15[20:11] <@VoxPVoxD> "But I won't save you." 15[20:13] <@VoxPVoxD> The ruling elite of Nexus, several foreign dignitaries, and a cadre of ascendant heroes are scattered and battered at the new highest floor of the shattered Council Tower. Splinters, gore, and bodies spread from wall to wall beneath a mad red sky, hearing those words layered flat on the wind that whips the white cape like a flag in the night. 15[20:13] <@VoxPVoxD> The Emissary lives. [20:14] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar coughs into the side of a fist, then frowns down at a moonsilver-girded palm stained with blood. He looks back to see Kratz in roughly the same condition, and takes care to put the woman down into the nearest seat. Turning back to face the cloaked figure, the mercenary calls out: "Will you enforce the Dogmas?" [20:15] 5 Xu Sim's nose is bloodied and his ears ring, but he will ensure that no-one else is too badly hurt. Any severe injuries? [20:15] 7How, though? Did he ever die? Is he back from the dead? Is this another Emissary, wearing the old one's mantle? 15[20:15] <@VoxPVoxD> "Violate them and see for yourself." [20:16] 14Stranger lands back on the floor and shakes the dust off his shoulders: "We didn't ask you to." [20:16] 14That's in response to "I won't save you." 15[20:18] <@VoxPVoxD> Aside from the scraps of Brueghel spread over the former meeting-hall (new meeting-veranda?), it looks like nobody's more grievously injured than Xu Sim himself. Kratz looks to be in about the same shape Xu Sim is, as do a couple of others. The Lookshyan contingent has several injuries. Two-thirds of Thorns is at least dazed. Highland is unscathed behind the defiant red anima of Highland's prince. [20:18] 13Blood runs down Xia Lan's jaw as she breathes heavily, clutching at her side - a broken rib, maybe. Sun, that hurts. She shakes her head as if to clear it, but it doesn't quite help. [20:19] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar glances to his circlemates before looking back to the Emissary. "Ain't had reason to yet. But it'd be nice to know, practically speaking. Lets us plan how to uphold them ourselves." [20:22] 5 In that case, Xu Sim dabs at the blood pooling in his moustache with one of the napkins left over from the dinner. [20:27] 14The entire bared council room explodes with golden light. Stranger's eyes go gold as he taps his walking cane against the remains of the Evening Master, a patient disappointment on his face. "But you don't care what we asked, do you. I wonder if you care about anything at all." 15[20:31] <@VoxPVoxD> The Emissary: "I don't wonder that." [20:31] 14Stranger: "I gathered." [20:32] 13Xia Lan: "Talkative fellow." [20:32] "Will you be attending council meetings?" [20:32] "Your Eminence." [20:32] 7Dawn: "Hell, I might be new here, but isn't caring about Nexus kind of... your thing?" 15[20:33] <@VoxPVoxD> The pressure drops. Everyone's eardrums pop. Then the Emissary is gone with a whipcrack, leaving a corona of red light and thorned vines twisting up from the spot where he stood, flecked black and oozing. [20:34] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar pinches the bridge of his nose. "Whoof." [20:34] 14Stranger: "Ass." [20:35] "Xu Sim, are you ambulatory?" [20:35] 13Xia Lan: "...very talkative." 13She winces at the whipcrack, mostly at the pain from the flinch. [20:35] "I don't know what I was expecting. But it sure as hell wasn't that." [20:35] "Yep." [20:36] 14Stranger: "Tend to Kratz before yourself, if you would. She's less resilient." [20:37] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Yeah. Know what, though? Probably better than nothing." [20:37] "I don't think there's any really severe injuries, fortunately. Brueghel excepted, of course." [20:37] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Even if all he's planning to do is recline while watching the raksha eat us all, the fact he's alive'll scare people out of just going nuts and looting or rioting when they otherwise might've." [20:37] 4 von Hrolfus: "Ugh." [20:38] He slowly gets to his feet, rubbing a hip and wincing. [20:38] 14Stranger: "That's fine. I just wanted to know if he's going to show up to vote." [20:38] 7Dawn: "I mean, I'm all for making damn sure people don't break the same rule twice. But that was probably a little extreme." [20:39] 14To the Highland, Lookshyan, and Thorns contingents: "I take it you have decisions to make of your own. You've seen that the defender of Nexus is back. You've seen his mood. This meeting is adjourned." [20:40] "My advice is either to leave these lands entirely, or provide us with a runner." [20:40] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Hold on a minute. We've still got a job to do here." [20:40] 14Stranger looks over at Keldar: "Councilors only need be present, yes?" [20:40] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "The plan was to draw up and seal a compact for the defense of this city against the raksha, and everyone knew coming in that the Emissary wouldn't be any help. Well, he's still not. We've just got a better view now." [20:41] 7Dawn smirks at her Thorns counterpart, who seems similarly unruffled, unlike his companions. "Not bad." [20:41] 14Stranger looks as if he's about to argue, then shrugs. "Fine." [20:41] "A word first, however. Privately." 15[20:41] <@VoxPVoxD> "Nice catch," says Hunter to Dawn, who ably grabbed her hat after the Emissary's outburst blew it off. [20:42] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Yeah?" 12He'll step off to the side or whatever's necessary. [20:43] 14In private: "Are you sure you wouldn't rather postpone this until we own the Evening Master's seat, instead of merely having an abstention?" [20:43] "The functional outcome is the same. The Dawn Sergeant has been empowered." [20:44] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "It's a seven-man council now, isn't it? No Emissary, no Brueghel, Kratz is back... friendly to us, right?" [20:44] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "And either way, how long would a replacement take? We need to have this alliance two weeks ago." [20:45] 14Stranger: "My concern is the Guild. They may not view a decision without a seated Evening Master as legitimate." 15[20:45] <@VoxPVoxD> On the other side of the room, Dorma, glowing white, stares down Nogare, glowing red. Neither of them blinks or says a word. [20:45] "I would presume their aid is needed, if they're still willing to offer it after what happened." [20:46] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Yeah, well, them and what four armies?" [20:48] 14Stranger shrugs. "I'm fine with burning them out entirely myself. But we're on a clock, and I'd prefer they be a tool instead of a distraction." [20:48] 14That's all he's got to say. [20:49] 13Xia Lan: "They don't need armies to be difficult." 13She's sidled up to Keldar and Stranger, still bloodied. "They can be burnt out later. More thoroughly, even. But we need to outmaneuver them now if we want that chance later." [20:49] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "They haven't really got a leg to stand on either way. The Emissary blowing a guy up and then leaving himself is as legitimate an excuse for being understaffed as we'll get." [20:49] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar glances over, then back. "Uh... melting a guy down." [20:50] 14Stranger: "Not having a leg to stand on has never stopped the Guild." [20:51] 14To Xia Lan: "You're not wrong. How did you read our new 'Emissary?'" [20:51] "There was commitment there, I think. But...different." [20:51] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "It'll be fine. We can renegotiate after the raksha're routed. As is, just getting all these guys in the same room again'll be too much of a pain in the ass." [20:52] "Fair enough. But I'm exhausted. I can barely maintain my posture as it is. If you want something from them, you'll have to claim it yourself." [20:53] "You and Bastian, that is." [20:53] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Guess we can break for an hour if need be, but you gotta figure that no one else in the room is doing a lot better." [20:54] "Gentlemen," 5 Xu Sim says, clearing his throat.  "And ladies. Regardless of whatever else we have learned tonight, we have to cooperate to accomplish the following: Cure the honey-maze plague, stop the invasion from toppling the Direction. Perhaps it would be easier to conduct the rest of the negotiation in writing, through courier?" [20:54] 4 "I would give them a little time to gather their wits, yes." He winces again. "I could use some myself." [20:56] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar returns to the table. "Way too slow, given our timetable. But I wouldn't begrudge anyone a... tea break, or something." [20:57] 14That would give someone a chance to find tea. At least. That would be nice. [21:11] 13Xia Lan: "...hard to pin down. He didn't care about us at all, but the people... he's angry. Betrayed. Contemptuous. Commitment, but different is the least of ways to put it, I think." [21:12] <@Ferrinus> 12After looking around a bit longer and noting just how many people are shaking, bleeding, or edging towards the doors, the mercenary relents. "A... long tea break? Ahhh, should probably just do this tomorrow." [21:12] 14Stranger nods at Xia Lan. "That makes some certain sense. ...Just a flesh wound on you?" [21:13] 14To the assembled: "You heard the man. We are adjourned. Leave if you will. But if you do not -- don't go far." 15[21:13] <@VoxPVoxD> The floating sorcerer whispers in Highland's ear. He doesn't break eye contact with Dorma, who hasn't budged even as the rest of his contingent have pulled themselves to their feet. [21:14] *Leave Nexus 15[21:14] <@VoxPVoxD> The Regent: "Tomorrow, then. In the old Deliberative." [21:14] 13She gives a small shake of the head, and drops her voice to a whisper: "I can walk, but I need a doctor. Shooting pains up the side." [21:15] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Is that a joke? I like my symmetry bilateral, buddy." [21:15] "See you then." 5 The doctor gets up and leaves unless stopped. 15[21:15] <@VoxPVoxD> The Beast: "I don't joke. We'll have the place stabilized. You can come and inspect it if you like." [21:15] 14Stranger nods. "Hang on until the room is cleared." [21:16] 14As Xu Sim goes to leave: "A moment, doctor." [21:16] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "And the entire path there? And you can't just turn bits of it off as needed? Nothing's wrong with Council tower." [21:16] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar glances up to the sky. "I mean, generally speaking. The rest of its floors, you know." 15[21:16] <@VoxPVoxD> "There's no Council." 15[21:17] <@VoxPVoxD> "Without its Emissary or its bankroll these are just people aping our titles." [21:17] "The Deliberative? The hell's that?" 7Dawn says in an undertone. [21:18] 14Stranger: "Your titles?" [21:19] "None of us are astrologers." 15[21:20] <@VoxPVoxD> The Regent tilts his head at Dorma. "Will you tell him or shall I?" [21:20] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar glances back to Dawn, whispering. "Big ruin in the middle of Firewander. Center of a wyld zone." [21:21] 14Stranger turns to Dorma. [21:22] 14More interesting here than the grasping claim itself is the ask, from the Regent to the Dragonlord. [21:22] <@Ferrinus> 12Then the mercenary returns his attention to the Beast. "We all knew there was no Emissary coming in. Brueghel isn't the Guild and there's plenty left the Council can do, titles aside." 15[21:23] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma is unmoved... for a few moments. Finally, slowly, he says, "It has come to my... attention... that my majordomo was a spy." [21:23] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Even if that wasn't true, all of us getting together where your guys are quartered doesn't make a lot of sense. If there's actually something wrong with the tower, I guess we can deal with it, but I might as well have said to hold proceedings in the Ninth Orchard barracks." [21:24] 14Stranger, unperturbed: "And?" 15[21:24] <@VoxPVoxD> The Beast: "Do you have room for us all there?" [21:24] 13Ooh. [21:25] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar looks around. "Sure, we're a big company. But the tower suits me fine and is as neutral as Nexus gets." 15[21:26] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "When we searched his quarters, we found star charts. Apparently he was using astrological signs as code to pass intelligence to... our enemies." [21:26] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Knew it." [21:26] 14Welcome to the Order of the White Lotus full-time, Bubo. 15[21:27] <@VoxPVoxD> The Beast: "The Tower's neutrality is the problem. This is Council ground. Even if you want to prop up the Council in the long run, we should deny the Emissary as much license to intervene as we can." [21:27] 7Dawn: "Did you find anything else?" [21:28] 14Stranger: "Meeting within Nexus gives the Emissary license." 15[21:28] <@VoxPVoxD> "Except in Firewander." [21:28] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Since when?" [21:29] 14Stranger: "It would be interesting to learn how you could possibly know that." 15[21:29] <@VoxPVoxD> The Beast: "The Emissary can't enter the Deliberative. He never has." 15[21:29] <@VoxPVoxD> "I'm sure it would." [21:30] 13Xia Lan: "Can't and hasn't are different things." [21:30] 13It's a prompt more than a disagreement. [21:30] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Even if he can't, he can sure as hell enter the rest of the city and we aren't going to beat the fair folk while hiding in there. If the Emissary actually has something more to say about this enterprise we'd do better to hear it." 15[21:31] <@VoxPVoxD> The Beast: "Then you should negotiate with him. Highland won't be, because he's obviously gone mad." [21:31] 4To Dorma: "Which enemies?" [21:31] 14Stranger: "But if you want us to enter the Deliberative with you, all you have to do is ask forthrightly." [21:32] "And we'll consider it." 15[21:33] <@VoxPVoxD> The Governor speaks for the first time since the Emissary arrived. He's just helped the Scion to her feet. "We will meet you in the Deliberative tomorrow. We have no need to fear its poison either way." [21:35] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar, to Nori: "That's debatable. But whether he's gone mad or gotten mad, there's no avoiding him if he wants to be involved... which means there's no special reason to meet in your hostel." 15[21:35] <@VoxPVoxD> The Beast turns back to Dorma: "What of Lookshy? Our task remains the same. I can't boast their armaments--" he says, gesturing at Keldar's armor "--or their numbers. But our commitment to victory is undivided." [21:36] 14Stranger glances over at Keldar. They're losing control of the conversation. [21:37] <@Ferrinus> 12Well, what of Lookshy? What's Dorma say to this? 15[21:40] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma gives the Thorns delegation a withering look. "You ask me to consort with demons and vermin either way. What difference does it make?" 15[21:41] <@VoxPVoxD> The Beast: "I can't deny it. I'm asking you to make a choice, between the devil you know and the devils who haven't attacked or betrayed you." 15[21:41] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "Yet." 15[21:41] <@VoxPVoxD> The Beast: "That's a big 'yet'." 15[21:41] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "..." [21:42] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Listen, Council Tower's the seat of power for the Nexus we're actually defending. This is where the actual people who live here look for their laws. Firewander's just a preview of what's coming at this point." [21:42] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "I guess it'd serve well for training exercises, but if we're here to actually keep this city standing we should stay in this city." [21:43] 7Dawn: "Does seem like an odd place to conduct negotiations." 15[21:43] <@VoxPVoxD> The Beast: "Keldar is right. The choice is even more stark. Will you take up arms for the present or the future?" [21:43] 13Xia Lan: "You've got to be kidding me." 15[21:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "..." 15[21:43] <@VoxPVoxD> "...you will have my answer in the morning." [21:44] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Firewander'll certainly be Nexus's future if we get this wrong." 15[21:45] <@VoxPVoxD> The Beast: "And we'll be able to give you a taste of that future tomorrow." 15[21:47] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "Enough! I have said my piece. You will hear from me tomorrow when I have decided, and not before." 15[21:48] <@VoxPVoxD> Unless someone stops him, Dorma will stomp out, Lookshy behind him. [21:50] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar watches him go, mouth pressed thin. He turns to the others. "Well... tomorrow, then. Not sure who's gonna be seeing about repairs here but I don't think it's me specifically." 12He steps over to Pellicia to check if there's anything for him to do as Apples-Dawn Guard liason - escorting Kratz, bullying civilians away from the tower, whatever. [21:51] 14You know what they say: Any meeting you can walk away from. 15[21:51] <@VoxPVoxD> Pellicia's looking down at the crowds forming around the base of the tower. Some of them are screaming. It looks like the debris from the Emissary's attack landed on some people 15[21:52] <@VoxPVoxD> . [21:52] 13Well. That's bad. [21:53] 5 Xu Sim hurries down. [21:53] 14Keldar should go too. [21:55] <@Ferrinus> 12Well... he's sort of on the Guard right now, this kind of civic defense stuff is in the contract. The mercenary heads down to shift fallen rubble, tend to immediate wounds, and otherwise discharge his for-the-moment duty. 15[21:57] <@VoxPVoxD> Highland's sorcerer drifts up to the vines that curl where the Emissary once stood, carefully dragging his fingers across them. "Hmmmmmmmm." [21:57] <@Ferrinus> 12Xu Sim better have grabbed some of those. [21:57] 14The Ambassador has long since fled for safer spaces. Stranger would love to follow. 15[21:57] <@VoxPVoxD> Xu Sim finds people panicked, people injured, people grieving. [21:58] 14To the sorcerer: "You'll take nothing." 15[21:58] <@VoxPVoxD> The sorcerer snaps a thorn off the vine and starts to float away. [21:58] 14Dawn? [21:59] 14Or Bastian. [22:00] 14...Ah well. [22:00] 13There's more left, right? If so, Xia Lan will tiredly say: "Let him have it. It's been a long day." [22:01] 4Bastian breaks into a run and gets directly in his way. "You will stop here." [22:01] 5 The doctor does his best to care for the worst-off among the panicked people, directing the merely-panicked away from the chaos. [22:02] 13She snaps some off herself. Payment for the medical treatment she'll need later. 15[22:02] <@VoxPVoxD> The sorcerer freezes, but the Beast is there and takes the thorn from his trembling hand. "That will be all," he says. [22:02] 14Tch. [22:04] 13We're going to need to turn that around on him at some point. [22:04] 13For our dignity's sake, if nothing else. 15[22:07] <@VoxPVoxD> Highland departs, and Thorns not long after. The Council, aside from Pellicia, are in various states of daze and confusion, having pulled themselves into sitting positions to nurse their wounds or tend to one another's, or haven't yet regained consciousness. [22:07] <@Ferrinus> 12Once Keldar's done seeing to immediate injuries and keeping the peace, he'll head back to floodwater district to clean up and get a little rest. In the confines of his circle's base, he removes his looted artifacts and spends some time sitting back on his bunk, breathing slowly and deeply. He'd see to his wounds more directly but isn't sure the work would have time to take. [22:09] 14Once the others are gone, Stranger sits down against a wall, flicks away the detritus that was the Evening Master, and nods off for a bit. [22:09] <@Ferrinus> 12Anyone else who visits the hideout soon after Keldar starts will find the place lit from within by a red-gold glare, but fortunately one that doesn't actually turn into a miles-high beacon. After that, Keldar has to think: what is, actually, the most tasteful way to deliver a dead body? 15[22:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Xu Sim is able to tend to the wounded. There's nothing doing for the dead. Keldar finds the streets panicked. People swearing up and down they heard the Emissary's voice, that they saw him-- others insisting that's ridiculous, it was Anathema that did it, just like it was Anathema that've destroyed everything else recently, and anyway if the Emissary's back why is the star still hanging above the tower? [22:13] <@Ferrinus> 12Before all that, though, Keldar makes sure that the immediate Nexus populace doesn't stay panicked long. It's a sinister, horned figure girded in living silver that comes stepping out of the council tower's doors, glowing the fierce golden-red of the dawn as it roars: "Be still!" [22:13] <@Ferrinus> 12Its mask opens, and Keldar adds: "I mean, relax! Cripes! You're gonna trample that guy. Here-" 15[22:14] <@VoxPVoxD> The crowd recoils, relaxes, obeys. [22:14] <@Ferrinus> "Dawn Guard, outta the way-" 12Some shouting and moving of heavy rubble later and the situation is defused, more or less. 15[22:18] <@VoxPVoxD> And so peace returns, more tenuous than the last peace, a moment Nexus has repeated half a dozen times in the last six weeks. [22:18] 13We're very good at this. [22:20] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar, to Xia Lan, later that night: "You need that looked at?" 12He probably means the aftereffects of internal bleeding or whatever. [22:21] 13Xia Lan: "Yes please." 13She's been playing it up whenever they aren't in public view - limping, moaning in pain, wincing whenever she shifts in a seat - and also, hasn't cleaned up the blood from her face. [22:21] 14Stranger returns late, and turns in without even putting on tea. [22:22] <@Ferrinus> 12It's a weird treatment Keldar comes up with - after a few poultices and bandages, he brings a stone bowl in front of Xia Lan and then smacks the bottom of his fist between her shoulder blades to get her to cough up a nasty, blackened clot. "More where that came from, but I don't think I can do anything about it. Still, stay in bed and most of this should clear up." [22:23] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "On another subject, what'd you say is the best way to, uh, give someone back the body of their officer that you killed." 15[22:23] <@VoxPVoxD> Xu Sim tends to wounded and studies. This vine is sturdy and thick, the sort that grows in the densest Eastern jungles, the ones that vanish into the impenetrable wilderness that emanates from the Pole of Wood, and the bordermarches beyond. He also immediately notes what the Highland sorcerer did: this vine is scarred and flecked with iron thistledown. 15[22:24] <@VoxPVoxD> He deduces that these vines are some sort of latent manifestation or aftereffect of the Emissary's departure. They suggest wildness and injury. [22:24] 13She glares at him after the 'treatment.' "Is that any way to treat--" 13Well. She does feel a little better. She softens. "Don't do it wearing the armor of the person you killed. That's step one." [22:24] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Well yeah." [22:24] 13Xia Lan: "For some reason, I feel the need to cover the basics." [22:25] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Look, I didn't know why the alarms were going off-" [22:27] 4von Hrolfus taps his fingers absentmindedly on his knee. "I have a bad feeling about the people from Thorns." [22:28] "Fascinating," 5 notes the sorceror, as he sets the vine in a tiny teacup of soil under glass. Damaged by the thistledown, it shouldn't grow -but you never know. [22:28] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "I wonder about 'em. I guess their heartfelt wish has got to be to kill everyone in Nexus and turn us into another necrostate... but do they think it's practical enough to be planning to double cross us here and now?" [22:28] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Here and now meaning within the next couple months." [22:29] 13She taps a finger to her chin. "Hmm. I don't think I've ever done this before. Actually apologizing for -- " 13She cuts herself off. "Anyways! Don't explain yourself until they ask for it. Apologize and mean it, no 'sorry that I had to do this' business. And, probably have people there to check if they even want to see you at all. That'd be where I'd begin." [22:31] 4"I cannot say for sure. But they - and the rest - had a look of vultures scrapping over a carcass." He pauses for a moment. "Until the Emissary re-appeard, at least." [22:34] 14Stranger will knock on Dawn's door well before...ah. [22:34] 14Well before sunrise. [22:36] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Right. Well... I'm probably gonna try to take the body, and the armor and such too, over to Lookshytown early the next morning. Might just tag along with Xu Sim. We'll see how it goes." [22:36] 7Dawn pokes her head out. "Yeah?" [22:37] 13Xia Lan: "What's your plan?" [22:38] 14Stranger: "There's a loose end we need to tie off in our favor. Want to help me run down the most difficult spy?" [22:38] 14He pauses. "We're not killing him." [22:38] 4von Hrolfus nods. "I shall come with you." [22:39] 7Dawn: "So long as he doesn't take a shot at us or anyone else, fine." [22:40] 14Stranger: "Even if he does. No killing." [22:40] 5 The next morning, Xu Sim is up early. He puts on a simple linen smock, undyed and tied with a simple cord about the waist. It's a far cry from fashion, but at least it is relatively clean. It is the last bit of clothing he has that isn't scorched or soaked through with blood. [22:40] "...But you can have fun with him." 15[22:40] <@VoxPVoxD> Someone should take Xu Sim shopping at some point. [22:41] 5 He doesn't have any money. He's quite the mendicant. [22:41] 13Busy recovering from nearly dying, here. It was awful, you should've been there, she says, to people who actually were there. [22:41] 14Stranger will be waiting outside their Floodwater hideaway when Dawn is ready. Their first stop is the residence of Astrologer Kratz. [22:42] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Uh, basically to give everything over and say this isn't how I wanted things to go." [22:42] 7Dawn's got her firewand slung over her shoulder. "So who is this guy? Sounds like you know him." [22:43] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "I was ready to stand on principle here but at this point Lookshyan overreach is the least of our problems." [22:43] 5 Xu Sim sets out a simple meal for Twice-Refined Princess as he packs what sorcerous and medical supplies remain, and the honeycomb he coughed up. On a whim, he grabs the vine-chunk as well. He pauses on his way out to see who else will join him.  "I'm leaving in ten heartbeats to cure a plague! Who wants to speak to the Dragonlord, should join me!" [22:45] 13Xia Lan: "Good! Good. Well, that second part less good, don't tell them that." 13She works through a few hypotheticals with Keldar, coaching him - possible responses, angles of insults, things he absolutely should not under any circumstances do - along with some signals he should pay attention for. She can't speak for him - Dorma would never accept it - but she can advise him to the best of her ability. [22:45] 4von Hrolfus: "What is the least of our problems? They all seem fairly large to me." [22:47] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar nods along seriously as Xia Lan talks, although, of course, he's always been fair shakes at nodding along seriously while not actually paying attention. He does turn up in the early morning as Xu Sim is preparing to leave, though, pulling a covered wooden wagon behind him. [22:48] 13Three clears of her throat means "Keldar, let me handle this." That's the most important signal that she makes absolutely sure he knows. [22:48] 13Everything else... how badly can he possibly screw up? [22:48] 13Ho ho ho. [22:50] "Ah, perfect-" 5 notes the doctor, as he hefts his dog into the covered wagon.  "Thank you for ensuring she needn't sully her feet. It's a long walk!" [22:50] "Bubo Malcavet. Secretary to the Dragonlord Nessus Dorma -- ex-Secretary now, it seems -- and servant of Heaven. I've met him four times. The fourth time was at a noodle shop. It ended in an ambush. Keldar and the rest believed it was Bubo's doing; I never did. He never would have put himself in danger like that." [22:51] "Mind you, I don't actually recall him being at the noodle shop." [22:51] "That's part of Bubo's...charm." [22:52] "Well, maybe we can find some evidence of what he was up to at his office." [22:52] "He is a small man. Plump. Mustachioed. Prefers dark glasses. He maintains a social interest -- perhaps a romantic one, even -- in the Astrologer Kratz, member of the Council." [22:53] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar's armed and armored, notably, but he's just wearing a shiny, well-put-together suit of articulated plate and got a straight sword at his side. [22:53] 14Stranger smiles. "Oh, we won't have to go there. You see, my darling Ambassador dropped in on Kratz last night -- before she came to the tower. She was entertaining our quarry as a guest." [22:54] "We should start there; both because it's most recent, and because we can talk our way in the front door far more easily." [22:55] "Ah. Any chance he's still there?" [22:56] 5 As Keldar accompanies Xu Sim, the sorceror begins to elaborate his newfound interest in siege machines as the most effective way he can contribute to the preparations for battle:  "And, specifically," 5 he concludes after a lengthy prelude:  "I believe a series of glass orbs containing a horrid mixture of dyeworks runoff and iron filings, especially aerosolized, would be a potent [22:56] weapon - delivered by mangonel or, I suppose, a particularly daring sling crew. [22:56] 14Stranger taps his walking stick on the cobblestones. "I doubt it. But at some point last night the Dragonlord terminated his employment -- meaning he sent men for Bubo. I doubt they were up to the task of catching one such as he, but they might have forced him to leave a trail. We should begin at Kratz's apartments, and see where it takes us." [22:57] 14As they walk: "...So you met with young Tsuka. We've discussed this already, I think." [22:57] 4"What effect would this have on rakshasas?" [22:57] "Have you ever stuck your head in a roaring chimney and taken a deep breath of the smoke?" [22:57] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "It's the dyeworks runoff that worries me there. Can you cook something up that's toxic only to the fae?" [22:58] 4"Do they breathe like us? Do they breathe at all?" [22:59] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Sure, some of them. I'd even hazard most of them. Hobgoblins got ears and noses and such." [22:59] "The difficulty is finding a way to keep the iron filings hanging in the air, instead of just throwing clouds of dust around - making the clouds linger as long as possible instead of settling on the ground." [22:59] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "It's just - I mean, we've already had a fight with an airborne poison present, yeah? Didn't exactly give us the edge." [22:59] 7Dawn nods. "Definitely seems like an interesting kid." [23:00] 14Stranger: "An excellent young man, by my lights. And I think one that we'll need. I'm not going to ask you to find him right now -- but if the moment came when he was needed, do you know where he's gone?" [23:02] 7Dawn: "He didn't tell me... but I found him once." [23:02] "Well, ideally, we wouldn't fight in it - we'd force them to march through it." [23:02] 14Stranger nods in understanding, and doesn't press further. [23:02] "But, the points are well-taken." 15[23:05] <@VoxPVoxD> Some time later, Xu Sim, Keldar, and Bastian are at the border of Lookshytown. The ersatz embassy is so heavily guarded the three of them and their wagon are stopped before the building itself is even in sight. "You aren't welcome here." [23:06] "Where do you come from?" 14Stranger asks as they wind their way through the streets. "If you don't mind the question." [23:06] 4"Dorma probably wants to talk to us." [23:06] "There hasn't been much chance yet to talk." [23:06] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Or at the very least doesn't want to miss us." [23:08] "When were you given the orders that we weren't welcome here?" [23:08] 7Dawn: "The Southlands. Born in Gem, but a lot of wandering about." [23:08] 13Xia Lan eases back into some ice and hopes that her advice stuck with Keldar, Bastian, and Xu Sim. Not much to do now if it didn't. [23:08] 14Stranger nods. "Did you always hunt men, or did that come to you with the Sun's blessing?" 15[23:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Meanwhile, Dawn and Stranger find themselves being asked to wait at the base of Kratz's tower while she prepares to receive them. Looks like it's still Pellicia's personal guard staking the place out, instead of the Guild bodyguards who normally attend the Council. [23:09] "I was a fisherman, before," 14Stranger offers. 15[23:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Lookshy guard: "Standing orders." [23:10] 7Dawn: "Before and after. There's a lot of money in it, and you can even keep your soul if you're good enough." [23:10] 14Stranger: "He wouldn't have chosen you if you weren't. One moment." [23:10] <@Ferrinus> Keldar: "Well, send word ahead, then. We can wait." [23:10] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar* 15[23:10] <@VoxPVoxD> Xia Lan hears someone ringing the little bell that was installed to let visitors announce themselves. [23:11] 14Stranger approaches the guards. How much convincing will they need? [23:11] 14Ah. [23:12] 14He returns to Dawn. "The Astrologer will receive us shortly." [23:12] 13She groans as she heads over to check the - door? Did they install one at the window for the Ambassador as well? 15[23:13] <@VoxPVoxD> No, there aren't really any windows. The building above is windowless and the actual hideout is largely underground. [23:14] 13Oh, right, yes. Sorry, been out of it after being cruelly attacked by the Emissary of Nexus. So - who's behind the peephole? 15[23:16] <@VoxPVoxD> Xia Lan finds an old man wearing rags at the door. He peers at her down his long nose and past his bristly beard. "You shaved, Stranger." [23:17] 13Xia Lan: "He's out, I'm afraid. I can tell him you came calling...?" 15[23:17] <@VoxPVoxD> "Selin. What's your name?" 15[23:18] <@VoxPVoxD> Lookshy guard: "He's going to ask me what you want. Spare me a trip back and forth again, eh?" [23:18] 13Xia Lan brightens. "Oh! The Unfettered Xia Lan -- and Stranger's mentioned you before. A pleasure." [23:18] 14Stranger and Dawn may want to check around the base of the tower while they wait. The alleys and such. If someone was waiting for Bubo when he left... [23:19] "I'm here to cure the Honey-Maze and free up your apothecaries and soldiers," 5 answers the doctor. [23:19] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar looks to his allies and back. "And I'm giving back something that belongs to you." 15[23:21] <@VoxPVoxD> Guard: "Can I tell him what?" [23:22] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar considers momentarily, then steps back to briefly pull the tarp away from the covered wagon. There's jade and moonsilver in there, and something covered under more cloth. [23:22] 14To Dawn: "Let's take a stroll about the block while we wait." [23:22] "In different directions. Meet you back here." 15[23:24] <@VoxPVoxD> The guard blanches. "I'll... I'll tell him." 15[23:25] <@VoxPVoxD> After the guard departs, four Gunzosha elites clomp in from side streets to close the road off, forming a solid barrier of steel. [23:26] 14Stranger's milky eyes stay watching the top of Kratz's spire as he makes his way around it, tapping his stick against the cobblestones. With the hill, the rise of the tower, the natural depressions all around -- you could see the whole city from up there, he'd wager. That means you could see anything coming, too. [23:26] 4"This has a familiar feel." 15[23:28] <@VoxPVoxD> Selin: "Oh! It's nice to meet you in person. I've only ever heard you from far away. Nice pipes." 15[23:28] <@VoxPVoxD> "I don't suppose I could trouble you for a cup of tea? Maybe some bread?" [23:29] 5 Xu Sim is always intrigued by the gunzosha in action, but his irritation with the dilatory nonsense that these Lookshyans are always throwing around is mounting. [23:30] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Let's hope that changes." [23:31] 13Xia Lan: "...come in...?" 13She steps aside with a visible limp. "I'll get some tea going. Stranger's bound to have left some." 13She shuffles off towards the kitchen, keeping an eye on him. Stranger's told her a bit, but not enough to give him free reign of their hideout. 15[23:33] <@VoxPVoxD> Now Stranger and Dawn are invited up to meet with Kratz. 15[23:34] <@VoxPVoxD> Assuming they take the invitation, they'll find her at the table in front of her bed, wearing gauzy blue pajamas in front of a breakfast table set for three. [23:34] 14Tea? 15[23:35] <@VoxPVoxD> Yes. [23:36] 5 Xu Sim reaches over to the cart, giving TWP some reassuring pets. 15[23:36] <@VoxPVoxD> Selin comes in and takes a seat. "I see the place has finally aired out. Smelled of fish brine for days." [23:36] 14Excellent. "Astrologer. It's so good to formally meet you. This is my associate, Dawn. My apologies that the Ambassador could not accompany me here this morning. Responsibilities of her own, of course. But she's told me much about you." 15[23:36] <@VoxPVoxD> About ten minutes pass before the guard returns. "I'm to take the cart, and then you can follow me." [23:36] 13Speaking of tea, Xia Lan grabs whatever Stranger keeps towards the front and starts it steeping. She makes a note of it, of course, in case Selin asks, but doesn't announce it beforehand. "That would likely be our alchemist. Had the idea of pickling himself." [23:37] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Works for me." [23:37] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar steps aside and lets the guy take it. However, he's quietly smug in doing so, because the cart is extremely heavy and may well give the guard trouble. 15[23:38] <@VoxPVoxD> Kratz doesn't stand; she doesn't look like she's fully recovered from the night before. "Please. I am happy to see you both. Sit, please." [23:39] "Of course, Councilor." 14Stranger avails himself of a chair, pulled up next to the tea kettle. He'll lightly much on the breakfast provided. 15[23:40] <@VoxPVoxD> The guard wheels his index finger around and two of the Gunzosha walk to the front of the wagon, turning around and letting ethereal blue chains emanate from their backs with a pneumatic hiss. Then they pull the cart forward. [23:40] <@Ferrinus> 12Pfft, fine. 15[23:41] <@VoxPVoxD> As the caravan marches on, soldiers fall into ranks behind it. Footsoldiers, more Gunzosha, and even a handful of blooded officers with magical raiment of their own. By the time it reaches the gates of the Embassy, Keldar reckons the entire assembled military might of the Lookshyan Wyld Hunt is assembled around them. 15[23:41] <@VoxPVoxD> Selin: "Ah, Xu Sim. Bit of a dilettante, isn't he?" 15[23:42] <@VoxPVoxD> Kratz: "Tell me, how can I help you?" [23:42] 14Stranger keeps Forest Blackleaf at the front of his collection. [23:42] 14Strong and bitter; flavorful with a kick. [23:42] <@Ferrinus> 12This is probably fine, thinks Keldar as he walks along. After all, he's got... Bastian... and Xu Sim... [23:43] 5 Twice-Refined Princess follows at Xu Sim's heels, ears swiveling, tail between her legs. [23:43] 5 For his part, Xu Sim walks with what he hopes appears as relaxed ease. [23:44] 14Meanwhile, in Kratz's tower: "You and I have a mutual friend. He visited you last night, socially. The two of you received my darling Ambassador together. At some point between then and when the 'Emissary' appeared to the Council, his cover was blown." [23:45] 13Xia Lan: "He's not that kind of man." 13She checks the Forest Blackleaf- this kind of thing needs to be watched closely, or else you're just drinking leaf juice. "Eccentric, certainly, but an expert in his fields of study." [23:45] "The Lookshyans believe him a traitor and a spy. I should like to find him before they do." [23:48] "Whose idea was this, anyway?" 5 Xu Sim asks the others, quietly. 15[23:50] <@VoxPVoxD> The Lookshyan embassy is a lovely riverside villa with high stone fences. At the gate the procession stops and everyone salutes, right arm crossed across the heart, hand closed in a fist. Even the Gunzosha do it, with their arms of drills and lances and massive chopping blades. 15[23:51] <@VoxPVoxD> Kratz: "What are you going to do with him?" 15[23:51] <@VoxPVoxD> Selin: "Not all of them. He's a woefully underpracticed martial artist." [23:52] <@Ferrinus> 12Not a patch on the classi Ninth Orchard salute, that Keldar can tell you. [23:52] <@Ferrinus> 12(it's both classic and classy) [23:52] 5 Xu Sim, for his part, gives a polite bow. Might as well, if he's about to have his head chopped off or end up pincushioned with arrows. [23:53] 13Xia Lan snorts, but covers it up by pouring the cups, one for each of them. "True enough. What brings you by, Selin?" 15[23:53] <@VoxPVoxD> The gate opens, and as the gate is ushered inside, music plays. A mournful horn, and a voice to match. 15[23:54] <@VoxPVoxD> *as the wagon [23:54] 14Stranger: "I'm not going to 'do' anything with him. He walks his own path; I walk mine. We are useful to each other in that way. As for my immediate need, I have questions that he would be most skilled at answering." [23:54] "But if he cannot answer them, he cannot answer them." 15[23:54] <@VoxPVoxD> The gate closes behind the wagon, leaving the Solars and the Lookshyan army standing there. Nobody moves while the song continues. [23:55] 14He sips the tea. "But our mutal regard at least bids me find a way to ask." 15[23:56] <@VoxPVoxD> Selin: "I had a piece of news I hoped Stranger could make use of." [23:56] 14Softer: "He will come to no harm from me." [23:56] 5 Xu Sim stands quite still. Music is not one of his specialties - but does the song have words in a language he understands? [23:57] 13Xia Lan: "I'll get it to him. What is it?" 13Is Selin drinking the tea? 15[23:58] <@VoxPVoxD> The old man gratefully takes the tea and some bread, which he eats by tearing it into tiny pieces onto a plate and then popping into his mouth one by one. "This tea is very good, thank you. I wanted to tell him that the river gods have shut their temples to the public. No one's going in or out." 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> It didn't at first, but after the woman vocalizes for a while the entire army begins singing in Old Realm. It begins with the assembled army outside the gates: 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> I close my eyes 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> Tell us, why must we suffer? 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> Release your hands 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> For your will drags us under 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> My legs grow tired 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> Tell us, where must we wander? 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> How can we carry on if redemption's beyond us? 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> Then the voice from within the compound responds: 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> To all of my children in whom life flows abundant 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> To all of my children to whom death hath passed its judgment 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> The soul yearns for honor, and the flesh the hereafter 15[00:06] <@VoxPVoxD> Look to those who walked before to lead those who come after 15[00:07] <@VoxPVoxD> Kratz relaxes. "He... left just before dawn. I didn't ask him where he was going." [00:09] 13Xia Lan: "...You're certain?" [00:09] <@Ferrinus> 12Man, thinks Keldar, is this the kind of nonsense they get up to in Lookshy? You can't even tap your foot to this. 15[00:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Selin nods, sort of bobbing his head towards his plate and back. "Saw them do it." [00:10] 14Stranger doesn't press the timing, or the sleeping arrangements. It's good for them -- all of them, really -- that Bubo stayed the night. "Mere hours ago. And no sign of a scuffle immediately outside the tower -- this is good." [00:10] 13Xia Lan: "Do you know why?" 13She sips at her tea, trying not to show the urgency she feels. Sun, she still needs half a day in bed, and there'll be a negotiation later... 15[00:11] <@VoxPVoxD> After the song concludes, the gates open again. Xu Sim and the others are ushered inside. [00:13] 14Stranger refills his cup and stands, the empty circle on his head flashing as he wanders about the room with teacup and coaster. "Did he say anything odd?" 15[00:13] <@VoxPVoxD> The doctor Xu Sim worked with from quarantine earlier is jogging up to him. She seems to want him to come away so they can get to work. Xu Sim can join her or rebuff her and go into the meeting with Keldar and Dorma first. 15[00:13] <@VoxPVoxD> Kratz: "Odd for Bubo or odd for normal people?" [00:14] "Just remember, it's a song they're singing because of you. Please don't get yourself killed in there, I'm going to go cure this plague." 5 Xu Sim and Twice-Refined Princess move to join the doctor. [00:15] 14Stranger: "Either. Though the former should be more concerning." 14He holds the teacup with two fingers and his thumb and the saucer below it with the remaining two while using his free hand to test the noise coming from the doors out to the balcony. [00:16] "Just remember, it's a song they're singing because of you. Please don't get us killed in there before I can go cure this plague." 5 Xu Sim gives the doctor a "just ten minutes" type of gesture and follows Keldar. 15[00:16] <@VoxPVoxD> Selin: "I couldn't speculate as to the lofty motives and inscrutable whims of the gods." 15[00:16] <@VoxPVoxD> He sips his tea. "But they're scared." [00:16] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar says "Yeah," 12as he walks forward, trailing the wagon into, presumably, some kind of meeting chamber. 15[00:16] <@VoxPVoxD> The wagon's nowhere to be seen. [00:17] <@Ferrinus> 12Eh, presumably it's gotten to where it needs to go. 15[00:19] <@VoxPVoxD> The Solars are ushered into the main building, the heart of which is a massive office floored with rich carpets bearing the insignia of the Seventh Legion. There are little divots in the rug where a huge desk must've long stood. There are fine splinters of wood still embedded in the carpet that resisted sweeping. 15[00:20] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma is there in full regalia, hammer resting headfirst on the rug in front of him, eyes obscured by his helmet. [00:20] 13Xia Lan: "Of wh- you already said, you can't speculate." 13She runs a hand through her hair. "Still. Unheard of." 15[00:20] <@VoxPVoxD> There are two lieutenants flanking him, whose armor is less ornate but whose jade armaments are no less fearsome-looking. 15[00:22] <@VoxPVoxD> Selin: "Same thing everyone's afraid of, I expect. The raksha. They're getting closer." [00:23] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar's armor is considerably less impressive, of course, except in the contextual sense that you'd have to be very confident or completely insane to bring steel to a jadefight. The mercenary isn't helmeted, though he's got his usual bandanna on, and at his side he's holding a sheathed straight sword by its scabbard. In the absence of any better ideas, he gives Dorma and the flanking [00:23] <@Ferrinus> 12Dragon-Blooded a sober nod. [00:24] 13Xia Lan: "An understanding reached." 13She sips at her tea. [00:24] 14It's an excellent boudoir, if nothing else. [00:25] 5 Xu Sim gives as gracious a bow as he can, in the style of an Eastern courtier. [00:25] 5 Of course, he has nothing approaching the martial panoply of the others - just a few small bags of trinkets and a totem that faintly buzzes when he thinks about it from time to time. [00:30] "So. How can we reopen their doors?" 13The doors themselves aren't exactly her primary concern. "Assuming they haven't blocked them in preparation for something even worse." 15[00:30] <@VoxPVoxD> Stranger combs the apartment. It's surprisingly secure; carpet bunched up at the few listenable gaps in the walls and at the door, windows all but sealed with age, rickety furniture which could easily be made to collapse and barricade the door. It looks like through neglect or ill attention, Kratz has lucked into an incredibly defensible home. [00:31] 14Ha. Luck. Certainly. [00:32] "Dragonlord," 5 acknowledges Xu Sim after a moment of silence. [00:33] "Does he spend much time here?" 14Stranger asks, slipping the saucer into his other hand and cradling the tea once more. "Enough that you might be a target, is why I ask." 15[00:33] <@VoxPVoxD> Kratz: "He talked a lot about the Dragonlord hasn't been the same since his friend died. Mad with grief, he said." [00:34] 14Stranger arched an eyebrow. "The Dragonlord's friend? Was there a name?" 15[00:34] <@VoxPVoxD> Stranger makes his way out to the balcony, where Kratz does her stargazing. There's a bench set in front of the looking glass and an empty bottle of brandy beside it. 15[00:34] <@VoxPVoxD> Kratz: "Zuniga?" [00:34] 14Mmmm. [00:36] 14Stranger: "Well. It's very important that the Dragonlord not end up blaming Bubo for Zuniga's death in some convulted way. Both because he's totally innocent, and for tactical reasons." 14He examines the brandy bottle. 15[00:37] <@VoxPVoxD> "Past that... oh, there was one thing. He talked about getting hurt, but he didn't say why or where, only how." 15[00:37] <@VoxPVoxD> Something catches Stranger's eye, some small scrap of something that got wedged under the bench as it was pushed back from the telescope. Scraps of paper? They look almost... burnt. 15[00:37] <@VoxPVoxD> "He said he got burned." [00:37] 14The silver-haired man: "Oh?" 14Interesting. Can he collect them easily, or does he have to pry them out of there? 15[00:38] <@VoxPVoxD> He'd have to move the bench to get them. 15[00:38] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma doesn't say anything for an uncomfortably long time. Even the other Lookshyans eventually look a little nervous. Finally, hoarsely: "Well?" [00:38] 14He'll set his tea and the brandy bottle aside, and gently do so. [00:40] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar takes a long breath. "...I'm here to apologize." [00:41] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "I want to square things between us. Calm 'em, at least. I killed one of your people... and maybe circumstances made that unavoidable, I dunno. But at the very least I shouldn't have - and didn't mean to - insult you after the fact." [00:41] <@Ferrinus> "The..." 12Keldar pauses and looks away for a moment. "The thing is. Look." [00:41] 13We talked about this. [00:42] <@Ferrinus> 12His grip tightens on the sword he's holding casually. "I was scared." [00:43] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "I thought your people were after me. After I clashed with the Lieutenant, they pretty much were after me. When the alarm went up the day later I had no idea what was going on - what'd be waiting for me out in the streets. We might've already been at war. Needed every edge I could get." [00:44] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "'course it turns out to be greetings and negotiations... and I just end up standing there, a walking, you know, a walking fuck you to you and your people... for no reason at all. I never wanted that." [00:45] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "Your weapons and armor are better off- Nexus is better off if those things are in your hands. We need you here as allies." 15[00:46] <@VoxPVoxD> Selin: "Hard to say. You could try to scare them, but it's hard to be scarier than the raksha. You could try to bribe them, but it's hard to bribe a Celestial. Do you have any pull with Heaven?" [00:46] 14Stranger won't ever tell Keldar this, but when he hears of this moment Stranger will be proud of him, and think much better of him for it. [00:46] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar: "I can't make up for Zuniga. But at the least, I can give you what's yours and... settle things until the invasion's past. Until we've won. Yeah?" [00:50] 14It would take no small amount of time or effort to fully put these scraps back together, and fill the burnt-away gaps between them -- time that Stranger may well invest. But he can still discern some things now. 15[00:52] <@VoxPVoxD> Stranger takes the scraps. This is incredibly fine paper, and what remains has scraps of ornate calligraphy. This is a prayer strip, common in virtually every faith in Creation, but he's never seen one of such quality. Aside from being reduced almost to cinders. 15[00:53] <@VoxPVoxD> The bits of calligraphy he can see tell him the text of the strip is/was Old Realm. Can Stranger read that? [00:53] 14Stranger is fluent in Old Realm. Can even speak it. [00:55] 13Xia Lan: "That's complicated." 13She eyes Selin. Convenient day for him to show up and all. Paranoid to doubt him... but, she's alone, and paranoia never hurt anything except your friends' feelings. 15[00:56] <@VoxPVoxD> Very little of it is readable. Since it seems only the two ends of the strip have survived, those are the only pieces Stranger can read. 15[00:56] <@VoxPVoxD> It begins Once, there was a maiden... 15[00:56] <@VoxPVoxD> It ends ..."To know the world is to fear it," said she. [00:56] 14Well. That's...fair. 15[00:57] <@VoxPVoxD> Dorma: "I accept your apology." 15[00:57] <@VoxPVoxD> "Now get out of my sight." [00:58] 14But as to the purpose of this, ah, long-form... [00:58] <@Ferrinus> 12Keldar nods again. "Thanks for hearing me out." 12He turns and strides off purposefully, wondering how close he just came to death. 15[01:00] <@VoxPVoxD> Stranger can tell from the way the strip burned that it wasn't set on fire, it ignited in the middle. There are flecks of metal in the ashes. Is that... tin? Tin is an unusual metal to appear as a magical aftereffect. It's most commonly associated with Jupiter, the Maiden of Secrets. 15[01:01] <@VoxPVoxD> As Keldar departs: "I'll see you in the Deliberative." [01:01] <@Ferrinus> 12That fucker. [01:01] 14Ah. That would suit him. Stranger will slip the remnants into a pouch for later study. He might be able to do more with them. [01:03] 5 Xu Sim bows low, low, low to the ground and picks at a piece of the splintered desk as he does so. He, too, makes his way out to seek out the camp doctor. 15[01:03] <@VoxPVoxD> Selin sips his tea. "Mmm. Oh, that reminds me, I heard a rumor about you. Would it be terribly rude of me to ask if it's true?" [01:04] <@Ferrinus> 12For his part, Keldar's heading to Pellicia's offices to spread the news of the coming meeting and otherwise see to the Guard/Orchard forces. [01:05] 14To Kratz: "I will send the Ambassador by later. Both to check up on you, and to bring you news of Bubo. I am hopeful that it will be good." [01:05] 14Where is the looking glass pointing? [01:05] 14You can see the whole city from up here. 15[01:05] <@VoxPVoxD> Up at the sky. [01:06] 14Unhelpful. [01:06] 14He won't disturb it, however. And to Kratz: "Leave the looking glass be, would you?" [01:07] 14Perhaps there's something more interesting in its eye at night. [01:07] 5 There's a hair too, looks like one of Dorma's - better take it. 15[01:07] <@VoxPVoxD> Kratz: "Before you go, could you open the drawer on the end table there?" [01:08] 14Stranger tilts his head, and takes up his cane. "Certainly." [01:08] 14He'll walk over to where she's indicated, and open the drawer. 15[01:08] <@VoxPVoxD> Inside he'll find a pair of dark tinted glasses. [01:08] 14Ah. 15[01:08] <@VoxPVoxD> "Could you see that he gets them back? I suspect you'll see him before I do." [01:09] 14Stranger smiles. "Of course." [01:09] 14He wraps the glasses up in any handtowel, handkerchief, or cloth napkin available, and stows them as well. [01:10] 14He's learned more about the man from this breakfast. And the breakfast was good. [01:10] 14But as for leads... 15[01:15] <@VoxPVoxD> Well, there's always tomorrow. 15[01:15] <@VoxPVoxD> NEXT TIME: Two Sim [01:15] 14Not for long.