NotSoSoft S3

[19:02]	<[huh]Rasul>	[Dinner was happening.]
[19:03]	<[huh]Rasul>	[Really, that's about it. GAME START]
[19:04]	* [Gtz]Florence	slips her sunglasses back on, and seems to brighten immediately.
[19:08]	* [kly]May	continues sitting quietly.
[19:09]	* [Pyg]Julius	stands by the master's seat at the head of the table, ready to attend to what need may arise.
[19:10]	* [Gtz]Florence	walks up behind Rasul and starts picking at his appearance, making sure his hair and clothes are straightened out and his food and silverware are all in the right place, that his chair is close enough to the table, etc etc, henpecking. She hums a song all the while.
[19:11]	* [huh]Rasul	is visibly perturbed by this.
[19:13]	<[Gtz]Florence>	Hmm?
[19:13]	* [Gtz]Florence	stops, and once again takes notice of the guest.
[19:14]	<[Gtz]Florence>	Oh! Of course, excuse me.
[19:15]	* [Gtz]Florence	steps back and smiles. Ah, the young master grows up so fast.
[19:20]	* [huh]Nadia	is looking at Rasul.
[19:20]	<[huh]Nadia>	Ah, I see you're still the same as always, huh?
[19:22]	<[huh]Rasul>	Should I not be?
[19:23]	<[huh]Nadia>	Ah, no, but...
[19:26]	<[huh]Nadia>	Power changes people. I had feared that it may have changed you as well.
[19:29]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Lady Nadia?
[19:29]	<[kly]May>	... I believe the food may be getting cold. It would be best to eat now.
[19:29]	* [Atai]Schaliel	smiles slightly.
[19:30]	<[Gtz]Florence>	Mmmhm! Try one of the cookies if you wish, I worked really hard on them.
[19:30]	<[huh]Nadia>	Yes, Scaliel?
[19:30]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Thankee kindly, Miss May. Thou didst speak the words that lay upon my tongue.
[19:32]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	When didst thou say thine eyes were last laid upon ser Rasul?
[19:33]	* [kly]May	returns a crooked smile, and begins to eat her small portion of food.
[19:33]	* [Atai]Schaliel	directs this last at Nadia as she digs in.
[19:37]	* [Gtz]Florence	pulls out her Maid Survival Manual and flips to article #545: How to break Long Silences...
[19:37]	<[huh]Nadia>	Thsat would be... many years ago, at least eighteen.
[19:38]	<[huh]Nadia>	Why do you ask?
[19:39]	* [Gtz]Florence	closes the book and hides it back into her (somewhere), seeing that everyone seems to be enjoying their food and speaking of the master.
[19:41]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	mm... I wondered how much change thou couldst have seen in him at all.
[19:42]	* [huh]Nadia	looks at Schaliel with a hint of malice.
[19:43]	<[huh]Nadia>	We have been separated for long, but my brother and I were very close. You think I would not know if my own flesh and blood has changed?
[19:46]	* [Atai]Schaliel	pauses, and bows her head slightly.
[19:46]	* [huh]Rasul	seems to be keeping out of this.
[19:47]	* [Pyg]Julius	remains at the side of the Emperor's seat, trying to not look bored.
[19:50]	* [Gtz]Florence	is getting kind of hungry herself, but she'll just have to wait until she gets home. And then start cooking all over again... sigh... maybe I'll be able to take home some left-overs...
[19:51]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Cry pardon, Lady Nadia. It were not my intent to slight thee or thine memory.
[19:51]	* [Gtz]Florence	a specific lyric crosses her mind and it takes all of her willpower to keep it to herself
[19:52]	<[huh]Nadia>	It's no problem, as long as you understand our situation.
[19:53]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Oh, I do indeed.
[19:55]	* [Gtz]Florence	pushes it out of her head and pipes in:
[19:55]	<[Gtz]Florence>	Master, how would you like us to treat our guest after dinner?
[19:58]	<[huh]Rasul>	After dinner... I think I should do some catching-up with my sister. If you could show her to my study afterwards?
[20:00]	<[Gtz]Florence>	Certainly.
[20:02]	* [Atai]Schaliel	catches Rasul's eye, asking an unspoken question.
[20:03]	* [huh]Rasul	gives an unspoken answer.
[20:05]	* [Atai]Schaliel	nods, and resumes eating. The meal is quite good.
[20:09]	<[huh]Rasul>	[The meal ends, and Rasul leaves to his Study. Florence goes home to her family, as usual.]
[20:10]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	[how convenient~]
[20:17]	* [huh]Nadia	gets up.
[20:17]	<[huh]Nadia>	Then, since Florence had to leave...
[20:19]	* [huh]Nadia	is left with Schaliel.
[20:19]	<[huh]Nadia>	Could you...?
[20:20]	* [Pyg]Julius	begins his usual routine of patrolling the halls of the estate, ready to spring into action should he sense any disturbance.
[20:21]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Hmm?
[20:21]	* [kly]May	gets up silently to remove the dishes, taking them into the kitchen.
[20:21]	* [Atai]Schaliel	starts slightly, looking up at Nadia.
[20:23]	<[huh]Nadia>	Well, I need someone to show me to my brothers study.
[20:25]	* [Atai]Schaliel	laughs weakly and flicks her forehead.
[20:25]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Thou speakest truth, Lady. Cry terrible pardon; mine head has been filled with many curious ponderings, of late. Of course I shall. Right this way?
[20:26]	* [huh]Nadia	nods, though a bit stiffly.
[20:27]	<[huh]Nadia>	Thank you.
[20:29]	* [kly]May	returns, grabbing another armload of dishes, then disappears into the kitchen again.
[20:29]	* [Atai]Schaliel	leads the way, humming to herself. It's not in the human-audible register, though, so all that's really felt is a strange urge do things to people. Succubi have disturbing children's rhymes.
[20:33]	* [kly]May	gathers the last of the dishes, and sets to work figuring out how best to do this...
[20:33]	* [huh]Nadia	is made visibly uncomfortable by Schaliel's humming, though she can't hear it.
[20:35]	* [Atai]Schaliel	arrives in front of the study, and knocks on the door.
[20:36]	<[huh]Rasul>	[The study door is as ostentatious as everything else in the household]
[20:36]	* [huh]Rasul	opens the door.
[20:36]	<[huh]Rasul>	Oh, you're here. Please come in.
[20:37]	* [Atai]Schaliel	bows her head slightly in acknowledgment, and steps back to allow Nadia to enter.
[20:37]	* [huh]Rasul	talks to Nadia, but casts a glance at Schaliel.
[20:39]	* [huh]Nadia	steps into the study.
[20:40]	* [Atai]Schaliel	follows her in silently and takes up a position by the door.
[20:42]	* [huh]Nadia	gives a glance back at Schaliel, but says nothing that she might think about it.
[20:42]	<[huh]Rasul>	...
[20:43]	* [huh]Rasul	can't really think of anything to say. There's an awkward silence.
[20:44]	<[huh]Rasul>	So...
[20:44]	<[huh]Rasul>	How have you been?
[20:46]	<[huh]Nadia>	I've been... fine, more-or-less. It's been hard getting by, but I've managed it.
[20:46]	<[huh]Nadia>	How about you? I see you seem to have gotten a new sister while I was away.
[20:47]	* [Atai]Schaliel	smiles a little.
[20:48]	<[huh]Nadia>	Which means you've seen mother since she left?
[20:48]	* [huh]Rasul	looks a bit nervous.
[20:48]	<[huh]Rasul>	Yes, we... met... for a time.
[20:53]	<[huh]Nadia>	How was she doing?
[20:53]	<[huh]Rasul>	Well enough. More husbands, more children, standard fare for one of her sort.
[20:54]	<[huh]Nadia>	And this one...?
[20:54]	* [huh]Nadia	looks at Schaliel.
[20:55]	* [Atai]Schaliel	refrains from saying anything. Ohhhh, but she's tempted.
[20:58]	<[huh]Rasul>	That one...
[20:59]	<[huh]Rasul>	She gave Schaliel to me, said that the father couldn't take her.
[20:59]	* [huh]Rasul	lies.
[20:59]	<[huh]Nadia>	Indeed.
[21:01]	* [huh]Rasul	casts around for something to fill another awkward silence.
[21:02]	* [Atai]Schaliel	is trying not to giggle.
[21:06]	<[huh]Rasul>	[A messenger comes again. Someone else is at the door again.]
[21:06]	<[huh]Rasul>	Schaliel, could you...?
[21:09]	* [Atai]Schaliel	already has opened the door.
[21:09]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Yes?
[21:14]	* [huh]Nadia	is standing there. Or at least, someone who looks very much like her, but ragged and tired.
[21:14]	<[huh]Nadia>	Is this... Rasul's...
[21:15]	* [huh]Nadia	collapses.
[21:15]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	...
[21:15]	* [Atai]Schaliel	catches her.
[21:16]	* [Atai]Schaliel	's good humor evaporates in a second, being replaced with confusion, and then more confusion. The dark horse candidate, irritation, takes the lead out of nowhere.
[21:16]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	...Fucking what.
[21:17]	* [Atai]Schaliel	turns slightly, looking back at Rasul.
[21:18]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	...O Brother mine? Hast thou been visiting Mother by means of some fanciful method hitherto unheard of?
[21:19]	* [Atai]Schaliel	's gaze wanders over to Nadia-- the one in the chair --and frowns a little.
[21:19]	* [huh]Nadia	, the one in the chair, looks horrified.
[21:20]	* [huh]Rasul	just looks exceedingly perplexed.
[21:20]	* [huh]Rasul	looks between the two girls.
[21:22]	<[huh]Rasul>	I... I haven't met mother since... so no, it couldn't be.
[21:23]	* [huh]Nadia	flees the room, confused and distressed.
[21:23]	<[huh]Rasul>	Wa-wait!
[21:23]	* [huh]Rasul	hesitates, then runs after her with a curse.
[21:24]	* [huh]Rasul	gives a shout from the hall a few seconds later.
[21:25]	* [Atai]Schaliel	sighs a little to herself in the empty room, puffing one cheek out. She turns to glare at the unconscious girl in her arms.
[21:25]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	...An this turns into a dramatic moment upon yonder rooftop where mine brother must choose to slay one and spare the other, for one of these girls is but the dastardly twin, and the other be Nadia in truth... Kindly reveal thy identity now and bestow not such a headache upon this house.
[21:27]	* [Atai]Schaliel	waits for a response, but gets none. Damned inconsiderate child/clone/twin/simulacrum/doppleganger.
[21:28]	* [Atai]Schaliel	sighs, and teleports into one of the guest bedrooms, and sets the girl in bed.
[21:28]	* [Atai]Schaliel	tucks her in, patting her head gently.
[21:33]	* [Atai]Schaliel	looks around, takes note of which bedroom this is, and teleports out, leaving behind the girl and a brief scent of ash.
[21:34]	* [huh]Rasul	seems to be wrestling down the other Nadia as you appear. It seems that way until you notice the knife in her hand.
[21:37]	* [Atai]Schaliel	sighs, and moves forward, stepping down firmly on the wrist of the hand that bears the knife, putting more weight on it until she drops it.
[21:38]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Children, wert thou not instructed to play nicely?
[21:38]	* [huh]Not_Nadia	struggles, but can't free herself from Schaliel's vice-like grip.
[21:38]	* [Atai]Schaliel	looks calmly at Rasul.
[21:39]	<[huh]Not_Nadia>	[footgrip, then]
[21:40]	<[huh]Not_Nadia>	Damnit!
[21:40]	* [Pyg]Julius	only now notices an unusual commotion. He takes off to where he thinks it's originating from.
[21:40]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	...Brother mine, kindly enlighten me as to what thee and she are doing, sporting roughly so?
[21:41]	<[huh]Rasul>	Apparently, she's an assassin.
[21:41]	* [Atai]Schaliel	picks up the dropped knife and examines it.
[21:42]	* [huh]Rasul	straightens up, and looks down on his assailant.
[21:42]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	It would seem so.
[21:42]	* [Pyg]Julius	arrives at the scene to a most perplexing sight.
[21:43]	<[huh]Not_Nadia>	[The knife looks almost ceremonial, with a carved ivory hilt, the blade gilded with silver and carved with runes.]
[21:46]	<[huh]Rasul>	Julius, could you fetch something to tie her up with? This isn't my sister, after all.
[21:48]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	...Ah, good evening, sir Julius. It wouldst ease mine heart and that of my brother, once thou hast procured bindings, were you to see to the... other Lady Nadia in the second safe room? She may yet slumber still, or be another assassin. Do take care.
[21:49]	<[Pyg]Julius>	Hmm, very well.
[21:50]	* [Pyg]Julius	turns around and heads off to fetch some rope.
[21:50]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Thankee kindly~
[21:52]	* [Pyg]Julius	returns after a few moments with a rope of decent length.
[21:53]	* [huh]Rasul	himself secures her firmly.
[21:53]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Splendid! Thankee once more, master Julius.
[21:53]	* [huh]Not_Nadia	just glares.
[21:53]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Hast thou the key to Safe Room number two?
[21:54]	<[Pyg]Julius>	I believe so.
[21:55]	* [Pyg]Julius	checks his pockets, and withdraws a key ring. He quickly glances them over. Yes, there it is!
[21:56]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Very well. Please exercise great caution. We know little of either 'sister.'
[21:56]	<[huh]Rasul>	Keep her there, but don't damage her too much... yet. There'll be time more for that if she doesn't tell us what we want to know.
[21:58]	<[Pyg]Julius>	As you wish.
[21:58]	* [Pyg]Julius	bows to his master, before turning and leaving for the second saferoom.
[22:00]	* [Atai]Schaliel	turns back to the restrained girl, and begins to frisk her and empty out her pockets. Thoroughly. A little too thoroughly. poke, poke, rub.
[22:02]	* [huh]Not_Nadia	seems none too pleased with Schaliel's invasive searching, but can't do anything about it. She grits her teeth.
[22:05]	* [Pyg]Julius	arrives at the safe room and takes the key to unlock the door.
[22:06]	<[huh]Not_Nadia>	[her pockets turn up nothing except a pocketwatch. Nothing suspicious]
[22:08]	* [Atai]Schaliel	pockets the pocketwatch. Her hand seems to remain in her skirt's pocket a moment too long, and a tiny puff of ash rises from it, which she flicks away.
[22:09]	* [kly]May	,by this point, has given the dishes a quick rinse/dry and stashed them in one of the unfilled cupboards. No sense doing a shoddy job when you can have someone else do a better one latter, is there? Then, she begins her rounds, checking for things out of place. The cellar is first.
[22:10]	* [Pyg]Julius	enters the room as quietly as he can.
[22:10]	<[huh]Rasul>	Then, Schaliel, would you mind helping me question this dear sister of ours?
[22:11]	* [Atai]Schaliel	claps her hands together and smiles brightly.
[22:12]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	Why brother mine, I wouldst love nothing better! Shall we take her somewhere private, first?
[22:12]	<[huh]Rasul>	Of course, of course. Such matters should definitely be kept... in the family.
[22:13]	* [Atai]Schaliel	grins again. Nobody should look this delighted.
[22:13]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	At once~
[22:17]	* [huh]Rasul	with the help of his sister, brings the assassin to his personal quartes.
[22:19]	* [Atai]Schaliel	takes Rasul's hand in hers, and settles onto Not-Nadia's lap, and taps a finger onto her forehead.
[22:19]	<[Atai]Schaliel>	whoosh!
[22:20]	* [Atai]Schaliel	The three disappear in a cloud of ash.
[22:20]	* [Atai]Schaliel	Chapter IV: The Interrogation
[22:21]	* [Atai]Schaliel	Now Loading {[ | | | ] }
[22:22]	* [kly]May	continues her rounds, up to the ground floor. Then to the first. Hmm, what's that smell? And why is this rug out of place? No matter.
[22:28]	* [Atai]Schaliel	hops off of Not-Nadia's lap, and gets a fire going. A big, warm, fire. Hot, even. It's not a fast process. Or it wouldn't be were she not of demonic blood. Things are all too eager to light themselves on fire, if you know how to ask them right. As the fire starts to build, she takes the poker and a kettle of coals and sets them in and above the fire, respectively. Preparations, preparations~!
[22:36]	* [huh]Rasul	is busy getting some other supplies. Needles, candles, my, it's been so long...
[22:38]	* [huh]Not_Nadia	is simply watching. Sweat begins to show on her brow, and it doesn't seem like just from the heat.