Crystal escort

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20 1 check
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d20=4]

The goblin stares...and drops the remaining cup, turning to run.

It doesn't work, Cresiel moving at exactly the same time, picking him up with one hand by the front of his shirt. He gazes deep into the goblin's eyes, holding up to be eye to eye with him. The butler's legs dangle and kick back and forth, but to no avail.

Cresiel intimidates, not even a natural 1 matters since the goblin can't pass the check with a 20.

"Aaah....." An incoherent murmur that becomes a terrified squeal.

"If I do not her a satisfactory answer in the next three seconds, you and everyone in this manor will be arrested pending a full investigation." Cresiel intones, "What. Is. Going. On?"

[Nephrite]

"You really should tell him." Moore says, swirling his tea. "We both know Vel Custos."

[Anastasia]

"Who?" The goblin manages to say blankly, before Cresiel hefts him up higher.

"Let me put it another way," Cresiel says, "My mother is close enough to Sune that she thought it would be cute if I called her Auntie Suney as a child."

The goblin's color drains even more at those words, "It's the bounty," he blurts out, "Tons of golds! Tons!"

That would've worked way better on Celestia, Moore.

[Nephrite]

"Are you and your master in on this?" Moore asks. "Or is it just you?"

[Anastasia]

"J-just me!" The goblin shakes, "All that gold! I could have my own manor with that money!"

[Nephrite]

"Well, you get marks for trying." Moore says as he swirls the tea. "Not much else, I'm afraid."

He flies out of the room and raises his voice. "Hello! This is Moore! We need to arrest your butler!"

If the person who owns the home is home, well, surely they'll hear him.

[Anastasia]

To your shout, a pair of women hurry from a nearby hall. One is a human, pretty and easy on the eyes. The other is a short humanoid, hurrying along at a good clip, a bit roundish but otherwise normal. Both are dressed as maids, "Sir, sir, what's going on?" The human calls.

[Nephrite]

"Hello!" Moore greets them. "My name is Moore. Duke Moore of Celestia. I am here to speak to the master of the house about a matter, but it seems your colleague..." he gestures towards the goblin. "Wanted to take a bounty currently on my head. If you test the tea and cakes he put out, I imagine they have some sort of sleeping agent in them... or something like that."

[Anastasia]

Cresiel holds the goblin up all the while, "I'll fetch someone right away," The short humanoid says, hurrying off, the human following.

[Nephrite]

Moore will wait!

[Anastasia]

The goblin whimpers, "C-can we...work something out?" he asks, "I have go.gu...guh..."

Cresiel's stare silences him, not a word needed.

Hopefully, without a word, his hand manages to pull out a small pouch that jangles as he shakes it, managing to look both terrified and faintly hopeful at once.

[Nephrite]

"I don't think you're a bad person." Moore says with a small but sad smile. "But you should hold onto that for the sake of your legal defense."

[Anastasia]

At this the goblin slumps.

Soon enough another person enters. A tall man, close to 7 feet tall. Slender as a reed, wearing a fine cloak and finery fit for a nobleman. No sigil is visible however, nor any signet ring. His face is youthful, and on taking one look at the scene, sighs. "How much?" he asks aloud, brushing back a bit of silvery hair, kept long and a few locks falling over his brow.

"L-last I heard, the bounty was up to 250,000 gold coins, on d-demand, sir." The goblin replies.

"You damn fool," The nobleman says and exhales loudly. "Well, if you aren't exiled or executed, you'll still have a job when you get out of prison. I promised your father that much. Now," Turning to you, "Cresiel - we haven't met, but I've met your mother. So you must be Moore," his attention turns to you.

[Nephrite]

"I think it actually is 300,000 now." Moore says helpfully.

He flies over to offer a hand out. "You have the right of it. Duke Moore of Celestia. It's a pleasure to meet you. If there's anything I can do to prevent his execution, please let me know."

[Anastasia]

A handshake as he says, "If you're willing to overlook this? He's a greedy, stupid fool - but I promised his father I'd see he ends up with a better life than most goblins."