• Closed • Stealing A Statue

[Quio]

She had them, and it seemed she knew it. At her actions Quio gritted his teeth, and this time he was the one to have to hold Hart back when the mercenary raised the dagger to Tristan's throat. Hart pushed against the Yludih's hold, trying to break free but, after a trill or three, regained control of himself. He settled back into docility, arms hanging limply by his sides, and gave Quio a shaky nod. The Yludih let him go, and the other didn't try to intervene again.

The woman's argument that she didn't break a deal she shook on was that of a snake, but there was little point in resisting further. If Tristan wanted to pay her he could. Unfortunately, neither Quio nor Hart could afford the raised price. 100 gn was vastly out of their grasp.

Regardless, this was their fault. They had worked with the woman to rob Tristan, and now he would be robbed again at knife-point. Perhaps, when they had the money, they could pay Tristan back and somehow figure out how to explain.

Until then, their complicity with this whole thing was just another barbed secret that had to be kept.

"New deal then," Quio spoke out, as presumably Tristan --or Hart, if Tristan was not allowed-- went to fetch the money. "You tell us who sent you. Each of your clients, and what grudges they hold. You take the gold, a raised offer I might add --that aught to cover the information-- and get the hell out of here. Deal?" This time he came carefully forward, not giving her reason to use the dagger, and reached out his right hand to shake. Such a gesture was worth little to the false-Biqaj, but if the woman somehow thought it held meaning, then he was going to use that to his advantage.

"Speaking in Rakahi"
"Speaking in Common"
"Speaking in Ulehi"

[Tristan Venora]

As Tristan felt Yana’s dagger against his throat, he was suddenly very hot. It was not a pleasant kind of hot though. It was the kind of hot that came with being afraid, and he also shivered a little which didn’t make a lot of sense to him. How could you be both hot and cold at the same time? Maybe he was falling ill! “Ummm”, he made and cleared his throat because his voice refused to obey him. “Can’t you just lower your weapon again? I already told you that I won’t run. Besides, you might slit my throat accidentally! You don’t want to accidentally commit a murder, do you?” In truth he didn’t believe that she would do anything accidentally. If she killed him, she would do so on purpose, and she would enjoy it. She looked very cold-hearted and sure of herself. Kind of like Mistral. But when Mistral did it it was cute. She just looked frightening.

As she talked to Ruq and Hart his gaze went back and forth between them. He really hoped that his brother and his boyfriend wouldn’t do anything stupid and risk his life in the process. He wanted to keep his life a little longer. This was not the right time for heroics! “Let’s shake hands then!” he informed Yana because he was worried that she would change her mind again soon. “Right now. And then I’ll get the money. Or you can get the money. Or Hart. Hart will fetch the money, and I’ll stay here so that you’ll still have a hostage. There is a box on my nightstand that should contain the amount that you want. You can even take the box. It’s a nice box with a lot of fine engravings. You can probably sell it for a few more nels …” He realized that he was babbling and abruptly broke off. Yana didn’t look as if she liked people that babbled like idiots.

As Quio demanded that she tell them who had sent her, he looked thoughtful. He didn’t know if it would be a good idea to make any more demands, especially when she was still holding him and pointing a dagger at him, but on the other hand he really wanted to know who he owed this to. “Only if you don’t mind”, he interjected. “We wouldn’t tell anybody where we got the information from either! Right?” He looked at Hart and Quio. “I’m just curious who wants you to take away my manhood.” The thought nearly made him sick again. Who could it be? A jealous husband? The problem was that he hadn’t been with anybody besides Faith recently apart from the one time when he had been to the House of Roses and won a fake slave auction (if somebody had told him that he would spend most nights with the same girl only an arc before, he wouldn’t have believe them!), so it had to have happened a while ago. He racked his brain, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t come up with a name.

Having a dagger pointed at you, he realized as he looked at Yana, didn’t exactly improve your memory.

[Yanahalqah]

It was truly a good thing to have taken Tristan Venora hostage. Not only because without him her threats would make no sense whatsoever, but also because the man wasn't the type that would try to play for hero. He seemed to like his life and body, and served to remind his friends and brother that he'd rather keep those two things the way they were. Which ultimately would not be happening if they made any attempt to interfere. What also helped was the fact that Yana wasn't going to think twice about executing her threats, now only holding off on them because negotiations were still going on. The others knew this all too well, it seemed, which played out favorably for her.

Naturally, the comment on the handshake was not slipping by unnoticed, with Lord Venora eagerly proposing to shake hands, babbling about other details until he glanced at Yana's face and suddenly stopped talking. The Biqaj too did not let it pass, stepping forward with hand offered, demanding new terms for the deal, wanting to know who had sent her and why. Of course they were going to try and get something out of it, it was inevitable. By making sure she gave them a way to trust her word –which, in all honesty, was always a bad idea-- she'd also made herself a bit vulnerable. Shaking hands meant she either had to let go of Lord Venora, or sheath her dagger, both of which were opportunities for the others to launch a counterattack. Alternatively, it was maybe because of it that they were willing to go along with it. Not to counter, mind you, but because it signified she was not lying. Maybe.

“Should I remind you that the good Lord here upped the price himself?” she questioned in rhetorical manner. “But very well. A sign of my goodwill then. I will tell you what you want to know as soon as I get my money.” She nodded in Hart's direction then, finding him to be the most suited for the job. She needed Tristan as a hostage, and Ruq could not be trusted. “You will fetch the money. Put it in a pouch, I have no need for the box.”

Reluctant, the Yludih let go of Tristan's shoulder then, deciding to keep her weapon drawn just in case she needed to stab someone. She could do that even with one hand trapped and unusable, whereas Tristan would be completely useless to her as long as her other hand was held in place. “Don't move,” she warned the Lord, the tip of her dagger twitching as she placed her free hand in Ruq's. She shook only once, keeping the interaction as brief as possible. Then she would disconnect –if the Biqaj did not decide to hold on to her hand to trap her, that is-- and move on to shaking Tristan's hand as well.

As soon as she received the money, the Yludih slipped it into a pocket of her pants, then once more grabbing hold of Tristan’s shoulder. Just in case. “Alright. I won’t be repeating myself, so listen well.” She took a breath then, listing up all her clients in her head. “Jack White, flopped actor, blames Lord Venora for writing the rubbish play that ruined his career.” In actuality, Yana was fairly sure that it was his own acting skills and mediocre comedy that cost him his stardom. “Chris Yeslan, rival playwright and fan of your work. Though his plays have been denied in favor or yours many a time, it’s actually his adoration of you that brought him to me. He believes you cannot possibly keep producing what he calls ‘magnificent works of a master of scripts’, and would rather have you forced to quit while you’re ahead than see you start producing crappy plays in the future.” There truly were strange people in this world. “Next is the gambler Keyne Glück, who claims to have lost lots of money to you while gambling, only because you were cheating every time.”

A short pause to breathe and keep her human act up, even though it wasn’t necessary for her to take in oxygen. Yana was about halfway through the list. “Dora Duim has no grudge, but does have a thumb fetish. She wants one of yours to preserve, and the other to … use. ” The Yludih wasn’t too sure what was so attractive about Tristan’s thumbs, but hey, each to his own. “Rick Rowl was attacked and emasculated by your cat and its gang. And lastly Lazlo Lorendz was outbid by you during some auction at the House of Roses, and did not take it well. Apparently, the redhead was his favorite.” Lorendz also was an alcoholic, and had been yapping about that “tragic trial” at least twice during the time Yana had been inquiring about the job he had for her. “That’s all of them. Now, I will be taking my leave. Lord Venora, if you would be so kind to accompany me to the door?”

It was no question though, and the pull of her hand at his shoulder would make that abundantly clear. He was still her insurance, deal made or not. She could not trust the others, whether they were idiots or not. So she kept Lord Venora with her until she had stepped out of the door and into the streets. Once there she released her hostage, sheathing her dagger finally. For a brief moment she considered telling the Lord to come seek her out if he had ever need of a mercenary, but ultimately decided against it. It was unlikely he’d come to her of all people. So instead she said: “Tell Faith I said hi. She’ll know who I am.” And then she left, heading for the nearest alley to disappear into, planning to take a detour to the location of the cart, just in case.

[Quio]

Well, it was over. Quio shook the woman's hand, feeling somewhat disgusted with both her and himself, and then retreated to a safe distance so she wouldn't think he would try anything. Hart had gone to the bedroom to rummage around for the box Tristan had mentioned, and now returned, handing over the money without saying a word. They both remained completely silent when she spoke her list of clients. Quio trying to memorize. Probably Hart doing the same, though with Hart there Quio probably needn't have bothered; Hart had an excellent memory for names.

Some of the reasons that the merc's clients had hired her were outright bizarre, and Quio knew that at least a few, especially the one about thumbs, he would have a hard time forgetting, even if he tried to wipe them from his memory. Uck.

Both men came forward a step when the woman 'asked' Tristan to accompany her to the door --what if she tried something? kidnapping?-- but luckily she seemed content to just leave. She vanished into an alley, not the way they had come, and Hart leaned against Quio as if deflating, blowing out a sigh of relief. "T-Tristan," he said, then cleared his throat of the wobble in his voice. "You okay?"

"We're going to have to do something about that list," Quio said. Then sighed. And about the money she had stolen.

And the statue. He didn't know how they would possibly get the statue back. They probably wouldn't.

"I don't want any of those others hiring someone else to come after you-- or coming here themselves." And Faith. If Tristan was in danger, and his cat was in danger, when what about Faith?

"Sorry," the Yludih eventually said, sighing again. "That woman seemed to be a lunatic." Who even knew if the list she had given was real?

"Speaking in Rakahi"
"Speaking in Common"
"Speaking in Ulehi"

[Tristan Venora]

As Yana let go of his shoulder, Tristan breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed it because it was just a little sore. Upon hearing that he wasn’t supposed to move though, he immediately let go again and stood completely still again because he was worried that she would use the fact that he had touched his shoulder as an excuse to decorate his body with a few extra holes. As she moved to shake his hand, he hesitated for a moment before he abruptly grabbed her hand and shook it firmly. Now she couldn’t break her promise anymore, could she?

“My plays are never rubbish!” he informed her indignantly as she started to list the names of all the people that wanted to see him hurt. “Jack White was rubbish. He was the worst actor I ever saw. And Chris Yeslan …” He just shook his head. He had met the man, and he didn’t believe for just one moment that he wanted him to stop while he was still writing good plays. The man was just jealous. Maybe he’d incorporate him into his next play! He’d make him cross-eyed and give him warts on his face, and he would end up in some dungeon because he tried to hurt the glorious hero of the play!

As she spoke of Keyne Glück, he racked his brain. Had he ever cheated? Maybe once or twice, but usually he was just lucky or better than the others. Keyne probably hadn’t been able to accept that he sucked. And then she informed him of the woman with the thumb fetish, and his eyes widened, and he just started at her incredulously for a moment before he blurted out, “A thumb fetish? Seriously? What does she want with my thumbs?”

He looked at the thumbs in question. They were very nice thumbs, certainly, but they were more useful when they were attached to a hand. He wondered if he should pay Dora a visit and try to find out more, but then he came to the decision that he didn’t really want to find out more. Besides, she might just try to stun him and then use a knife on him!

“Well done, Mistral”, he complimented his cat who did of course not react in any way, being a very self-centered cat. He did wonder how exactly Mistral had managed it though. Had he jumped and bitten the man between the legs or had he surprised him when he had been taking care of a certain business?

And then there was the man who had been unable to accept that he had won Lucille. He wondered if now would be a good time to get a bodyguard, but then again, he didn’t need a bodyguard when he had Faith. She could not only cook and was good in bed, she could also fight. He wished she were with him now. She would probably have saved him. Where was she by the way?

“Sure”, he said as she asked him to accompany her to the door because he didn’t really have a choice. “I hope you’ll have fun with my money. Buy yourself something nice”, he murmured. Maybe, if he was being friendly, she wouldn’t stab him the moment they had walked out of the door and then leave him on the street where he would bleed to death. And then she told him to say hi to her. By the Seven, he hoped that she hadn’t hurt Faith!

“No, I’m not okay”, he replied as he walked back into the house. “But I’ll live … I think. I might need to hire a bodyguard though. Or hide in Sabaissant for a while so that people forget that they are mad at me and want my thumbs or my manhood.” He paused and looked directly at Hart and Quio. “She knows who Faith is.”

[Yanahalqah]

It is some time later that Yana finds herself sitting in the salon of Gojira Godmount again, opposite to the old woman. The leather of the chair creaked softly as the Yluidh shifted in her seat, folding one leg over the other, fingers steepled. Gojira was enjoying a glass of wine, swirling the golden liquid around before taking the smallest of sips. For all her hideous looks, the woman did have some class. It showed in her style of dress as well. A silvery-grey woman’s suit, stressing Gojira’s position and attitude. No lacy dresses with lots of ribbons for her. Those were for those show-of nobles. A self-made woman did not want to be lumped into one group with those who’d never had to lift a finger for their position.

“The statue, as per your request,” Yana spoke, eyeing the old business woman with her one green orb. The two stooges who’d shown the mercenary inside and who’d carried the statue in her stead lifted the sail draped over the artwork with a flourish, unveiling it. Gojira stiffened up, eyes She did not rise from her seat, instead turning towards Yana, trying to keep her composure. Nevertheless, her eyes stood hungry, and a excited blush had spread over her wrinkled cheeks.

“It’s even more magnificent than I had imagined,” she breathed, eyes flicking back to the statue’s chiseled abs and that which hung below. “A job well done, indeed.”
“Of course. I would like to remind you of our deal-”
“Yes, yes. I didn’t forget.” She snapped her fingers, and one of the stooges left the room. “You will get your coin, don’t you worry.”

“Actually, I mean the other part of the agreement.”
“Which was?” Gojira asked with raised eyebrow, sipping her wine.
Yana unfolded her legs, placing both feet firmly on the ground, arms on the armrests of the chair, fingers clawing in the leather. She was ready to pounce. Not at the old woman, mind you, but at the statue, her leverage.
“Don’t play dumb,” the Yludih hissed, not bothering to cover the hostility in her voice and body. She had not gone through the trouble of getting that statue only to have her client conveniently forget that she’d agreed in covering up all Yana’s actions. Heck, that agreement was the reason she’d casually strolled inside to threaten Tristan Venora in the first place. With the statue already in her possession, any and all charges against her were guaranteed to be dropped.

“I’m talking about covering up everything. I hope you were not planning on going back on it. I would like you to consider the fragility of art.” Her eye flicked to the statue.
Gojira placed her glass down with a thud, her mouth a thin stripe. “Is that a threat?”
“Of course not. It’s a warning.”
“Listen, dear, if you need me covering things up I would suggest you don’t go warning me. I am the only one capable and willing to give you a hand.” Her eyes had turned stone-cold.
Yana answered with an equally cold stare.
“But you needn’t worry, dear,” the old lady spoke, “I’m a woman of my word. If there is a need for it, I will make sure all charges against you disappear. I wouldn’t want to lose a business partner, after all.”
“Good.”

The lackey who’d gone to fetch Yana’s reward returned then, pressing a small pouch into her hand. The Yludih didn’t count it, not because she found it to be in bad taste, or because she did not want to come across as greedy, but so she wouldn’t change Gojira’s mind. She had a feeling the woman only tolerated her, and mercenaries could easily be replaced. To be the sword for hire of the Madam’s choice provided some benefits, and the Yludih thought it wise not to compromise the chance to be exactly that.

“Well then,” she said, standing, “a pleasure doing business.”
“Likewise,” Gojira said, though her eyes said otherwise, “I hope I can count on you in the future, should your assistance be needed.”
“Of course.”

[Maltruism]

Come and get your Loot!

(There's plenty more where that came from)

YANAHALQAH:

Rewards:

• Story: +5
• Collaboration: +5
• Structure: +5

Knowledges:

• "Bearded Statue": Lord Peake Andaris
• Bus. Mgmt: Be Sure ALL Parts of a Deal are Honored
• Deception: A Deal That Can be Both Kept AND Broken
• Detection: Clothing Makes the Man
• Detection: Hart Has a Better Tan Than Tristan
• Gojira: Has The Clout to Have Charges Dismissed
• Intelligence: The Floor Plan of Tristan Venora's Home
• Intimidation: A Dagger to the Throat
• Intimidation: A Smiling, Unspoken Threat
• Language: Rakahi
• Logistics: Bring a Cart to Move a Heavy Item
• Mistaken Identity: Hart for Tristan
• Mistral: One Bad-Ass Black Tomcat
• NPC: Gojira: Merchant Woman With Odd Jobs
• NPC: Hart: Tristan Venora Look-Alike
• Negotiation: Flip of a Coin
• Negotiation: Let One Client Lead to Another
• Negotiation: Proof of Identity to Stop Assault
• PC: Quio: Yludih in Biqaj Form
• PC: Tristan Venora: Noble-Born Sculptor
• Quio: Shows Signs of Being in Fights
• Rakahi: Hearing Phrases When You Know What is Being Discussed
• Stealth: Break the Back Window When They're at the Front Door
• Stealth: Loud Distraction to Cover Soft Footsteps
• Stealth: Move Low and Slow
• Tactics: Distract-and-Steal Teamwork
• Tactics: The Innocent Eyes to Get Target Off Guard
• Tristan Venora: Has Enemies That Will Pay
• Unarmed Combat: Skirts are a Hindrance
• Unarmed Combat: The Gut Shot/Knee-to-the-Face Combo

Loot:

+150gn
100gn specifically, for deal with Tristan
50gn in Pouch from Gojira

Loss:

Nothing to speak of

Injuries:

Nothing to speak of

Fame: -4

Act of Cruelty
General Bad Deed
Start Rumor (About Faith)

Comments:

This was kick-ass, folks!
Since everyone is promising not to say anything though, fame is reduced.
"Gojira"? Seriously? Godzilla?

___________________________________________________________

QUIO:

Rewards:

• Story: +5
• Collaboration: +5
• Structure: +5

Knowledges:

• "Bearded Statue": Lord Peake Andaris
• Common: Hearing Phrases When You Know What is Being Discussed
• Deception: A Deal That Can be Both Kept AND Broken
• Detection: Flirts Wear Skirts, Mercenaries Don't
• Discipline: Cooperating for Tristan's Sake
• Discipline: Defending Your Friends
• Hart: Not as Careful as He Should Be
• Intimidation: No Actual Promise of Restraint
• Intimidation: The Counter Threat of Death
• Logistics: Bring a Cart to Move a Heavy Item
• Logistics: Guards' Arrival Won't Save Tristan
• Mistral: Potential Wrench in the Works
• Negotiation: Flip of a Coin
• Negotiation: Extra Ransom to Get the Names of the Clients
• Negotiation: Proof of Identity to Stop Assault
• PC: Yanahalqah: Yludih Mercenary
• Persuasion: A Case of Mistaken Identity
• Stealth: Break the Back Window When They're at the Front Door
• Stealth: Loud Distraction to Cover Soft Footsteps
• Tactics: Distract-and-Steal Teamwork
• Tristan Venora: Too Smart for His Own Good
• Unarmed Combat: Reacting to the Follow-Up Knee Strike

Loot:

Nothing to speak of

Loss:

Nothing to speak of

Injuries:

Nothing to speak of

Fame: NA

Nothing really there

Comments:

Couldn't really give Quio credit for things done by Hart.
Awesome thread though, everyone!

___________________________________________________________

TRISTAN VENORA:

Rewards:

• Story: +5
• Collaboration: +5
• Structure: +5

Knowledges:

• Detection: Why Hart But Not Quio?
• Discipline: Staying Calm Under Threat of the Knife
• Etiquette: Always Welcome a Friend Back
• Etiquette: Don't Make Suggestions Without Offers of Financial Aid
• Etiquette: Helping to Look for Lost Necklace
• Etiquette: Trying to Make Up for Lost Time With Hart
• Gambling: Use Quio for a Drinking Wager?
• Intelligence: The Mercenary Knows Faith
• Interrogation: Ask Questions When They Can't Leave
• Logistics: All The Needs of a Sculptor's Studio
• Logistics: Guards' Arrival Won't Save You
• Logistics: Marriage Plans
• Logistics: Time to Hire a Bodyguard?
• Thug Client: Dora Duim: Thumb Fetish
• Thug Client: Keyne Gluck, Poor Gambler
• Thug Client: Lazlo Lorendz, Outbid at Auction
• Thug Client: Jack White, Flopped Actor
• Thug Client: Chris Yeslan, Rival Playwright
• Negotiation: Concessions to Ensure no Accidental Harm
• Negotiation: Offers of Help With Marriage Plans
• Negotiation: Offers of Money to a Mercenary Enemy
• Persuasion: Promising to Forget the Whole Thing
• Persuasion: The Authority to Okay the Ransom
• Quio: Always Seems Uneasy
• Quio: Can Drink Like a Fish
• Rhetoric: Family Tree Details
• Sculpting: Base as a Counter-Balance
• Unarmed Combat: Recognizing The Need to Learn

Loot:

Nothing besides retaining your manhood

Loss:

-100gn

Injuries:

Very nearly, but not.

Fame: NA

I expect Tristan will be keeping this embarrassment quiet.

Comments:

This was a great tale!
It took me a long time though, because I really have no clue what plot elements may have been unknown to me from previous threads.
I hope there is nothing obvious to you guys that I completely missed.
I really tried to dig up some stuff for Tristan, since his character really had the least options for skill actions in this scenario.
PM me with any comments or concerns