[18:43:11] <[Multi]_Theo> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [18:49:29] <[Multi]_Theo> [[The sun shines brightly today, leaving no trace of the storm you weathered. Theo joins you for breakfast, and, as everyone is finishing, addresses you.]] [18:50:05] <[Multi]_Theo> There's something important I meant to ask you yesterday. The theif, who stole the documents -- what became of him? [18:50:31] * [Multi]_Theo dabs his mouth with his handkercheif and looks expectantly at the three gathered around him. [18:51:29] <[Co]_River> It was disposed of. [18:52:00] <[Multi]_Theo> And how, exactly, was "it" desposed of? [18:53:44] <[Co]_River> Well, I modified an arrow and Achel shot the thief with it. [18:53:58] <[Multi]_Theo> Clean shot through the head or heart? [18:54:25] <[Co]_River> Hm, where were you aiming, Achel? [18:55:09] <[grant]_Achel> I hit the raft but it still didn't leave much of the theif. [18:55:44] <[Co]_River> How considerate of you. [18:56:23] <[Multi]_Theo> You certainly don't pull any punches, your majesty. I suppose this means we don't have to worry about a corpse? [18:57:45] <[Co]_River> I'm sure the pieces have been consumed by now. [18:57:53] <[Multi]_Theo> I see. [18:59:23] <[Multi]_Theo> Also, princess, I wanted to tell you: your consideration for the coalition and the task appointed you is certainly heartwarming, but I would appreciate it if you were to send message to me next time you were to make such an alteration to a plan. Is this clear? [19:00:22] <[Co]_River> Send a messaging device with us next time. [19:00:34] <[Multi]_Theo> Of course. [19:01:05] <[Multi]_Theo> You could have mentioned it earlier, when I gave you your task, as well. If it had happened to cross your mind soon enough, of course. [19:01:31] <[Multi]_Theo> But enough of that; I see you understand. On a lighter note: have you checked outside your window yet today? [19:02:30] <[Co]_River> I'm sure Adeline will appreciate being able to communicate; and no, I haven't looked yet. [19:03:01] * [Mirr]_Adeline gives River a glance and frown at the mention of her name [19:03:15] <[Multi]_Theo> Well, I believe that you should have a lovely addition to the castle decor, as per your suggestion. [19:03:56] <[Multi]_Theo> And with that, I must be off to work. You've just completed a great and glorious task -- try to enjoy yourselves today. You have the whole Palace to play with. [19:05:37] <[Co]_River> I wonder if that is actually true. [19:06:02] <[grant]_Achel> Im sure within reason [19:06:37] <[Multi]_Theo> As long as you keep one of your attendents close, it is true. [19:06:59] <[Multi]_Theo> If you have any questions, as always, do not hesitate to ask me, now or later. [19:08:59] <[Mirr]_Adeline> I'm sure she'll send one of us if she has anything to ask [19:09:35] <[Multi]_Theo> Well, I ought to be in my office, scribbling on papers, for the rest of the day. Look there if you need me. [19:09:51] * [Multi]_Theo bows perfunctorilly and heads out of the room. [19:12:11] <[Mirr]_Adeline> So, princess, did you have anything in mind to do with your day? [19:17:04] <[Co]_River> I want to see every corner of this building. [19:18:06] <[grant]_Achel> We can probably do that. [19:18:46] * [Co]_River finishes eating and gets up [19:18:50] <[Co]_River> Then lets start [19:18:58] <[Mirr]_Adeline> Good, I've been wondering just how big this place is [19:19:21] * [Mirr]_Adeline follows suit and rises from her seat [19:19:56] * [grant]_Achel follows along [19:20:31] <[Co]_River> ((How should we explore?)) [19:20:57] <[Multi]_Theo> ((uuh, good question. Is there anything you're particularly interested in or concerned about?)) [19:23:44] <[Co]_River> ((I want to see this pool) [19:24:03] <[Multi]_Theo> ((Well, then, I would advise you explore there first)) [19:24:13] <[Multi]_Theo> ((Whatever you think will lead to a slightly more interesteing game)) [19:25:11] <[Co]_River> ((I dunno where it is)) [19:25:21] <[Co]_River> Do either of you know where the pool is? [19:28:10] * [Mirr]_Adeline shrugs [19:28:51] <[Mirr]_Adeline> I think I remember where it was, I haven't really spent much time taking a look around the castle, though [19:29:30] <[grant]_Achel> I'm not sure either. [19:29:43] <[Co]_River> It would be quite an embarassment if you were to get lost within your own building. Go fetch a map from your master, Adeline. [19:30:12] <[Mirr]_Adeline> No way, I can find where it is without a stupid map! [19:35:13] <[Co]_River> Fine then, I will let you guide us. [19:35:26] <[Mirr]_Adeline> !statroll cnn [19:35:27] Adeline rolled a 2: 2 x [2 cnn] = 4 [19:37:03] * [Mirr]_Adeline travels a meandering path through the castle seeming quite lost at several points when she spots the pool [19:37:24] <[Mirr]_Adeline> Ah! See, I told you I could find it without a map! [19:39:15] * [Co]_River pets Adeline [19:39:23] <[grant]_Achel> Are you going for a swim? [19:39:32] * [Mirr]_Adeline waves River's hand away [19:39:52] <[Co]_River> Not at the moment, I just want to know its location and its properties. [19:39:53] <[Mirr]_Adeline> Stop doing that! [19:40:51] <[Co]_River> You didn't enter the river that time, Achel, I take it that you don't swim? [19:42:45] <[grant]_Achel> !statroll cnn [19:42:46] Achel rolled a 2: 2 x [4 cnn] = 8 [19:43:13] <[Co]_River> !statroll cnn [19:43:13] River rolled a 4: 4 x [1 cnn] = 4 [19:44:28] <[grant]_Achel> I swim but from what I saw you could handle yourself in the current. It's normally a pain to swim in armor or take it off. [19:45:58] <[Co]_River> Fair enough. [19:46:43] <[Mirr]_Adeline> So what's next on the tour? [19:47:11] <[Co]_River> ((Stick us with the description of the pool yo)) [19:47:29] <[Multi]_Theo> [[The pool seems immense. Built in stone of deep blue and purple shades, the ceiling is supported by pillars scultped into hulking sailors, wiry mermen, and beatiful mermaids with disheveled hair and frightening faces. The room is illuminated by brazers mounted on the wall at regular intervals, which, when reflected off the water, cast shimmering patterns on the ceiling and walls. Overall, the impression of being [19:47:29] <[Multi]_Theo> somewhere under the ocea is rather nicely accomplished.]] [19:48:54] <[Co]_River> Hmm, lets drop by where the meals are prepared. [19:50:31] <[grant]_Achel> There probably isn't much going on at the moment since breakfast just finished. [19:51:24] <[Co]_River> Then we will see the cleanliness and cleanup of the staff. [19:52:55] <[Mirr]_Adeline> It's not that far from the dining room, right? [19:53:33] <[grant]_Achel> Makes sense. [19:54:19] <[Co]_River> Lead us, if you are so confident in where it is. [19:55:04] <[Mirr]_Adeline> !statroll cnn [19:55:05] Adeline rolled a 5: 5 x [2 cnn] = 10 [19:57:33] * [Mirr]_Adeline easily makes her way back to the dining room and from there into the kitchen [19:57:50] <[Multi]_Theo> [[The kitchens are housed in a room at seems at least as big, if not bigger, than the pool. There's a fair bit of bustle, as cooks and chefs diligently prepare whatever has been ordered by whoever in the Palace feels hungry at the moment and waitstaff scramble to ferry orders to their destinations and deliver new ones; but, as it's after breakfast primetime and before the lunch rush, you can tell it's a bit more relaxed [19:57:50] <[Multi]_Theo> than it would be at its peak performance. Through it all, though, the staff seems very well-trained, cooking and waiting in neat order. The chefs look a bit sweaty from the heat and work, but it seems that they're keeping their meals hygenic. The pantry seems to be almost as large again as the kitchens, housing even at a glance many types of food you don't recognize, and a few items you would not have thought digestible. [19:57:50] <[Multi]_Theo> It, as well, seems rigidly organized, as though one might be able to look up an ingredient as one might a book in a library.]] [20:03:04] <[Mirr]_Adeline> *stares at some of the outlandish items* People actually eat those? [20:03:34] <[Co]_River> You can try them next time. [20:04:44] <[Co]_River> Tell me how it is afterwards. [20:05:47] <[Mirr]_Adeline> I'll pass [20:06:19] <[Multi]_Theo> [[A servant notices the group and stops to greet them, bowing deeply.]] [20:06:42] <[Multi]_Theo> man: your majesty, I trust the morning meal was appropriate for your standards? [20:06:57] <[Co]_River> Yes, it was quite acceptable. [20:07:27] <[Multi]_Theo> man: have you come for a snack of some sort? We could accomodate any of your desires... [20:08:18] <[Co]_River> I only wished to see where, and who, makes the meals. [20:08:45] <[Multi]_Theo> man: Ah! Of course. If you'd like an interview with any of the chefs or staff, you would be most welcome to the entreaty. [20:11:48] <[Multi]_Theo> man: Is there any one who strikes your fancy? [[The man makes a broad gesture around the kitchen.]] [20:12:44] * [Co]_River looks at Adeline and Achel [20:13:11] <[Co]_River> Are either of you feeling curious? [20:13:39] <[grant]_Achel> Hmmm... * She looks around at the people in the kitchen * [20:15:42] <[Multi]_Theo> [[All the kitchen's occupants are dressed either in servant's livery or a chef's uniform, but besides that, there is much variety to be had. Most notable are a chef so wide he is very hard to miss, a sous-chef so short he has to stand on a stool, and a servant ho appears to have horns.]] [20:18:03] <[grant]_Achel> How about you there? * She points to the one with the horns. * [20:19:05] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: Ah -- yes, maam, what would you like? [20:19:57] <[grant]_Achel> What do you do here? [20:20:51] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: I'm a servant, maam. I mostly spend time here in the kitchens, ferrying orders about or waiting to be called to take one. [20:21:53] <[Mirr]_Adeline> Where are you from? [20:23:00] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: I'm from a country to the west, maam. We have holdings on the mainland, but our capital's on an island just off shore. It's a fairly hilly country, with lots of forests. I'm sure you'd like it there. [20:25:16] <[Mirr]_Adeline> I assume you were born with those...horns on your head [20:25:57] <[Multi]_Theo> [[The servant looks away for a second, a concerned look on her face.]] [20:27:16] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: In truth, I got these a month or two ago when I was took a meal to some mages. I knocked on the door, but they weren't able to get me to stop before I had opened the door. There was a poof, and some smoke -- I was thrown backwards, the meals ruined -- and a week or so later, these things started growing up out of my forehead. [20:28:10] <[Mirr]_Adeline> And how long ago was that? Did you try getting rid of them? [20:29:10] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: Well, in truth, I'd like to, but the mages have had me come in every week since then. They take all sorts of measurements and stuff. [20:29:36] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: as I said, it were a month or so ago. [20:29:42] <[Co]_River> How suspicious. [20:30:32] <[Mirr]_Adeline> And you haven't talked to any one to get them removed? Do you...like them? [20:32:00] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: they're a nuisance, maam. They always get in the way, especialy when I'm trying to sleep. I've ruined a good few pillows since these things've come about, let me tell you. And, you know, the other servants all tease me about them, and it'd be nice to be done with that. I'd like to take them off, but those mages want me to keep em on, and there's nothing a servant like me can do. [20:32:51] <[Mirr]_Adeline> I'd like to go with you the next time you visit these mages [20:33:31] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: Well -- if you say so, maam. I mean, if you'd like to, of course. [20:33:54] <[Mirr]_Adeline> I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to [20:33:58] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: should I come get you then, the next time they call me? [20:34:10] <[Mirr]_Adeline> Yes, please do [20:34:30] <[Co]_River> I allow you to do so, Adeline, these magi sound like they lack humility. [20:35:44] <[Mirr]_Adeline> I'm glad I have your approval, princess [20:35:49] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: I'm sorry maam, but -- I don't know where to find you when the time comes. [20:37:00] <[Mirr]_Adeline> Then ask some one, we both work in the same place. Certainly some one will be able to find me [20:37:32] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: of course, maam. Should I, ah...should I get back to work, now? [20:38:13] <[Mirr]_Adeline> That's up to the princess, not me [20:38:18] <[grant]_Achel> That's all I have to ask you. [20:39:01] <[Multi]_Theo> servant: thank you, maam. [[She returns to the crowd, an doesn't wait too long before picking up a platter and carrying it off.]] [20:40:12] <[Co]_River> We should visit the place where the magi work, if only so that you can be prepared, Adeline. [20:41:03] <[Mirr]_Adeline> Do those mages even belong to the castle? [20:42:18] <[Mirr]_Adeline> I doubt Theo would let some poor girl be abused like that in his home [20:43:08] <[Co]_River> Perhaps he doesn't know. [20:43:57] <[Co]_River> Or perhaps the magi have liberties like you. [20:46:04] <[Co]_River> Let us pay them a visit to find out what rules they work under. [20:46:25] <[Mirr]_Adeline> Are you saying that I could pick any one of these people and do something terrible to them and no one would care? [20:48:41] <[Co]_River> If I ordered you to do it, perhaps. [20:48:55] <[Co]_River> It would reflect poorly on me though. [20:50:02] <[Mirr]_Adeline> You wouldn't ask me to do something like that, though [20:51:17] <[Co]_River> I have no reason to, but I am not a tyrant of a forced nation. [20:52:05] <[Mirr]_Adeline> I really wish you'd stop saying things like that [20:52:30] <[Co]_River> We will see what the magi will tell us of their work and liberties. Or you could ask your master personally. [20:55:13] <[Mirr]_Adeline> Perhaps we should pay a visit to them [20:55:20] <[Co]_River> Lead the way. [20:55:31] <[Mirr]_Adeline> I don't know where they are! [20:55:48] <[Mirr]_Adeline> I didn't even know we had any mages here! [20:56:02] <[Co]_River> And you claimed you knew this place well. [20:56:07] <[Co]_River> What about you Achel? [20:56:54] <[grant]_Achel> I haven't been here that long. [20:58:12] <[Mirr]_Adeline> So you don't know either? [20:58:42] <[grant]_Achel> No I don't [21:00:21] <[Mirr]_Adeline> !statroll wll [21:00:22] Adeline rolled a 5: 5 x [3 wll] = 15 [21:02:51] <[Multi]_Theo> [[Adeline detects a large concentration of magic on the floor above, a ways away, near the Palace walls.]] [21:05:20] <[Mirr]_Adeline> Hm, I can almost taste them, I bet they think they're entirely safe here. They have no need to mask magic at all [21:05:48] <[Co]_River> "Taste" them? [21:06:33] <[Mirr]_Adeline> The magic! Can't you feel it too? [21:07:16] <[Co]_River> I don't think my magic is attuned in the same way yours are. [21:07:40] <[Mirr]_Adeline> A-any way, they're on a floor above us. Shall we go? [21:08:21] <[Co]_River> If you are confident then lead the way. [21:10:23] * [Mirr]_Adeline leads the princess and Achel up to the second floor and right to the large concentration of magic [21:11:32] <[Multi]_Theo> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~