[IC] Treasure in the sands 2.0

[Anastasia Sheel]

The little girl had recently come to adore the small fairy that always flew about excitedly. It wasn't something that most of the guild members do, and Anastasia could tell that Callista was different than the rest in that regard. It helped that the fairy was small just like her too. But after all the almost random wandering, Anastasia began to wonder where they were really going. She had seen all sorts of sights as she took in her surroundings eagerly, and was in awe of the city.

Anastasia tugged on Kin's clothing, speaking to him through the mental link they shared.

Kin... are we lost?

[Ella]

Callista Fae

Fly for a few paces, stop. Fly for a few more paces, then stop again. Over and over Callista did that as she led the group towards the pretty building. The entire time, she plotted. That guard had been really mean, ignoring her and being rude to Kin. And then these people were hiding the desserts, too. Well, she would not stand for it!

Finally reaching her destination, the faerie flew right up to the guards. "HOW DARE YOU!" She shouted at them. "I, Callistianna Dialadalis Erelania Faevieri, have traveled as a representative from the far away Faerie realms and THIS is how you people treat me and those who have provided me escort in this realm?! Rude ship men toss him into a barrel of fish!" She pointed to Kin. "The representative that you sent to meet us at the docks was so incompetent that he completely ignored me and refused to give us proper escort, leaving us to wander and hope we made it here before nightfall! This is completely unacceptable! I will be reporting this to my superiors!"

[spoiler][blockquote]Rolled 1d20+15 : 8 + 15, total 23[/blockquote][/spoiler]

[Ella]

[spoiler=Using 8 Karma to take 20 on the bluff check.]Cost 8, Take 20 on a skill check, can be done even if threatened or distracted. (But can't be done in combat). Can be used if there are negative consequences to failing.

So... 20 + 15 = 35. :D [/spoiler]

[Throndir]

Resolved 8 karma usage.

[Bootman]

Aion stood frozen. Was this how the guild always was? Should he shut her up and run away? Wait, was the mission even at the palace? He couldn't remember.  He looked around for some sort of anchor to hold onto. Somebody to brace him and tell him this was all part of the plan. There was Kin, the grumpy but apparently competent warrior in the group, and Anastasia, a little girl who knew how to keep her cool. The man made his choice and leaned in.

"Hey Ana... is this what we're supposed to be doing?" He whispered.

[Linwelin]

Kin was eagerly following Callista, thinking he finally managed to get her under to do something helpful. But when they entered the upscale portion of the city, his eager grin became a sour grimace, complete with sighs. There was no way a tavern that had business with their goods would be located here. They were being run around on a whim. Just before he started growling something out, he felt a tug at his side, hearing Ana speak to him mentally. He guessed between the confused running around, and his own emotional turmoil, she'd felt something was wrong.

Not exactly. Callista is going exactly where she wants. It's just not the tavern.

He let out another sigh as they were brought before the castle of Izole. Before he could scold the fairy for being distracted once more, she flew off. Only this time, he got quite the show, and saw a new side of the small girl as she basically tore the guards a new one out of nowhere. Even more impressive, it was all a bluff. "Huh, I didn't know she had it in her..." Kin muttered to himself, a little in shock.

[Anastasia Sheel]

When the other guild member called out to her, Anastasia drew back behind Kin when Callista had released her hold. She wasn't quite sure of how to respond, she was simply taking in her surroundings after all. She understood that they were there to help someone, but her main motivation to coming was to be with Kin. Save for only a few others in the guild, she wasn't comfortable with many others.

The young girl stared at Aion.

She clutched Kin's shirt tighter, not knowing how to respond to the tall man. She blinked a couple of times, but seeing the attention on her, simply began to nod.

[Mysticsage]

[spoiler=sense motive] This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20+10 : 5 + 10, total 15[/spoiler]


The two Guards blink out of surprise when Callista began to rip into them. However, when she starts to complain about one of their comrades not doing their jobs their jaw sets into an comfortable grimace and their eyes steel. They obviously do not like what they are hearing and are doing their best to ride it out. As she continues the rest of the group notice these two men doing their best to bite down an indignant rage building inside the two from being insulted by this foreigner

Alarm bells go off in kin's head as he remembers being warned about this country's Xenophobic nature.

When Callisto finishes for a breath the two are not happy but the bluff seems to work as the two try to maintain a composure due a foriegn ambassador. In a controlled tone one responds slowly choosing his words with great care, " Our... apologies, lady ambassador for any... Short comings that you may have experienced we have no record of your arrival," he has yet to look at callista directly or any kind of documentation. "I'm sure this is just a miss understanding, now if you could just show us the royal seal allowing you access to the grounds then we can let you right in. As you know only those authorized by the royal family may enter. To allow anyone else in would be to large a risk."

With that the two are again quite no punches thrown no insults just a wall of flesh blocking your path trying their best to avoid eye contact with the fairy. Though the one that did not talk was staring at kin and his sword. It looks like they are flustered enough that if callista went invisible she might be able to slip between their legs unnoticed

[Ella]

Callista Fae

Callista accepted their apologies, exclaiming that "perhaps you two should have been the ones sent to escort me, you seem much more competent. Of course, my visit would not be broadly announced for all. A Faerie visiting any city outside of the Faerie realms is almost unheard of. Imagine the danger such information would put me in!"

When they asked for the royal seal, Callista turned to Kin. "Halfling! Bring me the papers!"

[spoiler]Rolling if needed to continue Callista's bluff.
This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20+15 : 1 + 15, total 16[/spoiler]

[Bootman]

Aion chuckled after the guards called her out for papers. The warrior glanced over at the halfling with a smirk. "Apparently she didn't have it in her. One second." He held out his hand for the rest of the ground to stay put as he fixed his hair, straightened his cloak and strode forward to the guards confidently, flashing a smile at both of them. He gave each a firm nod.

"Sorry about this one." He said, gesturing towards Callista and shaking his head apologetically. "My name is Aion Loucelles. I just arrived here a day ago and took care of the Cliffpoint Bandits at the request of the law enforcement here. However..." He said, with a grimace. "...I must say, I would happily trade away any reward I would get from that job to simply be introduced to your palace chef. I'm a chef myself..." He commented, showing his equipment in his back pack. "...And I use my adventurer status to pick up on interesting new dishes around the world. We'll check all of our weapons in with you and be out in less then an hour. Would you get a message to somebody who could let us in and let them know what I want? I would appreciate it. I could even teach your chef recipes he's never heard of as well!" He said, his genuine excitement seeping into his request. The man really did want to learn recipes.

[spoiler][blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 8 + 7, total 15[/blockquote][/spoiler]

[Mysticsage]

Aion's words seemed to visibly calm some of the guards' anger. The man who had done most of the talking responded, "Yes, those bandit's had been plaguing the caravan routes for a while. The entire city has been preparing for the festival for the Second Empress' birthday in the coming days that all patrols were to busy with the problem due to the sudden influx of travelers. So we thought a task of that level was perfect for the normal quality of foreign mercenaries. We thank you for your hard work on our behalf."

The backhanded compliment was delivered quickly and without batting an eye their contempt for foreigners expertly disguised behind formality. Though the two men did seem to puff up their chests at the compliment of their cuisine and seem generally less hostile. After a moment the guard continued as if he was talking to some child who did their chores, "Since, you did work so hard I can see no harm in escorting you and your friends to have a conversation with the chief. You will have to leave your weapons here at the guard post you understand" he was staring pointedly at the all to obvious oversized club-blade strapped to Kin's back.

I'm sure you all understand  unsanctioned armed individuals cannot be found on the grounds. Even with us as an escort we will have to sneak you in a side entrance just in case anyone of importance asks questions otherwise we are all dead. You may keep your armor of course. The path we will lead you cuts through one of the side pavilions into the cellar and then up into the kitchen do we have a deal?" He seemed honestly excited to be showing off his country. His patriotism even around the small things running deep. And having a guided semi safe tour of the palace was better then trying to break in on your own and possibly getting caught. At least this way you would be questioned first and could talk your way out.

"And I'm sure a diplomat of a foreign nation can handle talking to anyone who gets overly suspicious with ease" he said with a small chuckle.

[Linwelin]

Kin watched as Callista floundered before the guards. He was impressed regardless of the outcome, as she'd actually gotten quite far with that ruse. He was about to try to talk up the papers he had, as support, but to his relief Aion stepped forward to speak, and seemingly to better effect. The result made Kin freeze in place however, and got him thinking.

"...You're confiscating my sword...?" Kin was immediately defensive. "This beauty is my livelihood! I'd sooner wait out here." The halfling crossed his arms. "Actually, that doesn't sound too bad." Kin realized that it'd be getting him back on the task at hand, and even rid him of some headaches. "Yup, I'm waiting here, unless one of you lot can convince me otherwise." The heat was still bugging him, even with the crystal. And after being in a barrel of fish, he desperately wanted to wash off and get a nice, cold ale. Then the fairy happened. The first thing Kin aimed to do was find that tavern. Besides, he hated nobility, so why try to meet with them? Easy answer: don't try, get a drink.

[Ella]

Callista Fae

Callista turned to look at the man who she had only really just recently met with a disapproving stare. Things were going fine, why did he think he needed to butt in? If Kin still had the papers they were originally given, she would have said that the oaf they had met at the docks had given them the wrong papers back. Or perhaps that the halfling himself was an oaf and had lost them. That way, the guards would not feel as bad about their men. They did seem pretty upset about her calling them out.

Wait! What was this about a second empress and her birthday? How exciting! A birthday! Now she knew her true mission here! It was to experience a royal human's birthday! Yes. Yes. Yes. Oh, yes!

Quickly, she regathered her thoughts. It seemed the guards were willing to sneak them into the palace to meet with the chef. This was a good thing, it was bringing them to their original goal of desserts. It would also allow her to find a secret way into the palace so that she could come back in a few days time for the birthday party. Oh! She was so excited!

Digging out her sling and quarterstaff, Callista handed them over to the guards. Weapons did not matter to her anyways.

"Come on, Ana!" Callista flew down to the girl to tug on some of her locks and lead her towards the palace. "Lets go!" If Kin wanted to stay behind and lose out, then he could. But Callista did not want to miss this chance. Although... If everyone changed their minds, she guessed she could just sneak in on her own. She could go invisible, after all. "Bye, Kin!"

[Anastasia Sheel]

The little fairy, Callista, beckoned towards her to follow. But as Anastasia looked towards Kin, she realized that he seemed to want to stay put. She didn't understand why the group wanted to go different ways, she wanted to experience new things with everyone. Especially Kin! But she had started thinking more about Callista, after all, she was really her only play-mate back at home.

The young girl turned back towards Callista, unsure of who to follow. Callista had mentioned desserts before, and there was no doubt in Anastasia's mind that the fairy would be leading her to lots and lots of desserts. Much of Callista's actions confused Anastasia, but the apparent excitement and elation Callista would put forth in almost everything she did made it much more lively every time she was around. And though Anastasia had not realized it then; it was the fact that she had fun with the small fairy that she was drawn to follow her lead.

She clutched Kin's shirt, not entirely sure who to follow.

[Linwelin]

Kin looked at the girl beside him, and he could feel her emotional turmoil. She wanted to go, to follow her friend and eat sweets. Of course, Kin was just about certain they would not be getting any sweets in there. If anything, the anger that he saw displayed by the two guardsmen assured him that they were en route to the dungeons. Aion's words did indeed help, but that was not convincing him to release custody of him blade to foreigners with so much contempt for outsiders. His intuition was screaming no. They didn't need to be in the palace, it was the whim of the uncontrollable fairy before them.

Knowing that Ana could at least somewhat see his thoughts, he surfaced his paranoid idea of being captured in a foreign palace as he spoke to her calmly, in a low voice to not alert the guards, "Ana, I do really think it in our best interest to let the individuals that have business in the palace do what they need to, we'll only be in the way." He then imagined a tavern like the one they needed, also flashing thoughts of their intended mission, "We have somewhere else to be, anyways. And I'm sure we can find you sweets without going through so much trouble. It is a large city. There is definitely a food section of the bazaar in a large, bustling town like this."

Raising his voice to speak normally and address the group, "I am just a hired guard meant to escort the lady diplomat here. I'm also guardian for this child. We have business elsewhere, and would only get in the way of these two."

[blockquote]Bluff:  1d20+6 : 1 + 6, total 7[/blockquote]