Oct 19 09:17:52 *	Now talking on #SunlitSands
Oct 19 10:18:44 *	Aleph ([email protected]) has joined
Oct 19 10:34:56 <Aleph>	((Session 21))
Oct 19 10:38:22 <Aleph>	Resplendent Earth's full moon is, for reasons Inks is a little vague on, a holiday for the people of Gem. This doesn't exactly mean /time off/, but there's a lot of celebrating and drinking and parading and drinking and gift-giving and showing off and drinking. The Despot always frees a lot of slaves and lowers water prices as a public gesture of generosity, and if Inks has noticed a spike...
Oct 19 10:38:23 <Aleph>	...in babies with a birthday sometime in the middle of Air these past couple of years... well, that's only to be expected. (c)
Oct 19 10:39:24 <Aleph>	On this particular midyear festival, Inks is woken in bed by an unrefined but enthusiastic massage and a curvy body pressed closer than perhaps is strictly necessary. (c)
Oct 19 10:39:54 <Aleph>	"Morning, mistress!" Vahti greets her cheerfully. "What's on today?" ||
Oct 19 10:40:49 <Inks>	(Rolled temp 2, failed)
Oct 19 10:42:23 <Aleph>	((Iiiiiinks))
Oct 19 10:43:09 <Inks>	"You on me, among other things." Inks squirmed beneath the Elemental for a moment before twisting around to beg off a quick kiss. "Mmmph. Pleasurable Business before pleasurable pleasure." She let Vahti work her magic- the Flame Duck's hands were warm, the soak-in-deep kind of heat that a native of Gem couldn't appreciate unless they lived deep under ground. Or had an adamant gemstone on their forehead that kept the sun off all
Oct 19 10:43:09 <Inks>	day. (c)
Oct 19 10:45:37 <Inks>	Taking a moment to call Pipera in, Inks curled deeper into the cushions. When the black-haired woman arrived, Inks hummed. "I've got a fair amount planned- I was aiming to visit one of the Trasti establishments, maybe run into grand Scion Gion, if he's in Gem. Charm, flirt, win or lose some petty cash." (c)
Oct 19 10:47:50 <Inks>	Pipera for her part had long since gotten used to her boss's exhibitionist streak, merely nodding while Inks continued to plan aloud. "I'd spend the morning making some new outfits for us all though- if either of you want to join me. Any thoughts, before I mention the next item on my agenda?" She let out a low, husky sigh when Vahti's fingers started in on her thighs. ||
Oct 19 10:51:37 <Aleph>	"Am I right in guessing that 'petty cash' translates to 'hundreds of dinars'?" Pipera asked rhetorically. Vahti merely grinned. ||
Oct 19 10:55:41 <Inks>	"More or less." Inks confirmed. "Ideally I'd like to make some inroads towards securing authority over Three-Jewels Bank, or being able to start my own without undue hassle." Vahti continued the massage with a giddy laugh while Inks hummed. "After that, I want to see about expanding my Hepatizon facility, maybe including a Vitriol plant- I can summon Metody, but I haven't had a chance or reason to. Also It'd be a good idea to talk
Oct 19 10:55:41 <Inks>	to House Iblan, and arrange for an order of gold. I can make warding talismans against the dead with the right materials- do you think you can procure what I need?" She directed that last question to Pipera. ||
Oct 19 10:59:34 <Aleph>	"Without much issue," Pipera confirmed. "Oh, and you asked me last month to remind you to look over those plans from Hinna an-Reswah once your economic growth was at a stable point, which it now is." (c)
Oct 19 11:00:59 <Aleph>	It was, Inks reflected, very convenient that Pipera seemed to have a semi-eidetic memory. Among other things, it meant there was no need for her to carry a clipboard or diary, so she could tell Inks about her schedule even in the baths. And it also meant that when Inks casually mentioned something over her shoulder while out in town or buried in work, her aide remembered it. ||
Oct 19 11:04:36 <Inks>	"Thank you for reminding me-" Inks pushed herself up to give the woman one of her full, noonday sun grins, and then Vahti pounced and started working the knots out around her neck. There was a bit of wrestling, and the imported silk sheets barely rasped against skin or bedding. "O-Okay. On the note of the talismans, I can likely make an arangement with the Rangers too..." She made a few more notes and observations aloud, idly
Oct 19 11:04:36 <Inks>	brainstorming while Vahti practiced. "I think the last thing on my list is training a cadre of professional doctors and architects, for House Sahlak and Bhalasus respectively." ||
Oct 19 11:05:40 <Inks>	"Have Telasi come over at her earliest convenience, I think she'd like the profession." ||
Oct 19 11:05:48 <Inks>	(Now done. Almost forgot Telasi)
Oct 19 11:10:58 <Aleph>	Pipera nodded once; committing it to memory. "On that note, Ajjim has elected to leave for another trip into the desert now that his studies are over, and intends to depart tomorrow afternoon. He's asked if Pesala can stay here while he is gone - I gave a provisional yes since I doubt you'll object. The Despot has informed us he'll be making use of your baths during the festival, and..." (c)
Oct 19 11:11:03 <Aleph>	There were a few other updates, most of them about her new properties in Seventh Scorpion - nothing particularly concerning. With her morning update out of the way and her muscles nicely relaxed from Vahti's pampering, Inks was ready to roll out of bed and begin the day's business. ||
Oct 19 11:12:55 <Inks>	Rising languidly, Inks gave the elemental another flirty, friendly kiss and bounced off to her wardrobe, from there, it was time to create! (c)
Oct 19 11:14:39 <Inks>	A quick visit to the Sunken Bazaar left her flush with fine silks, thread, leather and other odds and ends, fit enough for a noble merchant princess- she bought enough to expand the wardrobes of Pipera, Vahti and Tatters if the exorcist were ever interested, though Inks assumed they'd have still been mourning clothes in the fashion she prefered. Either way, she sought out a good deal and navigated numerous supply shortcomings with
Oct 19 11:14:39 <Inks>	grace and speed. (c)
Oct 19 11:14:49 <Inks>	(Insightful Buyer/Frugal Merchant on getting the materials)
Oct 19 11:17:27 <Aleph>	((Yeah, if she's just getting raw materials, that's a trivial purchase for her - Res 2.))
Oct 19 11:17:36 <Inks>	From there she was a whirl of industrious effort, hands a blur as she stitched silvered and gilded thread into silk, satin and chiffon. She consulted an astrological treatise on the domains of Venus and her numerous gods of passion and fashion, of the workings of the human body and the complimentary aesthetic. The body geomancy took form beneath her hand, calculated to catch the eye and keep it. (c)
Oct 19 11:19:57 <Aleph>	((Question! What sort of tailoring is she doing for Pipera re: "showing off skin", particularly in the areas she knows Pipera has tattoos?))
Oct 19 11:20:18 <Inks>	(Good question-, Currently focusing on Vahti).
Oct 19 11:20:27 <Inks>	Borrowing Vahti as a model, she endeavored to for flattery and finesse, embroidering runes of strength, cleanliness, and potent sexuality. Her masterwork though was an invocation to a distant god of air, who's domain was best summarized as 'things that go up but do not come down'. The humor was apparent, as she modeled her own completed gown alongside Vahti's similarly cut masterpiece. ||
Oct 19 11:21:20 <Inks>	(Lemme roll these first, before asking Pipera, we can assume Vahti already had her say and was 'Inks yes')
Oct 19 11:21:30 <Aleph>	((Naturally.))
Oct 19 11:21:47 <Inks>	(So craft stunt?)
Oct 19 11:21:51 <Aleph>	((Yup, 2 dice.))
Oct 19 11:22:42 <Inks>	(Gonna roll 22 dice then, +1wp for autosux)
Oct 19 11:23:03 <Inks>	(14 successes)
Oct 19 11:25:17 <Aleph>	The dresses for herself and Vahti were of course masterpieces, the likes of which weren't seen even on the Despot's favourites. Vahti was overjoyed at hers, shedding the attire she'd worn to the Sunken Bazaar and practically diving on the gown once it was complete. (c)
Oct 19 11:25:36 <Aleph>	Pipera, by contrast, took one look at it and turned a flat stare towards Inks. (c)
Oct 19 11:26:37 <Aleph>	"No," she said with resigned exasperation. "If it shows more skin than what I've got on now; I'm not wearing it." (c)
Oct 19 11:27:36 <Aleph>	Oh well, Inks thought. At least she was more comfortable speaking her mind now. She'd have to ease Pipera into more flattering cuts gently. If not over the course of several decades. ||
Oct 19 11:29:34 <Inks>	With that thought in mind, Inks idly rubbed her chin. "Honestly I like the challenge." She pointedly did not say what the challenge actually was, but she was grinning while she said it. She finished lacing up her heeled shoes- she'd never made anything like them before, so it was a novel experience. ||
Oct 19 11:29:41 <Inks>	(What is Pipera wearing right now, anyway?)
Oct 19 11:33:43 <Aleph>	((Pipera generally wears pale-coloured jackets and trousers or skirts instead of robes or dresses - light and airy to deal with the heat, but... okay, bluntly, she basically wears the far-southern desert equivalent of various lady powersuits. She's pretty modest in the cuts she chooses, and Inks has never seen her go bare-armed or backless, let alone flash cleavage or thigh. She tends to...
Oct 19 11:33:45 <Aleph>	...oscillate between having her hair in a bun, a ponytail or a braid, and only lets it down loose in the manor.))
Oct 19 11:34:10 <Inks>	(That helps a lot, thanks!)
Oct 19 11:34:13 <Aleph>	((Incidentally, I'm going to assume that Inks forgot to send that Messenger to 'Nanda asking about Pipera's people.))
Oct 19 11:34:27 <Inks>	(...yeah I did forget, I'll do that later at some point)
Oct 19 11:34:30 <Aleph>	((Possibly because she suddenly found herself very busy trying to make Ajjim not die.))
Oct 19 11:36:36 <Inks>	Taking a moment to circle around Pipera, who had an unmistakable, hackles-raised wariness about her, Inks hummed. "You keep acting tense around me, and I'll... give you a massage or something, I don't know." She eyed the cut of the woman's outfit, noting the specific style. "I think I have an idea." (c)
Oct 19 11:39:50 <Inks>	Turning back to her tools and Charms, Inks blurred into motion. If the first two gowns were all about sensual impact and unrestrained feminity, Pipera's would be instead absolute competence and self-assurance. She chose the finest fabrics she could, with an eye towards cooling and comfort while maintaining that razor-sharp professional edge. A smart, expertly cut jacket was next, with the option for a more flirtatious mode if
Oct 19 11:39:50 <Inks>	Pipera ever wanted. The skirt was snug and made of interlocking panels, matched neatly with sturdy stockings that warded off sand and sweat. She made sure Pipera could see every decision, veto or approve as the outfit took form. "You don't even have to come with us, if you don't want to. I just wanted to include you." She later said. (c)
Oct 19 11:40:02 <Inks>	Finally, she held up the completed work, waiting for Pipera's approval. ||
Oct 19 11:40:04 <Inks>	(Stunt?)
Oct 19 11:41:06 <Aleph>	((Heh. 2 dice.))
Oct 19 11:41:44 <Inks>	(7 successes this time)
Oct 19 11:43:47 <Aleph>	Inks wasn't entirely satisfied with it, to be honest. Oh, it wasn't /awful/, but it was merely a masterpiece that any mortal workshop would be proud of and count among their finest pieces. She could do better - maybe it was just lack of practice at designing non-sultry things. (c)
Oct 19 11:45:37 <Aleph>	Nonetheless, a smile touched Pipera's lips as she took it in, and Inks smirked at the tone of reluctantly-impressed-and-slightly-charmed that was like pulling teeth to get out of the woman. "It's... acceptable," she admitted. "I suppose it would be a shame to have it and not take it out during a festival like this, even if I have work to do..." (c)
Oct 19 11:46:29 <Aleph>	Yeah, Inks decided smugly as Vahti took the cue to pat her on the back. She was making good progress here. ||
Oct 19 11:46:56 <Inks>	(Nice. Also for clarity, I am still interested in Pipera's backstory/those tattoos, but I'm not in a rush to push)
Oct 19 11:50:55 <Aleph>	((That Messenger might help~))
Oct 19 11:51:07 <Inks>	(True, true.)
Oct 19 11:54:37 <Inks>	"Alright" Inks clapped her hands. "Ladies, we're going to have a great evening, in the meantime, let's do what errands we can before the main event." Vahti rushed off with a gleeful peal of laughter, and Inks waited for Pipera to leave. When she did, Inks sauntered into one of her more private rooms and called Maji to her side. A brief, fierce shaping of Essence imbued her tiger with speed and the authority of her own voice, and
Oct 19 11:54:37 <Inks>	she sought guidance from distant Nexus, and one Alakananda. "Do you by chance know anything about the 'Kusaboin'?" ||
Oct 19 11:55:32 <Aleph>	((It'll be several hours for him to travel to Nexus and for 'Nanda's reply to come back. Will Inks do anything else with the day?))
Oct 19 11:56:22 <Inks>	(Hmm... Nothing's coming to mind right away, but I'm open to suggestions.)
Oct 19 11:57:31 <Aleph>	((Could go out on the town a little early, could stunt the arrival of the Despot to use her baths, could go over those notes from Hinna.))
Oct 19 11:57:53 <Inks>	(When in doubt, why not more than one! Writan!)
Oct 19 12:00:05 <Inks>	Setting her new dress aside and donning a more casual house robe, Inks retrieved the initial project and research drafts from Assayer Hinna, and set down at her main courtyard table for a pleasant, intellectually stimulating early afternoon. The woman was brilliant, and driven. More so than Inks in some ways, or at least less cagey about her drives. Sunlight harvesting methods, distillation of Solar Essence, notes on geomantic
Oct 19 12:00:06 <Inks>	influence. It reminded her of some of 'Nanda's library, in fact. (c)
Oct 19 12:01:31 <Inks>	Halfway through the folder, there was a knock on the door and Carsa hurried to open it. She did an incredible job of maintaining decorum when confronted with a guard of the Despot... and Rankar VII himself. Gem's sovreign overlord entered, and Inks stood up to greet him. "Welcome sir, I hope you're enjoying the festivities." ||
Oct 19 12:06:32 <Aleph>	From the way his eyes lit up, he definitely appreciated her new dress. "Lady Inks," he greeted her, ignoring Carsa - who in fairness seemed thoroughly relieved to be ignored. "I've come to take advantage of your hospitality and your baths. Will you grant me your company?" ||
Oct 19 12:09:20 <Inks>	"I'll stick my feet in, though I'd appreciate it greatly if we don't splash." She gathered up her materials and had one of her other house staff bring a low table out for her reading. Carsa hurried off for refreshments, and Inks waited for Rankar to take the plunge. ||
Oct 19 12:12:14 <Aleph>	He disrobed without much shame - likely used to being unclothed in the presence of beautiful women - and Inks' sharp eye noted that under the expensive robes he was a more than a little soft around the middle from his various indulgences. Still, he had an array of old scars that bore out the word that he'd been a swordsman of some repute once, even if she suspected his skills had slipped...
Oct 19 12:12:16 <Aleph>	...since then. (c)
Oct 19 12:14:42 <Aleph>	Leaning back in the water, he seemed content for the moment to soak and enjoy the cool while Inks read. Her reading material, however, was proving... well, it had started out fascinating and it wasn't any less so now. It was just getting a bit disturbing. There were notes on drug treatments; means to stimulate the mind, purify the body and open the gates of consciousness. The doctor in Inks...
Oct 19 12:14:43 <Aleph>	...winced at many and outright /screamed/ at some. (c)
Oct 19 12:16:45 <Aleph>	The pages on mercury amalgams were particularly cringe-worthy, and Inks stopped reading for a moment to ponder. How this woman was alive, if she'd taken all of these potions herself, was a miracle - in fact, it was probably impossible. She was either testing them on other people first, or had means beyond mortal healing to save her from her mistakes, or both. (c)
Oct 19 12:17:38 <Aleph>	There were also some rather worrying hints at what so much distilled sunlight might be used for in the context of a properly purified body, but Hinna was being hedgy about those in the notes she'd seen fit to give Inks for review. If she wanted more detail, she'd have to talk to the woman in person. ||
Oct 19 12:18:09 <Aleph>	((Cog+Occult, Diff 4+2 external penalty from the text hedging and concealing bits and pieces))
Oct 19 12:19:23 <Inks>	(gonna be 8d +4 autosux)
Oct 19 12:19:49 <Inks>	(...lol, 7 on 8, +4, total of 11 sux)
Oct 19 12:21:09 <Aleph>	((Yeah, Inks is almost certain that Hinna has a stomach bottle bug either bound or trapped by thaumaturgy, because otherwise she would be fucking dead. Her inner doctor is quietly screaming at some of these alchemical recipes.))
Oct 19 12:21:55 <Aleph>	((There are also some notes about deliberately irradiating herself with Solar essence to acclimitise her body to the stuff, which are making Inks' inner doctor quietly whimper.))
Oct 19 12:22:06 <Inks>	(Dang.)
Oct 19 12:22:21 <Aleph>	((It's brilliant stuff. It's just also horrifically self-harmful.))
Oct 19 12:23:01 <Aleph>	((A bit like looking at how 20th century chemists treated things like radium.))
Oct 19 12:23:14 <Inks>	Inks carefully, deliberately set the last page of the folder aside and slipped out of her outfit before sliding all the way into the bath proper. She took a deep, steadying breath, then another. All things considered it could have been worse... but not by much. She needed a few moments to center herself. Soaking into the warmer side of the bath, she hummed, breathing in the steam. (c)
Oct 19 12:23:39 <Inks>	When she finally felt calm enough, she opened her eyes and glanced at the Despot. "How do you like the bath?" ||
Oct 19 12:25:59 <Aleph>	He was watching her intently with that narrow gaze; one arm spread out along the bath edge, another holding a glass of wine. The lust was actually absent for once, except around the edges. "Very much," he said. "Does something trouble you? You seem distressed." ||
Oct 19 12:28:30 <Inks>	"Nothing that you need to worry about- thank you for asking though." she meant it, even if he wasn't asking out of sincere concern, she was glad of the attention. "I have a busy evening planned, so I can't stay much longer. Was there anything you wanted to discuss?" ||
Oct 19 12:30:46 <Aleph>	"Two things, beyond simply enjoying your baths," he answered, letting his eyes roam freely again. "Some time ago you mentioned retaking El Galabi. Where does that goal stand as of now?" ||
Oct 19 12:33:02 <Inks>	"I am building up funds to arrange for the endeavor, part of my plans today include securing a raw materials contract with House Iblan- I know how to work gold in magical ways, so I can provide the Rangers with talismans for starters, and then my laborers later." She grinned at the unabashed leer. "I'm not going to rush this- I have to do some research on how to purify the shadowland with Emerald Circle Sorcery- likely some great
Oct 19 12:33:02 <Inks>	geomantic working, moving healthier dragon lines into the area." ||
Oct 19 12:36:21 <Aleph>	He frowned, distracted for a moment. "There, you will meet trouble. Iblan Bana does not like you. On the other hand, supporting Gem's ability to support itself... she considers that a worthy goal." He hummed thoughtfully. "Try not to meet with her in person if you can avoid it," he advised. "It will not help your cause." ||
Oct 19 12:37:04 <Inks>	(I can't remember, did Inks ever meet Bana in person before?)
Oct 19 12:37:56 <Aleph>	((Nope. Well, if she can remember that far back, she suspects Bana was the old woman who was leaving a meeting the first time Inks and Rankar met face to face, but apart from that she's not aware of ever even being in the same building as the woman.))
Oct 19 12:38:13 <Inks>	(Gotcha, thanks)
Oct 19 12:38:31 <Inks>	Inks nodded at that. "I appreciate that. Do you by chance know why?" ||
Oct 19 12:38:36 <Aleph>	((The only notable Iblan she's met is Asenya; the mine-authority DB, and she's mostly divorced from her House proceedings as far as Inks knows.))
Oct 19 12:41:24 <Aleph>	"She considers you a risk, or a threat, or perhaps both," Rankar said with a shrug. "House Iblan petitioned last year for your hepatizon to be included under their monopoly as a precious metal, in fact, but I dismissed the case - it's created from brass, which doesn't fall under their auspice." (c)
Oct 19 12:42:44 <Aleph>	Inks rather suspected it had more to do with keeping the hepatizon flowing straight to his mine-workers, and possibly earning some credit in exactly this kind of conversation, but Rankar seemed to be waiting for some sort of thanks. ||
Oct 19 12:45:11 *	Inks nodded, considering the calculation on his part and then her own. "That's very helpful." She moved over, rising out of the water and sitting on the rough stone pavers that formed the edge of the bath. From there, next to Rankar, she could reach down and rub his neck and shoulders.
Oct 19 12:45:54 <Inks>	(Hmm. App+Med for that, see what I get?)
Oct 19 12:46:00 <Aleph>	((Sure.))
Oct 19 12:46:26 <Inks>	(22 dice, assuming +2 stunt)
Oct 19 12:46:40 <Inks>	(...wow, 5 successes. )
Oct 19 12:47:02 <Aleph>	((lol))
Oct 19 12:47:08 <Aleph>	((good massage, but nothing exceptional))
Oct 19 12:49:04 <Inks>	(Eh, good enough. Hopefully Rankar is happy. I'm assuming Pipera can handle House Iblan. So let's move on; word back from 'Nanda, then a visit to the Forbidden Chamber casino here in Gem?)
Oct 19 12:50:53 <Aleph>	"Oh, the other matter, Lady Inks," Rankar mentioned casually as one of his guards informed him it was time to leave a half-hour later. "I hear you have made contact with the Coxati mountain-lords?" ||
Oct 19 12:51:34 <Inks>	"I did, I needed some medicine to help one of my associates." She was letting herself drip dry- an easy thing in Gem. "I hope that's not an issue?" ||
Oct 19 12:52:55 <Aleph>	"No... save for one limit," Rankar said. His expression was the hardset blankness that meant this was an order. "Susilo Moto is not to be dealt with. Under any circumstances. Avoid him." (c)
Oct 19 12:55:03 <Aleph>	And with that, he was gone. It was fortuitous timing, because Inks had barely got started on her architect lesson plans when Maji arrived back, followed minutes later by a snake made out of seafoam. It coiled up on the table she was working on and spoke with the voice of her mentor. (c)
Oct 19 12:58:59 <Aleph>	"Inks! Lovely to hear from you. The Kusaboin... it's been a long time since I heard their name. But yes, I know them. They're a western people - nomadic traders who travel from island to island and never set foot on land for more than a few days. Unless you get them good and /distracted/, of course." Inks couldn't see 'Nanda, but the water dragon's voice alone communicated her meaningful wink. (c)
Oct 19 13:01:03 <Aleph>	"Hmm... let's see... I spent a while with them a few decades ago; maybe a century and a half, and they were pretty powerful then. I hear their fortunes have declined since - the Realm's Merchant Navy muscling them out of the markets. Their faith is this /fascinatingly/ warped version of Shogunate Immaculate Orthopraxy - they believe the Immaculate Dragons make up everything; that their...
Oct 19 13:01:05 <Aleph>	...bodies are the stuff the world is made of. You know, the sky is the Air Dragon's coils and the sun is the eye of the Fire Dragon looking down through them; that sort of thing." (c)
Oct 19 13:03:24 <Aleph>	"And they have some beautiful tattoo artwork, but it's a crying /pain/ getting a look at it. Very private, secret, religious stuff. A waste, really, because they're beautiful patterns with a deep vein of meaning, but they're so cagey about even letting outsiders see them, let alone explaining, that I gave up and moved on after getting nowhere for a few months. Do share your reasons for...
Oct 19 13:03:25 <Aleph>	...asking. I'm sure you've gotten yourself in some marvellous trouble as always, nosy girl. Someday I may even have to follow you down there and see what." ||
Oct 19 13:04:17 <Inks>	(Fascinating, nice)
Oct 19 13:07:20 <Inks>	Promising to send 'Nanda another message sometime later, Inks filed that information away for the time being. Night was falling and the stars were coming out, shining bright on Gem and its peoples. Vahti had been beside herself all afteroon, bouncing with anticipation for the casino adventure. Visiting during a festival time was bound to be an experience. Now all Inks had to do was wait for Pipera.... ||
Oct 19 13:08:30 <Aleph>	((Did she send Pipera to negotiate the Iblan deal today?))
Oct 19 13:09:07 <Aleph>	((Or is she just waiting for Pipera to decide whether she's coming to the festival or not?))
Oct 19 13:09:34 <Inks>	(I intended for the iblan negotation to happen today, but if the timescales don't work out, we can have her do it after the casino)
Oct 19 13:10:54 <Aleph>	((Yeah, it's festival day, so better to do it another day.))
Oct 19 13:12:00 <Inks>	(Then to the casino we go, all interested parties!)
Oct 19 13:12:26 <Aleph>	... who appeared in the outfit Inks had made her, smiling ruefully. If she'd indulged her ability to listen in on conversations via the wind at the right moment to catch Inks' information-gathering - Inks still hadn't managed to conclusively determine how often she did that - she gave no sign of it. (c)
Oct 19 13:14:09 <Aleph>	Together, Inks, Maji, Pipera and Vahti made an impressive group as they exited the door, trailed by the sounds of an indignant Pesala demanding of her father why she couldn't go with them. (c)
Oct 19 13:14:22 <Aleph>	((Hang on a mo, just gotta obtain foods))
Oct 19 13:19:00 <Aleph>	((I'm assuming Inks is not going to interject after that sidenote and offer to take a five-year old to a casino, btw.))
Oct 19 13:19:16 <Aleph>	((Please do not have Inks interject and offer to take an Int 4 Per 4 five-year old to a casino))
Oct 19 13:19:57 <Inks>	(No, not the place for Pesala, i agree)
Oct 19 13:20:51 <Aleph>	((I was legit worried there for a second.))
Oct 19 13:21:01 <Aleph>	((THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO ME. : P ))
Oct 19 13:27:04 <Aleph>	There were many Trasti gambling-houses and casinos in Gem. Inks bypassed them all. Down, down, deep underground she went; past the Crown and Ring tunnels until she reached Throne. Here; as deeply rooted in the crater as Janissa's establishment, was the most exclusive casino in the city - the Forbidden Chamber. Everyone in this place was as rich as Inks herself - or at least, all the gamblers...
Oct 19 13:27:06 <Aleph>	...were. They were served by a veritable army of waitstaff, who flitted around the chambers with practiced ease. (c)
Oct 19 13:29:27 <Aleph>	Lit with glowstones and decked out in marble, silk and precious metals; it was less like a gambling house and more like a geode-palace of some legendary god of wealth that had been sunken underground. Indeed, Inks had heard that Plentimon of the Dice - the celestial /god/ of gambling - made yearly visits to this very chamber, though the rumours varied wildly as to when that was. Unsurprisingly, th
Oct 19 13:29:29 <Aleph>	ere were bets about it. (c)
Oct 19 13:30:55 <Aleph>	Pipera was cool and composed, and Maji appeared to consider the lavish surroundings his due, but Vahti was on a constant swivel from the moment they walked through the door; winking jauntily at dealers and drinking in the polished counters, the blurring hands of the dealers and the soft scents of incense winding through the room. ||
Oct 19 13:36:37 <Inks>	Plucking a wineglass liberally dusted in etched gold leaf from an eager, attentive waiter, Inks led with her legs and hips, eyes bright with interest and eyeing up opportunities. Truly this was her kind of place. She was self-aware enough to know that she had almost no chance at games of bluff and intrigue, eschewing the card games, but considering the other more mechancally randomized entertainments. Taking a moment to scane
Oct 19 13:36:37 <Inks>	the space- the high valuted ceilings, ornately decoraded columns, and handsome, paved tile floors, she panned across the crowd of glit and glamorous. ||
Oct 19 13:37:18 <Inks>	(Per+Invest/Aware to notice anything cool. I'm doing some cursory research on distant era gambling; Pai Gao is a domino game worth mentioning)
Oct 19 13:43:14 <Aleph>	((Okay, 2-die stunt, roll Per+Aware))
Oct 19 13:43:35 <Aleph>	((... god, Inks would be such a card-counter if she had a better poker face))
Oct 19 13:43:58 <Inks>	(She could be, 7d +3 autosux)
Oct 19 13:44:08 <Inks>	(8d*, sorry, 5+1 +2;)
Oct 19 13:44:23 <Inks>	(Dang, Rolled 2, +3)
Oct 19 13:49:22 <Aleph>	Alas, Plentimon of the Dice did not seem to be in attendance tonight. Trasti Gion, however, /was/ - absorbed in a card game that it looked like he was winning. And so, Inks noticed, was a redheaded young man who matched the description of Elemi Sundering Jade; the Fire-Aspected grandson of the famed founder of Gem's Rangers. (c)
Oct 19 13:50:43 <Aleph>	Unlike his grandfather, he was known as a reprobate and a womaniser - both traits that were very much on show in how he was making advances on several of the staff serving him drinks. Pipera let out a harsh breath of irritation at the sight, but made no audible comment. ||
Oct 19 13:55:38 <Inks>	Shaking her head with a bemused look on her face, Inks silently signaled to her entourage that it was time to make some introductions. Heels clicking loud enough to cut through the din, the crowd almost seemed to part before her, giving way until she was able to neatly slide into a recently vacated seat across from handsome Gion. Vahti handed her the tray of casino tokens, before pointedly draping herself across Inks's back and
Oct 19 13:55:38 <Inks>	shoulders. To that Inks only grinned, winking at the men and women around as she waited for the dealer to pull her in. Win or loose, she was there to meet and greet. "Glad I found the time to come down- this is my kind of place." A handful of cards were dealt her way, unfamiliar suits and so on, but there were so many games across Creation, only a god could track them all. Pipera stood just behind Inks and Vahti, a composed, regal
Oct 19 13:55:38 <Inks>	shadow, complimenting Maji's almost disdainful, regal air of jaded indulgence. (c)
Oct 19 13:56:42 <Inks>	The waitstaff were at least quick on their feet, a tray of wine glasses being replaced with a tray of succulent cuts of meat, improvised to appeal to the palette of a truly massive tiger. ||
Oct 19 14:02:42 <Aleph>	Trasti Gion was a young man about Inks' age whose blond hair flopped to one side of his face, and who dressed expensively and rakishly. He shot her a challenging grin across the table, fanning out his hand with needless flair. (c)
Oct 19 14:04:17 <Aleph>	"Madame Inks," he identified. "I haven't had the pleasure before. Are you sure you can afford this kind of loss, though?" The brash grin undercut the challenge; turning it teasing. ||
Oct 19 14:06:11 <Inks>	"I'm flush today, thank you for your concern~" She had the dark full lashes to pull off a sooty-eyed stare, matching his grin with a sultry one of her own. "How's business been?" ||
Oct 19 14:10:35 <Aleph>	Something flickers across his face for a second before the grin morphs into a slow smirk. "Exceptional," he drawled. "Why, madame, are you hoping to hop on our caravan? We'd welcome a beauty like you, no doubt." (c)
Oct 19 14:13:09 <Aleph>	Inks felt one of Pipera's hands stroke down her upper arm - which normally would have had her turning in her seat to demand the woman sit down for a full medical check-up, except for the quick squeeze followed by a deliberate pattern of finger-pressure. It might have been some sort of code or just a way to call attention - either way, Pipera definitely had thoughts of her own about Gion's...
Oct 19 14:13:10 <Aleph>	...offer. ||
Oct 19 14:16:24 <Inks>	Taking a hand and checking her cards, Inks considered how to answer. She shot Pipera a brief, affectionate grin and the acknowledgement of a point made. "I'm always willing to look at new business ventures. You have a reputation, honored Gion- one that I understand. Entrepeneur." She mulled over Pipera's touch, wondering how to discern meaning from contact...
Oct 19 14:16:35 <Inks>	(Per+Invest to discern Pipera's hint?)
Oct 19 14:19:58 <Aleph>	((Not really enough to investigate, so it functions more as an "I have something to tell you about him that you might not know/have noticed". But a prompt to perhaps consider setting up some sort of unspoken code like this for future. : P))
Oct 19 14:20:30 <Inks>	(Gotcha, that works too)
Oct 19 14:22:46 <Inks>	"Anyway- Inks smiled disarmingly. "I mostly just wanted to make your acquaintance. This is such a lovely establishment, after all, and the work you've put into it shows." Her praise was honest- from what she new of Trasti Gion, he was a wild, impetuous sort, but by no means ineffective. His endeavors had been risky, were still at risk, but at the moment, successful. Her praise was honest and heartfelt, and if she were honest with
Oct 19 14:22:46 <Inks>	herself, she almost found him something of a kindred spirit. (C)
Oct 19 14:23:54 <Inks>	"There are any number of interesting deals we could discuss in the future- I admit I've always dreamed of running my own bank- I would not think of infringing on your franchise, of course." She turned on the charm, all good cheer and reassurances. "But well, being coy about one's desires means nothing gets said or done." ||
Oct 19 14:24:53 <Inks>	(Social influence, perhaps, foster a positive intimacy towards Inks?)
Oct 19 14:27:35 <Aleph>	"I'm sure we find something to discuss on the matter in private," he hinted. "Once the game is over, of course." ||
Oct 19 14:28:45 <Inks>	"Perhaps we can~"||
Oct 19 14:31:22 <Aleph>	((Roll... hmm. Well... let's go with Perception+Socialise for CARD SHARKING, for now, unless you can think of a better pool. Int isn't applicable; it's either Per or Wits.))
Oct 19 14:31:47 <Inks>	(Larceny, naturally, though in this case the pool is the same)
Oct 19 14:32:16 <Aleph>	((... oh yeah. Duh.))
Oct 19 14:32:24 <Aleph>	((Well, roll whichever.))
Oct 19 14:32:34 <Inks>	(12d, +1 wp autosux. BIIIIG MONEY)
Oct 19 14:32:57 <Inks>	(rolled 6 +1 auto, 7 total)
Oct 19 14:34:53 <Aleph>	Inks does well in the game, and certainly earns back more than she pays out. She's just barely beaten out for the top spot in winnings by Gion, however, whose reputation for gambling is apparently well-earned. Despite one devastating overbet on a bad hand, he recovers well enough to make back all his losses and then some. (c)
Oct 19 14:36:37 <Aleph>	As the disgruntled losers scatter, Gion ushers Inks into a private apartment and tips Vahti a portion of his winnings to 'entertain herself with'. Pipera is not so easily dismissed, indicating she wants to talk to Inks alone with a couple of quiet nods behind his back. (c)
Oct 19 14:36:45 <Aleph>	((Who does Inks go with?))
Oct 19 14:36:55 <Inks>	(Pipera)
Oct 19 14:37:53 *	South ([email protected]) has joined
Oct 19 14:38:16 <Aleph>	((That may be taken as a snub to Gion.))
Oct 19 14:38:42 <Inks>	(I can handle it)
Oct 19 14:38:58 <Aleph>	((Cool.))
Oct 19 14:39:54 <Aleph>	((... wait, shit.))
Oct 19 14:40:33 <Aleph>	((I'm being a moron, Pipera has Wind-Carried Words.))
Oct 19 14:40:58 <Inks>	(HEh, good catch)
Oct 19 14:41:08 <Aleph>	((Okay, uh))
Oct 19 14:41:18 <Aleph>	((Ignore that last bit, I guess))
Oct 19 14:41:47 <Inks>	(it happens, no sweat!)
Oct 19 14:42:03 <Aleph>	Pipera is not so easily dismissed, but accedes to Inks' dismissal with a nod. Her voice winds into Inks' ears as she follows Gion into the apartment, however. (c)
Oct 19 14:44:35 <Aleph>	"Business has been anything but exceptional, and he's desperate," Pipera's disembodied whisper says; a faint stirring of air tickling the side of Inks' face. "He wants your help with something more than he should, in some way that goes beyond business. You might think you have the upper hand, but be wary." (c)
Oct 19 14:46:32 <Aleph>	There was a rumble from behind her, and as Inks glanced back she saw that Pipera's path had taken her past Maji. Her feline friend was on his feet, and padded over to the door of the apartment as it swung shut. Inks actually saw the door shift slightly as Maji's weight leant against it, and could imagine his massive bulk blocking the entrance. (c)
Oct 19 14:46:46 <Aleph>	She had no doubt he could be inside in a heartbeat if she needed him, or screamed. (c)
Oct 19 14:48:20 <Aleph>	The apartment was, of course, as lavish as anything else in this throne of parlours; palatial yet surprisingly small for its decadance. Perhaps more interesting were the little signs of habitation here - pictures, trinkets, clothes - that all pointed to it being Gion's /personal/ apartment he'd brought her to. ||
Oct 19 14:51:28 <Inks>	It was a sudden and intimate look into the mind of the man she was now sitting with. The chairs were decadent and comfortable, almost like sitting on clouds. She smiled, open and friendly. "You have a fine sense of taste, Gion." ||
Oct 19 14:53:59 <Aleph>	"I'm glad you think so," he said with brash cheer. "Because I brought you here to ask you to marry me." ||
Oct 19 14:54:01 <Aleph>	((Aaaaand end session on that note, I think. : 3))
Oct 19 14:54:05 <Aleph>	((tee hee hee))
Oct 19 14:54:35 <Aleph>	Thoughts on the session?
Oct 19 14:55:39 <Inks>	...Dang
Oct 19 14:55:52 <Inks>	well I really enjoyed it. A lot got done and there wasn't a lot of faffing about. We were both on our games, so to speak
Oct 19 14:56:07 <Inks>	i admit i was hoping to tie up the end of the session with some project actions and earn some sorcerous XP, but next week i guess
Oct 19 14:56:23 <Aleph>	I did say he's brash and a risk-taker - and more than a little rakish.
Oct 19 14:56:32 <Aleph>	: P
Oct 19 14:56:50 <Inks>	I expected Vahti to be- well, I expected what I got, but not quite to the extent and I am quite entertained.
Oct 19 14:57:23 <Aleph>	I'm not saying I modelled her off "what would early-game Inks have surprised me by doing?"
Oct 19 14:57:26 <Aleph>	but I kind of did
Oct 19 14:58:07 <Inks>	aye, and it was fun
Oct 19 14:58:17 <Inks>	because bluntly, light-hearted lesbian fanservice is my speed
Oct 19 14:58:34 <Aleph>	cool
Oct 19 14:58:35 <Aleph>	heh
Oct 19 14:58:37 <Aleph>	and Hinna?
Oct 19 14:59:18 <Inks>	I'm definitely looking forward to chatting with her more in depth- I think we both handed the exposition of her plothook rather well; just in general we were able to write a lot and *convey* a lot instead of geting lost in being too clever for each other?
Oct 19 15:00:23 <Inks>	i was rather impressed with the comparison to 'early 20th century medicine' and so on, with how Hinna acts. Depending on her scruples, Inks may or may not find her a welcome research partner.
Oct 19 15:00:30 <Aleph>	Hee
Oct 19 15:01:03 <Inks>	Pipera's shaping up nicely, and I'm glad that she's thawing at a reasonable pace. Her reaction to the glam power suit was nice.
Oct 19 15:01:49 <Aleph>	heh
Oct 19 15:02:07 <Aleph>	The Pepper-Like
Oct 19 15:02:20 <Inks>	yeah
Oct 19 15:02:55 <Inks>	Anyway, today's gonna be a fun postmortem, but I want to sit on it a bit before getting to it. Before I forget, XP?
Oct 19 15:03:12 <Aleph>	yup, 4xp+1mxp
Oct 19 15:03:32 <Aleph>	I look forward to the postmortem : 3
Oct 19 15:03:52 <Inks>	~
Oct 19 15:04:08 <Inks>	i would like at some point a description of Vahti, beyond the general 'She's a Flame Duck' template
Oct 19 15:04:15 <Aleph>	kk
Oct 19 15:05:35 <Inks>	i can say
Oct 19 15:05:43 <Inks>	that it is somewhat strange to get 5xp a session
Oct 19 15:05:49 <Aleph>	?
Oct 19 15:05:49 <Inks>	most of my gaming career is 8xp a session
Oct 19 15:06:00 <Inks>	it's not bad, the slower pace is working well for us
Oct 19 15:06:37 <Inks>	but generally speaking most STs I started the hobby with all agreed that 'Charm a Session' was a fair progression- especially considering most of the other purchases youcould get fit into multiples of 4 or 8
Oct 19 15:06:44 <Inks>	it's just an observation
Oct 19 15:06:45 <Aleph>	AWARDING EXPERIENCE
Oct 19 15:06:46 <Aleph>	The Storyteller awards experience at the end of every session. There are five main sources of experience:
Oct 19 15:06:48 <Aleph>	Basic Award: 4 points. Players who show up receive this
Oct 19 15:06:49 <Aleph>	award. Four to five hours of play is a good benchmark for a session, so if you run significantly shorter sessions you can reduce
Oct 19 15:06:51 <Aleph>	the amount to two points. Longer regular sessions could award
Oct 19 15:06:52 <Aleph>	six, but this applies only to games planned for around seven or
Oct 19 15:06:54 <Aleph>	more hours, not sessions that occasionally “run long.”
Oct 19 15:06:56 <Aleph>	Bonus Award: 1 point. If a player comes up with something
Oct 19 15:06:57 <Aleph>	really cool, makes everybody in the game collapse with laughter
Oct 19 15:06:59 <Aleph>	or portrays a character particularly well, hand out this award at
Oct 19 15:07:00 <Aleph>	the end of the session. Be sure to award good ideas as well as good
Oct 19 15:07:02 <Aleph>	acting, for some players are uncomfortable being the center of
Oct 19 15:07:03 <Aleph>	attention. Others have a hard time making everybody laugh. This
Oct 19 15:07:05 <Aleph>	should be an award for good play, not a personality bonus.
Oct 19 15:07:06 <Aleph>	literally from 2e core
Oct 19 15:07:11 <Inks>	oh i'm aware
Oct 19 15:07:17 <Inks>	but like i said, most people give out more
Oct 19 15:07:47 <Aleph>	Mmm. I feel like a new charm every session is a bit much. A charm every couple seems better-fitting, to my mind.
Oct 19 15:08:44 <Inks>	aye- this is mostly just a discussion of play environments/experiences mind, inksgame trait costs are houseruled like crazy anyway
Oct 19 15:09:00 <Aleph>	true
Oct 19 15:09:54 <Inks>	anyway, it's super-late for you and you continue to be Fantastic ST. I've run out of post-game thoughts that don't belong in the postmortem, so we can pick up a convo later. I am smirking hard at that cliffhanger though.
Oct 19 15:10:19 <Inks>	i'm going to likely include in the summary thread 'Hark, a Running Gag!'
Oct 19 15:10:30 <Aleph>	look
Oct 19 15:10:44 <Aleph>	you were the one who chose to play an Appearance 5, Resources 5 brazen bombshell
Oct 19 15:10:46 <Aleph>	:P
Oct 19 15:11:35 <Inks>	yes but most of my STs either refused to care about how pretty *any* character was
Oct 19 15:11:48 <Inks>	or spent time making... Not-classy jokes about sex?
Oct 19 15:11:59 <Inks>	Pretty characters have a stigma, after all
Oct 19 15:12:30 <Aleph>	fair enough
Oct 19 15:13:03 <Aleph>	hopefully I've hit a happy medium, then
Oct 19 15:13:50 <Inks>	oh no you've been fine
Oct 19 15:14:02 <Inks>	like, to give you an idea
Oct 19 15:14:12 <Inks>	in one of my first games, i played a busty ninja night caste
Oct 19 15:14:31 <Inks>	a lot of the players and storytellers spent more time harping on her being busty- to the point that an NPC motorboated her chest
Oct 19 15:14:39 <Aleph>	...
Oct 19 15:14:42 <Aleph>	... I see,
Oct 19 15:14:53 <Inks>	it was funny at the time, but it's a question of Tone?
Oct 19 15:15:18 <Inks>	with Inksgame, I have the opportunity to attempt more artful or classy depictions of well, Exalted Sexiness?
Oct 19 15:16:26 <Aleph>	Yeah
Oct 19 15:16:28 <Aleph>	good, then!
Oct 19 15:16:40 <Inks>	it's not like we're sitting here describing every detail of Rankar's manhood when he showed up. Or how Inks is *really* gorgeous, clothed or not, we're just... letting it stand on its own.
Oct 19 15:18:40 <Inks>	I may have toyed with the line during Vahti's massage, but it was all in good fun- and I was writing that bit assuming Inks sleeps in the nude, but I didn't have the chance to write that out or felt the need to after the fact.