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

[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.

[telekinection]

[ whatever two can play this game ] Then I have one request for you, if you want me to accept.

[asap]

[MEANWHILE Andie glances around the chapel (spot 7) but unless there's something REALLY obvious, she's off again to try and find the office (navigate 18) because that sure is not the right room.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ andie's lucky to find the hall where the office is stationed empty. and even better: unlocked.

all things considered, it's a smaller office than one might expect, done in rich wood, with antlered animal heads hanging on the walls and stuffed creatures on the desks. there are a great number of papers and ledgers stacked about, so it's going to take a search check to find what she's looking for... ]

[asap]

[Too bad she... just crit failed that search. (u n s u r e)]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ as she's rooting through the dressers and such, she moves between two big stuffed birds on the desk and... fails to realize that one is not so stuffed. and it flutters its giant wings right by her head and then starts squawking incredibly loud at her ]

[bluffcheck]

[Back at the party, Thoster is doing good to look like the dutiful suitor.]

Name your price and it shall be yours, my darling. No task is too mighty for me to conquer if it would grant me your eternal love.

[telekinect]

[ a sly smile ] You have to give up drinking.

[bluffcheck]

[He stops, not expecting that. But instead of trying to recover, he decides to work the hesitation as part of his show.]

I... well, I could... That is...

[telekinection]

I want to hear you swear it in front of all these people.

[bluffcheck]

[He furrows his brow in confusion, reaching out through the link quickly to add:

you do know this is all for show, don't you, lass?

But after that, he clears his throat.]

It's a small price to pay to have you by my side for all our days. Yes, I'll put down the bottle. I swear it. (bluff 14)]

[telekinection]

[ she doesn't respond mentally at all, but as she looks down at him and offers her hand, she does flash a wink ]

Then by all means. Yes.

[asap]

[She lets out an embarrassing squeak and shushes at the bird. Which... probably doesn't help.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ gurl make a handle animal check ]

[asap]

[14! So I guess she shushes the bird pretty nicely.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ it settles... mostly, though it's still walking back and forth on its perch. and it's unclear whether anyone heard it or not... ]

[asap]

[Well she's looking around to see if they did... (Spot 11). Seriously I'm buying her ranks in spot/listen/search when she levels up this is embarrassing.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ It... SEEMS OK???? ]