DragonGameA Episode 7

[09:35.14] <SwimmingEagle>  The last time we left our heros, we had a lot of stealth action gameplay with Atolm and Lameeka, while Astarte, Celisse, Freyda and Zev had girl talk, trying to get to know each other more. The two sneaky folks found coded notebooks and some golden dust inside of bags of flour while listening in on Sir Cross and Sir Blakely scheming something Schemeful
[09:36.10] <SwimmingEagle>  We come now to early the next morning with the dawn light casting sun rays over the recent blizzard that happened overnight.
[09:36.37] <SwimmingEagle> {lets wait a few seconds for Zev to finish putting the kids in their recharge stations}
[09:39.49] * Zevorykalyukanar1 rises as early as usual, chivying the others out of bed an hour later after she's had a chance to make breakfast for them.
[09:39.58] * Zevorykalyukanar1 is now known as Zevorykalyukanar
[09:40.10] * Celisse wakes up bright and early to find her gown to be a little tight.  She goes to loosen up when she realizes a most terrifying sign: a slight pudge on her waist.
[09:40.43] <Celisse> She feels around to find another grim omen: ARM CHUB
[09:41.24] <Celisse> "Nonononononono," she wimpers as she realizes what is going on. She immediately rolls into a ball and hides under her blanket.
[09:41.40] * Freyda keeps snoozing, in spite of her bed's inadequate size.
[09:41.46] <Celisse> There is now the sound of faint sobbing.
[09:41.56] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Celisse, it's merely dawn; the sun is nothing to hide from." She prods the blanket-covered lump.
[09:42.02] * Lameeka is still awfully groggy, having not had a full night's sleep yet. She hadn't had a chance to go over the notes she found yet. "Nn...five more minutes." She tucks back in against Freyda.
[09:42.32] * Atolm dropped wherever he landed, wherever that was in the room. He's still out.
[09:43.03] <Celisse> Still sobbing, she mewls, "Don't look at me. I...I look hideous!"
[09:43.33] * Freyda 's arms squeeze a little tighter around Lameeka, ignorant of the fact that she is not in fact her knight plushie back home she keeps hidden away.
[09:43.41] <Zevorykalyukanar> Silver eyebrows furrow. "I rather doubt it. Now come, it's time for breakfast." She grabs the blankets and pulls.
[09:44.53] <Celisse> "If he sees me like this...he's gonna hate me! He's gonna think I got faaat!"
[09:45.23] <Atolm> "what was noise... loud..."
[09:45.32] <Atolm> "... why is grammaw here"
[09:46.36] * Astarte_ looks up from her book. She had been up rather late the night prior reading into something that had caught her eye at the library, and had fallen asleep. She awoke as Zev had risen earlier and continued to idily flip through the dusty tome.
[09:46.54] * Zevorykalyukanar huffs. "I'm certain that your husband will adore you no less no matter how you look. After all, he knows you are a dragon." This time she doesn't take no for an answer and yanks hard, all her strength in play.
[09:47.54] * Celisse eventually budges, but she's trying her damnedest to conceal her chub...her chub that looks barely noticeable
[09:49.26] <Zevorykalyukanar> As she meticulously and quickly folds the blanket, she raises an eyebrow at Celisse. "All the caterwauling led me to believe you were approaching Freyda in proportion. I can't tell any difference. Now up with you."
[09:49.47] <Celisse> Whimper of consent.
[09:50.13] * Atolm mumbles annoyed, mostly asleep
[09:50.47] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Good girl." She pats Celisse on the head. "Breakfast is ready, though after that wakeup somehow I feel you'll try to skip it." Message delivered, she sets to waking Freyda next...
[09:52.52] <SwimmingEagle>  Zev finds Freyda snuggling up against Lameeka, substatuting The kobold's behind for a pillow. its much softer than the pillow at any rate.
[09:53.28] <Zevorykalyukanar> "For want of something to capture the moment," she mumbles...then steals Lameeka out from under Freyda with a swipe.
[09:54.29] * Freyda whines a little in her sleep, but shortly thereafter settles back down.
[09:54.32] <Lameeka> "Uh-? Mnuh!" She flails slightly as she's snatched up by the meido. "Whuzza?"
[09:55.11] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Well, that's another," she says. "Breakfast is ready," she tells the kobold, gently setting her down. "Eat up; I have a feeling it'll be a busy day."
[09:56.30] <Lameeka> "Mf, okay...Atolm and I found some pretty important stuff. Once everybody's awake, we can show it off."
[09:56.54] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Working on that," she nods...and turns to give Freyda a solid shake.
[09:57.13] * Freyda grunts in her sleep and rolls over.
[09:58.31] * Zevorykalyukanar purses her lips. "Stand back," she cautions Lameeka, before stepping in, wrapping her arms as far around her half-sister as she can...and lifting her bodily from the bed.
[09:59.16] <Lameeka> "Wh-ohno." She scampers off before she is flattened by a potentially thrashing Freyda.
[09:59.32] * Freyda snorts and flails awkwardly as she's hoisted back into the land of the living. "Hmgnuh...?!"
[10:00.55] * Astarte_ attempts to stifle a giggle at Frey's predicament.
[10:01.21] <Zevorykalyukanar> The silver dragoness sets her down on the bed gently enough. "Morning. Breakfast. Eat. Then listen." Figuring short sentences were best to penetrate the sleep-fogged brain, she steps over to locate Atolm.
[10:01.48] * Atolm is... somewhere. yesterday was rough.
[10:01.55] * Freyda blearily wipes the sleep from her eyes and then resorts to fuming quietly.
[10:02.29] <SwimmingEagle>  You notice that there is a tail sticking out of Freyda's cleavage
[10:03.09] * Freyda blinks, then slowly tugs on the tail.
[10:03.21] <SwimmingEagle>  Atom's body slides out easily enough
[10:04.26] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Ah. There he is...little pervert."
[10:04.39] * Atolm appears to have had a very rough time. Things are not supposed to bend this way
[10:05.12] * Freyda just stares at the small dragon for a few seconds, before hurling him across the room onto another bed. "Are you quite right there?!"
[10:05.38] * Atolm opens his eyes slowly, half annoyed at being woken up and half dazed from discomfort
[10:05.50] <Atolm> "who whu"
[10:06.02] <Atolm> *OW*
[10:06.13] <Atolm> "what the hell?"
[10:06.43] * Freyda folds her arms across her invaded chest, looking to the side and fuming intently and blushing madly. "Stupid little pervert midget..."
[10:07.05] <Atolm> "pervert? you're the one who pulled me out of bed!"
[10:07.24] <Astarte_> "Atolm, she was your bed."
[10:07.43] * Freyda 's lower eyelid twitches. "My CLEAVAGE is not your bed!"
[10:07.51] <Atolm> "... that's just stupid. I went to sleep on the first pillow I could find after that air-dash from the chimney"
[10:08.03] <Atolm> "Freyda wasn't even there, just a lumpy b~"
[10:08.08] * Atolm stops cold
[10:08.50] <Atolm> "a uh, fancy looking place to sleep like uh, nobles, uh, use"
[10:09.12] <Astarte_> "Today is a good day."
[10:09.12] * Freyda glares intently at Atolm.
[10:10.15] * Zevorykalyukanar steps in between the two. "Alright, children, I believe we've all learned our lessons. Now let's eat. Lameeka and Atolm have more important news to share."
[10:10.47] * Freyda harumphs.
[10:11.15] * Atolm doesn't respond, half looking away
[10:12.00] * Celisse follows meekly, still haunted by the fact that she's gaining weight
[10:12.14] * Astarte_ closes her book. "So? What did you two find out?"
[10:12.16] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Don't make me carry you to the table." She levels a finger at both Atolm and Freyda.
[10:12.50] * Atolm shakes it off
[10:12.57] <Atolm> "Right. You'll want to sit down for this anyways"
[10:13.46] * Freyda sighs and gets to her feet, walking over to the table. She sits on the floor rather than a chair, still at a reasonable height off the table.
[10:14.24] * Atolm lands himself on the top edge of an empty chair
[10:15.52] * Zevorykalyukanar makes herself busy serving the others. "Alright. Lameeka, Atolm, why don't you start."
[10:16.11] <Atolm> "So, before the alarm went off, I managed to overhear and see Cross and uh, the other guy, Bakely - thought he was gonna be some young squire or something but he's like totally middle age - discussing a few things. Notably the uh, packages. and where they were being sent."
[10:17.02] <Atolm> "Doyles, Hakbutts, and apparently an extra special one for a "monsieur daubany"
[10:17.40] <Atolm> "Didn't get a chance to inspect the packages since the alarm went off, but I can tell you this guy has a *lot* of security measures. It's like he's completely paranoid. Anti-invisibility drills and everything"
[10:17.56] <Atolm> "The practice kind, not the ones the heroes use in the picture books"
[10:18.12] <Freyda> "Huh..."
[10:18.20] <Atolm> "They're both heavily armored and I'm pretty sure they were covered in magic stuff."
[10:18.35] <Atolm> "And THAT was them coming out of the baths together."
[10:19.46] <Celisse> "Cross...is a very thorough person. He's bound to have that many measures just so nothing goes wrong at any step."
[10:19.48] <Atolm> "There's not just normal supplies too. Didn't get a chance but there's a *lot* of crates and the like in every nook and cranny of this guy's place. It's everywhere. They never stood a chance at spotting me in fact.
[10:21.00] <Zevorykalyukanar> She raises an eyebrow. "All of that is extraordinarily suspicious."
[10:21.11] <Lameeka> "Blakely wasn't that old, just had some scars and wrinkles."
[10:21.42] <Atolm> "Looked like an old person to me"
[10:21.59] <Celisse> "I remember that old man mentioning that he helped fell the dragon."
[10:23.33] <Freyda> "Curious indeed."
[10:23.52] <Zevorykalyukanar> "So. What do we do with this information, then?"
[10:25.28] <Celisse> "If we know if any of those men might show up tomorrow..."
[10:25.41] <Freyda> "Whatever would he need that many supplies for... unless there's more than just the hoard at stake..."
[10:26.01] <Celisse> "Mining?"
[10:26.26] <Astarte_> "Celisse, do you know of any of those people they heard them name? Daubeny, and the like?"
[10:26.38] <Lameeka> "I also found crates and crates of flour, with gold dust mixed in. It might be how they're laundering the hoard. I even took a sample." She holds up a small vial.
[10:26.56] <Lameeka> "Also, is uh...is anyone good with codes?"
[10:27.15] * Freyda shakes her head. "If it were just mining, why would it need to be hidden?" She looks sideways at Lameeka. "I could give it a go, I suppose."
[10:28.58] <Atolm> "Other than figure out how much the gold in there is worth, I have no idea."
[10:29.00] <Astarte_> "I'd like to give it a peek, as well."
[10:29.01] * Lameeka hands Freyda some sheets of paper with jumbled letters on them, "I managed to copy these from a strange book on a desk. The moment the alarm went off, they made a bee-line for that desk to protect it."
[10:29.03] <Celisse> "Daubeny too. He was involved with the fight."
[10:29.16] * Freyda muses. "Interesting..."
[10:31.18] * Freyda spreads the papers out over the table, looking between them.
[10:35.38] * Freyda produces a small pad of paper and a pencil, starting to write out a number of notes, which steadily grow longer and longer.
[10:39.37] * Lameeka attempts to assist, but she only has minor experience with linguistics. Dammit Jim, I'm an alchemist not a cryptographer.
[10:40.03] <SwimmingEagle>  The Notes look like a gigantic mass of  math equations, but pooling your collective intelligence, you find that the solutions actually draw out words if you arrange them in a certain way.  The pages spell out the exact location of The Hoard via corodinates of a map of Taldor, as well as Delivery instruction to various nobles and noble houses. "Hakbutt, Daubany, Morilla, Shadaol, Debonare...
[10:40.45] <SwimmingEagle>  "... Solare, Abab, and Tommit."
[10:40.54] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Wasn't Morilla the one that suicidal man screamed before Lameeka exploded him?"
[10:41.29] * Freyda stuffs the notepad and used notepaper into a dimensional hole, leaving just the resultant paper. "Indeed."
[10:41.30] <Atolm> "Yeah. That was the arm we had. He's been shipping to... basically all of those noble houses. Uh, miss Celisse, is that all the noble houses, or is it just, say, a particular faction?"
[10:43.59] <Atolm> "I'm no merchant but I'm pretty sure this is the kind of money that would completely shift the balance of power if it's sent to just one side of a power struggle..."
[10:45.45] * Zevorykalyukanar nods.
[10:46.31] <Celisse> "It is just as likely he might be playing some angle. The houses he gifted...they're political rivals." She scowls. "This has to be a buyout."
[10:47.06] * Freyda nods slowly. "What do they oppose him over?"
[10:47.33] <Astarte_> "Better question, what's so special about the Daubeny delivery?"
[10:47.57] <Zevorykalyukanar> "And what does he stand to gain, with his political rivals silenced with gifts from the hoard?"
[10:47.58] <Celisse> "Could be one thing, could be a whole bunch of things. I...can't recall off the top of my head."
[10:50.54] <Atolm> "uh... here's another question... what if they're not gifts"
[10:51.07] <Atolm> "what if there was some cursed bits in the lot?"
[10:54.42] <Celisse> "It's also possible." She turns inward. "But...how does this act into the assassination?"
[10:55.20] <Astarte_> "We should go interview Celestine. Maybe she can spread some light on the matter."
[10:55.28] * Freyda ponders. "I feel like we do need more information, yes."
[10:56.26] <Atolm> "We're missing something, but we have a better picture to work with now"
[10:56.26] * Zevorykalyukanar nods. "I am happy to be of help."
[10:56.57] <Celisse> She groans a bit before getting up. "We should get going. I think my father might know where she's being kept."
[10:57.58] <Zevorykalyukanar> One of her eyes twinkles and she swiftly leans over to pinch Celisse's rear.
[11:00.08] * Celisse yelps. "Miss Zev! Wh-why did you do that?!"
[11:00.47] * Freyda blinks, not having seen what transpired.
[11:00.59] <Lameeka> "Hm?"
[11:01.34] * Zevorykalyukanar affects to judge the flesh she caught in her fingers, rubbing her fingertips together. "Hmm. No, nothing untoward detected there. I believe you are safe, Celisse."
[11:03.03] <Celisse> She hastily covers her behind. "You-I-What- You pervert!"
[11:03.46] <Atolm> "I WASN'T EVE.. oh she means you."
[11:04.19] <Zevorykalyukanar> "I assure you," she says airily, "I am nothing of the sort, merely looking out for your mental well-being."
[11:04.34] * Freyda sloooooowly raises an eyebrow.
[11:05.35] <Celisse> "Th-there are other ways to ascertain that, I'm sure! Ways that don't involve..." Her face reddens. "Hauuuu~"
[11:05.36] <Atolm> "shouldn't that be physical? why were you pinching her butt anyways? what's that gonna check out? other than the butt?"
[11:06.10] * Freyda coughs. "Sh-shall we go?"
[11:06.45] <Celisse> Welcome or not, Celisse immediately hurries off back home.
[11:07.19] <Lameeka> "I'm not sure any of you make sense to me."
[11:07.40] * Zevorykalyukanar shakes her head. "It's not my place to spill her secrets."
[11:08.33] * Astarte_ lets out a laugh as she shakes her head. Grabbing her spear, she heads out the door after Celisse.
[11:10.59] * Atolm perches on the armored one, still tired
[11:10.59] <SwimmingEagle>  You trudge through two feet of snow for upwards of an hour to get to Celisse's father's home.
[11:11.40] * Zevorykalyukanar seems right at home, though she wears a heavy coat as a concession to keep people from looking too oddly at her.
[11:12.22] * Lameeka rides on Freyda since two feet of snow is nearly her entire body.
[11:13.35] * Atolm chose his seat well, although it's a bit hard
[11:13.35] * Celisse hurries on through, but constantly glances back to see that Meido still smiling like nothing happened. She didn't appreciate what had happened, but at the same time...did she really hate it?
[11:14.37] * Freyda walks unhindered across the surface of the deep snow, not sinking into it even a little. After about ten minutes, she simply starts floating a few inches above it instead.
[11:15.33] * Astarte_ trudges through the snow, wishing her feet weren't so cold.
[11:19.36] <SwimmingEagle>  Eventually you make it to their manor and there are extra welcome mats to wipe your feet off on, with maids with towels and mops at the ready. A small army of orphan children are shoveling the entry path. Lord Carwall has a warm cup of something rather steaming from the upper stair talking to a petite womanin armor. "Now i knwo its uncomfortable but you'll have to get used to wearing it."
[11:20.11] <Zevorykalyukanar> "I believe we've met both our targets," says the maid quietly to the others.
[11:22.48] <SwimmingEagle>  "I was just personal aide before this. i've never worn armor in my life." The woman fidgits.
[11:22.57] * Freyda nods slowly.
[11:23.44] * Celisse approaches first. Hopefully, she won't stand out too much.
[11:24.53] <SwimmingEagle>  The Lord Carwell sees your apporach and waves you upstairs.
[11:25.14] * Zevorykalyukanar follows Celisse sedately.
[11:25.29] <Celisse> "Hello, Father. I hope everything is going well for you..." Another glance, defending her chastity.
[11:25.31] * Freyda continues floating, but still follows.
[11:27.27] <SwimmingEagle>  "I was hoping you might come by, Dame Celistine, these are the people who rescued you. My daughter and her Entourage."
[11:27.30] * Zevorykalyukanar stays out of arm's reach, arms folded demurely.
[11:27.42] <Zevorykalyukanar> She bows to the newly-knighted girl when prompted.
[11:27.53] * Atolm hovers over and does a little bow
[11:28.01] <Atolm> "Hello again, young dame"
[11:28.45] * Freyda sets Lameeka down now they're out of the snow.
[11:28.45] <Celisse> "Hi again." She brings her smile back to greet the young Dame. "How have you been?"
[11:29.21] * Astarte_ offers a small wave to Celestine.
[11:30.15] <SwimmingEagle>  "More than a little bewildered, But i never got an oppertunity to thank you for saving my life." The Dame bows before Celisse. "If there is anything i can do for you, say it... on my honor i vow it.... i can do that right?"
[11:31.21] <Celisse> "I am honored, noble Dame. Now please, get up." Once Celestine gets up, she asks, "Would you mind if we ask a few questions?"
[11:32.22] <SwimmingEagle>  "Thats the least i can do!" She says with a slight bounce
[11:33.10] <Lameeka> "Well technically, the least you can do is nothing at all."
[11:33.58] * Zevorykalyukanar surreptitiously moves a foot and kicks Lameeka in the shin.
[11:33.59] <SwimmingEagle>  "Right! Right.. SOrry!"
[11:34.09] <Atolm> "Don't worry about it. That armor suits you"
[11:34.14] <Freyda> "I believe the general usage is that there's an obligation to do at least something."
[11:34.33] <Freyda> "So 'nothing' is considered 'not possible'
[11:34.48] <Astarte_> "I think we're getting off topic."
[11:34.48] <Atolm> "No that's not quite true"
[11:34.51] * Atolm turns to Freyda
[11:34.58] * Celisse offers a guiding smile as they move to some seats. "Well, the first question I should ask is if you...well, have you had any prior dealings with House Morilla?"
[11:35.06] <Atolm> "For example 'nothing' could be in exchange for normally something being done. Like "hey turn a blind eye to this""
[11:35.13] <Zevorykalyukanar> She sighs quietly but doesn't change her expression.
[11:35.39] <SwimmingEagle>  "Right! Also Sorry" The poor girl is looking more confused, she turns to Celisse "Uhh No never. I've been working with Lady Belladona's family since i was a little girl"
[11:36.07] * Freyda shakes her head. "No no, in that case, doing nothing would in itself be doing something. It's a specific course of action as repayment."
[11:36.26] <Lameeka> "I immediately regret my pedantry."
[11:36.34] <Atolm> "But the action is inaction. By its very definition, the 'something' is actually nothing at all."
[11:36.55] <Atolm> "It fulfils the favor but it's still doing nothing to do so"
[11:37.07] <Celisse> "Can you guys...argue about this later? We kinda have questions to ask."
[11:37.21] * Astarte_ clears her throat. "Maybe we should take this conversation indoors?"
[11:37.42] * Freyda shakes her head again. "But it's technically impossible to do 'nothing'. A course of action is taken regardless."
[11:39.06] <Atolm> "
[11:39.07] <SwimmingEagle>  "Um, yeah... Is there anything else you wanted to know?" Lady Celestine looks bewildered still
[11:39.29] <Atolm> "A course was chosen, but NO actions were! uh, anyways, we'll talk about this later."
[11:39.40] * Zevorykalyukanar turns around and gives Freyda and the others a Look. "Perhaps later would be the better time to discuss the philosophical nuances and literal versus figurative meanings of polite conversation?"
[11:40.03] <Freyda> "The implication is also that there's a deviation from the norm and..." She trails off, then coughs. "Perhaps."
[11:40.04] <Celisse> "Well, the reason I asked was because the man who shot you...he had a ring from House Morilla. An old ring."
[11:40.34] <Astarte_> "An old ring with a seal that isn't used anymore."
[11:41.37] * Zevorykalyukanar smiles at Freyda and turns back to support Celisse.
[11:41.51] <SwimmingEagle>  "Oh!... why would they want to kill me? I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time!" Celestine protests. before Lord Carwall Steps in. "Interesting. What do you think the signifigance of the ring is?"
[11:42.41] <Astarte_> "It doesn't have anything to do with House Morilla as you know them. It's more like a splinter faction."
[11:42.47] * Freyda speaks up. "We believe that the iconography of the ring being well out of date implies something about the man responsible."
[11:42.57] <Celisse> "I'm trying to figure it out myself. I had thought there was some possibility of an emnity between the Dame and Morilla. Perhaps one between Dame Belladonna and Morilla."
[11:43.37] <Freyda> "According to the archives, the crest was changed from this upon the marriage of a house member and a Pathfinder."
[11:45.55] <SwimmingEagle>  "I keep telling people i don't even know how i did it!" The young knight kinda stomps in place. "All there was was Lady Belldona got her arm bitten. i grabbed the her sword, i swung it. There was a bright flash of light. and then next thing i know i'm covered in blood and the beast was decapitated!!"
[11:46.28] * Freyda rubs her chin. "I see..."
[11:46.43] <Celisse> "I...wasn't asking about that, but that does sound curious. What of Sirs Blakely and Daubeny?"
[11:46.51] <Atolm> "... that's strange. A bright flash of light?"
[11:48.47] <SwimmingEagle>  "They triggered the rockslide that pinned the beast down, Lady Belladona was going to try to end the beast with her contingent but she forgot her fire blocking potion in her tent, i rushed it out to herwhe i saw the comapny getting burnt alive."
[11:51.45] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Do you still have the sword that slew the beast?"
[11:51.58] * Freyda hums. "I may hold an answer."
[11:52.08] <SwimmingEagle>  "No, that's Lady Belladona's sword." The young Dame explains
[11:52.29] * Freyda hums. "It may hold an answer. Although It's only potentially relevant."
[11:53.24] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Might you request an audience with one or more of us attending, possibly, so as to examine the weapon?"
[11:53.55] <Atolm> "She might be at the party you know. Could have it 'round her belt."
[11:54.05] <Atolm> "We could probably just ask ourselves."
[11:54.25] <Celisse> "That sounds unfortunate. May I ask about the relations between the three knights? Were there any tensions before this fight?"
[11:54.26] <SwimmingEagle>  "She ALWAYs has her sword on hand... except when her arm is getting chewed off... you can ask her at the party tomorrow!"
[11:54.51] <SwimmingEagle>  "Um, Well... lets see..."
[11:56.29] <SwimmingEagle>  "Lady Belladona, and Sir Blakely were both Squires of Sir Daubany at some point. Sir Daubany is aged. And has been an active knight in Taldor's for nearly sixty years. As far as i can tell. they're all good friends."
[11:57.43] <Celisse> "And their ties to Morilla?"
[11:58.39] <SwimmingEagle>  "I think Sir Daubany is a distant cousin to a Morilla... though you'd have to ask him"
[12:00.24] <Celisse> And there be the tie. If he's as old as she's implying, he might have been around to know about the marriage. Maybe.
[12:00.34] * Freyda thinks. "We're still missing something."
[12:01.01] <SwimmingEagle>  "What are you missing?" The Lord Carwell asks
[12:01.34] <Astarte_> "Is there a relationship between Sir Cross and Sir Daubeny?"
[12:03.11] <SwimmingEagle>  "I couldn't say, i' havent worked with Sir Cross or Sir Daubeny. LIke i said i've only worked with Lady Belladona"
[12:03.18] <Celisse> A cocked eyebrow. That was right: Blakely was a squire to both Cross and Daubeny. Probably he was a squire for both at different points in time, but..."
[12:03.32] <Celisse> "We'll have to ask him in person then."
[12:04.00] <Atolm> "... he could be the link, but from the sounds of the two he wasn't the mastermind."
[12:05.47] <SwimmingEagle>  "Are you suggesting you have evidence against Sir Cross?" The Lord Carwell asks.  looking around for prying eyes
[12:09.05] <Astarte_> "Freyda, d'you have the paper?"
[12:09.29] * Atolm grins at the old man
[12:10.00] <Atolm> "Well I know courts wouldn't accept directly overhearing them, but that certainly helps one put some clues together now. And then there's what we found!"
[12:10.18] * Freyda nods, producing the notepad and notes.
[12:10.45] <Freyda> "Coded, of course, but we believe this to be the message."
[12:12.42] <SwimmingEagle>  The Lord Carwall looks through the notes with some interest... "Hmm... If this is genuine then it could be damning for several important figures in court... "
[12:13.15] <Celisse> "Odds are that there are more involved in this bribery."
[12:14.45] <Atolm> "Straight out of these guy's desk, well, coded though."
[12:14.56] <Atolm> ".... court officials can do math though right?"
[12:15.12] <Celisse> "You can assume so, yes."
[12:15.22] <SwimmingEagle>  "We should assertain motives of SIr cross... and everyone on this list."
[12:15.48] <Celisse> "Precisely my thoughts. The ball would be a perfect opportunity for this occasion."
[12:16.19] * Zevorykalyukanar nods slowly. The assumption we made is that our good friend is buying off his political rivals--but for what purpose? What would he stand to gain from doing so?"
[12:16.21] <SwimmingEagle>  "Well schemed my daughter... becareful, you might have a knack for this."
[12:16.34] <Atolm> "The only thing we didn't get to confirm is what specifically is sent in each package. Although Lameeka here says there's a lot of gold dust mixed into the flour."
[12:17.03] <Celisse> Cue polite laughter and maybe a blush.
[12:18.24] <SwimmingEagle>  "Well i suggest you prepare yourself for a lot of backhanded complements, far too much wine, and more gambits than suitors for a Kovosian escourt "
[12:19.27] <Celisse> "I can only hope that we'll be able to manage such. I think that with my...present company, we will be more than ready for such."
[12:19.28] <SwimmingEagle>  "Also a decent dress. I can have a seemstress fit one for you... and your companions if nessiary." The Lord Carwell offers
[12:20.05] <Celisse> "I...do wish to see if I need to refit some of my better dresses."
[12:20.47] <Lameeka> "I'd really rather be out of this one...I feel like a baby."
[12:20.52] * Freyda frowns. "I do hope I have something in the carriage..."
[12:21.45] * Astarte_ looks down at her tabbard. "This is fine."
[12:22.11] <Zevorykalyukanar> "I believe I will be covered."
[12:22.55] <Atolm> "I'll probably adorn someone until we need to act more quietly."
[12:24.07] * Freyda hums. "And even if there is something in the carriage it's likely older than I am..."
[12:26.22] * Celisse goes to the Seamstress bearing a very ornate red ballgown with exposed shoulders and a split by the front. The front has gold filigree, as do the cuffs. She also has two flowing robes coming from her shoulders that shimmered like copper
[12:27.28] <Celisse> She insistently asks for it to be refit even if she says it's fine to wear it as is. The Seamstress then makes fun of her, thinking that this is because of her husband.
[12:28.18] <SwimmingEagle>  Celisse is infact measured, and her seamstress reveils that she's actually grown. Grown UP even. by a full 2 inches.
[12:28.23] * Atolm (~ATX_2@2ABDC983.1992FD85.161B01B4.IP) Quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds)
[12:29.13] * Freyda fidgets briefly, and turns for the door. "I suppose I'll go check the carriage then. Coming, Lameeka?"
[12:29.50] <Celisse> Cue more sobbing.
[12:31.00] <SwimmingEagle>  her bust is ever so slightly bigger to. enough to make her old brassiers a bit snug.
[12:31.45] <Celisse> This softens the sobbing, as she then asks if the seamstress thinks that Darling would like it.
[12:31.52] <Lameeka> "Sure..."
[12:32.33] <SwimmingEagle>  Astarte's Dress dares her to wear it. taunting her with its deep blue color and gold inlay that makes it look like the underlaying gears of a clockwork machine.
[12:34.20] * Freyda rummages through the carriage with Lameeka.
[12:35.43] * Astarte_ stares at the dress, feeling her resistance fade away. It was sort of like an oversized tabbard, right? And it was pretty...
[12:37.07] <SwimmingEagle>  Freyda's clothes look like they belong to some Queen in Kataphesh, Stark white, and almost sheer around the middriff with golden inlay and enough gems to make you look like you didn't just take it from a dragons hoard. that you ARE the dragon's hoard
[12:37.46] * Freyda eyes her outfit. "This doesn't seem so bad..."
[12:37.56] <SwimmingEagle>  the best part. Its very snug. and hugs her cuves like a faithful husband
[12:38.56] * Zevorykalyukanar simply commands her magic sleeves to shift, and her maid dress shimmers and changes to leave her clad in a tightly-bodiced wraparound dress in powder blue, matching her colors, with a long skirt. The square neckline dips very low, showing tasteful decolletage, and the swishiness of the skirt hides a long slit that occasionally shows glimpses of long legs.
[12:40.21] <Freyda> "Found anything nice, Lameeka?"
[12:41.02] <SwimmingEagle>  Lakmeea sees several options. Ranging form, Childish, Cute, Classy, Sexy, and "Chaste Eyes Should Look Away."
[12:41.23] <SwimmingEagle>  atolm has a little bowtie and collar
[12:42.23] * Lameeka 's breath catches in her throat a bit at the last one. "Wh...why would the Queen give me something this...?" She glances around and stealthily tucks the outfit away before choosing the Classy number for the ball.
[12:43.31] * Freyda leans back into the carriage. "Hmm?"
[12:45.21] * Lameeka pulls the lewdest outfit out, showing it off to Freyda, "I mean...unless there's an extra piece to it somewhere that I'm not seeing..." She looks around.
[12:46.05] * Freyda blinks, her face slowly coloring with an incredibly heavy blush. "I-I s-see..."
[12:47.04] <Lameeka> "I mean, there's no way this skirt will cover my butt. A-and how do I even walk in heels like these...?"
[12:48.13] * Freyda coughs. "W-well uh... I mean... a low centre of gravity helps with b-balance and..." She quietens down a deal. "It'd look nice at least..."
[12:49.14] <Lameeka> "..." She holds it tightly in both hands, glancing down as she held it against herself, then looked back up to Freyda, "...You think so?"
[12:50.06] * Freyda doesn't say anything, but her blush only deepens and she nods.
[12:50.13] * Astarte_ stretches about, making sure her dress/tabbard doesn't restrict her movement. "I think it's nice, Lameeka. If you want to wear it, go for it!"
[12:51.17] <SwimmingEagle>  Astarte learns that there are stratigic straps in her dress to loosen and cause slits in the dress for either interesting displays... or ease of movment.
[12:52.04] * Atolm (~ATX_2@Rizon-E9747049.mc.videotron.ca) has joined channel #dragongame
[12:53.58] * Lameeka takes a deep breath, and nods firmly, "Okay, I'll...yeah. I mean, I guess I won't have to do any stealthy stuff." She wasn't altogether certain why she was doing this. She had hoped to be largely unnoticed during the ball, but now she wanted to stretch her legs a bit and remind people she was only short, not a child.
[12:55.52] * Freyda coughs. "I mean... you could save it for... another time. If you wanted..."
[12:56.43] <Astarte_> "When would be a better time than now?"
[12:56.49] * Zevorykalyukanar makes sure that Celisse is doing alright and not having another episode similar to the morning.
[12:58.03] <Freyda> "I... suppose."
[12:58.11] <SwimmingEagle>  Lameeka's "Dress" Starts with a pair of heels that add about two inches to the Bold's height. From there she has apair of sheer stalking with floral designs inlaid into them with cutouts that caused her thigh to bulge out slightly, her upper thighs muffin out from the top of the stocking.
[12:58.21] * Celisse eventually emerges from her room with a better-fitting dress. Her chest doesn't feel as squished now and her waist is now comfortable! She also notices that the chainshirt she used when in DragonMode. "Miss Zev...would you mind if you followed me somewhere more...private?"
[12:58.49] * Atolm_ (~ATX_2@Rizon-E9747049.mc.videotron.ca) has joined channel #dragongame
[01:00.01] <SwimmingEagle>  The black top/skirt is split down the sides showing of acers of bare hip, and the back partof the skirt only reaches about the middle of her large butt. her top leaves a small cleavage window for the small part of lameeka's bust.
[01:00.35] <SwimmingEagle> there is no underwear that would look good with this ouside of a high cut leotard or something.
[01:00.41] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Of course not." She smiles slightly at Celisse. "Lead the way."
[01:01.53] * Atolm (~ATX_2@Rizon-E9747049.mc.videotron.ca) Quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds)
[01:02.20] <Atolm_> "... this is so much better than those stupid ball gowns in the books"
[01:02.52] <Atolm_> "no one should ever wear things that you can actually fly circles in"
[01:03.04] <Celisse> She leads Zev out to a spacious room. She then poofs into DragonMode to realize that she's...actually a good bit bigger than she last remembered. She's actually Medium Sized now!
[01:04.04] * Freyda 's blush only returns upon seeing Lameeka in her... particular outfit. "W-well..."
[01:04.35] * Zevorykalyukanar blinks in surprise. "My goodness--no wonder you were upset this morning."
[01:05.32] <Lameeka> "I...I think this is the first time I've found an outfit that was too small for me." She tugs on the hem of the skirt, adjusting the strings on the sides - the only thing keeping the entire outfit from falling into two halves.
[01:05.34] <Celisse> "I'm...I'm really really sorry!"
[01:06.14] <Freyda> "It does look... really good though."
[01:06.51] <Celisse> "I'm willing to forgive you about pinching my butt, but...Please don't tease me again, okay? I want to look good for my Darling."
[01:08.02] <Atolm_> "That's okay, you look good miss Lameeka, don't worry about it"
[01:08.10] * Lameeka puts on a bit of a pose for Freyda, "Nheh~...so uh...think I should do something with my hair, or...?"
[01:08.35] <Zevorykalyukanar> She sighs. "Actually, I was more trying to reassure you than tease. Clearly my attempt backfired most miserably."
[01:11.08] <Freyda> "Your hair looks good to me, but... I don't really know much about fashion..." Freyda coughs awkwardly.
[01:13.21] <Celisse> "Oh..." She curls up a little. "I'm sorry." She poofs back to PeopleMode more confident than ever. "I promise not to worry you again. But...I will need to do something about this shirt. I can't fit this anymore."
[01:15.41] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Leave it to me," she says with a nod.
[01:16.26] <Celisse> "Thank you." She hugs the maid as thanks before meeting the others.
[01:18.11] * Zevorykalyukanar follows her to rejoin the posse.
[01:18.44] * Atolm_ nods approvingly as they enter the room
[01:19.34] <SwimmingEagle>  the others return to Frey and Astarte staring approvingly at Lameeka's "Dress." Atolm is with them.
[01:20.37] <Celisse> The Princess gasps at the sight of that "Dress". "I...well...that's..." She blushes. "That's...very bold...!"
[01:20.52] <Lameeka> "Was that a pun?"
[01:21.04] <Celisse> "No! No! Heavens no!"
[01:21.14] * Freyda is interrupted by her most certainly not looking at Lameeka's revealing dress by the failed supression of an unexpected snort.
[01:22.00] <Lameeka> "Anyway, I suppose it's not much more revealing than what we usually wear at the Demesne. It's certainly a little more...eye-catching though..."
[01:23.25] <Atolm_> "It's a lot of clothing, but at least we can still see a bit of the real you. I was worried you'd all end up disguised like those ladies in the books back home"
[01:23.55] <Lameeka> "Disguised?"
[01:24.16] <Zevorykalyukanar> She gives the tiny dragon an expectant look.
[01:24.22] <Lameeka> "...That reminds me! Who here knows how to do makeup?"
[01:24.28] <Celisse> "I do!"
[01:25.10] <Lameeka> "I'll probably need your help on the day of the ball. Lived in a cave for most of my life, y'know, didn't have much to paint myself up with."
[01:25.29] <Celisse> "That's fine! We can probably buy some!"
[01:25.40] <Freyda> "I've... never had much call for makeup."
[01:26.21] <Atolm_> "Miss Zev looks charming too, obviously"
[01:26.32] <Celisse> "Dragon scales aren't usually meant to be used with makeup. I can try though."
[01:26.58] * Atolm_ turns back to Lameeka
[01:27.57] <Atolm_> "Yeah, disguised. Like, they have these gigantic skirts; you could hide half of us under one of those and no one would even know. They're pretending they have hips for days somehow all the way down to their ankles, and a whole bunch of fluffy stuff covering the rest of their bodies up. It's like they're pretending to be cloth cones"
[01:29.02] <Celisse> Cue coughing, considering there's someone wearing a big poofy skirt.
[01:29.08] <Lameeka> "Oh yeeaah."
[01:29.44] * Freyda speaks up. "Ah, they're called bustles."
[01:29.47] <Zevorykalyukanar> "They're not disguises," she says, with an air of endless patience. "It's simply how some countries view fashion."
[01:30.34] * Freyda takes the opportunity to re-establish some modicum of dignity rather than blushing like a schoolgirl over Lameeka's plump, distracting thighs...
[01:30.46] <Atolm_> "But, if you can't even see who's under there anymore?"
[01:31.44] <Freyda> "I suppose the endeavor is still to show off, but more about whose clothes and makeup is fanciest."
[01:33.52] <Atolm_> "So, it's "who got the best tailor" and not actually the people themselves?"
[01:34.52] <Freyda> "I suppose. It's no different from a dragon taking pride in their hoard rather than in themselves."
[01:35.34] * Atolm (~ATX_2@Rizon-E9747049.mc.videotron.ca) has joined channel #dragongame
[01:37.35] <Celisse> "Yeah!"
[01:37.53] * Atolm_ (~ATX_2@Rizon-E9747049.mc.videotron.ca) Quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds)
[01:38.18] <Celisse> "It's showing what you have more than who you are! Though, that is also important too."
[01:39.13] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Indeed. The ways of the world outside the Demesne are many and varied, Atolm," she says wisely. "There will be many more times when things seem pointless and odd."
[01:39.50] <Lameeka> "Well...this is certainly going to show everyone what I have..."
[01:40.23] <Atolm> "Yeah but the good kind, not the "I own four dressmakers and an entire crate of lead""
[01:41.56] <Zevorykalyukanar> Casting a significant look at her own cleavage on display, Zev shrugs at Lameeka. "Would you be more comfortable in public out here in your normal attire back home? I believe that exposes even more."
[01:42.16] <Freyda> "Another point to consider is that how one looks doesn't necessarily say something about one's character."
[01:42.34] * Freyda gestures. "Wearing expensive clothing at least says you're successful."
[01:42.36] <Atolm> "None of you would ever have anything to be ashamed of anyways. I guess I can imagine why some of those older ladies might hide things with their fans though, right?"
[01:43.00] * Freyda coughs. "You'll understand that when you're older."
[01:45.24] <Atolm> "Well I understand none of the ladies we've seen in this town look like you guys"
[01:48.07] <Celisse> "Well, true, but we're also very unique individuals here, with a giant golem suit, a kobold, and a dragon."
[01:49.21] <Lameeka> "Eh? Astarte isn't the suit, she's the one inside it."
[01:49.33] <Lameeka> "And I don't think it's really a golem, it's just armor."
[01:50.14] <Celisse> "Well, that's true. But being on fire isn't much less conspicuous. Might make for a nice story though if you spin it the right way."
[01:52.47] <SwimmingEagle> A note falls out of the the Dress Astarte was trying on
[01:53.58] <SwimmingEagle>  it reads... "Fireproof"
[01:54.04] * Freyda blinks.
[01:54.18] <Atolm> "Fortuitous"
[01:54.38] <Celisse> "You should totally work that story up."
[01:55.49] <Atolm> "She'd be a hit with the old veterans. Trading war stories except hers gets to end with "and that's how I became an inferno"!"
[01:56.07] <Atolm> "Being still on fire beats once having lost a leg, I'd say"
[02:00.15] * Lameeka (cgiirc@Rizon-A66EBBD8.yt.northwestel.net) Quit (Quit: ＋http://www.mibbit.com， ajax IRC Client)
[02:00.30] * SwimmingEagle (~kvirc@Rizon-A2BBF26F.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com) Quit (Quit: KVIrc 4.2.0 Equilibrium ＋http://www.kvirc.net/)，
[02:03.41] * Astarte_ (~qwebirc@Rizon-F915F914.dhcp.slid.la.charter.com) Quit (Quit: Page closed)
[02:03.43] <Celisse> Well, at this point the party decides to continue the scheming at the room, with heads a bit clearer and with the proper dresses for the ball. But come tomorrow...
[02:03.51] <Celisse> SESSION ENDO