Play by Post Thread

[Corwin]

"We shall do what we can," Henrietta accedes primly. "It is entirely possible that they were involved in that assassination, and gained the control the profess to have of the harbor through it. It is even possible that we might find written proof of it or, perchance, someone willing to switch sides and talk to the authorities. And so... I... would like to raise, once more, with your permission...."

Recognizing that she is stalling, Henrietta goes ahead and asks, "My Lady, has your stance changed on the subject of involving the city guard in this matter? Is it inevitable that the Vanderboren name be dragged through the mud in the process, or might we be able to avoid that if we brought them in?"

[Ebiris]

"It does seem a lot to bear for just ourselves, doesn't it?" Lavinia agrees, tapping a finger on the armrest of her chair. "It really depends on how deeply Vanthus has entrenched himself with this group. If he can be painted as an unwitting dupe... well, it's not very flattering, but still far less harmful to his reputation than being a murderer, or their chief financier." That gets her to pause for a second, "The money he stole from the family vault, it's likely he spent some of it - perhaps even a great deal - on impressing his new friends. That would certainly be disastrous for our reputation if it came to light."

She takes a moment now, looking off to the side with her expression shifting as if she's furiously trying to think of something. The silence stretches almost uncomfortably before she finally returns her attention to the present and speaks. "The guard should be our last resort, but I'll start making enquiries of my own among them to see if I can locate an officer able to act discreetly and with my confidence. I'm not sure how long it will take, or how expensive it will be, but my parents were owed many favours. Perhaps in their correspondence I will find someone in a position to assist us." She sounds more hopeful than confident, now. "For now I would like you to continue seeking leads on my brothers activities, and working against the Lotus Dragons as much as you can while keeping their confidence... whatever arrangement you have with them, it will come to a head when Vanthus returns from whatever task he's been sent on."

Seeming grimly resolved to this objective, she now focuses her full attention on Henrietta. "You implied the Lady of the Lotus and my brother had more than a professional relationship. Would you care to tell me about this supposed Lady?" she asks, any attempt at sound casual completely lost by her keen intent.

[Carthrat]

Rudy is unable to repress a grin.

"That woman's a contradiction, I tell you. First impression is that she's real fatale, the kind of girl you're best avoiding. Didn't give a damn that one of her men wound up dead- not that I expect much from a criminal boss- and didn't seem too slow to sell out Vanthus to a bunch of strangers, either. But I got a feeling she's not entirely on the level, there. Think she likes him, or at least what he can do for and to her.

"Still, I figure she's the type that weighs business more heavily than fun. Don't y'think so, Henri? I wouldn't mind sharing a drink with her, but I wouldn't want to be hers."

[Corwin]

"I wouldn't want to be hers either?" Henrietta responds to Rudy uncertainly, shaking the confusion off and focusing back on Lavinia. "This certainly seems to be the case, Lady Vanderboren. Aside from her own admission, it was my impression that your brother is not liked at all by the Dragons, so it is somewhat unlikely his professional skills got him his position," she tells her.

Henrietta pauses then, and seems to reconsider. "Ah, but you asked about her as a person, My Lady? It is my belief that the Lady commands a great deal of respect from the Dragons. Considering what one must do to qualify into their guild and the reasonably even split along their gender lines, I would suspect she is a capable assassin herself. She appears to keep a facade of civility, surrounding herself with riches and art, but her chambers are guarded by loyal men and at least one undead beast, so that outwards expression of vanity may well be an act. I certainly hope that I am right about the Lady being a smart and confident person, because then there would be a chance for us to cater to that, though at this point we have no real way of telling. The very fact that her followers insist on such a title for her and on the need for manners while addressing her may itself be of importance, though I'm not certain what it indicates at this point."

She nods slightly to herself, judging the appraisal complete, and adds, "As an aside, on the subject of the money your brother stole from you to finance the Dragons, I have doubts that any beyond the Lady of the Lotus and, perhaps, her closest advisers know of his involvement. That might be helpful in keeping any investigation from revealing too much, should many from the lower ranks be picked up by the authorities."

[Ebiris]

Lavinia seems somewhat distressed by the appraisal of the Lady of the Lotus, bunching up her marine-green skirts nervously between her fingers. "I don't know what I can do with that," she confesses, "But I was curious what sort of woman she was... I'm sure I don't need to tell you to be on your guard around such a person."

She's silent for a moment longer, seemingly in thought. "I don't have any other questions at the moment. Is there anything else you need to tell me? Otherwise I think we should proceed as we discussed."

[Ebiris]

With nothing further to discuss, the pair depart from Lavinia's presence, going their separate ways.

For Henrietta, a leisurely late breakfast the following day is interrupted by Trucy's arrival, the skinny young girl seeming quite interested in whatever Henrietta is eating and whether she plans to eat all of it. Nonetheless, she does also earn her pay by delivering some news. "Yeah, Cobra Fangs? I actually met them, we had a few drinks and talked - you know that smuggling thing with Vark? Actually gives me a bit of credibility with those folks!" she grins toothily. "They're one of those old fashioned gangs, you know - protecting the neighbourhood, looking out for each other, keeping the scum out... I can pretty much believe it, 'cause you know Shadowshore's a shithole. Saw just the one guard my whole time there, and he was hip deep in a whore just off the main street."

She shrugs and nimbly snags something to eat regardless of Henrietta's permission or not. "Anyway, they didn't seem bad. Not like squeaky clean or anything, but they're making the best of what they have. One of them's a girl even younger than me, cute little cripple... didn't say exactly what, but they hinted about some mages or a cult experimenting on her or doing some weird rituals when she was young..." her youthful face scrunches up, "Bet she could probably fry someone with her mind or some magic mojo - she's got that kind of intensity, like you and that creepy raven chick. But that huge snake they've got never took its eyes off her, so she probably wouldn't even need to since it'd just gobble up anyone who tried something."

[Corwin]

That grin is something Henrietta can return, if in a slightly more subdued fashion. "It is quite nice to hear that you have a valuable reputation, and I don't doubt it was pleasant to have it acknowledged. The hat helped keep you safe, I hope? They are more than symbols of status, you know, but function as good luck charms as well," she says knowledgeably.

Trucy's information on the gang is quite enlightening, and she pauses in her eating, placing down her utensils to gives the other girl the proper attention she deserves. "What do you think the Cobra Fangs would do, if they heard that the Lotus Dragons were trying to make a move against them?" Henrietta asks Trucy, her only reaction to the nefarious assault upon her breakfast being to order a matching set for Trucy. "Already, what you have told me suggests they are much more pleasant to deal with. Perhaps that is something we should consider after all, if it is at all possible."

[Ebiris]

"Well, I dunno. Lotus Dragons are big, aren't they?" Trucy asks. "These guys are pretty small time, there's like half a dozen of them, and they don't seem to care about what happens outside their little corner of Shadowshore. If I was them... well, I'd just get on the first boat out of town, actually," she smiles sheepishly, "But if I was them and cared about my ratty corner of the worst part of Salerno, I guess I'd try and mess up anyone who came after me so bad that they wouldn't try again, even if they were bigger?"

She pulls out her rumpled hat from a pocket in her coat and flicks it a few times to put it back into shape. "This thing kinda messes up my hair," a hand goes to her uneven and split-end covered mop of dark brown tresses, "I guess it'll be good for when the weather's cold."

[Corwin]

"It must mean we have not found the right kind of hat for you just yet," Henrietta says, accepting this harsh reality with a touch of regret. That concern, however, is secondary to her present one. "What do you think is the proper approach, here?" she asks, trying to get back on track. "Just heading straight to meet them, without any pretenses, and seeing if we could help one another in this situation?"

[Ebiris]

"Worked for me," Trucy shrugs and puts her hat on, giving Henrietta a cheesy grin. "Well, that was just making conversation, not planning gang warfare. I dunno what you should do, though, I guess it depends what you want to get out of it?"

[Sierra]

After session 20, also referring to posts starting here

As the meeting with Lavinia's breaking up, Lucie endeavors to catch the young noble's attention:

"Excuse me, your Ladyship?" Sitting up straight rather than with the lackadaisical slouch characteristic of her usual haunts, making an effort to mimic the poise of a more respectable class of person (insofar as this is possible while wearing threadbare robes). "As I've taken some part in the risks and the mission of your employees, could I trouble you with a request? Or rather an offer."

[Ebiris]

"Of course, Lucie, wasn't it?" Lavinia asks the up till now silent oracle, her attentive maid having made sure to garner said name before showing everyone in to see the young Baroness at the start of the meeting. As a keen judge of character, Lucie can detect some sense of disapproval from Lavinia, although it seems mostly directed at her attire - Miranda tended to receive much of the same looks whenever she fell under the Lady's gaze, much as she seems skilled at putting forth a pleasant and polite front.

[Sierra]

"Lucie Dolan, if it please your Ladyship. As it's of some interest to me to see that this gang doesn't get more of a hold on the city than they've got--seeing as they've got an eye on Shadowshore, though it might not be much, it's where my old friends and my mother still live--I had it in mind that I might formally enter your service as long as these troubles are ongoing. And if your Ladyship is pleased enough with my services when the current troubles are done with, perhaps we can talk about my staying on in a more permanent position at that time. I've a knack for magic that'll put foes in some discomfort, and a fair hand with a cudgel if worst comes to worst. I've spent a little time with the rest of your employees here, I'm sure they can vouch for any questions you might have about my character."

[Ebiris]

"You are a blunt one, aren't you?" Lavinia looks somewhat amused, but she also seems relieved at the same time. "Still, it's true that skilled and trustworthy help is becoming ever more necessary in my life of late. Even with the Jade Ravens returning soon, I was already considering seeking more aid. What say you?" she turns to her other employees, "Since you will be the ones to rely on Miss Dolan's goodwill and abilities in carrying out my work, it is your opinions that matter."

[Carthrat]

"She's good with rope. Would've surely all died without her," replies Rudy. "You can't have too many extra eyes when you're dealing with criminals as it is."