[IC][Exalted 2.5] The Emerald Labyrinth

[Exthalion]

The hopelessly obvious procession, putting up fliers of all the stupendous idiocy, had to be a trap. Or at the very least a creative way to get rid of undesirables. He could kill them, it wouldn't even be difficult, but that would attract exactly the kind of attention disposable lightning rods were for. After a moment of frustrated contemplation it occurred to him that he couldn't even pluck the few strings that would cause the whole group to collapse. That was exactly the sort of story he didn't want getting back to their master. Although...

The northern woman smiled a most unpleasant smile, when "she" was certain no one was looking. Once the mask of emotion was back on her face she nodded to master Ironsong and said, "I will be in touch."

Out in the market she made her way to the cloth merchant, having already altered the speech she gave the metalworker. Some things stopped being fun if you won too much.

Do you want me to rp all of this, or should I just assume I go them all to believe in the future and agree to support my expedition on credit?

[Dietaku]

(Warehouse)

Orca manages to discern that the noise came from the east. But its proximity beyond that? Not much else can be determined.

What will you and Lover do?

[Dietaku]

(Guild Offices)

Alma stood like a statue, as Nergui and Zarah conspire together in their own way. When Nergui announces his intentions, Alma breaks out in a great, husky laugh.

"Such honesty. That is what I can appreciate from this land. You don't mince words. Very well. I will assist you. You're correct, though. I do not fear sickness or spirits. Such things cannot kill me. Not anymore, anyways. It would be wise for you to have fear, though. Where you wish to go is a dangerous place. I would get your affairs in order if I were you.," she says, hefting her daiklaive.

"I will meet you at the eastern gates at dawn. Farewell, air captain," she says, leaving.

"I will get your order processed posthaste, madam," the clerk says, returning from his hiding place," Don't worry about the charge. You and your comrade are getting rid of that woman for us for a few days. That alone ought to drive sales up. Just, erm, don't spread this around. I don't want the Jarl to kick us out for potentially feeding people to that witch," he says nervously.

[Dietaku]

(Merciful)

(OoC: I'll let you move on, but FYI, Zadro, the cloth merchant left already. He's currently in a nearby teahouse with Xisa, sulking at being seemingly snubbed)

You manage to ensnare two more merchants, each of their wishes for greater affinity with numbers and better intelligence were easy to fulfill. However, Zadro the Icecrowner, who had just before offered you a gown fit for a princess, was nowhere to be found. His was a powerful wish, one so strong and deep that you are unsure if the law of the Endless Desert could fulfill it, but who's to say that you can't if you don't try?

You can still feel his emotions bubbling up nearby. He couldn't have gone far.

Will you pursue him, or will you let him pass for your new allies?

[wonderandawe]

"Who is she?" Zarah asks the clerk.

[The Revenge of TV Head]

(Xisa)

The Emissary doesn't seem to notice or even look back at you for some time, content to rant at Zadro, who just rolls his eyes at him, saying nothing.

"..And he's there, and he has the gall, the AUDACITY, to leave me high and dry! There I am, face down in the mud, me, a noble of the Holy City, and here he is, walks off, without so much as a scratch! It's only thanks to my good luck that the Good Pilgrim is there, and he graces me with this shard of the Black Sun. Still, this is such a dubious honor. I can't stand the Sun's rays now, and I must feed on blood? What sort of life is tha--: he manages before his drink, and indeed, every drink within the teahouse, freezes.

"Curses upon this! This is what I'm talking about!" the man says, getting up. At that, a robed figure enters, tacks a flyer to the wall, and leaves. The Emissary glances at it, and laughs.

"Is this the extent of the Tyrant's pull?" he asks, as Zadro frowns.

"I wouldn't use that name so lightly, " Zadro growls," Why bother exerting resources when bounty hunters can achieve the same result? Besides, you aren't our only goal, Emissary."

At that, the Emissary scowls and walks towards the door.

"I'm going. I need to kill something to let off some steam. If you want to see me, look in the Forest," he says, hefting his sword, and walking off, leaving the patrons, Zadro, Sala, and Xisa in silence.

"That man. He seems troubled. I wonder what sad past this and his friend had?" Sala says, not looking up from her scroll.

What will you do?

The cup fell out of Xisa's hands, shattering on the floor, leaving a lump of brown ice.
"An unpleasant one, to be sure." she said to Sala while trying to make sense of what just happened. She immediately thought it was sorcery and discounted, the scale was wrong, and she had never heard of a working going off by accident. This was something else. Something very wrong.

"Sala, I haven't been in Last Chance very long, would you happen to know how long those two have been here?"

[Dietaku]

(Prodigal)

The man looks at you for a good long while, while his minions pant to one another. They seem to be sniffing the air, even if their diaphragms are not visibly moving.

"Ah, yes, hehe, of course," he says, "The man in question is a native of Whitewall. He has the features of the well-to-do of that city, and was last seen outside, in the Ice. Some say he was in the battle of Zessa Heights. Other say he was outcast from his homeland and still bears the blue kiss of the cold exile he had to bear. I have not been able to divine his movements through the Sky or through...other methods, so I cannot tell you where he is or what his motives are, merely that my Mistress has great...interest in his return. Deliver him alive or as a bound ghost, to the seven pillars five miles west of Last Chance. I believe the natives call that place the Crown of Demons. We will find you, if your search proves fruitful. Is there anything else, erm...I never caught your name, sire. You seem familiar, though, somehow. Are you in the employ of Sijan, perhaps?"

What will yo usay?

[Dietaku]

(Guild Offices)

"i don't know the specifics, but I hear she's from the Hundred Kingdoms, and that she got the Lookshan Wyld Hunt set on her for being what do they call it? An Anathema? She left that area because of them, and I hear she killed one of their Taichou in battle, which is where her blade comes from. She's been on several suicide missions, and out of more than one hundred, she alone survived them all. She's been stabbed, poisoned, and even had her neck broken, and she always gets up. Always. The local foreman tolerates her because she is one of the few who doesn't mind going deep into the forest, but she just gets me scared. Anyone who demands "Living game birds so I can eat their guts," is a little too much, even for me, and I come from Great Forks. I've seen some strange things," the clerk says.

[Dietaku]

(Teahouse)

"I apologize. I'm not sure myself. At least for the handsome one in the obsidian armor. The other is Zadro. He works with the Icecrowners, an unsavory lot who get the pickings of the Labyrinth and pretty it up for the well-to-do of Whitewall, Gethemane, Iceholm and even Halta. He may look like a gentleman, but his heart is an evil thing," Sala says, putting down her scroll, " I wouldn't recommend pursuing him if I were you."

[dreamking89]

Orca takes another look around the immediate area in front of the warehouse, casually looking over his shoulder. "Well, I suppose a stroll wouldn't hurt me." He adjusts his coat and pokes his head back into the warehouse. "I'm gonna go for a walk," he told Lover, "Come on with if you want. I'd love to hear more about this place you're from." With that, he turns to set off towards the direction he heard the noise come from.

[wonderandawe]

"Are you sure I don't need to pay you for the goods?" Zarah was suspicious about the Guild's sudden bout of generosity. But, if the Guild wanted to give away their goods, that is fine with her. She can use the money for other investments.

I've been waiting for Nergui's response to Zarah's not so subtle hints about a dinner invite. I realize that Wise Old Guru has some real life stuff to take care of, so I'd figure I'd go ahead and post a response to the Guild Clerk.

[Belkra]

"I go by many a name," The Daybreak begins. "For our purposes 'Ash' will suffice." He almost has to stifle a chuckle. "I am independent of Sijan or any other realm of Creation. I mostly travel from place to place dealing with unruly spirits. It's not the most glamorous or honored life, but it does have it's rewards."

He pauses as if considering the arrangement, "The seven pillars five miles west of Last Chance. Alive or as a bound ghost. Agreed. I will be there and Twenty Fifth Merciful will be with me."

[Magnusar]

Orca takes another look around the immediate area in front of the warehouse, casually looking over his shoulder. "Well, I suppose a stroll wouldn't hurt me." He adjusts his coat and pokes his head back into the warehouse. "I'm gonna go for a walk," he told Lover, "Come on with if you want. I'd love to hear more about this place you're from." With that, he turns to set off towards the direction he heard the noise come from.

It didn't even take a second that Unrestrained Lover already have his coat on and leave with Orca while still being under the influence of his charm.

"Yesitwouldbegoodtoseewhatthelocalfaunaiscapableof beforeleavingforthelabyrinth"

The words came out so fast out of his mouth that they sounds like one big word as he walks beside Orca.

(Dietaku here is the Int+Inves roll 1 - 9 - 1 - 7 - 8 - 6 can't seem to find a site like Invisible castle feel free to reroll if you wish)

[The Revenge of TV Head]

(Teahouse)

"I apologize. I'm not sure myself. At least for the handsome one in the obsidian armor. The other is Zadro. He works with the Icecrowners, an unsavory lot who get the pickings of the Labyrinth and pretty it up for the well-to-do of Whitewall, Gethemane, Iceholm and even Halta. He may look like a gentleman, but his heart is an evil thing," Sala says, putting down her scroll, " I wouldn't recommend pursuing him if I were you."

"No need to worry about that. These days Romance is the last thing on my-" She heard the wail and gave the bridge of her nose another pinch. "-Sala, you've been most hospitable but I'm afraid I have to take my leave, now. Take care, perhaps we will meet once more." She said as she scrambled to her feet, gave a quick bow and rushed out of the teahouse, tearing towards the bizarre sound.

[Wise Old Guru]

"Unusually generous." Nergui raised an eyebrow at the Guild Clerk. "Not what I expected. Hrm."

He paused, as he sometimes did, and thought.

"Friend Zarah, you are welcome to dine again aboard my ship. I promise no live animals tonight...say, you haven't found a good blacksmith in the area, have you? I want to patch my boiler before we take off again."