Heroica RPG - Quest #72: A Party

[Pandora]

"He put me through my paces, I'll give him that. Bloody Blue Assassins. There's a reason I don't kill those I wasn't hired to kill, unless the need arises. Too messy, too dangerous. It's a shame he got to you. I assume you aren't queasy around blood? You can see if he was carrying any loot, the Red Assassins take only the gold of the contractor. Less we carry, the harder it is to find us. We don't encourage trophies as you heroes do."

Nyx gets herself of the floor, dusting herself down as she does so.

"Thank you." she smiles but hesitates to use Avery's name "He was very rude, and annoying, and I have absolutely no problem with blood, especially other people's, but I've also seen plenty of my own. Probably why I'm so pale."

Nyx moves over to Watters lifeless body, admiring Avery's craftsmanship.

"Beautifully done, I really must say. Not my personal style, but I certainly respect your art." she nods approvingly as she checks Watters body for loot. During the process, she looks at Avery again and carries on talking.

"I know you have rules, and, although I find that frustrating, I do kinda respect that. I will tell you something instead, though. I worry for Lord Guffington's life." Nyx eyes Avery carefully "I don't think you're here to harm him, but there are a lot of odd occurrences tonight. He seems like such a nice man, and it'd ruin the party for me if the host died, so I hope my instincts are wrong. It'd be really nice to find someone at the party who cares about Guffington as much as I do...."

Nyx leaves her last statement hanging as she looks around the courtyard as if admiring the stonework.

[Zepher]

Lord Marsh grumbles quietly, but slips Guts 300 gold and attempts to take the book.

"Just ensuring she remains happily at my side."

Nyx goes through Watters' pockets and finds the following:

-Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP: 1)

-Dagger of the Blue Assassin (WP: 4, Aims become Hits)

-500 Gold,

-Spinning Bolas (WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved, throwing weapon)

-Contract of the Blue Assassin

"Your little imp has surely explained a thing or two of our order to you - he seems knowledgable enough. Tell him, by the way, that we're always looking for apprentices." Avery gives a shrug, as if she doesn't care either way if Hybros is interested or not. "Personal bias does not enter into my contract. My personal opinions on Guffington, or any of the other people here, matter little. I've killed people I admire, and let others live whom I hate. I am not here for Guffington, however. Truth be told, my final contract is to be carried out outside the party, after all the guests have gone their separate ways." Avery wiggles her mouth back and forth indecisively. "Shall we rejoin the party?"

[Scubacarrot]

Guts takes the gold, and lets go of the book. "If you were a ma,n you would not be messing with her mind, you'd let her make her decision, even if that means she'd be leaving you." With that, Guts turns around, and tries to remember if there was something else he wanted to do. He had seen Madame Ladybug carry a valuable tome, but Guts doubted if there was a way for her to part with it... Without force, that is... Well... There was no harm in trying anyway, and this party was already just as messed up as it could be. But first... Guts quickly heads to Chauncy's room and grabs the Lamp of Summoning he found before.

[Pandora]

Nyx nods to Avery, warming to her considerably. "I'll pass that message on to Hybros, thank you. And like I said, I didn't think you were here to kill Guffy." Nyx carefully examines the Blue Assassin's contract, and without looking up continues "If I were a betting woman I'd guess your last target is Lord Marsh, but that really is just a guess. I have no intention of getting in your way, even if that were the case."

She looks up and thoughtfully at Avery, smiling kindly.

"Yes, we should probably go back in. I was just wondering whom to engage in conversation, when I return. Let's go."

[JimBee]

Hybros stood quietly, waiting for someone to enter from the courtyard. "I am painfully aware that there is still part of our task left to be done" he said to Docken. "Though I am still unsure of what to do. Let us ask Everstein." He walked towards Everstein, and explained the situation. "The Red and Blue Assassins are dueling it out in the courtyard, though I do not believe the Red one is a threat to Guffington or any of his direct associates, eheh. There is still the question of Lord Marsh, who appears to have hired both Clippard and Watters. But all of our previous encounters with him have led to no success. Do you have any suggestions?"

[Zepher]

Guts leaves the Dining Hall just as the sun goes down, jogging up the stairs and snatching up the lamp that he saw earlier. The room seems eerie and quiet. With so many hours with so many people, silence seems strange.

Nyx reads the contract.

Assassin-

Your target is Clippard the cook. Wait until after he has delivered the poison. Should he fail, you are to finish his job yourself. Your payment is in the drawer of my dresser.

-Marsh

A ghost of a smile brushes across Avery's face.

"I am unable to answer," she says with a shrug.

"If you are sure of the traitor, accuse him," wheezes Everstien.

Edited August 31, 2013 by Zepher

[JimBee]

"That did not work out so well the last three times..." Hybros rolled his eyes.

[Pandora]

A very slight smile appears at the corners of Nyx's lips.

"Fair enough. Let's go inside. I think I'd like to talk to Lord Chauncey, he seems like a very nice man, and a man of means, certainly. Would it be too much to ask you for a glass of wine when we're inside? At least I'll know it won't be poisoned, but... I know you're not really a serving girl, and it seems rude to ask an assassin to fetch me a drink." she shrugs "I could bloody use one, though. It's been one hell of a night. Uhm, so far."

Nyx moves to re-enter the hall with Avery.

[Zepher]

"Why did it not work the last few times, Imp. Take the variables and control them."

Nyx steps into the Dining Hall.

"I must maintain my cover, regardless." Avery steps into the kitchen. Everstien drifts over to Nyx.

"Perhaps we should lock her in? I do not wish her to feel the pressure to join combat again," he rasps. "I believe we are all ready whenever you are. I have told the imp - set the accusation in your favor, and then let us finish this evening."

[Scubacarrot]

Guts paces back into the dining hall, just in time to see Avery enter the kitchen. Guts promptly locks the door. Without saying a word to Everstien, Guts paces over to Madame Ladybug, and whispers to her: "Madame, there is the possibility things might get a little rowdy in a few moments, I would like you to trust us in what we are doing, and stay close to us heroes, Daneeka, Everstien and Guffington." The raider then waved Daneeka over, and told him to watch over Madame Ladybug. Finally, the raider walked over to Guffington, and took him apart. "Guffington. Things are about to come to a close, but we don't know exactly how it will play out, I want you to stay down and stay behind me at all times, even if it means I will take a frontal attack, I can take it."

[Pandora]

Nyx shrugs at Everstein as she slides the bolt, essentially locking Avery in the kitchen. "Sorry" she mutters quietly to the door.

That done, Nyx moves to stand next to Hybros, slipping him the Blue Assassin's contract, to aid him in making the case.

"It pretty much says on that that Marsh is behind it. You could show it to Guffy if he needs further convincing of Marsh's guilt." she whispers to Hybros. "You're our leader, it's up to you, but I've got your back... as long as I'm alive, of course" she grins a little at the end. "Before you start, do you want me to have a quiet word with Chauncey? I'm pretty sure he'd be the one who hired Avery."

[JimBee]

Nyx shrugs at Everstein as she slides the bolt, essentially locking Avery in the kitchen. "Sorry" she mutters quietly to the door.

That done, Nyx moves to stand next to Hybros, slipping him the Blue Assassin's contract, to aid him in making the case.

"It pretty much says on that that Marsh is behind it. You could show it to Guffy if he needs further convincing of Marsh's guilt." she whispers to Hybros. "You're our leader, it's up to you, but I've got your back... as long as I'm alive, of course" she grins a little at the end. "Before you start, do you want me to have a quiet word with Chauncey? I'm pretty sure he'd be the one who hired Avery."

Hybros' eyes widened at Nyx's entrance. "Nyx, I am... so glad that... well, I am... sorry." He shifted his eyes towards Guffington, then to the floor, then back to Nyx, then to the floor again. "There was a tricky situation, and... well... ehem, yes, this finally confirms Marsh's guilt. I will show this to Guffington quickly. Perhaps Chauncey did hire the Red Assassin, but if you want to do this together... I will be upstairs." He nodded to Docken, then headed towards Guffington. Touching the brim of his hat, he said to his host, "Ehem, we have found those who are trying to kill you. Lord Marsh hired the chef and the blue waiter. There is another assassin, though it appears she is here to protect you." Hybros showed Guffington the contract of the Blue Assassin. "Unless you have any objections, we are going to deal with this problem briefly." He nodded at Guts who was standing nearby.

[Zepher]

"You have my faith, Guts, hmmmmmmm. As long as you give me no reason to take it away."

Guffington looks at Hybros, Guts, and then the contract of the Blue Assassin. His eyes fall for a moment, and the heroes who had been inside his head feel a taste of bitter metal in their mouth. Then Guffington looks up, and his eyes are all fire.

"You may finish this, heroes. See if you can take him alive if possible."

[Scubacarrot]

Guts reads over Guffington's shoulder, and smirks: "Marsh. It was Marsh the entire time. It was that easy? Well. You stop that Chauncy guy from exploding and keep his wife calm. I'll make sure Guffington comes quietly, anyone got some rope?"

[Pandora]

Nyx sees the expression on Hybros's face, and actually feels the need to smile at the little imp.

"It's ok Hybros, I understand, I really do. And I die a lot, it's kinda becoming my thing really. I still have an... awareness, and it's becoming stronger each time, so I understand the circumstances, don't worry."

She follows Hybros as he goes to explain, and on hearing Hybros's words to their employer she looks over at Guffington. There's no taste in her mouth, but there doesn't need to be, his face says it all. Guts' words jolt her attention.

"Guts I don't know which "you" you're referring to, but I'd rather go talk to Chauncey - I can't be on wife duty at the same time, though. I don't think Guffington needs to come quietly, but Marsh certainly does. Best I can do is put him to sleep; I've no rope, sorry. Actually, Hybros, what do you want me to do?"

[Scubacarrot]

The raider coughs, then touches his forehead. Aging. What he wouldn't give to be a longliving elf at this moment, he would even take the weird ears and feelings of superiority right now. Soon he would be too senile of an old man to have a normal conversation with. "It's been a long day. I apologize. With you I meant any of you three. If you could speak to Chauncy, it would be helpful." The raider smirked when the mage asked the imp for his opinion. More brilliant leadership, probably.

Edited September 2, 2013 by Scubacarrot

[JimBee]

"Nyx, you may speak with Chauncey. The less interference, the better." Hybros touched his hat once more to Guffington, then headed towards Lord Marsh with any allies in tow. "Excuse me, I will need a word upstairs, please."

[Brickdoctor]

I follow Hybros.

[Scubacarrot]

"You're not going to deal with the crazy wife? I'd do it, but I have no idea how." The raider grumbled. Guts stays with Guffington.

[JimBee]

"You're not going to deal with the crazy wife? I'd do it, but I have no idea how." The raider grumbled. Guts stays with Guffington.

Hybros pauses and calls back to Guts. "Why would we need to? She has clearly been under her mate's control, with some sort of love potion. I do not think she has a hand in the plot, at least not intentionally."

[Zepher]

"Are you in league with that gnarled man over there? I asked him for a private word, and he said no. I think I'll offer you the same response." Lord Marsh turns away from the little man without so much as another glance.

[Scubacarrot]

"You've been living under humans for a while now, Hybros. Guess what she is going to do when she notices her husband is getting taken away. Sit idly by? No, the crazed woman is going to do crazy and unpredictable things, and the potion wasn't easily drained from her system, she needs time, if she ever gets to be normal again. Deal with her first, save yourself the trouble." This is all said in whispers, for whom it may concern.

[JimBee]

Hybros frowned as Marsh walked away. He turned back to Guts. "Alright then. Perhaps something a little more drastic is needed, hehehe." Hybros walked over to Lady Marsh this time. "Excuse me, I need a word, in private if you would not mind. Upstairs is as good of a place as any."

[Pandora]

Nyx nods at Hybros's suggestion and follows him back to the hall. As she walks, she looks for Lady Marsh, considering just pushing the woman into the kitchen and locking the door. "Mind you" she thinks to herself "Avery's in there, and she might be a little upset by now". She walks up to Lord Chauncey and smiles in greeting.

"Lord Chauncey, I've heard so much about you, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Nyx, but I have no doubt you know that. I am led to believe you are a great friend of Lord Guffington's." Nyx stops there, not wanting to freak him out too much, and just stands, smiling expectantly, waiting for a reply.

[Zepher]

"I must confess, Lady Nyx, I have heard a thing or two about you as well. You and I have an interest in common, I believe, beyond our interest in the friendship of Gerald Guffington." Lord Chauncey kisses Nyx's hand.

Behind Guffington, Thomas approaches. He complains quite loudly.

"Excuse me, sirs, but it appears that the kitchen door has been locked. Is there a reason for that? I am fresh out of wine, and the other servers have gone and disappeared."

"A private word?" says Lady Marsh with obvious distaste. "Perhaps... I may have use of you heroes, if the cook-"

"My dear," says Marsh harshly, appearing behind her. "Perhaps it would be a good time to retire for the evening. I'm very tired." He glares at the Imp. "Besides, the cook seems to no longer be serving wine, and I have a foul taste in my mouth I can't seem to wash out."