slovechnia ♔ we've expelled the goodness from our hearts

[princesmarming]

♬ The Big Freeze - Muse

WHO || Valentin Milosovici, Francesca, Tia, Thoster, Andie, Miles [closed]
WHAT || The Knights investigate the state of things at the Palace during a fancy soiree.
WHERE || The Royal Castle; Milosogoraht, Slovechnia
WHEN || Jan 9, evening|
HOW || Actionspam, don't sweat tag order!

Much smaller than the Knight's castle, but still large in its own right, the Slovechnian royal home has stood as nothing but a historical monument since the royal family was overthrown decades ago. Now, however, Valentin has reclaimed it as his own ancestral home. It's hardly a welcoming locale, however. The great halls are lined with so many weapons that if you walk too close to them, you're bound to get pricked. Many of the rooms have been declared off limits to guests and are marked off with cordons.

The Knights have spent several weeks in town, gathering intelligence on the country's current state.  Already, things are better off than they were when the last team visited:  the previous aura of unrest in the air is dissipated, people are returning to work, helping each other, picking up the pieces where they can.  The new King has instituted many economic reforms off the bat, that, while more brilliant than anything he could have come up with on his own, are no doubt effective.

There are, however, rumors, that no new Shadowkind have been arriving in the country, which seems suspicious of its own right, even if they can't find any evidence of slave ownership in the city.   Now is their chance to deal with the man himself, however, as there's a Royal Ball being held, to which the Knights have an open invitation.   

Comments

[bluffcheck]

[Thoster just nods, patting each man thoughtfully on the shoulder.]

I appreciate the help, gentlemen. I won't forget it. [He pulls back and glances towards the refreshments.]

Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm due for another drink.

[He doesn't want to push his luck by asking too many questions, after all.]

[telekinect]

[ tia speaks to andie out of the corner of her mouth: ] He has a way with people, I'll give him that.

[asap]

[Andie does her very best not to giggle and succeeds admirably (will 16), just smiling a little more.]

He can be really sweet.

[telekinect]

Let's go see what he found out and whether we can use it. [ she sends thoster a mental nudge to meet with them at the punchbowl and says to andie: I can establish a mental link between the three of us, so we can speak without anyone knowing it. ]

[bluffcheck]

[Thoster glances up at the nudge and moves his way to the refreshments, careful to not ignore them too obviously, but not associating with the ladies, either. Since they could be recognized as Knights, he doesn't want to blow his own cover to remove his chances of chatting up anyone else.]

[telekinection]

[ as tia pours a glass for andie, pointedly avoiding eye contact, she links up all three of their heads - so long as they don't try to resist.

Well? ]

[asap]

[Andie takes the drink with a smile and thinks excitedly This is so cool.

Then she hesitates and tries not to look outwardly awkward. I mean. What'd you find?]

[bluffcheck]

[Thoster has never had two women inside his head before. This could be dangerous. He turns away from them, drink held in one hand as he 'observes' the crowd.

First of all, might I say that you both look dazzling.

Because there is never not time to compliment woman in his book.

Had a nice chat with two interesting fellows. A man by the name of Gustavo at the refinery. That's our man for any slave trading.]

[telekinect]

[ you'll be okay thoster... as long as neither of them are TRYING to go digging ;)

Why am I not surprised.

It's as good a start as any. Anything else? ]

[bluffcheck]

[Only a bit of this and that about potential war with some place called Belarus. They didn't seem too bothered by the notion.]

[telekinect]

[ How potential are we talking? ]

[bluffcheck]

[According to my new friends, all it will take is a nudge.]

[telekinect]

[ I'd say that's rather useful intel, if we find ourselves needing some leverage over Valentin to scare him into shape. ]

[asap]

[Yeah, thanks, Thoster. :-)

Yes, she's thinking a smiley face. If anyone can do that, it's Andie.

Think you can get more?]

[bluffcheck]

[There's a lot more people at the party that I haven't talked to. I'm sure there's more to learn.

He glances around the room, looking over a few faces.

Anyone you two remember that I should go bump into?]

[telekinect]

[ Valentin's treasurer is here. If anyone knows about illicit money coming in, it's him. But we'd have to get evidence from his books. ]

[bluffcheck]

[Word from the man and word from the book are completely different, sweetheart. Any man of Valentin's is likely to be more tight lipped. Perhaps our little hummingbird here (he mentally nods to Andie, if such a thing is possible) might be able to slip into his office while you and I make something of a distraction for the guests?]

[telekinect]

[ And then I'll give Francesca a call and she and Miles can check out that lead on the slaver you found.

Andie, are you game? ]

[asap]

[Andie's beaming a little at the hummingbird comment, but she adds her own sort of mental nod.

Yep! Shouldn't be too hard. Just hope it's not locked or anything.]

[telekinect]

[ We should really teach you some lockpicking skills for the future.

Alright, Thoster. Any bright ideas for a distraction? ]

[bluffcheck]

[Oh, I may be able to come up with something. Just be quick about your little task, lass.

He steps away from the table, drink in hand. Once he's made it to the center of the room, he stops and taps a fork (shut up there were probably tiny forks for appetizers) against the glass, but if that doesn't gain enough attention, his booming voice might.]

Ladies! Beautiful ladies that you are. And dashing gentlemen, of course as well. If I may have your attention for a few moments. This night is very special for a number of reasons, but none above the most precious reason to celebrate. Love. [Oh he is pouring on the cheese at this point, with a hand over his heart now and everything and a bluff of 17.] You see there's a woman here who has stolen my heart and I cannot let another moment go by without making her mine. Darling... [He raises his glass high and even has tears in his eyes at this point.] Make me the happiest man in the world and marry me.

[If Tia's left that lovely link hot and running, this is the part where he send her a chuckling nudge.

That's your cue, sweetheart.]

[telekinect]

[ the link is still up and through it, thoster gets a good sense of tia's initial incredulity, but also her wry respect for the ridiculous display and grudging acceptance of her role in it.

of course, she's not much of an actress, so as she plasters on her fake smile, it looks definitely strained, and everyone is certainly drawn to watch . ]

Does this really seem like the best... time for this, sweetheart? [ she manages to at least sound convincingly put upon, because, well, that part is real, at least. one person lets out a disappointed 'Oh come now! Say yes!' from the back of the room and there's a murmured assent of agreement. ]

[asap]

[HEY GUESS WHO HATES THIS PLAN? HINT: IT'S ANDIE. She frowns deeply for a moment, then zooms off to see if she can find the office (navigate 12).]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ guess who's getting lost in the many halls of this place? that's right, it's andie. she finds herself in a little chapel that looks like it's been abandoned for some time. ]

[bluffcheck]

I know, I know- [He turns to the crowd.] She hates when I make a scene, but could you blame me for falling prey to love's impulsive actions? Just look at her! [And he's holding out a hand, looking back to Tia and doing a well enough job of making his smile fond instead of amused.]

The stars are jealous of her eyes, or if they aren't, they should be, for the sparkle when she smiles could outshine any and all that gleam in the night sky. And those lips! Oh, a man could die happy to know their gentle touch. I have never met a woman more beautiful, nor one more patient to put up with a sort like me.

[He gets down on one knee, hands clasped together in front of him.] My light, my love, please grant me this one request and I swear I will spend my life devoted to fulfilling your every desire.