CH. 11: The Show Must Go On

[Haahque]

She’s just going to leave? Haahqae knows that she’s mad at him, but to not even say hello after he’s waited for her to finish memorizing her spells? Haahqae’s not even sure if that means she’s more mad or less mad then if she just angrily berated him for all his failures in public. At least that way he would have known what he did wrong. This silent treatment feels so much worse, after all they’ve been through together does he mean nothing to her?

“Ismene, I’m sorry. For… everything. Please don’t be mad at me.” Haahqae doesn’t even know where he found the courage to speak out to her. Maybe it was a lingering wisp of hope buried in him since his conversation with Tulbas. Regardless of how he managed to speak out, he remains rooted in his seat, hoping that she won’t just brush him off like an unwashed stranger. This is, was, the only girl he's met since he left Nevermind, and an extremely pretty, smart and capable one at that, he'd hate to have blown his chances with her already.

[chese780]

Felran gets a very flat poker face as he stares at Shima. "I don't think asking him to share is going to be that good of an offer. Unless, he wants to..?"

(OOC: This is like, the "Oh no" Poker face, not the sly poker face.)

[djhyland]

Arulia hesitates. Did he think her idea foolish? "I...I haven't told them. I haven't told anybody until now, when I told you. Do you really think it could work? I mean, wouldn't the people with the most to lose from the brothel be the people most likely to lead the city against it?" She pauses as the implications of her words dawn on her. "But that would just tell the Prefect who to imprison for speaking out, wouldn't it? I...I don't care what happens to me, but I don't want my family to suffer because of me. Maybe...maybe it isn't a good idea after all..."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae (Masked Dragon Inn, Common Room)
Ismene starts when Haahqae suddenly speaks to her, nearly dropping her pack in the process. "Oh, uh...Haahchu...I didn't see you there," she says, putting a hand to her chest in surprise.

"What do you mean? Mad about what? Oh...is this about you working for the army now?" she asks.

Kendra Synclair (Prefect's Mansion)
"Perhaps so," Tethys relies. "But didn't you admit you don't love the man anyway? You said you only married him for his money. And I've set you up with a job that helps you provide for your family and then some. Therefore, why would you be overly concerned about his release?"

Arulia Seroth (Seven Centaurs, Common Room)
"Hmm, I hadn't thought of that," William admits. "Maybe we can just leave your own family out of it then. What if we can get enough people to stand against the brothel at the same time? The prefect couldn't arrest all of them, right?"

Arulia hears Cassilda's voice, and notices that she and Camilla have returned from their baths. They are currently speaking with Niniva on the other side of the room.

Grubnick (Grand Market)
"Anyone who gives aid and comfort to the enemy is just as bad as they are," Delharn argues. He grunts. "But I guess you make a good point. Still, if the performer does get consumed by the flames, can't say I'll lose any sleep over it."

To the fire trap idea, he says, "Aye, it's a good idea. And fortunately, holly berries are plentiful all year long, even in the winter. Tossing a few down on the soldiers could really help make things more chaotic."

The nearest building would be the cobbler's shop, although it's not abandoned. But if they were to climb up onto the roof, they'd get a great view of things. Throwing bottles from the roof might be too far, unless he has an amazing throwing arm. However, if he were to use his sling...

Felran, Ne-Chanz and Shima (Steel Tankard Inn, Common Room)
"Don't know anyone by that name," the woman with the eye-patch replies. "You might try asking the innkeeper. They always hear interesting gossip. And why should I help you? Especially when I catch you harassing my charge," she says, crossing her arms.

Shima prepares to write a note for Haahqae, but he has no ink, quill or paper. Although he could always leave a message with the innkeeper for when the gnome returns.

(OOC: It's actually only 9 AM at this point...seems a bit early for lunch, but...*shrug*)

[spyguy1503]

Ne-Chanz looks incredulously at the Dwarf. "Buy you lunch? Torches are a good idea but lunch?" He thinks for a few seconds. "I suppose since you are helping us, we owe you." He orders lunch. Once they eat, he grabs enough torches to last til curfew and leaves.

[Chris1234]

"I was trying to be nice to her," Shima replies to eye-patch. ""But it's fine. Thanks." He addressees the expectant woman, "Genuinely meant you no harm. Good day, lady." and then leaves to join the others.

======
"Thanks for early lunch, Ne-Chanz. First time my stomach's stopped rumbling for a day or two. If we find some loot, next round's on Felran!" the dwarf jokes, deadpan. "Right, Felran?"
He digs Felran in the ribs. "Of course, the one after that would be on me. Fair? Anyway, just a minute, please."

Shima goes to talk with the barkeep, leaving the message for Haaque, taking a chance with the barkeep, "Don't s'pose you'd tell me anything about it? Or anything similar, maybe?"

======
If no picks ups, the dwarf suggests,"OK, guys, unless there's anything else, I guess we get the torches and go check out the sewers. I'll go in the middle, or rear though, if that''s ok."

{OOC: I thought it was an hour per forum page, so about midday..)

[Haahque]

Haahqae has a rather creative mind, which means he’s thought up many possibilities of what she might have responded to his inquiry before the words left her mouth. He however didn’t envision her saying what she had said. Mad about what? Obviously letting the renegade go free, what else could it be? The army? This conversation should probably happen somewhere else.

“I thought you were mad that I was unable to find the renegade in our last mission. Or that we were stolen from, or betrayed, or that we didn't manage to preserve the magic texts to send to the tower of magi, or... so much stuff has gone wrong recently I can’t blame you for being mad about any of it. Would you like to talk somewhere more private? I can explain the army thing, it’s not what it sounds like, or it is, or it isn’t. It’s complicated, but also very simple. I learned a lot about history recently that Tulbas thought you might like me to speak to you about. Not that Tulbas is that reliable. But I might be able to borrow one of his spellbooks and lend it to you if you would like. I know that wizards like that sort of thing sometimes. It’s Haahqae by the way.”

Haahqae gets up, ready to follow Ismene to somewhere without a group of baaz sitting around listening in on the conversation, should she allow it.

[HorizonsDream]

"My husband isn't the only one in jail," Kendra points out. "I really do appreciate what you have done for me to help me out with my family. Though, what about the other families out there that are affected by this?" she asked curiously.

[djhyland]

Arulia shakes her head slowly. "If I go and talk to the others and tell them to speak out against the brothel, how can I not do so myself? I can't put people in danger without taking the same risks...it...it wouldn't be right. But yes, if enough people speak out at once, maybe the prefect will listen. Or maybe, at least, nobody will dare use the brothel if he doesn't. That's why I thought to speak to the guild--so that they'd help spread the message to everyone."

Upon noticing her sisters' return, Arulia gets up. "Please excuse me, William," she says. "I had best get back to my sisters, but I'll think more on this idea. If you need me, you know where to find me." She hurries back to the other side of the room to where her sisters wait. "You both look much nicer," she smiles, "and I'll bet you feel much nicer, too."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae (Masked Dragon Inn, Common Room)
"Oh...well, none of that was your fault, though," Ismene says. "The renegade escaped because we went after the thieves instead. It was a group decision to do so, not one you made unilaterally. The thieves stole from us, but unless you were in on it, I don't see how you could be blamed for it. And we voted on what to do with the texts, and lost. If I was mad about that, wouldn't I be mad at those who voted against me, not those with me?"

She adds, "As for the army...I guess we all have to do what we must to survive. I think Miriam was upset about it, though. I think she was planning on asking you and Gregeddin to join her to return to Langtree, too, but now she's having second thoughts. Oh, um...I don't really have a private place to go. Miriam and I are sharing a room now, to save coin." She adds, "Oh, sorry...I'm not very good with names."

Kendra Synclair (Prefect's Mansion)
"I sympathize with them, of course," Tethys replies. "But there's really nothing that can be done about it. Were I to offer aid to the families of traitors and rebels...well, that would prove quite an incentive to rebel, wouldn't it? People would try and fight against the army knowing that I'd take care of their families for them afterward. No, no, that would be quite disastrous, don't you agree? On the other hand, if the fate of traitors is that their families starve as a result...well, it sounds harsh, but it does discourage people from rebelling."

Arulia Seroth (Seven Centaurs, Common Room)
William stands again when Arulia does, not sitting again until after she's walked away.

Cassilda says, "Yes, much better. But I should get going if I want to get to work on time. The innkeeper says the baths for you and Niniva are already being set up, you just need to pay at the front desk and they'll have someone escort you up."

Felran, Ne-Chanz and Shima (Steel Tankard Inn, Common Room)
Ne-Chanz orders breakfast for all three of them, which costs him 6 silver pieces total. The tavern doesn't sell torches, but he could probably find some in the marketplace.

Shima had already had breakfast only a couple of hours ago, so was still fairly full. But he partakes anyway, feeling quite stuffed afterward.

The woman behind the bar says to him, "You wish to leave a message for Haahqae? I think he's preparing for his performance this afternoon, but I can tell him when he returns. What did you want me to tell him?" When he tells her about the bard, she adds, "I don't know anyone by that name, but...was he part of the Trade Guild? The innkeeper of this place was arrested two days ago by the guard and they have refused to say why." She points to the black eye she is spotting. "It's how I got this. From what I've heard, the entire Trade Guild has been arrested, as well. Nobody knows where they are being held or why they were taken."

(OOC: It's one hour for every two forum pages. So it's currently Third Watch (9 AM) and it will be Fourth Watch (10 AM) once we hit page 6.)

[Chris1234]

"Oh my! I didn't know that!. Well, thanks, Lady, I appreciate you sharing. If I hear any more, I'll tell you. If I can assist in getting them released, I will. Anyway, please tell Haaque my message. I'm Shima, by the way," replies Shima. Narrowly avoiding an oversight, he adds, "Where and when is Haaque performing?"

If he knows about the army advancing on dwarven settlements he will mention this to the other dwarf in dwarven.

The dwarf turns to Felran & Ne-Chanz suggesting, "ok guys, unless there's anything else, let's go to the market so you can get a bundle of torches and then we'll go do some more clearing out. Good to go?"

[BishGada]

Tulbas listens carefully to Magnus, "Master, what do you mean by companions? I thought one has to take The Test alone. And how can one affect the difficulty of The Test?"


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(OOC: Of course I want to hear about Soulforge. If one wants to get the tougher tests he need to ask for it?)

[HorizonsDream]

"Maybe you are right, but either way you look at it it really hurts your image of Haven's liberator," Kendra points out. "Showing a little mercy might help win some people over."

[Haahque]

Hearing that Ismene isn’t mad at him starts a slow process in Haahqae’s mind, where he begins regaining all of the confidence that he had worked up on his trip to the Masked Dragon. Although his reasons for confidence were now different than the ones he had told himself on the trip over, he hadn’t quite recovered all his confidence when he had managed to tell Ismene about the show through his performance, nor when he saw that she hadn’t left by the time his bath was done. He however does manage to regain a fair amount of confidence when it starts to don on him that his fear of Ismene’s wrath these past few days might, just might, have been a little unfounded.

“So are you saying you’re not mad at me? I should have insisted that I carry the money and not the thieves. I should been more charismatic and swayed the group’s opinions towards ends that were more favorable. I should have talked to Tulbas and Gregeddin and got them to convince Magnus to reward those that helped even though we didn’t eliminate the renegade. I thought that you thought that I shouldn’t have invited you along on a mission that ended in such disaster. I really thought it was going to go better than it did. I really thought we would find some coin or valuable ancient knowledge and that it would be worth us all putting our lives on the line for. Miriam… Is probably okay if she wouldn’t mind us talking.” If Ismene allows it, Haahqae will go with her up to her room, still conversing with her. “Oh and about my name, you can remember it because it’s just like the word for essence in that ancient language.”

“It’s unfortunate that she’s upset about it. I’ve had a lot of reasons to dislike a lot of people I’ve met recently, but she seemed like a good enough person when we met last time. I’m not sure if I want to go to Langtree with her, certainly not right now, It’s too cold for a long journey and I’m busy trying to make up for the unfortunate adventures of late. I’ve done so many quests that have turned out so much better, why has everything started to go wrong? Maybe I’ve been taking on tasks too big to complete alone and with a large group like the one we fought the giant with there’s someone in it that’s going to be evil and betray you.”

[djhyland]

Arulia hugs Cassilda and Camilla. "Yes, you had better go," Arulia replies. "And be careful. Camilla, do you want to walk her there, or wait for us to bathe?"

After seeing Cassilda off and agreeing with Camilla's decision, Arulia and Niniva walk over to the front desk. Placing the required coins on the polished wood, she says, "My sister tells me that our baths are being prepared. We will be ready when they are."