[vodacce] Eolo asks (of Niccolo), "is this going to be a problem if your connection is flaky?" [vodacce] Wilson says, "(only reason I don't is that I always forget how to turn off mail notification in tf ;-)" Amber has connected. [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Shouldn't be: I'm able to use screen right now." [vodacce] Eolo says, "cool" [vodacce] Amber says, "arrr." Giancarlo says, "hi Amber" [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Also, Eolo? Who's Wolo?" [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Er, who's Eolo?" [vodacce] Alex says (to Niccolo), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that Eolo is inky's 7th Sea character. Sneaky. Vodacce. Dangerous." [vodacce] Venzi says, "just noticing that myself" [vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee" [vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "Wewease wewowo!" [vodacce] GM says, "And here we all are." % You have new mail in /var/mail/jota [vodacce] Niccolo asks (of Alex), "Is that like little, yellow, different?" [vodacce] Alex exclaims (at Niccolo), "Awwwk! Is not! Is not!" [vodacce] GM says, "Before we begin, I'd like to settle on the next time to meet, in case any of us have to go early." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "oop gotta run the cat is on fire" Giancarlo has disconnected. Giancarlo goes home. [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Heehee. Next Thursday?" [vodacce] Chiara says, "um, no" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I'll be on a train somewhere in Ontario on Thursday." [vodacce] GM says, "My preference would be Friday or Saturday night, since no work takes place the day after those." [vodacce] Chiara says, "next Friday morning I have orals" [vodacce] Venzi says, "woo" [vodacce] Chiara says, "and Saturday night I am I think busy" [vodacce] Chiara says, "so Friday night woul be good" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I'll be on a train somewhere in Manitoba or Saskatchewan on Friday." [vodacce] (from Venzi) Chiara says "But I should be sober again by monday or tuesday" [vodacce] Chiara says, "or, hm, not" [vodacce] Chiara says (to venzi), "HUSH YOU" [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Day after tomorrow?" [vodacce] Chiara says, "the really near future is gonna be bad" [vodacce] Chiara says, "for me" [vodacce] Wilson says, "Amazingly, I have no CSz next Friday (the 14th)" [vodacce] Amber asks, "how about sunday afternoon?" [vodacce] Chiara says, "that sounds workable" [vodacce] Venzi asks (of Giancarlo), "when do you get off the train?" [vodacce] Amber says, "no work occurs on saturday, but much work occurs on friday, so friday night I'm tired." [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Hmm. I *think* I can do a week from Sunday, afternnon." [vodacce] Amber says, "but I can do friday if its best for everyone else." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I get off the train on Saturday. Then I have no idea when I will have a connection again." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I don't get back home until 12th January." [vodacce] GM says, "I see." [vodacce] GM says, "After picking dates to play, dealing with a vodacce court should be a snap for all of you." [vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee" [vodacce] GM asks, "It sounds as if we cannot meet again before Giancarlo leaves, and we cannot determine if he will have a connection before 12 January. Correct?" [vodacce] Venzi says, "I think that's the right" [vodacce] (from Niccolo) Ludovica says, "I cannot speak with you now. Can you come back tomorrow afternoon?" [vodacce] GM says, "So here's what we'll do. If Giancarlo gets a connection before then, we'll try to come up with a date. Otherwise, after tonight, Vodacce adjourned until sometime after 12 Jan." Gunther says, "BORED NOW" Gunther was pretty sure both legs were broken, but that was the worst of it. [vodacce] GM says, "At which point I should be writing my thesis, which means I can stay up all night if I want." [vodacce] Venzi says, "heh" [vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "Yay!" [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Should we make a specific day now for the post-12 contingency?" [vodacce] Venzi exclaims, "24-hour gaming? yay!" [vodacce] GM exclaims (at Venzi), "Just like college again!" [vodacce] Venzi says, "I can't play that far in advance" [vodacce] GM says, "Nor can I, really." [vodacce] Venzi says, "er, plan" [vodacce] GM says, "So let's just plan to plan after that date." [vodacce] Venzi says, "right-o" [vodacce] GM says, "And now, on to Chapter 3." [vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "It'll be just like old times! We'll get everyone together and put on a show!" Giancarlo puts on "Don Giovanni". [vodacce] GM says, "Wherein we find the party of the second part finally making their way to the bazaar." [vodacce] GM says, "(i.e. Amber, Giancarlo, Chiara)" [vodacce] GM says, "If there's anything you want to do separate from the first three, now's the time to do it." [vodacce] Chiara says, "not I" Giancarlo . o O ( Nice bazaar. Of course, nothing in comparison to what the Bernoulli usually do.... ) [vodacce] Wilson says, "http://www.bioc.rice.edu/~lpsmith/IF/7thSea/vodacce/, if anyone needs it." GM says, "It's turned into a beautiful morning." GM says, "Birds chirp. A breeze plays across the crowd." GM says, "NPCs in the background mutter 'rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb'" [vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee" Giancarlo picks up some rabbit-onna-stick from a nearby hawker. Amber sticks close to Chiara, keeping a sharp eye on the other people about. GM says, "Giancarlo, Amber, and Chiara catch sight of the other three strolling towards a painters' tent, Sabatino in the lead and talking loudly." Giancarlo says, "Aha." Sabatino says, "And all of the best painters are here today, mark my words." Chiara says, "It seems they have acquired a loquacious friend." Giancarlo says, "I remember him. He couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it." Giancarlo says, "Signor Niccolo and he should get along like wildfire." Sabatino asks (of Wilson), "Is there any style of painting you are looking for in specific?" Painter exclaims, "I have paintings! Both general and specific!" Giancarlo says, "Let us observe them a while before joining them." Sabatino looks at the painter's canvases, frowning at them. "Are these all you have?" Wilson says (to Sabatino), "My patron wanted me to look for portraits in particular." Painter asks, "Portraits?" GM says, "You note that most of what he has on display are landscapes." Venzi's gaze wanders away from the paintings, to inspect the passing crowd Niccolo discretely separates himself from the group, while Sabatino is distracted with Wilson. Painter says, "Well, yes, I have some portraits." Giancarlo stands unobtrusively in the crowd. Nothing to see here, move on. Wilson says, "There are areas he wants to fill with vertical paintings, not horizontal ones." [Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "I think I've had too much sugar. Hyper hyper." Chiara watches the others thoughtfully Painter says, "Hm. Vertical." Painter takes one of his landscapes and turns it on its side. Painter asks, "This one looks okay like this, yes?" [Crows-Nest] Giancarlo exclaims, "From a view across a beach, it's become a view alongside a cliff!" Venzi drifts away a bit also. Sabatino asks, "What, and have the river all run out of the painting and onto the floor?" Chiara turns her head to look at the painting sideways. Niccolo slips into the crowd, trying to pick up bits of interesting conversations. Chiara says, "Only if your guests enjoy standing on the walls." Amber says, "Well, if they're climbing them anyway, that could be interesting." Sabatino turns. "Ah, my good lady, well met!" Sabatino exclaims, "You have an eye for paintings!" [vodacce] Wilson says, "(whoops, diaper changing time)" Painter mutters as he sees a possible sale slipping away. Chiara flutters her fan in a flattered manner. Giancarlo is a little behind the ladies. Chiara asks (of Sabatino), "and you are...?" Giancarlo says, "Ahem" Sabatino exclaims, "My apologies!" Giancarlo says, "Allow me to make introductions." Sabatino exclaims, "Oh! It is my friend from the other night!" Chiara looks back and forth between them. Giancarlo says, "Signor Sabatino Graziano, Signorina Chiara Venterrini" Sabatino sweeps his hat off his head. "I am Signor Sabatino Graziano" Chiara extends her hand graciously to Sabatino. Amber says (to Sabitino), "Might there be a wider variety of vertical paintings elsewhere? Landscapes tend toward the, well, Landscape orientation." Sabatino takes her hand and kisses it lightly. "And who is your charming companion?" Chiara says, "This is my guardian, Amber" Giancarlo says, "Signorina Amber ... the most charming of chaperones." Sabatino exclaims, "A guardian? My goodness, so many people with so much protection!" Amber bows with a flourish. Sabatino says, "Sadly, this seems to be the price we pay for our modern way of life. I am pleased to make your aquaintance, Amber." [interludes] GM has added Venzi to the channel. Amber says, "And I yours, good sir." [interludes] GM has added Teodor to the channel. Sabatino exclaims, "There are many, many painters here today!" [vodacce] Venzi says, "hee hee" Amber says, "It is unfortunate, true, but excellent job security for those in my profession." Sabatino exclaims, "I was just telling your friends that today's bazaar will be simply filled with artisans!" Giancarlo looks at the paintings. [interludes] GM says, "As you do so, Teodor turns and notices you. He makes a motion towards you, as if to ask that you pause and speak with him." Sabatino says, "I mostly buy landscapes, myself, for the inns." [interludes] Venzi looks surprised, and steps over to Teodor. "Why, good day. A fine bazaar, is it not?" Sabatino asks, "Who would want to eat with someone's head staring at them?" Sabatino says, "Certainly not I." Giancarlo chuckles. Chiara murmurs, "Nothing as relaxing as the backside of a cow, indeed." [interludes] Teodor says, "Indeed. I apologize for keeping you from your errands." Amber says, "I confess, if someone's head was staring at me, I would quickly lose interest in my dinner. I prefer they stare at Chiara." [interludes] Teodor asks, "You are with Mr. Wilson the...art collector?" Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "particularly if one is dining on beef." Sabatino exclaims, "Ah! Ah! I am in the company of wits!" Chiara says (to Amber), "the trick is to lift one's chin and show a pleasant profile while making eye-contact with someone else entirely." [interludes] Venzi says, "he is my employer, yes. but I fancy my contract does not cover listening to an extended discourse on painting techniques" [interludes] Teodor says, "You have more freedom, then, than I." [interludes] Teodor glances around and lowers his voice. Giancarlo asks, "I suppose people sometimes come here to have portraits done?" [interludes] Teodor says, "You are fortunate that Bishop Scipio is unfamiliar with the name 'Wilson.'" Amber is about to correct Chiarra on what she meant, then decides against it due to present polite company. [interludes] Venzi raises an eyebrow. [interludes] Teodor says, "He is not well-inclined to members of the Invisible College." Sabatino says, "The bazaar is only open today" Wilson, who has been rifiling through Painter's stores, finally says, "Well, while there are many beautiful paintings here, none fit the spaces we have for them. If I think of another spot, I shall return, however. Thank you so much!" Sabatino says, "If someone wanted their portrait done, why, they would have to go to an artist's studio" [interludes] Venzi asks, "I had some suspicion of that from the dinner conversation, I admit, but I had not realized -- you said 'he'. what of your own views?" Amber asks (of Wilson), "Then we had best look more rapidly. Do you see anything of interest here, or shall we continue browsing along?" Sabatino says, "Though people may make arrangements here." [Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "" [interludes] Teodor says, "I follow the dictates of the church." Giancarlo says, "Indeed." [interludes] Teodor says, "Bishop Scipio, however, fails to realize that the church has not dictated that learning is bad for you." Wilson asks (of Sabatino), "Anyone else you recommend?" [interludes] Venzi says, "I admit the church seems to be of somewhat .. divided views on this matter" Sabatino thinks, then shrugs. "I do not know. As I said, I buy mostly landscapes." [interludes] Teodor says, "Scipio is a good man. He merely needs someone to make sure his concerns do not grow too wild or range too far." Niccolo continues to feign browsing at various stalls, while listening for any familiar voices or interesting topics. [interludes] Venzi says, "it is always good to have someone to keep an eye on you" [7thsea] Niccolo rolls 4k3: 6 5 9 10+4 | 29 [interludes] Venzi says, "or to be that eye" Giancarlo says (to Sabatino), "Have you seen any of the landscapes that come out of the Crescent? Quite unique." Sabatino asks, "No! What do they look like?" Chiara asks, "A bit like the moon?" [interludes] Teodor says, "I am well acquainted with Wilson's work, and admire it. I merely wish to encourage him to be careful." [interludes] Venzi nods. "I will see that he bears that in mind." [interludes] Teodor says, "This land is not hospitable to scientists these days." Wilson says (to people), "I'll see you around in a bit--I'm going to look for some portraits, or at least scenes with people in 'em." [interludes] Venzi says, "...and appreciate the notice. If there is anything I can do in return, do let me know" Giancarlo says (to Sabatino), "Much sand. Strange architecture. Well, surely in your line of work you must have met people who have been there." Wilson wanders off in search of both portraits and his last-night's dinner companions. [interludes] Teodor nods. "Your offer is appreciated." Amber says (to Chiara), "If we happen accross a leather worker, I'd like to see if they have any concealed knife-sheaths for my boots." [vodacce] GM asks, "Everyone splitting up, then?" Chiara says (to Amber), "I'm surprised you haven't any already." [vodacce] Venzi says, "NEVER SPLIT THE PARTY" [vodacce] GM asks, "Hey, what is the worst that could happen?" [interludes] Venzi bows slightly, and steps away back to the others. [vodacce] Giancarlo says (to GM), "stop rubbing your hands and cackling." Venzi walks back, just in time to see Wilson walking away. Venzi asks (of Wilson), "how goes the search for paintings?" [7thsea] Wilson rolls 3k2: 6 8 10+2 | 20 Amber says (to Chiara), "I've been working on getting better at concealing things, and when I ordered these boots I had in mind to have sheaths added later." Chiara says, "Ah." Chiara says, "Well, let us see what is available." Wilson says (to Venzi), "Well, Sabatino's contact didn't work out, but I have hopes." [interludes] GM has removed Venzi from the channel. Chiara scans the area for leather workers. Amber asks (of Chiara), "Is there anything in particular you would like to find?" [vodacce] GM says, "Okay, Wilson and (I'm guessing) Venzi are off in search of paintings. Chiara and Amber are going for leatherworkers." Chiara says (to Amber), "I am content to take in the scenery." [vodacce] Venzi says, "I will tag along with Wilson, yeah" Wilson asks (of Venzi), "Oh, look, there's Teodor, from last night. Were you talking with him?" [vodacce] GM says, "What about Niccolo and Giancarlo? (Whisper if this is to be sekrit)" % You have new mail in /var/mail/jota Wilson wanders over. [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I'm still pumping Sabatino." Venzi takes Wilson's hand before he starts approaching Teodor, and continues walking a bit. [vodacce] GM says, "Feel free to do so, then. And Amber & Chiara can RP going to find a leather shoppe." Venzi says (to Wilson), "I did indeed speak with him a bit -- it appears your reputation has proceeded you" Wilson says, "Really? Maybe I'll talk with him." Giancarlo says (to Sabatino), "Much sand. Strange architecture. Well, surely in your line of work you must have met people who have been there." Wilson says, "Here, let's follow." Sabatino says, "Oh, certainly! People come from all over to my inns." Wilson heads into the crowd. Venzi sighs. Chiara walks over towards the nearest leather shop. (To Amber) "This looks promising." Amber gives Venzi an understanding look. [vodacce] Amber says, "as she walks away." [Crows-Nest] Chiara says, "HEY" Venzi shrugs and follows Wilson. Wilson, as he follows, says to Venzi, "So he read my paper?" Amber exclaims (at Chiara), "Coming!" Giancarlo says (to Sabatino), "Speaking of which ... a friend of mine had told me to look up a friend of his, when he heard I would be visiting. Renzino ... but I rather foolishly did not catch the man's last name." Sabatino asks, "Renzio?" Venzi says (to Wilson), "he mentioned his surprise that someone associated with the, ah, Invisible College, would come into Vodacce, which is notorious for not looking kindly on that sort of research" Sabatino says, "That name doesn't ring a bell." Giancarlo says, "there must be a hundred Renzinos in a city of this size." Sabatino exclaims, "Oh! *Renzino*!" Sabatino says, "No, I don't know that name either." Venzi laughs. [vodacce] Venzi says, "er, only here, because I didn't hear that" [7thsea] Niccolo rolls 5k3: 5 8 4 4 1 | 17 Amber examines some of the wares. [7thsea] Venzi rolls 4k3: 1 4 10+7 1 | 22 Wilson's eyes widen for a second, then he regains his composure. "Oh, that was a long time ago." Shopkeep asks (of Amber), "Lookin' for anything in particular?" Giancarlo says, "He said I should know him by his thick dark hair ... though that describes at least half the men in Vodacce." Venzi says, "I explained to him you were a foreigner, and would be *extremely discreet* during your stay in the country" Wilson hisses "And for the love of theus, don't say that out loud! In public!" Sabatino exclaims, "I should say so!" Amber asks (of Shopkeep), "I'm looking for knife-sheaths for my boots. Do you do custom work?" Wilson looks affronted, "Of course!" Giancarlo says, "If only he'd been more distinctive ... say, if he had three eyes, or something of the sort." Shopkeep asks, "Oh, aye. You want spring-loaded?" Chiara coughs slightly, turning her head away. [vodacce] Wilson asks (of Chiara), "Presenting your demure profile again?" Amber asks (of Shopkeep), "That might provide a faster draw, but wouldn't it be easier to miss, if I was in a rush?" [vodacce] Chiara says, "suppressing my amusement at the thought of Amber with knife-hurling boots" Sabatino asks, "Did he say where he would be?" Venzi says, "of course, just passing on the chit-chat" Giancarlo says, "Only that he would be here this time of the year." Venzi continues to wander idly along, a bit behind Wilson, glancing hither and thither at the crowds. Shopkeep says, "It takes time to get the hang of it." Amber asks (of Shopkeep), "Hmmm. Do you have one I could get the feel of?" Shopkeep says, "For a while you may reach for your knife only to find it tumbling near your nose." [interludes] GM has added Wilson to the channel. [interludes] GM has added Venzi to the channel. [interludes] Teodor notices Venzi and Wilson approaching. "Ah, I wondered if I might have the opportunity to talk to you in private." Shopkeep says, "Hang on..." Shopkeep rummages around in his wares a bit. Shopkeep triumphantly pulls out a boot. "Thought so!" He hands it to Amber. Chiara moves away cautiously. Shopkeep asks (of Chiara), "What about you, m'lady? Need anything? Spring-loaded as well, perhaps?" Amber tests it out. Chiara says (to Shopkeep), "(from a discreet distance) No, thank you." Amber asks (of DM), "TN?" [interludes] Venzi says, "Hello again. Still a pleasant day, I see." [vodacce] Teodor says, "Let's say 25 since it's your first time to try time." Giancarlo says, "Oh well, it is of little consequence. Perhaps he was drowned in the fish pond last week, or something of the sort." [interludes] Teodor says, "Yes. With any luck I'll find some nice ikons for Bishop Scipio's collection." Sabatino exclaims, "Ha!" Sabatino claps his hands over his mouth. "What a horrible thought." He giggles some. [interludes] Venzi asks, "a collector, is he? anything in particular?" Amber asks (of dm), "roll Finesse, keep finesse?" GM asks (of Amber), "Yes, sorry. Do you have knife throwing?" [interludes] Wilson asks (of Teodor), "Like, as private as this, or somewhere else?" [interludes] Wilson gestures at the passing throng. Amber says (to GM), "I have basic knife (attack, parry). Throw is advanced, so I have it at 0." Giancarlo says (to Sabatino), "Well, if the man deserved what he got ... I daresay there'll be another drowning in the near future if they find who did in the other chap." [interludes] Teodor says, "Lately he has been searching for relics from Eisen. Hoping to preserve them from the disintegration of the country." GM says (to Amber), "Finesse, then." [7thsea] Amber rolls 4k4: 5 7 5 7 | 24 [interludes] Wilson says, "Interesting." [interludes] Teodor says (to Wilson), "If we are discreet, we should be fine." Amber dodges her own knife, as it shoots up her side. [7thsea] Amber rolls 4k4: 8 6 3 4 | 21 [interludes] Teodor says, "More clandestine business will be conducted out here than legitimate business in shops for the rest of the day." Amber's pants now have a small tear. [7thsea] Amber rolls 4k4: 6 9 4 5 | 24 GM says, "Almost! It barely slips through your fingers." [interludes] Wilson grins. Chiara smirks. Shopkeep exclaims, "Not bad!" [7thsea] Amber rolls 4k4: 3 6 4 4 | 17 Shopkeep says, "Most people end up with it stuck in their cheek if they're not careful." Chiara says, "I am not sure that this is such an improvement upon the ordinary sort..." Chiara says (to Shopkeep), "That *is* reassuring." [Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "man. I wanna be trying that." [7thsea] GM asks, "Which was that last roll?" [interludes] teodor says, "I merely wanted to encourage you to be careful." [interludes] Wilson exclaims, "Well, of course!" Amber says (to shopkeep), "I'm not sure this is for me. I'll try a couple more times, but if I wind up needing a bandage, I think I'll pass." [7thsea] Amber rolls 4k4: 10+4 2 2 9 | 27 Amber exclaims, "Hey! I'm catching on!" [7thsea] Amber rolls 4k4: 9 8 4 4 | 25 Giancarlo asks (of Sabatino), "(conspiratorially) I don't suppose you know anything about the who or why behind last night's excitement, do you?" [interludes] teodor says, "I am well acquainted with your early work -- good work, too -- so it is not impossible that other, less sympathetic people might as well." Amber says (to Shopkeep), "Okay, I'm sold. A little practice, and these will suit just fine." [vodacce] teodor says (to Amber), "At this point, you're starting to get the feel of the spring, how fast the knife shoots up, and how high it goes. TN 20 from here on out." Chiara raises her eyebrows, but says nothing. [7thsea] Amber rolls 4k4: 10+10+7 7 4 6 | 44 [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Hmm. I seem to remember Teodor being taller than that." Shopkeep says, "I'm sure you will enjoy them" Amber catches BOTH knives at once, that time. Shopkeep says, "Are you sure you've never tried those before? You catch on quick if not." Sabatino exclaims (at Giancarlo), "Why, the vintners!" Sabatino says (to Giancarlo), "They're not ones to miss a chance at some more money" Amber beams. "Why, thank you!" Giancarlo asks (of Sabatino), "You think THEY tried to poison the governor??" [interludes] Wilson says (to Teodor), "Well, unexpectedly, my original business here is already pretty well concluded. I find myself with new, local business of a simultaneously less dangerous yet more dangerous nature." Sabatino exclaims, "Oh! The poisoners!" Sabatino says, "I was still thinking of the carp pond." Sabatino says, "I wonder if the water tasted all carpy." Sabatino shudders. Sabatino says, "Anyway, no, I have no idea who tried to poison the governor." Shopkeep says (to Amber), "You decide to sell your old pair, let me know. I buy old leather." [interludes] Teodor says, "That sounds potentially confusing." Shopkeep says (to Chiara), "You sure nothing for you? I have a nice belt for sale." Amber says (to Shopkeep), "For what? I might have some around, besides these." Shopkeep says, "Not spring-loaded at all." Chiara says (to Shopkeep), "oh? well, it wouldn't hurt to look, I suppose." Shopkeep exclaims (at Amber), "Depends on how old and worn the leather. Top price!" Shopkeep produces a leather belt with some strands of gold cunningly worked through it. Chiara turns the belt over in her hands and examines the workmanship. Amber says (to Shopkeep), "What do you use it for? I'm suprised there is a market for it." [interludes] Wilson says, "Well, nothing too dreadful. I do find myself in a position to be curious about the state of affairs with the governor's household." Sabatino's eyes go wide. "Do *you* have an idea who did it?" Giancarlo says, "I was passing by the guardhouse and I thought I heard someone mention a name ... Locaccio ... Locricchio ... yes, I think that's the name. Perhaps he was the poisoner." Chiara puts the belt around herself thoughtfully. "What do you think, Amber? Does it suit me?" Shopkeep says (to Amber), "Book covers for the library, mostly." Sabatino says (to Giancarlo), "Locricchio? That man tried to threaten some of my food suppliers." Amber says (to Chiarra), "The warm gold tone is certainly rich-looking." Giancarlo asks (of Sabatino), "Really?" [interludes] Teodor says, "Now that sounds more dangerous than not." Sabatino says, "Yes. Horrid man, always trying to be part of every business he can worm his way into." Sabatino says, "If I never see Rizzo Locricchio again, it will be too soon." Chiara says (to Shopkeep), "Very well, I'll take it." Shopkeep says, "An excellent choice." [interludes] Wilson says, "Sigh. Most likely." Giancarlo says (to Sabatino), "Perhaps the good governor is on the verge of shutting him down, and he hoped to shut the governor down first." [interludes] Venzi shrugs. "The most dangerous things are the ones that don't sound dangerous." Sabatino says, "Could he be behind the poisoning? It sounds almost too audacious for him." [interludes] Teodor nods. [interludes] Wilson says, "What would the main source of danger be? With my original business, I at least knew the direction of the danger." Chiara says, "One's wardrobe should never be left untended, I find." Sabatino says, "You are a font of observation, my friend. I was lucky to have met up with you again." Giancarlo asks (of Sabatino), "If he wished his hand in every piece of pie, can you think of any pie he would not try?" Amber asks (of Well,), "I've found what I was looking for. Would you care to continue taking in the scenery, or would you like to see something particular?" Chiara says (to Amber), "I'm inclined to stroll around and see if we can hear anything of interest." [interludes] Teodor says, "In the governor's household? It depends on how skilled you are at the political maneuverings of Scaravoche." Giancarlo says (to Sabatino), "As are you, my friend." [interludes] Venzi spreads his hands. "Not enough." Chiara says, "Nor would I be averse to discovering Sir Dixon again, if we can." Sabatino says, "I wish I could stay longer, but I promised Rosanella I would work out housing arrangements for a party from Bessarion." Sabatino exclaims, "But we will hopefully see each other tonight, at the demonstrations!" Giancarlo asks (of Sabatino), "Tell me, how would I recognise this man, and where would I be best advised to avoid, lest I be forced to thwack him one with a rapier?" Amber asks (of Chiarra), "Sounds good. Let's stroll around a bit, shall we?" Chiara tucks the belt away into a bag and strolls. [interludes] Wilson asks, "Well, let's say, just for argument's sake, "not at all". What then?" Amber keeps her eye out for Sir Dixon. GM has made you a member of #games/7thsea/interludes2. [interludes2] GM has added PerrySimm to the channel. #games/7thsea/interludes2 (private) Created: 06-Dec-01 21:02:39 Last message: Never Users: +GM Niccolo PerrySimm Also: There are no new messages on #games/7thsea/interludes2. Sabatino says (to Giancarlo), "He is blond, and not too tall. Hunches quite a bit." Teodor says (to Chiara and Amber), "I'll return to the two of you in a few moments, then." [vodacce] GM says, "Er, that was from me." [interludes2] GM says, "Abrielle is talking to a rather sour-looking man." Sabatino says, "Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in a few months." [interludes2] GM asks, "Abrielle: And what would your master think of hearing that you had been wasting time in the bazaar?" [interludes2] Niccolo says, "(Do his clothes suggest him to be a servant?)" [interludes] Teodor frowns. "Then be quiet and careful." Giancarlo says (to Sabatinohe's), "probably delving deeper into villainy." Sabatino exclaims, "Enjoy the bazaar! And look for me tonight!" Sabatino strolls off, humming loudly to himself. [interludes] Wilson exclaims, "I always am!" Giancarlo says (to Sabatino), "but, as you say, you have business to attend. Good bye, and be careful." [interludes] Wilson beams. [interludes] Teodor says, "I can see that." [interludes2] GM says, "Yes." [interludes2] GM says, "Man: I'm supposed to be here." Giancarlo walks off humming. [interludes2] GM says, "Abrielle: I'm sure you are. That's why I overheard Meander telling you to stay near the house in case he needed you." Giancarlo . o O ( with any luck, half of Emilia will think Locricchio's behind the poisoning by tonight. ) [interludes] Wilson says, "And when I'm not, I play the barbarous inconsequential foreigner pretty well, too." [interludes] Wilson winks. [interludes] Teodor says, "Ah. Blatant subtlety." [interludes] Venzi asks (of Teodor), "can you say anything more specific about the household?" Giancarlo looks around for the highest spot in the palazzo, the better to look out over the crowd. [interludes2] GM says, "Man: I needed to talk to Signora d'Angelo about some visitors of hers." [interludes] Teodor says, "I do not have much direct information. Most of what I see is as an outsider." [interludes] Teodor says, "But I do know that Meander is concerned, more concerned now than he has been at his past fetes." [interludes] Venzi frowns. [interludes] Teodor says, "He has visited with Bishop Scipio many times in the last few weeks, and the two of them have closeted themselves in Scipio's study." [7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 4k3: 3 7 9 9 | 25 [interludes] Wilson says, "Interesting." [interludes2] GM says, "Abrielle: I am sure that was in the service of Meander." [interludes2] GM asks, "Man (flushing): Are you accusing me of something?" [interludes2] GM says, "Abrielle: I? Accuse you? I merely point out interesting facts." [interludes2] GM says, "Man: And I have work to do." [interludes] Wilson asks, "Is Scipio his confessor, or is this a different relationship?" [interludes2] GM says, "The man strolls off, leaving behind a bemused Abrielle, who looks deep in thought. Also, stealth again, please." [7thsea] Niccolo rolls 5k3: 2 5 2 4 4 | 13 [interludes] Teodor says, "His confessor, though I do not know what exactly they discuss." [interludes2] Niccolo says, "Drama die." [7thsea] Niccolo rolls 1k1: 4 | 4 [7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 4k3: 3 2 2 4 | 9 [vodacce] Chiara says, "(afk for a moment, if it matters)" [interludes2] GM exclaims, "Giancarlo walks near you, but does not notice you. He heads for Abrielle. And now I will add him to this channel, so shh!" [interludes] Wilson asks, "What connections does the Bishop have?" [vodacce] GM says, "Let me know when you're back." [interludes2] Abrielle has added Giancarlo to the channel. [vodacce] Abrielle exclaims, "Signor Giancarlo! How nice to see you again!" [interludes2] Abrielle exclaims, "Signor Giancarlo! How nice to see you again!" [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "Buon Giorno, my dear. You look almost lovelier by daylight." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "Though it is hard to tell, at that altitude of pulchritude." [interludes2] Abrielle says, "And like a flower, you are touched by the sun and spread forth beauty." [vodacce] Wilson asks, "oooh! Is that the Lost Love, or someone else?" [interludes2] Abrielle says, "Or at least lovely comments." [interludes] Teodor says, "He talks with many of the more powerful men in the city." [vodacce] Chiara returns. Sorry about that. [interludes] Teodor says, "But much of that is in the role of confessor. Nothing he has heard in that duty will you hear him repeat." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "It takes a queen bee as yourself to draw forth the honeyed words, signorina." [interludes] Wilson nods. "Indeed. Else his role as confessor would be moot." [interludes2] Abrielle curtseys. Dixon says (to Chiara and Amber), "I see it is my charming dinner companions." Chiara asks (of Dixon), "Greetings! And how are you enjoying the bazaar?" [interludes] Wilson asks, "Hey, the name Stefani diTomaso came up. Who's he?" Dixon looks around. "The weather is much more pleasant than I am used to in Avalon." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "I see our mutual friend is absent this time round. Surely he should know to take better care of you." [interludes] Teodor says, "Ah, Stefani. He is Meander's chief advisor." Chiara laughs. "That would not be difficult, by all I've heard." Dixon says, "True. Even Eisen seems welcoming after an Avalonian winter." Dixon asks, "How are you finding the bazaar?" [vodacce] Doe has joined the channel. Amber gives a mock shiver. Chiara says, "But I suppose your diplomatic skills must stand you in good stead on an occasion like this" [interludes] Wilson thinks. "Is he engaged to one of his daughters?" Chiara says, "I am afraid I may have been dreadfully robbed by a leather merchant back there." Chiara takes out the belt and displays it to Dixon dubiously. "It is pretty... but I forgot to haggle with him at all." [interludes] Teodor asks, "Oh? You know of his and Carinna's betrothal?" Amber asks (of Chiara), "Is something wrong with your belt?" [interludes2] Abrielle says, "Our mutual friend has other engagements." [interludes2] Abrielle says, "And our arrangement is far from a rigid one." [interludes2] Abrielle says, "Most of the time, that is." [interludes] Wilson asks, "I heard something about it--is it not common knowledge?" Chiara says (to Amber), "Only that you should never trust the asking price." Dixon says (to Chiara), "And you a native of Vodacce? I find that hard to believe." Chiara sighs. "It is a little folly. I hope you will not mention it to anyone." [interludes] Teodor says, "No, no, it is well-known about town. I was merely surprised at you having found that out so soon." Chiara asks, "How about you? Have you found anything to your taste?" Amber really wants to show off her purchase as well, but sternly reminds herself they are meant to be 'concealed' sheaths. Dixon says, "I am a diplomat. If I cannot keep secrets, I should have become an innkeeper." [Crows-Nest] GM exclaims (at Amber), "Ha!" [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "tsk tsk. Well, one hopes his engagements go well and quickly, I suppose." Chiara blinks innocently. "Buying something that needs concealment? Here?" [interludes2] Abrielle asks, "What about you? What are you looking for in the bazaar?" [interludes2] Giancarlo asks, "You, perhaps?" Chiara says, "I had imagined you stocking up on wines for your cellar--" She stops abruptly. "Though perhaps at the moment wine is not a good topic either." [interludes2] Giancarlo winks mischieviously. Dixon says, "Ah, yes, last night's unpleasantness." Chiara frowns. "I am really not sure what to make of it." [interludes] Wilson says, "Well, it is my new business, and I try to be efficient." Dixon says, "Nor I, to be honest. If he had committed a crime, better he be tried and hanged than drowned capriciously in a pool of carp." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "To tell the truth, after the last night, a bit of gaiety is most welcome." [interludes] Wilson asks, "Was there anything surprising about the engagement, or is it fairly routine?" Chiara asks, "Is this sort of thing... common?" Chiara says, "You have seen more of justice around here than I have." [interludes2] Abrielle asks, "Have you heard if they know who was behind the poisoning?" [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "Well ...." [interludes] Teodor says, "Not very surprising. Meander does well by those who serve him." Dixon says, "Last night's display was not something that happens daily." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "I was speaking to Signor Graziano earlier. He spoke of a most despicable villain, who might have been behind the dirty deed." [interludes2] Abrielle asks, "Oh?" Dixon says, "Nor, thankfully, does it feature prominently in every party Meander holds." [interludes2] Giancarlo asks, "Someone by the name of Locricchio. I don't suppose you know anything about this man?" Chiara asks, "And the, er, aftermath?" Chiara asks, "I suppose there have not been many episodes of that sort, either?" Dixon says, "Sometimes I think poison, not wine, is Vodacce's drink of choice." Amber says, "I take it Meander's parties have featured this before? Since you said 'often' rather than 'never'." Dixon says (to Chiara), "But no, it is not normally that blatant or botched." Chiara says, "That is what troubles me: the effects were-- unfamiliar." Dixon says (to Amber), "From time to time he makes an example of those who trouble him." [interludes] Teodor asks, "Can you say what the two of you have been tasked with?" [interludes] Wilson looks at Venzi. [interludes] Teodor says, "Do not tell me if doing so would betray a confidence." [interludes2] Abrielle says, "Locricchio. Locricchio." [interludes] Venzi says, "we have been asked to look into Meander's problems" [interludes] Venzi says, "I do not think that saying so goes beyond the bounds of our agreement" [interludes2] Abrielle says, "The name is not familiar to me." [interludes2] Abrielle asks, "How do you come by this information?" Amber asks, "And the law is unable or unwilling to intervene? He may be the governor, but surely there is some over him?" Chiara looks startled at this remark. Dixon says, "Over him? That would be Falisci himself." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "(shrug) I was talking with Signor Graziano. It came up in conversation." [interludes2] Giancarlo asks, "Do you have your own suspicions?" [interludes] Wilson suddenly gets a strange look on his face. "Livio..." [interludes2] Abrielle says, "Oh, Graziano. He would say the names of half the people in this town if you let him natter on long enough." Dixon says, "And by all appearances Falisci trusts Meander. Not without reason, mind." [interludes] Wilson asks, "Oh, my. What can you tell me about Livio? His history? Anything?" Dixon says, "Meander has been a most reliable governor. He also knows when a bit of gratuitous violence will do him more good than more calm means." [interludes2] Abrielle says, "I? I have no suspicions." [interludes] Teodor says, "Poor Livio." [interludes2] Abrielle says, "Men with wiser heads than I have are considering this problem; I doubt there is much I could add." [interludes] Teodor says, "He fancies himself a scientist." Chiara says (to Dixon), "Now you seem to contradict yourself." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "You are too modest by half." [interludes] Venzi asks, "fancies?" Chiara smiles. "'Better he be tried...'?" Dixon asks, "I can admire the results without condoning the means, can I not?" [interludes2] Abrielle asks, "Are you considering this problem as well?" Chiara says, "I suppose so. And the results have for the most part been peaceful, I take it." [interludes2] Giancarlo asks, "Isn't everybody?" [interludes] Teodor says, "I fear he is not capable of great independent thought." [interludes] Teodor says, "He applied for membership in the College and was turned down." [interludes] Venzi says, "I'm surprised Meander keeps him in his employ, then" Dixon says, "From the vintners, surely -- assuming they were not behind the poisoning." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "I should think that an attempt on the governor's life, even botched, would be a hot topic of discussion." Chiara asks, "Are there others who might be interested in a rebellion of sorts?" [interludes] Teodor says, "A mixture of pity and friendship for Livio's departed father, I suspect." [interludes] Wilson asks, "His father died?" [interludes] Teodor says, "Yes. The white plague took him some fifteen years ago." Amber muses about non-gratuitous gratuitous violence. [interludes] Wilson asks, "And he was in Meander's employ?" [interludes] Teodor says, "Yes." Dixon spreads his hands. "If there is one thing I have learned in my time here, it is that most anyone may be planning rebellion, at least until the tide turns against them and they hide their rebellious plans." Chiara asks, "And the man who died, he had no special enemies?" [interludes2] Abrielle says, "You would think so, wouldn't you? And yet life goes on, the bazaar is full of people, and I have yet to find an appropriate dress for the masquerade." [interludes] Wilson asks, "Also as a scientist?" [vodacce] Amber says, "afk ellarm" [interludes] Teodor says, "As a gardener, interestingly enough." [interludes] Teodor says, "Sometimes I think Livio would do well to turn his hand to plants rather than his odd studies." [interludes2] Abrielle asks, "Have you seen any you would consider suitable?" [interludes] Wilson asks, "A gardener? Did he plant the hedge maze?" [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "Ah, the masquerade. Hm." [interludes] Teodor says, "You've seen it? It was the man's greatest work." Dixon says, "As far as I know, no." [interludes] Venzi says, "I toured it earlier" [interludes] Venzi says, "it was quite impressive" [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "Come ... we'll take a look at the offerings." [interludes] Teodor says, "I have lost myself in its depths several times." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "I suppose you already have a mask, though." Dixon says, "In fact, as I think about Meander's household I find it hard to think of anyone else who was more liked in general." [interludes2] Abrielle says, "Of course. And do not ask what kind of mask it is; you will have to see it tomorrow night." Chiara says, "Ah! That makes it seem especially poor-spirited, then. Unless it was a mistake." [interludes] Wilson asks, "And what of Livio in those days?" Chiara says, "One should never employ poisons without being properly schooled in their use." [7thsea] Niccolo rolls 5k3: 9 9 4 3 10+1 | 29 Dixon says, "A truly Vodaccian outlook, I must admit." [interludes2] Giancarlo asks, "Heh. I should have to recognise you, and that would defeat the purpose of the mask. After all, it's all that keeps you from recognition by the strega, no?" [interludes2] Giancarlo asks, "Or do you have other methods of avoiding detection?" Chiara exclaims, "Pure practicality!" Chiara asks, "Would you wield a sword without having been taught how, or a musket?" Dixon says, "Your point is well-taken." Dixon says, "Have you training in poisons? I find myself curious as to how one would learn about them." Dixon says, "At least with a sword you can button the tip." Chiara smiles sphinx-like. "Surely you realize that if I had, I would scarcely wish to advertise the fact." [interludes] Teodor says, "I don't honestly know. I have only been here for a few years." [interludes] Wilson nods. [interludes2] Abrielle says, "Your probing questions will leave me with little protection save that mask, I fear." [interludes2] Abrielle asks, "Would you remove all mystery by the end of our second meeting?" Chiara says, "But naturally there are ways to learn, other than by systematically poisoning puppies until one has the hang of it, as they say one acquaintance of mine did." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "For a lady such as yourself, a thousand nights' probing would be insufficient to remove the mystery or the mystique." Dixon says, "Puppies? My goodness. At least choose rats; fewer people are upset when someone poisons them." [interludes] Teodor notes the position of the sun. "I fear I have been here longer than I planned. My apologies for delaying you today, but I wanted to warn the two of you of potential danger. Chiara says, "As I understand it they were destined to be drowned otherwise." [interludes] Wilson asks, "When you said he had no independent thought, do you mean someone else does his thinking for him?" Dixon says (to Amber), "And you think Meander's practice of drowning an enemy or two is unheard of." [interludes] Venzi says, "you have been most kin" [interludes] Venzi says, "d" [interludes] Wilson says, "Oh, no problem at all. This conversation has been most enlightening." [interludes] Teodor says (to Wilson), "Only that, in his drive to be a genius, he is only able to echo those who have published before him." [Crows-Nest] Niccolo wonders if she found those puppies locked in a kitchen. Chiara says (to Dixon), "I suppose you already know better than to drink anything that tastes off, or has powder at the bottom, or that discolors your silver." Amber says, "Puppies and enemies are quite different." Dixon says, "Now you begin to sound like Danel, m'lady." Amber says, "Still..." Chiara says (to Amber), "Yes: puppies haven't don't anything wrong." [vodacce] Chiara says, "(er, done)" Dixon says, "He is always concerned about my food and drink." Chiara says (to Dixon), "And wisely so." [interludes] Teodor says, "And now I fear I must depart. Do be careful." Chiara says, "Though I am sure someone as charming as yourself has few enemies to fear." [interludes] Teodor heads away and into the crowds. Wilson Good day! [interludes] Wilson exclaims, "Good day!" [vodacce] Wilson says, "Er, channel." [vodacce] Chiara says, "(er, -- ok)" [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "You see, you have me on a hook already." [vodacce] Chiara says, "I wasn't sure whether to greet a telepathic Wilson, or ignore him entirely" Dixon says, "Ha! I would say you were naive had I not spoken to you last night; instead, I must conclude that you are far too kind." [interludes2] Abrielle notes a pretty green dress and holds it up. "What do you think of this?" Chiara smiles demurely. [vodacce] Wilson says, "Not that you wouldn't ignore me anyway." [vodacce] Chiara exclaims, "hey now!" [vodacce] Wilson grins. Dixon asks, "I would say the same of you, but what then of Amber and her offices?" [interludes] Wilson says (to Venzi), "We must find out more about Livio." Dixon says, "I cannot believe someone so competent is merely window-dressing." [interludes] Wilson says, "And about this hedge-maze." Chiara says, "She is a precautionary measure, as they say." Amber beams. "Thank you, sir." [interludes2] Giancarlo eyes it critically. "Not quite as pretty as the proposed contents, but no doubt it will serve to offset that prettiness." Chiara says, "In case I should do something foolish and suddenly *acquire* enemies." [interludes2] GM has added Abrielle to the channel. Chiara says, "You never know when you may tread on a foot, dancing..." Dixon says (to Amber), "I trust Danel's judgement in matters martial, and he was impressed with your comport last night." Amber says, "They would be the foolish ones should they try anything." [interludes] Venzi says, "I did not see much of interest when I went in before, with Niccolo" [interludes2] Abrielle says "You are incorrigible." She smiles. Dixon says (to Chiara), "Or make some perfectly witty remark that someone takes badly, for reasons beyond your comprehension." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "thank you." [interludes] Venzi says, "well, not besides Carinna" [interludes2] Abrielle says, "But where are your companions? I have not seen them today." Chiara says (to Dixon), "(sadly) There is always the danger that someone will not share the light spirit in which they are spoken, it is true." [vodacce] GM says, "It is approaching noon, judging from the sun and the sound of your stomachs." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "We were separated when I stopped to talk to Signor Graziano. I think some of them wanted to look at the leathercrafts." Amber says (to Dixon), "Thank you, or rather, thank him for me. It was pleasant to chat with him about our respective jobs, and I hope I have the opportunity to speak with him further." Amber says, "Though from his verbosity last night, my guess is it will be a brief conversation." Chiara hides a smirk. [7thsea] Amber rolls 3k3: 7 1 2 | 10 [interludes] Venzi glances out at the vendors. "Perhaps it is time to eat." [interludes] GM says, "If you have plans, feel free to tell me. If you wanted, you could probably find the others." Amber hears a stomach growl. [interludes2] Abrielle asks, "This is a good place to find such. Here, what about this blue dress?" Chiara says, "I imagine it must be time for luncheon (not noticing the growl at all)" [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "It brings out your eyes." [interludes2] Abrielle says, "It certainly seems to have brought out yours." Dixon says, "So it is. And I was to meet Danel for lunch." [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "I assure you, I would not look half so good in that dress as you." Chiara says, "I'm surprised he let you out of his sight." Dixon says, "I can convince him to let me off my leash for short periods of time." [interludes] Wilson says, "(was afk ellric; sorry)" Dixon says, "I do hope to see the two of you later this afternoon or evening." [interludes] Wilson says, "I want to look for Livio and paintings." [interludes] Wilson asks (of Venzi), "Do you have any particular interests?" Amber says, "I'm sure we'll meet again." [vodacce] Amber says, "if feels predestined, somehow. :-)" Chiara says her goodbyes pleasantly. [vodacce] Chiara says, "heehee" [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "Here, allow me the honour of handling the bill. I'll be able to say that I helped dress the star of the ball." [interludes] Venzi shrugs. "At the moment I am most interested in finding a meal, I think" Dixon bows and walks away. [interludes2] Abrielle asks, "If you insist, how can I refuse?" [interludes] Wilson says, "Sounds good. My treat." [interludes2] Abrielle says, "But quickly, if you will. I have an engagement this afternoon." Chiara looks for the others. [interludes2] Giancarlo pays for the dress, telling the shopkeeper to keep the change (if any). [interludes] GM has removed Wilson from the channel. [interludes] GM has removed Venzi from the channel. [interludes2] Giancarlo asks, "Our mutual friend?" [7thsea] Wilson rolls 3k2: 6 6 7 | 13 [interludes2] Abrielle says, "Something much more prosaic. But I will not bore you with the details." Wilson asks (of Venzi), "Well, I don't see anywhere that looks particularly appealing. You?" [interludes2] Giancarlo says, "Well, I must be off as well ... my friends will be expecting me. But I shall look for you again at the ball, now that I know which dress to look for." [7thsea] Niccolo rolls 5k3: 10+4 8 10+6 5 10+7 | 47 [vodacce] GM asks, "What was the roll? Perception?" Venzi says, "there's someone selling bread -- that might do for a start" [vodacce] Wilson says, "Yeah." [interludes2] Abrielle says, "I will be sure to watch for you." [interludes2] Abrielle sashays away. [vodacce] GM says, "You can find each other without any difficulty." [interludes2] GM has removed Giancarlo from the channel. [7thsea] Wilson says (to Niccolo), "So close! You almost got it ;-)" [interludes2] GM has removed Niccolo from the channel. Giancarlo emerges from the clothiers' quarter and finds the others without any difficulty. Breadseller exclaims, "Bread! Get yer bread!" [vodacce] Wilson says (to GM), "I was seeing what kind of food I could find ;-)" [7thsea] Niccolo says (to Wilson), "I should only have taken seven raises, I guess." Venzi says, "mm, bread" Wilson asks (of Breadseller), "What's your specialty, good man?" Breadseller says (brightly), "Bread!" [vodacce] GM says, "Well, there's bread." Chiara has discovered the others. [7thsea] Niccolo asks (of GM), "Did we just regroup automatically?" Giancarlo claps a hand on Venzi's shoulder. "aha. I thought I saw you in the crowd." Wilson says, "Well, give me some bread, then." Chiara looks at the bread. "That's very well, but what's to go with it?" [vodacce] GM says (to Niccolo), "Through the magic of plot contrivance, yes." Breadseller asks, "Right you are, sir, here's some bread, anyone else for bread?" Niccolo sniffs. "Mmm. Fresh bread?" Breadseller asks (of Chiara), "...*with* it?" Giancarlo selects a few muffins. "I'll take those." Wilson pays, hands some to Venzi, digs in. Niccolo follows the scent, finding his fellows in the process. Chiara asks (of Breadseller), "as garnish, accompaniment?" Venzi says, "not bad" Chiara asks, "perhaps... a cheese?" Breadseller asks, "Cheese?" Chiara buys a loaf anyway and tears little pieces off of it. Breadseller asks, "You'd hide the taste of my fine bread with cheese?" Chiara says (to Breadseller), "Never mind, my thick fellow." Breadseller exclaims, "Speaking of thick, look at the size of these loaves!" [vodacce] GM says, "There are plenty of other vendors" [vodacce] GM says, "if you'd like to look around" Amber digs into her whole-grain loaf with gusto. Niccolo looks for a fruitseller. Venzi purchases some olives from a neighboring vendor. [vodacce] Chiara says, "Chiara is no doubt wondering how rude it would be to sneak back to her room for some of the white cheese leftover from breakfast" Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "I passed some excellent-smelling cheese, a little way down in that direction." Amber asks, "How about we find a drink to go with this?" Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "ah, good man." Chiara goes looking for the excellent cheese. Venzi tosses the pits away. Amber says, "Wine, bread and cheese makes an excellent meal." Giancarlo says (to Chiara), "an Avalon import, I think. Cheshire." [Crows-Nest] (from GM) Giancarlo smiles like a cat. [Crows-Nest] Chiara says, "heh" [Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "Heheh" Chiara buys some cheese and returns to the others, offering a bit of it to Amber. Amber says (to Chiara), "Thank you. Excellent choice." [vodacce] GM says, "Feel free to RP while I eat my dinner" Chiara asks (of others), "Did you all find what you were looking for?" [vodacce] Amber says, "wilson is afk" Giancarlo says, "Perhaps." Venzi says, "I believe there are still more paintings to be sought out" Amber asks (of Giancarlo), "Care to elaborate?" Venzi says, "although perhaps I will take a break from that soon" Chiara says (to Venzi), "Your employer is tireless." Giancarlo stops a hawker and gets some rabbit-inna-box to go with his muffins. Niccolo buys some figs, pocketing most of them to keep his hands free while eating. Giancarlo says, "Signor Graziano spoke of a Signor Locricchio, a villain who seems to have disappeared over the past few months." Niccolo asks, "Locricchio? What business does he have in all this?" Giancarlo asks (of Niccolo), "You know of him?" Niccolo nods, "I do." Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "do tell." Wilson, lost in thought while munching on his bread, suddenly asks out of nowhere, "Are there any books on politicking here? Ones that would include examples of how to assassinate people?" Venzi says, "er" Venzi says, "there are history books" Wilson asks, "Any containing examples we've seen already? Poisoning, swords in the water?" Niccolo says (to Gian), "Little to tell. A businessman, involved in money-lending, and probably other pursuits as well." Giancarlo asks, "I wonder what he would have against the Verde di Falisci. A money-lender, you say?" Amber asks (of Gian), "You said you might have found what you were looking for?" Niccolo asks (of Gian), "What leads you to suspect him, if I may ask?" Giancarlo says (to Amber), "Well, a suspect, at least." Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "Merely that he has a reputation for attempting to control the city's economy, and that he's disappeared." Niccolo asks, "Disappeared? Did Graziano say that?" Giancarlo says, "What I have been wondering about, though, is how a strega's vision might be blocked." Giancarlo glances at Chiara. "....aside from the use of masks." Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "He hasn't been seen. Anywhere." [vodacce] Wilson asks, "Is stuff in the PG common knowledge?" [vodacce] Wilson asks, "Like, say, 'unbound'?" [vodacce] GM asks, "PG?" [vodacce] Alex says (to GM), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that PG is ParserGirl, which is usually talking to josh_g about something which no-one else understands, but Iain thinks sounds kinky." [vodacce] Venzi says, "I don't think unbound is, no" [vodacce] Venzi says, "or the exact mechanics of fate witches, say" [vodacce] GM says, "Stuff like that I think isn't really common knowledge." [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "That's in the PLayer's Guide?" [vodacce] Venzi says, "that fate witches exist and can dink around with people presumably is" [vodacce] Venzi says, "no, it's in the vodacce handbook" [vodacce] Wilson says, "Oh, whoops." Venzi asks, "does that make him a likely suspect or a likely victim?" Niccolo asks (of Gian), "So you know him, then? Or is this what you've heard?" [vodacce] Venzi says, "(but in the player's section)" Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "It's what I've heard." Niccolo asks, "Then a second question might be, who would have an interest in spreading a story about him vanishing?" [vodacce] GM says, "(I am done with dinner, by the way. Feel free to continue this conversation as long as you wish, or decide on other things to do.)" Giancarlo says, "Himself, if he wishes for an alibi." Venzi asks, "spreading a story?" Giancarlo says (to Venzi), "If he is in fact still at large, and not locked away in a dungeon somewhere." Giancarlo asks, "In any case. What have the rest of you found?" Amber says, "Leather." Venzi thinks. Venzi says, "we have found that Meander's fears have become noticeable to guests of the household" Giancarlo asks, "Fears? Of?" Venzi says, "and that he spends long hours with his confessor, Bishop Mancari" Venzi shrugs. Venzi says, "what of, nobody knows" Venzi says, "else we would not be tasked with finding them out" Chiara says, "His behavior this morning seemed more rash than fearful." Chiara says, "And time with a confessor suggests that he has doubts of his own soul..." Amber says, "He's generally liked, and has a carefully maintained reputation for brutishness as needed." Venzi says (to Chiara), "perhaps, or that he is not solely confessing his sins" [vodacce] Amber asks, "I have politics at 0, can I roll for an epiphany?" Giancarlo asks, "Would the Bishop (crosses self) be a suspect?" [vodacce] GM says, "You certainly can try. :)" [7thsea] Amber rolls 3k3: 1 3 4 | 8 [vodacce] Venzi says, "heh" [vodacce] (from Wilson) Amber intuits, "Politics is hard!" [vodacce] GM asks, "Say, isn't that bread good?" [vodacce] Amber says, "okay, no epiphanies, not even clues. Amber remains clueless." [Crows-Nest] Chiara exclaims (at Venzi), "wait, meander is smoochin' the bishop? kinky!" Venzi says, "if it involves the governor's household, it may extend higher yet" [vodacce] Amber says, "good bread. tasty bread. yum." Wilson says, "Well, I have another theory." Giancarlo says, "Hm. Signora Ludovica had a little to say about a Stefani di Tomaso." Wilson asks, "Whoever is doing this seems to be beyond these 'strega', right?" Wilson says, "And the strega watch everyone important like spiders." Giancarlo asks (of Wilson), "Someone UNimportant, then?" Amber . o O ( Spiders are important? ) Wilson says (to Giancarlo), "Bingo." [Crows-Nest] GM says (to Amber), "heh" Wilson says, "I suspect Livio, Meander's pet scientist." (From Giancarlo) Wilson . o O (What could be more important than spiders?) Wilson says, "Who has every reason to be spiteful, despite Meander's kindness to him." [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Is this afternoon when the contests take place, or are they a later day?" [vodacce] GM says, "This afternoon/evening are the FEATS OF STRENGTH" [vodacce] GM says, "and other contests" Wilson says, "We discovered today that Livio's father was Meander's gardener, who planted the hedge maze." Chiara asks, "But does he have connections enough to manage this sort of thing? A poison, perhaps, but the swords?" Giancarlo says, "Although ... this Stefani di Tomaso, seated at the head table, would be in an ideal position to place the poison." Wilson says (to Chiara), "Well, he lives in the palace." Venzi says, "Sempronia said she was prevented from seeing who was responsible, not that she merely did not know" Wilson says (to Venzi), "Well, that's true." Venzi says, "if it is Livio, he is not surviving just by his obscurity" Chiara says (to Wilson), "Yes, but it seems as though the sword-placement trick might take several hearty people to arrange." Chiara says, "Unless swimming with heavy weapons is easier than I suppose." Wilson thinks. Giancarlo says, "Someone should try setting it up, to see how long it takes." Venzi says, "it is an odd trap, that" Venzi says, "it seems more clever than effective" Wilson asks, "Is there precedent for it?" Giancarlo says, "And what skills would be required." Chiara says, "The, er, obsession ith water is interesting to me." Chiara says, "It seems as though death-by-drowning, or drowning-like disaster, is imperative" Giancarlo says, "Fate flows like a river." Amber says, "Staying a-float with a sword is not that hard, but trying to get anywhere in a hurry that way is a bit of a challenge." Wilson says (to Chiara), "True, though we must be careful not to draw the obvious line from a mere two points." Chiara says (to Wilson), "I was counting three, I suppose." Wilson asks, "Three?" Chiara says, "But perhaps we should not include the carp." Amber says, "Though I imagine swimming is more practiced here than where I'm from." Wilson says, "Ah." Wilson says, "Yes, the Contessa did say the carp death was unimportant." Wilson says, "Or, rather, unrelated." [Crows-Nest] (from GM) Wilson says, "Not to keep carping on it or anything." Giancarlo says, "Wait." Amber says, "But never mind about the swords-in-water." Wilson says (to Amber), "No, it remains a curious thing." Giancarlo asks, "Who was at the head table? I remember Ludovica specifying herself and her husband ... the poor dead soul ... and Stefani di Tomaso. But surely we were all five to a table?" Venzi asks, "Carinna?" Amber says, "But how unsubtle, messy, public, and probably a slow death, besides." Venzi says, "though I did not see it myself" Venzi says, "who was at Felipe's table seems to be the next question" Giancarlo says (to Venzi), "Carinna? Surely not. Not when there is a son still in the palace." Venzi asks, "but is he around?" Giancarlo says, "Quieto is in Eisen. Riccalbano should still be here." Venzi says, "well, no doubt Ridolfo will be able to answer these questions later" Giancarlo says, "We'll have to remember to ask him. If he cannot tell us the fifth person ... well. We know who DIDN'T do it." Venzi says, "well" Venzi asks, "so is there more investigation we can do besides of the party guests?" Giancarlo says, "I suspected di Tomaso because I thought him the only person at the head table who might not be above suspicion. That was before I thought of the mysterious fifth guest. I don't know what motive he might have." Giancarlo says (to Venzi), "I don't know." Wilson hmms, pulls out the guest list, sees if it lists where people sat. Niccolo says, "If you'll excuse me..." Giancarlo asks (of Niccolo), "yes?" Niccolo gets up. GM says (to Wilson), "It does not." Niccolo asks, "I'll meet up with the rest of you later?" Giancarlo . o O ( odd... ) Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "of course...." Venzi says, "until later, then" Wilson sees if the guest list is divisible by five. Giancarlo says (to Wilson), "Mark off the people who were at our tables." GM says (to Niccolo), "As you start to leave, a man bumps heavily into you." Man exclaims, "Hey!" [Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "Heh ... I was about to suggest that" Man exclaims, "Watch where you walk!" Chiara turns to see what the hubbub is about. Niccolo quickly checks his pockets. "Ah, excuse me..." Giancarlo dusts off the muffin crumbs and stands. Man asks, "You always this rude?" Giancarlo asks, "Is something the matter?" Niccolo asks, "I'm sorry? I must not have been looking where I was going, Signor...?" [vodacce] GM says, "Perception, everyone." [7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 4k3: 6 6 3 4 | 16 [7thsea] Niccolo rolls 4k3: 9 1 5 8 | 22 Man says, "You must not have been thinking, the way I see it." [7thsea] Wilson rolls 3k2: 6 3 1 | 9 [7thsea] Chiara rolls 4k4: 2 3 5 5 | 15 [7thsea] Venzi rolls 4k3: 10+2 3 2 7 | 22 [Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "heh ... "keen senses" seems very popular...." Niccolo says, "Yes, I imagine I did have other things on my mind. I will try to be more careful in the future." Chiara looks the man up and down coolly. [vodacce] GM asks, "And Amber?" [Crows-Nest] Venzi says, "it's too bad there's no perception skill" [7thsea] Amber rolls 3k3: 8 6 7 | 21 Giancarlo fingers a hidden throwing knife. [Crows-Nest] Niccolo asks, "Or we'd all have maxed it out?" [Crows-Nest] Venzi says, "heh" Man steps closer to Niccolo. Man says, "People like you shouldn't be left to run around." [Crows-Nest] Venzi says, "well, just that it's either wits or wits + 1 unkept, I mean" Man says, "The way *I* se it." Chiara looks quickly at Amber. Venzi glances behind the man, looking if he's alone. [vodacce] Venzi says, "s/behind/beyond/" Niccolo chuckles. "I'll be sure only to walk, then. Safer that way?" Wilson, oblivious, continues to count guests on the list (by page first, then # of pages, etc.) [vodacce] GM says (to Venzi), "As far as you can tell, Mr. I-Rolled-A-22" Amber steps up to the man. Amber says, "I believe he has apolgized already, good sir. Let it go, there's no need to take offense." Venzi casually moves between Wilson and the man (and Chiara and the man, if Amber's stepping up) Giancarlo whips a dagger into the wall beyond, throwing it between Niccolo and the man. [7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 6k3: 9 10+7 4 9 8 1 | 35 Giancarlo says, "leave my friend alone." [vodacce] Amber exclaims, "whoohoo! fighting!" Niccolo is keeping his hands in plain view, of course. And making no threatening movements. Wilson mutters "25 and 25's 50..." Man exclaims, "Ambush, is it? TO ME!" GM says, "And all those people you didn't notice loitering around suddenly draw swords." Giancarlo rolls his eyes. Niccolo turns to glare at Giancarlo. [vodacce] Venzi says, "musta been well-concealed" Wilson says, "55, 70..." [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Good loiterers." [vodacce] GM says, "In the crowd? You just didn't pick them out." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "yeah." GM says, "People draw away at the sound of steel." Niccolo takes a few steps back. GM says, "You're suddenly in a nice open space." Chiara says (to Niccolo), "I had no idea you were so unpopular." Giancarlo draws sword and knife. [vodacce] GM says, "Okay, we've got five brutes and a henchman (the spokesman). Initiative, please." Venzi's hand goes to his sword-hilt as he steps back, covering Wilson and Chiara. [7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 3 dice: 6 10 2 Amber draws her sword, reluctant to fire a pistol in a crowd. [7thsea] Venzi rolls 3 dice: 8 7 2 [7thsea] Wilson rolls 3 dice: 6 1 7 Niccolo says (to Chiara), "Nor did I..." [7thsea] Chiara rolls 2 dice: 2 5 [vodacce] Venzi says, "(rerolling 8)" [7thsea] Venzi rolls 1 die: 9 [vodacce] Venzi says, "(bah)" [7thsea] Amber rolls 3 dice: 4 3 5 [7thsea] Brutes rolls 2 dice: 1 3 [vodacce] Venzi says, "so 2 7 9" [7thsea] Wilson says, "I *would* get the 1..." [vodacce] Amber exclaims, "so you can run away!" [7thsea] Man rolls 2 dice: 2 1 [7thsea] Niccolo rolls 3 dice: 9 3 5 [vodacce] GM says, "My first combat to run, so be gentle." [vodacce] Amber says, "I'll swing my sword slowly for you. :-)" Wilson exclaims, "What the... You made me lose my place!" Giancarlo has his sword in his right hand and knife in his left hand. Like any good right-hander. Wilson holds action. [vodacce] GM says, "Round 1, go." [vodacce] Venzi asks (of Giancarlo), "and you're wearing black, hunh?" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Heh. Right." GM says, "The brutes go" Brutes exclaims, "YAAH!" GM says, "and go for Giancarlo" [7thsea] Brutes rolls 5k3: 9 7 3 1 1 | 19 [vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "Er, before I go, might I mention that, given my backstory, it's more appropriate for me to have a 3 in parry than in footwork? May I just switch the two around?" [vodacce] GM says, "You don't have to use parry, you know." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I know. But parry can be used to protect others. Footwork can't." [vodacce] Venzi asks, "it can?" [vodacce] GM says, "Well, decide which one you're using so I can hit you or not." [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Unless we pour wine on the ground to make it all slippery so he can't stand up right." [vodacce] Venzi asks, "I mean, I agree it can in general, but is there a rule like that?" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "whichever's at 3." [7thsea] Wilson says (to GM), "Either way his TN'" [7thsea] Wilson says, "...'s 20." [vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Venzi), "no real rule, just an idea I had. Never mind." [vodacce] GM says (to Wilson), "Good point." GM says, "The brutes, unfortunately, miss." Man asks (of Niccolo), "Get your friends to gang up on me, will you?" [7thsea] Man rolls 5k3: 4 9 6 5 6 | 21 [vodacce] GM says, "plus five for the brutes means Niccolo's hit." [7thsea] Man rolls 4k2: 2 10+6 1 9 | 25 Niccolo says (to Man), "I assure you, this wasn't," glancing at Giancarlo, "*my* idea." [vodacce] GM asks (of Niccolo), "Damage?" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "I guess I'll take the hit, yeah." [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Er, wait. Or was that damage?" [vodacce] GM says, "The 25 was damage, since the 21+5 = hit" [vodacce] Wilson says, "21 was the hit, 25 the damage." [vodacce] Niccolo says, "OK, sorry." [7thsea] Niccolo rolls 2k2: 10+5 10+5 | 30 Wilson exclaims, "Hey!" [vodacce] GM says, "Round 2, go." Wilson picks up a chair and swings it at Guy's head. Niccolo ducks away from the blow, but not quickly enough to prevent a grazing blow. [7thsea] Wilson rolls 4k3: 5 1 7 7 | 19 [vodacce] GM asks (of Wilson), "Your held action, then?" [vodacce] Wilson says, "Yeah." [vodacce] GM says, "He's TN 20." [vodacce] Chiara says, "(Chiara holds)" [vodacce] Wilson says, "Oh, heck, drama die." [7thsea] Wilson rolls 1k1: 1 | 1 Venzi sees Wilson run past him, sighs. % You have new mail in /var/mail/jota Man dodges back from Wilson's improvised weapon. [vodacce] Amber asks, "with the drama die added, he got a 20. shouldn't that hit?" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "He rolled a 19." [vodacce] GM says, "Sorry, didn't see the drama die." Man doesn't dodge fast enough and takes the chair upside his head. [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Er, sorry, you said 'with'." % You have new mail in /var/mail/jota [vodacce] GM says, "Roll for damage." [vodacce] Wilson says, "I have written down that damage is "2+size k1"." [vodacce] Wilson looks it up. [vodacce] Niccolo says, "+1 for a chair" [vodacce] Wilson says, "Right." [7thsea] Wilson rolls 3k1: 2 3 1 | 3 [vodacce] Wilson says, "Whoo nellie." [7thsea] Man rolls 2k2: 2 1 | 3 [vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "Ha!" [vodacce] Venzi says, "uh, you're supposed to use a full-sized chair, not one of those miniature dollhouse ones" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Heeow." [vodacce] Chiara says, "heeheehee" [vodacce] GM says, "That was close, the man thinks." Giancarlo extends his sword between two brute and smacks it left and right. [vodacce] Amber exclaims, "you rock!" [7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 5k3: 2 5 7 9 8 | 24 [7thsea] Giancarlo asks, "how much for 2 brutes?" [vodacce] GM says (to Giancarlo), "I prefer you mention a target as well." [vodacce] GM says, "And since you didn't raise before rolling, you get one." [vodacce] GM says, "Oh, no, never mind, I'm just not reading right." [vodacce] GM says, "First day with the new eyes. You get both of them." [vodacce] Wilson says, "Heh." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Thanks." [vodacce] Amber says (to gm), "How many did you get? '" GM says, "The two men go down, blood pooling from their heads." Giancarlo smacks down two brutes with the flat of his sword, wading over towards Nic and the troublemaker. [vodacce] Amber says, "eyes, that is. It can be hard to focus with 3." GM says, "The leader, though, is still after Niccolo." Giancarlo . o O ( maybe that was a bit too hard a smackdown. ) [7thsea] Man rolls 5k3: 10+2 1 6 1 7 | 25 [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Well, you can always pocket one of them, as a spare." [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Is it still phase two?" [vodacce] GM says, "Yes." [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Oh well. Interrupting to defend." Chiara is regarding this whole scene with considerable disgust. [vodacce] GM says, "Go ahead." [7thsea] Niccolo rolls 6k3: 4 6 10+9 2 5 1 | 30 [vodacce] GM asks, "Oh, and which dice are you burning?" [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Can I choose the 5 and 9?" [vodacce] GM says, "Sure." Niccolo bends backward, ducking neatly under the swing. [vodacce] GM says, "Well, actually, thinking about it, I think the two closest might make more sense." [Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "Interestingly enough, 'Don Giovanni' just got to the final confrontation with the Commendatore." Man exclaims, "Curse you!" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "So I don't get to pick after all? Oh well." [vodacce] GM says, "Phase 3. Amber, you're up, unless Chiara jumps in there." [vodacce] Chiara says, "I'm still standing back looking disgusted." [vodacce] GM says, "That, fortunately, doesn't take an action." [vodacce] Amber says, "raising 2 for a called shot to slice open his forehead." [7thsea] Amber rolls 8k4: 6 5 1 6 10+6 3 8 8 | 38 [vodacce] GM asks, "Actually, hang on, did Venzi take his turn?" [vodacce] Chiara says, "(ew)" [vodacce] Venzi says, "oh, no" [vodacce] Chiara says, "(also, sheow)" [vodacce] GM says, "Held action. Feel free to use it this turn." [vodacce] Venzi asks, "now?" [vodacce] Amber says, "forehead bleeds into eyes, blinds the guy. or thats the theory, anyway." [vodacce] GM says, "Right after Amber, if you want." [vodacce] Venzi says, "(er, after amber, I guess)" [vodacce] GM says (to Amber), "That certainly hits. Give me damage, then RP." [vodacce] Amber says, "I don't want him dead, I want him disabled so we can question him." [7thsea] Amber rolls 3k2: 3 10+7 9 | 26 [7thsea] Man rolls 2k2: 4 1 | 5 [vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "Woo! Two crits!" [vodacce] GM says, "Hrm. Two critical hits on one shot like that near the eyes? He's down, possibly blind." Amber executes a perfectly controlled swing, to neatly draw a bloody line over his eyes. Chiara makes a face, but cannot look away from this fascinating scene. GM says, "The man stands still for a moment, then crumples face-down onto the piazza." [vodacce] GM asks, "Venzi?" [vodacce] Venzi asks, "there's the one brute left, yes?" [vodacce] Wilson says, "3, I thought." [vodacce] GM says, "Three. Giancarlo took 2 of the five." [vodacce] Venzi says, "oh, 5? whoops" Man says, "ow" Niccolo asks (of Man), "Should we call this off, then?" Man says, "..." [vodacce] Wilson sings, "She's not even half the girl she...." Venzi steps forward, nods to two of the brutes, and his sword is in his hand and cutting out. [7thsea] Venzi rolls 6k3: 5 6 3 7 4 5 | 18 [vodacce] Venzi says, "(not very well, though)" [vodacce] Venzi says, "hey, wait, I have a drama die too" [7thsea] Venzi rolls 1k1: 6 | 6 [vodacce] GM says, "Neatly done. They fall." Venzi's sword, about to miss both, suddenly twists oddly and cuts the two men down. Wilson exclaims, "Good show, old chap!" Brute eyes his compatriots, and especially the leader in his spreading pool of blood. He raises his sword menacingly -- then breaks and runs. Venzi . o O ( how strange these foreigners talk ) [vodacce] Niccolo says, "(Must AFK a sec)" Giancarlo spits in the running man's direction. "coward." [vodacce] GM says, "Well, you polished those people off quickly enough." Wilson says (to Niccolo), "Are you hurt? Let me look at that." Giancarlo sheathes/retrieves weapons. Wilson sets his chair down and shakes out his hand. Amber says (to Venzi), "Help me with this man." [vodacce] Venzi says, "I think a fighter character is generally good for like four brutes a round" Giancarlo says (to Amber), "Impressive bladework." [vodacce] GM says, "Mmmhmm." Amber is checking to make sure the man she cut down is still concious, but no longer a threat. GM says, "The people around you are still giving you a wide berth." Venzi shrugs and replaces his sword, then walks over to Amber. Venzi removes the man's belt and ties him with it. GM says (to Amber), "He's not conscious, but he seems to still be breathing." Giancarlo squats down by the main guy with Amber and checks the guy out. [vodacce] Wilson asks, "Niccolo just got flesh wounds, right? Does he need a first aid roll?" [vodacce] GM says, "He just got flesh wounds. You can deal with them now or later." Amber says (to Gian), "Thank you. This kind of nitty-gritty is my calling." % You have new mail in /var/mail/jota Venzi says, "I see you two have this under control" Venzi steps up and back by Wilson (and Chiara, I guess) [vodacce] Wilson says, "Might as well patch 'em up in case we run into something else later." GM says, "You become aware of the sound of synchronized tramping." Giancarlo smiles. "Welcome home." Wilson says (to Niccolo), "This isn't bad, but I better put something on it anyway." Venzi looks over to the noise. Chiara glances at Venzi thoughtfully. Amber asks (of Gian), "Eh? Home?" GM says, "You can see the crowd parting for someone, or several someones." Giancarlo shrugs. Venzi steps back to await Fortunato's arrival. GM says, "A group of men in armor arrive on the scene." Amber swears a streak in the air, turns and runs. Guard_2 exclaims, "What's this, now, what's -- hey!" Giancarlo asks, "!?" Venzi . o O ( my my ) Giancarlo . o O ( Obviously there's something Amber's not telling us. ) Chiara . o O ( damnation. ) GM says, "The men don't surround you, quite, but they are definitely at the ready." Venzi asks (of Men), "something wrong?" Guard_2 says, "I get a report of trouble in the bazaar, we come running, and here you are." Giancarlo greets the men as if there aren't any bleeding unconscious people lying around. Guard_2 says, "This is going to be one of those days, I can just tell. Busted back to patrol detail wasn't enough, oh no." Wilson says (to Men), "Ho there! This man needs medical attention, and after that, the attention of the judge." Giancarlo addresses the Guard. (same guard from this morning?) Guard_2 sends some of his men after Amber. [vodacce] Venzi says, "nah, Guard_2 is a common vodacce first name" Wilson, after attending to Niccolo, looks after the fallen leader guy. [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Back." [vodacce] Wilson says, "(is Niccolo automatic, or do I need to roll?)" Niccolo says (to 2), "Ah, good. Better late than never." [vodacce] GM says, "Automatic." [7thsea] Amber rolls 8k4: 2 2 9 7 4 7 6 3 | 29 Guard_2 asks, "Where are, uh, the rest of the combatants?" Giancarlo says, "Good afternoon, signor. You have nothing to worry about. All is under control." Wilson says, "One of them fled, and I think Amber went after him." Giancarlo points to the down men. Guard_2 counts the unconscious men, noticing especially the bound and bleeding man. Venzi asks, "look familiar?" Guard_2 says, "Clearly something was going on." Giancarlo says, "He appeared to wish to pick a fight. I issued a warning. His friends attacked us." Guard_2 asks, "Why pick a fight with you?" Niccolo exclaims (at 2), "Yes. That man attacked us!" Guard_2 says, "No, no, don't tell me. Some people attract trouble." Guard_2 says, "Like me." Guard_2 sighs. Giancarlo asks, "Perhaps he wished to rob us?" Venzi says, "it seems somewhat public for that" Niccolo says, "More likely, I suspect he was drunk." Chiara smiles flatteringly at Guard_2. "Difficult day?" Guard_2 asks (of Niccolo), "Him and his four well-armed friends?" Guard_2 says, "No, something about this isn't right." Giancarlo says, "There now. It's not so bad. See, in the end, you have a chance to visit the bazaar, and there is nothing that truly requires your attention." Guard_2 asks, "And why did your friend wait to run before we showed up?" [vodacce] GM says, "Pretend that last sentence parses fine." Chiara coughs embarrassedly. Niccolo says (to 2), "Well, he was certainly rude enough. If you've got a better idea why..." Guard_2 says, "We're going to have to go see Fortunato." Giancarlo says, "Yes, please do." Guard_2 says, "And he hates it when that happens." Guard_2 gets his men to pick up the unconscious people. Venzi says, "I expect he'll have to get used to it" Wilson says, "Oh, I'm sure there are lots of people here who saw the whole thing." Guard_2 asks, "Um, we seem to have a body left over. Could one of you help...?" Venzi lifts a brute up. Wilson says, "They can verify our story." Wilson looks at the crowd. Venzi bends his knees and lifts properly. Giancarlo . o O ( like carrying a bride over the threshold. ) Guard_2 says (to Wilson), "Some of my men will talk to the witnesses. Right now we've got to go to the guard house." [vodacce] Niccolo says (to Wilson), "This is te part of the story where, suddenly, there's no one around who happened to have been here five minutes ago. Honest. Just arrived." [vodacce] Wilson says, "Exactly ;-)" Guard_2 sighs. Guard_2 says, "Let's go." [vodacce] Venzi says (to Giancarlo), "usually they wiggle a bit more" [vodacce] GM asks, "Everyone (but Amber the Flash) coming along?" Wilson (brightly) "Right!" Guard_2 glances over his shoulder, perhaps hoping to catch sight of someone, then sighs again. [vodacce] Chiara says, "yes" Giancarlo asks (of Chiara), "I could go look for you erstwhile companion. Does she do this often?" Wilson puts a bandage on Guy's forehead, follows, after retrieving the guest list from where he dropped it. [vodacce] Niccolo says, "I guess so." Chiara says (to Giancarlo), "never before that I know of." Guard_2 says (to Giancarlo), "No more wandering off. Fortunato will be even more displeased if I lose any more of you." [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Are we heading to the manor's guardhouse, or the city guardhouse? Or are they one in the same?" Giancarlo shrugs. "As you wish." [Crows-Nest] Giancarlo says, "...Buttercup." [Crows-Nest] Venzi says, "hee hee" Chiara sticks beside Venzi. "I suppose I will have to trust you to look after me, in Amber's absence." [vodacce] GM says, "Manor's guardhouse." Wilson again counts the guests in groups of five. [Crows-Nest] GM says (to Chiara), "woo woo" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Most convenient." [Crows-Nest] Chiara says, "hey, I've seen what a dashing swordsman he is" [Crows-Nest] GM says, "ahem" Venzi looks disapproving at the direction Amber vanished. "Well, somebody ought to." [Crows-Nest] Chiara says, "uh" [Crows-Nest] Chiara whistles Guard_2 says, "The other guards should find her." [vodacce] GM says, "During the party, all police-type stuff is consolidated." Chiara says, "I imagine she just recollected a, er, pressing appointment." [Crows-Nest] Giancarlo asks, "What, and I'm not dashing? For a self-assured sexist bastard?" GM says, "And Guard_2 leads you off into Chapter 3." GM says, "Or 4, even." [Crows-Nest] Chiara says, "you didn't do that nifty cool sword trick thing where it turns around midair" [vodacce] Venzi says, "chapter 3 was so great we can't bear to leave" [vodacce] GM says, "The chapter so nice, you visited it thrice." [vodacce] Amber exclaims, "hey, he didn't take out the henchman in one blow, either!" [vodacce] GM says, "And a drama die for Amber, and one for Niccolo." [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Nifty." [vodacce] Amber exclaims, "neato!" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Arr" [vodacce] Amber asks, "was that for my fancy swordwork, or my yellow streak?" [vodacce] GM says, "Yes." [vodacce] Chiara says, "heehee" [vodacce] Wilson chuckles. [vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "Her fancy yellow streak!" [vodacce] GM says, "Chapter 4 will see you finally meeting Fortunato, and then the FEATS OF STRENGTH" [vodacce] Wilson says, "She can write her name with it." [vodacce] Venzi says, "uh-hunh" [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "I don't have strength. Can we get some FEATS OF FEETS?" [vodacce] GM says, "There will be FEATS OF FEETS" [vodacce] Wilson says, "DON'T FAIL ME NOW." [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Woo." [vodacce] GM says, "and FEATS OF WITS" [vodacce] Amber asks, "how about a FEAST OF WITS?" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Mmm, chilled brains." [vodacce] Wilson says, "Wits stew. It's a palindrome! It all works out." [vodacce] GM says, "And an XP for everyone, even Chiara and Wilson the non-fighters." [vodacce] Venzi says, "yay" [vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "Hey, I hit the guy in the head!" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Arr" [vodacce] Chiara says, "I was just politely hanging back" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Woo." [vodacce] Chiara says, "to let the others shine" [vodacce] Chiara says, "with no thought of personal glory" [vodacce] Wilson says, "Almost gave him a critical wound ;-)" [vodacce] GM says, "Hey, good point. A drama die for the mad chair wielder." [vodacce] Venzi says, "anything below 4 flesh wounds inflicted is a non-combatant" [vodacce] Wilson exclaims, "Woo-hoo!" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "heh" [vodacce] Niccolo exclaims (at Venzi), "I guess I'm a combatant. i took 25 flesh wounds!" [vodacce] Venzi says, "good point" [interludes] GM has added Amber to the channel. [interludes] GM says, "(if now is okay)" [interludes] Amber says, "yes" [interludes] Amber -) [interludes] GM asks, "Great. Where are you running to, to do some checking?" [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Should I leave the log on for the moment?" [vodacce] GM says, "Please." [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Also, given that Interludes Happened, should this log not go public yet?" [vodacce] Wilson says, "I could make the interlude channel white-on-white." [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Or maybe should there be an excised version for now, maybe?" [vodacce] GM asks, "This brings up a question: given that there are such interludes, would people be willing to have the discussions in them become OOC knowledge?" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I don't mind." [vodacce] Chiara says, "I find it actually kind of cool not knowing" [vodacce] Chiara says, "but I suppose I can preserve my ignorance" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "I don't mind it being OOC knowledge, so long as it's not IC knowledge." [vodacce] Chiara says, "eventually I will want to Find Out The Whole Truth" [vodacce] GM says, "For now, then, let's have an excised log." [vodacce] Venzi says, "I'm with chiara, although my interludes specifically aren't secret enough to really need to remain secret" [vodacce] Amber says, "I have enough trouble keeping track of what I know; I'd rather not have to keep track of what I don't know, too." [vodacce] GM says, "No #interlude information for now." [vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Venzi), "mine either...." [vodacce] Wilson asks (of GM), "Excised completely, or with white-out?" [vodacce] Venzi says, "but presumably it's too much hassle to include some and not others" [vodacce] GM says (to Wilson), "Completely." [vodacce] Wilson says, "Okeedokee." [vodacce] Wilson says, "I'll set up the script to not include 'em." [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Too easy to view whited out ones accidentally, and too hard to view only the whited out ones you're supposed to know on purpose." [vodacce] GM says, "Don't, y'know, throw it away or anything. But have your perl script ignore them -- right." [vodacce] Wilson asks (of Nic), "Accidentally?" [vodacce] Niccolo says (to Wilson), "By hiliting text." [vodacce] Wilson asks, "You accidentally hilight text?" [vodacce] Venzi says, "I do all the time" [vodacce] Wilson says, "Huh." [vodacce] Venzi says, "because it is too hard to find the scrollbar" [vodacce] Wilson says, "Oh, that makes sense." [interludes] GM asks, "So where to?" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Also, I fiddle with things when I'm not paying attention to my hands, and hiliting is one of those things." [vodacce] Niccolo says, "That, and right-click popup menus." [vodacce] Wilson says, "Heh." [vodacce] Amber says, "a House, as that's the law-less part of my background. I go around to the back, via alleys, or whatever." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "hrm. I should keep better track of my XP and drama dice..." [interludes] Amber says, "a House, as that's the law-less part of my background. I go around to the back, via alleys, or whatever." [interludes] GM says, "You make it just fine to the part of town where the houses are." [vodacce] Amber says, "Actually using the channel might help. oops." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "heh" [vodacce] Niccolo wonders if he should start thinking about spending or not. [vodacce] Wilson says, "Last time it was 2xp for everyone; drama die for Chiara and I." [vodacce] GM says, "You've got months to consider it." [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "Was this planned to be a one-story campaign, or an on-going thing?" [vodacce] GM says, "It is a one-story thing with an option to go longer." [vodacce] GM says, "If people like it, I've got material to extend it." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "yay" [interludes] GM says, "And now you're at the back of one house." [vodacce] Wilson says, "Ep 1 was 1xp each, with drama dice for Chiara, me, Niccolo." [vodacce] josh_g asks, "is this just starting, or just ending for tonight?" [vodacce] Venzi says, "that's what john holmes said too" [vodacce] Venzi says (to josh_g), "ending" [vodacce] josh_g says, "aww" [interludes] GM says, "(the house you're based out of, in fact)" [interludes] Amber says, "I look around for a prosperous house, with some quiet and elegance, rather than just cheap skin." [vodacce] josh_g says, "I will anticipate transcript" [interludes] GM says, "(unless you wish to deliberately *not* go to that one)" [interludes] Amber says, "no, that's great! I'm friends with the (twin) madames there. perfect." [vodacce] Wilson asks, "Was this the first ep people spend drama dice?" [vodacce] Wilson says, "(Venzi and myself)" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "I spent one, too." [interludes] GM says, "The bouncer at the back door recognizes you. 'Hello, Amber, come on in. Can I help you with anything? Chiara okay?'" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "I know I haven't spent any." [vodacce] Wilson says, "Wait, I spent one last time, too, I remember." [vodacce] GM says, "This is what the transcripts are for." [interludes] Amber says, "Hey, there! I was hoping to see Celeste, Estelle, or one of their assistants at their convenience." [vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "Oh yeah. The standard as-many-as-lowest-trait-value drama dice ... that's not per session, right?" [interludes] Amber says, "Chiara is fine, and I need to be sure I still am, too." [vodacce] GM says, "'You're in luck. Celeste is in, and not busy at the moment.'" [interludes] GM says, "'You're in luck. Celeste is in, and not busy at the moment.'" [vodacce] GM says (to Giancarlo), "No." [vodacce] Wilson says, "Hey, and there's another dole of one to Venzi and one to Gian, from ep 2 (just not at the end)" [vodacce] Wilson says, "Yay grep! ;-)" [vodacce] GM says, "I need to start using ***YOUR DRAMA DIE COUNT HAS GONE UP***" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "heh" [interludes] Amber says, "Excellent. I can show myself in, thanks." [vodacce] Wilson laughs. [interludes] Amber says, "Good to see you again." [interludes] GM says, "'And you.'" [interludes] Amber heads to Celeste's office. [interludes] Celeste exclaims, "Amber! Come in, come in!" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "I find the downs are harder to locate, really. Maybe we should all page Perry when we use them..." [vodacce] Giancarlo asks, "downs?" [vodacce] Wilson says, "When you spend 'em." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Oh, spending." [vodacce] Niccolo says (to Gian), "Places where -- right." [vodacce] GM says, "Grep for 'Venzi says, "Grf"' and you'll have most of inky's." [interludes] Amber asks, "Its good to see you again, Celeste. I see the House of Twin Stars continues to prosper?" [vodacce] Wilson laffs. [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Hee." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "heh" [interludes] Celeste says, "Indeed. Things have been well." [interludes] Celeste asks, "But you look flushed and tired. Is something wrong?" [interludes] Amber says, "I'm glad to hear it." [vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "Oh yeah. Sorry about almost getting you killed." [vodacce] GM asks, "Hey, he got a drama die out of it? What more do you want?" [interludes] Amber says, "Well, yes. I panicked, and need some reassurance." [vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "I'm apologising now, out of game, because I would never apologise in-game." [interludes] Celeste says, "If I can give it, it is yours." [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Hee. I think I'll get over it." [vodacce] Giancarlo says (to GM), "Ooooh, so he *owes* me." [vodacce] Giancarlo says (to GM), "I'll have to remember to cash in the favour one of these days." [vodacce] GM says, "I'm sure he'll be happy to try to get you killed as well." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "yay" [interludes] Amber says, "I was just involved in a fight, defending Chiarra. As the guards came to investigate the disturbance, a Lord's Hand gave me the most chilling smile, and said, "Welcome home."" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "er wait." [interludes] Celeste frowns. "A Lord's Hand?" [interludes] Amber says, "Since last time I was home, I had to flee the country for killing a nobleman, this unnerved me." [interludes] Celeste asks, "Do you know his mission?" [vodacce] Wilson asks, "Oh, hey, was the guest list divisible by five?" [vodacce] Wilson says, "For I shall forget to ask in January." [vodacce] GM says, "Good question. Unfortunately, every time you counted up to around 134, a fight would break out, or guards would arrive." [interludes] Amber says, "Yes, that's why I'm concerned. I do not know his mission. He aluded to it briefly, I believe, but I don't recall him mentioning any specifics." [vodacce] Giancarlo exclaims, "!!!" [vodacce] Niccolo says, "Pesky NPCs." [vodacce] Wilson says, "Right, but I started counting again on the way to the guardhouse." [interludes] Amber exclaims (at gm), "If he mentioned specifics that Amber would remember, and I (Sara) have forgotten, please remind me. I'm terrible at keeping track of everything in a mud environment - that's why I don't politic very much, and enjoy fighting. Its easier to follow!" [vodacce] Chiara says, "hmmmmmmm" [vodacce] Venzi says, "also, it's not clear that every sat at the same-sized table as us" [vodacce] GM says, "The guest list is not evenly divisible by five." [vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Wilson), "Presumably we arrive at the guardhouse with a few more flesh wounds." [vodacce] Niccolo asks, "So if you're lucky, you'll finish your count at the beginning of chapter four?" [interludes] GM says, "Heh." [vodacce] GM says, "The first lines in next session's log will be '...306, 307, 308 -- dammit, quit interrupting me!'" [vodacce] Wilson chuckles. [interludes] Celeste says, "It is possible, but unlikely, that a Lord's Hand would be searching for you." [vodacce] Niccolo says, "A clever Wilson wuld make a little pencil mark after every fifth name." [interludes] Amber sighs. "He might not be, but he might know that someone else is. You're sure I'm in the clear? [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "A clever evil sorcerous nemesis would erase that mark." [interludes] Celeste says, "From what I and my sister were able to find out, the family of the nobleman you killed were just as glad he was gone." [vodacce] Venzi asks, "have pencils been invented?" [interludes] Amber says, "You're right. I shouldn't have panicked." [vodacce] Niccolo says (to Gian), "Well, sure. But I don't think Guard_2 counts as a clever evil sorcerous nemesis." [vodacce] Niccolo says (to Venzi), "I think they're in the PG." [vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Venzi), "yeah, I think so." [interludes] Celeste says, "You have been under a lot of stress." [vodacce] Chiara says, "if he were, he'd have ensorcelled up a better name, for starters" [vodacce] Giancarlo says (to Niccolo), "I was thinking of Signor Locricchio." [vodacce] GM asks, "Like Guard_1?" [vodacce] Chiara says, "heehee" [interludes] Celeste says, "The family's actions against you were half-hearted at best, and stopped shortly after you left for Montaigne." [interludes] Amber blushes. Thank you, Celeste. I hated abandoning my post with Chiara, but I wouldn't have done her much good in chains, now, would I? [vodacce] Niccolo says, "If nothing else, I bet Wilson has charcoal pencils. Or crayons, or whatever." [interludes] Amber says, "And I'm not doing her any good here, either. I had better go." Amber hugs Celeste. "Thank you!" [interludes] Celeste stands. "You cut to the heart of the matter, as usual." [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Ook." [interludes] Amber says, "Yeah, diplomacy-Rn't-us." [interludes] Celeste says, "Do take care, and tell Chiara she should visit more often." [vodacce] Venzi says, "yeah, ok, charcoal I could buy" [interludes] Amber exclaims, "I will. See you again soon!" [interludes] Amber leaves, promising to return soon, and bring Chiarra with her. [vodacce] (from Niccolo) Jean_Sebastien says, "Celeste never let *me* hug her..." [interludes] GM says, "And that concludes this interlude." [vodacce] Venzi exclaims, "yay!" [vodacce] Giancarlo says, "Yay" [interludes] GM has removed Amber from the channel. [vodacce] GM says, "Okay, log can go off."