029. "Yeah, well, it's not like I asked to be one of them!" I'm sorry, Donald...

[Corwin]

[18:26] <Kotono> In the lull of resting and waiting for Almand to return to Balmuria, Seira and Alicia have time to rest. The wounds of the devilish battles have faded, leaving only memories. In this day as summer wears along two approach the elven trading outpost. It's not a small building, and yet people bulge into it, coming and going. Even a few Malmuthian iron traders seem to lurk...
[18:39] <Kotono> Inside you can see glass cases wrought with iron and wood shaped trees around them. Here items are in cases, or in the open. Fragrant smells fillt he air, of leaves and fruit and spices far unknown. Discussions happen all over, af ew elves delegating and discussing. Gold and silver flows all around.
[18:42] * Alicia idly browses, not really having the cash to hand for any big purchases after buying her new belt. "Anything in particular you're looking for, Seira?" she asks conversationally.
[18:43] <Seira> "People, mostly," Seira responds. "Though, of course, I am always on the look for the exotic. A cape of teleportation, or a genuine elven cloak to blend in better."
[18:43] <Alicia> "I could've used something like that, lately," Alicia muses, thinking of her campaign against the devils in the barbarian lands.
[18:44] <Seira> "It would compliment my boots well," Seira muses, continuing to browse.
[18:45] <Kotono> There are three categories of goods. The minor ones - basic foods, minor carvings and odds and ends. Ntohing too rare, all affordable. The common folk stay here, the front of the shop dealing with that. In the mid are more valuable things - rarer foods, spices, darkwoods, bits of mithral and like items. In the back, with a few stern faced elves keeping eye? The real things of value, where those with more gold than 99.999% will ever see shop.
[18:46] * Seira makes her way straight over there, her smiling face striking a sharp contrast to the sternness of the elves.
[18:48] <Kotono> 99.999% will ever see shop. Cloaks and boots hang here, elven clothing and accessories. A few potions as well, glittering crystal dug up from the ground, masterwork weapons of elven wood, and other rare things. Of people, an acolyte from the temple of Waukeen can be seen around, Mia taking in the sighs and sighing at expensive items, but starting to grin as she reaches into a pocket. A few official looking sorts in good clothes shop about as
[18:49] <Kotono> good clothes shop about as well - they look like servants. Finally, one elf that doesn't quite fit in is here, wearing normal clothes. Donald's poking around the front, getting a lot of looks and making a lot of murmured demurrals.
[18:50] <Alicia> Seeing Donald, and not really having the money to afford what's in the back, Alicia makes her way over to the neo-elf. "Having trouble fitting in with your people?" she can't help but ask, smiling slightly.
[18:50] <Kotono> "Gaaah..." Giving Alicia a sharp look, "Yeah, well, it's not like I asked to be one of them!" he says just a little too loudly, looks garnered rather quickly.
[18:53] <Alicia> "Well, you'll have centuries to get used to it, assuming you're careful," Alicia observes, peering over his new features. "What's it like?" she can't help but ask, curious as to how a human would perceive being an elf. Are they really as different as they like to make out? Donald would know better than anyone, now.
[18:56] <Kotono> Seira browses around, seeni ga few elves she knows by sight now. The sort she's seen around this a few times, that sort of deal. OOC - If you're looking for a particular item, look for it by name.
[18:57] <Kotono> "They hurt if you tug them to ohard," Donald growls under his breath. "They really do. Besides that, it's just...I don't know. My head's a little different. I'm missing pieces and fragments of my memories. There's something else there, alien and familiar at once."
[18:59] * Seira takes a look at the cloaks selection.
[19:01] * Alicia frowns slightly at those words. "I can see how that would be disconcerting... Perhaps your memories will return in time, though? I'm afraid I don't know much about the spell that brought you back - have you spoken to Countess Stronger about this?"
[19:03] * Dracos is now known as Millenia
[19:10] <Kotono> Seira finds an elven cloak as she searches.
[19:11] <Kotono> "I will. Gah." Shaking his head, "It's just like being in a different body and almost in a different mind. Still...beats...well..." Shaking his head, "Nevermind that!"
[19:12] * Seira gravitates over to Mia, satisfied that the elusive cloak is now within reach. "Interested in anything in particular?" she asks the acolyte.
[19:13] * Alicia nods slowly. "You... still don't remember anything from inbetween?" she asks gently, subtly guiding Donald away from the other shoppers for a degree of privacy.
[19:16] <Kotono> Blinking, "Oh, Seira..." Smiling faintly, "Just looking. Oh! How are you doing?" she asks with a serious, composed face. "I haven't seen you since before Shamal passed..." A brief look downward, sadness ni her eyes for a moment.
[19:16] <Kotono> "I just remember fighting and then I was there." Donald says slowly, "Why?"
[19:19] <Seira> "Fighting devils, mostly. Keeping in shape. Burying myself in magical research." Seira shrugs. "You?
[19:20] * Alicia looks away from Donald, her eyes unfocusing as she stares into the middle distance. "Have you never wondered what lies beyond?" she asks softly. "Whether our good deeds will be rewarded? Whether those we loved are waiting for us? Whether there's something *better* than this imperfect and ugly world, a place where we don't have to fight any longer?"
[19:21] <Kotono> "Oh, making money," Grinning from ear to ear happily, "I heard! First Kondrux then the horde - you are so lucky, by the way! You're rich! - and then devils? Being a hero pays well?"
[19:22] <Kotono> "Well..yeah, duh," Donald shrugs, "I just figured I didn't see Lathander or Kelemvor or whichever because I got reincarnated. Besides, where did the devils come from if there isn't an afterlife? Say..." Donald's eyes light up, "Do you want to talk about Lathander? The Morning Lord teaches about new beginnings and resurrection and things like that."
[19:24] <Seira> "I think I've transcended traditional riches, so now money hardly means anything in my day-to-day life, and only comes up when I want to buy an exciting new cloak," Seira muses. "Next time vicious fiends try to attack us, would you like to come along for fame and glory?"
[19:25] * Alicia smiles wanly as she returns her attention to Donald. "Perhaps your memory was taken away as a kindness, so you would not regret leaving the embrace of the heavens?" she posits. "Tell me about Lathander, though," she agrees, rarely heard warmth in her tone.
[19:28] <Kotono> "Oooh. Hwo much could I make?" Mia asks quite quickly, "How much is 'transcended?'"?
[19:30] <Kotono> "That too!" Donald nods, "Since.." Starting to frown, "Wait, aren't you like Demedais...like..." Scowling as he thinks, "That's right, aern't you invovled with a church? But I can talk about Lathander, too!"
[19:30] <Seira> "I have land now," Seira says simply, as if that answers everything. Which is likely does in these parts. "I figure you could make a couple thousand, if you listen to me and retain common sense in the face of what at first appears to be overwhelming odds."
[19:32] <Kotono> "...oooooooooooooh!" Mia perks up, so much that you swear she grew a few inches. "With that sort of money...sure, overwhelming odds sound bad, but..."
[19:33] <Alicia> "Problem?" Alicia asks at that scowl. "Besides, the church of Mystra appears nonexistent in this country, from what I've seen. Still, I'm sure the increasing use of magic pleases her..."
[19:34] <Seira> "Looking to buy anything in particular? If you're afraid of facing down horrible, horrible beings of evil, I could always front you some gold."
[19:41] <Kotono> "Oh, just Demedais...something about him...fleh, can't remember yet!" Shrugging, Donald goes on. "Yes, so this magic spreading has to be good work for her?"
[19:43] <Kotono> "Just looking...but gold is good!" Mia grins ear to ear, "I'll take donations or sponsorship or anything!"
[19:45] <Seira> "I'll keep your desire to moonlight in mind when I have an exciting, dangerous mission coming up," Seira assures Mia with a smile. "In fact, if you're just wasting time right now... I remember a persistent rumor of a certain acolyte getting hold of some dwarven-craft relics a while back. That story wouldn't have a grain of truth in it, would it?"
[19:47] * Alicia nods. "Every act of drawing upon the Weave strengthens Mystra, no matter the intent behind it." Letting that hang for a moment, she goes on, "But whatever you imagine you remember about Demedais surely cannot be correct - I've found him to be a righteous and trustworthy sort from what I've observed."
[20:01] <Kotono> "Oooohhoooh...that." Mia looks awya, "Well..." Mia drawls this out, voice low. "You seeeeeeeee...."
[20:02] <Seira> "I see much profit in a joint venture," Seira tells her, suitably lowering her voice to match Mia's.
[20:04] <Kotono> "Really?" Donald frowns, "Well, I'm sureit'll come back to me and I hope you're right." Thinkin as he looks about, "Say, Alicia. Do you want to go back, get a few drinks, and talk about Lathander?
[20:05] <Kotono> :
[20:08] <Alicia> "I don't drink," Alicia shakes her head. "But I'm happy to listen if you wish to talk," she offers kindly.
[20:09] <Kotono> "Well..." Mia looks down, "It's kind of a very long story..."
[20:11] <Seira> "I've got nothing but time, since I'm in between jobs," Seira assures her, leading the acolyte to a less populated area of the trading post. "Though you seem uncomfortable. Was it illegal? If so, I could protect you, or keep this between us if you ask."
[20:17] <Kotono> Donald's face lights up, "Well then...shall we?" he offers, starting to walk out.
[20:18] <Kotono> "It's just...well..." Breathing out, "Tell you what, come to the temple tomorrow night and we'll talk about it." Mia smiles suddenly, "It's just...kind of special."
[20:18] <Seira> "Alright," Seira agrees. "Just don't advertise it. Rule number... something, but I bet it's high, in the money-making business."
[20:20] <Alicia> "Of course," Alicia follows Donald outside for a stirring theological discussion... She was never good with those, but she's content to provide a sounding board if he needs one. His situation is compelling enough to have her interest, anyway.
[20:28] <Kotono> OOC - I'll drop you in #terror in a few, 'licia.
[20:31] <Kotono> "I'd call it rule number 2, behind actuallymaking money," Mia nods sagely, "So I'll see you then, Seira?"
[20:31] <Seira> "I'll bring refreshments," Seira agrees, nodding.
[20:41] <Kotono> OOC - Skip ahead?
[20:42] <Seira> OOC: Err, yeah  >_>
[20:50] <Kotono> The next evening comes soft and warm. Under the starry sky SEira heads for the Temple of Waukeen, finding Mia waiting just outside...
[20:52] * Seira has a bottle of gnomish wine for the occasion, helpfully manufactured by a barrel of endless bounty hidden safely at her inn.
[20:55] <Kotono> Mia looks up as Seira approaches, waving.  "C'mon!" she gestures, waving the half elf along.
[20:56] * Seira enters!
[21:00] <Kotono> Once inside, Seira is lead to a small room. It's dingy and quiet, a single bed andd not much decoration. There's a heavy chest at the foot of the bed, however. "Be it ever so humble..." Mia sighs. "Go ahead and sit down."
[21:02] * Seira sits down at the bed, still holding onto the bottle, and pats down the mattress next to her.
[21:06] <Kotono> Sitting down agreeably, "Do you remember how I got in debt from losing those scrolls?"
[21:08] <Seira> "Yes," Seira affirms, nodding. "You should've asked me for a loan. My terms are very favorable for people I like."
[21:12] <Kotono> "Well, taht's the thing. Loans are okay sometimes, but I need to be able to make money and pay back my own debts!" Mia crows that last part, "So I began to look around for way sto make money."
[21:18] * Seira nods. "And you stumbled upon something, something big.
[21:21] <Kotono> "Essentially!" Mia nods after a moment, "I went out of town to poke around for some herbs I could sell, since that makes okay money and it's good to stay out of town when people are lookign for you to give the momney."
[21:24] * Seira snorts at that. "Quite. And I would suggest that you turn to me if you ever in the future need a high-paying job to pay off debts, but that seems like a waste of your entrepreneuring talents. Do go on."
[21:35] <Kotono> "Well, you have to be resourceful to make money," Mia agrees, "But again! I ended up rambling around outside a good while I wandered, got lost, found the way, ate some edible berries, that sort of thing."
[21:36] <Seira> "Yes, and...?"
[21:38] <Kotono> "Ssh! You're ruining it," Mia glares at Seira, crossing her arms over her chest. "It was late afternoon and I'd walked several miles. I'd gone mostly south and west, kind of skirting the very beginning of the Galkass Mountains. When I crested a small hill, I found the guy. Would you believe he was four feet tall?"
[21:39] <Seira> "Did he have a beard?" Seira asks, turning her head to look at Mia better.
[21:47] <Kotono> "Well, duh!" Mia smiles from ear to ear, "I went up to him and he was wearing plate and looked just like a fairy tale! Red beard, strong, smelled like sour ale and mushrooms. HE said he'd gotten lost in a cave and gotten stuck on the surface."
[21:48] <Seira> "His misfortune, your lucky break." Seira nods once more. "You two instantly hit it off, I take it?"
[21:54] <Kotono> "By hitting it off you mean taking advantage, sure," Mia smiles ear to ear again, "See, I helped him get back to his cave. In return, I promised not to tell anyone where it was so people don't poke in. Of course, that wasn't free."
[21:58] <Seira> "If you tell me the exact phrasing of your contract, I'm certain we could find a loophole that would allow you to fill me in," Seira comments, frowning thoughtfully. "Dwarves weren't known for their sneakiness, from what I've read about them."
[22:01] <Kotono> "Oh, it was verbal and in good faith," Mia says, already holding her hands up. "Yes, not the best method, but I trusted him for some reason. He kept his word."
[22:02] <Seira> "Well, tell me what you can, and we'll see if I can't guess at the rest, then?"
[22:10] <Kotono> "Well, he complained about electric lizards at one point at it..." Mia begins, forthright. "But not near the surface."
[22:11] <Seira> "You're pretty lucky you returned in good health. And that's just another kind of talent." Seira smiles. "Now I want to work with you all the more. So, what did you two end up trading?"

[Corwin]

[18:11] <Kokokoko> "I've been using the money to quietly buy small potions from the temple - we get a small discount- and trading it for dwarven carvings and stone. I quietly sell those and make more money back so far." Mia finishes with an agreeable smile, "So I'm doing welle nough to get my hands on things!"
[18:12] * Carthrat is now known as Ratsleep
[18:15] <Seira> "There are two problems with this approach, however," Seira tells Mia, her tone analytical. "While I would be flattered if you thought of myself as the only one capable of finding out what you have been up to, such is unlikely to be the case. And, on top of that, you don't seem to be thinking on a grander scale, here. Sooner or later, an interested party would try to come in and muscle you out, making a general mess of things for us all."
[18:15] <Seira>  She smirks. "Luckily for all involved, it seems I got to you first."
[18:18] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[18:19] <Kokokoko> "Yeah well..." Mia begins to smile, cute and pert, "With all the money you guys are bringing in, not to mention the elven trading and Stronger's shop, it's easier to slip purchases in here now. Oh, but you're right a bit..." Mia sighs grandly, "I can't really go large scale yet. I'm just getting warmed up right now. Once I have a big old war chest, though...?"
[18:21] <Seira> "Have you ever met anyone but your friend... what was his name, again?"
[18:25] <Kokokoko> "Oh yes, I was being coy," Mia drawls out, "But I've met him and his son. They're nice enough in a grunty, mannish sort of way."
[18:27] * Seira nods. "So it's less likely to be a setup, alright." She gives Mia a probing look. "What are your plans, then, if you had the financial backing and political capital to finally make a move?"
[18:28] <Kokokoko> "Well, you and the others set such a good example! If you're known as th eones that brought the elves out, the only way to compete and keep up is to bring the dwarves out!" Mia smiles once more at that, demurely looking towards her hand, even as her eyes gleam like gold. "But baby steps, you know. I'm trying to learn the language from them, too."
[18:30] <Seira> "I see." Seira nods deeply, thinking it over. "Yes, perhaps a slow approach would be best in this case, given the elven situation, and the expected emergence of the sea elves." She tilts her head. "Think you can get the father and son to meet me, too?"
[18:31] <Kokokoko> "Mmmm." Falling back onto her bed, Mia thinks. "Well, I suppose I could try..." she begins thoughtfully. "But first," She raises her head up,  "I'd like to meet Alicia and Demedais. Before anything else happens, you know?"
[18:33] <Seira> "This might prove difficult," Seira admits. "You must know of Demedais leaving on some quest of his. We don't know when he will be back."
[18:33] <Kokokoko> "I hadn't, I've been busy," Mia counters right back. "Then I'l settle for making con-er, meeting Alicia."
[18:35] <Seira> "That, my friend, is entirely within the realm of possible," Seira responds. "To be clear, you are not averse to the idea of a partnership, here?"
[18:39] <Kokokoko> "If things work out just so, I'm open to it," Mia agrees after a moment. "Since after all, the legendary Seira wouldn't betray me, would she?" The last is said with a quick smile, almost cheery. Almost.
[18:39] * CC (~Corwin@bzq-88-154-98-126.red.bezeqint.net) has joined #dunes
[18:40] * Seira (~Corwin@bzq-88-154-153-97.red.bezeqint.net) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by CC))
[18:40] * CC is now known as Seira
[18:40] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Seira
[18:41] <Kokokoko> "If things work out just so, I'm open to it," Mia agrees after a moment. "Since after all, the legendary Seira wouldn't betray me, would she?" The last is said with a quick smile, almost cheery. Almost.
[18:41] * Seira throws Mia a strange look, not bothering to hide it. "I don't know about legendary, but one has to be a devil from Baator before I consider betraying them, and for money, to boot."
[18:42] <Kokokoko> "Good then!" Cheerfully Mia agrees, "Come on by with Alicia later, I'll make up some excuse to get away for awhile."
[18:44] * Seira nods, standing up. "Keep the wine," she tells Mia, placing the bottle in the acolyte's hands. "It's got a unique taste, but the vintage is quite unbelievable."
[18:49] <Kokokoko> "Thanks," Mia takes it, "I'll see you around, Seira?"
[18:50] <Seira> "Pretty much."
[19:08] <Kokokoko> ---
[19:11] <Kokokoko> In the interminable waiting for word to come back from Malmuth, the days pass in work. But not all of them, this morning bringing Seira and Alicia towards the temple of Waukeen. The streets are busy, traders and merchants and common people all minglnig...
[19:12] <Alicia> "So, who's this person that wanted to meet me?" Alicia asks, sounding vaguely suspicious as she follows Seira towards the temple.
[19:14] <Seira> "She works here," Seira responds succinctly. "If her information pans out, we may get to meet some real life dwarves living nearby."
[19:15] * Alicia shakes her head in wonder. "This town really does have it all..."
[19:15] <Seira> "Yes," Seira agrees, mutting the words to a simple divination spell.
[19:16] <Kokokoko> With magical sight enabled, Seira and Alicia head towards the temple. As they do, one of the traders calls, "Captain Seira! Alicia?" A burly man at a stand of fruits and food, watching.
[19:16] * Seira glances in his direction, trying to place him.
[19:17] <Alicia> "Lieutenant Alicia," the paladin corrects, going towards the burly man. "Something we can help you with, sir?"
[19:18] <Kokokoko> He's unfamiliar - bushy  mustache, brown hair, a bit on the older side of thirty. "I just wanted to meet you," he sticks his hand out, "I'd heard about you back in Armasea when I went trading there, and the city's just buzzing. Nice to meet real heroes."
[19:20] * Seira looks uncomfortable. "Was there anything we could help you with, Sir?" she repeats Alicia's words.
[19:21] <Kokokoko> "No. Just..." he sticks his hand out, "It's a real honor. You and all the others, too."
[19:21] * Alicia at least has the grace to shake his hand. "You're welcome. I'm glad our presence is able to lift people's spirits," she replies smoothly. "But, if you'll excuse us, we have business to attend to." With a nod at that, she starts heading for the temple.
[19:22] * Seira nods at the man, and giving him and his wares a glance with her enhanced vision, follows Alicia.
[19:24] <Kokokoko> His fruit is entirely non magical. As they go, "You get 'em for me," he calls, as the two head towards Waukeen's temple. Inside they find peoplemilling about, even an elf or two. But Mia is found near the fountain, sitting there and scribbling on a scroll.
[19:26] * Seira makes her way to the girl, waving as she gets close enough to get noticed.
[19:27] * Alicia follows after Seira, idly looking around the church of money. It's not quite as gaudy as she'd expected.
[19:31] <Kokokoko> Mia finishes the page and looks up, "Oh, good timing. I was just about to go slip away for awhile anyway!" Smiling towards Alicia, "Alicia? I'm Mia. Nice to meet you."
[19:33] <Alicia> "And the same to you, Mia," Alicia nods in a genial manner, smiling slightly.
[19:38] <Kokokoko> "How do you like Balmuria? I heard you aren't form the area?" Mia inquires politely.
[19:40] <Alicia> "Yes, I'm from Kelara, on the other side of the Desert Fiefdoms," Alicia confirms, wondering what else Mia knows. Probably the whole town knows about her ill-begotten sister... she represses the familiar surge of anger, going on smoothly, "It's a nice city, with a lot of ambition... and a lot of problems."
[19:41] <Seira> "Oh, it's not that bad. You get to meet all kinds of interesting people."
[19:42] <Alicia> "Certainly true," Alicia nods. "It's just a lot more than I expected, all the trouble with undead and fiends..."
[19:46] <Kokokoko> "Yes well, it's gotten exciting here and profitable to boot." Smiling as she look sheavenward, "Surely Her Ladyship Waukeen had this temple built here in preparation for these days?"
[19:47] <Seira> "It's not beyond the realm of possible," Seira agrees. "Though you'd better be ready to deal with some stiff competition."
[19:53] <Kokokoko> "Yes, well...it's all about making money, even with competition," Mia smiles sanguinely, "What about you, Alicia?"
[19:55] <Alicia> "I can use money to buy better tools for fighting evil," Alicia replies with a shrug. "Past that I have no use for displays of wealth or relaxing comforts."
[19:56] <Seira> "At the risk of sounding--" Seira stops, shaking her head. "It's not all just about making money, you know. It's about securing funds as means to an end, not a goal in and of themselves."
[19:57] <Alicia> "Exactly," Alicia gives Seira an approving smile.
[20:00] <Seira> "In the end, I believe Waukeen teaches us that it is quite alright to help others while not neglecting ourselves, either. This might go against what passes for common sense with most people, but then again, most people are poor and have little effect on their societies, which would tend to invalidate their opinions on trade in my eyes," Seira continues, while Mia seems to consider their words.
[20:05] <Kokokoko> "I guess." Mia listens to all that, "But making money's important, too. Especially once you start getting some. We're the ones who have chances to make money and do some things."
[20:07] <Seira> "Yes," Seira agrees. "In fact, should this go well, I have an intersting business venture I would like to bring you in on."
[20:09] <Alicia> "What sort of things?" Alicia asks curiously.
[20:11] <Kokokoko> "Ssssh!" Mia quickly hisses out, glancing back and forth. "Don' be that noisy about it!"
[20:11] <Seira> "We can talk at my place, or anywhere you feel safe and secure," Seira offers.
[20:12] <Alicia> "You don't even feel safe to discuss this in your own church?" Alicia asks, sounding mostly surprised, but there's a certain air of smug superiority in her tone. She'd never have such problems in her church!
[20:13] <Seira> "It's a most delicate matter, and the church doubles as a market for outsiders," Seira reminds Alicia.
[20:15] * Alicia shakes her head slowly. "It all sounds so sordid..."
[20:17] <Seira> "Consider this precaution in a first contact situation," Seira proposes.
[20:20] <Kokokoko> Mia smiles winsomely, getting up, "Well, lead us on, Seira?"
[20:22] * Seira does lead on, through the main street, up the hill, through the main entrance and straight into her private chambers with a wave at the bartender. Once the door closes, she steps farther into her library, where she is certain they would not be overheard or spied upon due to its construction, and takes a seat by the desk, a recently-purchased book on dwarven legends lying open on it.
[20:24] * Alicia puts her sword to one side before sitting down in one of the other chairs in Seira's study. "So...?" she looks expectantly between the other two women.
[20:26] * Seira lets Mia speak, as she is the one with the inside knowledge and a cunning plan. Hopefully.
[20:31] <Kokokoko> Mia primly sits down, brushing off her clothes. "Well, as Seira already knows, I know a dwarf and a place to meet him, a certain cave. Now, as you've seen and everyone's heard with the elves, establishing contact and trade with other races can be very profitable, right?"
[20:32] <Seira> "Fame, fortune, the works," Seira affirms. "Danger should also be there, however."
[20:32] <Alicia> "Friendly ties with other races is in everyone's interest, and trade is often the gateway to such," Alicia agrees easily enough.
[20:36] <Kokokoko> "Not to mention having the chance to become amazingly rich off of it," Mia agrees happily, "I have my foot in the door, but I'm working to blow it wide open now."
[20:38] <Seira> "The operative word here is 'how', I believe," Seira interjects.
[20:47] * Sierra_Mikain (~Melanchth@pool-71-191-16-113.washdc.east.verizon.net) Quit (-=SysReset 2.53=-)
[20:48] <Kokokoko> "I have dwarves that mostly trust me. If we can get them on board with this then we'll have a full on wedge to work with. Simple enough." Mia agrees, "I just need money to purchase goods and spread the influence on them.
[20:48] <Kokokoko> "
[20:49] <Seira> "Have you traded anything of true value with them, yet?" Seira inquires.
[20:51] <Kokokoko> "A few potions I bought," Mia notes, reaching into her pocket. "I've made enough to even carry one of these on me." Wiggling a small glass bottle full fo blue liquid, "In case I slip and hurt myself or something bad happens. I buy them from the church since we get a small discount, too."
[20:54] * Seira nods. "How much money are we talking about, then?"
[20:55] <Kokokoko> "The more the better - with 1000 gold I could get a selection of potions and even a few scrolls - once the stock replenish. I heard you went around buying everything up," Mia notes, "No wonder our head priest was in such a good mood. With more I could addmagical equipment to really show off."
[20:57] <Seira> "I could take care of some scrolls pretty cheaply, so we can have that covered," Seira muses. "But I'd really like for us to have a more active role than financial backer. How would we swing that?"
[20:57] <Alicia> "Would that I could help with providing funds, but I'm afraid Countess Stronger is currently enjoying the fruits of my recent labours," Alicia apologises diplomatically.
[21:04] <Kokokoko> "That would be nice!" Mia smiles happily at Seira, "Well, yes, I hear that magical equipment costs a  few fortunes," Mia says diplomatically enough. "Hmm..."
[21:07] * Seira takes hold of the lapels of her cloak, and then unclasps it altogether. She folds it, and places the magical item on the desk, but the book on dwarves. "I'm in with this, for now. That should show I'm serious."
[21:10] <Kokokoko> Whistling as she goes to cloak, looking it over, "What exactly is it? How much does it cost?"
[21:12] <Seira> "A grand, give or take." The corners of her lips twitch. "More if I sign it. You everyday cloak of resistance, though one shouldn't underestimate it. There is a very good reason why their name is well-known across the land."
[21:17] <Kokokoko> "Yes, a good offering," Mia rubs her hands together, "I think that and the scrolls and a few potions I throw in has a good chance of working. Oooooooooh!"
[21:18] * Alicia raises an eyebrow at the almost perverse level of satisfaction Mia is displaying. Well... it probably *is* a religious experience for her...
[21:19] <Seira> "When do you plan to meet your friends next?"
[21:21] <Kokokoko> "A few weeks? It takes time to make and get those carvings according to them. It's weird." Making a face, "I guess it's how people who live a long time think, but they talk more in weeks and months, not hours and days."
[21:22] <Alicia> "The elves seemed to act urgently enough in Pallanth, from what I saw. Perhaps it's unique to dwarves?" Alicia suggests thoughtfully.
[21:23] <Seira> "It could be this way with art, and quite differently with political intrigue." Seira shrugs. "Do remember me when the time comes. I should be back in Balmuria by then."
[21:27] <Kokokoko> "I will," Reaching out, Mia takes Seira's hand, "Oh, can you see it? We are going to make -sooooo- much money off of this!" Looking down a moment, "Just make it back safe, okay? Kinda imagined doing this with Shamal, too."
[21:27] <Seira> "I'll try to clear my schedule of assassins."
[21:28] <Kokokoko> "Good!" After a moment, Mia stands and carefully folds Seira's cloak. "I'll see you then, alright?"
[21:29] <Seira> "Don't get robbed," Seira tells her by way of greeting.
[21:30] <Alicia> "It was nice meeting you, Mia," Alicia offers as the acolyte departs.
[21:31] <Seira> "Now do you understand why I insisted on making this my business, and ended up dragging you into it, too?" Seira asks Alicia, once they are left alone, and enough time passed that Mia won't be able to overhear anything.
[21:33] <Alicia> "I understood as soon as you mentioned dwarves," Alicia replies curtly. "A pity I was unable to contribute, but perhaps I will have something to invest by the time of her next trading trip."
[21:34] <Seira> "There's that, too, but if left alone she would bring the whole house of cards down." Seira frowns. "I'm not sure if it's youth or greed or a combination of factors, but one wrong step, here, and we'll have a hostile nation at our doorstep. This has to be prevented at all costs."
[21:37] <Alicia> "It doesn't sound like she's gotten deeply enmeshed if she's only trading trinkets with a dwarf who wandered a bit far off the beaten path. At worst if she offended her new friend he'd simply stop coming to meet her," Alicia replies, not sounding overly concerned. "Still, if we can make this something more than minor trade, the benefits are clear for all."
[21:38] <Seira> "She's young and impressionable and I'm not the only one who heard of her efforts," Seira tells Alicia. "But I have considerably less to worry about, now."
[21:40] * Alicia nods. "In any case, if what she said is true, we have a few weeks before her next excursion... although we may be called away to Pallanth by Lord Salman when that happens, depending on how long Malmuth's response is in coming."
[21:45] <Seira> "They can't keep us waiting too long, or that in itself is an admission of their guilt. In something. Even if they are scheming, they would try to respond before too much time passes to avoid making us suspicious."