Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: DracoOmega on December 30, 2011, 09:01:40 PM
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>You are Nazrin, a newly inducted member of the Seeker's Guild, and you are dying.
>While investigating a series of cattle disappearances around the village of Easthaven, you uncovered a nest of giant spiders. Your subsequent investigation of their lair had dire and lasting consequences when a wild spider youkai, furious with you for killing a dozen of her kin, infected you with a supernaturally virulent disease. You narrowly eascaped death that very day due to the sheltering power of Kumokirimaru and Minoriko's creative thinking. Still, she was unable to halt the progression of the disease and insists that you have no more than a week or two to live. Determined that you will survive this ordeal, you have set out in search of a cure.
>You have spent much of the last 24 hours engaged in this search, with limited success. Of all the doctors and healers you spoke with, only one professed any serious chance of treating your disease, and her presentation left you distinctly dubious that this cure would work. Your attempts to learn more about the sword which keeps your life safe have also been disappointing. While the archeologists from the Grand Academy recognized the inscription as Freelands Archaic, their knowledge of this language is evidently so fragmentary that a translation might take substantial time. You have thus-far also failed to get in direct contact with the Professor Kamishirasawa, the archeologist in charge of the local dig, though the student you spoke with this afternoon has promised to contact her directly about your disease; given travel time, it will probably take at least a day to hear back from her.
>In the meantime, you have been looking for a fast ship to take you to Val Razua, in the hope that an answer to your plight can be found in the great city. To that end, you have met a Captain Murasa, who has offered you passage on her ship if you can help them leave port. Apparently someone stole their export license a couple days ago, and they've been stuck in Braston ever since. An investigation of the scene of the crime turned up limited clues, but you did detect a faint and rather unusual magical signature which you are attempting to relocate.
>You are currently standing just outside the captain's cabin of the Blue Maiden, engaged in an infuriating encounter with one of her crew who seems insistent on you staying where you are until Murasa returns.
>"Lemme see if I get this straight. Your captain and I come to an agreement, whereby I agree to solve your problem for you, at no charge, no pay, nothing except a ride to where you were going anyway. And now I'm basically a prisoner?"
>"Hey, I don't know what you two talked about," she says with a shrug. "'sides, if you ain't done nothing wrong, it's not gonna kill ya to wait a few minutes, is it?"
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>Oh, now you're just baiting us.
>Put away dousing rods.
>Flatly, "I don't suppose you'd care to make a small wager on that."
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>Oh, now you're just baiting us.
>Put away dousing rods.
>Flatly, "I don't suppose you'd care to make a small wager on that."
>Come now, would I do such a thing?
>You put your dowsing rods away.
>"On what?" she laughs. "You keelin' over from boredom?"
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>"On one more pointless delay killing me. Because they ARE killing me."
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Of note, once we reveal the disease, they probably aren't going to want to be stuck in a boat with us for three days no matter what. Mind you, I'm all for burning this bridge just to be in character.
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>"On one more pointless delay killing me. Because they ARE killing me."
>"Well, sorry to hear it, mousey," she replies without a great deal of concern in her voice. "Life's a bitch like that sometimes."
>At this point, you hear footsteps approaching from the other end of the deck.
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>Nostril flare, muscle clench. Why, you little...
>Thorough clenched teeth, "Your concern is quite touching..."
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No no no no.
>Instead say, "So you feel like going on ahead and getting me a nice place picked out in hell?"
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>Nostril flare, muscle clench. Why, you little...
>Instead say, "So you feel like going on ahead and getting me a nice place picked out in hell?"
>She laughs. "Not plannin' on dropping in there for a few years yet, sorry. 'sides, the way you're goin' on, someone'd think you're already there."
>The footsteps draw nearer and Murasa appears over the top of the stairs to the rest of the deck. The redhead cranes her neck back in that direction.
>"Everything okay here?" Murasa asks.
>"We're good," the other woman replies lightly.
>Murasa gives you a quick look over and nods. The redhead hoists herself upright and heads off to the main deck, while Murasa walks down the steps towards you.
>"Sorry 'bout the hold-up," she says. "You find anything?"
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>Simply stand there and fume for a moment.
>"No, actually, I didn't. The lead I had, I lost, and your.... flunky, wouldn't let me go after it."
>"There may be a chance I can still pick it up, IF I can be ALLOWED."
>Produce dousing rods again, but before emplyoing them, does Murasa seem to be generating or carrying anything like we sensed earlier?
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No more half measures.
>Instead say: "Actually, yeah, I had something. Then it turns out you left the damn boat anchor in here to keep me pinned up in here, what the hell did I do to deserve that? I offered to help you, no money down in exchange for passage if I succeed, and this is the thanks I get? You think you an just treat people like that?"
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>Instead say: "Actually, yeah, I had something. Then it turns out you left the damn boat anchor in here to keep me pinned up in here, what the hell did I do to deserve that? I offered to help you, no money down in exchange for passage if I succeed, and this is the thanks I get? You think you an just treat people like that?"
>"Look, I appreciate it," she says. "I really do. But I also don't know you. I just asked Chisato to keep an eye on you, that's all. It's nothing personal, really; I honestly thought I'd be back before you were finished doing you thing."
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>"'Keep an eye on', huh. Your friend had the stance of 'Make sure she doesn't leave this room.' Like I was some kind of prisoner. I even said, and I meant it, I had no beef with her eyeballing me. But nooOOOoo, that wasn't good enough."
>Let out a long breath.
>"I just hope I can still find whatever it was."
>Produce dousing rods again, but before emplyoing them, does Murasa seem to be generating or carrying anything like we sensed earlier?
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>Add in. before picking up the rods again, : "She's lucky I haven't whittled off those lips and fed 'em to her! What'd I do to deserve that? You didn't even say anything! I don't need this shit, you know! If this is how you treat people, I think I know why your passport would have been stolen!"
I say we hold off the dousing until we get a bit more out of her.
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>You didn't even say anything! I don't need this shit, you know! If this is how you treat people, I think I know why your passport would have been stolen!"
>Not this part.
Ragging on the tin soldier? Good call, bitch got it coming. But attacking Murasa, who we need? And who seems at least a little apologetic and a lot more reasonable? Not as good an idea.
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That's the thing. we don't need Murasa. We have a whole port full of ships and a pouch full of money to throw at them.
She however, needs us. And she hasn't treated us with dignity despite our generosity. Nazrin, I think, is going to need some pretty comprehensive apologies to actually care enough to help anymore, after all shit she's put up with from Branston as a whole.
>Related: Do we know anyone talented at forgery?
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>"'Keep an eye on', huh. Your friend had the stance of 'Make sure she doesn't leave this room.' Like I was some kind of prisoner. I even said, and I meant it, I had no beef with her eyeballing me. But nooOOOoo, that wasn't good enough."
>"She's lucky I haven't whittled off those lips and fed 'em to her!"
>You let loose with a few complaints about your watchdog. Murasa's expression twists into a rather leery scowl as you speak of rearranging the redhead's face, though she doesn't immediately say anything.
>Let out a long breath.
>"I just hope I can still find whatever it was."
>Produce dousing rods again, but before emplyoing them, does Murasa seem to be generating or carrying anything like we sensed earlier?
>You let out a long breath and produce your dowsing rods again.
>As best you can tell without actually employing them, you sense nothing from Murasa that resembles the earlier oddity you were searching for, but you wouldn't actually expect to be able to without their assistance. Nothing on her is poking your treasure sense much, at least; she may have some money on her, but nothing unusual.
>Related: Do we know anyone talented at forgery?
>You suppose that depends on what is being forged. You can actually do a passable job of forging signatures and such; while not officially on the curriculum, there's enough overlap with what is taught about their detection to pick up a few tricks, and the occasional veteran Seeker could be coaxed for a little tutoring. You have a nagging suspicion that Rinnosuke himself is quite good at it, but you don't know if he'd admit it. You might be able to dig up someone with more expertise if you went and made a few discrete inquiries, but the best people at this are often the least public about it (for understandable reasons).
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Yeah, let's walk out, if that's all Murasa is going to give us. No more half measures and being walked on and used like this.
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Yeah, no.
>Try dousing again.
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No really. We have a whole harbor. And Nazrin has not been given any kind of respect from these people outside of a tepid apology. Why would she want to remain here?
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>Try dousing again.
>You take another deep breath and try to let go of your frustrations enough to concentrate, then start looking for that sensation again. You focus on Murasa first, but find no trace of it. There is something else just a little bit odd about her, however. You're pretty sure it's unrelated, but you're fairly convinced she isn't human, nor a normal youkai for that matter. In what part of your concentration can still pay attention to such things, you catch her giving you an odd look as you examine her, almost a little wary.
>Eventually you satisfy yourself that whatever it was isn't coming from her, and turn back to the rest of the ship again. Sadly, this doesn't prove any more productive than when you'd been inside the cabin earlier; you detect a variety of mundane things, but nothing which strikes you as particularly out of place, and no sign of that vague sensation from earlier.
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In a sentance? Murasa can save her precious days.
>"Damn. Whatever it was, I can't sense it from here anymore."
>Have we ever encountered anything like the 'between' feeling in an individual other than Murasa?
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Prove what you're saying. Again, we have a whole harbor full of ships, and and bag full of of money to get them to do what we need. here we just have the nth event in a long line of events proving Braston hates us, and we're pretty much on the verge of murder. Why would Nazrin ever swallow her pride for these people outside of metagamey reasons? She has no reason to be here when she can get the same service elsewhere.
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>"Damn. Whatever it was, I can't sense it from here anymore."
>Have we ever encountered anything like the 'between' feeling in an individual other than Murasa?
>Murasa lets out a sigh. "Don't suppose you had any idea what it was, after all that?"
>Not personally, no. Something about her feels faintly less tangible than most people, though you can't usefully dowse biology.
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Recall, if you can, the description of the other ships in the harbor. We had run of the mill cargo ships, run of the mill passenger ships, and Murasa's boat. It was stated earlier that the passenger ships take around a week to get to VR. The cargo ships probably take longer. Let's use a modern comparison. You see in a parking lot a bunch of toyota corollas, a bunch of pickup trucks, and a ferrari 458. Which one would you bet was the fastest?
And let's say we empty our wallet in the pocket of one of the truck drivers. Does that magically make the truck as fast as the ferrari?
>"No more so than I did before you left. I suppose I can try again from on deck, but at this point...."
>Head shake.
>"Which leaves me right back at square one."
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That's a point, but we have pretty much no real evidence we're going to find anything, save for a vague half feeling. On the other hand, we have yet another set of people who have treated us like crap, moreso because we went out of our way to help. This said, you are right that it's our best hope if we can find anything. But, I think we can agree Nazrin is not going to be fully rational about it, not after the past few days and pretty much anyone in Braston who could be s useful shitting on her.
As such, I think we can compromise. I say we make 'em pay through the nose. Not with coin, mind you. But make 'em pay, because somebody's got to pay. They owe it to us. And be ready to walk out if they don't. Even if it's just a headfake and we go and search for the thing anyways out of desperation. We don't let them know that it is, and demand even more if we find it (Or get a decent forgery of one).
I also think this is definitely the straw that broke the camel's back, if we have to leave this ship, part of that time should be spent throwing the one medical shyster through a window. He's the one that's played us the worst in all this. Or pay a visit to Ellen.
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Oh, my head... New year's.
Anyway, back to the topic at hand. (was hoping Draco would post so we could debate and progress the plot at once, but, oh well. Can't have everything.)
I'm willing to concede that Murasa may not be our ONLY hope of getting a fast ride. I still believe she is, fully, but I have been wrong before. Just because there's nothing in port that's as fast as her ship NOW doesn't mean there WON'T be in an hours' time. Can't say for certain, but that's easy enough to check on.
I also like your idea about forging a replacement document, it's something I wouldn't have thought of. If we can have a good one made, it solves our current problem. It might cause us problems down the road, if the truth comes out, but at least we'll BE there down the road. It's definitely something to keep in mind.
We could also apply a little lateral thinking as well. The problem Murasa has is leaving with her cargo. If we can find a local buyer for that cargo, then she'd be able to leave easily, and we'd be on our way lickety-split. Assuming she didn't BUY it locally, of course, then there's that idea gone.
But as for being irrational? There I disagree. I think Nazrin would be angry, and frustrated, and certainly justifiably so. But not irrational. Not while there's still hope. The clock hasn't ticked off that much yet.
And, I have to ask. Why Ellen? :P Not that I'd mind at all, she was certainly interesting company, just curious.
>Are we confidant enough in our forging skills to duplicate the writing on official documents, if we'd seen it at least once before?
>Recall Murasa's inventory list. Does it look the kind of thing she'd have picked up here, or elsewhere?
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>Are we confidant enough in our forging skills to duplicate the writing on official documents, if we'd seen it at least once before?
>Recall Murasa's inventory list. Does it look the kind of thing she'd have picked up here, or elsewhere?
>This would depend on the complexity of the document involved, and presence of any seals or watermarks. It would be a very tall order to do it from merely having seen one before, but you could probably make the attempt if you had an original to look off while you worked.
>You imagine that most, if not all, the fruit on the manifest was grown in Easthaven and the rivets were likely produced locally as well. The wool and leather were clearly marked as having come from Northswald, and you suspect that some of the herbs came from outside of Estval. Most of rest of the cargo is up in the air; it's possible there was some indication of place of origin buried in the manifest's shorthand, but nothing that meant anything to you.
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Not to pester, boss, but I had some commands outstanding a couple posts back.
>"No more so than I did before you left. I suppose I can try again from on deck, but at this point...."
>Head shake.
>"Which leaves me right back at square one. Cheh. Should be used to that by now..."
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>"No more so than I did before you left. I suppose I can try again from on deck, but at this point...."
>Head shake.
>"Which leaves me right back at square one. Cheh. Should be used to that by now..."
>Murasa gives a tired shrug. "Didn't think there's be much to find here. I mean, I dunno what you can pick up with those things, but I didn't see much when we scoured the place, earlier. Whoever nabbed this probably got away clean." She lets out another irritated sigh.
>"Don't suppose you have any other ideas?"
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>Decent to see her irritated, too.
>"Well, I can scan again from up on deck. After that... Maybe, I'd need a minute to think."
>If she permits, head up on deck and douse again.
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>Decent to see her irritated, too.
>"Well, I can scan again from up on deck. After that... Maybe, I'd need a minute to think."
>If she permits, head up on deck and douse again.
>You're glad to see you're not the only one...
>"Well, probably can't hurt, I suppose," she says without much enthusiasm, then turns and walks back up the stairs to the main deck.
>You follow after her and cross much of the length of the deck to give you a better vantage on the other side of the ship. You note the redhead has gone back to lounging by the main gangway again; she follows you with a sidelong glance as you pass by her.
>Once you've reached what you figure is a good enough spot, you stop and go through the whole process again. You are somewhat quicker this time, if only because very little has changed from the last time you searched; some resonances are slightly stronger, and others slightly weaker, but you do not pick up anything in particular that you hadn't from outside Murasa's cabin. With a sigh, you put the rods down again.
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>"Well... That didn't work."
>Find a place to sit down. With our luck, whatever that was will probably jump out of an alley and shank us an hour from now.
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Should we try the cabin again? Maybe whatever it was came back in our absence?
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Couldn't hurt to try.
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>"Well... That didn't work."
>Find a place to sit down. With our luck, whatever that was will probably jump out of an alley and shank us an hour from now.
>You report your lack of success, then go and plunk yourself down on a small wooden box, grumbling inwardly. Murasa just nods; her expression is dull, but unsurprised.
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>"I wanna try your cabin one more time. Just on the off chance."
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>"I wanna try your cabin one more time. Just on the off chance."
>She lets out a deep sigh, more tired than actually annoyed. "Sure, why not."
>She walks lazily back towards the other end of the deck.
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>Back to the cabin for another sweep.
>Stifle a grim chuckle. She thinks she's tired. Try having the couple days we've had.
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>Back to the cabin for another sweep.
>Stifle a grim chuckle. She thinks she's tired. Try having the couple days we've had.
>You follow Murasa back to her cabin, stifling a dark chuckle as you do. If she knew the half of what you've been through lately...
>"Don't worry," she says as the two of you step into the room. "I'll keep my mouth shut this time."
>As you start to dowse yet again, you see Murasa grab a flask of something out of the liquor cabinet and take a swig. Then you lose your focus on the sights of the room as you slip deeper into the magical resonances you can sense through your dowsing rods; you've pushed your concentration on this front so frequently this afternoon that your mind is actually feeling more than a little burnt out on it. Still, you give it another earnest try, for all the good it does. The results are the same as before; whatever that sensation was, if it was even anything at all, seems well and truly gone.
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>Put away dousing rods, then pass a hand over our eyes.
>"Nothing. Nothing except a headache."
>Are we the type to take a swig of whiskey to cure a headache?
>Have we ever encountered the consequences of extended and/or intense dousing? IE, can we actually damage ourselves if we try too hard or too long?
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>Put away dousing rods, then pass a hand over our eyes.
>"Nothing. Nothing except a headache."
>Are we the type to take a swig of whiskey to cure a headache?
>Have we ever encountered the consequences of extended and/or intense dousing? IE, can we actually damage ourselves if we try too hard or too long?
>You stow your dowsing rods again and rub your forehead.
>Murasa lets out an irritated grunt. She seems to have moved over to one of the benches while you were otherwise engaged and is reclining against it, flask still in hand. She raises it in the air towards you. "Want a drink?"
>You don't drink much at all, but your experience suggests its much more likely to cause one than cure one.
>The actual act of dowsing is roughly akin to concentrating your smell or hearing on a bundle of stimuli and trying to carefully tease apart one sensation from another, then resolve them into something you recognize. While it can be tiring to perform if you're looking for something hard to detect, you would be no more at risk of damaging yourself from it than you would be from spending an extended period trying to eavesdrop on a very quiet and distant conversation.
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>Well, chaulk it up as a peace offering. Might help calm our nerves, if nothing else.
>"Maybe a small one, thanks."
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>Well, chaulk it up as a peace offering. Might help calm our nerves, if nothing else.
>"Maybe a small one, thanks."
>She screws the cap back on the flask with a quick flick of her hand, then tosses it towards you. "Help yourself."
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>Snatch it out of midair, place hand on cover, then pause.
>Somewhat lightly, "This isn't some crazyass sailor homebrew, is it?"
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>Snatch it out of midair, place hand on cover, then pause.
>Somewhat lightly, "This isn't some crazyass sailor homebrew, is it?"
>You deftly catch the flask and move to open it, then pause.
>Murasa snickers. "Nah, it's just cheap stuff, really, but I like it."
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>Have a sniff. Then have a glutch.
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>Have a sniff. Then have a glutch.
>You unscrew the cap and take an experimental sniff. The scent is quite sharp and just a little bitter, with a dark nutty aroma to it and a subtle hint of spice. You take a small swig and immediately attempt not to visibly wince. Crazyass or no, it still tastes plenty strong to you. You swear you can already feel your sinuses opening as it burns its way down your throat. The flavor isn't terrible, though.
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>"I can see why." Cough. "That'll clear the haze."
>Toss the flask back. Take a moment to savor the sensation.
>"I'll try to pick up whatever that was when I see your harbormaster later. It's possible that whoever did this left a stronger trace there than here. Has she got a name, by the way? The customs agent, I mean."
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>"I can see why." Cough. "That'll clear the haze."
>Toss the flask back. Take a moment to savor the sensation.
>"I'll try to pick up whatever that was when I see your harbormaster later. It's possible that whoever did this left a stronger trace there than here. Has she got a name, by the way? The customs agent, I mean."
>Murasa chuckles, you think at least partially at your expense.
>You toss the flask back to her and take a moment to savor the sensation. An incidental deep breath sets off a renewed wave of tingling down your throat and even a little in your nose; you almost cough.
>The smile mostly falls from Murasa's face as you ask this, replaced with an irritated frown. "Louise."
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>Does that name mean anything to us?
>Nod, then have a seat. "Captain, I know I'm not an expert, but, is there a local market for your goods? I mean, I'm sure it wouldn't be as profitable, but, it would seem to solve your immediate problem."
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>Does that name mean anything to us?
>Nod, then have a seat. "Captain, I know I'm not an expert, but, is there a local market for your goods? I mean, I'm sure it wouldn't be as profitable, but, it would seem to solve your immediate problem."
>It does not, but you're not particular acquainted with the people staffing the harbor authority.
>You nod and take a seat opposite Murasa, then suggest she consider selling her goods locally.
>"Nah, not really," she says with a sigh. "Could probably find a way to offload some of it, but a lot of it came from here in the first place. Braston's practically rolling in fruit and metalwork; this stuff was made for the export market and if anyone here wanted it, they'd have already gotten it from someone else. Probably have to practically give it away."
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>"I suspected as much, from what I saw in that manifest of yours. I admit, though, there were some things there I couldn't put an origin to."
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>"I suspected as much, from what I saw in that manifest of yours. I admit, though, there were some things there I couldn't put an origin to."
>"Eh, most of the rest's from other islands out this way," she says. "We were doin' a circuit around the place before heading back to the continent."
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>Ponder.
>"Had you ever had trouble in the port before Braston here? It's possible you picked up a stowaway there, someone that wanted to ruin your run, for whatever reason."
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>Ponder.
>"Had you ever had trouble in the port before Braston here? It's possible you picked up a stowaway there, someone that wanted to ruin your run, for whatever reason."
>"Think it'd be kinda hard for a stowaway to keep hidden around here," she says. "Though I s'pose whoever it was is pretty good at not bein' seen."
>She shrugs. "Either way, been a pretty normal run up to now. No problems, really. Unless you count Chisato losin' half her cash passed out in a drunken heap dockside. I kinda don't think that has anything to do with this, though."
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>Smirk.
>"And nothing like this has ever happened to you before? The missing papers, not the drunken heap bit. Even I know that's a risk at every portside bar in existance."
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>Smirk.
>"And nothing like this has ever happened to you before? The missing papers, not the drunken heap bit. Even I know that's a risk at every portside bar in existance."
>"Seen a lotta stuff over the years," she says, "but this is a new one. Does kinda seem like someone's got it out for us, but damned if I know who they are. If I had a name or face to give ya, you'd have it."
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>"No old spats with merchants around here, no rival shippers who want to take you down? I swear, if it's faeries again, I'm getting a hammer..."
You know what we never did? We never asked the mice in the hold.
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>"No old spats with merchants around here, no rival shippers who want to take you down? I swear, if it's faeries again, I'm getting a hammer..."
>Murasa snickers. "Pretty sure it ain't a fairy, or she's a damn clever one. And sure, I've gotten into spat or two over the years, but nothin' lately, really. 'sides, don't think any of them could pull all this off, if they even still cared."
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You are absolutely right, P.
>Have we noticed any obvious signs of mice aboard ship since we came on?
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>Have we noticed any obvious signs of mice aboard ship since we came on?
>Not so far, though you hadn't really been looking for them, either.
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>"Okay, I got one more long shot. Can I have a look around the hold? I imagine you have some mice hiding somewhere if you carry food..."
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>"Okay, I got one more long shot. Can I have a look around the hold? I imagine you have some mice hiding somewhere if you carry food..."
>"Hey, I run a clean ship here!" she protests with a scowl. There is a moment's pause, then her expression gives way to an awkward sheepishness as she seems to realize the implication of her statement. "Um, uh... no offense?"
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>Long, long look.
>"Mice ain't gonna make it any less clean than that drunken blockhead you set to keep an eye on me. Let's go have a look. And start praying you have some living here with good things to tell me."
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>Long, long look.
>"Mice ain't gonna make it any less clean than that drunken blockhead you set to keep an eye on me. Let's go have a look. And start praying you have some living here with good things to tell me."
>You give Murasa a long, unwavering look. She frowns a little awkwardly and then actually seems to shrink a little in her discomfiture as you refuse to even blink. It is oddly satisfying at the moment.
>"I, um..." She seems to struggle a moment for the right words, eventually settling for an uncertain "...okay?"
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>To the hold!
>Have we ever done time as a city mouse, back in the old days? Or was it all in the wilds.
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>To the hold!
>You turn and head back out of the cabin and toward the stairs that you assume lead down to the hold. Murasa trails for a moment, but recovers herself quickly enough once you start going and retakes the lead. You pay no attention to the redhead as you make another pass of the deck, and follow Murasa down the slatted wooden steps.
>The first flight of stairs lands in a narrow hallway, lit by incandescent globes set along the walls. You can see several doors along the hall and the corridor itself seems to branch at a t-junction after a little distance. The aesthetic is plain, but tidy - largely bare finished wood with some minor metal detailing. Something about the space feels just a little confined, but not uncomfortably so.
>Murasa continues descending down a second flight of stairs and you follow after her. As you pass beneath the deck, the stairwell opens up into a broad and largely undifferentiated space, stretching from one side of the ship to the other. It is packed densely with large shipping crates and barrels and irregular forms covered over with tarps. You can quickly discern a general organization of similarly shaped containers grouped together in different parts of the floor plan, though the sheer amount of cargo obscures sight to some parts of the hold. Still, there's enough empty room to suggest this isn't a full load. Looking along the ceiling, you can see a shaft that pierces through the roof of the hold, probably leading back up to the large hatch you saw from the deck; you suspect it's used to winch cargo down when loading or unload. Somewhat further down, you can also see a few walls partitioning the rest of the area.
>"Well, here she is," Murasa says. "Not sure whether I'm s'posed to hope you find one, or hope you don't."
>Have we ever done time as a city mouse, back in the old days? Or was it all in the wilds.
>You remember only vague snatches of your former existence, little more than a half-remembered dream, but you awakened to youkai-hood in the fields outside Easthaven and are fairly certain you spent most of your previous life there. Perhaps you ventured into the village at some point, but certainly nowhere urban.
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>Assess potential effectiveness of our fighting style in the corridors and stairways we just passed through.
>Did we sense anything out of place on the way down, or anything even remotely similar to what we sensed in Murasa's cabin?
>Sniff air.
>Sweep hold with treasure sense.
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>Assess potential effectiveness of our fighting style in the corridors and stairways we just passed through.
>Did we sense anything out of place on the way down, or anything even remotely similar to what we sensed in Murasa's cabin?
>Sniff air.
>Sweep hold with treasure sense.
>The corridor on the deck above is narrow enough that you might have difficulty using your maneuverability to your advantage; you think a larger person could effectively block it off and there's certainly no space to dance around someone. The stairway is wider and mostly lacks a banister; you think you could keep your footing on it more easily in a melee than most people could, or swing over the side in a pinch.
>You sensed nothing unusual, though there's no way you could detect a magical signature like that without dowsing.
>You take a sniff of the air. There is a distinct bouquet of fruit aromas in the air, though it smells most heavily of wood at the moment. You can also sense the sharp tinge of metal, as well as oil, leather, and a variety of more subtle smells. The smell of fruit is less powerful than you would have suspected from looking at the manifest, but it's possible that it's mostly stowed on the far side of the hold.
>You sense nothing particularly treasure-like down here at the moment. There's clearly a ton of money tied up in all this cargo, but probably no individual item is very precious.
-
>Head toward the fruit and away from the oil smells, if at all possible. Keep an eye open for damaged wood at floor level, mouse droppings, and any other sides of our rodent cousins.
-
>Head toward the fruit and away from the oil smells, if at all possible. Keep an eye open for damaged wood at floor level, mouse droppings, and any other sides of our rodent cousins.
>You make your way across the hold in the general direction of the strongest fruity scents, moving through the aisles left between the stacks of crates and other cargo. The oil does seem to be stored near the stairs - possibly part of the ship's own supplies - so it takes little effort to simultaneously move away from it. As you proceed, you scan the floor and containers for signs of damage, and keep your senses alert for the more immediate signs of a mouse's presence; you could pick up one's trail by scent without a need for any visual evidence. You see Murasa also running her eyes along the cargo as you walk; it's a little hard to tell if this is idle or nervous. Either way, the worst damage you spot to any of the wood was clearly not caused by a mouse unless they've started wielding mallets. A long rectangular crate is marred by a pronounced splintering from a roughly circular impact - quite obvious, but not enough to break the the wood entirely. The labeling stamped on it suggests this is one of the crates of rivets.
>Eventually, your walk takes you upon a large array of barrels and slatted crates of oranges and kiwis and other fruit. You inspect this area more closely, circling around the clusters of them more than once, but it doesn't smell like any mouse has been around them recently at least. You're pretty sure this isn't all the fruit on-board, though. At least, you'd be surprised if the volume present on the manifest was only this large in person.
>Here at the rear of the hold, the space starts to be partitioned off into several rooms. A couple protrude from the sides of the ship, almost like outbuildings, and the far side is walled off entirely, with large doors.
-
>"Any other food stored around?"
-
>"Any other food stored around?"
>"Well, the rest of the fruit's back in cold storage," she says, jerking a thumb in the direction of one of the large doors at the rear. "As much as we could fit, anyway. And I suppose there's the pantry, but there sure as hell better-" She stops abruptly; her mouth holds the shape of the next word for the moment, then slowly closes. Something seems suddenly interesting among the complete mundanity of the apple barrels.
-
>"Let's hear it."
-
>"Let's hear it."
>"It's, uh... nothing, really," she replies, without quite looking at you.
-
>Turn around and look where she is.
-
>Turn around and look where she is.
>You are already facing her, and see nothing of particular interest in the general direction that she's looking.
-
>Have ever encountered individuals that didn't like us, not because we are youkai, but because of our rodent nature?
-
>Have ever encountered individuals that didn't like us, not because we are youkai, but because of our rodent nature?
>None that you could pin it on for sure, at least; you suspect few people that disliked you for that reason would be brazen enough to say so directly. On the other hand, you remember a couple encounters where someone kept glancing at you as though they expected to you start gnawing on the furniture at any moment. It was a little... irritating.
-
>"No it wasn't nothing. People don't stop in mid-sentence for nothing. What was it, I'm trying to get this whole thing back on track if you recall?"
-
>"No it wasn't nothing. People don't stop in mid-sentence for nothing. What was it, I'm trying to get this whole thing back on track if you recall?"
>"No, it's really nothing," she says, then starts heading for the door she indicated earlier. "Now, did ya want to take a look in here, anyway?"
-
>Take another look where she was looking. Are we certain nothing's out of the ordinary, no smells or anything out of place?
-
>Take another look where she was looking. Are we certain nothing's out of the ordinary, no smells or anything out of place?
>You see nothing other than nondescript barrels of apples. To be fair, she didn't seem to be looking at a specific spot, but rather pausing to go back to scanning the hold in general.
-
>"Yeah, sure, let's have a look, then."
-
>"Yeah, sure, let's have a look, then."
>"Probably too cold for a mouse to hang around back here," she says with a shrug as she walks , "but what do I know?"
-
>Do we prefer it cold?
-
>Do we prefer it cold?
>All things being equal, you'd much rather someplace comfortably temperate than somewhere cold. As a youkai, you have somewhat better resistance to the elements than baseline, but frigid temperatures are still no fun.
-
>"Bah! Cold is meaningless next to the power of LOVE! Orange! Bring Murasa and we'll show em all!"
>Follow the captain.
-
>"And if there's nothing here, we'll see the galley."
-
>Have we seen any signs of cats, or other mousers, since we came aboard?
-
>"And if there's nothing here, we'll see the galley."
>She grunts quietly, a sound somewhere between an acknowledge and avoiding a response.
>Follow the captain.
>You follow Murasa to a large and heavy-looking door at the rear of the hold. She grabs hold of it and, with a small grunt of exertion, slides it open. Immediately a gust of chill air wafts out at you.
>It's somewhat hard to gauge the dimensions of the space on the other side, so crammed with crates and barrels it is, nearly to the ceiling in several places. All of those you can see are packed with fruit and the smell of it is thick in the air. The distinctly cold air.
>"Might need to climb on top of stuff if you want to try getting at the back," Murasa says with a frown. "But, uh... at least try not to step on any of the goods. No one wants a pear with footprints in it. Oh, and get inside so I can close the door. Don't want this mess costing me any more than it already has."
>Have we seen any signs of cats, or other mousers, since we came aboard?
>You've seen no animals of any sort, so far.
-
>Does the door look thick enough to allow us to speak, or shout, through it?
>Does it lock from the inside or out?
>Check quickly for signs of our rodent brethren from here.
-
>Does the door look thick enough to allow us to speak, or shout, through it?
>Does it lock from the inside or out?
>Check quickly for signs of our rodent brethren from here.
>You're sure it would muffle it quite a bit, but you imagine you could still make yourself heard.
>It doesn't look like it has a conventional locking mechanism that you can see.
>You don't see anything suggesting their presence and do not note an obvious rodent smell, though it's possible all the fruit is masking it; their scent has grown quite pungent in the confined space.
-
>Step inside and, quickly but carefully move through the room, seeking out our brethren.
-
>Step inside and, quickly but carefully move through the room, seeking out our brethren.
>You step inside and Murasa follows after you, closing the door behind with a firm slam.
>The room itself is as cool as you expected from the air outside - not precisely frigid, but you wouldn't want to spend too long here without a sweater; you are inclined to share Murasa's opinion that no mouse would voluntarily hole up in here when there are far more hospitable locales next door. Nonetheless, you're not about to turn around without a closer inspection. Navigating the shoehorned cargo takes a little care and finesse, but you manage to scrabble up and over the mass of fruit without stepping on anything but wood. Squeezing yourself through gaps in the top of the piles of containers near the ceiling, you disappear towards the back of the room.
>The space turns out to not be very large once you can see the other end of it, but clearly they've put nearly as much fruit into it as it could possibly hold. You can see some metal pipes and vents running along the walls, towards the ceiling. Cold slowly radiates from them. You've rarely seen a mechanical cooling system, even in places that deal with food which needs to be kept cold; perhaps some of the subtle snazziness of the engine design is also reflected in the interior, even if most of the ship has seemed plain so far.
>You spend a little more time contorting yourself around the cargo, sniffing one end of the room and then the other, but no traces of rodents are evident. By this point, you're frankly not particularly surprised.
-
>Okay, fine, then. Maybe enough's enough.
>Well... Maybe not. Examine the vents for signs of rodent life.
-
>Okay, fine, then. Maybe enough's enough.
>Well... Maybe not. Examine the vents for signs of rodent life.
>You start to head back, then decide that perhaps you should check the vents for signs of rodents, just in the name of thoroughness. You crane yourself around enough to see in a little, but are unsurprised to find them bare of any sign of mice; frankly, with as cold as it seems to be on the inside of this, the little things would probably freeze to death before long.
-
Think we'll have any better luck in the galley?
-
Maybe, give it a shot.
-
Likely. Opened containers.
-
>"Okay, ssso you run a clear hold, captain. Near as I cccan tell, you're rodent free down here."
-
>"Okay, ssso you run a clear hold, captain. Near as I cccan tell, you're rodent free down here."
>"Good to hear it," she says, looking rather less cold than you feel. "Well, uh, I guess."
-
>"Mind if I lllook around the galley?"
-
>"Mind if I lllook around the galley?"
>"Done down here, then?" she asks.
-
>Have we left any stone unturned down here, metaphorically speaking?
-
>Have we left any stone unturned down here, metaphorically speaking?
>You didn't go over the entirety of the open section of the hold with a fine-toothed comb, but focused primarily on the places where food was stored; that being said, you think you'd have still picked up the scent of any mice that had recently spent time in the rest of the space. You also did not investigate any of the other partitioned rooms.
-
>Oops, forgot the other rooms.
>"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check the other rooms down here."
-
>"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check the other rooms down here."
>"If you want, I guess," she says with a small shrug. "Not much to see, though. Mostly spare parts and junk, some piping, couple animal pens that haven't been used in ages... No more food back there, anyhow."
-
>"Do people go back there much?"
>Gesture for her to lead the way.
-
>"Do people go back there much?"
>Gesture for her to lead the way.
>You gesture for Murasa to lead the way, and then the pair of you make a merciful departure from the frigid storeroom. Murasa seals the door behind you. For her part, she looks about as unfazed by the chill as if she'd been lounging in the sun, but the brush of warmer air once you reemerge is nearly enough to draw a pleasant sigh from you, if you weren't busy being professional.
>"Well, when someone needs something outta one of the storerooms," she says as you walk. "Been thinkin' of scrapping those pens and reclaiming the space, but haven't gotten around to doing it yet. Kind of a failed experiment, y'know? But... who knows when that'll happen. Always something or other to work on."
>She jerks a thumb back to a heavy door on the far wall. "Engine room's back that way, too. Ishi's kinda territorial, though."
>Murasa pauses in front of a small wooden door set in a row of small enclosures built along the wall of the hold, then swings it open. Beyond is a small storeroom, little more than a closet, really. The walls are lined with shelves littered with all manner of small and large metal parts. There doesn't seem to be any apparent organization to them, and the purpose of most of them is completely lost on you. Murasa gives the room a very cursory scan, then glances in your direction.
>"Be my guest."
-
>Have a look around for mouse signs.
>Walk without rhythm
-
>Have a look around for mouse signs.
>Walk without rhythm
>You take a look around the room, shifting a few enigmatic hunks of metal around the shelves to get a better look at the walls and corners as you do so. Eh, that one still had oil on it... You grimace slightly and try to wipe some of it off against the underside of the shelf. The sharp tang of metal and industrial oil hangs in the air, but you smell no hint of rodents, nor spot any sign that one has been here. To be honest, there probably isn't much in this space to attract one.
>You shuffle around the space with careful irregularity. The last thing you need on top of all of this is a shipworm attack.
-
>"Nothing here. But once in awhile you get a clever one that'll hide in a place like this. Let's see the galley now, we'll check other places later."
-
>"Nothing here. But once in awhile you get a clever one that'll hide in a place like this. Let's see the galley now, we'll check other places later."
>"Fair enough," she says, then turns back the way you came. "Gally's back upstairs."
-
Welcome back, Draco.
>"I'm guessing it hasn't seen a lot of use since you came into port?"
>Follow the cap'n.
-
>"I'm guessing it hasn't seen a lot of use since you came into port?"
>Follow the cap'n.
>"Eh, a bit," she says. "Still good for snacks when you're around the place, and Miyuki's been puttin' in fresh supplies while we're here. Thought we'd be on the sky days ago, remember."
>You follow Murasa back across the length of the hold and up the stairs onto the middle deck. She heads downs the hallway and you keep pace, moving past a couple of the doors along its length. Then you pause, frowning slightly. You sniff. Murasa carries on to the t-junction at the end of the hall before noticing that you've fallen behind. She turns and gives you a curious look. You sniff again. There's... almost certainly been a mouse past here, and quite recently at that.
-
>"Found something."
>Zero in on that odor.
-
>"Found something."
>Zero in on that odor.
>"You have?" Murasa looks uncertain whether she should be pleased or bothered by this.
>You take a few more sniffs and lean closer to the floor, following the concentration of scent. You believe you can smell a trail extending down the hallway where Murasa was headed, but you think it's actually strongest by the base of the door next to you.
-
>Gesture at the door.
>"What's in there?"
-
>Sample the air for scents of food.
-
>Gesture at the door.
>"What's in there?"
>"That's Chisato's room," she says, frowning a little.
>Sample the air for scents of food.
>You don't smell much distinct in that vein, at the moment; a faint olfactory ambiance from all the fruit downstairs is the most prominent. You're pretty sure the branch in the corridor ahead of you matches up with shaft you saw in the hold ceiling, so there's probably open access to all that cargo on the other side of the wall.
-
>"She have any pets, that you know of?"
-
>"She have any pets, that you know of?"
>She shakes her head. "Nope."
-
>"Then she's had an unwelcome guest, and pretty recently, too."
>Tap nose. "The nose knows."
-
>"Then she's had an unwelcome guest, and pretty recently, too."
>Tap nose. "The nose knows."
>Murasa frowns then sighs, her shoulders sagging a little. "You're sure?"
-
>"Sure as I'm standing here. There's at least one mouse has either come out of, or gone into that room."
>Can we guess as to how recent this scent trail is?
-
>Knock on the door.
-
>"Sure as I'm standing here. There's at least one mouse has either come out of, or gone into that room."
>Can we guess as to how recent this scent trail is?
>Murasa's mouth works as if she were about to complain, but she keeps silent.
>You think it's tracked along here at some point today, at least. Some of the scent seems a little older, but you don't think it's by too much.
>Knock on the door.
>You knock on the door.
>"Chisato's the one up there on deck," Murasa says. "Not much point in knocking."
-
>"You mean that redhead you had watchdog me earlier?"
-
>"You mean that redhead you had watchdog me earlier?"
>She nods. "Yeah, that's her."
-
>Can we determine if the scent trail indicates something coming from, or going to, this room most recently?
-
>Can we determine if the scent trail indicates something coming from, or going to, this room most recently?
>You can't really determine which direction it might have been traveling in, but you think it may have been inside the room for longer than it was outside.
-
>"Huh. Well, she's got a guest. One I'd like to talk to. And one I'm sure you want off your ship. We need to have a look inside."
-
>"Huh. Well, she's got a guest. One I'd like to talk to. And one I'm sure you want off your ship. We need to have a look inside."
>"'spose we do," she says with a bit of a heavy voice. With something of a resigned expression, she tries the handle. It appears to be locked.
>She pauses a moment, gives you another look, then sighs a pulls out a key. "Not sure if I hope you're right or not."
>She opens the door. The room beyond is both small and plain, with little furnishing aside from a simple wooden bunk and table. The floor is basically clean, but the bedsheets are in a bit of a state. A small window set in the opposite wall looks out on the harbor. No mouse is immediately visible, at any rate.
-
>Search for holes, droppings, the usual signs.
-
>Search for holes, droppings, the usual signs.
>You start to search the room for signs of its rodent occupant. The floor is free of any droppings or other telltale indicators of its presence, and a search along the walls doesn't reveal any holes large enough for even a small mouse to slip through. The scent is unmistakable, though.
>After tracing over most of the rest of the room, you brush aside the sheets to peer beneath the bed. The scent here is immediately more pungent, and while you don't readily spot any mice here, either, there is a small open-faced wooden box under the bed. You can't see its content from this angle.
-
>Do we hear any sounds of activity within the box?
>Does it smell like the resident is home?
-
>Do we hear any sounds of activity within the box?
>Does it smell like the resident is home?
>You hear nothing at all from the box.
>You're not certain.
-
>Check from the other side of the bed. Quietly.
-
>Check from the other side of the bed. Quietly.
>The bed is little more than a shelf built into the cabin wall. Approaching from the other side would require the ability to phase through solid matter.
-
>Bats.
>Can we reach the box?
-
>Bats.
>Can we reach the box?
>While there may or may not be a mouse in that box, you're fairly certain there are no bats.
>Easily.
-
>Poke the box.
-
>Poke the box.
>You reach a hand out to poke the box. Just as your finger is about to touch it, you find yourself hesitating slightly. You're... not quite sure why. Oh well, no matter. You tap the box lightly. There is no obvious response to this.
-
>Hesitate?
>Check under the bed for mouse holes.
>Take a moment to scan the room, visually and with our extra senses.
-
>Hesitate?
>Check under the bed for mouse holes.
>Take a moment to scan the room, visually and with our extra senses.
>Must have just spaced out for a moment or something. To say that it's been a stressful couple of days is kind of an understatement.
>You take a look a closer look under the bed and shift around to scan the opposite wall for mouse holes. There don't appear to be any you can see.
>You can't hear anything in particular aside from your own breathing and the floor creaking slightly under an occasional footstep from Murasa. Nothing else catches your eye, nor does anything really brush against your treasure sense. It's a pretty plain and unremarkable space. The scent of mouse is pretty hard to miss, though, and there's definitely more of it beneath this bed than elsewhere.
-
>Try to turn the box so that we can see the insides. Carefully.
-
>Try to turn the box so that we can see the insides. Carefully.
>Being under a low bed, it would be much easier to see inside if you actually pulled the box out. Barring that, you'd pretty much need to fully crawl under the bed, and it would be a very tight fit.
-
>Very well, then, pull out the box.
-
>Very well, then, pull out the box.
>You reach in and pull the box out from under the bed, then look inside. The only contents appear to be a small layer of wood shavings covering the base of the interior.
>Murasa takes a look at it and sighs. "Swell."
-
>Does it seem like the shavings and box were put there with a purpose? As though the redhead was trying to conceal her new pet?
>Check for porn.
-
>Does it seem like the shavings and box were put there with a purpose? As though the redhead was trying to conceal her new pet?
>Check for porn.
>Well, you doubt the shavings fell in there on their own. At the least, they don't seem to have come from the box itself. There isn't a very large quantity of them, though; you think even a mouse might have a hard time truly concealing itself in them.
>Well, the box is topless...
-
>"Seems your redhead got herself a pet after all."
-
>"Seems your redhead got herself a pet after all."
>"And who knows where the hell it is now," Murasa says flatly. She does not look amused.
-
>"Gimme another minute or two, and I might."
>Put down the box, the head do the door, pointing down the corridor the way she was headed before we detected the scent. Sniff again to reconfirm the trail's path.
>Upon confirmation, "He went that-a way."
-
>"Gimme another minute or two, and I might."
>Put down the box, the head do the door, pointing down the corridor the way she was headed before we detected the scent. Sniff again to reconfirm the trail's path.
>Upon confirmation, "He went that-a way."
>You put down the box, then exit the room and take couple sniffs to reappraise the trail down the ship's hall. It definitely leads down that way and goes... left, you think? You indicate this.
>Murasa looks down the hall and frowns. "It's somethin', anyway," she says, then gestures bruskly towards the left corridor. "Go on."
-
>On second thought, bring the box. Bring the little guy's home with us.
>Track the scent.
-
>On second thought, bring the box. Bring the little guy's home with us.
>Track the scent.
>You decide to dart back into the room and pick up the box to bring with you. Though you can't rightly see how such a box could ever be expected to hold a mouse. It doesn't even have a lid; any mouse could be up and over in half a second. Still, maybe he'll feel more comfortable if you have it?
>You return to the corridor and track the scent as it leads left and then right, following the hallway as it detours around the cargo shaft. This section of the hall is bare of doors for most of its length, though you can see one open doorway at the far end before the hall turns right once more. The trail seems to lead up to this doorway, and it isn't hard to guess why, as you follow it inside.
>You are in what appears to be the ship's mess hall. It is a modest-sized space, though proportional to the vessel, decorated in the same subdued style of the hallways. A pair of long rectangular wooden tables flank the length of the space with low benches running alongside them. The room is divided by a counter and half-wall past the end of the tables, to your right. You can see some metal cookware hung against the far wall beyond the counter; that's probably the kitchen back there. Beyond that, you can make out hints of another door, currently closed. Directly across from you is an open doorway, probably connected to the hallway running along the opposite side of the ship. The room is currently empty.
-
>Mess hall. Makes perfect sense, though Murasa ain't gonna like this one bit.
>Where'd that scent trail go?
-
>Mess hall. Makes perfect sense, though Murasa ain't gonna like this one bit.
>Where'd that scent trail go?
>Given her reaction earlier, you're pretty sure she's already none to happy.
>It seems to be leading in the general direction of the kitchen.
-
>Follow that scent trail, but take time in doing so, so as not to alarm the little guy. Keep an eye out under the tables and along the walls in case he's out here, as well.
>In other words, take 10 on the search check.
-
>Follow that scent trail, but take time in doing so, so as not to alarm the little guy. Keep an eye out under the tables and along the walls in case he's out here, as well.
>You slowly follow the mouse's trail in the hope that a more gentle pursuit might avoid startling it. Murasa follows after you, glancing around the room with a look of unhappy resignation. You scan beneath the tables and seats as you go, but don't see any sign of it in the room. It definitely was here not long ago, though.
>Eventually you make it all the way around the counter to the kitchen. It's actually a better-equipped space than you expected, with a decent assortment of sturdy metal cookware secured on a rack against the far wall. A row of large cupboards flank the stove, with several more lining the adjacent wall. The stove itself is a more complicated model than most you've seen, with a row of large dials and levers along its front, and there are several other devices secured to the counter top that you don't immediately recognize. No sign of a mouse, though.
>"You're... sure it's back this way?" Murasa asks.
-
>"Dunno for sure it's in this room now, but it definately was, and not long ago, either."
>Does the scenet lead towards that closed door? Or lead out of this kithcen in general?
-
>"Dunno for sure it's in this room now, but it definately was, and not long ago, either."
>Does the scenet lead towards that closed door? Or lead out of this kithcen in general?
>"Ah, dami-" She cuts her words short into a sort of annoyed grumble.
>The scent is around a fair bit of the kitchen floor - you think it must have wandered around a bit. Some does lead over to that door as well.
-
>Can we determine if this scent is coming from one mouse, or more than one?
-
>Can we determine if this scent is coming from one mouse, or more than one?
>You think it's just the one.
-
>"Is Chisato the type to have a pet at all? Even I'm willing to admit, most people wouldn't want a mouse for a pet."
>Scan the floor for our bretheren.
-
>"Is Chisato the type to have a pet at all? Even I'm willing to admit, most people wouldn't want a mouse for a pet."
>Scan the floor for our bretheren.
>"Well, you met her," Murasa says dryly. "She seem like the type to you?"
>You continue scanning the kitchen floor, but it seems clear of mice at the moment.
-
>Consider that for a moment. "I reckon not."
>Nod towards the closed door. "What's back there?"
-
>Consider that for a moment. "I reckon not."
>Nod towards the closed door. "What's back there?"
>"Yeah, that's about right," she says.
>"Pantry," she replies.
-
>"Probably shoulda seen that coming."
>Walk towards the panty, seeking the rodent, and checking if the scent gets stronger closer to the pantry.
-
>"Probably shoulda seen that coming."
>Walk towards the panty, seeking the rodent, and checking if the scent gets stronger closer to the pantry.
>You walk towards the pantry. It's hard to say for certain whether the scent is much stronger here than elsewhere in the kitchen, but bending down to get a good sniff of the floor by the door, you're fairly certain the mouse ducked in there at some point. Might still be inside.
-
>Hold up a hand.
>"I think he's in here. Just stay here and let me handle this."
>Head inside, and look for some obvious signs. Close the door, if we can.
>In mouse-speak: "Anyone here?"
-
>Hold up a hand.
>"I think he's in here. Just stay here and let me handle this."
>Head inside, and look for some obvious signs. Close the door, if we can.
>In mouse-speak: "Anyone here?"
>You hold up a hand.
>"You're the expert," Murasa says, somewhat halfheartedly.
>You open the door and step inside, closing it again behind you. The pantry is surprisingly small while simultaneously well-provisioned, with the net effect of it feeling rather cramped. Barrels of fruit and cider and other such things are stacked tightly against one wall, next to shelves lined with large containers of butter and baking powder and assorted dried goods. Heavy sacks of flour and rice are piled to one side of the room, and a large icebox occupies another corner. At least you think it's an icebox - the design of it is a little unusual. The room is actually quite tidy and organized, at least as far as can be done given the space, but you cannot even count how many hiding places a mouse could find in here.
>You opt for the direct approach. Your query is promptly answered by an energetic squeak from behind a sack of millet. The closest translation is probably "I'm here!"
-
>Kneel down on the floor.
>"Come on out and let's talk. There's no one else here."
-
>Kneel down on the floor.
>"Come on out and let's talk. There's no one else here."
>You kneel down on the floor and try to coax the mouse out.
>"It's a good place here!" comes the reply, sounding fairly unguarded, though the mouse doesn't actually poke its head out.
-
>"That's fine, too, I guess. But let's talk, how long have you been here?"
-
>"That's fine, too, I guess. But let's talk, how long have you been here?"
>"New nest!" she squeaks. "Haven't slept yet."
-
>"It looks nice. Where did you stay before?"
-
>"It looks nice. Where did you stay before?"
>"Hole in rock. Flat wooden thing. Itchy yummy-stuffed blanket. Lots of places! This is best place, though."
-
>"How long since you came into this place? Has anyone else found you yet?"
-
>"How long since you came into this place? Has anyone else found you yet?"
>"Short-like," she squeaks. "You first other mouse here. Room for two. It's okay!"
-
>"Thanks for the offer."
>Well, at least Murasa might be pleased there's only the one little thing.
>"Do the big ones know you're here?"
-
>"Thanks for the offer."
>Well, at least Murasa might be pleased there's only the one little thing.
>"Do the big ones know you're here?"
>"It's okay!" she repeats.
>That does seem likely.
>"A big one took me from the itchy yummy-stuffed blanket and put me in the flat wooden thing. Was scary! Didn't know how to get out! Left me some yummies, though."
-
>So she didn't sneak aboard. Guess Chisato really was looking for a pet.
>"So how did you get out this time?"
-
>So she didn't sneak aboard. Guess Chisato really was looking for a pet.
>"So how did you get out this time?"
>"Climbed out!" she replies.
-
>"And went looking for more yummies."
>"This the first time you've been exploring?"
-
>"And went looking for more yummies."
>"This the first time you've been exploring?"
>"Yes! And found them!"
>"Lots of exploring. All over exploring. Found yummies. Then big one found me. Took me away from yummies. But then found even more yummies!"
-
>"The same big one that took your from the itchy blanket?"
-
>"The same big one that took your from the itchy blanket?"
>"Yes, that!" comes the reply.
-
>"So, you know what the big folks around here smell like?"
-
>"So, you know what the big folks around here smell like?"
>"Haven't smelled many," she squeaks. "But some!"
-
>"Was there a strange smell a short time ago?"
-
>"Was there a strange smell a short time ago?"
>"Strange smell? Strange how?"
-
>"Like it wasn't one of the big ones that live here."
-
>"Like it wasn't one of the big ones that live here."
>"Don't know!" she replies. "Big ones come and go. I heard them when I was in the wooden thing. Lots of smells, but only two big ones ever came close."
-
>"What did they smell like?"
-
while i say, feel free to finish questioning the little guy. this is not likely to get us a hint. frankly i think we should left to investigate the other stolen document, or info at the guard house. in that order, since it was asked to avoid guards if can be helped. nothing wrong with the fine toothed comb approach, i just think it should been for AFTER we searched the other crime since. since chances are, the the management women from before going to be a lot less accommodating to are crazy.
Since lets face it, most people are going look oddly at us for pulling out are "magic sticks" at looking for "slight more background magic" and "mice" (even if we are one) as a very crazy way to investigate a break in and theft. dis much is proven by how are more recent reactions.
-
>"What did they smell like?"
>"They smelled like big people. One smelled like one big people, and the other smelled like a different big people." She sounds rather satisfied with this answer.
-
>Terrific.
>"Good big people or bad people?"
-
>Terrific.
>"Good big people or bad people?"
>Funny how something can be simultaneously hard to argue with, yet utterly unhelpful.
>There is a slight pause. "Not bad people, I think. First gave me yummies. Second didn't give yummies, but didn't hurt me when they moved my flat wooden thing. So probably good."
-
>Interesting. Perhaps there's another crewman aboard that knows Chisato had the little girl.
>"Sounds like good people to me."
>Do we still have that box?
>If so, show it to our little friend. "Is this the flat wood thing?"
-
>Interesting. Perhaps there's another crewman aboard that knows Chisato had the little girl.
>"Sounds like good people to me."
>Do we still have that box?
>If so, show it to our little friend. "Is this the flat wood thing?"
>That does seem like a possibility.
>"Okay," comes her reply. "Good people, then."
>You do.
>It's a little difficult to show something to the mouse with it still nestled somewhere behind the sack of millet, but you ask the question anyway. A brief moment later, you hear tiny scrabbling in that direction and shortly thereafter she pokes her small and tawny head out from underneath a corner of the sack and takes a sniff. Then she works her way free of it entirely and scampers towards the box, sniffing it intently.
>"This is it!" she squeaks cheerfully. "Here is better home, though."
-
>Gonna be a shame if we have to find her a new home. Then again, better us remove her safely than Murasa evicting her with a boot.
>Set the box down.
>"Would you get inside, for a short time?"
-
>Gonna be a shame if we have to find her a new home. Then again, better us remove her safely than Murasa evicting her with a boot.
>Set the box down.
>"Would you get inside, for a short time?"
>You don't want to see the little one on the receiving end of someone's ire.
>You set the box down.
>"This is a better place," she responds. "Cozier. More yummies."
-
>"I know. But this place isn't safe. One of the big ones doesn't like mice. The flat wood is safe."
>"And we can find more yummies for you when you're safe, too."
-
>"And I'll make them give you some more food in exchange for leaving."
Let's dump her off at the Wild Rose =D!
-
>"I know. But this place isn't safe. One of the big ones doesn't like mice. The flat wood is safe."
>"And we can find more yummies for you when you're safe, too."
>"Big ones won't find us here," she replies. "Is good hideout! You can use, too!"
>"Lots of yummies here. Lots and lots of yummies!"
>"And I'll make them give you some more food in exchange for leaving."
>"Don't need more yummies," she insists. "Lots of yummies here. Yummies for me and you, as much as we want. And for more mice, even!"
-
Yknow Purvis, I kinda figured you'd say that. :P
>Glad Murasa didn't hear THAT bit.
>"Big ones know this place. Been here longer than you. Better to be safe. Safe yummies are better yummies."
-
>Glad Murasa didn't hear THAT bit.
>"Big ones know this place. Been here longer than you. Better to be safe. Safe yummies are better yummies."
>Ah, the benefits of being unintelligible to nearly everyone else.
>"You're... sure it's not safe?" she asks, a slight note of doubt creeping into her tone, for once.
-
>"Trust me. This place belongs to the big ones. The big one in charge doesn't want you here. But we can find you a new place. A safe place."
-
>"And, like I said, I'll make them give us some yummies in exchange for leaving."
-
>"Trust me. This place belongs to the big ones. The big one in charge doesn't want you here. But we can find you a new place. A safe place."
>"And, like I said, I'll make them give us some yummies in exchange for leaving."
>There is a moment's hesitation. "...okay. Safe is good. As long as there's yummies."
>She walks over to the box, then pauses and seems to examine it a little. She moves a little off to the left and repeats the gesture. Then she darts further off to the right and starts to circle around the box, almost like she were looking for a hole in the side of it or something, despite it being an easy climb up and in the open top.
-
>Tilt the box to give her easier access.
-
>Tilt the box to give her easier access.
>You tilt the box to present the open top to the mouse directly. The bed of wood shavings falls and settles against the side as you do so. Despite this gesture and the lack of obstruction in front of her, the mouse still hesitates in front of the box for a moment, darting to one end of the opening and then the other before finally scrabbling through and into the box itself. She wiggles herself beneath the pile of shavings and nearly disappears from sight.
-
>"Good girl."
>Grab the box. "We'll be moving now."
>Pick up the box and leave the room.
>If Murasa's still outside, say, "Here's your extra passenger."
-
>"Good girl."
>Grab the box. "We'll be moving now."
>Pick up the box and leave the room.
>If Murasa's still outside, say, "Here's your extra passenger."
>You she reassuringly to the little one and she squeaks an acknowledgment. Then you pick the box back up and tilt it upright again. The pile of shavings and mouse beneath them tumble gently to the side, the latter with a murine equivalent of an 'Oof'. She hastily puts her tiny paws to work throwing enough shavings into a pile to cover herself again. ...at least mostly. You exit the pantry.
>You find Murasa still outside, loafing against the wall by the pantry door. She throws you a dry look that seems to say "Took you long enough...", but you point out the presence of the fugitive mouse before she has a chance to say anything. Her brow furrows as she peers into the box and her mouth draws into a dull frown. Its occupant is about as well-concealed as can be expected given the available cover, but it isn't at all hard to spot the conspicuous mound among the shavings, and a few patches of tawny fur are visible through gaps between them.
>Murasa lets out a coarse sigh. "Guess I owe you for findin' the thing, but I don't suppose it's too much to hope you got somethin' worthwhile out of it after all this?"
-
>"Not really. But apparently someone else put her in the box. Anyways, she said she won't come back if you give her a couple pieces of fruit or some such for the road."
Possible idea: Take the mouse to Murasa's cabin, and see if it recognizes any people smells there.
-
>"I don't think she's been on the ship long enough to recognize the crew members' scents, wouldn't be able to detect what smells don't belong. But I'm pretty sure Chisato isn't the only crew member you have that knows this girl was on board. I think Chisato may have put her in this box, but I don't think she was the first one that found her."
>"You might find it comforting, though, that she's the only mouse on board. She said I was the first mouse she'd seen in a while."
Possible idea: Take the mouse to Murasa's cabin, and see if it recognizes any people smells there.
If nothing else, it shouldn't take more than a few posts. Assuming Murasa wants the mouse in her cabin. But given that she only got close to two crew members, if she picks up something in the cabin that we couldn't, it could just be another crewman that she hadn't met. I'm honestly not sure it's worth it.
I think we should go with Murasa to have a chat with Chisato about her new pet, because I'm quite curious what a sailor would be doing with a pet mouse. And after that, we check out the harbormasters' office to see if our theif left a clue there.
-
>"Not really. But apparently someone else put her in the box. Anyways, she said she won't come back if you give her a couple pieces of fruit or some such for the road."
>"Ain't that generous of her," she grumbles. "Gonna have to clean through the whole damn pantry and see what it's gotten into, so I'm not exactly feeling generous myself. Suppose we can toss it what we gotta throw out anyway. Not like it'll mind the difference."
>"I don't think she's been on the ship long enough to recognize the crew members' scents, wouldn't be able to detect what smells don't belong. But I'm pretty sure Chisato isn't the only crew member you have that knows this girl was on board. I think Chisato may have put her in this box, but I don't think she was the first one that found her."
>"You might find it comforting, though, that she's the only mouse on board. She said I was the first mouse she'd seen in a while."
>"Swell," Murasa says flatly. "Who the hell thinks keeping a door closed is enough to stop a mouse from goin' where it pleases, anyway? Hope Chisato can come up with a better excuse for that than I can."
>"Suppose that's somethin', anyway. Hope to hell she's right. Got enough problems right now."
-
>How generous of HER...
>Other than a bag of millet, can we determine what the mouse may have gotten into?
-
>How generous of HER...
>Other than a bag of millet, can we determine what the mouse may have gotten into?
>There seems to be plenty of resentment to go around at the moment.
>In truth, you don't even know for sure that she'd gotten into that bag. She was merely tucked away behind it. You didn't really inspect the pantry to see what might have been eaten or chewed on.
-
>Ask the mouse, "What kind of yummies did the big one give you?"
-
>Ask the mouse, "What kind of yummies did the big one give you?"
>"Some seeds and crumbs and a bit of carrot!" she replies.
>Murasa gives you a sidelong glance.
-
>Shrug. "The right language for the right person."
>"She says one of the big... One of your crewman, gave her some kinds of seeds and a little carrot."
>Look about for another carrot.
-
>Shrug. "The right language for the right person."
>"She says one of the big... One of your crewman, gave her some kinds of seeds and a little carrot."
>Look about for another carrot.
>"Yeah, I know how it works," Murasa says.
>She nods.
>You don't see any at the moment, though you'd be surprised if there weren't some stored away here somewhere or other.
-
>"Think you can spare a carrot or two for my little friend here? I think that'll satisfy her, 'till I can find her a new home."
-
>"Think you can spare a carrot or two for my little friend here? I think that'll satisfy her, 'till I can find her a new home."
>"Eh, suppose it won't hurt," Murasa says, leaning over and flicking the door of a couple cupboards open and then closed again before evidently finding the one she was looking for. She reaches in and pulls out a carrot, then tosses it in your direction.
-
>Break off a piece and drop it in our new friend's box.
>"Thanks."
>"But before I take this little girl off-ship, let us have a little chat with Chisato, shall we?"
-
>Break off a piece and drop it in our new friend's box.
>"Thanks."
>"But before I take this little girl off-ship, let us have a little chat with Chisato, shall we?"
>You catch the carrot, then break a small piece of it off and drop it into the box. The mouse doesn't immediately poke her head out to inspect it, but that's not really unexpected.
>"Sure," Murasa replies flatly.
>She throws you a dubious expression. "What do you have to say to her?"
-
>Take a breath. "Well, she and I didn't exactly get off on the right foot, obviously. But, anyone that wanted to take care of a mouse can't be all bad, in my book. And besides, I'd love to know why a sailor would want a mouse in the first place."
-
>Take a breath. "Well, she and I didn't exactly get off on the right foot, obviously. But, anyone that wanted to take care of a mouse can't be all bad, in my book. And besides, I'd love to know why a sailor would want a mouse in the first place."
>"That makes two of us," Murasa grumbles. "Don't take this the wrong way, but that's just asking for trouble."
-
>"I grant that. But assuming she knows that, then maybe she had another reason, other than thinking 'Aww, how cute!', or something. And I'm as curious as you are."
-
>"I grant that. But assuming she knows that, then maybe she had another reason, other than thinking 'Aww, how cute!', or something. And I'm as curious as you are."
>"No offense, but if it's just 'cause you're curious, then I think I can deal with her on my own."
-
>"Hey, I was the one that found the mouse here. I wanna hear why it was under Chisato's bed. I think that's only fair."
-
>"Hey, I was the one that found the mouse here. I wanna hear why it was under Chisato's bed. I think that's only fair."
>Murasa raises her hands in protest. "Hey, I'm not gonna stop you from talkin' to her. I don't run that kind of a ship here. But whatever dressing down she's getting for this is between me and her. Don't need an audience."
-
>Consider.
>"That's a point. Your ship, your crew. Your discipline. I suppose I just feel a little involved, being the one that found the 'evidence', so to speak. I was only looking for a witness, wasn't after getting someone in hot water. Or, clouds, as the case may be."
-
>Consider.
>"That's a point. Your ship, your crew. Your discipline. I suppose I just feel a little involved, being the one that found the 'evidence', so to speak. I was only looking for a witness, wasn't after getting someone in hot water. Or, clouds, as the case may be."
>"Yeah, I know," she says, then sighs. "Look, if that guy doesn't have anything useful to tell you, what now?"
-
>"Girl."
>"And I was thinking about checking out the harbormaster's office. You said the document was missing from there, too. It's possible your thief left a clue there that he didn't here."
-
>"Girl."
>"And I was thinking about checking out the harbormaster's office. You said the document was missing from there, too. It's possible your thief left a clue there that he didn't here."
>Her expression sours. "Yeah, and just try gettin' something outta them about it. Hope you have better luck than me."
-
>"But, I gotta ask, captain. What if Chisato has a reason for keeping this mouse? You sure you want me to relocate her right away?"
-
>"But, I gotta ask, captain. What if Chisato has a reason for keeping this mouse? You sure you want me to relocate her right away?"
>The question snaps her back from her brooding, a slightly sheepish expression on her face. "Er, well... I guess if it is her 'pet', it's her call what happens to it. Long as it isn't left wandering around my ship."
>She takes a deep breath and then lets it out slowly. "Okay, come on. You can talk to the little guy- er, girl- for her. Maybe she'll wanna hear what it's got to say. Can leave the rest of it for later."
-
>"Gotcha. Translator, I can do."
-
>"Gotcha. Translator, I can do."
>Murasa nods. "Right. Well, let's get this over with."
>She turns and walks back towards the galley exit.
-
>Follow the cap'n.
>Ask the mouse, if we don't think she's taking a nap, "Have you smelled this big one before?"
-
>Follow the cap'n.
>Ask the mouse, if we don't think she's taking a nap, "Have you smelled this big one before?"
>You follow after Murasa.
>You're pretty sure the mouse is just remaining what it considers to be out of sight, while people are about. You ask your question.
>"Yup!" she squeaks from inside her hiding place. "That big one moved the flat wooden thing into the light and back again. Didn't give yummies, though."
-
>Hmm.
>Does this box appear to be similar to the ones in the cargo hold?
>If not, ask Murasa, "Captain? This box here, does it seem... familiar, to you?"
-
>Hmm.
>Does this box appear to be similar to the ones in the cargo hold?
>If not, ask Murasa, "Captain? This box here, does it seem... familiar, to you?"
>It is a nondescript wooden shipping box. You don't know if it an exact match for something in the cargo hold, but it wouldn't surprise you. It is quite similar, at the least.
-
>"I presume you moved around a lot of these crates yourself, captain, when you were loading the ship?"
-
>"I presume you moved around a lot of these crates yourself, captain, when you were loading the ship?"
>"Uh, yeah?" she says, raising an eyebrow dubiously.
-
>"Well, you remember I mentioned that another crewman found this mouse? Well, she recognizes your scent, and it seems you were the one that brought her on board, if I understand her. She was in one of your cargo crates; I'm not sure if it was this one, though."
-
>"Well, you remember I mentioned that another crewman found this mouse? Well, she recognizes your scent, and it seems you were the one that brought her on board, if I understand her. She was in one of your cargo crates; I'm not sure if it was this one, though."
>"Huh, really?" Murasa stops and gives the box a once-over, frowning. "Don't suppose you know how long ago that was?"
-
>"Mice don't have the same sense of time that humanoids do, so it's hard to be precise. I get the impression, though, that Chisato might have found her not long after she came aboard. I'll ask."
>In chitterspeak, "Was it long time or short time between the flat wood being moved, and the different big one found you?"
-
>"Mice don't have the same sense of time that humanoids do, so it's hard to be precise. I get the impression, though, that Chisato might have found her not long after she came aboard. I'll ask."
>In chitterspeak, "Was it long time or short time between the flat wood being moved, and the different big one found you?"
>Murasa nods.
>"Flat wooden thing moved lots of times," she squeaks. "Big one put me there, then big one move it. Short time, move it again. Sometimes give yummies. Then other big one move wooden thing. Not give yummies. Was kinda sad."
-
>"Was it always the same big one that gave you yummies, before this big one moved wood thing?"
-
>"Was it always the same big one that gave you yummies, before this big one moved wood thing?"
>"Yes!" she squeaks cheerfully.
-
>"That's a good big one."
>"The last time wood thing moved, was it same big one that gave you yummies, or this big one here?"
-
>"That's a good big one."
>"The last time wood thing moved, was it same big one that gave you yummies, or this big one here?"
>"First other big one, then this big one, then other big one again."
-
>"Thank you."
>In peoplespeak, to Murasa, "She said the box she was in was moved at least three times, first by the other... By Chisato, I suspect, then by you, which is probably when she came aboard, and then Chisato again, which is how she got under Chisato's bed. Assuming this is the same box, of course."
-
>"Thank you."
>In peoplespeak, to Murasa, "She said the box she was in was moved at least three times, first by the other... By Chisato, I suspect, then by you, which is probably when she came aboard, and then Chisato again, which is how she got under Chisato's bed. Assuming this is the same box, of course."
>The mouse chitters brightly.
>Murasa cocks her head to the side. "Wait, what? You sayin' Chisato knew she was there before I brought her on board?"
-
>"If I understand the mouse right. Somebody fed her before you moved the box. Unless... If this was a crate of food, Chisato may simply have been loading it, might not have even known this mouse was in there, until she was on board. A mouse would easily see that as someone giving them food."
-
>"If I understand the mouse right. Somebody fed her before you moved the box. Unless... If this was a crate of food, Chisato may simply have been loading it, might not have even known this mouse was in there, until she was on board. A mouse would easily see that as someone giving them food."
>She waves a hand dismissively. "Eh, she can answer that herself, I guess."
-
>"Indeed."
>Topside, ho!
-
>"Indeed."
>Topside, ho!
>You cross the rest of the floor and make your way back up the stairs to the main deck.
>Still lounging by the gangway where you left her, Chisato rolls her head absently in your direction as the pair of you reemerge from the ship. Her reaction is not immediate, but you can pinpoint the presise moment of recognition as the idleness evaporates from her expression. She pulls herself upright, her bearing tensing.
>"Cap'n?" she says as you draw close, her tone halfway between an acknowledgement and a question. She is scrupulously avoiding looking in your direction.
>Murasa's tone is weary but firm. "I'm going to guess you know you had a mouse living in here?"
>"Well, er, yeah," Chisato replies, glancing briefly at the box, "but with respect and all... what were you poking around my room for?
>"Didn't find her in your room," Murasa says. "Found her crawling around the pantry."
>With remarkable speed, Chisato's expression twists into a florid grimace. "Goddammit!"
-
>"So what's the story here?"
-
>"So what's the story here?"
>"Why's there need to be a story?" Chisato spits, still looking like she wants yell at something. "Somethin' wrong with me not wantin' to kick the guy on sight?"
>"You can't just let mice run around on ship," Murasa says. "You have any idea what kind of shit that can cause?"
>"Hey, I know that!" she counters. "He wasn't supposed to get out."
-
>"Nothing wrong with it at all. There's too many people who take mice lightly. I'm just curious why you did it. And where you found her."
-
>"Nothing wrong with it at all. There's too many people who take mice lightly. I'm just curious why you did it. And where you found her."
>"That makes two of us," Murasa adds.
>Chisato holds onto that frustrated scowl for a moment, before snapping out a resigned "Okay, fine."
>"Saw her run out from between two sacks of flour when I was loading up supplies a couple days back," she continues. "Caught her before she got too far. Dunno why I kept her. Just thought I would, I guess. Didn't see why anyone else should care."
>"You didn't," Murasa repeats flatly. You're not sure if this is just an acknowledgment, or commentary on her crewman's awareness.
>"She wasn't supposed to get loose, dammit!" Chisato protests, fuming again. She mutters something harsh under her breath.
-
>"So, what were you going to do with her?"
-
>"So, what were you going to do with her?"
>"I'll get it right this time," she says in a stubborn tone.
>"Get what right?" Murasa asks.
>There is a flicker of doubt on Chisato's face for a moment. She glances towards you. "...nevermind."
>Murasa sighs. "Look, we can't have a mouse running around here. Nazrin here's offered to find a better home for it."
>Is that actually a little... disappointment on Chisato's face? Either way, it doesn't last long. "Look, I'll make sure this doesn't happen again, cap'n. You got my word on that."
-
>Look at the mouse, then back at the mouse-keeper.
>"She matters to you. Doesn't she."
-
>Look at the mouse, then back at the mouse-keeper.
>"She matters to you. Doesn't she."
>"Why do you care?" she retorts.
-
>"Because people don't show respect to mice, so when they do I get interested. What, you think I'm making fun of you?"
-
>"Because people don't show respect to mice, so when they do I get interested. What, you think I'm making fun of you?"
>Chisato stares at you for a moment, looking both adversarial and a little off balance. Her mouth twitches, but she just lets it out as a coarse sigh.
>"Fine," she says, "Let's say I do."
-
>"Well, I'd like to know why. And I reckon your captain does, too."
-
>"Well, I'd like to know why. And I reckon your captain does, too."
>"Just didn't wanna see her get hurt or tossed overboard or something," she says gruffly.
>Murasa frowns dryly.
-
>Gesture to the box.
>"Had you considered using a box with a top on it?"
-
>Gesture to the box.
>"Had you considered using a box with a top on it?"
>"I'm not that stupid," she says, throwing you a dirty look. "It... wasn't supposed to be able to get out on its own."
-
>"Heh. Don't take mice lightly. But yeah, don't be embarrassed, you did a good thing."
-
>"Heh. Don't take mice lightly. But yeah, don't be embarrassed, you did a good thing."
>Chisato looks a bit unsure how to take this remark, her forcefulness momentarily put off balance. You'd almost swear she was trying to find some way to take offense to that, but failing.
>"Not so sure about that, myself," Murasa mumbles. "But that aside, are you saying you still wanna keep it, too?"
>The redhead doesn't say much, but her hesitation speaks for her. Murasa sighs.
>"Look," she says. "I don't want to find that anywhere else but the inside of your room, got it? If it happens again, that's it."
>"...understood," Chisato replies. Murasa sighs again, a strangely weary sound.
-
>So, we had one human that liked a mouse enough to take care of it, and her boss willing to let her do it. Maybe they ain't too bad folks.
>In chitterspeak, "Good news. Big one with the yummies can keep you safe. Different big one letting you stay."
>"Just be careful and don't explore too much. Place belongs to different big one. Try to stay where big one with yummies puts you."
-
>So, we had one human that liked a mouse enough to take care of it, and her boss willing to let her do it. Maybe they ain't too bad folks.
>In chitterspeak, "Good news. Big one with the yummies can keep you safe. Different big one letting you stay."
>"Just be careful and don't explore too much. Place belongs to different big one. Try to stay where big one with yummies puts you."
>More than a lot of people would have done, that's for sure.
>You communicate the situation to the mouse. She does seem to mostly understand and squeaks her acknowledgments, but to be frank, you're not sure how seriously she'll take the directive to stay put. Or, for that matter, how well she'll remember it in a little while. Instinct can be a pretty powerful thing.
>"Neat trick," Chisato says. "What's it saying?"
-
>"Well, I'm trying to tell her that the boss here isn't too keen on the idea of our little friend here roaming the ship at will. Which makes sense. But, you're probably gonna need a house with a roof for her. With solid walls, if you catch my drift. Some mice take directions about as well as fairys do."
>"And it's a she. In case you were wondering."
-
>"Well, I'm trying to tell her that the boss here isn't too keen on the idea of our little friend here roaming the ship at will. Which makes sense. But, you're probably gonna need a house with a roof for her. With solid walls, if you catch my drift. Some mice take directions about as well as fairys do."
>"And it's a she. In case you were wondering."
>"Oh, it she?" Chisato leans over and takes a look inside the box. The mouse tentatively pokes her head out from the pile of shavings, just an inch. You think you catch a hint of a smile on Chisato's face, though it's quickly replaced with an expression that's strictly business.
>"Anyway, thanks for that and all," she says after a moment. "I'll figure out somethin' to make sure she really stays put this time." She mutters something under her breath; you can't quite make it out.
-
>Grin. "And she likes you, too."
>"But thanks on behalf of her, as well. Nice to see a mouse get a good home." Nod to Murasa. "And you as well, Captain."
-
>Grin. "And she likes you, too."
>"But thanks on behalf of her, as well. Nice to see a mouse get a good home." Nod to Murasa. "And you as well, Captain."
>"Ha, really?" Chisato grins at the mouse in turn.
>Murasa shrugs. "Eh, gotta keep the crew happy, too."
-
>"Outta curiousity, though, Chisato, how long ago did you bring her on board?"
-
>"Outta curiousity, though, Chisato, how long ago did you bring her on board?"
>"Probably 'bout three or four days ago, now," she says.
-
>"And she's been in your room all that time? Apart from today, of course."
-
>"And she's been in your room all that time? Apart from today, of course."
>She nods. "Pretty much, yeah."
>"Well, I suppose that's something," Murasa says.
-
>"Was kinda hoping the little girl would be able to help me figure out what happened to that document of yours, might have smelled something out of place, or something." Shrug. "Oh, well."
-
>"Was kinda hoping the little girl would be able to help me figure out what happened to that document of yours, might have smelled something out of place, or something." Shrug. "Oh, well."
>"Well, at least you found her when you did," Murasa says. "Didn't need more problems on top of this one."
-
>Glance over the side of the ship. Does the docks are have a guardhouse, or a watch station, anything like that to check on reports of recent theft?
-
>Glance over the side of the ship. Does the docks are have a guardhouse, or a watch station, anything like that to check on reports of recent theft?
>The Watch does have a modest-sized guard station in the port district, although the staggered nature of the docks means you can't actually see it from your current location. Aside from this, they also do regular patrols in the area.
-
>Does Orange ever get down in this part of town?
-
>Does Orange ever get down in this part of town?
>As a junior patrol officer, she's been shuffled around to a bunch of different parts of town over the time she's been with the Watch. You're not sure if she's worked down this way, but you figure there's a pretty good chance. It mightn't have been all that recent, though.
-
>Well, more uphill battle first. That harbormaster hardass'll probably be less fun to deal with than Orange.
Even if her pants stay on this time. May as well get that out of the way.
>Can we see the harbormaster's office from here? Or, do we even know what it looks like, or where it is?
-
>Well, more uphill battle first. That harbormaster hardass'll probably be less fun to deal with than Orange. Even if her pants stay on this time. May as well get that out of the way.
>Can we see the harbormaster's office from here? Or, do we even know what it looks like, or where it is?
>You decide to tackle the more unpleasant angle first.
>You cannot see that from here, either, but you do know where to find it. It is actually a complex of neighboring structures, fairly large by Braston standards, but the export market is what keeps the city alive. You don't know off-hand where this Louise's office would be within them, but that shouldn't be too hard to figure out.
-
>"Alright, with that issue settled, best get cracking on the next one. Wish me luck."
>Make for that block of offices.
-
>"Alright, with that issue settled, best get cracking on the next one. Wish me luck."
>Make for that block of offices.
>"Heh, probably gonna need it," Murasa says wryly.
>You hand the wooden box and its occupant over to Chisato and depart the Blue Maiden.
>Despite being within the same district, it's actually a decent walk to the Port Authority. The activity around you has changed little since you first arrived this afternoon - a near steady stream of workers hauling goods into and out of the city, and vendors catering to both them and visitors. Humans and youkai alike ply their trades, Oni shouldering loads as big as they are, while scattered fairies deliver messages, chant cheerful advertising slogans, or just cavort through the air.
>Soon enough you cut through a small block of industrial offices that protrudes into the harbourfront and reach the Braston Port Authority offices. Following the surprisingly helpful signage posted outside, you make your way to the entrance intended for public inquiries. Seems the best place to start.
>Stepping inside, you find yourself in a fairly small lobby decorated in tastefully boring professional grey. A pair of large potted plants provide nearly the only color in the room, though the effect manages to seem more banal than anything else, as if the space were designed wholly by formula. Across from the entrance is a long wooden counter divided into several wickets, two of which are manned at the moment. There is a short line formed in front of it, and both employees are currently speaking with people. Snatches of conversation suggest that one is asking for clarification on some engine licensing technicality, while the other is applying to renew a commercial transit permit. This is precisely as interesting as it sounds.
-
>Do these wickets appear to be the only information desks, per se visible?
>Does there appear to be signage directing the way to the harbormaster's office?
>Sniff for mice.
>Sweep the building with treasure/magic sense without rods.
>Is this Lousie person in evidence?
-
>Do these wickets appear to be the only information desks, per se visible?
>Does there appear to be signage directing the way to the harbormaster's office?
>Sniff for mice.
>Sweep the building with treasure/magic sense without rods.
>Is this Lousie person in evidence?
>There are a couple corridors near the wickets which extend out of sight, but the wickets themselves appear to house the only employees in evidence.
>Not that you can see. There are signs reminding people of the mostly-obvious fact that this queue is for public inquiries and applications, and smaller ones next the corner of the hallways listing several other offices and services found down them. There are several names, but no Louises.
>You sniff the air. It smells largely rodent-free at the moment.
>You don't detect anything of note within the building at the moment.
>You don't see her at the moment, and the only employees visible are the pair manning the wicket.
-
>How many people are currently in line? We don't have enough time to waste dicking around in a queue.
-
>How many people are currently in line? We don't have enough time to waste dicking around in a queue.
>There are three people in line, not counting the two currently being served.
-
>Well... Suppose 10 minutes or so won't hurt.
>Get in line.
-
>Well... Suppose 10 minutes or so won't hurt.
>Get in line.
>You decide you can afford to wait a little anyway. You get in line.
>One of the people at the counter finishes almost as soon as you step in, though the other one continues to drone on about technical minutia for a mind-numbingly long time. It gets hard to tell what he's even inquiring about, and after a while, even the clerk seems lost. Or perhaps they both do. There's almost certainly some misunderstanding going on, but damned if you know what it is. The other clerk processes through two more people and is on the third before the man is finally done.
>"I can help you over here," the newly freed clerk says, indicating towards you. She seems just a little frazzled.
-
>Approach the poor bureaucrat.
>"I'll try to keep things simpler than him."
>"Name's Nazrin, Seeker. Captain of one of the ships here in port has had one of her papers stolen, as well as the copy of that liscense on file here. I've been hired to find them."
-
>Approach the poor bureaucrat.
>"I'll try to keep things simpler than him."
>"Name's Nazrin, Seeker. Captain of one of the ships here in port has had one of her papers stolen, as well as the copy of that liscense on file here. I've been hired to find them."
>You walk up to the bedraggled young woman.
>She laughs a little nervously and adjusts her glasses. "That would be nice."
>"Wait," she says, frowning. "Did you say that a copy of her license was stolen from us?"
-
>Nod.
>"And waiting for a reliscense would ruin her cargo load. So she hired me to try and find the missing papers faster. Discussing the issue with a woman named Louise, who I understand has an important position here, wasn't getting her anywhere."
-
>Nod.
>"And waiting for a reliscense would ruin her cargo load. So she hired me to try and find the missing papers faster. Discussing the issue with a woman named Louise, who I understand has an important position here, wasn't getting her anywhere."
>"Louise Saint-Clair?" she asks. "She's the head of customs. If she couldn't help you, I don't think there's much I'll be able to do..."
-
>"I haven't spoken to Louise herself, just the captain with the problem. What I'd like to do, though, is have a look around where the document was kept. Look for clues the theif may have left behind."
-
>"I haven't spoken to Louise herself, just the captain with the problem. What I'd like to do, though, is have a look around where the document was kept. Look for clues the theif may have left behind."
>"I'm afraid that's off-limits to the public," she says with a sympathetic frown.
-
>No prizes for figuring THAT was coming.
>"You've had a theif. One that could come back. If I find out how this happened, it could help you stop it from happening again."
-
>No prizes for figuring THAT was coming.
>"You've had a theif. One that could come back. If I find out how this happened, it could help you stop it from happening again."
>"I hadn't heard of any break-in..." she says, looking a little uncomfortable. "But I'm sure it would have been reported to the Watch already, if that's the case."
-
>"Evidently, your Louise had a fairly novel approach to the situation. Something like 'if it isn't on file here, it never was.' I, on the other hand, am trying to solve the problem, before you have another theft, and another angry captain on your hands."
-
>"Evidently, your Louise had a fairly novel approach to the situation. Something like 'if it isn't on file here, it never was.' I, on the other hand, am trying to solve the problem, before you have another theft, and another angry captain on your hands."
>This does little to ease the woman's discomfort. "I'm very sorry ma'am, but if you want to examine our records yourself, you're... really going to have to talk to Louise."
-
>"I understand. If she's head of customs, it's her problem as well. Where can I find her?"
-
>"I understand. If she's head of customs, it's her problem as well. Where can I find her?"
>She points to one of the hallways running past the service counter.
>"Down this hall," she says, "then up the stairs on your right. Her office is the second on your left."
-
>Polite nod. "Thanks. Hopefully I'll have this problem fixed before the end of the day."
>Follow her directions.
-
>Polite nod. "Thanks. Hopefully I'll have this problem fixed before the end of the day."
>Follow her directions.
>She gives you a tentative and somewhat worried-looking smile. "I hope things work out for you."
>You follow the woman's directions and, without any issue, find yourself in front of a wooden door emblazoned with a simple brass nameplate. It reads:
>Louise Saint-Claire
>Chief Customs Administrator
-
>Stop short before reading that she prepared explosive ru-
>Polite knock.
>No, wait. Sweep the corridor with our extrasensory perception, sample the air, and if we don't detect anything of special interest, THEN knock.
-
>Polite knock.
>No, wait. Sweep the corridor with our extrasensory perception, sample the air, and if we don't detect anything of special interest, THEN knock.
>None of your senses pick up anything of special interest in the corridor, so you knock politely on the door.
>"Come in," answers a poised voice from inside the office.
-
>Enter!
-
>Enter!
>You open the door and step into a spacious office with a large open window at the back overlooking the port. The decor is conservative but less staid than the lobby downstairs, and the room has a rather airy feeling; this is perhaps helped by there being a literal breeze wafting in from the window. The most prominent furnishing in the room is a large, well-organized desk near the center. Several comfortable looking chairs are arranged in front of it, and the adjacent wall is lined with several shelves of papers and documents sorted neatly by dividers.
>Seated at the desk is the same blond-haired woman that you saw Murasa arguing with earlier today. She regards you coolly as you enter, though there is something sharp to her gaze.
>"Is there something I can do for you?" she asks.
-
>Be on alert.
>"Actually, I'm here to do something for you. I'm Nazrin, the Seeker, here to investigate the theft of a certain document."
-
>Be on alert.
>"Actually, I'm here to do something for you. I'm Nazrin, the Seeker, here to investigate the theft of a certain document."
>You keep your wits about you.
>"And what document would that be?" she asks, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
-
>"The export liscence belonging to the captain of the Blue Maiden. Both her copy, and yours, appear to have gone missing. Or so I've been informed."
-
>"The export liscence belonging to the captain of the Blue Maiden. Both her copy, and yours, appear to have gone missing. Or so I've been informed."
>Her expression relaxes somewhat. "Ah, yes. Well, I'm afraid I can only tell you what I already told the captain in person: there's no evidence this license ever existed aside from her own word. I can't simply issue her one because she demands it. She's more than welcome to go through the proper channels like everyone else."
-
>"So you're saying there's no record of sale for the license, nor any entries into an accounting ledger? Nor any master list of people holding these permits?"
-
>"So you're saying there's no record of sale for the license, nor any entries into an accounting ledger? Nor any master list of people holding these permits?"
>"We keep two copies of the license transaction," she says. "One downstairs here and another in the archives across the row. I've had the archives checked on Murasa's request, but there's no copy to be found there either. The Blue Maiden is registered with us, but the permits she has don't cover all the cargo on the current manifest."
-
>Do we know if the permit is a one time only purchase, or something that must be renewed every so often?
-
>Do we know if the permit is a one time only purchase, or something that must be renewed every so often?
>You're not certain the details in this particular case. You think some permits may require renewal, while others do not.
-
>"See the fact that every copy of that document has dissapeared tell me that you've had a theft. I was hoping you'd let me examine the scene of the crime, as it were."
-
>"And, is it the kind of permit that has to be renewed?"
-
>"See the fact that every copy of that document has dissapeared tell me that you've had a theft. I was hoping you'd let me examine the scene of the crime, as it were."
>"For something to disappear, it must have existed in the first place. If we have no record of it whatsoever, I think it's far more likely she never held such a permit."
>"And, is it the kind of permit that has to be renewed?"
>"Baring revocation, it is a one-time process," she says.
-
>"So, how many do you tend to sell in a month?"
-
>"So, how many do you tend to sell in a month?"
>"Of that specific kind? Hmm... perhaps a dozen or so."
-
>"So, you'd have a specific account entry for it, I'd imagine? And, with a couple of them a week, it shouldn't be hard to go to a particular point in time and confirm a permit was sold them, right?"
-
>"So, you'd have a specific account entry for it, I'd imagine? And, with a couple of them a week, it shouldn't be hard to go to a particular point in time and confirm a permit was sold them, right?"
>"As I said, there is no record of the license on file," she says coolly. "Supposedly it was purchased some years back, before I was in charge of this department."
-
>"So you've never personally dealt with captain Murasa before? Before today, I mean."
>To our knowledge, has this business ever burned down, had a fire in their records, anything like that?
-
>"So you've never personally dealt with captain Murasa before? Before today, I mean."
>To our knowledge, has this business ever burned down, had a fire in their records, anything like that?
>"I had not," she replies. "Even now, I don't usually interact with applicants directly. That's handled by the attendants downstairs."
>Not since you've lived here, at least.
-
>"But the ship's been in and out of port here for years. Surely there must be someone on staff here that can vouch for the fact they had the document before."
-
>"But the ship's been in and out of port here for years. Surely there must be someone on staff here that can vouch for the fact they had the document before."
>A thin hint of a smile tugs at the corner of her mouth, almost indulgent-looking. "A great many ships go in and out of port here every day. It's unreasonable to commit to memory all the licenses each does or doesn't have. That is what the records are for."
-
>Patronizing little pencil pusher.
>"And I'm guessing getting this particular liscense isn't a particularly... expedient process?"
-
>Patronizing little pencil pusher.
>"And I'm guessing getting this particular liscense isn't a particularly... expedient process?"
>That smile isn't doing much to foster good will.
>"Hmmm... given the queues at the moment, I would expect about a week turn-around time if she submitted the application today."
-
>"And this is after a delay already. That would explain her disposition."
>"But something you said got me thinking. You said- Can I sit down?"
-
>"And this is after a delay already. That would explain her disposition."
>"But something you said got me thinking. You said- Can I sit down?"
>"Of course," she says, gesturing to one of the chairs.
-
>"Thanks."
>Sit.
>"You said that not ALL of captain Murasa's current load is impeded by this... situation. Which means of course that some of it is. Does that mean that, were she to offload the merchandise that the missing liscence was supposed to cover, she'd be free and clear to launch?"
-
>"Thanks."
>Sit.
>"You said that not ALL of captain Murasa's current load is impeded by this... situation. Which means of course that some of it is. Does that mean that, were she to offload the merchandise that the missing liscence was supposed to cover, she'd be free and clear to launch?"
>You take a seat. These are actually surprisingly comfy!
>She nods. "That's correct."
-
>"What sort of goods would that be, exactly?"
-
>"What sort of goods would that be, exactly?"
>"It was a class B-1 general export license, which covers a multitude of commodities. If I recall her manifest correctly, in this case she would need to offload all her foodstuffs intended for market, as well as the herbal materials and approximately two-thirds of the crafted goods, before being sufficiently covered by the documents we have on file for her ship."
-
>"Correct me if I'm wrong, but, wouldn't that be basically everything she ONloaded here?"
-
>"Correct me if I'm wrong, but, wouldn't that be basically everything she ONloaded here?"
>"Not quite all," she says. "But a great deal of it, yes."
-
>"About how much would that be worth on the open market?"
-
>"About how much would that be worth on the open market?"
>"I'm afraid I'm no merchant," she says, that vague smile hovering on her lips again. "I'm sure Captain Murasa could answer that question far better than I. A considerable sum, no doubt."
-
>Which means recouping that here's pretty much impossible, reckon.
>What's the going rate for bribes around town?
-
>Which means recouping that here's pretty much impossible, reckon.
>What's the going rate for bribes around town?
>It does seem likely she'd have to absorb a large loss if she tried this strategy.
>You imagine that depends greatly on the person being bribed. This sort of corruption in Braston is quite low, in fact; the Oni take extremely unkindly to that sort of activity, whether they're the ones directly affected by it or not. While they may lack direct authority over most governmental matters, their influence is still considerable. Over time, this sort of seeped into the cultural norms of the city and the practice isn't nearly as prevalent as you've heard it can be elsewhere. Of course, this doesn't mean that some people mightn't be swayed by greasing their palms...
-
>Take a moment to gather our thoughts.
>"Other than captain Murasa, have any other ship's captains' had this issue in the past week or so?"
-
>Take a moment to gather our thoughts.
>"Other than captain Murasa, have any other ship's captains' had this issue in the past week or so?"
>You pause for a moment.
>"If they have," she says, "none of them have brought it to our attention."
-
>"And nothing like this has ever happened since you took over here?"
-
>"And nothing like this has ever happened since you took over here?"
>"From time to time, I've had someone claim they possessed permits they did not. I've never seen any evidence to suggest any of them were actually correct."
-
>"And how did those folks resolve the issue?"
-
>"And how did those folks resolve the issue?"
>"By either properly procuring their license or taking up some other line of work," she says. "Or, I suppose, by getting arrested in at least one case."
-
>There goes the bribery approach.
>Smirk. "Lemme guess. Tried to sneak out at the wrong time?"
-
>There goes the bribery approach.
>Smirk. "Lemme guess. Tried to sneak out at the wrong time?"
>"Oh, that happens, too," she says. "Though in this case, the whole affair was an extremely ill-conceived attempt to cover up a smuggling operation. This was quite some years ago, now."
-
>What did we notice, or know of, in the way of security in this place, if anything?
-
>What did we notice, or know of, in the way of security in this place, if anything?
>There didn't seem to be any obvious guards or other security in evidence downstairs, though the office space extended for some distance behind the counter and was partially obscured by the wickets. You imagine there is security somewhere within the complex, though.
-
>"Is that what you believe this is, though? That Murasa's lying about her liscencse going missing, I mean."
-
>"Is that what you believe this is, though? That Murasa's lying about her liscencse going missing, I mean."
>"I've claimed no such thing," she says coolly. "But anyone can say they have the proper license. I've seen no evidence aside from her own words, and frankly it seems incredibly suspect that someone would come and steal those records from us and only those, don't you agree?"
-
>"I agree, it does look very suspicious. That's why I think the captain, her ship, or someone else on board, was a target. She was bound for Val Razua, and I suspect somebody didn't want her there."
-
>"I agree, it does look very suspicious. That's why I think the captain, her ship, or someone else on board, was a target. She was bound for Val Razua, and I suspect somebody didn't want her there."
>Though her outward bearing changes little, something about her gaze seems to sharpen; it's a vaguely unsettling effect.
>"I don't suppose you have any evidence of this?"
-
>Can we douse for lies?
>How good are we at determining whether or not someone's lying to us, or keeping something from us?
Of course, even if she IS responsible for the documents going missing here, I doubt she's the type that's got the skills to take the papers off the boat.
-
>Can we douse for lies?
>How good are we at determining whether or not someone's lying to us, or keeping something from us?
>That would be a neat trick, but no.
>You're pretty perceptive when it comes to noticing subtle body language that might be indicative of withholding information, but some people can be very good liars.
-
>Keep a sharp, discreet eye on this one.
>"I'm working on it. I had a lead when I was aboard their ship, but it eluded me."
>"See, that's my youkai ability. I'm a douser, I can find all sorts of things. That's why I came here, to see if I could sense what I sensed on the Blue Maiden. Or some other sign the culprit left behind."
-
So far, we're taking her word on those records. I say we stop taking her word and demand to see them. All we need from Murasa is the date that she got her permit, and then we check it across the actual accounts ledger to find the record of sale. If their accounting practices are anything like modern ones, the record will be a line or three on a page, so extracting it would be very hard. Even the general year and month will do if they keep records of the permits themselves; we just compare what permits are there to what permits are listed int eh accounts.
If she gives us shit, we threatened to go over her head, and possibly bribe them to pay extra attention. Or straight go to the guard if she gives us even the hint that she's concealing data.
-
>Keep a sharp, discreet eye on this one.
>"I'm working on it. I had a lead when I was aboard their ship, but it eluded me."
>"See, that's my youkai ability. I'm a douser, I can find all sorts of things. That's why I came here, to see if I could sense what I sensed on the Blue Maiden. Or some other sign the culprit left behind."
>You keep a sharp eye on Louise, getting the distinct impression she is doing likewise, despite the coolness of her demeanor.
>"What sort of lead?" she asks.
-
>"A sense that something was out of place. Something, or maybe someONE, that didn't belong."
-
>"A sense that something was out of place. Something, or maybe someONE, that didn't belong."
>"I'm afraid that's an awfully vague basis to conduct a search," she says, smiling slightly again.
-
>Smirk.
>"You'd be surprised what I've found with less to work with. I know what I sensed. If I pick it up again, I can find it."
BTW, I'll wager you've more knowledge than I with accounting than I, P. You'd handle that angle better than I. But if Murasa's right, insisting and threatening probably won't get us too far with this one. But, we may be able to maneuver her into admitting something. Or at least giving us a hint that we can go on.
I might add, though, that I really hope Louise isn't one of the guilty parties here. I have a soft spot for the MS crew. Other than Alice, anyway.
-
Louise is among my favorite PC-98 characters. I will still pitch her off the island if she stands in the way of our [Pure Ideals]. >=|
>"But I'm here for other, more solid leads. Let's have a look at those records, shall we? I have an idea or two."
-
>Smirk.
>"You'd be surprised what I've found with less to work with. I know what I sensed. If I pick it up again, I can find it."
>"That's all well and good," she says, "But I'm going to need more than your gut feeling to reopen an investigation."
>"But I'm here for other, more solid leads. Let's have a look at those records, shall we? I have an idea or two."
>She smiles. "Care to share those ideas?"
-
>Wink.
>"I'll tell you if they work."
>What do we recall of our paper pushing time at the guild, in regards to recordkeeping?
-
>Wink.
>"I'll tell you if they work."
>Her smile doesn't waver an inch. "Then I'm afraid there's not much I can do to help you."
>What do we recall of our paper pushing time at the guild, in regards to recordkeeping?
>During your apprenticeship you managed the front desk from time to time, and dealt with clients submitting job notices to be posted, as well as processing job completion forms, updating the master job register, and handling mail. Requisitioning of supplies and keeping account of the guild's fiscal transactions was generally done by the higher-ups, often Rinnosuke himself. You and the other apprentices were sometimes tasked with pickup and delivery, but usually didn't deal with the associated paperwork directly.
-
>"That's okay, you can just show me where they are and I'll take care of the rest. Heh, you can even watch me if you think I'm going to swipe something."
-
>"That's okay, you can just show me where they are and I'll take care of the rest. Heh, you can even watch me if you think I'm going to swipe something."
>"I'm not in the habit of letting strangers browse through our records," she says.
-
So, my instinct is to respond with our arm veins, and threaten to infect her.
>"If you like, I can fetch Murasa, so you know I'm doing it on the behalf of the person involved."
-
>"If you like, I can fetch Murasa, so you know I'm doing it on the behalf of the person involved."
>"Oh, I have no trouble accepting that you're working on her behalf," she says. "But my statement still stands. If there's a specific record you think should be examined, I can see that it's looked into."
-
>"And how long will that take?"
-
>"And how long will that take?"
>"That depends on what you want looked into," she replies.
-
>Presumably there is no law we know of that would allow for us to force the showing of public records?
>"Alright. I need a record of all the permits you have a copy of from that time, Just a number and who they belong to. Then I'd like you to bring out the accounts ledger from that time."
>_
-
>Presumably there is no law we know of that would allow for us to force the showing of public records?
>"Alright. I need a record of all the permits you have a copy of from that time, Just a number and who they belong to. Then I'd like you to bring out the accounts ledger from that time."
>You're not sure of all the legalities. You expect you would have to go through the Watch or the city council, at any rate.
>"I'm afraid our financial records are private," she says. "If you're looking for any irregularities related to this supposed permit, I can have that part of our records audited, provided you can give me a specific time frame."
-
So, threaten to go over her head? Or should we cut right to the hot tasty "I know you did this and now I'm going to shove diseased blood in your orifices"?
>"Why wouldn't you be open with that information, given it is a matter of public interest?"
-
>"Why wouldn't you be open with that information, given it is a matter of public interest?"
>"And I suppose you disclose your own finances freely with anyone who asks, hmmm? I think I'm already being rather gracious to offer to continue expending manpower on this investigation given that no one has yet presented any actual evidence."
-
So. Threats of intervention or threats of infection? If nothing else, this is a perfect time to accuse her.
-
Threats again?
>"That's what I'm trying to find here; more solid evidence."
>"Look, I realize this seems a bit farfetched. The claim of a ships' captain, and a fragment of a clue picked up by a Seeker. But I'm not asking for privilaged information on every ship and transaction that comes through this dock, or anything like that. Just one specific bit of data on one specific liscence issued to one specific ship. If you want to look over my shoulder to make sure I'm not looking at anything I'm not supposed to, that's fine. I'd expect no less. Probably won't even take very long. Just a handful of minutes, and I can get what I came here for, and get out of your hair. Let you get back to your business, and I can get on with mine."
>Do we know of anyone that would be Louise's superior?
-
Yeah, threats. When one is dying and being told to sit down quietly and die for reasons that are less than excellent, the reaction one is going to have is going to be anger and defensiveness.
If she doesn't give soon, it's definitely time to accuse her and follow from there. If we're lucky, it'll speed things up in an effort to prove her innocence. If not, it won't do anything to slow things down while we go find Orange to give us some official muscle; she already knows what records we want and the ones we want to alter. But if you have other ideas, let's hear it.
Though thinking on it, I would say we could put the onus of proving things on her if she resists, and lead that into the accusation if she keeps resisting.
-
>"That's what I'm trying to find here; more solid evidence."
>"Look, I realize this seems a bit farfetched. The claim of a ships' captain, and a fragment of a clue picked up by a Seeker. But I'm not asking for privilaged information on every ship and transaction that comes through this dock, or anything like that. Just one specific bit of data on one specific liscence issued to one specific ship. If you want to look over my shoulder to make sure I'm not looking at anything I'm not supposed to, that's fine. I'd expect no less. Probably won't even take very long. Just a handful of minutes, and I can get what I came here for, and get out of your hair. Let you get back to your business, and I can get on with mine."
>"Do you have the specific date on which the license was supposedly purchased?" she asks.
>Do we know of anyone that would be Louise's superior?
>You're not familiar with the internal organization of the port authority, and whether Louise would have a direct superior within it. You think the port authority as a whole is regulated by the city government, but you again don't know the details; politics isn't your strong suit.
-
NOW I have an idea. She's given us an opportunity, since Murasa didn't mention the date in question. We go back and ask Murasa, get the date, then come back to Louise. If she complies then, everything'll be fine. But if she's not here, then we'll know something is up. And we should be able to follow her scent to find out where she's gone.
>Did Murasa mention that date?
>Commit this woman's scent to memory.
>Does she smell like youkai or human?
>Does her window afford a good view of the Blue Maiden?
-
>Did Murasa mention that date?
>Commit this woman's scent to memory.
>Does she smell like youkai or human?
>Does her window afford a good view of the Blue Maiden?
>She did not.
>You take a deliberate but subtle sniff and commit Louise's scent to memory.
>She smells human enough to you, although there's a fair variety among youkai and not all of them smell distinctly non-human.
>While the windows offer a rather picturesque view of a great many ships berthed in the harbor, the Blue Maiden is not one of them. It's a bit too far to the northeast to be seen.
-
>"The specific date, no. Murasa wasn't specific." Heck, she probably didn't think we'd get THIS much out of you.
-
>"The specific date, no. Murasa wasn't specific." Heck, she probably didn't think we'd get THIS much out of you.
>"I'll need something more to go on than that," she says. "A complete audit of years worth of records is out of the question, you understand."
-
>"Of course. But, if Murasa can provide that particular date?"
-
>"Or a rough date?"
-
>"Of course. But, if Murasa can provide that particular date?"
>"Then I'll have the ledgers for that date examined," she says.
>"Or a rough date?"
>She smiles faintly. "I imagine that depends on how rough, no?"
-
>Well, that's SOME progress, at least.
>"Then I suppose I'll be back once I have the information in question."
>"One more thing, though, just a curiousity. How much do one of these liscnces cost?"
-
>Well, that's SOME progress, at least.
>"Then I suppose I'll be back once I have the information in question."
>"One more thing, though, just a curiousity. How much do one of these liscnces cost?"
>Some acknowledgment is better than being stonewalled entirely.
>She nods. "Of course."
>"That depends on a number of things," she says, "but in this case I believe the fee would be 800 guilders."
-
>Nod.
>"Thank you for your time."
>Exit the office, barring any objections.
-
>Nod.
>"Thank you for your time."
>Exit the office, barring any objections.
>You nod and thank Louise for her time.
>"My pleasure," she replies.
>You turn and exit the office.
-
>Make sure there's no one around.
>Produce dousing rods and, well, douse, if there's no one within sight, or approaching us that we can detect.
-
>Make sure there's no one around.
>Produce dousing rods and, well, douse, if there's no one within sight, or approaching us that we can detect.
>The hallway is currently unoccupied, though there are a number of doors in sight from which someone might theoretically appear at any moment.
>You take your dowsing rods in hand and do a quick sweep around the building, keeping enough of your focus upon the hallway to detect someone's approach. Preliminary results are spectacularly uninteresting; nothing that you can pick up tweaks your curiosity. There are a few larger pieces of metal here and there, possibly a door or filing cabinets, and a scattered trivial enchantment. Nothing out of the ordinary.
-
>Perhaps we'll pick up more from those records, assuming magic's at work here.
>Back to the nice boat!
-
>Perhaps we'll pick up more from those records, assuming magic's at work here.
>Back to the nice boat!
>It's possible.
>You make your way out of the customs office and back across the harbor district to the Blue Maiden.
>Chisato is still standing deck watch when you return, resting on the rail of the ship. She nods to you as you approach. "Back already?" You note the mouse's box sitting on a barrel next to her.
-
>Nod.
>"It's not bad news, though. I need to check your records for a particular date, see when you folks got the liscense in question. If I ge that, I should be able to get a look at their records myself, be one step closer to resolving this mess."
-
>Nod.
>"It's not bad news, though. I need to check your records for a particular date, see when you folks got the liscense in question. If I ge that, I should be able to get a look at their records myself, be one step closer to resolving this mess."
>"Well, the cap'n's in her room," she says, jerking her head in the direction of the cabin. "'fraid I don't have a clue."
-
>"Thanks."
>Start to had off, then pause. Give Chisato a friendly grin.
>"Hasn't escaped again, has she?"
-
>"Thanks."
>Start to had off, then pause. Give Chisato a friendly grin.
>"Hasn't escaped again, has she?"
>You thank Chisato and start to walk towards the cabin, then pause and give her a grin.
>"Not lettin' her out of my sight 'til shift's over," she says with a rueful expression. "Then I'll see if I can fix things up right this time."
-
>Was the box right side up when we found it?
-
>Was the box right side up when we found it?
>The open top of the box was facing upward when you pulled it out from under Chisato's bed. Otherwise the wood shavings would have been all over the floor.
-
>"I would think moving her to a box with a lid would settle the issue. Unless she's really attached to that one."
-
>"I would think moving her to a box with a lid would settle the issue. Unless she's really attached to that one."
>"Yeah, yeah..." she grumbles.
-
>Arch an eyebrow.
>"Something wrong with boxes with lids?"
-
>Arch an eyebrow.
>"Something wrong with boxes with lids?"
>She throws you a gruff look. "Hey, this is what was around, okay?"
-
>Well, that's a nerve.
>"Hey, I'm just tryin' to be helpful here. Given the outcome, I don't want to see her get into the pantry again either."
>"I can try and scrounge something servicable while I'm out settling this?"
-
>Well, that's a nerve.
>"Hey, I'm just tryin' to be helpful here. Given the outcome, I don't want to see her get into the pantry again either."
>"I can try and scrounge something servicable while I'm out settling this?"
>"Eh, you don't have to bother," she says, softening a little. "I can dig somethin' up once I'm off watch."
-
>Small smile. "Suit y'self."
>Head for Murasa's room.
>Just for shits and giggles, produce dousing rods before knocking, once we get there and see if we have a sense of what we picked up earlier.
>If nothing presents itself, knock and announce ourselves.
-
>Small smile. "Suit y'self."
>Head for Murasa's room.
>Just for shits and giggles, produce dousing rods before knocking, once we get there and see if we have a sense of what we picked up earlier.
>If nothing presents itself, knock and announce ourselves.
>You say goodbye to Chisato and cross the deck to Murasa's cabin.
>Before knocking, you take your dowsing rods out and have another sweep for that odd sensation you detected earlier. The results are much the same as the last time you tried this. A little disappointing, but perhaps not unexpected.
>You knock on the door and announce your presence.
>"Come on in!" you hear Murasa call out from inside.
-
>Enter.
-
>Enter.
>You open the door and step inside. Murasa is lounging in one of the benches by the table, her arms behind her head. She looks at you as you enter.
>"Don't suppose you had any luck?" The expression on her face suggests she's not holding out much hope.
-
>"More than you might think. I have an angle, but I needed some information from you first."
>"Can you remember when you got that liscense? The exact date. Or as near as you can get to it, anyway."
-
>"More than you might think. I have an angle, but I needed some information from you first."
>"Can you remember when you got that liscense? The exact date. Or as near as you can get to it, anyway."
>Murasa cocks her head to the side, looking a little taken aback. "The exact date? Uh, I could give you the year... maybe...?" She frowns.
-
>Swell.
>"I reckon our friend Lousie'll want a bit closer than that. Wouldn't happen to have it written down somewhere?"
-
>Swell.
>"I reckon our friend Lousie'll want a bit closer than that. Wouldn't happen to have it written down somewhere?"
>"Yeah," she says dryly. "On the license."
-
>"Well, not like it was ever supposed to be an issue."
>Suppose we'd best jog the good captain's memory.
>"Can you remember what you were hauling when you first got the thing?"
-
>"Well, not like it was ever supposed to be an issue."
>Suppose we'd best jog the good captain's memory.
>"Can you remember what you were hauling when you first got the thing?"
>"No kidding," she says.
>You figure it's worth a shot, anyway.
>"Uh..." She scratches her head. "That was a lot of years ago. Stuff just kinda blends together after a while, you know? I think it was a little after they reorganized the tariffs and we got re-classed. Was that... was that 9 years ago now?" She frowns in silence for a moment. "Think it was mid-summer, anyway."
-
>Mid-summer 9 years ago. After a tariff reorganization.
>"I would imagine that was one of your first visits here in town?"
-
>Mid-summer 9 years ago. After a tariff reorganization.
>"I would imagine that was one of your first visits here in town?"
>You make a mental note.
>"Oh, not even close," she says with a snicker. "Been here off and on since way back. Heck, I've been sailing longer than some of my crew's been alive. But regulations change, you know?"
-
>"Regulations change, beurocracy stays the same."
>"So, I'm guessing that would make you a youkai, then?"
-
>"Regulations change, beurocracy stays the same."
>"So, I'm guessing that would make you a youkai, then?"
>She rolls her eyes. "Tell me about it."
>"I'm a ghost," she says. "Not the vengeful kind, don't worry."
-
>Size her up and down, then grin.
>"You seem a bit more solid than most ghosts I've heard talk of."
-
>Size her up and down, then grin.
>"You seem a bit more solid than most ghosts I've heard talk of."
>You size the captain up and down. She raises an eyebrow.
>"'bout as solid as you are," she says. "Got as much in common with those little wispy things as you do with a tree."
-
>Have we ever had contact with a corporeal ghost? Or a ghost in general, for that matter?
>Have we ever been a part of, or instigated by ourselves, any ruse involving ghosts to get Marisa's goat?
>Does Braston have any famous ghosts?
>What kinda ghosts hung around Easthaven, especially the orphanage?
>To our knowledge, how many ghosts has Rinnosuke busted?
-
>Have we ever had contact with a corporeal ghost? Or a ghost in general, for that matter?
>You believe you once saw a corporeal ghost from some distance away, or at least you suspected this is what she was, given the wispy trail of white where her legs ought to have been. Such ghosts are considerably less common than youkai, but not unheard of. Or, at least, they're less common here. Meijima is supposedly full of them, but Braston doesn't get much traffic from the isolated island. You've never actually spoken with one before now. You'd heard that at least some part of them is often insubstancial enough to make their nature obvious, but this clearly isn't universal.
>As for the other type of ghost, you've seen your share of scattered wispy phantoms some nights in Easthaven and more rarely in Braston - they seem to be less common here, for whatever reason. You recall in particular a field expedition into the wilderness in your early days as an apprentice. Your group encountered a swarm of them gathered around a peat bog that you'd stumbled into because the team leader had read the map wrong - as you'd been unsuccessfully trying to point out to him for nearly an hour.
>While the phantoms are generally harmless, large groups of them can sometimes have strange effects on a person's psyche. There was something... gloomy to the air there, like a weight upon your soul that grew heavier with each passing moment. It was a difficult sensation to describe, but nearly everyone reported feeling much the same thing - many of them even worse than you. One young girl had to be physically pulled away from the bog after becoming nearly catatonic. Needless to say, the lot of you quickly backtracked. Still, the sight of the phantoms rising as a cloud above the bog was strangely enthralling and that image has stuck with you for years. You also keenly remember spending the rest of the day with wet mud in your boots...
>Have we ever been a part of, or instigated by ourselves, any ruse involving ghosts to get Marisa's goat?
>Does Braston have any famous ghosts?
>What kinda ghosts hung around Easthaven, especially the orphanage?
>To our knowledge, how many ghosts has Rinnosuke busted?
>You have not. Even if you'd been of a mindset for pulling pranks, it was well known that Marisa always made a point of giving better than she got. Woe betide someone who actually managed to make her jump.
>None famous enough for you to regard them as such, anyway.
>Wispy phantoms could be seen at night from time to time, perhaps most commonly by the graveyard but certainly not restricted to there. You don't know that many of them hung out anywhere for a prolonged length of time; you understand that they don't usually last very long before dissipating. However, you do remember one that showed up near the swing on the big tree behind the orphanage for nearly a week in a row. Ichirin spent some hours in silent meditation with it on the second evening, and then asked that no one torment it while it remained there. You didn't really spend much time around it, but if you had to describe it, you would say it seemed somewhat 'cheerful', if that's a word that can be properly applied to a featureless ball of ectoplasm. Then after a few more days, it was gone. Whether it dissipated or simply moved elsewhere, you have no idea; you could easily have seen it somewhere else and not recognized it. They do, after all, look virtually identical to each other.
>You have no idea if he's 'busted' any at all, though it wouldn't altogether surprise you if he had. He rarely speaks of his exploits in more than generalities.
-
>"Just take your time and pick over the stuff you remember from then one bit at a time. The more you can tell me, the more likely I can get that brick youkai to actually budge on something."
-
>"So, how does a ghost end up the captain of a ship like this?"
-
>"Just take your time and pick over the stuff you remember from then one bit at a time. The more you can tell me, the more likely I can get that brick youkai to actually budge on something."
>"Ha!" Murasa laughs. "Bet some of those are less thick-headed to boot. Let's see..." She frowns in silence for a few moments.
>"Summer of 573... I wanna say July. ...maybe?" She lets out a frustrated sigh. "Damned if I thought I'd ever need to remember this. You think that'll be good enough for her?" Her tone is dry and her expression doubtful.
>"So, how does a ghost end up the captain of a ship like this?"
>She raises an eyebrow. "Probably the same way anyone else would. Sailing's in my blood. Uh, well, you know..." She scratches her head sheepishly.
-
>"Given how useless she's been thus far, probably not. Hmm, what's the first thing you remember from that season, or that year if you have to, that you can put a definite date to. Think forward or back from that."
-
>"Well, it'd be enough for me. Louise? Maybe not so much."
>"So, does that mean you were a sailor before you...." Shrug slightly. "Yknow."
-
>"So, does that mean you were a sailor before you...." Shrug slightly. "Yknow."
>"Think I might've been," she says. "Can't really remember much. You don't need to be delicate about it, by the way. It's not a touchy subject."
>"Well, it'd be enough for me. Louise? Maybe not so much."
>"Given how useless she's been thus far, probably not. Hmm, what's the first thing you remember from that season, or that year if you have to, that you can put a definite date to. Think forward or back from that."
>Her eyes grow distant. "Well... I think that was the year I was helping Ishi install some new rotors, after one of the old ones started to shear. Or was that..." She pauses. "Actually..."
>She stands up and walks over to a small group of pipes with flared brass mouthpieces running along the wall by her desk. Then she leans over one and shouts into it.
>"Hey, Ishi!"
>A few moments later, a diffuse and somewhat muffled voice resonates back up the pipe. "What's up, boss?"
>"Don't guess you know what date we got that export license on?" Murasa calls back into the tube.
>"What're you asking me for?" comes the reply.
>Murasa gives a tired sigh. "Just give me an answer," she says dryly.
>"Uhhhh...." The kappa's vocal musing echoes through the piping with a harsh metallic ring. "...May 572?"
>"Ah, dammit!" Murasa yells, scuffing one foot across the floor as she does so.
-
>"Well, you were in the ballpark, captain."
>Is there baseball?
>If not, say, "Well, you were close, captain."
-
>"Well, you were in the ballpark, captain."
>Is there baseball?
>If not, say, "Well, you were close, captain."
>There are certainly games played with balls, at any rate.
>"You think close is gonna do it?" she asks you dubiously, then turns back to the speaking tube? "You sure about that, Ishi?"
>"Uh... not really," she replies. "Why's it matter, anyway?"
>Murasa turns back to you, frowning. "See the problem?"
-
>"If I may?" Indicate the tubes.
>Close distance between us and captain and speak into the captain's tube, "With that date, I can get a look at your beurecrat's books with my own eyes, be that much closer to settling this. If there's a record of sale in her books, then we could be out of here within the hour."
>"I realize it was a little thing ages back, but, maybe if you put your heads together, you can nail it down?"
-
>"If I may?" Indicate the tubes.
>Close distance between us and captain and speak into the captain's tube, "With that date, I can get a look at your beurecrat's books with my own eyes, be that much closer to settling this. If there's a record of sale in her books, then we could be out of here within the hour."
>"I realize it was a little thing ages back, but, maybe if you put your heads together, you can nail it down?"
>Murasa stands aside slightly. "Sure, go ahead."
>You speak into the tube and describe the situation.
>"Who's this?" Ishi asks.
>Murasa leans back over the mouthpiece. "It's that Seeker I mentioned. She's just come back from speaking with Customs again. Maybe even made a little headway."
>"Oh, hey there!" Ishi says brightly. "Nice work saving the Melon Bowl. I owe you one."
>"Not now, Ishi," Murasa adds dryly.
>"Sorry, boss." There is a pause, then you hear the kappa mumbling on the other end, too quietly to make out. "Let's see now..."
>"It was the same year we shored up the secondary rotors, wasn't it?" Murasa asks.
>"What? No, that was way before that. You remember that aether storm and those damn statues?"
>"How the hell did I forget that?" Murasa says wryly. "So that was, what... 571?"
>"570. Fixed those babies up 11 years ago now." You can still hear a note of pride in her voice. "Remember, that was half the problem when we got the damn permit. They couldn't figure out how to class us."
>"Oh yeah..."
>"They forgot to make a bracket awesome enough for us to fit in," Ishi adds. You can practice hear her smirking. ...wherever she is.
-
>smile. Nice to get appreciation for work, and know we got someone happy with us on the ship.
-
>smile. Nice to get appreciation for work, and know we got someone happy with us on the ship.
>You smile. It's a nice change of pace these days to get a bit of spontaneous gratitude from a stranger.
>"So where's that leave the permit?" Murasa asks into the speaking tube. "Two years isn't exactly way before..."
>"Eh, maybe it was three," Ishi says. "Or four. I dunno."
>"Not helping, Ishi..."
>"Hey!" she protests. "Not my department. I leave the paperwork up to you and Sleepywings. What're you even asking me for, anyway?"
>"Because you're here and she's not," Murasa grumbles.
-
>"Sleepywings?"
-
>"Sleepywings?"
>"Oh, uh, she means my second mate," Murasa says, rubbing the back of her head. "And yeah, she does a lot of the bookkeeping, but she's off somewhere in town at the moment."
-
>Grin.
>"Why do I get the feeling there's a story behind that nickname?"
-
>Grin.
>"Why do I get the feeling there's a story behind that nickname?"
>"Well, she's a moth youkai," Murasa says, "which explains the wings. But Ishi's pretty much the only person that calls her that. Her name's Neu."
-
>Nod.
>"Prone to sleeping on the job, is she?"
-
>Nod.
>"Prone to sleeping on the job, is she?"
>Murasa chuckles. "Not exactly, though she's a bit of a night owl."
-
>A moth AND an owl. Quite the youkai.
>"Well, assuming she's not off dozing somewhere, any idea when she'd be back?"
-
>A moth AND an owl. Quite the youkai.
>"Well, assuming she's not off dozing somewhere, any idea when she'd be back?"
>Oh, the equivocality of language....
>"Afraid not," she says, frowning. "An hour? Maybe a couple? I don't actually know where she is right now."
-
>"Call it a longshot, but, Sleepywings wouldn't have this sort of things written down somewhere else? Backup records, that kinda thing?"
-
>"Call it a longshot, but, Sleepywings wouldn't have this sort of things written down somewhere else? Backup records, that kinda thing?"
>"Probably not," Murasa says, "But she might remember it. Maybe. I don't know."
-
>"We'll see."
>"Just so I know, though, does she... object to folks calling her that? Other than Ishi here, of course."
-
>"We'll see."
>"Just so I know, though, does she... object to folks calling her that? Other than Ishi here, of course."
>She shrugs. "Might be a little weird. She's pretty easy-going, though."
-
>Easy-going is nice.
>"Guess I'll keep an eye out for her while I'm out and about. Can't be too many folks around town with moth wings. ... She does have moth wings, doesn't she?"
-
>Easy-going is nice.
>"Guess I'll keep an eye out for her while I'm out and about. Can't be too many folks around town with moth wings. ... She does have moth wings, doesn't she?"
>Certainly more pleasant to work with than the alternative.
>Murasa nods. "And big fuzzy antennae." She sketches them through the air with her hand. "Should be hard to miss, if you see her. But, uh, does that mean you're gonna go try finding her now or something?"
-
>"Well, I need that date before I can go back to Louise. If I have to check with this Neu of yours to be exact, then so be it."
>"'course, that doesn't mean I'm gonna go combing the streets looking for her. Just keep an eye out for her while I'm on the go."
-
>"Well, I need that date before I can go back to Louise. If I have to check with this Neu of yours to be exact, then so be it."
>"'course, that doesn't mean I'm gonna go combing the streets looking for her. Just keep an eye out for her while I'm on the go."
>Murasa frowns. "You know there's no guarantee she remembers, either, right?"
>"The more I think about it," Ishi pipes up, "the more I'm thinking 574."
-
>Shrug. "It's worth a shot."
>Into the tube, "How do ya figure that?"
-
>Shrug. "It's worth a shot."
>Into the tube, "How do ya figure that?"
>"Just trying to trace the tune-ups I've done to the ship while you two have been mumbling to yourselves," Ishi replies. "I'm pretty sure I put it the new coolers the year we got that permit."
>"Actually, that kinda sounds right..." Murasa says. "So it would be that June or July."
>"I think it was April," Ishi says.
>Murasa grimaces. "I though you just said you weren't paying attention to all that boring stuff?"
>"Yeah, well..."
-
Reminder to check with this Kappa next time we have time. Anyone else remember that part we found back in Fortress Fairy WAY back in thread one? Maybe Ishi here can tell us what it is.
>"Bit different when you can relate things to something you've tinkered with, isn't it."
-
>"Bit different when you can relate things to something you've tinkered with, isn't it."
>Ishi lets out a confident snicker. "What can I say? It's what I do."
-
>"Well, April of 574. That should be close enough for Louise. Hopefully. If you're sure, that is."
-
>"Well, April of 574. That should be close enough for Louise. Hopefully. If you're sure, that is."
>"Think so," Ishi says.
>Murasa frowns. "I still think it was in the summer..."
-
>"Was it a warm spring?"
-
>"Was it a warm spring?"
>"Hell if I remember," Ishi says.
>Murasa shrugs. "That goes for me, too. It was 7 years ago. Just kinda thought it was later in the season...."
-
>Ponder. Murasa said this kappa here liked haging out at the melon bowl...
>Did the Melon Bowl exist 7 years ago?
-
>Ponder. Murasa said this kappa here liked haging out at the melon bowl...
>Did the Melon Bowl exist 7 years ago?
>She did.
>You don't know; you'd never really been there before this week. The decor did look fairly new, but it could have been recently refurbished for all you know.
-
>"Try this on, Ishi. Did the Melon Bowl have any kinda seasonal offers on at the time?"
-
>"Try this on, Ishi. Did the Melon Bowl have any kinda seasonal offers on at the time?"
>"It wasn't around back then," she says, then chuckles. "Braston didn't know what it was missing."
-
Let's go find
and brutalize this moth.
-
So long as there's a bed involved, I can get behind a little 'brutallizing'.
But let's check out the Watch post first, see if this has happened to anyone else. Or if there's been any thefts in general in the past week or so.
If you folks don't mind, though, there's a cusiousity I wanna satisfy while we're here. Shouldn't take long.
>"No kiddin'. Well, guess I'll just hope our beuracrats's books show something in April of 574. Or I find that moth of yours first."
-
>"No kiddin'. Well, guess I'll just hope our beuracrats's books show something in April of 574. Or I find that moth of yours first."
>"Well, she's bound to come back here before too long," Murasa says. "So feel free to swing back if you don't bump into her first."
-
>"Gotcha."
>Turn, then pause.
>"Look, I know this is gonna be a weird question, but, about Chisato. Has she got some kinda... irrational hatred of boxes with lids?"
-
>"Gotcha."
>Turn, then pause.
>"Look, I know this is gonna be a weird question, but, about Chisato. Has she got some kinda... irrational hatred of boxes with lids?"
>Murasa gives you an odd look for a second, then breaks out laughing. "Beats me."
-
>Join her for a chuckle.
>"Well, I'd suggested a couple times she get a better box for that mouse of hers, and she didn't take the suggestions all that well. So, a mouse got curious."
-
>Join her for a chuckle.
>"Well, I'd suggested a couple times she get a better box for that mouse of hers, and she didn't take the suggestions all that well. So, a mouse got curious."
>"Eh, she's just a bit touchy about it after that whole mess," Murasa says. "Don't pay her any mind."
-
>"Fair enough. But she seemed confidant she could keep the girl from getting out again, as well. Was wondering if she had some kinda trick up her sleeve."
-
>"Fair enough. But she seemed confidant she could keep the girl from getting out again, as well. Was wondering if she had some kinda trick up her sleeve."
>Murasa shrugs. "Well, as long as she doesn't get loose again, I don't much care how she takes care of it. I'm sure she'll figure something out."
-
>"Well, I'll wish her luck. And thanks for the info. You, too, Ishi."
>Assuming they don't object, head back for solid ground.
>Which is closer to our current location, Louise's office, or the nearest Watch post?
>Do there appear to be any on duty Watch members in the vicinity?
-
>"Well, I'll wish her luck. And thanks for the info. You, too, Ishi."
>Assuming they don't object, head back for solid ground.
>"Good luck out there, kid!" Ishi calls out.
>Murasa nods. "Yeah, if you can get Louise to budge on this, that'll be a real somethin'."
>You exit the captain's cabin and depart the Blue Maiden, returning Chisato's nod as you pass by the deck again.
>Which is closer to our current location, Louise's office, or the nearest Watch post?
>Do there appear to be any on duty Watch members in the vicinity?
>They are actually fairly similar in distance, though you think the Watch post is marginally closer. They're both in generally the same direction from your current location.
>You don't currently spot any through the crowds, but you're sure there's probably some in the general area.
-
>Scan crowd for wings and/or antannae.
-
>Scan crowd for wings and/or antannae.
>There are certainly wings in the crowd; a handful of fairies are in evidence, and you think that's a bird youkai of some sort in the distance. Maybe. None of them look much like moth wings, at any rate, nor do you see any antennae.
-
since i don't remember the time of day. also more importantly, are these the annoying "we close at 3 PM" sorta places we plan on heading to?
>time of day
>Dose places like the watch tower or harbor office close any more early time to the general public, or if we know, do they close soon.
-
>time of day
>Dose places like the watch tower or harbor office close any more early time to the general public, or if we know, do they close soon.
>It is getting quite late in the afternoon now. You'd say it's at least 4:30, perhaps a little later.
>You don't know the specific hours Louise keeps, but you imagine that the permit-granting side of the Port Authority does not keep late hours. The Watch post should have someone there all night, however.
-
>Better to head to the possibly time sensitive location.
> Head to the office. Keeping an eye out for mothy things while on the way.
-
>Better to head to the possibly time sensitive location.
> Head to the office. Keeping an eye out for mothy things while on the way.
>You decide that it's better to head back to Louise than risk the office being closed before you return there.
>You head back to the Port Authority, keeping an eye on the crowds as you walk past. You spot several more pairs of wings, but sadly none of them insectoid. Ah well, what are the odds of bumping into the one person you're looking for that quickly?
>You make it back to the building without event and step inside. There is still a small lineup at the information desk; not much seems to have changed since you were here last.
-
>well we should know where to go.
>If it seems alright, head for Louise office.
-
>well we should know where to go.
>If it seems alright, head for Louise office.
>You head down the side corridor and back up the stairs towards Louise's office. No one attempts to stop you.
>You find yourself in front of her door, once more. Evidently she closed it behind you.
-
>Knock.
>"It's me, Seeker Nazrin."
-
>Knock.
>"It's me, Seeker Nazrin."
>You knock on the door and announce yourself.
>"Come in," Louise replies from inside.
-
>Enter.
-
>Enter.
>You open the door and step inside as Louise closes a small folder and places it on the desk in front of her. She looks up at you.
>"You have the date, then?"
-
>Nod.
>"April, of 574."
-
>Nod.
>"April, of 574."
>"Is that as specific as you can be?" she asks.
-
>"Possibly towards the end of the month? Neither Murasa nor her engineer could be more precise than that."
-
>"Possibly towards the end of the month? Neither Murasa nor her engineer could be more precise than that."
>"Hmmm.... well, it will take some time to verify a month's ledgers, but I'll have it looked into."
-
>Time, time, time....
>"Thank you. But, I'm afraid time is something of an issue. Both for the captain and myself. How much time are we talking here?"
-
>Time, time, time....
>"Thank you. But, I'm afraid time is something of an issue. Both for the captain and myself. How much time are we talking here?"
>That does seem to be the issue of late, doesn't it?
>"I expect no more than a couple of days," she says.
-
>"Yeah, I was afraid of that."
>If magic has been used upon a particular book, in one specific portion, would we need to see that particular section to detect residual magic, or would proximity to the book be sufficient?
-
>"Yeah, I was afraid of that."
>If magic has been used upon a particular book, in one specific portion, would we need to see that particular section to detect residual magic, or would proximity to the book be sufficient?
>"Obviously, this process could be quicker if you could be more specific," she says.
>In general, proximity to the active effect is enough. Paper alone doesn't 'block' the resonances you could detect from magic, at least to an appreciable degree. However, it might be possible for the book itself to be warded somehow to block detecting magic inside it. You haven't really dealt with many tricky things personally, and the mechanics of this are getting a little outside your domain at this point; you're no magician.
-
>"Unfortunately, I can't be more specific at the moment, their bookkeeper was offship."
>"Alright, look. Your main issue is that, you don't want somebody walking in off the street and poring over your records, even if they ARE a Seeker with cause to do so, right?"
-
>"Unfortunately, I can't be more specific at the moment, their bookkeeper was offship."
>"Alright, look. Your main issue is that, you don't want somebody walking in off the street and poring over your records, even if they ARE a Seeker with cause to do so, right?"
>Louise smiles faintly. "How unfortunate."
>"Our own accounts are our own business," she says. "If there is an irregularity, we are quite capable of finding it on our own."
-
>"Well, I certainly didn't come here to step on any toes. Just help expedite a solution to the problem one of the captains that does business with you has. It's an extra set of eyes, just looking for one boat's name, nothing more."
-
You guys thinkin' what I'm thinkin"?
I'm thinkin' she's the root of this mess. Possibly in cahoots with the other twerp.
-
Dollars to donuts, she's at least involved with this mess here. I don't think she put it all together, but I do think she's on someone's payroll.
The problem we have is that, we have no way to prove that, yet. If we accuse her, she'll deny it. If we press her, or threaten her, she could very well have us arrested. And that's not gonna get us very far.
My plan at the moment is this: We ask her if we can see the books. Not the pages, not the information contained therein, just the books themselves. She's said, more than once, that that information is their own, but she never said anything about the BOOKS themselves. Which we can use to douse for magic, in the event that they've been tampered with. If they have been, we have a trail we can follow. If they haven't been, then either Louise IS involved in some kind of conspiracy... Or Ishi had the wrong date.
Depending on how things go with this meeting, I think we should wait until closing time, and then follow Louise. She might lead us to the liscense, or whoever else is involved in this.
-
I say, if we're not going to take matters into our own hands; which I advocate for very IC reasons; we should go to the law immediately. Especially if we can find Orange and have her help us.
But I'm more in favor of grabbing her by the collar and shouting at her for wasting our precious time and threaten to take her down to hell with us.
-
A bit extreme there purvis. I have found that such an action would be counter productive. if only because nazrin, no matter her combat ability, dose not APPEAR threatening. we don't give off the kinda presence needed for threats. and actual attacks only typically work, if the person thinks we can do worse. Where just to 'small" and "soft" to be viewed at a threat, crazy maybe, but not as a threat the guards can't handle. i think where more suited to persuasion then intimate. Persuasion also doesn't just mean bribes ether since that's what most people consider for this mission.
Also i don't think getting orange or anything will help much. simply because we have no evidence of anything yet.
Personally, i believe we should try and find, the person who could give a better date. Check the watches tower for any recent happenings like this.
AFTER of course we see if we can't help speed up the process.
-
It's more about being in character. If we ICly suspect the person behind this is trying to waste our time and push us that much closer to death while lying to our face, that's a massive rage impulse. And trust me, you don't need to "look" intimidating to be intimidating once party time begins; being sufficiently crazy is more than enough. As for bringing in authorities is intimidating on its own if we bring one here, unless she is completely confident she's crossed every t and dotted every i perfectly.
In the end, it's not about taking the most absolutely efficient possible action because this isn't how people work; otherwise they'd be robots. It's about taking the one that's a cross section of in character in light of prior events and seems workable.
Persuasion also doesn't just mean bribes ether since that's what most people consider for this mission.
Huh? Who are these most people talking about this?
-
>"Well, I certainly didn't come here to step on any toes. Just help expedite a solution to the problem one of the captains that does business with you has. It's an extra set of eyes, just looking for one boat's name, nothing more."
>"If I have to assign someone to supervise you," she says coolly, "then I may as well have simply assigned them to investigate the records themselves, no? And that 'set of eyes' would actually be familiar with how they're organized."
-
Threatening her and raging out are going to get us precisely nowhere. And could get us arrested, at worst. At the least, it eliminates options.
There's also no sense in going to the law to accuse Lousie of anything, because we have no proof, and nothing more than a vague intuition.
And I confess, I was strongly thinking about bribing Louise here, but then I realized we were dealing with numbers outside our price scale.
But, while threatening her isn't a good idea, telling her why we need this so badly may be. Even then, I doubt it will work, but it's worth a bash.
>"Alright, fine."
>"Well, what about the room containing the records pertinant here? Is the room itself off limits?"
-
>"Alright, fine."
>"Well, what about the room containing the records pertinant here? Is the room itself off limits?"
>She smiles. "Well, it wouldn't make much sense to keep private records in a public space, now would it?"
-
>Deceptively sweet smile. "Of course not."
>"Let me be more specific. Would you object to ME stepping inside the room with the ledgers in question. With someone making sure I wasn't looking at something I'm not supposed to, of course."
-
>Deceptively sweet smile. "Of course not."
>"Let me be more specific. Would you object to ME stepping inside the room with the ledgers in question. With someone making sure I wasn't looking at something I'm not supposed to, of course."
>You match that not-particularly-reassuring smile with one of your own.
>"Didn't I just explain the wastefulness of that?" she says.
-
>"Except that all I need is five minutes. Maybe not even that much."
-
>"Except that all I need is five minutes. Maybe not even that much."
>Her eyes narrow ever so slightly. "And what exactly for? Particularly in that length of time. I assume you're not interested in the decor."
-
>Chuckle softly.
>"Well, I said I knew what I was looking for. I can find it without actually cracking a book. I just need to be close."
-
>Chuckle softly.
>"Well, I said I knew what I was looking for. I can find it without actually cracking a book. I just need to be close."
>"I think I'd like you to explain that one," she says, leaning toward in her chair and giving you an incisive look.
-
>"Very well. Since you asked so nice."
>"It's my special ability: I'm a dowser. And I can find a lot more than just water. Precious metals, tunnels, even residual magic, or specific chemicals. If someone's tampered with your records, whoever they may be, however they did it, if they left something behind, very good chance I can pick up on it."
-
>"Very well. Since you asked so nice."
>"It's my special ability: I'm a dowser. And I can find a lot more than just water. Precious metals, tunnels, even residual magic, or specific chemicals. If someone's tampered with your records, whoever they may be, however they did it, if they left something behind, very good chance I can pick up on it."
>"I... see." She leans back. "And you think our records have been tampered with in a way that you could detect like that?"
-
>"I do."
-
>"I do."
>"Hadn't you been claiming they were stolen, no more than 30 minutes ago?"
-
>"And I maintain that. Both your copies here, and Murasa's own. By someone with great skill, I would bet, too, but someone that may have left something behind, that I can trace."
>"It's also possible that this person altered your records of sale, to make it seem like this liscense was never issued to the Blue Maiden. In which case, there would also be traces left behind that I think I can track. And neither of which explcitly require me to see the books themselves. Just be in proximity."
-
>"And I maintain that. Both your copies here, and Murasa's own. By someone with great skill, I would bet, too, but someone that may have left something behind, that I can trace."
>"It's also possible that this person altered your records of sale, to make it seem like this liscense was never issued to the Blue Maiden. In which case, there would also be traces left behind that I think I can track. And neither of which explcitly require me to see the books themselves. Just be in proximity."
>She pauses a moment. "This story of yours is growing more convoluted every time you describe it, you realize?"
-
>"Tell me about it. That's pretty much been my life for the past little while. Things just get more and more complicated. If I had the time, I'd tell you about what happened when I went looking for some missing cows."
-
>"Tell me about it. That's pretty much been my life for the past little while. Things just get more and more complicated. If I had the time, I'd tell you about what happened when I went looking for some missing cows."
>Louise looks at you for a few moments with that shrewd gaze of hers, but says nothing. Then she lets out a small sigh.
>"Very well," she says. "If it will satisfy you, I can give you five minutes by the door to try and sense whatever you think you'll find there. But if you give so much as a hint of doing something else, I'll have security escort you out. Is that clear?"
-
>Assuming we're outside the door, would that be sufficient proximity for accurate dowsing?
-
>Assuming we're outside the door, would that be sufficient proximity for accurate dowsing?
>Well, the closer the better, in general. Of course, you can pick up quite a few things at a moderate distance, and some things at a considerable distance; it really depends on the effect in question. Given that you don't know what you're looking for, you have no idea how easy it would be to find.
-
>"Crystal."
-
>"Crystal."
>Louise nods, then stands up. "Well, shall we get this over with?"
-
>Incline head politely.
>"Lead on."
-
>Incline head politely.
>"Lead on."
>Louise walks out into the hallway without further comment and you follow after her. She pauses to close her office door behind the two of you, then heads back downstairs to the lobby and leads you through a small gate to the other side of the service counters, stopping in front of an open doorway along the left wall. Glancing inside, you can see rows of heavy filing cabinets lining the space.
>"This is the place," she says, turning a keen eye on you. "Do whatever it is you're here to do."
-
>Produce dousing rods.
>"Thanks."
>Guess we'll make do from here.
>Sample the air with our nose.
>Visual scan of what we can see for anything that looks conspicuous.
>Sweep for indications of mice.
>Dousing scan.
-
>Produce dousing rods.
>"Thanks."
>Guess we'll make do from here.
>Sample the air with our nose.
>Visual scan of what we can see for anything that looks conspicuous.
>Sweep for indications of mice.
>Dousing scan.
>You take your dowsing rods in hand.
>Then you thank Louise. She gives a very subtle nod of her head, but doesn't take her eyes off you.
>It does seem this is where she wants you to stop, so you hope it'll do.
>You take a sniff of the air. Aside from Louise and the other people nearby, you can pick up hints of a few potted plants and, from the filing room in particular, the smell of old wood and paper - nothing that seems the slightest bit unexpected
>You can't see the interior of the room all that well from this angle, particularly as packed with filing cabinets as it is; ones near the entrance mostly obscure ones further in. You can see very little conspicuous other than that. It is possible there are other features or even people further inside the room, but nothing you can see at the moment. There is, however, clearly a very significant amount of records kept here.
>You don't smell any mice nearby, nor detect any of the other telltale signs of their presence.
>More mundane senses out of the way, you sweep the room with your dowsing rods. There are some quantities of metal, but nothing precious or unusual, nor any other materials that strike you as out of place. You sense a faint magical resonance over whole of the room, but upon closer inspection it feels rather like a simple ward of some sort - possibly against fire or water, or maybe some sort of alarm system. They're not altogether unusual, and it wouldn't surprise you if a building like this had some within it. Narrowing your focus, you trace very slowly across the contents of the room, looking for something more specific that might set off red flags about a particular document being tampered with. Try as you might, though, you come up blank on this front. If someone has pulled off something of that nature, you're not picking up any obvious sign of it.
-
>Alarm system? As in, an alarm against leaks, or an alarm against intruders?
>No sign of chemically-scents?
>Any sign of tunnels?
>Is our dousing sense sensitive enough to determine if that room has any glass, like windows?
-
>Alarm system? As in, an alarm against leaks, or an alarm against intruders?
>No sign of chemically-scents?
>Any sign of tunnels?
>Is our dousing sense sensitive enough to determine if that room has any glass, like windows?
>You'd been thinking more along the lines of intruder-detection, but you honestly can't be sure; while you can detect the presence of magic, and to some degree the 'feel' of it, you can't necessarily determine a spell's ultimate intended function from just this. It's a bit like hearing words in a language you don't speak; you can guess some of the meaning of a conversation even if most of the words themselves are incomprehensible, but the details would be lost on you. Likewise, you can recognize specific magical signatures that you've encountered before, and estimate the similarity of a unknown signature to ones you're familiar with, but you can only guess at the significances of the differences; for that, a magician would be much better suited. In this case, what you sense is quite reminiscent of some basic warding spells that you've encountered before.
>Well, you can smell ink and wax and some sort of cleaning solution, but nothing out of place.
>You don't believe this building has a basement, nor do you detect any obvious 'holes' in the substructure.
>In general, you can detect glass somewhat, yes. You don't believe there are any windows in the filing room.
-
>Can we detect any unusual concentrations of metals in the vicinty? In particular, large concentrations of coins, or other monies?
-
>Can we detect any unusual concentrations of metals in the vicinty? In particular, large concentrations of coins, or other monies?
>You don't sense any inside the filing room, at any rate. It would take a little more work, but you could look for them elsewhere, if you liked. Of course, there's the chance that pointing your dowsing rods in the opposite direction of what you said you'd be looking at might rub Louise the wrong way.
-
>Given the woman in question, there's a great many things that might rub her the wrong way.
>Do we NEED to point our dousing rods in a particular direction to get an accurate reading in that direction?
-
>Given the woman in question, there's a great many things that might rub her the wrong way.
>Do we NEED to point our dousing rods in a particular direction to get an accurate reading in that direction?
>That does seem likely.
>They work as a focus, so in general, yes. The more directly you focus them on a particular spot, the more specific readings you can get from it.
-
Well, I'm running out of things to scan for.
>Does the cleaning solution smell seem similar to one that is commonly used, IE, bleach?
-
>Does the cleaning solution smell seem similar to one that is commonly used, IE, bleach?
>It smells more like a soap that you would use on flooring and such. It has a pungent woody scent, but is fairly faint at the moment. All in all, it is quite mundane.
-
Can anyone else think of a way to alter the wording on a document, other than careful application of bleach?
EDIT:And magic, of course.
-
Apparantly not. Well, there is one more thing I can think of.
>Without pointing our dousing rods at Louise, from this proximity, can we determine if she is carrying a large quantity of money, or if she is giving off residual signs of magic?
-
Can anyone else think of a way to alter the wording on a document, other than careful application of bleach?
EDIT:And magic, of course.
Hmm... White-out? Considering they even have white-out.
-
Well, I thought about that, but, I had thought that it was a more modern advent.
On the other hand, it really couldn't hurt to ask. Thank you, Kasu.
>Does white out exist?
-
>Without pointing our dousing rods at Louise, from this proximity, can we determine if she is carrying a large quantity of money, or if she is giving off residual signs of magic?
>You don't sense any active magic upon her; you could pick that up at this close range easily enough. She may be carrying a small amount of money, but certainly not an unusually large amount of it.
>Does white out exist?
>You haven't personally encountered a chemical that performs this function.
-
>Does the door lock show any sign of recent tampering? Or any signs of forced entry in or around the door?
-
>Does the door lock show any sign of recent tampering? Or any signs of forced entry in or around the door?
>The door is currently open, and you'd have to go and examine the lock closely to determine if it had been tampered with. There are no obvious signs of forced entry that you can see from this distance.
-
All right, all right, I know when I'm licked.
>Lower dousing rods.
>"Nothing. Whatever I sensed on the ship, it either isn't here, or it's too faint for me to detect. And I detect no obvious signs of magical tampering with your papers, or chemical tampering, for that matter."
-
>Lower dousing rods.
>"Nothing. Whatever I sensed on the ship, it either isn't here, or it's too faint for me to detect. And I detect no obvious signs of magical tampering with your papers, or chemical tampering, for that matter."
>You put your dowsing rods down.
>Louise gives you an appraising glance. "I see. Well, I suppose I should consider myself grateful in that case, yes?"
-
>Put away dousing rods.
>"Thanks for letting me try."
>"I would like to have a closer look at the door lock, though, just to check if someone's jimmied it recently."
-
>Put away dousing rods.
>"Thanks for letting me try."
>"I would like to have a closer look at the door lock, though, just to check if someone's jimmied it recently."
>You put your dowsing rods away.
>Louise regards you intently for a moment. "Very well. But then your business here will be done?"
-
>"Well, unless there's some way I can leave here with a replacement liscence to get Murasa on her way before closing time, then yeah, this is pretty much it."
-
>"Well, unless there's some way I can leave here with a replacement liscence to get Murasa on her way before closing time, then yeah, this is pretty much it."
>"Go ahead, then," she says.
-
>Approach and examine the door lock.
-
>Approach and examine the door lock.
>You approach the door so that you can examine its lock. In the corner of your eye, you note Louise keeping a very close eye of her own on you. You don't imagine this changes as you lean in and peer into the keyhole, though you can no longer keep watch on her.
>The locking mechanism used here turns out to be quite high quality, and would take some real effort to pick. It does not, however, look as though anyone has attempted to do this; you see none of the characteristic scrapes that would be left from the process.
-
>Were there any signs of magic having been used to unlock this lock?
-
>Were there any signs of magic having been used to unlock this lock?
>It is theoretically possible that magic was used to open it at some point. Whatever residue that would leave would certainly be less permanent than scratches on metal; in fact, it might not last very long at all, but you can't be certain of that. Either way, you sense nothing now.
-
>Is she watching us close enough that we can steal a glance into that room, get more details, without her noticing?
-
>Is she watching us close enough that we can steal a glance into that room, get more details, without her noticing?
>The door is wide open, so it's not difficult to glance - you already did so earlier, in fact. She is hovering quite nearby, however.
-
>To clarify, can we see any more details about the interior of the room from where we are now?
-
>To clarify, can we see any more details about the interior of the room from where we are now?
>Technically, yes; your angle offers you a view of some parts of the room you could not see clearly earlier. In practice, all this does is reveal more filing cabinets.
-
>Filing cabinets. Yay.
>None of which show any obvious sign of tampering, at least signs that can be gleaned from a glance.
-
>Filing cabinets. Yay.
>None of which show any obvious sign of tampering, at least signs that can be gleaned from a glance.
>It seems an eminently sensible furnishing for a room intended to hold files.
>You see no obvious signs of tampering. In fact, the room looks quite orderly and well-maintained.
-
>"Is this door the only way in or out of this room?"
-
>"Is this door the only way in or out of this room?"
>"It is," she replies.
-
>Straighten up and sigh.
>"Then it looks like I'm done here."
-
>Straighten up and sigh.
>"Then it looks like I'm done here."
>You pull yourself upright and let out a sigh.
>"Good," she says simply. "If we turn up anything in our investigation, I'll have word sent to Captain Murasa."
-
Not having kept track of this game, Sour, how visible is our blight to ghe casual observer?
-
We have to point it out to folks still, at this point. It's not obvious.
EDIT: Neither Louise, nor Murasa and her crew, made any mention of it, so at this point, it's fair to say it's not progressed beyound a patch or two, and not in obvious places. I can't recall off the top of my head where they are.
-
> Was there anyone else immediately visible in this hallway or the records room?
Okay. Sorry for the continuing run of questions that probably have obvious answers, but phone browsing limits my ability to do research.
Have you pointed it out to Louise for any reason?
Do you and other players still think she's hiding something?
-
> Was there anyone else immediately visible in this hallway or the records room?
>The two attendants running the front desk are visible, some distance behind you and to the left. Beyond that, on the other side of the counter, are presumably a few people waiting in line, though the construction of the wickets makes it difficult to see them from this position. No one else is immediately visible.
-
That edit answers one question, I guess.
Okay, this is a long shot, but. If you still think Louise is hiding something, try shaking her hand and thanking her for her time, then when the shake is broken, show off some part of the body with it (I think an arm had it maybe?). Bemoan the loss of the passport because you needed to search for a cure for this dreadful disease, which just so happens to be fairly contagious. It's too bad the process for getting a new passport takes so long, isn't it? Doctors have told us we'll be dead in a few days...
-
We had not pointed out the blight.
And.... my gut says yes, she may know something more than she's saying. Hanzo does as well. I think Purvis and Narouge think so as well, not sure about Kasu, though. We've seen a couple of posts that seem to indicate this.
But we have no evidence one way or the other at this point yet. After this office closes, I had considered following her once she leaves. She knows we're investigating, so she may go to whoever else is involved in this conspiracy. Either we find the culprit, or we find the missing documents.
*Kilga posts*
Well, now, that's an approach we hadn't considered. Purivs wanted us to threaten to infect her as we were throttling her, and then probably stab her in the kidneys after she refused.
That approach of yours, though.....
EDIT:
HOLD on a second here. Flag on the play!
This lock here had not been picked. The cabin door aboard the blue maiden, however, HAD.
Something stinks here.
-
Two can play at the sleaze game, and this method has the bonus of providing an anger outlet without getting charged with assault. I figured it was probably the best player base compromise as well as a decent approach to the game itself, though I admit I'm hardly up to speed on everything.
-
We've missed you, Kilga. The lock being picked aboard the ship, but not picked here, might not have slipped your mind the way it did mine.
Somebody in this office is guilty of something. But if we ask her 'who has access to this room?' she'll definatly suspect we're on to her.
-
I'm still waiting for you to get back to Yamame. Deadly blight can wait, I want to see hot steamy hatesex and I want to see it now.
-
I tell you what, when we get back to spidergirl, I'll leave her entirely in your hands. Or, you in hers, as the case may be, :)
But, in the meantime, let's see where this approach gets us...
>"I'm still at a loss.... I gotta ask, just to try and figure this out. I noticed an alarm enchantment of some sort over that room. But, I'm guessing nobody here... registered it going off, over the past few days?"
-
>"I'm still at a loss.... I gotta ask, just to try and figure this out. I noticed an alarm enchantment of some sort over that room. But, I'm guessing nobody here... registered it going off, over the past few days?"
>She gives you a scrutinizing look for a few moments. "We've had no break-ins recently, no."
-
>"And no reports of anyone misplacing their keys, either? Well, at least I assume you're not the only one with keys to this room."
-
>"And no reports of anyone misplacing their keys, either? Well, at least I assume you're not the only one with keys to this room."
>"No offense intended," she says coolly, "but I think I've answered enough questions about our security. You said you were leaving, yes?"
-
>Well, now... Interesting that's where she cuts us off.
>Smile.
>"And so I am."
>Extend our hand. "It seems I'll have to look... elsewhere, to solve this one. Thanks for your cooperation."
-
It occurs to me that it might be better to bemoan the missing passport before mentioning and showing off the blight and letting it slip that it's contagious. Showing it off first might make it look like we're trying to set something up.
-
>Well, now... Interesting that's where she cuts us off.
>Smile.
>"And so I am."
>Extend our hand. "It seems I'll have to look... elsewhere, to solve this one. Thanks for your cooperation."
>You're not sure you like the implications of this...
>You smile and extend your hand to Louise, thanking her for the extent of cooperation that she's shown you.
>She returns your smile and nods, though somehow the warmth of the gesture feels only skin-deep. She does not extend her own hand. "I hope our security met with your approval."
-
> Very briefly glance down at our hand, then back up at Louise.
> "It's quite impressive, yes."
-
> Very briefly glance down at our hand, then back up at Louise.
> "It's quite impressive, yes."
>You steal a quick glance at your hand, then back to Louise. If she notices the gesture, she does not react to it.
>She nods, then gestures her own arm in the direction of the exit, motioning graciously for you to go ahead.
-
> Add some bemusement to the smile.
> "Was I really that intolerable?"
-
> Add some bemusement to the smile.
> "Was I really that intolerable?"
>"I would hardly use that term," she says, smiling politely, "but I still have several things to attend to before we close, so if you'd please?" She leaves the gesture hanging.
-
> How close are we to her right now?
> Where was the blight visible on our body again?
-
> How close are we to her right now?
> Where was the blight visible on our body again?
>A couple of feet away - roughly a comfortable formal conversation distance.
>You noticed 4 spots on you when you were getting dressed this morning: one on your right upper-arm; one on your left leg, above the knee; the other two are on your torso - one just below your ribs on the left, and the other more towards your center.
-
> And it wouldn't be too difficult to roll up our right sleeve to show the spot off?
-
> And it wouldn't be too difficult to roll up our right sleeve to show the spot off?
>You could roll your sleeve back to reveal this spot, if you wished to. However, pulling a long-sleeved shirt far enough back to reveal what is well above the elbow is hardly a subtle gesture.
-
> What about lifting up the skirt a bit to show off the leg spot?
-
> What about lifting up the skirt a bit to show off the leg spot?
>This would also be possible, and arguably a more subtle gesture depending on how you performed it. On the other hand, lifting one's skirt to someone might carry other unfortunate connotations, depending on the viewer...
-
> Well, it's just above the knee, isn't it? It's not like we're showing everything off to the whole world.
-
> Well, it's just above the knee, isn't it? It's not like we're showing everything off to the whole world.
>This is true.
-
> Heave another sigh while looking right at Louise's face, so it more or less goes in her direction.
> "All right, if you're really too busy for a handshake, then I'll see myself out."
-
> Heave another sigh while looking right at Louise's face, so it more or less goes in her direction.
> "All right, if you're really too busy for a handshake, then I'll see myself out."
>You let out a very visible sigh in Louise's direction. She maintains that same vaguely off-putting professional smile.
>"I hope you have a good evening," she says.
-
Other, more common players: Feel free to fact-check everything I say and correct it if it's wrong.
> Look back toward the door and put on a frown.
> "Unlikely. I was really hoping to find something here. I need that ship to be able to get its cargo to Val Razua, because I've got a pretty nasty disease going, and I'm thinking my only hope of finding a cure is there."
-
We got ya back. Doin' fine so far.
-
> Look back toward the door and put on a frown.
> "Unlikely. I was really hoping to find something here. I need that ship to be able to get its cargo to Val Razua, because I've got a pretty nasty disease going, and I'm thinking my only hope of finding a cure is there."
>You look back at the filing room and frown.
>"That sounds quite unfortunate," Louise replies, after only a slight pause. Her expression changes little. "I do wish you well in your search."
-
> Look back at the exit.
> "Thanks, but docs make it sound like Val Razua or nothing. Here."
> Hike up the skirt just enough to display the spot on our left leg while angling said leg in Louise's direction so the spot is aimed in her direction.
> "You ever seen anything like this before?"
-
> Look back at the exit.
> "Thanks, but docs make it sound like Val Razua or nothing. Here."
> Hike up the skirt just enough to display the spot on our left leg while angling said leg in Louise's direction so the spot is aimed in her direction.
> "You ever seen anything like this before?"
>You glance back towards the counter and the way out of the building. The attendants still seem to be conversing with people. Do the licensing issues never end?
>You hike your skirt up slightly and shift your leg so that the blighted spot is uncovered. It's not much more than an inch in diameter, but it isn't hard to notice if you're looking in the right direction. Louise frowns slightly as you do this and glances subtly in that direction. Her expression tightens just a little and there is a pause.
>"Why are you showing me this?" she asks, after a moment. There is a faint edge to her voice.
-
> "Because I'm trying to get whatever I can at this point."
> Swallow.
> "I'm not expected to survive much past a week. If that. So I'm looking for anything, anywhere. You work in a business that involves people coming and going from all over - maybe you've seen or heard of something like this, or how it can be treated."
-
> "Because I'm trying to get whatever I can at this point."
> Swallow.
> "I'm not expected to survive much past a week. If that. So I'm looking for anything, anywhere. You work in a business that involves people coming and going from all over - maybe you've seen or heard of something like this, or how it can be treated."
>"I'm not a doctor," she replies, holding an acutely focused gaze on you. "Perhaps you should go speak with someone who is." You think she may be showing small signs of discomfort, but she masks them very well.
-
> "Already done that. You think I'd be asking a customs rep about this if I still had doctors I hadn't tried? ...No offense."
-
> "Already done that. You think I'd be asking a customs rep about this if I still had doctors I hadn't tried? ...No offense."
>"I'm afraid I have nothing to tell you," she says. "Perhaps you'll have more luck somewhere else."
-
> "Maybe. Maybe."
> Look back down at the spot.
> "I just hope this isn't contagious. Well. I hope it's not too contagious. Between what little I know and what little the docs know, seems like I picked this up airborne."
-
> "Maybe. Maybe."
> Look back down at the spot.
> "I just hope this isn't contagious. Well. I hope it's not too contagious. Between what little I know and what little the docs know, seems like I picked this up airborne."
>Louise's eyes narrow. "Are you threatening me?"
-
> Raise an eyebrow.
> "What makes you say that?"
-
> Raise an eyebrow.
> "What makes you say that?"
>"I believe your five minutes are up," she says simply, ignoring the question.
-
Welp, she knows what she's saying to us now. Let's nail her to the wall.
Edit: Physically or metaphorically.
-
> Drop the skirt again.
> "Jeez, you really think I'd go around trying to make people sick or something? When I had planned on spending a good amount of time confined to a ship with some of my friends? Relax. I'm doing my best to not spread this around."
-
> Drop the skirt again.
> "Jeez, you really think I'd go around trying to make people sick or something? When I had planned on spending a good amount of time confined to a ship with some of my friends? Relax. I'm doing my best to not spread this around."
>You drop your skirt.
>"Then I wish you well," she says, without relaxing her expression much.
-
We should call her out on that lie, at least.
-
If you have some method that doesn't get us arrested, then sure. Don't forget that Louise has witnesses.
Just keep in mind that there's an interested player base and a parser that's put a lot of effort into designing a whole new universe. If you're sufficiently into IC actions that you're prepared to flip every single one of them the finger and make Nazrin give up on life in the name of petty anger-based revenge then perhaps this isn't the game for you. If, however, that doesn't interest you, then everything's dandy.
-
On the other hand, if Nazrin isn't going to react to the world at all, why are we bothering going through it? We have yet another person here, who could help us progress toward curing ourself, who refuses to help us do that. What sort of person, after having this happen several times in one day, wouldn't be a seething cauldron of anger and resentment toward those people? Who wouldn't act on this? What other way is there to react at being shit on yet again?
Moreover, how is calling this person out on a blatant lie about wishing us well going to get us arrested?
-
I'm not saying you can't call her out on it. I'm saying you should maybe be doing something else if you're going to start taking this game so seriously that you thinking acting in character is more important than everyone involved having fun. Not the textually-defined characters, the actually living flesh-and-blood people playing and running this game.
I'm not asking this as a mod, I'm asking this as a concerned observer-turned-temporary-participant. I'm not going to ban you from playing this game or whatever else, that decision is Draco's to make. But the question remains: which is more important to you? The character or the people?
-
You're kind of overreacting, given I have even entered a command to this effect in...weeks now? That I fully leave it up to the others? Because that's kinda been the case as I realize others don't agree with me automatically and I just put forth arguments in favor of it.
But yeah, if we're not going to react to the outside stimuli that we're given intentionally by Draco, then what are we doing exactly?
-
I reckon the people are playing as themselves instead of robots. For all the touting you've done about IC actions I've come to wonder why players are even worth bothering with at all. If there's a specifically designed set of actions and reactions to parser stimuli then this whole thing should just be a static tale posted in PSL. It would save plenty of time and aggravation on everyone's part.
-
And, advocating ignoring the obvious emotions that the past events would have stirred makes it one wonder why we are a person at all, rather than a robot. There's kind of points where things get so overwhelming that there are reactions that are going to happen, and this has been continually one of them. Otherwise, why bother having an environment to react to, if we're just going to pass off stimuli because they would result in something other than trying to optimize a situation for gain? If that's the case, it would do more service to this to have it be a static story in PSL. Or turn this into a kind of sudoku problem and remove the abstractions that come with interacting with something that is supposed to be regarded as reality.
-
I don't know about you, but I've have some pretty shitty days before, and the idea of assaulting someone has never done more than briefly crossed my mind. Maybe you've felt differently in other situations, I don't know. But I can honestly tell you to the best of my knowledge that I would never feel an impulse to break a meaningful law strong enough that I would act on it unless I truly felt I had nothing left to lose, and for what admittedly little participation I've had in this game, between that and what I've heard from you, Draco, and others about the progress in this game, I don't feel like Nazrin has nothing left to lose.
I'm certainly not above getting revenge - hell, that was the whole point of the charade I've been putting Louise through. And I'm not above calling someone out on their bullshit. But assaulting a government official with witnesses present? Can't say I'd consider it for long enough to start thinking it's a good idea, no. Not unless I knew I was dead in the next ten minutes or so.
-
I really hate to interrupt, but, were you done with Louise, Kilga? I wasn't sure if, with that last command of yours, you were finished.
cuz if you were, we can move on from here and check the watch for reports of other thefts, and possibly check if this Louise here has come under suspicion of similar acts before this.
-
Regardless of whatever she is called on, I would prefer not to leave before we point out that we had already breathed right on her at least once before she accused us of threatening her with the disease. Of course I wasn't threatening her; I had already done what I wanted to do.
-
I was just making sure. Didn't want to leave until I was sure you were finished.
So, did you want to handle mentioning sharing her airspace? I know you can phrase it better than I could.
-
Purvis wants to call her on her lie, which I have no problem with. So I'm waiting for that.
-
Which particular lie was this?
-
The incredibly smarmy, slimy, and not-at-all honest wish for a good day.
-
Well, I think I can handle that in a way that won't get us arrested.
>"Your concern touches me."
>Try not to sound TOO obvious that we mean that as much as she meant her expression of concern.
>If she doesn't stop us, depart.
>Where did she say that second copy of theirs was kept?
-
Anyway, a quality reveal is fairly simple. Something equally smarmy like "And I wish you a good day as well. Or, at least, I hope you can still have a good day after you stop and think about how I breathed right on you earlier." would work fine.
(Note: I leave this here because I go to bed now and don't wish to hold gaem up)
Fake edit: Well, never mind then, I guess.
-
>"Your concern touches me."
>Try not to sound TOO obvious that we mean that as much as she meant her expression of concern.
>If she doesn't stop us, depart.
>Where did she say that second copy of theirs was kept?
>You return Louise's token act of concern with an equal token act of gratitude, letting just a little bit of insincerity spill through. If this bothers her, she doesn't let on.
>She makes no effort at all to stop you, though she follows you out until you cross the counter and are well on your way out of the building, then remains by the desk and watches as you depart.
>She mentioned a second copy of permits being kept in some sort of archives, across the row.
-
Sorry, Kilga. I figured you would have slipped in that bit yourself.
>Is there anyone around us now?
>Can we been seen from inside that building? IE, by Louise, or her flunkies?
>Can we see that 'across the row' archive building from here?
>Does Louise's buildings have any windows?
-
>Is there anyone around us now?
>Can we been seen from inside that building? IE, by Louise, or her flunkies?
>Can we see that 'across the row' archive building from here?
>Does Louise's buildings have any windows?
>There are scattered people walking about. This section doesn't have quite the traffic flow of the more open parts of the harbor but it's still quite close to the bustle. No one is within a few feet of you at the moment, however.
>If you move just slightly to the side, there are no sight lines from the inside of the building to where you would be standing.
>There are several buildings that are part of the Port Authority complex, a couple of which might well be described as 'across the row'. You don't know which she was referring to, off-hand.
>It does. Her office had a rather large one, in fact.
-
>Move slightly to the side, out of line of sight of the interior of the building we just exited.
>Produce dousing rods.
>Check door for hours of operation.
-
>Move slightly to the side, out of line of sight of the interior of the building we just exited.
>Produce dousing rods.
>Check door for hours of operation.
>You move out of line of the front door and take your dowsing rods in hand.
>Then you check the sign for their hours of operation. Normal services appear to operate from 8AM to 6PM.
-
>Current time.
>Douse the building behind us for unusual concentrations of monies, or breaches in the superstructure of the building.
-
>Current time.
>Douse the building behind us for unusual concentrations of monies, or breaches in the superstructure of the building.
>Probably around 5 PM.
>You dowse the customs office for both money and conspicuous holes. The latter is a little hard to determine without care; at first brush, windows can feel somewhat similar, and it takes time and precision to distinguish them properly, particularly if a window is open. All the rooms and corridors in the way of other side of the building aren't helping much, either. Your senses and tools are not nearly precise enough to provide a detailed floor plan merely by pointing them at something and it's very hard to sift all the alternating layers of stone and space apart. A man exits the building while you're working at this. With what senses you have to spare, you catch him give you a curious look, but he moves on without saying anything. A tall brown-haired woman passes by shortly thereafter, with a similar reaction. After some time, you reach the conclusion that while you can't necessarily rule out a hole in a wall that shouldn't be there, you also aren't finding any convincing evidence that there is one.
>On the monetary front, there are different complications. Finding coinage itself is relatively simple compared to the previous task, provided it's gathered in sufficient quantities; the precious metals involved in it are less liable to be scattered throughout the building in other forms. There are indeed a couple moderately-sized concentrations of money within the building. However, you honestly don't know quite what would quality as an unusual concentration of money for a building that deals in expensive permits on a daily basis. What you can detect inside is certainly more than you would expect an average person to be hauling around, but you think it would be more surprising if it wasn't.
-
>Put rods away.
>Is the door close to use the only way in or out of this building that we've found?
>Scope out the area for an alley, or some other sufficiently concealed location to keep an eye on this door.
-
>Put rods away.
>Is the door close to use the only way in or out of this building that we've found?
>Scope out the area for an alley, or some other sufficiently concealed location to keep an eye on this door.
>You put your dowsing rods away.
>You don't know for sure that it's the only entrance without scouting around the rest of the building's perimeter, but it's the only one you've seen.
>Given the building's location near the bustling port, there are few places which are truly concealed from general traffic, although there are a couple of places where you could perhaps discretely keep an eye on the front door. There is a path between the custom's office and a neighboring building, a small distance to the right of the door. You would be able to have a clear view of the door by poking your head around the corner, but would be exposed to anyone coming up from the harbor behind you. There is a similar alleyway between two buildings on the other side of the row, a somewhat larger distance to the right of the customs office door. You would have a clear view of the door, and mightn't be immediately visible to someone exiting, but could probably be sighted by them if they looked closely in your direction; after nightfall, this would probably be difficult for people with human eyesight. This spot, at least, doesn't have the potential of traffic coming up from behind. There is also a small hedge-like row of shrubs planted near the front of the custom's office that you could potential conceal yourself in, though this would also work better at night, and it would take some time and noise to both entrench and extricate yourself. Aside from these, you could potentially lurk near the buildings further to the west, some distance away. From there you could keep an eye on the door without possibly being immediately recognizable, though most cover at that distance would either put you out of view of the door, or simply make it easy enough for you to miss someone exiting.
-
>Options. Good.
>Take a minute or two to stroll around this building, to check for other exits, especially one that Lousie would have handier access to, if any.
>After that, head for the nearest Watch post.
>Keep an eye out for Orange or signs of a moth youkai along the way.
-
>Options. Good.
>Take a minute or two to stroll around this building, to check for other exits, especially one that Lousie would have handier access to, if any.
>After that, head for the nearest Watch post.
>Keep an eye out for Orange or signs of a moth youkai along the way.
>Options are generally good.
>You circle around the building to look for other exits and discover a service entrance of some sort around the rear. The door is largely unmarked and the surroundings are not turned out nearly as trim as the front. The proximity to the back side of other buildings creates something close to an alleyway here, and provides a somewhat more optimal place to could lurk and keep an eye on the door, where shadows fall across a small protrusion in one of the neighbouring buildings. There are a pair of doors in those buildings which also face on this alley, but otherwise it doesn't seem to get much traffic. Unfortunately, you have no reason to suspect this door would be used by Louise; it doesn't appear to be particularly closer to her office than the front and certainly exits at a less obviously convenient location. You suppose it might depend on where she was going.
>You leave the Port Authority and make your way over to the Watch post near this part of the harbor. It is a very short walk, no more than 5 minutes or so. You keep a hopeful eye out for either Orange or Neu on the way, but see no sign of either among the busy congregation still actively moving through the area.
>The Watch post itself is a rather small and nondescript stonework building, emblazoned brightly with the emblem of the Watch but little other decoration; in practice, you think it's not much more than a lounge, office, and windowed kiosk onlooking the open harbor, where members of the Watch stand by to interact with the public. You can see one of them in the window now, a fairly heavy-set man with a scruffy black beard, wearing the green uniform of the Watch.
-
>Does the bloke look familiar?
>Is there anyone in line?
-
>Does the bloke look familiar?
>Is there anyone in line?
>He does not.
>Not at the moment.
-
>Approach window.
>Absently look for donuts.
-
>Approach window.
>Absently look for donuts.
>You approach the window. The man looks in your direction as you near and gives a bearish smile. "Somethin' I can go for you, miss?"
>While you don't see any donuts in evidence, you can smell coffee - rather strong coffee, in fact.
-
>'Friendly' bear, or 'I'm going to eat you liver' bear?
>Friendly nod.
>"Nazrin, liscenced Seeker. I was hoping you could answer a few questions for me."
>Just outta curiousity, where do we keep OUR liscence?
-
>'Friendly' bear, or 'I'm going to eat you liver' bear?
>Friendly nod.
>"Nazrin, liscenced Seeker. I was hoping you could answer a few questions for me."
>Just outta curiousity, where do we keep OUR liscence?
>Friendly enough, though you wouldn't be surprised to see the other version from him if you were on the wrong side of the law.
>You give him a friendly nod.
>"Ask away," he says.
>The Guild itself would have written records of your enrollment and graduation, but for your part, the badge itself is enough proof of status.
-
>"Has there been any reports of recent theft in this part of town? Particularly in the department of paperwork?"
-
>"Has there been any reports of recent theft in this part of town? Particularly in the department of paperwork?"
>"Department of paperwork?" He laughs, a deep and coarse sound. "Can't say that's what I usually hear people making off with. You looking for somethin' specific?"
-
>"One of the captains here in port has had one of her export liscences stolen. I'd like to know if any of the other captains in port have reported anything similar."
-
>"One of the captains here in port has had one of her export liscences stolen. I'd like to know if any of the other captains in port have reported anything similar."
>"Huh. Hadn't heard about that one, even," he says. "No, nothing like that. A few reports of pickpocketing, half of which show up in lost and found eventually. Just the usual, really."
>"You got any details on that theft?" he asks with a more serious expression on his face.
-
>"That's what I've spent the past few hours trying to get. And so far, I haven't found much beyond someone's pet mouse."
>"It was just the one document stolen, though, nothing else. Like someone wanted to strand this ship here for a while."
-
>"That's what I've spent the past few hours trying to get. And so far, I haven't found much beyond someone's pet mouse."
>"It was just the one document stolen, though, nothing else. Like someone wanted to strand this ship here for a while."
>"Mighty strange, that," he says. "'fraid I don't have much helpful to tell you, but you can file a report if you like and we'll look into it."
-
>"'fraid the captain in question wanted her name left off the record. Doesn't want to get bogged down in an investigation, just wants to find her paper and get back on track."
>"Wouldn't be as big an issue, though, if the Customs office copies of those documents hadn't been stolen, too. Or... so the customs officer claims, anyway."
>Lean in.
>"Which actually brings me to another question. Have there been any complaints come across the Watch's way about Louise Saint-Clair?"
-
>"'fraid the captain in question wanted her name left off the record. Doesn't want to get bogged down in an investigation, just wants to find her paper and get back on track."
>"Wouldn't be as big an issue, though, if the Customs office copies of those documents hadn't been stolen, too. Or... so the customs officer claims, anyway."
>Lean in.
>"Which actually brings me to another question. Have there been any complaints come across the Watch's way about Louise Saint-Clair?"
>You catch a faint trace of wariness on the watchman's face as you mention Murasa not wanting to file a report. That probably conjures up all kinds of less legal reasons a person might want to avoid this...
>Then you lean in and ask about Louise in particular.
>"Louise who?" he asks, giving you a funny look. "Wait, is she that missus with the sunhat that runs half of Customs?"
-
>"That's her."
-
>"That's her."
>"What kinda complaints are you talkin' about, anyway?"
-
>"Like... More bureaucratic than she should be, if you know what I mean? Way too by the book?"
-
>"Like... More bureaucratic than she should be, if you know what I mean? Way too by the book?"
>He chuckles. "Not really the kind of complaint people bring over my way. I see her walk by sometimes, but that's about it. I hear customs has had a lot better turn-around time since she took over, though."
-
>"So, no increase in missing or stolen papers from ships, since she took over?"
-
>"So, no increase in missing or stolen papers from ships, since she took over?"
>He frowns at you. "That's years back now, y'know. And no, not that I've ever heard about."
-
>Ponder.
>"Try this one. You familiar with any noted lockpickers that operate around the docks here?"
-
>Ponder.
>"Try this one. You familiar with any noted lockpickers that operate around the docks here?"
>"We mostly just deal with petty crime," he says. "Don't think I'd call anyone 'noted', these days."
-
>"These days?"
-
>"These days?"
>He shrugs. "Well, y'know, there's been a few big heists if you go back far enough, but nobody like that at large now. Just the regular small stuff, mostly."
-
Delayed reaction.
>Regarding that alarm enchantment we detected back in Louise's building. Are we familiar enough with that brand of magic, or skilled enough, to circumvent it?
>Are we familiar with anyone that would be able to circumvent it?
-
>Regarding that alarm enchantment we detected back in Louise's building. Are we familiar enough with that brand of magic, or skilled enough, to circumvent it?
>Are we familiar with anyone that would be able to circumvent it?
>You are not even certain it was an alarm, but simply a minor passive ward of some sort. You certainly have no natural means to circumvent whatever it is.
>Marisa might be able to ascertain the spell's nature more precisely, but you figure her method of circumventing it would be akin to 'barreling through'. You know that tools exist which can disenchant wards, either temporarily or permanently, and a magician of some skill probably could as well, but you think some alarms spells are designed to also trigger if this happens. You've no doubt there are ways around this, but it would take some digging on your part to find them.
-
>Have we ever had cause to use a tool or talisman of that nature ourselves? Do we have any in our possession?
>How much do they usually go for, if such things can be acquired in above board stores?
-
>Have we ever had cause to use a tool or talisman of that nature ourselves? Do we have any in our possession?
>How much do they usually go for, if such things can be acquired in above board stores?
>You've experimented with a number of minor magic devices over the course of your apprenticeship, and have a knack for them in general. You haven't actually used any dispelling charms, nor attempted to sneak through an alarm ward, but you're sure the former is easy enough. You don't have anything like that in your possession at the moment, though.
>Given that they have a wide variety of legal uses, you're sure they can be purchased at a magical supply shop without much difficulty. You don't know the price of such things off-hand, and you imagine it varies depending on their power and reusability, and other factors you're not familiar with. You might be able to pick up a cheap one in the range of 40 guilders, maybe? You could be way off, though.
-
Well, getting back to the task at hand...
And by the by, if anyone can think of something to ask officer Bear here that I haven't, feel free to cover my shortcomings.
>"Hmmm."
>"Lemme ask ya something, check a theory for me here. You've been around a while, yes, heard a few stories?"
-
>"Hmmm."
>"Lemme ask ya something, check a theory for me here. You've been around a while, yes, heard a few stories?"
>He lets out another coarse laugh, like gravel. "Suppose I have, missy. Suppose I have."
-
>Snicker and grin. "Well, lemme run this by ya, then, chief."
>"When I was examinin' the ship in question, the door to the room the license was kept in had been picked, obvious break in. But when I checked the room where the Customs office keeps their copy, there were no signs of tampering with the lock, no signs of a break in at all. What's that say to you?"
-
>Snicker and grin. "Well, lemme run this by ya, then, chief."
>"When I was examinin' the ship in question, the door to the room the license was kept in had been picked, obvious break in. But when I checked the room where the Customs office keeps their copy, there were no signs of tampering with the lock, no signs of a break in at all. What's that say to you?"
>"That someone forgot to lock up?" he says.
-
>"Add in the fact that the alarm wasn't tripped? Or, so Louise claims, anyway."
-
>"Add in the fact that the alarm wasn't tripped? Or, so Louise claims, anyway."
>"Could mean a lot of things," he says. "Alarm didn't work right, someone's covering up their own bungling, stuff was just misfiled, you name it."
-
>"I admit, it could well be a coincidence. But the fact that their documents 'dissapear' the same time that the same papers are stolen from the other party involved? That seems a bit fishy to me."
-
>"I admit, it could well be a coincidence. But the fact that their documents 'dissapear' the same time that the same papers are stolen from the other party involved? That seems a bit fishy to me."
>He shrugs. "I don't know what to tell you, missy. Could have been missing for ages and no one thought to go look for them until then, who knows? It's a pretty serious charge that someone on the inside is doing it on purpose. Unless you want to file an official report on that, there's not much more I can do for you, sorry."
-
>"Well, the captain asked me not to, and I'm a Seeker of my word. Besides, I got no real proof. Yet. Just a hunch. 's why I wanted to check with you folks in the Watch, see if this kind of thing had happened to anyone else."
-
>"Well, the captain asked me not to, and I'm a Seeker of my word. Besides, I got no real proof. Yet. Just a hunch. 's why I wanted to check with you folks in the Watch, see if this kind of thing had happened to anyone else."
>He shakes his head. "Haven't heard a thing like this, sorry."
-
Well, this was less productive than I'd hoped.
So at this point, my only idea is to stake out the customs office and wait for Louise to emerge. Follow her, and see where that goes.
That's my only idea. I am more than welcome to suggestions.
-
the only "idea" i have is search the ship harder, and that's not an idea, that's just "out of options".
-
Have you tried finding Neu yet?
-
We had not.
We had no idea where to look, or how long it would take, or if she could even help us.
-
Then go back to the ship, find out what Neu is like, use that knowledge to narrow down where she might have gone based on your knowledge of Braston, and go out and find her.
Unless you prefer stalking and/or assaulting a government official.
-
Or just wait for her to come back to the ship like Murasa said she would.
-
Or just wait for her to come back to the ship like Murasa said she would.
The problem with that is, unless she returns before the office closes, her information does us no good.
-
Her information will do you no good regardless when you've been arrested.
> Did we happen to catch the office hours of the place? If so, how soon are we to closing time?
-
> Did we happen to catch the office hours of the place? If so, how soon are we to closing time?
>According to a sign on the front door, the customs office is open until 6 PM. It is currently slightly after 5 PM.
-
Out of curiosity, since you're concerned about Neu's info being worthless if you get it after closing time, how were you planning on stalking Louise before closing time, when she's presumably not going to leave until after it?
-
I was hoping that, once the work day was done, she would lead us to either her other conspirators, or the document itself. If the former, we could bust them ourselves, or get the Watch. If the latter, we could steal the papers back, or get the Watch. Either way, the problem would be resolved, and we'd be on our way.
-
All right, then let's try this.
Let's say you get Neu's info after closing time. What's stopping you from just going to the office tomorrow?
-
Well, nothing. I just hate to waste a day. Time's something of an issue, obviously.
-
It sucks wasting a day, yeah. But I'd rather risk spending the day to make sure the info I had was exactly correct than risk getting thrown in jail for harassing a government official, especially given we know we're right about the disappearance of this permit. And who knows? If Neu's back on the ship by now, you'd still have enough time to go back and forth between the ship and the office before closing. Just imagine the look on Little Miss Asshole's face if something actually comes up.
-
Well, I guess I can do it.
> Frown.
> "All right. Thanks for the help."
> Make our way back to the ship.
-
> Frown.
> "All right. Thanks for the help."
> Make our way back to the ship.
>You frown.
>"Not a problem, missy," the watchman says with a grizzled smile. "You go have a nice evening now."
>You leave the Watch post and make your way back to the Blue Maiden. Chisato nods a greeting to you as you climb back onto the deck; very little has changed here since the last time you were on board.
>"Don't suppose you got good news this time?" she asks.
-
I can get in a few before work.
>Heave a sigh, then lean against the railing.
>"Y'ever get the feeling that, there's some great force looking down on you, that's keeping you from making any real progress?"
EDIT: Well, it seems that I won't be able to get in a few before work after all. C'est la vie.
-
>Heave a sigh, then lean against the railing.
>"Y'ever get the feeling that, there's some great force looking down on you, that's keeping you from making any real progress?"
>You heave a sigh and lean against the railing near her.
>Chisato snickers. "Heh, tell me about it."
-
> "Anyway, if I might if you might. Neu still out and about?"
-
> "Anyway, if I might if you might. Neu still out and about?"
>She throws you something of a surprised look. "Uh, she came back a few minutes ago."
-
> "Oh, she did? Excellent. Whereabouts is she?"
-
> "Oh, she did? Excellent. Whereabouts is she?"
>"Cap'n said she wanted to talk to her when she came back," Chisato says, still looking a little puzzled. She jerks a thumb in the direction of the captain's cabin. "She's still in there."
-
> "Awesome. Don't suppose I can get in there? I'm thinking she's the best bet for getting that permit back."
-
> "Awesome. Don't suppose I can get in there? I'm thinking she's the best bet for getting that permit back."
>"Just go over and knock," she says. "Sure the cap'n will be happy to hear anything good on that front."
-
> Nod.
> "All right."
> Head over to the captain's quarter's door and knock.
-
> Nod.
> "All right."
> Head over to the captain's quarter's door and knock.
>The redhead returns your nod, then goes back to idly watching the harbor while you cross the deck and descend the short flight of steps to the captain's cabin. You can hear scattered bits of quiet conversation from inside, Murasa and a softer voice you do not recognize - probably Neu. You knock on the door.
>"Come in!" Murasa calls out from inside.
-
> Enter!
-
> Enter!
>You open the door and step inside. Standing near the desk is Murasa and another woman you could have easily pegged as Neu, even without the context. She has short white hair and a pair of large bushy antennae sweeping out from her forehead. From her back extend a rather large set of strikingly white moth wings with a subtle mottled pattern. She is wearing a woolly sweater in deep green and a comfortable-looking pair of dark slacks.
>"Oh, it's you," Murasa says. "Good timing." She gestures a hand towards her second mate. "This here's Neu. Neu, Nazrin."
>Neu smiles and nods her head towards you; her antennae wiggle slightly at the gesture. "Nice to meet you, Nazrin."
>Murasa chuckles, just a little sheepishly. "Hope you hadn't gone back to Louise yet."
-
> Nod to Neu.
> "Hello."
> Turn back to Murasa.
> "I have. Learned enough that we really need Neu if we want a shot of getting anything done quickly."
-
> Nod to Neu.
> "Hello."
> Turn back to Murasa.
> "I have. Learned enough that we really need Neu if we want a shot of getting anything done quickly."
>You nod to Neu and return her greeting, then turn back to Murasa.
>"About that date, is it?" Murasa asks.
-
> "Yeah. Giving Louise a month meant waiting a couple of days. If we can give an exact date,that would be much better."
-
> "Yeah. Giving Louise a month meant waiting a couple of days. If we can give an exact date,that would be much better."
>"Well, thankfully someone on this ship bothered to remember," Murasa says with a self-effacing grin.
>"June 4th, 574," Neu says coolly. "I'm reasonably certain of this. If not, then it's definitely within that week."
>"Ishi grumbled about it a bit," Murasa says, "but I know which of the two I'd trust on this sort of thing. I could have sworn it was in the summer myself, anyway...."
-
> "Great. Gotta be honest, though, it might be tricky for me to convince Louise to look that date up by myself. I kinda lost my temper just a little bit in there. Tried to blow it off, but I'm not convinced she bought it."
-
> "Great. Gotta be honest, though, it might be tricky for me to convince Louise to look that date up by myself. I kinda lost my temper just a little bit in there. Tried to blow it off, but I'm not convinced she bought it."
>Murasa chuckles wryly. "Yeah, it's like arguing with a rock, ain't it? Hell, at least a rock doesn't give you that look, like she's just... just..." She grimaces a bit, then lets it out as an incoherent grunt of frustration.
>"It is her job, though," Neu says with a slight frown. "Was whatever happened bad enough that you think she'd refuse to do it?"
>"Hell, she wasn't listing to me before I started swearin' at her..."
-
> "...Maybe. I might get some points for admitting to an earlier error, though, since I told her some time in April. June 4th definitely isn't in April."
-
> "...Maybe. I might get some points for admitting to an earlier error, though, since I told her some time in April. June 4th definitely isn't in April."
>"Or she might just think you're full of shit, like the rest of us," Murasa grumbles. "You really said that?"
>"That's an awfully... pessimistic attitude, captain," Neu comments.
>"Yeah? Well, you try arguing with her for a couple days." She lets out a haggard sigh.
-
> "Maybe Neu should talk to Louise? She hasn't wronged Louise yet, beyond however much anyone wrongs Louise simply by existing."
-
> "Maybe Neu should talk to Louise? She hasn't wronged Louise yet, beyond however much anyone wrongs Louise simply by existing."
>Murasa rolls her eyes. "Ha, tell me about it. Though... that mightn't be a half-bad idea."
>"I certainly don't mind speaking with her," Neu says. "Though if you could fill me in on exactly how the date was supposed to help our case, that would be appreciated."
-
> What was the goal with that again? Searching for the purchase of the export permit?
-
> What was the goal with that again? Searching for the purchase of the export permit?
>Essentially yes. You'd asked that Louise check the customs office financial records for the appropriate date, in hopes that some entry there would confirm the purchase of a permit, even if the permit itself was no longer on file.
-
> "She or whoever would check the financial records for that day and see the permit purchase. Since the permits don't expire, that would prove you should have one."
-
> "She or whoever would check the financial records for that day and see the permit purchase. Since the permits don't expire, that would prove you should have one."
>Neu nods. "That doesn't sound difficult. Is there anything else I should be aware of?"
-
> "Whatever important details were on the permit, if you can remember them."
-
>"And they close in a bit less than an hour, so, don't let whoever you end up dealing with drag their heels."
-
> "Whatever important details were on the permit, if you can remember them."
>"Oh, I'm familiar with the system and regulations," she says. "I meant in terms of what you had discussed with Miss Saint-Claire, or anything you had discovered that you thought was relevant."
>"And they close in a bit less than an hour, so, don't let whoever you end up dealing with drag their heels."
>She nods. "I'll keep that in mind."
>"Yeah, don't let 'em give you the runaround," Murasa says.
-
> Did we tell anyone on this ship why we want to get to Val Razua?
-
> Did we tell anyone on this ship why we want to get to Val Razua?
>You have made no mention of your disease to any of the crew. You simply said that you needed to be in Val Razua 'yesterday'; Murasa did not inquire further at the time.
-
> "I think that's it. I'll go with you too, of course."
-
> "I think that's it. I'll go with you too, of course."
>"Not that I mind, of course," Neu says, "but wasn't the main point of me going because you thought Louise would react poorly to you, after whatever passed between the two of you?"
-
> "I won't be going to meet her directly unless I'm invited in. But I'd still like to be around, just in case."
-
> "I won't be going to meet her directly unless I'm invited in. But I'd still like to be around, just in case."
>She nods. "Of course."
-
> "If you're ready, then?"
-
> "If you're ready, then?"
>"There's just a few pieces of documentation I'd like to collect before we leave," she says. "In case Miss Saint-Claire asks for proof of affiliation or somesuch. I'll only be a few moments."
-
> "Sure, take whatever time you need."
> Let Neu take whatever time she needs.
-
> "Sure, take whatever time you need."
> Let Neu take whatever time she needs.
>She nods. "I'll be back shortly."
>And with that she gives a polite nod in Murasa's direction, who casually waves her off. Then she turns and quickly leaves the room.
>"So..." Murasa says after a few moments. "Think this'll work?"
-
> "Better than nothing. She may think the permit never existed, but you know it did, so we know there's gotta be something somewhere. Unless you think we'd be better off beating her up until she talks."
> Frown.
> "Which I could probably talked into fairly easily."
-
> "Better than nothing. She may think the permit never existed, but you know it did, so we know there's gotta be something somewhere. Unless you think we'd be better off beating her up until she talks."
> Frown.
> "Which I could probably talked into fairly easily."
>She laughs. "Wish I could say I wouldn't enjoy it, but if we lay a hand on her, we'll be in about ten times as much shit as we are right now. I'd like to be able to come back here again some day, y'know? Hell, leaving's always been the easy part; it's not like anyone here could catch us if they tried. But they could have a hundred guards waiting for us dock-side if we ever tried to land again.
-
> Sigh.
> "Yeah, I know. And I'd be very happy to be able to return here too."
-
> Sigh.
> "Yeah, I know. And I'd be very happy to be able to return here too."
>"Well, this is where Seeker HQ and all is," she says, then pauses a moment. "Or are you from around here, too?"
-
> "Kinda. Moved here a few years back. Was in Easthaven before that."
-
> "Kinda. Moved here a few years back. Was in Easthaven before that."
>"Easthaven's 'here' enough," she says. "Can't get there except through Braston."
>She chuckles again. "For what it's worth, I'm sure I'd get in a lot more shit over it than you would, if you're like any Seeker I've ever known."
-
> Shrug with a grin.
> "With the way things are, there's only so much trouble I can possibly get into. That's the only reason why beating the tar out of her has seriously crossed my mind at all."
-
>"And besides, my old mentor would never let me hear the end of it if I got kicked out of town before she did."
-
> Shrug with a grin.
> "With the way things are, there's only so much trouble I can possibly get into. That's the only reason why beating the tar out of her has seriously crossed my mind at all."
>Murasa gives you a sidelong look for an oddly pointed moment, then shrugs.
>"And besides, my old mentor would never let me hear the end of it if I got kicked out of town before she did."
>"Ha! She a real rabble-rouser, or something?"
-
>"That's puttin' it mildly. You ever hear of Marisa Kirisame?"
-
>"That's puttin' it mildly. You ever hear of Marisa Kirisame?"
>She shakes her head. "Don't think so, sorry."
-
>"Well, let's just say she has a.... rather BIG personality. If you had run into her instead of me, you'd probably have heard explosions after she'd been on the case for 5 minutes."
-
>"Well, let's just say she has a.... rather BIG personality. If you had run into her instead of me, you'd probably have heard explosions after she'd been on the case for 5 minutes."
>Murasa gives you an awkward frown. "No offense, but I think I'm just as glad I didn't. Got enough problems already."
>At this point, the cabin door opens and Neu steps inside again.
>"I have the things I went to fetch," she says. "I'm ready to leave whenever you are."
-
>"Well, I exaggerate, of course. Mari's the best in the world I know of at making things go boom, but she's got a good sense of when NOT to, as well. Matter of fact, she'd probably be proud of me for keeping my temper in the face of little miss bureaucracy."
>Stand, if we are not.
>"But, plenty of time to talk about that later, if we get this mess settled THIS time."
>Turn head to Neu. "Then let's move."
>Back to Louise for round three!
-
>"Well, I exaggerate, of course. Mari's the best in the world I know of at making things go boom, but she's got a good sense of when NOT to, as well. Matter of fact, she'd probably be proud of me for keeping my temper in the face of little miss bureaucracy."
>Stand, if we are not.
>"But, plenty of time to talk about that later, if we get this mess settled THIS time."
>Turn head to Neu. "Then let's move."
>Back to Louise for round three!
>"They should start giving out medals," Murasa says dryly.
>You are already standing.
>Neu nods, then turns to Murasa. "We should be back before too long."
>"Good luck, you two," Murasa says as you leave.
>The trip back to the customs office is quick going, even if you feel the pressure of the ever-advancing hour upon you. You and Neu exchange only a little small talk as you walk, but she seems pleasant enough. She's fairly soft-spoken and her demeanor seems rather different than the rest of the Blue Maiden's crew you've met so far, or, for that matter, what you might associate with a sailor in general. Still, her lack of bruskness seems not to imply any degree of shyness. Her wings are broad enough to make walking alongside her a tad more awkward than it is with most people, but you find yourself rather impressed with how easily she navigates through the crowd despite them, bending and shifting around workers and walkers without appearing to spare it a conscious thought.
>About ten minutes later, you find yourself in front of those same doors that you've returned to once already this afternoon. Third time really better be the charm or you might be tempted to shove Louise up against a wall, despite yourself...
-
>Look inside for signs of Louise.
-
>Look inside for signs of Louise.
>You peer through the door for a moment, but see no sign of Louise. The lobby doesn't look much different than either of the previous times you were here, though the line is slightly shorter.
-
>Good, then.
>"Like I said, I'll wait outside her office, let you handle things, unless you need me."
-
>Good, then.
>"Like I said, I'll wait outside her office, let you handle things, unless you need me."
>"I should be okay, I think," she says. "But thank you."
-
>Open the door for her.
>"After you."
-
>Open the door for her.
>"After you."
>You open the door for Neu.
>She smiles and nods, then steps inside.
-
>Follow the moth.
>Keep a bit of distance between us and Louise's doorway when we get there, so we don't complicate Neu's job.
-
>Follow the moth.
>Keep a bit of distance between us and Louise's doorway when we get there, so we don't complicate Neu's job.
>You step inside after she does, but after only a few steps she pauses and looks back at you.
>"Where exactly is her office?" she asks. "I've never dealt with her in person."
-
>Wasn't that marked? No, we had to ask.
>Point in the correct direction.
>"Thataway."
-
>Wasn't that marked? No, we had to ask.
>Point in the correct direction.
>"Thataway."
>You give Neu directions and resume your approach to Louise's office, with the moth taking point. As you turn down the hallway beside the service counter, you catch one of the attendants following you with wary eyes; she hastily turns back to some paperwork in front of you once she notices you looking back at her. You pass no one else along the way and are quickly back in front of Louise's door.
-
>Sidle back out of line of sight from within.
-
>Sidle back out of line of sight from within.
>You move out of sight of the door and Neu goes ahead and knocks. A moment later, a familiar voice answers her. "Come on."
>Neu opens the door and steps inside. From here, while you cannot see either party, you can follow their conversation quite easily.
>"Good evening, Miss Saint-Claire. I'm Neu Mitsuzoe, second mate of the Blue Maiden."
>"I see," comes Louise's reply, with a not-so-subtle hint of displeasure beneath her cool professionalism. You can practically see the accompanying glare from here.
>"I apologize for the number of times you've had to deal with us today," Neu continues, "but I wanted to correct the date you were given earlier. Our export permit was originally issued on June 4th, 574, and not in April. I'm afraid there was a slight mix-up."
>"I... see," Louise repeats. This utterance seems a little less certain in tone than the first. She pauses and takes an audible breath. "Miss Mitsuzoe, are you aware that the Seeker you hired attempted to coerce me by claiming she carried a deadly airborne disease?"
-
>Shit.
>Wait for Neu's reaction.
-
>Shit.
>Wait for Neu's reaction.
>Ah, bloody hell...
>"No, I was not," Neu replies, without even missing a beat. You find yourself a little surprised at her lack of hesitation. "And I assure you that is well outside the bounds of what she agreed to do. Or reported, for that matter."
>"I should hope so," Louise says coldly.
>"I apologize sincerely if she caused a disturbance, and I'll make sure our captain is informed of this. She may wish to nullify our agreement with her."
>"A wise action," Louise says. There is a moment's pause. "And I will assume that this threat of hers was quite empty?"
>"She seemed in fine health when I spoke with her earlier," Neu replies, "but she was only contracted by the captain this afternoon; I don't know her any better than you do. If you're concerned she really is harboring a plague of some sort, I'd suggest you're better off inquiring with the guild. But if I may... that issue is a separate one from the matter of our license, which is still pressing."
>There is a slight pause. "Of course."
-
>Clever girl. But we're gonna have some explaining to do later. After all this mess, we damn well better not end up stranded here.
>Did we mention our disease to Murasa yet?
>Neu don't need us yet, let the moth do her thing.
-
>Clever girl. But we're gonna have some explaining to do later. After all this mess, we damn well better not end up stranded here.
>Did we mention our disease to Murasa yet?
>Neu don't need us yet, let the moth do her thing.
>You cringe at the mess you may have gotten yourself into. If you end up stuck here after all this, maybe you really will come back and strangle Louise, just for spite.
>You made no mention of this. You merely said that you were in a significant hurry to arrive in Val Razua; she didn't inquire further.
>She seems to be doing well enough for herself at the moment. You continue to listen in.
>"How long would it take you to examine your financial records for a single day?" Neu asks.
>"Not terribly long," Louise replies. "At least not to merely look for a single registration transaction."
>"Less than a half hour?"
>"I'm sure we'll have the matter processed within a day or two," Louise responds smoothly, evading the question in that same vexingly sedate tone she seems so fond of.
>"Would it be possible to have it examined before closing tonight?" Neu asks. "I know this is an imposition," she hastily adds before Louise can respond, "but we'd really appreciate it."
>Nonetheless, the reply is predictable. "I'm sorry. There are more issues on our plate than just yours, as I have explained to your captain several times already, I might add."
>Neu's response is conciliatory, verging on affable. "I know, I know, but this would settle the issue once and for all, wouldn't it? If there's no record of sale, then that's it. It's hard for us to keep arguing our case against that sort of evidence."
>"Your Seeker seemed intent on investigating whether our records had been forcibly altered," Louise retorts coldly. The emphasis on your title is particularly bitter.
>"I don't think she'll be ours much longer, so I'm not sure her opinion is relevant anymore. And in any case, I certainly wouldn't be able to tell a fake document from a real one. I'd hope you would, actually..." She pauses a moment. "Look, I'm sure you're just as eager to be rid of us as we are to be gone from here, so could we please put this to rest tonight? You said it would only take a few minutes, so wouldn't it be quicker to go and check than spend the next 15 minutes telling me why you can't?"
>There is a long silence. Or, perhaps not so long, but merely drawn out by your own anticipation at the conspicuous lack of a reflexive dismissal. When Louise's reply comes, is almost grudging, but she says the words nonetheless. "Very well."
-
>Not bad, moth girl. Not bad at all.
>Of course, if you meant all that about getting rid of us, Louise won't be the only one getting throttled.
>Let's make ourselves scarce. Louise might shut us both out if she sees us, and Neu... Well, either she doesn't need our help, or she'll dismiss us and then things would get ugly.
>Head back the way we came, but wait outside the building exit, so we can still be handy if anything complicated happens.
>Did we get any sense that Neu was carrying anything magical?
-
>Not bad, moth girl. Not bad at all.
>Of course, if you meant all that about getting rid of us, Louise won't be the only one getting throttled.
>Let's make ourselves scarce. Louise might shut us both out if she sees us, and Neu... Well, either she doesn't need our help, or she'll dismiss us and then things would get ugly.
>Head back the way we came, but wait outside the building exit, so we can still be handy if anything complicated happens.
>You inwardly compliment Neu on her handling of the situation, while simultaneously worrying about just how serious she was with some of her statements. But that's an issue for another time; if Louise sees you now, things could get very messy, very fast. You quickly and quietly head back down the hallway and disappear down the stairs before either of them exit her office.
>You make your way back outside the building and wait by the entrance for Neu to show up. Hopefully she'll come bearing good news and not just new problems. You've had about all the problems you can take for one day...
>Did we get any sense that Neu was carrying anything magical?
>You did not.
>A few minutes pass, and then a few more. Several people exit the building and a handful more enter, though you expect it's getting rather close to closing time by now. You lean back against the wall to the side of the door and look up at the sky. Each second seems to draw itself out to an obnoxious degree while the clouds creep slowly from east to west. Are they going to come and lock the place up before she comes back out again?
>Eventually, a large sweep of white enters your peripheral vision as the door opens.
>"I have some news," Neu says.
-
>"How bad?"
-
>"How bad?"
>"Well, she didn't find a record of our registration fee there," she replies. "But that's because the entire ledger for June 4th is missing."
-
>"What?"
-
>"What?"
>"The entire ledger for June 4th is missing," she repeats. "As are several others in that date range, for that matter. Louise was not happy."
-
Anyone wanna wager she'd be willing to talk to us now?
>"No, I imagine not."
>Did we get any outward impression that she didn't know they were gone?
>"And you can confirm this? I mean, you saw the gap in the shelf, or something?
-
>"No, I imagine not."
>Did we get any outward impression that she didn't know they were gone?
>"And you can confirm this? I mean, you saw the gap in the shelf, or something?
>Louise seemed confident that no information confirming the permit's existence would be found in their financial records, but you can't say for certain why she seemed confident of this.
>Neu shakes her head. "No, I waited in the lobby. She dispatched someone to look for the entry on the ledger, and then went to look for it herself when they said it wasn't there. She said it might just have been misplaced somehow, but I think she's having some doubts about it, anyway."
-
At this point, I'm honestly uncertain if we should talk to Louise.
On the one hand, she doesn't like us, at all. And the moth seems to have given her the impression she's about to fire us.
On the other hand, this is the only lead we've got, and there might not be anything we can do on it withOUT talking to Louise.
-
I think they'll talk to us on the ship about it before firing us. The day transition (if there is one) may actually work to our advantage here, because if we can explain ourselves to the crew using that time, then we may be able to work out something where we put on a termination show in front of Louise that doesn't actually mean anything. I doubt Murasa would begrudge what we did to Louise; her only concern is her crew.
-
Let me see if I get this straight. You'd suggest explaining our disease to Murasa BEFORE talking to Louise?
-
I'd explain what's going on to someone before talking to Louise, if only to arrange the firing charade. We only need give as many details as they want to feel enough peace of mind to let us board, but there is something to be said for the fact that we've been breathing on the crew for some time now knowing full-well they weren't going to get infected (I assume Minoriko would have said something if the disease really was an airborne contagion). Even if Murasa's a ghost, I assume Neu and Chisato aren't.
I would also guess they're willing to give us a chance to explain ourselves, because Neu went about talking about this first instead of trying to throttle us for potentially infecting her too.
-
As a matter of fact, Minoriko DID. And she said we weren't contagious. I have to admit, when you were pulling that stunt on Louise, I wasn't if you knew that or not.
I don't think a charade of any sort if necessary. And while this outcome isn't the one I was hoping for, it's something. For the longest time, I had no idea how we were expected to solve this, and we had run down every lead we had. With this development, we have a new lead. I don't know if it will yield any results, but something's better than nothing.
Let's assume, for the moment, Louise wasn't involved in the theft, as I had assumed. That means that she's the victim of a theft as well. She needs a Seeker now, too, to get her stuff back, just like Murasa does. Louise may not LIKE us, but she may NEED us.
That may take some fast talking, and it'll more than likely involve a little explanation and/or fast talking, but this is the lead I've been hoping would come up. I don't want to lose it.
>"Did she mention when was the last time anyone had seen those books?"
-
I read most of the sickbed scene as it happened but didn't remember any of it. >_> Also, since I missed anything that would have been said on the subject...
> Does Minoriko prefer people not know who she really is, or it is common knowledge and she doesn't care that much?
EDIT: For the record, I also don't believe Louise is responsible at this point for a handful of reasons. Mostly because her 'acting' has been inconsistent and she certainly would have reshelved the records with the Blue Maiden's receipt missing just in case this came up.
EDIT 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO: I also think Louise could very much be talked into our services, given both she and we made incorrect assumptions and acted on them like jerks.
-
>"Did she mention when was the last time anyone had seen those books?"
>"I don't think so knows," Neu replies. "But she did say she intends to turn the whole place upside down tomorrow morning looking for it."
> Does Minoriko prefer people not know who she really is, or it is common knowledge and she doesn't care that much?
>Minoriko's divinity is commonly known in Easthaven, though she prefers not to receive special treatment as a consequence of it. Given how many generations she has been a part of the community, most villagers there are so accustomed to her presence that treating her as just another (albeit important) member of the community comes naturally; in fact, it would be a little strange to think of her as anything but.
-
I agree about Louise. Mistakes were made on both sides, but I think we can straighten them out.
EDIT: I admit to some personal bias on that front, though, as I like the MS crew. Even if this version of Louise is a bit more bureaucratic than I'm used to, she's still Louise.
>"That's a start. But that doesn't mean there's I can do now."
>Turn towards the door, place our hand on the handle, and pause.
>"But... About what Louise said. About me."
-
>"That's a start. But that doesn't mean there's I can do now."
>Turn towards the door, place our hand on the handle, and pause.
>"But... About what Louise said. About me."
>You turn back to the door and put your hand on the handle, then pause and ask Neu about the issue with... you.
>She looks at you with a pointedly neutral expression. "I assume this is what you meant when you said you 'lost your temper' with her earlier?"
-
>"Yeah... You could say that."
-
>"Yeah... You could say that."
>Neu is silent a moment. When she does speak, her tone is firm, though not quite angry. "If you want my opinion, I would say that was incredibly poor judgment on your part, and we're lucky she was willing to let it go so easily."
-
>"You do a lot of things that would be considered poor judgement when you get a death sentance..."
>"And yes, that part was true. I HAVE been infected by a kind of blight. That's why I need to get to Val Razua, and fast. But I was told, guaranteed, that I wasn't infectious. I'm not trying to put you or your crew at risk. But you are my best hope. Maybe my last."
EDIT: Was hoping to have more time, but I gotta get to work. Don't wait for me if you don't wanna.
-
Don't worry, there's more to things than that.
EDIT: Also this forum keeps the most annoying hours I've ever seen.
-
EDIT: Also this forum keeps the most annoying hours I've ever seen.
Sorry =/
>"You do a lot of things that would be considered poor judgement when you get a death sentance..."
>"And yes, that part was true. I HAVE been infected by a kind of blight. That's why I need to get to Val Razua, and fast. But I was told, guaranteed, that I wasn't infectious. I'm not trying to put you or your crew at risk. But you are my best hope. Maybe my last."
>"You're... serious?" she says, tensing up a little. Her antennae stiffen and her eyes scrutinize you closely.
-
> "On all accounts. Do you know of Minoriko of Easthaven?"
-
> "On all accounts. Do you know of Minoriko of Easthaven?"
>"She's the... local harvest goddess, isn't she?"
-
> "Yep. She's seen this before, a long time ago, and it's on her word that it's only an airborne contagion from the source. Which I'm very much not and is a thing rather far from here. I'd probably have to bleed right into your mouth for you to get infected."
-
> "Yep. She's seen this before, a long time ago, and it's on her word that it's only an airborne contagion from the source. Which I'm very much not and is a thing rather far from here. I'd probably have to bleed right into your mouth for you to get infected."
>Neu's expression twists into a disquieted frown and she shifts backwards slightly. "That's a... graphic way of putting it."
-
> "I know. Sorry. But I want to reinforce the fact that you're not going to catch what I have first and foremost. Everything else can come after that."
-
> "I know. Sorry. But I want to reinforce the fact that you're not going to catch what I have first and foremost. Everything else can come after that."
>The moth's expression does not abate and she stares at you for a moment with some measure of aversion and and distrust.
>"You realize I have only your word on this," she says, "when a half hour earlier you'd claimed the very opposite."
-
> Smirk.
> "You're not being smugly stubborn about something where I know your assessment is wrong."
> Drop the smile.
> "Besides, Louise exaggerates a bit. I never actually threatened her with anything, nor did I claim I was contagious. There was no reason to threaten her with airborne contagion at that point anyway. I'd been breathing near or on her for the better part of ten minutes. When she wakes up healthy tomorrow, just like the rest of you, that'll be that."
-
> Smirk.
> "You're not being smugly stubborn about something where I know your assessment is wrong."
> Drop the smile.
> "Besides, Louise exaggerates a bit. I never actually threatened her with anything, nor did I claim I was contagious. There was no reason to threaten her with airborne contagion at that point anyway. I'd been breathing near or on her for the better part of ten minutes. When she wakes up healthy tomorrow, just like the rest of you, that'll be that."
>"You're treating this awfully flippantly," Neu replies. "I'm sure most people wouldn't be very comforted by that explanation."
-
> Frown and shrug.
> "Well, when I'm dead in two weeks and you're all still alive and not diseased, it won't really matter all that much. I don't know what to do here, I don't exactly get served a death sentence every day."
-
> Frown and shrug.
> "Well, when I'm dead in two weeks and you're all still alive and not diseased, it won't really matter all that much. I don't know what to do here, I don't exactly get served a death sentence every day."
>"No, I suppose not...." She frowns in silence for a few moments.
>"Is there anyone in town that could confirm your story? A healer of some sort, maybe? Please don't take this the wrong way, but it's a very serious matter."
-
> Are there?
-
> Are there?
>None of the doctors that you consulted in town recognized your condition or the markings on your skin, even the one who spent a considerable time searching through his own library for some reference to it. The mage alchemist did claim to have some greater understanding of it than the rest, but also left you with the impression that she may have been peddling snake oil. None of them commented on your contagion, and you imagine they probably couldn't without having more familiarity with the disease than they did.
-
> "If you're worried about the contagion thing, I don't think so. Like I said, Minoriko's experience with this is from some time ago. No one I talked to had any knowledge of it, and I'd be surprised if any of today's medical practitioners had experience with it. If you only want to know that I have it at all, though, that's a lot easier to do."
-
> "If you're worried about the contagion thing, I don't think so. Like I said, Minoriko's experience with this is from some time ago. No one I talked to had any knowledge of it, and I'd be surprised if any of today's medical practitioners had experience with it. If you only want to know that I have it at all, though, that's a lot easier to do."
>Her antennae shift upward slightly. "It is?"
-
> "Yeah. But it's not very pretty."
-
> "Yeah. But it's not very pretty."
>"I... see," she says, frowning.
-
> Grab the sleeve of our visibly infected arm with our other hand, but don't roll the sleeve up yet.
> "Up to you if you want to see it or not. For what it's worth, Louise mostly maintained her composure."
-
> Grab the sleeve of our visibly infected arm with our other hand, but don't roll the sleeve up yet.
> "Up to you if you want to see it or not."
>You grab your right sleeve.
>Neu takes a deep breath. "Go ahead."
-
> Nod.
> "For what it's worth, Louise maintained her composure pretty well."
> Roll up the sleeve as much as necessary to expose the mark while angling our arm so it's 'aimed' toward Neu.
-
> Nod.
> "For what it's worth, Louise maintained her composure pretty well."
> Roll up the sleeve as much as necessary to expose the mark while angling our arm so it's 'aimed' toward Neu.
>You roll your sleeve up to reveal the patch of ragged black on your upper arm and angle it towards Neu. Ah, dammit... you're pretty sure it's larger than it was this morning - not by very much perhaps, but some.
>For her part, Neu reacts little, though you see her frown subtly deepen. Her antennae angle downward and shift apart slightly, and she is silent for a moment.
>"Is that... painful?" she says, eventually.
-
> "I'm doing okay."
> Point at Kumokirimaru with our sleeve-holding arm.
> "This blade here? It's about as old as the blight, and about as mysterious. It's helping keep the blight at bay somehow, both in terms of lifespan and just generally being able to function."
> Give a half-frown.
> "Neither of us wants a demonstration of what happens when I don't have it with me."
-
> "I'm doing okay."
> Point at Kumokirimaru with our sleeve-holding arm.
> "This blade here? It's about as old as the blight, and about as mysterious. It's helping keep the blight at bay somehow, both in terms of lifespan and just generally being able to function."
> Give a half-frown.
> "Neither of us wants a demonstration of what happens when I don't have it with me."
>You gesture to Kumokirimaru and explain its role in keeping you alive. Neu's frown deepens, and she closely examines the inscribed guard as well as the blighted marking on your arm.
>"You weren't exaggerating when you said that you'd be dead in two weeks," she says in a knowing tone. "Were you?"
-
> Shake head.
> "There's another mark on my leg, and a couple more under my shirt. I'm hoping this isn't what they meant by 'beginner's luck'."
-
> Shake head.
> "There's another mark on my leg, and a couple more under my shirt. I'm hoping this isn't what they meant by 'beginner's luck'."
>Neu takes another deep breath. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but it takes a lot of trust to accept that you're not a risk to the people around you, if the disease you carry is as lethal as this. I've known you for less than an hour, and you say no one else can back you up on the claim that you're not contagious. It's... a lot to take on faith, especially when you're asking to stay on board the same ship with us for half a week. It would be a lot easier to say no."
-
> "No, I understand where you're coming from. Believe me, I wish I had a second opinion that was less than 6 hours away."
-
> "No, I understand where you're coming from. Believe me, I wish I had a second opinion that was less than 6 hours away."
>She slowly nods. "It's the captain's decision to make, in any event. I will be informing her of this, you understand?"
-
> "Of course. I expect no less. She'll probably want to know what other information we have about this place, too, whether or not it gets me a ride to Val Razua."
-
> "Of course. I expect no less. She'll probably want to know what other information we have about this place, too, whether or not it gets me a ride to Val Razua."
>"Oh, of course," Neu replies. "I think she'll be pleased, actually. This is the first time we've found some actual evidence of things being amiss."
-
> "Indeed. There's something else amiss, too. When I looked at your captain's door, the lock had been picked. But when I inspected the door of the finance records room, there was nothing unusual about the doorknob. There were alarm enchantments active in the room, too, and Louise said nothing suspicious had happened there recently."
-
> "Indeed. There's something else amiss, too. When I looked at your captain's door, the lock had been picked. But when I inspected the door of the finance records room, there was nothing unusual about the doorknob. There were alarm enchantments active in the room, too, and Louise said nothing suspicious had happened there recently."
>"Well, we always knew the thief had to be very good to make it past the deck watch without being spotted," she says. "But are you saying you think they were someone from inside the customs office?"
-
> Nod.
> "If they're not, they're good enough to get past governmental alarm enchantments without being detected. Which seems pretty incongruous with needing to pick the lock of your captain's door. With all due respect, of course."
> Roll our sleeve back down.
> "It's the other half of why I showed her the mark on my leg. She seemed to be taking pleasure in your captain's anger, and she was doing her best to rush me along without answering too many questions. Figured it was worth an extra little test."
-
> Nod.
> "If they're not, they're good enough to get past governmental alarm enchantments without being detected. Which seems pretty incongruous with needing to pick the lock of your captain's door. With all due respect, of course."
> Roll our sleeve back down.
> "It's the other half of why I showed her the mark on my leg. She seemed to be taking pleasure in your captain's anger, and she was doing her best to rush me along without answering too many questions. Figured it was worth an extra little test."
>"No offense taken," she says. "That does make sense."
>You roll your sleeve back down.
>Neu frowns. "If Miss Saint-Claire is complicit in this, she did a very good job of being surprised at the missing records."
-
> "There is that too, yeah. And I don't know why she wouldn't just replace the records with your transaction wiped from it, just in case this sort of thing happened. As much as she seemed delighted to watch your captain throw a fit, I would have a very time believing she's involved."
-
> "There is that too, yeah. And I don't know why she wouldn't just replace the records with your transaction wiped from it, just in case this sort of thing happened. As much as she seemed delighted to watch your captain throw a fit, I would have a very time believing she's involved."
>"Well, if she isn't involved, then she may be the best positioned to find out who is, assuming it really is someone inside her own department. She does strike me as extremely methodical."
-
> "Wonder if she'll let us around to help."
-
> "Wonder if she'll let us around to help."
>Neu frowns a little. "I'm inclined to think no, actually. She's very 'by the book'. But moreover, I don't know that it would be wise for you to have any further involvement with her, after what happened today. It might make things... complicated."
-
> Frown.
> "I guess. If that ends up being the case, I only hope you don't need me to find those records."
-
> Frown.
> "I guess. If that ends up being the case, I only hope you don't need me to find those records."
>"If she's not involved in the theft, then she has the best resources at her disposal to track an internal problem. And if she isn't, well..." She frowns. "Then I don't think she'd let someone outside have a look, in any case."
>She lets out a small sigh. "Given your... situation... I'm sure this isn't too reassuring, I think it might be best to let her handle it. At least give her some of tomorrow and see what happens. Unless you can suggest a better idea, of course."
-
> Could we dowse for a certain kind of object, given the presence of other similar objects?
-
> Could we dowse for a certain kind of object, given the presence of other similar objects?
>Assuming an object's resonance is distinct enough to sense clearly in the first place, recognizing another object with a similar resonance would be very straightforward. In fact, this is a principle that a lot of your dowsing relies on. Even if you couldn't tell what an object was made from (say, if it were an unknown magical signature) you could still detect a match against this unknown.
-
> "Well. You didn't happen to catch how the records were organized within the filing cabinets, did you?"
-
> "Well. You didn't happen to catch how the records were organized within the filing cabinets, did you?"
>"Oh, I didn't get a look at where they were stored," she says. "I just waited outside until she came and told me what she'd found. Or hadn't found, as it turned out."
-
> "Depending on how they're stored, I may be able to make the process of finding them a bit quicker than it needs to be."
-
> "Depending on how they're stored, I may be able to make the process of finding them a bit quicker than it needs to be."
>Neu's antennae twitch slightly. "Oh? How?"
-
> Jerk a thumb toward one of the dowsing rods.
> "These suckers. If I can pick up some sort of resonance from the containers of the records, I can search around the building for a matching resonance. Of course, if the storage system is just tons of loose papers jammed into those filing cabinets, I'm not going to be useful, but if they're within unique containers of some sort, those containers might have a noticeable resonance that I can latch onto."
-
> Jerk a thumb toward one of the dowsing rods.
> "These suckers. If I can pick up some sort of resonance from the containers of the records, I can search around the building for a matching resonance. Of course, if the storage system is just tons of loose papers jammed into those filing cabinets, I'm not going to be useful, but if they're within unique containers of some sort, those containers might have a noticeable resonance that I can latch onto."
>"I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to answer that," she says. "Though with the volume of records they keep, I'd assumed they merely used standard practices."
-
> "Guess we won't find out until tomorrow, if we ever do."
-
>"Did she mention if she was going to get in touch with the Watch?"
-
> "Guess we won't find out until tomorrow, if we ever do."
>"I should think we'll get an update then, anyway," Neu says. "I hope that even if they can't find the ledgers, it'll raise enough doubt that she'll accelerate a re-licensing."
>"Did she mention if she was going to get in touch with the Watch?"
>"I don't think she was quite ready to admit that the records had been stolen, just misplaced. But there's only so long you believe that if you can't find them, I think."
-
>Sigh.
>Lean against wall of the building.
>"You understand how much I'm not enjoying the thought of twiddling my tail while time ticks away."
-
>Sigh.
>Lean against wall of the building.
>"You understand how much I'm not enjoying the thought of twiddling my tail while time ticks away."
>You sigh and lean against the side of the building.
>"No," she says, shaking her head. "No, I'm sure you don't. But is there anything you can do right now that doesn't risk making things worse?"
-
>.... "Give me a minute to think."
-
>.... "Give me a minute to think."
>Neu nods.
-
>In our experience, have we ever had a joint operation with the Watch? If so, how did it go?
>Not counting when Orange and we beat up that oni thug a few days ago, of course.
-
>In our experience, have we ever had a joint operation with the Watch? If so, how did it go?
>Not counting when Orange and we beat up that oni thug a few days ago, of course.
>You have not. Unlike the Watch, Seekers have no legal authority, so people tend to go to them either for matters they wouldn't expect the Watch to bother with, or matters that they'd rather the Watch not bother with. There are sometimes collaborative efforts, since Seekers frequently possess tracking skills the Watch does not, but these are often strained things; Seekers are well-known to be motivated primarily by self-interest of one sort or another, and often not above bending the law. In most cases, however, the context simply doesn't arise; both groups tend to be pursuing different objectives for different reasons.
-
>From what we know of the Watch's procedure, would they wait until tomorrow before turning...
>Check that. Louise would only stall them as much as she'd stall us.
>"Considering that I've no more idea now how to find those books than I did an hour ago. Considering that Louise isn't likely to let me help until she does her own investigation."
>Clench teeth.
>"... no."
-
>From what we know of the Watch's procedure, would they wait until tomorrow before turning...
>Check that. Louise would only stall them as much as she'd stall us.
>"Considering that I've no more idea now how to find those books than I did an hour ago. Considering that Louise isn't likely to let me help until she does her own investigation."
>Clench teeth.
>"... no."
>You run a few ideas around in your head before grudgingly admitting that you can't think of anything else useful to do. And damn, but that makes you fume right now. You don't want to just sit here and hope it all works out. You want to do something! That's why you're here at all, instead of back in Easthaven waiting to die.
>"I know this may seem hollow," Neu says, traces of a sympathetic frown on her face, "but... I do understand what this must feel like to you. For what it's worth, I'm sorry."
-
>"... How could you know?"
-
>"... How could you know?"
>Her antennae flatten slightly. "I didn't mean to presume," she says. "My apologies."
-
>Eye her up and down.
>Soften expression.
>"Thanks for the sentiment."
-
>Eye her up and down.
>Soften expression.
>"Thanks for the sentiment."
>You eye the moth up and down. She is wearing an uncomfortable and tentative smile, but it does look genuine. She glances at you with concerned eyes, and then away again.
>You soften your expression and Neu seems to relax in kind, her antennae shifting slowly outward.
>She quietly nods. "Is there anything else I can do for you, or should I head back and report what happened to Murasa?"
-
>"What do you plan to tell her? About me, I mean."
-
>"What do you plan to tell her? About me, I mean."
>"What you told me," she replies, "unless there's some part of it that you'd rather keep private which doesn't affect the people around you. I have to tell her of the disease you're carrying, of course. The safety of the crew is her responsibility and this affects them, even if you swear you're not contagious."
-
>"I know, you've only my word. But I swear, if I was contagious, I never would have gotten close to anyone I thought I'd put in harms' way. It's bad enough I have to bear this, I wouldn't inflict it on anyone else."
>"I'll stay off the ship for now, if you and you captain don't want to take any chances until this problem is solved. Murasa's a ghost, so I couldn't infect her if I WAS contagious. If she wants to talk to me, to hear my story from my own lips, I'm willing to, of course. But if she doesn't want to put her people in any more risk, we can talk on dry land."
-
>"I know, you've only my word. But I swear, if I was contagious, I never would have gotten close to anyone I thought I'd put in harms' way. It's bad enough I have to bear this, I wouldn't inflict it on anyone else."
>"I'll stay off the ship for now, if you and you captain don't want to take any chances until this problem is solved. Murasa's a ghost, so I couldn't infect her if I WAS contagious. If she wants to talk to me, to hear my story from my own lips, I'm willing to, of course. But if she doesn't want to put her people in any more risk, we can talk on dry land."
>Neu nods gently. "I'll be sure to let her know. Now, did you want to come back as far as the ship, or did you have somewhere else you'd rather go now? I can have word sent when there's anything to tell you."
-
>Consider.
>"I don't have anywhere else to go. Waiting by the ship's ramp's as good a place as any, since it seems neither one of us are leaving town."
-
>Consider.
>"I don't have anywhere else to go. Waiting by the ship's ramp's as good a place as any, since it seems neither one of us are leaving town."
>She nods again and gestures in the direction of the Blue Maiden. "Shall we return, then?"
-
>Glance back at the custom's office door. If you hadn't been so difficult, we could have found this sooner, given me...
>Pfah. No use complaining now.
>"Let's."
>Follow behind the moth.
-
>Glance back at the custom's office door. If you hadn't been so difficult, we could have found this sooner, given me...
>Pfah. No use complaining now.
>"Let's."
>Follow behind the moth.
>You glance wistfully back at the door to the custom's office, briefly imagining how much better things could have gone... should have gone if Louise wasn't such a... a... You feel your anger rising, but you let it go. It's just a waste of energy now.
>You turn back to Neu and voice your acquiescence. Then the two of you set off for the Blue Maiden.
>You talk even less on return journey than you did on the way out, as consumed as you are with your own thoughts. You've achieved progress of a sort, you suppose, but it feels rather hollow and unsatisfying. It's still up to someone else now, someone you'd wanted to nail to a wall an hour ago, someone who mightn't find a damn thing, and then where are you going to be? And after all this work and frustration and running back and forth, you find yourself uncertain if your ticket out of Braston will even still be waiting for you at the end. Neu occasionally makes an optimistic remark about the outcome of Louise's search, though she is respectful of your reverie. After the passage of a few formless minutes, you find yourself near the ship's berth again. Neu stops and turns to you.
>"I'll come back after I deliver my report," she says.
-
>"I'll be here."
>"Oh, just, one thing I forgot to mention."
>Small smile.
>"You handled Louise well. You make a good negociator."
-
>"I'll be here."
>"Oh, just, one thing I forgot to mention."
>Small smile.
>"You handled Louise well. You make a good negociator."
>Neu gives a sheepish smile at your compliment and her antennae curl inward. "I'm more comfortable with charts and manifests, to be honest, but I do try. Thank you."
>She takes a breath and nods. "I'll be back soon."
>And with that, she turns and crosses the remaining distance to her ship and ascends the gangway. You see her exchange a brief remark with Chisato, still on deck watch, though they're too far away to hear over the general noise of the rest of harbor. You do see the redhead cast an odd look or two in your direction, though. Then Neu disappears below the railing and is gone.
-
>Give Chisato a friendly wave.
>Await the moth's return.
>Keep an eye out for Watch activity, or any sign that someone from customs went to report the 'incident'.
>Do we smoke?
>Hunger status.
-
>Give Chisato a friendly wave.
>Do we smoke?
>Hunger status.
>You give Chisato a friendly wave, and she does return the gesture, albeit a touch awkwardly. She seems vaguely confused, perhaps by why you're still down here. At least she isn't looking at you like you're some sort of pariah, so Neu probably didn't say anything about it to her.
>You most certainly do not. It's always seemed like pretty off-putting stuff to you, better for triggering coughing fits than actually enjoying in any sense.
>Now that you think of it, you are pretty hungry. You had a relatively light breakfast and a similarly light lunch, and you've been on the go for hours since then. You guess you'd been too busy to really notice.
>Await the moth's return.
>Keep an eye out for Watch activity, or any sign that someone from customs went to report the 'incident'.
>You stand around and wait for Neu's return. Minutes pass and then a few more. You find a bench to sit down on, but get tired of that quickly and take to pacing. Time crawls forward. You turn an eye to the crowd every now and again, looking for Watch activity or anything else of note. You do see a couple of watchmen pass by on patrol, but they look nearly as idle as you do. Work and daily life goes on, each man and woman doing their bit as a cog in the bustle that is the harbor's ever-present companion. Life goes on... if only that it would. Still, there is no sign of Neu. You think it's been a half hour now.
-
>Is Chisato still up there?
-
>Is Chisato still up there?
>She is. She sometimes moves around a bit, but generally returns to the same spot afterward. However, she mostly gave up paying any particular attention to you a while ago.
-
> Do we have any food on us?
-
> Do we have any food on us?
>You have a decent supply of traveling rations, recently restocked for the road, and a pear that you picked up at the guild hall at lunchtime.
-
> Eh, why not. Pull out the pear and start working away on it.
-
> Eh, why not. Pull out the pear and start working away on it.
>You retrieve the pear from your pack and brush it off, then start nibbling on it while you wait. It takes only the first bite to pointedly drive home how hungry you are. The rest of the fruit swiftly follows after it, and you find yourself wanting more. There is still no sign of Neu.
-
>Glance around for a handy place to grab a quick bite.
>If none present themselves, give Neu a bit more time.
-
>Glance around for a handy place to grab a quick bite.
>If none present themselves, give Neu a bit more time.
>There are some restaurants a little further off the docks. You can see them from here, but wouldn't actually be able to keep a good eye on the ship from inside. Or be spotted from there, for that matter.
>You decide to wait where you are a little while longer. And longer still. It can't be good for her to be taking this long, can it? Are you really going to be left stranded here, a sky away from whatever hope you have of curing yourself, consigned to find some way to sleep with the knowledge that another week has been cut from what remains of your life? The crowd moves around you, oblivious to the thoughts churning restlessly in your head. Your stomach growls. Out of the corner of your eye, you see a white figure crest the railing of the ship.
-
>With or without wings?
-
Idea on the ethos front: While no medical practitioner had experience with our condition, none of them saw fit to quarantine us. Presumably, if we were carrying a lethal airbrone contagion, we wouldn't be wandering around amongst the general populace, would we?
> Which all healers did we see in the Braston area? Ones we wouldn't need another horse to visit again from our current location.
-
>With or without wings?
>She does indeed have white wings.
> Which all healers did we see in the Braston area? Ones we wouldn't need another horse to visit again from our current location.
>You visited all the physicians you could contact on the list Rinnosuke gave you last night, which totaled about 6. None of them is more distant than 15 minutes or so walk from your current location.
>Neu crests the gangway, exchanging another brief word with Chisato, then descends and approaches you.
-
> Watch her approach, letting her have the first word.
-
> Watch her approach, letting her have the first word.
>You hold your position and watch Neu approach, deciding to let her speak first. You try to get a sense of what sort of news she's coming to deliver, but her bearing is reserved and hard to read. She nods to you once she reaches a comfortable conversation distance.
>"I'm sorry for taking so long," she says. "The captain is willing to speak with you now."
-
> Nod.
> "Thanks."
> Make our way to the captain's quarters.
-
> Nod.
> "Thanks."
> Make our way to the captain's quarters.
>Neu returns your nod graciously, but stays silent.
>You make your way onto the ship and over to Murasa's cabin, Neu following a polite distance behind. Chisato gives you an odd look as you pass by, but also says nothing, glancing uncertainly in Neu's direction instead. Once you reach mid-deck, the moth youkai hangs behind and you cross the last few feet on your own.
-
> Knock.
-
> Knock.
>You knock on the door.
>"Come in," Murasa answers, with perhaps somewhat less enthusiasm than usual.
-
> Inhale.
> Exhale.
> Enter.
-
> Inhale.
> Exhale.
> Enter.
>You take a deep and deliberate breath in the hope of steadying yourself, then open the door and step inside. Murasa is standing back-on to you with her arms folded, looking out a window.
>"You can close that behind you, if you want," she says.
-
> "Okay."
> Close the door behind us.
-
> "Okay."
> Close the door behind us.
>You close the door behind you. Murasa nods and then is quiet a moment.
>"Neu told me what happened," she says. "With Louise and that... other stuff."
-
> "Of course."
-
> "Of course."
>She lets out a sigh. "Look, if what you told her is true, I can't blame you for not letting on. I might've done the same thing in your shoes. But I've got a responsibility to my crew, see, so I can't just shrug and let this go."
>She turns around and gives you a hard look. "You swear you're not contagious?"
-
> "That's all I can do personally. With Minoriko several hours away in Easthaven, I don't have a sny experienced second opinions handy. I guess the best I can tell you is that none of the handful of healers in the area I've seen saw fit to quarantine me. And, for what my word is worth, I would not have gone anywhere near your foodstores if I was contagious."
-
> "That's all I can do personally. With Minoriko several hours away in Easthaven, I don't have a sny experienced second opinions handy. I guess the best I can tell you is that none of the handful of healers in the area I've seen saw fit to quarantine me. And, for what my word is worth, I would not have gone anywhere near your foodstores if I was contagious."
>She slowly nods, though her mouth remains drawn in a tense line. "And I suppose your word is all I'm gonna have to go on here, isn't it?"
-
> "You can ask some of the healers in the area why they let me back out into the public."
-
>"I'd be happy to tell you the particulars about how I got infected, and how isolated an event it is, but I suppose that's just my word, as well. Unless you're willing to travel to Easthaven to check with Minoriko."
-
I'm really gonna have to go through the archives of this game, aren't I?
-
> "You can ask some of the healers in the area why they let me back out into the public."
>"I might," she says.
>"I'd be happy to tell you the particulars about how I got infected, and how isolated an event it is, but I suppose that's just my word, as well. Unless you're willing to travel to Easthaven to check with Minoriko."
>She shakes her head. "We're already days behind and you know it. For that matter, I'm sure you are, too."
>She sighs again. "Look, it's a hell of a place to find yourself in, so don't think I don't care. But it's a lot to ask my crew to take on trust for someone they've barely met. If that's all there was to it, I'd probably just be sending you on your way right now. I'm sorry, but there it is. Be pissed off with me about it if you want to; I know I'd be."
-
>"Is that what you're doing, then?"
-
>"Is that what you're doing, then?"
>She gives you a hard look and her mouth twists slowly. It seems to take her a long time to put voice to the word. "No."
-
>Pause.
>"No?"
-
>Pause.
>"No?"
>"That's what I said, yeah." She doesn't look entirely happy, just the same.
-
>Keep our legs under us.
>"Then... I can still go with you?"
-
>Keep our legs under us.
>"Then... I can still go with you?"
>"Assuming we ever get out of here," she says.
-
>Sag against wall.
>Exhale.
>Relief....
-
>Sag against wall.
>Exhale.
>Relief....
>You sag against the wall and let out a tense breath. It's... hard not to feel a little emotional right now.
>"Neu spent an hour trying to convince me to let you stay," Murasa says, "so make sure you don't make either of us regret it now, hear?"
-
>Even more proof the moth makes a good negotiator.
>Nod to Murasa. We'll manage words in a minute.
-
>Even more proof the moth makes a good negotiator.
>Nod to Murasa. We'll manage words in a minute.
>For someone described two separate times as a sort of pencil-pusher, she seems to do pretty good work with people, too.
>You nod to Murasa, not yet able to put voice to your feelings. The captain returns a look somewhere between a sympathetic smile and an annoyed frown. She, too, is silent.
-
> "So how much did she tell you about Louise?"
-
Add in before:
>Take a moment or three to steady our nerves.
>"Thank you."
-
>Take a moment or three to steady our nerves.
>"Thank you."
>You take another moment to steady yourself, then thank Murasa.
>She waves it off dismissively. "Eh, let's just hope it all works out okay, yeah?"
> "So how much did she tell you about Louise?"
>"Well, she told me she's on the hunt for some files she actually believes are missing now, so that's progress. I can see where you're coming from about this being an inside job, but I'm not so sure myself. Either way, I don't think Louise had a hand in it; she's got too big a rod up her ass to bend the rules, even for herself." She lets out a wry chuckle. "Wish I'd seen her face when she found something actually missing. Though I'd have probably spent the next ten minutes rubbin' it it, so maybe it's better I didn't."
>She lets out a sigh and shrugs. "I say we give her until tomorrow afternoon, and then go hound her again if she hasn't found something. Not sure I'm as hopeful as Neu that they're gonna find anything, but maybe she'll admit we really did get robbed. Who knows? Not sure there's much more to try tonight except yelling at her to go work overtime for us." She rolls her eyes. "I'm sure that'll go over."
-
> "Yeah, I'm not thinking bothering her again today is a good idea."
> Did we have a planned place to spend the evening?
-
I'll be entertaining a cousin of mine for the next few hours, so, no need to wait for me.
>"That'd probably fly about as well as a lead fairy."
-
>"That'd probably fly about as well as a lead fairy."
>"Ha!" she grins. "Sounds about right."
> "Yeah, I'm not thinking bothering her again today is a good idea."
> Did we have a planned place to spend the evening?
>Murasa nods. "Wish I could disagree with you."
>Well, you do live here, so there's always your own apartment...
-
>Push off the wall.
>"Well, there may not be anything I can do about those books, but I CAN thank Neu, at least."
-
>Push off the wall.
>"Well, there may not be anything I can do about those books, but I CAN thank Neu, at least."
>You push yourself upright again.
>Murasa nods.
-
>Turn.
>Pause.
>Turn back.
>"And.... thank you, again."
>If she doesn't stop us, depart and look for Neu.
-
>Turn.
>Pause.
>Turn back.
>"And.... thank you, again."
>If she doesn't stop us, depart and look for Neu.
>You turn to leave, then stop and turn back again.
>"Yeah, yeah..." Murasa says dismissively. "Let's just hope it's worth it, yeah?"
>You wait a moment, but she doesn't seem to have anything further to say, so you exit the cabin and return to the deck. Chisato is basically where you left her, and Neu seems to have taken up reclining on the opposite railing, though she looks rather more pensive than her counterpart. She glances up at you as you emerge, her expression concerned, but a little hard to read.
-
>Approach Neu first.
>"You fought for me."
-
>Approach Neu first.
>"You fought for me."
>You walk over to Neu. She straightens herself up and meets you part-way.
>Her antennae curl inward. "I, um... I don't know that I'd put it quite that way...."
-
>Smile.
>Then, give her a hug.
>"Thank you, Neu, thank you."
-
>Smile.
>Then, give her a hug.
>"Thank you, Neu, thank you."
>You smile at the moth, and then without further warning give her a hug.
>Neu lets out a small cry of surprise and stiffens slightly, her wings fluttering a little. You feel one of her antennae brush briefly across your head before she pulls it back.
>"I, uh... well... I just didn't want to see you stranded..." she stutters out. After a moment's pause, she tentatively puts a hand on your shoulder.
-
>Giggle a little at the feel of her fuzzyness.
>"Well, whatever you said, it worked."
-
We do realize we're hugging someone that knows we are diseased and is likely still not 100% convinced we're not contagious, right? <_<
-
>Giggle a little at the feel of her fuzzyness.
>"Well, whatever you said, it worked."
>You giggle a little, despite yourself.
>Neu's tone sounds rather awkward. "Yes, well..."
>You hear a snicker from the other side of the deck.
-
I know, I know. But, she fought for us, defended us to her captain. She deserves a hug.
Incidentally, did anyone want to do anything between now and tomorrow morning? I was thinking of simply timeskipping after we're done with Neu and Chisato here, to save time. Fewer posts between this and whatever new complication awaits us then.
>Let her go, and back up a couple steps.
>"Sorry, sorry. After the days I've had... Well." Give her another smile. "Means a lot to have someone on your side."
-
I have nothing in particular, but then again I still haven't caught up, and won't have the chance to until the weekend.
-
>Let her go, and back up a couple steps.
>"Sorry, sorry. After the days I've had... Well." Give her another smile. "Means a lot to have someone on your side."
>You let Neu go, then back up a couple of steps. The moth looks rather uncomfortable, but still takes the effort to sketch a hesitant smile.
>She nods slowly. "I... do understand that. I hope we can help you get what you need to in time."
-
>Uncomfortable as in 'I don't like being hugged', or uncomfortable as in 'that bitch better not have infected me..'?
>"Well, this takes care of one issue. Now we just gotta wait for Louise to, hopefully, come up with the goods."
>"I don't know about you two, but, I could use some grub."
-
>Uncomfortable as in 'I don't like being hugged', or uncomfortable as in 'that bitch better not have infected me..'?
>"Well, this takes care of one issue. Now we just gotta wait for Louise to, hopefully, come up with the goods."
>"I don't know about you two, but, I could use some grub."
>She doesn't seem angry with you, at any rate.
>She nods. "Yes, hopefully."
>"I had something to eat before I returned to the ship," she says, "but you're welcome to something from the galley, if you'd like."
-
>"Thanks, but, I think I'll grab something from town, rather than dig into the ship's stores."
>"How 'bout you, Chisato?"
-
>"Thanks, but, I think I'll grab something from town, rather than dig into the ship's stores."
>"How 'bout you, Chisato?"
>"If you'd rather," Neu replies.
>You call over to Chisato, who seems to have something of a smirk on her face at the moment.
>"Nah, I'm still on watch duty for another hour or two," she says.
-
>"Gotcha."
>Give Neu another grateful nod, and an answering smirk to Chisato, then depart the ship in search of foods.
>Time-Jump to the morning.
-
>"Gotcha."
>Give Neu another grateful nod, and an answering smirk to Chisato, then depart the ship in search of foods.
>Time-Jump to the morning.
>You nod appreciatively at Neu again, then flash Chisato a smirk of your own and make your way off the ship in search of something to eat.
>After all the trials of the day, you decide you're in no mood to cook your own supper, so you just drop in at the nearest restaurant you pass which smells good. You end up having honey pork and fried rice at a bustling joint not far from the harbourfront. The food itself is satisfying and reasonably priced, but you find yourself feeling antsy; something seems wrong about sitting here, doing nothing.
>You finish up your plate then take to the streets, wandering about aimlessly in the hope of working off some of your nervous tension. In this, you are only partially successful. The sky starts to dim while you walk and a cool dampness settles into the air; evidently time has continued passing while your mind was absent. As you look up at the clouding sky, you feel a leaden weariness seeping into your limbs. You're more worn out than you'd expected, perhaps more than you'd even noticed; as busy as you've been today, you're still not in peak form from your ordeal of a few days ago. Maybe you should just go home and rest. The moist air tickles the inside of your nose as you draw a deep breath - will it rain tonight, you wonder?
>Eventually, you abandon your wanderings and cross back to the part of town that you know best of all. Almost unconsciously, you find yourself back in front of your own door; elsewhere in the neighbourhood, you can hear a few voices engaged in cheerful conversation - some of them you even recognize. For a brief moment, you think back on your apprenticeship and all the eagerness with which you had anticipated what you've now become. It seems so much longer than a week ago. You pull the small key out of your pocket and slip it inside the lock.
>As you open your door, you notice a small folded note on the floor, just inside your room.
-
>Produce kunai.
>Sniff and look for signs of an intruder.
>If none present themselves, read note.
-
>Produce kunai.
>Sniff and look for signs of an intruder.
>If none present themselves, read note.
>You pull a kunai out of your pack.
>Then you take a good sniff of the room. Cheese... rotten cauliflower... You turn up your nose slightly at that, but it mostly smells like home, really. There are no obvious foreign scents, outside of a trace of ink on the note itself.
>Everything seems normal, so you bend down and pick up the note. It is little more than a piece of plain writing paper, folded in two. The handwriting on it is a little wavy, but otherwise unremarkable. It reads:
>"Nazrin, someone named Chisato came by the guild looking for you. She said to head back to the Blue Maiden right away. Apparently it's important. Naoki."
>You recognize the name as one of the Seeker apprentices.
-
>Musta slipped the note under the door.
>Back to the boat!
-
You're gonna drop that on us and then go to bed?
You are a mlouse, Roger Smith.
> Mental note: Dispose of the rotten cauliflower once we're back home.
-
> Mental note: Dispose of the rotten cauliflower once we're back home.
>You already threw said cauliflower in the trash this morning. You simply hadn't taken the trash itself out yet. You remind yourself to do this once you return.
>Musta slipped the note under the door.
>Back to the boat!
>That does seem likely.
>You leave your apartment, nearly as soon as you've arrived, and head back to the port. The sky continues to shed its light as you walk, the sun finishing its slow retreat beneath the horizon. The district has lost some of its earlier bustle with the coming of dusk, but the traffic here never truly stops. Further to the north, you can hear the oni quarter starting to take on its nighttime character, drunken revels replacing daytime industriousness.
>In contrast with the surrounding harbor, the Blue Maiden is busier than you've yet seen it. Several people are moving about on deck, including one or two that you don't recognize, and Murasa is in the middle of them, seemingly calling out orders of some sort.
-
> Whoa! Wonder if Louise came through after all.
> Head up to the deck, but don't actually get on it yet unless we can secure a place on it that is out of everyone else's way.
-
> Whoa! Wonder if Louise came through after all.
> Head up to the deck, but don't actually get on it yet unless we can secure a place on it that is out of everyone else's way.
>That's a good question!
>You approach the ship and ascend the gangway, hesitating a moment before boarding for fear of getting in someone's way. Murasa glances in your direction as you do so, and then waves you over.
>She flashes you a broad grin as you approach. "You packed to go?"
-
> Uh...
> Did we pack to go before lookiing for a ship?
> If not, do we feel comfortable leaving home for a week with our current on-hand stuff?
-
> Uh...
> Did we pack to go before lookiing for a ship?
> If not, do we feel comfortable leaving home for a week with our current on-hand stuff?
>You've been relatively packed in general, but didn't make an explicit effort to finalize this before investigating the possibility of transport.
>You have mostly all of your tools and supplies with you, and restocked your rations this afternoon. You do not, however, have any changes of clothing with you. You suppose it's a matter of personal opinion how comfortable this leaves you.
-
> Give a slight frown.
> "I would be for sure if I was told you were leaving. As it is, I could do it, but I only have the one change of clothes."
-
> Give a slight frown.
> "I would be for sure if I was told you were leaving. As it is, I could do it, but I only have the one change of clothes."
>"Go grab what you need," she says, waving you off. "As long as you're quick about it. And sorry for the lack of warning - this was a surprise to me, too. I'll fill you in when you get back."
-
> "Okay."
> Quick, to home!
-
> "Okay."
> Quick, to home!
>Murasa nods and goes back to coordinating people, while you beat a hasty retreat from the ship and dash back home. Your earlier weariness seems muted now - there are more important things to deal with!
>You cover the distance in close to half the time it took you last, and arrive back in front of your door feeling just a little winded.
-
> Enter while pondering how to properly dispose of that cauliflower properly so our place doesn't stink to high heaven when we get home after the trip.
-
> Enter while pondering how to properly dispose of that cauliflower properly so our place doesn't stink to high heaven when we get home after the trip.
>You step inside your apartment once more.
>There is a dumpster around the corner that services the row of apartments. All you would need to do is take your small amount of trash over there.
-
> Let's take care of that now.
> Dispose of our trash in the dumpster, then bring our garbage receptacle back to our room.
-
> Let's take care of that now.
> Dispose of our trash in the dumpster, then bring our garbage receptacle back to our room.
>You decide to take out the trash first, grabbing your small and mostly empty waste bin and taking it down the row, where you unload its contents into the dumpster. Then you return to your apartment and place the waste basket back where you found it.
-
> How many changes of clothes do we own?
> Are they all the same as our current outfit?
> How much room do we have in whatever bags and other carrier things for full changes of clothes?
-
> How many changes of clothes do we own?
> Are they all the same as our current outfit?
> How much room do we have in whatever bags and other carrier things for full changes of clothes?
>You have 3 other outfits, including a coat for colder weather. At the moment, there's also the clothes you borrowed from Ichirin, although they don't fit quite so well as the rest.
>Curiously enough, yes. The place had been having a 4 for 1 sale.
>You pack has a decent bit of stuff in it at the moment, but you could still shove a few outfits down there if you used a combination of finesse and elbow grease.
-
> Grab two outfits and the coat and shove 'em in. We can do laundry as needed.
-
> Grab two outfits and the coat and shove 'em in. We can do laundry as needed.
>You take two changes of clothing and your coat, and shove them into your pack. The later article in particular takes some squeezing, but you manage to fit it in eventually.
-
> Good enough.
> Lock up behind us, and get back to the ship.
-
> Good enough.
> Lock up behind us, and get back to the ship.
>You decide that this is good enough, so you lock your place up behind you, and dash back to the Blue Maiden.
>Movement on the deck has died down by the time you return, though Murasa and a couple others are still present. The former looks over in your direction as you board and nods to you.
>"All set?" she asks.
-
> Nod back.
> "Ready when you are."
-
> Nod back.
> "Ready when you are."
>"Good." She cranes her head back towards the wheelhouse and calls out. "Neu! Do we have everyone, now?"
>"All crew present and accounted for, captain!" the moth calls back.
>"Then let's put this place behind us as fast as possible!"
>"Aye, aye, captain!"
>Murasa turns back to you. "I'll fill you in after we're underway. You can stay up here if you want, or go get settled in. Your room's third on the left, downstairs."
-
> "I think I'll settle in there, just to get out of everyone else's way. Should I go find you or will you find me?"
-
> "I think I'll settle in there, just to get out of everyone else's way. Should I go find you or will you find me?"
>"Eh, just pop back up when you feel like it," she says. "Once we're out of Braston, it should be smooth sailing for while. Don't need to worry too hard about distracting people, either; we know what we're doing."
-
> Do we remember how to get downstairs?
> "Okay. I'll go search you out once I'm ready, then."
-
> Do we remember how to get downstairs?
> "Okay. I'll go search you out once I'm ready, then."
>Yes. The stairs are just on the other end of the deck from the wheelhouse.
>She nods. "You know where to find me."
-
> "Yep. And thanks again."
> Head downstairs and find this so-called 'third door on the left'.
-
> "Yep. And thanks again."
> Head downstairs and find this so-called 'third door on the left'.
>She shrugs. "Yeah, well... don't mention it."
>You head downstairs while Murasa crosses over to the wheelhouse and starts barking orders with enthusiastic bruskness. More quietly, you hear Neu relaying and coordinating. As you descend the steps, you hear several dull metallic clanking sounds - possibly the gangway being retracted - followed soon after by the deep hum of the engines warming up. This really is it, isn't it?
>What you assume to be the 'third door on the left' is not difficult to find. It's in the first stretch of the lower deck hallway, before it branches around the cargo shaft, and actually opposite Chisato's quarters.
-
> Enter and check out our new digs.
-
> Enter and check out our new digs.
>You open the door and take a look at your new room. In design, it is an exact mirror of Chisato's, though even more spartan in furnishings. There is a narrow bed built into the wall to the right of the entrance - little more than a shelf, really - and a wooden end table attached to the adjacent wall, beneath a small window that offers a decent view of the harbor at the moment. The bed is without any bedding and there is virtually nothing else in the room, though at least it looks clean.
-
> Pull out our clothes and lay the on the shelf-bed for the time being. Guess they're draping over the table later, but it beats wrinkling and taking up space in the pack.
-
>Once we get settled in, put down our pack and go back up on deck. Stay out of the way of the crew, of course, but, this... Lord above. We're really leaving.
>Before leaving cabin, pinch tail. And find the key, if any, to room lock.
-
> Pull out our clothes and lay the on the shelf-bed for the time being. Guess they're draping over the table later, but it beats wrinkling and taking up space in the pack.
>You take your sparing clothing out of your pack and lay them out on the bed, straightening some of the more squashed bits.
>Once we get settled in, put down our pack and go back up on deck. Stay out of the way of the crew, of course, but, this... Lord above. We're really leaving.
>Before leaving cabin, pinch tail. And find the key, if any, to room lock.
>Then you doff your pack and set it beside the bed. You take a deep breath. You're really on your way, aren't you? Val Razua has long been an aspiration of yours, even before all this. And now...? You swing your tail around and give it a pinch, if only to convince yourself that you haven't nodded off somewhere on the other end of town and this is all a wishful daydream. The wince this action produces feels rather genuine, though. Besides, if you were really going to dream a better reality for yourself, you can think of a few other things you'd change first... Shaking your head, you decide to head back up to the deck so that you can watch Braston fade into the distance in person.
>The door does have a lock, but you don't see a key handy. A brief inspection of the drawers in the end table finds them empty as well. There really isn't anywhere else here to hide a key, so you suppose you may have to ask someone about that. You leave without locking up.
>The whir of the engines intensifies as you move back down the hallway and you feel a small vibration go through the floor beneath you. As you crest the deck again, you can see the main rotors spinning furiously above the sides of the ship, at the rear, their form a blur of whirling metal. They're actually quite loud in comparison to the small regional ferries you've taken before, though you suppose you'll get used to the noise. Besides, the more power they can put out, the faster you'll get where you're going, you figure. A couple crewmen are posted along the sides of the deck and seem to be keeping an eye on the surrounding dock structure, while Murasa stands near the wheelhouse, directing things.
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>Find a place along the deck that seems relatively out of the way to stand.
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>Find a place along the deck that seems relatively out of the way to stand.
>The deck is still quite spacious compared to the number of people on it, so it's not difficult to find a clear spot to perch. You wander over to an unoccupied section of the railing and look out at the Expanse in the distance.
>"Send up the departure signal!" you hear Murasa call out. "And prepare to leave dock!" A chorus of 'aye's answer her.
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>Close eyes for a moment and smile.
>Draw a deep breath, and open eyes.
>Look back at Braston below us as we depart. We'll be BACK.
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>Close eyes for a moment and smile.
>Draw a deep breath, and open eyes.
>Look back at Braston below us as we depart. We'll be BACK.
>You close your eyes for a moment and smile. This is it...
>You draw a deep breath of the damp dusk air and open your eyes. As you do, you hear a metallic groaning sound from the ship's aft, followed by a dull thud. The vessel lurches forward, but you catch your balance before stumbling. With a little well-concealed chagrin you notice that no one else on deck even wavered that much.
>You look back at Braston as the Blue Maiden begins to depart. The other vessels and people dotting the harborfront slowly drift further and further away. You swear to yourself that this will not be the last time you lay eyes on the city. Fame and fortune may always have lain elsewhere, but this is different. You are going to find a way to beat this Blight and you're going to return triumphant. You will accept nothing else.
>"10 degrees to starboard!" Murasa calls out.
>"10 degree to starboard, aye!" Neu echoes.
>You hear a few shifting sounds and the vessel's course angles slightly to the left. You slowly pick up speed as you glide out of the harbor.
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>Spare a moment to think about Orange. We never met her after we got back to town. She doesn't know.... Always figured we'd beat you out of town, Orange, but like this? Sorry, old friend. We should have told you. But we'll be back, don't you worry.
>Another moment for Ichirin. That dear woman.... The danger we asked you to take on...
>Life our heads towards Ichirin.... Easthaven. We may not be the praying kind, but... "Heavens keep you all safe." Then grin. "And when your problems and mine are done, then we all party."
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>Spare a moment to think about Orange. We never met her after we got back to town. She doesn't know.... Always figured we'd beat you out of town, Orange, but like this? Sorry, old friend. We should have told you. But we'll be back, don't you worry.
>Another moment for Ichirin. That dear woman.... The danger we asked you to take on...
>Life our heads towards Ichirin.... Easthaven. We may not be the praying kind, but... "Heavens keep you all safe." Then grin. "And when your problems and mine are done, then we all party."
>As Braston shrinks away behind you, you find yourself lost within your own thoughts. You think of Orange and Ichirin, of past hopes and things left unsaid, of dangers left behind and those still ahead. The warm lights of the city paint a striking image against a sky of dusky blue. You spare a moment to wish well for those you are apart from, and swear to return to them in better days. And there will be better days. Before you even realize it, the cityscape has lost all definition, leaving nothing but a yellow glow on the horizon.
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>"Three days to go..."
>Is Murasa still ordering her peons around?
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>"Three days to go..."
>Is Murasa still ordering her peons around?
>Well, at least idling around here feels a lot more productive than idling around Braston.
>After you were decently clear of the harbor, things seemed to quiet down a bit. At the moment, she seems to just be chatting with a crewman.
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>Time for some answers, then.
>Approach Murasa.
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>Time for some answers, then.
>Approach Murasa.
>You walk over to Murasa, who breaks off her conversation with the sailor when she notices you approach, sending her off to her duties with a nod. She takes a step towards you.
>"So, I suppose you wanna know what happened, right?"
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>"Thought crossed my mind."
>Smirk and chuckle shortly. "Not that I'm about to complain, either way."
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>"Thought crossed my mind."
>Smirk and chuckle shortly. "Not that I'm about to complain, either way."
>"That makes two of us," she says with a snicker. "But it turns out Louise decided to pull some overtime on our part. Those missing ledgers really stuck in her craw, I guess; I'm glad you thought to have her look for them."
>"Anyhow, it turns out it was actually a good thing we bought that as far back as we did. See, they'd been using some sorta older filing system for their accounts back then, and a little while after Louise took over, a lot of those old records were transcribed over to the new system and the originals tossed away in some dusty attic somewhere. After you and Neu left, she decided to go rooting around there, and, whaddaya know, she found the old ledgers. With an entry for us, right where it was supposed to be." She grins. "Oh man, but Louise looked pissed when I saw her after. Like, not just her regular 'I'm sorry, but I don't give two shits about your problem', but honest to god fuming underneath that smile." Her sarcastic rendition of Louise's mannerisms is spot-on. "I tried not to smile too much."
>"Anyhow, she had our permit reissued immediately. Said she's gonna launch a full internal investigation and everything."
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>"Let's hear it for redundant archives."
>"But to be honest, captain, something about this sticks in my craw a little, too. I mean, obviously, I'm pleased as punch at the outcome, but whoever took her books, and your paper, is still out there. This is the second time now I've had to leave a place without seeing if something I was involved in was resolved. For all parties concerned, I mean."
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>"Let's hear it for redundant archives."
>"But to be honest, captain, something about this sticks in my craw a little, too. I mean, obviously, I'm pleased as punch at the outcome, but whoever took her books, and your paper, is still out there. This is the second time now I've had to leave a place without seeing if something I was involved in was resolved. For all parties concerned, I mean."
>"Yeah, I hear ya," she says, then shrugs. "Maybe Louise'll dig something up, maybe she won't. I'll be glad if she does, but right now I'm a hell of a lot more glad just to be out of there. I imagine that goes for you too, considering your, well..." She frowns a little.
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>"Oh, believe me, cap'n, I can stand a little unfinished business right now."
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>"Oh, believe me, cap'n, I can stand a little unfinished business right now."
>She nods. "I'm just as happy for that to be someone else's problem now, myself."
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>"And with any luck, Louise and the watch'll have the thief tracked down before either one of us gets back here. There. Whatever."
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>"And with any luck, Louise and the watch'll have the thief tracked down before either one of us gets back here. There. Whatever."
>Murasa snickers. "Here's hoping." Something about her eyes makes you wonder if she's a little doubtful of this.
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>"So, captain, while I'm aboard, is there something I can do to help out around here? I may not know much about airships, but I'm a pair of free hands, if you need em."
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>"So, captain, while I'm aboard, is there something I can do to help out around here? I may not know much about airships, but I'm a pair of free hands, if you need em."
>"Eh, I don't think there'll be too much to do that you can really help with," she says, "unless you're talking about unloading on the other end. Maybe clean-up? I dunno. I suppose if something comes to mind, I'll let you know."
>She frowns slightly. "We, uh, didn't really have time to get your room prepped, so if you want some sheets and stuff, go talk to Miyuki; she's probably down in the galley right now. Oh, and we run a pretty casual ship here, so help yourself to the food whenever you're hungry."
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>"May's well do that now, then."
>What sort of creatures live in this part of the Expanse? Is fishing common/advisable?
>Do we even like fishing?
Mod edited for cleanup purposes
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>"May's well do that now, then."
>What sort of creatures live in this part of the Expanse? Is fishing common/advisable?
>Do we even like fishing?
>Murasa nods. "Sure thing."
>The Great Expanse is more empty sky than anything else; that's basically where its name comes from, being the longest navigable network of aether currents in all of Gensokyo. You think there are some colonies of birds which nest on scattered and mostly inaccessible islets dotting parts of the region, and you've heard rumors of a Tengu colony or two hidden away somewhere, though no one knows quite where. Of course, tales abound of what can be found beyond the navigable skyways, but you suspect most of them are just that: tales. Every now and again comes a reputable report of some strange creature dwelling in the open sky, but you believe most crossings are made without ever encountering more than the occasional bird. Consequently, 'fishing' isn't really something that's done out here.
>You have little particular opinion on fishing of a more traditional sort, having little real experience with it. It was neither a major industry nor common pastime in Estval.
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> Do we know who Miyuki is?
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> Do we know who Miyuki is?
>Murasa mentioned her name once before - in the context of laying away food supplies, you think - but that's about it.
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> "Will I know Miyuki when I see her, or should I be watchful of any particular person?
> Watch as Chapter 7 of our life as a Seeker fades into the horizon alongside Braston.
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> Watch as Chapter 7 of our life as a Seeker fades into the horizon alongside Braston.
>Accompanied by glibly poignant music, the last vestiges of Braston fade into the misty distance. A still shot of your face looks wistfully into the sunset. Wait, didn't the sun set an hour ago? A disembodied voice asks rhetorical questions about what lies ahead of you. The credits start to scroll. Gah, where the hell did they come from? They're in your face! You can't even see...
>"Captain!" a voice cries. "It's a graphomancer!"
>"Shit!"
>The deck shudders beneath the torrent of ponderous prose crashing against it and the engines groan frightfully. You try in vain to wave the damn things out of your face, but more continue to descend from the sky with each passing moment.
>Will the Blue Maiden survive this assault?
>Will Nazrin ever find a cure for the Blight?
>Will the narrator watch where he's aiming those captions?
>Find out on the next episode of Nazrin Quest Z !