[Game Thread] Chapter 5d: Faces and Masks

[SpatulaOdoom]

The dark haired beauty arches an eyebrow.
”No. You look like a man I've never met before and know little about. You look like a man whom your prince turns to when in need of shady dealings, a member of a people known to positively look for reasons to kill Halvans, and someone who might be tempted to “see what else there is to find” inside the house of a former high councilmember who may be connected with Zera. Pushing your luck like that makes discovery more likely and killing in self defense only really works as a concept when you aren't invading someone's home.”
Eloise's tone is more frank and level than accusatory.

It takes Morgan but a moment to tally up the items requested.
”Two hundred for the tangle patch and three each for the potions. I'll knock off a hundred as a “preferred customer” discount and comp the spells beyond the cost of any material components used, if any. So seven hundred now and we'll worry about components later. Anything you don't use I'll buy back after the job if you don't wish to keep them. Fair enough?”
Once they've agreed on the price Morgan rolls a pair of potions and a tiny knotted bundle of vines across the table to the Elernen Rogue, instructing him on the use of the latter.

Morgan smiles when Mrith mentions she collected scrolls.
”Always a wise choice to keep your options open. It's funny. I'm pretty free with my money for the most part, but when it comes to things like scrolls and potions I'm loath to use them now even if it's needed because I might need them more later.
So tell me. Will you be staying in Halva long.”
He sips from his glass of wine.

[Battlechaser]

Grinning, Léon held up his hands in mock defense. "Don't bite my nose off, lady. We could go into a long discussion of who wronged who first, but this is not the time nor the place. And rest assured I won't be distracted when on a job." Just marking them for later endeavors. "Breaking and entering is not the same as attacking someone. Believe me, when I attack you'll know the difference."

When Morgan names his price, Léon smiled. "Would you accept a 'Marcell owes you'?"

[Blue]

Mrith grinned slyly.
"Amusing. I feel the very same... except when it comes to scrolls. You can use magic by your own talent but I need them as medium to channel my dormant arcane potential. And I must say, it is quite exhilarating."
She paused, looking upwards pensively.
"Addictive, even."

On the subject of the duration of her stay, Mrith's tone changed, the merriness leaving it.
"Two weeks, I suppose. Then... we'll see. I'd rather not return the Quall for a while if Nevh does not return. I do love my freedom."

[SpatulaOdoom]

Eloise's amusement shows up as little more than a sparkle in her eyes.
”Why's and wherefores are not relevant. What is, is. And suddenly getting defensive over a simple question is good evidence that one has hit close to or on the mark.”

When Leon tries to wiggle out of paying Morgan snorts. ”Sorry friend, you're in the wrong part of town for IOU's and trading on noble names. You could try inside the Circle or out in the West District, but south of The Line it's cash on the barrel head or “we make it sos your face ain't so purdy no more,” if you know what I mean.” He shrugs. ”Truth is, the only steady income I have right now is the Archmage's stipend, which just covers the household I'd been saddled with as part of my cover, so any scrolls and potions and such I have to replace come out of my fairly minimal savings.”

Eloise makes no commenttary on her finances, but Morgan knows she's saving up to buy a house of her own, so that she's not so dependent on her father's whims.

[Battlechaser]

"Ain't Admittingcackling to nofing." Léon winked as he slurred his best Elernan street rat slang. "A thief-informant will die fast.A singing whip jack will go legit pretty quick." He guffawed. "You're a feisty one aren't you?"


"Can't blame a guy for trying?" Léon sighed as he collected the necessary amount of coins from various hidden pockets and compartments on his body. "Would have thought that banging the chief-goddess came with a few perks."

[Makenshi]

Zilira's voice drifts into their minds in response to Leon's comment, the Goddess obviously having been paying attention to their little discussion. "'Banging' me is a perk unto itself, I assure you."

~MTWC

[Blue]

She seems a little annoyed by the strange slang but doesn't mention it. The entire exchange between the woman and the Elernan was a little irritating; it sounded like Nevh arguing with someone.
Mrith seemed offended when things started to get vulgar but blushes slightly when the goddess joined the conversation, trails of smoke fuming off her nostrils.
"Oh oh. Ain't that precious."

She put the handkerchief over her nose again.
"Are we done here? No offense to the establishment but the air here is overly stimulating. Compliments on the garnishing though. Quite pretty here. Good taste."
She could bear with it. As far as she knew she could endure anything. But being exposed to bothersome elements needlessly was unnatural.

[SpatulaOdoom]

”You've ranked it wrong, but what do you expect from an out of town berk. Plenty of lows and scratchies spill to me. They know I go after the rippers, button men, and sickos, not the ones trying to chisel a few berries to put food on. See?” Eloise drops the slang and returns to her normal clipped upper class tone. ”I'm not with the local constabulary either, so due process is more of a suggestion. Keep those things in mind and I'm sure we'll get along just fine.”

While he's trying to decide whether to be offended by Leon's comment Zilira pipes in, causing him to relax.
”It comes with plenty of perks, but money isn't one of them.” His face falls into a sobre expression. ”Slaves don't get paid.” He reminds himself that that's over now. He also reminds himself that if he finds himself in the afterlife again he should look up Vulcar the first and kick him square in the nuts. *Snort* “Come to think of it, now that our original deal is done I need to talk to Vulcar about what sort of pay he's offering to rehire the archmage seer.”

Originally Posted by Mrith

"Are we done here?”

”I believe someone was complaining about not enough hours in the day, and I've things to attend as well.”
Morgan nods his assent and finishes up his wine.
”Well thank you for helping out here. I'm not sure exactly what we've learned today means yet, but I'm sure it's something.”

[Blue]

That sounded like something her mother would say. ...what was it again? "Come early or emergencies won't be dealt with and leave as late as possible; there is hardly enough hours in one day to get everything done."
Ugh.
Talk about slaving yourself at work. She couldn't imagine herself following suit. Not for the next few centuries, at least.

"You are welcome. It was an interesting expedition into the bowels of the city. Thank you for having me."

[Battlechaser]

"Touché." Léon raised his glass in salute. He knew when he was defeated in wordplay. "I think we will. get along. Apparantly Morgan was right in suggesting I should enlist your aid. And don't worry Elern and Halva are on the same team now."

The remark of Ziliira made the thiefs cheeks turn a burgundy red. "Are always listening in like that?" I really need to keep my big yap shut. "In the meantime I need to prepare a few things for my venture." Léon winked at Eloise and said to Mrith. "Believe me. This ain't the bowels."