"She wasn't here this morning when I got in - I told you I'd be right over! - and she didn't answer when I banged on her door." ...Your order half taken, Bethana scurries away leaving you to shrug your shoulders and wonder what you'll end up being served.
"That doesn't sound good." Vesh stands up and takes the water pitcher off the table. "Wait, wasn't Ehlissa going to go and see after Naelah last night? I wonder if she's still upstairs. I'll be back." Carrying the pitcher with him, he walks back upstairs...
A few minutes later, Vesh returns to the common room, face washed and his hair wet and spiky. He is fully dressed and equipped. He sets the empty water pitcher back on the table and sees that what he's ordered hasn't arrived.
"She's not in her room." He says to Corran and Malcolm. "Ehlissa. I checked, and she's not in there. Perhaps we'd do better to make our way to the White Deer and collect Slidell. I bet Ehlissa's there, too. We might stand a better chance of getting breakfast over there as well."
-----------------
[ooc]Meanwhile, at the White Deer...]
From the top of the stairs, Salome surveys the gathering crowd in the common room. What?!? No, it can't be! she groans within herself when she notices the same gangly...detective? What is that guy's job anyway? Grave inspector? Quickly she wraps her veil across her face. It seems the "Late" Unpleasantness isn't quite dead yet. He doesn't know I saw him; maybe he won't notice me.
"Neahlah! Neahlah! I thought you were leaving, actually I thought you had already left, and there was,... actually I was,... well I wanted to ask,... you,...' Slidell squeals to a stop at the bottom of the steps, and takes another look at the woman. It is not Neahlah.
Salome's cheeks burn, embarrassed, then angry. "I don't know who you think you are, or who you think I am, for that matter, but I have work to do. EXCUSE me!" her amber eyes aflame. She scowls as she waits for the dazed stranger to move.
"Oh. Bother. I'm very sorry, I thought you were someone else. Forgive me."
She is about to light into him again when her attention is drawn to the ill woman who nearly falls into her. Her face immediately softens, and her voice fills with concern. "By Dawn, you're sick. I'm a healer. Let's get you taken care of." Salome allows the woman to lean heavily on her and guides her toward a pile of cushions in a corner of the common room. The grave inspector follows; Salome does her best to ignore him as she expertly examines her patient.
[ooc]Here's my Heal check: Heal Check (1d20+7=27)
"I- Naelah, I tried to catch Naelah before she left.. and when I got here she was packing. *ack*" she coughs and winces as her body aches, "I was starting to feel a bit funny, so she told me to stay in her room for the night... after she left. Thought it was maybe an upset tummy but.. it's not.."
Salome looks up from her ministrations. "Wait. You two know each other?" She tries to reconcile in her mind how this noblewoman and a grave inspector could have anything in common. "And who is this Naehlah person I'm supposed to be impersonating?"
Slidell lunges forward to catch the obviously ill Ehlissa, but is beaten to it by the headress-masked woman. He follows her with a concerned look as she leads Ehlissa to the cushions in the corner. (Easily ignoring the veiled woman's attempts to ignore him.)
Salome looks up from her ministrations. "Wait. You two know each other?" "And who is this Naehlah person I'm supposed to be impersonating?"
"She's a,... friend," Slidell replies, re-arranging pillows to try and make Ehlissa more comfortable. "She's Shoanti, a nature priest. We met her the day the Goblins attacked. It seems I wasn't the only one who wasn't quite done with our 'goodbyes'." He smirks at Ehlissa, but his concern is visibly etched into his face.
He looks intensely at the newcomer, his previous insecurities flown in the light of new challenges. He addresses her with exactly the same vehemence she used on him earlier, not one jot more or less, as his eyes flicker from item to item of her clothing.
"My name is Slidell, this noble-woman is Ehlissa. I've already apologized for the episode of mistaken identity. But by all means, if you are a healer, then please,..." He waggles his fingers over Ehlissa. Then continues in a far gentler tone. "Is she going to be alright?"
Search check of the newcomer to determine origin and livelyhood. (1d20 3=21)
"It looks like lockjaw. Consistent with wounds from a goblin attack. Even their vermin have vermin," Salome mutters to herself. Looking up, she finally addresses Su-li-della, the name foreign to her ears. "She will be fine in a few days, but needs some bedrest and medicine. I need you to help me get her upstairs."
As she watches her lanky new acquaintance heft her patient, Salome mentally circles him, trying to assess his intentions and his usefulness.
Undecided, she remains wary, casting an occasional glance out of the corner of her eye, and keeping her face veiled. She attends to Ehlissa, mopping her brow and checking her cuts for further infection. "You will be fine, milady. What happened?"
Ehlissa winces, "Thank you," she whispers, "One of the cuts I got in the fight feels really hot... this is so frustrating..." she says pathetically.
Slidell nods his thanks to the Shoanti owner of the Inn as he opens the door for him and Ehlissa. To Neahleah's old room natch. 'It seems I am not fated to forget you anytime soon.' He thinks wryly to himself as he helps Ehlissa to the bed.
Ehlissa winces, "Thank you," she whispers, "One of the cuts I got in the fight feels really hot... this is so frustrating..." she says pathetically.
"Not to worry my dear," Slidell said in a tone that sounded a lot like an old manservant Ehlissa once knew. "Our new friend here is a cleric of Sarenrea, and she knows what she's doing. Just relax and let her do her job. You'll be fit as a fiddle in no time!"
He stops, blinks."Whether that's good or bad, I don't know. I've never actually played a fiddle. But since I've never seen an ugly fiddle, we'll go with that's good!"
He smiled, and kindly but awkwardly patted Ehlissa's shoulder, then turned to the still-veiled visage of the armored healer.
"Thank you." He said quietly, looking directly into her amber eyes, as if trying to see what else might be in there. "I've only just met you, and already we seem to be in your debt. I hate being in debt," he muttered to the bird who had managed to stay perched on his shoulder throughout the entire previous excitement.
"Perhaps we can buy you dinner as way of thanks? Ameiko's cooking isn't Shoanti, but she does amazing things with fish! So, dinner at the Rusty Dragon tonight? Speaking of the Rusty Dragon, I had better get over there before the others realize that Ehlissa isn't there. They're all nice enough guys, but they tend to be over-excitable without a more calming influence." At this statement, the raven perched on his shoulder developed what seemed to be a nasty cough, though it sounded suspiciously like laughter.
After glaring at the bird until the 'fit' subsided, Slidell returned his attention to the veiled woman, either missing or ignoring the weak laughter from the bed.
"At any rate," he continued, "I should probably go let them know that Ehlissa is alright before they do something rash. Ehlissa, if she says that you need to rest, then I'll let you be. I'll have the Innkeep make sure you have everything that you need, and that your undisturbed. So, dinner tonight then?" He beamed his big smile at the mysterious woman, and turned to go. He was at the door when he stopped, and smacked his forehead with his hand.
"Silly me!" He exclaimed, turning back around. "It would help if I knew who I was asking for, and I seem to have completely missed your name! Candy?" He blurted out all in one breath, holding out a crumpled bit of brown paper.
Fort save for tomorrow (1d20+3=11)
Elissa coughs weakly with laughter at the idea of Slidell being a calming influence on anyone. Although he seems to be doing a good job now.
Salome looks to be interesting, I think she might have most of Neahlah's inner strength, but some of Ehlissa's fire too. This should be fun!
Salome's relief at the stranger's near-departure quickly turns into exasperation. "You are quite forward for an acquaintance of not ten minutes. Is this how you speak to your other women? You presume to know who I am then ask me to break bread with strangers and try to buy me with sweets. I do not know your people, and you know nothing of me."
She removes her veil, grasps her scimitar, and rises to her full height -- barely to the man's chest -- and proclaims, "I am Salome bajAtru -- Child of None. I come from the deserts of Qadira and follow only where the Queen of the Dawn lights my path. Either state your purpose or leave. Lady Ehlissa needs rest, and as I said before, I have work to do!
Slidell looks down at the now-revealed face of the fiery woman who does not even come up to his shoulders. But there is NO hint of superiority or smugness in his features. If his tall but wiry frame were a tree, he knows that it would most likely not stand before this bit of fierce desert wind before him.
"And yet ANOTHER 'wind' blows into my life. That's twice in one week! It's a good thing I don't believe in coincidence, because WHAT are the odds of that?!?" This races through his mind even as he notices the flashing amber of her eyes, the determined set of her petite chin,... and the firm grip she has taken on her scimitar.
Finally, he nods slowly as he acknowledges her words. "Your right, I AM forward. I'm also exceptionally well educated, very free with my opinions, and usually cursed to be correct with most of my observations. As far as how I speak to 'my' other women,..." He shrugs.
"Of the two women I have had the honor of meeting, one just left my company, vacating this very room, and the other is lying on the bed. So you'll have to forgive me, it seems I'm a little out of practice with how to 'properly' speak to a woman. Of any culture." 'Besides, I've already determined I'm not the charming one of the group.' He admits mentally to himself.
"You are also correct in that I do not know anything about you." He stops and blinks for a second. "Other than by your holy symbol and your own admission your a priestess of Sarenrea. By the condition of your armor and the ease which you wear it your a competent warrior. And judging by the fact that your trying to shoo me from the room with a blade rather than broom, as most nurses have done me in the past, your used to fighting for what you achieve." 'In that, you are not alone.' Flashes both across his mind and face. Briefly.
"But those are mere observations, easily misled. I claim a great many things my dear, but I do NOT claim to know you." He waves airily, then bends at the waist. Not in a condescending manner, but to allow her to look him in the eye without the indignity of having to look up at him.
He continues softly and solemnly.
"Here is what I do know. Your name is 'Salome bajAtru'" He manages in a passable copy of her accent. "You are from the desert of Qadira. And not ten minutes ago, you met an ill woman on a stairway. And without once asking if she needed help, or for permission to give her assistance, or for any recompense for your efforts, you began to administer aid without a seconds thought or hesitation. THAT is all I need to know. Anything else that you wish me to know, you may tell me at your leisure. Or not. Your choice."
He straightens back up, and continues in his previous, lighthearted voice. "And anything you wish to know about me, you have but to ask. And I shall happily entertain you with a fanciful tale, or bore you to tears with the truth. ALSO your choice." He smiles.
"As far as trying to 'buy' you,..." He looks meaningfully at his crumpled bag of candy, still in his hand. "Despite my confessed inadequacies with women, I assure you that I'm intelligent enough to find something of far greater value than candy to offer if I were trying engage your attentions." He assures her, still smiling. Then pops a piece of candy into his own mouth.
"And I'm afraid that I know next to nothing about the cultures of the Qadira, Though I'd love to learn!" He adds eagerly, "But I've been told that among the Shoanti, once you have broken bread, you are no longer considered a stranger."
He smiles, trying his best to do the one thing that comes hardest to him. Be open with another person. With a picture of Neahlah and her last words echoing in his mind, he continues.
"All I'm trying to do,... Is offer thanks for helping a,... friend." He says almost too quietly for Ehlissa to hear. "Whether or not you choose to accept it, the offer is still there. I'll be back around sundown. To check on Ehlissa." He adds quickly.
"And to escort you to dinner. If you accept." He finishes quietly. With a final glance at Ehlissa, who has fallen into a fitful slumber during his diatribe, he stretches back to his full height, and bows (Slowly and cautiously due to earlier experience) in the Shoanti manner.
He then pulls out his wide brimmed hat and places it on his head. He then tugs the brim in salute to Salome, and quickly but quietly exits the room, turns, and closes the door softly behind him. He can be heard quietly thanking the young man outside. Then there is only the sound of his rapid, uneven footfalls fading down the hallway.
Only then does Salmone see that, during his exit, the tall young man somehow manged to leave his crumpled bag of candy next to the water and fruit without her noticing.
After I finish eating my breakfast (although I don't eat much of it) I sigh and say "Well, we best be off to check in with this Horation fellow and I need to pick up the suit of armor that I ordered from Savah." I stand and say with a mischievious grin ask "Feel up to walking Vesh?" and after leaving a few more silvers on the table make my way to the door.
I stand and say with a mischievious grin ask "Feel up to walking Vesh?" and after leaving a few more silvers on the table make my way to the door.
Vesh mouths 'feel up to walking' behind Malcolm's back as though he were a petulant five year old. He stands and follows Malcolm and Corran out the door feeling all the world like he'd sooner crawl under the table and sleep with the crumbs.
"Truth," she says to the now-closed door. No one else witnesses the tear on her cheek.
She takes a breath, stands straight, scribbles a note excusing her absence from the makeshift hospital at the cathedral, and hands it to the Shoanti stripling outside the door.
Slidell Thanks the shoanti youth manning the door to Neahlah's,... Ehlissa's room. And strides quickly down the hall and stairs to the Inn entrance. He pauses once more to thank Garridan for his hospitality, and promises recompense, then flies out the door as if his heels have wings. He is three buildings away when he stumbles to a stop, his knees shaking, and doubles over to catch his breath as if he had been running a race.
"Wow." He gasps, his hands on his knees. "Oh. Wow. Nethys Kneecaps!" He spits, straightening up and turning his head to look at his familiar. "I have GOT to stop having conversations with armed women. They're gonna be the death of me! Now I know why master always forbade me to associate with any back home. Are they all crazy, or just the ones that carry weapons?!?"
He pulled out another crumpled bag of candy, and popped a piece into his mouth. After another, calmer, breath, he begins walking again. "Ok. We are now officially in the employ of Sandpoint. MAYBE I can use that to get somebody to open up, and figure just what in the name of Nethys' T!ts is going on around here!" He grumbled.
From there he seemed to wander aimlessly for a while, speaking with children who ran up to him for candy, or a chance to pet Veren, or both. But in truth, he was working the only source of information that had turned out to be reliable so far. But even the clever kids of Sandpoint had no clue who 'KGW' might be.
When he passed by Savah's, his familiar, after several tries to get the mumbling mage's attention, exasperatedly launched from his shoulder and landed on the lintel over the doorway. When Slidell went over to him, cussing and fussing about how he could be replaced with an infernal parakeet, he almost collided with Malcolm and Vesh who were exiting the building.
After calming down the tall, over-excitable mage, (And wading through his verbose explanations,) they were filled in on Ehlissa's whereabouts and condition. And were warned that they were meeting a new friend, "the healer", for dinner. He finished with, "You'll like her, she a regular spitfire." Though he was a little vague about who, exactly, he had been addressing that statement to.
Perception check on Horatio (1d20-1=11) Nope, no Dice
Perception check on Horatio-By the bird (1d20+5=25)(showoff bird)
Slidell cheerfully returns the assistant Sheriff's greeting, blissfully unaware of anything amiss. He thanks him for his time and information about picking up their pay, and follows the others out to the street. Once there, Veren whispers something into Slidell's ear, to which Slidell responds with a furrowed brow and a thoughtful expression instead of his usual verbal tirade.
Bluff roll:14 -DC 14 to read;
Slidell glances quickly at Vesh with a thoughtful expression, "Keep an eye on the office, see if he goes anywhere." Slidell whispers quietly back to his familiar.
"Are you sure?" he asks the black bird. After a loud, frustrated caw which one would assume was an affirmative, Slidell nods again. "Of course you can go Veren! Just don't be too long!"
Bluff Roll:12 -DC 12 to read:
"And keep your eyes open for that fellow we spotted the other day too!" He whispers hastily.
Veren Caws again, then launches from Slidell's shoulder, circles overhead once, then disappears low over the rooftops.
Slidell turns to the others. "He'll be back soon, he's off chasing something shiny,... I hope." He grins, obviously happy about something.
"SO! Did anyone have any plans for today?!" He asks cheerfully.
I notice Horatio's focus on Vesh and make a note of it.
As I open my mouth to ask about payment I overhear Slidell's comments to his raven and make a note to ask him about it later.
After recieving an answer to my question regarding payment I thank Horatio and leave with the rest.
Once outside I turn to Vesh and Slidell, saying "Vesh, did you notice that he seemed a little more interested in you than usual. We might want to watch him.
Slidell, What was that with the bird about? Who's he watching?
I don't have any plans for today other than to go by a tavern later on for a few pints."
At Malcolm's question, Slidell hems and haws. "Hm. Yes. Well, subtlety isn't exactly my strong suit, is it?" He says sheepishly while rubbing his ear.
"Well, I noticed,..." with a painful wince and a glance in the direction that his familiar flew off in, he amends, "Alright, Veren noticed that the junior Sheriff seemed to recognize you Vesh. I thought it was unusual that there might be two people in town who know you, so I asked Veren to watch and see if he goes anywhere after we leave. I'll admit the odds are unlikely, but any port in a storm, right Malcolm?!"
"Besides," He adds, clearly exasperated. "I've been spinning my gears for over 12 hours straight on all my other questions, and getting nowhere. So I'm going to use my tried and true method for solving the unsolvable,... I'm going to let it simmer for a while and try to tackle something else!"
He grinned like a kid, "So, we should move along and see if my other suspicions pan out, until then,... Where did you all say we were going??" He asked, all wide-eyed and innocent while popping a candy into his mouth.
Vesh is clearly at a disadvantage this morning. His head is a swirl with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Why did I drink so bloody much?
But, as reluctant as he is to admit it to himself, he knows why. He started the binge after Ehlissa announced that she was going to check in with Naelah. Vesh had wanted to go with her, but was too cowardly to act. He did not want to risk looking the fool; moreover, he could not get Naelah's parting words out of his head. "You and the wolf are the same," she had said. And she had said more, too. To whom was his passion and devotion to be given, if not her? I am no priest.
Vesh is snapped back to the present by Malcolm and Slidell's conversation.
"Well, I noticed,..." with a painful wince and a glance in the direction that his familiar flew off in, he amends, "Alright, Veren noticed that the junior Sheriff seemed to recognize you Vesh. I thought it was unusual that there might be two people in town who know you, so I asked Veren to watch and see if he goes anywhere after we leave. I'll admit the odds are unlikely, but any port in a storm, right Malcolm?!"
He answers Slidell.
"The odds are unlikely, my friend, because Horatio is the man that was tailing me when I first arrived. I ran into him again at night right after the battle. We seem to know each other but Desna has a beard if I can remember how." Vesh's brow is furrowed in concentration.
Horatio, Naelah, Veran all swirl in his head, so much so that he hardly hears if Slidell replys.
"Perhaps we could stop somewhere and grab bite, the breakfast at the Dragon left more than a little to be desired, and I find myself regaining my appetite." He says absently. Then Vesh stops in his tracks as a new face swirls into his thoughts. Ameiko.
"So odd," He says, "Bethana said Ameiko never answered her door."
A feeling of despair overcomes him, his eyes widen. "Something is wrong. Something is very wrong." He spins on his heal and runs towards the Rusty Dragon.
"Come on!" He shouts over his shoulder, "Quickly!"
---------------------------------------------------
"The odds are unlikely, my friend, because Horatio is the man that was tailing me when I first arrived. I ran into him again at night right after the battle. We seem to know each other but Desna has a beard if I can remember how." Vesh's brow is furrowed in concentration.
"Oh. Well, Bugger." Was Slidell's response, looking very depressed. "Hm. I tend to look for magic solutions to things, but could it be as simple as he grew (or shaved) a beard?" He asked. But Vesh continued to ponder aloud as if he hadn't heard Slidell's question.
"So odd," He says, "Bethana said Ameiko never answered her door."
"Something is wrong. Something is very wrong."
"S'funny," Slidell says to Malcolm, "That's usually MY line!"
He then backhands Malcolm, hitting his arm. "And why didn't you TELL me something was wrong at the Rusty Dragon?!?" He asks accusingly.
He spins on his heel and runs towards the Rusty Dragon.
"Come on!" He shouts over his shoulder, "Quickly!"
Slidell watches, wide eyed, as Vesh suddenly takes off. He looks at Malcolm, and shrugs. "Maybe I'm having a better influence on him than I hoped?"
Grinning gleefully, he spins in a flurry of flying cloak, and dashes down the street after Vesh.
Vesh lets Corran and Slidell inspect the area (and deal with the crowd) and tries not to get in their way. He tugs on Malcolm's sleeve. "Leave them here, and come with me. I may need your help."
He returns to the front door of the Inn and begins knocking hard and loud until someone opens it. "Bethana! It's Vesh! Open up, please!"
He spares a quick glance towards Malcolm and is reassured when he sees that he is armed.
Vesh puts his arms around her to keep her from falling and gives a surprised look to Malcolm. "Are you hurt?" He asks her.
Vesh stands and draws his sword in one motion, he moves to one side of the door and waits for Malcolm to make his preparations before yelling. "Who goes there?! State your name, man!"
He looks to Bethana to recognize the voice or name.
At Malcolm's question, Slidell hems and haws. "Hm. Yes. Well, subtlety isn't exactly my strong suit, is it?" He says sheepishly while rubbing his ear."Well, I noticed,..." with a painful wince and a glance in the direction that his familiar flew off in, he amends, "Alright, Veren noticed that the junior Sheriff seemed to recognize you Vesh. I thought it was unusual that there might be two people in town who know you, so I asked Veren to watch and see if he goes anywhere after we leave. I'll admit the odds are unlikely, but any port in a storm, right Malcolm?!"
"Yeah, any port." I mutter, thinking that that's how I got thrown into this situation in the first place.
He grinned like a kid, "So, we should move along and see if my other suspicions pan out, until then,... Where did you all say we were going??" He asked, all wide-eyed and innocent while popping a candy into his mouth.
"Well I was going to go see if I could motivate those lousy cur at the dock to fix my sorry excuse for a boat. Then maybe test out this new armor if I can find a sparring partner." I say in response to Slidell's query as I walk lazily down the street.
"The odds are unlikely, my friend, because Horatio is the man that was tailing me when I first arrived. I ran into him again at night right after the battle. We seem to know each other but Desna has a beard if I can remember how." Vesh's brow is furrowed in concentration.
"Damn, that would've been a good lead." I seem about to say something else when Vesh blurts out his realization and runs off.
"S'funny," Slidell says to Malcolm, "That's usually MY line!"
He then backhands Malcolm, hitting his arm. "And why didn't you TELL me something was wrong at the Rusty Dragon?!?" He asks accusingly.
"I assumed that she was just sick. I don't see a conspiracy in everything." I mutter and take off after Vesh and Slidell.
Once we reach the Rusty Dragon I move quickly through the crowd, ignoring the questions and drawing my rapier as soon as we enter the Rusty Dragon.
I quickly scan the room for any hidden threats before dashing over to Bethana "Are you alright? What happened?" I ask as Vesh asks similiar questions.
After Bethana tells her story I say "We'll look into. We can search her room and the washroom for any clues to her whereabouts. I'll get Corran. He seems a capable tracker." I head toards the door intent to get Corran and try to disperse the curious people when a someone knocks on the door. I instinctively raise my rapier, remembering the last 'delivery' I got back in Riddleport. Once Vesh is ready I take a step back so that the door won't hit me and say "Enter. Slowly and with your hands raised." to whoever stands on the other side of the door and prepare to strike in case he proves to be dangerous.
Slidell pounds along after Vesh, His long legs barely keeping up with Vesh's shorter but more physically active legs. As he ran, he sent Veren the pre-arranged emotional signal for 'I need you NOW' along the shared empathic link, adding an image of well-seasoned fish for good measure.
After what seemed like an eternity to his burning legs and lungs, they came to a stop at the Rusty Dragon. Unfortunately it seemed the party had started without them. The crowd was large, and not happy, but the parted easily enough for the new arrivals. A familiar (pun intended) dark shape descended from the rooftop as Slidell approached the side of the building, and cawed what sounded like 'what took you so long?' into Slidell's ear.
"Not now Bird-brain," Slidell panted, still catching his breath. "Get up on that rooftop, tell me what you find." He took a deep breath, and turned to smile at the crowd. They weren't pressing yet, but the questions were getting louder. Loud enough that even the easily distracted Slidell couldn't pretend he didn't hear them anymore.
"Now, Now." He said, holding up his hands with his palms out. "We just got here, at least let us figure out what's going on before we get credit for the damage, Eh?" He smiled his big, beaming 'Happy to be here' grin to set them at ease. He turned to Corran, who was calmly surveying the scene. "Corran, please assure these fine people that all will soon be well in hand, will you sir?" He turned back to scan the crowd, trusting in the military presence of the big ranger to keep the crowd calm.
Slidell quickly found what he was looking for, a familiar looking youth hanging at the edge of the crowd. Slidell got the lad's attention, handed him a bag of candy, and asked him to fetch the nearest town guard. He then asked Corran to join him when he was able, and entered the alley, still smiling.
He examined everything methodically, trying to look at everything twice before he even asked Veren what he saw.
Slidell's SEARCH roll; Verean's SPOT roll (1d20+3=10, 1d20+5=22)
Slidell examines the situation, noting the broken glass on the ground, indicating that the window was likely broken from inside, and the spot of blood on the sill. But his search turns up nothing else that he notices, besides the tracks, which would be Corran's area of expertise.
Finally he sighs with exasperation. "Alright V. I can feel you laughing from here. What is it that I am obviously missing?!?" He asks with only a fraction of the frustration that he obviously feels.
Throughout all of the current events, Ehlissa remains unconscious.
...Ehlissa remains unconscious...
But she is getting better.
She approaches Vesh as she says this, taking his free hand in hers. "Isn't that right, Vesh?"
"I, uh..."
Ven's face turns a bright shade of crimson and he looks as if steam is about to burst from his ears when Bethana steps in
Vesh's mouth snaps shut as Bethana moves in to rescue him.
Shayliss looks from Vesh to Malcolm. "A surprise, really? Can I help?"
Vesh's Bluff roll (1d20 3=22): Vesh turns to Shayliss and has a sudden idea. "Shayliss!" He says effusively and with visible relief on his face. Taking her by the hands, he continues. "Things have happened so fast the past few days! I am so glad that you are okay. Yes, please help us! We are anticipating Ameiko's return, and the common room is a mess. Please stay here and help Bethana clean this up. Start with the fire, before it gets too cold in here. Sir Malcolm and I need to attend to matters in the back. We'll return shortly."
Once we've taken leave of Shayliss and enter Ameiko's room I ask Malcolm at a whisper, "Do you think she bought it?"
I smirk at Vesh's embarrassment and awkwardness with Shayliss and am about to come to his rescue when Vinder speaks up. I bristle at Vinder's comments but I keep my peace. No need to irritate the locals.
"Vesh is right. It's a simple enough matter and we should be back down in no time at all." I say to Shayliss with a smile.
Once on the stairs I say "I don't know. She looked convinced. Hopefully she won't get curious and come up to 'help' us.", kneeling at Ameiko's door and pulling out my lockpicks from an inner pocket and going to work on the lock.
Slidell bends down and lightly touches the earth near the prints that Veren pointed out. Ignoring the still chuckling bird, he murmurs, "Canine prints?!? They're big. Surely not one of those riding beasts the Goblins were using?!?"
Without looking up he shouts over his shoulder, "Corran, Can I have your assistance please!?"
,... the crowd parts allowing a town guard through. He surveys the scene and asks in a slow drawl, "Is there a problem here?"
Slidell quickly stands up, brushing the dirt from his finger tips. He heads towards the guard, but stops to whisper to Corran, "Please look at those tracks on the ground and tell me what you see." He then approaches the guard with his usual smile in place.
"I'm actually not sure sir." Slidell says pleasantly, looking around and noticing for the first time that his other companions were no longer there. "But when we arrived, we found the Rusty Dragon Inn locked up, a large crowd outside getting cranky that they couldn't gain entrance, it IS almost lunchtime, and I noticed some broken glass in the alley. That's when I asked the nice young man to find you. It may be nothing, but I figured that perhaps the proper authorities might like to speak with the proprietor and make sure that everything was alright?" He finished politely, indicating the crowd and doorway with his hand. He also noticed someone exiting the door and heading towards a cart.
The lock springs open with a soft click.
"Nice." Vesh says with a crooked smile.
Vesh searches the room for anything odd or out of place. Vesh's Search check (1d20+7=26)
Vesh shows the contents of the drawer to Malcolm. "They weren't after her belongings," he says. He restores everything to its original state, but pockets the letter in the strange tongue. He looks from Malcolm to the door opposite them and says, pointing at the door. "What do you say?"
When the door finally opens, it is Shayliss who is there to greet you. The guard bruskly pushes past her and you find yourself in the deserted common room. Dishes are stacked on tables, the fire is dying and the place is generally a mess. You hear noise from the kitchen. Vesh and Malcolm are nowhere to be seen.
"Hello! Show yourselves!" the guard bellows.
Slidell enters more calmly than the obviously frustrated guard, and smiles at Shayliss. He holds out a crumpled bag of candy to Shayliss as he takes in the rooms' condition.
"Vesh!? Malcolm!? Bethana??" Slidell adds his call to the guards'. Then turns to smile at Shayliss once more.
"Hello,... Shayliss wasn't it?" He asked, remembering that fateful meeting an eternal 2 days ago. "Where is everybody?" He asks, raising an eyebrow at the noise coming from the kitchen. Veren, who had flown in to land on Slidell's shoulder just before Shayliss closed the door again, vacated his perch and hopped over to a nearby table, where he began picking at the remains of someone's breakfast.
"Hello! Show yourselves!" the guard bellows.
"Vesh!? Malcolm!? Bethana??" Slidell adds his call to the guards'.
If we're to check the door, thinks Vesh, we must do so now. He checks to see that Malcolm is ready and opens the door to what he assumes must be the powder room.