Home at Last 05

[Corwin]

19:08 <•Anastasia> "I can rustle something up," Picke says after a few moment's thought.
19:08 <Skaya> "As soon as I have it, I'll make my move," Skaya promises.
19:11 ⇐ Devar_ quit (~igloo@lunarnet-8642DF90.sub-174-218-250.myvzw.com) Ping timeout: 180 seconds
19:12 <•Anastasia> It's a quick duck in for Picke to return with a uniform. He presents it to Skaya, "Good luck."
19:16 <Skaya> Luck is right. How long has it been since she had a chance to sneak around like this? But then again, it's not like she doesn't have any experience. After ducking into an unoccupied room Skaya puts on most of the uniform, deciding to carry the top in her haversack. With a cloak covering her figure and a hood to disguise her identity, at least at a casual glance, she shouldn't be spotted as she heads out in the direction of the garrison.
19:19 <•Anastasia> OOC: Give me a disguise check, +2 bonus.
19:20 <Skaya> OOC: Give me a bot, please
19:22 <•Anastasia> OOC: Oh. Oh. Yeah, that would help. M oment.
19:23 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@lunarnet-82C188CE.hr.hr.cox.net)
19:23 <Skaya> roll 1d20+10+2
19:23 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+10+2 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{24}
19:28 <•Anastasia> It's a guard outpost. A pair of guards are outside, who eyes Skaya as she approaches, but make no move to stop her. It's two stories and fairly large, at the corner of a four way intersection. They have spears and light armor, but are otherwise simply standing guard.
19:32 <Skaya> Having finished changing once close enough, Skaya should look like a proper guard herself. Of course, with her skills she doesn't immediately look like her usual self to those who might've seen her in passing. Simple is best when disguising, unless truly aiming to replace someone. She walks towards the outpost confidently, since acting confidently as if one belongs is the first step in fooling others!
19:36 <•Anastasia> No one stops you from going in. Inside you see it looks like a front desk where guards report, two doing so right now. Otherwise various doors lead deeper in. A bench on the side has chains and manacles attached, two men currently locked up there. One's snoring loudly, red faced and old. The other's badly beaten, face a bloody mess and slumped over.
19:38 — Skaya lines up after the pair who are reporting, listening in casually. If there is any sort of protocol, however relaxed, she should be able to clue into it this way. And it would give her time to take stock of the interior that she can see.
19:42 <•Anastasia> "...and reported it to Street Watch Sorsen." One of them concludes.
19:43 <•Anastasia> The man at the desk grunts, older and clean shaven, a nasty scar on his face, one eye gone and a patch over it. "Idiot had it coming when he swung at Richards. Throw him in a cell and have him dragged out to answer for himself in the morning."
19:44 <•Anastasia> "Sir," Both salute lightly and turn, going back to the bloodied man. Then the man at the desk looks your way, "Yes?"
19:46 — Skaya nods in agreement at the decision, only fools pick a fight they can't win. Since it's now her turn, she not quite conceals a sigh as she says, "Lord Bergen had me sent over. Something about a special prisoner?"
19:49 <•Anastasia> "She's in the narrow cell," he answers, "She's a feisty one."
19:51 <Skaya> "Sounded that way," Skaya agrees. "What is it with idiots today?" It didn't seem to be a large garrison from the outside, but going blindly would still be bad. But she'd lived in this town for a while now, and along with what she can see from here perhaps she'll infer where the cell would be?
19:52 <Skaya> OOC: I think Knowledge:Local could work here, which would be 27 if I take 10.
19:52 <Skaya> OOC: I also have Knowledge:Engineering, with the result of 26 for taking 10.
19:58 <•Anastasia> "Summer makes them act up," The older man says it like he knows it's true as the sky is blue. Drawing on your knowledge, you suspect the narrow cell is the farthest down the left side hall. It's infamous. Narrow enough all you can do is stand or lie down on the stone floor in one direction. One of the dirty little secrets of the guard, where they put someone who's done something really dumb or
19:58 <•Anastasia> angered someone powerful. Usually people who seriously injure a guardsman get it (if they survive being arrested, which isn't great odds). It's miserably uncomfortable and claustrophobic.
19:59 <Skaya> "Sir," she says at the agreement, following the actions of the guards before her as she salutes him. It sounded like a dismissal, so Skaya proceeds towards the left side hall.
20:01 <•Anastasia> That you do. It's rows of cells with wood doors, heavy ones. There's a single guard at a little desk at the front, who nods your way. Otherwise, the only guards are at the end, where the narrow cell should be. You notice it has a narrow door, barely big enough for someone to squeeze in, and even then they'd feel the doorframe on their shoulders. Two guards stand at that door.
20:04 — Skaya returns the nod, it's only polite, but doesn't dawdle. Before long, she arrives before the pair of guards and gives them a nod as well, asking, "How's the prisoner?"
20:09 <•Anastasia> "Quiet, finally," One says, "Mouthy for awhile, but she shut up once she realized how deep she was in."
20:10 <•Anastasia> "Musta pissed off someone big," The other guard says, "But the fight's been out of her since I got here."
20:13 <Skaya> "That usually how it goes," Skaya agrees. Being assigned such a cell is clearly abuse, but at least it's not the other kind of abuse. In fact, wouldn't it be impossible to beat or torture Rina in a narrow space like that? "You guys haven't heard? It was the special envoy of the Queen!" she says, as if enjoying a chance to gossip a bit. And in the meantime, tries to listen in to see whether Rina is actually alright inside.
20:13 <Skaya> OOC: My perception would be 25 for taking 10.
20:21 <•Anastasia> A whistle, "Wow, she's dumb!"
20:21 <Skaya> "Yeah, most people just go behind his back. Takes a special kind of... courage... to just go off in his face like that."
20:21 <•Anastasia> "Well, people swing at the guard even after they see what happens." The other says, "There's a lot of dumb people."
20:21 <•Anastasia> "Still dumb," the first says.
20:23 <Skaya> Yes, yes. She's dumb. But ask a planar frog and they'll call it the right course of action!
20:23 <Skaya> OOC: Can I hear anything from the cell or Rina?
20:29 <•Anastasia> OOC: No.
20:29 <•Anastasia> "Still dumb," the second echos. "So...you here for her or something?"
20:30 <Skaya> "Just to check up on her. She needs to be nice and presentable for the morning."
20:36 <•Anastasia> The guards step aside, "Do what you want."
20:38 <Skaya> It's a narrow space, so Skaya moves to grab hold of the door handle and tries to open it. If the door is locked, she'll need to try some swift sleight of hand to have a shot here, but given the guards just waved her through she's probably overthinking this?
20:43 <•Anastasia> It opens outward, no handle on the inside door. It's narrow in here, narrow enough to stand facing the wall and have your back just touch the other wall. Rina turns her head, expression pained and hopeful, looking right at you. She's standing, still and half resting against a rough stone wall.
20:47 <Skaya> "Stupid of you, to mouth off to an important envoy like that," Skaya scoffs. Between her attitude and her appearance, Rina should be clued in that she's snuck in and not blow her cover. "But at least Lord Bergen is merciful. After a devoted of Eldath pleaded on your behalf, you'll be released in the morning. Use this time well to reflect on your actions."
20:53 <•Anastasia> You get a hopeful look and then a nod, "A-alright," she manages, "Thank you."
20:55 <Skaya> That should be enough for her. She knows that Devar was involved, and what to expect. Of course, Skaya is prepared in case this is all some stupid trick, but that's not something Rina needs to worry about. She closes the door and smiles at the guards. "All done. It's been a pleasure, and have a quiet shift."
20:57 <•Anastasia> A nod, "Thanks, you too."
20:57 <Skaya> Reassured, she walks back out calmly.
20:58 <•Anastasia> No one stops you. What's your plan now?
20:59 <Skaya> Once she is far enough from the guard post, she'll stop by an alley to once more disguise the guard clothing she still has on while replacing the top, and then make her way back to Picke.
21:01 <•Anastasia> Soon enough the party's regathered, everyone waitin gon Skaya's words...OOC: Go ahead.
21:04 <Skaya> "The good news is that I got to see Rina, and she's alive and reasonably well," Skaya reports. "I didn't even break any laws that I'm aware of, just perhaps twisted the truth a bit while talking to the guards. Rina's being held in this narrow cell that only allows her to stand, so there's no sleep or rest going on, but I told her to hang on until morning and I think she's good for it.
21:04 <Skaya> Now I'm thinking of returning to observe the post from somewhere nearby and see if she's being released or not come morning. What do you think, Guild Master?"
21:09 <•Anastasia> "That one?" Picke scowls, "Petty. That's for attempted murderers who piss off the guard, not that. I'm going to have more words with Bergen if that was his idea."
21:09 <•Anastasia> "Go on if you want, but I don't think Bergen will double cross. Rina should be out." He says after a moment's thought.
21:10 <Skaya> "It seemed that way but I didn't ask in depth, since I was supposedly representing him," Skaya responds with a shrug. "Still, if this ends here I'm also not retaliating. This is petty but no lines have been crossed. And yeah, Rina's a close friend. I'll keep an eye out, especially if she's too exhausted by the morning and needs help. Devar, want to keep watch with me?"

[Corwin]

21:20 <Anastasia> ---
21:20 <Anastasia> Once Picke leaves with Skaya, Milla turns to you, "Eldath, right?"
21:21 <Devar> "Yes, that's correct." He nods to Millia.
21:32 <Anastasia> "How is that?" Is the question you get, "PEace and pacifism, yet violence and heroics."
21:34 <Devar> "Heh, I don't blame you for asking." He says. "It's a mindset for me - that violence isn't the first answer to every problem."
21:40 ⇐ Iddy quit (uid408070@lunarnet-1BB5E9E.uxbridge.irccloud.com) Quit: Connection closed for inactivity
21:41 <Anastasia> Milla reflects on that a little time before, "Does it work well for you?"
21:48 <Devar> "Well, I can't say I feel like I've added a whole lot to Skaya and the others." He admits with a bit of a smile. "But I think I'm finding my way with that sort of attitude."

[Corwin]

19:19 <•Anastasia> You get a thoughtful hum as a reply. "Killing and violence comes naturally, it's like walking upstream against the current. It's either a fool or a great man who is willing to do that."
19:23 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@lunarnet-82C188CE.hr.hr.cox.net)
19:24 <Devar> "Trust me, I was plenty violent when I was part of the army." Devar says with a bit of a sad smile. "I don't expect to ever be some great paragon of justice that dives into the deepest Hells to smite devils forevermore - that just isn't what I think Eldath has called me to. But what I can do is protect people who need protecting - who can't defend themselves from that easy-to-come violence
19:24 <Devar> you mentioned."
19:30 <•Anastasia> "There's always victims," Milla's quieter at that, "And protectors react instead of acting." It gets her to go silent altogether, "What made you commit to Eldath?"
19:32 <Devar> "There was... an incident." He says, with a frown. "Well, I say an incident,but it was... a lot of small things, a lot of hay into a haystack. I just... got tired of all the violence, I got tired of the fighting. Who was benefitting from it? The royalty? Are they benefitting the regular people?" He shakes his head. "I guess you can say it was a crisis of conscience."
19:41 <•Anastasia> Milla makes a soft noise at that, contemplatively silent afterwards. A long silence stretches out until, "Dad taught me how to throw a punch when I was two years old, it's the oldest memory I have." Milla says. "He's a great teacher when he wants to be. I remember him guiding my pudgy arm, helping me try and swing."
19:42 <Devar> "You certainly took well to it." Devar says with a smile. "You and Skaya both seem to have an aptitude for it"
19:46 <•Anastasia> "Father thinks so," Milla agrees with that, "Father drilled it into me as much as he could."
19:52 <Devar> "What's the real reason you sought us out?" Devar asks. "I doubt this was really just to test our abilities."
19:59 <•Anastasia> You don't get an answer. Instead Milla smiles just a little bit. "Oh really?"
20:02 <Devar> "You strike me as the 'several steps ahead' type." Devar says with a bit of a smile. "That person who always has several different contingencies going on to make sure you're not blindsided by anything. So I have to wonder what it is you think we can help you accomplish or prevent from happening." A bit more of a grin. "Of course, maybe I'm just totally wrong."
20:08 <•Anastasia> "Maybe you are wrong," Milla leans forward a little, "Maybe you're seeing something where there's nothing."
20:09 <Devar> "Maybe I am." He says with a smile. "I suppose we'll see what happens."
20:20 <•Anastasia> "I suppose we will," Milla's amused a little more, "Just one more thing."
20:21 <Devar> "I'm an open book." He replies.
20:28 <•Anastasia> "What do you think the so called real reason was?" Milla asks.
20:31 <Devar> "To test us for something a lot more important to the safety of the citizens." He says with a smile.
20:36 <•Anastasia> "A hero through and through," Milla says, "Seeing great quests adn chances for glory ahead of him."
20:37 <Devar> "Hah." He holds his hands up defensively. "Not exactly, but I guess we'll see, won't we?"
20:44 <•Anastasia> Milla settles in and...OOC: Do you have anythin gels eto chat with her about as you wait?
20:45 <Devar> OOC: She seems like she keeps things close to her chest so he wouldn't press on anything for right now
20:57 <•Anastasia> OOC: Okay, let's wait for Cor to finish upt hten.
21:01 <•Anastasia> OOC: Merging you into #dunes.

[Corwin]

21:10 <Skaya> "It seemed that way but I didn't ask in depth, since I was supposedly representing him," Skaya responds with a shrug. "Still, if this ends here I'm also not retaliating. This is petty but no lines have been crossed. And yeah, Rina's a close friend. I'll keep an eye out, especially if she's too exhausted by the morning and needs help. Devar, want to keep watch with me?"
21:12 <Devar> "Sure, you can never be too cautious." He agrees.
21:15 <•Anastasia> "Good luck," Picke says, as...OOC: What's your plan here?
21:17 <Skaya> OOC: Let's just keep an eye out from a good distance so we don't look suspicious. If there's an inn or a bar open we can go there. I'll also be disguised to no longer look like my guard self, and Devar will be Devar.
21:19 <•Anastasia> OOC: Sure. More.
21:19 <•Anastasia> roll 1d100
21:19 <Kobot> Anastasia rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=80 ]{80}
21:20 <•Anastasia> It's not a short evening, but time passes by. Come dawn your watch is rewarded. You see Rina stumbling out, into the first rays of sunshine.
21:21 <Skaya> "Let's go pick her up," Skaya tells Devar, intending to use him for cover all the same.
21:21 <Devar> He nods and will dutifully follow after!
21:28 <•Anastasia> Rina's slowly walking down the street, a bit shaky. She sees Devar and stumbles towards him, "Oh, I hate everything," she whispers to him, then shudders, "Outside's good. Fresh air, no walls, outside. Lots of space."
21:28 — Skaya hands Rina a bottle filled with cool water.
21:30 <Devar> "Did they hurt you at all?" He asks, placing a hand gently on her to hopefully help. OOC: Lay on hands for 5 just to help what's likely a lot of soreness and other basic injuries.
21:31 <•Anastasia> The bottle's taken and drained in several gulps. "Thanks. Ugh. I'm fine." Yet her body visibly relaxes on that healing. "My legs hurt and I kept scraping myself against the walls when I dozed, but I'm fine"
21:32 <Skaya> "How did all this even happen?"
21:33 <•Anastasia> A shake of her head, "Talk over breakfast," Rina insists, "I want to sit down."
21:33 <Skaya> "Sure. It's Devar's treat!"
21:33 <•Anastasia> Devar promptly gets a strong, clinging hug. "Thank you! I'm so hungry but I'm fine, let's go get some food."
21:34 <Devar> "Haha, it's no big deal. We're owed a bit for the monster exterminations anyway." He says.
21:34 — Skaya leads the way to a nice restaurant where they can also get some privacy to avoid another incident in public.
21:37 <•Anastasia> It's a nice little place with a quiet, set aside table. Rina orders a full breakfast platter and eats heartily, tucking in. After a few minutes of satisfying her needs, "What did everyone at the guild tell you?"
21:38 <Skaya> "That he showed up and picked a fight or was offensive somehow, and you reciprocated so you got arrested," Skaya summarizes things up. "Guild Master refused to tell what sort of matter this envoy was at the guild for."
21:44 <•Anastasia> "He ran his mouth at me, I didn't take it and next thing I know I'm arrested." Rina's expression is dark. "I don't know either, but he had an attitude and couldn't take any back!" Her expression is even darker now, "I didn't even start it, I just happened to be nearby and he took exception to something I said."
21:44 <Skaya> "You should really learn from me. I mouthed off to him and I didn't get arrested."
21:47 <•Anastasia> After tearing up more food, "Lucky you," Rina says, a sour note. "Thanks for dropping in last night, Skaya, and thanks for breakfast, Devar. That was-" she shakes her head, "Nevermind, I'm fine."
21:48 <Skaya> "If you'd been in a truly bad situation, I would've broken you out," Skaya tells her. "But you're not claustrophobic, so I figured we shouldn't let Guild Master and Devar's efforts at diplomacy go to waste. Ah, Milla was also onboard with the whole break you out thing."
21:49 <•Anastasia> "H-hah, it wasn't any big deal. I'm fine now," Waving it off, "Just never want to do that again."
21:50 <Skaya> "At least Regis didn't make things worse. So there's that! Would've been a tight squeeze otherwise."
22:00 <•Anastasia> "Hah, hah." A long look, "Still...thank you. I owe both of you for this."
22:01 <Skaya> "I wonder if this hadn't been another hint to hit the road," Skaya muses. "You know, that time in the ruins? I actually thought it would be a neat adventure. If it weren't for Regis and Marken being in danger due to our sudden disappearance...."
22:04 <•Anastasia> "Yeah," Rina murmurs, more to herself, "Maybe some of us should get together and go do something, get out of here after that? Make a difference somewhere."
22:05 <Skaya> "Talk it over with your brother? I'll see what Anne and Sanda think. They've got decent ties here, but if it's a few months it might be doable. Ah, and how about you, Devar?"
22:14 <Devar> "Hey, I feel like I've been the sixth or seventh wheel to what you all have been doing." He says with a smile. "But if you ask me, I'd ask Millia. I have a sinking suspicion that one has some plans of her own that might cooincide with what you're talking about."
22:15 <Skaya> "Yeah, I'll keep Milla in the loop. Either way, it's not going to happen right away, so we'll have a chance to complete our commission at the very least."
22:17 <Devar> "Whatever you all end up doing I'm happy to be a part of." He adds. "I'll help out however I can."