5: Bitches and Money

[Ebiris]

[15:41] <@Ebiris> After a productive night and morning for Rudy, and at least peaceful for everyone else, the party is still no closer to finding Lavinia's wayward brother than they were the day before. But the day remains young for these hale and hearty heroes, and fortune might yet smile upon them if they put their heads together... But of course first they need to regroup and strategise first. A late breakfast/early lunch together at a nice eatery on Stirge Street in the Merchant District is the order of the day, imported delicacies and local cuisine equally available to the famished foursome as they watch the world go by outside and consider their next moves...
[15:45] <@Rudy> Rudy only has a light lunch, and while his eyes do appear slightly bloodshot, he still seems as lively as ever. "Nobody knows where young Vanthus vanished off to," he remarks, pausing to put away another oyster. "Apparently he and his girlfriend disappeared at the same time. Didn't say a word to anyone! I got her address, but nobody's seen either for.. at least a week, maybe two?"
[15:46] <@Henrietta> "Does she live alone, that is the question, then?" Henrietta muses, not feeling particularly hungry that morning.
[15:47] <@Miranda_Altair> "We should look at the house!" says Miranda, chewing on a potato.
[15:48] <@Ebiris> "You want to break in and look for clues?" Trucy asks, following Henrietta's lead and not eating much, but looking rather jealously at everyone else's plates.
[15:49] <@Rudy> "It's a very nice place, actually," replies Rudy. "I expect Vanthus bought it for her, but I did hear she was some sort of artist- ah, her name's Brissa, and apparently she's quite cute!"
[15:50] * @Henrietta discreetly pushes a plate with pastries and jam towards Trucy, keeping her eyes on Rudy. "I'm sure that would be highly important. If we were to take a look inside, however, we would learn much. First of which is whether we are the first to be there, or if someone had been looking for them before us."
[15:51] <@Ebiris> That's enough to keep Trucy distracted for a bit, and she quite ravenously gorges herself on Henrietta's charity. "Maybe they had a lover's quarrel and he killed her then ran away to hide?" she suggests around her munching.
[15:52] <@Rudy> "That's rather, er, fanciful. I hope," replies Rudy. "I suppose it would be silly to elope without selling up, and since nobody knows they left, it was either over some secret, or completely unplanned."
[15:53] <@Rudy> "As for breaking in, well... that's against the law!"
[15:53] * @Miranda_Altair eyes Trucy. "That's a bit of a stretch, I think. They're probably holed up in there, or have already taken off with the money."
[15:53] <@Rudy> "
[15:54] <@Ebiris> "That would be more romantic. Just the two of them, running away with thousands and thousands of gold..." Trucy sighs dreamily, jam dribbling down her chin.
[15:55] <@Henrietta> "Few people disappear entirely without leaving any signs of the passing," Henrietta muses, studiously ignoring the mess of jam.
[15:55] <@Miranda_Altair> "Except for the fact that, y'know, it was stolen from his sister, who very well may lose her house because of it." Miranda points out.
[15:55] <@Rudy> "Technically, it wasn't stolen, now, was it?"
[15:56] <@Henrietta> "That's quite the technicality. The truth of the matter is that it was taken out under false pretenses, wouldn't you agree?"
[15:56] <@Ebiris> "Oh, yes, I'm sure the life of a down on her luck noble must be *terrible*," Trucy rolls her eyes, scooping up the jam on her fingertip and sucking on it.
[15:56] <@Miranda_Altair> "Well, I would think it should go to the named heir or heiress. Wouldn't that be Lavinia? Or is my mind playing tricks on me again?
[15:56] <@Miranda_Altair> "
[15:57] * Quits: @Henrietta (~corwin@80.250.159.170) (Quit: )
[15:57] <@Rudy> "True enough," concedes Rudy. "I suppose it depends on if he withdrew it himself, or some other disguised as him did the deed. The money is surely in his name as well as hers, though, or the clerk would not have let him access the vaults, surely."
[16:02] * Kotono is now known as EaglesHateNinjas
[16:03] <@Rudy> "Anyway, breaking in is against the law, as I said," he continues. "We'd have to either get permission- we might be able to from the guard, if we suggest there's call for alarm, and then we wouldn't need to worry about skulking about."
[16:03] <@Ebiris> "Ask her landlord?" Trucy suggests, "I have to pay my rent weekly, if it's the same for her she might already be about to be evicted anyway."
[16:04] * Yomi is now known as Henrietta
[16:05] <@Rudy> "That sounds like a good place to start. Where would we find out who her landlord is? Town hall?"
[16:05] * xorn-drowse-EO3 is now known as taifk
[16:05] <@Henrietta> "That's a pretty good idea," Henrietta agrees, going with that. "Was she living in a whole building all for herself?"
[16:05] <@Rudy> "It was a two-story building, so it's a bit much for just one person. Still, nobody showed up when I went to knock this morning."
[16:06] <@Glenn> "Could have just been out shopping. Did you wait a while?"
[16:06] <@Henrietta> "But someone might know who else lives there if we were to visit the neighbors," Henrietta muses.
[16:06] <@Ebiris> "Simpler to ask her neighbours, but I guess there'd be records for stuff like that somewhere," Trucy shrugs apathetically, helping herself to another glazed roll.
[16:07] <@Henrietta> "Talking to the neighbors might also allow us to discover if we are the first to inquire about this woman," Henrietaa adds, picking a glazed roll of her own at last. "That alone is worth more than a trip to city hall."
[16:07] <@Rudy> "No, but we'll be checking it out again, right? So if they're back, no problem," replies Rudy, finishing off his plate and standing up. "Let's try her neighbours first, then?"
[16:08] <@Miranda_Altair> "So, neighbors and landlords, then?" says Miranda, finishing her beef stew and dropping some coins on the table for her portion.
[16:11] <@Ebiris> Heading across to the more respectable area of Azure District, the party don't have much trouble at all getting their first answer. "Oh, yeah, Derik Islaran owns most of this street," a somewhat overweight man nods to Rudy, taking out his pipe to gesture up Wall Street after doffing his cloth cap to the ladies, "Good man, always looks after his tenants he does. You'll usually find him either in Islaran Manor or at the Whaleworks."
[16:12] <@Rudy> "I'm sure I've heard that name before," remarks Rudy. "Where have I heard it?"
[16:13] <@Glenn> "Well, you're an architect, maybe you applied to work for him in building homes?" Glenn suggests.
[16:14] <@Ebiris> "The Islarans are the representatives for this district," Trucy helps Rudy's memory. "You know, Keltar Islaran, the Harbourmaster? Dunno who Derik is, probably a son or grandson or something."
[16:15] <@Rudy> "I haven't built any homes here. Work shortage for builders everywhere. I should move to Cimmeria- oh, right!" Rudy snaps his fingers. "Alright. Should we go and see him?"
[16:15] <@Ebiris> "The Whaleworks are just around the corner over there," the helpful stranger points up the street, "Manor's further away, up by the edge of the district on the harbour."
[16:16] * @Henrietta nods at Rudy. "We don't lose anything by trying."
[16:16] * @Glenn nods. "Thanks for the information," Glenn says to the man.
[16:16] <@Rudy> "Thanks, friend! Get yourself a drink on me, eh?" replies Rudy, flipping the stranger a silver coin before departing.
[16:19] <@Ebiris> The man gives Rudy a hearty thankyou as he catches the coin, and the party heads up past Wall Street to find the Whaleworks easily enough on the adjoining street, a large domed building with an enormous jawbone decorating its roof - the whale it came from must have been absolutely enormous, if the mouth is to be any judge, something that could maybe swallow a small dragon whole. It has windows all around showing items of carved scrimshaw art, small statuettes and dioramas, all very high quality looking and pristine white. The doors lie wide open to allow anyone inside.
[16:20] <@Henrietta> As the doors are so open and inviting, Henrietta makes use of them to enter!
[16:21] * @Glenn follows behind Henrietta's trail, eyes on her swaying hips and such!
[16:21] <@Miranda_Altair> Ambling inside, Miranda starts looking around the place. Absently, she smacks Glen in the shoulder.
[16:22] <@Ebiris> Inside is half exhibition hall and half shopfront, with counters and displays bearing yet more pieces of bone artwork, a few people here admiring the work or haggling over prices with clerks. One of whom smiles in greeting to the party, "Welcome to the Whaleworks, friends. Finest scrimshaw carvings in all of Isernia."
[16:23] <@Rudy> "Scrimshaw carvings?" asks Rudy, glancing curiously at one of the bone displays.
[16:23] <@Henrietta> "Hello there!" Henrietta returns, smiling back at the kind person receiving them.
[16:24] <@Glenn> "They seem to sell pretty well so they must be pretty good," Glenn agrees, noting the people also present.
[16:25] <@Ebiris> "That's right," he follows Rudy to a display mounted on a varnished wood stand nearby, showing a sailing ship cresting a foaming wave. The detail is incredibly intricate, all in the purest snow white. "Our fishermen and whalers do a good business on these seas, and what bones can't be eaten can be turned into fine artwork as you see here."
[16:26] <@Rudy> "Do you have any work here by a.. Brissa?" asks Rudy, checking to see if the piece has some kind of plaque.
[16:29] <@Ebiris> There is a little brass plaque on it, simply saying 'MV Provenance'. "Brissa Santos?" the man asks, smiling and shaking his head. "Oh, no. She's a painter, not a sculpter. She's bought a piece or two from here, though."
[16:30] <@Henrietta> "A painter buying a sculpture?" Henrietta asks, puzzling over that concept. "Is that common? It sounds a bit strange to me, I'm afraid."
[16:31] <@Rudy> "That's artists for you?"
[16:31] <@Ebiris> "That's like saying a farmer can't eat fish," Trucy comments, making a face.
[16:31] <@Henrietta> "I suppose. Unless it was a recent change for her?"
[16:31] <@Rudy> "How big was the piece she bought?" asks Rudy, curiously.
[16:32] <@Miranda_Altair> "Perhaps she paints them and resells them?" asks Miranda.
[16:32] <@Henrietta> "Ah... what?"
[16:32] <@Ebiris> The clerk shrugs in response to Henrietta. "Good art can be appreciated by anyone. I don't think she's bought anything too big, I can't really recall specifically..."
[16:34] <@Rudy> "Ah, well. Actually, to the reason we're here- is Derik Islaran on the premises at the moment? We'd like to have a word with him..."
[16:34] <@Ebiris> "Oh? Yeah, he is... he's in the back," the man blinks, looking at the group anew, "Who should I say is asking?"
[16:35] * @Henrietta shakes her head briefly to bring her thoughts back on track. "May we be introduced as Lady Lavinia Vanderboren's representatives?" she suggests in response.
[16:38] <@Ebiris> His eyebrows raise at that, but he dutifully nods and departs, vanishing through a door at the back of the storefront. He's not gone long when a skinny young man in nice clothes but with the sleeves rolled up and a dusty apron on emerges and approaches the group. "You're Lady Vanderboren's people?" he asks, eyeing the group through sunken eyes, his voice somewhat reedy and high. "I hope this isn't more trouble like she gave grandfather, yesterday..."
[16:39] <@Henrietta> "Oh no, this is a far more happier occasion," Henrietta says, smiling at him in greeting. "Nevertheless, would it be possible to discuss this in a more private setting?"
[16:40] <@Ebiris> He shrugs at that, "Alright, come on back, then?" he allows, leading you all the way he came into the rear of the shop where there's a short hallway, and he ducks then into the first door on the left, a room filled with half carved pieces of fish and whalebone, numerous knives and hacksaws and files of various sizes and sharpness all hanging on the wall.
[16:41] <@Henrietta> This is much better, Henrietta muses, offerin the young man her hand. "Henrietta Ul Copt, at your service. A proper introduction before we begin should not go amiss."
[16:43] * @Rudy gives the tools of the trade an appreciative eye, always willing to respect a fellow craftsman. "Rudy Giacomo," he adds, turning back to face Derik. "A pleasure."
[16:43] <@Glenn> Glenn shrugs and chips in with a short introduction for himself, "Glenn Farrunner."
[16:43] <@Ebiris> He takes Henrietta's hand, his grip firm in spite of his slight stature, "Sir Derik Islaran, at yours my lady," he nods, regarding the rest of the group afterwards. "So what does Lady Vanderboren want with me?"
[16:44] * @Miranda_Altair smiles a bit sultrily. "Miranda Altair, at your service."
[16:45] <@Henrietta> "It just so happens that you could be of considerable help towards a matter our lady is pursuing," Henrietta responds. "This aid concerns your holdings in Azure district, one apartment in particular. The Lady's brother is missing, and we would like to take a look at his last place of residence."
[16:45] <@Rudy> Rudy shrugs. "We do believe he was staying with someone you should know- Brissa Santos?"
[16:47] <@Ebiris> "Vanthus Vanderboren is missing?" Derik asks, his lips twitching almost into a smile. "I would have thought his last residence would be the Vanderboren estate..." he turns to Rudy, "Miss Santos? I suppose I can see it... why are you asking me instead of her, then?"
[16:48] <@Henrietta> "It appears that Miss Santos is also missing," Henrietta says, just the faintest of frowns gracing her face.
[16:48] <@Rudy> "Well, she's gone missing with him," replies Rudy. "Nobody's seen her for weeks."
[16:48] <@Henrietta> "It does raise the question of whether she continues to pay for her place of residence," Henrietta adds thoughtfully.
[16:49] <@Rudy> "I do happen to be looking for a place, come to think of it," remarks Rudy, raising a hand to his chin.
[16:49] <@Henrietta> "Oh, you as well? What a coincidence!"
[16:50] <@Ebiris> "Hmm," Derik frowns slightly at that, his face drooping, "She made her last rent payment, and isn't due for another week. You think they might have eloped?"
[16:50] <@Glenn> "When was her last payment due?" Glenn asks, curious.
[16:51] <@Henrietta> "To be entirely honest with you, Sir, that is but one possibility. We do not wish to cause any alarm, but...."
[16:51] <@Rudy> "It is a possibility, one we would be able to determine should we take a look inside. It seems unlikely they'd elope and not tell a few of their friends, though, so I do have some fears for their safety."
[16:52] <@Ebiris> "Fifth of the month," Derik tells Glenn, today being the twenty seventh.
[16:52] <@Ebiris> OOC: Rudy or Henrietta, make a diplo check? The other can aid
[16:52] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+10
[16:52] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+10 and gets 30." [1d20=20]
[16:52] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+9 aiding!11
[16:52] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+9 aiding!11 and gets 15." [1d20=6]
[16:52] <@Glenn> roll d20+0 untrained diplo-aid, ho!
[16:52] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+0 untrained diplo-aid, ho! and gets 13." [d20=13]
[16:55] <@Ebiris> "I see what you mean," Derik nods in agreement with Henrietta. "I'll tell you what, you seem like a nice sort. I'll have a runner go and fetch the keys and then you can take a look. And if you're looking for a place of your own, number four's vacant at the moment... depending on what you find, twenty two might become vacant soon as well."
[16:55] <@Rudy> "Then we might have some more business with you when we're finished," remarks Rudy, cheerily.
[16:56] <@Henrietta> "That would be just lovely," Henrietta says, clapsing her hands in front of her chest. "Thank you very much for your understanding of this matter, Sir Islaran."
[16:58] <@Ebiris> With that settled, Derik has one of the staff at the Whaleworks depart to fetch his keys, and spends the next twenty minutes showing anyone who cares some of his artworks and talking over what's involved in bone-carving, something he seems quite passionately interested in, even if his voice starts to grate after a few minutes. Still, eventually the young apprentice returns with the keys, "These'll let you into number twenty two. Of course I'm trusting you on Lady Vanderboren's reputation not to do anything that might leave me with a disgruntled tenant should Miss Santos return..." he sighs. "I do like to keep a quiet street."
[16:59] <@Henrietta> "The house will be left exactly as we find it," Henrietta swears.
[16:59] <@Rudy> "We don't want to cause any fuss! That's why we came to you."
[17:00] <@Miranda_Altair> "We'll be the soul of discretion, honest!"
[17:02] <@Ebiris> Thus the party head back to nearby Wall Street, finding Brissa's house much as Rudy left it this morning...
[17:02] * @Rudy walks up to unlock the door and lead the way inside.
[17:03] * @Henrietta summons the ability to see any magical traces as she follows Rudy!
[17:03] * @Miranda_Altair just plain walks inside.
[17:04] <@Ebiris> The lock turns easily, and Rudy enters to find a short hallway with a slightly worn green carpet, stairs nearby leading up and doors directly ahead and to the left...
[17:04] <@Ebiris> OOC: rather than going through the place room by room, just roll perception for reference and I'll describe the place to whatever level of detail needed
[17:05] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+12 myravision
[17:05] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+12 myravision and gets 24." [1d20=12]
[17:05] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+2
[17:05] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+2 and gets 14." [1d20=12]
[17:05] <@Rudy> roll 1d20 rudyvision
[17:05] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20 rudyvision and gets 10." [1d20=10]
[17:05] <@Glenn> roll d20+6 Glennvision, I guess?
[17:05] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+6 Glennvision, I guess? and gets 16." [d20=10]
[17:06] <@Glenn> "Think we'll get lucky and find some good clues to their whereabouts?" Glenn asks.
[17:06] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20-1 Trucy is no help
[17:06] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20-1 Trucy is no help and gets 10." [1d20=11]
[17:07] <@Miranda_Altair> roll 1d20+2
[17:07] * +Hatbot --> "Miranda_Altair rolls 1d20+2 and gets 6." [1d20=4]
[17:12] <@Ebiris> Brissa's home doesn't look much lived in, a thin coating of dust over pretty much everything. The fireplace is cold and filled only with ash, a woodpile found under the stairs and fairly well stocked. There's some spoiled food in her larder, mold visible on most everything perishable. Up the stairs a small studio is found, a canvas showing a sketch of a figure looking much like the painting Lavinia showed you of Vanthus, although not yet painted. Numerous other paintings are about, showing portraits of various people as well as landscapes and still lifes.
[17:12] <@Ebiris> In the bedroom there's a large double bed with very nice silk sheets, a step up from the rather mundane furnishings elsewhere, rumpled and unmade. In her closet you find clothes of various types, dresses and casual wear. There's a pair of indoor slippers but no proper shoes or boots present, and a few empty hangers showing some clothes at least are missing.
[17:12] <@Ebiris> A hidden compartment in one of her cupboards has a small jewellery box containing some rather nice earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets, mostly silver and gold with pearls and amethyst, along with one emerald necklace.
[17:14] <@Rudy> "It doesn't look like they made a planned departure," says Rudy, sounding faintly disheartened. "Something must have happened to them whilst they were out."
[17:14] <@Miranda_Altair> "Looks like nobody's been here in quite some time..." Miranda muses.
[17:15] * @Henrietta spends a few moments poking around in fireplace to see whether it was used to burn anything but the wood prepared for it, first of all.
[17:15] <@Glenn> "Pretty much normal stuff for a painter, although a bit surprising to see such rich jewelry..." Glenn comments. "But yeah, if they'd gone on the run, they'd probably have taken at least the jewelry. Guess we're back to square one?"
[17:16] <@Ebiris> The dust seems even and undisturbed except by your own passing, everything looking much like it would during normal occupation. Henrietta can't see much beside cold ash in the fireplace... anything that did burn in there was obviously flammable and ended up in the same state.
[17:17] <@Henrietta> "I don't know if that suggestion is correct," Henrietta muses, glancing at Ruby. "Do you leave your sheets unmade whenever you leave the house in a planned fashion? I suppose how I behave may not actually be the norm...."
[17:17] <@Henrietta> *Rudy
[17:17] <@Ebiris> "I don't," Trucy volunteers.
[17:18] <@Rudy> "Fairly often," replies Rudy. "They'll just get all rumpled anyway, won't they?"
[17:18] <@Ebiris> There's no sign of any travel cases or backpacks or anything of the sort in the house.
[17:19] * @Rudy takes a look at the people who Brissa appears to have painted in the past.
[17:19] <@Henrietta> "I still don't think it's very conclusive," Henrietta muses, looking for any documents the woman might have had.
[17:21] <@Rudy> "I don't mean to conclude anything, it's more a question of what was left behind," replies Rudy. "Valuables, clothes... maybe we should try to investigate the last place they were seen?"
[17:21] <@Ebiris> There's a painting of an old smiling fishwife, deep dark lines all throughout her aged and careworn face, another of what can only be a harlot based on her scanty attire, leaning on a street corner and smiling seductively, another of a rugged and muscular barechested man, an ornate dragon tattoo over his left arm which has been rendered in great detail.
[17:23] <@Rudy> "She has variety, doesn't she?" remarks Rudy, eyeing the tattoo for a moment.
[17:23] <@Henrietta> "Hmm?" Glancing at whatever it was that caught Rudy's interest, Henrietta waves Trucy over. "Recognize that? Either the man or the tattoo? Or any of those painted?"
[17:23] * @Miranda_Altair nods at Rudy, checking under the bed.
[17:23] <@Ebiris> The only documentation Henrietta can find is the lease on the house, which is in a cabinet in the living room, and an appointment book in the studio... It seems her last appointment was with a Hermann Kiel on the 4th, although there's one given for a Ysanne Jaleson on the twelth which has been scored out three times. None after that.
[17:24] <@Glenn> "Any chance the other people she's sketched are of any importance to our search?" Glenn asks, as he also observes the sketches and paintings of people. "Hm...she's not a bad artist at all."
[17:24] <@Ebiris> The house is dead to magic.
[17:24] <@Ebiris> There is nothing under the bed.
[17:24] <@Rudy> "Well, they might be worth talking to to see if they had any word of her before she left," replies Rudy.
[17:25] <@Rudy> "Still, finding them could be a trick," he admits. "They're not labelled..."
[17:26] <@Ebiris> "I've seen a couple of guys with that kind of tattoo lately," Trucy looks at the muscled figure. "Don't recognise the guy in particular... that woman looks like old Mrs Gunderson, though. She lives on the same street as me."
[17:26] <@Rudy> "Would you think they might be a gang? Burly people often like to form little clubs," remarks Rudy.
[17:27] * @Henrietta copies the last few appointments in the book onto her canvas with her handy charcoal as she keeps an ear out for Trucy's explanation.
[17:27] <@Ebiris> "Either they're all from the same ship that came in recently, or they're all in the same gang that formed recently," Trucy shrugs apathetically. "Or they all went to the same tattoo artist and he couldn't be bothered being original when asked for something manly and scary with sharp teeth."
[17:28] <@Rudy> "And then one showed up to pose for a painting, eh? He must have a sensitive side, after all!"
[17:30] <@Miranda_Altair> "Maybe he wanted something for his sweetheart, Rudy."
[17:30] * @Rudy laughs politely.
[17:30] <@Ebiris> "Could be she paid him to model. Mera did that a couple of times," Trucy offers. "Of course, that painter was a guy... and probably did more than just paint her..."
[17:31] <@Henrietta> "Quite so. Well then, we do have a certain lead. There were two appointments Miss Santos had listed last. One she apparently kept, on the fourth, and another she decided to cancel, originally scheduled for the twelfth. We should pursue both leads, I believe. In the meantime, could we rely on you to talk to that woman and try to learn more about our artist, Trucy?"
[17:31] <@Miranda_Altair> "I'm sure he 'painted' her." says Miranda with a too-wide smile.
[17:32] <@Ebiris> "Sure thing, boss," Trucy salutes Henrietta. "See you tomorrow, then?"
[17:33] * @Henrietta closes her eyes, pressing the heel of her right hand to her forehead. "That's the plan, Trucy, yes," she eventually responds, ignoring Miranda. "And if you get the chance, try to ask around discreetly about that tattoo?"
[17:33] <@Glenn> "She paid her deposit on the fifth, so she was still around after her meeting on the fourth. We may have better luck with the later appointment that she never made it to, or vanished after," Glenn suggests.
[17:33] <@Rudy> "We'll check out both," replies Rudy, with a shrug. "Let's start with the one we know she last talked to?"
[17:33] <@Ebiris> "Later, then," Trucy skips on out and leaves the group to act on her own!
[17:34] <@Henrietta> "That is true in the normal sense," Henrietta agrees. "However, that first appointment is someone who was likely a friend of hers. It might reveal more clues about her future itinerary."
[17:34] <@Rudy> "I was thinking the first might have heard something from her, too... it might take a while to find them. Do we only have their names?"
[17:35] <@Ebiris> All the notebook provides is the name and date.
[17:35] * @Henrietta flips through the appointment book to see if those same names are repeated earlier, perhaps with more complete contact details.
[17:36] * EaglesHateNinjas is now known as Kotono
[17:36] <@Ebiris> No sign of those particular names, the notebook only goes back three months, with an average of two appointments per week. None of the names really register with the party as familiar.
[17:36] <@Henrietta> "It might take a while," she concedes. "Let's once again ask the neighbors, and if that fails we'll split up and each investigate a lead?"
[17:37] <@Rudy> "It's the quickest way. People seem to know everyone in their district, actually, so it might not take long. I'll check out this...Ysanne?"
[17:38] * @Henrietta nods. "Jaleson. And I will inquire about a mister Hermann Kiel. Let's meet back here in a few hours?"
[17:38] <@Ebiris> OOC: okay, so splitting up and GIing the names? Go ahead and roll, and say which district you're looking in
[17:38] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+9 azure, since we're here
[17:38] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+9 azure, since we're here and gets 22." [1d20=13]
[17:39] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+10 here as well
[17:39] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+10 here as well and gets 21." [1d20=11]
[17:43] <@Ebiris> Rudy and Henrietta happen to bump into each other several times in their search throughout Azure district, but while Henrietta has little luck, Rudy manages to get pointed to Ysanne Jaleson, an aging but still pretty barmaid at the Sasserine Sleigh Ride. "Oh, yes, Brissa," the woman scowls as she polishes a mug with a cloth, nodding to Rudy over the bar. "Caught her in here filching a customer's wallet. Was going to turn her over to the guard, but she talked her way out of it, said she'd do a lovely painting to show everyone I've still got it!" she harrumphs and tosses her hair. "Of course then when I went for my sitting, she wasn't even home!"
[17:44] <@Rudy> "Do you know who the customer was?" asks Rudy, curiously.
[17:48] <@Miranda_Altair> "And how long ago was this when she tried to steal the wallet?" asks Miranda.
[17:48] <@Ebiris> "Oh, some sailor drunk off his ass and tossing coin around like it was water," she shrugs. "She was all over him like she was one of my girls, so I had a close eye on her anyway. Don't like freelancers taking advantage. Saw her filch his purse easily enough when I was looking."
[17:50] <@Ebiris> "Oh... was three weeks ago? Somewhere around the seventh or eighth..." she frowns and scratches her blonde hair in thought.
[17:50] <@Rudy> "You don't know if he had some kind of dragon tattoo, do you?" asks Rudy, looking the barmaid straight in the eye! "Ah, I'm sorry, with all the questions, we're sort of doing an investigation," he adds, abashedly. "You don't mind, right?"
[17:51] <@Ebiris> "Something like a snake going right around his body and down towards his dick," she replies quite coarsely. "Why so interested in that Brissa skank, anyway?"
[17:52] <@Rudy> "Eh, she might've vanished or something," replies Rudy. "Sounds like good riddance, but a job's a job, eh?"
[17:53] <@Ebiris> She shrugs. "She's a troublemaker. But if you're looking for any time to relax on the job, I'm sure one of my girls'll happily take care of you," she adds with a wink.
[17:53] <@Rudy> "Sorry, but I'm kinda tired of paying for women, lately," replies Rudy, leaning back. "Thanks for your help, though!" He turns around and saunters off.
[17:54] <@Ebiris> It's starting to get dark when the foursome next meet, the sun rapidly vanishing over the horizon as they plan their next move...
[17:54] <@Miranda_Altair> "One more question before we leave," asks Miranda. "Was she ever in here with another man? A man with a goatee?"
[17:54] <@Miranda_Altair> OOC: FFF
[17:55] <@Ebiris> "Honey, she had a different guy every time I saw her," the barmaid calls after Miranda.
[17:55] <@Rudy> "Our Brissa is a pickpocket, you know?" remarks Rudy. "Apparently Ysanne caught her trying to filtch off this sailor, but she talked her way out of it by promising her a painting. Well, that didn't happen..."
[17:55] <@Miranda_Altair> "Damn. Ok, thanks for your time!" she calls as she leaves.
[17:56] <@Henrietta> "Excellent," Henrietta not quite grumbles. "All I've found for my efforts is that Mister Kiel likely does not live here. We could try other districts before calling it a night?"
[17:57] * @Miranda_Altair catches up with the group. "The barmaid doesn't recall seeing our missing brother, either. Brissa was often in with different men."
[17:58] <@Glenn> "Not a good girlfriend, was she?"
[17:58] <@Miranda_Altair> "But a very good pickpocket and talker, it seems!"
[17:58] <@Henrietta> "Oh!" Henrietta exclaims. "I have heard of this! That is what you call an open relationship, isn't it?"
[17:58] <@Glenn> "So it seems," Glenn agrees with Miranda.
[17:59] <@Rudy> "Alright. I'll try the merchant district- she probably picked up Vanthus there... ah, no, it's usually called two-timing, and is a just and reasonable cause for violence, except in the eyes of the law."
[17:59] * @Miranda_Altair looks at Henrietta. "Maybe, but I don't know if she was entirely honest with our missing lord."
[18:00] <@Henrietta> "Leave the Champion District to me, then. I have a good feeling about it."
[18:00] <@Miranda_Altair> "Now wait a moment," says Miranda.
[18:01] <@Rudy> "Hmm?"
[18:01] <@Miranda_Altair> "Lavinia said that Vanthus had fallen in with a bad crowd, right?"
[18:01] <@Miranda_Altair> "And that he used to be a good man?"
[18:01] <@Glenn> "Well, before he spent some time at his uncle's anyway..."
[18:01] <@Henrietta> "She is also his sister, and they spent considerable time apart. But yes."
[18:01] <@Rudy> "That is what she said, yes. That is also a thing she said, although who isn't a good man before his 15th birthday?"
[18:03] <@Glenn> "I used to be a pickpocket as a kid, so..." Glenn mutters.
[18:03] <@Miranda_Altair> "Well, we've come across these men with dragon tattoos twice now in connection to Brissa; once at the apartment and once at the bar, from the jilted barmaid. So maybe it's this group of men that he's now a part of? A gang, perhaps? A vulnerable young man in search of some sort of family, and a gang of thieves takes advantage of him to lure him into their group, and get his money while they're
[18:03] <@Miranda_Altair> at it?"
[18:05] <@Henrietta> "It's not impossible, if you say the descriptions match," Henrietta allows. "Still, why should we not pursue the leads we currently have first?"
[18:05] <@Rudy> "The description didn't match what we saw in the painting," points out Rudy. "His tattoo was on his arm, whereas this one was right in the trousers."
[18:05] * @Miranda_Altair frowns. "Well, it was worth considering, anyway."
[18:06] <@Rudy> "I did consider that she might have angered someone with her antics," admits Rudy. "Let's spend tonight looking for this Kiel fellow, and then think about what's next afterwards."
[18:07] <@Ebiris> OOC: go ahead and roll GI for Kiel and say where you're looking if that's the plan
[18:07] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+9 merchant district
[18:07] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+9 merchant district and gets 13." [1d20=4]
[18:08] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+10 champion
[18:08] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+10 champion and gets 18." [1d20=8]
[18:08] <@Glenn> Glenn nods. "I'll follow along with Henrietta. Not sure I can be much help, but some company in case trouble pops up or something, and all that..."
[18:09] <@Miranda_Altair> roll 1d20+2 assist Rudy?
[18:09] * +Hatbot --> "Miranda_Altair rolls 1d20+2 assist Rudy? and gets 7." [1d20=5]
[18:10] <@Glenn> roll d20+0 Oh, well, I suppose I could assist Henrietta too!
[18:10] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+0 Oh, well, I suppose I could assist Henrietta too! and gets 13." [d20=13]
[18:11] <@Ebiris> Rudy asks around in the centre of Salerno, but doesn't have much luck, the name Hermann Kiel not drawing much recognition anywhere. Henrietta only has marginally more luck in the Champion district where a guard frowns in deep thought. "Isn't Kiel the name of that guy in the monastery over in Cudgel? Y'know, the... something blossom... or something. He's a bald guy! Wears orange robes!"
[18:12] * @Henrietta perks up at this unexpected bout of good news. "A bald person in orange robes over at a monastery in Cudgel? Yes, that would certainly help us! Thank you kindly!"
[18:12] <@Ebiris> "Don't mention it, ma'am," he nods pleasantly to Henrietta as she departs to share her good news with the rest of the party.
[18:12] <@Glenn> "Wonder what sort of appointment our little painter could have with a monk..." Glenn mutters.
[18:13] <@Henrietta> "A monastery in Cudgel..." Henrietta muses out loud as they regroup. "Perhaps a monk could also have tattooes? We should visit it as morning comes, I think."
[18:14] <@Glenn> "Well, I'm sure it certainly wasn't to confess her crimes and beg forgiveness from the gods, so a tattoo connection is certainly more likely..."
[18:15] <@Henrietta> With the belief that they'll know more tomorrow, Henrietta decides that it is the perfect time to head back, turn in and rest.
[18:17] <@Ebiris> The following day by developing habit, the party meet up for breakfast again, Trucy reporting in as she joins the group. "Mrs Gunderson didn't really know much," she relays with a shrug, "Brissa paid her two gold just to sit still and model. Easiest money she ever made."
[18:17] <@Rudy> "We didn't find a thing," remarks Rudy, tucking into a pile of bacon.
[18:18] <@Henrietta> "When was that modeling job?" Henrietta asks, opting to have a real breakfast this time around, compiled of complimenting seafood.
[18:19] <@Ebiris> "Never actually asked for the date," Trucy admits with a blush. "Must've been recent since it was fresh in her mind when I asked. I also saw two guys with those dragon tattoos by the harbour, but they weren't very nice when I tried talking to them..."
[18:20] <@Glenn> Glenn just munches on some fruit in the morning as the others trade information on their findings.
[18:20] * @Miranda_Altair chooses seafood stew with sweet bread this morning, listening to Henrietta and Trucy.
[18:22] <@Henrietta> "The latest anyone had seen our painter is the seventh, correct?" Henrietta asks rhetorically. "It may well help establish whether she was here past that date, but I suppose it doesn't matter that much at the moment. We are going to head over to a monastery in the Cudgel District after breakfast to pursue another clue. Would you know of the one we seek? Shaved heads, orange robes?"
[18:22] <@Ebiris> As the party converse and dine, an interloper appears to disrupt the proceedings! He's a nervous looking fellow with greasy black hair and a worn suit of leather armour, looking about nervously as he leans towards the table. "Ayup. Name's Shefton Rosk here," he announces in a quiet voice, wiping stained hands on his trousers. "Hear you're looking for Vanthus V?"
[18:23] <@Rudy> "My, does word get around," remarks Rudy, turning to face Rosk. "That we are. Know something?"
[18:23] <@Henrietta> "Quite possibly so," Henrietta responds, gesturing to a free spot by the table. "Please, do take a seat."
[18:24] <@Ebiris> "Might," he wipes his nose, leaving a black mark across its bridge as he sits down lightly. "Might not. Got some scratch? Five gold, say?"
[18:25] * @Glenn digs into his pocket and puts the money on the table, near an empty spot. "Have a seat..."
[18:25] <@Henrietta> "That we have the funds is certainly true," Henrietta agrees, glancing at Glenn's gold meaningfully. "That your information is worth it, however...."
[18:26] * @Glenn is certainly prepared to chase the nervous fellow if he tries to grab the five gold and flee with it or some such!
[18:26] <@Ebiris> He scoops up the cash, leaving a stain on the tablecloth as his hand passes, the money seeming to loosen him up. "Nice, what I like to see. Generosity. Respect," he nods approvingly to Glenn. "Alright, Mr V... him and a couple others, they got this little hidey hole on one'a the islands outside the harbour. Real smuggler's bolthole, y'dig?"
[18:27] * @Henrietta thinks she understands the man's words, if barely. "Go on."
[18:29] <@Glenn> Glenn relaxes a bit, it looking like the fellow isn't going to bolt with the money, and the information so far is certainly new and hopefully useful. He continues munching on his fruit as he keeps listening.
[18:30] <@Ebiris> "Y'know Bass Rock? There's these old tunnels, abandoned for years. He's set up shop there, laying low and sneakin' stuff in an' out," Shefton nods, sniffling loudly all of a sudden and shivering, emitting a truly disgusting snort before he continues. "S'all secret and shit. Bit more shine-shine, I c'n show you where."
[18:32] <@Henrietta> "When did he leave for that location to stay there on a permanent basis? And who are the other occupants?"
[18:34] <@Ebiris> "Couple weeks ago," he shrugs, wiping his nose again. "Asked ol' Shefton for help settin' it up, then tries to cut me out," he straightens up, looking indignant. "Thinks he don't need me no more. Got a coupl'a helpers movin' shit, but I got a bad back for that, y'know," he rubs his back and grimaces. "Got this real hot little piece of ass there, too," he adds with a lewd grin.
[18:35] * @Miranda_Altair looks at Glenn. "Probably our missing girl."
[18:35] <@Ebiris> Trucy just rolls her eyes, seeming put off her breakfast by Shefton's very presence.
[18:35] <@Henrietta> "And what sort of assistance do you believe you could provide to us?" Henrietta asks.
[18:35] <@Rudy> "I guess he'll get what's coming to him," notes Rudy. "And when, for that matter?"
[18:36] * @Glenn shrugs. "It might be her, but who knows," he says, as the others ask the questions to get more info from him.
[18:36] <@Ebiris> "How much assistance you willin' to pay for, huh?" Shefton asks Henrietta right back. "Another ten coins, you get yourself a genuine bonafide guide'n shit." He snorts again, "Course, need your own boat."
[18:37] <@Henrietta> "Fifteen, and you provide the boat, as well as any aid and information we require. We shall pay you upon the successful completion of this little venture," Henrietta informs him.
[18:38] <@Rudy> "There's a bonus for extra effort!" chimes in Rudy, finishing off another slice.
[18:38] <@Henrietta> "Why yes, quite so!"
[18:39] <@Ebiris> "Shit, bitch!" he recoils from Henrietta, "I ain't got no boat!" He grumbles and settles down, "A'right. You folks are hard bargainers. Respect that," he nods grudgingly, "Five now, ten after. Might know a guy who can do me a solid, boat-wise."
[18:40] <@Rudy> "Your respect is appreciated. So we have an agreement, then? You would be ready by this evening, correct?"
[18:41] <@Ebiris> He sniffles and wipes his nose. "A'right. Come find me about three on the fishin' docks. You folks are gonna have to row, though. I done told y'all about the bad back."
[18:42] * @Henrietta looks a bit down and allows Rudy to complete the bargain, focusing on remaining composed for the remainder.
[18:43] <@Rudy> "Myra'll do it! Won't you, Myra? There's a good girl." Rudy reaches down under the table, and feeds another slice of bacon into her chest-mounted mouths.
[18:44] * @Miranda_Altair looks at Henrietta. "Something wrong?" she says quietly.
[18:44] <@Ebiris> "Better bring some rope, too. Needs a bit'a climbing to get there," Shefton adds, making no move to get up and looking expectantly at the group.
[18:46] * @Henrietta smiles back a bit at Miranda's concern.
[18:47] <@Rudy> "We should really keep track of operational expenses," notes Rudy, fiddling in his pouch and handing over another set of coins.
[18:48] <@Ebiris> Shefton grins and scoops up the coins, immediately rising. "Don't be late, brothers and sisters," he nods, leaving the group to their own devices.
[18:48] <@Glenn> "Something to discuss with Lady Vanderboren after we find out what's going on with her brother," Glenn agrees with Rudy's statement.
[18:49] <@Henrietta> "If we retrieve him and his fortune, it will quite likely not be a problem."
[18:49] <@Rudy> "I suspect our problems will only be beginning should that be the case," remarks Rudy. "We'll probably have to wrestle him all the way back to milady."
[18:51] <@Henrietta> "I suspect I could do something about him, if so."
[18:52] <@Ebiris> "So we still gonna look after that monk or is it pointless, now?" Trucy asks, starting to regain her appetite now that the disgusting man is gone.
[18:52] <@Glenn> "It's probably pointless, I think, and would we have time to travel there and be back by three anyway?"
[18:53] <@Rudy> "I can't be bothered, really," replies Rudy, yawning. "I really must get a proper room soon- actually, I think I'll go and speak to Derik about that now, while there's time."
[18:53] <@Henrietta> "I really don't have anything else to do until evening, and I do want to know just what relationship Miss Santos had with him. If no one else is interested in this matter, perhaps we could go together?" she offers to Trucy.
[18:54] <@Ebiris> Trucy shrugs, "You're the boss."