Goriel and beyond, part 3

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Alberich
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Re: Goriel and beyond, part 3

Post by Alberich »

Here was a grand opportunity for Tim to confide his doubts and fears, or even the actual intelligence he'd gained, in someone else. He didn't take it. A time would come, and he hoped it would come soon, when he could do something to get Eli out of that evil business he was in. 'til then he had to stay publicly on Eli's side. And by his side, most of the time. He'd taken a little break from that -- but for certain he was watching the route to the exit from here, and didn't intend that Eli make it out of the compound without him at least. That was why he was not inside with Rose and Argus, getting intel - being ready to watch Eli's back was more important. And Eli hadn't been in a mood to go running off (if he had, Tim would've stuck by him like glue) - he'd just been lollygagging.

"I mean... I don't know. In general, I guess. Something feels wrong about him. He frightened Desiree badly. He seemed happy to have killed those people back in that harbor. He lost his temper far too easily and quickly last night. And now he's going off without letting anyone know."

"Well, I don't know how he frightened Desiree," - not quite true; she'd confided in him back on the airship - "I think the real issue with them is their natures are mismatched. The way Father Arpad would put it, he's the marrying kind and she isn't. They were bound to have a falling out. Only question was what they'd fall out about.

"As for killing those slavers, I'm glad he did that. In fact, in the morning" -- after my "friends" had made themselves useful by playing a really nasty trick on me -- "I helped him kill some more. And I'm happy I did it." Except at night when I'm trying to sleep. "You do know they'd kidnapped Desiree? No doubt to take her to a place like this. Maybe that's how this dirtpatch gets its whole female population - can't imagine anyone staying on her own.

"And he hasn't gone off anywhere - he's hanging around this temple waiting for Rose and Argus to finish their business." Maybe a change of subject would be good. "I didn't see how you handled those assassins last night - I'm afraid I couldn't do better than diversionary action. Like they were diverted by making me a pincushion. Do we have any clues what that was all about?"

[OOC: I'll do an Udo post tonight, carry us forward a ways.]
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Graybeard
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Re: Goriel and beyond, part 3

Post by Graybeard »

<"Just a minute,"> Sister Rose thought at Argus as she followed him (one nice, obedient, subservient step behind him) to the Duravsky camp. <"There's something I want to do -- should have done last night."> She discontinued the mind-speech and put up the Empathy spell; it didn't require any particular effort to maintain it, and Argus would be doing all the talking here.

Thus fortified, they presented themselves at the camp, Rose being careful to make sure Argus was in the lead; this was his show, after all, and she was just there to support. And observe. Carefully observe.

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

Meanwhile, Therese was entering the mercantile district, in search of something that she thought might gain her a foothold in Clan Duravsky.

[OOC: Still in spotty contact for a day or two, but this should enable a little movement. Note that any or all of the various sub-parties could encounter Therese, although none except possibly Jamie would notice that she's not a man -- her disguise is quite good -- and she would not particularly want to interact with any of them. Yet.]
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Drannin
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Re: Goriel and beyond, part 3

Post by Drannin »

<"Well,"> Argus thought wearily, <"Once more into the briar-patch."> Taking a moment to steady himself, he prepared to deal with the cream of the Gorielan crop. Or what passed for it around here, anyway.
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Graybeard
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Re: Goriel and beyond, part 3

Post by Graybeard »

[OOC: Gonna take a minor liberty with the Duravsky outfit, work with me on this ...]

Sister Rose had to choke down a chuckle at Argus' metaphor. The childhood memories that brought back ... It wasn't so much that the young "Rosie" had had a -- boy-like upbringing. Rather, her wise parents (and she'd really believed they were wise, except of course for that time between ages 13 and 16 when no young girl can acknowledge her mother as wise about anything) had allowed her to -- sample things. And her attempt to live out a particular children's book that contained that same expression had been ... amusing.

She consciously thrust it out of her mind and got back in role. As introductions were made, she faded quietly into the background (of course), but her green eyes were still alert. There was motion all around them, well hidden in the shadows ... and also a hint of motion visible through an indiscreetly open window. To her astonishment, a pair of female forms flitted quickly through the field of view, carrying what looked like parts of a getera's outfit; geteroi themselves, apparently. But one of them looked like ... how could it be? She extended her Empathy spell to its maximum range ...

<"Looks like Desiree is actually enjoying herself,"> she thought at Argus. And the other girl ... well, her emotions were ... mixed.

But there was no doubt that their half-elf companion was making friends here, to put it mildly.
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Alberich
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Re: Goriel and beyond, part 3

Post by Alberich »

The entire group -- Argus, Rose, Tim, Eli, Brad, and Lillith, with Kirassia in tow -- ended up going together [OOC: Unless anyone really wanted to opt out.] The Duravsky had been extremely welcoming, with open arms and interminable wordy condolences about the attack, and everything else. Only for a moment were they concerned - were the newcomers returning their getera? - but when the saw it was just a social call, they were all smiles and long sentences. They pressed hospitality on the guest clan, offering endless mugs of black tea and other refreshments, and a tour of the complex, or at least the prettier parts of it. (The prison was over on the northwest corner - but there was no offer to go there. Given Arman's reputation, it would likely turn the strongest stomach anyway.) The dining hall Desiree had seen before was representative of the place -- more opulent than the Yurkashev compound, but to the discerning eye equally tasteless. Lord Arman would of course want to speak with his visitor -- in an hour or two -- though he understood they'd want to return to Clan Yurkashev for supper. In the meantime, they would be welcome here.

And here Kirassia proved her worth to them. Being attached to the household, she had a word in a few ears, and made a suggestion. On this suggestion, Argus was the one who expressed a desire to visit with his own clan's getera. Since men weren't allowed in the zenana, a small room was set aside. You might call it a "study" though it had only two books, but it had comfortable chairs, a table, a window for fresh air, and a very opulent chessboard. Argus was escorted there, and told that Desiree would soon be brought to him.

Rose could slip in with Argus if she wished - wives normally didn't visit with geteroi, there being considerable tension between the two classes, but it would not be such a serious gaffe if she wished to - it being assumed that she would simply sit to her husband's rear and fume a little. Kirassia, being very much at home here, told Rose she'd try to trace any word of Blaise through the "geteroi grapevine" - the head girl here, Irina, might know something no one else did.

Meantime, a hairy young warrior named Malyuta, who walked like a bear and smiled all the time, invited the younger menfolk to try a knife-throwing game out in the courtyard.

* * *

By the time this happened, in the early afternoon it was, Valentina had already departed and the tall, lean, short-haired, blonde Tatiana had returned. She had been welcomed back effusively by all - it was the way of this place - and of course she'd been peppered with questions about her experiences in the Yurkashev compound, and the attack last night, and all the rest of it. She'd told the beginnings of her tale -- including meeting Kirassia (whom they all knew, naturally) and being asked about "mysterious strangers" -- when Irina had to leave them, to see what Grigoriy's wishes would be regarding Tatiana this evening. (Every girl wasn't "assigned" every night, necessarily.) So Desiree was with Dina, Tatiana, and Anfisa alone when she got the message that her own clan had come visiting, and she was to report to Lord Iokim's study to meet with him. It was close enough that she woudln't need a male escort.

[OOC: Have hit an extremely busy RL patch, short deadline on something important. I'm going to go silent for a day, or two at the most. But as Rose and Argus have the opportunity to talk to Desiree there is nothing wrong with doing that. However, as I mentioned to Graybeard, I don't think you should finish any conversation between Rose, Argus, and Desiree until Graybeard is back in town and gets to look over the posts in a leisurely way. In case there's anything important Rose needs to ask/suggest.]
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Jack Rothwell
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Re: Goriel and beyond, part 3

Post by Jack Rothwell »

Eli had kept his distance from the rest of the group that morning before finally being rounded up. His opinion on the spying option remained firm, although trying to convince people to go along with it had become an exercise in frustration.

"I still don't see while we're playing this all formal and polite when we could just get the information in a more direct manner." He muttered to Tim, offering a faint smile and hand tip of acknowledgement at the warrior's invitation. "It's dishonest either way, our way would just produce quicker results."

OOC Should be back again on friday./OOC
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Drusia
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Re: Goriel and beyond, part 3

Post by Drusia »

the tall, lean, short-haired, blonde Tatiana had returned. She had been welcomed back effusively by all - it was the way of this place - and of course she'd been peppered with questions about her experiences in the Yurkashev compound, and the attack last night, and all the rest of it. She'd told the beginnings of her tale -- including meeting Kirassia (whom they all knew, naturally) and being asked about "mysterious strangers" -- when Irina had to leave them, to see what Grigoriy's wishes would be regarding Tatiana this evening. So Desiree was with Dina, Tatiana, and Anfisa alone when she got the message that her own clan had come visiting, and she was to report to Lord Iokim's study to meet with him. It was close enough that she woudln't need a male escort.

I am pleased to hear the details of the incident at the Yurkashev compound. It sounds... well, less bad than I'd previously been led to believe. I am concerned for Tim, but it seems he got the attention he needed and is up and around now.

I try to get a sense of Tatiana, beyond the merely asthetic, but before I can, a summons comes. Argus and Rose are here to see me.

Oh good. I need a chance to speak with them - preferably alone. I haven't learned much, but I will likely need their help getting Anfisa out, and giving them some time to think about it is probably wise.

I ask Anfisa to show me where Lord Iokim's study is. She guides me through the halls, holding my arm a little too tightly, touching a little too much. Her nervousness helps keep her desires in check, but not quite enough. Once she points out the door, I bid her fairwell and tell her I can find my own way back. She looks a bit disapointed, but I doubt she wanted to wait around in the middle of the day either.

I head inside and kneel abeyante before Argus. "My Lord...?" I ask softly. Beneath my hair, I raise my eyes - although not my head, to meet his. I'm not sure if we're alone, so better to play it safe - if we're truly alone, he can let me know it's safe to speak.

-- Desiree
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Graybeard
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Re: Goriel and beyond, part 3

Post by Graybeard »

OOC: Aargh. Hotel's wifi has eaten two things I tried to post. Carry on and I'll try again tonight. Sorry.
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Drannin
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Re: Goriel and beyond, part 3

Post by Drannin »

Calmly, Argus pulled out a wooden blocked intricately carved with runes and glyphs. It started to glow faintly with energy. "No need to worry," Argus said with a smile. "They won't be able to overhear us in here. How have you been?"
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Drusia
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Re: Goriel and beyond, part 3

Post by Drusia »

Calmly, Argus pulled out a wooden blocked intricately carved with runes and glyphs. It started to glow faintly with energy. "No need to worry," Argus said with a smile. "They won't be able to overhear us in here. How have you been?"

I stand gracefully.

"Well enough," I reply. "No sign of Blaize so far. Also, I fed them the story about long ears being common where we come from so Eli and Lillith shouldn't get as many odd looks." I consider mentioning the odd meeting with the Prime Minister, but I'm almost sure that was about my ears, and the answer has now been deciminated so hopefully it won't cause any further ripples.

"One little thing though," I say, giving a cautious glance around - I trust Argus's spell, but I still feel a bit exposed just saying this after all the secrecy - "I've... befriended one of the other geteroi. She's a lesbian, and not happy being forced to hide it. I... sort of thought that when we pull our vanishing act that we might be able to vanish her as well." I smile hopefully - I mean, it's not like I just suggested sucker-punching the homicidally insane and torture loving prime minister of a powerful nation or anything. Heh. Heh. It must be the sex-haze making me manic.

-- Desiree
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