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Post by PFA on Jul 1, 2014 18:50:02 GMT -5
Joffery was more and more appalled as the man kept talking. He was accusing the nobles of not caring! Of never doing anything for the peasants! That was a lie. House Jade was always looking out for the peasants! "That is an insult to House Jade and everything it stands for!" he proclaimed, gesturing overenthusiastically toward the man with his mug. "Why I oughta... oughta... no! I don't oughta, because House Jade is better than that." He nodded confidently. "We don't just arrest people for no reason! That's... that's improper!" He downed the rest of his mug, tossing it aside. Were he more sober, it might have occurred to him that he would likely hit someone with that mug, but as it was, he didn't think too hard on it. He took a shaky step forward, pointing to the old man. "You know what," he decided, "if I get to be King, I'm going to be the best, most... considerate to peasants King Kyth has ever—" "BAAAAAAAAAAAAH.""Whoa!" Joffery was startled by the goat's bleating, and combined with his exaggerated gesturing, this caused him to toppled over, landing in the old man's arms. Again, had he been more sober, he might have been embarrassed, but as it was, he started to laugh. "That's funny! I thought I heard a goat!" He looked up blearily, finally noticing the people the man was keeping company with. Joffery's smile broadened. Girls! How perfect, there were girls here. Once more, if he had been more sober, he might have realized that one of them was the same maid-maybe-assassin who had stolen his cape, but right now, he could hardly see straight. "Hello, ladies," he waved to them drunkenly. Yep, even drunk out of his mind, he was still devilishly handsome, he told himself. Joffery protests Alain's ( Celestial) protests, tosses his mug aside (and may or may not hit someone in doing so), then is startled by Demongoat ( Liou) and topples over drunkenly into Alain's arms. He then notices that Alain was keeping company with girls (Millian ( icon), Ginz ❤, Liou) and waves to them, convinced that he's still a charmer even when stupidly drunk.
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Post by Elcie on Jul 1, 2014 19:15:03 GMT -5
For a long moment Xavier couldn’t speak. It still did not really seem believable. But Leif, surprisingly, did not seem to have any doubt about it. As if enslaving him was not even an option - had never been an option. Xavier could tell that Leif really believed this. “You wouldn’t be here if not,” Leif said frankly. “If we needed servants, we would hire servants. Angry as he was, I’m sure Lord Everett knew you would make a valuable recruit, so...here you are.” Xavier’s breathing started to come a little more easily, as if something was unknotting in his chest. He was still staring at Leif, searching his face warily. Valuable recruit - Xavier knew he was valuable, but this was something quite different, something he didn’t really know how to handle. To be worth something, in more than monetary value… Part of him was still waiting for Leif to take it all back, say it was a mistake. On the contrary, he seemed… almost guilty. “I’m sorry this happened. This should have been handled properly, someone - I - ought to have looked into it earlier… We haven’t been at our best lately. As you can see.” Xavier’s breath caught. For some reason it was the quiet sincerity of Leif’s apology that hit home. He meant it. He really meant it. Xavier stared at him for another moment, trying to find the words. “So I’m really… I don’t have to--” He gulped, looking away from Leif as his eyes unexpectedly filled with tears of relief. “Sorry,” he whispered shakily, hunching up on the bench and and wiping at his eyes and, when the tears didn’t stop, hiding his face entirely. His whole body seemed to have gone weak and shaky with the realization, as if he’d been physically hit by it. He was still free. He was a ward of House Jade… it was going to take a little longer to fully wrap his mind around that part, the sudden and extreme change in his status, but that was all right. He was free.---- Ilsa watched the struggle between the locksmith and keymaker with some amusement. "You wouldn't be the first to punch him, Rosie," she remarked. She was about to say that she wouldn't blame Rosie for doing so, but then remembered what had happened the last time a woman punched Kelcey. Amnesiac Kelcey was... even more annoying than usual. And if he lost his memory again, he might forget that he owed Ilsa money. No, that wouldn't do. "I wouldn't throw that in here, by the way," she added, looking with some concern at Rosie's key. "I've had enough trauma to my furniture for one week, thank you." Morgaine seemed to have it all under control but all the same."Look on the bright side, though," Ilsa said to Aines. "With the way tonight seems to be going, the fighting might not even be his fault. Mostly." ...She hoped Xavier didn't get caught in that drunken brawling. Maybe she should go to the Quill to look for him - normally she would never have expected to find him there, but then she wouldn't have expected to find him with the Jades either. But if he was still with them, that probably wasn't a likely place either. Ilsa frowned. She was fairly sure she knew the location of the manor they kept in Medieville. Ordinarily, marching unannounced up to a noble manor was a bad idea, but... it was a bad idea she was just starting to consider. Tiger finally convinces Xavier that he's not a slave. Xavier promptly bursts into tears. Meanwhile, back at the King's Arms, Ilsa hopes Rosalie Dylas (Maddy) will not start throwing keys indoors, and despite the amusing distraction offered by Rosie, Morgaine ( Shinko) and icon is still worried about Xavier, and considering paying an uninvited visit to the Jades to find out what's going on.
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Post by Coaster on Jul 1, 2014 19:31:55 GMT -5
Finally locating the manor, Kaldora was ushered inside by a butler at the door. Thankfully, he didn't seem to take issue with her bringing a cat indoors--not that Duskglimmer would have been too rowdy anyways, given that he had spent the feast wandering around town according to his whim, and by this point, he was content to sleep in Kaldora's bag. Less fortunately, as she was an outsider to House Jade at this point, she was denied entry to the prison where the interrogation was taking place, so she had to make due with whatever echoes could be heard from the adjacent chamber. "I just wonder how you can have so much confidence in this heir of yours," came a masculine voice after a long pause. She had her suspicions which rumours that could have linked to, but it would have been nice to be there for the reveal, or at least to have a little context. As a servant was leaving with an empty plate of food, another voice from inside the room blurted, "You’re from Courdon - I should have recognized it earlier!"Kaldora checked the source of the voice--Leif was there with a somewhat troubled expression on his face, sitting on a bench by the boy who stood by Everett at the feast, who was starting to look slightly more comfortable. They continued quietly as Kaldora listened from the threshold, ending with a final commment from Leif: “I’m sorry this happened. This should have been handled properly, someone - I - ought to have looked into it earlier… We haven’t been at our best lately. As you can see.” Xavier then promptly burst into tears. At least that explains the tension at the feast, Kaldora thought to herself. Of course, she still felt no immediate desire to reveal her true nature to them, especially since all they had exchanged was pleasant table conversation... but perhaps they would take it better than the last family, especially considering their apparent distaste for Courdon. From that point, the guards and a pair of nobles who might have been related to the Jades' mage girl filtered out of the prison and into the room where the rest were gathered; presumably, the interrogation was over. Kaldora bowed low and took the opportunity to ask, "Pardon me if I'm intruding on Jade business; the man at the door escorted me here and mentioned something about 'the next steps'." *** "Oh it just so happens that this guy says he's the Prince of Courdon," announched the lesh finely-dreshed of the fellowsh ash he got up and left Anchel and Mr. Kishy-Faced Courdon Prinche at the table. "Well then, shpit it out! Whashup in th' old 'Pit of a plache?" Ancel queried ash a few more blokesh came into the Dragon'sh Whatever. ...Wait! That'sh no blo--*hic!* bloke, that'sh a... "...shome short of *hic!*--uck-occultey creature!" Ancel's drawl eshcalated to a shout ash he drew hish shword halfway out at the... at the gargley, and pounched into action, and why was the floor moving so fasht-- He dishcovered why ash hish former poshterior shpot clattered to the floor, leaving Anchel with another bruishe on hish noggin. At leasht his shword was out now! The evil thingurmywut'd shee hish wrath forthwhuh--forsh--right now! He hoishted himshelf up ushing the nearesht patron'sh fanchy cloak and took hish shword the resht of the way out, shtaggering toward the thing and--leaping? Nuh, mayb--*hic!* droppin' again--whatever, he hit thish evil heathen rocky bat what good, but not with the pointy end, shinche some ribbon-lookin' dangler from the thatch roof cottage done shtole the blade part, so Anchel actually hit the big gargley rock wi' hish fisht, and ow, that hurtsh worshe than the floor. Anchel shcrambled around, shouting, "Gi'mme back my shword, *hic!* foul roof shprite, an' le'mme evischeru--evriptury--shlay thish dang demon bat!" Kaldora comes to House Jade, hears a bit of the Xavier/Leif ( Tiger and Elcie) conversation and the interrogation by Charles ( PFA); as the interrogation group comes into the adjacent room, Kaldora apologizes for overhearing sensitive House information (as at this point she hasn't been initiated) and asks about "the next steps" (presumably in recruitment). Meanwhile, Ancel has a spectacular failure in the bar involving Jorcey ( Avery), Babewyn ( Lizica), someone's fancy cloak, and Demongoat ( Liou). The latter has a sword; you should be afraid.
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Post by Celestial on Jul 1, 2014 19:51:47 GMT -5
Alain had seen many things in his life. He had seen drunken mermaids off the Albion coast. He had heard leaps of logic that would make a normal man's head spin, such as whether the price of Courdonian papyrus directly affects the growth of Bern crops. He was a fifty-five year old head of one of the most powerful houses in Kyth, who had served the king through all his ups and downs loyally and faithfully. What he had never experienced was somebody insulting him by complimenting his house. Not even Everett was capable of such a leap of logic. But here was the thief maid, talking about her admiration for his house, about his son...it was almost like she was trying too hard. Fishing for a reaction. Could she have known who she was? No, there was no recognition in her eyes...so she was sincere. Alain was not sure what possibility disturbed him more. He simply listened to her...rant, for lack of a better word, with a raised eyebrow, all while trying not to smirk. He wondered what the girl would do if she knew who he really was- "Actually, I'm sure you would do well to follow the man who is the source of the grace itself. His High Grace. Yes, if you dressed like him, fixed your hair, carried a beautiful, long, sturdy cane like his, then you might obtain... one twentieth of his radiance." Ah. Alain backed away a step as the girl flailed on the table in front of him, describing him in such...poetic terms. Either she was an amazing actress trying to catch him out or she really was that insane. Of course, he did feel the obligatory sense of pride at such compliments but it was just a touch creepy to be described in such an ecstatic way by a girl who was young enough to be his daughter, or even granddaughter. "Give up your dreams, girl, he's already got a wife. Where did you think your precious Garrick came from?" he remarked, smirking. There was no point arguing with this lunatic. He doubted she would provide him with any useful information either. The comment about the alley seemed...oddly specific. "Thank you for your...speech, miss," he smiled. "But you cannot sway me, my mind is made up. Go pay your compliments to the Stallions if you value them so much. For now, I best-" Joffery broke him off. Alain turned to face the young nobleman just as there was a crash from the rooftops. He could have sworn he heard the bleating of a goat. Whatever it was, Joffery heard it and, combined with his earlier gesticulating, he lost is balance and fell, thankfully into Alain's arms. He gripped him tightly, making sure that he did not hit the ale-and-Woo-knows-what-else soaked straw that lay on the floor of the inn and sat him onto a stool nearby, trying to make it look like he had just shoved him off. Joffery, however, was thoroughly distracted by other things...namely, the three young ladies Alain had been talking to. Poor boy was going to have the mother of all hangovers when he sobered up tomorrow. Oh he wished Everett was here to see his son make such an idiot of himself. The things he would say to further drive in the thrown. But right now, Alain had bigger problems. He looked around the inn. A drunken man was trying to fight what looked like a...goat...or a piece of stone, or both on the roof. The goatherd prince and another noble were trying to kiss. In between this, the thief maid with her...obsession with his House, the drunken Joffery and the three arguing girls, it was clear that he was not getting anywhere. Whoever needed to hear what he was saying would have heard it by now. "It has been an...interesting conversation. Enjoy the rest of your evening," he grinned and pushed away his ale as he got up and, pulling his hood over his head, left the Dragon's Quill and turned towards the Merchant's quarter. He needed to find an Inn to stay in for the duration of his investigation. However, as he walked through the relatively empty streets, he noticed two women talking in hushed tones. That was odd. Most people standing around in the streets at this time of night in the Merchant's quarter did not talk in hushed tones. Alain smiled. This was worth investigating. Carefully, on soft treads, he walked closer to them. "...I gave Clare a story, about Elin maybe drinking too much and being lost in a pub-- but I know that's not is, Rissa, I just know. Someone has her. Someone bad."Well...this was definitely promising. "Excuse me," he coughed. "Are you alright, ladies? Sorry, couldn't help but overhear. Your friend gone missing? Are you sure she just isn't in some pub? One back there's got some pretty nasty customers and is busy as anythin'," he pointed back in the direction of the Dragon's Quill. "It's scary, there's always young ladies disappearing. Especially with these strangers around in town. Who knows what they'd do?" Alain is surprised, flattered and disturbed by Laurie's( Liou) very colourful descriptions of House Stallion, his son and him. He feels slightly proud but nevertheless slowly backs away, thinking she is too insane to give him any good information. He formulates a reply but Joffery( PFA) interrupts him and takes a swan dive into his arms. Realising that it was unlikely he would get any good information here, Alain says goodbye to Millian( icon), Corinne( Ginz ❤) and everyone else he had been talking to. Walking down the street, he overhears Clarissa( Layla "Nimbus" Karimi) and Briar( Avery) talking about Elin and offers his two cents on the matter.
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Post by Layla "Nimbus" Karimi on Jul 1, 2014 22:49:55 GMT -5
" What if someone's got her, Rissa? What if they know? I... I don't even know where to look for, I gave Clare a story, about Elin maybe drinking too much and being lost in a pub-- but I know that's not it, Rissa, I just know. Someone has her. Someone bad." Clarissa took a deep breath and tried to keep herself from shuddering at Briar's explanation. It was exactly as she'd feared -- something had happened to one of her fellow Shadows. She knew that rumors about the group had begun swirling around, and they tended to be... unflattering, to say the least. If one of the Houses had found Elin out -- worse, if they'd forced information from her and found out about an heir... They had to find Elin before something terrible happened to her. " Excuse me." Someone coughed behind her. Clarissa turned to see an aging man approaching them. " Are you alright, ladies? Sorry, couldn't help but overhear. Your friend gone missing? Are you sure she just isn't in some pub? One back there's got some pretty nasty customers and is busy as anythin'," the man continued as he pointed toward the Dragon's Quill. " It's scary, there's always young ladies disappearing. Especially with these strangers around in town. Who knows what they'd do?" Clarissa regarded the man carefully, mindful to keep her expression from betraying anything other than concern for her friend. He seemed innocent enough, but with everything going on and especially with Elin's disappearance, she could not simply be blindly trustful of strangers. "It's the strangers we're worried about, sir," she replied. "Our friend is too careful to let herself get caught up in rowdy taverns, but with all the travelers around, some unsavory sort could have taken advantage of the chaos to hurt her." No need to lie; she simply had to avoid the specifics and the old man should naturally assume that she was referring to common thieves and thugs. Clarissa is shaken by Briar's ( Avery) explanation that Elin has gone missing, and fears for both her and the Shadows if one of the Houses has indeed captured her. When an aging man (disguised Alain aka Celestial), greets the two girls, Clarissa is on guard about the stranger and gives him an explanation that makes it sound like they're worried that Elin was kidnapped by a common criminal.
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Post by Zylaa on Jul 1, 2014 23:21:34 GMT -5
"*hic* You must be swift as a coursing ri-iver! "With all the force of a great typhoo-oon! "With all the strength of a raging fi-ire! "Mysterious as the dark side of the mooooooooooooooooon!" Ruth loved this inn. She loved these new friends in the inn, who were teaching her such wonderful songs. She loved this ale. There had been a lot of ale. And there had been a lot of food at the feast, a significant percentage of which Ruth had eaten. Every now and then, Ruth would get concerned that the Jades weren't there. And that she wasn't entirely sure how to get back to that manor from here. But then she remembered that this city was full of lovely people who were happy to help her with anything! Like drinking. And learning new songs. "Friend!" Everyone was "friend" now. "Friend, what was that one about having no worries for the rest of your days? Let's do that one again!" It was a good night. HAKUNA MATATA! WHAT A WONDERFUL PHRAAAAASE! HAKUNA MATATA! AIN'T NO PASSIN' CRAAAAAZE!
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Post by Avery on Jul 1, 2014 23:33:14 GMT -5
His true love didn't accept his kiss. There Joram of Courdon had gone, putting it all on the line and then-- his lips had met air. Not luscious pillows, those supple pillows, but air, and he'd nearly fallen, and this made Joram VERY ANGRY! He let out a surprised squeak, then realized a Courdoninan slave lord would never squeak, and so deftly converted it into an enraged grunt. This-- how dare this peasant treat him like this! True, his new lover was sexy, but Joram needed more than that. He realized this with a sudden clarity, the sort of clarity only twelve gauntlets of wine will get a man. He needed passion! He needed... reciprocity! He needed kisses that were kisses and not air licks! He turned indignantly away from his true love, deciding the man wasn't his true love at all, and that men were just as selfish lovers as women, oh yes, perhaps even worse, on account of their scruffy facial hair that would have made for itchy making out anyway. Things were better this way, really, Joram decided. By being refused, his ex-love had spared him the pain of facial itch! As he guzzled a tankard of ale that had somehow found its way into his hands by way of him stealing it from a random peasant, Joram considered what to do next. No more men, that was for sure. But women. Hmm. The more he drank, the more his earlier vow to be done with women forever seemed less... important. Women were great! With their hair and creamy skin and ample bosoms! "PEASANTS!" he slurred loudly. "WOMEN PEASANTS SHPECIFICALLY! I am Joram, prince of Courdon, and I need a lover! Don't you wanna be my LOVER!?" He pointed wildly at a random woman in the crowd. "But just don't get with my friends." He giggled. "We'll make it last forever, our friendship will NEVER END!" And then Joram waited eagerly for the women to throw themselves at him, because surely they would. He'd have the pick of the litter soon, oh yes! Joram of Courdon was absolutely thrilled.** Clarissa hadn't even a chance to respond to Briar before an elderly man limped onto the scene. A stranger-- and yet not: Briar was good with faces, and although she didn't know this newcomer personally, she was sure she'd seen him somewhere before. But where!? She racked her mind as Clarissa explained to him their predicament, though of course leaving out the depth of their worry, why they were so concerned. After Clarissa had spoken, Briar quickly added, "We thank you for your concern, sir, but we best be on our way. Have a good night." She leaned in and whispered into Clarissa's ear, "Let's go. I don't trust this man." Where did she know him from?Joram is aghast when Davorin ( Draco) doesn't kiss him back! He swears off men and goes back to women. He announces to the tavern his name and title and asks who wants to be his lover!? Meanwhile, Briar is unnerved by the disguised Alain ( Celestial). She knows she knows him from somewhere, but can't remember where. She thanks him for his concern but says she and Clarissa ( Layla "Nimbus" Karimi) must be going.
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Post by Birdy on Jul 2, 2014 0:09:58 GMT -5
After the lovely conversation he had held with his brothers at the feast, Arthur had pretty much spent the rest of it in the same position: arms on the table, head in the arms. (Occasionally, he would glance up and around the room to see what all was going on, but none of it caught his interest, so back in his arms his face went. Not even the food could hold his attention for long. ) Eventually, the feast had wound down, and Arthur was more than glad to join the throng of peasants leaving. After finally finding his way through the mob and down the pathway from the Keep, Arthur just followed the crowd into town. (It wasn’t like he had anything better to do. ) Some of the crowd eventually reached the Dragon’s Quill – but Arthur took one look at the crowd, muttered a “nope”, and turned around and went the other direction. He wandered the streets, mostly, not really headed in any particular direction. But then, however, he heard a couple of familiar voices, and paused. Peaking around the corner of the alley, he saw Briar Kidde and Clarissa Falconer talking. He couldn’t hear everything they were saying, but was close enough to catch snatches of the hushed conversation. “...Elin maybe drinking … lost in a pub…”Arthur frowned. That certainly didn’t sound like Elin at all. And what was she say now? Something about someone bad having Elin? …He should help. He didn’t know where Elin was – and it appeared that they didn’t either. The more sets of eyes looking, the faster they could find Elin. But just as he was about to step out of the alley, a new figure approached. Stiffening, Arthur ducked back into the shadows. "Excuse me," he coughed. "Are you alright, ladies? Sorry, couldn't help but overhear. Your friend gone missing? Are you sure she just isn't in some pub? One back there's got some pretty nasty customers and is busy as anythin'," he pointed back in the direction of the Dragon's Quill. "It's scary, there's always young ladies disappearing. Especially with these strangers around in town. Who knows what they'd do?"Arthur scowled. For all this old man’s talk of safety for young women, here he was doing the very thing he was warning them of. Well, he wasn’t going to stand for that. "It's the strangers we're worried about, sir," Clarissa replied. "Our friend is too careful to let herself get caught up in rowdy taverns, but with all the travelers around, some unsavory sort could have taken advantage of the chaos to hurt her."Arthur froze. No… No. Something couldn’t have happened to Elin… she had to be okay. “We thank you for your concern, sir,” Briar was adding, “but we best be on our way. Have a good night.”It was now or never. “Perhaps I could ask you the same question,” he said, stepping out of the alley and over to the possibly-creepy old man. “For all your talk of strangers in town and ladies disappearing, you’ve got a lot of nerve approaching two young women on the street.” He crossed his arms and glared at the old man. (Something about him seemed a bit off-putting – aside from the creepy-possible-stalking – but Arthur couldn’t quite place what. ) “So?” Arthur pressed. “Just what exactly are you hoping to accomplish here?” Arthur leaves the feast once it's over. He gets caught up in the crowd, and finds himself outside the Dragon's Quill. However, upon seeing the crowd, he nopes his way right out of there and goes elsewhere. He happens upon Briar ( Avery) and Clarissa ( Layla "Nimbus" Karimi), but before he can approach them, some old guy ( Celestial) starts talking about Stranger Danger and young women going missing. Not about to let a potential threat to his friends pass by unchallenged, Arthur asks the guy what he wants.
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Post by Ginz ❤ on Jul 2, 2014 0:22:26 GMT -5
Corinne was outraged at the poet girl’s reply. Stallion had done so much for her! They had bought her wine, welcomed her into their manor, and gotten her into events alongside the nobility. They had earned her loyalty (though, just between us, it had mostly been thanks to the alcohol.) She wanted to say something in response, but she got caught off guard as another girl flung her arms around her and embraced her. "You... you understand!" she gasped "You understand us! Long live the dancing king! I knew I would find someone sensible!"Corinne awkwardly hugged her back, but once she pulled apart and got a better look at her, she realized she had seen her before. Her mind flashed back to the King’s funeral a few days ago, when a mysterious girl had warned her that she would be watching her. She had only gotten a glance at her before she disappeared into the crowd, but she had the feeling it was the same person. Corinne tensed up. The old man was agreeing with the poet girl about the noble houses, but she was no longer in the mood to argue. The girl was still clinging to her. Corinne wondered if she was in trouble, although she didn’t know what for. "A winery? Pfft. Why would she be a drinker of liquors? She's... she's just celebrating like the rest of us!"Corinne was grateful she was defending her. Whoever the mysterious girl was, she was acting like a friend today. Perhaps she had no reason to worry, Corinne thought. Her easiness lasted all of five seconds, before Laurie wrapped her arms around her again and pulled her close. "This gent is totally shady. You hang out with the Stallions, don't you? Could you please tell them about this guy, what he looks like? Just to be safe? Oh, and please make sure that King Garrick's precious feet get all the massages they need after all this excitement and effort, and the rest of him too, but don't touch any part of him or I will cut you."Corinne nodded. The girl intimidated her, but there was truth in her words. She should probably warn the Stallions at the first chance she got. If she remembered this conversation at all tomorrow, that is. But right now, she had other things to worry about. Prince Joffery had come over to their table, pretty much the same way Corinne had, to defend his own house. But now that the discussion was over, he was addressing them in a pretty friendly manner. "Hello, ladies."Corinne hesitated for a moment. Prince Joffery was a member of House Jade. Should she be talking to him? Did that count as fraternizing with the enemy? She shook those thoughts off her head. She knew she owed the Stallions, but she was being silly. After all, as long as Destiney chose Garrick, why shouldn’t she, Fate, find her own prince too? “Hello,” she said, flashing the nicest smile she could, given her state. Corinne is outraged at Millian's and Undercover!Alain's opinions about the noble houses, but before she can respond to them, she is hugged by Laurie. She recognizes her as the girl who warned her at King Starmey's funeral and gets uneasy, even though she seems quite friendly tonight. Prince Joffery ( PFA) engages them in conversation, and after a moment of consideration, Corinne decides there's no harm in talking to the Jade suitor, who could very well even become Fate's/her own prince charming.
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Post by Lizica on Jul 2, 2014 1:06:52 GMT -5
The singing nobleman seemed to take Babewyn's song suggestion rather well. Which was good, Aldrich thought. But in the back of his exhausted mind, he knew they needed to leave. It would only be a matter of time before he and his gargoyle accidentally sparked mass chaos in the tavern. Somehow. However irrationally. Aldrich never knew how. But it always happened. The Dragon's Quill, however, seemed to have absolutely no problem with creating its own madness. People were singing, screaming, swinging, flailing, flopping on tables, flopping on other patrons-- "Um, about wrapping up the meal you ordered," said Juan, and Aldrich turned back to the bartender. "It's, ah, on the house." "Really? Are you sure?" Aldrich said, pleasantly surprised at Juan's generosity in spite of the horrible state of his tavern's-- "No, I mean, it's up on the house," Juan continued, white-faced and pointing behind Aldrich. "What do you--" Aldrich began, turning. "--oh DEAR 'WOO." Dangling through the tavern's ceiling was what might have been his stone sculpture goat called Rondel, except this thing had a feathery hat on its staring head--which was spinning around and around, and there was a dark vortex surrounding it that swept up dishes and full tankards alike. "Ba-Babewyn," Aldrich sputtered, urgently grabbing the gargoyle's shoulder and pointing. Babewyn had been watching a group at the back of the tavern with great interest, but she too turned and looked up. "...Well," she said. "That is a bit weirder than just the long tongue, isn't it?" "E-exactly!" Aldrich stood. "What do we do? How can we get him down?" "Personally, I'd wait until he's a little less of--" The end of her sentence was cut off by a crash of furniture on the floor and a yell. "...shome short of *hic!*--uck-occultey creature!"Babewyn laughed and spun back to Aldrich. "Ha! Did you see that? It's about time some furniture got knocked over in here. I'm surprised we don't already have an entire heap of drunks on the floor all piled up on top of each other--" "Babewyn..." Aldrich said warily, watching as the man who had yelled (was it the same wet man from that feast crowd?) grabbed a patron by the cloak and haphazardly grappled himself to his feet. What was he doing? Was he coming this way? Oh 'Woo, he was drawing a sword-- In swift succession, Aldrich seized Babewyn by the wing and yanked her out of the way; the man hefted his sword; yet it flew from his grasp towards the freakish vortex surrounding Rondel; and then the tipsy man nevertheless made a lunging, lurching leap after Aldrich and Babewyn--culminating in him bopping the gargoyle on the beak with a heavy fist and finally crumpling to the floor in what appeared to be a very painful landing. Still clenched onto Babewyn's wing, Aldrich looked the man over, in deeply shaken panic. "I-I'm sorry, sir, but--" "Gi'mme back my shword, *hic!* foul roof shprite, an' le'mme evischeru--" the man slurred, now scrambling to his feet and redirecting his fury to the goat sculpture in the ceiling, "--evriptury--shlay thish dang demon bat!"Babewyn, still grinning, rubbed her unharmed beak with her foreleg that was missing the paw. "That was fun, wasn't it?" she said to Aldrich. He stared at her. "I'm fine," she said, and pointed to the ceiling goat. "And Rondel is, too, see?" "I-I'm not sure if him wielding another man's sword is really...uh. When that man tried to--... ... 'Fine' is just not the phrase I would use." "Okay, I don't know what's up with Rondel, but he looks like he's having a great time up there!" "Well, I'm not. L-let's get him down before that drunken man reaches him or Rondel does something worse. If he's somehow in the ceiling, maybe we can pull him out through the roof outside." "I think you just want to leave the bar--and just when things were getting exciting." "Of course I want to leave! We just--we were just--" "Oh, calm down. I'll go out and see what I can do." Aldrich wants to leave the tavern before things get more chaotic. Then Demongoat ( Liou) steals his food and causes a scene. Then Ancel ( Coaster) drunkenly tries to attack Babewyn, his plan foiled by aforementioned drunkenness and by Demongoat. Aldrich wants to leave the tavern before things get more chaotic. He and Babewyn are going to try to pull Demongoat out through the roof to get the goat out of the tavern. What could go wrong?
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Post by icon on Jul 2, 2014 1:31:53 GMT -5
Aines listened in growing dismay as Ilsa and Morgaine confirmed that Kelcey Kidde was nowhere to be found. Clearly Operation: Get Destiney to Calm Down was going off the rails. Kelcey was lost somewhere around Medieville, hammered out of his mind, wearing finery from the Keep which cost more than he could have earned in his entire life. "And he still owes me money," Ilsa commented as if to continue Aines's train of thought. "Tell him that if you find him, won't you?""I guarantee that I will," Aines said as he turned to face the innkeeper once more. "That boy may be a fool, but a squanderer is a title which quite frankly his reputation can't afford. He can't afford to be poor and dishonest at the same time, for his own sake." Morgaine offered another suggestion. "If he's not at his own home, you might check Juan's place, the Dragon's Quill. That's where most of Medieville seems to be tonight."Of course. Of course the boy would go to the rowdiest tavern in town, with the hope of chasing after the next person he could lay eyes upon. Aines tried to fold his wings over his face in exasperation. "You know what? No. Nope. Nuh-uh. I have not slept in over twenty-four hours. You have a problem with Kelcey, you can report it to the Keep's guards. I don't have the time to waste on him anymore." And thus barely grasping onto his lucidity by only a fine, fine line, Aines of Ascension exited the King's Arms and flew off to get some rest. ** And all of a sudden, Millian Penstrokes's night seemed to get so much worse. Sure, that old dude agreed with her, but then, all of a sudden, the other drunk girl started yelling at her even more! And then another girl came up and started giving her a weird look! And then another man came up and started - gasp - flirting with them! This was too much for her to handle. If the Houses had just gone and appreciated her writing, but nooooo, they were too good for the likes of her! Before she could respond to any of the commotion, however, she heard another noise coming from above her. She looked up... and okay, that was a goat on the ceiling. That was a goat on the ceiling.Clearly, Millian thought, I am too drunk for this. She was about to raise this point as a rather compelling argument in her favor when a loud noise emanated from the other side of the bar. She took the opportunity to leave as unobtrusively as she could. Aines and Millian are respectively done with putting up with anybody's crap. The former is tired of Kelcey, and so decides to leave the King's Arms (abandoning conversation with Ilsa ( Elcie) and Morgaine ( Shinko)). The latter doesn't feel like arguing about houses with anyone at all (including Alain ( Celestial), Corinne ( Ginz ❤), and Laurie ( Liou)). And then she sees Demongoat. Exit, pursued by despair.
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Post by Shinko on Jul 2, 2014 7:14:53 GMT -5
Only once Morgaine was absolutely certain that Aines was gone and out of reach did she release her hold on Rosalie's arm. "You are clearly not fit for civilized company tonight," she told the girl tartly. "I know you had a scare, but what exactly is attacking Aines going to accomplish? Back at the feast you were accusing me of putting myself in danger by confronting that boy when everyone thought he was a slave lord! Just how much more dangerous do you think it is to outright attack the royal adviser?" Morgaine sat down with a groan. She grinned sheepishly to Ilsa. "I am sorry about the threat to your furniture. If it's any consolation, I assure you Rosalie is good for it. Her business has been doing prodigiously well, despite a propensity for throwing more away then she sells." She glanced around at her partner again. "And if you do any damage, yes, you will be paying for it. I've warned you enough times to stop doing throwing your keys, and if you refuse to heed me you can deal with the repercussions." "Oh, and Ilsa," Morgaine added, her expression softening. "Good luck with Xavier and the Jades. Whatever's going on, I get the impression it goes a lot deeper then I can guess. Of course there are rumors, but when you're a merchant that services both peasants and nobles your ears tend to be kept from the most pertinent knowledge." The old woman smiled crookedly. "I know we don't really know each other all that well, but if you or your boy need help, don't be afraid to ask for it. My dear Belial, Woo rest his soul, was never one to turn a blind eye from someone in trouble. I try to follow in his example, where I can. I may not be a knight as he was, but there are certain advantages to be extracted from being a well monied and well respected merchant, even if it means none of the power factions in the city quite trust you." Morgaine stood, slapping the still cross Rosalie on the back. "It's past your bed time girl, let's go home." Morgaine gives Rosalie Dylas (Maddy) a lecture (that will probably be ignored) about throwing keys at important government persons. She also tells Rosalie that if she wants to keep throwing keys despite Morgaine telling her not to, then she can start paying for the damage to other people, property, and the keys she throws. To Elcie (Ilsa) she apologizes for the mayhem, and then confesses that being a merchant can sometimes be a trial, because your business goes to whoever has the money for it. You can't/won't refuse service to "the enemy" so no one trusts you. But Morgaine then offers to help Ilsa with the issue of Xavier if she can, stating that being a merchant has advantages as well if you know how to utilize them properly. She then suggests that she and Rosalie go home.
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Post by Celestial on Jul 2, 2014 7:56:48 GMT -5
As the two replied to him, Alain paid less attention to their words and more to their body language, tone and expressions. Their words did not tell them anything but what he saw more than made up for it. They were nervous but not because their friend was missing or because an old man just approached them out of the blue, no, they seemed to be hiding something. It was in the way they chose their words carefully, in the restraint they had and the tense, skulking air that they had. They could have been ordinary thieves but it felt different from the way thieves acted. And thieves would not normally go so far out of their way to find a friend, not unless she had some sort of secret to keep. It was worth investigating. First, however, he had to gain their trust. And he had noticed that one of the young women seemed to have recognised him. Well, perhaps not recognised him, that was a strong word, but she began to have suspicions. But it was alright, Alain had prepared for that too. However, there was another caveat. A young man had approached them, clearly suspicious of Alain's motives. He must have been a friend or more likely, another comrade. “So? Just what exactly are you hoping to accomplish here?”The older man shrunk back, looking cowed. No problem. This too he could handle. "I apologise, I did not mean to come across this way. I was merely concerned, with these strangers and these nobles around. I wanted to make sure your friends were safe," his voice acquired a subtle growl. "Why, my own mother and the old Stallion Duke...let me tell ya, nothing Grand about him with how he acted. But, no, you should should not hear these details. Sorry for bothering you. You'll probably be safe now and I hope ya find your friend." Alain made a mental apology to his deceased father for sullying his name like that, though he expected him to understand why. But what if the nobles had taken her? He was not the only one who knew about the rebellion. It was possible that, if they had found a Shadow, they would have taken them. She was not with the Stallions, if she was, he'd have known, since she wold have been taken on his orders. Quickly, he recalled the other noble families leaving the feast and whether they had an extra in their entourage. It could not have been Lord Webster or Melvin or... Everett. He had recalled him leaving with an extra person. At first he thought it was a recruit but now that he thought about it, she walked strangely, as though she had been bound. This was probably her. Alain smirked. Oh how like Everett to begin investigating the Shadows too and how different their styles were. But Everett was always a man of bluntness and favoured keeping his hands clean. "Wait!" he said to the group. "I think...when I was around the Keep, after the feast, I saw the nobles leaving. One of them had a girl with them who had been at the feast. I thought it was odd but she looked like their prisoner," his eyes widened in (mock) fear. "House Jade, it was, the ones from Corvus. Do you think it could have been your friend? I don't know what they would want with her but those nobles, they do as they please." Alain paused as he kept thinking. If the Jades had her, which they most likely did, they were not going to let her go easily. But...perhaps he could try. "Listen, if they have 'er, I can help. I know somebody who works for the Lord they're staying with. If you let me come with you to Marson Manor, I'll talk to him, see if he can give us any information. I just pray to the Woo that nothing has happened to her yet. No young woman should have to become a noble's victim," he said, with as much earnestness as he could muster. However, Alain never lied without having as much truth in there as he could. He did know somebody who could help them. This was going to be interesting to explain to Everett. But Everett was no fool, bringing down the Shadows was for both their benefits. He would overcome his rivalry with Alain for that, even if just briefly. "Name's Alban Macallan, by the way. Nice to meet you." Alain decides that Clarissa( Layla "Nimbus" Karimi) and Briar( Avery) are worth investigating. He apologises to Arthur( Birdy) and says he was only worried, since there's all these nobles around and you know how they are. Meanwhile, he thinks. He did see the Jades taking somebody who he suspects is Elin and tells the three rebels this. He also offers his help in getting her out, all while thinking how interesting it was going to be explaining all this to Everett. He also gives Briar, Clarissa and Arthur his pseudonym.
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Post by Tiger on Jul 2, 2014 10:43:32 GMT -5
Leif was relieved to see Xavier calming down as they talked. No wonder he’d been so visibly stressed, though; Leif supposed he would be a ball of tension, too, if he’d seen his recruitment as a slave acquisition. At least it was getting cleared up now, rather than in a few weeks or a month...assuming Xavier would have lasted that long, given how disinclined he’d seemed to be toward taking his own meals. The Jades wouldn’t exactly have known to include him in servant meal plans, after all. His apology was met with a look like a person who’d just seen his first magic spell. “So I’m really… I don’t have to--” Before he could finish the question, Xavier teared up and turned away. To Leif’s surprise and momentary panic, the vigilante broke down completely with no more warning than a shaking “Sorry.” Oh Woo, what did I do wrong?”But even Leif couldn’t come up with a way to twist “you aren’t a slave after all!” into a bad thing. In fact, the falconer suddenly remembered very vividly the nearly suffocating relief he’d felt when Lord Everett had offered him a place in his House - a place where he could find help and an escape from the church that didn’t involve returning to his childhood home. He hesitated for a moment, but put his arm lightly around Xavier’s shoulders. There was going to be a long way for the ex-Courdonian to go, especially if he’d started out as a slave. But the young man had managed to get to Kyth, build a new life for himself, and somewhere along the lines, learned how to catch criminals. Or young Jade noblewomen with finicky and therefore potentially dangerous magic. He’d figure this out, too. And, Leif decided, the least he could do to help make up for the mistake of his House was help Xavier where he could. Leif briefly panics when Xavier ( Elcie) starts crying, thinking he might have done something wrong (he hasn’t spend enough points in Woob Handling; an amateur mistake), but realizes Xavier’s just relieved. He puts an arm around Xavier’s shoulders and thinks that even though Xavier’s going to have a lot to learn, he’s actually gotten through a lot on his own already, and Leif will help him out where he can because, wow, Jade. Not well-handled. Also, just for the record, I assume the post ends sometime before the interrogation party leaves the cell. I hope that doesn’t screw up anything timeline wise?
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Post by PFA on Jul 2, 2014 12:39:54 GMT -5
"Pardon me if I'm intruding on Jade business; the man at the door escorted me here and mentioned something about 'the next steps'."Charles raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the person who spoke. It was that elf girl Everett had invited to sit with them at the feast... so she was probably looking for official recruitment. Well, Charles had no problem with that; the more the merrier, he thought. "Ah, yes. The new recruit, right?" he confirmed. "We can help you with that. Come this way, let us discuss arrangements..." --- As the old man set him down in a chair, one of the girls he was talking to walked away—a shame, really. But one of the others waved at him. Perfect! A taker! "I'm Lord Joffery of *hic* House Jade," he explained proudly. "I could sing a song for you. What was that song I wanted sing?" He paused for a moment in thought. Then he smiled. "Ah yes! The Fisherman and the Piper, the request from that... that griffon thing. That's a good song, I—" " JOFFERYYYYY!" Joffery jumped, turning toward the sound of the voice. One of the Jade mages—Calvin Magerage—had slammed open the door, and was scanning the room. Soon he spotted Joffery, and stormed over to the table he was sitting at. "What were you thinking, wandering out here without any guards?!" Calvin Magerage growled. "They were... they were busy," Joffery stammered drunkenly. Calvin Magerage turned up his nose in disgust. "You've been drinking. Your father will not be pleased when—" His eyes widened, and he quickly ducked out of the way of a flying mug of ale. He glared in the direction of the one who threw it, only to discover... what appeared to be some sort of possessed goat statue stuck in the ceiling. What in the name of— oh 'Woo there was a sword flying around. That was not good. "We have to get out of here!" Magerage grabbed Joffery by the wrist, pulling him out of his chair. "It's far too dangerous!" Joffery frowned. "But... the pretty girls!" "This is no time for pretty girls!" Magerage replied, dragging him helplessly out of the bar. Joffery attempted to resist, but Magerage's grip was too strong. Instead, he settled for calling after his newfound drunk friend melodically. " I'll return for you, my love~!" Charles helps Coaster with recruitment. Calvin Magerage finds drunken Joffery and drags him off, much to the latter's dismay. Joffery sings out to Ginz ❤, with a declaration of love he'll probably forget about once he's sober.
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