Beyond the Sky - Session 15

After their encounter with the Strange Man, the group return to the Red Lily, and to Valaire's private quarters on the first floor to talk about what happened.
The documents seem to contain letters to and from a person named "F", detailing the events of the capture of Adrian's family to be used as hostages.
Upon finding this out, Mikolotov heads over to the castle to file a report on the case of the missing persons.
Arkune: "So... What can be determine from the papers?"
Night Eyes: "A pawn. Of course."
Adrian: "Hardly surprising."
Valaire: "Minions of minions? Quite the nest this mastermind is building."
Adrian: "Still, I wouldn't have expected anyone quite that... competent."
Genevieve climbs up to sit on the bed, swinging her legs off it.
Arkune: "So work on finding nobles with a name beginning with an F? Either given or family..."
Valaire: "Lord Adrian, I suspect you have a nemesis."
Arkune: "...Provided it isn't just an alias."
Night Eyes wrings her hands with frustration.
Arkune: "That much was clear from the start."
Night Eyes: "Yes, actually using their own initial seems foolhardy."
Arkune: "F for fool maybe?"
"Or fish-you."
Genevieve: "Fishyu?"
Adrian: "Accurate as that may be, I suspect it's simply a letter."
Valaire: "Relying on somebody who goes by 'F' is so much of a broad lead as to be useless..."
Arkune: "It's... a long story, little one."
Night Eyes: "Exactly, Valaire."
Valaire: "Working on much more tangible evidence before us seems more valuable."
Genevieve: "Fish have long stories?"
Night Eyes: "A writing analysis may be more useful."
Valaire: "The handwriting, for example."
Arkune: "Do any of you know anyone skilled at divination?"
Night Eyes smiles at Valaire.
Arkune: "Handwriting might give us too big of an area to search"
Adrian: "Anything you can tell from it?"
Arkune: "Though if anyone has a few suspects... We could get it from them."
Valaire: "Does it? Our suspect is likely a noble, as I doubt Lord Adrian has many enemies elsewise."
Arkune turns to the child. "You'll understand some day," she responds, before going back to the discussion at hand
Valaire: "I imagine nobles write things every day."
Night Eyes: "Precisely. We do have one other lead, mind."
Arkune: "Starts with a G, the lead?"
Night Eyes: "How many Eribans live in this city?"
Adrian: "Tracking down that man is certainly a good step. I can't say I'm fond of him getting away in any case."
Genevieve: "(Starts with G...)"
"Genevieve?"
"N-no" says Arkune, restraining a chuckle.
Adrian: "Not you, little one. Someone else."
Genevieve: "Is it the bad man?"
Adrian: "...Possibly. Not a very nice man, at least."
Arkune: "Perhaps. A bad man, anyway."
Genevieve: "You're gonna get him, aren'cha Daddy?"
Night Eyes: "We will punish them."
Adrian: "Valaire. Do you know any magic that can track down who wrote this? I can assure you that you will receive due compensation for any help."
Night Eyes: "That, or the Eriban."
Adrian: "For that matter, I would value any help you could offer, even if this matter may be of no further personal concern to you."
Valaire: "Hm... that particular spell, I'm afraid I don't have on my person at the moment. Spells to spy or track people are worryingly complicated."
"I doubt I could find it for purchase any cheaper than being gouged, either."
Night Eyes: "Hmm. Well, we could try tracking the Eriban through the streets. I'm sure there are people who would have seen or suspect him."
Adrian: "Let's try that first. If it fails, then we can resort to magical tracking."
Valaire: "Asking around is certainly something I can assist with, doll. I would dare say I'm quite well liked in that part of town."
Adrian: "That would be a great help."
Night Eyes: "Indeed. I am too suspicious, Adrian too identifiable and Arkune, too... indiscreet."
Arkune: "It's in my nature, sorry."
Night Eyes: "In many places it is a virtue, as I understand it."
Adrian: "...perhaps we should retrieve the imp. He's probably sober by now, and one more person to better our chances would be welcome."
Valaire: "I mean no offense, Lord Adrian, but I am curious about the logic that led to the notion that the ragamuffin would be of aid in asking people."
Arkune: "Maybe people will think he's just a drunk gnome."
Adrian: "Asking? No. Capturing him, yes."
Night Eyes: "He... knows things. Things he shouldn't."
Valaire: "(I suspect you would need to be quite drunk yourself to make that assumption about it...)"
"Well, I can certainly ask around. Where and when shall we rendezvous?"
Genevieve: "Daddy, where should I go when you leave?"
Adrian: "He's good at staying hidden, at all the wrong times."
Valaire: "Gene, you should stay here with your mommy. You two will be safe here. Only we know you're here."
Adrian: "Genevieve, stay here with your mother, alright?"
Genevieve: "Okay! What about if a man wants to go into a room with her?"
"She says she goes there to work, where do I go, then?"
Valaire: "That won't happen, little one. Your mommy is going to be taking a little bit of time off work to spend more time with you."
Genevieve: "Yay!"
Arkune smiles at the girl's innocence.
Genevieve: "Thank you!"
Valaire: "Just stay here and be a good girl, okay? Don't open the door for anyone but mommy, daddy, or auntie Valaire, okay?"
Night Eyes looks at the floor in sullen contemplation.
Genevieve: "I understand, Auntie Valaire~"
Adrian: "Thank you, Valaire."
Genevieve beams up at Valaire and Adrian.
Valaire: "It'll be fine, Lord Adrian. I have enough savings that they can live in this room for several times what we would need to catch your nemesis."
Arkune: "You are... a very kind person, miss Valaire."
"It's always nice to find out more people like you really are out there."
Valaire: "Kind? You barely know me."
Night Eyes: "You are interesting, Valaire, in any case. I welcome you to our group."
Valaire: "When I catch the person that threatened Jilly and conflagrate their sensitives in my claws, we'll see if I'm still 'kind'."
Night Eyes: "There is a part of me that wishes to bear witness to that."
Adrian: "Heh. Then you're exactly the amount of kind we need, perhaps."
Arkune: "I suppose it's more what I've seen to set the scale."
"After things like vampires, corrupt nobles, and greedy thugs, you look almost like a saint."
Valaire: "But trust me, country mouse. I'm not doing any of this out of any sense of 'justice' or 'honor' or 'kindness'."
"They hurt me and Jilly. So I'm going to pay them back."
Night Eyes nods quietly in agreement.
Adrian: "Weakness is when one's friendship or enmity have no impact on the lives of others. I expect I'll like the way you think, Valaire."
Valaire: "You flatter me, Lord Adrian."
Valaire snaps her claws and conjures a tiny ball of flame, idly balancing it on a claw tip.
Valaire: "In any event, if I'm going to go look for clues, I'll need to know when and where I'm meeting you back."
Adrian: "Glad to have you with us. Let's find that bastard, then."
"Hmm. Meeting back here works as well as anywhere, I suppose."
Valaire curtsies to Adrian politely, before leaving the room.
Arkune follows Valaire out, heading to look around parks of the city more visited by traders and travelers.

[Gather Information:
Valaire : Diplomacy: 29
Arkune : Diplomacy: 16]

Night Eyes: "The last two days have given me some new perspective, Adrian. It's... frightening, to be honest."
Adrian: "Hm. I'd like to hear about this new perspective."
Night Eyes: "You recall our past discussions of politics and strategy - typically on a tactical basis or wider. When I saw that house, it was the first time I witnessed it in such a personal manner."
Adrian: "The first time the individual people involved mattered, you mean?"
Night Eyes: "I'm still coming to terms with it. It's painful to digest. This mask is supposed to keep my mind distant and focused."
Adrian: "There are advantages to it, at times."
Night Eyes: "It's a good motivator, at least."

Night Eyes and Adrian begin walking up to the palace, Mikolotov joining them from the main hall, now his work is done.
The party head over to Adrian's quarters, but as they progress, they see the door to a wine cellar, near his room, ajar.
Adrian: "...damn, I thought he was properly secured."
Mikolotov: "It seems he's quite wily."
Night Eyes: "He really does defy all rationality. I want to know more about him."
Adrian opens the door fully, glancing around inside.
Adrian: "Twilalux, I am not paying for you to drink all t-"
Night Eyes follows Adrian slowly.
The party walk into discover someone who looks like Twilalux, but is not him, sitting on a crate, idly swinging his legs.
Adrian: "(Do wayangs molt?)"
Night Eyes: "(Not that I have heard of...)"
???: "Oh, Mister Adrian. I've been waiting here for you."
Adrian: "Explain yourself."
???: "We got ourselves into quite the kerfuffle, Mister Adrian. Twilalux is over there."
??? points a wispy, spectral finger to below one of the wine racks, staying seated on the crate.
Night Eyes looks at Adrian, resting a hand on her scabbard.
Adrian: "What are you, creature?"
"I'll advise you that you'll prefer to explain fully and quickly."
???: "Is that so? I'm Twilalux. Twilalux is me."
Night Eyes: "You are the wit that this witless thing speaks to?"
Mikolotov: "Did Twilalux... drink himself to death?"
???: "Ah! Yes, we've been talking to ourselves quite often, recently."
Adrian: "Let me get him out of here, then."
Mikolotov: "I can check on him, see if I can bring his body back from Alcohol poisoning..."
"Gods, there's so many bottles strewn about the place."
Twilalux lies splayed out beneath the wine rack, a shattered bottle not far from his grasp.
Night Eyes: "He's not very discreet about it. Glad to be acquainted... Twilalux?"
Adrian edges around the spirit, grabbing Twilalux by the back of his collar and pulling him away from the wine rack.
Adrian: "I don't suppose you can go back to...whatever you were before? It's hard enough to explain one Twilalux."
Night Eyes: "I think this is the useful one, though."
"I guess having a spirit follow us could cause problems, though."
???: "Maybe it's time the two of us explain a little story, isn't it?"
Adrian: "Maybe it is."
Adrian passes Twilalux over to Mikolotov with a shrug.
Mikolotov takes Twilalux from Adrian, trying to channel positive energy into him while not gagging at the stench of alcohol on him. [Lay On Hands: 6]
??? hops down from the crate, his feet sinking through the floor for a moment, before following after Adrian.
Adrian: "Well, you can explain on the way, I assume. Bring him along, Mikolotov?"
Mikolotov: "Righty ho."
???: "Where's Arkune gotten off to?"
Adrian: "In the city, where we're going. There was some trouble while you were trying to drink yourself into a stupor."
Mikolotov takes Twilalux's body, hefting it over his shoulder and covering his nose as he travels back down the hill to the Red Lily.

The party follow him, and soon find themselves on the first floor of the brothel.
In the upstairs hallway, the party meet up together, to discuss their findings.
Arkune: "So then... I found at least a mention or two of where the Eribian headed, through a few side streets in town, one called 'Juno'."
Arkune: "Not a lot of information, but it's something?"
???: "Oh! Looks like the new one's here, too."
??? looks Valaire up and down, moving to a less crowded spot.
Valaire: "What... is that thing?"
Arkune 's eyes track the ghostly apparition, but she seems to be unsure if she should bring it up.
Adrian: "Alright, high time for a proper explanation, 'Twilalux'."
Arkune: "Thank the heavens... It's not just my mind playing tricks on me?"
Valaire: "It's hard to dismiss something as an apparition when it's clearly checking me out."
???: "Don't get ahead of yourself."
Night Eyes: "The imp had always been trying to hide things."
"I suspect this is the real one."
???: "What's that supposed to mean, Night Eyes?"
Mikolotov: "I wonder if the sane part of him just couldn't take it anymore inside that poisoned mind."
Valaire: "So, the strange little ragamuffin drank so much his brain eventually just gave up struggling and left?"
Night Eyes: "Going from identifying geographical locations to asking what a prince is."
Adrian: "...more or less, I suspect."
Mikolotov: "I think so."
Night Eyes: "There is a significant inconsistency in Twilalux's knowledge."
"Not to mention the whispering."
??? looks up at Night Eyes, nodding vaguely.
Valaire: "So, if this... other Twilalux is the same, I trust it knows everything the original did? Less indistinct alcohol-fogged memories?"
Arkune: "Is he dead, or?"
???: "I am here, you know!"
Valaire: "Are you, now? You look half not here, you know."
Mikolotov: "I feel like my hand would pass through you. I can see part through you."
???: "You could just ask, though I do find all this speculating quite funny, ehe..."
Adrian: "I believe I have asked. Multiple times, in fact."
Valaire: "You want to be asked, then let's ask. Are you are the exact same Twilalux, as opposed to a different Twilalux?"
???: "That's a difficult question answer. I guess yes to both?"
Valaire: "Until Lord Adrian and the others found you, have you been at all in control in the physical form we knew previously as Twilalux, or were you purely a 'rider'?"
???: "Oh no, we were both there the whole time. I think you could say I'm a part of him."
Valaire: "But the personality of the original Twilalux... this is going to be confusing. Let's set some ground terms."
"Let's call the physical form 'Twilalux', the personality of the drunkard Lord Adrian knew before as 'Twill', and the form of you right now as 'Lux'. Is this acceptable?"
Night Eyes: "This Twilalux has been advising and guiding the physical one."
Adrian: "If that one wakes up, will you disappear again? Otherwise, what is he going to act like?"
Night Eyes raises a hand to Valaire, gesturing agreement with the idea.
Arkune: "Will the other one wake up?"
??? shakes his head, waving a hand dismissively at the barrage of questions.
???: "I guess that'll do, lady."
Mikolotov: "It doesn't seem like channeling healing into him did that much."
Valaire ponders the ghostly imp, curiously.
Night Eyes: "The way I see it, Lux is the brains, Twill is the brawn."
Valaire: "Do you and Twill share memories? Converged into one total 'Twilalux'?"
???: "Of course not; to both of those! Look, this is getting boring, so I think I'll just let you in on it."
Mikolotov: "Please do, I'm confused enough."
???: "You all have to promise to be careful about mentioning what I tell you when Twilalux wakes up though, okay?"
Arkune: "I promise upon my honor as a knight."
Valaire: "(This would have been much simpler if it told us this from the beginning...)"
Adrian: "If that is what you ask of us."
Night Eyes: "(I wonder if being obstinate is hereditary in Wayangs.)"
???: "I can hardly imagine how embarrassed he would get, ehe..."
Adrian: "(He wasn't like this before. Cryptic, but not uncooperative.)"
???: "Twilalux comes from the Lunar Isle, as most of you know."
Arkune: "As do I... Though a very different part."
Valaire: ((Given that there doesn't appear to be a map, I have no idea.))
???: "Now, I don't know how much you're versed in wayang culture, but let's just say Twilalux was a bit too... normal."
Valaire: "Did the imp even have culture?"
Adrian: "Now there's something I wouldn't have expected to hear."
Arkune: "Normal for a wayang, or people like us?"
???: "Ahem, no need to be rude, lady. I'm trying to explain."
Mikolotov: "(I don't think anything's normal for a wayang...)"
???: "Our culture insists on constant contact with the plane of shadow. If you couldn't hear voices from there, well... let's just say we couldn't, so we had to leave."
Valaire: "(He was kicked out for not being insane enough?)"
Arkune nudges Valaire.
Adrian: "(Apparently so.)"
"I just need to know one thing right now. I don't know what your plans or goals are, your other half didn't seem to have much concern other than drinking and trying to get along. Do you still wish to work with us, and can I trust in your loyalty?"
??? nods, as the row of piercings along his ears make a ghostly jangle.
???: "I'm only a small shard of Twilalux's subconscious, Mister Adrian; but yeah. It's not like we have much place else to go, and Twilalux has liked all your company."
"I will add though, what you've seen of him... isn't how he really is. At least not normally."
"I think he'll be happy to continue helping once he's woken up, but I've probably got to explain myself to him first, eh?"
Night Eyes: "If you can do that now, we can discuss our other pressing issue."
Adrian: "I see, thank you. That explains quite a bit more."
"Yes. Valaire, what did you learn?"
Valaire: "Lord Adrian, it appears your entourage becomes stranger by the day."
??? turns to Mikolotov, staring up at him from behind his long scarf.
Valaire: "I discovered the haunt of our old friend. No pun intended to our ghastly companion here."
Night Eyes: "Excellent. Does it align with Arkune's news?"
Valaire: "More specifically, actually, because I'm familiar with the location in question."
???: "Mikol... Mitokol... Uh, mister, mind helping Twilalux some place more discreet? I'll keep an eye on him until he wakes up."
Valaire: "There's a pub known as the King's Pint on Juno road. It's fairly secluded and not very popular, but evidently they serve an exotic drink there not sold anywhere else in the city. Our runaway likes to visit it, I suspect for the drink in question."
Arkune: "Well, that's more useful then just finding what road he went down... Should we be off?"
Valaire: "A little taste of home, perhaps?"
Arkune: "Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll still be drunk."
Mikolotov: "Uh, miss Valaire, perhaps I can borrow a room to keep Twilalux and his mind fragment in?"
Valaire: "I wouldn't throw him into Jillia's, but you can probably leave him in another room."
"Sometimes our guests pass out after their service anyways, so we often leave people behind in the beds. People will just assume he's a patron that had too much to drink."
Adrian: "It's... not inaccurate, in some ways."
Mikolotov: "Uh... what about me?"
Valaire: "What about you?"
Mikolotov: "It won't seem too weird if I go into a place with these two, will it?"
Valaire: "I don't think you'll be leaving anywhere where Lord Adrian cannot vouch for you."
"Just be sure to knock before you enter a room."
Mikolotov: "Right, Ma'am."
???: "We're not that bad, you know!"
Adrian: "There's hardly a crowd here now to notice. Besides, you being here means less concern about anyone coming back for Genevieve and Jillia."
Arkune: "(I never really thought about it... there are people doing "stuff" in the other rooms as we speak...)" ponders Arkune, blushing lightly.
Valaire: "Indeed! You can be our little closet guard."
Night Eyes: "You are a guard, after all."
Mikolotov: "True, Sir! I won't let my guard down, not even to the women here."
Valaire: "(It's amazing how soundproof the walls are, isn't it?)"
???: "See you later, you four!"
Mikolotov knocks on one of the doors, before opening it, and then immediately closing it after a shriek is heard.
Mikolotov: "...maybe not that one."
Valaire: "Knock... then wait to make sure there's no reply."
Adrian presses one hand against his face, sighing.
Mikolotov: "You said they were soundproof, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to hear."
Valaire: "The doors aren't, just the walls."
Mikolotov knocks on another door, waiting for an answer. After none is heard, he opens it.
Mikolotov: "Aha! I'll know for next time."
Valaire: "Obviously you need to be able to knock and listen, it's just a mood killer to hear the people next to you."
Mikolotov: "And this one is empty... though it does smell of..."
"Well, in you two go, I'll stay on guard, outside."
Arkune: "Smell of..?.. Oh..."
"Ah, yes sir!"
Valaire: "It also means the moppet won't be hearing anything Jilly would be hard pressed to explain."
Mikolotov pops into the room, putting Twilalux in, before coming back out, motioning for the Spirit to go in.
Night Eyes rubs her head beneath her mask.
??? nods, suddenly running at the wall before dissipating through it.
Arkune: "Wow, that seems a useful talent."
Adrian leaves before Mikolotov can protest any further.
Mikolotov stands outside the room, trying his best to look noble and vigilant.
Night Eyes follows Adrian, eager to be moving again.
Mikolotov: "Leave it to me, sir!"
Valaire: "So, Lord Adrian, it appears we have a destination. Shall we spring another trap or treat it more like an arrest?"
"That... annoying talent of his may make honey traps dangerous but we can plan around it this time."
Adrian: "I think subtlety would be ideal if possible."
Valaire: "Regrettably, he has seen you three... but he's only seen 'Jillia', not me."
Night Eyes: "This much is true."
Arkune: "Very good point, Valaire."
Adrian: "Convenient."
Valaire: "This time, if I stop responding, rush him."
Night Eyes: "I would delight in that."
Adrian: "We learned as much from the last attempt as he did."
Valaire: "Well then! Shall we be off?"
Arkune nods.
The party head out of the brothel, and down into the side street of Juno.
Arkune: "Lead the way, Valaire?"
Valaire: "Did you want to do that little trick again, doll?"
Arkune: "Me?"
Valaire: "You're 'country mouse', Arkune. I mean the masked lady with the alias."
Arkune: "(M-mouse?)"
Adrian concentrates for a moment, his appearance shifting to that of a simply-dressed man with a plain face.
Night Eyes: "Doll...."
Arkune: "So... do try to cover the other exits from the building?"
Night Eyes adjusts her clothing, shifting it into an traveller's cowl and robes.
Night Eyes: "Hmmm... thankfully I glamered my mask when we last visited."
Arkune: "I could... um... put a hood on, maybe?"
Valaire adjusts her clothes by tugging on her sleeves again, appearing now in a fairly rural local dress.
Night Eyes: "( Doll.... )"
Arkune: "(The mask perhaps?)"
Valaire: "Does it offend you, dear? I did not think it would wound you so."
Night Eyes: "We will see after tonight. I have a lot on my mind."
Valaire: "(She does not know if she is offended?)"
Night Eyes: "I'm not really used to feelings."
"It's... complicated. Another time, maybe."
Valaire: "In any event, the whisper trick, if you would, dear? While many of us seem to be going in, I think our country mouse sticks out like a sore thumb and should focus on catching him if he flees."
Night Eyes: "Ah, that trick!"
Night Eyes adjusts her tone, speaking in an arcane tongue. [Message]
Arkune: "I can keep an eye out for if anyone else suspicious enters too."
Valaire: "Yep. You're our eye on the outside."
Arkune: "(Thank you for the spell.)"
Adrian: "Good thinking."
Valaire begins to enter the pub, casually shifting her movements to those of a local peasant.
Barkeep: "Welcome, welcome, can I fix you a pint?"
Arkune settles herself at the corner, partway in the alleyway.
Valaire: "I'd love some Dragon Bitter, if you have it left."
Adrian steps inside with the others, slumping his shoulders slightly.
Barkeep: "Aye, we've got plenty of that stuff still stocked, a silver piece per pint."
Valaire fishes out a gold coin from her pouch and offers it to the barkeep.
Valaire: "Round on the house."
Barkeep: "Sure can do."
Valaire nods to the bartender, before settling herself at a table.
Barkeep fills up three glasses, putting them on the countertop.
Night Eyes steps inside, taking the atmosphere in.
Barkeep fills a fourth glass for the Stranger at the table.
Barkeep: "Oi, Stranger, the lady paid for another drink."
Adrian picks up one of the glasses, sitting down with Valaire.
Strange Man gets up quietly, taking the drink from the counter, then sitting back down, putting it among the other empty glasses.
Night Eyes takes the glass, thanking the bartender.
Night Eyes: "I hear you serve exotic drinks here?"
Barkeep: "Aye, we do, I like getting a good selection of drinks 'round here, not like these other places."
Night Eyes: "It's good to hear. I've travelled quite a bit, and it's nice to bring things from other places with you."
Night Eyes takes a seat with Adrian.
Barkeep: "'Specially from Eribe."
Valaire: "It's a long distance to import, isn't it?"
Barkeep: "It is, but price 'aint no compare to quality, miss."
Valaire: "I'll definitely drink to that!"
Barkeep: "Life is only good when you've got the drinks for it, ha!"
Night Eyes tilts her head, in thought.
Adrian sips his drink quietly and makes a face, watching the Eriban man out of the corner of his eye.
Night Eyes: "You know, things are very different here than they are in Eribe."
The Eriban man doesn't seem happy, downing the alcohol with a grimace on his face, and his arms on the table.
Adrian: "Yeah? How's that?"
Valaire nods as if knowing what Night Eyes is talking about, sipping from the drink.
Night Eyes: "There's a level of personal freedom. That you can live your own life undisturbed."
Barkeep: "Tell me about it. Had to smuggle half the stuff out of that place from Dragontooth."
Night Eyes: "That can't be easy."
Valaire: "It's a surprise you don't have more customers, with those kegs in your inventory."
Barkeep turns to the Eriban man.
Barkeep: "Though, ah, y'sure you can handle all that stuff, mate? You've had quite yer fair share of Dragonbrew."
Adrian: "You've been here for months now, and still not used to the place? I thought we had this freedom talk last week!"
Valaire turns in her seat, using the opportunity to glance at the secluded man.
Strange Man glances at the eight glasses beside him, before sighing.
Strange Man: "Bah, never'll be enough. Not after you're screwed for money."
Strange Man mutters in Eriban.
Valaire: "They say that drinking alcohol lets you forget your worries, but I wonder what one does when their worry is drinking too much alcohol?"
Adrian tries his drink again, using the glass to cover a scowl at his imitated mannerisms.
Night Eyes: "Denied what you were owed, huh? Maybe it's not so different from home here, stranger."
Strange Man: "Is worse than when I was in Eribe."
Valaire: "Perhaps you would like to talk about it? I just got paid today, so drinks are on me."
Strange Man: "People hire you, you do the damn job, then you get a bit wrong, and they throw you to the damn gutter."
"High and mighty Lords headin' out on holiday can't seem to be able to look out for the little man."
Strange Man spits.
Strange Man: "Bastards, lot of 'em. Last time I work for nobility. I had better jobs when working in resistance!"
Adrian: "Ain't that the truth."
Night Eyes: "Hoh? Now that sounds like a good cause."
Valaire: "Nobles are just a lot like peacocks, aren't they? They look pretty but don't appear to be useful for anything."
Strange Man: "Not since Emperor made them squished. Had to head over the border and go for whatever job I find."
"Not much work for small magic mercenary."
Night Eyes covers her mouth.
Night Eyes: "You should be careful what jobs you take with nobles."
"Get in with the wrong crowd and you'll end up like the Emperor's cronies."
Adrian: "Which of 'em was it? So I know not to take work with 'im myself."
Strange Man: "One of the big shots, you know who."
"The Big Money Man, who's 'too busy' preparing to head south to deal with my 'failure'."
"Dunno why anyone wants to head to Eribe. He seemed pretty set on it after I told him. Then he told me to get out of his damn sight."
Adrian chuckles, watching the man closely. [Hypnotic Stare]
Valaire: "Bastard didn't even pay you for your job?"
Night Eyes: "If he's going to Eribe, he'll get what's coming to him."
"Madness to be there right now."
Arkune: "(So... Urson... maybe he actually is behind this? He seemed so honest though...)"
Adrian: "Why don't you come sit with us and have a proper chat about it?" [Diplomacy: 23]
Strange Man: "Eh, why not."
Valaire: "There's room for one more and if you wanted more drink, I still have coins to spare."
Valaire smiles, turning back to Adrian on the table.
Strange Man shifts over to sit next to Valaire, giving her a once over before seating himself.
Night Eyes: "You know, if you know a little magic, can't you find yourself some steadier work?"
Valaire: "That's true, there's some good pay out there for people with a little arcane know-how."
Night Eyes: "Craftsmanship, and the like."
Valaire: "It means working for people who treat you more like human than nobles do, too."
Strange Man: "People here tend to not trust people from the south."
"Bah, wouldn't blame 'em."
Night Eyes looks to the side.
Strange Man: "With the amount of spies the Emperor has."
Night Eyes: "Too true."
"There was that place at Cliffside..."
Valaire: "Why not get involved with those people looking into the eldritch beasts? I'm sure you can find a job that doesn't put you in a dangerous spot."
Adrian: "But they're awful blighters if you do have to get close to them."
Valaire: "I had a job for one of them for a bit, they mostly paid me to stare at something related to them and see if it did anything magical."
Strange Man: "I never was good at studying magic. I just knew how to literally put people to sleep and I could swing a sword half-decent."
"Just a damn magic merc."
Valaire: "Putting things to sleep sounds really useful for collection."
Strange Man: "Believe me, I tried gettin' in there, it's the first place I went to."
"You need to be 'officially certified' and have all these qualifications and garbage."
"They're all snobs over there."
Valaire: "I didn't realize they were cracking down on freelance. Maybe it was a while since my last job with them."
Strange Man: "The only jobs you can get are shady ones that make you feel sick."
Adrian: "That's how you got stuck with Moneybags?"
Strange Man: "Yeah, that's how I get stuck with moneybags."
Night Eyes rests her head on a hand.
Night Eyes: "I can feel your despair."
Valaire takes another sip of her drink, thinking.
Valaire: "(Hire?)"
Night Eyes: "(Please...)"
Adrian: "(Alright.)"
Valaire: "You know, sometimes it's not all scrounging for scraps."
"You never know when you might get a lucky break."
Adrian: "What about if you had a way to get back at him safely, and get some coin for it, too?"
Strange Man: "Bah, impossible, what you speak of."
"He's the Chancellor, no one can touch him without being locked up or worse."
Adrian: "What about someone with friends in very high places?"
Strange Man: "Not even sure if he's going to be there if I can get him."
Valaire: "It can't be worse than stewing over how you got betrayed by a peacock for the rest of your life and drowning your sorrows, can it?"
"If there was just a chance, wouldn't you be interested?"
Strange Man thinks for a moment.
Strange Man: "Bah, I have nothing to lose."
"But he leaves tomorrow, that I know of."
"He can also use big teleport spell, whoosh, like that."
Strange Man makes a hand gesture to indicate him vanishing.
Adrian: "I've heard what I need for your 'job' to be forgiven, if you're willing to act as witness. You get a chance to get back at him, and I'll make sure you're well paid for it."
Adrian smiles, letting his illusory disguise fade.
Adrian: "What do you say?" [Diplomacy: 13]
Strange Man looks at Adrian quite grimly.
Strange Man: "Is this where you kill me?"
Valaire: "You really won't get another chance like what we're offering you, I assure you." [Diplomacy: 13]
Adrian: "No. I told you, I've been convinced that your death isn't the way I want to handle this."
Valaire: "Think about it. You don't get in trouble, you get to strike back at the noble that screwed you over, and you get paid for it all too."
"You would have to be dumber than the peacocks to let this opportunity slip by."
Strange Man: "I guess it is better than death."
Night Eyes leaks tears from underneath her mask.
Night Eyes: "Thank you... both of you."
Strange Man: "I just want stable life, not shady dealings."
Valaire: "Don't we all."
Strange Man: "I not sure how much it means, but I regret what happened, other night."
Adrian: "I may be a noble, but I keep my word. If you'll help us, I'll make sure this works in your favor, too."
Night Eyes: "You said you were a rebel... I trust in that."
Arkune: "(How's it going in there?)" asks Arkune through the spell, glancing around the road briefly.
Valaire: "(It worked.)"
Valaire: "Glad to have you helping us, Mister...?"
Arkune: "(Should I come in? Been calm out here.)"
Adrian: "(We were able to negotiate. Come on in, if you want.)"
Strange Man: "Kincaid, Markus."
Arkune slowly enters, waving calmly to the group and the man.
Arkune: "Greetings... I trust stuff has been worked out to some degree?"
Night Eyes nods, before taking a drink to steady herself.
Adrian: "It's a pleasure to meet you on better terms, Markus Kincaid."
Valaire: "Meet our new friend, mouse, mister Markus. He's going to help us do something incredibly daring and stupid."
Strange Man: "Cannot be more stupid than going against God."
Valaire: "And if it works, won't that be a wonderful thing to spit in the eye of the noble that spited you?"
Arkune: "It's nice to hear you've seen the light, Markus."
Night Eyes: "Hm, if she is 'mouse', can I be 'owl'?"
Arkune: "Are you saying to want to eat me?"
Adrian: "Heh. It suits you."
Valaire: "Not a fan of the old nickname?"
Night Eyes: "I am not a doll."
Strange Man: "Go eat the Snake, instead."
Valaire: "Owl doesn't sound that endearing, but I suppose it will do."
Night Eyes: "And no, Arkune. I would sooner eat the snake, as he says."
Adrian: "Quite a lofty target, if my assumption is correct."
Valaire: "But where's the fun in easy prey?"
Arkune: "Did you find out the mark?"
Adrian: "I never was fond of snakes."
"Nor toads."
Night Eyes: "Oh, so that species is what a chancellor is."
Valaire: "Are we still talking allegories or have we moved to actual animals?"
Arkune: "So Goring... May really be the one behind this?"
Valaire: "Takes the suspense right out of it that the most obvious culprit was the real one, doesn't it?"
Adrian: "Allegories, Valaire."
Night Eyes: "Speaking of allegories...."
"Kincaid. You may call me Night Eyes. Or Owl, if you'd rather. I may grow fond of that."
Arkune: "Do you think he's heard about any of actions today?"
Valaire: "Call me Valaire, if you please."
Adrian: "Probably. It's a safer guess that he has."
Arkune: "You may refer to me as Arkune, by the way."
Kincaid: "If you are owl, then I am Chameleon."
"But I need to think of suitable new face to wear if I go in there again."
Adrian: "...Kelton. Although I suspect my introduction might be unnecessary."
Kincaid: "Yes, I know your name, Kelton, even before I come here. Your name, very prominent around this country's royal family."
"No wonder he wanted to have you out of picture."
Adrian: "Heh, I see. Well, if our toad is leaving tomorrow, we'd best be ready to report on him first thing in the morning."
Arkune: "Why is that?"
Valaire: "As you can see, my lord is the enemy of your enemy."
Night Eyes: "You should be less modest, Chameleon. Adrian is not the only one here with a reputation."
Valaire: "Because it is ill fitting to have a popular figure that opposes you, mouse."
Kincaid: "Oh, you know something others do not?"
Night Eyes: "You mentioned going against God. If I'm remembering my names right, you've already done that."
Kincaid: "Ha! You know much, Owl. People know too much about me to help my profession."
Adrian: "If there's two things I'm known for, Arkune, the second is loyalty to the royal family, and I don't think Goring means well toward our young prince. I can't say I'm surprised he'd want me out of the way."
Night Eyes: "I sympathise with your problem."
Night Eyes turns to Adrian.
Night Eyes: "The first?"
Valaire puts a claw to her lips, in thought.
Adrian: "First being my position as interrogator. I'd hope it would dissuade some of my enemies, but it rarely seems to."
Arkune: "Maybe they think you have more bark than bite?"
Adrian: "Kincaid. Can you get into the palace to meet with us tomorrow, without too much trouble? Throw my name around as much as you want, as long as it enables a meeting."
Kincaid: "Of course, but I will be using new face."
Valaire: "A new face. Perhaps a code phrase?"
Kincaid: "Yes, that could work."
"The Owl flies north will work."
"And I shall be using this face."
Kincaid's face starts changing, and transforming, into a middle aged, long haired man.
Arkune: "How... did you do that?"
Night Eyes: "(We need to get Arkune in on the illusions. She's missing out.)"
Valaire: "As he said, a magic mercenary."
Kincaid: "...yes, magic."
Adrian: "(I'm not sure all the illusions in the world can compensate for the things she says.)"
Arkune: "So you can do more than just sleep spells? Interesting."
Kincaid: "I know much more than just simple charms."
Night Eyes: "I get the feeling this fellow is more like that old researcher."
Valaire: "(Just give a bit, and I think I'll have the perfect party trick to make up for that part.)"
Adrian: "I'd like you there as well, Valaire, if possible."
Valaire: "Well, this is to strike back at the man that meant harm to Jillia. How could I refuse?"
Adrian: "Thank you, all of you."
Arkune: "No need, I want this as much as you, Adrian."
Night Eyes: "It would do me much good, too."
Adrian glances briefly at Night Eyes, getting up from the table.
Adrian: "If that's all?"
Kincaid: "There is one thing."
"As I work for you, now, I should show the sins of my former job."
Valaire: "Ah, the old practice of coming clean for a blank slate?"
Kincaid: "So, I should take you to where I buried body of victim."
Arkune: "(So... she did die then...)"
Valaire: "..."
Adrian: "...Ah."
Valaire seems to be clutching the tankard tightly, and parts of it are beginning to glow red hot.
Arkune clenches a fist, but tries to keep herself composed.
Night Eyes: "Valaire, please. Trust this man."
Kincaid: "...disastrous accident, but was nothing I could do."
"I gave her proper burial. I am not all monster."
Valaire sighs and lets go, the tankard now partially melted.
Arkune: "I... suppose helping us can be the start of repenting."
Kincaid's face melds back into his own.
Kincaid: "I would not blame you if you did hit me."
Arkune: "At least you realize you did wrong, that's more than many."
"So... I won't hurt you."
Valaire: "As much as I would love to, right now, on behalf of my lord and the owl, I won't."
Kincaid sighs.
Kincaid: "As you wish."
Valaire: "But if you ever harm one of my family again, not even they will sway me."
Kincaid: "I could not understand more."
Valaire closes her eyes and takes deep breaths for a moment, before resuming her previous playful demeanor.
Kincaid: "It is right to tell you where is."
Arkune: "Indeed. Thank you sir."
Arkune seems to have calmed as well, her hand relaxing.
Kincaid: "Behind church of Torwyrd, fifth row, second down."
"Was empty space, but no headstone yet."
Valaire: "I'll give her a proper one."
"Jillia and the moppet should pay respects, too."
Night Eyes: "Fifth, then second."
Kincaid: "I will give whatever I am paid to it."
Adrian: "What about if you're paid more?"
Kincaid: "Then I am able to eat."
Adrian: "You're mending your actions, and my owl seems fond of you. I think I'd like you to be able to eat."
Valaire takes the tankard remnants, dropping it and a couple more gold pieces off at the bartender, and steps outside.
Arkune: "Even an inmate should be allowed to eat. It's the right of anyone."
Kincaid: "This has been very eventful day."
Adrian: "(...Owl, it does suit you. I'd like to speak with you later, if you won't be too busy.)"
Kincaid: "Kelton, you have my gratitude, Owl, you have my respect."
Night Eyes: "(I was hoping to.)"
"And you have mine, Kincaid. I pray we continue to work together."
Adrian: "Thank her, not me. It's for her that I'm giving you this chance."
Kincaid: "I do. Meeting kin here may yet give me a chance at something better than this."
"Perhaps if you ever wish to strike back against God itself, or want someone watched, I would be of aid again."
Night Eyes nods in acknowledgement.
Kincaid: "I grow sick, knowing what his next moves are."
Night Eyes: "I've been warning Adrian. These two countries cannot go to war."
"It would end badly."
Kincaid: "Ah, I know much worse than just that."
Arkune: "Oh?"
"Mind informing us after this first mess has cleared?"
Kincaid: "I know many things of the Emperor."
Arkune: "I at least have feared he might partly behind the tension between Ashdale and Zeltria."
Kincaid: "Maybe that is another reason you should be keeping me of alive, no?"
Adrian: "I'd be glad to hear anything you can tell us."
Arkune: "If both are weakened by war, the winner would be easy pickings."
Adrian: "Heh, I suppose it is."
Kincaid: "Not just that."
"The Emperor is looking for something."
Arkune: "Eh? Some other plot?"
Night Eyes looks at Kincaid.
Arkune: "I'm guessing it's not everlasting gran for his citizens, is it?"
Night Eyes: "That sounds worth discussing afterwards."
"I can think of two or three things it could be."
Kincaid: "Indeed. Perhaps tomorrow, we may discuss. Or, if we may go somewhere less... public."
Arkune: "Makes sense."
"Bars are... Not the best of places for covert discussions."
"Trust me, I know from... experiences."
Kincaid: "I will leave you, now. I have much works to prepare."
Kincaid stands up, pays for his drinks, and leaves, evaporating into mist as soon as he is out of sight of the barkeep.
Night Eyes looks at Adrian, but fails to meet his gaze, lowering her head.
Adrian: "Night Eyes? Or, Owl, if you'd prefer. I had very much hoped to have a better time to say this, but I don't suppose waiting any longer will help."
Night Eyes: "Owls are the eyes of the night."
"In any case, please continue."
Adrian: "How to put this. You mentioned some time back that you knew little of romance."
Night Eyes jolts in shock.
Adrian: "...I would be honored if you would permit me to help you learn more. I admit, I've become quite fascinated with you, over the last few weeks."
Night Eyes turns her masked head shyly.
Night Eyes: "I would like that... I feel the same. ...but..."
"Surely you understand the problem."
Adrian: "I can't say I know a solution to that problem yet, but trust me, I will do what I can to find one."
Night Eyes: "Thank you..."
"...this old magic. It protects me, you see.... but in return, I am no-one."
Adrian: "Then we'd best make sure you have some other way to stay safe, so you can take up an identity again. Magical research seems to be an interest both of us share, I'm sure it should be possible."
Night Eyes: "....the library."
Adrian: "Nowhere better to start."
Night Eyes: "I am glad I found you. I need say nothing, and yet you hear."
Night falls on Verseris, and after their heart to heart, Night Eyes and Adrian go to prepare for their mission tomorrow.