Jade and Cattle log, 6/2/2006
Jun. 2nd, 2006 11:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
leticiaBrian says "And there we are. Anything else you guys want to do on ship before returning to Harborhead?"
Diamond Borealis says "Yes."
Brian figured. ;)
Diamond Borealis says "Diamond has a Plan to talk to the Captain. He ran it by Liu first."
Phoenix Maiden assumes we want to deal with the captain... ah.
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: Very well; what's the plan?
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Diamond, after his talk would have got straight to distilling a soporific to use on the captain."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "He'd go to PM first though, before letting Liu loose to give the Captain the Exalted equivalent of a mickey."
Brian says "Okay. I want to hear PM's plan, Kanfi's objections to you all, and Diamond, a stunt for both the making and the nature of the soporific, as well as the details you want."
Phoenix Maiden doesn't have any precise plan. Would want to talk about it with everyone else, first. :p
Brian says "Opportunity for talking is now!"
<<OOC>> Kanfi loves how his objections are just a given.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Poor Kanfi. He's fallen in with rogues."
<<OOC>> Kanfi IS a rogue. Just doesn't jump into stupid things unless it has to do with girls.
Phoenix Maiden was not, as the saying goes, born yesterday; given Diamond's obvious intent to deal with the captain now rather than later, she trails along towards the workshop - not barging in, but keeping an eye for when Diamond comes out. It's not that she doesn't want to deal with the captain, just that she'd like to make sure nothing too severe is happening.
Liu is perched out of the way in Diamond's workshop, taking up a considerably small amount of space with her legs folded up against her chest and her spindly arms around her knees.
Diamond Borealis has finished his chat with Liu and sets to work, not bothered by her being there to watch. He has a beaker over a small burner, and inside is a piece of the white jade captured from the fallen DBs armor. It isn't perfect, but it should act as a purifying reagent. He pours the strongest alcohol he has on the ship, some of his own stash of akava from the north into glass container, beginning to heat it slowly. He adds a few herbs, ground with a pestled from another piece of the white jade, chanting a nursery rhyme used as a lullaby for Golden Children in the First Age. The smell is pleasant a first, but slowly fades to nothing as the liquid turns blue from the flame, bubbles and begins to percolate around the jade. He places another container over the open mouth, to catch the gas bubbling off the mixture and funnel it away.
<<OOC>> Brian says "interesting idea. Okay. Int + Craft + 2 roll."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 10 dice: <2 3 3 5 6 7 7 7 7 8> for 5 successes.
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Can I make an awareness roll to be aware of PM outside the workshop?"
Phoenix Maiden is not making much effort to keep her presence secret. :) If Kanfi and Aidan came along, she's probably chatting with them.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Let's say for whatever purpose, Kanfi and Aidan are, and yes, Per + Awa, difficulty 1."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "I would've followed PM up, yes."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 7 dice: <1 3 3 4 4 5 6> for a botch!
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis ...
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: You hear what you are -certain- is the thump, thump, of the captain's walking stave.
<<OOC>> Brian indulges in evil, from time to time.
Liu stands and stretches languidly, catch Diamond's eye and arching her eyebrows, gesturing with her head towards the sound.
Diamond Borealis holds the rarefied liquid up to the light, it looks clear, though there are quick silver traces of color when he moves it around. He sniffs once, nodding. "Odorless, colorless. It should put him into a sleep-like state. You know how you feel after you've been up for days? Or how you use to feel..." he stops, hearing footsteps outside. His eyes widen briefly then he calmly sets the concoction down on the table, stopping midsentence. He makes a 'shhhh' gesture to Liu and waits to see if the Captain knocks on the makeshift door.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Having the dice to make a legendary success roll making a sleeping potion: 16 xp, 4 bp. Wasting it on your party members due to a botch: Priceless."
Phoenix Maiden is not in any big hurry and has good company to wait in; she doesn't go knock either. :)
Kanfi does follow his sister, not really sure whether he trusts Diamond completely here, but willing to wait and see. "Should I check on him?"
Phoenix Maiden shrugs at Kanfi. "I don't know; he's not likely to put any plans unilaterally into action without leaving, so we'll have a chance to talk to him when he comes out, but if you're curious, by all means."
Diamond Borealis mouths to Liu 'the Captain' and points toward the door. "So, anyway, there I was in the middle of an Ice Walker camp. An outsider. And by rights, the chief says I either have to pass a rite of manhood or I'm going to be staked out as a sacrifice..." Picking up as if he were telling a story, and trying to put Liu on alert.
Kanfi shrugs and steps towards the door, rapping lightly. He IS curious about what Diamond's doing in there. after all.
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: The knock sounds like the stern, yet courteous knock o your captain, alright.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden cackles.
Liu doesn't look at all concerned, and in fact seems to be really getting into Diamond's story as she briskly jumps up onto one of the tables set near the door and presses herself against the wall, tilting her head to the side and nodding her head to Diamond to let him know she's prepared for the eventuality of the Captain walking in in a bluster.
"So he says that even if I pass, well, I'll still have to participate in a ritual they do. I ask what it is he and he points to a barrel, then to this gorgeous young woman of the tribe. He says, "Tomorrow, she goes in barrel. All the men get a turn at the barrel. Day after...' and the chief points to a handsome young man, 'He goes in barrel..." Diamond is obviously telling a joke at this point, and once Liu is in place he says, "Enter."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "That's an old joke...if you don't know the punchline, let me know..."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Friday is your day in the barrel..."
Kanfi pushes open the door, barely catching the tail end of the joke through the door, lips twisting up in amusement at the old tale. "So, how's it going in here?"
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "What a joke to tell an innocent young thing like Liu! :p"
<<OOC>> Liu says "And Liu was *very* interested, too."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis is the crazy uncle.
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: Okay, Wits + Awareness roll time. :)
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 7 dice: <2 4 4 6 6 7 9> for 2 successes.
Brian figures it's a mere difficulty 1 not to wallop Kanfi as he- ah, okay. You realize it is NOT the Captain at the very last second. :)
<<OOC>> Kanfi is WAY smaller than the Captain, thanks.
Diamond Borealis frowns when he sees it is Kanfi. "Well, looks like it really was my turn in the barrel. Come on in. I thought you were the captain." No, nothing to be guilty about here.
Liu hops off the table behind Kanfi and pokes him sharply in the back, and grins impishly when he turns to see her.
Kanfi jumps a little, eyeing the impish pair, the smile fading in shock before returning in full force. "Me? The captain? Well, I do think I'd look dashing shouting orders at the prow of the ship, but I'm way too scrawny for the job."
Phoenix Maiden remains where she was and tries to get the story from Aidan about how exactly he came to be looking for Swan Dragon, as long as she's not doing anything else.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Kanfi IS the Eclipse..."
Diamond Borealis motions to a stool. "Might as well get Maiden and the Hunter in here too, if that's them out there. I've got something to discuss." He opens the door further and peers out at the pair.
Phoenix Maiden peers back at Diamond, and says to Aidan, "Looks like our sorcerer's ready to tell us what he's been brewing up." She hops up and heads over that way.
Aidan smiles at Phoenix Maiden. "One of my finer moments actually, truly a glorious battle." He glances towards the open door. "But I do believe that the rest of our friends wish us to join them."
Liu walks back over to the table Diamond was working at and looks over his implements and oddments, with a strong air of "I'm not touching anything, I swear" in her manner as she does so.
Kanfi flops himself down on the stool and stretches. It's a nice day to almost get punched by your Circlemate!
Phoenix Maiden looks for a place to sit, or at least lean against when she enters. "So," she says to Diamond. "I imagine you've been thinking about our potential problem." She glances at the ceiling above, towards the deck.
"I have." Diamond holds up the distilled bottle. "This is ... well, it started out as akava. Now it's a soporific. Like I was telling Liu...remember when you were mortal and how you felt after a couple days without sleep when you finally laid down to rest? That on the verge of collapse fuzzy feeling? Well, this should put the problem into that state if we slip it to him. Then we can question him."
Liu nods in support of Diamond's plan. "It should be pretty easy to get to his cup at dinner tonight."
Phoenix Maiden raises her eyebrows and nods slowly. "It's worth noting we don't know that he's an enemy, or even being manipulated by enemies. He's been loyal so far - that we can know for sure, anyhow - and it'd be an ill turn to mistreat him too much." She shrugs. "More practically, how long will the effects last, would you say? It wouldn't do to have the captain out of commission if serious problems come up."
Aidan says "I just wish I could better explain the sensation I have about him. I would hate for my suspicions to cause harm to an innocent."
Phoenix Maiden shrugs. "I doubt being drowsy will cause him any harm."
Kanfi shrugs and spreads his hands. "As long as there aren't any permanent side effects. Although, if he remembers us questioning him, he might get kind of... mad."
Liu splays the fingers of her right hand and then clenches it, just stretching and resettling the joints absently. "Maybe it is premature to knock him out to question him first -- but it seems more certain. And he has been loyal... but isn't that itself a little... suspicious?" She looks around at her Circle Mates. "He knows we're Anathema-- Chosen of the Sun, that is-- but he doesn't seem even a bit frightened. Resigned, if anything."
"Depends. If he's just a mortal? Several hours. But I can whip up an anti-dote with some coffee...I think." Diamond ponders that a moment, nodding his head. Yes, should be easy enough. "In case something goes wrong. But he's involved, somehow. And I aim to find out how, especially if the Sidereals are involved, the tricky bastards." He seems completely unconcerned about potential problems to the innocent. He smiles at Kanfi. "If he does, it'll be your job to convince him we did it for his own good, to make sure he wasn't under the influence of a Sidereal, or a Demon, or even one of the Deathlords.
Phoenix Maiden tilts her hand back and forth, answering Liu. "Maybe. But the rest of the crew is handling it fine, too, that I've noticed. We didn't let him know until we'd been sailing together for a while."
Brian [to Kanfi]: Make an Intelligence + socialize roll, please.
Phoenix Maiden peers at Kanfi. "It might be possible to ask him questions in a leading fashion that doesn't seem like a questioning. You're good with people," she suggests.
<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 8 dice: <2 4 5 5 6 6 8 8> for 2 successes.
Brian [to Kanfi]: Dice don't love you tonight, do they? Okay, something is niggling at the back of your head.
Brian [to Kanfi]: There's -other- people to be concerned with here... the sailors.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden commented on those last week. :p
Kanfi bites his lip. "We do have to worry about the sailors. Are we sure they're trustworthy? Or, hmm." There's something else, he's SURE of it.
Phoenix Maiden says dryly, "Or they might get a little upset if they see us drugging and questioning their captain?"
Diamond Borealis grits his teeth a second. "They aren't going to see it. We do it privately. If it turns out he's a traitor, or being influenced we can deal with it. Kanfi, you and Phoenix should be able to handle the sailors if they find out about it. If we're going to run an entire city-state, we better be able to handle a boat full of sailors."
Phoenix Maiden nods to Diamond. "I said I thought we could handle them earlier." She shrugs. "I think you should mix up an antidote first, however."
Aidan shrugs. "They don't really have all that many reasons to trust us as it is." He chuckles a bit at memories from his days in the monastery. "We are, after all, Anathema to them. Some of them still believe that we eat babies to gain our strengths. I doubt that one more strange behavior will change anything that much."
Brian says "Well, the sailors have looked at you guys with a _mixture_ of awe and fear, not just fear."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "It's got to be hard NOT to get a little impressed with a full Circle of Solars... :p"
Kanfi shakes his head at Aidan. "You don't get it. They trust us because they've seen us doing good. Sure, we put them in the line of fire with a bunch of demon pirates, but you can't say that freeing the yoked is a terrible thi-- well." He glances at his sister and sighs.
Liu chews her bottom lip, leaning back heavily against the wall of the makeshift workshop area. "So do I drop this distillation in his drink this evening, or do we wait, and maybe let Kanfi have a try at finding more out about our Captain?"
Diamond Borealis presses his lip into a line. "If Kanfi talks to him first, we may not get a chance to put the soporific in his drink. If he is set against us, that could alert him." He shakes his head and turns around, moving items on his bench to open a pouch filled with coffee grounds, starting to work on the antidote. He's made his position clear, and added what he has to say about it to the conversation; the rest can decide.
Phoenix Maiden glances at Kanfi, and agrees quietly. "No, you can't, can you?" She looks back to the rest of the Circle. "I still think I could manage them - though it would get messy if the captain IS a traitor and sterner steps are needed than a polite, if drugged, conversation - but it'd get even MORE messy if he is a traitor, we don't discover it, and he sets them on us. The only thing that concerns me, particularly is the risk of mistreating someone who has possibly not betrayed us. We have obligations in return..." She frowns.
Brian says "Kanfi, Aidan, how are you two feeling about this at the moment?"
<<OOC>> Aidan says "I'm good to go with whatever is decided. Drugging him sounds like a good idea."
Phoenix Maiden sighs and nods. "We go with the drugging, then. Kanfi, you can do the questioning - I trust your tact more than anyone else's, including my own." She glances around the Circle, addressing everyone. "Figure out what we need to ask now, because it'll be a bit less subtle if we're all chiming in suspiciously once things have started." She stretches, leaning her shoulders back. "It's worth noting that if he's been influenced subtly, he might not know, and questions will do little good. And unless we get proof of betrayal, we can hardly betray the service he has given us with sterner measures."
Diamond Borealis has the coffee brewing and turns back around. "I know a charm that will help. I'll know if he's lying. We need to ask him if he knows Aidan, if so, how. Ask him how he feels about Aidan. How he feels about us. We'll ask him what our destination is. And we'll ask him for whom he works. And if he lies too much, then I start asking questions down here, and the rest of you might not want to be around." He rests his hands on his knees, neither eager for such an eventuality, nor shying away from its necessity either.
Kanfi nods to the questions-- up until Diamond threatens to do-- something. His thoughtful, if concerned, expression darkens. "Those are good questions, but I'd feel better if I or my sister was privy to that conversation if he... mm, isn't as candid as we might like. We should also ask him about the crew. If anyone's been getting restless about our presence. Not entirely on topic, but it's as good a time as ever to find out."
Liu nods and picks up the little vial of potion and with a flashy sleight-of-hand tucks it into her sash. Next to the one of the knives she keeps on her person at all times now. Liu is getting, if not hard, then at least not squeamish. Her Circle is plotting a war to overthrow the Realm -- what is noble on a large scale is also noble on a small scale. Tortuous interrogation, when warranted, is within her abilities.
<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Mine? Kanfi's a little disturbed, but can see why his Circle might think it's a necessity. On the other hand, Diamond threatening to do something in private makes him very, very twitchy."
Phoenix Maiden eyes Diamond. "If he's lying in a particularly suspicious pattern, we can consider that. But in that case, it doesn't need to be quite that private. My concern is for the innocent, not the guilty." She frowns. "And in case he's not everything he seems to be, I might recommend coming to dinner with defensive Charms up."
Phoenix Maiden adds, "Keep in mind, we may have subtle allies as well as enemies."
Diamond Borealis shrugs his shoulders. "Suit yourself. If either of you want to be here, but if he's lying to us, and I think he's planning to betray us, I'll find out what danger he represents one way or another. Because I'm concerned about us and me first and foremost." He isn't making a threat, more a statement of intent. "And yes, ask him about the crew. Don't be afraid to ask him pointed questions. Ask if there's anyone in the crew who's loyalty he's concerned about. Or if there's anyone on the ship about whom we should be concerned. I hope he's truthful." He grins at Liu then goes back to working on the antidote.
The process is much like for the first. A small piece of jade in a beaker, the dregs of the coffee which has the strongest caffeine poured over it. And another First Age song, this time a work chant sung by factory-cathedral worker-priests to keep them alert.
<<OOC>> Brian says "This is for the antidote, right?"
Liu wrinkles her nose cutely at Phoenix Maiden's suggestion to have Defensive charms up and grins, "Diamond sinks when he's Bronze, though, and we're on a ship." She turns to the most beautiful Eclipse in the whole wide Creation, and asks, "Kanfi-- after I slip this mess into his drink, you'll help play off his sudden sleepiness, right?"
Phoenix Maiden shakes her head at Diamond's words. "Unless he starts lying suspiciously, the less sharply we question him, the better. Whether we CAN control resentment of an honest man at being suspected or not - and we can - having to do so would be more distasteful." To Liu, she nods. "Diamond... is more obvious; he probably should wait. I suggest we invite the captain to dine with us privately so as to avoid having to explain things to the crew if not necessary."
Kanfi shakes his head at their artificer's attitude. Diamond doesn't know the meaning of tact, does he? But he offers Liu a smile. "No worries on my end. I can pull this off too."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Okay, I want everyone to make Conviction and Compassion rolls-- tell me which one is which."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Comp, first, Conv, second."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 1 die: <8> for 1 success.
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 3 dice: <5 10 10> for 4 successes.
<<OOC>> Aidan says "That's going to be not good. Compassion first, then Conviction..."
<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 1 die: <1> for a botch!
<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 2 dice: <6 7> for 1 success.
<<OOC>> Liu says "Compassion first, then Conviction."
<<DICE>> Liu rolls 3 dice: <2 3 4> for 0 successes.
<<DICE>> Liu rolls 2 dice: <2 5> for 0 successes.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Conviction, Compassion."
<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 2 dice: <1 7> for 1 success.
<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 3 dice: <4 5 10> for 2 successes.
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Botched compassion. 1 sux on Conviction."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "2 on Compassion, 1 on Conviction."
<<OOC>> Liu says "zero success for each, but no botch."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Conviction"
<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Comp, then Conviction."
<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 2 dice: <5 7> for 1 success.
<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 2 dice: <4 6> for 0 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Okay. Hmm. Liu, you're totally at ease with either plan; where you go is up to you. Kanfi, PM, you have some doubts about the plan as proposed, but no -major- twinges on the heart at the moment. Diamond, you're -certain- of your plan, and Aidan, while you may not love the plan, you -hate- the Captain, deep in your heart."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Roll for my attempt at an antidote?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yes-- +2 dice, +1 success for having already made the thing in the first place."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 11 dice: <1 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 6 9 10> for 3 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Okay, good enough. :)"
Phoenix Maiden sighs and shakes her head again, a still bothered, but with no better ideas herself. "We should check on Swan Dragon again. If he's still fine, we should probably ask the captain to eat with us in another cabin." She glances at Kanfi. "I'll let you tender the invitation, if you're willing."
Liu pushes herself off the wall and pats Diamond's cheek as she walks past him. "I'll go check on Swan Dragon. He'd asked me to have tea with he and Shurtimu Ji earlier but... well, I felt like they deserved their alone time." She grins and slips out of the workshop.
Kanfi stands and brushes himself off, adjusting the folds up fabric and beaded jewelry until he feels he looks perfect. "Of course, my darling sister. I would be more than willing to extend the Captain an invitation to dinner."
Diamond Borealis finishes the second elixir, nodding his head as he approves of his own work. He gets a whiff, eyes widening slightly at the potency of it. He sets that aside and waits for dinner.
Brian [to Kanfi]: Any special plans, charms, or other important information I should have for the dinner?
Phoenix Maiden nods. "Let's wait until Liu returns, so we know where we'll be wanting to eat - without Swan Dragon, I think, unless he's unstable, in which case we'll just have to cope."
<<OOC>> Liu says "I'm going to have to log off soon, Brian. But Liu's part in this should only be successfully getting the elixir into the Captain's drink."
<<OOC>> Liu says "I had it in my head that she'd actually volunteer to pour wine for everyone, being just a bit showy about it -- flamboyant, not slapstick or silly though. She would palm the vial into the hand holding the wine pitcher and actually pour the liquid in with the wine for the captain. It's clear, so unless someone's watching sharply they shouldn't be able to notice it mixing with a nice full bodied red."
<<OOC>> Brian says "And from you, Kanfi?"
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis will be using Judge's Ear Technique once we get started.
<<OOC>> Brian says "PM, Aidan, I assume you're just going to be sociable and unsociable, respectively? ^_-"
<<OOC>> Kanfi says "He's going to make chitchat, and probably use Motive Discerning Technique in a conversation about where they're going and what their adventures. When the captains starts getting tired, he'll probably get solicitous and ask questions pitched in a more... curious tone. He'll be getting quieter and softer, not sharper. Also, he'll use "Knowing the Soul's Price, and Motive Discerning Technique again (if it looks like he'll get a better answer the second time.)"
<<OOC>> Aidan will be mostly quiet. And observing. The correct hunter does not attack an unknown foe, he waits for a display of weakness.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is going to be sociable, polite, and ready to run damage control if Things Get Hairy. She will also have 5BS up, though nothing else, so she has Personal free to throw her Social Charms around if needed. Wherever possible, she'll add her assistance to Kanfi in steering conversation.
<<OOC>> Liu says "I'm actually going to go ahead and log off now. I got a thing. *hugs* Yay for threatening the NPC!"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Okay, wait, Liu."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Dex + Larceny + 2."
<<OOC>> Brian says "for the placing of the soporific."
<<DICE>> Liu rolls 8 dice: <2 3 3 5 7 8 9 9> for 4 successes.
<<DICE>> Brian rolls 5 dice: <2 3 4 8 9> for 2 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Alrighty, you can go. :)"
<<OOC>> Liu says "Whew!"
Liu has disconnected.
Brian [to Kanfi]: Okay, let's just assume you've set up a full dinner with the Captain and move from there, aye? Unless you want to be flashy about it. :)
Brian says "Alright, as I prepare for the dinner, I'll need everyone's Manipulation + Socialize or Performance."
Brian says "Just the numbers, no roll."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "9, with Performance."
<<DICE>> Brian rolls 5 dice: <2 4 7 10 10> for 5 successes.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Cripes. >_<"
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "5"
<<OOC>> Aidan says "One. And if there's a penalty for "you have no dots in that ability", then I'm probably negative."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Nope, no penalty."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Exalted privilege. :)"
<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Do I get to use my Diplomacy specialization?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yes, actually."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "WOoo. :)"
<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 12 dice: <1 2 2 2 3 3 4 8 8 9 10 10> for 7 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Although, given your comrades' levels of ability at - no roll, just number :P - levels of ability, it probably doesn't matter."
Brian giggles madly to himself. Okay, give me a sec.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden cries.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Any time the ST starts giggling you know you're doing something he considers incredibly stupid, but he's letting you do for his own amusement."
<<OOC>> Brian says "That's not actually the case this time, though I'm still highly amused."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "I think he's mostly laughing at the fact that a Solar has a total dice pool of one die at something."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "We're all so doomed."
Later that day, as evening is drawing to a close, you gather before the captain's cabin. The golden light of your patron glitters across the deceptive, rippling surface of the sea as you make a fair clip along; the winds have been in your favor all day. The cabin boy and the cook dash out of the cabin just before you arrive, not wanting to anger or otherwise get in the way of their awesome passengers. The smells from within the cabin are absolutely delicious-- the best fare that could be rapidly gotten aboard ship. The best of the remaining chicken that was slaughtered before you made port to take on new chickens (and get some meat), some of the choice, rare fruit, and other courses waft their way out of the cabin.
The door opens as Kanfi steps forward, and your captain, a tall man wearing a broad rimmed hat opens the door. He gives a polite, but curt nod to Kanfi, saying (in what for him is a gentlemanly, er, growl), "I am glad to have you for dinner; perhaps you can tell me more of what I can expect in the..." His voice trails off as his eyes sweep the lot of you and suddenly, in Old Realm, he mutters, "Oh -HELL-." And he vanishes, as though he had never been.
Brian says "Quick, Wits + Occult rolls, difficulty 3."
<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 5 dice: <1 3 6 6 9> for 1 success.
<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 6 dice: <1 1 2 6 9 10> for 3 successes.
<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 3 dice: <1 7 8> for 2 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "I am incredibly amused that Aidan is, time after time, the one (or at least one of the ones, this time, we'll see) who remembers the Sidereal, even though he didn't even -know- him the first time you saw him."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden botches on occult rolls an awful lot for a so-called priestess. :p
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 9 dice: <1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8> for 2 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian rolls for Liu.
<<DICE>> Brian rolls 3 dice: <7 7 9> for 3 successes.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden cackles.
<<OOC>> Brian falls down laughing. Of the people who are -actually here-, only Aidan remembers, though Liu will remember as well.
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Lollerskates. Liu and I remember him, and the Occult-Monkey is clueless."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "So the priestess and the sorcerer are clueless. >_<"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Again."
<<OOC>> Kanfi is amused that the person who isn't HERE gets full successes.
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Forgive me, for my brain is stuck in first gear tonight. Is this the same siddie as AK'd out of the battle with the other siddie?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yup! ^_^ You know that -now-."
<<OOC>> Aidan is completely confused at this point.
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "This is why I hate Sidereals."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "I'll holler at you tomorrow when I have more braincells that actually work, I think."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "So, for those of us that had no dice love, what's the situation about 'the captain was never here?'"
Brian says "Okay, Diamond, Phoenix, Kanfi, what the three of you remember is that you discovered this morning that the Captain had vanished, seemingly into the blue water or sky, without land or other ship in sight. You've been able by force of personality to keep the ship going and the sailors from mutiny, but it's tough going, and none of you are really SAILORS. You'd decided, once you had Swan Dragon calmed-- and Diamond, you made a powerful soporific, just in case he had to be sedated-- to meet together in the captain's cabin to investigate for clues as to his disappearance."
Brian says "Aidan, and later Liu (who at this moment, I'm going to say is -not- actually with you, but down with Swan Dragon keeping an eye on him with the sedative), remember this, but -also- remember the phantom of what might have been, before Avoidance Kata's retroactive prophecy took effect. It's hazy, like a dream-- but it just doesn't feel _right_, and you've got the most overwhelming sense of deja vu."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "So I assume no fancy pants dinner spread? :p"
<<OOC>> Brian says "No, that's still there. The crew's still in awe/fear."
<<OOC>> Brian says "They made it for your dinner, you see. :P"
<<OOC>> Brian was not expecting to get -5- successes there; was going to base his reaction on whether or not he passed 3 of the 5 of you, and instead he got 4. Oh well.
Phoenix Maiden blinks at dinner. "We don't have time to waste with dinner. Let's search this room." She grumbles. "It's not that I'm worried about the crew mutinying - but I'm no captain."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Would I be able to recognize that this is roughly the same sensation as I had after the fight with the other siddie? And this is the proper explanation for the weirdness I had before? It *was* the same siddie, and I'm somehow (bless the dice) partially immune to Avoidance Kata so far?"
Brian [to Aidan]: Yup!
Brian [to Aidan]: Though you don't know Avoidance Kata.
<<OOC>> Brian says "If it makes you feel any better though, Diamond, Araji Yung just got Pattern Bit for that stunning violation of his Resplendent Destiny, plus other various shenanigans."
<<DICE>> Brian rolls 1d10 <6> for 6 total.
<<DICE>> Brian rolls 1d10 <1> for 1 total.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "So, ST, in this reworking of the pattern, did Aidan still tell me that he had a weird feeling from the captain? That was before we left the harbor, after all."
Aidan glances first at Phoenix Maiden, and then again at the table. "Surely you don't intend to leave all of this food to spoil? Personally, I find that I work better on a full stomach." The feeling of Deja Vu is strongest now, but his reactions are carefully controlled.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "...In fact, we were talking about it before we left the harbor, so probably before he vanished."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "As a Circle, I mean."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yes he did."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "I'm trying to figure out the odds that Aidan would be able to connect the dots between "weird feeling right after the we fought a sidereal" and "weird feeling when the captain vanished". I want to ask Diamond some questions about his knowledge of Sidereals, but I'm not sure if I actually have enough IC knowledge to justify it."
<<OOC>> Brian says "If you're feeling guilty, give me an Int + Lore roll."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Also, did his Kata do anything about the botched Compassion roll, or do I still have a great hatred for our now-vanished Captain?"
<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 4 dice: <2 3 5 9> for 1 success.
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Are we in his room?"
Phoenix Maiden glances at Aidan. "We can eat it after. He vanished and no one saw him go overboard. If your bad feeling was right, we've probably been set up, and I want to find out what we're sailing into.
<<OOC>> Aidan says "We're in the Captain's room, with a now not-quite-as-sense-making banquet table."
<<OOC>> Brian says "You still hate-- actually, he's giving you a migraine, so you probably hate him more-- and yes, you're in his cabin. And... you have enough to make the "sidereal" connection, though not -why-."
Kanfi grabs a piece of fruit and begins munching, leaning against the table. "I'd say that this is weirder than usual, except that it isn't. So we know that the captain vanished into thin air. Magic's probably the only thing that explains how he could leave, or be spirited away."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Stunting an Investigation roll. Also, channelling Conviction if possible. And using Ten Magistrates eyes."
Diamond Borealis stares at the table of food. He never comes up for meals and scratches his head, unable to figure out why he's even up here. "Why are we waisting time eating? The son of a bitch was a Sidereal." He doesn't know how he got away, or why things are like they are, but I'm going to find out." He stands up then and taps the ambient essence all around him. He can feel the way it connects the room to the rest of the ship, and the ship to the sea and barnacles, the sails to the wind and the wind to the sea. His eyes close as he focuses, then open them, seeing with the eyes of Ten Magistrates, taking in all the details of the room, methodically looking through his papers and personal effects, ignoring the rest of the group and the delicious smells of the meal as he channels his anger into finding any clues that may be hidden as to who the Captain really was or how he managed to vanish into thin air and slip their net.
Aidan manages not to look disappointed at the missed opportunity, though he does grab a particularly succulent morsel before turning to face Diamond. "Quite frankly this whole thing still just feels wrong to me." He pauses to devour the bit of chicken. "It really is a shame to waste this, the chicken is quite good. Diamond, your knowledge of lore far exceeds mine, especially since the Immaculates that I learned from don't seem to want to even admit the existence of this particular bit. How much do you know about the Sidereal Exalted?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "... Nice. +3 successes from TME, right? Also, 2-dot stunt there."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "4 auto sux."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Roll 'em."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Per + Inv?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yup."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 8 dice: <2 3 3 4 5 8 8 10> for 4 successes.
<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Why is Kanfi suddenly reminded of a certain, surly investigator of his acquaintance?"
Phoenix Maiden nods to Kanfi. "And add to that Aidan's uncanny feeling about him..." She pauses, and nods firmly in agreement with Diamond. "For all we know, we're sailing into a trap, or the ship is going to sink under us in an hour. We must know. Food can wait."
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: Everything-- _everything_ about this Cabin is wrong. There's something fucked-up about the essence-flows, as though powerful centers of local dragon whiskers had been there- but not- and it doesn't make -sense-. You are qualitatively _certain_ that this room has both been unoccupied until the cook and the cabin boy came in, and that someone was in and out of it all day. Furthermore, by the scuffmarks on the bed, and the footprint-patterns on the floor that correspond to the strange not-there dragon whiskers, whoever used this room practiced martial arts on a regular basis, though of no discernible higher form. Finally, there are little slivers of what you're -certain- is starmetal in the edge of one part of the dresser, though to what purpose, you cannot say.
Diamond Borealis is kneeling near the bed. He runs his bare hand along the floor. His temper flaring to the point his pulse pounds at his temple. He raises up slowly and moves to the dresser, leaning in close he takes a knife from his pocket and begins to chip out tiny, almost microscopic pieces of Starmetal. He scrapes those into his hand, and steps over to the table. He takes a glass of wine and dumps it unceremoniously into a soup bowl, ruining the soup. He wipes it clean and drops the slivers into the cup.
"They are a type of Celestial Exalted. Servants of the Maidens. They were and probably still are involved with Fate and prophecy. They mastered odd martial arts in the first age." He pauses and adds. "And the demon-fellating bastards betrayed us. They were the ones that inspired the Dragonbloods to rise against us, according to Othlak. There's confusion over the why, hell, even that part is largely unknown to savants. But I aim to get my hands on one, preferably this particular bit of bootslime, and ask some very pointed questions. Because there was definitely one of them in here. I don't know how he did it, maybe a spell, or more likely a martial art technique, or maybe just because of his position in the Celestial Bureaucracy, but he caught a whiff of it and was able to leave before we got here."
Phoenix Maiden frowns. "We must have been overheard," she says to Aidan, "Discussing on the deck. I didn't think anyone was near enough to hear us."
Aidan allows his eyes to close for a moment, arranging the information in his head, memorizing it. "I believe that this same Sidereal was present at the battle in the Lap. It's the only explanation that makes sense." His eyes snap open. "I have his scent now, though. He has become the hunted. Third time tricked marks the fool, and I am no fool."
Phoenix Maiden shakes her head. "But if the captain was a Sidereal, he has his own magic - like whatever took him off this boat - and he may have been using it to spy."
Phoenix Maiden nods to Aidan. "And we know one thing about Sidereal magic," she says, dryly. "They can transport themselves. It's something to keep in mind next time we confront one."
Phoenix Maiden pauses, going over what Aidan said. "There was no one else at that battle," she says, eyeing Aidan curiously, and then glancing at the others. "Was there?"
Kanfi finishes up his fruit and shrugs at his sister's question. "I was focusing on the pretty monk, sister. Don't ask me."
Diamond Borealis mutters to himself something about the Black Treatise, then his head snaps up at Aidan's words. "There was only one Sidereal there. And we killed him. Unless..." He frowns, unsure for once if it's possible for someone to pull a trick like that, something more than just teleportation.
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: Int + Lore, diff 5.
Phoenix Maiden eyes her brother tolerantly. "You know, they take vows of celibacy, right?"
Kanfi grins and reaches for one of the cups of wine, sniffing it experimentally before taking a sip. "Well, yes. What's your point?"
Aidan shrugs. "I can't explain it. I only know that the captain was here, and then he was not, and no one remembers seeing him leave." He shakes his head, gently, still trying to make sense of things. "But the feeling is the same. The wrongness. Almost as though his magic leaves echoes behind. Tracks. And tracks can be followed. I will know him, next time."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 9 dice: <2 2 2 2 3 4 7 8 10> for 4 successes.
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Damnit."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Oh, so CLOSE."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Stunt bonus?"
Brian hrms.
Phoenix Maiden just shakes her head and peers at Diamond. "There were two colors of at our little run-in with the Lintha..."
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: Roll -one- more die. Just one die, by itself.
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 1 die: <5> for 0 successes.
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Worth a shot."
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: From what you know of -your own- Charms, it wouldn't make sense with how you deal with Creation. It _might_ for weavers of Fate, given the power of a Celestial but... nothing concrete.
Diamond Borealis shakes his head. "They deal with Fate, the..." he searches for words. "If essence is the raw material of Creation, then Fate is the product made by its weave and weft. They work with that. There's no telling what they are capable of, but obviously they can duck out of the way of trouble, if he's done it twice." He takes his hat of and swears profusely, a long string of profanity. "I want to talk to some of the officers, find out more about this Captain, what they think they know about him." He looks over at Kanfi. "And I promise, I'll be nice."
Kanfi rolls his eye and raises his glass in a mocking salute. "Want me to come with, so I can elbow you in the ribs when you're being untactful? Of course, that will mean my elbow will be constantly stuck to your stomach..."
Diamond Borealis holds up his left hand beside his shoulder, his right flat against his chest. "Me? Alright, you ask the questions. If I sense any of them are telling an untruth, I'll be the bad constable to your good constable. Fair enough?"
Phoenix Maiden snorts. "Don't worry. We'll all be going. Because we need to get a new captain and change course, and settle their nerves. I think we can easily say this Sidereal is not our friend and he knows where we plan to go."
Kanfi smiles brightly at Phoenix Maiden. "But I wanted to be the good constable!"
Phoenix Maiden chuckles at her brother. "You can play good constable if we find your cute monk again." She peers at Diamond and Kanfi. "We need to figure out where we should land now. We'll want to present that information to the ship's officers before we do so. I'm sure the Sidereal will be planning a reception committee for us."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Aaaand I think I'm going to end it there, and open next session with PM rabble-rousing. 5 XP to everyone for having the GM laughing out loud during multiple parts of the game."
Diamond Borealis says "Yes."
Brian figured. ;)
Diamond Borealis says "Diamond has a Plan to talk to the Captain. He ran it by Liu first."
Phoenix Maiden assumes we want to deal with the captain... ah.
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: Very well; what's the plan?
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Diamond, after his talk would have got straight to distilling a soporific to use on the captain."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "He'd go to PM first though, before letting Liu loose to give the Captain the Exalted equivalent of a mickey."
Brian says "Okay. I want to hear PM's plan, Kanfi's objections to you all, and Diamond, a stunt for both the making and the nature of the soporific, as well as the details you want."
Phoenix Maiden doesn't have any precise plan. Would want to talk about it with everyone else, first. :p
Brian says "Opportunity for talking is now!"
<<OOC>> Kanfi loves how his objections are just a given.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Poor Kanfi. He's fallen in with rogues."
<<OOC>> Kanfi IS a rogue. Just doesn't jump into stupid things unless it has to do with girls.
Phoenix Maiden was not, as the saying goes, born yesterday; given Diamond's obvious intent to deal with the captain now rather than later, she trails along towards the workshop - not barging in, but keeping an eye for when Diamond comes out. It's not that she doesn't want to deal with the captain, just that she'd like to make sure nothing too severe is happening.
Liu is perched out of the way in Diamond's workshop, taking up a considerably small amount of space with her legs folded up against her chest and her spindly arms around her knees.
Diamond Borealis has finished his chat with Liu and sets to work, not bothered by her being there to watch. He has a beaker over a small burner, and inside is a piece of the white jade captured from the fallen DBs armor. It isn't perfect, but it should act as a purifying reagent. He pours the strongest alcohol he has on the ship, some of his own stash of akava from the north into glass container, beginning to heat it slowly. He adds a few herbs, ground with a pestled from another piece of the white jade, chanting a nursery rhyme used as a lullaby for Golden Children in the First Age. The smell is pleasant a first, but slowly fades to nothing as the liquid turns blue from the flame, bubbles and begins to percolate around the jade. He places another container over the open mouth, to catch the gas bubbling off the mixture and funnel it away.
<<OOC>> Brian says "interesting idea. Okay. Int + Craft + 2 roll."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 10 dice: <2 3 3 5 6 7 7 7 7 8> for 5 successes.
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Can I make an awareness roll to be aware of PM outside the workshop?"
Phoenix Maiden is not making much effort to keep her presence secret. :) If Kanfi and Aidan came along, she's probably chatting with them.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Let's say for whatever purpose, Kanfi and Aidan are, and yes, Per + Awa, difficulty 1."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "I would've followed PM up, yes."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 7 dice: <1 3 3 4 4 5 6> for a botch!
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis ...
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: You hear what you are -certain- is the thump, thump, of the captain's walking stave.
<<OOC>> Brian indulges in evil, from time to time.
Liu stands and stretches languidly, catch Diamond's eye and arching her eyebrows, gesturing with her head towards the sound.
Diamond Borealis holds the rarefied liquid up to the light, it looks clear, though there are quick silver traces of color when he moves it around. He sniffs once, nodding. "Odorless, colorless. It should put him into a sleep-like state. You know how you feel after you've been up for days? Or how you use to feel..." he stops, hearing footsteps outside. His eyes widen briefly then he calmly sets the concoction down on the table, stopping midsentence. He makes a 'shhhh' gesture to Liu and waits to see if the Captain knocks on the makeshift door.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Having the dice to make a legendary success roll making a sleeping potion: 16 xp, 4 bp. Wasting it on your party members due to a botch: Priceless."
Phoenix Maiden is not in any big hurry and has good company to wait in; she doesn't go knock either. :)
Kanfi does follow his sister, not really sure whether he trusts Diamond completely here, but willing to wait and see. "Should I check on him?"
Phoenix Maiden shrugs at Kanfi. "I don't know; he's not likely to put any plans unilaterally into action without leaving, so we'll have a chance to talk to him when he comes out, but if you're curious, by all means."
Diamond Borealis mouths to Liu 'the Captain' and points toward the door. "So, anyway, there I was in the middle of an Ice Walker camp. An outsider. And by rights, the chief says I either have to pass a rite of manhood or I'm going to be staked out as a sacrifice..." Picking up as if he were telling a story, and trying to put Liu on alert.
Kanfi shrugs and steps towards the door, rapping lightly. He IS curious about what Diamond's doing in there. after all.
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: The knock sounds like the stern, yet courteous knock o your captain, alright.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden cackles.
Liu doesn't look at all concerned, and in fact seems to be really getting into Diamond's story as she briskly jumps up onto one of the tables set near the door and presses herself against the wall, tilting her head to the side and nodding her head to Diamond to let him know she's prepared for the eventuality of the Captain walking in in a bluster.
"So he says that even if I pass, well, I'll still have to participate in a ritual they do. I ask what it is he and he points to a barrel, then to this gorgeous young woman of the tribe. He says, "Tomorrow, she goes in barrel. All the men get a turn at the barrel. Day after...' and the chief points to a handsome young man, 'He goes in barrel..." Diamond is obviously telling a joke at this point, and once Liu is in place he says, "Enter."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "That's an old joke...if you don't know the punchline, let me know..."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Friday is your day in the barrel..."
Kanfi pushes open the door, barely catching the tail end of the joke through the door, lips twisting up in amusement at the old tale. "So, how's it going in here?"
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "What a joke to tell an innocent young thing like Liu! :p"
<<OOC>> Liu says "And Liu was *very* interested, too."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis is the crazy uncle.
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: Okay, Wits + Awareness roll time. :)
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 7 dice: <2 4 4 6 6 7 9> for 2 successes.
Brian figures it's a mere difficulty 1 not to wallop Kanfi as he- ah, okay. You realize it is NOT the Captain at the very last second. :)
<<OOC>> Kanfi is WAY smaller than the Captain, thanks.
Diamond Borealis frowns when he sees it is Kanfi. "Well, looks like it really was my turn in the barrel. Come on in. I thought you were the captain." No, nothing to be guilty about here.
Liu hops off the table behind Kanfi and pokes him sharply in the back, and grins impishly when he turns to see her.
Kanfi jumps a little, eyeing the impish pair, the smile fading in shock before returning in full force. "Me? The captain? Well, I do think I'd look dashing shouting orders at the prow of the ship, but I'm way too scrawny for the job."
Phoenix Maiden remains where she was and tries to get the story from Aidan about how exactly he came to be looking for Swan Dragon, as long as she's not doing anything else.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Kanfi IS the Eclipse..."
Diamond Borealis motions to a stool. "Might as well get Maiden and the Hunter in here too, if that's them out there. I've got something to discuss." He opens the door further and peers out at the pair.
Phoenix Maiden peers back at Diamond, and says to Aidan, "Looks like our sorcerer's ready to tell us what he's been brewing up." She hops up and heads over that way.
Aidan smiles at Phoenix Maiden. "One of my finer moments actually, truly a glorious battle." He glances towards the open door. "But I do believe that the rest of our friends wish us to join them."
Liu walks back over to the table Diamond was working at and looks over his implements and oddments, with a strong air of "I'm not touching anything, I swear" in her manner as she does so.
Kanfi flops himself down on the stool and stretches. It's a nice day to almost get punched by your Circlemate!
Phoenix Maiden looks for a place to sit, or at least lean against when she enters. "So," she says to Diamond. "I imagine you've been thinking about our potential problem." She glances at the ceiling above, towards the deck.
"I have." Diamond holds up the distilled bottle. "This is ... well, it started out as akava. Now it's a soporific. Like I was telling Liu...remember when you were mortal and how you felt after a couple days without sleep when you finally laid down to rest? That on the verge of collapse fuzzy feeling? Well, this should put the problem into that state if we slip it to him. Then we can question him."
Liu nods in support of Diamond's plan. "It should be pretty easy to get to his cup at dinner tonight."
Phoenix Maiden raises her eyebrows and nods slowly. "It's worth noting we don't know that he's an enemy, or even being manipulated by enemies. He's been loyal so far - that we can know for sure, anyhow - and it'd be an ill turn to mistreat him too much." She shrugs. "More practically, how long will the effects last, would you say? It wouldn't do to have the captain out of commission if serious problems come up."
Aidan says "I just wish I could better explain the sensation I have about him. I would hate for my suspicions to cause harm to an innocent."
Phoenix Maiden shrugs. "I doubt being drowsy will cause him any harm."
Kanfi shrugs and spreads his hands. "As long as there aren't any permanent side effects. Although, if he remembers us questioning him, he might get kind of... mad."
Liu splays the fingers of her right hand and then clenches it, just stretching and resettling the joints absently. "Maybe it is premature to knock him out to question him first -- but it seems more certain. And he has been loyal... but isn't that itself a little... suspicious?" She looks around at her Circle Mates. "He knows we're Anathema-- Chosen of the Sun, that is-- but he doesn't seem even a bit frightened. Resigned, if anything."
"Depends. If he's just a mortal? Several hours. But I can whip up an anti-dote with some coffee...I think." Diamond ponders that a moment, nodding his head. Yes, should be easy enough. "In case something goes wrong. But he's involved, somehow. And I aim to find out how, especially if the Sidereals are involved, the tricky bastards." He seems completely unconcerned about potential problems to the innocent. He smiles at Kanfi. "If he does, it'll be your job to convince him we did it for his own good, to make sure he wasn't under the influence of a Sidereal, or a Demon, or even one of the Deathlords.
Phoenix Maiden tilts her hand back and forth, answering Liu. "Maybe. But the rest of the crew is handling it fine, too, that I've noticed. We didn't let him know until we'd been sailing together for a while."
Brian [to Kanfi]: Make an Intelligence + socialize roll, please.
Phoenix Maiden peers at Kanfi. "It might be possible to ask him questions in a leading fashion that doesn't seem like a questioning. You're good with people," she suggests.
<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 8 dice: <2 4 5 5 6 6 8 8> for 2 successes.
Brian [to Kanfi]: Dice don't love you tonight, do they? Okay, something is niggling at the back of your head.
Brian [to Kanfi]: There's -other- people to be concerned with here... the sailors.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden commented on those last week. :p
Kanfi bites his lip. "We do have to worry about the sailors. Are we sure they're trustworthy? Or, hmm." There's something else, he's SURE of it.
Phoenix Maiden says dryly, "Or they might get a little upset if they see us drugging and questioning their captain?"
Diamond Borealis grits his teeth a second. "They aren't going to see it. We do it privately. If it turns out he's a traitor, or being influenced we can deal with it. Kanfi, you and Phoenix should be able to handle the sailors if they find out about it. If we're going to run an entire city-state, we better be able to handle a boat full of sailors."
Phoenix Maiden nods to Diamond. "I said I thought we could handle them earlier." She shrugs. "I think you should mix up an antidote first, however."
Aidan shrugs. "They don't really have all that many reasons to trust us as it is." He chuckles a bit at memories from his days in the monastery. "We are, after all, Anathema to them. Some of them still believe that we eat babies to gain our strengths. I doubt that one more strange behavior will change anything that much."
Brian says "Well, the sailors have looked at you guys with a _mixture_ of awe and fear, not just fear."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "It's got to be hard NOT to get a little impressed with a full Circle of Solars... :p"
Kanfi shakes his head at Aidan. "You don't get it. They trust us because they've seen us doing good. Sure, we put them in the line of fire with a bunch of demon pirates, but you can't say that freeing the yoked is a terrible thi-- well." He glances at his sister and sighs.
Liu chews her bottom lip, leaning back heavily against the wall of the makeshift workshop area. "So do I drop this distillation in his drink this evening, or do we wait, and maybe let Kanfi have a try at finding more out about our Captain?"
Diamond Borealis presses his lip into a line. "If Kanfi talks to him first, we may not get a chance to put the soporific in his drink. If he is set against us, that could alert him." He shakes his head and turns around, moving items on his bench to open a pouch filled with coffee grounds, starting to work on the antidote. He's made his position clear, and added what he has to say about it to the conversation; the rest can decide.
Phoenix Maiden glances at Kanfi, and agrees quietly. "No, you can't, can you?" She looks back to the rest of the Circle. "I still think I could manage them - though it would get messy if the captain IS a traitor and sterner steps are needed than a polite, if drugged, conversation - but it'd get even MORE messy if he is a traitor, we don't discover it, and he sets them on us. The only thing that concerns me, particularly is the risk of mistreating someone who has possibly not betrayed us. We have obligations in return..." She frowns.
Brian says "Kanfi, Aidan, how are you two feeling about this at the moment?"
<<OOC>> Aidan says "I'm good to go with whatever is decided. Drugging him sounds like a good idea."
Phoenix Maiden sighs and nods. "We go with the drugging, then. Kanfi, you can do the questioning - I trust your tact more than anyone else's, including my own." She glances around the Circle, addressing everyone. "Figure out what we need to ask now, because it'll be a bit less subtle if we're all chiming in suspiciously once things have started." She stretches, leaning her shoulders back. "It's worth noting that if he's been influenced subtly, he might not know, and questions will do little good. And unless we get proof of betrayal, we can hardly betray the service he has given us with sterner measures."
Diamond Borealis has the coffee brewing and turns back around. "I know a charm that will help. I'll know if he's lying. We need to ask him if he knows Aidan, if so, how. Ask him how he feels about Aidan. How he feels about us. We'll ask him what our destination is. And we'll ask him for whom he works. And if he lies too much, then I start asking questions down here, and the rest of you might not want to be around." He rests his hands on his knees, neither eager for such an eventuality, nor shying away from its necessity either.
Kanfi nods to the questions-- up until Diamond threatens to do-- something. His thoughtful, if concerned, expression darkens. "Those are good questions, but I'd feel better if I or my sister was privy to that conversation if he... mm, isn't as candid as we might like. We should also ask him about the crew. If anyone's been getting restless about our presence. Not entirely on topic, but it's as good a time as ever to find out."
Liu nods and picks up the little vial of potion and with a flashy sleight-of-hand tucks it into her sash. Next to the one of the knives she keeps on her person at all times now. Liu is getting, if not hard, then at least not squeamish. Her Circle is plotting a war to overthrow the Realm -- what is noble on a large scale is also noble on a small scale. Tortuous interrogation, when warranted, is within her abilities.
<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Mine? Kanfi's a little disturbed, but can see why his Circle might think it's a necessity. On the other hand, Diamond threatening to do something in private makes him very, very twitchy."
Phoenix Maiden eyes Diamond. "If he's lying in a particularly suspicious pattern, we can consider that. But in that case, it doesn't need to be quite that private. My concern is for the innocent, not the guilty." She frowns. "And in case he's not everything he seems to be, I might recommend coming to dinner with defensive Charms up."
Phoenix Maiden adds, "Keep in mind, we may have subtle allies as well as enemies."
Diamond Borealis shrugs his shoulders. "Suit yourself. If either of you want to be here, but if he's lying to us, and I think he's planning to betray us, I'll find out what danger he represents one way or another. Because I'm concerned about us and me first and foremost." He isn't making a threat, more a statement of intent. "And yes, ask him about the crew. Don't be afraid to ask him pointed questions. Ask if there's anyone in the crew who's loyalty he's concerned about. Or if there's anyone on the ship about whom we should be concerned. I hope he's truthful." He grins at Liu then goes back to working on the antidote.
The process is much like for the first. A small piece of jade in a beaker, the dregs of the coffee which has the strongest caffeine poured over it. And another First Age song, this time a work chant sung by factory-cathedral worker-priests to keep them alert.
<<OOC>> Brian says "This is for the antidote, right?"
Liu wrinkles her nose cutely at Phoenix Maiden's suggestion to have Defensive charms up and grins, "Diamond sinks when he's Bronze, though, and we're on a ship." She turns to the most beautiful Eclipse in the whole wide Creation, and asks, "Kanfi-- after I slip this mess into his drink, you'll help play off his sudden sleepiness, right?"
Phoenix Maiden shakes her head at Diamond's words. "Unless he starts lying suspiciously, the less sharply we question him, the better. Whether we CAN control resentment of an honest man at being suspected or not - and we can - having to do so would be more distasteful." To Liu, she nods. "Diamond... is more obvious; he probably should wait. I suggest we invite the captain to dine with us privately so as to avoid having to explain things to the crew if not necessary."
Kanfi shakes his head at their artificer's attitude. Diamond doesn't know the meaning of tact, does he? But he offers Liu a smile. "No worries on my end. I can pull this off too."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Okay, I want everyone to make Conviction and Compassion rolls-- tell me which one is which."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Comp, first, Conv, second."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 1 die: <8> for 1 success.
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 3 dice: <5 10 10> for 4 successes.
<<OOC>> Aidan says "That's going to be not good. Compassion first, then Conviction..."
<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 1 die: <1> for a botch!
<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 2 dice: <6 7> for 1 success.
<<OOC>> Liu says "Compassion first, then Conviction."
<<DICE>> Liu rolls 3 dice: <2 3 4> for 0 successes.
<<DICE>> Liu rolls 2 dice: <2 5> for 0 successes.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Conviction, Compassion."
<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 2 dice: <1 7> for 1 success.
<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 3 dice: <4 5 10> for 2 successes.
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Botched compassion. 1 sux on Conviction."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "2 on Compassion, 1 on Conviction."
<<OOC>> Liu says "zero success for each, but no botch."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Conviction"
<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Comp, then Conviction."
<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 2 dice: <5 7> for 1 success.
<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 2 dice: <4 6> for 0 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Okay. Hmm. Liu, you're totally at ease with either plan; where you go is up to you. Kanfi, PM, you have some doubts about the plan as proposed, but no -major- twinges on the heart at the moment. Diamond, you're -certain- of your plan, and Aidan, while you may not love the plan, you -hate- the Captain, deep in your heart."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Roll for my attempt at an antidote?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yes-- +2 dice, +1 success for having already made the thing in the first place."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 11 dice: <1 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 6 9 10> for 3 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Okay, good enough. :)"
Phoenix Maiden sighs and shakes her head again, a still bothered, but with no better ideas herself. "We should check on Swan Dragon again. If he's still fine, we should probably ask the captain to eat with us in another cabin." She glances at Kanfi. "I'll let you tender the invitation, if you're willing."
Liu pushes herself off the wall and pats Diamond's cheek as she walks past him. "I'll go check on Swan Dragon. He'd asked me to have tea with he and Shurtimu Ji earlier but... well, I felt like they deserved their alone time." She grins and slips out of the workshop.
Kanfi stands and brushes himself off, adjusting the folds up fabric and beaded jewelry until he feels he looks perfect. "Of course, my darling sister. I would be more than willing to extend the Captain an invitation to dinner."
Diamond Borealis finishes the second elixir, nodding his head as he approves of his own work. He gets a whiff, eyes widening slightly at the potency of it. He sets that aside and waits for dinner.
Brian [to Kanfi]: Any special plans, charms, or other important information I should have for the dinner?
Phoenix Maiden nods. "Let's wait until Liu returns, so we know where we'll be wanting to eat - without Swan Dragon, I think, unless he's unstable, in which case we'll just have to cope."
<<OOC>> Liu says "I'm going to have to log off soon, Brian. But Liu's part in this should only be successfully getting the elixir into the Captain's drink."
<<OOC>> Liu says "I had it in my head that she'd actually volunteer to pour wine for everyone, being just a bit showy about it -- flamboyant, not slapstick or silly though. She would palm the vial into the hand holding the wine pitcher and actually pour the liquid in with the wine for the captain. It's clear, so unless someone's watching sharply they shouldn't be able to notice it mixing with a nice full bodied red."
<<OOC>> Brian says "And from you, Kanfi?"
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis will be using Judge's Ear Technique once we get started.
<<OOC>> Brian says "PM, Aidan, I assume you're just going to be sociable and unsociable, respectively? ^_-"
<<OOC>> Kanfi says "He's going to make chitchat, and probably use Motive Discerning Technique in a conversation about where they're going and what their adventures. When the captains starts getting tired, he'll probably get solicitous and ask questions pitched in a more... curious tone. He'll be getting quieter and softer, not sharper. Also, he'll use "Knowing the Soul's Price, and Motive Discerning Technique again (if it looks like he'll get a better answer the second time.)"
<<OOC>> Aidan will be mostly quiet. And observing. The correct hunter does not attack an unknown foe, he waits for a display of weakness.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is going to be sociable, polite, and ready to run damage control if Things Get Hairy. She will also have 5BS up, though nothing else, so she has Personal free to throw her Social Charms around if needed. Wherever possible, she'll add her assistance to Kanfi in steering conversation.
<<OOC>> Liu says "I'm actually going to go ahead and log off now. I got a thing. *hugs* Yay for threatening the NPC!"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Okay, wait, Liu."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Dex + Larceny + 2."
<<OOC>> Brian says "for the placing of the soporific."
<<DICE>> Liu rolls 8 dice: <2 3 3 5 7 8 9 9> for 4 successes.
<<DICE>> Brian rolls 5 dice: <2 3 4 8 9> for 2 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Alrighty, you can go. :)"
<<OOC>> Liu says "Whew!"
Liu has disconnected.
Brian [to Kanfi]: Okay, let's just assume you've set up a full dinner with the Captain and move from there, aye? Unless you want to be flashy about it. :)
Brian says "Alright, as I prepare for the dinner, I'll need everyone's Manipulation + Socialize or Performance."
Brian says "Just the numbers, no roll."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "9, with Performance."
<<DICE>> Brian rolls 5 dice: <2 4 7 10 10> for 5 successes.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Cripes. >_<"
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "5"
<<OOC>> Aidan says "One. And if there's a penalty for "you have no dots in that ability", then I'm probably negative."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Nope, no penalty."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Exalted privilege. :)"
<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Do I get to use my Diplomacy specialization?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yes, actually."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "WOoo. :)"
<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 12 dice: <1 2 2 2 3 3 4 8 8 9 10 10> for 7 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "Although, given your comrades' levels of ability at - no roll, just number :P - levels of ability, it probably doesn't matter."
Brian giggles madly to himself. Okay, give me a sec.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden cries.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Any time the ST starts giggling you know you're doing something he considers incredibly stupid, but he's letting you do for his own amusement."
<<OOC>> Brian says "That's not actually the case this time, though I'm still highly amused."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "I think he's mostly laughing at the fact that a Solar has a total dice pool of one die at something."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "We're all so doomed."
Later that day, as evening is drawing to a close, you gather before the captain's cabin. The golden light of your patron glitters across the deceptive, rippling surface of the sea as you make a fair clip along; the winds have been in your favor all day. The cabin boy and the cook dash out of the cabin just before you arrive, not wanting to anger or otherwise get in the way of their awesome passengers. The smells from within the cabin are absolutely delicious-- the best fare that could be rapidly gotten aboard ship. The best of the remaining chicken that was slaughtered before you made port to take on new chickens (and get some meat), some of the choice, rare fruit, and other courses waft their way out of the cabin.
The door opens as Kanfi steps forward, and your captain, a tall man wearing a broad rimmed hat opens the door. He gives a polite, but curt nod to Kanfi, saying (in what for him is a gentlemanly, er, growl), "I am glad to have you for dinner; perhaps you can tell me more of what I can expect in the..." His voice trails off as his eyes sweep the lot of you and suddenly, in Old Realm, he mutters, "Oh -HELL-." And he vanishes, as though he had never been.
Brian says "Quick, Wits + Occult rolls, difficulty 3."
<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 5 dice: <1 3 6 6 9> for 1 success.
<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 6 dice: <1 1 2 6 9 10> for 3 successes.
<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 3 dice: <1 7 8> for 2 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian says "I am incredibly amused that Aidan is, time after time, the one (or at least one of the ones, this time, we'll see) who remembers the Sidereal, even though he didn't even -know- him the first time you saw him."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden botches on occult rolls an awful lot for a so-called priestess. :p
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 9 dice: <1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8> for 2 successes.
<<OOC>> Brian rolls for Liu.
<<DICE>> Brian rolls 3 dice: <7 7 9> for 3 successes.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden cackles.
<<OOC>> Brian falls down laughing. Of the people who are -actually here-, only Aidan remembers, though Liu will remember as well.
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Lollerskates. Liu and I remember him, and the Occult-Monkey is clueless."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "So the priestess and the sorcerer are clueless. >_<"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Again."
<<OOC>> Kanfi is amused that the person who isn't HERE gets full successes.
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Forgive me, for my brain is stuck in first gear tonight. Is this the same siddie as AK'd out of the battle with the other siddie?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yup! ^_^ You know that -now-."
<<OOC>> Aidan is completely confused at this point.
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "This is why I hate Sidereals."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "I'll holler at you tomorrow when I have more braincells that actually work, I think."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "So, for those of us that had no dice love, what's the situation about 'the captain was never here?'"
Brian says "Okay, Diamond, Phoenix, Kanfi, what the three of you remember is that you discovered this morning that the Captain had vanished, seemingly into the blue water or sky, without land or other ship in sight. You've been able by force of personality to keep the ship going and the sailors from mutiny, but it's tough going, and none of you are really SAILORS. You'd decided, once you had Swan Dragon calmed-- and Diamond, you made a powerful soporific, just in case he had to be sedated-- to meet together in the captain's cabin to investigate for clues as to his disappearance."
Brian says "Aidan, and later Liu (who at this moment, I'm going to say is -not- actually with you, but down with Swan Dragon keeping an eye on him with the sedative), remember this, but -also- remember the phantom of what might have been, before Avoidance Kata's retroactive prophecy took effect. It's hazy, like a dream-- but it just doesn't feel _right_, and you've got the most overwhelming sense of deja vu."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "So I assume no fancy pants dinner spread? :p"
<<OOC>> Brian says "No, that's still there. The crew's still in awe/fear."
<<OOC>> Brian says "They made it for your dinner, you see. :P"
<<OOC>> Brian was not expecting to get -5- successes there; was going to base his reaction on whether or not he passed 3 of the 5 of you, and instead he got 4. Oh well.
Phoenix Maiden blinks at dinner. "We don't have time to waste with dinner. Let's search this room." She grumbles. "It's not that I'm worried about the crew mutinying - but I'm no captain."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Would I be able to recognize that this is roughly the same sensation as I had after the fight with the other siddie? And this is the proper explanation for the weirdness I had before? It *was* the same siddie, and I'm somehow (bless the dice) partially immune to Avoidance Kata so far?"
Brian [to Aidan]: Yup!
Brian [to Aidan]: Though you don't know Avoidance Kata.
<<OOC>> Brian says "If it makes you feel any better though, Diamond, Araji Yung just got Pattern Bit for that stunning violation of his Resplendent Destiny, plus other various shenanigans."
<<DICE>> Brian rolls 1d10 <6> for 6 total.
<<DICE>> Brian rolls 1d10 <1> for 1 total.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "So, ST, in this reworking of the pattern, did Aidan still tell me that he had a weird feeling from the captain? That was before we left the harbor, after all."
Aidan glances first at Phoenix Maiden, and then again at the table. "Surely you don't intend to leave all of this food to spoil? Personally, I find that I work better on a full stomach." The feeling of Deja Vu is strongest now, but his reactions are carefully controlled.
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "...In fact, we were talking about it before we left the harbor, so probably before he vanished."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "As a Circle, I mean."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yes he did."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "I'm trying to figure out the odds that Aidan would be able to connect the dots between "weird feeling right after the we fought a sidereal" and "weird feeling when the captain vanished". I want to ask Diamond some questions about his knowledge of Sidereals, but I'm not sure if I actually have enough IC knowledge to justify it."
<<OOC>> Brian says "If you're feeling guilty, give me an Int + Lore roll."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Also, did his Kata do anything about the botched Compassion roll, or do I still have a great hatred for our now-vanished Captain?"
<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 4 dice: <2 3 5 9> for 1 success.
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Are we in his room?"
Phoenix Maiden glances at Aidan. "We can eat it after. He vanished and no one saw him go overboard. If your bad feeling was right, we've probably been set up, and I want to find out what we're sailing into.
<<OOC>> Aidan says "We're in the Captain's room, with a now not-quite-as-sense-making banquet table."
<<OOC>> Brian says "You still hate-- actually, he's giving you a migraine, so you probably hate him more-- and yes, you're in his cabin. And... you have enough to make the "sidereal" connection, though not -why-."
Kanfi grabs a piece of fruit and begins munching, leaning against the table. "I'd say that this is weirder than usual, except that it isn't. So we know that the captain vanished into thin air. Magic's probably the only thing that explains how he could leave, or be spirited away."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Stunting an Investigation roll. Also, channelling Conviction if possible. And using Ten Magistrates eyes."
Diamond Borealis stares at the table of food. He never comes up for meals and scratches his head, unable to figure out why he's even up here. "Why are we waisting time eating? The son of a bitch was a Sidereal." He doesn't know how he got away, or why things are like they are, but I'm going to find out." He stands up then and taps the ambient essence all around him. He can feel the way it connects the room to the rest of the ship, and the ship to the sea and barnacles, the sails to the wind and the wind to the sea. His eyes close as he focuses, then open them, seeing with the eyes of Ten Magistrates, taking in all the details of the room, methodically looking through his papers and personal effects, ignoring the rest of the group and the delicious smells of the meal as he channels his anger into finding any clues that may be hidden as to who the Captain really was or how he managed to vanish into thin air and slip their net.
Aidan manages not to look disappointed at the missed opportunity, though he does grab a particularly succulent morsel before turning to face Diamond. "Quite frankly this whole thing still just feels wrong to me." He pauses to devour the bit of chicken. "It really is a shame to waste this, the chicken is quite good. Diamond, your knowledge of lore far exceeds mine, especially since the Immaculates that I learned from don't seem to want to even admit the existence of this particular bit. How much do you know about the Sidereal Exalted?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "... Nice. +3 successes from TME, right? Also, 2-dot stunt there."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "4 auto sux."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Roll 'em."
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Per + Inv?"
<<OOC>> Brian says "Yup."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 8 dice: <2 3 3 4 5 8 8 10> for 4 successes.
<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Why is Kanfi suddenly reminded of a certain, surly investigator of his acquaintance?"
Phoenix Maiden nods to Kanfi. "And add to that Aidan's uncanny feeling about him..." She pauses, and nods firmly in agreement with Diamond. "For all we know, we're sailing into a trap, or the ship is going to sink under us in an hour. We must know. Food can wait."
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: Everything-- _everything_ about this Cabin is wrong. There's something fucked-up about the essence-flows, as though powerful centers of local dragon whiskers had been there- but not- and it doesn't make -sense-. You are qualitatively _certain_ that this room has both been unoccupied until the cook and the cabin boy came in, and that someone was in and out of it all day. Furthermore, by the scuffmarks on the bed, and the footprint-patterns on the floor that correspond to the strange not-there dragon whiskers, whoever used this room practiced martial arts on a regular basis, though of no discernible higher form. Finally, there are little slivers of what you're -certain- is starmetal in the edge of one part of the dresser, though to what purpose, you cannot say.
Diamond Borealis is kneeling near the bed. He runs his bare hand along the floor. His temper flaring to the point his pulse pounds at his temple. He raises up slowly and moves to the dresser, leaning in close he takes a knife from his pocket and begins to chip out tiny, almost microscopic pieces of Starmetal. He scrapes those into his hand, and steps over to the table. He takes a glass of wine and dumps it unceremoniously into a soup bowl, ruining the soup. He wipes it clean and drops the slivers into the cup.
"They are a type of Celestial Exalted. Servants of the Maidens. They were and probably still are involved with Fate and prophecy. They mastered odd martial arts in the first age." He pauses and adds. "And the demon-fellating bastards betrayed us. They were the ones that inspired the Dragonbloods to rise against us, according to Othlak. There's confusion over the why, hell, even that part is largely unknown to savants. But I aim to get my hands on one, preferably this particular bit of bootslime, and ask some very pointed questions. Because there was definitely one of them in here. I don't know how he did it, maybe a spell, or more likely a martial art technique, or maybe just because of his position in the Celestial Bureaucracy, but he caught a whiff of it and was able to leave before we got here."
Phoenix Maiden frowns. "We must have been overheard," she says to Aidan, "Discussing on the deck. I didn't think anyone was near enough to hear us."
Aidan allows his eyes to close for a moment, arranging the information in his head, memorizing it. "I believe that this same Sidereal was present at the battle in the Lap. It's the only explanation that makes sense." His eyes snap open. "I have his scent now, though. He has become the hunted. Third time tricked marks the fool, and I am no fool."
Phoenix Maiden shakes her head. "But if the captain was a Sidereal, he has his own magic - like whatever took him off this boat - and he may have been using it to spy."
Phoenix Maiden nods to Aidan. "And we know one thing about Sidereal magic," she says, dryly. "They can transport themselves. It's something to keep in mind next time we confront one."
Phoenix Maiden pauses, going over what Aidan said. "There was no one else at that battle," she says, eyeing Aidan curiously, and then glancing at the others. "Was there?"
Kanfi finishes up his fruit and shrugs at his sister's question. "I was focusing on the pretty monk, sister. Don't ask me."
Diamond Borealis mutters to himself something about the Black Treatise, then his head snaps up at Aidan's words. "There was only one Sidereal there. And we killed him. Unless..." He frowns, unsure for once if it's possible for someone to pull a trick like that, something more than just teleportation.
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: Int + Lore, diff 5.
Phoenix Maiden eyes her brother tolerantly. "You know, they take vows of celibacy, right?"
Kanfi grins and reaches for one of the cups of wine, sniffing it experimentally before taking a sip. "Well, yes. What's your point?"
Aidan shrugs. "I can't explain it. I only know that the captain was here, and then he was not, and no one remembers seeing him leave." He shakes his head, gently, still trying to make sense of things. "But the feeling is the same. The wrongness. Almost as though his magic leaves echoes behind. Tracks. And tracks can be followed. I will know him, next time."
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 9 dice: <2 2 2 2 3 4 7 8 10> for 4 successes.
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Damnit."
<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Oh, so CLOSE."
<<OOC>> Aidan says "Stunt bonus?"
Brian hrms.
Phoenix Maiden just shakes her head and peers at Diamond. "There were two colors of at our little run-in with the Lintha..."
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: Roll -one- more die. Just one die, by itself.
<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 1 die: <5> for 0 successes.
<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Worth a shot."
Brian [to Diamond Borealis]: From what you know of -your own- Charms, it wouldn't make sense with how you deal with Creation. It _might_ for weavers of Fate, given the power of a Celestial but... nothing concrete.
Diamond Borealis shakes his head. "They deal with Fate, the..." he searches for words. "If essence is the raw material of Creation, then Fate is the product made by its weave and weft. They work with that. There's no telling what they are capable of, but obviously they can duck out of the way of trouble, if he's done it twice." He takes his hat of and swears profusely, a long string of profanity. "I want to talk to some of the officers, find out more about this Captain, what they think they know about him." He looks over at Kanfi. "And I promise, I'll be nice."
Kanfi rolls his eye and raises his glass in a mocking salute. "Want me to come with, so I can elbow you in the ribs when you're being untactful? Of course, that will mean my elbow will be constantly stuck to your stomach..."
Diamond Borealis holds up his left hand beside his shoulder, his right flat against his chest. "Me? Alright, you ask the questions. If I sense any of them are telling an untruth, I'll be the bad constable to your good constable. Fair enough?"
Phoenix Maiden snorts. "Don't worry. We'll all be going. Because we need to get a new captain and change course, and settle their nerves. I think we can easily say this Sidereal is not our friend and he knows where we plan to go."
Kanfi smiles brightly at Phoenix Maiden. "But I wanted to be the good constable!"
Phoenix Maiden chuckles at her brother. "You can play good constable if we find your cute monk again." She peers at Diamond and Kanfi. "We need to figure out where we should land now. We'll want to present that information to the ship's officers before we do so. I'm sure the Sidereal will be planning a reception committee for us."
<<OOC>> Brian says "Aaaand I think I'm going to end it there, and open next session with PM rabble-rousing. 5 XP to everyone for having the GM laughing out loud during multiple parts of the game."
