Dice = TEH EVUL

[leticia]

Vanya looks somewhat uncomfortable. "You must understand, friends," he says with a grimace, "That there are some businesses that names aren't the best to be bandied about in."

Liu takes a sip of her drink, and tries to look adult and serious, putting the little kid part of her on a shelf for now. But she gives Diamond a nervous glance before looking back to Vanya.

Kanfi frowns, pursing his lips, and trying not to let frustration seep into his expression. "That is so. Unfortunately, it is rare for us to have a pleasant time looking like the people caught up in such business."

Diamond Borealis gives Liu a brief glance, just enough to barely nod his head. He fiddles with his cup in a casual manner. "Such businesses, so I understand, often require an alias. Or at least a way of identifying people without identifying them. If you follow me."

Vanya rubs his chin in an unconscious, nervous twitch. "I would prefer to leave it mainly in the context of exportation for... humanitarian purposes."

Liu plainly doesn't understand. She looks at Vanya blankly.

Kanfi cocks his head, rainbow beads winking colors in the bright light of the tavern. He had a guess or two about what Vanya meant. But... "That doesn't help us."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Where are you right now?

Phoenix Maiden [to Storyteller]: I assume in the establishment somewhere trying to keep an eye on the situation subtly.

Diamond Borealis just shakes his head slowly. "Too bad you can't be more helpful."

Vanya says plainly, "The sort of help I am most willing to give at this moment is the kind that moves you _further_ away from my business, not _closer_ to it. I know people; I have resources. But at the moment, I don't know how I can -be- helpful-- at something other than your curiosity."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Perception + Awareness, please.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "But I WANT him to satisfy my curiosity! I'm a PC!"

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 2 dice: <5 8> for 1 success.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: You have the inescapable feeling that a lot of the remaining customers are not, precisely, 'customers'.

Phoenix Maiden tries to avoid being too obviously twitchy about the situation.

Kanfi closes his eyes for a moment, brushing the braids back out of his face for something to do with his hands. The guy took one look at them and took off, and yet wouldn't tell them anything about the men he was running from? It was a little more dangerous than 'mere curiosity'.

Diamond Borealis lets a slow smile return. "It's unfortunate you've chosen this route." He leans back in his seat, glances over at Kanfi.

Vanya says, "I think we can all be a little bit more polite here, don't you think? In what might be thought of as... _my_ house."

<<OOC>> Storyteller giggles. I mean, after all, you guys are obviously not dragon-blooded, so what does he have to worry about, right?

Liu catches Diamond's tone, and her muscles stiffen almost imperceptibly. A fight wouldn't be good, but she's ready for one if there has to be one. She looks at Vanya and smiles, trying not to show too much teeth.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Our resident Social Fu person might want to do a little intimidating..."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden isn't close enough to hear you!

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "ME? INTIMIDATING? Have you LOOKED at Kanfi lately?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is the intimidating one. Kanfi's the cute one.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Well, signals and gestures could work. Or Kanfi could try Vetinarish intimidation."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Besides, our body language all just changed."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Hrm. ST, am I close enough to notice the body language shift?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Definitely."

Kanfi opens his eyes again, letting out a soft sigh. "I understand, and I apologize for our manners. I hope you understand how frustrating this is for us, as well? After all, you seemed genuinely upset when you first saw us, and now we learn that people who look like us are involved in some... dangerous business. I hope you see that this is a little more than mere curiosity." But he can see that his usual tactics aren't working, and he narrows his eyes. "I really hope that you'll give us the information we want without any more of this petty... dancing?" He glances at the mildly looming Diamond, to make his point.

<<OOC>> Kanfi can TRY to intimidate?

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "It's worth a shot. Charisma + Presence + 2."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Before the roll..."

Phoenix Maiden pays up whatever she owes, plus whatever tip is appropriate, and wanders in the direction of her friends quietly.

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 6 dice: <1 2 2 5 5 6> for a botch!

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Yo, Diamond?"

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Any chance I can add to that? I've an idea..."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "PLEASE OH PLEASE?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "...Kanfi? The dice do not love."

<<OOC>> Storyteller coughs. Is going to choose to disregard that roll currently, because of Diamond's interjection.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Okay, before I pose...any chance of knowing which House is strongest in this area?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Ledaal."

Diamond Borealis keeps his face neutral as Kanfi changes tone. "Our Lord will not be pleased..." He says it softly. And as he speaks, he dips a finger into the tea he is drinking. He traces his finger on the table, describing the marking for House Ledaal as he does. Sometimes the most subtle implications are the best.

Storyteller says "Perception + Awareness rolls, guys."

Storyteller [to Liu]: Your danger sense goes off.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden too?

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: You too; at +2.

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 6 dice: <1 2 4 5 8 9> for 2 successes.

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 4 dice: <1 2 3 6> for a botch!

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: Make your Charisma + Presence roll again; this time with -no- bonus though.

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 4 dice: <3 4 6 8> for 1 success.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 6 dice: <2 4 7 8 8 8> for 4 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden willing to bet that would have been a normal failure at 2 dice. :p Blames Brian!

Storyteller [to Liu]: You can choose to activate SAM for 1 essence, and make 1 non-charm action before everyone else does; I will inform you as to what you see. Or you can make a roll, and see if you just act when everyone else does.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "I'd like to activate SAM, with personal essence."

Storyteller [to Liu]: Everything around you slows down for a moment, as your perceptions crystallize. Late in the day as it is, it seems that there are a number of very dangerous men in the tavern-- and they are all drawing various weapons. Curved scimitars and crossbows are the primary weapons of choice, it seems. Vanya is drawing nothing, but pushing back from the table-- or in the act of _starting_ to; the barman is unlimbering a long, flintlock Flametongue rifle from under the bar. Two of the people sitting closest to your table-- behind Vanya-- have crossbows; the four more arranged behind you and the rest of the group are pulling out scimitars.

Storyteller [to Liu]: You can act, _now_, before everyone else does; but not use a charm.

Storyteller [to Kanfi; Diamond Borealis;]: You boys know that the whole deal has gone sour; Vanya -does- look afraid, yes, but in an angry sense. You'll be able to act on your turn, in regular initiative time.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: You're clueless, babe. Sorry; no action for you the first round.

Liu plants both hands on the table and smoothly pushes herself out of her seat. Her toes point elegantly at the apex of the handstand, and then she continues to propel herself forward towards Vanya, flipping her feet up underneath her in a somersault and landing on the table in a crouch. She simultaneously reaches for a throwing knife to hold against Vanya's throat, getting the drop on him before his friends can attack hers.

Storyteller [to Liu]: Easily done in a single action. Just give me a Dexterity + Athletics + 2, -3 roll for taking the time to get out the weapon. So net, Dex + Ath -1.

Storyteller [to Liu]: What are your specialties again? And I believe you have a Signature Style that may help?

<<OOC>> Liu says, "I have signature style flexibility and I'm a contortionist. I have a athletics specialty in acrobatics."

Storyteller [to Liu]: Dex + Athletics + 1, in this case.

<ROLL> Liu rolls 12 dice: <1 1 1 1 1 3 3 5 7 7 9 10> for 5 successes.

Storyteller [to Liu]: You move like a water elemental; liquid grace and the speed of a mountain river in early spring. One moment you're sitting, the next you're at Vanya's throat. Various weapons are still leveled at you and Vanya stares straight ahead. "It won't help you," he says-- or rasps, really; he's trying to be brave about this but is also very definitely trying to prevent himself from, say, bobbing his adam's apple on your knifeblade.

Storyteller says "Do the rest of you intend to fight, or to talk for now? If you talk for now, no need for initiative; fight, I'll need rolls."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden would talk! Except, err, is like totally oblivious here, lahdedah. Why's everyone so tense?

<<OOC>> Kanfi is a lover, not a fighter!

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "talk if we can."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "talking is good."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Would these people count as 'actively hostile' to PM right now?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Not to you, but to your group, yes."

Kanfi bows his head, spreading his empty hands. He endeavors to look as utterly harmless as possible, though Diamond and Liu are certainly armed and dangerous. "I think my companion may have said something he shouldn't have in our haste and worry. We have no ties to the Realm at all. We have no ties to anyone in this area. We just want to know who these people are so we can react accordingly if there's another misunderstanding."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "Alright, using my HAPPY NEW CHARM, I think I will add... 8 dice. Yes. That should help."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "How much personal, how much peripheral?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "And-- roll raw socialize, no attribute, plus eight, plus 2 more for stunting-- which gets you 4 essence back."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "Three peripheral, five personal. I'm a twinkly little princess today."

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 12 dice: <1 5 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 10> for 11 successes.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "Well. That worked."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "The dice are apologizing for their meanness?"

<ROLL> Storyteller rolls 4 dice: <2 4 4 7> for 1 success.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Kanfi for the win!"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Okay, no one notices the twinkle, just yet."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Folks, give me a second to think of a proper reaction to 6 successes over a 5 difficulty Social roll? ^_^"

<<OOC>> Liu says, "It just means we win at Exalted, Brian. We get a prize now. *winks*"

The power of an Exalt is ... considerable. Kanfi's personality, born by the solar flare of his Essence, reaches the entire room. Despite the fact that such a statement should be taken as an utter and total lie, or an admission that SHOULD cost you a good deal of face... it seems completely and utterly logical to them. They didn't even -see- the sign. It was their own faults, really; you're trustworthy guys; you were trying to put them at ease. The fact that Liu has her knife to Vanya's throat is, for the moment, treated as merely an inconvenience; a horrible misunderstanding which is clearly their fault. There is a general shuffling of weapons and nervousness becoming a sort of dazed calm as Vanya's... people... put away their weapons.

Storyteller says "Vanya himself has a sort of flummoxed look on his face, as though he can't quite believe what his brain is telling him, only his small god and soul aren't getting enough votes against Kanfi's solar prerogative to tell him any different. "Oh. Of... course.""

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Mmm, Solar prerogative."

Liu sighs a heavy sigh of relief and quickly removes her knife from Vanya's throat, and gives him a concerned little frown. "I really did not want to have to cut you." She crawls back into her seat.

Diamond Borealis relaxes as things change tone. He reaches over and pats Liu's arm with his hand. "Simple misunderstanding. We're not here to cause a disruption, are we, Kanfi?" He glances over at his Circlemate. "And if we knew a little more we could make sure there aren't further misunderstandings while we're here."

Phoenix Maiden glances around at the various bemused thugs without so much as cracking a smile, and continues on to the table where her friends are.

Vanya gives a bemused smile. He hasn't seen Phoenix Maiden yet. "Of... course. I don't know," a little bit of his sensibility says as he conspiratorially whispers, "Are you... Harborhead -patriots-?" he asks, emphasizing it.

Kanfi smiles winningly-- that's more like it. "Of course," he murmurs, failing to mention that he left Harborhead years ago, "I and my sister are Izhalvi. Born and raised in Harborhead." He glances up to grin at her, eyes shining with triumph. People falling at his feet is always a good thing. "We've only left for an errand before returning home."

Diamond Borealis gives him an almost reproving look as that question is asked. "Why else would we be here?" he gives his best roguish grin.

Phoenix Maiden raises an eyebrow at Kanfi's words and gives him a wry smile. The unspoken "I'm going to quote on that" is something only a sibling could likely pick up.

Liu turns her glass in her hands, and just watches Vanya, head tilted slightly to the side.

Vanya smiles. "I rather thought you might be," he explains, sounding almost drunk. "Or, rather, I thought you were-- the ones I know-- and then I thought you weren't, but you must be," he says, frowning with confusion.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "Is he drunk on my marvelous presence?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Pretty much, yes. ^_^"

Kanfi watches Vanya, trying to hide his amusement. "We are, my friend. We definitely are." He reaches out to touch Vanya's hand, just gently. Relax. We're the good guys. "You can trust us."

Diamond Borealis makes a motion with his hand, gesturing for the man to continue speaking. "We're all friends here. You can understand why we're a little nervous as well, yes?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is fine; PM's just being quiet again. No need to complicate the situation now that it's calmed down again.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "I also just don't have anything to say. I could pose a nervous fidget."

Vanya smiles. "Of course I can. It's too bad you're on an errand; we could use some help-- although, really, in a month or two, all the weapons you'll ever need will be there," he says in a conspiratorial whisper, which is to say, rather not like a whisper at all.

Kanfi doesn't bother to hide back the wicked grin which spread across his face. "I see. I do wish we could be of assistance, my friend. I understand your need for suspicion now. Some people wouldn't take too kindly to such things being brought into Harborhead. it's a rather... volatile place." But, it would please his sister, and that was always good.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: How much exposure to southern politics does Diamond have?

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Probably a fair amount."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Make an Intelligence + Socialize roll, please. Difficulty 2. And, yes.

Storyteller [to Liu]: Make an Intelligence + Socialize roll, please; difficulty 3.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Diff 3 Int + Soc roll, then.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: And Kanfi's exposure to good ol' home politics?

<ROLL> Liu rolls 2 dice: <2 7> for 1 success.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 5 dice: <1 3 5 10 10> for 4 successes.

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 5 dice: <1 1 2 4 6> for a botch!

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "He knows a fair amount, I assume."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: ... This seems PERFECTLY logical to you, then.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: Diff 3, Int + Socialize, please.

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 7 dice: <1 1 2 3 4 9 10> for 3 successes.

Storyteller [to Liu]: None of this rings a bell for you, but...

Storyteller [to Diamond; Borealis Kanfi;]: You guys have a bad feeling about this. The Varang city-states _hate_ Harborhead; about the only thing keeping the Harborhead militants-- which is to say, all of them, except the slaves, who mostly WISH they were militants-- from charging over he border constantly is the Realm.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "Do they love me enough that they would give me a straight answer if I asked?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Sort of, yes. It'd take another socialize roll to make sure that they were -telling- you the truth."

Kanfi bites his lower lip, tilting his head. "But why are you telling us this? I was under the impression that many people in the Varang city-states were pleased with the Realm occupation," he whispers, voice pitched lower, so the words floated in the space between them, and would go beyond their table.

Diamond Borealis scowls slightly. He gives a nod of his head to go with Kanfi's words. "That would seem to be worth an explanation."

Vanya gives another brilliant, decidedly non-sober smile. "Of course, usually! But the stars are right! Now, if we act, the unfortunately born ones will rise up, and the Wheel of the Heavens will turn, and the foolish inhabitants of Harborhead will know that our way is the One True Way! Peace and astrology will cover all!"

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: Per + Soc.

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 8 dice: <1 2 4 4 4 4 6 6> for a botch!

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Man, we're screwed."

<<OOC>> Storyteller falls down giggling for a moment.

Liu tilts her head to the side and glances from Kanfi to Diamond and back.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: You feel... no, no, that won't do.

Storyteller has to take a moment to giggle more.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: Your... Hee hee. Okay, I'm serious now, really. Okay. You are deeply suspicious now. This has all the earmarks of someone -else- manipulating first. You've seen this sort of thing before; these lads really believe what they're saying, and there is -no way- it could be natural, or even normal manipulation.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: He believes it aright, but he -must- be getting his instructions from Somewhere Else.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Any chance of me noticing he's got something amiss?"

Kanfi frowns and bows his head, filled with deep suspicion suddenly. "I... see." He licks his lips. "I don't want to insult you by assuming you haven't checked the stars yourself."

[Log editor's note: the storyteller was disconnected and we paused for the night.]