[ Last time on Otherworld, Mark discovered the heart of the cards, and Theo revealed that his last name is really 'Kaiba'. ] (That hasn't happened yet. Shh!) [ Alright, not so much. Shut up, I'm tired. ] ( I can draw the Fool card at will! Ya daft lad, that's the only card ye have!) [ What really happened is that they met a mysterious person who helped them discover mysterious powers and then led them mysteriously out of their not- so-mysterious dungeon into a semi-mysterious cartwright's shop where there stuff was mysteriously stored. ] [ It is now roughly 9:30pm, the next day. The cartwright's shop appears to be abandoned, and since nobody wanted minis I presume you wandered around doing whatever pleased you until nowish. No guards, police, or anybody official- looking accosted any of you. Wacky. ] * Theodore casually goes over to the cart and gets the copy of his notes that he hid earlier. [ If you're into appointment-keeping, you have one at 10pm at a tavern called the Maiden of Irises. It's dark, but there's a harvest moon and the Smithstadt is lucky enough to have streetlights. Go! Unless you're Theo who already went. ] (Sorry. Jumped the gun. ^^;) (YOU WILL BE ANNIHILATED.) (Alright, actually not. But I could if I wanted to!) (We believe you.) (*Mark fears the wrath of the GM!) * Magellan has been wandering around Smithstadt, smelling the smells and peeking his head into random shops. Maybe he visited people? YOU DON'T KNOW! Since you weren't with him. He's here now, though. * Mark has quite unfortunatly slept through his chance to explore the town, and can be heard snoaring somewhere within his truck. * Khyra strolls into the cartwright's shop like she hasn't a care in the world. Presumably, she spent the day exploring and acting like she belonged there. After all, if you look like you know what you're doing, people are less likely to question you! Or so she thinks. [ If air conditioning had been invented, it would kick on. ] * Maimun did a bit of wandering himself. Which should be no particular surprise. He is back now, and looking slightly curiously at the card that Teros gave him oh-so... well, not so long ago, really. * Magellan leans back in a haypile. "Ye know, I've ne'er heard o' a place called the Maiden of Irises." (Compressor check, freon...damn) (Maybe it can be an artifact.) With everything else that's been going on, I wouldn't be surprised if it simply appeared in front of us at the appointed time. (We don't need coolant. We'll just supercompress air, then release it with a massive drop in temp. Go PV = nRT.) (...won't that, like, take out a city block when it happens?) (Naw. Well, not if I did my calculations right that day.) (Same reason why cans of air get frosty when you use them.) (Too much heat during compression, and we can't make seals strong enough to hold it without magic) (I can provide air conditioning, actually.) There do be a place called Jack and Iris, a few blocks from here. (ENOUGH SCIENCE! Roleplay.) * Theodore calmly puts the notes in the trunk. "Well, this should be interesting regardless." (Man, why does Mullenwald have to be GERMANIC? *scampers off to find a place name*) * Maimun nods slightly. "It will be hard to attend this meeting with 'Robin' without knowing where to appear." (Had to look up the name. ^^;) (Oh good. I was about to have Godzilla stomp by. c.c) * Khyra shrugs. "I say we go to the place with the similar name. It's a start, at least." Aye, we'll try the bar, show a little early. Yes, we can ask around if need be. * Maimun looks at the card for a second, then puts it back inside his robe. "If things continue as they have been, we will all be taken there at the appropriate time anyway." Aye. Yes. * Khyra grabs her traveling pack and slings it over her shoulder. "Shall we?" [ A clock over a workbench ticks. 9:45! ] * Magellan struggles out of the haypile. "Aye." He grabs his wrench. * Maimun nods and stands as well. * Khyra eyes the truck. "Someone wake him up." * Theodore nods. "So, let's discover what all this manipulation was for." (I elect Mags.) * Magellan pounds on the truck with a ham fist. "Up an' at 'em, lad!" Mhrhm? Up, lad! Time te gae! * Theodore walks outside and waits on Magellan. * Khyra heads out as well. What... already? Aye. Hurry yer drowsy self. [ The darkness of almost 10 grabs Mark by the throat and SHAKESHAKESHAKES. ] * Mark climbs out of the back of the truck. * Magellan heads out the barn! * Maimun lets the engineers do their thing as well, shuffling out. He's got the facepaint on again and is hooded. La la, not suspicious here. * Mark yawns and then follows Mags out. * Magellan starts walking towards the bar! Lo, follow the stocky madman. [ Outside is... it's dark, but you only know that because of how bright everything else is. From the omnipresent sound of hammers, gears, cogs, and engines (and, uh, swearing on occasion), coupled with the lamps and flashing doo-dads, it's almost like being at a carnival. It may be loud and a little sooty, but it is certainly alive, even at this late hour. Welcome to Smithstadt. ] * Khyra lets Magellan lead, as he's the one familiar with the town. (And even if he weren't, he'd probably have the best sense as to where to find a bar. Her sense runs more to inns.) Ach.... times be, I miss this place like I'd miss me arm if I lost it. * Theodore isn't wearing his jacket and quite as duffed up as is his normal manner. Almost as if he doesn't want to be clearly identified now for some reason. (We wonder why.) * Mark yawns again, "Shoulda looked around when I had the chance." * Maimun says, simply, "It certainly seems like your sort of town." [ The Jack and Iris tavern comes into view. Apparently you're at the edge of the Smithstadt and it shows; it's almost as if there's a demarcation line on the cobblestone streets. But, once you're out of the haze of the 'stadt, mostly, you can see what extends far beyond it: Stromgarde. And boy, is there a lot of it. The famously tall Royal Castle dominates the landscape to the northeast, toward the river. ] Aye. Course, the view's better outside it. * Khyra does not gape, but she looks suitably impressed. * Theodore smiles. "Quite a town, I'll have to return here once I've established myself." * Magellan peers. "Bigger'n I remember it." * Mark pushies his glasses faurther up the brige of his nose, "What'd they use to lift the stones?" * Maimun glances around slightly, and then just mms. (Nobody knows. The castle is older than the city. There are rumors that the castle is older than the *country*.) I cannae remember that, lad! I barely remember where me own shop lay. * Khyra takes a better look around, now that they're out of Engineer Territory. * Mark tries the often difficult task of pondering and walking at the same time. [ There isn't much to see since the Smithstadt is actually lower than the rest of the city, elevation-wise, and it's terribly crowded. Take every vision you've ever had of a Munich Oktoberfest. That's more or less the architectural style. The only other visible major landmark is Vanguard Hill, west of the palace, where the homes of the OMGWEALTHY are arrayed. ] * Magellan heads to the bar! "If ye keep gawkin', we'll be late." * Khyra gazes at Vanguard Hill for a while, then shakes her head and follows Magellan. * Theodore looks around appreciatively, although he bumps into the occassional person as he's used to being given a little extra room. "My, I really need to come here once I'm *well* established." [ The tavern beckons! It does not develop a huge maw and eat you because that would be silly. ] (It has to wait until we get closer.) * Mark bumps into his sixth or seventh person, and then decides that he'd be better off concentrating on walking and not the lifting of heavy objects. * Theodore comes in. * Magellan heads inside, acting very much like he's been here before. Probably because he has. * Maimun continues walking, and, in contrast, avoids people very much. [ The inside is, uh... insert matte painting of typical RPG bar. A few people remind you, if pestered, that times are tough. Two bartenders, stocky Nordic-looking people with red hair, sit behind the bar. They are red-haired, one male, one female. The female is wearing an iris in her hair. ] [ There's not many people here; apparently it's sort of a 'fringe bar'. The hardcore quaffers are in deeper circles toward Frygia. ] * Magellan waves to the bartenders, and bellies up to the bar. * Khyra glances around to see if there's a good area to set up a performance. It never hurts to have something to refer back to in the future. [ There is a keyboard-looking thing in the corner. The more urbane might recognize it as a pipe organ. There's a little wooden box with two doors next to it. That's about it for entertainment. ] [ The male bartender smiles at Magellan. "Good to see ya, sir. What can I do for you?" ] * Mark reaches the door and walks in. After a short bout of glancing around he walks up to the bar and waits to hear what Mags orders. * Khyra does not know how to play an organ. Sigh. * Theodore heads up to the bar he looks over the options. * Magellan grins. "The usual." Does he know what it is? Does the bartender? Looks like we'll find out. [ There's... kegs, for the ubiquitous beer. And then a variety of liquor bottles you might expect to find in a higher-class establishment, though most look fairly full. The bartender looks at Magellan with a toothy smile. "Since I've never met ya before, old man, 'the usual' isn't too helpful." ] * Khyra looks at the woman with the iris. Ach, my memory is goin'. House ale, then. * Maimun slowly wanders his way up to the bar, trying to take everything in. He eventually makes it to the bar and has a seat. * Mark snorts and orders a half pint of the same. [ The man nods. Now we're in familiar territory. "Alright, then. You two new workers around here?" He plunks down two mugs of reasonably good-looking lager in front of Mark and Mags. The woman smiles at Khyra. "Aren't you a pretty thing? What's someone like you doing in a coal-covered mudpit like the Smithstadt?" ] * Theodore waits his turn, examining the liquor. * Khyra smiles back. "Fufilling a bit of curiosity. That's a lovely flower you have, by the way." * Magellan drains half of it in one go. He thunks it down. "In a way, lad. Revisiting old haunts, maybe lookin' fer a few odd projects here and there." [ The bartender nods. "You look like you belong here, that's for certain. Something I can get for you, sir?" he says, swiveling toward money. I mean Theo. ] * Mark shrugs, and while what he does to the ale can be found somewhere between sip and chug in any good thesourus. [ The bartend...ress? laughs at Khyra. "Why thank you. Was a little bauble I got from... someone I used to know," she says smoothly. The bartender, cleaning a glass as he waits on Theo, makes a nice extra-hard SQUEAK of cleaning when she brings that up. "Everlastin' iris. Won't ever wilt." ] (*flip, flip* ... guzzle!) * Theodore looks up, he gestures to one of the higher quality liquor bottles. "A cup if you please, unless you'd have another recommendation." Really? How lovely! I'd never heard of such a thing. I'd imagine they're incredibly rare. * Magellan turns around and scans the bar. (... clarify. Scans the people at the tables in the tavern.) (A cup of what? Am I lacking some terminology? ^_^) (the bar is made of wood, is highly polished and has 57/60 HP remaining :P) (It's weak to fire and immune to beer.) (He pointed at a bottle.) (A bottle of liquor that he gestured at. I don't really know the name of good stuff. ) * Maimun sits there and looks like a mook in a robe. You stick with what you're good at. [ "It's magicked, is what it is. Ah, what a gentleman that one was." *SQUEAK* The bartender says with a forced smile. "Coming right up, sir. That's 10 copper for the lot of you, or 2 each for the ale and 6 for the brandy if it's separate." The bar patrons are... well, the 'service people' of the Smithstadt seem to come here. Not hardcore mechanics, but apprentices, cleaning people, cooks, keysmiths, and the like. Nobody seems to give you much notice either way. "Is there something bringin' ye here, missy?" the bartendress asks Khyra. ] * Theodore puts down money to cover the group. * Theodore smiles slightly at the others. "If no one objects." Nae. Much obliged, lad. If you insist. (What's Mark's tone on that?) * Maimun doesn't object, because he's not drinking. He turns slightly to look over at the door. (A little surprised, mostly nutral.) Again, it's mostly curiosity. [ "I see. Well, have a seat if you want something to drink." She goes about her business. The bartender cleans glasses, though he and the lady have a little whispered and somewhat heated conversation about just how many people she's bedded and god, that flower looks horrible on her anyway, can't you just forget him? ] [ The door, meanwhile, leaps up, steals Maimun's cloak, and runs into the night giggling like a schoolgirl. ] (;_;) * Theodore chucklees slightly as he goes to take a seat. * Mark drinks the drink and watches the free entertainment. (... did that really happen?) (c.c;) (It's in block quotes, dammit. >_<) * Khyra stifles a smirk and orders a mug of cider. (if it did Mark's getting an added comment about the ale being stronger than he though it would be. @_@) (Haw.) (...the door does not steal anybody's clothing. You idiot. c.c) (Hey, we've got a magical floating prankster around, who know's what's possible.) (Then don't put it in GM quotes. >_< We just magicked ourselves out of a jail, and ... yeah.) * Magellan quaffs the rest of the ale, and plops down the mug, motioning for another dose of Mags' medicine. * Maimun doesn't lose his comforting cloak. Is there a clock in here? (* Mark feels sorry for the person sitting behind Mags.) [ You drink! When they're empty, they're refilled if you ask! People come and go! The bartenders start moving to opposite sides of the bar, looking sulky! Holy exclamation points! A clock (you'd expect no less of a Smithstadt bar) says it's 10:07. ] * Khyra sits at Theodore's table after she receives her mug of cider. She sips and waits. * Magellan nudges Mark. "Mayhap the wrong bar, lad." * Theodore nurses his drink as he does like to stay sober, "Can't say I'm surprised, punctuality and magic often don't go together." * Mark looks at Mags, "This one had the right name, didn't it?" Do you think I should talk to the woman with the iris again? Nae. Just close. Oh... Any other bars around here with close names? * Maimun finally looks over at the bartenders and tries to get the woman's attention. Nae that I remember, lad. * Mark humms for a bit, "Unless you've got a map, we'll have to ask." [ The lady, who we'll call 'Iris' for now because 'bartendress' is stupid, walks over to Maimun. "What can I do for you?" ] * Maimun looks up at her and says, in an apologetic voice, "Pardon me, but the name of the bar wouldn't have happened to have been changed recently, would it?" [ She shakes her head. "No, we've always been the Jack and Iris ever since Jack and I started the place. What bar are you lookin' for? If you don't mind my askin'." ] * Maimun smiles slightly at her. "Maiden of Irises, I'm afraid. We saw the iris name and figured it was unique enough that there wouldn't be two in the same town." [ Both bartenders come to what might be considered a screeching halt, before both turn to Maimun and walk over, leaning on the bar. They speak in confidential tones. "Maiden of Irises, you say," Jack says. "Are you lookin' to meet someone there?" ] * Theodore nods. "That we are." (And here they were being confidential to me. ;_;) Aye. * Maimun blinks, in the darkness of the hood, then nods slightly. * Mark drinks more drink, this is obviously a job for the social people. * Khyra turns to regard the bartenders. [ Jack and Iris look at each other a moment, then Iris nods and walks into the stockroom. A moment or two later she returns and beckons to all of you to follow her, and she heads to the back of the tavern's main room. ] * Theodore follows. * Khyra gets up and heads back there. * Magellan gets up, looks around, thunks down his mug (after finishing it), and follows. * Maimun gets up and follows, putting his hands in his sleeves along the way. * Mark leaves his unfinished mug on the counter, he's not the one who's paying for it after all. (Yup, that logic is why Theo paid after people ordered rather than offering before hand. ^_~) [ Iris takes you to what looks like a dead end corner with a wine rack next to it. She hmms, then rearranges a few of the bottles. As the last one slides into its cubby, the wall slides open to a normal doorish-sized, uh... door. The large central stairwell blocks people's view of you from here. "Go on. The Maiden of Irises is downstairs. Hurry on." ] Thank you. * Theodore looks to the woman. "Thank you." He heads down. * Magellan nods, and follows! So this was the right place... Thank you. * Mark goes down the stairs. * Maimun chuckles, murmuring to himself, "Aah, fond memories," before nodding at the woman. [ Downstairs is... not far. The door shuts behind the last of you, and only the lanterns on the stairway light your way down after that. At the bottom of the stairs is... Vegas. ] * Theodore chuckles. "Seen a few secret passages before Maimun?" (Sweet! I'm old, so I get $50000 in nickels, and play slots until I die in front of it.) * Theodore's eyes widen. "My, this is unexpected." * Khyra blinks. "Yes. I'll say." * Maimun nods slightly. "They are very usef..." he gets to the bottom of the stairs, and responds, "Very." ... aye. [ Apparently, the Maiden of Irises is a casino, or something like it. A huge chandelier lights the place, which is straight out of that ep of TNG with the Casino Royale thing. Only no slots because this is steampunk. Card tables, roulette and dice games, though? Yes. And a bar. ] Must net quite the profit, though that be more your thing, Theo. Well, the profit tends to be higher if you don't have a secret entrance. But I suppose there's something to be said for exclusivity. High stakes, lad, high stakes. * Magellan wanders into the room... and towards the bar. It's nice to be predictable. * Khyra tries to take in as much as she can. * Maimun nods. "More than likely." * Mark glances around at the various ways to lose money, "Eh." * Maimun looks over at Khyra and says with a grin. "This place looks much more like it could use some entertainment, don't you think?" * Khyra smiles back. "Oh, most definitely. Although I'd imagine they have provisions for something..." * Theodore looks around. "I prefer investment and entrepeneurship, the house doesn't always win." It does if ye have some engineers on yer side, lad. * Magellan grins. * Mark blinks and then nods.... and then nods again. * Theodore looks over to Magellan with a smile. "I do my best to make sure I always do." Right now, though, we have an appointment to keep. Aye. Where be the scamp? [ An attendant walks over and gives you the eye. "Can I help you gentlemen, and lady?" ] We're here to meet a gentleman named Robin. [ He raises an eyebrow. "I don't know any gentleman named Ro..." He's cut off by another attendant coming over and whispering something in his ear, and then the *other* eyebrow goes up. "I see... come this way." He wanders off toward the tables. ] * Khyra hmms softly and follows him. * Magellan follows, looking longingly at the bar. * Mark shakes his head as his latest idea runs into a snag and follows the others. * Maimun follows. Yes. Follows. * Theodore nods and follows along, sizing up how much money exactly is changing hands. [ You're taken to a nice round table with a velvet-seated booth around one half, and chairs around the other. Seated at it is a beautiful young woman with silver hair dressed in a fairly plan black dress, and she smiles at you as you approach. "Ah, you must be Robin's friends. A pleasure." ] * Theodore smiles back. "Quite, my name is Theodore Godspeed, what may I call you?" * Magellan flops down in one. * Mark takes a chair, less work than sliding around into the booth. * Khyra sits in one of the chairs. (Is it large enough that we all get chairs, or are we going to have to sit in the booth too?) (Okay, I can understand the engineers being rude enough to not wait for an invitation to sit, but the bard? @_@) [ She waves a hand for you to have a seat and sips a cup of tea from a nice-looking set on the table. Places are set for all of you, and surprisingly the din of the casino is rather lessened here. "My name is Maritza Veldemiere. Although there are some that call me the King of Winter." She smiles at that. ] (Sorry; I'm a little tired.) (You're right, though; it is OOC. I apologize.) * Khyra sits in one of the chairs after she is invited to sit! * Theodore takes a seat. "My, that's quite a title, may I ask why they call you that?" * Maimun blinks in the darkness, and speaks up. "The King of Winter. I... honestly have to say it's an honor." (Sorry. There are four chairs.) * Theodore has a tone of impressed curiosity. * Magellan looks around. People talking! Engineer don't understand. * Mark blinks at the "king" of winter with a bit of confusion and cleans his glasses and looks again. [ Maritza chuckles. "I can understand why someone from an upstanding family such as yourself has never heard the name, Master Godspeed, but it appears your friend has. If you like, we can discuss it later. Tea, anyone?" ] * Maimun takes a seat booth-side, since everyone's glommed the chairs. "Yes, please." Yes, if you please. I am Khyra Westwind, and I'm afraid that I am also unfamiliar with your title. Can ye put brandy in it? * Theodore smiles slightly as he gets a feel for the sort of character he's dealing with. "Ah.. certainly, well I am honored to meet the masters of other circles. And thank you for the honor you give my family." Mark Stephensen, and I'll pass. [ The silver-haired woman favors Mags with a faint smile, then snaps her fingers. A waiter almost instantly appears with a bottle of brandy that likely costs more than the block the building you're in is located on, and pours a bit in a cup of tea, then gives everyone who asked for one theirs. "I must admit, I'm a bit surprised. Robin is... let's say sometimes he asks me for small favors, so I grant them. He comes and goes like the air itself, though, so asking me for details on him won't get you anywhere." ] * Magellan blinks. "Ach. Thank ye, lass. My name be Magellan Drogg, since everyone else hae given it." * Maimun says, with a slight smile, "We were at least as surprised as you at his appearance." He lowers his hood. * Khyra sips her tea. "Very surprised." He certainly is quite good at what he does. * Mark nods. Aye. *chug*. [ Maritza sighs and leans back in the booth a bit, sipping her tea. "If only I knew what it was he does." She finishes her sip, then sets the cup down on the table. "Well, then. Shall I get right to the point, or shall we engage in some disarming banter first?" She smiles pleasantly. ] While disarming banter can be quite enjoyable, I'm all for getting to the point in this situation. Aye. Much more o' this and I'm like te fall asleep. * Theodore nods. "At the moment, I believe I shall need more than a few more years of experience to be sufficiently armed for such an interchange with you." * Maimun chuckles at Theo. [ She grins at Theo. "My, you are a charmer. As you wish, I'll get right to the point." She looks around the table. "I presume at least some of you are familiar with the Shipwright's Regatta?" ] (She right? :P) (Theo and Khyra almost certainly would be; the rest of you can decide for yourselves. It's a regatta held in the Deichschleuse every year to test new boat designs.) I've never attended one, but I have heard of it. Over one or two too many ales, mayhap. Nae so I remember much. * Theodore nods. "The more exploring oriented members of my family follow it quite eagerly. Lovely event, competition is the best way to test any new idea." [ Maritza nods. "For those who haven't heard of it, it's a boating race held every year in Deichschleuse. Different companies use it to test and improve on boat designs. Of course, there's no prize, but winning can still be quite lucrative." ] * Theodore nods and smiles at that. * Maimun has a spot of tea. Woo tea. * Mark nods. * Khyra sips a bit more tea. [Maritza leans forward on the table, folding her arms. "I'd like to sponsor you to enter the Regatta." ] * Magellan nearly chokes on his brandied tea. Ye WHAT? ...Wait what? * Theodore looks back. "Will we be ending our journey when the race is over?" [ She gives Theo a quizzical look. "What journey?" ] * Khyra looks puzzled. "I can see, perhaps, why you would want some of those who are here, but I can't say that I can see exactly how I would be of much use." * Maimun shakes his head and says, "Are we sailors, King of Winter? Some of my people sail, but I am not one of them." * Theodore gets a brief look of disappointment from guessing wrong. "Sorry, as we are an odd crew I was wondering if our role would exceed getting the boat from the start to the finish line." * Magellan looks dumbfounded. A boat... ne'er have I designed a boat... Neither have I. [ She glances at Maimun. "Please, just Maritza is fine." She then turns to Theo with a faint grin. "Ah, see... you might not necessarily be sailing. There's a man I'd like you all to meet soon. He's an engineer, and supposedly is devising this marvelous new engine that runs on something other than coal." The smile widens a little. "The Godspeeds aren't the only people of means interested in fostering new technology." ] * Magellan glances sharply at Mark. * Mark only seems a bit lost in thought at the moment. * Theodore s eyes widen slightly, he speaks with a slightly eager but still cautious tone. "Aaah. And, this project, I'd assume, is carefully arranged so that there's no ties that would call into question the standing of my family name." An ye want us to build it? Or work it? I dinnae see where we come in yet. * Mark blinks as reality catches up to him, "Wait, he has one?" * Maimun mms thoughtfully, and takes another sip. * Khyra still seems very confused. [ Maritza sits back. "I am simply interested in development, Master Godspeed. My investments are in more ephemeral stock. What you do with what you learn afterward is your own business." She glances at Mark and raises an eyebrow. "Not yet. He has... what is the word? A 'prototype'. I had heard from Robin that among you are men of substantial mechanical learning." A pause. "As well as people with... other unique talents." ] * Theodore nods and seems comforted, and still eager. * Magellan looks to Mark. "Seems yer quest be at an end. And te boot, we get te build it. Sounds like fun, aye, lad?" * Khyra nods. "Ah," she says simply. * Mark sits up straighter, "Yes, yes. Where is it?" (God, I hate my fingers. "te" IS NOT "teh"! ) [ Congratulations, you appear to have flapped the unflappable. Only a bit, though. "Normally he would work here in the Smithstadt, but he needed a boathouse. So I've provided him with a workshop near my manor on Vanguard Hill." She sighs faintly and picks up her teacup. "And it took some healthy bribes to 'calm' the neighbors about the noise, so I am hoping he can produce something viable." ] And... how do I get there from here? Slow, lad, we'll all go together. * Theodore watches Mark with a definate pleased look. [ She chuckles and sips her tea. "At least I know who the engineers are. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to meet with him later. I've arranged rooms for you at the manor to make things easier." ] * Khyra takes another sip. "And the rest of us?" * Maimun nods at Khyra's statement. * Mark nods and slumps back into his chair, "I... yeah." [ "Well, that's up to you. There's certainly plenty in Stromgarde to do, although I've found watching engineers at work to be fascinating stuff." ] (are there napkins?) How essential would it be that we remain in Stromgarde? (I'm assuming there's small paper napkins of some form, yes.) * Magellan grabs a napkin and starts scribbling. * Theodore takes a sip of her tea while the question is fielded. (his) (Is there something you're not telling us? ^_~) [ "Again, that's up to you. Although Robin tells me that the results of the regatta might be important to you." ] Ah, and was it at Robin's suggestion that you choose us for this particular venture? * Mark leans forward again, and adjusts his glasses so he can see what Mags is planning. [ She chuckles. "All he did was let me know where I could find competent people. And all he asked in return is that I offer it to you first. It is, as always, a business transaction." ] * Theodore nods, seemingly satisified. Would you mind if I took some time to think it over? * Maimun mms, and speaks up. "It is quite a stroke of luck for everyone involved, then." * Mark sits back again and pushes his glasses up onto his forehead. [ Maritza shakes her head. "Not at all. Please enjoy my hospitality until you make up your mind? It must be more comfortable than an abandoned cartwright's shop." ] * Khyra bows her head politely. "I am most grateful. In fact, I think it's nearly time I retired for the evening." Enough space in the boathouse for our things? * Magellan is scribbling, oblivious. [ She nods and snaps her fingers again. A porter shows up. "He'll provide a footman to take you there. Sleep well, Ms. Westwind." Turning to Mark, Maritza chuckles. "You'll have ample room at the manor for everything, I should think. I live alone, except for servants." ] Thank you. Good night, everyone. * Khyra stands. Good night Khyra. * Mark waves absently at Khrya, "We've got ... a wagon and a cart." * Magellan scribbles! * Maimun nods at Khyra, slightly. "Sleep well..." then returns his attention to the king. Are there any other stipulations in the sponsorship that you're offering? * Khyra departs. [ A chuckle. "Looking for a loophole? Or perhaps how it is I'm benefitting from this?" Maritza laces her fingers under her chin. "Let's just say that dealing well with Robin in the past has brought me good luck." ] * Theodore grins. "I just wish to make sure that if I accept this proposal, I'd be giving you the full service you wished. I'd hate to disappoint because of confusion over the terms." [ She laughs. "Fair enough. I am much more honest than I might first appear," she says, slipping a glance at Maimun briefly. "But the details will have to be worked out with Samuel." ] * Maimun catches the look and smiles slightly. Certainly, that's quite reasonable. Oh, there is one small matter, unfortunately the means by which Robin came to know us may have left the judicial system with the impression we were behind the murder of several guards and Magister. Quite mistaken of course. Any steps you could take to clear that up would likely save future trouble. * Mark starts to say something, and then drops it when Theodore speaks. [ Maritza raises an eyebrow at that. "I'll have someone look into the matter. Rest assured, you're safe with me for the time being." ] * Theodore relaxes and takes a sip of tea. "Thank you. I'm sorry Mr. Stephenson, I didn't mean to interrupt you." * Mark shrugs, "Was just going to say you should go meet with this Samuel." * Magellan hits the end of the napkin and blinks. ... ach. (God, you anti-social people.) (We about done?) (Probably. ^^;) (About.) (unless you intend to do engineer drooling or have the buisness types start in with som real dealing, I think so) * Theodore smiles. "Well, it appears that our engineers are quite eager to go. It has been quite a pleasure to meet you Maritza, I am happy to accept your offer, and as a sponsor you're welcome to call me Theodore if you like. However, I think it best if I don't discover more as to how you acquired that title." He grins at that. * Maimun can't help but chuckle to himself. * Magellan shakes his head. "We ought te gang home, laddie. Much work te be done tomorrow." [ Laughing, Maritza gets up. "Well, then. I've prepared a coach for you. We can send someone around later to get your things." ] Aye. Mhm... I should go. * Maimun slides out of the booth after Maritza does, and says, with a thoughtful tone, "Probably. If you're going to be working..." * Theodore nods and stands. "Well, it has been a pleasure, and I feel honored that you take such a personal attention in this matter." * Magellan stands up and heads to coaches! Social graces? Pshaw. [ She grins. "Feel honored after we've won the regatta." ] [ And so you got into a fancy coach with a beautiful woman and she took you all home with her. The end! ]