To Stand Against the Crimson Tide

[Red Shadow Claws]

Droplets tried her best to make sure Conrad wouldn't realize she's watching and analyzing him, but she knew she wasn't very good at it, so she did her best to ide it by holding Thousandfold Wings, and trying to use it to hide most of her face, while watching from the corner of her eyes at him, as she was trying to determine what it was he was trying to do.

OOC

Using Dex + Stealth to try to be inconspicous about it (with 0 Stealth), and spending 5m on the Socialize Excellency to Read Intentions and see what he's trying to achieve. Assuming a one-die Stunt here. So, 4 successes on Stealth, pretty neat, and 9 successes on Read Intentions. If Conrad fails to notice her attempt, he gets a -3 Penalty to his Guile against the Read Intentions.

 

[MasterDAF]

OOC

Using descriptor of Conrad considering possibility of being observed and visually scanning group in prior post as reason for 1 die stunt. Perception (2) + Awareness (2) + Stunt (2) = 6 dice. Total = 4 successes.

Conrad looked over his creation and a slight frown briefly creased his face. His disappointment was evident to anyone looking closely. Letting this generic construction stand before his fellows as the first representation of his carpentry skills was a horrible blow to his pride as a craftsman. It seemed to mock him the longer he stared at it, knowing he was capable of much more aesthetically pleasing work.

He tore his gaze away, the shame of his perfectly average creation almost too much to bear. As he moved towards Garrett and the problematic corridor, he noticed Lady Droplets once more watching him. Like a bird of prey might hungrily observe its aloof prey, her eyes sent a shiver up the young Solar's spine. She is definitely one to be wary of. Yes, perhaps taking a bit of extra care with that frame was a good thing after all. He then continued on to his Lunar peer, refocusing on Garrett and helping get the stones aligned within their framing.

OOC

Conrad's foiling of Lady Droplets' stealth attempt means his Guile score remains a 3, and with a +1 static increase from a 1-die stunt, she must beat a total Guile of 4. Her 9 successes on Read Intention still vastly overpowers his defense, allowing her to 'read' his attempt to cover/hide 'something' related to his creation like an open book. Additionally, Conrad will take a point of Limit as he had to violate a principle to purposefully create something he finds unbefitting of his abilities, and Lady Droplets can sense his frustration and/or disappointment at his creation.

 

[Equusheart]

Sayuri, where did you tell your family you were going, and did you accept your customary honour guard?

I told them something that put them at ease. I would think something along the lines of going to investigate something, but my mind is coming up blank. And if it would be a benefit to the group, yes, I accept my customary honour guard.

Their plan made and decided, Sayuri found herself following along with the group as they set out for the manse. As they passed through the ruined streets, Sayuri's gaze drifted over damaged stone and smoldering buildings. While the scars of the previous day lingered, there was something about the morning light that made things look a little more hopeful. And when the messenger had approached to deliver a summons from the Counted, Sayuri gave a polite nod of her head, telling the messenger that she would the the summons heeded, before continuing on.

The manse never failed to impress with it's size and it's beauty. But something felt off this time. The air was thick with something Sayuri couldn't name. She was certain that the golden crabs felt it as well in the way they moved about. Even the little crab in her pocket seemed to pick up on it as it tried to burrow deeper. She put a hand in her pocket to give it a reassuring stroke with her finger.

"It's okay, little one," she whispered low. "Koa." The name rolling off her tongue. Yes, Koa seemed to fit the little crab.

Sayuri followed behind the others as they went, with Sjet and the group of golden crabs leading the way. As the air became hotter and and thicker as they went, Sayuri had to pause to catch her breath before continuing. She couldn't remember a summer with the same heat.

When they finally found themselves standing at the bottom of a grand staircase, Sayuri found herself looking up at the immense statutes before them in a mixed sense of awe and curiosity. The grinding of the doors as they struggled to close and the sounds coming from beyond made her shiver.

She hung back to stay out of the way while they worked to find a path through. Sayuri's eyes moved about the chamber, her eyes falling on the way to the left. She wondered a moment if that might be a possible path, but the heat emanating from the door gave her pause. Maybe not.

She sighed as she turned back to watch the others, a hand slipping into her pocket to stroke the little crab again. This time more of a way to comfort herself. "What do you think, little Koa?"

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Droplets senses Conrad's attempt to hide something, and noted his gaze on her, giving him a smile as he did. She was no craftsman, but using a sword to cut wood seemed off to her, but it still wasn't enough to provide the revelation she was looking for. Maybe throwing him more off-balance would help, but she knew to curb that desire while he was assisting in something important. After all, whatever he is, it will come out eventually, as he will slip up, and she was promised eternal life, so she has to muster the patience to wear him down.
That thought brought a chuckle to her.