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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2021 3:09:21 GMT
I shake my hair just little before my face, not liking too much to be observed after everything... (I have no idea Rajit is there. It's just the general common room I'm retreating a bit from.)
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 27, 2021 10:36:01 GMT
Correct, Rajit only speaks Jarad and Skenje other than his native tongue.
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 10:43:04 GMT
The Elunians switch to Skenje to bring their beefy blond-haired companion into the conversation.
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2021 11:09:02 GMT
"Are you drinking, Cousin?" I ask in Skenje. "I can see that you are." I glance at Drusinicus and lift a brow. I am carefully sitting out of reach of anyone.
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 27, 2021 20:13:51 GMT
***************** Sheesh, gang, sorry to have missed this epic thread! Was in class last night.
Observation check - 13
I suppose Aethyl will be casually scanning the room to be sure he and Drusinicus aren't overheard, and to be sure there aren't any additional plants in the room dedicated to keeping an eye on their potential mark.
And I suppose if he does notice Rajit, he will quickly notice that he is road-worn, clearly not from around here, and probably just another traveler, and probably too handsome for a common criminal. ;-)
Apart from that, because we have already planned out everything as though it's just Drucy and I, this thread makes me think it would be fun to be surprised by Rajit.
*****************
Aethyl, caught off-guard by Mairwyn, looks up and offers her a seat.
"I'm not drinking, cousin, and neither is Drusinicus, at least now. We had a close shave. A man gave him an intoxicating root, clearly for the purpose of robbing him. We have a plan to deal with him and his friends, assuming he is not alone, but I would prefer you remained here, and did not draw any attention to yourself.
"The men who do this kind of thing live in shadows, and I would prefer to deal with them in the shadows, and the fewer there are outside the better it will go, I think. As it is I am trying to put distance between us as we leave, and it will look very strange indeed if several people all happen to leave at nearly the same time. I have no interest in telling you what to do, Cousin, but I think that you would be better suited here, to take your ease, and to rest from the journey."
He looks long and meaningfully at Mairwyn, his face softened by his deep affection for her.
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 20:39:18 GMT
Aethyl, you observe that the good-looking Sundel traveler, armed and armored and therefore no simple traveler, is taking quite an interest in you three but trying to appear not.
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 27, 2021 21:21:26 GMT
Aethyl takes note of this and frowns. Another wrinkle. He reflects. This stranger is geared for hard action, but clearly no thief. Oiled leather. Well-maintained. Road-worn. He has the look of a man who spends his time outdoors. But interested in us. No mere hunter. A tracker, perhaps? Someone sent from Breakwater?
Someone sent from the Academy?
He does not want to lose his focus, so returns his attention to the matter at hand, allowing this secondary problem to turn itself over in his mind.
"Cousin Mairwyn, do not linger on him, and do not pointedly avoid him, but there is a man seated across the room, and he is taking an interest in us."
Aethyl describes him briefly.
"Do you recall seeing this man in Breakwater? I know the Academy seeks out the gifted. Do they employ such men?
"I do not believe his is part of this attempted thievery against Drusinicus, but he is clearly watching us. Can you keep an eye on him as we go out?"
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2021 21:30:43 GMT
"I will do my best, Cousin," I answer. "And of course I will not interfere in your plans with Drusinicus. No, I did not see him before. I would have remembered, I am sure. The Academy does not employ such sorts of trackers. If they have cause to use the services of a non-magical tracker, they would hire the services of a Sentinel--and I do not see the Sentinels' badge on this one."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 27, 2021 21:34:08 GMT
Do I notice their surreptitious inspection?
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 21:36:04 GMT
(Only if they're speaking Skenje, which they were earlier because Drusie is there.)
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2021 22:42:58 GMT
(I will be speaking to Aethyl in whatever tongue he spoke to me, presumably Skenje.)
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 27, 2021 22:54:15 GMT
After a time, Aethyl and Drusinicus return, though again, not together.
Aethyl studies the stranger more closely this time, and glances at Mairwyn, reading her face. Seeing nothing in particular, he returns to his seat and slides the two roots across the table, speaking in low tones.
"Interesting, no? I'm familiar with one, but this one, not so much. What do you make of them? Is one perhaps an antidote for the other? Or merely a different variety? Fascinating stuff, even if it is malicious."
"And," he says, lowering his voice even more, "any word on our stranger friend?"
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2021 22:59:31 GMT
(I successfully rolled herbalism. What do I know about the roots?)
As I look over the roots, I say quietly, still in Skenje, if that is what Aethyl is speaking, but otherwise in Elunian, "The stranger has not approached me, nor yet has he left his place there."
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 23:02:17 GMT
The second root is an aphrodisiac, so you surmise that the thieves either rob or rape their victims. Or both.
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 27, 2021 23:05:33 GMT
"Well, this first is hallucinogenic, rendering the victim relatively helpless. This second," I turn it over in my hand, "is an aphrodisiac. Presumably the ruffians pillaged not only one's goods, but one's chastity. Probably most often both." I pause. "I wonder if Merchant Árón knows about them..."
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