009.2 Seira, Berlioz and Lyselle

[Corwin]

[20:20] <Kotono> --------
[20:21] <Kotono> The trip back is a small miracle. Only a few fleeting sightings of gobilns, but no interference. No trolls, no bloodied rivers.  The party returns home, Balmuria in sight. Berlioz takes the lead and rides ahead, in a hurry for once. You can see the guards at the gate, Biggs and Wedge standing at attention.
[20:24] * Seira is intent on riding past them and straight to the Countess's shop.
[20:25] <Kotono> As the party approaches - well, Berlioz just rides past for now, in a hurry for Gods only know what reason - Biggs and Wedge salute, "Welcome back - where's Shamal," the younger one asks, "Oh, and the Commander needs to talk to all of you once you've settled back in and done all that you need to."
[20:26] * Lyselle smiles only faintly, taking her time to wave at a distance and then get along with the requisite saluting when she gets up to teh gate. "A few things happened, Shamal will be along in a day or two."
[20:27] <Kotono> The older nods once, gruff. "WElcome back, sirs," he agrees.
[20:28] * Lyselle nods. "Thanks...we'll see Commander Oberuth as soon as we can," she agrees, before heading on through with Seira.
[20:29] <Kotono> OOC - Going to the Countess now?
[20:29] <Seira> OOC: Yep
[20:31] <Kotono> The shop is finished but closed. It's grand exterior has a few people lingering, but the doors inside are closed shut. Yet on knocking, you find the Countess opening, in full cape and red dress. "...oh! Finally!" she smiles, "How'd it go? Got it?"
[20:33] <Seira> "Yes," Seira responds simply. "It was not easy, but few things in life worth fighting for are."
[20:35] <Kotono> "Good!" The Countess beams, steppign aside and waving you in. "Where's that other spellcaster girl, and...oh, at least HE'S not here," The Countess humphs at that, looking away.
[20:36] <Seira> "Shamal has requested personal leave for several days," Seira informs the Countess. "She would be returning to Balmuria shortly."
[20:37] * Lyselle nods quietly, hands clasped faintly and looking around. This is what it was all for? ...Well, not quite all. "Our bardic friend seemed in a hurry when he got to the city."
[20:38] <Kotono> "I wonder why, to deceieve another innocent lass?" Stronger rolls her eyes, the shop full of magical things. Knick-nacks and items, each worth as mall fortune. "I see about her. Shame, I wanted to talk to her about magic a bit. Ah well. There's still you. I'm pleased - you actually did it."
[20:39] <Seira> "It wounds that you did not consider us up to the task, Countess," Seira tells her, raising an eyebrow.
[20:41] <Kotono> "Oh, I considered you up to it if I gave it to you. Just that it's hard to find one and kill it. They can fight well, after all." Going on as she nods quickly, "So then! If you'd let me have it?"
[20:42] <Seira> "Of course." And with those words, the preserved heart is presented.
[20:43] <Kotono> It's as large as a basketball, salted and still reddish. The Countess takes with with both hands, reaching out for it. "That is it. Ooooh, this is so much easier than going to the trouble myself! The last time, one nearly got through the barrier of force I put up."
[20:43] <Kotono> Countess Stronger grins, "I should thank you. You're capable, diligent, intelligent and you travel with a strong group. Three spellcasters together...my, it's no wonder you had success."
[20:44] * Seira sketches a bow at her words.
[20:45] * Lyselle nods into a half-bow, hand resting affectionately on the sword Shamal made for her.
[20:48] <Kotono> "Soooo..." she stretches, considering. "I suppose you really are up to being a real apprentice. Tell you what. I'm thinking I'll open in a week or so now. I have mostly free time until then - I'm sure that between what you've experienced in the wild and withs ome hands on tutoring you can solidify your efforts into some form of advance."
[20:49] <Seira> "I would be honored, Countess," Seira responds with proper respect.
[20:52] <Kotono> "And you...ever good mage needs someone with lots of steel and armor to help them at some point. Have you considered bodyguard work," she asks Lyselle bluntly. Starting to pace, "Hm, hm, hm. I do declare that having that sword is quite helpful for that, too."
[20:53] * Lyselle snickers faintly. "I've never thought about bodyguard work...it's not the sort of thing I'd like to carry on. I hope I'll be leading my own bodyguards in the future rather than doign a career as that...aside that my tactics aren't enormously impressive for that sort of thing."
[20:55] <Kotono> "Ah well, shame about that. I have this amazing tome about it - someone that read it could become the best bodyguard for a wizard in history. IT took me weeks to get it out of that stupid old...but anyway. Thank you for the services. Mmm, let's start tomorrow, Seira, unless you have any business to conduct first?"
[20:56] <Seira> "I must report to the Commander, but should he assign me a mission, I would inform you of the change in plans, Ma'am."
[20:58] <Kotono> "Right," she agrees, "Oh, and remember - if you have too much gold from derring do?" she smiles winsomely, "Once we open, come look at what's for sale!"
[21:02] * Lyselle pauses, one gauntleted hand landing on the giant heart. "What was the payment again for this?" she asked curiously, glancing at Seira.
[21:02] <Kotono> "You never asked for one." STronger smiles winsomely, "I had reckoned that you wanted to do it to naturally get in my better graces and prove yourselves."
[21:04] <Lyselle> "I can't speak for my friends, but..." Lyselle leans forward, smiling a bit. "As one Countess to another, I'm sure we could discuss this as we are...Favor...probably works for the spellcasters, they can learn more from you, but not I..."
[21:04] * Setsuna is now known as Makoto
[21:05] <Kotono> "Aaaaah. My, my, my. You completely forgot to ask, didn't you," she smiles, leaning in closer. "You're just savaging yourself inside your mind, wondering why you didn't get hard coin or goods for such a difficult task?"
[21:07] <Seira> "Yes," Seira agrees honestly. "Though I do not require cash at the moment, and the experience was quite interesting. It would, however, be quite nice to receive a token reward. A wand you may no longer require, perhaps?"
[21:09] * Lyselle tsks, violet eyes locked onto Stronger and smiling none the less. "Coins, items of use to a fighter..." she adds, lifting her eyebrows.
[21:11] <Kotono> "Well...I suppose you're trustworthy now." The Countess considers a goodly time, leaning back. "I'll make you an offer. I can find something for your use, yes. Either that, or...mmm, You wer einterested in my poking around those underwater seals and the like? I could tell you all sorts of fascinating things about it."
[21:12] * Lyselle coughs. "That was Shamal's interest, due to contact with a sea-elf more than personal gain for it..." she admits, shrugging.
[21:12] * Seira doesn't appear to look interested at any mentions of underwater seals.
[21:13] <Kotono> "Well then. Alright. Hold on a few?" With that the Countess rises, "I'll get a few - I still don't have money, and finding old magical items or making new ones is so difficult - but I'ms ure one will meet your fancies."
[21:15] * Lyselle nods, smiling as she settles to wait. Turned out alright enough...
[21:16] <Kotono> Within twenty minutes she returns with a heavy box of wood. She lugs it along, muscles suddenly bulging. A few moments after she puts it down, they vanish without a trace.  "There's three in there and the papers. Read up and choose one."
[21:19] * Lyselle blinks, nodding to the Countess and opening the chest, inspecting each item and its description carefully.
[21:20] <Lyselle> "Do they usually come with papers, or are these your own notes?" Lyselle adds after a moment, glancing up to Stronger.
[21:20] <Kotono> Inside are three items and papers attached. There is a bow, a set of leather armor and a ring of silver. "My own notes. I keep them with the item for easy reference."
[21:22] * Seira examines the notes.
[21:22] <Kotono> You find out the following about each item:
[21:22] <Kotono> Long Bow+1, "Power". When used to shoot arrows, the user may use Power Attack for those shots, converting hit and BAB to damage potential. This works as the trait of the same name.
[21:22] <Kotono> Leather Armor+1, "Withstanding." Grants Sonic, Fire, Cold and Acid resistance 8 when worn.
[21:22] <Kotono> Ring of Protection+2. No special powers.
[21:24] <Seira> "The longbow is quite beautiful," Seira says quietly, brushing her fingertips across its surface. "Did you craft it yourself, Countess?"
[21:25] * Lyselle shows much clearer interest in the ring, picking it up and looking it over. "Probably the most useful to me, given my lack of penchant for archery, and much heavier armor..."
[21:26] <Kotono> "No, I found it. THere were some old ruins in the Desert Fiefdoms, and I found it there. The Ring I made myself, and the Leather Armor I improved on. I was able to add the resistances to it." She smiles at that last bit, "I'm still proud of that."
[21:28] <Seira> "I would be honored to use this longbow," Seira says at last.
[21:31] * Lyselle nods. "The ring...I would be most greateful...and more notably, would keep me alive to come back and purchase things from you through more arduous encounters."
[21:32] <Kotono> "Good!" The Countess beams just a little at that. "And well said."
[21:36] * Lyselle bows and nods to the countess, smiling easily. "A pleasure then, Lady Stronger."

[Corwin]

[20:34] <Kotono> -----------
[20:36] <Kotono> After resting up, the party heads to the garrison. Such a place is normalcy after a few weeks in the wilds of the Barbarian Lands, soldiers waving and saluting the stll newly promoted cadets. Commander Oberuth sits in the briefing room, sword hanging at his belt and posture straight. "Well then, it's good to see that you're alive. That trip was longer than I imagined it would be."
[20:37] <Kotono> After a moment, he does stop, "Barring Shamal? Where is she?"
[20:38] * Berlioz frowns. "A rather unfortunate mishap happened."
[20:38] <Seira> "She has requested a few days off, Sir," Seira adds.
[20:39] * Berlioz sighs. "Her animal companion was slain by the dire bear we killed on the Countess' request."
[20:40] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth begins to grimace, but stops at Seira's quick addition. "Thank you," he says, a nod. "Very well. Then, sit down so we can get to business."
[20:40] * Ebiris_ (dm@user-54433d2f.lns5-c7.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
[20:40] * Shamal (WinNT@user-54433d2f.lns5-c7.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Ebiris_))
[20:40] * Ebiris_ is now known as Shamal
[20:40] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Shamal Shamal
[20:42] * Lyselle sits, not looking very happy with the meeting off on that foot, but it was unavoidable. What lays in store for them next, though, is surely to be distracting.
[20:46] <Kotono> "For now, things are quiet. You'll be put back into the general duty rosters for now, I believe. Since you were promoted, gate guarding isn't entirely apt." The large, pondering man considers, steepling his fingers together.
[20:52] <Kotono> "Ah yes. Leading along a street patrol should be fine." A though after that, "Starting once Shamal arrives in a few days."
[20:54] <Seira> "I see, Sir," Seira says, nodding. "Then I will have the time to further my studies into the arcane in the meanwhile."
[20:55] <Kotono> "Very well." A nod to each of them, "Dismis-oh, damnations." Oberuth looks annoyed a moment, "I had nearly forgotten this entirely. The civilian you fought with against the ghouls was named Donald?"
[20:56] <Berlioz> "... yes", Berlioz remarks blankly. "Did he smack into the middle of trouble again?"
[20:57] * Lyselle nods, standing and waiting for further dismissal, her expression professional. "He seemed nice enough when I met him..." she muses, raising an eyebrow at the bard.
[20:58] <Kotono> "There was an incident in his inn room. The window was smashed, the wall was torn and he swore a ghoul climbed up the walls, broke into his room and battled him until he drove it off. Just before the Guard arrived to investigate the ruckus, of course. There wasn't any visible evidence beyond the destruction at hand.  If you see him again, remind him that I'd rather not have him in the stockaides."
[20:59] * Berlioz sighs awkwardly, a condescending tone in his voice. "Sounds typical of him. Good to know he won't stop at cleaving furniture when overtaken by zeal."
[21:01] <Kotono> "Indeed." Commander Oberuth clears his throat in irritation, "Well then, dismissed. If he does make more trouble, arrest him. Meaning well or not, that boy looks to be an incident waiting for a spark to set him off."
[21:03] * Seira nods once more. "Yes, Sir. I shall not hesitate to arrest a friend of Berlioz."
[21:04] * Berlioz pinches Seira in the arm. "That buffoon is not my friend. I hope this is clear by now", he finishes with a canine smile.
[21:04] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth's lips twitch a moment, before he smothers a laugh. Nonetheless, his shoulders push upward. "You sound more like comrades now...almost."
[21:05] <Lyselle> "It's just them showing how much they love each other at heart," Lyselle agrees, nodding as she awaits dismissal.
[21:06] <Seira> "I would not go that far," Seira protests. "Or even in that direction," she adds with a frown.
[21:07] * Berlioz frowns with a grumble. "If the speculation about the relationship between the chippergirl and I is done...", the bard coughs at Lyselle, "... I will take my leave if it is allowed."
[21:08] <Kotono> "Go ahead," Commander Oberuth smiles broadly.
[21:08] <Lyselle> "Haven't you been listening at the bar? It's never done!" Lyselle offers brightly, before slipping out the door, and away to her own practicing.
[21:09] * Seira offers the Commander a salute, before leaving as well.
[21:09] * Berlioz bows to Oberuth. "Thank you, sir", and leaves muttering and grumbling. "Noisy mongrels..."