014.2.1 Berlioz

[Corwin]

[22:04] <Kotono> As the others leave, Berlioz can hear Commander Oberuth talking to the messanger. "Yes...I suppose with the assassination attempt...alright, dismissed," he calls.
[22:08] * Berlioz remains calmly leaning against the wall, looking down. "So. I suppose I should escort him once again?"
[22:11] <Kotono> "For as long as he's here. His trip deeper in was scuttled due to various defensive restrictions, so he's heading back home for now." Oberuth looks on at you, "Going to milk him?"
[22:13] <Berlioz> "Not my intention unless it's somehow turned into guard. Dealing with drunks generally doesn't appease me much. Unless you meant something else with that, in which case, I'd rather not know."
[22:15] <Kotono> "....For information," Commander Oberuth gives Berlioz a very odd look. "On MAlmuth."
[22:21] * Berlioz coughs awkwardly. "Oh, that. Pardon me. I could try, but I won't actively try to squeeze that out of him - it'd raise untimely suspicions, and he's well aware of our current context."
[22:25] <Kotono> "I suppose he is," Commander Oberuth says, quite plainly. "Regardless, do keep an eye on him?"
[22:27] * Berlioz nods. "It's part of my job. It's not too bad, anyhow."
[22:29] <Kotono> "Well then, go rest up and be at the gates for him when he gets here," Commander Oberuth nods once, "Dismissed."
[22:32] * Berlioz nods, bows awkwardly and leaves. Oh well.
[22:34] <Kotono> So Berlioz prepares and rests. When he arrives at the gate the next day, he finds a carraige soon approaching. I tmakes good time towards the gates, it's passanger already known to Berlioz as it approaches.
[22:41] * Berlioz placidly waits, rocking back and forth a bit before putting himself into a more suitable position to an escort.
[22:44] <Kotono> Soon you see the bodyguards, giving Berlioz a suspcious look. The escorts get out, opening the coach - with minimal fanfare he comes out, glancing about. His face looks stonecast until he glances on Berlioz, when a warm smile shows. "Ah! we meet again, Liuetenant."
[22:44] <Kotono> Count Almand glances at Balmuria and the gate, then back at Berlioz.
[22:46] * Berlioz snickers. "It's good to see you again, Count Almand", the bard replies with a salute. "I apologize for the detour, but I'm sure you're aware of the situation we've gotten ourselves into lately."
[22:48] <Kotono> "Naturally." Falling into a walk with Berlioz, "My official congratulations on your nation's survivial of such tragedy."
[22:52] <Berlioz> "Well, quite frankly, we got a bit... blessed in the latter developments of the events. Although any attempt of that kind severely dampens the spirit of any nation with a noticeably strong ruler."
[22:54] <Kotono> "All the stronger to rebound with, wouldn't you agree?" As you pass in, the gate guards quickly and sharply salute. "What of the assassin? I have heard she was captured, but that there has been no process as of quite yet."
[22:58] * Berlioz sighs. "That woman's probably eating a death penalty as soon as we turn our heads back. I couldn't fathom why would most people care about her fate, regardless. You get caught trying to rip an entire kingdom apart by killing a ruler, you pray that the throat is the only thing that will get torn apart."
[22:59] <Kotono> "Yes, yes," As you walk down the main street, the Temple of Waukeen far ahead, "Still, such a skillful assassin does have an unspoken use to one that can control her, hm?" AFter that, Count Almand chuckles. "It is a good thing our nations are civilized."
[23:03] <Berlioz> "I'm not so sure about her skill. She got caught in a position where she had -all- the tools and right conditions to escape. She was the lowest rabble of a hirer too lazy to look for competent killers. In that case, I don't think it's a matter of civilization, just having enough money to make people actually throw together competent plans to attempt coup d'etats. And, considering competence is hard to come by, this seriously limits the
[23:05] <Berlioz> And, considering competence is hard to come by, this seriously limits the spectrum of action taken by conspiracy mongers and power-hungry rogues, yes?"
[23:06] <Kotono> "So entirely true..." Almand considers as he heads for the nearest inn, "Still, it may have been that...or perchance internal?"
[23:08] <Berlioz> "It could've been anything, really. I wouldn't rule out even flying monkeys at this point. But then, those were a few surreal days", the bard finishes with a sigh.
[23:09] <Kotono> "True again," Almand muses to himself, "Heady, difficult days. You sound tired of them."
[23:11] <Berlioz> "It just vaguely annoys me. I have never been too keen on regional pride. Maybe this little tirade made this a bit more obvious. We simply perform our jobs obediently and people hail us as heroes. It's like a badly written fairy tale."
[23:13] <Kotono> "Isn't it?" Almand leads you to the inn, a word to the inn keep and you're heading up the stairs, to the rooms. He seems to muse on this long seconds, as you head inside."
[23:14] * Berlioz breathes heavily. "As I said, it's vaguely surreal."
[23:15] <Kotono> To the room you go, well kept and beautiful. It shows wealth and taste, Almand going to sit on the bed. "They'll call anyone that saves them a hero, who will sacrifice to prevent the catatrosphes they bring on."
[23:18] <Berlioz> "The masses are often desperate enough for that. It's... not particularly enticing, regardless. We're probably just pawns in some obscure game - and their players are pawns in another obscure game. And so on, and so on. It's not my place to complain or rebel. I just wish there wasn't the pointless catharsis", the bard softly replies, looking up to the ceiling.
[23:20] <Kotono> Pausing as Berlioz speaks, "Indeed. All one can hope for is to do well in it and live comfortably."