Tea with Loch Twinsday
Log Info
- Title: Tea with Loch Twinsday
- Emitter: Whirlpool
- Characters: Cryosanthia, Aryia, Vaera, Randolf, Jinks, Mikilos, Lyme, Lysos, Merek
- Place: A15: Alexandrian Mountain Road
- Time: Wednesday, October 13, 2021, 10:11 PM
- Summary: Griva and Farland are having tea with Loch Twinsday up on the mountain. Cryosanthia passes by, on her way to Mikilos' and stops in to join. Aryia uses this route to train, so she's here. Vaera and Randolf are also, and gradually others arrive. Mikilos pops his head out wonder what all the noise and kids on his lawn are up to. Lyme is there but very well hidden. Vaera shows Lily how her thunderbelcher disassembles and collapses. Griva discusses how Loch's problems are likely caused by Asumit. Cryo is discouraging, having thought he was defeated. Well the trouble with normal is it always gets worse. Through discussion, they determine there must be a spy, and Merek uses divination to reveal Wasps have something to do with it. Aryia, leaves, disliking bugs greatly. Cryo is upset about this, but still asks her twenty questions regarding the wasps, African vs European or the Ea equivalent, that sort of thing. Merek is overconfident, Griva is warned the newer adventurers aren't up to handling Asumit, and Cryo explains she may not be available for all things going forward.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A15: Alexandrian Mountain Road *>-=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The Redridge mountains rising above is said to, at times, block the sun. Here along this traveler's road, the size of the mountains makes such a saying almost possible. Beyond even them are the airships, who come to rest towards the north and admidst higher peaks. Below and westward, the Lord's City sprawls, wide and beautiful and shining.
The road winds through the mountain landscape, built wide to accomdate a number of travelers. Magic was surely employed in its construction, guided by khazadi hands. Ahead, the road will twist towards the east and downward, returning to the city below. Directly east, the path rises to the Castellum Alexandrae.
Travelers on the road will notice the occasional, quiet shrine to Gilead and Tarien, guardians of wilderness travelers, and travelers, alike. Further down that that though, and almost near the wall is a small opening with a shingle out front, declaring a small store front.
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. Aryia 4'8" 110 Lb Shadow Elf Female A heavily scarred mul with a resolved look about her. Vaera 7'0" 262 Lb Sith-Makar Female A tall, dark red Makari with a wooden leg. Randolf 4'10" 280 Lb Mountain Dwarf Male A burly, well-dressed Khazad in wizardly robes. Jinks 3'4" 39 Lb Gnome Male A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry. Mikilos 6'8" 180 Lb Dawn Elf Male Tall male dawn elf, rosey blonde and handsome. Lyme 7'2" 435 Lb Orc Butch Black-skinned oruch of suitable stature. Lysos 5'6" 105 Lb Human/Tsuran Female Dark eyed tsuran girl. Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NPCs of Note -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Griva Brassbringer Khazdi Female Head of the Alexandrian Chapter of the Resurrection Society Farland Gnome Male Griva's second in command and partner in crime. Loch Twinsday Gnome Male A recently rescued ex-boyfriend of Griva. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Whirlpool Otyugh I am stinky! -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Griva Brassbringer is a stern looking, dwarves woman with her hair in a singular, long braid. The bird of grey in her brown hair and the faint lines around her eyes speak of someone slipping comfortably into dwarven middle age.
Loch Twinsday, on the other hand, has a youthful exuberance to him in spite of a seemingly more advanced age, for a gnome. He's a balding, rail thin fellow sipping tea almost manically as he enthusiastically described a horrible a monster with tentacles that attacked his workshop, all the while the third one at the table, another gnome who some might recognize as Farland, is dutifully taking notes and looking irritated that he's taking notes.
The three of them are sitting at an outdoor cafe, where Twinsday was delivered by the adventurers nearby.
Cryosanthia is a beautiful white scaled sith'makar woman, traced all over with pale blue lines and patterns. She's young, for a Makari, although she has accumulated a century of experience. She's wearing a brilliant white, layered robe and lingers.
The mountain road was not a difficult climb. She's athletic, even if her clothes are making her look thicker than usual. She has a confrontation looming, one that will start when she enters Mithrallas Merchandise.
So it's the perfect time to dawdle and delay over a cup of tea! She angles towards the outdoor cafe, carrying a pinkscale youngling on her shoulders.
"Oh! Griva!" She wasn't expecting to encounter her. "Peace on your Nest, and ta-da, I survived the Sea."
Aryia, a scarred mul'neissa woman with no bark and all bite, typically does come up this mountain path, as it leads to places that were less than savory in her eyes. However, the path proved a grand exercise routine. So it came to no surprise to those that knew her that she was jogging briskly up the road. A set of shades firmly rests on her nose and her hair is tied back with a silver ribbon.
She slows as she spots the others, her fanning her tank top at the waist to cycle some cold air in. She raises a hand to those present, it stopping to wipe off the building sweat before ambling on over, curious of this gathering.
Vaera was one of the adventurer's in question, who had helped delivered the gnome in question. She was set up at a nearby table, and her thunderbelcher was set up on the surface, in a state of semi disassembly. While working, she also had a journal open, and had been taking notes.
"Peace on your nest, Cryosanthia, this one, among others, just got back from Dragonier with the diviner here, Loch Twinsday." She explains, gesturing to them. "It seems you are acquainted already with Griva, the one who set up this request to get them."
She also turns to see Aryia arriving, and she waves to them. "And greetings as well, Aryia. It is certainly a good day for a jog. Would you like some tea? This one had a pot ordered, while things are sorted after the events."
Randolf can be found at another table in the cafe, not too far from the others. Quietly pulling at his pipe, his spellbook open on the table before him, he leans in close, running his index finger along lines of text. His majestic dark red beard quivering and bristling as he mutters under his breath, reading along. After a moment, he settles back in his seat, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Reos' flamin' beard, me eyes are 'bout tae shrivel up an' fall out," he grumbles.
It's then that he realizes that there's folk all around. A few he even recognizes. Cryo and Ariya both get hearty (if a bit weary) waves. "Oy, Cryosanthia. Peace on yer nest. An' Ariya. All right?" He pauses for a moment, then fumbles his wand off his belt. "Re ex re usara espicho!" He gives a swish and a flick, and a circle of soft blue light lazily sweeps out from around his head, not unlike one of the smoke rings from his pipe. He nods his head firmly, holstering his wand. "Walk'd all tha ways up from Alexandria, did ye?"
"... a lot, yes, but not all of them." Jinks is here for his money but otherwise occupied at the moment, standing back from the cafe and close to a gnomish crewman from the ship. There's celebrating to be done and it certainly doesn't involve drinking hot, leafy water. "Like... 'I knew a fool in a three-belled hat who would always hold the door for others as he came and went; they always remarked it was a rather nice jester.'"
The crewman opposite the minstrel groans, shoving Jinks playfully and rolling his chestnut brown eyes. They step back in close and conspire, glancing from the cafe back towards the docking yards. They embrace, kiss, and then break to go opposite directions, Jinks joining the others back fresh from their foyer into Dragonier.
Foray. Not foyer. It's difficult not to be entranced by these puns.
"Why is it always tea with you people?" Jinks wonders aloud, half-saluting in greeting to the others. He reaches into his coat only to pause, puzzled, and pat about his kit and person. "Bastard stole my flask," he realizes, half-smirking and looking back towards the airship.
"Yes, we're acquainted. This one has done odd jobs for Griva." Cryosanthia says, pulling a chair towards Vaera's table then setting Little Fang on it. The pink kobold youngling is immediately interested in the redscale's thunderbelcher, waving at her Ssassa for tools to disassemble it.
"Almost a year we've known each other, I think." Cryo says, getting a bench. Aryia, Randolf are given waves in reeting. Loch Twinsday getting a more formal hello, "Peace on your Nest, Loch Twinsday."
She snorts, overhearing the gnome's joke, "It's there and it's to be drunk, Jinks. Anyhow Griva, this one hopes listening in will be fine."
Aryia flashes a quick, "Peace on your nest," to Vaera and Cryo as she leans against a railing, keeping her breathing even to counter all the running. She glances to Randolf, giving him a 'I-know-you' sort of downward nod of acknowledgment before she gives a simple thumbs up at his question. And Jinks, as well, is given a more friendly wave. Water under the bridge at this point.
She raises a brow at why this person was here, her stepping around the railing to join more properly, her reaching out to pat the carnation scale on the head along the way before she crosses her arms and rests on her back foot. <Handspeech>
"Well, many teas are good for you, and a warm drink is always pleasant when a chill is creeping into the air." Vaera notes to Jinks, with a puff of air from amusement as they realize the deception. "This one was hired to bring back the wizard with Griva here, and it went quite well."
When Lily is reaching for the parts, Vaera offers them a strawberry filled pastry to occupy them. "I will explain what I am doing here, Lily, but I need to be careful with the assembly for now."
She takes a wrench to turn a bolt from an exposed section, which causes several gears seen and unseen to turn, telescoping the barrel of the weapon and the wooden stock back inside slightly.
Randolf looks over at Vaera, shaking his head with a chortal. "Chill? Och, this is nice balmy weather! There isn't even any snow on the ground!" Because of course the dwarf from the snow mountains would find autumn in Alexandria to be balmy. Speaking of dwarves and their mountains, he turns his attention over to Griva. "Dinnae see many kinsfolk this far south. How are ye findin' Alexandria, missus?"
"Yes," the gnome agrees with Cryosanthia. "Jinks is here to be drunk." He half-turns and dips his small shoulder to let the pack's straps fall down and into his hand. He flips the flap back and fishes for one of the bottles that looks conspicuously like part of Lysos' stash. It's flat, already half-empty, and decorated with greasy little handprints. He hooks a chair with his ankle and drags it to sit at Griva's table on the edge furthest from the sith. 'Phoonk' goes the cork before he has a swig.
Griva gives Randolf a thumbs up. From one dwarf to another, she is pleased to hear his sentiment. When Farland hears the name 'Jinks', he looks up, alarm in his eyes. HE HAS HEARD OF THIS JINKS, CLEARLY. Wary stare.
Loch nods excitedly. "Yes, it is a very strange time to be believe! There are no jobs for Griva which are not by their definition 'odd', I'd say! Ha! HA HA!"
Griva sighs. "I am quite thankful to all of you for bringing Loch to me in one piece, even if he doesn't care for me."
"She's right," replies Loch, "I don't."
Lily waves at Aryia, "Peace on your nest," trilling when she is petted, then taking both the pastry and standing on the chair to lean over while Vaera works on her weapon. <handspeech>
Crumbs are in danger of falling in.
Cryo pours herself some tea, picks up the cup and holds it carefully with two fingers and a thumb. The edges of her mouth curl up, "Well, this one nearly lost a wing and tail to the last project, so occupational hazard I guess." She bobs her head at Loch, "I'm Cryo."
Aryia raises a brow at Jinks's day drinking, but she doesn't push it. She partakes in some tea as well, something to wet the lips from all that running. She stretches her left arm some and quietly sips.
She recognizes Griva. And Farland. But not... this guy.
"So why's he here then," the mute woman gestures towards Loch. Less a question, and more a statement. Why was he here if he didn't care? <Handspeech>
"Odd or not, it was a job worth doing. If we were not there, that creature likely would have slain Loch." Vaera states, pulling the weapon slightly out of range of the looming crumbs. "They are, not on the best terms from previous work." She explains to Aryia. "But his assistance is necessary due to their field of magic."
"Your, wing?" She asks Cryosanthia, one brow raised. "Ah, another time perhaps. This weapon is able to collapse, but it makes the parts difficult to work. But when everything is secure, it works like any other thunderbelcher, and should be treated as such." She explains to the small kobold next to her.
"I'm here, I'm here!" Lysos says, not quite frantically, but certainly out of breath. A few locks of hair have fallen free of her headscarf, and she wobbles a bit, but she makes it to the small cafe... coming to a stop just shy of the small gathering about Griva and her latest guest. Also, she's missing a shoe.
Randolf settles back in his seat, lapsing into silence for the time being. He puffs a few idle smoke rings from his pipe, twiddling his fingers. "Re ex re io prestos!" The expanding smoke rings begin to pass through a rainbow of colors, whirling and swooping. He chuckles softly to himself, enjoying his idle distraction.
"But now they can leave past Griva'nces behind and Loch to the future." Jinks adds to the end of Vaera's explanation, tipping the mouth of the bottle towards the other table and laughing. Clearly, he's already started the celebration and we find the gnome at the intermission. He waves a hand at Lysos, tapping his collarbone. "You should give them the pin back. Unless you're really buying into this Animus bid. I think you can still blaspheme a dead god. The grey table may take exception."
Mikilos peers over his wall, noting that some sort of event is taking place near his shop. That, has him mildly concerned. He feels an urge, a sudden temptation to come out and wave his staff, tell the damn kids to get off his lawn.
Lyme is there, quiet, but still present, witnessing.
"If it could have gotten inside, yes. That creature was interesting, though! Never seen the like sof it before, which gets me to the point: Pretty sure your agents were followed by it to my door, Griva! It's your fault!"
"More likely it was waiting for you to come out of hiding. I believe that, earnestly." Griva replies, shaking her head.
Farland puts a hand to his face. "It's always like this with them. They used to date."
Griva stammers, "That's not your concern!"
Loch just cackles.
Griva clears her throat, but Loch continues and cuts her off from saying anything, "I did some studying. Divining, you might even say. I believe that you have a .. a spider in your organization!"
"I think he means rat."
"Definitely means rat," remarks Griva.
Jinks makes a face when he tries to wrap his head around a Khazad and Person dating. "Dwome?" He wonders over his bottle. ".... Gnarf?" He shrugs and takes another long drink from the bottle.
"Doanss eat the dirty ratsss." Lily advises, overhearing some of the conversation but more concerned with poking the collapsible thunderbelcher. She looks eagerly at her Ssassa, who seems to read her mind.
"Yes Lily, we'll go by Goblintown after we see Tia Braelnoir." Cryo sets her teacup down, adjusts her robes and leans towards Griva and Loch. Her nostrils flare, slightly. "That doesn't sound helpful. Though it is likely there are all sorts with varied motives in the Resurrectionists. There isn't much filtering, that I've seen?
Her head tilts towards Griva.
Aryia lowers her cup of tea as that bit of news is dropped. She pulls her shades down slightly, shimmery eyes neutral as they stare between Griva and Loch. Considering all the backstabbing and utter breakdown of the faith in the explorer's guild, Aryia is-
"This doesn't surprise me. Considering how that priestess tipped us off about that one thing, then tried to persuade us to give it to her. Wouldn't surprise me there's a rat. Wouldn't surprise me if she had a hand in placing a traitor," her hand elaborates.
Siip. <Handspeech>
Lysos looks at Jinks for a moment, then puts a hand to her forehead and nods. She reaches for the pin, still pinned just below the neckline of her dress, then she weaves around whoever and whatever she must to hand it back to Griva. "Still as good as new." She pauses, then amends. "Well, mostly as good as new."
"Then it seems like you have some cleaning to do of your organization." Vaera states matter of factly after showing Lily how she fit a few different springs into the mechanism with fresh oil applied. "It would be best to restrict information shared to those you trust fully until such can be determined."
The various ones speaking makes her shake her head. "If we could get in, they would find a way in eventually. But it is in the past now."
"So, how do you plan to deal with this?"
Randolf glances over at the conversation being had nearby. He perks a bushy red brow, head-tilting curiously. But in all truth, it really isn't any of his business. There's folk there who know his capabilities that they can tag him in if he's needed. He goes back to smoking his pipe, painting idle abstracts with smoke, light, and color with his magic.
"It's possible. If Loch says it's true, it's entirely possible it is. Or he's just being a jerk again. You never know with him."
"Hey!"
Griva clears her throat one more time, continuing as if Loch never interrupted her. "Matters being what they are, and Asumit being the threat he is, I'd imagine he's the one behind it. How much do any of you know about him?" she asks.
"I thought we destroyed him." Cryo says, "or ruined his plans and he's off in the Plane of Asumit, waiting for everything to explode and settle so all of him can re-emerge."
She exhales. The world just won't stay saved.
Merek would appear on the tail of what Griva mentions. There's a dark attire about him with a waistchain and a belt, although there's something new about him. The man seems to walk with power, watching the place and lifting up the scarf along his face, his hands in his pockets after that, leaning forward a little, "What's up everyone?" the man asks.
This is the first time Aryia's heard of this, so she shakes head in a solid 'no'. She's never heard of Asumit. She gives a light nod to Merek, setting her tea aside.
Jinks issues a quiet little snore where he sits, sagging down into the chair. The bottle balances in his lap, held with a loose grip. His chin is tucked and his head lolls. He probably didn't rest on the ride back. Turns out sitting down was a bad idea.
Lysos steps back, then finds an empty chair and drops onto it, lifting her bare foot to massage it a little bit. It's clear she's never heard of Asumit, so she keeps her mouth closed.. Cryosanthia's description of the villain gets a bit of a wide-eyed look before she looks back at Griva for confirmation and continuation.
A glance towards Cryosanthia, Griva nods. "I know. But I don't think he was destroyed for good. Remember how many of him we saw there? It's like he's ... divided himself somehow. I don't know. Fragments, perhaps? We assuredly put a stop to one of his plans, but his nest of demons remains in Skald, and he's actively opposing our efforts to restore Animus, same as many others, and he's one of the few that trucks with abominations like what was described to me here as attacking Loch."
"I looked into it. The only thing I could see was 'nothing'. Did I mention I hate the Void?" Loch replies.
Vaera shakes her own head at the mention of Asumit. "I know nothing of them, and very little of the happenings in softskin lands, to be honest." She admits while putting a section of the outer plating back on the weapon. "But, the creature was bizarre. And I know little about what it was, we did not have time to investigate afterwards."
Cryosanthia curls her tail around, her tailtip in her hands. She twists them back and forth, lightly wringing it as she listens to Griva. Her head turns, glancing towards her pink youngling.
Lily is fine. She has a screwdriver. Where did she get that? She's waiting to unscrew some things on the thunderbelcher. Cryo looks away, it'll be fine. She'll be fine.
The whitescale picks up her tea again. When did she get to the bottom? She pours herself more, still hugging her tail to her front with one arm. "Perhaps he permanently manifested his alternate selves, somehow. This one hates the void."
"He's a Wizard of Rune, and has been a thorn in Cesran's side for several years, or vice versa, depending how one views the situation. A villain, without doubt, machinations and manipulations behind the scene. Hard to track down, hard to pin. This is what I've heard."
Cryo nudges her snout, pointing towards Griva, "Griva, perhaps Loch, would know more. More accurate details than this one."
Aryia silently slides forward as Cryo explains, seeing some signs she's a bit familiar with. A scarred hand rests on the palescale's arm, and it stays there as, brows pinched in thought as if to say 'another-damn-thing-to-worry-about-now?'
The mute's attention shifts to Griva and co.
Seyardu pages: Should get together to use that scroll sometime!
"*Never* of Rune," says Griva, grimly.
"His first appearance to anyone's knowledge was in the Sendor war, where he sacrificed an entire town of people for power, opening up the gates of hell there, he did," continues Griva, "Sidetracked an entire war effort for his own gain. Made children into walking keys in an effort to force people to slay them, just to watch people struggle with how to save them."
She pinches the bridge of her nose. "He's bound a host of demons outside his domain in the blighted land of Skald and do you know what he does with them? Nothing. he makes them do nothing. Creatures of deep hunger and power, and he tortures them by binding them to *do nothing* -- just because it amuses him, evidentially."
Merek pulls out the visor in his pocket to place it on, then he ties the hair of his up into a spiky ponytail, while he takes the time to walk along to where Cryosanthia is at, nodding a little bit to the woman. Then he's looking to Griva, "Taking care of him will be easy," he then offers, while he places the hands back to his pockets again, then pulls out a cigar which he places along into his mouth.
Aryia blinks at the further elaboration. A hand raises to make a crude comment, but it's cut off by Merek.
She looks over at him, and deadpan gestures, "... says the man who died." <Handspeech>
Merek simply looks at Aryia from the visor which he wears, and watches. "Was that necessary?" he asks simply, and seems to keep every little bit of emotion from his tone.
"Reminding you of your mortality. And ours," Aryia retorts. <Handspeech>
"I would suggest that, no, it won't be easy," says Griva to Merek, firmly, "You've alrready seen what he's capable of. 'Easy' is the furthest thing from my mind, especially given we haven't seen his full potential unleashed yet." She's worried, yes, shaking her head.
"Taking lightly a person who keeps legions of demons bound is not a good idea, for certain." Vaera chuffs. "Your own strength or not, it is best not to rush head long into anything."
Vaera is mostly preoccupied with Lily suddenly having a screwdriver, but then she just sighs, and guides their hand to a screw. Tighten that one two full turns, and stop early if you have to force it." She explains.
"Though I will admit, they sound like a horrible person. Them being gone would probably be best for the rest of the world."
Cryosanthia is cool to the touch, even with her robes. They aren't the white velvet gown the snow sith has been know to sport occasionally. She releases her tail, and it curls around over Aryia's hip, protectively holding her carefully as the reptile woman nods in response to the pinched brows.
She watches Griva. She listens. She mentally re-arranges her schedule. So many things to do, some things she can't do, some things she must, and time is running out. Cryo exhales, "This one is corrected. I've... had a lot going on recently. Those are details I've never heard."
Merek's bravado is something she's not up to addressing now. She checks on Lily, a slight turn of her head, an automatic instinct.
"This one may not be able to assist, Griva, not in a direct capacity." Cryo admits, "with spells, research, yes. You... you can't be asking everyone here to go against his unleashed full potential? They aren't that experienced. What... is it you need done?"
"...no?" says Griva to Cryosanthia, gently, "I'm not asking anyone here to do anything, just yet. Right now, we need to understand how Asumit is learning what we're doing, now. It can't be scrying, I've warded against that, so he must have some other way of deducing it." A glance towards Jinks. Thoughtful.
There's a look to the cigar while Merek will think about it, "You misunderstand me. I know that he's powerful. But he's also a coward, that hides behind creations of his making, while hurting kids. I choose not to let the levity of the situation try to birth to ever being afraid of someone like that. Because he is, by all meaning of the word, simply a 'thing'. A thing that must be broken, no matter what it takes." Then he seems to consider, "That's easy. The man is using spies. If not that, then it's possible that there is other magic."
Griva stares at Merek for a moment. "Yes, a spy is the most likely bit. I believe you came into the conversation late -- but a spy can be any number of things, from one of those very invisible demons that lurk around, to an actual agent, to someone placed under a geas." She smiles at Merek.
Then she leans back in her seat. "So we'll need to understand that."
"Another round!" Jinks half-mumbles, the words starting as a quiet snort and becoming fully formed by the time he gets to 'ro.' He blinks, blearily, and looks around as he forces his eyes open. He pushes his eyebrows together and frowns when he meets Griva's gaze. What does she want? Was he talking in his sleep? His eyes squint shut and he yawns, one boot bracing against the chair as he arches his back and stretches his arms out to the side. He collapses back to sitting normally with a sigh, "... Mulria's sideways smile. How long have we been at this?"
"If you need anyone tracked in the city, this one may be able to do so." Vaera suggests, glancing around. "If you wanted to be quick about it, you could consult with some wizards and clerics about setting up some truth detecting magics, and ways to catch anyone circumventing them. It's pretty common in Charn, where someone will think they're outwitting the spell, only to be caught in the tertiary precautions."
"There's nothing invisible nearby right now." Cryosanthia says, "You could even have something following around in the Ethereal, listening in. Oh! I used the message cantrip once, to listen in on a faraway conversation. It works fine as long as you don't say anything. That would be hard to detect."
She runs a hand along one of her horns, sweeping all the way to the back. "It could be sorted out, if you knew what he knew, and who in your organization did, and match up which information got transferred. That's only effective if you have some way of knowing when misinformation gets through."
The truth spells are interesting. "There's a variety of ways, a person could be charmed. One of the resurrectionists might have a friend they share too much with."
Aryia lets the tail wrap around her, the mute woman simply leaning against Cryo as if to say 'I'm right here.'
Her shimmery eyes dart from person to person talking, silently taking in the information that everyone provides. She grows pensive, a hand drumming lightly against the tail on her hip in thought. The runaway slave was not used to, or meant to, be in these sorts of high concept situations. Instead meant to worry more about when the next meal would come. A thought from a silverscale friend about how they were now trusted with information and duties that others wouldn't have the chances to get.
An inhale, and exhale. "I can keep an eye on anyone coming in from the docks. Resurrecitonists, and see if come in or leave that shouldn't be," she offers, all of the terminology the others were using going over her head. Though. A bit of the Charn in her slips through. "Or you could feed false info to people and see how A-S-U-M-I-T reacts to find the little weasly bitch.<Handspeech>
"I'll get the minutes from you later, Distantplace." Jinks knocks the table nearer Farland, coming full awake quickly. "And my money from you, tomorrow," he points two fingers at Griva, then pauses and waves his hand iffily, "maaaybe Kesenday." He stands again and presses his hands into the small of his back, still holding the bottle. He just got back from work. Talking about more work is clearly not what he's interested in right now.
"Airship party?" The gnome points a finger at Lysos, raising his other hand to point at Vaera. "Airship party?" He scoops up his pack and heads off, back towards the Airstation with a hand raised over his shoulder in farewell.
The mul'niessa's presence is a comfort. Cryo feels her warmth, her movement, the tapping on her tail which is an excellent way to get her attention. She automatically checks on Lily again.
Her youngling seems lost in mechanism maintenance.
The gnome's departure gets a long stare from her. After which she focuses on Griva once more, "Is Lars still with your group? He's... he's selfishly motivated."
GAME: Merek casts Divination. Caster Level: 15 DC: 18 GAME: Merek rolls 1d100: (36): 36
Merek will take the time to look about, then he draws a candle from that pack which he keeps with him, then he places that to a table while lighting it. Then he draws the sigils onto the paper, and will take the time to meditate a little.
"Hm," says Griva, nodding towards Cryo, "I'm sure he is, but all the same, self interested doesn't mean selling us out to 'Asumit'. There's a large gap."
She shrugs her shoulders, then squints at M<erek.
Aryia still thinks her idea was best, her giving a light wave to the leaving gnome, uncaring that she wasn't invited. Her attention turns to Merek, a slight tension entering her frame. That looks like unannounced magic stuff.
"And when that screw is tightened, it will keep the entire gear assembly hear in places with the pressure coupled with the other fastenings." Vaera is explaining, before her attention is turned to the other speech. Vaera chuffs, and looks to Cryosanthia, nodding to them.
"There are many things which may have happened, or could happen. It is up to you to determine how best to handle it. If there is assistance this one can offer, I will see what can be done."
Merek will stand up from the table, and looks then to Griva. It's been about ten minutes since he began, that's the time it takes to do that magic. "Alright, that's weird. It has something to do with wasps. That's the only clue towards the way that he is learning what we know," the man notes to everyone.
"... what?" says Griva to Merek, looking thoroughly lost by his comment. So does Farland. Loch stares at him, then nods, "Wasps," he agrees.
Aryia owlishly blinks at Merek from her post against the paleskin. "... w-t," she hisses in her voiceless way.
Merek looks between all of them, and nods a bit in confirmation, "Wasps. They were swarming me, I know that the answer is within that, there were a lot of them," he notes.
Mikilos peers. Shakes cane. Durn kids. Git off my lawn!
"Wasps." Cryosanthia repeats. "Beset by wasps."
"Wasssspssspsssss." Lily repeats with a grin, enjoying the word, then leaning in to tighten the screw that controls the tension on the gear assemble. The little kobold hisses happily, "Wasspspspspspssss."
The whitescale glances at Loch, holding her fingers up, "this size, the nuisance to softskins, not Am'shere size, and capable of carrying off Nestlings, yesss?"
Her head turns towards Merek, "Regular wasps, of normal or unusual size, or are we dealing with a hive mind?"
She jerks her head, sitting a little taller, "Oh. Oooooh. There are wasps that lay eggs in the brains of other insects to control them. This one remembers reading about a Moth Demon that can do that too."
"A wasp like that?"
The candid discussion about wasps and their various kinds makes Aryia squirm uncomfortably against the chilly pillar. Her foot scratches the back of her leg. At the mention of eggs in craniums, the elf detaches and looks a little green in the gills. She gives Lily another pat in the head, a pat on Cryosanthia's arm, and a nod to everyone else. She steps away and resumes her brisk jog.
Ick. Bugs.
Merek looks then to Cryosanthia while he thinks about it, and will put the hands of his along into the pockets again. "I will need to think about it, I admit. It was normal like wasps, although... I think you might be onto something. The divining isn't always directly an answer. It might be that it's trying to point out something like that."
Cryosanthia feels Aryia slip away. The pat was nice, it re-assures the whitescale she hasn't made another horrible communication mistake. Even if she has made some sort of one. Her words and speculation clearly upset her mul'niessa friend.
Not as blindly as she did her... him. He isn't. She isn't. Cihuaa. The word no longer applies. It may never have. It might only have been wishful thinking and forcing false notions, or a strange flower that can only blossom under certain conditions.
Which have changed.
The white-scaled Sith woman finds herself wool-gathering, just like Merek, but in a less productive way. That rabbit hole is deep, decades deep. She can be lost in it for a long time.
"What? Ah... oh never mind. Tell me later Merek." Cryo stands, tail swaying behind her, and brushes down her front, adjusting her clothes which make her look thick. "Griva, this one wonders if you have thoughts on whom 'She' might be, but will ask later. In case there are wasps."
"Wassspsspspssssss." Little Fang says cheerfully.
"Peace on your Nests, this one must go see Mikilos now." Cryo says decisively, gathering her youngling. There's another look at Merek, quick and expressionless, and she tells Loch, "You're in good hands. Good luck."
Merek looks then to Cryosanthia and will offer a salute, "Be safe, Cryo. You and Lily," he offers. The man doesn't really try to pry, he only offers, "Don't think too much. Enjoy."
"...Wasps?" Vaera states, blinking a few times. "Perhaps it is indicative of a venom, or something like that. Or it could be a literal sense. But, if magics gave you this vision, then it should be considered, for certain."
Looking for something, she reaches for the last of her pastries, offering it to Lily before she goes, before tearing it in half to offer to mother and child. "Peace on your nest, Cryosanthia, Lily. Take care."
Lily grabs the pastry, "Thanssss." Then she is carried away.
Jinksisms
<OOC> Jinks says, "Whenever someone is playing an unarmed combatant at the table of our regular group we always end up quoting the episode of 30 Rock where Jack's brother shows up."
<OOC> Jinks says, "'Well, now I'm gonna let Saint Patrick and Saint Michael do my talking for me!' 'You have get through Tip O'Neil and Bobby Sands, first!' 'You call those fist names!? Say 'hello' to Bono and Sandra Day-O'Connor!'"
<OOC> Jinks says, "You should check and see if the cafe has a spare choux pastry, Lysos."
<OOC> Jinks says, "If they both hate Jinks that's a common ground you can build an alliance on."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Everyone hates Jinks, it's true. He's the worst."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "<3"
<OOC> Jinks says, "It's OK. I can post lusty gnomish NPCs to keep him company."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "It's easy: just ask Jinks to make horrible puns about Asumit until whoever's loyal to him explodes into a rage!"
<OOC> Jinks says, "I asumit will end in tears?"
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "After all, you know what happens when you assume it true."
<OOC> Whirlpool fistbumps Jinks.
<OOC> Jinks says, "YOU'RE TOO SLOW OLD MAN"
<OOC> Jinks fistbumps back.
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "I WAS TYPING MORE THAN YOU"
<OOC> Aryia groans, peels off two gold stickers and slaps one on Jinks's and Whril's face
<OOC> Jinks says, "Someone made a movie about Sean Connery being given a quest to meet his future inlaws for supper. "Geas Who's Coming To Dinner""
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "The Man Who died could be the title of Merek's autobiography"
<OOC> Aryia only made that comment due to 'oh yeah this will be easy', meanwhile, everyone from the asumit plot got completely battered and down for the count for the longest time
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Adventurers being overconfident? NEVER ;)"
<OOC> Merek says, "Merek is a realist."
<OOC> Merek says, "But he's also filled with the undying power of a man who never gives up."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "'undying'."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "says the man who died. ;)"
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "I am totally gonna tease you, sir."