002.1 Seira and Berlioz

[Corwin]

[21:41] <Berlioz> "Well... I think this is best taken in forays. We head for the merchants now and casually gather some info. If anything suspicious arises, we expand from there", Berlioz considers while glancing at the emblem. "I prefer obtaining my information in forays and pieces, but you might want to differ."
[21:41] <Seira> "You do not wish to change out of uniform before pretending to be an agent of Malmuth?" she asks evenly.
[21:42] * Berlioz snickers. "Well, yes. We should change our clothings for this, at least."
[21:43] <Seira> "A mutual cover story would be very efficient," she continues. "And an agreed-upon signal to conceal me or otherwise divert attention from myself would prove most useful."
[21:45] * Berlioz nods. "We can elaborate on that while we get ready. Do you think we should pick up a magical disguise? I'm not sure if this warrants such a maneuver, but we might want to stay on the safe side of things."
[21:46] * Seira frowns. "Sadly, I do not have yet the means to disguise myself with magic. Do you?"
[21:49] <Berlioz> "I have a couple scrolls handy for this. However, we won't be able to disguise ourselves later if we use them right away. We might need them for a more thorough research later."
[21:50] <Seira> "Agreed," she responds. "Meet me by the barracks in twenty minutes, then."
[21:50] * Berlioz nods. "Should be enough time to dress into a less formal attire."
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[21:57] <Kotono> So the two gather. They gather in front of the barracks, prepared. The main road into the city and into the center where the trading is and such is the likely goal! OOC - Set yourselves up going or whatever and then we'll roll along.
[21:57] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Hotaru-chan))
[21:57] * Hotaru-chan is now known as Lyselle
[21:58] * Seira adjusts her straw hat to cover her ears, and then offers her arm to Berlioz. "Shall we be on our way?" she asks.
[21:59] * Berlioz coughs, in an unassuming traveler attire, and glances. "I'll assume this is part of our disguise...", he murmurs while blinking. "Fine. Just don't attach to my arm tightly."
[22:01] <Seira> "I shall make a supreme effort to control myself," she deadpans, before a bright, innocent smile blossoms across her lips.
[22:03] <Kotono> The streets are busy - at first with soldiers and garrison men going about, leading horses and the like. But soon you reach the main streets - busy and bustling! The life of the border city is here! Bakeries drift pleasant smells out from open window, luring many. Blacksmiths display proud wares, ready to be purchased with coin. INns advertise about, a long strip of activity. Traders come and go, most dressed in rich if somewhat trailworn clo
[22:03] <Kotono>  most dressed in rich if somewhat trailworn clothes.
[22:06] * Hotaru-chan (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) has joined #dunes
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[22:07] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Hotaru-chan))
[22:07] * Hotaru-chan is now known as Lyselle
[22:13] * Berlioz sighs upon the bustling sight of the border city's livelier side, shaking his head with a slight blink. "This is one of the reasons I don't go out much. It's like watching a circus on fire", he lets out in a soft murmur.
[22:15] * Seira keeps that happy smile on her face, though the corners of her lips twitch a little at his words. "Would you prefer that I do the talking?" she offers just as softly.
[22:20] <Berlioz> "It'd... be practical, yes. Knowledge of the local hubbub isn't exactly my forte."
[22:21] * Seira nods, and tries to listen to snippets here and there as she walks through the market, her mind filtering out any words other than those pertaining to elves, Malmuth or emissaries.
[22:21] <Kotono> OOC - Gathering information checks go, I think.
[22:21] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[22:21] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 11."12 [1d20=5]
[22:25] * Berlioz sharpens his senses for any useful snippet of information about Malmuth's affairs regarding the elves and emissaries.
[22:27] <Berlioz> roll 1d20+10 for information bonanza!
[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+10 for information bonanza! and gets 13."12 [1d20=3]
[22:30] <Berlioz> 1d20+10 reroll for good luck and info
[22:30] * Hatbot --> "Berlioz rolls 1d20+10 reroll for good luck and info and gets 26."12 [1d20=16]
[22:35] <Kotono> A few hours pass as you search around. At first your efforts come to naught - lunch is had and a break. But shortly after, Belioz's deft ears catch attention. It's a wealthy merchant, craggy faced and old. A few people trail behind him, an entourage of sorts. As they go into an inn, 'Liberty Point', you can hear him talk, "...even if so," he grunts, "The elves aren't a matter."
[22:37] * Berlioz raises an eyebrow, biting his lips. He takes a second and murmurs to Seira. "The craggy-faced merchant. He seems to know something we may want."
[22:39] * Seira doesn't visibly respond, but does begin to steer Berlioz towards 'Liberty Point', looking much like the part of a parched girl!
[22:41] * Berlioz somewhat forcibly is led by Seira, slightly groaning. She's probably having a lot more fun than she'd have any right to...
[22:43] <Kotono> The inn that you follow into is a fine place. Tables of recently polished wood are here, servant girls thatsmell of soap and not sweat going about. Animal heads and taxidermy hangs on the wall, the scent of cooking food in the air. The merchant and his entourage go the front desk, talking to a clerk there.
[22:45] * Berlioz moves forward quietly, staying behind the merchant in order to pick up the conversation a bit more. It'd be inappropriate to just nag the old man head on, not to mention suspicious.
[22:46] * Seira looks for a table close enough to catch a snippet or two.
[22:48] <Kotono> The first bit of conversation is easy enough, spoken easily. 20 some gold for a few days of lodging  here for him and his 'friends', as well as a meal. They then go to one of the nice tables, one in a corner and not very near any others.
[22:48] * Seira will just have to place trust in her ears, for now!
[22:53] <Seira> As she sits by her table, awaiting a waitress to arrive, Seira's smile doubles in brilliance. She tilts her head, looking at Berlioz, and uses their pre-arranged, innocuous signal for him to set up a distraction!
[23:00] * Lyselle (dragomirst@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) Quit (-=SysReset 2.53=-)
[23:00] * Berlioz awkwardly coughs. Wait... this is an idea. He begins to cough louder and louder, straining his cords, so the entire tavern will notice!
[23:01] * Seira drops her head into her hands, doing her best to shrink away from the world as far as anyone looking can see.
[23:02] <Kotono> As Berlioz hacks, a few eyes go to him. "Leper!" one calls, a note of disgusted annoyance. The craggy faced merchant glances up, giving Berlioz a glare. The clerk comes around, starting to approach. "Sir?" he says, keepin ga good distance.
[23:03] * Seira stands up, and noticing the merchant's glare, hesitantly approaches his table. "Excuse me, Sir," she says in a small voice. "Would you terribly mind if I borrowed some water for that man?" Seira glances up at him hopefully.
[23:03] * Berlioz coughs loudly, doing his best to impersonate a choking soul. "Ack! Urk... I... COUGH COUGH...", he stutters, lowering his head a bit and holding to the table tightly.
[23:04] <Kotono> A mug of water is thrust at Seira, "By all means," he rumbles, as the younger ones make nasty faces at him.
[23:04] <Kotono> The clerk shakes his head, "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to...Sir?"
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[23:05] <Seira> "Oh, thank you so much!" she gushes. "It is such a terrible embarrassment, oh, and he's bothering everyone now...." Seira shakes her head, starting to move back for their table. "I don't know why I stay with him...."
[23:06] * Berlioz grabs the clerk by the collar and collapses in a heavy cloud of coughing and hacking. His life seems endangered! Quick, someone fetch him water! (In a vague thought, maybe Berlioz should've tabledanced or something more subtle...)
[23:08] <Kotono> The clerk just stares, aghast and making no noises!
[23:08] <Kotono> "Hurry up and give it to him, by the Gods!" The old merchant calls, "The man's choking on himself!"
[23:08] * Seira rushes over with the water, careful not to spill anything, and pours it into a mug, before coaxing Berlioz to take it.
[23:09] * Berlioz twitches his arm a bit, doing an effort to seem like he's having problems even gurgling down the water.
[23:10] <Kotono> The clerk just twitches back, going even farther away and creeping back!
[23:10] * Seira casts a discreet glance back at the merchant's table as she pretends to take care of Berlioz.
[23:11] <Kotono> They're all looking at the coughing bard and at Seira by extension.
[23:13] * Seira takes the now-empty mug and moves towards the counter, her eyes begging the clerk to help her as she wordlessly offers the mug to him.
[23:13] * Berlioz coughs a bit more and starts opening his eyes, blinking for a moment. "... um... I'm... cough... sorry for the ruckus."
[23:15] <Kotono> The clerk goes to refill the water quickly, holding the mug like it's poison.
[23:16] * Seira throws another glance to the tavern, and the merchant's table by extension.
[23:16] <Kotono> The merchant and company are turning away, trying to forget this ever happened, perhpas.
[23:17] <Seira> She'll only get one chance at this, as things stand, so Seira quickly murmurs the words to her spell, her body and the counter concealing the necessary motions that accompany the casting. As the arcane magic is channeled through her, Seira wills the merchant she laid her eyes on to see something special in her, as long as the magic takes hold.
[23:18] <Seira> OOC: Charm Person, DC 15 Will
[23:19] <Seira> OOC: Make that 16
[23:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[23:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 9."12 [1d20=9]
[23:21] * Seira asks the clerk for a fresh mug of water as well, before making her way back to the table. She hands Berlioz the refilled mug, and then turns to the merchant's table and approaches it with a smile.
[23:22] <Kotono> Another mug is so brought! The merchant is just getting to his drink, glancing up at Seira. "Yes," he says neutrally, mouth hidden as he drinks.
[23:22] * Berlioz grabs the mug, drinking it slowly, and perks his eyes up to see Seira approaching the merchant. Heh. Seems like something out of it worked out, at least.
[23:24] <Seira> "It's fresh!" she declares, holding out the second mug. "I panicked earlier, but this is an inn, after all, so of course they would have water if I asked. Please consider this a part of my apology!"
[23:25] <Kotono> "Certainly," The old man smiles, taking the water and sipping. His companions look to you and then to the merchant, a momentary pause from them. "A pity about your friend."
[23:27] * Berlioz gets up slowly, still sipping from the mug, and sits on the table where Seira and him were. No need to pull up extra punches now, just observe.
[23:28] <Seira> Seira's smile slips slightly at his words. "Yes," she says mournfully. "A terrible pity. We've tried searching for a cure for his condition, but it's just too exotic."
[23:29] * Berlioz feigns another cough, and begins trembling a bit. Well, it seems like the ruse will have to go on for a while longer. "Cough..."
[23:30] <Kotono> "By the gods!" The clerk calls, "Go find the mercy of Illmater, but find it elseware, sir!" He slowly aproaches Berlioz, "I'm going to insist you leave!"
[23:30] <Kotono> "Oh yes...mmm. Do you know of what it is," he asks, curious. "I've heard of much in all my years.":
[23:31] * Berlioz limps out of the tavern, shooting a glance to the clerk. "F-fine..."
[23:32] <Kotono> "Damn leper!" he frets, watching Berlioz go. "I'll have the guard arrest you I get sick!"
[23:33] <Kotono> *arrest you if I get sick!"
[23:34] * Seira briefly searches her mind for ancient, rare ailments she had read about back at Miss Moonshine's Seminary, nodding slowly in feigned sadness to stall for time, before saying one in Elvish with a Balmurian accent. She shrugs, then, looking helpless. "All I have to go on is the name, Sir."
[23:34] * Hello-Nightbug (assis_san@201.47.162.144.adsl.gvt.net.br) has joined #dunes
[23:39] * Berlioz (assis_san@201.47.162.144.adsl.gvt.net.br) Quit (Ping timeout)
[23:40] <Kotono> "Aaaah. I see...what a tragedy." He shakes his head in understanding, "That's truly a shame."
[23:41] <Kotono> Meanwhile the few young men are looking at each other in s urprise, one saying, "Winston?"
[23:41] <Seira> "Oh, I'm in the way, am I?" Seira asks bashfully.
[23:42] * Signum is now known as Makoto
[23:42] <Kotono> "...mmm, no." He decides, looking at the one that spoke. "Let the lady sit down - you can go check the room, if you would?"
[23:43] <Seira> "Oh, thank you!" she says with feeling behind her words. "It's been so long since I was able to just talk to someone about this. I never realized what a burden it's been, and how better I would feel if I just shared my worries with another soul...."
[23:44] <Kotono> The two remaining aides look ate ach other in confusion, young men clearly caught aback. "What a horrible stroke of fortune. Is that your husband?" the older one asks.
[23:46] <Seira> "We're childhood friends," Seira responds, a touch mournfully. "I don't know if I could take being married to him, but strings of friendship aren't broken so easily." She looks up at him, then, curiousity clear on her face. "Are you all friends, too?"
[23:50] <Kotono> "They're my servants," Winston says, dismissing them from attention in the same words. "At my age, money can by you many favors."
[23:51] <Kotono> OOc - Lemme reword that.
[23:51] <Kotono> "They're my servants," Winston says, turning his attention away from them in the same words. "At my age, money can by you many favors."
[23:53] <Seira> "It can," she agrees, before asking him, "I know this is sudden and presumptious, but would you care to take a stroll with me? I would appreciate the fresh air, and I don't want to be alone right now."
[23:54] <Kotono> OOC - Mmm, yeah, opposing cha checks.
[23:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1
[23:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 and gets 5."12 [1d20=4]
[23:54] <Seira> roll 1d20+1
[23:54] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+1 and gets 2."12 [1d20=1]
[23:57] <Kotono> "I would prefer to stay here. My knee pains me," Winston confesses, reaching down to pat it.
[23:59] <Seira> "I'm so sorry to hear that," Seira says remorsefully, not even needing to fake the feeling. "Oh, I'm so silly! You must have traveled a long way today, and here I was trying to drag you on just more of the same."
[23:59] <Kotono> "Aaah yes, we just reached town. But it's alright, you're still young." A smile at the hat wearing elf, "Young enough to not want a sunburn on you rface?"
Session Time: Wed Feb 07 00:00:00 2007
[00:01] <Seira> "I like this hat," she says, smiling once more at his words. "It's perfectly symmetrical, and the latest fashion here! Doesn't it look pretty?"
[00:03] <Kotono> "Aaah, yes. I suppose it does," A bit of a laugh at that, "I wouldn't see anyone wearing this in the capital of Malmuth, but...I suppose it is very nice."
[00:05] <Seira> "Oh, you're very well traveled indeed!" Seira practically croons, pressing her hands to the tips of her hat. "How does the fashion differ in the other places you have been to? You simply must tell me!"
[00:07] <Kotono> "I don't pay that much attention, but fasion?" He curiously thinks, "It's all fancy, heavy dresses in Malmuth nowadays. It's what our King, Ferdi, likes, and word of that spread."
[00:09] * Hello-Nightbug is now known as Berlioz
[00:09] * Seira nods attentively. "I've never been to Malmuth," she says honestly. "What is it like? Could you tell me about it?"
[00:11] <Kotono> "What about it?" He does slow down a little here, frowning.
[00:14] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Berlioz
[00:15] <Seira> "I... I don't know," she says, drawing her mouth into a pout. "I've never been there, remember? But you were, so all I wanted was for you to tell me about it. Maybe... maybe you could tell me about the last time you were there, with the pretty dresses that are fancy and heavy?"
[00:16] <Kotono> OOC - Let's just do a cha check here for reference and see if you're loosening him up.
[00:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+!
[00:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+! and gets Error: Numeric values only."12 [1d20=1]
[00:16] <Seira> roll 1d20+1
[00:16] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+1 and gets 18."12 [1d20=17]
[00:22] <Kotono> The two aides are starating to look at each other back and forth, frowning...but they don't say anything.
[00:23] <Kotono> "Oh yes...well then. It was a month ago or so. All those ornate dresses of silk and jewels..." He trails off at that, "Mostly just silk these days."
[00:24] <Kotono> As he talks, you can hear behind you. Just the normal stuff, a few people comign and going from the sound of it.
[00:24] * Seira acts surprised. "I didn't know it took a month's travel to get here from the Malmuth capital."
[00:28] <Kotono> "Not quite, but I had a sidetrip. I have a country house a few days off the main road, and I wished to check on my daughter." A smile shows there, Oh, Jozette. She's grown up to be a beautiful woman."
[00:29] <Kotono> As he goes on, "With King Ferdi's orders, I haven't had much chance to see her lately...it's a shame."
[00:31] <Seira> "It is quite a shame," Seira echoes, and once again the emotion needs not to be faked. "I have not seen my father in a long, long time. I don't know why he left. Just... one day, he wasn't there anymore. At least Jozette knows that her father is doing something important for her kingdom, she knows where he is...."
[00:32] <Kotono> One of the aides stands up, "...Sir Winston?" he asks, "Can I talk to you a minute?"
[00:33] <Seira> "Wasn't your other aid supposed to have been back by now?" Seira asks Winston idly. "Maybe he couldn't handles things on his on, and needs some help?"
[00:34] <Kotono> "Mmm...yes, go help him," Winston says, ordering around the one that spoke.
[00:34] <Kotono> He frowns deeply at that, but goes to do as instructed. The last turns to you, "Miss, I didn't catch you rname."
[00:36] <Seira> "Filetta," she tells him, before giving an apologetic look to Winston. "I'm terribly sorry to bother you again, but could I trouble you with a small request? I heard they serve red wine from the north here, but I never really tried it before."
[00:39] <Kotono> "Mmm...very well," he nods, standing and calling aloud, "Servant girl! Red Wine here!"
[00:42] <Kotono> The wine quickly comes, a serving girl bringing a few glasses worth. "...Could I ask you what you want," the young man says, quick.
[00:43] <Seira> "My, how gracious!" she tells Winston, taking a sip and pretending to be enraptured by him to the point she can't hear the aid. "Are you, by chance, a noble?"
[00:45] <Kotono> "Not in name. In wealth..." He just smiles at that, "I've had a long, successful career. Waukeen has been kind to me."
[00:45] <Kotono> The aide scowls deeper, but stops takling for now, just staring.
[00:46] <Seira> "Ooh, I adore Waukeen as well!" she exclaims, bringing her hands together, which has the unfortunate side effect of splashing the majority of the wine in her glass all over the aid.
[00:46] <Kotono> "Gack!" The aide scowls, his travel worn clothes gaining a new stain. But he just sits there, "Sir Winston. I have something I need to talk to you about."
[00:47] <Seira> "I'm so sorry!" she exclaims, and tries to help the aid wipe the liquid off hurriedly.
[00:50] <Seira> roll 1d20+10
[00:50] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+10 and gets 11."12 [1d20=1]
[00:52] <Kotono> As the liquid is wiped off, Seira completely fails to unbuckle his pants. She's in fact at least semi obvious about it to her own eyes, the effort botched. "Hm?" Winston watches on, smiling a little bit.
[00:54] <Kotono> The aide just creeps away, brushing at his shirt with his hands. "What in the name of the Hells are you trying to do?" he challenges in prime irritation.
[00:54] <Seira> "You have to wash it right away or the cloth is ruined!" she tells Winston. "It can't suffer a delay, or bad things happen! I know, it happened to me once!"
[00:54] <Kotono> "It can hold if you want," Winston waves his hand, "Go wash it if you need it."

[Corwin]

[19:48] <Kotono> The last one scowls but goes off, muttering to himself as the two of you are left alone.
[19:50] <Seira> "I'm really sorry about all this," Seira apologizes, pouring more wine into a fresh glass and offering it to Winston. "I'm just so clumsy sometimes."
[19:50] <Kotono> "It's fine, it's fine," He takes the glass offered, "Now where were we?/ I believe I lost track..." He frowns at that, trying to remember.
[19:51] <Seira> "You were telling me about how the king gave you a special task, I believe," she directs the conversation, cutting to the chase.
[19:53] <Kotono> "Oh yes...but you understand..." He shakes his head, "It's very secret. A new trading source to start with and..." He drinks deeply from his cup, "I'm waiting for a messenger to get to this city to confirm it."
[19:55] * Seira nods emphatically. "So you're just waiting on your messanger here, then? Maybe he just got lost along the way?"
[19:55] <Kotono> "It's a long trip from here to the elven lands...." He speaks slowly, almost in a relaxed daze. "Dangerous, but once I get the sign we'll know there was success."
[19:56] <Kotono> OOC - Spot check, Seira.
[19:57] <Seira> roll 1d20+3
[19:57] * Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
[19:57] <Seira> roll 1d20+3
[19:57] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+3 and gets 21."12 [1d20=18]
[19:58] <Kotono> You note that you can see Berlioz peeking in a window, making the 'escape/abort' sign as prearrainged. "Once we get that...oooh yes." He just smiles, "There's bounty to be had."
[20:00] * Hatbot (Hatbot@cpe-70-112-24-169.austin.res.rr.com) Quit (Hatbot)
[20:01] <Seira> "I hope you get your bounty, Sir," she says, gracing Winston with another sunny smile. "My, it is getting late," Seira adds, and glances at the bottle of wine mournfully. "And it was such a good wine, too. We shouldn't let it go to waste, should we? That would be rude," she muses, standing up. "Please enjoy it, Sir."
[20:01] <Kotono> "Yes...oh! If you're around, I'll be here a few days. It was wonderful talking to you." He smiles and stands slowly, making a slightly creaky bow.
[20:03] <Seira> "Of course!" she agrees happily. "I'll stop by again, or my name is not Filetta!" Sketching a clumsy bow of her own, Seira heads out of the inn.
[20:03] <Kotono> As Seira goes, she can see the two blondes of her elite unit wining away with a short man wearing a rich blue mantle. They're deep in discussion.
[20:04] <Seira> And while on duty, too, she huffs mentally, before slipping outside to rendezvous with Berlioz.
[20:05] * Berlioz looks up, recognizing Seira and waving slightly. "Oh, good. You saw it."
[20:07] <Seira> "Let's move," she tells him, passing Berzlios by and seeking out an out of the way, dark alley nearby.
[20:08] <Kotono> There are indeed dark alleys to be found, not too far away from the buildlng. Plenty of good ones to choose from
[20:08] <Kotono> .
[20:09] * Berlioz follows quickly. "Sorry about that. But I... oh, nevermind."
[20:09] * Seira picks one, as long as it isn't the closest, and waits until they both are safely there before asking him in her customary monotone, "What is wrong?"
[20:10] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-70-112-24-169.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
[20:11] <Berlioz> "I saw Lyselle and Shamal getting in the lodge with a blue-mantled shorty. If they met with you, it could've risked getting your cover blown, not to mention the possible ensuing hilarity of an untimely meeting. It may have been a little hurried, but better safe than sorry in this business."
[20:12] * Seira palms her forehead. "Is that the reason I had to rush out just as I got him alone and talking?"
[20:14] <Berlioz> "It wouldn't be nearly as much of an issue if I wasn't a leper right now", Berlioz rubs his forehead. "I'm sorry, but there's just way too much leeway for everything to go completely wrong, I started this with a bad foot already."
[20:17] <Seira> "I knew they were there," Seira speaks in a bland, lecturing tone, pronouncing the words slowly. "I was also very, very close to actual details rather than the confirmation of what we already know. Upon our return, I would like you to be the one to take responsibility and explain everything to the Commander."
[20:19] <Berlioz> "Fine, fine, I will", Berlioz sighs. "But, if you were already leading him by the hand, can't you try that again later? It's not like he will be -wary- of you. Or is he leaving Balmuria right away?"
[20:22] <Seira> "Most people realize their minds have been addled with," she explains, as if to a small child. "They may not know magic from a drug, but this was a one-time deal from the start. Even if he were Charmed once more, I would have to do away with all his aides as well the next time. Are you not a mage yourself?"
[20:26] * Berlioz rolls his eyes. "Oh, please, it's not like you were forcing him to slaughter his children and make a tower out of their bones. And I doubt he'd be awfully unreceptive of a cute lady who touched his crotch - possibly for the first time in years."
[20:28] <Seira> Seira's eyebrow twitches. "There was no crotch-touching whatsoever. Let's go!" Turning on her heel, she marches out of the alley, intent on leaving the area.
[20:29] * Berlioz whistles with an eyeroll, and walks out more quietly. Way to burn your bridges, Berlioz.
[20:34] <Kotono> So the evening comes. At an hour past sundown is when Commander Oberuth summons you. He wears fine clothes, looking vaguely ill fitting on his large, bearlike frame. He sits in a chair in the meeting room, looking distinctly uncomfortable as the four file in. "Well then," he begins, "How go matters?"
[20:35] * Berlioz (assis_san@201.22.150.242.adsl.gvt.net.br) Quit (Ping timeout)
[20:36] <Seira> "Your suspicions were proven right, Commander," Seira reports. "A merchant from Malmuth is indeed related to the messenger sent by the Empire to the elves."
[20:37] <Kotono> "Details?" The Commander pulls at the front of his shirt, "What information did you find?"
[20:40] * Seira can't help but throw a glare at Berlioz, before she returns to stare straight ahead. "The Empire is interested in establishing extensive trade relations with the elves. A man posing as a merchant is staying at the Liberty Point inn here in town. He is using the name of Winston, and has at least three subordinates around him. He was the one who dispatched the messengers our goblin friends intercepted, and he will be waiting for their return for the next few days before departing, unless something out of the ordinary happens."
[20:41] <Seira> He was the one who dispatched the messengers our goblin friends intercepted, and he will be waiting for their return for the next few days before departing, unless something out of the ordinary happens."
[20:42] <Kotono> "Well, we can assume he won't be getting what he's waiting for..." A long, speculative look, "Anything else about that?"
[20:43] <Seira> "Sir, we can use that to our advantage and set up a sting. We have the authentic medallion, it may be possible to trick Winston into believing one of us, in disguise, is bearing an answer from the elves."
[20:44] <Shamal> "But we don't know what the messengers looked like," Shamal interjects.
[20:45] <Seira> "We may get away with presenting heavy scarring," Seira responds. "Once we have the initiative, the conversation will go our way."
[20:45] <Kotono> "We do have the medallion, though." A stroke of his chin as he thinks, "Mmmm. I like Seira's idea, I'd like to find out more about what the imperial bastards are up to."
[20:45] <Kotono> "Besides," He goes on, "We have one with elven ears in this very room. I imagine it would be believable on success for an unexpected elf to come to meet him?"
[20:45] * Seira drops her head. "I'm sorry I was unable to be of more use, Commander," she says, clenching her fists at her sides.
[20:46] * Lyselle nods. "And...are there laws broken yet? I'm not sure we could classify them as spies against -us- quite yet, and jsut snatching on of their merchants..." Lyselle hedges, frowning. "9It sounds liuke the start of an incident if we have nothing on them."
[20:46] <Lyselle> *It
[20:46] <Kotono> "You did well, Seira. I have no complaint."
[20:47] * Seira manages a nod at that.
[20:47] <Kotono> "That's why we won't get caught holding the bag," A quick, narrow smile on the Bear's face, "Simple enough."
[20:48] <Kotono> "Our laws are to protect our country and people. This qualifies, don't you think?"
[20:48] <Shamal> "As for the other task you assigned us, sir," Shamal volunteers, "Colonel Khardon expressed his satisfaction with his welcome back to Balmuria."
[20:49] <Kotono> "Excellent!" A quick smile shows on the Commander's face, "How is he?"
[20:49] * Lyselle nods, witholding both coughing and blushing. "He seemed delighted to be back, and in good spirits overall," she adds, smiling at their relative success.
[20:51] <Kotono> "Good. Then I task you with the following: Over the next few days continue to gather what information you can on Winston however you will. If you feel you can act safely to decieve him, do so. Unless he's proven to do something implicity illegal, don't tip your hand or arrest him. He's an information source, not a criminal. Yet."
[20:56] <Kotono> -----