and Samara are shuffled out, Passio head spins with all of the rather unfortunate information that had just been heaped on them. He leans close to Samara. "I'll say, good job in there, Samara. You really do have a away with people. I knew I was right to bring you along for this." He smiles happily at the elf. He knocks her arm comradely with his fist and steps out into the street just in time to see Mai Lin saying something dripping with enough sarcasm that Passio checks his boots to make sure he hasn't stepped in it as it reached all the way to here. He cocks an eyebrow and glances at Samara. "Oh no," he says with concern. "Looks like another fire is about to ignite. Good thing your here, eh? Silver hair, silver tongue, Silver Samara!" Passio beams at the roguish elf with the shy manner.
Passio raises an eyebrow, but quickly wills his face back to the beaming happy exuberance that comes so easily. With a somewhat overly flourishing bow, Passio attempts to draw the man's attention from Samara. "The children, sir! The children! You have summoned I, the Marvelous Mancini, to help you out with the orphanage that resides in this square with you. So tell me what seems to be your need? Are the little youngsters too noisy? We can erect sonic dampening magic walls! Are they finding ways into your grounds? We can summon angels from the Plane of Law to help keep order! Whatever may be wrong with that orphanage and its operator, you let the Masterful Mancini know. My, uh, lovely apprentice and I," here Passio gestures to Samara, "er, we will strive to remedy the situation."
Passio tries to grin as friendly as possible.
Passio watches impassively as the gate opens almost immediately after his rather exaggerated announcement. He leans in close to Samara and whispers, "I admit...I didn't think that would work." Then with a bright smile and a confidant step, he enters the dilapidated grounds. He and Samara disappear from easy view as the gate creaks shut behind them.
"Er... do you want anything Sir Mancini? Or join us? I did not mean for you to keep company with the mounts. Come in if it pleases you." Passio returns the stiff Tian-style bow with a strange expertise. "No, thank you, dear Mai. I need not tempt myself with drink. Mancinis are ever prone to cause...excitement...when drink and magic collide. Best if I do not partake until we are done." He smiles and winks at the short female. Turning his head to Samara, Passio says, "And Madam Samara, would you care to join me as I inquire about our medicine needing orphanage at yonder estate?" Without waiting for a response, Passio strides up to the estate's gate. "Hulloo! The Magnificent Mancini of Marvelous Magical Mysteries has come for his appointment!"
Passio notices the donkey seems to be appreciating the rubbing and continues to scratch the animal. Turin seems mostly focused on the point where he last saw the ladies, so Passio feels safe enough to move the side of Plod between the donkey and stallion, but with a careful eye for large warhorse teeth. For a moment he sees a glimpse of the manor through the walled estate's gate and foliage of its garden. He ponders whether he should see what he could find out about how they feel about the neighboring orphanage. Hmmm...
Passio watches as everyone scatters to one of two places. Guess that leaves me to guard the package, Passio thinks to himself.
"Oh! I guess one of the ladies or Corbyn already got it," Passio says to himself. Shrugging, he realizes that Mai and Samara specifically invited Corbyn and no one else. Since his recent attempts to be kind to Samara and joke with Mai seem to have made them uncomfortable, he decides he will give them some time to themselves. As Plod and Turin have been tied to a convenient post, Passio approaches Plod and pets his rough coat. He looks nervously at the cavalier's warhorse. Turin looks like he would bite, so Passio figures Plod is the safer one to give attention.
A blush suffuses his features and he reaches a hand up to scratch the back of his head. "Ah...well, I think the fire probably started because of me. Jace may have a been a little quick to jump on it. Silk usually burns fast and I doubt the fire would have spread." He glances away from Mai sheepishly. Then a joyful smile appears and his attitude shifts as if he had not been put out whatsoever. He reaches out and pats Samara's hand in a friendly way where she sits on the great horse Turin. "But at least we know who to call on whenever we need to charm the populace, eh?" His eyes sparkle with admiration as he looks up at the snow-haired elf. Looking back at Mai and Jace, he winks slyly. "And my dear Mai, if you won't wear such 'frippery', you'll never be any good when we have to blend in doing missions in foreign lands. And I just know we'll all be together for more exciting adventures after these goodwill tasks."
"Can you imagine me in such frippery? How ridiculous." Until this statement Mai had been speaking in a low tone, obviously for Jace's ears only. This remark comes out perhaps a tad more indignant and so a bit louder, so Passio hears it clearly as they walk. Slightly taken aback, Passio glances at Jace and laughs at the now distant look in his friend's eyes, as Jace is most assuredly doing exactly what Mai thinks is ridiculous.
"Samara, Samara. The woman will be fine. She has already told us that this Nia will be easy to spot. The shopkeeper needs only to tell the woman that we...purchased a bolt of...of..." Passio circles his hands as he tries to find the words. "...damaged goods," he concludes lamely. "Chances are high this Nia will find us." Passio then mutters, "(If she exists.)" His voice returns to normal. "Along with the imaginary halfling you two spoke of earlier." Passio blinks as he hears himself. "Ah...I mean real halfling. Yes, in-the-flesh, as large (or small) as life - halfling." He grins at the two females hoping he saved the comment. Passio has an embarrassed flush to his face. It's obvious that whatever happens, he really wants to put the store episode behind them as soon as possible.
"Sell her another dress naturally," Passio says with a shrug and a smile. He hopes this one is less frightening. "Just, uh, tell her the flame patterned silk isn't in style anymore." Passio winks. He places another gold coin in the shopkeeper's hand. Then gently, he takes Samara's elbow and steers her out of the store. He whispers, "Whew! Thanks. You really have a way with words to go with that pretty face." Then he turns to the others. "That wasn't so bad. We worked well as a team!" Passio beams at his fellow Pathfinders.
Passio approaches the distraught woman and Jace where they kneel. "Listen, listen, mother. We're of the Pathfinder Society. We are only here to bring help. You do not need to be frightened, we won't hurt you at all, and we bring much assistance. Whoever you fear will not be able to reach you." He smiles gently.
Unfortunately, sometimes the tempesta-nato experience moments of inconvenient discharge of static electricity. While completely harmless, the small bursts of energy produce some static noise. The shopkeeper hears this: "Listen," *zzzt* "mother. We're of the Pathfinder...s," *crackle* "here to bring hel(l)," *snap* "You do," *zzzt* "need to be frightened," *spark, snap* "hurt you," *zzzt* "we bring," *crackle* "whoever you fear" *zzzzt* "to reach you." An unfortunate flare up of Passio's Spark cantrip ignites a bolt of silk hanging near him, framing his face in fire and casting sinister shadows on his otherwise benign smile.
Once again, Passio is not concerned with the minutia, but rather the full sense of the scene. The bustle of activity, the movement of the crowd, this in itself was the essence of things, one of the philosophies of how the energy of magic formed and filled a region. A meditation centered on the noise abruptly ended when a loud horse whinny is heard behind him. Passio turns to look as the rest of the party is more or less forced together by one massive mountain of horse. Passio only hears the conversation partially due to the noise around them, but gathers that Samara feels that the cavalier's stallion Turin has become skittish from something happening in a nearby store. Mai and Jace both seem to take this seriously. Passio looks at the large animal wondering if it is as magical as some paladins' supernatural companions. The stallion's sense were pretty sharp. Of course, even when he had been learning from his mother and uncle how to harness his own power, they had always told him he wasn't very mindful of his surroundings. Passio moves up next to Samara. "Well, pretty lady. I suppose we should make sure those two don't end up misunderstanding each other into a pickle now, shouldn't we?" He winks at her then walks into the store.
Why would a store have so much dust? Passio wonders to himself. Does no one come in here?
Having no sense of the moment, Passio walks up next to Jace and favors him and the proprietor with a winning smile. "Trying to outdo the subtle and clever pattern of my robes again, my friend?"
"Hail, Lady Zadrian! I am Passio Mancini. I also have taken up the cause of the Silver Crusade. I am excited to meet you!" Passio pumps Ollysta's hand enthusiastically with a big grin. "I am honored to be able to be a part of your goodworks." Passio hears the exchange of Mai and Jace out of the corner of his ear. He feels torn as he wishes to try and help his friend but he would really like to speak more with this paragon of virtue...
Passio looks greatly confused by the mention of an angry halfling. As Jace attempts to save face from Passio's gaffe, Passio suddenly puts "small one" together with halfling and realizes he may have unintentionally complicated the situation between Jace and Mai. As Jace's face becomes crestfallen, Passio leans in close and speaks softly to him. Whatever DC Smashtag says, Jace auto:
"Uh, sorry, Jace. I thought she heard what you said to me. When she said 'small one', I just..." Passio trails off for a second and scratches the back of his head. "I was entirely incorrect about that, let's just say. But I will make it up to you."
Passio claps Jace on the shoulder and winks. "I will do my best to help you woo her. You can count on me!" Passio gives Jace a comradely touch on the shoulder and whispers one last thing with a smile. Then he glances at the rest of his fellow Pathfinders. "I sure feel good about this day. Feel the flow of energy in these streets!" Passio spreads his arms wide, quarterstaff lifted in one hand. "Something exciting is coming our way. I just know it!"
"Unless one of you has made an enemy of a small one," Passio looks down at Mai Lin with an eyebrow raised. Then concern appears on his face. "I don't have anything to do with what Jace asked you. If he said I had any part in that, I swear I was just standing there! I had no desire to make an enemy of you!" The excitable sorcerer begins babbling insisting Jace was making that move all on his own. He seems very concerned that somehow the petite female views him with hostility.
Passio's eyebrows raise at Jace's comment. Then he laughs quietly as Mai Lin strides away after Faeron. "Good luck!" Passio walks down the hall from the foyer, politely saying, "Excuse me," to a passing donkey with whom he almost collided as he turned the corner, and finally reaching his small cell and begins taking a few things from the pack he had prepared in case they were meant to go on a long journey. Once settled he makes his way to the stables to find most of the Pathfinder Team already gathering around an impressive warhorse. Faeron's no doubt. Also, he sees the donkey he encountered earlier being led by Corbyn. As he reaches the group, he smiles broadly. With eyes wide, Passio exclaims, "" He punctuates this final statement with a finger into the air from which a small 6 inch bit of lightning sparks.
Passio puffs up with pride at Jace's question. "Indeed I am! My power is not yet great, but one day I will command enough that storms will come at my call." Seeing the next object of Jace's gaze, a sly smile creeps onto Passio's face. "Ah, I see I am already forgotten. And quite deservedly." He bursts out laughing, and he claps the now blushing man's shoulder heartily as if they are old friends. Then turning to face the group as a whole, Passio says, "So, are we waiting on anyone else? Or is it time to find out what honor we can bring the Lodge?"
Before anyone can answer Jace's question, a human male comes running up the opening leading into the room. He looks flushed and has obviously been running hard. Leaning against a column framing the room's entrance, he breathes hard trying to catch his breath. There seems to be an energy in him tightly wound. His voice comes out explosively and loud following Jace's gentle and sophisticated tone. "" A huge smile crosses his face as his head turns this way and that taking in the sight of everyone assembled. "Whew! I thought they would have brought everyone in already." He lets out a noisy breath and sags into the column. He scrubs a sleeve across his forehead, wiping the sweat on his brow away from his eyes. His clothing seems to be fairly nondescript except that subtly worked into the cloth appear to be the the outlines of a pattern of billowy clouds with jagged lightning and swirls to depict wind. Straightening, he grins broadly and approaches the elf standing closest looking nervous. He starts to stick out his hand, when he suddenly gets an uncertain expression and the smile falters. He looks up and away as if trying to remember something. He returns to the column by the foyer's entrance and eyes it carefully. Then with an almost theatrical cautiousness, the man reaches out and touches the column. He sucks in a breath just before his fingers make contact... Nothing happens. "Whew!" he says again. Turning back to the group, his smile returns while relief is apparent on his face. "I couldn't remember if I had discharged it." Laughing, he once again strides toward the white-haired female and reaches out to catch her hand in both of his. He pumps it vigorously. "Passio Mancini at your service!" He will go around the room offering his hand to each of the assembled Pathfinder trainees. He seems full of gusto and excitement.
My Storm Born Sorcerer! Zappity-zap! Still working on backstory. I really need to figure out the whole myth-weavers nonsense, lol. I haven't even been to the website yet. Incidentally Hero Lab is a boon to unknowledgeables like myself. It completely made making this character easy primarily since it wouldn't stop telling me when I screwed up and needed to correct a choice. :P |
