The Shattered City: Chapter Four

[The Whistler]

He's smiling as he continues "Katja alerted us to her identity, and Monsieur Melancthon and I negotiated her release form Dior's grasp. She's wounded and sick, and begged for our help, I suspect I wouldn't have turned her down regardless of who she is."

“Oh, perilous circumstance!” Okay, it looks like Celeste was actually right there, in retrospect. “To commit such an unprepossessingly noble action in the very face of danger—oh, I commend you heartily, Monsieur, as I should to your companions in that perilous adventure! I daresay, if I should encounter this Dior myself, I shall make a note to express my dissatisfaction in the most poignant terms. You must excuse me for a moment, sirs!”

Celeste scampered over to Perrine’s side alongside Lia, helping her onto the chair. “Coo-ee! There you are, dear mademoiselle…Perrine, no? It is a pleasure to see you again! I am Celeste Mirielle Viardot, late of Bienassis—and presently of the Chateau Malchance, in whose care and solicitude you may now count yourself! Do alert us if there is aught we can do to increase your comfort… Aha!”

An idea lit Celeste’s face, and she dove into a less conspicuous compartment of the display case as Lia offered Perrine the wine. She came back with…

“I believe we are of a similar size, and if you do not object to being seen in something only a season out of fashion…oh, say you shall accept it! I have only worn it thrice, and had been reserving it as a means of material payment, this night, but I am sure that it will suit you far better than it would any merchant’s stock.”

If Perrine had pulled in a regular salary, the dress would have been worth more than it.

----

When a suitable moment presents itself, Celeste also beckons to Dr. Melanchthon, engaging him in a slightly more subdued conversation: “Sir! Doctor! Forgive my abrupt manner, but the band I set out with has discovered a veritable treasure-house of potential intelligence, the which requires your physician’s expertise to access.” She leaned in a bit closer. “We have unearthed a ritual that shall allow our company to question M. Boucher in a most revealing manner, though it may put one of our number at some…medical inconvenience. Your oversight would be greatly appreciated, sir!”

[Kaitou Kage]

When a suitable moment presents itself, Celeste also beckons to Dr. Melanchthon, engaging him in a slightly more subdued conversation: “Sir! Doctor! Forgive my abrupt manner, but the band I set out with has discovered a veritable treasure-house of potential intelligence, the which requires your physician’s expertise to access.” She leaned in a bit closer. “We have unearthed a ritual that shall allow our company to question M. Boucher in a most revealing manner, though it may put one of our number at some…medical inconvenience. Your oversight would be greatly appreciated, sir!”

Rex emerged from wherever he was and nodded affirmation at Celeste's remark. The pharmacist's eyes darted anxiously to and fro, but the rest of him seemed perfectly calm. He smoothed his jacket and then clasped his hands behind his back.

"It requires the subject to take potentially lethal doses of poison," he clarified. "The nature of the poison is unspecified, but according to what we were told, the ritual requires someone close to, ah, their friend to be near the brink of death."

His gaze lingered on Celeste for a minute before he looked back at Mercator. "I have several doses of antitoxin on my person just in case," he said, "And a few other medicines that may be of use. Your expertise and presence will be helpful."

[Nathan of the FoS]

Mercator sighs and runs his hands through his hair. Crossing to Perrine, he says, "Mademoiselle, you are of course at liberty to do as you please; but if you would care to remain here you will have no lack of good company, and I would like to discuss your continued treatment with you soon. You may inquire at the Chateau Malchance if we do not see one another again tonight."

Returning to Celeste and Rex, he bows slightly and says, "If my medical expertise can be of any use I am, of course, at your service. Who is it who has offered to perform this...very singular-sounding ritual?"

[DocBeard]

Tomas wordlessly takes a step forward.

[Cronax]

We shall forsake the line of inquiry entirely

It was clear from his expression that Mr. Agale hadn't. He gave Professor Petrik a sidelong glance.

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Transmitted mentally to Petrik:

Professor, are Miss Halveri's trepidations warranted?
The Fey penchant for irresponsibility aside, would not the members of this 'Triarch' be our best source of information?

She may respond in kind with up to 25 words.

"It isn't possible,"

"Possible or no, we are left to deal with the consequences." Shifting into full salesman mode, Agale clasped one of Inkeri's hands in his own. "We are willing to help you with this completely unsatisfactory state of affairs. But say the word, and my courageous companion is willing to risk her very life to get to the bottom of this."

[The Whistler]

"Who is it who has offered to perform this...very singular-sounding ritual?"

Tomas wordlessly takes a step forward.

"Only myself, gentle sir!"

The step forward clearly hadn't brought Tomas into Celeste's field of vision.

[lostboy]

“Oh, perilous circumstance!” .................................................................. You must excuse me for a moment, sirs!”

Nicolas was left struggling to get a word in edgeways with empty air, and like many who "talked" with Celeste, merely smiled and got on with whatever needed doing. Not that he was being unkind, just it was the path of least resistance at that point in time...

"It requires the subject to take potentially lethal doses of poison," he clarified

Nicolas chuckles out loud, "well that sounds dandy, if no-one else fancies it I'll offer my services, imbibing poison is a hobby of mine after all, although come to think of it I've probably built up a resistance." Then echoing Mercator's question he asks, and not without a little trepidation despite the joke "so who did we have in mind for this... er honour?"

"Only myself, gentle sir!"

"Hell" Nicolas mutters, staring at Celeste in amazement. "Are you sure mademoiselle?"

[Nathan of the FoS]

Mercator looks slightly nonplussed when Tomas steps forward, then outright confused when Celeste (figuratively) cuts him off at the pass. After a moment of puzzlement his face clears, and he half-smiles. "Ah. I see. I meant to ask, who will carry out the ritual, not who will be the subject of the ritual. It seems we have no lack of interested parties, at least, willing to brave the latter role. I would like to talk to the person who will enact the ritual to get a better understanding of what it entails and how I can help, which may also allow us to come to a decision as to whom is best suited for the...central role."

His speculative gaze lingers for a moment on Celeste, before glancing at Tomas and Nicolas. "I see I will be kept quite busy with matters of physick tonight. Monsieur de Castaigne, perhaps you might remain here while I make another call?" He nods slightly in the direction of Perrine.

[Kaitou Kage]

"Inkeri," Rex said succinctly, as if that one word explained everything. If he noticed the dramatic attempts at intervention, he gave no sign. Rather, the pharmacist seemed fascinated at the proceedings.

[lostboy]

Nicolas looks as if he's struggling with an internal battle for a moment but then his shoulders lump and he waves a hand in acquiescence. "Whatever you prescribe Doctor, perhaps I have got myself involved in enough situations for one night at least. Rest assured our young charge shall be well cared for."

Saying so, he wraps the coats around Perrine a little tighter "Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable mademoiselle?"

[NeoTiamat]

1 Days, 22 Hours, 41 Minutes
Century Oak, The Midnight Market, Just past Midnight on April 23rd, 770
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"Monsieur and mademoiselle Renier, did anyone call?"

“No.” “No.” Came the replies in unison. The two Reniers didn't so much as look at one another before answering.

The Mage looks down on the thief with a crooked little smile, then sticks a hand into her pocket and brings out... a piece of jerked beef and a small, metal flask. "Hungry?" she asks. "Thirsty? I warn you, though, I put Barovian red in the bottle." Regardless whether Perrine accepts or not, Lia asks: "As a point of interest. Does that meat-merchant keep children in his stock, or is it all adults?"

“I didn't see any.” Perrine said quietly, accepting the cosseting without resistance. In short order she was sat down, piled on with spare coats, and given Lia's beef and wine. She chewed on the beef, but did not take any drinks of wine. “I doubt he would.”

"I would like to talk to the person who will enact the ritual to get a better understanding of what it entails and how I can help, which may also allow us to come to a decision as to whom is best suited for the...central role...I see I will be kept quite busy with matters of physick tonight. Monsieur de Castaigne, perhaps you might remain here while I make another call?"

"Whatever you prescribe Doctor, perhaps I have got myself involved in enough situations for one night at least. Rest assured our young charge shall be well cared for."

“It's alright, Nicolas. I'll stay here with Mlle. Perrine.” Professor Lessard offered out of the blue, glancing at the young woman. “I suspect that it would be better if Benoit is not spotted manning a physician's booth at the Midnight Market.” Remy smiled, looking ten years younger for it. “People might ask questions.”

“Perrine and I will still be here when you return from Madame Halvari's, never fear.”


1 Days, 22 Hours, 32 Minutes
Inky's Emporium, The Midnight Market, Just past Midnight on April 23rd, 770
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Professor Petrik stood alert, then looked at Agale disapprovingly. She sniffed.

"The fey rarely see beyond their own preconceptions," she replied curtly, aloud. "They believe themselves above mortals. They are capricious, biased, and arrogant. Powerful fey are more so."

"Possible or no, we are left to deal with the consequences." Shifting into full salesman mode, Agale clasped one of Inkeri's hands in his own. "We are willing to help you with this completely unsatisfactory state of affairs. But say the word, and my courageous companion is willing to risk her very life to get to the bottom of this."

"Oh, you are so kind," Inkeri said, with a flirtatious flutter of her eyelashes. "I'm so glad you came to m-eeeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

This reaction required some explanation. It was at this time that Celeste had returned with your companions. It was also at this time that Halvari had taken one look at Tomas Eisenwald, and thrown her arms around Agale for comfort. This was currently doing horrible things to Agale's spine. The Borcan could hear an array of popping noises coming from his back.

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Agale takes 5 damage

[lostboy]

Nicolas stifles a laugh, as he watches the lawyer and the one know as Inkeri. "Umm shall we come back later?" He adds with a slightly mischievous grin.

[DocBeard]

"Perhaps I am misunderstanding you, Celeste." Tomas says instead; he is not harsh but the usual warm tone he has when speaking to Celeste is gone. "I realize that you and Thierri had a...moment, but how does that make you qualified to mess around with your health like that? Have you been poisoned before? Or even seriously sick? Do you know what to ask? Has the possibility that Thierri flirting with you was a ploy even crossed your mind?!"

Yeah, Tomas thinks to himself as he walks, sullenly, I should have said something like that. Strong. Purposeful. Better than standing silently while someone dooms themselves.

Then the screaming starts. Tomas's first thought is, Why is Agale flirting with a troll-wife? I knew Borcans were open minded, but... then followed my, argh my ears!

Giving the others a 'this is not my fault' sort of look that has no chance of being taken seriously, Eisenwald holds up his hands and tries to look harmless. It is markedly more difficult without his coat.

"Hey, hey!" Tomas finally says over the din, "Lady, whoever you are, calm down! Remember where you are! Even if I wanted to hurt you I couldn't, right?" A pause, as a slightly panicked Tomas strives to remember what he learned about these situations the last time he was near Graben. "And I don't, of course!...I mean, look, I know I can be judgmental, but a hollow wooden back is...okay it is odd, but its not bad or anything! I mean, my brother-in-law has a gold tooth! ...well, some gold. Well, brass. ...well, for a given value of brass..."

(pfthahaha. Natural 1 on my diplomacy check.)

[Nathan of the FoS]

Mercator raises one eyebrow at the speed and definiteness with which the Reniers answer his question. "Too bad," he murmurs. "You're quite right, Professor Lessard, it might raise questions to find Monsieur de Castaigne. Thank you for your help."
***
As Mercator steps across the threshold of her establishment, the fox-fey seizes hold of Agale and squeezes, to rather dramatic effect. "Ah, mademoiselle," Mercator says, slightly alarmed, "if you do not desire the gentleman to require my professional attention, you must rein in your enthusiasm."

[yalenusveler]

Kerrian was giving Tomas a delightful look. One of those looks that encapsulated "I was about to witness a bizzare fey ritual and now there's screaming and what did you DO?".

Instead of throwing up his hands, he simply turned to professor Petrik and asked in a quiet voice. "I should be used to this by now, right?"