Chapter Three: The City of Stone and Splendor. [Interstice]

Anju


A mouse! That was a good image, and Anju kept it in her mind with an amalgamation of all the shy people she’d ever met. She certainly looked plain and simple in front of these well-plumaged individuals. Still, when her clothing was bothered, Anju pulled it back and leaned slightly away. At least, she reflected, he no longer kept her in constant check.


“Somewhere between here and there? I am with a caravan.†Anju supplied in a small voice, though loud enough that the large man beside her would not have any incentive to make her repeat herself. With a slight pout she added, “I wouldn’t use ‘damn gypsy’.â€


After a slight hesitation, Anju started, “I just wanted to hear what it was like to make laws. We don’t do that, really, and especially not, “Anju let her face show a realization at how large and grand the room was, “in any place as wondrous as this.â€


Anju fidgeted with the fold of her skirt. She was the child caught with her hand in the cookie jar, but she hadn’t meant bad! That she could show from the bottom of her heart, she was nearly innocent in a way!
 
To Kaya


You'll climb and climb, with a mumbling and growly Falcon behind you.


"I have an idea of what your idea is, I like it, but there has to be a better way! Fie!" The grin simply spreads over your face as you notice the sky darkening and turning those rich colors as the Sun begins its descent to sleep. You're on the sixth tier now. One more to go. It really is quite high up! Adair is on the fifth and coming on up behind you. He's peering at the carving as he shimmies up. "Huh, is that General Nefvarin Gishalos? I've seen portraits, they're pretty exacting even at this height." He laughs.


You'll reach the spire soon enough. A tall spire of gold jutting out from the roof to the heavens. You'll have your hand around it as Adair deftly launches himself onto the roof and landing neatly on his feet. "That was fun." His trademark grin, the bad mood seems to have left him, and he turns to look out at the sunset which is beginning. "I think this is the beginning of wonderful things, Kaya." He'll fold his arms, looking out from the ledge.
 
To Lyrik


"Excellent, when you've gotten their word and made your decisions, have them attend." He'll peer around you. "Although I have no issue with your friends attire--' that draws a pompous sniff from one of the men, '--it would be best if you could buy some new attire for those appearing if they have none themselves. Even finer tunics and pants with high stocking and shoe would be fine." He'll turn to the young man sitting next to him who will fish up a heavy sack of coin. "Here's 200 silver eagles, that should be enough for you and whoever accompanies you. Plenty should be left as my thanks to you, m'lad."
 
Kayadin Reeyeh


Kaya swung herself smoothly around the spire, one hand firmly around the tall, golden barb. Her face fairly glowed with glee as the fading colors of the sun wavered from golden to tawny, illuminating the glass. She was watching her footing on the ridge of the pagoda roof, each step of her soft boots planted carefully when Adair finally made it up to the top tier. "Oh, so now it is fun, is it?" She let go of the spire, nimbly negotiating the pitch of the roof to stand next to the Eclipse, her hands on her waist. "I heard you grumbling pretty loudly halfway up." Drawing in a deep breath, she allowed herself to get lost in memories as she stared out at the changing colors of the skies in front of them.


Her voice softened whenever she thought of home. "I remember being a child and climbing up to the roof of our house with my sister, Neelah, just to watch the sunset." The wisps of clouds were just getting a tinge of pink to them as the sun went down. She waited a few more moments for the sun to dip lower, painting an orange that glowed hotly before turning scarlet. "I don't recall it being as resplendent as this." Kaya bit back a smile as she glanced sideways at him. "Though I'll admit, the company of a grumbling Eclipse is slightly preferable to that of a whiny little sister." Scarlet gave way to pale lavender, then deep, rich purples the lower the orb of the sun sank. She finally looked down at the crowd gathered below them.


Now or never, Kayadin.


"Alright, Falcon, let's see if you still think this will be wonderful after I'm done." She turned towards him, her hand pushing his shoulder slightly, just enough to make him face her. "By the way, I'm not sure you know what I have planned." She grinned at him sheepishly. "I only thought about it when we were already on the second tier, so play along, alright?"


Turning towards the throng of people around the base of the pagoda, Kaya lifted her arm and waved merrily at all of them. Her normally confident smile wavered just a bit when she stepped towards him. Dear gods, perhaps this wasn't such a good idea after all, she thought as she looked Adair straight in the eyes. Scraping up all of her courage, her hand reached out to grab a fistful of his shirt and brought herself closer to him to bestow a very long, very showy kiss, mostly meant to divert the crowd below. If only her heart wasn't hammering so badly.


Charisma + Presence + 1 Willpower cause, you know...I learned that I can:


Results for 4 dice: 5 successes [ 1 0 0 9 ] (TN: 7) - 6 successes.
 
Lyrik Evensong


Once more, Lyrik bows to Sir Hallowfall. "Your kindness is exceeded only by your generosity, sir. I will see to it that any companions who accompany me will be properly attired. Now, I look forward to performing for you and your friends and associates. I just need two more pieces of information. Where is the party, and what time should I arrive?"
 
To Anju


The jowly man's face softens a bit, but the older man simply chuckles. "That damn guide is shooting his mouth off again. No, dear, we're just conversing in here tonight. Enki here merely found you at the door and got suspicious, he's a fine manservant and bodyguard, if a bit blunt forced." He'll take his hat and bow deeply to you. "My apologies."


The woman chuckles.


"A caravaner? Cute." She says. "I am Jaspree. What is your name, child?"
 
To Lyrik


They'll begin to converse again, nodding, Eneid looks to you, "Hartcourt Manor and be there by the fifth hour after noon. Is that satisfactory?"
 
To Kaya


A wave of cheers and clapping come up along with jeers from the crowd below. You'll distinctly hear a number of 'awws' carried up on a sudden thermal. Part of you smiles, the other part is still rigid with nervousness. Adair looks a bit stunned when you peek, pulling back. Though that infectious grin comes back when he looks back down at the crowd, waving to everyone and shaking his head some. The sky is shifting from orange and reds to blues and soft violets. Despite the warming of your cheeks, you'll feel a pair of hands spin you round and Adair pulls you close for another kiss. A hand slides around to the small of your back slightly dipping you.


The light captures you both in that moment and gives the crowd merely the silhouettes, seemingly matching the infamous caring on the seventh tier: The Soldier Come Home. Of some nameless man of the Shale Mountain Army coming home and kissing his lover on the Avenue of Four Thousand Steps.


Charisma + Presence + 10 motes on Second Presence Excellency for 5 automatic successes. Results for 7 dice: 5 successes [ 8 8 4 0 8 4 6 ] (TN: 7) Total of Ten Successes.
 
Anju


She let her muscles slowly loosen at the much happier expressions. Oh, phew! Maybe she wasn’t in so deep now. At the apology she gave a hesitant smile. When the woman introduced herself, Anju straightened completely.


“It’s nice to meet you, Lady Jaspree,†Anju used the words drilled into her head by her mother, “My name is Anju. The pleasure is all mine.â€


Anju gave a quick look at Enki. The last words weren’t that appropriate for a nice march in.
 
To Anju


Lady Jaspree walks over, oozing refined air and grace as she carefully gathers up her gown and kneels down before you. "Now who taught you such a polite greeting? Where are you from, dear?"
 
Kayadin Reeyeh


Finding herself suddenly swept off her normal axis, Kaya reached out for the first solid thing that she could hold on to. That was, of course, Adair's shoulders. Truly, she didn't except him to react so quickly, he was normally one to be rather easygoing. That was the last time she would mistake that trait for being slow. She felt her face burn as brightly as the setting sun behind them. Well this isn't going exactly as planned. Somehow, she lingered for a few more moments in his arms before finally putting an end to their show.


Gently, but firmly, her hand came down between them to push him away slowly. There was an odd little smile on her face, bewildered and a bit embarrassed. She righted herself, clearing her throat slightly while she threw a few strands of her long hair back over her shoulder. "Well, judging by the sound of the crowd, I'd say we won't be questioned about why we were climbing this tower." She shook her head slightly. "Really, there was no need to overdo it, you big showoff."


Looking back out at the sunset, Kaya realized that there was barely a quarter of the fiery orb left above the horizon. It was dipping fast. "Time to go, Falcon." She took one last look at the scene on the wall once more and felt her cheeks heat up again. "If we hurry, we'll make it down before we run out of light." She was already bending down to lower herself over the roof they were standing on.
 
Anju


Anju blinked and then went to a shy smile. Oh, too early to forget the mouse.


“My mother did. She said it was important to greet important people properly,†Anju put one foot behind her and moved it back and forth on its toe, “I was born in Rhum.â€
 
To Kaya


"Yes, ma'am!" Adair takes a little leap over the side onto the seventh tier, nodding back to the infamous leaded glass picture, smiling a bit too wide. His blue hair is violet in the sunset, laughing as he stoops down to take a ledge, careful amongst the slate roof tiles and dropping down, floor after floor with you. The crowd isn't as big as it was when you kissed and after another ten minutes, you'll both be hitting the ground to people clapping and amazingly no one who looks like a guard standing anywhere nearby. Good luck and grace there.


A few folk approach offering good luck to your charming pair. Adair even gets a faint blush on his cheeks as the woman tell him how lucky he is, finding a woman like you and so forth. He merely sputters and laughs it off. There's the Adair you know. You'll find yourself surrounded by older women telling you to be more careful, admonishing and envying at the same time.


"I wish Fallim had done the same for me when we were younger! He'd barely have the decency to kiss me by the watchtower!" Is a notable quote.
 
To Anju


The Lady Jaspree gives you a big smile, pushing a few loose hairs behind your ear. "A Rhumani. Your mother was a wise woman. Courtesy is in such short supply." She'll give a vicious glance at the jowly man. But all smiles and pleasant tones for you. "What brings you to Shalebridge and the Hall of Law, Anju of Rhum?"
 
Marcus


With a smile and a small bow, Marcus will present himself.


"Salutations, Headmaster Karon. I am Marcus, and this is my associate, Garda. We come bearing a donation to your university's library, potentially decades worth of information and research materials for your students and staff." Producing a large, leather-bound journal, Marcus will begin to leaf through the pages until coming upon a particular set of drawings and instructions. "I was told by this gentleman here that any assistance in this regard, from myself or my colleague, would be unnecessary, but I would insist that we be allowed to work with the materials as long as we are in this area. Ah, here."


Marcus will hold up the journal for Karon.


"Take a look at this. I would venture to guess that no one on your staff could decipher this ritual, let alone perform it, without months of preparation and study. However, I can already tell you that it is the proper rite for presenting a wheat sacrifice to this village's weather god to prepare for Calibration and that its use is trivial in-so-far that the god in question no longer exists. And take a look at this one..."


Until stopped or his wants are satisfied, Marcus will continue in such a manner, simply wishing use of their facilities during his stay.
 
Kayadin Reeyeh


As awkward as Kaya was around the group of people gathered around them, the women especially, she preferred it right now to having to look at Adair so soon after her impulsive move. Rubbing the back of her neck like a chastened schoolboy, she bore the gushings and admonitions of their well-wishers as best as she could, giving nods and shy smiles to the various women. She chose not to seek out Adair's gaze, something she normally did when they were surrounded like this by people. Today though, things were slightly different.


She kept her attention on one of the women talking about her husband while she pondered where to go from here. Perhaps if she was lucky, he'd merely forget their little stunt. Typical of Kaya, she was rather blunt when she responded. "I don't see why you should waste time wishing for something when you could just do something about it." Placing a hand on the woman's shoulder, she looked her right in the eyes and counseled, "If you want...Fallim, was it? Right, if you want Fallim to kiss you out by the watchtower, then bring him out that way, plant yourself in front of him and just do it!" That was what she did after all.


Wait. Did he hear that? Gods.


"Anyway, thank you all. You have a lovely city here, and the view was wonderful, but I think it would be best if we get going now." Slipping past a couple of matronly types to her left, her hand found Adair's forearm and gave it a sharp tug, extricating both of them from the small cluster of people. She was smiling and waving goodbye to the group as they walked away, releasing his arm when they were out of earshot. "Gods, that was interesting." She let out a huge gush of air, bending forward and using her palms against her thighs to support herself. Even in the waning light she looked slightly pale.


She straightened herself back up again slowly, prolonging the moment when she'd have to look at face again. Distraction, Reeyeh, now. "Oh sweet Mela, I'm starving after that climb, aren't you?" Kaya patted her belly and started looking around, determining a good direction for them to go to. "I'm sure this city has good places to eat besides street vendors." She finally stole a glance at him, her cheeks gaining a bit of color again. "Feel like eating then maybe exploring the city a bit more?"
 
Amilar Blefuscu


Blef freezes, suddenly. Oh. Oh NO.


"I need to go take a walk. I'll be back soon."


Blef rises swiftly, nods to everyone and leaves, winding the scarf around his features to protect him from the glare outside.


Kalek Theyrn. What in the name of the Seven Blessed Incarnae in an orgy is HE doing here??


No time to worry about that. He would deal with Theyrn in due time if he needed to. I wish I could remember more about him...


In the interim, Blef decides it's time to do a little legwork. The guilds should be in operation here; time to find some thiefsign.


Roll to remember who Theyrn is: Results for 4 dice: 5 successes [ 4 9 0 0 ] (TN: 7)


To find thiefsign: Results for 6 dice: 4 successes [ 0 3 7 6 7 3 ] (TN: 7)
 
To Blef


Kalek Theryn, former little boy blue lost and brought into the Legion for a proper place in the world. He served in First Field Force. Kind of an odd idealist type, hard worker and such. Last you heard before you dipped out of service, he was a rising star of sorts, now he's here. Could mean anything really. Maybe bad for you, though who knows, really.


As for the thiefsign...well.


You'll wander as the sun begins to set on Creation. The city is large but quite compact for the plateau. if there are any sign...you shall find them. You'll hop across the Avenue and begin walking along some lone boulevard some blocks from the Spinneret. An hour goes by walking through darkening alleys, roads lined with shops and homes shutting their doors for the evening. Hmm, that's always a good sign.


Though, soon enough in the waning light, you'll catch sight of a merchant house lying close to the city wall with the name Tevinter, but that's not the important part. Incorporated into the name you'll see three well-known thiefsign sigils for 'safehouse friend, come and see' and their owners, 'Adelphii'.
 
To Kaya


Adair shrugs, looking the least bit worn really. "I am hungry, yes. Kaya..." He clips off his words quickly, nodding. "Sure, I'm sure there's food good enough here somewhere. A cafe or restaurant, something." He waves back to some of the men and women he spoke with. "Nice bunch. What did you say to that woman? She got mildly terrified and dreamy-eyed all at once." Adair walks on a light step, keeping up with you easily, hefting his sword back over his shoulder. "Well, assuming we don't get into trouble about that, I...I rather enjoyed it all."


He laughs, not giving you time to reply before he points out a restaurant across the way, well lit, with wide-pane windows and cheerful company and a soft orange light coming from it in the sunset hour. "Looks just as good as anything else, really. What do you think?"
 
Lyrik Evensong


"Harcourt Manor, the fifth hour after noon. That is more than satisfactory, good sir. I will be there. I look forward to it. I thank you for the opportunity. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I mean to get a drink to wet my throat and lips before I go back on stage. Unless there's something else?"
 
Kayadin Reeyeh


"That place will do," Kaya replied easily while they walked towards the invitingly lit windows that Adair pointed out. She wasn't exactly paying attention to the restaurant anymore. Somehow, she was transfixed by Adair's laugh. It was the same laugh he always had, in truth, but today it made her feel lighter in spirit. There was currently no trace of the stern look that she normally wore, the one that he was teasing her about earlier. She also found herself secretly pleased that he admitted enjoying their little climb up the pagoda. This time, Kaya was content to walk alongside him, not shoving or pulling him along.


Pausing before the doorway to the restaurant, she smiled up at the lanky man beside her. "Well, this will be an interesting change. A meal away from a fire." She chuckled a bit. "Compared to how we normally eat, just sitting at a table during a meal will feel like dining with the Princes of An-Teng." She tugged the door open and made a flourished wave with her hand along with a gracious bow, gesturing him inside. "After you." Following closely behind him, she tugged lightly on his sleeve and whispered. "Maybe you can convince them to give us a nice table by the window. I'd love to see the pagoda from here."
 
To Blef


A scaled snakeman yawning loudly, wiping his hands clean with a rag will look at you dully, placing the rag back in his vest. "What can I do ya for, friend? We cover caravans, produce furniture, build all the accessories you need for home and hearth. We got all the finest clothing too with our tailors too with colors that come in green, blue, red, all manner of the rainbows and dragons. What color are you seeking?"


Crap, that's a codeword...the right answer...shit.


Wits + Larceny, please.
 
To Lyrik


"Not at all, sir. Good ventures and trade." The knight bids you good evening and gets back to speaking with his companions on the performance. Other folk begin clapping as you approach, aside the coin purse, your hat is seemingly full with silver as well. A fine day's work!
 
Kalek


Kalek waves Golgo's comment off, heaving himself and his belongings from the floor


"I know enough of him already. I'm certain if he wished any sort of discussion, he would be the one to initiate it."
 
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