Port Lorrel- Puppet Masters

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Alberich
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Re: Port Lorrel- Puppet Masters

Post by Alberich »

[OOC: Serves 'em right for serving up chestnuts!]

Angrist's actions technically won him the bet, and established him as something other than a good-natured sucker or sore loser, either of which would've been despised by this crowd. It took them a few seconds to realize this - and a few more for them to get angry. They hadn't seen just what he'd done, but obviously it was his fault and some kind of trick besides. This got their alcohol-infused blood up, and signalled the beginning of the traditional Lorrelian tavern brawl.

Besides, the girl's terms didn't specify that her friends couldn't beat him up before paying off...

Four of the patrons launched themselves at Angrist, and hit the floor in as many seconds. His back to the bar, he had an easy time meeting the next ones who came his way. Even without his newly practiced tricks that let him fight blind, he'd've detected the bartender's effort to cosh him with the traditional cudgel, and disarmed him just as easily. Some of the other patrons were settling old scores with each other or with Life In General. (The cleaned-out dancing girl was crouching on the floor near the bar, breathing hard and taking no part.)

The Law arrived in the person of the earnest young constable who'd tried to "help" escort Angrist and friends before. He began shouting out orders to Cease and Desist, but he hadn't yet spotted his quondam prisoner.

Shortly after, an Eisenfaust operative heard a garbled version of events from a fleeing brawler. This man had been present at Carlos' Superior Strings that afternoon and was "in the know" on current developments, at least as regarded Ross' report. "So," he said to himself. "Miss Porter is back in town."
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Jack Rothwell
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Re: Port Lorrel- Puppet Masters

Post by Jack Rothwell »

OOC I left that Eli line for Tim to feed off of in case it wasn't obvious, hoping he'd elaborate on what came after Brother, who to talk to about advancement, etc. Although we can always pick up that conversation later if you want Al. And since it's still night-time.../OOC

"And good evening to you too."

Tamina let out a sigh and drew herself closer to the elf.

"I needed that." She whispered. "Felt like I was losing my- marbles? Is that the phrase?" She propped herself up on an elbow so she could look into the other woman's eyes. "I... wasn't expecting this, but... I'm glad it happened, I'm glad you're here." She grinned. "Really glad that I didn't make a fool of myself... making eyes at the pretty elf."

OOC I'm sure Jaime will react in a completely reasonable manner if she finds out her old girlfriend is making pillow-talk with someone new. :twisted: /OOC
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Re: Port Lorrel- Puppet Masters

Post by Alberich »

Udo, on watch, overheard the soft female voices. He decided to leave them alone and stay on guard with his rifle. But if anyone came out of the tent (or wherever they were) he'd take a look to see if there was some hot elf non-taboo nekkidity to be seen. Who said he didn't appreciate the finer things in life?

* * *

"A sensible approach." Eli murmured. "But I was thinking of something to make the transition easier. Aleron and I believe that it's time for Brother Tim to ascend in the esteem of his church, assume the mantle of a more important office..."

Tim shook his head gently. "Even moving from Brother to Father requires the act of a bishop, and is not the kind of thing you rush. If I really accomplish something here they might well take it into account. But ours is not a hasty Church, and whoever tries to rush anything is going to look suspicious. Or at least overambitious and liable to have his wings clipped. I've been given an unusual amount of freedom here already, more than I dared to hope for. Better to keep steady."

He continued to think that Aleron would be happy to wait until his devil magic corrupted Tim's faith and loyalty, so that he would do the work of infiltration in earnest. The frightening thing was that the plan might work even though Tim could see it. Oh, yes, brilliant, Tim. You're smart enough to see that you're entering the dragon's jaws. And you're doing it anyway. But his self-critical voice was growing softer and speaking less with the passing days.

[OOC: Obviously, the anonymous Eisenfauster is quite wrong about Jamie; he's misinterpreted a report of Angrist's tavern brawl and thinks she must be around. This is partly because because Ross' report, which was based on Gabriel's outdated information, has led some Eisenfaust to expect Jamie together with Drusia and Tamina. There are some other potential sources of mayhem floating around too...]
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Drusia
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Re: Port Lorrel- Puppet Masters

Post by Drusia »

Tamina let out a sigh and drew herself closer to the elf.
"I needed that." She whispered. "Felt like I was losing my- marbles? Is that the phrase?" She propped herself up on an elbow so she could look into the other woman's eyes. "I... wasn't expecting this, but... I'm glad it happened, I'm glad you're here." She grinned. "Really glad that I didn't make a fool of myself... making eyes at the pretty elf."


"I'm glad," I reply. "And no, you certainly making a fool of yourself. Very much not." Then, after a pause, I add "I wouldn't recommend trying it with a Cimmerii, though. They're far less likely to take it as a compliment. Or to respond favorably to the idea." I wrinkle my nose at the mention of Cimmerii. Uptight genocidal bastards.

-- Drusia

OOC:
Jack Rothwell wrote:OOC I'm sure Jaime will react in a completely reasonable manner if she finds out her old girlfriend is making pillow-talk with someone new. :twisted: /OOC
I'd say "let her try" but Sniper Rifles are sadly something Drusia is not well equipped to deal with. ^^;;
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Graybeard
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Re: Port Lorrel- Puppet Masters

Post by Graybeard »

OOC:
Drusia wrote: OOC:
Jack Rothwell wrote:OOC I'm sure Jaime will react in a completely reasonable manner if she finds out her old girlfriend is making pillow-talk with someone new. :twisted: /OOC
I'd say "let her try" but Sniper Rifles are sadly something Drusia is not well equipped to deal with. ^^;;
LOL, but I would like to request that Jamie NOT put in a guest appearance here under someone else's management. There is a reason for this.
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Alberich
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Re: Port Lorrel- Puppet Masters

Post by Alberich »

[OOC: As I said, the anonymous Eisenfauster is quite wrong about Jamie being around, but the mistake is understandable under the circumstances. If someone wants to introduce female mayhem to this tavern scene, there are two perfectly good sources already established in this town, not counting the two that are snuggling out at camp.]
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Jack Rothwell
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Re: Port Lorrel- Puppet Masters

Post by Jack Rothwell »

OOC Tbh, I figured we had enough plates spinning without adding an avatar of chaos into the mix. I was just bringing that possible hurricane to everyone's attention./OOC

"I've been given an unusual amount of freedom here already, more than I dared to hope for. Better to keep steady
."

"There's always a way forward for those who know which levers to pull." Eli replied, a faint smile on his face (OOC I don't think Tim knows about the artifact yet.../OOC). "But if you need to accomplish something good to help your career, then let's talk possibilities." He recalled what the Priest said about open affiliation and raised a pre-emptive hand. "Don't worry, it won't be a public gesture from Logan like Brambrook, you've made it clear on the church's position. I'm talking about something you could do on your own merit... well, maybe with a helping hand from the company... but no-one needs to know that part."

....

"I'm glad, and no, you certainly making a fool of yourself. Very much not. I wouldn't recommend trying it with a Cimmerii, though. They're far less likely to take it as a compliment. Or to respond favorably to the idea."

"I'll try to behave myself." Tamina replied. "I'm not really looking for another pretty elf anyway."

One of her ears pricked up as she heard the shuffling of feet and a low whistling from the outskirts of the camp, her nostrils picked up a familiar scent, she clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle a full blown giggling fit.

"Poor Udo, he's probably getting cold. Should really be putting some clothes on, find out what's been going on."
Alberich
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Re: Port Lorrel- Puppet Masters

Post by Alberich »

Udo was indeed sitting outside on watch, with a broad-brimmed hat on his head, a blanket over his shoulders, a pistol belt around it, and a rifle on his knees. He really shouldn't be whistling eerie tunes on watch and he knew that, but it felt natural somehow, and anyway, any bandits who tried to raid their camp would soon be dead bandits. With empty pockets.

* * *

"But if you need to accomplish something good to help your career, then let's talk possibilities. Don't worry, it won't be a public gesture from Logan like Brambrook, you've made it clear on the church's position. I'm talking about something you could do on your own merit... well, maybe with a helping hand from the company... but no-one needs to know that part."

Tim didn't know about the altar or about the Ralkin's mind influence magic, or how it had converted Myra from Jack's ally to his bitter enemy in a matter of seconds. But he was expecting to be tempted at every turn by demons and devils, and was on his guard against them, so that his false model was a decent stand-in for the true.

Still, he must not simply reject the Ralkins' overtures, lest he be sent away, and lose his chance to do what he'd come to do. His spirit was firm in resistance (at least for now it was) but his lips had to temporize.

"That's very generous of you," he said, "but too fast would be suspicious. Give it a few days anyway. And I'm not going to harm anyone just for my own advancement. People like that - well, you get them in any church or army, they're made of men after all, but I'm not doing that. You're strong. You've time."

Maybe his strength of will would make him more attractive to these people at that. He doubted it, though. To Aleron and his infernal masters he was just a blank in vestments, a convenient tool to be seduced and used, and not respected no matter what he did.
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Jack Rothwell
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Re: Port Lorrel- Puppet Masters

Post by Jack Rothwell »

"We're juggling knives, Tim." Eli barked a laugh which was entirely without humour. "Moving too slow usually means somebody gets cut. So, two days... then we get the people singing your praises." The half-elf pushed to his feet. "Put your faith in your God and give the citizens something to be thankful for. In the meantime, duty calls."

.....

Tamina found the highwayman and the waiter an brought them back to the camp for an update. The kobold sat, smiling faintly, as the men brought the humanoids up to speed.

OOC Feel free to put in some parting words for Tim./OOC
Last edited by Jack Rothwell on February 5th, 2013, 8:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Port Lorrel- Puppet Masters

Post by Browncoat »

With everyone now on the same page, silence fell as the group processed the information. The silence was promptly interrupted by a crunch. Angrist had come back unnoticed. He was biting into an apple while leaning up against a tree...a tree that put the others between him and the town. As Angrist straightened, he pulled his eye patch off his eye (left eye). There was a slight glint... a trick of the light. He walked over and reclaimed his hat from Udo. One of his false ears had come off and the hat was again needed.

"Where you been?"

Angrist ruffled Tamina's hair at the question then knelt. He made a quick but accurate sketch of the Port in the dirt. While the others looked to see his drawing, Angrist was watching one of them.

{Good thing Udo's so easy to read. I've got another piece of the puzzle, but still not enough. And the question remains, how would she react if she knew my heritage?}

[OOC: Got the group all back together now. And Angrist has deduced what Tamina and Drusia have been up to. FYI, that last thought has to do with an aspect I've kept in mind, but haven't brought a lot of attention to.]
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