switzerland ♔ the words tightening around my throat

[silverguardian]

WHO || Nyna, Cara, Felicity, Stiles
WHAT || The Knights are sent to hear about a prospective job from an art collector
WHERE || Bern, Switzerland
WHEN || April 13th, 2015
HOW || Actionspam

The streets of Bern swell with the myriad sights and scents of its industry: the wood and polish of carpenters' shops, tantalizing aromas wafting from dozens of bakeries, and the heavy oil scent of artists.  Meanwhile, hundreds of rich colors give the district an appearance of a holiday festival.  The townhouse of Asheron Coyl comes into view, perched on a small rise that overlooks the street.  A low fence covered in vines abuts the street.  A gate opens onto a flagstone path that wends past frozen flower beds, fountains, and sculpted shrubs to the front doors.  A bell hangs next to the gate, reading "Please ring bell" in several languages.  With an 11 disguise check, Nyna didn't really bother to dress all fancy, opting instead for her paladin armor, sorry guys.   She can be the sexy bodyguard.  

Comments

[allmydreams]

[Felicity raises an eyebrow at the guards, crossing her arms in front of her chest before speaking (bluff 27).]

Your boss was the one who asked for an appraiser. You wouldn't want him to unveil a forgery in front of all of these people, would you?

[killingtodeath]

[Stiles' eyes go wide as he's pulled to his feet. Dang girl. He brushes himself off and gestures the way they need to keep moving. Onward to the fire alarm!!]

[mordsith]

[As Felicity tries to sell herself off as an appraiser, Cara simply nods trying to back up that claim.]

It would be very unfortunate to allow his name and reputation to falter due to your mistake. [putting another 18 down for intimidate]

[silverguardian]

[ the guards scowl, but let them through, just as belfor is reaching for the cloth on top of the painting. he looks over at them, his hand staying a moment. "What is this?" he asks, just as nyna and stiles reach the alarm ]

[killingtodeath]

[Is anyone even watching him? He'll try to pull the alarm with a sleight of hand of 18 just to avoid immediate suspicion. Fingers crossed we can get some innocent people out of here.]

[allmydreams]

[Felicity keeps her cool as she makes her way closer, dropping her voice as she does so that it stays between them and not heard by the rest of the room (diplomacy 21).]

I thought you might want to verify that the painting is what it's supposed to be. To avoid any ... embarrassment in front of your guests?

[silverguardian]

[ a loud alarm goes blaring through the room, and heads snap up in surprise and confusion before nyna shouts: ] Everybody out! [ and a stampede starts for the door.

meanwhile, belfor is cut off from responding by the sound, but blinks before looking around saying: "Er, er yes, yes, but what is this? A fire?" he looks rather alarmed, turning to his bouncers like the fuck ]

[allmydreams]

[Okay, so maybe that alarm was a little sooner than expected, but she can roll with this. She immediately shifts tacks and glances around to the rest of the people to make sure they're all leaving the same way, before turning back to Belfor with a very serious expression on her face (diplomacy 24 in case she needs to roll again?).]

This painting may not be what you think it is. The last person one of them was delivered to is dead. We need to get it away from all of these people - is there another exit where we can get out quickly?

[silverguardian]

[ "Er... through... the kitchen, I imagine? I don't understand. What-- what harm could a painting be?" ]

[mordsith]

Allow us to ensure your safety and we shall inspect the painting so that you will not find the same fate as the other owner. [She tries to look as serious as this matter requires. (action pt, Intimidate 19)]

We do not have much time.

[allmydreams]

[Felicity reaches for her phone and texts Stiles, saying that they're going to head out through the kitchen, and then turns back to Belfor with a nod.]

Please. We just don't want anyone to get hurt.

[silverguardian]

[ he doesn't look like he's ready to protest, just looks confused and (understandably) freaked out about his house possibly being on fire????

"Of course, of course, but my house--" ]

[mordsith]

[Oh... right, the alarm.]

The fire department is on the way. I am sure your property will be salvaged.

[allmydreams]

[She nods in agreement.]

And it will be all the safer once we determine whether or not the painting is what we think it is.

[silverguardian]

[ he nods hesitantly, and then leads them out through the kitchen towards the outside, allowing them to carry out the still wrapped painting as the people run out the other exits in a panic. as they head out they would pass a painting that depicts the host standing with asheron coyl and a gray-haired woman. ]

[allmydreams]

[Felicity catches that as they move (spot 16) and pauses, frowning at the painting for only a moment, before moving on and heading towards the exit so that they can take care of this. She's also hoping that Stiles and Nyna will meet them there.]

[mordsith]

[Cara will help keep people moving the right way, instead of trying to follow them, because more people this way is not good. She just shoos them toward the rest of the fleeing people and will head to the exit too. She doesn't notice any painting.]

[killingtodeath]

[Stiles only got a 13 spot so idek if he saw then leave. BUT THAT DOESNT MATTER BC FELICITY TEXTED HIM WHOOPS. He nudged Nyna and points toward the kitchen so they can head that way too and meet the rest of the gang.]

[silverguardian]

[ they all make it outside together, where belfor is fretfully looking back at his building like he expects it to burst into flames in front of his eyes.

"Now would someone please tell me what's going on here?"

nyna nods at the covered painting, looking to cara and felicity. ] That it?

[allmydreams]

[Felicity nods as the painting is placed on the ground and she gestures for them all to stand back.]

Asheron Coyl is dead because someone - we think the same person who delivered this painting to you - gave him a painting that had some kind of paint creature inside it. We just don't want the same thing to happen to you.

[killingtodeath]

[He leans over to Nyna and says quietly:]

I'm thinking we should burn it?

[silverguardian]

[ she nods. ] Care to do the honors?

[ belfor scratches his head, fretfully stepping back from the painting. "I have seen many artists attempt to take revenge on me in the past, but this is a new low." ]

[allmydreams]

[Felicity pauses for the moment, shifting so that she was standing between Belfor and the painting, just in case it decided to spring to life, before glancing back to the man in confusion because ... what?]

Why are artists taking revenge on you, exactly?

[killingtodeath]

[Sadly, Stiles doesn't have a lighter on him :( So for now, he'll just wait for Felicity to pry more info out of the guy.]

[mordsith]

[Cara also does not have a lighter. She doesn't exactly have pockets on this thing. She glances to the crowd in the distance, trying to see if she sees anyone opting to smoke while they wait for the fire department. (except she crit failed her spot check...)]