Beyond the Sky - Session 13

The party prepares to enact their plan, heading to the palace to investigate about Lord Ursan.

Valaire hums to herself playfully, her clothes now apparently having taken the appearance of a stately court dress.
Arkune helps lead Twilalux, letting him hold onto her hand.
Reaching the entrance hall, they find it to be largely less populated than yesterday, only a few lords around.
Mikolotov: "I would imagine our best bet now would be to ask around, see if anyone has seen him lately."
Twilalux gladly lets Arkune pull him along, hiccuping intermittently.
Arkune: "Do we just ask the other guards and nobles his name?"
Mikolotov: "I imagine that is what "asking around" entails, yes."
Arkune: "I just wanted to make sure there was not some code of conduct I was supposed to abide by."
Night Eyes: "You will want to mind etiquette, yes."
Valaire: "No need to worry at all, darling. Once you've learned one court's etiquette, you've practically learned them all. It's just a matter of fitting in."
Adrian: "...Try not to go into too much detail, too."
Night Eyes: "Indeed. Play nice, be their friend."
Arkune: "Don't hold them against the wall?"
Adrian: "Please no."
Arkune: "Okay, just doublechecking."
Valaire: "No need for jokes, darling. Surely you've been in a royal court before? After all, you are one of the royal interrogator's escorts."
Arkune: "First time, but I have read about them in stories."
Valaire: "...A bumpkin?"
Night Eyes: "When in doubt, play the obedient servant. It's what I have always done."
Twilalux continues to trail along beside Arkune, tilting his head at Valaire.
Arkune: "A knight, now, Val."
Adrian: "(The two are not mutually exclusive.)"
Valaire: "Hopefully at least the ragamuffin can behave himself? I'd hate for there to be a debacle on our hands."
Twilalux: "I bumpkinned myself... hic a while back too, you know! Very... hic unpleasant, that."
Mikolotov: "I hope he can behave himself, or we may have some quite offended and powerful people to worry about."
Arkune looks for a not-too-busy looking noble or guard.
Lady Olivia Ivandis seems to be ahead, conversing with a tall and old man in military gear.
Twilalux slips out of Arkune's grasp while she's distracted, teetering away from her.
Arkune: "Hello!, Madam, may we have a word?"
Adrian: "(Twilalux. Maybe you can find someplace to hide and keep an eye on people for me?)"
Lady Olivia Ivandis: "Ah, yes?"
Night Eyes watches the imp potter about.
Valaire looks at Twilalux, looking concerned.
Arkune: "We're trying to find a Lord Ursan, might you know his room?"
Valaire sighs, placing two clawed fingers against her forehead.
Night Eyes: "I do believe it's rude to enter someone's room uninvited, Arkune."
Old Soldier: "Oh, Milady Ivandis, are these... friends of yours?"
Arkune: "I meant no disrespect, but we need to get in contact with him swiftly, no?"
Twilalux wobbles, furrowing his brow at Night Eyes.
Lady Olivia Ivandis: "I believe we have been acquainted, but I only know of one of them."
Twilalux: "...Is it really? But I do it all the time, and no-one minds!"
Adrian: "Please forgive the interruption, General Raikov. She's in my employ, and not versed in proper manners yet."
Valaire: "I find that difficult to believe, little ragamuffin."
Arkune: "My apologies for my rudeness, milady."
Twilalux looks up at Valaire, waving his finger didactically.
General Raikov: "Oh dear, it seems you have quite a few... less mannered friends. I'd warn them to be more careful around the uptight lords."
Twilalux: "Oh, but there's a trick, you see. You just don't let them see you!"
Lady Olivia Ivandis: "...I really do not know them that well, Sir."
Night Eyes: "It is unfortunate that they've had to be brought into courtly culture on short notice."
Valaire: "(You may have confused minding and noticing there...)"
Valaire regains her composure, deciding not to waste time scolding the imp-like creature and moving closer to Adrian.
General Raikov strokes his beard, contemplative.
General Raikov: "Lord Ursan, Lord Ursan..."
"Milady, I could have sworn that was the small fellow who we investigated of piracy, wasn't he?"
"Or... was that his father?"
Adrian: "Twilalux, do you know anything about this?"
Lady Olivia Ivandis: "I believe it was him, but we didn't find concluding evidence."
Arkune: "Our small friend here?"
Night Eyes: "He tends to know things he shouldn't."
Lady Olivia Ivandis: "And he is not so small anymore, sir. He's grown into... a less likable man."
Twilalux lets out a giggle, seemingly pleased with himself.
Valaire: "I have heard the rumors as well, but I imagine the courts would know better whether they were founded or not."
General Raikov: "Ah, right. You humans shoot up so fast, don't you?"
Arkune: "Would you believe us if we said we sought him due to a matter not unrelated to such investigations?"
Twilalux: "Who, me? I know nothing; nothing at all! ...Say, why is this room so big? Do really tall people come here sometimes?"
General Raikov: "Yes, I think I remember now."
General Raikov: "It's just been so long since I have been here, and my memory is not as good as it once was."
Night Eyes presses a finger to her lips, looking at Twilalux.
General Raikov: "Ursan is... in the left wing."
Twilalux vaguely nods, before loosely reaching out to Night Eyes' robe for support.
General Raikov: "I believe his emblem was..."
Lady Olivia Ivandis: "A bear, Sir."
Night Eyes yanks her robe away reflexively.
Arkune: "Fitting, given his name."
Lady Olivia Ivandis: "His door has an Emblem of a Bear and crossed axes."
Arkune: "Thank you kindly, sir and madam."
General Raikov: "Happy to help, young ones."
Twilalux stumbles slightly, before rebalancing and rubbing his forehead.
Valaire curtsies politely before the General and lady, lifting the hem of her illusory dress.
General Raikov and Lady Ivandis bow to Valaire, the old General's eyes closely surveying the party.
Night Eyes bows at the nobles in gratitude, before turning to the party herself.
General Raikov: "Be careful in the courts."
Arkune bows as well.
Arkune: "So, onward?"
Adrian: "Thank you for the help, general. We will."
Valaire: "Thank you for your kind words, milord and milady. With your blessing."
General Raikov: "I believe Milady and I have an afternoon dinner to make with Hector."
"So we will leave you to your.... er, business."
Lady Olivia Ivandis: "Come along now, General."
Night Eyes: "Given the relative age and seeming temperament this Lord Ursan has, perhaps Lady Valaire should lead any conversation with him."
Valaire: "Hmm... how many pieces may I leave him in?"
Lady Olivia Ivandis guides the General down and out of the palace.
Night Eyes: "No fewer than a hundred."
Arkune: "Enough to make it clear that any violence was not unprovoked."
"If we strike too fast, we'll look nothing but thugs."
General Raikov looks back at Valaire, a look of concern on his face.
Valaire: "A joke, loves."
Adrian: "...This conversation is probably best concluded elsewhere."
Night Eyes: "(Arkune, subtlety. Please.)"
Arkune: "True."
Night Eyes: "Exactly, my lord."
Arkune: "(Val did start it...)"
Twilalux tilts his head, tugging at Adrian's robes pleadingly.
Arkune: "No need to fear us."
Night Eyes: "( She also used ambiguous language. )"
Valaire: "(One does need to learn how to tease properly, especially with company listening, darling.)"
Twilalux: "B-But why, weren't we just getting to the best part?"
Mikolotov: "(Still, you should all be a lot quieter about this.)"
Adrian: "That's precisely why I'd rather continue this conversation another time."
Mikolotov: "(Rumors and news spread quickly in the courts.)"
Valaire: "Well! A bear with crossed axes. Shall we, Lord Adrian?"
Adrian: "...let's just make sure we're all on the same page here first."
Mikolotov: "Perhaps when we are into the corridors."
Arkune: "Aye... Mikolotov has a point about where we are."
Valaire: "We're just planning to talk to him. Aren't we, milord?"
Adrian: "Exactly."
Mikolotov: "Standing in the middle of the entrance hall is a little too conspicuous for me, in any sense."
Arkune: "Yes, just a business matter."
Twilalux sways towards the stairs, seating himself down and watching the others curiously.
As the party approach the door, they see Lord Goring exit into the hall in front of them.
Arkune: "Ah, sir Goring, it's a pleasure to see you again."
Arkune offers a shallow but polite bow to the nobleman.
Valaire ignores Arkune's token gesture, giving more of a sincere fake curtsy to the nobleman.
Lord Goring looks down at Arkune, then looking at the party, a less harsh look than before on his face.
Lord Goring: "Lord Kelton, I have heard what has happened, through our courts."
"I wish you success, but you should have more responsibility than just leaving your woman and child alone."
"You would find taking responsibility for your actions to be a wise choice from now on."
Adrian: "...I plan to rectify that now."
Arkune: "If you have a moment, sir, might you know if Lord Ursan is in? We have some business we must attend to with him."
Lord Goring then starts walking around the party to the center of the entrance hall, ignoring the others.
Arkune sighs softly. "Have a 'pleasant' day, sir~"
Adrian: "(Months of looking forward to returning home, and I find myself having preferred traveling light through the mountains.)"
Arkune: "(Is it bad that rumours about your connection to them have begun to spread?)"
Valaire looks at Lord Goring in his departure, thinking with a claw on her lower lip.
Mikolotov: "At least he wasn't completely unbearable, this time."
Valaire: "Have you met him before?"
Mikolotov: "Many times before."
Valaire: "It seemed he had some animosity towards our friendly bumpkin knight."
Mikolotov: "Being a Knight of the court means you must unfortunately interact with many of the aristocracy."
Arkune: "I... suppose I do stand out, don't I?"
Mikolotov: "Unfortunately, you do, Arkune."
Arkune: "Can you teach me sometime, how to better fit in among the nobility?"
Twilalux swings his legs on the edge of the stairs, adjusting the brim of his hat.
Valaire: "Perhaps I should give our country mouse some acting lessons. Knowing how to act politely around people you despise is an invaluable skill."
Adrian: "That would be much appreciated, Valaire."
Mikolotov: "I can teach her how to act more knightly, especially in the presence of the Lords and other knights."
Arkune: "The folks I used to hang with... They didn't put much value on it, so I've had to use what I remember from old stories."
Adrian: "That's only natural, really. ...Twilalux. Get down from there and come along. I'll need to talk to you."
Mikolotov: "Perhaps Milady Valaire can coach you on how to hide your disdain, and I may teach you how to act more like a knight."
Twilalux looks blankly at Adrian, before widening his eyes and grinning.
Twilalux hops down from the steps, scampering towards the group.
Mikolotov: "It would allow me to know you more, as well, Arkune."
Arkune: "I would be greatly thankful."
Valaire: "(Lord Adrian, you certainly keep unusual company, don't you?)"
Twilalux: "Were you hoping to try some of that Green Fairy, Mister Adrian?"
Adrian: "No, I'm not interested, but thank you, Twilalux."
Adrian opens the door to the hall, eager to get away from the crowd.

The party enter into the corridors, outside of the entrance hall, heading down the halls.
Adrian: "(Twilalux. Do you think you could get inside unseen, find anything that might be evidence, and not take anything that would be noticed?)"
Valaire relaxes her composure slightly, shifting how she moves to a more casual gait.
Twilalux widens his eyes in glee, raising a finger to his chin.
Twilalux: "(Hee hee... You mean to say I can look anywhere?)"
Adrian: "(As long as you don't get caught or do anything that could be traced back to either of us.)"
Arkune: "(I think he meant in lord Ursan's room)"
Valaire looks to Twilalux, then to Adrian.
Valaire: "Please tell me he's not a panty thief."
Arkune: "He hasn't shown any indication of being one so far."
"I'd be more worried if we were in a winery."
Adrian: "I try not to ask questions I don't want to know the answers to."
Night Eyes watches through the keyhole of the door, before turning to the group.
Valaire looks at Twilalux again.
Twilalux mulls over Adrian's instructions, oblivious to the adult discussion.
Night Eyes: "I'll be back later."
Valaire: "Very strange company indeed..."
Adrian: "Be safe."
Twilalux: "Bye bye, Night Eyes!"
Night Eyes: "I know. I mustn't fail you."
Night Eyes slowly opens the main door, certain no-one's watching, and fades into nothing.
Twilalux turns his attention to Adrian again, staring up at him.
Twilalux: "Which way is it then, Mister Adrian?"
Adrian: "A bear and axes on the door, he said. It should be a distinctive enough crest."
Twilalux nods, before unexpectedly beckoning Adrian to bend down and listen.
Adrian frowns in confusion, crouching to be at eye level with the imp.
Twilalux closes in towards Adrian's ear, whispering seriously.
Twilalux: "(I'm going to go now.)"
Adrian: "Be careful."
Twilalux nods affirmatively at Adrian once more, before proceeding to turn away and skip down the corridor.
Arkune: "Stay safe."
Valaire raises an eyebrow.
Valaire: "What... did he say?"
Mikolotov: "Are you sure you want to know?"
Adrian: "Just agreeing to do it. I'm as confused as you are."
Valaire: "You say that as if weird things bothered me, dear."
Arkune: "He's an odd little fellow, isn't he?"
Arkune: "Do you think he's always been so unusual?"
Valaire sighs, raising her arms in confusion.
Adrian: "I have no idea, I've never seen a creature quite like him before."
Valaire: "Were we going to continue looking for that door?"
Adrian: "If Twilalux is sneaking in, we'd best give him some time to get out of the way before calling attention to the situation. I wouldn't be surprised if he were to report on his findings right in front of the man."
Valaire: "So we wait?"
Arkune: "What if he gets distracted along the way?"
Adrian: "Either way, after enough time, I think it's safe to assume he's either found someplace undetected to wait, he's finished looking around, or he's gone off on his own."
Night Eyes re-emerges from the main doors.
Valaire: "Well, if we have free time... Arkune, I may as well start teaching you about court etiquette."
"First, we can discuss the backhanded compliment."
Mikolotov raises a hand to Night Eyes in silent greeting.
Arkune: "Oh? What do you m- Ah, she returns."
Adrian smiles at Night Eyes's return with a sigh of relief.
Night Eyes: "Nothing urgent to report. He went upstairs and to the right, and I don't dare go somewhere I don't know."
Twilalux reaches the door, noticing the doorknob out of his reach.
Adrian: "Understood. Good thinking."
Night Eyes: "He does seem to be studying divination and alchemy, and mentioned Lord Yannil to his wife. Uncertain if any that individual is related to the situation however."
Arkune: "They someone important?"
Adrian: "Yannil. Hm, I'm not familiar with the name."
"Divination, though... that is interesting."
Valaire: "He's one of the judges, love."
Arkune: "That's spying magic, right?"
Valaire: "Spying sounds harsh, mouse."
Arkune: "Orth always used to seem worried about it..."
Valaire: "I mean, I learned the fate of poor Jillia's sister. You would hardly accuse me of spying for doing that, would you?"
Arkune: "True."
Adrian: "It makes people more comfortable if you don't call their actions what they are."
Night Eyes: "Divination is the the most powerful school of magic, in the right hands."
Arkune: "To be fair, Orth was an immoral dastard."
"It makes sense for him to be worried about this kind of thing."
Valaire: "Well, immoral bastards tend not to want other people to know what immoral things they've been up to, do they?"
"It's the wonderful emotion of shame."
Night Eyes: "Shame..."
Mikolotov: "Shame or the fear of shame can cause people to do strange things."
Night Eyes presses her temple in thought.
Adrian: "(After the last two days, I think I'll have become quite the expert in it...)"
Valaire: "But in this case, I'm sure Jillia's sister would have wanted us to bring her rescue, or at least vengeance."
"Well, she'll be getting vengeance in either event."
Arkune: "Aye. And Orth was more about avoiding the guards."
Mikolotov: "In any sense, we should question Ursan, shouldn't we?"
Arkune: "Indeed."
Adrian: "Please don't do anything too overt to him. I can't afford to have to cover it up, not now."
Arkune: "What if it means your daughter's life?"
Adrian: "He doesn't want Genevieve dead, if he wanted her dead then her body would have already been left for me to find by now."
Arkune: "Hostage."
Valaire: "If it came down to it and I needed to torment him some to save dear Jillia, I will. Without hesitation."
"But do not worry, I can cover for myself. I doubt I'll need an official pardon."
Adrian: "Exactly. Which is why we want to get them away from him before they can be used as leverage, but their lives aren't at stake, at least."
"Good to hear."
Arkune: "I can flee pretty fast if need be... Gods know I learned well not too long ago."

Twilalux remains unnoticed as he sneaks through the corridors. [Stealth: 29]
As the small imp makes his way around the corridors, he comes across a room with a familiar smell to him, also being able to see a room with a bear down at the end of the hall.
Twilalux suddenly stops, peering through the keyhole of a nearby room.
Twilalux pauses mid-action, muttering.
Twilalux: "(All right, all right! I'll come back for some later, ehe...)"
Twilalux turns his attention to the coat of arms above the door, resuming his lively gait.
Twilalux extends a scrawny arm toward the doorknob, still finding out to be out of his reach.
Twilalux: "(Feh... ...Oh, I know!)"
Twilalux focuses his gaze on the door handle, his amber eyes glinting. [Casting Open-Close]
Twilalux frowns as the door remains closed, rubbing his chin.
Twilalux turns away dejectedly from the door, hurrying back to the others. [Stealth: 28]

Twilalux comes into view of the others, scampering up to them.
Valaire: "Oh, fleeing is out of the question. That just makes you look more suspicious."
Adrian: "Twilalux. How did it go?"
Twilalux: "It won't open, Mister Adrian!"
Arkune: "I see."
Night Eyes: "Arkune or I may be able to rectify that."
Mikolotov: "I believe I may have a way to at least get him to open the door to us, though it is quite direct."
Adrian: "If we can get in to talk to him, Twilalux, how well can you stay hidden once you're inside?"
Twilalux: "Do you have one of those things for poking, Night Eyes?"
"The little shiny things, you know?"
Night Eyes: "Correct."
Arkune: "I do, if you mean a way to get past a stubborn stuck lock."
Night Eyes: "Of course, it is not a good plan if he is actually inside."
Mikolotov: "I could tell him he needs to open the door in the name of the Palace Guard."
Adrian: "And what will be your reason for the Palace Guard needing him to do so?"
Mikolotov: "Hmm..."
Valaire: "Arrest would be far too obvious."
"Even a search would be suspect."
Twilalux: "Well, I didn't hear anyone on the other side of the door, but he could be sleeping, or... doing something else!"
Arkune: "To be fair, it is what we're here for. Unless he has some strong proof of innocence."
Night Eyes: "Not necessarily."
"Providing evidence to the proper authorities would be wiser, I suspect."
Valaire: "We only need to kill him, not anything as drastic as arrest him."
Mikolotov: "I would object to murder."
Adrian: "I'm beginning more and more to agree with Night Eyes. It won't be a discreet method, but at least it will be legal. And if Goring is involved and that can be discovered, it could work to our advantage."
Twilalux grins at Valaire, admiring her logic.
Valaire: "Gods, you really can't take jokes well, can you?"
Arkune: "If I had to guess, this was meant to slow us down. Whoever did this is assuming we'll spend time gathering scraps of evidence first."
"If nothing else, our best evidence is the girl and her mother."
Mikolotov: "I'm not so used to these sorts of jokes yet, Milady."
Arkune: "And we can't find them without Ursan first."
Valaire: "Well, if nothing else, we can just use evidence to make him confess."
"Even if we have no proof, there's certainly nothing keeping us from saying we do."
Night Eyes: "I do look forward to witnessing Adrian's interrogation technique."
Valaire: "And if his fails, we can always try mine."
Valaire grins mischievously.
Mikolotov: "As do I. As the chief interrogator, I imagine he has many tricks up his sleeve."
Twilalux: "Yay, I want to see both!"
Night Eyes: "You can be his friend, and Adrian his enemy?"
Mikolotov: "The old good knight, bad knight routine?"
Valaire: "'Friend'? Hmm..."
"Mind, loves, he likely would recognize me."
Night Eyes: "A fair point."
Adrian: "I really do keep strange company... Very well. Let's pay Ursan a visit. Although I think I may be better able to play the friend, possibly."
Twilalux: "Do I get to play anything, Mister Adrian?"
Night Eyes: "Hide and seek."
Adrian: "Until I can figure out a socially proper reason to excuse your presence, I think you'd be best off playing Ursan's shadow, little one."
Twilalux: "...Shadow? I can do that!"
Valaire: "Is there any social reason in all of court manners that can excuse the ragamuffin?"
Adrian: "That is a very good question."
Arkune: "He's a jester, perhaps?"
Adrian: "But he's useful enough in other ways."

The party follow Twilalux down the corridors, reaching the end of one with a distinctive Bear and Axe Emblem.
Adrian takes a moment to straighten his robes from Twilalux's prodding, before rapping on the door.
Lord Ursan: "Hmm? Who is it?"
Adrian: "Adrian Kelton of Black Hills. I need to speak with you, and I think you would benefit from this matter being resolved... soon and quietly."
Lord Ursan: "Huh, I see."
"I don't think I've spoken to you before, Adrian, I hope this is good."
Sounds of a chair moving and footsteps can be heard, before the man opens the door a little, peering through it.
Lord Ursan: "...more of ya than I expected."
Arkune waves politely.
Night Eyes: "Please excuse my presence, Lord Ursan."
Adrian: "I hope you won't mind if I'm accompanied by them."
Arkune: "We're merely m'liege's hired help, pay us no worry, sir."
Lord Ursan: "I might, I don't need your strongmen here if we're just talkin'."
Adrian: "I have ample cause to suspect I may have need of a bodyguard lately." [Bluff: 27]
Twilalux stays out of sight beside Valaire, listening intently.
Lord Ursan: "Two?"
Arkune: "With all the instability with Ashdale, our lord Adrian has ample reason to worry about danger."
Lord Ursan: "I see..."
"Come in."
Adrian: "Thank you."
Lord Ursan takes the door off the chain and opens it.
The party come into a very stately room, punctuated by a dining table, with a large mug and an empty plate, as well as an opened book.
Arkune: "What a luxurious dwelling..." comments Arkune, her eyes scanning the room.
Night Eyes looks left and right, otherwise maintaining motionlessness.
Adrian: "Lord Ursan. A young girl was abducted from her home last night, and her mother as well, I've been told. I suppose you know of this by now, as well?"
Lord Ursan: "I have heard the news that you are related to them."'
Lord Ursan takes a seat at his table.
Adrian takes a seat as well, watching Ursan with a slightly disarming gaze.
Arkune takes a seat between Nighteyes and Ursan.
Adrian: "This is also true. So I'm sure you can understand my interest in the matter."
Lord Ursan: "Yes, I can. So why are you coming to me?"
Adrian: "Because your name has been connected to their disappearance."
Arkune: "Now, this doesn't mean you have necessarily done anything wrong... we just wish to clear up any confusion before any unfortunate rumors start spreading, sir."
Lord Ursan: "Why on Esbern would my name come up?"
Adrian: "If you're not connected to the incident, I'm sure you'd like for me to know that, before anyone else hears otherwise. My reputation has already declined enough that I don't have much more to lose, you see, and I could very easily... make a few bad decisions. Talk to the wrong people a little too much."
Lord Ursan: "That'd get you on the wrong leads indeed, waste even more time."
"Your reputation declining, though? Ha!"
"A lot of the higher ups don't like you because you're pretty shifty and you've got the Queen putting you as a replacement over the old King."
"A lot of people don't like guys who're better than them."
Night Eyes smiles at the honesty of the man.
Arkune: "Let us focus on why we're here, to clear up your own reputation, Lord Ursan."
Adrian: "Yes, it's rather a bother, isn't it? Although I can hardly deny being shifty and better than them."
Arkune: "From what other nobles spoke of you... I fear it's not just Adrian that is wary of you."
Lord Ursan: "Pah! Nearly all of the aristocracy's poison, anyway."
"You can't move without taking venom."
"Bah, that's why I'm packing up tonight, I'm going to head somewhere where I can move better for a bit."
Night Eyes: "Indeed. It appears they have attempted to poison your drink, so to speak."
Arkune: "As it is, we must find an answer before you depart."
Adrian: "What curious timing. Where do you plan to go, I wonder?"
Lord Ursan: "Over to port Tornumd. I've got some ships there."
"I could use a trip to Dragontooth."
Adrian: "If you do know more about how I can recover my daughter... I'm a reasonable man, and I understand my situation. I'd gladly hear out whatever extortion might be planned, rather than taking my evidence to the proper authorities. Whether it's you behind it, or one of those fools."
Lord Ursan: "Eh, your daughter?"
"I only heard about your girl getting nabbed."
Adrian: "Both of them."
Night Eyes: "Lord Ursan. If I may?"
Lord Ursan: "Go ahead, bodyguard."
Night Eyes: "The lords have used your name. If you are innocent, they are framing you and you already seem to have a suspicious reputation here. For you to leave the kingdom now... it would justify a lot of action taken against you."
Lord Ursan: "Huh, it would."
Night Eyes: "It may be in your best interest to assist us in resolving this before you depart."
Arkune: "And we have a witness who believes you were the last to see lord Adrian's lover."
Lord Ursan: "I don't even know who his girl was."
Adrian twitches, trying to hide a scowl.
Arkune: "I can believe that. She wouldn't have mentioned, from my understanding."
Night Eyes scrutinizes Adrian's face, trying to hide her own concern.
Arkune: "Did you, perhaps, take a nighttime companion last night? From a business called the Red Lily?"
"There's no shame in admitting if you did, sir."
Lord Ursan: "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't take nighttime companions."
Arkune: "Micky, mind letting in Val?"
Mikolotov: "Sir, if you claim such innocence, would you consent to a search of your residence?"
Adrian: "Lord Ursan. Would you mind allowing my witness inside?" [Diplomacy: 23]
Mikolotov sighs at the nickname, opening the door.
Mikolotov: "Milady, I believe it is your time to come in."
Arkune watches Ursan's reaction.
Lord Ursan: "What's the meaning of this? You can't just bring in someone uninvited like this!"
Arkune: "We invited her, so she's not uninvited, technically."
Twilalux hides behind the outline of Valaire's dress, slipping in quietly. [Stealth: 26]
Valaire stomps into the room, giving a grumpy look at Ursan.
Valaire: "How could you, darling Ursan? Don't you remember all your visits? Our time together?"
Lord Ursan: "Uh..."
Adrian: "I'm sure if you weren't involved in Jillia's disappearance, you'd like to be able to prove it to me, wouldn't you?"
Valaire: "I thought you were one of my regulars. I remember our time together. How I used to tie you up..."
Lord Ursan: "NOW THEN."
Valaire: "But then I hear you went out with some other tramp last night?"
"I'm hurt! Hurt, Ursan!"
Lord Ursan: "About your missing person."
Adrian: "Yes?"
Lord Ursan: "I... don't know anything about a Jillia."
"I do know I've got someone still in my... -ahem-, bedroom."
Arkune: "Oh?"
Valaire: "You asked for her by name, you two-timing lech."
Lord Ursan: "Willingly!"
Adrian: "Why don't you bring them out, then?"
Lord Ursan: "Right, uh... yeah."
Adrian: "Because I'm sure if you're established as being involved in a kidnapping, and a child's life is still in danger, your status might not protect you from a more thorough investigation. And I'd very much enjoy being given the chance to cut the information bit by bit out of anyone who might be at fault." [Intimidate: 18]
Arkune: "I have a feeling he even knows where that cutting would start~"
Lord Ursan gets up and hurriedly head through the door.
Valaire: "You should probably follow him, loves."
Arkune stands up and follows.
Twilalux rubs his hands excitedly, emerging from his hiding place.
The Lord quickly returns, behind him a half naked, half asleep woman.
Lord Ursan: "See? I'm clean. Mostly."
Arkune: "Val, Adrian, is this the right woman?
Jillia Illendis: "Hmm? What's all the rush, darling...?"
"Oh... you brought... more people for us to...?"
Adrian: "So I see. Jillia, do you know anything about where Genevieve might be."
Twilalux: "A-Ack!"
Twilalux leaps back, hiding behind Valaire at the indecent exposure.
Valaire: "Jilly! Please tell me you're okay. Please tell me this bloated barbarian didn't hurt you."
Jillia Illendis: "Genevieve...? She was with my sister wasn't she?"
Night Eyes assess the woman for any injuries.
Jillia Illendis: "Ah! Valaire!"
"I'm okay."
"He... paid me quite an amount of money to stay the night with him."
Adrian: "Interesting. And did anyone suggest to him that he might wish to do so?"
Valaire: "I see. Quite the generous offer from him, but I wish you contacted me."
Jillia Illendis: "We were up until the early hours... I slept quite a bit, it seems, eheh."
Valaire sighs.
Arkune: "I feel Adrian should break the news if you haven't heard..."
Valaire: "Jilly, dear Jilly, there is terrible news."
Adrian: "Or were you simply inspired on your own to this, Lord Ursan?"
Lord Ursan grumbles.
Lord Ursan: "Like I said. I'm clean... mostly."
Adrian: "Did you know what you were getting involved in?"
Lord Ursan: "I was... uh.."
"I received a letter a couple nights ago."
Arkune ponders quietly "So... Maybe we should see what lord Goring is up to after this?"
Adrian: "I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, and keep this quiet... if you show me that letter and tell me what you know."
Arkune: "Ah?"
"Who's it from?"
Jillia Illendis: "News?"
Night Eyes: "(He was likely bribing a judge.)"
Lord Ursan: "The news can wait, I'm talking."
"I don't have the letter anymore. But I can tell you what's on it."
Adrian: "Do so."
Valaire: "Your poor sister, Harriet, and your daughter, are both missing. I found your sister's blood in your home, and the place is devastated."
Jillia Illendis: "What?!"
Valaire: "It's true. My magic doesn't lie, Jilly."
Jillia Illendis: "Missing... oh gods..."
Valaire: "Someone hit Harriet really badly too. I can only imagine she put up a fight trying to protect the little dear."
Jillia Illendis leans against the wall, sinking down, starting to have signs of panic.
Valaire moves closer to Jillia, trying to console the girl.
Night Eyes: "We are going to correct such behaviour, do not fear."
Lord Ursan looks disgruntled.
Lord Ursan: "This could've waited until after I had done talking."
Valaire: "Don't worry, Jilly, don't worry. Just leave this to your big sister Valaire, okay?"
Adrian: "She has a right to know. Now, out with it."
Valaire: "You know I won't let anyone who hurt my family walk away unscathed."
Adrian glances awkwardly at the two courtesans, but continues focusing his attention on Ursan.
Jillia Illendis: "Y-you'll get Genevieve back... won't you?"
"She's the most precious thing I have..."
"I pray that they are both okay..."
Arkune: "I will do my best to aid in their recovery, madam."
Valaire: "I swear it, darling Jilly. After all, what are big sisters for?"
Arkune: "So."
"What did the letter say, Lord Ursan?"
Arkune is doing her best to contain her emotions, so as to seem more diplomatic.
Jillia Illendis: "Th-thanks, Val..."
Valaire holds Jillia closely to calm the girl's tears.
Lord Ursan: "So, uh... anyway, the letter said to promise me a large amount of money if I kept a "Jillia" here for an extended night in, and then took her to another client she could see."
"But after I read that... the letter went and burned up!"
Arkune: "What was the other client?"
Lord Ursan: "I dunno, all I have is directions and a location."
Adrian: "Where?"
Lord Ursan: "No names, no signature, no addresses, nothing."
Valaire: "How would you even be sure you got the money?"
Lord Ursan: "I dunno, I'm hopeful."
Valaire: "(More like greedy...)"
Lord Ursan: "More like opportunistic."
Night Eyes: "Someone who can send detonating letters is not someone to disobey."
Adrian: "A burning letter... alchemy, by any chance? I'm not terribly familiar with what uses it might have."
Arkune: "So, where was the location?"
Night Eyes: "I was thinking the same, Lord Adrian."
Valaire: "Don't you dare be opportunistic with one of my girls again, love."
Lord Ursan: "I'm pretty good at some spells, I'm pretty sure it's some transmutation charm, m'self."
"It's even a spell I'm pretty sure I bloody wrote myself!"
"I feel ripped off."
Night Eyes: "Unfortunately, you were probably the perfect scapegoat."
Adrian chuckles faintly at the complaint.
Lord Ursan: "Though I guess my books are on sale places."
Adrian: "I think we can prove your... relative innocence here, but I do need that location."
Lord Ursan: "Y'know what? Could be a good business ploy to put them in the last page of books."
Valaire: "I am not without my mercy, love. If you aid on helping us find... Genevieve, was it, darling?... then I will give you personal free companionship when you next visit the Red Lily."
Lord Ursan: "'Course you can have the location."
"Just... if there's any money you're getting, I'd appreciate a little before I head out."
Valaire: "I'm sure we both know I'm the one who best knows how you like it there, regardless."
Arkune: "Come with us then? That way you can be sure you'll get a cut."
Lord Ursan: "Yeah, methinks that's not the lair of whoever done nicked your gal."
Arkune: "Oh?"
Adrian: "And why is that?"
Lord Ursan: "Makes sense for the unwitting guy to deliver the unknowing girl right into the hands of the enemy, don't it?"
Arkune: "Frankly, I suspect they planned to kill or frame you"
"Or both."
Lord Ursan: "Damn, good thing you came along."
Night Eyes: "Better for them to frame him."
Valaire: "But they wanted you to bring Jillia to this location?"
Lord Ursan: "Yeah, said they'd have a "client" waiting."
Valaire: "Then, daresay, Lord Adrian, I have the perfect plan."
Night Eyes: "Disguise yourself as Jillia?"
"Then skewer their heart?"
Valaire tugs on her sleeves, before the dress changes shape to look exactly as the extremely revealing clothing Jillia is currently wearing.
Arkune: "Convenient trick, Val."
"So... Looks like we have a plan then."
Adrian: "I think I could even pass as Ursan, if needed."
Valaire reverts her clothing to the court dress she was wearing before, then stands up.
Night Eyes tugs her own sleeves, the feather on her ear becoming a face veil.
Valaire: "Are there any objections if we bring Jillia to the Red Lily before we head to this location?"
Adrian: "That shouldn't take too long."
Valaire: "I doubt her own home is safe at the moment, but she can live in my room for now."
Arkune: "Makes sense"
Adrian: "Do let me know if you hear any more of this, Ursan. I suspect it will benefit both of us."
Valaire: "Don't worry, Jilly, you won't have to work if you don't have to. Just stay safe while we bring Genevieve home, okay?"
Jillia Illendis: "Okay..."
"...shall I go get my clothes?"
Valaire: "I think that would be a good idea."
Jillia Illendis: "I'm still quite... undressed."