Goriel and beyond, part 3

[Graybeard]

"You're not planning on taking the cash and credit yourself, are you?"

Rip guffawed. "Luminosita's Jock, no. We're getting paid well enough for this gig as is. No fighting for us. We just pulled shore leave, and whatever you're up to, it looks to be a hell of a lot more interesting to watch than sitting in a bar in Goriel listening to the local windbags." That was all consistent, actually; Rip had been a sociologist/anthropologist back in Tsuirakushiti, after all, and they didn't interfere in the cultures they studied, they just watched them ... although not usually with this much opportunity for entertainment.

-------------

Another half elf, Therese observed with interest. She'd met two or three of them before, in the dealings that Refuge-Nouveau had with other cities of the Confederacy to preserve its "cover." The existence and status of the race was no big deal to her, as long as the women were treated respectably, as they seemed to be on those occasions. The half-elven traders, of course, were the ones who could pass comfortably in human society, and so she had no concept of, nor term for, the problem of Errantcy.

Yet.

She looked around to make sure no Gorielites were in earshot before continuing. "Please call me Therese," she introduced herself. "Yes, I am female, under all this disguise. It is safer for an unattached man to move alone in this city than an unescorted woman. When traveling as a man, I go by the name of Yakov, but it is unnecessary among your company." It went without saying that confidences would be preserved in this group. "You are the clan chief's daughter, yes? Then I owe you thanks as well, for coming to my aid here."

Sister Rose watched silently as introductions were completed, then quietly cleared her throat. "I hate to interrupt," she said, "but we need to get moving. There are some other things we need to investigate, a robbery at the mining museum where my -- Argus first saw you, and maybe a little more fact finding about Clan Gibazov." She glanced at the other woman to see if that name was causing a reaction, but none was obvious. (Rose wished she'd had her Empathy spell active, but wishing wouldn't make it so, and besides, this woman was clearly good at masking her emotional state; she'd have to be, to move as a man in this city.) "And then, maybe we can have a quiet little talk about the man we're looking for; I gather he means something to you as well." (She didn't need the Empathy to know she'd struck home with that one.) "Then, we have a getera to pick up, and business to get on with."

Now why did I get the idea she thought I was talking about Desiree? Rose asked herself, as the group headed for the museum.

[OOC: At least I'm presuming that Kirassia is still back at the Duravsky outfit; she was last seen there, talking to Desiree. It would also be just fine if she'd gone back to the temple/consulate, to settle into "Clan Cleiviein's" chambers -- the group certainly wouldn't have brought her along on the relief mission for Therese. There are going to be interesting complications in dealing with her, once the hunt for Blaise gets more active...]

[Alberich]

[OOC: Edited previous post to indicate she's left behind; obviously you don't want to leave her there all night, as this would be like a rejection of Lord Arman's gift-exchange. I don't think we need a full set of posts for the mission to fetch her back; this can be done without incident. Argus' group is still staying with the Yurkashev, per Argus' acceptance of their hospitality, and can return there at will, though missing supper would be a slight slight. Supper's late enough that they have plenty of time for a museum visit and any talking they want to do without missing it; and afterwards they are without obligations, and can turn in or walk the dark streets as they wish.]

[Graybeard]

OOC: OK, that works. So the itinerary is: check things out at the museum; find a quiet place where Therese and Rose/Argus can fill each other in (these first two steps can be reversed); retrieve Kirassia from wherever she is; dinner with Clan Yurkashev; turn in, or let as-yet-unknown shenanigans develop after the dinner. Note that Therese will not be joining the group for dinner; regardless of whether Clan Yurkashev would interpret their invite to Clan Cleiviein to include this unexpected member, Therese will be eating in the safe house, having discovered that, just as the Sisterhood ordained, mucking about in the affairs of the top clans is a Bad Idea...

[Alberich]

[OOC: A wise choice; while Argus could get away with pushing the envelope pretty far (since Clan Yurkashev is scrambling to regain as much honor as possible in part by obliging Clan Cleiviein), there is a lot of tension there and sub-invites could be dangerous. 'course, so could just about anything. Since Tim really isn't in a position to get the ball rolling on any of it, I'll wait & see what other folks do.]

* * *

Udo was trying to comfort Tamina and make sure she was all right (having forgotten that her healing abilities far exceeded his own), but he couldn't help but guffaw at "Luminosita's Jock." "So" - he said bemusedly - "assassinations come with an audience now? What'cha think, Jamie, should we charge admission? Or at least reserve the rights to the illustrated version!"

[Drusia]

Desiree wasn't surprised to hear that Leonid (the noseless man) had joined Tatiana in bed only very late -- after all, Desiree had seen him over here less than an hour after midnight; he must've come over just after the sudden deaths to make his report, and the compounds were by no means next door.

I let the others know about seeing Leonid last night outside of the Prime Minister's room. "I'm glad to know he's a respected clan member," I say softly. "Seeing him standing there last night so late... well, it was a bit unnerving."

I wonder if his report included anything about the other half-elves in the group. That might explain Arman's desire to touch my ears - or it might not. Hm.

I let my mind wander a bit - so long as he's staying elsewhere, I don't need to worry myself over his bedroom preferences - to that strange man that Argus vouched for earlier. Neither Rose or Argus mentioned him, and yet they seemed concerned for him. Again, I find myself hoping that he isn't dead now. From the tension I felt in that courtyard, he well might be.

-- Desiree

OOC: Not much to say at the moment. Also... very interested to see how Eli responds to Lillith.

[Alberich]

Tatiana's facial expression said, "Ahhh, so that's how it is." There was no sign of surprise. Reporting such unusual developments to the Prime Minister, immediately, sounded completely in character for Leonid, from their point of view.

The contraceptive spells came and went -- Oleg gave one to Kirassia as a courtesy though it was understood she wouldn't be staying for supper -- and soon after someone arrived to fetch her. [OOC: So if for any reason Desiree wants to trade messages with them when that time comes, we can retrofit that easily, as I don't think it'll affect the rest of her night.] Soon after that it was time for supper.

Not all the geteroi were present for this supper. Anfisa, it seemed, had been assigned to a young man far too junior to dine with the Prime Minister himself. (In fact, Irina whispered that this young fellow might actually be a complete beginner. Anfisa would be a good choice for someone like that; she had a way of making a lover feel good about himself, when he might be nervous.) Dina was staying behind for reasons Desiree didn't catch. But Irina was going - she was with Grigoriy once more. Desiree herself was to sit behind Malyuta, and Tatiana was coming to provide the entertainment (slim, short-haired, and blonde, she was in a light, simple costume tonight, and not assigned to a man). Pyotr, for whatever reason, wasn't attending tonight.

The atmosphere was convivial -- last night's events at the Yurkashev compound and the Gibazov museum, while extremely troubling to those clans, cast no gloom over this table. When it was time for the music, it was clear why Tatiana had come - to show them a dance she'd learned at Clan Yurkashev. The musicians struck up a wild tune and she leaped to her feet, her arms in the air like buck's antlers, and her running skips and quick, athletic turns were punctuated by large leaps. The dance carried her around the table completely, behind all the dining men and wives. (At Clan Yurkashev, where they feasted on the floor, she would actually have been expected to leap over the dancers and their plates, without kicking a single utensil - coming close to disaster wtihout suffering it was part of the performance. But here that was not practical.) When it was over she'd at least broken a sweat, and received much acclaim.

From Malyuta's conversation with his neighbors she heard something of the afternoon's events. The useful details didn't flow as freely as Desiree might've wished, but she got the salient points -- that this young provincial stranger, claiming to be a clan princeling from away south, came with a dire warning of subersive artwork, and took them to a merchant who showed no signs of treasonous intent, but rather an admirable desire to contribute to the well-being of this country. Grigoriy, it seemed, had already received a full report, and from the sound of things there would be a Duravsky representative there tomorrow. (As much to show everyone that this business was now under the Prime Clan's protection as to arrange for the proper "take.") The merchant had been a strange little creature specializing in erotic art -- Deisree didn't need the gifts of a master detective to figure out who that must've been -- and their foreign guests from Clan Cleiviein had shown up around that time, one of them, the blonde fellow with the ears, had even drawn his blade in anticipation of danger. But there was no danger, simply a resolution of tensions, and the young stranger who'd brought them there had been sent away with a little retainer. All seemed to agree that Malyuta had handled the situation the right way; any criticism they kept to themselves.

Beyond that, little of interest to Desiree happened at the meal itself.

[OOC: But if she wants to do anything, tell me & I'll edit, as I always do.]

When it ended, Malyuta asked her to await him in his chambers - he might be a little while. How she would await him, that was up to her.

[Jack Rothwell]

"We were not the ones under threat. You've become very eager to shed blood, half-elf."

Eli had watched Lilith walk away with tight fists and a tighter mouth. Her implication was clear, and paranoia began worming its way into his heart.

'She knows something... or she thinks she does...' He'd thought. 'I'll have to watch her, can't have her blowing the whistle, it would disrupt my...'

"There are some other things we need to investigate, a robbery at the mining museum...(OOC The one eli robbed, right?/OOC)" The new woman, Therese, speaking. Eli stiffened visibly at the mention of the crime. He made a decision to eavesdrop on the newcomer as well, if there was any chance that the blame could be laid at his feet he had to know.

'And what will you do if they find out it was you?' His traitor mind whispered.

The truth was, he didn't know.

[Alberich]

[OOC: Right. Boris -- and lots of other people -- think the museum robbery and the Yurkashev hit happening on the same night couldn't possibly be a coincidence, which is one of several reasons they blame Clan Zukalin - the mutual enemy of the Yurkashev and Gibazov.]

The museum wasn't so very far from where they were -- Goriel City was large by the standards of Goriel itself, but for size and grandeur it was nothing like Tsuirakushiti or Emerylon, and they reached it with alacrity, variously talking and steaming. The same lame attendant as before was on duty (obviously, he wasn't responsible for night security, or he might be off "explaining himself" for the loss of prestige). He was twice as effusive and welcoming as before, and he spoke of the glories of Gorielian mining as if nothing at all had happened.

There were several armed men from Clan Gibazov about the place, not doing anything of noteworthy use, but showing the clan's strength in case anyone tried to follow up with a little vandalism.

In a different kind of place -- Tsuirakushiti, for example -- the robbery would've drawn extra patrons, curious about the crime scene or even eager to demonstrate their amateur detective abilities. Here it was quite the opposite. The robbery was a blow to the clan's prestige and made tempers touchy -- "not wanting to be involved, in any way" was the usual mentality in this city. No one was here to look around except the armed Gibazovs. And they were looking for "trouble," not "edification and enrichment." (But they couldn't be everywhere at once.)

From the caretaker they learned only what was publicly known -- the item taken was called the Orb of Zabog, and they hadn't gotten around to viewing it on their previous visit. But apparently it was a red-and-green sphere that symbolzed the divine favor visited on Clan Gibazov (by their chief clan god, Zabog), and placed here that all might see. It was said you could gaze into it for hours and lose yourself in its mineral beauty. The robbery had been some kind of stealth assault by at least a dozen men with swords and maces [OOC: You were expecting them to admit defeat without a little exaggeration?] -- two of the Gibazov guards had fallen defending the door, and another defending the orb itself. The bloodstains indicated that they had fought hard before being overwhelmed, and had all been stabbed in the back while facing enemies to the front. Nothing but the orb was taken, nothing broken. That's what the caretaker said, anyway. The physical evidence told very little - there had been no special safeguards for the orb, just the locked doors and the guards.

There was no physical or magical evidence inside the museum. Dissatisfied, Rose thought to check the grounds outsidem, and her trained observational skills bore fruit -- something magical and disturbing. It was in a patch of undergrowth in a spot where the street was unpaved (public works were not the strong suit of Goriel; large projects had a way of devolving into heavy corruption and light work). It looked like a little circle of ash, with a bit of residual magic -- such as might've been used for some kind of summoning spell. The morning rain hadn't washed it away.

Tim realized just what it was, and while his mathematical education was far from extensive, he could put a little two and two together. He did not, however, voice his concerns - the time and place wasn't now.

Nothing else of interest turned up - and then Therese had a suggestion for where to go next.

[OOC: Edited to fit Jack's later post, and so that Graybeard's next post can follow naturally.]

[Graybeard]

[OOC:

"There are some other things we need to investigate, a robbery at the mining museum...(OOC The one eli robbed, right?/OOC)"

Um, well, yeah. That, it is fair to say, may cause ... complications. To gain a little time, there will be a slight modification to the itinerary, since Therese (honestly) forgot something... /OOC:]

As the group was walking away from the pillaged museum, Therese facepalmed. "How foolish of me," she said. "I forgot something important. Come. We can do our talking in a secure place, as I have to go there anyway."

A few minutes later, they were standing in front of a farm house on the outskirts of Goriel, a farmhouse that gave Sister Rose (and possibly Brad and Lillith and Argus) an eerie sense of déjà vu. She marveled. It's so much like the house at the entrance farm covering Snamish that they could have been built to the same plans -- down to the last brick. The outbuildings are weirdly similar too. I wonder if there's a connection. How can there not be?

There was one huge difference, though, and as Rose thought about it, it made sense. The house outside Snamish was in a state of what might be termed "carefully maintained disrepair." It was meticulously tended to give the impression of abandonment and dilapidation, a sense that it might fall down at any moment. Rose knew, as did all the half elves of Snamish who came out to work the farm, that appearances were deceiving, and the interior of the house was in much better shape than the exterior -- to the point of having a secret inner supply room, essentially undetectable from the outside, full of a wider array of weapons that one would expect a peaceful farming community to need. Drusia had seen to that: move the defenses as far from the half-elf secrets as possible. (In fact, as she'd discovered when Benedict finally trusted his new daughter-in-law enough to give her an awestruck tour of the place, the weapons were sized better to human bodies than to half elven ones, although the latter could use them -- the better to maintain the fiction of what the place was, and was not.)

This house, by contrast, was in immaculate repair. It didn't take Rose long to understand the difference. A piece of real estate looking dilapidated and derelict in Goriel would be just begging for a "takeover" by some ambitious clan. This safe house had to look lived-in to ward off that possibility.

"Excuse me for a moment," Therese said, and passed a hand over the door lock, which flowered with magic. (Rose was impressed. Just like I saw in Kiyoka. This woman's outfit may be the post potent magic users I know of outside Tsuiraku and the elves. That's something to think about.) She stepped inside, returned seconds later with a short sword at her side -- and now the masculine disguise was laid aside as well.

Therese held the door open, smiling more broadly than any of the others had seen her to date. "And now, welcome to my clan's compound," she said. "I think you'll find it a more congenial place than where you've been lately ... and one where all entering, whether male or female, can expect to be treated with decency."

[OOC: Edited for consistency with the museum stuff. What Therese forgot was her sword, and she'd have preferred to have that with her (and the male disguise back in place) at the museum, but all's well that ends well -- relatively.]

[Graybeard]

OOC: Oops. Postings passed in the night. A, how do we want to handle this? Can't have the party in two places at once...