Vendra Loaggri

Thuvalia Barabbio's page

108 posts. Alias of Joana.


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Female Human (Varisian) Bard
"Snake" wrote:
Brains beat brawn, but money beats both. Brains beat brawn, but money beats both. Where in the Nine Hells have I heard that?! Shaking his head in frustration as he's perplexed by it, he turns and stares directly at Thuvalia through narrowed eyes. Moving over near her, "I'm curious, where have you heard that Varisian phrase?"

"In Varisia?" she duhs. "Where we presently reside?" She spreads her hands to encompass the city and surrounding countryside, from the Varisian Gulf to the Storval Plateau and the Mushfens to the Kodar Mountains. She shrugs. "It's a common saying among my people ... well, among certain of them." She gives the warlock a significant glance.

Snake:
She seems to want you to connect the dots and realize she's talking about her late boyfriend and his friends ... the Sczarni.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Thuvalia shrugs an acceptance. "He is a younger man," she admits. "A larger man. And has both hands, no?" She raises her own hands and flutters them demonstratively. "Still, Vankaskerkin has his muscle, younger and stronger than Cleg Zincher, Bojasc the bodyguard. I suppose that is why one never sees the one without the other. Burmuinean erritmoak muskuluak, baina dirua erritmoak bai."

Snake somehow recognizes her last statement as a common Varisian proverb ... and one that seems very familiar to him. A cold chill runs through him, though he doesn't know why.

Varisian:
Brains beat brawn, but money beats both.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
"Snake" wrote:
Pondering that a moment, "You know, that's a good question. Outside of Saul, I've got no idea. And sometimes I wonder if he even does with that Zincher fella around."

"The man who runs the fighting arena?" she asks. "What does he have to do with the casino?"


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
"Snake" wrote:
Looking around curiously, "You mean the guy in the suit? Well... I'm not real sure how I can fix that for you. I've got no power in this place." He shrugs.

"Who does?" she asks in a conspiratorial undertone.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
"Snake" wrote:

"Sorry. Been busy," Snake responds in a calm and collected manner. "Done now so what do ya need?"

"'Busy?'" I have been insulted; I have been manhandled! That stuffed shirt who has inveigled his way into Mr. Vankaskerkin's good graces, he evicted the talent from the interior out into this outlandish pavilion! I am surprised it has not yet tumbled onto our heads."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Snake, in the meantime, heads out the open doors and down the steps from the verandah.

"Snake" wrote:
Heading over to her, "Hey, princess, how's it going?"

"Where have you been?" she demands imperiously.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
Phillip Hargreaves wrote:
"Of Sczarni I could care less... and I have more trust in you then I do in most of those at play. There are other powers in Riddleport that might see harm come to the Goblin..." clearly thinking of the whoremistress and Zincher, but not overtly naming them.

Somewhat mollified, she asks, "You think someone went before us and purchased agents in Lubbertown for us to hire? Or watched who was hired and then suborned them?"


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
Phillip Hargreaves wrote:
Maintaining an outward air of deference for the benefit of the other dancers, Phillip addresses Thuvalia solely as a colleague "They will suffice?" indicating towards the other varisians.

She twists her shoulder in a sullen half-shrug. "They will do. They are Varisian, and professionals. Not of the best, you understand, but we could only choose from those hanging around Lubbertown. Eskaleak ezin da hautatzailearekin, no?"

Phillip Hargreaves wrote:
"Now you might have heard we had a little trouble with the hired help last week... do you think that's likely to recur tonight?"

"Do you mean, are they Sczarni?" she responds sharply. "Not as far as I know. I am no fool, master halfling. I know only too well there are those ready, at the first sign of disloyalty, to whisk me away -- pouf! -- to Shoreleave, like the deabrua-emakume's solicitous solicitor."

Varisian:
Beggars can't be choosers
devil-woman


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
Phillip Hargreaves wrote:
Calling out to garner Thuvalia's attention Phillip is initially respectful "Beruna dantzari... when you have a moment?" indicating that he might spend a few moments speaking with her.

The appellation pleases her. She preens herself visibly, leaving no doubt among the others as to who the first dancer must be. "Very well," she sings out in response. "I will be with you shortly." Turning to the other three, she hisses, "The footwork! And you, try not to look at them when they're picking your pockets. If this were a true Ergela, you'd all be in the town jail already!"

The other dancers roll their eyes behind her back as she climbs the verandah stairs to meet Phillip with an ingratiating smile.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Suitably chastened, the Varisian hirees quickly gather their things and head for the front doors. Thuvalia shrugs coldly. "I assumed you would prefer we make use of the available time once the talent arrived," she remarks, "rather than lounge around indolently waiting for your return. Mr. Vankaskerkin is paying them, after all. They are not slave labor." She move after them at a more leisurely pace.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
Tendal Deverin wrote:
"The dancers are not yet here, correct? Therefore you cannot practice in any regard. Furthermore, the casino is the means of income, and therefore the gaming floor is required to be ready in time for the opening." his insinuation of Thuvalia's very minor place in the affairs of the Golden Goblin falling into the silence.

"Yet they will be here soon, and we must have a place to practice. Your silly games may be the means of parting your customers from their money; but they must be drawn in first, and that is the job of entertainment. This is Varisian Caravan night, and without the music and dancers, there is no Varisian Caravan night, no? Only Parting Fools from Their Money night, which is honest but perhaps not the most enticing of slogans, no?"


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
Tendal Deverin wrote:
I wish I had something "personal" that I could attend to...rather than this.

Not for the first time in the last few days, Tendal's thoughts touch on Liry Parmenter, the Ghoulette girl, and the tour of Riddleport she gave him last Moonday. Her parting words had been a clear invitation to a repeat engagement yet he'd made no attempt to contact her again.

Tendal Deverin wrote:
"So what unpleasantness has disturbed your deportment this time Madame Barabbio?" he asks as momentary silence falls across the room.

"These ... these stevedores," she gestures indignantly at the workmen attempting to get the gaming tables and chairs in place on the new carpet. "The dancers need this space to practice!"

Tendal:
Tendal is quite aware that a dancing surface has been specially installed out in the courtyard for the evening's performance.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Tendal catches up to Phillip as the halfling starts down the stairs. Phil explains that his immediate errand is, in fact, personal, but that he expects to be back at the Goblin and at Saul's disposal as soon as he has completed a purchase.

Alighting at the ground floor, Tendal can hear Thuvalia Barabbio's voice raised imperiously through the kitchen doors and has an unpleasant flashback to his first arrival at the Gold Goblin a week ago this morning.

"No, no!" she is insisting. "Take all this away, and bring it back later!"

Phil gives Tendal a smirk and a wink and leaves via the back door to avoid going onto the casino floor and getting drawn into the altercation.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

From behind the door, Thuvalia scoffs. "I shall endeavor to make it by without you," she replies witheringly. "When you return, be sure to gather the plates from in here and take them back to the kitchen. And tomorrow, make sure there is tea!"


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
"Snake" wrote:
Once Snake gathers his gear, he heads over to Thuvalia's room and knocks lightly on her door. "Thuvalia it's me. Snake."

"What do you want?" The voice through the door is both exasperated and suspicious.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

In the meantime, Thuvalia has finished her repast and returned to her bedroom for the night. "Remember when and how I am to be awakened," she tells Snake reprovingly. "Tomorrow night, I perform. Everything must go smoothly if I am to be at my best."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

"Unless it's a trick coin," Thuvalia replies knowingly. "Then it has only one side. Or three. A coin has as many sides as the fellow showing it wants it to have, if he knows what he's doing."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

She looks surprised. "What? You haven't heard the tale of what a bad girl I am and not to be trusted?" She shrugs. "The tiefling whore, Lil Scarlet, seduced the leader of the troupe I perform with and employed him to rob the Gold Goblin. Unsurprisingly, he failed, and your compatriots killed half of my friends and imprisoned the rest in the Overlord's dungeon. Me, they offered a deal: indenture myself to Herr Vankaskerkin's casino or share the same fate. I chose servitude. At least it's still show business."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

"What does he think the bodyguard's done?" she goes on, lowering her voice conspiratorially.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
"Snake" wrote:
Snake retrieves the berries, passing them to her. "You're right about that, princess, it's not a pleasant part of town at all,"

"Then why does he want to go there?" Thuvalia asks, nodding after the departed Gristav.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

"Pass the berries," she instructs. "Rag's End? Isn't that in Magnimar? And not a very pleasant part of town, either."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
Braddon Hurst wrote:
Braddon places most of his plates at the end of the table furthest from Thuvalia, sits down amongst them and begins to feast.

Thuvalia turns a pointed gaze on Snake, drawing his attention to the distance between her place at the table and the serving platters.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Thuvalia and Snake climb the stairs to the second floor and head for the dining room in Saul's suite. They find the room empty.

Thuvalia turns to Snake indignantly. "You said dinner was ready," she reproaches.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

As Snake rises to ascend the stairs, Thuvalia enters the kitchen on her way to the same destination. "Ah," she greets him, taking for granted the assumption that he has been waiting for her, "come along. We may proceed to the table now." She sweeps on to the staircase, expecting him to follow in her wake.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
"Snake" wrote:
"It's me, princess," he says in a somewhat sarcastic, yet, playful tone. "Snake."

"...yes?" she repeats without opening the door, still looking for the reason she's being disturbed.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Snake moves on to Thuvalia's room and raps on the door. "Yes?" she responds imperially from the other side.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Snake:
Snake wrote:
"Is there anything else you might be needing?"

"Dinner," she states firmly. "Is it to be served upstairs this evening as usual? If so, I'll require notice when it is ready."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Snake:
"A man ought to know whether or not he has shared a woman's bed," she hisses back viciously. "And if he says he has shared mine, he is a liar! If I were his lover, I can assure you he would not be spending time at the whorehouse." She composes herself. "If anyone else is laboring under the misapprehension of his slander, I will thank you to correct them. A lady's reputation should not be bandied about so."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Snake:
Thuvalia quickly closes the door behind her as you enter the room. "There is nothing between me and the elf," she hisses. "I don't know what you may have heard, but it is a lie. I have not even seen the fellow in days."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
"Snake" wrote:
"No wonder the elf boy likes you so much. You are a fiery one." Tipping his hat, "Alright, so, what I've got is: 'Tap lightly, no shouting, and no conversation'. Won't be a problem. Will there be anything else or am I dismissed?" he asks in a joking manner, curious as to the size of the flame this may bring about.

She frowns at the mention of Daynadrian. "Tssch," she hisses to silence him, then glances down the hallway and out onto the floor before gesturing him into her room with a jerk of her head.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

She turns to him, deadly serious. "Before the sun is up, I should not be up. But you should get there early before the best pastries have been taken. You fill my plate, feed yourself, then bring my tray down when you are finished. Tap lightly at the door and leave the tray. There is no need to shout. There is certainly no need for conversation." She waits for him to acknowledge her instructions before turning back into the room.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Thuvalia gifts Snake with a smile, then leads the way through the parted sea of furniture. Retrieving her key from a pocket, she unlocks the door to her room. "There is to be dinner upstairs tonight?" she asks, kicking her shoes off. "Which reminds me, you may carry breakfast down here in the morning. Early exertion is bad for late evening performances."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

"Come with me," Thuvalia invites Snake peremptorily. "I'm sure I have some errands you can run." She starts toward the guest wing but stops short when faced with the clustered tables and chairs. "Would you?" she commands, waving her hand at the obstacle and waiting for him to clear a path.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Satisfaction dawns on Thuvalia's face. "Ah, you are to be my personal attendant! How thoughtful of Mr. Vankaskerkin."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
"Snake" wrote:
"If there's anything you need help with...," he pauses, internally cringing at what he's about to say, "I'll, um, help in any way I can."

Thuvalia fixes Snake with a suspicious glare. "What do you mean, 'help?' What sort of help do you believe I need?" she asks challengingly.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
Gristav wrote:
"Maestra Barrabio- May I assume, then that I am spared, from the dancing? (Or the dancing, more likely, spared from me!?)", Gristav asks, then jokes at himself.

"Given the choice between actual Varisians who are actual dancers and a half-elven courier," she shrugs, "I think it is clear which will give the public a better performance."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Gristav climbs the stairs to the verandah and enters by the open double doors. Within he finds Thuvalia with three Varisians; the tables and chairs have pushed to one side to clear a space on the new carpet for the dancers to go through their paces. Thuvalia is keeping up a steady commentary on her fellows' performance in the absence of music, as they step through the forms.

"Bai, era honetan .... Mantendu zure begiak nitaz, mesedez, ez eskuak lapur txikia poltsikoetan on .... Talde modu daudelarik! Azkarrago egon behar duzu .... Ondo! Ez gustatzen behi baldarra...."

Varisian:
Yes, this way.... Keep your eyes on me, please, not on the little thief with her hands in your pockets.... Out of the way! You must be quicker.... Gracefully! Not like a clumsy cow....


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
Braddon Hurst wrote:
"Who's lost?" he asks Tendal with a worried voice.

Thuvalia enters the room behind Gristav and takes a seat. "Daynadrian is missing," she announces, filling a bowl. "The elf," she explains, in case they had forgotten.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

"Oh," she says, looking disappointed. "You again. Have you been pacing the corridor all this time?"


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
Gristav wrote:
"What would make you happy?", Gristav asks her as she retreats.

"I'll let you know when I find it," she calls back over her shoulder without pausing and leaves Gristav alone in the hall with the kitten.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

With a withering arch of her brow, Thuvalia turns and walks away, back toward her room off the shrine of Desna.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
Gristav wrote:

"Gratifying, to think you'd seek out Samaritha.", Gristav says genuinely. "But yes, it's me, well, us", he adds, turning so she might see the kitten cuddled in his far arm. "Had to have him somewhere, and I hoped Samaritha wouldn't mind. I was just making sure she wouldn't be able to tell.", the half-elf smiles. "Though, I will. Tell."

Leaving the room, Gristav visibly ponders the armful of kitten, the hand full of stacked saucers, the key still in the lock, and then Thuvalia. "Would you..?", he asks, offering by gesture the saucers or the kitten.

"I wasn't looking for the untxi txiki," Thuvalia disabuses him. "I just wondered who was snooping around the rooms." She stares at the proffered cat and dishes. "I am not a scullery maid, or a goatherd." Rather than relieving him of either burden, she reaches out to shut the door, turning the key in the lock and then removing it.

Varisian:
little rabbit


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Gristav retrieves the key to Samaritha's room once more and heads to the guest wing to attend to the cat. The kitten responds to the Tien tongue with as much native intelligence as it does to Taldane (to wit, none at all). The half-elf is finishing up when he hears someone approaching and a shadow falls into the room from the hall.

"Oh," Thuvalia says flatly, peering into the room, "it's you."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Thuvalia is embarrassed and exhibits extra ill temper to cover it up. "Not I, I assure you," she sniffs. "I don't wish to attract vermin ... or vagrants." She fixes the kitten with a gimlet eye and stalks out of the room.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Entering the kitchen, Gristav holds both spell and staff at the ready, but apart from some scraps of food trailing off a table and onto the floor, he sees no target for his ire. Thuvalia edges up behind him. "There, in the larder," she points to the door to the pantry in the back corner. "I had been practicing to the point of exhaustion and was looking for something to sustain myself with, when I saw the filthy, thieving vermin behind a sack of flour."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Gristav and Larur are suddenly distracted from their previous topic of conversation by a sudden shriek (the F above high C, had either of them musical training). As Gristav backpedals to the door of Larur's office to peek out, Thuvalia comes staggering through the kitchen doors in a panic. "Rats in the larder!" she screams.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard
Piccolo Taphodarian wrote:
"It would be bad for business were performers to come to harm, while using The Gold Goblin's dance floor. We wouldn't be able to attract entertainment, if we become a place where the term 'suffering artist' is literal."

Thuvalia has just taken a large bite of her lunch, but her eyes widen as she gestures with her glass of tea toward the gnome and swallows her food quickly. "Finally! A man with a proper attitude toward the talent! It's about time you hired someone with an understanding of the entertainment business, not a wild-eyed hooligan like the rest of your staff. Yes, sadly, in today's world, thugs are too often a necessary evil, but customers do not come to a business of pleasure and refinement to watch the security." She gifts Piccolo with a warm smile.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

"Caltrops, grease, soap, marbles, alchemical glue...." Thuvalia begins to list ways to booby-trap a dancing surface like an old pro. Chips of ice clink in her sweating glass of cold tea.


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

With a minimum of awkwardness and a lifetime of experience, the gnome manages to perch himself atop a bar stool.

"The dwarf?" Thuvalia scoffs. "He has no style, no flair. Surely he is not to be the Gold Goblin's artistic director. The clientele will be gambling by torchlight to the sound of ringing anvils and going to bed by midnight with a glass of warm milk."


Female Human (Varisian) Bard

Piccolo:
Daynadrian: that was the elf you met in Lubbertown yesterday, and of course, you recognized Thuvalia at the bar. Samaritha must be the other woman, the half-elven redhead.

Gristav wrote:
"Thuvalia will lead the dances, and, well... I had heard... it was hoped... had you agreed?", he asks of Thuvalia, "To grace us with a dance en sola?"

She sniffs. "If it is to be supposed that La Barabbio, the famous Chelaxian opera singer, has mastered the techniques of Varisian dance. I presume that Mr. Vankaskerkin has opted not to advertise the fact that his opening night entertainment was a fraud. What am I next week: an Ulfen shieldmaiden? a hot-blooded Mwangi savage?" She glances down at Piccolo. "Oh, yes, I remember you now: the little agent. You'll be doing the booking from now on?"

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