DragonGame Session 5: Assassins and Royalty

[09:11.38] <SwimmingEagle>  Last time, You entered the relm of the humans, in you unbelievibly cozy, if a tad cramped Kotatzu filled Wagon. There you stopped at the traditional pitstop of you people in taldor, Gaining news and direction. Finding out who exactly took down the Red Dragon, and where they would be.
[09:12.22] <SwimmingEagle>  Turns out they're in Oppara, the Captial city of Taldor. You've been on the road in close quaters for five days.
[09:12.42] <Atolm> "The hardest part's going to be leaving under here..."
[09:13.32] * TheSecondParrot (~Beakswort@Rizon-FBFDCB39.dyn.iinet.net.au) has joined channel #dragongame
[09:13.46] * Lameeka rubs her eyes sleepily. Unused to wagon travel, she hasn't slept well, especially not with all the sunlight.
[09:13.51] * TheSecondParrot is now known as Freyda
[09:14.41] * Freyda rolls her shoulders, stifling a yawn.
[09:14.46] * TheParrot (~Beakswort@Rizon-FBFDCB39.dyn.iinet.net.au) has left #dragongame ((Leaving))
[09:16.55] * Celisse stretches and rubs her eyes. Her time was spent restlessly wondering just what her Darling was doing and fiddling with her SoulMade Amulet. Why was he here?  Did he know anything that would help? These were the questions bothering her.
[09:17.19] <Celisse> *Soul Mate
[09:17.39] <SwimmingEagle>  It become readily apparrent that The Queen packed what she would bring in terms of provisions, as beside normal rations, all there is tea; sweet rolls, and bacon jerky
[09:19.15] <Atolm> "This is... uh..."
[09:19.55] <Atolm> "... Healthy magic berries, anyone?"
[09:20.17] * Atolm will, after day 1, most likely be casting goodberry a few times a day
[09:20.39] * Freyda shrugs. "Quite fine, thank you." She takes a sweet roll and takes a bite.
[09:21.48] <Celisse> "I'm sorry," Celisse raises her hand. "I'm...not hungry."
[09:21.54] * Astarte_ looks up from her book. "No thanks, I'm good."
[09:22.25] <Lameeka> "Eh? What's wrong with this food?"
[09:22.46] <SwimmingEagle>  Thankfully the ride has been relatively without issues, other than a small storm kicking up and half burying the wagon. The road winds on, Your driver says that it should be a few more hours before they reach the Capital.
[09:23.00] * Lameeka has never been picky when it comes to provisions, coming from a kobold warren where food ended up getting snatched by siblings if you weren't fast enough.
[09:23.00] * Freyda crosses her legs and slowly eats as she reads one of her books.
[09:23.03] <SwimmingEagle>  That was two hours ago.
[09:23.55] <Astarte_> "I wonder when we'll be arriving?"
[09:24.18] <Celisse> "Should be close. If I know these roads as well as I think I do..."
[09:26.26] <Atolm> "What can we expect there anyways?"
[09:28.30] * Freyda tilts her head to the side. "Mm. What's the capital like?"
[09:28.52] <Lameeka> "Are we gonna get stared at...?"
[09:29.04] <Freyda> "Likely."
[09:29.21] <Astarte_> "Yes. Most definitely."
[09:30.02] <Lameeka> "Nnn."
[09:30.16] <Atolm> "Well that much is just normal; everyone leered at you back home as well!"
[09:31.13] <Celisse> "The Capitol's...big. Very big. Very fancy. I'm sure that the dresses we were provided would at least make sure we're not so stared at for being indecent, but...well, we're still two shapeshifting dragons, a human in a suit of armor, and three nonhumans."
[09:31.29] * Freyda harumphs. "Shush."
[09:31.30] * Atolm can already see it now. "Look, that dragon, he's surrounded by so many beautiful women!"
[09:32.32] <Astarte_> "Deciding to drop the scarf act?"
[09:32.51] <Celisse> "As it is, we'll be on stable ground fairly soon-ish, but...well, I know that it'll probably be different than when I last saw it."
[09:33.06] * Freyda shrugs. "Well it's entirely possible they just won't notice him."
[09:34.26] <SwimmingEagle>  There is a rap at the front of the wagon. a sliding slot opens up. "Oppara is just down the way. You wanna see it before we get close?"
[09:34.44] <Celisse> "Yeah. Thank you very much."
[09:35.03] * Freyda nods.
[09:35.03] <Atolm> "They're not going to notice anyone when their entire view is taken up by your gigantic chest"
[09:35.19] <Atolm> "The entire carriage could hide behind it and no one would ever know"
[09:35.34] * Freyda grunts. "Well then I've just saved them the ordeal that is you."
[09:36.06] <Atolm> "Did it get bigger from all that bacon too again? How many of those snack cakes did you have, huh?"
[09:36.25] <Freyda> "That's none of your business."
[09:36.42] <SwimmingEagle>  There are wrappers for at least twenty around Freyda
[09:37.18] <Freyda> "And besides, why would you even be complaining? You've spent as much time as you can under the kotatsu. Must be a fine view from down there, hmm?"
[09:37.26] <Astarte_> "Didn't Zev clean that up yesterday...?" Astarte mumbles.
[09:38.10] <Atolm> "No there's still crumbs under there miss Astarte. AND I DID NOT STARE! Only a petty cad would do something like that!"
[09:38.17] <Atolm> "A real gentleman only glances!"
[09:38.57] <Freyda> "A real gentleman wouldn't glance at all."
[09:39.06] <Celisse> "A real gentleman...?" She mutters.
[09:39.10] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Correction," she says dryly. "I did clean it yesterday. What crumbs may exist are fresh."
[09:40.08] <Astarte_> "Oh."
[09:40.37] <Astarte_> "So how about that view of Oppara, huh?" Astarte steps towards one of the doors.
[09:40.51] * Freyda blushes slightly, but doesn't otherwise respond. "Y-yes. Let's see this human city..."
[09:42.18] <Celisse> "It's still quite beautiful. All of it's very ancient, each brick considered a piece of national heritage. These buildings have seen so much over the ages..."
[09:42.26] <SwimmingEagle>  The ride becomes markedly less bumpy as the ride evens out. As you glace ahead, first thing you see is a MASSIVE bridge, one that seems to streach half the horizion across the sea. A grand wall streaches along, with mutiple rows and heights of buildings visible.
[09:43.40] * Freyda blinks as she takes in the size of the construction. "My my..."
[09:44.00] * Zevorykalyukanar makes an impressed noise. Anyone watching her instead of the city would notice her hands wringing slowly.
[09:45.10] <SwimmingEagle>  The sun shines down and reflects off the snow covered roofs of the city, giveing the whole of the city a glittering visage. You can see a few wagons and carriages heading ahead of you.
[09:45.39] * Celisse was one of those who wasn't looking. A lot of the skyline still seemed familiar. "Miss Zev?"
[09:45.49] <Astarte_> "Woah. It's huge."
[09:45.50] <Lameeka> "Oooo." She grins a bit...and then squints as that sunlight is reflected into her face, "Mghm!"
[09:47.42] <SwimmingEagle>  "LLlladies and Sir, i welcome you To Oppara, Captial city of Taldor. Once the greatest empire of mankind... not so much now though." The Driver comments.
[09:48.12] <Celisse> "It's still nice! Better than Galt at least..."
[09:48.15] <Atolm> "What happened to it for the not so much?"
[09:48.36] <SwimmingEagle>  "Now put some clothes on before people think we're a traveling exotic escort service"
[09:48.50] <Lameeka> "It kinda...broke away, or something. Cheliax was involved. Or used to be part of it? I forget, I just read stuff."
[09:48.51] * Freyda blinks. "Bwh... Hmph."
[09:49.03] <Celisse> "Do you remember how the Queen didn't remember what Cheliax was?"
[09:50.10] <Atolm> "Yeah"
[09:51.03] <Celisse> "Well...Cheliax used to be part of Taldor. Same with Andoren."
[09:51.54] <Celisse> "There were some cases of...irresponsible decisions made back in those times."
[09:51.58] * Freyda nods slowly.
[09:53.22] <Atolm> "So, who screwed up, and do we have to be careful about mentioning them to the locals or whatnot?"
[09:54.34] <SwimmingEagle>  Wagon rides onward, beyond the outer splendor, you see several Carriages ahead of you, Some of them actualy have escorts of knights. As you look ahead, you see that the streets seem very very crowded.
[09:55.05] <Celisse> "But I'm sure we can find a book explaining that! All you need to know is that mentioning Cheliax positively will earn contempt, but Andoren...well, not as bad, but Taldor thinks of it more like...a wayward child, I guess."
[09:56.21] <Lameeka> "So many people." [Concerned kobold noises]
[09:56.29] <Atolm> "No mentioning the other countries then, got it."
[09:58.28] * Freyda pulls her jacket on. It should do. Probably.
[09:59.09] * Astarte_ adjusts her tabard.
[09:59.51] * Celisse steps out of the carriage first, taking a good moment to take in the views of Oppara. Yes, the place has definitely changed since the last time she saw it, but this was still the Heart of Taldor.
[10:00.44] * Freyda does what buttons she can comfortably close, then steps out of the carriage, stretching as she stands up to her full height. "Ahh... much better."
[10:00.55] <SwimmingEagle>  "Sooo ladies and gent, where exactly do you want to go first?" Your cheeky driver mentions
[10:01.59] * Atolm checks. Who's the fanciest looking at the moment with the new clothes on?
[10:01.59] <SwimmingEagle>  Almost immediately after Freyda steps out within the city limits, people can be seen pointing, murmuring, and staring.
[10:03.09] * Atolm hops around Celisse's neck, making her even fancier-looking
[10:03.44] * Zevorykalyukanar follows them out, demure in dress and pose...and utterly indistinguishable from the masses, save her hair and eye colors.
[10:03.52] * Celisse pets the little draggoo on the head. "Thank you. Now...we should begin moving."
[10:04.02] <Freyda> "So much for ditching the scarf act, hm?"
[10:04.22] <Atolm> "There was no way I was putting on that filthy coat and booties set"
[10:04.31] * Astarte_ hops out of the wagon and stretches. "Phew, much better."
[10:04.41] * Lameeka makes a point of staying behind someone else  most of the time. Her frilly pink sun hat, while adorable, is a source of much flustering for her.
[10:05.45] <Zevorykalyukanar> Answering the Driver, Zev nods. "I suppose we ought to secure lodging, if we're going to be here a while."
[10:06.09] * Freyda looks down at Lameeka. "If it's any consolation..." She pokes the kobold in the back with her tail. "You're hardly going to draw the most attention."
[10:06.53] <SwimmingEagle>  "I think i know a few places, Do you want Oppulent, Decent, or abandoned shack?" She askes.
[10:07.55] * Celisse pauses. The thought of going to an opulent hotel, one that reminded her of home, of Avernon, was the first thought out of her mind. The next was the sensible part of her head, which wanted a decent lodging."
[10:08.32] <Lameeka> "How opulent is opulent...?"
[10:08.55] <Astarte_> "Are we going to go broke if we stay there longer than a night?"
[10:09.02] <SwimmingEagle> "Probably"
[10:09.15] * Freyda nods quietly. "Mayhap let's try for 'decent' then, hm?"
[10:09.20] <Astarte_> "Well a decent room sounds great."
[10:09.59] <Celisse> "Let us go economical then." She sighs, the hopes of telling her new friends about all the things she did with her sister in their bedroom would wait another day...
[10:11.13] <Lameeka> "We should sell some things first. Or try to exchange currency at a bank."
[10:11.34] <SwimmingEagle>  "The place is called the Drunken Wyrm... You'll like it." She says with a sly smirk
[10:11.50] <Celisse> "Hmm. Fitting."
[10:11.53] <Atolm> "Just how drunk are we talking about?"
[10:11.56] * Freyda raises an eyebrow. "Oddly so."
[10:12.32] <SwimmingEagle> "Cayden Cayliean Drunk"
[10:13.13] <Zevorykalyukanar> "So slightly less so than Mother at times."
[10:13.35] * Freyda coughs.
[10:14.52] <Atolm> "Mom told me a few stories about that, but they're apparently all before my time"
[10:15.27] <Celisse> "As good as any then, I suppose." Celisse decides to enter first and survey the scene before calling the rest of the team.
[10:15.30] <SwimmingEagle>  The wagon hangs a few rights, a left and a right then a center. then a sign of a Wyvvern on its back drinking an entire cask of beer is seen. It looks rather cartoonish and exaggerated. However a rather pleasent looking building, aside from the occational stink of a drunk layabout.
[10:16.01] <Zevorykalyukanar> She glances sideways at her half-sister who is half again as tall. "Allow me to handle the negotiations, if you will. Shall I seek a room for each of us, or double up? Or perhaps even more crowded, if necessary?"
[10:16.39] <Lameeka> "I'm plenty used to bunking with crowds."
[10:16.51] <Lameeka> "A-and I don't take up much space."
[10:16.53] <SwimmingEagle>  The Driver parks herself next to the entrace. "have fun. Tell me when you're ready to leave."
[10:17.26] * Freyda nods. "Lameeka and I will bunk together then."
[10:17.30] <Celisse> "We should save up as much as we can. Chances are that we'll be here for a bit."
[10:17.55] <Lameeka> "E-eh?! I mean...sure, yes, that would be..." She swallows, "Efficient."
[10:18.13] <Zevorykalyukanar> She nods. "I shall seek the fewest number of rooms for individual comfort."
[10:18.13] <Atolm> "And the present company has been enjoyable in even tighter quarters for several days already. Far be it from me to demand you ladies separate from oneanother"
[10:19.17] <Celisse> Smirk smirk giggle.
[10:19.30] * Zevorykalyukanar heads inside.
[10:20.16] <SwimmingEagle>  Upon entering all eyes are on you, There is a man behind a bar table wiping down a tankard, spots you he goes wide eyed a moment before a sense of professional calm takes over. "How can i help you.... Folks." He searches for his words carefully.
[10:21.18] * Celisse surveys the area for any possibly Knightly folk.
[10:22.43] <SwimmingEagle>  Celiese can see at least a few people in armor, though they don't seem like knights. though there is a colleciton of people in the corner having a grand old time that look Sutiably knightly by her standards.
[10:23.14] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Good afternoon," she begins politely. "We are hoping that you might have two or three available rooms for use."
[10:25.39] <SwimmingEagle>  The man looks at the lot of you. "I'm sorry to say, i only have one room available. With the recent influx of refugees from the dragon, though most have left, there are few hangers on; as it were Ma'am"
[10:26.04] <Lameeka> "H-how many beds is that...?"
[10:26.34] <SwimmingEagle>  "Two beds"
[10:27.10] <SwimmingEagle>  "one of witch is just a matress on the floor"
[10:27.28] * Freyda sighs.
[10:27.52] * Celisse decides to math this out - Freyda and Astarte took the most room, so they needed the beds the most. Zev and herself could do well enough on the floor and Atolm was practically fine anywhere, which left poor Lameeka...
[10:28.09] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Oh?" She sounds disappointed. "A shame. Perhaps we would have better luck at another establishment instead." She turns to leave, brushing a coin purse dangling from her belt. The jingle of several coins clanking against each other reaches the man behind the bar.
[10:29.48] <SwimmingEagle>  The man sighs.... "Right, i see. I supose i can scrounge up a second room. That'll be 5 gold a room however."
[10:31.06] <Zevorykalyukanar> She turns back, nodding slowly. "This five gold includes meals, yes?"
[10:31.25] <SwimmingEagle>  "Meals yes, Drinks no" The man says.
[10:31.38] <SwimmingEagle>  "And Seconds cost extra"
[10:32.53] <Zevorykalyukanar> "I suppose such is fair enough," she says, very carefully not glancing in Freyda's direction. "I can pay you for three days in advance. Would you be amicable to day-by-day afterward?"
[10:33.55] <SwimmingEagle>  "Yes that works" The man fishes some keys from under his table and hands it to The Maid
[10:34.24] <Celisse> "Thank you very much," Celisse bows.
[10:35.41] <SwimmingEagle>  "They're on the upper floor nearest to the stairs on the right. " The mans says gruffly. "Please excuse me, i have other customers to attend to."
[10:35.56] <Zevorykalyukanar> She responds in kind with thirty gold, and swipes the keys quickly.
[10:36.47] * Zevorykalyukanar then turns to the others. "You heard the man. Shall we deposit what we can up there, then return to the Driver?"
[10:37.10] <Celisse> "Right."
[10:37.37] * Freyda nods. "I don't have anything to leave, so I'll just wait here."
[10:38.41] <SwimmingEagle>  The rooms in question are sparsly furnished, True to the mans word, the rooms have a single bed but two mattresses, Second room looks markedly smaller than the first room, The room almost competly comprised of the spare mattress and the bed.
[10:39.38] <SwimmingEagle>  Freyda can feel a hand grabbing the tip of he tail.
[10:39.51] * Freyda blinks and looks down.
[10:40.53] <SwimmingEagle>  There's a small boy tugging at her tail.
[10:41.36] * Celisse observes this and smiles. "My my..."
[10:41.59] * Freyda gently pulls her tail away from the boy and kneels down. "Ah... hello there."
[10:42.11] * Atolm lifts up his head a bit, staring at the similar-scale one
[10:42.51] <SwimmingEagle>  "Hey lady! How did you grow this tail! And those scales? Did you put on some lizard clothes and they get stuck?"
[10:43.19] * Freyda blinks. "Uh... no. No I didn't. I was born with them."
[10:43.52] <SwimmingEagle>  "Was your dad a lizard then?" The boy asks
[10:44.08] * Zevorykalyukanar can only hide a smirk by looking away.
[10:45.25] * Freyda pauses. "I... don't actually know. My mother is a dragon though."
[10:46.46] <SwimmingEagle>  "Oh.... okay! Can i have some silver please, Lizard Lady?" The boy asks
[10:47.30] * Freyda sighs. "Sorry, little boy. We don't use the same money as you where I come from, so I don't have any."
[10:47.46] * Atolm waves a hand at the boy, motioning to come closer, without a word
[10:48.14] <SwimmingEagle>  "Huh? oooohkaaaay... hrm?" The boy heads to Atolm
[10:48.22] * Atolm holds up 2 goodberries
[10:48.49] * Freyda stands up again, watching.
[10:49.20] <SwimmingEagle>  the boy snatches the good berries "Thank you!" He runs out, trips flat on his face, gets up then runs out.
[10:49.59] * Celisse smiles at the litte boy. "He was cute. That was nice of you."
[10:50.26] <Zevorykalyukanar> "And now that our good deed for the day is done," she mumbles under her breath, then heads out to the wagon. Anything in it that doesn't look nailed down is getting taken upstairs in a single trip.
[10:51.18] <SwimmingEagle>  She's got several bags full of clothes, a few pillow, and the rest of the sweet rolls.
[10:51.58] * Celisse helps Zev in carrying the goods up.
[10:53.01] <SwimmingEagle>  The unpacking is doen relatively quickly.
[10:53.42] <Zevorykalyukanar> Once the bags are arranged neatly in one of the rooms, she spends a moment to conjure up one of her own (unseen) servants. "Ptallifex," she orders, "you are to clean this and the other room across the hall."
[10:54.29] <Zevorykalyukanar> Then, as the apparition gets to work, she nods in satisfaction. "I will have to make a pass of my own when we are ready to retire later, but it will do for now," she tells Celisse. "Where ought we go next, then?"
[10:54.41] <Atolm> "Oh that's neat."
[10:54.51] <Lameeka> "Should we really be teaching that boy to take food from strangers...?"
[10:55.42] <Atolm> "He asked, though."
[10:55.59] <Astarte_> "I mean, we aren't that strange."
[10:56.23] <Celisse> "I would advise going...Senate's Hill if we want to see if any of the Dignitaries from other realms have arrived. I only hope we still have time to sit in on the ceremony."
[10:57.29] <Atolm> "Is the ceremony particularly important?"
[10:58.11] <Celisse> "I...have my reasons to visit. I would think that we could at least visit those Knights that nice old man mentioned and see the invitations ourselves."
[10:58.43] <Zevorykalyukanar> Another slow nod. "It's as good a lead as any."
[10:59.21] <Atolm> "I don't think we have any reason not to please you on the subject, so let's go!"
[10:59.57] * Freyda shrugs. "We have little else to follow."
[11:00.13] <Zevorykalyukanar> "I suppose we should attempt more courtly attire?"
[11:00.41] <Freyda> "What's wrong with my jacket?"
[11:00.47] <Lameeka> "Nnn, I feel silly, but I also don't want to disappoint the Queen by discarding the clothing she got for us..."
[11:01.50] <Atolm> "... Doubt there's much other that I can do for that"
[11:02.12] <Celisse> "It wouldn't hurt, but..." She decides to head towards the Knightly-looking assembly. "Pardon me for a moment."
[11:03.54] <Celisse> She approaches the men. "Excuse me, kind sirs?"
[11:04.36] <Zevorykalyukanar> The silver-haired dragoness touches her wrists, and her usual maid uniform quickly scrambles and reasserts itself into the shape of a deep-blue dress, long sleeved, scoop neck baring respectable cleavage--even earrings and a necklace.
[11:05.17] <SwimmingEagle>  One of the Reveling Knights turns to see the young lady. He's got a big curly mustache and is in parade dress."What can i do for ye, miss?"
[11:06.32] <Celisse> "Pardon me, but...I have come from Avernon in search of Lord Carwell and the celebration for the Felling of a terrible beast."
[11:09.03] <SwimmingEagle> "Ooohhh, I see. Well as i recall, he's to be attending a knighting today. One of Dame Belladona's handmaidens is getting a title for her efforts durring the battle."
[11:10.28] <Celisse> "Yes, yes. Would you know where this would be?" She's trying to hide her excitement. Darling was here!
[11:11.05] <SwimmingEagle>  "If yeh head to the center of Senate's hill, They may still be proceeding."
[11:12.27] <Celisse> "Thank you, sir Knight! Many blessings!" She hastily departs for the group. "Senate's Hill. There's a knighting."
[11:13.18] * Freyda nods.
[11:13.42] <Zevorykalyukanar> "By your rush, it seems we should be hurrying?"
[11:14.03] <Celisse> "Yes. Knightings tend to draw crowds."
[11:14.20] <Lameeka> Lameeka scampers off after Celisse.
[11:15.14] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Then off we go then." She chivvies the other forward, letting Celisse tell the Driver where to go.
[11:16.52] * Atolm quietly mutters "guess we'll finally put a face on what you've been talking to us about for days huh?"
[11:17.10] <SwimmingEagle>  The driver gets the Goats a movin, and swiftly as she can safely go travels to Senate Hill, And true to Celisse's prediction, there was indeed a crowd
[11:17.43] * Freyda looks out over the mass of people. "Quite the gathering..."
[11:18.48] <Celisse> "I knew it. We can try to move to the front, but...please, don't make any more of a scene than we already do by being here!"
[11:19.49] * Freyda gives a wry smile. "Have you ever known us to be anything but the picture of decency?"
[11:21.04] <Celisse> "Just a warning. These crowds are big." She hops down and begins wading, making sure her crown is properly affixed on her head.
[11:21.36] <SwimmingEagle>  You see a stand in the center of the square, There's a group of gilded looking officals, and a young human woman stands before all of them, Probably only about 13 years old. Infront of her is a woman who looks like she got chewed up by hell itself. Missing an arm, bandaged up nearly like a mummy. half her face hidden by a large eyepatch. Other than that see seems like a solid mass of muscle.
[11:22.45] * Celisse continues glancing around while trying to keep an ear open. This had to be Dame Belladona in bandages.
[11:22.47] <SwimmingEagle>  within the group you see several lords and ladies, And Celisse can see her father! next to him is a man in full plate, its decorated similiarly to how Darling's armor usually is.
[11:24.14] <Celisse> Celisse was...still optimistic. If Daddy was here, that was still good. She began looking around to see a way to blend in among them.
[11:24.54] <Lameeka> "Wh-whoa..."
[11:25.11] <Freyda> "Someone's looking quite... beaten up..."
[11:26.12] <Celisse> "It's...not pleasant, but it's clear they both fought bravely."
[11:26.15] <SwimmingEagle>  The one armed lady is handed a silvery ornate sword handed to her on a pillow. She places the sword on the woman's shoulder. "I, Dame Deborah Belladona, raise you." She passes the sword over the young woman's head, to the opposite shoulder. "Stand Dame Celestine"
[11:27.07] * Celisse applauds alongside everyone as she maneuvers around to meet the Duke.
[11:27.29] * Zevorykalyukanar hovers close to the princess. Her parasol actually comes in useful!
[11:28.34] <SwimmingEagle>  "For the honor of Slaying The Red Dragon, Drexhalzan" The young lady stands. Positively bewhildered but smiling. There is a roar from the crowd.
[11:29.02] <Lameeka> "I guess regeneration spells are expensive around here. We should probably keep that in mind."
[11:31.23] <Atolm> "Could be a good source of influence or profit"
[11:32.17] <SwimmingEagle>  As you continue to apporach the stand you all see movement atop the roof behind the gathering. Freyda, can see that there is a figure upthere leveling a musket at the Stand.
[11:32.45] <Zevorykalyukanar> "What is.." she mutters, squinting her eyes to peer harder.
[11:33.28] <Celisse> "That can't be..." Her footsteps slowly hurry.
[11:33.49] * Atolm checks range to that
[11:33.53] * Freyda "What the..."
[11:34.36] <Atolm> "Hey isn't that bad?"
[11:36.16] <Lameeka> "Mm? What's that?"
[11:36.27] <Freyda> "V-very. Get up there. Now."
[11:36.52] <Celisse> "Atolm, please. My father is in danger here."
[11:36.57] * Atolm nods
[11:37.01] <Atolm> "On it"
[11:37.20] <SwimmingEagle>  A resounded thunder crash ripples through the air, Looking down at the Stand The newlly raise Dame Celestine is now bleeding from the gut.
[11:37.22] * Freyda focuses, ready
[11:37.42] <SwimmingEagle>  The man atop the roof doffs one musket and draws another.
[11:37.50] * Atolm fires
[11:38.15] * Lameeka draws one of her alchemist fires to try and disarm the man - how far away is he?
[11:38.44] <Celisse> The fact that someone else was shot throws her focus off. She runs over to Celestine to immediately apply any heals.
[11:39.28] <SwimmingEagle>  A second shot fires
[11:42.03] * Atolm applies future glimpse, attempting to screw probability against the shot hitting
[11:42.43] * Freyda 's magic halts the bullet midair, her hand outstretched towards the sniper.
[11:43.25] <SwimmingEagle>  The bullet spins to a stop a few meters before it hits The new Knight again.
[11:44.00] <SwimmingEagle>  Atolm's blast flies up and strikes the sniper.His arm flies off.
[11:47.44] * Lameeka hurls a smoke bomb toward the assailant's square, not aiming to damage but to obscure with smoke so that he must change position in order to have a clear shot. "Get that guy!"
[11:48.44] <SwimmingEagle>  The arm tumbles to the ground below as the man stands up shakilly, he walks up into the open. "GLORY TO HOUSE MORILLA!" He draws an iron bomb from his vest. And Swan dives for the stand
[11:49.47] <SwimmingEagle>  the man is onfire already from Lameeka's bomb, The fire catchs his own bomb and he explode mid fall. Raining peices of him on the crowd
[11:50.22] <Lameeka> "Aaaaa that wasn't what I wanted to do. Ew ew ew ew ew!"
[11:50.52] * Freyda blinks at what just happened, then turns away, her stomach slightly disturbed by the sight of the confetti that was once a man.
[11:51.08] <SwimmingEagle>  The crowd on the other hand is panicing and there's a rush to get away.
[11:51.55] <Atolm> "Lameeka that was AWESOME! Also we need to help the victim!"
[11:51.59] <SwimmingEagle>  The newly raise Celestine is a okay, the bullet pushes itself out from her wound and it closes as Celisse heals her.
[11:52.05] * Zevorykalyukanar pushes through the crowd (rather effortlessly, given her monstrous strength) for the stand where Celisse is.
[11:52.33] * Atolm hands Celisse another 5 berries "she might want some of those too"
[11:52.54] * Freyda hauls Lameeka into the air out of the crowd's way and pushes towards Celisse.
[11:53.09] * Astarte_ follows in Freyda's wake.
[11:53.23] <SwimmingEagle>  after Celisse and Atolm's ftreatment, The young Dame is the very picture of health
[11:53.31] * Celisse grabs them hastily to help feeding. "It's okay. You're going to be fine. Just relax, let me take care of it..."
[11:53.33] <SwimmingEagle>  though she's rather stunned
[11:55.12] <SwimmingEagle>  The knights that are alreay on the stands surround you all. though The Dame Belladona bash them atop their helms and shouts at them to control the crowd.
[11:55.14] <Celisse> As soon as the dame is back to normal, Celisse stands up.
[11:57.11] <Celisse> She raises her hands.
[11:57.51] <SwimmingEagle>  "This day just keeps getting stranger" The Young knight-ess looks at her rescuers with a little wonder in her eyes. The Other Dame is less impressed "Okay who are you?! and what the hell is going on?" She points the cerimonial sword at Celisse.
[11:59.32] * Atolm frowns and glares from atop Celisse's shoulder, still slightly glowy from the earlier volley
[12:00.01] * Freyda coughs politely.
[12:00.11] <Celisse> "Madam, please. My name is Princess Celisse Carwell-de Avernon. I have come to pay respects toward my country and...well, my husband."
[12:01.16] <SwimmingEagle>  "Like i'm going to bel-" An older bearded gentleman of a strong build, weathered by age steps up and clasps The Dame's Shoudler "You can stand Down Belladona, That's indeed my daughter you're speaking to."
[12:02.00] * Zevorykalyukanar stands back from the confrontation, shaking gore and entrails from the top of her parasol. Her dress, meanwhile, is spotless.
[12:02.23] <Celisse> "Father," Celisse clears her throat. "Hello. I...wish I was here under finer circumstances, but..."
[12:02.32] * Freyda takes a moment to set Lameeka back down on the ground, now they're free from the crowd.
[12:03.16] * Lameeka is smaller than others in the crowd, and has evasion, so probably managed to avoid the shower for the most part. "Who the heck was that?"
[12:04.05] <Freyda> "A would-be assassin, it seems."
[12:04.25] <SwimmingEagle> "Celi` we'll talk at lenght when we're in private" The man says firmly. "Not exactly prudent to catch up on family matters mear minutes after an assassin attack."
[12:05.36] <Celisse> "I understand." She bows and approaches the intercept team. "Who was that? And...why would they target a Dame as she's being risen?"
[12:05.58] * Freyda nods at Celestine. "I'm sorry I didn't manage to catch the first."
[12:06.23] * Atolm thinks for a moment. Ah! That's right!
[12:06.41] * Atolm taps Celisse's shoulder, makes a '1 second' gesture, and flies off
[12:06.53] * Atolm going to get that arm!
[12:06.53] <SwimmingEagle>  The man turns to his right hand man in decorative full plate "Take my Daughter, and her..." he looks at the rest of you "Companions to my lodgings. Dame Belladona, Place Dame Celestine in protective Custody."
[12:07.48] <Lameeka> "Well, uh...I guess now we have an excuse to change out of these outfits." Lameeka mutters to the others.
[12:08.16] * Atolm returns, trying his best to hold it up so it doesn't drip
[12:08.17] * Freyda nods, adjusting her somewhat ill-fitting jacket slightly. "It is somewhat... tight."
[12:09.03] <SwimmingEagle>  The arm is covered in a blue jacket, quickly staining red from the blood, there is a signet ring on the hand.
[12:09.35] * Astarte_ inspects the ring.
[12:09.38] * Atolm holds the arm out for someone to grab, playing the part of a mute familiar as best he can
[12:10.03] * Celisse extends her arm out.
[12:10.07] * Freyda muses. "Who are House Morilla?"
[12:11.14] <SwimmingEagle>  "one of the noble houses of Taldor..." The Right hand mand of Celisse's father says, before clamming up.
[12:11.56] <SwimmingEagle>  "We should get all the facts first." The lord removes the signet ring, "The Ring certainly matches their seal."
[12:11.56] * Atolm does recall that's what the suicide bomber screamed
[12:12.26] <Celisse> "Right. We need to make sense of all this. Please, lead us."
[12:12.52] * Atolm looks left, right... there's no real point to this anymore right?
[12:13.02] * Atolm dumps the arm and goes back to sit on Celisse's shoulder
[12:13.21] <Lameeka> "Can't believe he killed himself rather than be captured. A lot of loyalty for a hired gun."
[12:13.33] * Freyda inhales deeply. "Well this has been an... interesting introduction to the city."
[12:14.32] <Celisse> "I'm sorry, guys."
[12:15.07] <SwimmingEagle>  The knight nods and salutes The Lord Carwell. He then leads Celisse, and friends away from the messy scene as the regular guard start to finally get to the Stands. There is a decent amount of walking before The knight leads you to a decenly sized home/manor. You are lead inside into a foyer.
[12:15.09] <Zevorykalyukanar> "While more violent than I remember, I'm not unaccustomed to how things work out here," she says quietly.
[12:16.08] <Lameeka> "Don't apologize, Cel. If there's trouble going on, we ought to do something about it. This is a good opportunity for us to gain favor~." She whispers.
[12:16.08] <SwimmingEagle>  The foyer has some couches lining the walls but mostly just has a carpet and some wiliting flowers.
[12:17.11] * Atolm nods. we did just save some lives publicly
[12:17.52] * Freyda sighs.
[12:17.57] * Celisse takes a seat on the couch. She can only think about what's going on, what this had to do with anything.
[12:18.01] <SwimmingEagle>  The knight removes his helmet and some long jet black locks flow out. he turns around and some baby blue eyes and a strong but fair face is before them.
[12:18.18] <Celisse> What started off as a search for Darling had turned into...into...
[12:19.20] <SwimmingEagle>  "My Lady, why must our relationship be so queer?" The man gives a strained smirk.
[12:20.02] * Freyda takes a seat on a nearby couch, ignoring the creak of protest as she watches.
[12:20.12] <SwimmingEagle>  The man bends on one knee and kisses Celisse 's hand
[12:20.17] <Celisse> "I'm...sorry. This wasn't how we were supposed to end up entering this place..."
[12:21.14] <Zevorykalyukanar> Silver eyebrows rise over silver eyes, and she clears her throat gently from arm's length away from Celisse.
[12:21.35] <SwimmingEagle>  "My lady, I have a feeling that if there was no assassin today, some other innocuous or other silly circumstance would have occured"
[12:22.35] <Celisse> A weak laugh. "Probably. I think I would have appreciated it more...Darling."
[12:23.32] * Freyda produces a piece of bacon jerky and quietly nibbles as she watches the reunion unfold.
[12:23.59] * Atolm will give the two some breathing room and sit himself near the others
[12:24.01] * Zevorykalyukanar reaches out quietly with a toe and sweeps away Freyda's crumbs.
[12:24.41] <SwimmingEagle>  "That's my girl, Now then! I'll summon a maid with a bowl of water. Ferroicous predator or no, we can't have you covered in gore now can we?" Darling says sweetly.
[12:25.08] * Celisse scoots over a bit. "Please. Sit with me until then."
[12:25.47] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Allow me," she speaks up, curtsying to him and Celisse before wandering off.
[12:26.49] <SwimmingEagle>  The man dutifully sits next to her, his hand still holding hers. A steaming bowl of water is easy enough to find, Zev returns with one quickly.
[12:27.02] <Celisse> "Um...thank you, Miss Zev."
[12:27.33] <Zevorykalyukanar> She's back in her maid uniform, too, complete with lace cap, instead of the daring blue dress. "Of course." She produces towels from somewhere as well.
[12:27.34] * Astarte_ shuffles uncomfortably.
[12:27.55] <SwimmingEagle>  "Now then i'm sure there's a lot to say"
[12:28.06] <SwimmingEagle>  "May i inquire as to your visit?"
[12:29.00] <Celisse> Deep breaths here. "I want to know about Drexhalzan's Hoard."
[12:29.55] * Atolm (~ATX_2@2ABDC983.1992FD85.161B01B4.IP) Quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds)
[12:29.59] <SwimmingEagle>  Darling looks at the rest of her companions,  "I had a feeling that The Grand Beast himself would be involved. He's not a relative is he?"
[12:31.19] <Celisse> "Umm... I don't think so...?" She isn't quite sure. Dragon Genealogy is hard, okay?
[12:32.20] <Zevorykalyukanar> "He is not," supplies the maid in her stead.
[12:32.40] * Freyda pipes up. "Or if he is, we're not entirely bothered."
[12:33.27] <Astarte_> "We're not bothered because he layed waste to a countryside and then got what he deserved."
[12:33.37] <Celisse> "Yes. We're more worried that his Hoard is being used as...expenses."
[12:34.14] <SwimmingEagle>  "Does your Queen want his hoard then? Honestly take the wealth, Its done nothing but cause squabbling since the beast was slain."
[12:35.43] * Celisse glances at the others for their opinions.
[12:36.59] <Astarte_> "Squabbling that would lead to assassination attempts?"
[12:38.24] <SwimmingEagle>  "That? There was some notion that a major portion of the wealth would go to the one who laid the killing blow. Dame Celestine." He explained.
[12:39.03] <SwimmingEagle>  "She was to be rewarded yes, But out of the coffers of teh Grand Prince. Not the hoard."
[12:39.58] <Celisse> "And this...House Morilla, what is their part?"
[12:41.23] <SwimmingEagle>  "You don't remember? House Morilla is one of the eight houses of Oppara. They nearly control trade here."
[12:43.23] <Celisse> "It's all really hard to keep straight right now, forgive me."
[12:44.36] <SwimmingEagle>  "I'm sorry as well, I left when your father called whilst you doing the bidding of The Dragon Queen."
[12:45.20] <Celisse> "It's fine. I'm sorry I left so suddenly, but it's...it's just...!"
[12:45.54] <SwimmingEagle>  He pulls her in for a hug and strokes her hair. "It's okay, its okay."
[12:46.06] * Celisse poofs back into DragonMode as she's being petted.
[12:46.26] * Astarte_ coughs.
[12:47.32] <SwimmingEagle>  The man's face twists into something resembling amusment when she does
[12:47.44] <Celisse> *mewling*
[12:47.55] * Atolm (~ATX_2@Rizon-E9747049.mc.videotron.ca) has joined channel #dragongame
[12:48.10] * Freyda giggles.
[12:48.50] * Zevorykalyukanar chuckles at that.
[12:49.43] <SwimmingEagle>  The front door slams open and The Lord Carwell enters the foyer. As he does, The sofa that Freyda is sitting in, gives way and snaps in half.
[12:50.23] <Zevorykalyukanar> This time she sighs quietly and fetches a broom.
[12:51.00] <Celisse> "Oh! Um, Dad! Sorry! I'll just...!" She hurries over to a bathroom and changes back into HumanMode in a bathrobe.
[12:51.08] * Freyda blinks. "Uh..."
[12:51.55] * Atolm stares, slackjawed. he'd only been kidding about the snack cakes
[12:52.26] <Lameeka> "Eee."
[12:52.51] * Freyda doesn't say anything, but blushes madly.
[12:53.21] * Zevorykalyukanar begins clearing debris out from around the wreckage of the couch, letting Celisse handle the apparently-angry lord of the house.
[12:54.03] * Celisse prepares to cast Mending the moment Freyda lifts her lazy tail up and out.
[12:54.13] <Astarte_> "I guess... This is why the queen gave us pillows... and not couches."
[12:54.19] <Astarte_> "Huh."
[12:54.30] * Freyda stands, embarassed.
[12:55.13] <SwimmingEagle>  The Lord Carwell, to his credit, only looked suprised or upset for a split moment. "Sweetheart, please tell your friends to refrain from ruining the furnature. And stay dressed. I may recieve guests tonight."
[12:55.21] * Atolm flies over and applies basic chronokinesis, making the last terrible few hours go away for the poor couch
[12:56.54] <Celisse> "Um, I will!" She grabs her dress and bag and hurries over to get into some less formal clothes.
[12:58.06] <SwimmingEagle>  The lord sighs "I take it you lot are from Her distant grandmother. This Queen Culdranth"
[12:58.20] * Freyda nods, still blushing.
[12:58.30] <Atolm> "Oh. Well since he already knows."
[12:58.36] * Atolm drops the act
[12:58.50] <Zevorykalyukanar> She watches as the bits of wood-dust and debris float back from her tidy pile and reintegrate into the couch, and sets the broom upright. "You are correct, My Lord," she says, giving him a humble curtsy.
[12:58.53] <Lameeka> "Mhm..." Lameeka sheepishly has her hands behind her back, trying to look innocent.
[12:59.00] <Celisse> "Yes."
[12:59.47] <Atolm> "We hear there's been a bit of an embezzling problem with the estate"
[01:00.33] <SwimmingEagle>  "Follow me to my Study." The man walks up the stairs. "It has studier chairs."
[01:00.52] * Zevorykalyukanar will take up the rear.
[01:01.17] * Freyda coughs, and her blush redoubles. She follows.
[01:01.28] * Atolm is hovering near whoever's right behind the old man
[01:01.28] * Celisse nods and leads the procession.
[01:01.33] * Lameeka steps along after him.
[01:04.39] * Astarte_ clanks along after the group.
[01:05.30] <SwimmingEagle>  The study does indeed have sturdy chairs. plus books, what appears to be a map wrapped around a ball, and several bear skin rugs. The man sits down behind a desk, and gestures to the others to sit some place. "So why have you all come? This isn't a simply a family visit. i can already tell."
[01:06.36] <Atolm> "Like I said. That horde you guys are holding to? You've got a bit of an accountant problem with the thing"
[01:07.17] <Celisse> "It isn't. I...have suspicions about the management of where that Dragon once called home."
[01:07.25] * Freyda pauses, then sits down on the floor, still at a respectable height.
[01:07.55] * Astarte_ takes a seat in one of the chairs.
[01:08.36] * Lameeka takes a seat on one of the chairs, still not at a respectable height.
[01:09.08] * Atolm hovers at a respectable height, not being of respectable height
[01:10.06] <SwimmingEagle>  The floor creaks ominously as Freyda does so. The Lord regards The others a moment. "Some court officals have indeed theorized that the wealth within would ruin the economy for decades, Though that doesnt stop the nobility from thinking that its hogwash... But you're speaking specificaly about Sir Johnathan Cross?"
[01:10.30] <Zevorykalyukanar> "That is the name we were given, yes, my Lord."
[01:10.40] * Freyda nods.
[01:10.42] <Atolm> "After this you can probably also call him skimmy."
[01:11.27] <Celisse> "I do."
[01:12.54] <SwimmingEagle>  "So what exactly are you accusing of Sir Cross? And what are your sources?"
[01:13.00] * Atolm_ (~ATX_2@Rizon-E9747049.mc.videotron.ca) has joined channel #dragongame
[01:14.01] <Atolm_> "The millions of gold involved especially if someone were to sell whatever magic the old man had would probably wreck the local economy as soon as the merchants caught wind of it. But that's going to happen if they're pocketing the stuff whether or not there's big announcements about it."
[01:14.28] <Celisse> "I am not so brash as to accuse him. Not without a proper investigation."
[01:15.23] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Specifically," she adds, after Atolm is done, "one of the Queen's...agents...extracted from an intercepted courier that he was doling parcels of the horde out to his courtly friends. Part of our reason for the travel is, indeed, to ascertain whether or not this is truly happening."
[01:15.40] * Atolm (~ATX_2@Rizon-E9747049.mc.videotron.ca) Quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds)
[01:19.04] <Atolm_> "The other part's a lot more fun, but that is neither here nor there"
[01:19.39] <SwimmingEagle>  "What with all the chaos and misdirection that's been thrown about as of late. Its entirely possible this was a ruse." The Lord responds. "I'd need physical evidence, REAL phsyical evidence. Or a confession to implicate him."
[01:20.57] <Zevorykalyukanar> "Or, of course, evidence or a confession from whomever else might be implicating him."
[01:20.59] <Celisse> "I understand your hesitance," Celisse replies. "I would request at the very least that we be allowed to...inspect either Sir Cross's estate or the Hoard in question."
[01:22.49] <Atolm_> "Well that's why we're here. Well, not here here specifically, that's because someone was hoping to see somebody else"
[01:22.51] * Atolm_ grins
[01:22.51] <SwimmingEagle>  "Sending a bunch of-" the man stops himself. "A group of Forigners seems unwise. to me"
[01:23.45] * Atolm_ thinks
[01:23.53] * Atolm_ tugs at celisse's sleeve
[01:24.04] * Celisse turns to Atolm.
[01:24.19] <Atolm_> "hey. what's the law about gathering evidence surreptitiously around here? could your father still use it?"
[01:26.06] <Celisse> "You expect to...?" This gives her a pause. "Would what Leidra did be considered surreptitious...?"
[01:26.45] <Atolm_> "... no I think that one was just blatant"
[01:28.06] <Freyda> "She's not a very surreptitious woman."
[01:28.10] <Celisse> "Then...we would need to cover our tracks. Very well."
[01:29.15] <Celisse> "If we were to somehow come across such incriminating evidence, we would need a record of this account. We would need a witness or a document. And we would need to not be caught."
[01:29.29] <Lameeka> "Th...there might be other ways to investigate. That aren't...y'know, illegal."
[01:29.31] <SwimmingEagle>  "What are you plotting then?" The lord asks
[01:29.33] <Atolm_> "Like, say, someone particularly sneaky makes it through the window without anyone noticing at night, returning with records or documents?"
[01:29.44] <Atolm_> "Investigating!"
[01:29.53] <Atolm_> "Investigating this, investigating that... just general investigation!"
[01:30.29] <Celisse> "We would need a warrant, and unless it was just me, that would be suspicious to say the least."
[01:30.54] <Atolm_> "Wouldn't a warrant be if we're walking through the front door with guards?"
[01:31.11] <Atolm_> "That thing that gives them a few days advance notice while they destroy the documents you're asking for?"
[01:31.45] <Celisse> "Practically speaking? It would."
[01:32.12] <Atolm_> "And if there just happen to be documents that serve as strong evidence, that just happen to have been obtained?"
[01:33.02] <Celisse> "So long as it isn't traced back to any one of us, I would...consider it a possibility to consider."
[01:33.53] <Atolm_> "Because, I know this might sound a little bad here, but listen up. If I was in this guy's place, and ANYONE came asking with those kinds of suspicions? I'd burn everything and put whatever can't be rid of on a scapegoat before they finished knocking at the door. Because that's what evil-me would do, being evil, right?"
[01:34.36] <Atolm_> "And I wouldn't do that. You know I'm a gentleman. But if I *was* an embezzling old creep? I would."
[01:34.42] <Celisse> "It would, it would."
[01:34.49] <SwimmingEagle>  "You dont have to go THAT far," The lord speaks up "My daughter, dispite being of my blood, is practically a nutral third party. "
[01:35.38] <SwimmingEagle> "Unlanded, sent as an emmisary to a forign goverment. She legally, has no stake in this"
[01:35.51] <SwimmingEagle>  "So the perfect person to send"
[01:36.13] <Atolm_> "So, if some damning evidence lands in her nice lady lap..."
[01:36.17] <Celisse> "By...technicality, yes."
[01:37.50] <SwimmingEagle>  "We can act more directly when the city is in less unrest. There might have been more assassins and the search for collaboraters will likely be on for some time."
[01:38.25] <SwimmingEagle>  "So... let us take some time to... catch up and aquaint ourselfs once again. over dinner."
[01:38.54] <Atolm_> "Well, I guess that's okay too. By the way... Does miss Celisse have any younger sisters around here?"
[01:39.35] <SwimmingEagle>  SESSION ENDO