Jace
A few days have passed since you left Lord Blackblade's home. You have heard nothing from him but an installment of the stipend has arrived for you with information that the stipend will be made through the Royal Bank of London and that you should inform them should your address change. It is later in the morning and most of the hostel's residents have already left to go find work in the city. It is at this time that you are found by Constantine, who shows up at the hostel looking for you. "Jace what have you done? People are looking for you."
"I took an invitation from a lord looking to do better in the world." He sighed telling the rest of the story from what had happened a few days ago. "So for the moment I'm waiting for things to cool down and maybe keeping some of the heat off of that oaf in the process. I was thinking about going to the library today and doing a bit of research. Unless you have something for me to do that's more pressing?" He was fully dressed at this point and getting ready to go out on the street and digging into what had happened on the boat.
Constantine takes in your story. "I didn't come here for working matters. That Lord Darby fellow is looking for you. Word is out for anyone that knows the whereabouts of someone with an arcane mark on their shoulder. Even got a meeting from that Harper fellow at our agency looking to hire us to find you. At least I think that was him judging from your description. He only introduced himself as a proxy for Darby but I would say his features are pretty distinct. I didn'take them up on the offer but someone else is sure to." He runs his hand through his hair. "Look, I've seen the type before, this man isn't going to stop until he finds you. I suggest you get in a better position for when when that time comes. I'll let you know if I hear anything else." With that Constantine takes his leave of you, disappearing into the crowds.
"Well I suppose its time to go to the museum then and start doing some digging of my own." He moved throw the morning crowds of the usual Londoners making his way to the city's grandest museam. It was a bit out in the public but that had its own bonuses for his particular needs. Banners were strung along the old facades signalling the very reason why he waited so long to actual go there between jobs. The Museum was having an exhibit on the global impact and influence of the mystical arts. They even were said to have a special expert who was speaking on the functions of different magical systems. Miss Amelia Kusinagi born from an English Noblewomen and a Japanese Imperial father if the flyers he had scene were have true she might just be someone who might be able to shed light on both sides of his current problems. She apparently spent most of her time abroad free from the larger social issues of the city. In the wilds and foriegn lands hunting for hidden secrets and slaying monsters if the rumors were to be believed. A beautiful but flower that perfered her own research rather then that of most schools. Thus gaining her the title of expert on her own merits.
He walked in with a thick crowd paying for a ticket with some spare change from his stipend. Somewhat in marvel at the myriad things that greet him this was the first time he had the chance to ever get inside without being thrown out later for looking like a bum. He had an hour or so before her first lecture was to be scheduled from what the signs said.
[info]
Spending a scripting die to make this something that can happen.
[/info]
You are greeted with displays of ancient Egyptian artifacts, a marvelous collection of ancient funeral finery and tchotchkes for ancient rituals stand on display. The exhibit seems poorly attended but as the time of the lecture draws near, a small number of guild members in academic garb arrive. However, their numbers are not too great and the lecture hall is barely half full once the lecture begins. The attending audience chooses to fill the frontmost rows making the swath of empty seats behind them seem evermore vacant.
Jason moves out of the lecture hall busying himself with an exhibit within earshot but so that he could not have to look when people left.The people in front reminded him a little too much of the people for his liking but he imagined anything to do with the mystic arts would be circled by one group or another. But that didn't mean he had to leave himself open to obvious spoting at least this way he could wait until the lady was finished and then approach her privately. He only hoped he could by himself enough time to maybe buy himself another card to add to his hand.
To see how well he hides in plainsight looking like a faceless patron
Dexterity Hide & seek Act
Adding 1 fate dice
(http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/envision2013_smf20_rev3/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 3d6 : 4, 5, 5, total 14
A guard stares at you intently as you loiter about leading you to move further from the lecture hall and out of earshot of the lecturer's voice. After some time though you are able to conclude that the lecture must be over when the pack of guild members leaves the lecture hall and begins to make its way out of the museum or dispersing to once again examine the exhibits on display. However, you do not see the lecturer amongst them.
Jason seeing them leave and his possible opportunity he rushed quickly into the lecture hall hoping to catch her before she had a chance to leave. "Miss Kusinagi, do you happen to have a free moment? I could really use your professional opinion on something." He purposely walked with his hands open and at his side unsure socially if he needed to do anything extra. "So far, I haven't been able to find much information on this matter myself."
You walk into the lecture hall where Kusanagi is found talking to an unfortunately familiar face. "Well, well, well... Returning to the scene of the crime? How audacious, I would have expected the next time we met would be with you face down in a gutter after Harper had found you." Lord Darby moved to block your line of sight to Kusanagi. "Have no fear madam. I will protect you from this thug. I suggest you make an exit out the back of the theater. While I believe myself fully capable of protecting you, I am unsure to the full extent of this man's powers." He turns his attention back to you as the worried academic begins to slowly back away down the aisle. "Now, before I have you brought to the authorities for your crimes, I would like to have a chat. Don't try anything, I am well within my rights to kill you on the spot. First question: what were you trying to steal on my boat?" He raises his hand to make an arcane gesture.
Jace sighed, holding his hands out to his sides to show that he had no weapons once he recovered from the initial shock. "I wasn't there to steal anything. I was there for the man who did try to steal something from you who I stopped by the way. Lets not forget that he was pointing that knife at me first. If I hadn't been there whatever he or his master's were trying to steal would have likely gotten stolen. If you don't believe me ask Darby who was standing where and who was pointing a knife at whom. If I was really working with the man who was attempting to steal your things then I would have made a larger scene in the kitchen with Darby to make a distraction. Us fighting in the kitchen where he could not fire a gun without enangering others would have been ideal for a smoke screen. Instead I went willingly to be shoved in that closet thus compromising the plan of the other party entirely." He was glad at least without is cadre of guards that this supposed Nobleman would be less likely to be so brave to go into one on one combat especially with a witness. He stopped from adding more from his response reading the tense nature of the man and not wanting to make him more angry then he already was.
[info]Bull+ Presence + High Sociey
[blockquote]Rolled 8d6 : 6, 4, 1, 1, 1, 1, 6, 3, total 23[/blockquote][/info]
[info]Black Dice
[blockquote]Rolled 8d6 : 5, 1, 4, 1, 3, 5, 4, 2, total 25[/blockquote][/info]
Explodinding 6s
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 3, 6, total 9[/blockquote]
Lord Darby continues to stare you down. "Fine, mayhaps you were not in league with whomever sent the corpse. Yet, you have not offered your reason for being there. What are the chances that one empowered by the maelficum would happen to be in the same place as another. That dead sailor didn't jump into that closet on his own. You claim the corpse to be at odds with you but you either helped it or left it unmolested. Further, you happen to show up here, where a powerful artifact was stolen, a step on the trail I have followed from that night. The coincidences are piling up. Who sent the corpse? Who gave you that mark? What do they want with the fang of Anubis? Phantasmis Vinculum" Lord Darby's fingers contort and he sweeps his hands upwards.
[info]Spellcasting Roll
[blockquote]Rolled 12d6 : 3, 4, 4, 6, 1, 5, 5, 2, 6, 2, 4, 4, total 46[/blockquote]
Black Dice
[blockquote]Rolled 3d6 : 2, 5, 1, total 8[/blockquote][/info]
[info]Rerolls
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 1, 6, total 7[/blockquote][/info]
Azure goo boils out of the floor taking shape in the form of tendrils and grips you by the arms and legs, pulling you to your knees. Lord Darby walks up to you, slipping the glove from his left hand. He slaps you with the glove. "Answer me!"
[info]Escaping the bonds is a strength+might check with 5 black dice should you choose to struggle againt them.[/info]
"I in fact did not leave it unmolested I punch the thing several dozen times thank you very much. I'm sorry I'm not very good at killing monsters I'm not in the way of training. I was only following a man who was said to be acting strange by a friend and when i first met him he smelled of dried blood, which made me curious." He took the goo with another sigh making sure to block his mouth and face allowing his arms to get untangled as he fell to his knees. Feeling how tight the bonds were he now knew that he had to make sure that there was no turning back. "You looked at the body surely I gave it one good sucker punch to the face or somewhere that would have left a mark. As for why the body was in the closet I was behind it remember to open the door alone it would have had to move and fall inside. The only wounds that sailor had was from that knife that Harper got stabbed. Holt and I are far from the same height or musculature surely you can match them."
He saw the frantic fire as he took the slap head on almost biting his tongue in the process. He was lucky he was still able to speak however, "As for who sent the corpse. You've already admitted I probably wasn't in league with him if I knew I wouldn't have been on your ship I would have been trying to get the person pulling his strings behind bars." He watched the lady behind Darby, curious as to how she was taking the entire scenario. "As for who gave me my markings. I don't know who she was she hid her face and left me to rot in the street. I've only been able to piece together barely a basic understanding of what it is or what its doing to me. That's why I'm here not for any particular artifact but for the good lady's expertise. I was hoping she might be able to give me some further insights into my affliction. I came here unarmed and did not run from you if that adds any credibility."
He stopped again this time thinking through his limited backlog of information and coming up with nothing he shrugged, "As for this fang of Anubis. I haven't the foggiest who stole it or why. If you don't kill me I might be able to give you at least some answers this affliction has given me some benefits. If the corpse did not steal that fang of yours I might be able to smell them out you do not want me going in to retrieve it though The fight before is proof of my lacking skills and I doubt I could talk the object out of someone who would kill a man to use him as a puppet."
[info]Quick read intentions roll considering how emotional he is and try to dig out if i think he knows more then he lets on ect.
Empathy Presence High Class
[blockquote]Rolled 6d6 : 2, 6, 5, 4, 4, 1, total 22[/blockquote]
[/info]
[info]
exploding 6s
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 3, total 3[/blockquote][/info]
[info]Black Dice
[blockquote]Rolled 6d6 : 5, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6, total 23[/blockquote][/info]
Lord Darby gives you another slap with his glove before turning around and pacing a little. At this point Kusanagi had long since left the lecture theater. "Your life is at my pleasure, not my need. As I said before, I am well within my rights to kill you, though I might let Harper have that pleasure. He was not happy with your act on the ship." He stops his pacing with his retun to his starting position before you and agive you another slap on the face. "So, tell me, you know nothing of anyone or anything involving the zombie sent to my ship or the theft of the fang of Anubis? What reason then do I have to let you go? Your keen investigative skill? It either does not exist or you are lying to me. Which is it?"
[info]You are unable to read Lord Darby[/info]
Taking the slaps with as much grace and level headedness as one could muster for being bound to the floor with goo."Well first off sir killing a defenless man in a public space regardless of what you or others will believe, is not only messy and morally questionable, but also a waste of life in my humble opinion. Generally killing people who are talking honestly is in bad taste these days and not worth your efforts or your resources."He wondered just how long the good lady had been gone for being to distracted by Darby to notice her departure. His chances of getting to know more about his curse and talk to a pretty lady now dashed. "I'm honestly new to this whole Magic thing."
"However if you want a reason to keep me alive, like I said I have a keen sense of smell, keener then even most beast men to be certain. If you want this fang of yours found using me might be the quickest method. I imagine someone doesn't just steal from you for the bragging rights. There either selling the thing or using fast. Getting a good lead on things on your end would help you greatly.
[/color]
[info]pres bull high society
[blockquote]Rolled 8d6 : 6, 5, 2, 3, 1, 5, 4, 1, total 27[/blockquote][/info]
[info]exploding 6
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 3, total 3[/blockquote][/info]
[info]Black Dice
[blockquote]Rolled 6d6 : 6, 6, 6, 1, 5, 5, total 29[/blockquote][/info]
Lord Darby once again gives you another slap with his glove to begin speaking. "You know nothing of your position ruffian. I can kill you as I please. As a member of the house of lords I am above reproach to all but my peers and the queen herself. You are a street rat that caused a scene at my party. To simply let you go is a sleight that simply cannot stand." He gives you another slap with his glove. "I would give you a good beating, but to physically touch you would be below me and I left my cane in the coach. Of course, ther are other options... Ignicule"
[info]Spellcasting
[blockquote]Rolled 12d6 : 2, 3, 4, 4, 2, 1, 2, 6, 4, 6, 6, 2, total 42[/blockquote][/info]
A flame flickers to life at the tip of his ungloved index finger. He presses this flame into your neck and the flames sear your skin. "Your skills are mundane. A nose is something that Harper and his favorite wolfhound could accomplish if not outdo with little effort. You are going to have to offer me something of true value if you want to make it out of here alive." He kneels and looks you in the eye. "Keep in mind, I have wealth, power, magical might, and a perfect pedigree..." He then slaps you with his glove once again and stands. "So whatever you offer will need to be something more that I can't obtain. I will give you only one offer. I suggest you make good use of it."
[info]You take 1 point of damage from the flame.[/info]
Jason does his best not to scream as the burn takes affect racking his brain for the next lie or the next statement that might actually get him out of this mess alive. His current thoughts were muddled with half baked plans and bad ideas he needed to calm down and think. Don't let the chaos of the situation overwhelm him he had learned better then that in his home kitchen. If he was cooking for lord Darby he wouldn't just be cooking what he wanted he would be making what his body and soul needed to be satisfied. There was some ingredient he was missing even a small spark might crack this whole thing open
[info]Empathy Presence High Society
[blockquote]Rolled 6d6 : 6, 2, 4, 2, 1, 5, total 20[/blockquote][/info]
[info]
exploding 6s
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 5, total 5[/blockquote][/info]
He racked his brain at the speed of light until an idea struck him like a lightning bolt and a wide grin spread across his face in a moment after the burn, "The element of surprise. The one thing you don't have access to is simple the vary nature of chaos itself to use against your rivals." If his current level of thinking was not enough to get him out of this situation then all he had to do was deconstruct the whole moment. Trying to aim at Darby with his arguments was not where they would aim for the most impact instead turn the table directly and look past the man in front of him and aim at this brazen shadow group that was sitting across the table who had managed to get the one up on him. That way Darby would be forced out of his usual thinking and more open to being surprised himself. He could almost make out the silhouette of this person in his minds eye.
"Please, give me a moment to explain before you disregard my offer out of hand. Without dispute you have resources, wealth, power, and social standing. However," he paused slightly for affect "it also cannot be argued that you ever stole from you must at least match you in a number of these categories. First we know they must match you in resources because they were able to kill a man of high society and acclaim without raising alarms either publicly or privately. I saw him alive persevering a body like that and making it so that no one misses a beat even in his own staff is no small task. As for power, the corpse itself is proof of that, not only raising the dead or getting him into your party undetected, but I smelled blood before he got on the ship. Meaning I doubt he was killed through poison those kind of assassination skills to leave a body that pristine where it takes a nose like mine to notice is not to be scoffed at. Which means training and careful planning that is really only available to someone of your own station Lord Darby could have pulled this off." He stopped again letting these things hang in the air to better solidify this ethereal target in both their mind.
"Which brings me to the one thing by all accounts that this person or group has that which means they will beat you every time all other things being equal, the element of surprise and creativity. They decided not only to steal from you a man of high social standing but they did it in the most brazen and outrageous way possible by using your own guest to sneak it out right under your nose if not worse. That takes balls you have to admit and near absolute confidence in their chance in success." He paused once again looking Darby directly in the face to make sure he got the gravity of the next statement. I think you have a leak in your household or inner circle that or someone has broken through what I can only guess is impressive magical defenses to spy on you, which seems particularly difficult. But if this was one of your guild rivals paying off or forcing them to spill seems not only probable but likely." He stopped again mid thought as he moved to his final plan.
"They know you too well your Lordship they have obviously planned out your every move. If even after their agent was stopped on the boat, and then they were still able to steal from you then that shows foresight, and that your leak still exists. So your hands are a bit tied you go after the thief and the leak gives them enough warning to go to ground and mount defenses both actual and social. If on the other hand you try to stop the leaks first then you get the same outcome. So your only choice is to go after both sides of this problem at once before either can react. But the problem being if you try to split your forces then there is no way you could manage to out maneuver someone of equal strength who has planned for it. As I see it you only have one reliable option use there own techniques against them and make your weaknesses your strength."
"They must be watching you right, and know you well enough to guess your moves if not know them directly. So while you cannot hire an army or the like you are your own best smoke screen while a rag tag group of outsiders raids your enemies stronghold and brings enough evidence out to take them to task. My friends and I are your brazen wild card. I was the one who was able to throw off their plans on the boat and since Holt was killed I doubt the leak saw my face or knows much about me. While your Lordship and Harper go to task looking for that leak thus making that group pay attention in one direction, so I can find their stronghold and get what you need to ruin them."
He was at full steam now as he finished is final blow in attempting to change sides from enemy to useful tool. "As for why you can trust me as an ally well consider that they stole Holt from me long before they used Holt to steal from you, and I do not take those slights lightly. And If I fail you haven't been implicated or lost anything a result." He finished puffing slightly talking with enough force to stop from being interrupted midstream hoping that he had done enough to sell his plan and thinking and thus aim Darby's sights away from him and to the inky shadow he had just thrown a spotlight on. "Really for you its a win win scenario if you work with me and show this jerk what it means to make such a move so out in the open."
[info]
let me know if I need to roll something to sell this.
[/info]
[info]Presence bull High Society
[blockquote]Rolled 8d6 : 3, 1, 2, 6, 4, 5, 6, 1, total 28[/blockquote][/info]
[info]
Exploding 6
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 4, 4, total 8[/blockquote][/info]
[info]Black Dice
[blockquote]Rolled 9d6 : 3, 6, 2, 5, 1, 4, 1, 3, 4, total 29[/blockquote][/info]
Lord Darby takes in your proposal, pulling a chair from the to sit down as you speak. He pulls out a small knife and draws it from its sheath. He points the blade at you as you finish speaking. "You are bold, too bold. You seem to constantly forget your station. You are below me. I will have your aid, not because you you are special but because you are not." He quickly swipes the knife across the back of your left hand, drawing blood. "You will serve me like the snivelling rat you are." He takes a small vial out of his coat and collects some of the blood seeping from your hand. "This..." He caps the vial and shakes it slightly at eye level. "Will keep you honest. Don't think you have fooled me today. I know you are hiding something from me but it is of little consequence now. Know that should you try to betray me I can use this in ways you can't imagine to make you wish you had simply begged me for a swift death on this afternoon." He pockets the vial. "Now, since you seem to claim ignorance of anything useful about the zombie, I will have you follow up on another subject. There is a Lord, a detestable ogre undeserving of his title, with the name Erik Blackblade. He seems to be trying to build power and influence with a lttle secret club of some kind. You will infiltrate this club and surveil the brute, keeping me appraised of all its activities. Do you understand me?" He stands and wipes the blade clean on your coat before he sheaths it.
He gulped slightly not willing to show or tell that he was going to go back to Blackblade with the information and honestly passing it off at his own fear at seeing his blood in the hands of a mage. But he was far from a rat and he had bought himself and his compatriots a free hand of cards now he only had to hope it was enough to make things useful. Plus having possible access to Darby's library on the spare occassion might just be worth the price. "I Understand," He hoped this in would be enough to mend bridges and maybe just maybe get some revenge for Holt and Blackblade in the process.
"Good, now go. I have business to attend to here." He snaps his fingers and the ooze restraining you evaporates away, freeing you from its grasp. "Oh, I suggest you avoid running into Harper for the rest of the day. He will undoubtably try to kill you until I have a chance to inform him of your newfound allegiance." A wry smile crosses Lord Darby's lips as he turns away from you and makes his way towards the front of the lecture hall.
Without saying another word Jason exits the lecture all with a sigh of relief happy that fro the moment death had been avoided yet again. Using him as a spy meant that Darby was that much less likely to skin him alive or attempt to dissect him and use his blood for aether anytime soon. His hopes of currently asking the lady Kusinagi for assistance equally put on hold, but that was a matter he would happily return to if given the opportunity. For now he wanted to see if he could dig up any more clues while he had the chance and the good lord's scent fresh in his nose. His new would be employer had said something early on about a theft in the museum possibly connected to the night on the boat.
Using the lord's specialized scent trail he hoped to track his path back through the halls of the manner to at least identify the name of the object and its origin if nothing else. The lord would have wanted to checked the objects disappearance and talk to guards he imagined. He hoped to play the gawking tourist if nothing else felling like he had brushed close enough with disaster for one day to not push his luck beyond what he hoped to be obliviously available. Luckily he was sure the museums occupational obsession with cataloging and tagging even its halls would provide the information he was after without raising alarm.
[info]Want to discover what was stolen from the museum by retracing the lord's scent will not attempt to go through restricted zones but looking for a name plus any obvious info on what was stolen
ignore roll if easy task
Using wits tracking perception smell
[blockquote]Rolled 9d6 : 3, 3, 1, 5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 1, total 26[/blockquote]
[/info]
[info]Exploding 6s
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 5, total 5[/blockquote][/info]
Lord Darby's scent appears to have gone straight from the main entrance of the museum to the lecture hall. From the lecture hall you are able to trace his scent throught the labrynthine corridors of back offices, archives, and storage to come to a door labeled "Guest Lecturer's Office." You hear two voices within, one of them Darby's, the other Kusanagi. They appear to be having a conversation of some sort.
[info]Perception test to evesdrop if you wish to do so[/info]
[info]perception
[blockquote]Rolled 5d6 : 2, 5, 2, 2, 4, total 15[/blockquote][/info]
[info]2 white/black dice
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 6, 3, total 9[/blockquote][/info]
exploding
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
[info]Black Dice[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 4, 1, total 5[/blockquote][/info]
[okay]Red=Darby Black=Kusanagi[/okay] You are able to catch the conversation through the door. "... I'm quite curious as to anyone who might have known about the artifact's presence here before it was stolen. That might help narrow down the filed of suspects." "That would be hard to tell you. I had solicited interest in auctioning the artifact to many parties other than yourself. The Guild of Londin itself is leakier than a sinking ship and any number of their members could have heard about it." "Yes they are a bit unreliable aren't they? What about other noble houses? I can only assume that you approached the Dalton's. What about the Moseby's?" "Yes I approached them both as well as youself. I also asked the Leblank's though they were uninterested." "I see... and how did you learn of... did you hear something?" "I'm sorry, what?" You hear footsteps begin to come near the door.
Thinking quickly Jason moved to knock on the door and called, "Lady Kusanagi, I was told that I could find you back here. I was hoping you could lend me your professional expertise as a scholar. We did not get a chance to talk before, and I could really use someone with your experience to understand a few things about my aligments." He did not move to open the door, nor did he let himself seem afraid he had come here with a goal in mind regardless and he doubted he would be killed regardless after the past last ordeal. He was the type of man to stand firm anyway, so this might be the best way of nailing two birds with one stone. He imaged that he would be getting another near death experience soon.
[info]I imagine I need a bull roll for this and play off the snooping
Presence + Bull + High Society
[blockquote]Rolled 8d6 : 3, 1, 1, 4, 2, 1, 3, 6, total 21[/blockquote]
[/info]
Exploding 6s
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
[info]Black Dice[blockquote]Rolled 9d6 : 6, 1, 5, 1, 5, 6, 2, 1, 2, total 29[/blockquote][/info]
Lord Darby opens the door, his eyes flaring with rage at the sound of your voice. "I thought I had sent you off vagabond. It is bad enough that you insult my company and I give you the benefit of leaving unmolested. If you do not leave me and the lady at peace I will have to throw down the gauntlet." His voice seeps with anger and contempt. Behind him Kusanagi stands looking somewhat relieved at not having to use the pistol she was holding at the ready. Her expression quickely turns to impatience after Darby makes his statement as she waits for the two of you.
"My apologize I honestly did not expect to even see anyone here I imagined she would have left." He looked past Darby to the lady behind him. "I wish I could have heard your lecture today, but it seems fate had other plans for me. If we meet again I hope it is under more amenable circumstances." He gave an imaginary tip of his hat and then turned to leave quickly heading out of the museum left to mull over his own thoughts. His first job was to dig through his own memory of the high society to see what he could remember that was worth while but he would have to dig later.
[info]
To leave a positive/pitiable/intrigued impression on kusanagi
Presence+Charm+ High society+ Handsome dice + (curse? not added but i imagine she is curious from seeing all this)
[blockquote]Rolled 9d6 : 6, 4, 4, 5, 6, 4, 4, 6, 3, total 42[/blockquote]
[/info]
[info]Exploding d6
[blockquote]Rolled 3d6 : 6, 4, 6, total 16[/blockquote][/info]
As you exit the museum a massive coach pulls up to the front steps. From it emerges the large frame of Lord Blackblade who looks up from keeping an eye on his step down from the coach to look you in the eyes. "Jace? I mean, mister Lord. What are you doing here?" He appears to be surprsed at seeing you as he fidgets with the gold ring on his hand that rests on his large silver headed cane.
Jace looked back behind him for a moment hoping that his intrusion with Darby had caused him to delay enough not to stumble upon this little encounter. Looking back to Blackblade he held a finger to his lips. He could still feel the paranoia of the other lord hanging on him like a shroud of cobwebs after walking out of an aged basement. "I'm sorry my lord have we met? I'm just a humble man looking to make some extra coin do you need help getting your things down? I'll help for just a few pence." He was not certain just how far his security would be spread in this moment or who could be watching. He nodded back towards the carriage and motioned him to step back inside with some urgency. Hoping that some privacy would be enough to get his message across.
He moved closer then pretending to step up to the carriage like a normal vagabond might in an attempt to get a little coin. From this close proximity he would be able to speak quieter. "I don't have much time to explain, but there was a theft in the museum and one of this interested party is close to having a breakdown. If that lord sees you in there now he might do something foolish he's already doesn't like you and has been hearing whispers so if you go in blind I doubt it will end well. I won't stop you from going, but prepare yourself for possible fire balls if you even look off." He opened the carriage door shuffled around for a moment and pulled out the few odds and ends like his jacket and a box out before going to hand it to him "I'll fill you in on the details later its important for you to hear what I learned I might have information useful about Holt's death. There are multiple parties at play here. Now say you don't have enough spare coin to pay me and offer for me to come over to be paid in case the walls have ears." He gave him an earnest look of determination his eyes alight not breaking eye contact with Blackblade.
The lord gives you a very serious look. "You will have to tell me right now because the only lead I have on Holt's death lies in that museum in the form of that very theft and I intend on seeking out this lead. The tantrums of another lord who dislikes me are hardly new nor enough to stop me. I don't fear a good fight. Now, if you would please cut to the chase." He planted his cane before himself, resting his hands on it as he awaits your response.
"Blackblade this will not be a good fight this lord was close to having a mental breakdown and leave me as a dark stain on the floor. If you walk in there trying to dig for answers he'll jump to conclusions worse then he did with me and do far worse in an attempt to cut out of you what his manic thinking imagines to be in your head. Every street kid learns not to back a wounded dog into the corner" Jason hissed "Darby is not even the person who killed your friend in the first place so if you go on the warpath or worse let him go on his then who over went to these extents will have near total free rain to in act their plans. Then no revenge for your friend or justice for those who are caught up in these schemes. Now I have names and an additional angle to help you dig for better answers but they are worthless if you burn those bridges now."
Jason calmed himself then continued. "I don't want to talk more until we are more private then on the side of the street. If Lord Darby is involved with both thefts he is most defiantly being watched by whoever used your friend. You have invested to much to show your hand now. Lord Darby is talking with the traveling scholar Lady Kusanagi inside right now and they were both pulling weapons in public so tread carefully. I cannot in good conscience tell you not to want to find out who was using your friend and why they are doing what their doing. I'm just begging caution and clever thinking over bravado and folly. As long as Darby is in that museum you will not be getting the answers you need. At least not directly he's burning far to hot for anything more then lies and venom, and that snake wants an excuse to off load his furry on whoever he crosses his path next. He is willing to ruin the world at this moment. he'd slaughter an innocent child in full view of her majesty to reclaim what he lost. He would jump on you even faster then that and while you may beat him down it would ruin your other plans as well as all those who are tied to you who are still living. So if your going in there be ready, but so long as you don't die or kill someone I promise we'll get you justice with time.
Lord Blackblade sits back in the coach and tugs at his waxed moustace. "Hmmmm... Darby... How is he tied up in all this? And what thefts is he involved in? From what I have found there has been only one theft here at the museum. If Darby was involved in it then I still need to go in there to learn what I can about the event and if possible find proof to this claim. Unless you can provide me these answers then I must go in there. I do not need to worry about Darby, he can't strike another member of the peerage without consequence no matter how enraged he may be. This I know for a fact. Now, time is wasting away as we sit here so, as you requested..." He openeds the door to the carriage and steps down, barking out: "I'm afraid I have no way of paying you now, do go to my residence later this evening and I can arrange some payment for you." He tips his hat to you and begins to make his way up the steps into the museum.
"I can provide some background and information that he will not likely share with you or anyone else anytime soon, but its at best only a portion of the story and best used as context. We might be able to think of a plan to milk him for more information because of certain happenings but that can be dealt with later." He moved to exit the carriage calling out to Blackblade, "I wish you good fortune today sir." in his best accent before heading off down the street. He would have to trust that the lord could handle himself at least for a while in public. For now he could wait a few hours before making his return to that estate and perhaps do some digging in Constantine's "office" for information on the nobles he had names for and this Fang of Anubis. Hopefully it would buy him what he needed to move forward.
You are able to make your way through the murky smog as evening begins to darken the already dim skies to arrive at Constantine's office: a narrow converted shop in one of the rougher parts of town. It's sign displaying Aetherial Investigavtive Services hangs above the door. The windows are shuttered and prevent any glimpse into the office but you don't recall them being open even in the sunlight. Most of the other businesses on the street have closed their doors for the day and the crowds are thin, the exception being at the pub not too far down the street which seems to be doing a rowdy sort of business judging by the sounds of its clientelle. Form where you stand though it is merely an orangish blob of illuminated smog.
Jace stood for a moment on the side of the street wondering where it would be more likely to find Constantine at this hour. It was just the beginning of evening and not the normal time for someone to be getting a drink who had a job. And yet he knew his louse of a friend to well not to check the amber glow of the bar for him first before trying his office. If he was going to be doing any kind of serious research while not an expert in every esoteric form Constaintine was a hidden gem of knowledge and power in the city. Despite his bad reputation with nearly everyone in his life. But the man's fortune was similar to his own and Jace had to admit while he had more often then he would like have to pull him out of some gutter or another he had yet to be killed despite all the trouble he often attracted and i was nice enough to have someone with a similar personality to deal with.
He glanced around the opening of the pub sure that he would either find him gambling cards or red faced trying to drown out whatever recent escapades at the bar.
You make your way through the murkey haze to the pub, the noise of the establishment becomming louder as you approach. The sound of a piano playing a lively jig resolves as you get closer. The brisk business of the pub becomming more evident as you near. Folk seeking a good time through the pleasure of drink and company mill about the interior as you enter. The haze of pipe smoke makes only a modest improvement in visibility compared to outside but you are nonetheless able to find Constantine sitting at the bar, a bottle of whiskey open and shot glass in hand.
"I hope that's the first one of those Constantine" Jace said coming up beside the scruffy man "I was hoping to have you with as much sense about you as possible tonight friend. I could use your help with some research if you can manage." Jason looked the man he called friend over once more looking for more then the usual scruff and wear. "Have you had anything to eat yet tonight? I can put something together to put in your stomach aside from booze back at the office. I'll even pair it with that whiskey of yours since I doubt I can pull you away from the bottle you have paid for." While Jason was only mildly interested in alcohol for its flavor seeing plenty of its downside on the streets to get too carried away he had spent plenty nights playing bar buddy to Constantine when he was around to do so over the past six months he had gotten to know each other. He rarely ever fully fell in the gutter but his detective friend had run the gambit of the chef's morning after cures he had picked up in the trade.
Normally he would be all to happy to sit with Constantine, listen to his grumbling, maybe play a hand of cards,most likely watch him meet with someone he knew and even more likely watch him get socked in the face for it. But tonight Jason had plenty on his plate already and he worried that time might be the real enemy looming in the shadows of all this mess.
COnstantine looks up from the bar to you. A look of concern on his face. "Jace what are you doing here? I thought I told you to keep a low profile. People are looking for you." He looks over his shoulder to the pub entrance and the murky haze outside. He grabs the whiskey bottle as he stands up and motions you to follow. "Tobias, I'm using the card room." He rushes over to the back of the pub to a door in the rear wall. He quickely disappears into its confines, leaving the door ajar for you.
Jace followed behind not so quickly in a rush as his companion closing the door behind him, "About that, I think I've one up'd you in our on going bet who has the worst luck Constantine." Jason chuckled "Guess who I immediately took by surprise directly after you took the time to find me. Almost got splattered across the museum floor right in public if I had not managed to talk my way out of the worst of it. Though I could use your help with some of the aftermath if you are not busy with a case or something."
"Well, I guess I can give it a shot." He pours out some whiskey which he then downs. "This is at least a private place to talk and business is slow for anyone not trying to sell your head to that fellow from this morning... So what is the case?"
"Honestly I need someone who can do some discreet book work who can recognize when to keep there mouth shut and when someone might shiv them. I don't want you ending up dead for this understand." Jace sat down at the table digging out a notebook. "First off before I made it out of there I was forced to give some blood to the mage who wanted my head along with a mission and a hyperbolic threat I'm sure he wants to make good on." Jace drew the approximate size of the vial with a scrap of charcoal in his pocket. "Any clue what he could use that blood for besides the obvious? Do I need to be second guessing my own thoughts? Any loop holes I can use to get out of a jam or protect myself?"
"As for the second part, there has been a series of thefts the last few days of magical objects. Someone is being brazen about the whole thing using corpses and such right under people's noses. The guy who wanted my head had something called the Fang of Anibus stolen even after finding an animated corpse. The second as far as I know was a theft at the museum last night if these things are connected like my new friend believes someone is planning something rather big. And they've dragged me into this mess in more ways then one so I'd like to know what the hell is going on. Without either of us ending up floating in the Thames or some meat puppet. I got some names of some noble families that might help but i figured you and i could dig through those together now?"
Constantine looks at the drawing for a moment before responding. "Well blood can be used for many things. It can be used as a catalyst for the summoning of minor demons and the like. What I think you are going to want to be most worried about is that it can let more skilled sorcerers have a great deal of power over you. It could be used to place any number of curses on you... that would be on top of what you already have unless your curse wards you against the magics of other spellcasters. The exact nature of the curse depends on what kind of arcane knowledge the sprcer has access to. It is said that the Roman sorcerers could use the blood of their slaves to prevent them from ever harming their masters and that the most powerful could prevent the slaves from even speaking against them so that what arcane secrets they might have witness would follow them to their graves. Supposedly the only weakness of such magics is that the blood usually needs to be bound into some kind of magical construct which can be destroyed to lift the curses." He pushes the drawing back to you. "I would be careful in dealing with him from now on. Some of the curses are said to have had very dangerous effects. As for the thefts I haven't heard about last night but there was a theft from the museum last week as well. I don't know what was stolen but it was something brought over from Egypt by an archaological expedition. This Fang of Anubis might be connected since they are an Egyptian god. I haven't heard about this artifact in particular though. Who is involved?" He leans forward with a curious expression.
"Well from the expedition side that's Amelia Kusanagi if I had to guess this expedition was privately funded at least in part by the Darby family. From the near mental breakdown he had in public I would say he was more then passingly involved trying to search for his lost property plus him having the Fang before it was stolen puts him rather involved at the table." Ghostly images of both Amelia and Darby sat around the poker table along with several other masked shadowy figures as Jace filled out his mindscape continuing to speak. "Someone has been peeking at his cards this entire game and doing it so openly that everyone at the table knows yet doesn't worry about getting caught. Killing a lesser noble without anyone noticing and then using him as a meat puppet at a mage's party takes guts resources and serious abilities not to mention following it up with a museum heist."
Imaginary cards sliding into the center of the table representing Strong Magic, Money, Social Influence, and Skill. "So that limits our suspects at least out of the amateur league into either a high society war or there is some crime lords involved. Now I overheard the lady adventurer saying she had to ensure the authenticity of whatever they found and kept the find under raps at least on her end to a few well named individuals the Moseby's, Dalton's, Leblank's, and of course Darby himself was informed and involved with the find to various degrees. But that doesn't mean that there are not other's playing at this game without showing their faces at the table or using a proxy. Any thoughts?"
Constantine ponders for a moment before answering. "Well none of the names are familiar right off the top of my head. I would need to look into them to get a better idea of who could be a likely suspect. This may take quite some time, especially if I try to keep my investigations quiet. I can help you out but this could be a full time investigation so I'm gonna need either some compensation or a big time favor. A man's got to eat after all." Constantine takes another shot of whiskey. "And drink as well." He puts down the shot glass and gives you a wink.
"Yeah, I figured as much. But first and foremost focus on the artifacts and any possible future problems. For the people I can do some digging on them myself, research on the fang and the like however, that is out of my depth. As for compensation this is coming out of my pocket so its probably best to go half and half if you get my meaning. If you needed a favor that badily I would have probably done it regardless, but as long as you don't send me one a suicide mission I'll give you some money one way or another to fill in the gaps. How much would you need for this, keeping in mind I'm not the queen, nor own a tavern?"
While the pair continued chatting Jace fianlly got a chance to relax feeling the pressure of the day hit him like a ton of bricks and he still had to go to blackblade and start digging into each family. Maybe it was best to ask if he could sleep in a closet there tonight if he was getting any sleep at all.
Constantine takes out a scrap of paper and quickely scrawls on it with a piece of charcoal he produces from his vest. "I'll see what I can dig up. I'm not incredably educated in Egyptology but I might be able to sniff out a few leads." He folds up the scrap and returns it to his vest along with the charcoal. "In the meantime, I'll find you when I have something. Good luck for your own investigations. I'm going to start getting to work, I have a few books on Egyptology in my collection so I will give them a look to see if they can point me in a direction to get started." He rises from his seat. "Feel free to finish off the bottle." He nods to the bottle, only a knuckle's depth of whiskey remains, and pats you on the back as he takes his leave of you.
"Be careful Constantine." Jace said with a nod watching the man leave. He poured a small sip of the whiskey in the glass, downed it and then stood himself contemplating what he had gotten himself into. He would need to make it to Blackblade's home before much longer and it would need to be on foot to try and not draw to much attention. He would probably end up sleeping there as well based off the time that was flying by. With a sigh and waiting a good five minutes he exited the back room and began making his way to his destination trying to block out the chill that was settling at the nape of his neck.
The evening has truely set in while you and Constantine talked and you emerge into the dark streets of London still shrouded in the acrid smog. It seems as if no sensible folk walk the streets as you rarely come across anyone else on your way to Blackblade's home. It's a long walk and by the time you arrive at Blackblade's residence your eyes are beginning to sting and your sensitive nose is irritated by the offending smell. You find the need to sneeze frequently as the pea souper embeds itself in your nostrils. The familiar brass stag gazes upon you from the door, its facade lit by the soft light of the gas lamps flanking the door.
Jace after taking a moment and pinching the bridge of his nose he knocks on the door. He prepared himself for the imagined response from the butler and his master.
The door swings open with a creak that pierces through the smog that has muffled so much of the sound on your journey across the city. Carlson stands at attention, his eyes looking down his nose at you from his considerable height. His composure seems unaffected by your presence this time around as he simply continues to stare at you with no emotions crossing his face. He says nothing nor makes any other movement as he stands inside with one arm on the edge of the door.
"Now this is where things are going to get tough" he thought to himself with a small sigh. "Hello sir," he was not sure how Carlson would react to him using his name so he figured formality was best. "I'm expected by his Lordship, I realize the hour is probably improper but I have information that is worthwhile for him that cannot wait." He paused not realizing he was holding his breath he always hated these kinds of conversations. "Please feel free to do whatever you feel is necessary as long as I can have the talk that needs to be had in relative privacy."
He made sure to maintain eye contact with the orc the entire time while speaking however. He stood by the extent of his actions and at the same time completely understood the butler's distaste. He knew from the very beginning that this kind of scene would happen sooner or later and gave fair warning. He just had not expected it to be so soon. He had begun to like the man and respected his convictions.
Carlson doesnt say a word. The ogre's beady eyes stare blankly at you for a moment that seems to draw out for hours before the gaze turns to the end of the hall towards the entrance to the solarium. He slowly steps aside to allow entry. His every movment seeming to be crawling at a snails pace and it feels as if an eternity passes in the time it take for him to take up his position next to to fully open door, his looming presence seeming to dampen the warm, well lit interior to the home.
Jace watched the butler suspiciously but managed to keep a straight face as a chill ran down his spine. Something about the butler's movements reminded him of the undead nobleman. Fears of what might have happened what had happened while the master was gone settled in his stomach. Not that it would stop him and he stuffed that fear down he did not know if this was just the butler doing his best not to beat him senseless.
[info]
Perception check to see if something weird is going on with the butler or just that he is holding back from strangling jace
Wits + Perception + High Society
[blockquote]Rolled 9d6 : 4, 6, 3, 6, 5, 3, 4, 2, 5, total 38[/blockquote]
[/info]
[info]exploding 6s
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 2, 2, total 4[/blockquote][/info]
Black Dice[blockquote]Rolled 6d6 : 6, 1, 5, 2, 2, 5, total 21[/blockquote]
You are unable to discern if anything is amiss and your probing gaze is met by the continuing flat expression of Carlson. The ogre continues to look down his nose at you, motionless like a granite statue. The still air hangs silently about the two of you as the standoff continues.
Jace did not allow the awkward silence to hang longer then a few heartbeats for fear of being closed out. He had come this far after all and had no intention of turning away. He had stared into the unknown enough times that this was almost becoming old hat. If he was about to walk into a den of cannibals at least he was doing so of his own will. He was careful not to bump the butler as he passed smelling his familiar scent curious if he would find blood there as well before coming back into the familiar entryway. "Should I wait here or the same room as before?" He asked being careful to be aware of the butler's position just in case.
[info]Feel free to roll a smell test if you think it warranted my base perception is 5[/info]
Carlson does nothing in response save to draw his hand off the door to sweep his hand slowly before himself, palm up, to gesture towards the solarium door at the end of the hall.
[info]You smell no blood on Carlson, only the faint scents of rosemary and vinegar are picked up by your nose as you inhale near him.[/info]
Feeling more at ease that he was less likely to be walking into a death trap. With a sigh he took the few moments needed to walk the hall to the appointed room to strengthen his own convictions. He made it to the door and then knocked calmly before either entering himself or letting Carlson open the door for him.
The solarium is unoccupied when you arrive. The various lamps flickering in silence shed plenty of light but despite this, the solarium's glass walls stand to reveal the looming pitch blackness of the night beyond. Carlson enters after you, wheeling with him a cart with a tea set. He moves in silence to one of the clusters of chairs and short tables where he pours a cup of tea which he sets down on a coffee table before taking a station up behind one of the chairs opposite the cup of tea. There, he resumes his statue-like stillness without saying a word.
"I assume that's for me?" he asked full well knowing that he would not likely get a response but he sat regardless assuming that Carlson being the man he was he would not pour tea that would be lukewarm upon his master's arrival. Jace was all two familiar with that kind of timing so if he was not going to be pouring two cups he was going to be waiting for a while. He was tired regardless so the idea of sitting for a bit was not the worst in the world.
Carlson doesn't respond and continues to stand without speaking. The ticking of a clock in the corner is the only sound that puncuates the silence of the solarium. As you sit down, the warm comfort of the high backed chair eases the fatigue you have accumulated throughout the day. Time passes and no indication of Lord Blackblade's arrival comes. The darkness of the smog filled night continues to loom outside the glass walls. That is until for a moment the the smog draws away like a curtain to reveal the crescent moon high above. Still tinged by the polluted air it hangs like a dirty yellow grin, casting its light down at you. You find yourself unable to look away from the moon once you notice it. You feel it drawing your gaze and more as it seems to grow larger in the night, taking up a greater and greater share of the night's sky. Suddenly, you feel as if the wind has been knocked out of you as the very breath is drawn from your mouth and a single bloodshot eye opens up above the moon. You feel your body hurtling forward, crashing through the glass of the solarium into the darkness that lies between the eye and its mocking grin.
The wind screams through your head as you feel your body begin to break under the force of your ascent. Just when you feel your body at its limit you are flung to the floor of a dark place, the cold black stone rough against your skin, light flickers from a smouldering brazier before you. There are no walls, only inky blackness stretching beyond your sight. A single high backed chair sits next to the brazier, sitting in it is Lord Darby, a malicious grin on his face as he rests his hands ina steepled fashion just below his chin. "Hello slave." The second word drips with emphasis. "Don't think that because I let you live earlier that your gall went unnoticed." He stands up from his chair and as he does so your hands and feet sink into the stone. Pain as if your had plunged your limbs into buckets of frozen needles shoots through your nerves like electricity arcing up to your brain. "I guess it is for the best. You need a demonstration of what our relationship entails." He walks around the brazier at a leisurely pace, staring into its orange flames with some interest. The pain continues, seeming to stretch the moment out endlessly before he finishes making his walk to return to in front of you. He snaps his fingers and instantly you find yourself naked and exposed. The pain then changes from a merciless cold to and unbearable heat as if your skin were being seared over the flames of the brazier. Darby leans over you, inspecting your shoulder and paying no mind to the uncontrolled shaking of your sweat soaked body as your flesh instinctively seeks some respite from the pain. After a moment he returns to his chair and the pain stops. "I control you. You live only because I desire you to. I can kill you at an instant." He reaches out as if to grab something and you feel as if something cold and wet slithers around your heart before constricting. Your heart skips a beat and radiates pain as the breath escapes your lungs. "I can torment you at a whim." Lord Darby lets his hand drop and you feel your heart come free of the unseen grasp just in time for a lancing pain to shoot through your head as if someone had rammed an icepick through your eye socket. "I control you and you will do my bidding. You will report Blackblade's activities to me and Harper will have his eye on you. Oh and do try and see what happens if you reveal our relationship to anyone." Lord Darby's eye glitter with something horrid at this statement. "They say that the screams can be heard across oceans. I'll be listening. Until then, let me leave you with one last taste of the whip." He raises his hand and spreads out his fingers. Something begins to crawl under your fingernails under the surface of the stone. You feel a pressure beginning to build as the nails start to pull upward. Something starts to tear and you feel the nails begin to separate and something pours into the wound, something sickeningly warm. Then, as if a rope was tied around your waist, you are yanked back. Your limbs pull free of the stone and you hear Darby scream "What? NO!" You feel as if you are being flung by some mad beast gripping you by the ankle and your limbs feel as if they are about to break under the strain untill you take a breath and ice fills your lungs.
You open eyes you did not realize were closed as the water floods your lungs. You cough and sputter uncontrollably and you find your body lifted up by the collar. You are struck in the back with a force that could crack stone as water spews fromyour mouth. You are in the solarium once again. A basin of water in front of you, your clothes still on your body, now wet with water. From behind, you are gripped by the shoulders and pulled to standing, breath still struggling to make it into your lungs. With another strike to the back you feel your chest open up and you are able to breath once again. The same hands turn you around and you find yourself facing Carlson. His face with exactly the same experssion as when you last saw it.
Jason sputtered to life hacking up what water he could and hugging Carlson almost involuntarily glad to have a warm sane soul to cling to in that moment leaving a water mark on the orcs immaculate suit before withdrawing a moment later. With a shaky breath he gained a steely serious gaze unsure just how much if any Darby could see through him. Having another man possibly using his body was far from a comforting thought, but he would find that caging this man would not end well for him no matter what he did. He was officially pissed off the hubris of this man alone would be enough to choke a god. "My apologizes sir sometimes I suffer from blackouts you can imagine the types of things we lesser men must live through." He tapped his lips then and his ear at the same time before waving around the room as if to signify people existing in this empty room. He was going to make things rather complicated for this man one way or the other and teach him what it meant to step on others so liberally. He sat back in the chair now fully awake but even more exhausted this was going to be a long night, but he had even more purpose to meet with Blackblade. Not that he had much energy to move from that spot after the shock his body had just gone through.
Carlson squints his beedy eyes at your gestures. "So, that's why you have returned? Your curse has worsened and now you come back looking for his lordship's aid. I seem to have underestimated your shamelessness." The ogre picks up a towel that was resting on the table next to the basin and begins to wipe up the water that has spilled to the floor. "You are fortunate that his lordship is a forgiving man that would not wish me to simply cast you out to die of you fits. I would not hesitate to toss you back onto the street if it were not the case." Carlson stands and wrings the moisture from the towel, twisting it in a way eerily akin to throttling some poor soul's neck. He lifts the basin and turns to leave. "Dry yourself by the fireplace before you ruin the upholstry with the damp." With that final statement Carlson leaves the room before you have a chance to reply.
With a resigned sigh knowing that what Carlson said was true as much as it could be an act, and a slight uncertainty to whether his subtext even slightly hit the mark he stood while the man servant left. Jace then sat cross legged on the floor in front of the fire stripping of his shirt in the process to fight off the damp while he waited for what was to come next. His back was to the door then as he let the warmth in hearth help him shake both those dark images and disguise the flush of indignant emotions. Hopefully Carlson's report of his sudden fainting spell and subsequent behavior would be enough to cause Blackwell to bo on edge enough to not say anything to revealing off the bat. As long as the nobleman was careful and smart about the next few moves they could work something out that left his new mental roommate in the lurch.
Moments like this made Jason wonder what the noblewoman who cursed him in the first place wanted for him or even if she knew he existed in the first place. Though that was a thought that was not worth thinking about until it became important at the moment he had enough to worry as it was. He still had to most likely bow his head and do some dealing here tonight even though he really hoped things went better then he feared they might.
Your body, bathed in the warmth of the hearth, quickly begins to dry and it is only a few moments before you feel the chill of the water evaporate away. Carlson returns in short order with a velvet housecoat which he drapes over the arm of the chair nearest to you before wheeling in a trolly with a new tea set. He prepares to pour a cup of tea when you see him perk up ever so slightly before quickly exiting the solarium. Over the crackle of the fire you can hear the thuds of activity and the deep voice of Lord Blackblade murmuring back towards the front of the house. His heavy footfalls draw near with haste, harbinger to his entrance into the solarium. He comes in through the entryway and quickly scans the room before seeing Jace. "So, you came afterall. Honestly, I didn't know if you would actually come here or not." He pulls out his pipe and hands it to Carlson who had been following the Lord like a shadow and proceeds to take the pipe and load it with tobacco. "Well then..." Lord Blackblade takes his pipe back and gives it a few puffs as Carlson lights it for him. "What were you doing at the museum this afternoon and what have you learned?" He takes a long drag on his pipe before taking a seat on a couch facing you, his face scruntched up in a scrutinizing gaze.