002. "Yes, I'm not sure of your usefulness here..."

[Corwin]

[19:59] <Kotono> ---------------------------
[20:01] <Kotono> A few days of rest have passed. The peak of the week is gone, yet the sun still shines bright. Even in the winter the emerald green waters of the bay glisten, the sky a pale, faded blue that contrasts with the aqua below it - but none of that matters. It's all duty right now, as Shamal and Seira come to the meeting room again. But Lyselle and Berlioz are not here yet, nor is Commander Oberuth. Instead a squirrly little knight is here, puffed
[20:01] <Kotono> puffed out cheeks and a fidgety way to him. "Aaah." He pushes against the bridge of his nose, "That's two of you now?"
[20:02] <Kotono> He sits at the hard wood meeting table, a few parchments spread out around him. "That's half of the special elite Crimson Guard team..." he frowns, checking his sheets again. "It's unbecoming for one to be late..."
[20:03] <Seira> "Are we to wait for the others?" Seira asks him.
[20:03] <Shamal> "We came as quickly as we could, sir," Shamal demurs gently. "I'm sure Berlioz and Lyselle must be on their way already."
[20:05] <Kotono> "Mmm, no, Commander Oberuth left two things for you to do." He shuffles again, rubbing his forehead. HIs voice is a bit too high pitched, almost childlike. "My name isn't Telk if I can't find this...oh!" A parchment in particular is chosen, "There are two things, yes."
[20:06] * Makoto is now known as Signum
[20:06] <Kotono> "First of all, there's an official coming in by boat after a long trip away that needs an offical greeting and the like. Commander Oberuth sends his apologies, but he's detained, blah blah blah, a lackey gets to do it," So he nods to that, "That's one of them. I suppose only one or two of you would need to do that, which works since there's another task."
[20:07] <Shamal> "What is the other task, Sir Telk?" Shamal asks patiently, not especially minding the diplomatic work, even if 'lackey' sounds so unbecoming.
[20:08] <Seira> "I have trained for the past four years to become the best lackey I could be, Sir," Seira says blandly.
[20:08] * Shamal stifles a giggle at Seira's statement.
[20:08] <Kotono> "Here!" As he gets the last paper, he reaches into his shirt and takes off an emblem. A familiar emblem, the diplomat's emblem of Malmuth recently recovered. "With this we can gather try and gather some information from the Malmuth merchants and the like in town. Oh, and good," Telk nods brisquely to Seira, "It's good to see such discipline!"
[20:10] <Seira> If the knight expects further response from Seira, he is to be introduced to the cruel reality. She is content to simply let him speak.
[20:10] <Shamal> "So we are to impersonate officials from Malmuth?" Shamal raises an eyebrow. "I'm afraid I'm rather well known among the merchants, so I'm not sure I could participate in such a ruse..."
[20:11] <Kotono> "Yes, I'm not sure of your usefulness here...but the Commander seems confident..." He trails off, then shrugs. "Oh well. I suppose magic users can make it work if anyone."
[20:16] <Shamal> "Perhaps..." Shamal murmurs, not wanting to disillusion the young man as to the wonders magic is capable of. "We can see if Berlioz and Lyselle have any ideas when they arrive."
[20:16] <Seira> "I'm confident my ears will go unnoticed," Seira agrees. "Is there any specific information we are to try and gather?"
[20:17] <Kotono> To this he shrugs, pushing at his forehead again, "I hope so. Three magic users working together...! Hm? Oh yes..." A pause again, "To quote the Commander, "Find information relating to recent Malmuth activities in general, political situation and any dealing with the...hm. The elven kingdom past the barbarian lands? Interesting." Halfway through he stops, going off on his own curiosity filled jag.
[20:20] <Shamal> "Well... where the merchants prove recalcitrant, I can always ask their pets and steeds," Shamal nods to herself, ignoring the knight for now. "No one ever watches what they say around animals, after all."
[20:41] * Berlioz (assis_san@201.22.134.199.adsl.gvt.net.br) has joined #dunes
[20:41] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Berlioz
[20:42] <Kotono> As an uncomfortable, waiting silence spreads across the room? There is finally a break. Berlioz enters! The busy knight/errand boy looks up, puffy cheeks puffing out even further. "Well, that's at least another. What about the last?"
[20:44] <Berlioz> "I wouldn't know myself, haven't seen Lyselle around these last few days", Berlioz blankly remarks.
[20:45] <Kotono> "Yes, yes then," Telk gestures to a seat, "There are two tasks for you today - either information gathering or being part of an official greeting for as hip coming in today."
[20:50] * Hello-Nightbug (assis_san@201.47.162.144.adsl.gvt.net.br) has joined #dunes
[20:52] * Berlioz (assis_san@201.22.134.199.adsl.gvt.net.br) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Hello-Nightbug))
[20:52] * Hello-Nightbug is now known as Berlioz
[20:52] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Berlioz
[20:56] * Berlioz sits down, sighing and nodding, arms folded. "Well. What is about the information gathering you need?"
[20:58] <Kotono> "Information on what Malmuth is up to." Putting the diplomat's emblem down on the table, "This should help - gather information about what Malmuth is up to in general, as well as anything about the elves and Malmuth."
[21:00] <Shamal> "It is a bit optimistic to think that average merchants here in Balmuria would know about Malmuth's long range diplomatic plans, but I suppose it cannot hurt to try," Shamal reasons, shrugging eloquently.
[21:01] <Berlioz> "I agree. The best we can get from the merchants in here is a vague lead, and it probably wouldn't be healthy to instill a direct assault. We'll have to get by with their incoherent babble."
[21:03] <Seira> "Whatever the consequences would be, this course of action had been dictated to us by the Commander," Seira interjects.
[21:05] <Kotono> "Yes indeed," Telk nods, clicking his tongue very loudly. "\
[21:06] <Shamal> "Well, I'm happy enough with meeting the ship or helping with the information gathering. Do either of you have any preferences?" Shamal asks her friends, privately wondering what's keeping Lyselle so long.
[21:07] * Berlioz shakes his head, conveniently ignoring the imperial mutt. "Certainly. What we need to devise is the means to the ends, as of now. The idea itself is sub-optimal, but... eh. I'll work on the gathering of information, seems like I'd be better suited for this than a diplomatic meeting anyway."
[21:07] * Hotaru (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) has joined #dunes
[21:07] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Hotaru Hotaru
[21:09] * Hotaru is now known as Lyselle
[21:10] <Kotono> "Very well," Said mutt stands and presents the emblem to Berlioz. As this happens, Lyselle finally enters, the last of the four here! "Ah, finally."
[21:11] <Kotono> In the room are the other three and a puffy cheeked, slightly short knight. He walks slowly, giving Lyselle an annoyed glare. "I have your instructions from Commander Oberuth since he's otherwise occupied today."
[21:21] * Lyselle gives the little knight a frank, rather cold look in response to his glare, a flat plane of pale skin and violet eyes meeting him. "Since you already seem ornerous about timing, then mayhaps you should divest them?" she suggests, taking a seat and smoothing her uniform.
[21:21] <Kotono> "Excellent.
[21:21] <Kotono> OOC - Gah.
[21:22] <Kotono> "Excellent." AT this he does just that. "You have two tasks - an official greeting for a shipbound visitor, or gathering information on Malmuthian activity."
[21:26] <Shamal> "I'll take part of the official greeting," Shamal volunteers after a moment's thought. "If my assistance is needed later for gathering information, you can but ask, of course," she smiles at the others.
[21:27] <Lyselle> "Alright..." Lyselle allows, glancing around at the others. "Are we forseeing a need for spilled blood or riot suppression in the process of acquiring information?"
[21:27] <Kotono> "I would hope not!" The official squawks quite loudly, Telk looking aghast. "This is information gathering, not pitched battle!"
[21:27] <Seira> "One should hope not," Seira echoes simultaneously, though she is less loud about it.
[21:28] <Lyselle> "I'm just asking my colleagues opinions," Lyselle points out calmly, smiling. "There are many places full of information that can be...less than inviting."
[21:28] <Seira> "I will join you in the gathering of information," Seira volunteers suddenly, nodding at Berlioz.
[21:28] <Kotono> "Well, don't do that - the fighting, that is! If an 'off duty' Crimson Guard members getin a fight with a MAlmuth citizen, it'll still have the chance to be a headache!"
[21:29] * Berlioz nods in agreement. "I'm fine with that, Seira."
[21:30] <Seira> "Will there be anything else?" she asks of the knight.
[21:30] <Lyselle> "I guess I'd best form a part of the welcoming parade," Lyselle shrugs, smiling lightly. "Are we on duty or off for this?"
[21:31] <Kotono> "On duty for the greeting, off for the information," A nod from Telk, getting up, "If all of you are ready..." With that he scurries out the door and away.
[21:31] * Seira sighs. "How much time do you need to prepare?" she asks Berlioz.
[21:32] * Shamal takes a second to straighten out her coat to best display her official emblem before she picks up the parchment to see just who they're greeting and when.
[21:33] <Kotono> Shamal sees it - Lord Khardon, Colonel of the United Baronies Army. OOC - You can take a local knowledge check on that if you have it.
[21:33] <Shamal> OOC: I lack it
[21:33] <Kotono> OOC: Okay then.
[21:34] <Shamal> "Anyone know who Lord Khardon is?" Shamal asks offhandedly while everyone is still there.
[21:34] <Seira> roll 1d20+9 Maybe!
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+9 Maybe! and gets 26."12 [1d20=17]
[21:35] <Lyselle> "Uhm..." Lyselle taps her lips, frowning as she goes back through heraldry and history of the various noble houses to try and think of a connection.
[21:36] <Kotono> OOC - Eh, I'll give you a check there since it's sorta relate.d
[21:36] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+8
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+8 and gets 22."12 [1d20=14]
[21:36] <Seira> "He is a war hero, and a great leader. His straregy proved successful several times." Seira pauses, thinking. "He has been away for the past few years."
[21:38] <Shamal> "Probably best if you take the lead on this one then, Lyselle," Shamal grins, handing the parchment over to her more martial minded friend. "Anyway, shall we be off?"
[21:39] <Seira> "Good luck," Seira says with a touch of longing in her voice, before she resumes waiting for Berlioz's answer.
[21:40] * Lyselle takes it, sighing notably and giving her nature oriented comrade a wry look. "He's not even of an old house..." she murmurs, shrugging and standing. "May as well be off then," she agrees, making sure her uniform is in place, though not making her own house symbol particularly obvious. These types rarely cared about your pedigree.
[21:40] <Kotono> OOC - WE'll move Shamal and Lyselle - the GREETING TEAM - into #evil.