#106
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Playing - High Risk, Heist Reward | The Grand Tour
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#107
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Father of proud children. Expect the next 18+ years to be erratic and/or chaotic.
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#108
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Hrani is the last of the group to get involved in the conversation, but he was certainly not the last to react. Having been keeping his eyes open for the best path through the crowd - a task admittedly greatly simplified by Mara enlisting the Crooked Kin's help - the magus had seen the gnome step out in front of their wagon. Many might react with annoyance in this situation, at being slowed down, as Runa was demonstrating. But not the elf, far from his snowy home. When the gnome stepped into the road to block their carriage he did not perceive an annoying obstacle like all the others. Instead a million alarm bells were ringing simultaneously in his head, screaming 'Threat! Threat! Threat!'.
Instinctively his left hand had reached for the black blade at his belt, ready to draw forth Orenmir in an instant. With his right hand, he had begun reaching for the cold of his home that lived deep inside his heart. Light blue light had begun to coalesce at his fingertips, ready to be unleashed first upon the primary threat, and then on his companion who was revealed shortly thereafter. Only the situation does not escalate, and instead everyone settles in for a pleasant chat. Hrani doesn't speak. He lets go of the arcane energies in his right hand, letting them retreat into his body, but his left hand doesn't shift an inch off of his sword's hilt. 'They cannot possibly be buying this...' Orenmir comments its opinion on the all too convenient appearance of two further people intent on helping the defense. A very unlikely story in a city where everyone seems entirely convinced that the Beast is guilty and the only possible course of action is to burn it at the stake. The magus does not reply to his blade, however, too busy is he with trying to figure out what these new arrivals are up to. Best case scenario they work for the prosecution and just want the chance to tamper with evidence, or at least a head's up on what the defense is up to. Worst case scenario this is a new trap set by the Whispering Way...or it is a trap set just for him that his current companions are in on. It would explain why they seem willing to even entertain the notion of joining up with these people. Hrani looks them up and down, and then scans the crowd. Then the unlikely pair again in closer detail, then the crowd again. Trying to spot the threat. Trying to figure out whether these two are the assassin's or the distractions. His darting gaze gets stuck on the dwarf's shadow. Now what did that mean? Had he imagined it? Or was it the trace of an illusion not done well enough to extend to the shadow? What was this woman hiding? He doesn't spot it again when he looks a second time, but the glance he caught does nothing to put him at ease about these two's intentions. Still, he spots no obvious trap between the pair or the crowd. It will still come, then... "Are we really entertaining the idea of taking them with us? As far as we can tell everyone in this city has the Beast condemned as a cruel and vicious being..." Hrani says, not using the prisoner's proper name despite having learned it from the rest of the group. "And now these two turn up, working for an anonymous employer and claim to be working for our side? Personally, it would seem like at best they are spies for our opposition, hired to keep tabs on us to make sure we do not jeopardize their case further..." The pale elf ignores the documents the gnome is offering up as proof of his past success. They are pieces of paper, easily forgeable. And besides, there is nothing the documents could say that would help convince him of this man's trustworthiness. There is only one person in the world whose judgment Hrani might trust enough in this particular situation. And Lorrimor is in no condition to be writing any more pieces of paper... Last edited by Inem; Jul 27th, 2017 at 06:17 PM. |
#109
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Playing - High Risk, Heist Reward | The Grand Tour
Last edited by PopCultureBard; Jul 27th, 2017 at 11:17 PM. |
#110
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Only when Signy introduces herself does Mara pay any real attention to her; otherwise, she ignores the dwarf—and her shadow—in favor of keeping a close eye upon Angestril's cigarette case. Pike's recognition of the gnome's name seems to ease her tension somewhat, as does the disappearance of the offending case into Phidolis's tunic. The dwarf's cigar is a momentary setback, causing the singer to openly wrinkle her nose with distaste—or is it apprehension?—but at least it is redirected away from the newcomers. She makes no attempt to hide her emotions, so it is quite easy for Signy to follow her reaction to every word.
It is clear that, in spite of his cigar-chomping ways, Mara trusts the detective's judgment, relaxing noticeably when Pike publicly announces his approval of the pair. On the other hand, she appears completely disinterested in the discussion about tampering evidence, either not knowing or not caring about such basic tenets of legal procedure. She is only marginally more interested in the gnome's professed abilities; rather, it is his references that earn a subconscious nod of approval. Eventually she sighs. “You must forgive us,” she inclines her head in the slightest show of deference to Phidolis, “but circumstances have made us wary of late.” The soprano brushes back a long strand of light honey-colored hair, tucking it behind a slightly pointed ear that might hint at possible elven blood. “You see, we have been followed, by a group of cultists. Either that, or they have been lying in wait for us.” She glances at Pike, as if gauging whether or not to say more; his previous avowal in favor of the strangers decides the matter. “Have you heard of the Whispering Way?” Her clear aquamarine eyes gaze intently at the duo, seeking their reaction. “I believe that would be Hrani's worst case scenario. They, like you, revealed themselves openly to us, unseen blade or not, so perhaps you can understand our reluctance to welcome strangers who arise in a similar fashion.” The songstress pauses for a long moment, toying absentmindedly with her tresses and the dainty pink flower adorning her head. “Still, the comparison is not perfect. The threats of the cultists are noticeably absent. And the cultists did not offer references.” She gives the elf a mollifying look, then dips her head ever so slightly to Phidolis and Signy. “You may call me Mara.”
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#111
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Playing - High Risk, Heist Reward | The Grand Tour
Last edited by PopCultureBard; Jul 29th, 2017 at 05:47 PM. |
#112
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Father of proud children. Expect the next 18+ years to be erratic and/or chaotic.
Last edited by Thorsten; Jul 31st, 2017 at 04:30 AM. |
#113
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Pike winces when Mara openly mentions the Whispering Way but then Fido speaks of them and lastly Runa does too and that is just all to much for the dwarf to handle "Right, can we just pipe down on that name please. There are more ears around us than I care for, thank you very much." he chews on his cigar while he glances around "Look, jump on board. We can talk as we move, at worst we'll drop you off at the edge of town if we're not convinced. Time is what we don't have enough of at the moment." he motions for the couple to take a seat, winking mischievously as he does so at Fido "No smoking inside the carriage."
Last edited by Cedric; Aug 1st, 2017 at 03:12 AM. |
#114
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Unlike the mounted paladin, Mara seems persuaded by Angestril's earnest passion. It is as if she finds the gnome's quiet, intense vow more convincing than any carefully reasoned argument. She gives the diminutive scrollmaster a more respectful nod. “Very well, Fido. It would seem that we have a common goal indeed.”
The singer casts a mixed glance at Pike's invitation, partly annoyed at the thought of sharing her carriage with the newcomers, but also relieved by his admonition against smoking. “Yes … do join us,” she corroborates the detective's offer in a less than enthusiastic voice. Something is still bothering her--some secret she wishes to keep safe. Nonetheless, she arranges a pleasant smile upon her fair face and beckons Signy and Fido to mount the carriage. “You would surely enjoy the open air more, would you not?” Her arm gestures gaily towards the seats beside the driver. “Hrani,” she cajoles in a sweet voice tinged with a hidden thread of insistence, “why don't you give them your seat?” Her eyelashes flutter uncertainly for a moment. “If you wish, you may join me in the carriage.” It would seem that she prefers the company of an elf to that of a gnome or dwarf.
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#115
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#116
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Father of proud children. Expect the next 18+ years to be erratic and/or chaotic.
Last edited by Thorsten; Aug 3rd, 2017 at 06:13 AM. |
#117
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Playing - High Risk, Heist Reward | The Grand Tour
Last edited by PopCultureBard; Aug 3rd, 2017 at 09:06 AM. |
#118
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Father of proud children. Expect the next 18+ years to be erratic and/or chaotic.
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#119
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Hrani stands, patiently waiting, saying nothing. Not because he is convinced these two should join their group. Not because he has no opinion on the matter - for he certainly has a very strong opinion - no, he is simply preoccupied by trying to figure out what he saw in Signy's shadow. There had been something for sure, that much was clear. Unfortunately, immediately after the elf had gotten his first glance, several people had shifted, producing references and introducing themselves, and now he simply found his view blocked. He would have to check it again at a later time when the opportunity arose, because apparently the group was intent on letting them join their little expedition. No sense the lot of them...except for maybe Runa, who was looking almost as suspicious and annoyed as Hrani himself.
There seems to be little point in raising any objection, however. He'd be outvoted easily. If Carlo and Andrzej were here things might be different. The two Varisians might be less likely to through their lot in with random strangers who know a lot about their group but divulge little in return. Who would have thought that those two troublemakers might be the most reasonable of his companions sometimes? Unless the others weren't being foolish at all, because they knew more than the magus. Once more the thought that this whole scenario might be a stitch-up runs through his mind, only this time his friends are in on it. It passes all the plausibility tests this time as well. Oh how Hrani hated travelling... And then, at the height of his paranoia, Mara asks that he vacate his seat in favor of the two strangers, and join her in the confined cabin, where he won't be able to look in all directions and his escape routes will be cut off entirely. A multitude of possibilities for the request run through the elf's mind in the blink of an eye, with Orenmir tossing around a few more he hadn't considered himself. The most obvious, of course, is that Mara has something she wants to keep a secret from these men. Easy to figure out what that would be. Too easy in fact. It is the explanation Mara has tediously conditioned him to come up with through her behavior. Which doesn't rule out that it is true, but it hadn't occurred to Hrani up until this point how proficiently she might have been manipulating him. And the little songstress did have a silver tongue, didn't she? Of course, she might just see it as a better strategical position to have the two strangers outside. It wouldn't be very honorable to stab them in the back through the wooden carriage's walls, but it would undoubtedly be effective. In the end, there is no way to distinguish between all the possibilities and choose the correct one, other than to let things play out and see how they develop. Besides, having just come up with the plan of stabbing a person sitting at the front of the carriage through the wall, that seat is a lot less attractive than it still was moments ago. "Of course, Mara. It will be my honor to join you at once." The tone in the elf's voice makes it clear that he considers this whole situation everything else than a pleasure, but it is hard for anyone listening to him to find out what it is exactly that he is objecting to, the fact that he is now moving into the carriage from his old seat, or the general presence of these two newcomers...or just life in general. With Hrani, you could never be sure it was any one thing in particular... |
#120
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Pike offers them a hand climbing up, then gives the horses a sharp whistle putting the carriage into motion "He has a good reputation from what little I know." he says in response to Runa with a barely visible shrug "And for what it's worth I think they're an honest lot, even if he didn't speak plainly enough about their employer." the dwarf grins, showing his large, white teeth "But one must have some secrets, hey?" he chuckles and winks at the pair, knowing full well this last attempt at humor would not sit well with his companions, but where they were lacking in hospitality and friendly disposition he would not. These two were offering help and help is what they need.
Besides, having them by his side made was better than having them at their back. He looks the pair over, nodding in finality "Right, so tell us; what do you know about this grisly trial?" |
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