15[20:09] <@VoxPVoxD> A crucial war council awaits tomorrow, and mere weeks remain to prepare Nexus against the coming invasion. This is the last night there might be for a while when members of the centered circle have a chance to enjoy themselves. And Xia Lan and Stranger have plans. 15[20:09] <@VoxPVoxD> How do they prepare? [20:10] 14Well, we're probably bringing the teapot. [20:11] 13Definitely bringing the teapot. [20:11] 14Stranger will also ask Xia Lan if there's anyone else she'd like to bring along. A music-lover. [20:11] 14He has a fire-aspected Dynast with no social life in mind. [20:11] 14Frankly, he has to speak with Tsuka anyway about this tomb business. [20:14] 13Xia Lan won't object, though to be honest she'd originally planned on seeing Mr. Tellurian by herself... Still, it would hardly be fair to deny Stranger a chance to get another look at the venue and its crowds. And, well. Might do well to have him there when she tells Tohu about the agreement. [20:16] 14Call it a business dinner for Stranger. [20:16] 14He will gently remind Xia Lan that they should plan a somewhat early evening, however; there is an important meeting at noon the next day. [20:17] 14How difficult is it to get in touch with Tsuka? Is he currently bunked down with the Green Apples? [20:17] 13Whatever, dad. 15[20:18] <@VoxPVoxD> 10He is! [20:18] 14Oh, and a late addition: the Ambassador of Night and Day will slink back into the Floodwater hideaway around sundown and announce that she intends to spend a night on the town with her man. Luckily, the previously decided-upon plans are acceptable to her. 15[20:19] <@VoxPVoxD> 10A double date, then. [20:19] 14Stranger isn't going to say that out loud. [20:20] 14He is, however, going to dress up in his nicest peasant robes once he's done sending work to Cathak Tsuka about an opportunity to catch dinner and a show with himself and Xia Lan. 15[20:21] <@VoxPVoxD> Is Tsuka going to meet them out or come to the hideout? [20:23] 14Tsuka might as well get to learn where the hideout is. If they're going to be sending the boy into a First Age tomb, they might as well give him a measure of good-will and trust before asking him. [20:23] 14After all, it's perfectly likely he'll die down there. [20:23] 13He won't. [20:23] 14Well, that'll be up to Xia Lan, then. Stranger will be on other business. 15[20:24] <@VoxPVoxD> And hey, the closer he is to everyone else who's going, the more likely he'll die to save someone else. This is why Stranger's the smart one. Always looking out. [20:24] 14Thanks always to the narrator, for making the quiet parts loud. 15[20:25] <@VoxPVoxD> It's just that kind of night. 15[20:25] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka arrives five minutes before whatever time the message suggested. Who receives him and how? [20:27] 14Stranger will be in the common room, looking slightly uncomfortable in some new robes the Ambassador has found for him. They look more expensive than what he's been wearing previously, but are of the same fashion; the whites and blacks are sharper than in the rest of his wardrobe, however, and there are no homespun browns to be seen. [20:28] 14He'll be the one to answer the door. [20:29] "Ah! Cathak Tsuka. You're punctual, as opposed to merely on-time." [20:29] "Come in, come in." [20:30] 13Xia Lan's still sorting through outfits when he arrives, door to her quarters locked. It's hard finding something that fits the evening... plus she's trying to figure out exactly how daring to get within that. Hmm... 15[20:31] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka's wearing a simple spring robe, deep red with a bronze trim, his scabbards obscured by the folds of his sleeves. "Hello." [20:32] "Would you like some tea?" 14Stranger has a pot of something green and pleasant on the common room fire. [20:32] "The ladies are still getting dressed." 15[20:34] <@VoxPVoxD> "Thank you." He looks around, not seeing anyone else. "This is the same place we went the other night?" [20:35] 14Stranger: "That it is. I trust you remember the layout. You'll be with us at the tables rather than backstage this time." [20:40] 14At that moment the Ambassador of Night and Day sweeps out from Stranger's room in a...tactical leathers and evening-gown combination. https://ewedit.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/0002509873283273432343.jpg "Darling, have you put on some--oh, hello." [20:42] 14Stranger: "You look fantastic, dear. This, as I mentioned, is Cathak Tsuka -- member in good standing of the Green Apples, and strong arm against the forces arrayed against us. Tsuka, may I introduce the Ambassador of Night and Day." 15[20:42] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka blinks. 15[20:43] <@VoxPVoxD> "...it's very nice to meet you." He bows slightly. [20:44] 14With a hint of amusement, the Ambassador crosses one leg in front of the other and curtsies with her trailing dress. [20:44] "And you as well." [20:45] 14She strides over to the teapot; Stranger tosses her an empty teacup on the fly, which she plucks from the air and fills with green tea. [20:46] "So, Cathak Tsuka," 14the Ambassador says, sipping from her cup, "what is it that you do with the Green Apples?" 15[20:49] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka sits belatedly and his speech follows suit. He's recovering his footing, but the going is slow. "I'm still a recruit, technically, training and drilling. Once we finish the first wave of exercises I'm hoping to get promoted. They were talking about needing more officers for all the conscripts." [20:50] 13Xia Lan steps out a moment later, outfit sorted. Her shiny black dress swirls on the floor, though she stands even taller than usual with some unwieldy-looking heels, and the scandalous fishnet v-cut down the front makes it hard to look at the rest of the outfit. A spiked collar, long elbow gloves, and a fetching black hat (with flowers pinned to it), combined with thick black eyeliner and lipstick complete the look. [20:50] https://i.imgur.com/d0h6IPB.png [20:50] 13It's... something. Really, really something. She clicks a few steps out from her door, and curtsies slightly towards the assembled visitors and Stranger, smirking. "Well? What do you think?" 15[20:50] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "..." [20:50] 14The Ambassador: "Well, the way I hear it, you..." [20:51] "Oh my." [20:51] "Darling, you look...incredible." [20:51] 14She glances about the room. "But it appears that now we have a problem." [20:52] "Three of us are dressed one way, and the young man from the Apples is dressed another." [20:52] 13Xia Lan: "Thank you." 13She follows the glance. "Ah. That is a problem." [20:52] 14To Tsuka: "Not that it's your fault, dear. I presume a certain someone didn't inform you how we were dressing." [20:52] 14Stranger sighs. 15[20:52] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "..." [20:53] "And, frankly, neither myself nor Xia Lan are going to go back in and redo an hour or more of work." [20:53] 14She turns to her partner with a bright smile. "So you're going to have to change, dearest." [20:54] 14Stranger-Visits-Heaven smiles back. "Of course. Have you picked out an--" [20:54] 14Sweetly: "The one that's burnt sienna on pale orange. Third hanger in the second closet." [20:55] 14Stranger's smile fades into a grimace. 'Have you picked out an outfit' was meant to be a needling joke. "Well then." [20:55] 14He puts down his teacup. "I'll be right back." [20:57] 14He disappears into his room and shuts the door, and the Ambassador turns back to the two teens and clasps her hands. "So. You two met through work?" 15[20:58] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka, too abruptly: "Yes." [20:58] 13Xia Lan: "See, and I was hoping you had some sort of change for -" 13She looks over to the Ambassador. "Hm? Yes, Stranger introduced us. Security for a concert, as I recall." [21:01] 14The Ambassador: "And how well did he do his job?" [21:02] 13Xia Lan: "Well, the first time, no cause for alarm. The second time, he defended me against the thing that's currently in Xu Sim's laboratory." [21:03] 14Her gaze swings back to the Dynast. "Impressive. That was a demon, was it not?" [21:03] 13Something in her voice as she says Xu Sim's name comes off like a sneer. [21:03] 13Her face never changes, though. [21:04] 13She swivels abruptly and takes a seat on an armrest, facing Tsuka but still with her head turned to the Ambassador. [21:04] 14Well, that's not playing fair. 15[21:04] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "..." [21:05] 14The Ambassador: "Cathak Tsuka?" 14She's just trying to get his attention again. 15[21:08] <@VoxPVoxD> It takes her a second try. He looks in her direction again, clearing his throat. [21:08] 13This is fun. Xia Lan is having fun. [21:08] 14Perfectly conversational: "That was a demon, was it not?" 15[21:10] <@VoxPVoxD> "...I'm sorry?" Tsuka seems to have lost the thread of the conversation already. Not a good sign. [21:11] 14She chuckles. "My dear boy, you're going to have to gird yourself a bit more strongly than this if you're to run in these circles." [21:11] 13Xia Lan smirks with a quirk of the lips, then shifts to sit in the chair properly. That was maybe too cruel. 15[21:12] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka closes his eyes. "You asked if he was a demon." 15[21:12] <@VoxPVoxD> "I think he was. But it seemed like he wasn't anymore. Or like he didn't think he was." 15[21:12] <@VoxPVoxD> "Most of the people in there seemed like that." [21:12] 14The Ambassador: "I did; but I already knew the answer. What I was really asking was what you knew of demons." [21:13] "And that is a perceptive reply." [21:17] 14She sips her tea. "It is my opinion -- and only my opinion, so you should take it with whatever credit you give such things -- that a man should appreciate beauty, but not be intimidated by it; and he should appreciate his own beauty as well. I say 'a man' because I do not often find myself giving this advice to women. Perhaps things are different in the Realm." 15[21:18] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "...thank you." [21:18] "But in circles such as ours, if you find yourself flustered speaking to women, there's a good chance--" 14Her forehead lights up with a silvery crest: a crescent moon inside of a circle. "--you will find your flustered speaking to far more dangerous creatures." [21:18] 14At that moment, Stranger steps out of his room in a neat brown-and-orange number, looking vaguely annoyed. [21:19] "I presume this is the fashion you wanted, my dear." [21:19] 13Xia Lan: "Welcome back, Stranger." 13She turns away from the mark on the Ambassador's forehead. [21:20] 14The Ambassador's caste sign vanishes and she stands, her conversation with Tsuka ended. Far more important is how her consort looks. And: "Perfect." [21:22] 14Stranger from the Ambassador to Xia Lan to Tsuka to the Ambassador to Tsuka again. How does he look? [21:22] *14Stranger looks 15[21:23] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka looks very stoic, or totally stunned, depending on your guesses as to his mental state. [21:25] 14Stranger holds in a sigh. Xia Lan is one thing. It was irresponsible to leave him alone with the Ambassador. [21:25] 13Hee hee. [21:25] 14He puts the teapot off to the side of the coals, and douses them. "Shall we, then?" [21:26] 13Xia Lan. "I'm ready if you are." 13She rises, and extends a gloved hand to Tsuka. [21:27] 14As they put the last touches on preparing to leave, Stranger takes the Ambassador aside for a brief moment. "Once we're five or six minutes out the door, find an excuse to walk ahead a bit with Xia Lan. I want to make sure that boy doesn't fully lose his nerve." [21:27] 14She grins, but resists laughing. "Of course, darling." [21:29] 14As Xia Lan extends her hand, Stranger and the Ambassador will link arms. 15[21:29] <@VoxPVoxD> To his credit, Tsuka only freezes up for a fraction of a second before taking Xia Lan's hand. [21:30] 14Onward, to the club! [21:32] 13Xia Lan smirks again, but doesn't comment on his freezing up. She'll match whatever Tsuka wants to do, whether that's handholding, linking arms, or standing a chaste distance away while he tries very hard not to look at her outfit. [21:34] 14Whatever Tsuka's comfort level, three or four blocks into their walk the Ambassador will make an excuse to beckon Xia Lan forward for 'girl talk,' in order to give Stranger and Tsuka the necessary cover to engage in boy talk. 15[21:34] <@VoxPVoxD> After they're on the road a ways, Tsuka lapses from handholding to chaste distance to shadowing Xia Lan like a bodyguard again. [21:36] 14The Ambassador and Xia Lan will set the tone walking down the Nexus street, while Stranger drifts in their wake, staying very well alert as he beckons Tsuka to his side. [21:36] 13While he's shadowing her, he'll get a good view of the back of her dress, which is just as open as the front but without the same fishnet cover. 15[21:36] <@VoxPVoxD> Does Xia Lan have eyes in the back of her head? [21:36] 14...Actually, new plan. Stranger will take lead. [21:36] 13No, but gods she wished she did just to see his face. 15[21:37] <@VoxPVoxD> She gets a pretty good idea if she sees the faces of any of the everybody they pass on the street. [21:38] 14Xia Lan and the Ambassador don't actually need bodyguards, and he'll be damned if he has to answer questions about that outfit later tonight. [21:39] 14As the Ambassador falls in next to Xia Lan, she permits herself a grin. "It's my understanding that my dear Stranger has done something to deserve this, but you're just tormenting that poor boy." [21:41] 14Some fifteen paces ahead, Stranger says: "Stop looking back. If an ambush wounds either of them, it's from a hand that would have wounded them regardless of what you or I could do." [21:41] 14It's not like the two men aren't turning heads themselves, either. [21:41] 13Xia Lan keeps up her steady pace. "You're right. I'll try and back off a little - the thing with the armchair was a little... too mean." 13She shakes her head. "No apologies for Stranger, though it seems like his focus is elsewhere, regardless." 15[21:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka immediately turns to face forward again. "This is not what I expected from the note." [21:43] 14The Ambassador waves a hand. "He did what he did. I understand why he did it, and I agree that he should be punished for it. As does he." [21:43] 14Stranger tugs discreetly at the outfit. "Yes, well. It is not precisely what I expected either." [21:43] 13Xia Lan: "He's told you about the - event, then? To settle the score." [21:44] 14Stranger: "But they're not trying to humiliate you and you haven't lost face with either of them. Lessons are meant to be learned." [21:44] 14Stranger: "Over tea as much as across swords." [21:45] 13Well, one of them was definitely trying to get a reaction out of him, which in some cultures can be construed as "humiliation." 15[21:45] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "I don't understand why people can't just say what they mean instead of being so... so..." [21:46] 14The Ambassador nods. "Yes. And my reaction was much the same as yours, at first. It was a contentious evening; there are no circumstances under which I take my partner drugging women in his custody as good news." [21:46] 14A sidelong glance. "My apologies. 'Custody' is not perhaps the best term." [21:47] 14Stranger: "If people said what they meant, people would know each other. And people knowing each other is a very, very dangerous thing." [21:47] 14Stranger: "Because when you see someone clearly, for what they really are, you might not like what you see." [21:47] 13Xia Lan: "I take your meaning," 13she says lightly. "He and Xu Sim have both tried to make amends, in their own ways. I'm still angry, but... less so than I was when I found out." [21:48] 14The Ambassador: "I was less angry when I found out the effect of the drug, of course. In fact, I've asked for some for myself. There are certain, ah, social obligations I have for which it would be quite useful." [21:49] 13Xia Lan: "Certainly. I'd just rather know what I was ingesting beforehand. And... personal pride was a factor." [21:49] 14She smiles; it turns from pleasant to predatory as a man tries to approach them on the street. He backs away. "The fringe of the world pretends to far fewer scriples than the center. This is refreshing and terrifying in turns." 15[21:50] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "But this way just means that people could not like you and you'd never know." [21:50] 14Back to Xia Lan: "Pride is important. Never let anyone tell you it isn't. But that said: you can never let pride talk you into the fall." [21:52] 14Stranger: "That's true. The distance between people -- that's the loneliest part of being alive, and it's a distance something no amount of skill on the field of battle or potence in the sorcerous arts can close." [21:53] 13Xia Lan: "I'm aware of my skill. I was aware of the stakes." 13There's a hard undercurrent to her words, which she quickly covers. "...Sorry. I've had that discussion several times already, and it's starting to grow repetitive." [21:57] 14The Ambassador smiles slightly. "Have you? I think my point is slightly different. If your pride had compelled you to cheat to ensure your victory -- and that sort of pride is very common in our world -- I think Stranger would have had no problem with it at all. The dear cares far more about ends than means." 15[21:57] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "You sound like they dressed." [21:59] "I am saying that pride, itself, can be the stumbling block. And I am not counseling that you lose it. I am counseling that you come to understand it better. Because making name-wagers with demons for no better reason than because the demon asked is not behavior to encourage." [21:59] 13Xia Lan: "...that's a mistake that has its origins in a different mistake I made long before I came here. And that one won't be repeated." [22:00] 14Stranger: "Tsuka, I'm not quite sure how to take that." [22:00] "So I choose to take it to mean you're listening." 15[22:00] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "..." 15[22:01] <@VoxPVoxD> The four of them are almost at the CIO; any parting words? [22:03] 14The Ambassador: "Everything is connected, dear; even worse, everything appears to be connected. Should you try, you will always be able to track a thing back your original sin, and that sin will merely be a compounded list of all the horrible things you've done in your life. The trick is this: you must escape the past, while knowing that you cannot. Self-deceit is no crime; [22:03] self-deceit can save your life." [22:04] 13Xia Lan manages a tight smile, but does not reply. [22:06] 14Stranger: "Once we're inside, we're going to talk business. I'll have no lectures for you, especially not on the subject of women. But I've known you for some time now, and the advice I leave you with is this: no one here thinks less of you than you think of yourself. And when you can defeat yourself, you win things far greater than you alone can be." [22:07] 14As they arrive at the CIO, they'll drift back into their original couples. [22:07] 13Xia Lan, to Tsuka: "Good talk?" [22:08] 14Stranger and the Ambassador confer quietly; a few moments into their whispers, Stranger grins and pulls the Ambassador hard to his hip. She grins back. 15[22:08] <@VoxPVoxD> The place is pretty busy tonight; there's actually a line at the door. Tsuka: "If you like life lessons on club night." [22:09] 13Xia Lan: "You too, huh." 13Drinks for the both of them when they get in, then. [22:09] 14He's learning. Do we still have enough pull to skip the line by going in the back way? 15[22:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Up to Xia Lan. She's pretty sure she can walk in the back, and she's also pretty sure the line at the door would just crumble if she looked at it funny. [22:10] 14It's up to her, then. Stranger and, of course, the Ambassador are up for a red carpet strut. [22:10] 14Clarification: it's up to her to decide how much she cares about how Tsuka feels. [22:11] 13Wow, way to take the fun out of walking in the front. [22:11] 14She could ask. [22:15] 14Either way, Xia Lan is the star of this show. If they're going in the front, Xia Lan and Tsuka will go first. [22:15] 13Xia Lan whispers to Tsuka: "Up for a starring role?" 15[22:17] <@VoxPVoxD> Because of the traffic, the doors are always open, and the warmup act is audible outside: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIHvwagIVIQ 15[22:18] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "Co-starring." [22:20] 13She smiles. "As you say." 13Then she strides up to the doors with confidence, arm in arm with Tsuka. She's all smiles, beaming at each and every person in line she passes, offering waves to those who manage to look without leering. [22:21] 14As they go, from well far away, his eyes studiously focused on the back of Tsuka's head rather than anywhere else, Stranger says: "Kids these days." [22:21] 13There's quite an interesting design in Xia Lan's back, actually. Are you sure you wouldn't rather see that than Tsuka's boring head? [22:22] 14Mmmm. [22:22] 14It is incredibly hard to tell where someone with a blind man's milky eyes is looking at any given time. [22:22] 14Which is why Stranger inclines his head even further until Xia Lan is inside. [22:24] 13Do the doormen give Xia Lan any grief for walking past the obvious line, or are they as dazzled as the rest of her audience? 15[22:24] <@VoxPVoxD> The line all but parts for them. The bouncer takes his fez off as they approach. [22:25] 13Xia Lan: "Hello again. Party of four?" 15[22:25] <@VoxPVoxD> "Right this way." [22:26] 14Stranger and the Ambassador will follow in their wake. Neither of them is quite the scene that Xia Lan is, but they're both irresistable in a regal, reserved way -- proper for the adults following the smoldering teens. [22:26] 13She gives a wink and a wave to the line while making sure that Stranger and the Ambassador are allowed to follow them. 15[22:28] <@VoxPVoxD> The four of them are ushered to a table near the stage and orders are taken. Anyone hungry? 15[22:29] <@VoxPVoxD> The place really is packed tonight; there's a lot of people Xia Lan, Stranger, and Tsuka will remember from their last night in the CIO, and a whole slew of others, ranging from what look like ordinary people to stranger things than the wasps or Tohu ever were. [22:29] 13Xia Lan makes sure to order something sweet and alcoholic to drink for both her and Tsuka, but she has no strong feelings on food. [22:31] 14Both Stranger and the Ambassador could go for finger foods, as they haven't eaten yet today. Preferably spiced meats in pastry, if they're at hand. Stranger will also order a kettle of Scarlet Raiment tea, and...a pitcher of beer, for the Ambassador and whoever else wants to drink. [22:32] 14If there's no beer, the Ambassador will settle for some neat liquor. 15[22:32] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka wants something fried, so a tray of snacks and charcuterie will accompany Stranger's Tea, the Ambassador's beer, and Xia Lan and Tsuka's cocktails. [22:33] 14Now that's a spread. 15[22:33] <@VoxPVoxD> "Some of those," he says to the waitape, pointing to a plate on the table in the corner piled high with what look like deep-fried shrimp, potatoes, and donuts. 15[22:34] <@VoxPVoxD> Piled really high. Like the size of a birdhouse. [22:35] "Crab rangoon," 14the Ambassador adds archly. 15[22:35] <@VoxPVoxD> Ah! A Nexus classic. "Coming right up." They get their drinks within minutes despite the crowd; the food will be a bit longer. 15[22:35] <@VoxPVoxD> Xia Lan feels something rub up against her leg under the table. [22:36] 13Does it feel like a cat? 15[22:36] <@VoxPVoxD> It does. [22:36] 13Xia Lan: "Hello, Tohu." [22:36] 14This is why the Ambassador wears closed bottoms. 15[22:38] <@VoxPVoxD> Tohu leaps from floor to table, balancing neatly on her hind quarters as her tail sweeps errant dust onto the floor. "You look amazing, dear. And I see you brought friends!" She arches around to regard them all, particularly the Ambassador, who she's never met. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Tohu. We're the proprietor." [22:39] 14The Ambassador half-nods, half-bows graciously. [22:39] 14Stranger: "Good evening, Tohu." 15[22:39] <@VoxPVoxD> "Good evening Stranger, Tsuka." Turning back to Xia Lan, she says, "Could I speak to you privately for a moment?" [22:40] 13Xia Lan: "Of course."13She stands, then turns back to the table. "Excuse me for a moment?" [22:40] 14Stranger gestures for her to go. [22:41] 13Xia Lan will follow Tohu wherever they lead. [22:42] 14Once they're gone, to Tsuka: "Give her ten minutes before you start thinking about snooping." 15[22:45] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka, who totally wasn't thinking about following her: "What's this act we're supposed to see tonight?" [22:46] 14Stranger, pleasantly: "A happy drunk." 15[22:47] <@VoxPVoxD> Tohu leads Xia Lan to the back, specifically the dressing rooms, where three more Tohus are pawing at the shut door and meowing. 15[22:47] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "Vladok?" 15[22:47] <@VoxPVoxD> "Is this another duel?" [22:48] 14Stranger laughs. "Oh Sun, no. Though you're not wrong." [22:48] 13Is the door locked, or...? [22:48] "Some fellow with long hair. Just a man, as far as I looked." [22:48] "There will be another duel, but not tonight." [22:49] 14The Ambassador: "And not with Vladok, hmm?" 15[22:49] <@VoxPVoxD> It's not locked, but it is the only door in the venue without a cat flap in it. Apparently some acts complained about the walkins. [22:49] 14Stranger: "No. Not with Vladok." 15[22:50] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka, instinctively scanning the bar for potential assailants: "Who...?" [22:51] 14The Ambassador laughs. Stranger grimaces. [22:51] "Me," 14he says. 15[22:51] <@VoxPVoxD> "Against who?" [22:51] 13Xia Lan knocks before opening the door partway, allowing whoever's inside to shout. 15[22:51] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "JUST A MINUTE" 15[22:51] <@VoxPVoxD> There's the sound of something small and glass getting knocked over. [22:51] 13She looks to one of the Tohu with a raised eyebrow. [22:51] 14Stranger: "Tsuka. Think about what you just heard again." 15[22:52] <@VoxPVoxD> It doesn't break. Sounds pretty sturdy. [22:54] 13Xia Lan: "Tellurian?" 15[22:55] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka's eyes widen. Hard to tell if it's in realization or because the pile of fried food in the corner booth is a lot smaller despite the lady at the table never seeming to touch it. He turns back to Stranger. "What happened?" [22:55] 14Stranger: "Do you remember when we gave Xia Lan some water before the contest with Vladok?" 15[22:56] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "YEAH I'M COMING" Something else falls over. 15[22:56] <@VoxPVoxD> Tohu: "If he breaks something it's coming out of his pay." 15[22:56] <@VoxPVoxD> Tohu: "If he breaks something it's coming out of his hide." 15[22:56] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "Yeah...?" [22:56] 14Stranger: "I had Xu Sim spike it with a drug that made it more difficult for her to get drunk." [22:57] 13Xia Lan: "I'm coming in. Get dressed if you aren't." 13Hoo boy. [22:57] "I didn't tell her, because I wanted to be certain that were she asked under oath if she was cheating, she could answer 'no' without lying." [22:57] 13She waits a few seconds for him to at least get the chance to grab something, and enters. [22:58] "And I did it because her safety was only assured if she won, and her safety was more important to me than how she felt about me." [22:58] 14Where's that tea? [22:58] 13Before she does, to one of the Tohu: "Fetch my drink, please. I think I'll need it." 15[22:58] <@VoxPVoxD> "Get dressed? What kind of act--" Xia Lan enters and sees Mr. Tellurian struggling to right a small apothecary of jars, phials, bottles, and boxes. He's wearing a sleeveless black shirt with a five-pointed star on the front. [22:59] 14Oh, right. It's already here. [22:59] 14Stranger's a bit distracted. He pours himself a cup. 15[22:59] <@VoxPVoxD> Drinks arrived. Tsuka keeps Xia Lan's in front of him while he sips his own. Stranger's tea is set out and the Ambassador gets a small pitcher of beer and a glass. [22:59] 14She's on her third. 15[22:59] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "And now you're dueling?" [22:59] 14Stranger: "That we are." [23:00] 13Xia Lan: "I had assumed you didn't come to the venue in full costume. That would be absurd," 13she says, somehow without breaking down into laughter. [23:00] "What have you got there?" 15[23:01] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian looks up at her and his eyes widen. "Get down!" he hisses, reaching out to grab Xia Lan by the shoulders as if the ceiling was about to cave in. [23:02] 13Xia Lan stands where she is. "Those won't work on hangovers, you know." [23:05] 13Wait, he's going for - jeez. She'll step quickly out of the way of his grasp, hopefully staying fully upright. 15[23:05] <@VoxPVoxD> If he can't get her, he just ducks himself. 15[23:05] <@VoxPVoxD> "No!" [23:06] 13She raises an eyebrow. 15[23:07] <@VoxPVoxD> He looks up after a moment, at Xia Lan, and then behind her. 15[23:07] <@VoxPVoxD> Then he pulls himself to his feet and dusts himself off. "Sorry." [23:08] 13Xia Lan: "So, what happened?" [23:08] 14The Ambassador, to Tsuka: "How do you feel about that? I wasn't pleased when I heard, but I've decided in the end that both the decision and its consequence are fitting." [23:08] 14She's not fixing him with some terrible gaze anymore; just pouring herself another drink. 15[23:09] <@VoxPVoxD> "I'm acting like a jerk. Let me just," he turns back to the table and stacking pills on leaves and mashing them together with pastes and rolling them up like hideous medicinal hors d'oeuvres. "I got a killer headache," he says, chewing and grimacing. "Seeing lights and stuff. I'll be good for showtime." 15[23:09] <@VoxPVoxD> After a moment. "Also wow that is an outfit." [23:09] 13Xia Lan: "Not with all that you won't. Mixing things like that is a recipe for, say, seeing things that aren't there, in addition to not curing a hangover. And, thank you." 15[23:10] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "I don't have a hangover." 15[23:10] <@VoxPVoxD> "I have headaches." [23:10] 13Xia Lan: "Define headaches." 15[23:10] <@VoxPVoxD> "I..." He looks at her like this is a trick question. "My... head hurts? I get really sensitive to lights and noises." 15[23:11] <@VoxPVoxD> "It's fine, I just need a minute." [23:11] 13Xia Lan: "Severity, I mean. And do you break out this kit every time?" [23:12] 13She pokes her head out the door. To Tohu: "Could you fetch Tsuka for me? The one that isn't Stranger or the Ambassador. Thanks." 15[23:12] <@VoxPVoxD> "No," he says, washing the crap out of his mouth with a glass of water. "This is the first time I've tried these." 15[23:12] <@VoxPVoxD> "Mostly I've been drinking." [23:13] 13Xia Lan: "That turned out... about as well as this, I imagine." [23:13] 14How long has Xia Lan been gone? 15[23:13] <@VoxPVoxD> About ten minutes. [23:13] 14Stranger glances over at Tsuka and sighs. "Well, go ahead." [23:14] 14The Ambassador: "He hasn't answered my--" [23:14] 14She glares at Stranger and sighs as well. "Go." 15[23:15] <@VoxPVoxD> As Tsuka gets up and walks to the back, he wades through several strange people and creatures, and tries to peek over or beyond the fried pile but the woman next to it gives him a stern look and he keeps walking. He actually passes the waitape carrying their food, coming out as he goes in. 15[23:15] <@VoxPVoxD> Tohu: "Really, what f-" Tsuka's there. "Is everything alright?" 15[23:15] <@VoxPVoxD> Tohu looks up at Xia Lan. [23:16] 14Stranger, as the food arrives: "Well, there is this." [23:16] 14The Ambassador: "There is this." [23:16] 14They dig in. [23:16] 13Xia Lan: "Ah, thank you, Tohu. Tsuka, do you have any medical expertise?" 15[23:16] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "Are you hurt? Is somebody hurt?" 15[23:17] <@VoxPVoxD> Finally, actually answering her question: "Some." [23:18] 13Xia Lan: "I'll take that as a yes. Come in." 13She waves him in before closing the door to Tohu. "Tsuka, this is Mr. Tellurian. Mr. Tellurian, Cathak Tsuka." 15[23:20] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka takes one look at Mr. Tellurian and bows stiffly. Mr. Tellurian waves him in. "Hey. Any friend of Xia Lan's is a friend of mine. Here to see the show?" [23:22] 13Xia Lan: "We are. But, you were saying you had headaches? Sensitivity to light and noise?" 15[23:25] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "I... I can help him if he's broken his leg, or taken a weapon to the chest. This i 15[23:26] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "sn't the kind of medicine they teach you in the House of Bells." 15[23:26] <@VoxPVoxD> There's a weird echoing effect as the man at the dresser echoes the man at the door half a syllable ahead. [23:26] 13Xia Lan: "Pardon?" 15[23:27] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka's looking directly at Tellurian. "What?" [23:27] 13She looks back and forth between the two men. 15[23:27] <@VoxPVoxD> Tellurian: "What?" 15[23:27] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "You just finished my sentence." 15[23:27] <@VoxPVoxD> Tellurian: "What?" [23:27] 13Xia Lan: "You did that, in fact." 15[23:28] <@VoxPVoxD> He rubs his temples again. "I don't know, I'm jabbering. Listen if there's nothing you can do I really appreciate it, but I gotta get out there." [23:28] 14Meanwhile, the food is good and the drink is better. [23:29] 13Xia Lan: "Can you perform?" 13She looks at him critically. There's a lot of lingering questions, here... but they can happen after the show. If he's up for it. 15[23:29] <@VoxPVoxD> Across the room, a nest of wasps is thrumming melodiously. Stranger can recognize the tune. God~ are~ you punishing me? Is this the price I'm paying for my past mistakes~ 15[23:30] <@VoxPVoxD> Tellurian: "Yeah. Yeah I'm good." He takes a deep breath. "Got any requests?" 15[23:30] <@VoxPVoxD> Tohu: "The crowd's getting restless!" 15[23:31] <@VoxPVoxD> (It isn't.) [23:31] 14Those again. Where does he recognize the song from? [23:31] 13Xia Lan smiles at him. "You ever hear the Boys are Back in Town?" 15[23:31] <@VoxPVoxD> That's one of Xia Lan's. He's heard her sing it twice now. 15[23:31] <@VoxPVoxD> Tellurian: "Heck yes I do." 15[23:31] <@VoxPVoxD> "Did. Whatever." [23:32] 13Xia Lan: "Go get 'em. You've got this." [23:32] 13She leads Tsuka apologetically from the room, then - if Mr. Tellurian says he's got it, there's not exactly much she or he can do. A parting word: "Let's talk after the show, okay?" 15[23:32] <@VoxPVoxD> "Sure." [23:33] 14Well, that's...heartening. [23:33] 13She offers a parting wave and shrugs to Tohu before leading Tsuka back to the table with the Ambassador and Stranger. "Well. That was... something." [23:33] 14Stranger: "How is the great and wise Mr. Tellurian?" [23:34] 13Xia Lan: "Headache. And... something more. Echoed Tsuka before he even said anything. We're going to talk after the show." [23:34] 14To Tsuka: "Food's here." 14The vast majority of what Tsuka ordered is, too. [23:35] 14Stranger and the Ambassador were hungry, but they're also a peasant and a bird, respectively. They nibble. 15[23:36] <@VoxPVoxD> Xia Lan's treated to a number of whistles and one tiny scoff as she re-enters. [23:36] 13The whistles are understandable. Where's that scoff coming from? 15[23:36] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka sits down and immediately starts eating, oblivious to any of this. 15[23:37] <@VoxPVoxD> It's coming from behind her. The booth back the door backstage, with the plate of food piled high. Looks like there's a woman there, not touching the food, though there are crumbs and rumpled napkins shadowed in the lee side of the food mountain. [23:38] 13Is it too catty to turn and give a wave and a wink? No. No it is not. [23:39] 14If Stranger can lean over the back of his chair and, head inverted, stare at the booth where the scoff came from, he will. Otherwise he'll ignore it. 15[23:41] <@VoxPVoxD> The woman's eyebrows go up a millimeter but her face is upturned in a delicate smile. Everything about her is delicate, from her pale skin to her swept up hair to her long, graceful limbs. Even her outfit, skirt and sash in gauzy blue, give the impression of lightness and insubstantiality. 15[23:41] <@VoxPVoxD> Stranger's got direct line of sight to the booth. It's Tsuka who'd have to turn around. [23:42] 14Well, that does diminish the theatricality. [23:43] 14Stranger: "I don't know her." [23:43] 14The Ambassador: "Nor I." [23:43] 13Xia Lan: "Three of us, then. Just a friendly face, I suppose." [23:44] 14Stranger: "We could go say hello." [23:44] 14The Ambassador: "I doubt she'd appreciate that." [23:44] 14Stranger: "I'm not here for appreciation." [23:44] 13Xia Lan: "I am. Which is why I've half a mind to go over there anyway." [23:45] 14The Ambassador: "Of course you are." [23:45] 14She chuckles at Xia Lan's response. [23:45] 14The Ambassador: "Try not to start a fight." 15[23:45] <@VoxPVoxD> xia lan has like thirty seconds tops before the show starts to get a word in 15[23:46] <@VoxPVoxD> Pretend that was punctuated. [23:46] 13Shan't. [23:46] 13Anyway, she's made her statement with the smile and wave. [23:46] 14Just give her the finger and be done with it. [23:46] 14They have the finger here, right? 15[23:47] <@VoxPVoxD> If that's all you're willing to pay for. 15[23:48] <@VoxPVoxD> Tohu: "And now, for your appreciation, our headline act tonight. All the way from Pneuma, the illustrious Mr. Tellurian!" [23:48] 14Gives new meaning to "fuck the Guild." 15[23:50] <@VoxPVoxD> The guitar sounds metallic, one of those lightly enchanted ones you can get from the Blessed Isle if you've got money or connections. 15[23:51] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian comes out, and the band rises to meet him. 15[23:51] <@VoxPVoxD> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKlu3A3BBgE [23:51] 14Stranger leans forward. The Ambassador keeps her eyes on the mystery woman. [23:52] 14'Mister Tellurian' is perfectly acceptable, but that's all he is. She's got other interests. [23:53] 13Xia Lan clinks glasses with Tsuka. Hers is nearly empty already - she'll wave down a server for another when she gets a chance. 15[23:53] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka's is similarly low. [23:53] 13Hah. Cute. 15[23:56] <@VoxPVoxD> The song ends and people clap. Even the woman in the corner claps, very gently, as if she worries her hands might break if she showed any enthusiasm. [23:58] 13Xia Lan claps a bit more enthusiastically than the rest. Good, good. She relaxes - she was worried that he was forcing himself to go out there when he wasn't ready, but this is fine. Good, even. Been a while since she was in the crowd. 15[00:01] <@VoxPVoxD> The next song starts up and everyone goes nuts. Everybody loves this song. "Guess who just got back today..." 15[00:01] <@VoxPVoxD> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQo1HIcSVtg [00:03] 13Xia Lan hums along - her singing voice is too noticeable and might distract from the performance. Yes, this is what she came to see! Woman at the booth forgotten, she's now fully caught up in the performance. [00:05] 14Stranger bops along, very reservedly. This guy's not bad. 15[00:07] <@VoxPVoxD> While the Ambassador keeps a discreet eye on the booth, she sees the food on the table pile down before her eyes-- there. Almost too fast to catch, a hand appears behind the mound and grabs a fistful off the top, vanishing as quickly as it appeared. A purple hand. [00:08] 14Oh my. [00:08] 14She leans over and whispers in Stranger's ear: "The royalty booth isn't seating only one." [00:10] 14He whispers back: "How do you mean?" [00:10] 14The Ambassador: "Purple hand. Snatching food. Keeping out of sight." 15[00:11] <@VoxPVoxD> The next song opens with Tellurian singing over the drums. None of them recognize this one; it's the first original of the night. "Standing in the rain..." 15[00:11] <@VoxPVoxD> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr6KVNt-1Ek [00:11] 14Her lips almost on his ear now: "I'm not going to tell you how to do your job..." [00:11] 14He chuckles. [00:11] 14She continues: "...but it looks demonic to me." [00:12] 13Okay, I'll bite. What's a jukebox? [00:12] 14Then they're both enthralled by Mr. Tellurian's third song. [00:17] 13...extremely specific, and yet utterly fascinating. And a hell of a song, to boot. 15[00:20] <@VoxPVoxD> Tellurian's breathing hard, sweating under the lights. He looks pumped. Now it's on. Now it's a show. This one's another original. 15[00:20] <@VoxPVoxD> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiQxdxIXinE 15[00:21] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka really likes this once. 15[00:21] <@VoxPVoxD> one* [00:21] 14For Stranger, there's a strange dual aspect to this music: he's not used to this much drum, nor this metallic sound, but he is used to the storytelling and the strong, single-voiced melodic throughline. [00:22] 14Frankly, in the parlance of the kids, even if it's old it fucking bangs. [00:22] 13Something deep within Xia Lan remembers this from a long, long time ago. Another life. Then the feeling passes. Yep. It fucking bangs. [00:24] 14The Ambassador, meanwhile, had written this guy off as kind of a clown, and she's still not willing to pull back from that. But! He understands how to use drums, and he can control the room. And given that percussion and charisma are two of the pillars holding up the musical tradition of the people she comes from, the Ambassador can respect this noise. [00:29] 14As he plays, she watches the booth. And she learns a couple things: first, there is some respect for the performance there. But tellingly, it's blunted by something -- and it's probably not personal. Or if it is personal, it's not something that happened between the two of them. [00:30] 14You don't look that disdainful AND detached if he was a drunk who fucked around you. [00:30] 14There's something...bigger going on here. [00:30] 13Not unless you're a really good actress, anyway. [00:31] 14Good news: she was probably just being needlessly rude to Xia Lan, rather than articulating a grudge or a deeply-held belief. [00:31] 14That's the Ambassador's assessment, anyway. [00:31] 13Xia Lan still thinks she was just jealous, so. [00:31] 13And to be fair, who could blame her? [00:32] 14That said: it would be probably be best if she and Xia Lan approached the table after the show, if that were something in the itinerary. [00:32] 14She scoffed at Xia Lan, and she's stared back at the Ambassador, but she hasn't responded at all to any men. [00:32] 13You'd have to let Xia Lan know about that first - she hasn't spared a glance to the table since the show started. [00:33] 14Well, that's just a lean across and a whisper while staring down the booth in question, now isn't it? [00:34] 13Surely is. 15[00:34] <@VoxPVoxD> Tellurian tunes his guitar a bit, and begins the next song a cappella. He's got a big voice, and it fills the room no problem. 15[00:34] <@VoxPVoxD> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X_2IdybTV0 [00:34] 14Stranger leans back to let the Ambassador more or less sit in his lap to whisper to Xia Lan. [00:35] 13She nods in understanding before resuming jamming out to these incredible tunes. Holy moly. She was undersold on Mr. Tellurian. [00:35] 13...long term planning, though, they've got to walk past her on their way to the back anyway. Might as well make a stop. [00:36] 14Stranger is most impressed not by the song, but by the harmonies -- there's only one man on stage. He already knew Tellurian wasn't just a man, but he's got access to greater powers, and uses them for things like this. Both things are very important. 15[00:46] <@VoxPVoxD> Tellurian's got the house on their feet. He's about to walk off the stage, but he's gotta take an encore. He's gotta. [00:46] 14Hell yes he does. 15[00:48] <@VoxPVoxD> But as he puts pick to string, the sound changes. It's still him playing, it's still his voice, but the music is gentler now. This sounds like a real six-string, the sort of sturdy but unremarkable wooden number someone might have bought as their first instrument. 15[00:49] <@VoxPVoxD> Xia Lan hears, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QydSd0GUChc 15[00:50] <@VoxPVoxD> Stranger hears, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRZHsqvoJMM 15[00:50] <@VoxPVoxD> The Ambassador hears, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm2vaAeQV9M [00:53] 14They all stand. As he plays, the Ambassador wraps her arms around Stranger's waist, and he puts an arm around her shoulders as they watch the stage. 15[00:54] <@VoxPVoxD> He looks out at the crowd as he sings, seeming to make eye contact with everyone in the room, stunned and heartened by what he sees on their faces. All they see are the stars in his eyes. [00:54] 13Xia Lan's standing, humming along - maybe it conflicts with whatever anyone else hears. She doesn't care. This is the best show she's ever seen. [00:56] 14At the end of the performance, as it's hanging in the air, she leans up and whispers in Stranger's ear: "He's what your secretary is." [00:56] "I'd guess it's hurt him as much, too." 15[00:56] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "Wow." [00:56] 14She nestles her head against Stranger's shoulder. "Maybe more." [00:57] 13Xia Lan: "Evangeline..." 15[00:59] <@VoxPVoxD> The air in the room is hazy and peaceful. [00:59] 14Stranger: "Never die, never die." 15[01:00] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka, wiping his eyes. "Yeah. Uh." [01:00] 14The Ambassador, closing her eyes and murmuring: "I'm as tired as a woman can be." 15[01:01] <@VoxPVoxD> "Are we gonna..." He looks kind of out of it. "You wanted to see him after the show, right?" [01:01] 14Stranger:"Yes." [01:01] 13Watery eyes and all, Xia Lan stands, and practically grabs the Ambassador to come with her. "We are." 13She heads to the corner table, first. the woman, and the purple hand. 15[01:01] <@VoxPVoxD> They're not there. [01:02] 13...shit. [01:02] 14Stranger takes the empty kettle from the table. 15[01:02] <@VoxPVoxD> Table's empty. Just the picked-clean plate and the paid check. [01:02] 13Name on the check? [01:02] 14To Xia Lan: "They must have fled during that encore." [01:03] 14That's Stranger. [01:03] 13Xia Lan: "Probably. The bastards." 15[01:03] <@VoxPVoxD> No name. [01:03] 13Just another question to ask after our friend. [01:03] 14Stranger: "They won't have gone far. They were here for Tellurian." [01:04] 13Xia Lan: "You do that. I have some questions to ask." [01:04] 14The Ambassador snorts. "We're not going looking for them. That'd just make them feel important." [01:05] 13Xia Lan: "I don't think that feeling important is high on their priority list. If it was, they'd have showed up like us." [01:05] "No, they've got something else on their minds." [01:05] 14Stranger: "The Ambassador is right. Not worth our time tonight, given what we're doing in the morning. But I would like to speak with Mr. Tellurian." [01:05] "...morning events considered, maybe we can't track them down tonight. But." [01:05] 14The Ambassador: "Darling, if feeling important wasn't on their minds, they wouldn't have been audibly annoyed by your entrance." [01:06] "I want to register how much I disapprove." [01:06] "And that amount is: several." [01:07] 13That isn't a number. "Go on. Do whatever. I'm going to track them down at the first opportunity." [01:07] 14The Ambassador: "Well, you're not wrong to feel so. But I did not get the sense of violence from them. Just petulance, and confusion." [01:07] 14Stranger: "I'll be there for it. Let's go see the man of the hour." [01:09] 14He deftly snatches an uneaten crab rangoon from the corner booth as they pass. [01:09] 13Imagine her surprise, imagine her surprise. 15[01:09] <@VoxPVoxD> The dressing room door is closed again. There's a conversation inside. [01:09] 13What's the tone? [01:10] 14To Tsuka: "Watch the hall, but if we enter, you enter with us." [01:10] 14That's Stranger. 15[01:10] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka, taken out of a reverie: "Yeah." 15[01:11] <@VoxPVoxD> The one in the dressing-room is confused. Mr. Tellurian says, "Hey, listen, I'm super flattered, but I already got a job." 15[01:11] <@VoxPVoxD> A woman's voice, as dense and fried as the food on the plate: "Come on! This is small-time. You're being scouted, dude." [01:12] 14Perhaps we have our answer as to where they went. [01:12] 13Knock knock. [01:13] 14The Ambassador: "I love his work, but you can't let this man talk business by himself." [01:13] 13Then, Xia Lan opens the door. Again. [01:13] 13She gave the warning. [01:13] 14Stranger and the Ambassador are right behind her. 15[01:15] <@VoxPVoxD> The conversation halts, and then the door opens. Mr. Tellurian's there, looking exhausted and elated, speaking to the delicate woman and what looks like a squashed neomah. [01:15] 14Purple hands. [01:15] 14Did Tsuka follow them in? 15[01:16] <@VoxPVoxD> Bringing up the rear. [01:16] 13Xia Lan: "Hope we aren't interrupting anything. Mr. Tellurian," 13she bows slightly, before turning to the others. "Hello...?" [01:16] 14Stranger, to Tsuka, casually: "Watch the door. No one in, but if anyone wants to leave, you let them. And if you've got something to say, say it. You're not just the bouncer." 15[01:17] <@VoxPVoxD> The delicate woman is sitting primly on a crate, giving the newcomers a tight-lipped smile. The smaller one has a bottle in her right hand. She looks them up and down and draws in a long, phlegmy breath. 15[01:17] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "THAT WAS A REALLY GOOD SHOW" [01:17] 13It was. Times like this, though, reminds Xia Lan of the Kinsey scale. [01:17] 14Stranger chuckles and turns back to Tellurian and the two women. "We all agree." [01:18] 14How are the women from the booth reacting to this intrusion? 15[01:19] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "Hey, Thanks. Woo! I feel a lot better now that it's over with." He looks from the two strange women to the two strange women with strange men. "Do you guys know each other?" [01:19] 14Beyond the fake smile and the stare. [01:19] 14The Ambassador: "From across the room." [01:19] 13Xia Lan: "Not beyond being the only audible noise of distaste when I walked out. You'll want to disguise that better, I think," 13she adds. [01:20] 14Stranger separates from the Ambassador and drifts back to the wall next to the door, letting her step forward to stand next to Xia Lan. [01:20] 14The Ambassador: "Oh, she wasn't trying to disguise it." [01:20] 13Xia Lan: "I was being nice." 15[01:20] <@VoxPVoxD> Neither of them is making any move to defend themselves or intercede. The delicate woman has an expression around her eyes like someone just farted in church. The short one has an expression like she just farted in church and she's gearing up to do it again. It's the latter one who chuckles, "Ah-huh-huh-huh-huh. Hey there." [01:21] 14The Ambassador: "I know, but it's still important to note that, because without that scoff, we might not be standing here right now." [01:21] "Being inconvenient." 15[01:21] <@VoxPVoxD> The delicate woman: "You'd just have come in waves instead." [01:21] 13Xia Lan sighs. "The things I miss not being able to look behind me without being a weirdo." [01:22] "Location's everything, I guess." 15[01:22] <@VoxPVoxD> Just outside the door, Tsuka clears his throat, probably unrelatedly. [01:22] 14The Ambassador: "Dear, my hair is always this straight." [01:22] 14Stranger will see what's up. 15[01:22] <@VoxPVoxD> The delicate woman blinks, either uncomprehending or doing a fine job of seeming so. "I'm sorry?" [01:23] 14When he realizes it's about Xia Lan's ass, again, he'll grimace and turn back inside. 15[01:23] <@VoxPVoxD> IT TURNS OUT A LOT OF THINGS ARE ABOUT THAT [01:23] 13Wow. [01:23] 13Pervs. [01:23] 14Is the delicate woman responding to Xia Lan's comment or the Ambassador's? 15[01:23] <@VoxPVoxD> The Ambassador's. 15[01:24] <@VoxPVoxD> The short woman jerks a thumb towards the others. "We going to an afterparty?" 15[01:24] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "I have no idea what's going on." [01:24] 14The Ambassador: "No, dear, I doubt you're sorry. Nor should you be. But I don't have wavy hair and we don't approach people we respect piecemeal. We looked for you at your table as a group because of a scoff, but either way we'd be back here as a group because of a fine, fine performance." [01:25] 14The Ambassador, to the short purple woman: "Do you know a good one?" [01:25] 13Xia Lan, to the short one: "I mean. I'd be down, but uh. We've still got things to - Ambassador!" [01:25] 14And to Mr. Tellurian: "I suspect that's what makes you so charming." [01:26] 14The Ambassador smiles at Xia Lan: "It's not as if I have plans tomorrow." [01:26] 13Xia Lan: "What if I pretended I didn't and just had myself a good time." [01:27] 14Stranger, from the doorway: "I'd still like to talk about that." [01:27] 13Xia Lan: "Wasn't talking to you," 13she calls. [01:27] 14Stranger, to Xia Lan: "Wasn't talking to you." 15[01:27] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "Okay there is way too much going on in here." [01:27] 14The Ambassador, to Stranger: "I know, darling." 14To the two women from the booth: "But I suppose we should just get down to it." [01:27] 13Ahh, I've been defeated, with strategies... [01:28] 14The Ambassador: "Names first!" [01:28] "I am the Ambassador of Night and Day." [01:28] 13Xia Lan: "The Unfettered Xia Lan." [01:28] 14Stranger, from the doorway: "Stranger-Visits-Heaven." [01:31] 14He glances over and kicks the doorframe next to Tsuka. 15[01:31] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "I'm Tsuka." 15[01:31] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian looks from them to the strange women. [01:32] 14The Ambassador fixes the two women with her brightest smile. [01:32] 14One that expects reciprocation. 15[01:32] <@VoxPVoxD> Both of the strange women have their eyes locked on the Ambassador. 15[01:33] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "Oookay, it's obvious there's some kind of history here. I'm going to let you all work that out. I need some air. Excuse me." [01:33] 14The Ambassador, without looking away from the women or lessening her smile: "Are you going to run away from everything, then?" [01:34] 13Xia Lan: "No, I don't think there is," 13she starts. If Tellurian tries to walk out, she grabs him by the arm and stops him. 15[01:34] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "What the hell?" [01:34] 14The Ambassador: "Did we stutter?" 15[01:34] <@VoxPVoxD> "I feel like I just walked in on a bank job." [01:34] 13Xia Lan: "You would know if you had. I've done those, they're very different." 15[01:34] <@VoxPVoxD> "Listen, you should work out whatever beef you have with them. It's got nothing to do with me." [01:35] 14Her head turns by degrees to consider the longhaired man with the beard. "Do you understand how power works?" [01:35] 13Xia Lan: "There's no beef! Just. We've got questions, that's all." [01:35] "You don't get to sing songs like that and just walk away, Mr. Tellurian." [01:36] "You certainly don't get to do it while insisting that it's everyone except you who cares too much." [01:39] 14She pauses then sighs. "But get your air." [01:40] 13Xia Lan lets go too. "Come on back, though, if you will? A lot of things happened tonight and I was only expecting some of them." 15[01:41] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "...yeah, alright." [01:42] 13Xia Lan turns to the other women, the purple one and the aloof one. "Is this your fault?" [01:42] "What'd you do?" 15[01:45] <@VoxPVoxD> The delicate woman: "Excuse me?" [01:46] 13Xia Lan: "Okay, sorry. Let's try that again. How do you know Mr. Tellurian?" [01:47] 14The Ambassador: "And please, what should we call you?" 15[01:55] <@VoxPVoxD> The delicate woman's thin shoulders rise and fall. "My name is Pearl of Great Price." 15[01:55] <@VoxPVoxD> The short one, pulling a cork out of a bottle with her teeth. "My name's Sober." [01:56] 13A quick curtsy. "The Unfettered Xia Lan." [01:58] 14The Ambassador, gently: "We already introduced ourselves." [01:59] 14To the two women: "Perhaps this is a situation that calls for a detente. Especially since the man we both want to talk to seems to be a bit...overwhelmed by talking to us." 15[03:00] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "He seems very easily overwhelmed... I worry about him." 15[03:01] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Got too hot in here. He'll be back." [03:01] 14The Ambassador: "It's my experience that someone who can get this many people to worry about him -- three of whom, at least, had never laid eyes on him before tonight -- is doing fairly well for himself." [03:02] 13Xia Lan: "Let's - relax, a bit, hmm? It's been a long night." 15[03:03] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Oh no, it's fine. I don't need to sleep. I'm immune to it." 15[03:03] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober elbows her in the thigh. "Thank you! That's a great idea." [03:04] 13Xia Lan, kindly: "We'll have a lot to talk about... later. Give us some time." [03:05] 14The Ambassador: "Indeed. Pearl of Great Price; Sober -- I'd like you to join us in three days' time at--" 14She turns back to Stranger. 15[03:05] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "We have very specific orders." [03:05] 14The Ambassador turns back: "If you mean to say no, then say no." 15[03:05] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Yeah, like how we were ordered to be a bitch to someone in a hotter dress than you. Oh wait no." 15[03:06] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl blushes blue. "Sober!" 15[03:06] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "When and where?" [03:08] 14Stranger answers from the doorway. "The Cup's Curve, sundown, three day's time. No cover, ladies drink free until they stop being ladies." [03:08] 14He pauses. [03:08] "It means don't assault the staff." 15[03:08] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "What if they ask?" 15[03:08] <@VoxPVoxD> "Asking for a friend." Belch. "Okay I'm asking for me." [03:09] 14The Ambassador: "Then you politely decline. No matter how hot their dress is." 15[03:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Deal. It's a date." [03:09] 14Stranger: "Then I'd better take a walk across town. Tsuka, a minute?" [03:10] 14He'll want a word outside in the hall. Maybe a bit down the hall from the green room. 15[03:11] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "Yeah?" [03:12] 14Once they're alone: "Mr. Tellurian just became very, very important. So much so that I might ask Keldar to detail you specifically to him; perhaps without his knowledge. Does that sound like a job you can handle, if you're asked to handle it?" 15[03:13] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "I can keep close to him no problem. But I don't think I could hide from him." [03:13] 14Stranger grimaces. "Yeah." 15[03:14] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "But it's not like he could outrun me." [03:14] 14Stranger: "That's not the issue. He seems like..." [03:14] "I was going to say he was delicate. I don't think that's it." [03:15] "It's more like he's inside his own head about something." 15[03:15] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "Yeah, I know what you mean. That last song he played was really heavy." [03:16] "More than that: it will make him unpredictable. It'll mean that you can't fully trust him about where he's going to go and why. It means everything could be going fine for two weeks and suddenly one day he locks you in your room and gives you the slip to go hit up..." 14Stranger waves a hand. "The Guild, for instance." [03:16] "And when he does that, you'll get angry with him -- rightfully so." 15[03:17] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "...it did sort of sound like he was going crazy." [03:17] "But you can't let him see it." 15[03:17] <@VoxPVoxD> "He was talking about seeing things and hearing things before the show." [03:17] 14Stranger: "...Then that's the good outcome." [03:17] "That he's going crazy." [03:17] "Because if the things he's seeing and hearing are actually there?" [03:18] "Then we're playing an entirely different game." 15[03:18] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "..." 15[03:18] <@VoxPVoxD> "Oh no." [03:18] 14Stranger: "?" 15[03:18] <@VoxPVoxD> He looks over at Stranger. "He finished one of my sentences." [03:18] 14Stranger: "He...out loud?" 15[03:18] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka nods. "Ask Xia Lan." [03:18] "You were saying something, and he completed what you were saying?" 15[03:19] <@VoxPVoxD> "Yeah." [03:19] 14Stranger: "I don't need to. I trust you." [03:19] "What was it about." 15[03:21] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "Xia Lan asked me if I could help him, and I said that helping people with hallucinations wasn't really part of my medical training. Except he finished the sentence for me. He even knew what secondary school I went to." [03:22] 14Stranger: "Did you take your medical training at that school?" 15[03:23] <@VoxPVoxD> "Yeah. The House of Bells. All the most promising military students go there." [03:23] 14Stranger: "..." [03:24] "I'm prefacing this with the disclaimer that it's not a certain thing." [03:24] "The bad news is, it sounds as if he read your mind." 15[03:24] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka has an expression of distaste. "He's a sorcerer?" [03:24] "The good news is, it sounds as if it was a surface thing: he knew about the House of Bells because you were thinking about medicine, which you learned at the House of Bells. He completed your sentence because it was on the tip of your tongue." [03:25] 14Stranger shakes his head. "No." [03:25] "If he were a sorcerer he both wouldn't be playing shows at the CIO and wouldn't give you such an obvious tell." [03:26] "Is he under the influence of a sorcerer? Perhaps." 15[03:28] <@VoxPVoxD> "One of them?" He inclines his head back in the direction of the dressing-room where the others still are. [03:28] "No. Their master, perhaps, but not them." 14Stranger leans back against the wall. "So I'm asking a very dangerous thing of you. And that's before I tell you about the tomb." 15[03:28] <@VoxPVoxD> "The tomb?" [03:29] 14He grins. "Keldar's got the rights to...what was it?" [03:29] "'The Tomb of Red-Hot Iron.'" 15[03:30] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "What? Did he get swindled?" [03:30] 14Stranger laughs. "Perhaps." [03:30] "But the door's open, and a Guild team's already been inside." [03:30] "That's the problem, you see: they're all dead." 15[03:30] <@VoxPVoxD> "Nobody came out?" [03:31] "So the Guild needs someone capable of doing even a single thing right to go in and bring their investment back out." [03:31] "In return, Keldar gets...everything else in the tomb." 15[03:31] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "That seems like too good of a deal." 15[03:31] <@VoxPVoxD> "Even if you never go inside, that's the biggest foundry in the city." [03:32] 14Stranger: "Perhaps so. Keldar isn't the shrewdest negotiator. However, the Guild has to negotiate in good faith with him or face the Sun's wrath." 15[03:33] <@VoxPVoxD> "Do you think there's no scam then?" [03:33] "The point is this: Keldar is putting together a team." 15[03:33] <@VoxPVoxD> "...!" [03:33] "Xia Lan is on this team." [03:33] "Keldar, of course, is on this team." [03:33] "I am not." [03:33] 14He crosses his arms. "I have nominated someone else in my stead, however." 15[03:33] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "!!" [03:34] "It's you." 15[03:34] <@VoxPVoxD> "When is it? What do I have to do?" [03:34] 14Stranger: "As to the first question, that's up to Keldar. You'll be notified through the Apples. Functionally, the answer to the second question is the same, but I'll modify it with: stay alive." [03:35] 14Stranger: "Before you think to go brag to her, Xia Lan is already aware of these accomodations." 15[03:35] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "...did she say anything?" [03:36] 14Stranger: "She acknowledged the arrangement and did not object to it. I'm not going to pass a smudged note on this." 15[03:37] <@VoxPVoxD> "Okay." [03:38] "If I had to guess? You're going to be the junior member of a team that includes essentially every other Chosen of the Sun that calls this city home, save for myself. My advice to you is not to try to do too much." [03:38] "But Keldar will be giving you more precise instructions." 15[03:38] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka nods. "I understand." [03:40] 14Stranger: "Good." 14The Ambassador sweeps out of the dressing room, winking at Stranger as she passes. "I'm going to take my woman home. Xia Lan should be leaving shortly. What the two of you do is up to the two of you." [03:40] "Good night, Cathak Tsuka." 15[03:40] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka, studiously not thinking about the thing Stranger just said: "Good night, Stranger. Good night, Ambassador." [03:41] 14The two nod and disappear into the night. 15[03:48] <@VoxPVoxD> NEXT TIME: There's gonna be a party