I'm sorry to hear about that. I know losing someone is never easy. I hope you and yours are safe and sound. I know I haven't come back yet, but I did want to let you know that I've been keeping an eye out.
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Thadeus waits for an opportune moment to carry out the first of his thefts this night. He had to be honest, at least with himself and his wife, that this is exactly what he'd been asked to do. Deciding to save the journal for last, he goes for the buckler first, figuring that would be the hardest. As soon as he sees the curator busy with Cassandra and Edelmira, he makes his way past the plinth appearing as nothing more than another old scholar browsing the Arcade rather than socializing.
His fingers tremble some, but thankfully, the distraction is his saving grace. With the buckler pilfered and tucked away, he looks for someplace appropriate to hide it away.
Sorry all, I've got no energy for posting tonight. Will catch up tomorrow.
Please ignore this never happened!: While the others deal with a man that Thadeus had not seen, he meanders over to the Arcade of Triumphs and finds a discrete place near the curtained off area that had the items he was tasked to pilfer. After checking to make sure no one is paying him attention, he quickly casts a spell and vanishes from sight before quickly sneaking behind the curtain.
Good point. I'd actually thought about planting them on opposing senators and nobles, but that might not get the effect we want.
So, I have a plan and it's an audacious one I think. I have Vanish in my spells known, and I'd like to use it to get in and out of the curtained area around the artifacts he's supposed to steal. I'd also like to make a clean sweep of them but Thad's on the skinny side and I'm worried that buckler will leave a bulge. I guess my question is this, can Thad roll for all of them at a +5?
Thadeus watches and listens to Princess Eutropia with uncharacteristic attention. His usual rambling thoughts are silent as he only sees this marvelous woman gain his undivided attention. My, she is remarkable. I think she'll make a fine Empress when the time comes, he muses as he adds his applause to the rousing cheers and accolades. But with the end of the speech his mind once again goes flitting off. With so many distractions about, he'll lose his chance if he's not careful. Best to get to work while the getting is good.
Thadeus gives a bemused smile to their ally and politely bows once the charade has been player. He then makes his way up the steps at a pace that wouldn't leave him a sweaty, wheezing mess. Aelia would never forgive him for that. However, while his appearance remains immaculate, his nerves begin to twist and fray as the hour of his thievery grows near. The Arcade of Triumphs proves to be a wonderful distraction from the twisting of his stomach and the fluttering of butterflies within. Soon his nerves are forgotten as he slowly meanders through the hall admiring each of the artifacts on display and mentioning some tidbit of trivia or a little known historical fact.
True to his word, Lady Martella receives Thadeus' answer in the early evening hours. While Thadeus had been intrigued, Aelia was downright excited and he barely had gotten the question out before she heartily agreed to it. The night of the Gala, Thadeus arrives wearing an outfit of blue and grey trimmed in silver. He wears the pin he'd been given, but a minor enchantment had changed its hue to match the rest of his outfit. silver cufflinks set with sapphires glimmer on his wrists, but the most spectacular piece of jewelry is the symbol of Shelyn glittering on his breast.
"Hmm? Oh, but of course!" He starts off after the woman, curious as to how all of them seem to have been picked for this random inspection.
Neat, and I can see Thadeus playing a mean game of chess. I imagine he also enjoys wargames as well.
'Sall good. That said, It's late and I need to get to bed. I'll try to get a post in tomorrow, but, well. This is being a busy weekend for me.
"Alas my dear, I'm afraid I shall be busy with speaking to Aelia about this and preparing," Thadeus says regretfully. "But perhaps we shall have time later." Thadeus only grins more widely at Kunala's antics and barks out a laugh as the young man forgets the company he is in. He was fast finding he liked the Vudran dancer. Seeing hte others begin to leave he stands and excuses himself. "It has been a delight meeting all of you, but I'm afraid I have just become rather more busy than I was before. My Lady Lotheed, you can expect my answer delivered to you this evening. In any case, you will have my utmost support and respect no matter what Aelia and I decide." With a stately bow polished by years of practice, he turns and leaves. Before he has crossed the door, he is humming a merry tune and almost seems a decade younger as he makes his way through the sunny afternoon.
Ah, thank you. I'll have Thad's pic fixed in a moment. If you are looking for a faster posting pace, I may need to bow out. I can only really post in the evenings, so that limits how often I can post.
"My dear, It would be delightful to have a conversation with you at anytime for no reason at all other than the joy of having it," Thadeus says with a boyish grin to Nicolette. "You are most certainly welcome to peruse my collection, milady. I'd be honored to have your own prints added to the patina of love and care all of my books have. There is nothing more saddening to see text decades old looking as if they'd never once been read." Thadeus smiles warmly at Edelmira, almost as if she were a favored niece before turning to Kunala. "Now, young man, what kinds of dances require the use of a bed and the participants to be in the nude? What strange fashions have taken a hold of the court these days." Thadeus shakes his head as he speaks with a disappointed tone and a devilish grin on his face and not a hint of shame to be found. "But as I have often told my eldest children, it's not the size of the collection, but the use and love it receives."
"My dear, I do hope you'll grant me enough time before returning the items to allow me to copy this journal? It would be shameful of you to seduce me so without allowing me my pleasure." Thadeus' eyes sparkle and dance as he lets out a giddy laugh. "I'll be certain to relay every glowing compliment you've given her, milady."
"Books and knowledge are my first loves. I often got into trouble sneaking into libraries while others were getting caught sneaking into the bed chambers of young ladies. Still, I was quite good at not getting caught and I poured over tomes in places I really ought not have been. When Aelia and I were first looking for a home, my only condition was a library. I'm not too proud to admit that I was a little bratty in my insistence. I'm also not too humble to say it's grown into a fine place to keep my growing collection. That isn't to say I wouldn't love to peruse your own library. I may be lucky enough to find a few books to add to mine." Thadeus begins to continue his rambling, but just manages to control his tongue. "Ah. forgive me. I find myself more prone to riding down rambling trails more and more as I age. Must be whatever turns my hair and whiskers white and silver." He chuckles as he picks up some tea to keep himself quiet for a moment and listen. Hmm, people often let slip more than they realize. I wonder what I've heard about the characters in this particular play?
Thadeus puts on a grave mask, but the twinkle in his eyes gives away his true feelings. This is proving to be a most interesting meeting, but he still wants to talk with Aelia first. He trusts her judgement better than his own. And it isn't as if she doesn't know exactly where he is now. Long fingers pick up one of the spoons and begin to twirl it with an ease that's almost preternatural. "I suppose I should be flattered that you would see that I do have many skills with these nimble fingers of mine," he says, his tone as grave as his expression. The spoon vanishes after somersaulting under his hand. He looks up, a slight grin on his face. "I must admit, you've entranced me." he reaches out with his other hand towards Lady Martella's ear before flicking his wrist and pulling the vanished spoon from behind it. "Much like a street magician entrances a child with his tricks. I am sorely tempted to accept, but I haven't lived a life of marital bliss by being a fool. You should have my answer sometime this evening."
"Ah. I see." Thadeus lowers his eyes for a moment as he strokes his beard. "I will need to speak with my wife about this before I can accept, but let us assume that I do. I find myself equally curious as the others what talents of mine you could find a use for in such, ah, delicate situations." Thadeus grins at Kunala's wordplay and takes his hand (and any other offered hands) in a firm grip. "A fellow punster I see. I can already tell you'll be a terrible influence on my children."
"Ah! How terribly rude of me," the half-orc says before coming inside and gently closing the door. "Thadeus Volus Maximux III at your service. I'm afraid that I lost track of the hours and of my years. I'm not as young as I like to think. I'll be quite alright once I've managed to catch my breath." He gives a slight bow before walking as steadily as he's able to the gathering. Ink-stained hands pull out the last chair available before he settles into with a sigh. "Judging from the company I now enjoy, I was right in my guess that this was a matter of some import. I guess my most pressing question is why me? I'm an old half-orc with little in the way of influence. Surely there were better options." He adjusts his pince nez to sit more squarely on his nose
He was too absorbed to hear the gentle clack of the mail slot and it wasn't until Terabella, his youngest daughter called for him a second time that he looked up from his work. "It's a letter for you, Poppa," she said in her sweet voice. One hand held out the newly familiar envelop and seal while the other held to Bassoon, her cherished stuffed animal, though Thadeus had never been able to determine what animal it was supposed to be. "Ah, so it is! Why don't I take a break so we can read it together?" He grinned and slid from the stool to sit beside his daughter and read the letter with her. She was too young to understand the implications, but Thadeus could tell interesting things were afoot. Today would be exciting.
"Oh drat, Aelia is going to have me strung up for this one."
Catching up. I'll be posting in a little bit. I posted this in the discord, but I figure it couldn't hurt here, I'd like to try Mission #5. Thad's been respecced a bit to help with some of the more covert stuff. |