Questioning the Notion

[Brian]

Still takes a roll, Drac.  You're just aiming for a much easier target.

Massif stares unblinking for a moment, his chastisement of ... whoever ... forgotten.  "The Council need not submit to the whims of the Inspector's brute-squad," he finally says, his eyebrows drawing closer together.  "I'm afraid I must question the legitimacy of your business here."

The nearby guards begin to look uneasy, avoiding eye-contact with anyone.

[Dracos]

OOC: 6d6, 17.  I should look at my char sheet.  It's been a while. :)  Has it been too long since the subtlety of a trainwreck has been used?  :)
IC:

Dracos smiled too widely at that.  "Folks here like asking that.  I wonder who he'll turn into save his hide, given none of us are actually keeping an eye on this strange large foreigner and really, who could stop him if he decided to be physical about things.  There's no guards around, after all."  Dracos casually dropped the suggestion that someone else already turned him in, ignoring the present guards like they very clearly wanted to be ignored.

[Brian]

Failing his mind-read skill, Phil falls back on intimidation; roll me a presence attack vs. the guards to see if that scares them off enough to work ... or if they sheepishly find they have to get involved.

[Dracos]

OOC: I've forgotten soo much. :(  Need more hero gaming.  Anyhow, I think presence is Presence/5 *d6.  So 4d6.  11.  If it's against 3d6, 15.  Ah dice.

[Brian]

Massif looks singularly unimpressed.  "Guards," he snaps, "have these men detained.  The Inspector can explain why they should be released in council."

Obviously unhappy about it, the guards who were trying to edge away (until they were pointed out) begin to approach the group.

Catherine looks at Phil askance, then rolls her eyes.  "No detaining today," she says, causing everyone to pause again.  "I am Catherine Maus, cousin of the king; we are here on official business, and the immunity of the Council does not extend to those accused of interfering with the lineage."  She holds a ring up for the guards to see; Tim recognizes it because he has one just like it.  "Harold Massif, you are wanted for questioning in the circumstances of my lord father's death.  Resistance is extremely unbecoming."

This managed to make the reluctant guards even less happy, but they slink towards Massif, trying to avoid eye contact all the same.

Massif sputters for a moment, then settles on glowering at Catherine.  "You'll find nothing; I'm innocent, and you're merely wasting my time.  The Council will not be pleased or impressed!"

[Bjorn]

"The Council will not be pleased," Bjorn repeats slowly, rolling the words around his mouth like an unpleasant wine.  "What a peculiar assertion.  To find that you, such an eminent individual, has no involvement in crime or conspiracy, would make them unhappy?"  He throws up his hands, and then begins to pace.  "Madness!  All men delight in innocence!"

He stops abruptly.  "Unless... perhaps you meant that the Council would not be pleased that such questions had been raised?"  His brow furrows.  "But how likely is this?  We are agents of the Inspector -- we ask questions, it is our purpose, our being, the blood of our thoughts and the hearts of our desire.  Our authority comes from the King himself.  We are all subjects of the King, ourselves and yourselves, to serve his will is our only joy!  What greater pleasure, to ask questions because the King wills it, and to answer them to satiate his curiosity!  So there can be no unhappiness here.  You are innocent, we will prove it, and all in the name of the King.

"So!"  He beams at Massif widely.  "We will show you evidence.  We will ask you questions.  You will answer them.  Thus the natural order will be filled.  I am glad this misunderstanding has been resolved, for when minds meet they should meet without confusion."  He pauses.  "I understand, of course, that a gentle soul such as yours, perfect, gentlemanly, is too humble to take pleasure for yourself when others are so denied.  So, of course, whomsoever you name we will also bring with us, and ask the questions of them, and hear their answers.  Why, if you so ask, we will present our evidence and ask our questions here, where all might hear and participate!  It was not our plan, but if you think it wise, why then, who are we to gainsay you?"  He turns to the guards.  "Go, then!" He proclaims grandly.  "Harold Massif has spoken.  Go forth, tell all you might find that here they may come, to hear Harold Massif give the Inspector his undivided cooperation!  Tell them of this festival of proper obedience to the King, let them come that they may pay their respects to this most devoted subject!"

[Brian]

OOC: Brian rolls some dice for Bjorn's presence attack, and the result is significantly higher than local egos.  Gogo situational modifiers!

The diminutive stateman's speech leaves Harold sputtering for a long moment; the guards are a bit stunned, too.  Harold's immediate party, excluding the poor guy who was being berated stands nearby him (in a semi-circle behind him; the formation was likely intentional to focus more attention on his victim).  There are five of them, three well-dressed ladies in garments almost as nice as Catherine's, and two men in smart, but simple suits (identical in fashion to Harold's, of course).

The guards stand in a loose circle just outside Harold's entourage, while his previous victim stands ramrod straight for a single heartbeat before bolting for the hall's gate, loudly shouting for everyone to come watch -- his exact words are, "Scandal!  Corruption!  Crimes against the Crown!  See the Councilman exposed!"

It does not take too long for over-inquisitive crowds to begin streaming in from from the streets, which show every sign of quickly becoming an unruly mob.  Harold's expression shifts quickly from incredulity to terror.  The guards take this as little more than a confirmation of wrong-doing and tighten their circle, pushing past the Councilman's 'friends'.

The doors on either side of the hall begin emitting what are presumably other Councilmen (a few match nearby portraits) who look on with curiosity, but make no move to interfere.

"To the palace," Harold says with sudden, stoic calm.  "As you wish it.  We can speak more directly to the Inspector -- that would be most efficient, and directly to the good of Anabara."

Phil has taken a moment to reassess the situation after his own attempts were shot down.  Whatever confidence Harold had in his social position, it's shaken now, despite his outwardly calm demeanor.

Catherine blinks a few times, then glances at Bjorn, trying to hide a smirk.  "Nice," she says quietly.  "Very nice."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn sigh sadly.  "So be it, Harold Massif.  Understand my hope, that you would in the manners and traditions of my people speak truth before all and the spirits, by words exposing the rot of corruption and then most directly cutting it away to leave our society pure, clean, content.  And then, a picnic!  Perhaps even with fruit!  But this is not the place of my people.  You say we should go to speak to the Inspector, and Harold Massif, I trust you to know the truth of your position and what should best be done.  So come, let us go!  You and I, Harold Massif, we will walk together like the friends that we are, and your friends," he indicates the six, specifically including Massif's victim, "shall walk with my friends, and in friendship shall all be overcome.

"As for the rest of you," he addressed the mob, "sadness fills my heart as it shall fill yours, because illumination must not yet be brought forth.  Have no fear!  When the talking in private places will be done, then it shall be time for the talking in public places.  For though it shall be silently done at first, there shall only be done obedience to the King, and of such glory are the greatest stories of simple men told!"

And with that simple message, he grandly gestures Massif to join him in departure from the hall.

[Brian]

OOC: "Simple message"?

Eyebrow ticking violently, Harold says nothing and follows with his entourage.  With the gathered crowd, it takes a minute or so to get everyone rounded up into the van to get back to the palace; in fact, it takes an extra van to fit everyone.  Catherine manages to find a seat next to Bjorn (in the same car as Harold, who glowers without meeting anyone's gaze).  Then the entourage begins to roll back towards the Palace.

"I do like the idea of a picnic afterwards," Catherine says, punctuating the awkward silence.

[Bjorn]

"Oh yes," Bjorn agrees, "picnics are always wonderful things.  Perhaps with iced cream.  His Majesty is fond of that, as I recall, which is only proof of his glorious wisdom."  He sighs.  "Picnics are best in a pleasant place. Like Windhurst, yes, Harold Massif?"

[Rezantis]

"I've always thought so," Nathan chimes in, Massif not seeming inclined to answer, "it's a beautiful location, and stunningly educational.  It's amazing what one can find there, wouldn't you say?"

[Brian]

One of the girls from Massif's entourage asks, "Is there really going to be a picnic?"

Massif sighs, and shakes his head.  "I will save my words for the Inspector," he says dourly, "since I have been afforded that much."

"So, then, no picnic?"

"You can save your words too," the Councilman adds in a growl.

Thankfully, the ride back to the palace doesn't take terribly much longer.  Once there, the group unloads in the courtyard.  Word has gone on ahead, and Holmes comes out of the palace doors at the same time everyone is getting out of the vehicles.  He frowns slightly, and eyes Bjorn and Phil before turning his attention to Massif.

"I will have your job for this," the Councilman snarls, stalking towards the Inspector.

"I confess doubts to your adequacy," the Inspector returns, nonplussed.  Turning back to Bjorn he furrows his brow and asks, "A picnic?"

[Bjorn]

"Oh yes," Bjorn affirms.  "A picnic.  The picnic, I think, shall be here and soon if Harold Massif cooperates.  If not?"  He grins, widely, with more and sharper teeth than a tiny midget should normally possess.  "Why then, the picnic shall be in the place of my people, I think, where both Harold Massif and I shall be much more comfortable."

[Dracos]

"That does sound like a pleasant place to hold a picnic," Dracos agreed with a smile.  "I'm told they lack toiletries there though, so we may need to pack some for the trip."

OOC: I'm here/watching, just been having trouble finding an opportunity to get a word in edgewise :)  I think others may be having same problem.

[Brian]

"Oh, yes, undoubtedly," the Inspector agrees, shaking his head and gesturing to a guard.  "Show the councilman and his guests to an interview room; we will be along shortly to discuss matters."  The guard nods, and leads the glowering Massif (and his entourage) into the palace.  Once they're out of sight, Holmes shoots Bjorn a quizzical look, and beckons everyone to follow him.  In the palace, down the hall in another of the apparently numerous private chambers, Holmes asks, "What's going on here?  I hadn't quite expected ... well ... this.  But you must have discovered something to justify it, so...?"