55: You're not on the list, you're not getting in

[Ebiris]

[13:59] <@Ebiris> While Lavinia finishes up some land purchases spurred by Liamae's predictions of an impending meteorite strike, her employees have some time to themselves, other than the requirement to be on hand in case something demanding expert assistance comes up. Some busy themselves with training, others seeing the sights of Thanellar or spending time with new friends. But Rudy and Henrietta have other plans in mind now that they have a potential opportunity in the seat of Isernia's power...
[14:00] * Kallen is now known as Rudy
[14:02] <@Rudy> "I don't have a plan," says Rudy, finishing off some pilfered bottle of Isernia's finest. "You think we can just go see her?"
[14:03] <@Henrietta> "Maybe we can look her up first, and see if she has a... a hobby of some sort? Or if she visits a, well, a paramour?" Henrietta suggests. "It might give us a chance to meet her somewhere alone."
[14:06] <@Rudy> "She's probably married. I figure most of the top officials are," replies Rudy. "But yeah, let's go look her up."
[14:06] <@Ebiris> OOC: you can roll GI. +5 bonus due to recent fame
[14:06] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+20
[14:06] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+20 and gets 34." [1d20=14]
[14:07] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+16 aid
[14:07] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+16 aid and gets 19." [1d20=3]
[14:14] <@Ebiris> Trying to look up information on the Crown Treasurer, the capital has any number of royal and government palaces and offices, mainly clustered around the centre of Thanellar. It's while traipsing through a grassy park of glassy ponds and trees festooned with red and gold that Henrietta chances upon a well dressed elderly gentleman feeding the swans. "Ah, hoping to get a foot in the door at the Treasury, are you?" he smiles down at her, alert eyes crinkling on a dusky tanned face topped with snow-white hair under an elaborate wide-brimmed hat. "Looking for a job or a sponsor, or trying to get your patron some financial consideration? I won't ask, anyway, surely not my business. Dame Hawthorne's a hard woman, not one for wasting time or capering about, but she's got a mind like a steel trap, hah! Have to, in her position, though."
[14:17] <@Henrietta> "I don't think I can confirm any of that," Henrietta says hesitantly. "But if I were, that is, looking for a way to get a foot in, not that I am, what would be the best way to do it?"
[14:26] <@Ebiris> He snorts unctuously, ripping up a hunk of bread and tossing it to the nearby white-plumed birds who forgo their serene dignity to squabble noisily over the morsel. "Used to work in the office, so I know how it goes. Even seeing the secretary to make an appointment can be a chore, and he's as likely to give you the run around as check her calendar. Unless you have a name that they'll respect, they'll just put you with all the other beggars and cranks to wait forever. Still, you seem earnest young sorts, so I might know another way..." He contemplates silently, until a honk from the nearby swans prompts another few crumbs to be tossed their way. "Elderwards. It's a stuffy old boys club where gentlemen of means and standing drink port, play games, and discuss the events of the day. Exclusive, hard to get into, but maybe simpler than navigating bureaucracy. When I was working there I know she liked to spend a few hours there on most nights."
[14:27] <@Ebiris> *working at the treasury
[14:32] <@Rudy> "Elderwards, eh? Say, Henri, would I be a gentleman of means and or standing?" asks Rudy, before raising a hand. "Don't answer that. You wouldn't happen to know any old boys with an interest in the arts, would you? It's much easier to get into these places with a patron."
[14:34] <@Ebiris> The friendly old man just shrugs. "I'm afraid I'm just an old civil servant, my boy. Never quite reached those crowds in my time."
[14:35] <@Rudy> "Ah, well. Why don't we pay a visit there tonight, Henri? I'm sure the rich and famous all had front-row seats before."
[14:36] <@Henrietta> "I... but, well, if this is a club for gentlemen, can I even get in? But I suppose the Dame did as well...." Henrietta purses her lips, and then nods at Rudy. "It would not hurt to try, I suppose."
[14:38] <@Ebiris> "They weren't going to say no to a woman like Dame Hawthorne," the man chuckles gently, breaking his crust of bread in half and tossing the last two chunks to the gathering avians. "Might be a bit harder for a young thing as yourself, but you won't know until you try?"
[14:39] <@Rudy> "Could just pretend to be a couple," remarks Rudy.
[14:40] * @Henrietta smiles. "Of course. Shall we go and look for Elderwards, then?"
[14:48] <@Ebiris> The day passes, and after sundown Rudy and Henrietta make their way through wide gas-lantern lit streets towards the exclusive upper crust club. Up a small flight of stairs on the facade of a building just like all the others lining the street, a man in a pristine white jacket stands attentively under the plum-coloured awning, the name of the establishment barely visible in the glass of the front door. The doorman looks down at the pair as they approach, speaking as they reach the last step in a tone dripping condescension. "I'm sorry, sir and madam, could it be that you are looking for directions? For I am quite sure you must be uncertain as to your way."
[14:50] <@Rudy> "This is Elderwards, is it not?" asks Rudy, glancing at the sign. "My eyes are not failing me?"
[14:54] <@Ebiris> "Indeed it is," he confirms, "But I am sure the good sir and madam have no business at this humble establishment. Perhaps I could direct sir and madam to one of Thanellar's many fine taprooms and alehouses?" he suggests, snootiness thick in the air.
[14:56] <@Henrietta> "Perhaps you could direct us inside," Henrietta says sweetly, her smile or tone doing nothing to diminish the threat hanging in the air, "or be the one to inform Dame Hawthorne that you are the reason she was unable to meet with us?"
[14:56] <@Ebiris> OOC: make a bluff check, Henri?
[14:57] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+12
[14:57] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+12 and gets 25." [1d20=13]
[15:01] <@Ebiris> The well dressed but dull looking doorman gazes down his nose at Henrietta before speaking. "I am quite sure any member of our establishment would be sure to put your names on the guestlist, in the ever-so unlikely event that they actually wished to be bothered by beggars and vagrants in their relaxing haven. These fine people come here to escape from ill-mannered solicitors such as yourselves, and you shan't find an ally in me in whatever scheme you've concocted. Now move along before you cause a disturbance."
[15:06] <@Rudy> Rudy sighs. "Come along, Henri. Only the dullest of venues could be waited on by the dullest of men," he remarks, turning to depart.
[15:07] * @Henrietta looks insulted, but she soothes herself by having a clearer image of what is needed to get in. All they need is for someone to put them on the guest list, and they already know just the right person for that.
[15:07] <@Rudy> "I don't think he liked us, Henri. I'm not used to that," remarks Rudy.
[15:08] <@Ebiris> The doorman settles down as the pair leave, resuming his vigil...
[15:12] <@Ebiris> The next day after everyone finishes breakfast and prepares for whatever errands they choose to spend the day on, Rudy and Henrietta chance to catch Lavinia first in the sitting room of their suite...
[15:12] <@Rudy> "M'lady! Would you have a moment?" asks Rudy, sweeping into the room, crossaint still in-hand.
[15:14] <@Henrietta> "Lady Vanderboren," Henrietta begins, once Rudy catches their employer's attention. "I know how terribly busy you are, but there is a matter that came up in Salerno before we left that we would like to appraise you about."
[15:15] <@Ebiris> "Of course, Rudy. What troubles you?" the young noblewoman asks, sitting demurely before the fireplace, Greta standing attentively behind her and waiting for the slightest command to leap into action.
[15:15] <@Henrietta> "May we discuss this in private?" Henrietta politely inquires.
[15:21] <@Ebiris> Liamae and Zani are still lingering on a slow breakfast over in the far corner, seemingly unconcerned over what transpires elsewhere, and Greta fidgets suddenly. Lavinia looks curious, but assents. "Greta, would you tell Liamae and Zani to finish up, and then go check on our laundry?" she suggests to the maid, which swiftly results in the room being emptied.
[15:21] <@Rudy> Rudy nods to himself. "Well. Before we left, I was investigating the source of my own magic," explains Rudy. "I'd found a child with abilities similar to mine, and managed to trace them to an.. arcane workshop, I suppose, a bit down the coast from Salerno."
[15:22] <@Rudy> He shuffles uncomfortably. "It was quite henious. The place was haunted- I have no other word for it. We found evidence that those at the workshop were searching for a means to bring out a person's inner magic- a way to create more Myras, I suppose. The theory is mildly interesting, but not really relevant. The issue is their chosen method.
[15:22] <@Rudy> "It was torture. The intent was to drive their subjects insane via various cruel mechanisms, pushing them to their very limits in the hopes that.. well, in hopes that they'd go mad, I suppose, and somehow this was the key to unleashing their inner power, to forming an eidolon like Myra.
[15:22] <@Rudy> "This would be bad enough, but the subjects were all children. The place had been abandoned before we arrived- destroyed by some of the inmates, I expect, but we- well, we found their remains, trapped in a sealed room. They must have starved to death there, unable to break free."
[15:23] <@Henrietta> "Their spirits were quite vengeful," Henrietta adds, picking the story up after Rudy. "It took quite an effort to calm them down and allow them to pass on." Somewhere. She doesn't think about that part.
[15:24] <@Ebiris> "Oh, my!" Lavinia's eyes widen, a hand going to her mouth as she looks at Rudy. "That sounds awful! Who would do such a thing?"
[15:25] <@Henrietta> "The Crown Treasurer, Dame Jellica Hawthorne, Lady Vanderboren," Henrietta responds.
[15:26] <@Rudy> "The actual mages are mostly dead, I think," adds Rudy. "But the research must have been approved and enabled by the treasurer. We found correspondance at the ruin."
[15:30] <@Ebiris> Massaging her brow, Lavinia looks appalled. "That's as good as official, if it's a Crown writ. Do you have the correspondence with you?" she asks, sitting up straighter. "It could be falsified, though it sounds so beastly and strange I can't think why..."
[15:32] <@Henrietta> "We were thinking of approaching Dame Hawthorne," Henrietta tells her, "and presenting Rudy as the sole survivor of that atrocity. With Myra serving as our proof, alongside our knowledge into the, well, the experiments, we believe we can draw information out of her. About who else was involved, or whether they are trying this again, somewhere else. But merely on our own, there is only so far we
[15:32] <@Henrietta> can go with this."
[15:34] <@Rudy> "I have the letter with me," replies Rudy, fishing around in his pockets for it. "It's not one that was actually sent, though. Her name is mentioned, however." He frowns. "There's the possibility that she didn't actually know what was going on."
[15:34] <@Henrietta> "If so, however, by approaching her we should be able to find out for certain."
[15:36] <@Ebiris> Lavinia takes the letter once presented, skimming it over. "Yes, this isn't proof in the slightest - I certainly hope you don't do anyhting rash with it, because the consequences could be terrible," she warns, handing the letter back. "I take it you want my help in making an appointment with the treasury?"
[15:37] <@Henrietta> "We were thinking of an informal setting, as it happens," Henrietta responds. "The Dame frequents a club, Elderwards. If we could get on the guest list, it would make approaching her casually quite easy."
[15:41] <@Ebiris> Your employer shakes her head, "I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with the establishment. Do you want my help in getting in, or do you already have a plan and this is just a kind warning in case things go horribly wrong?" she asks wryly.
[15:46] <@Rudy> "The former! It's a local venue- your peers in society who reside here may well already be on the list. If you could help us discuss putting our names down with one- Verandi, perhaps? I think she liked you, Henri."
[15:48] <@Henrietta> "Her sister and I are friends," Henrietta admits, "as well as rivals. So I agree that it would be the best way. I could ask her myself, but I'm afraid I don't know where she is staying, and asking Duke Thade himself...." Henrietta wilts slightly at the prospect. Sounding concerned, she asks, "Lady Vanderboren, do you have a problem with us trying to get to the bottom of this?"
[15:54] <@Ebiris> "Investigating is fine," Lavinia replies quickly to Henrietta's question. "If misdeeds have been done we should know about them... but of course, I have my own secrets and can understand another wanting their privacy. Until we know exactly what happened, please don't commit to anything rashly." Taking a breath now, "As for the Duke's young mistress... I understand he pays for a townhouse for her away from his palace, no doubt to provide an illusion of propriety. It's at the corner of Maximillian Road and Giant's Path."
[15:56] <@Rudy> "We'll keep our discussions private, m'lady. No action will be taken without your word," replies Rudy, although he's not entirely sure how much of that he means.
[16:06] <@Ebiris> It's a bit of a walk towards the East side, the slopes of the Thanatos volcano looming large nearby with its terraced streets and villas, before Rudy and Henrietta finally reach Verandi's supposed abode. It's much like the rest of Thanellar's architcture, rigidly geometric and widely spaced, the large panelled windows frosted just a bit to make seeing inside difficult. Up a short stairway stands the door to number 84, a heavy black door barring the way and a simple brass knocker on it to announce one's presence.
[16:07] <@Henrietta> "Do you think Verandi is actually Vriskna's half sister?" Henrietta asks Rudy all of a sudden.
[16:08] <@Rudy> "No reason not to. But I've got this feeling Vriskna might've preferred that her whereabouts weren't known," replies Rudy, pensively. "Just a feeling."
[16:09] <@Henrietta> "You don't say." Henrietta frowns briefly, but shakes it off in favor of more pressing matters and uses the brass knocker.
[16:13] <@Ebiris> The knock is crisply heard against the door, and a few moments later it is pulled open to reveal a figure standing in a somewhat barren entrance hallway. She's not quite as well dressed as she was at the play, but Verandi pulls off the dark grey and black gown well, looking rather like but even more sensual than Vriskna's typical robes in how it flatters and highlights her figure. "Ah, it's Drovalid and Tybain!" she grins brightly, bringing a hand up to her breast, "Am I to be treated to a private show?"
[16:16] <@Henrietta> "Good morning," Henrietta greets her, responding with a smile of her own. "This is not about a show, but could we take a few moments of your time, you think?"
[16:16] <@Rudy> Rudy looks quite unassuming compared to his costume- which is saying something about said costume, given that his normal mode of dress is hardly subdued. "We could try to improvise later, though!"
[16:18] <@Ebiris> "Ahh, a pity," her expression turns crestfallen, stepping back from the doorway. "Please come in, though I apologise if I'm a poor hostess, I haven't had time to do much with the place," she waves over the undecorated walls negligently.
[16:22] <@Henrietta> "Oh, it is quite alright!" Henrietta assures her. "Please don't worry on our behalf. That's just how it is when you don't spend much time at home."
[16:25] <@Ebiris> Verandi turns her back now and leads the way into a sitting room just off the hall, the fireplace unlit and clean which makes the place rather chilly even with the thick walls protecting you from the elements. At least the chairs look comfortable to sit in. "You're very kind, Drovalid," the black-haired woman smiles, now turning to Henrietta once inside. "Though that was clear on the stage, so I shouldn't be surprised. But if not for theatrics, then what do I owe the pleasure to?"
[16:26] <@Rudy> "Not theatrics, but sybaritics," remarks Rudy.
[16:27] <@Henrietta> "It might be a bit presumptious of us... well, more than a bit, I suppose, if you get right down to it. But, well, there is this exclusive club that we are trying to get, and we would really appreciate some help with that, and we just arrived here so we don't really know anyone...."
[16:27] <@Henrietta> *to get into
[16:28] <@Ebiris> "Oh? And why would you think I could help with that?" Verandi smiles beguilingly, easing into a chair facing the pair. "I'm but a simple woman, swept up in the affairs of her betters, after all."
[16:31] * @Henrietta settles into one opposite Verandi, once she herself sits down. "Because, well, because the clientelle of that club... it seems, how to say it, the sort of place Duke Thade would be a member of? The club is Elderwards. You heard of it, perhaps?"
[16:35] <@Ebiris> "Hmmm? I may have heard of it. But dear Frederick has far better things to do with his time than mingle with small-minded beings far too ignorant of their place in the world. There is nobility, and there is nobility, I'm sure you understand? He is the King's uncle, after all," Verandi eases back and hums, a pleasantly lulling sound. "Still, perhaps I can be convinced to whisper something in the right ear on your behalf?"
[16:37] <@Rudy> "Would you like the select the means by which we shall convince you?" asks Rudy, quirking an eyebrow. "Or will you leave it up to us?"
[16:38] <@Ebiris> "Oh, when you put it like that?" she chuckles throatily, straightening up. "Do go on as you please."
[16:41] <@Henrietta> "You did seem taken by our acting, amateurs that we are," Henrietta muses, peering at Verandi. "Well, I was thinking of taking a few more lessons to do better, but if you were not just being polite, which I could entirely understand, of course, then maybe this is how we might be able to pay you back for this favor?"
[16:44] <@Ebiris> "Hmm... yes, I think that could be just perfect. Another performance like the Sixfold Trials, perhaps played out on a different manner of stage?" She stands up, "Indeed, I shall make arrangements both for your admittance to this Elderwards, and for just the right sort of drama to thrill even the most jaded senses!"
[16:45] <@Rudy> Rudy's face is a mask! A mask of perfect serenity, concealing his innermost feelings- consisting today of impending doom and violent anger!
[16:46] * @Henrietta is all smiles. "Thank you very much for your kindness!"