[Game Thread] Chapter 6d: A Blight Upon the Earth

[Battlechaser]

The spy gave Misa a look that told "Is she for real?" Léon took a deep breath. Women! And started to explain. "We do not want to give up the element of surprise. We need to identify their target first and then we can strike. It might give us a clue what the other teams are searching for. So, are you ready?" He checked if all his defenses were up. "Remember, the Lakarn needs to go down first."

[Makenshi]

Originally Posted by Leon

"What would Didina have to say about that?"

Misa pauses for a moment before shrugging. "'Can we share her?' probably, knowing her." Judging by the half smile afterwards, she was likely pulling Leon's leg in the hope of a reaction, although he found her surprisingly difficult to read, perhaps because of the lack of eye contact or maybe due to Didina's influence.

Originally Posted by Leon

"Is she for real?"

Misa smiles slightly before responding. "Not to mention that there's the neutrals who might get involved if we go in breath blazing and all. It'd also probably be easier to claim to be Dragon-touched rather than a Dragon. We don't want to attract too much attention and I'm going to be an odd enough sight as it is." She pats herself down a little before holding out an arm for Mrith to take in order to 'lead' her about. "Ready when you are not a typo, it's her giving him a 'cover' nameLen-" She nods her head towards Mrith. "-and Meg." She pops her hood back over her head. "Lead the way."

Once Leon was ready and pushed his way into the brothel he was greeted with an extended hallway come sitting room that had been converted into a small tavern. His eyes immediately sought out the familiar shapes of those they were following, finding Rude, the local, chatting away with a burly looking barman while making quick work of a cloudy tankard of some sort of ale.

Layva was busy giving baleful looks at any men who looked at her, much to Nykas' amusement, while barely nursing an ale of her own. The Tyyrykan seemed much more at ease, chatting with some of the dozen or so men waiting around drinking and admiring the provocatively dressed (but fully covered) girls bringing over the drinks. As he looked for the elusive 'Mutt' he was able to make out half a dozen guards, each armed with cudgels and a more lethal weapon (usually a blade of some sort), and spread about looking out for trouble. It wasn't until their own little group started to attract attention (particularly from the barman and some of the customers) that he finally spotted Mutt, sitting in the corner and blending in amongst another group while keeping his back to the wall and an eye on everything else. Leon would have to be careful with that one. Just as Leon recognized a lot of his own habits in the Elf-touched, it was likely the Elf-touched could too, so it was a matter of acting the part of concerned protector rather than a spy or thief. Other than Mutt, the others didn't pay much attention to them, although Rude seemed annoyed at the attention they were getting from the barman. Perhaps he was trying to get something from him?

~MTWC

[Battlechaser]

"Right. Follow me, Ladies." As Léon held the curtain to the side for his protégées to pass, he had to remind himself to not be too furtive about inspecting their targets. So acting against thoroughly ingrained instincts, the thief scowled and looked suspiciously at everyone in the bar, while holding a hand on his rapier. After a few moments Léon seemed satisfied and gave the guards a nod, while ushering Misa and Mrith in.

[Blue]

Misa's argument made her shrug. She didn't mind much the idea of a little fire but it was for the best.
She composed herself and made to lead Misa into the building after Léon. Making a good impression wouldn't be difficult.

[Makenshi]

Leon spotted more than a few weapons on the other patrons, as well as some admiring and/or curious looks towards one or both of the exotic pair. Mutt continued to scrutinise them for a time, but either didn't seem alarmed by them or didn't want to cause a scene. The barman, meanwhile, looked more than a little curious as Leon ushered the others in.

"And how can we help you today? We're not interested in hiring any more girls unless they're something special if that's what you're here for."

"Hey, Jal, what about-"

The barman frowns at him, causing the Tsuuneese man to shut up. "I said I'd think about it and that's what I meant. Aint no rushed decision ever been made that wasn't regretted." Effectively dismissing the man, he turned his attention back to Leon. "So?" He looks from Leon to Misa and then Mrith, with Misa looking a little embarrassed about the whole situation.

~MTWC

[Battlechaser]

"Listen, pal." Léon moved in closer to the bartender to make sure he could not be overheard and whispered. "You must be getting rusty if you don't recognize a bussines opportunity. The Lady" He nodded towards Misa, "is looking for a playmate that can blend in with her class. You know what I'm talking about. A trophy. The one that knows her way around balls and bedrooms." He pulled a few gold coins out of his purse and slid them towards the barkeep. "Do you happen to know such a fine lady?" Léon winked.

[Makenshi]

The barkeep looks appraisingly at Misa and Mrith. "Oh? Is that so? And I suppose now seemed like a good time to do it?"

"Yes actually." Misa cuts in. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm blind, and to my father that means I am as delicate as glass. He doesn't let me out of his sight normally, so I could never get away until now, with the help of my loyal guard and companion." She goes slightly red. "I...uh...not that sort of companion, that is."

The barkeep quickly assesses the gold before pocketing it. "Hmmm. Might be that I can help you. We've a girl staying here from Sharak who's real lady-like and is...open to a variety of clients, but you'll have to speak to her about it. She just rents a room here and brings in more business, she's not one of mine. Interested?" That suggestion seems to greatly annoy Rude, who opens his mouth to say something before the barkeep gives him another glare to shut him up.

~MTWC

[Battlechaser]

Léon glanced at his protégée. "What do you think, milady? You've taken way too many risks to get here." Enter the annoyed bodyguard, who rolled his eyes at the barkeep to convey Women! "It's no use to get back without what you came for. We might not get such an opportunity again. " He muttered under his breath but still loud enough to be heard by the bartender. "I hope."

"So she's not one of your regulars?" Léon asked the man "Is she that good that people come down especially for her?"

[Makenshi]

Misa nods in agreement. "You're right. If we don't do this now I might be an old maid by the time I get a chance to do it again."

The barkeep smiles in response to Leon's question. "Oh, she's mighty good, but then the Sharakan whores usually are. No need for cloak and dagger over there like in most places. Not had the pleasure of her company before, but we get her like swinging by every now and then, looking to expand and land a rich man or two." He leers a little at Misa, who doesn't react, before looking back to Leon. "Though she'd be amenable to a rich woman instead I'm sure."

Misa nods her head. "Then you'll arrange a meeting?"

The barkeep looks from Misa to Leon for a moment, smiling slightly. "If that is what the Lady desires. I would, of course, require a fee to make the arrangements."

Misa makes a face at that. "But...didn't you say she was here?"

"As I said, she rents from me, which means to get to her you have to pay me." He addresses the next to Leon, grinning greedily. "this is coming out of Marcell's pocket, so no need to track it or get into specifics, although he might roll his eyes if he finds out what Leon was paying for, however innocent the intentionsTwo more like the first would do just fine." The barkeep holds out a hand expectantly. If Leon checks with Misa then she would nod in agreement, albeit with reluctance, before the barkeep gestured for two of his guards to let them through.

One of them tapped on the door, pushing some sort of token through a slot before they heard the locks clicking and saw the door swinging open. On the other side was a teenage boy with numerous keys attached to loops about his body, with two more guards waiting beside him. Obviously they weren't going to be getting the run of the place.

One of the guards remained behind the door while the other followed behind them and the boy, who led them and chatted away. "Miss Levayan is in one of the upper rooms." Completely unlike the terse and frowning guards, the boy was all smiles and cheer. "Well, she's really in two of them, but she used magic to make the wall go away." He leads them through the back corridor, past a lot of doors, where they can occasionally hear things that make Misa blush, much to the amusement of the bard and the confusion of the youth. When they reach the end there are two flights of stairs, one to either side, which head straight up and to the side. It was clever actually, as it appeared the brothel had expanded into the two adjacent buildings, or at least the top floors of them, while still looking small from the outside.

Upstairs there were more doors, although much further apart and only along one side. The boy led them to one of the middle doors and knocked. A few moments later the door opened, with a Sharakan woman with long dark hair and blue eyes standing there wrapped up in a red and gold silk robe. Seeing the strange group before her the woman made quick work of looking them over before settling on Misa. "Please do come in." To the guard and boy she gestures for them to leave and then closes the door once Misa and the others enter.

Inside is a large, decently furbished though far from lavish room with a canopy bed with sheer curtains around it. There were also two vanities and a pair of large wardrobes, along with a large oak table with a set of four comfortable chairs, which 'Miss Levayan' gestured them towards, while remaining standing herself. "So how can I help you?" She looks from Misa and Leon, a flirtatious smile dancing across her lips.

~MTWC

[Battlechaser]

Looking at Misa, Léon sighed as he parted with a few more coins. "She'd better be worth it." He muttered under his breath before following their young guide upstairs. Keeping up the act of attentive bodyguard was not very difficult. It just required a downgrading of his normal paranoia.

The thief chuckled at Misa's uncomfortableness. He had seen and heard it all, although this was a classier establishment than the shithole his mother had worked in.

As they were ushered in the Sharakan's room, Léon inspected the prostitute and his surroundings before responding. "Her Ladyship needs a companion." He wondered Could she be the target? Let's elicit a response. "Although I think the Lakarn downstairs might be a bit jealous."

[Blue]

Mrith had the hardest time enjoying her little trip through the establishment. There was always something to disgust, unnerve or sadden her seconds after finding a little aspect of the place that she actually liked. She purposefully avoided looking at anyone in the eyes and played the role of the young maid that couldn't wait for her lady to get her out of there.

When they reached the Sharakan woman and they got welcomed to sit down, she couldn't help but look at the chairs with a drop of suspicion.
It was perhaps a bit odd that a prostitute would expect enough company for a table of four. But what did she know about a harlot's lifestyle...
She would sit down by Misa when the Serokai would herself.

[Makenshi]

The woman raised an eyebrow at Gudarc's comment on a Lakarn. "Oh? I don't have any Lakarn clients that I know of, or is he just an admirer? I don't suppose you caught a name did you?"

~MTWC

[Battlechaser]

"Her name is Lavya." Léon answered. "She is waiting downstairs with her posse." Is she

Dice sense motive:

1d20+8

(19)+8

Total = 27

genuinely surprised?

[Makenshi]

Her face drops a little when she hears the name, and she lets out a weary sigh. "Well, if that isn't marvellous. She was never willing to let go of anything before, so I shouldn't be surprised I guess, but I had at least thought it'd take her longer to try and find me. I'll have to let them know downstairs about her, especially if she's brought some friends. Trouble follows her like flies to..." She glances towards Misa. "...well...I'm sure you can fill it in." She seems genuine in her reaction and words as she walks over to one of the dressers. "I don't suppose that you'd be able to give me a description of the others that she is with?"

~MTWC

[Battlechaser]

"They're three." Léon recalled his observations. "A redheaded Elf-touched spy named Mutt." He counted on his fingers. "A local, bearded guy named Rutt. And a guy with two notched eyebrows." Léon regarded the prostitute. "How do you know her?"