Author Topic: Chapter 3 - Forgive Us Our Debts  (Read 13185 times)

Offline dman

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #100 on: July 07, 2020, 01:53:48 PM »
Hank drops all facetious pretense. His face darkens and his hands begin to burn. As he opens his mouth his expression softens suddenly and the flames wink out as a new thought occurs to him. "Lucy, why do you do what you do? I mean what motivates you? Why do you serve the Red Guard?" Hank earnestly pleas. "Lucy, I know it may be difficult, but please, answer without disassembling."

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Offline Skyrock

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #101 on: July 07, 2020, 02:59:15 PM »
Lusica hesitates a short moment. "I serve the Cardinalesse, because she only cares about people being loyal and useful to her, not about heritage or pedigree or creed, and if you manage to live up to her standards, she will reward you too. The Blue Guard wouldn't accept a foreign commoner like me, nor would the White Guard accept someone who did... the things I had to do to survive when I first came here. That is, if they saw any use in a weak little damsel like me."

She hesitates a short moment more.

"And... There is someone young I care about, someone who will hopefully grow up better than me and not be forced to do the same things and mistakes I did."

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Offline dman

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #102 on: July 07, 2020, 06:42:37 PM »
Hank let's out a deep sigh as if blowing out the last vestiges of fire and wrath that had been building inside him. With damp eyes he croaks softly, "Thank you for telling us the truth. As you feel for your young one so I do for Nadja and for all these stalwart professionals." Hank wipes his eyes and motions to the group. "Lucy, let's agree to protect each other's precious ones come thick or thin."

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"Would it be possible to meet this young one who holds your heart? Is there anything we can do to assist you and yours?"

Offline Skyrock

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #103 on: July 07, 2020, 07:12:36 PM »
Lusica hesitates once again. "I can't promise to let go off Nadja for all times, not as long as she covers this phony 'von Lindenfeld' woman - but ah, that angle doesn't seem to lead to anything anyway. I can leave her alone for now if that is good enough for you, I have more pressing business about the missing girl anyway. Besides, I really have pity for her. If anyone would spend half as much effort to crush the self-esteem of my little pumpkin and convince her that her hair colour makes her less than a real person..."

She tenses up once again when talk comes to meeting her child.

"I've already put her to bed, so, if you promise not to excite her too much... I don't want her be cranked up for half the night."

Lusica finally lets you into her room. It is small and rather cramped, but sufficient for a single adult. In the bed lies a little girl, maybe 5 or 6 years old, who shares the slight build, black hair and dark skin of her mother - although she seems a good bit lighter-skinned. Lusica takes position behind her and grips her shoulders, her mien a mixture of protectiveness and pride.

"Melina, these are friends of Mommy who wanted to say 'good night' to you before they go. Be a good little pumpkin and wish them also a 'good night', we will then say our prayers and go to sleep."

Offline skydragonknight

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #104 on: July 07, 2020, 10:30:31 PM »
Mist smiles at the child and waves. She normally disliked children, since the children of the big folk would often bully her, but the child's small stature gave her a feeling of kinship even if they shared no ancestry.

But she couldn't afford to be distracted by sentimentality. She was not Hank.

"We won't disturb you any longer. If we find any new information or need to request services, we can leave a message here?"

Hmm.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #105 on: July 07, 2020, 10:48:51 PM »
The very large Niko had barely been paying attention as Hank talked too much once he decided that Lusica wasn't going to do anything threatening.

He snaps back to attention when she opens the door and introduces them to her child.  Giving Peri a reassuring pat to let her know that everyone here is a friend,  he says "Goodnight little one."

Offline dman

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #106 on: July 07, 2020, 10:52:42 PM »
"Hi Melina.  I'm Hank.  It's very nice to meet you.  You're mother works very hard to take good care of you, and we'll do what we can to help her.  Let me pray and sing a blessing over you.
Lord, you say that religion that is pure is this: to protect widows and orphans in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. Protect and provide for sweet Melina and Lucy by the power of your blood.  Deliver them from every power of evil that lurks without and within, remind them that you are always with them, and lead them in the path of righteousness to eternal victory by your grace.  The Lord bless you and keep you. Make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.  The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Amen. 

Sleep well, child.

Please take this for Melina." Hank hands Lucy a pouch of 100gp. "And let us know if you ever need anything.

While you are quite the raconteuse, I'm glad we're friends for real.

Oh and if you need information just deal with us directly."
« Last Edit: July 17, 2020, 07:22:59 PM by dman »

Offline Raineh Daze

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #107 on: July 08, 2020, 12:40:29 AM »
Yuki says something that is probably some form of good night, but it's hard to tell.

At least controlling Lusica if she misbehaves would be quite easy, now.

Offline Skyrock

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #108 on: July 08, 2020, 10:08:52 AM »
"Now that's a nice gift. Say 'thank you', little pumpkin."

After she has taught her little girl politeness, Lusica turns to Mist.

"Why, yes, you can always leave messages for me here, especially if you learn something about the missing girl." Lusica hesitates for a moment, looks at the generous gift, gives a cautious look to the door making sure it is properly closed, and then adds something in a low tone. "I really hope that I can find her. From what I have heard about the White Guard, they seem to get increasingly impatient, and not to care that much anymore about whether they catch her dead and alive. I don't know what my mistress wants from this Tanya, but it isn't her death, she has made it clear that she must stay alive in the light of the current rumors."

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Your trip back to the Frog & Egg Inn is uneventful. The table of your companions is easy to spy - there are some empty mugs piling up where Nadja and Fuyuko are sitting, and some full mugs where Tanya and Cori used to sit. Both are up fending off "new friends" offering "free" drinks to the drunken redhead and tipsy snow-wife. Both of the sober women seem to be extremely glad to see you back.

Tanya looks triumphantly at one of the ruffians. "Told you that their spouses would return any minute. You should beat it now before they get angry."

The ruffians don't seem impressed with the threats of a delicate noblewoman, and keep pestering the group.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #109 on: July 08, 2020, 11:57:44 AM »
Niko growls and Peri growls right along with him. 

"Too late, already angry."

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Offline Raineh Daze

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #110 on: July 08, 2020, 11:58:21 AM »
"Before" they get angry may be a bit late from Yuki's estimation, going for the fairly blatant option of walking up to the ruffians and jamming an elbow into one's gut. Not with intent to kill... but nonetheless, perhaps a bit excessive.

"She said leave. Get away from them, and take him with you."

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Offline Skyrock

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #111 on: July 08, 2020, 12:01:55 PM »
The ruffians are not very impressed by Niko's antics, but Yuki manages to knock one of them out cold in a single stroke. The rest decides to scramble, not having expected any actual resistance.

Offline dman

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #112 on: July 08, 2020, 11:17:08 PM »
"I see that leaving Fuyuko and Nadja together worked out about as well as I expected.  The Lord bless you.  Next time please take an escort from the Plamvashti Orli.  I'm glad at least that no one got hurt."

Hank looks down at the unconscious man that Yuki leveled. "Almost no one anyway..."

"So what do we know about Otto and how shall we ambush him?  We could spy on him to determine his habits. If we can draw him out we could do a considerable amount of damage with our archers and then have the heavies jump him as he closes while we continue to pepper him at range."
« Last Edit: July 09, 2020, 12:27:27 PM by dman »

Offline Raineh Daze

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #113 on: July 09, 2020, 01:40:27 AM »
"They weren't too much trouble, were they?" Yuki asks, immediately ignoring the downed man. There was nothing of interest about him, after all, he had just been a target to make a point. Not that she thought Fuyuko was in terrible damage from drunks, or likely to have her interest wander too much... but any resulting deaths would be unusual at best.

Offline dman

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #114 on: July 09, 2020, 10:18:26 AM »
"No, you're right. They didn't really cause any trouble. I appreciate Fuyuko's carefree attitude. I was just hoping that Nadja would be a little more careful about the drink and a lot more intentional about her spiritual development. It's true that there are many who practice intoxication to touch the supernatural, but I've found it either leads to the unhealthy trap of seeking oblivion or attracts the attention of dark powers." Hank looks down at the unconscious man.  "I don't mean to cause offense or to be overprotective. I just want to see Nadja restored."
« Last Edit: July 09, 2020, 10:24:08 AM by dman »

Offline Raineh Daze

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #115 on: July 09, 2020, 11:48:52 AM »
"I was asking Tanya."

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #116 on: July 09, 2020, 11:58:03 AM »
Niko rolls his eyes.

Offline dman

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #117 on: July 09, 2020, 12:41:56 PM »
Hank rubs his eyes. "I guess I have been a little preoccupied lately." He pauses for a moment. "You know Yuki, that may be the nicest thing you've ever said to me."  A playful grin slowly spreads across his face as he gazes at the dismissive ninja.

Offline Skyrock

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #118 on: July 09, 2020, 01:34:43 PM »
Tanya gives a forced smile. "It could have been easier for me, if it had been two women babysitting one drunken girl, not the other way around..."

Fuyuko lifts her mug and pipes up cheerfully: "Some nice men looked after us to see if we were thirsty, and then gave us free drinks to make sure we're fine. Tanya didn't want hers and then said mean things to them."

Tanya rolls her eyes: "Fuyuko, those drinks were not free. They wanted to turn us more pliable, and then to make you... unfaithful."

Fuyuko looks dumbfounded and surprised. "Humans do that, give small gifts pretending to do a small favour but just to gain a big favour?" Looking embarassed, she takes the half-empty mug away from half-asleep Nadja and moves the entire ensemble out of their easy reach. "I just thought they liked us."

Nadja smiles and pats her shoulder. "You are getting better at learning the wicked ways of men, Fuyuko", quietly mouthing At least I hope so. "But before you ask, no, nothing happened but what you saw. Ah, and Jakov's service has become worse, he seems to be miffed that there wasn't a big pay-out."

Offline dman

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Re: Chapter 3: Forgive Us Our Debts
« Reply #119 on: July 09, 2020, 03:03:27 PM »
Cori responds, "I'm sorry, Hank.  Дейвид was excited about the crowds that the mission was drawing for his new play, and he begged me to lead out two songs. (It was great, by the way.) Things seemed fine here.  It wasn't until I came back and saw the men and the drinks that I realized I should never have left."

Hank responds, "It's alright, Cori.  At least you can see now why I wanted you all to stay together and have an escort.  Next time please listen to me instead of Дейвид.  I'll talk to him about it later.

Well, everyone. I'm getting tired I say we either discuss our next move or go to bed.  What do you think?"