The Fall of House Pancrazio Chapter One

[ewancummins]

Tristan speaks-


''More guests, I suppose.''

[RocEter]

Jullian nods taking a step into the house.

"Good evening Emillo, thank you I will head there immediately and change into more fitting attire." He says lowering the hood of his cloak showing the white cloth that acts as patch for his left eye.

Jullian makes his way to his grandfathers old room and quickly changes into dry clothing.

A tall fair skinned handsome young man enters the dining hall dressed in fine white dress shirt and over coat, the pants are white with yellow stripes running down them. From his neck hangs a holy symbol. His short crop raven black hair is sharp in comparison with his choice of clothing. A single piece of cloth covers his left eye and a scar which looks like a claw along his right check.

Jullian looks around the dining hall for his family members and approaches them.

[JMaytr]

A look of surprise crosses Roderigo's face as he spies his cousin. Bowing to a female guest he approaches Julian.

"It's so good to see you Julian, I'm glad you made it. I'm sorry you were unable to be here sooner for Mother's funeral; your great aunt has gone through the mists to a better place." Roderigo wipes a tear from his eye quickly. His composure returns. He turns to Julian.

"I'm glad you're here. I have meeting with Lord Enzo over there," Roderigo nods towards Lothario, "and he's brought swordsmen with him. To my mothers funeral reception. I've a man at arms in the house, An Arkandale man named Tristan. After dinner would you find him and my house guard? I'd like you to be present when I have my dealings with Lothario later."

Roderigo moves off quickly, mingling with other guests as Emilio begins arranging tables around the dining room with all the strength an 80 year old man could muster.

Miss Phebe enters the room with Harold, who tells the majordomo something. Emilio begins working harder to get the room ready for the meal.

[RocEter]

Julian nods to his cousin, after his cousin walks away, he approaches Emilio as he arranges tables.

"Sorry to disturb you Emilio, but I was wondering if you could tell me where I might be able to find an Arkandale man named Tristan, you also wouldn't know the where abouts of the house guard either would you?"

[Griselda]

Agna blushes in a very unpretty way with the exchange between her and Mariabella. Her fingers shake as she slips the tangerine into her pocket, appetite clearly lost. It's not that she has never seen or heard of such men as Lothario Enzo before, but perhaps the first time the whole package behind the appraising looks and pursed lips became so grotesquely and unabashedly presented.

She continues with the cooking as directed, murmuring steps to herself, perhaps to keep herself focused. Bent to her task, she stops shaking.

At the sound of the knock at the door, Agna glances up, suddenly puzzled. Surely it's too late for late stragglers from the funeral? As she sets about plating the supper, she manuevers herself to be a little closer to the door to hear something of the new arrival. (1)



(1) Listen, taking 10

[Lord Skybolt]

Tahl coming in the back way to the kitchen to get out of the rain . Pulling down his hood after doing his rounds of checking the estate for anything out of the ordinary . Wearing his well tooled and maintained studded leather on his 6ft elven frame . Wearing at his right hip is a slender blade with basket hilt about the size of longsword of unusual design . Tahl speaking to the cook " So what's for diner tonight . I sure hope it's something hot and spicy to take the chill off from the rain ."

[ewancummins]

Tristan smiles to see his friend Tahl.


'' We saved you some food. Maribella and Agna made it. ''


Amore serious expression coming over his face, he adds-

''Some stranger here, one of the guests, he's...um....well, we'd just better keep an eye on Misss Agna, that's all.''

[JMaytr]

Agna can hear a commotion from the dining room. The new guest must be someone of importance.

Mariabella blushes and goes quickly to make Tahl a plate. It is obvious this dish has been made special; hot peppers and organic sprouts adorn the game hen.

"I do hope you like it Lord Tahl," Mariabella hands the plate to the elf. "It's just game hens, but I made the bird as you like it."

Almost as if the cook has become aware of herself, she moves away from the elf, checking on the rest of the meal.

Emilio enters the kitchen then, a pained look on his face. He wheezes for a while before ending in a phlegm filled coughing fit.

When his episode subsides, Emilio straightens up and begins speaking with the authority that a half century of stewardship brought with it.

"I've made all the tables ready for the first course. Madam cook, get your plates ready, I imagine a light course while Magenta's fool does some entertaining. I'll alert you as always when we are to serve the second course.

"Agna, you are on beverage detail. I want no glass to be empty during this meal. Master Roderigo wishes for Lord Enzo from Sturben to be catered to. The man is to leave happy so make sure his belly stays full and his thirst quenched. He is a grabber, so keep your composure the best you can child.

"Sir Tristan and Lord Tahl, The Master wishes you to be present during his meeting with Lord Enzo after the meal. Apparently the savage has brought swordsman with him to intimidate our good Lord. I hope you have clean pistols."

The aged majordomo nods at the elf, saying nothing. There is obvious respect between the old man and the house guardsman.

"Let's jump to it people, it's up to us to make the Masters plans go as well....planned."

The old man grabs a bottle of wine, Borcan brim-bubbly a half century old, and heads back to the dining room.

[ewancummins]

''Of course, Emilio. I'm ready to do my duty, as always.''

Tristan pats the guns hangning from his belt and gives the old man a warm smile.

[RocEter]

Julian mingles with the guests in the dining hall, giving a slight bow for each guest he greets and holds conversation with.

As he is engaged with small talk with the guests Julian quickly go over his etiquette lessons tought to him in his youth, doing his best to remember here at home he is to act like a "Pancrazio" and not like a Champion of Ezra.

[Lord Skybolt]

After finishing off the bird and side items and cleaning himself from his meal . Tahl walks over to Tristan :"So is this Lord Enzo person some one of importance , or just some jumped up noble ?"

[Irving the Meek]

Tuke's blood quickens as he sees the game unfold before him. Roderigo's plans were obviously hanging by a thread, but with the arrival of reinforcements, his position wasn't hopeless. Now all Tuke needed to do was keep the party as calm as possible for the duration, and insert his aid when the after-dinner entertainments began.

For a moment, Tuke ponders running out to the guest house to pick up the belt of tricks Captain Matthew gave to him before he left the riverboat. Worth the effort? No, no time. Besides, some of those tools would cause more property damage than they were worth.

No, the only tools I need right now are my wits, a few pieces of fruit, and, Ezra preserve us, the tricks that are already up my sleeve.

Tuke strides into the dining room, bells and motley jingling. "Fruit course?", he asks drily as he starts juggling some winter apples. Somehow, a knife enters the juggling pattern from nowhere. As he passes each guest, he cuts a large chunk off an flying apple and places it on their plate, restocking his juggling pattern from the fruit bowl as he goes. And thank Ezra none of the guests nibbled on the fruit I scored and sewed together this morning, Tuke sweats. The doctored fruit comes apart easily, with just a twist of the hand, but the casual observer would think Tuke a master apple-carver.

Tuke stops at Lothario, who is flanked by each of his swordsmen. Perfect. I'd planned to do this at Roderigo's seat, but this way I can thumb my nose at Lothario without him being able to do much about it. Tuke sketches a bow at Lothario, then grabs a green apple from the fruit bowl. Then another. And another. Soon Tuke is juggling four green apples and one red one. He glances back and forth between Lothario and his juggling pattern repeatedly, a look of worry creasing his face. It's obvious that Tuke doesn't think he can cut up all the apples with the still-flying knife.

Finally, the little fool makes his move. Quickly, he grabs one green apple out of his juggling pattern, takes a big bite, and tosses it to the plate in front of one armsman. The he bites another green apple, and tosses it to the other armsman. Bite, toss. Bite, toss. Now it's just the red apple and the knife. Tuke keeps both of them aloft with one hand as he chews frantically. He flails around with his free hand, seeking and finding a water glass from Lothario's place setting. He washes down the apples, puts the cup back, finds a napkin, wipes his mouth, and then neatly replaces that back at Lothario's setting.

Finally, in one stroke, Tuke snatches the red apple from midair, stabs it with the knife, and sets it neatly before Lothario.

It's a dazzling performance... and an audacious one. (1) Tuke bows deeply to Lothario and his servants, thanking them for their cooperation in his performance by letting including them in the applause. He the walks away quickly... leaving the armsmen to wonder what to do with the half-eaten apples on their plates, and Lothario to ponder the meaning of the murdered apple before him.

Tuke catches Roderigo's eye as he leaves the dining room at a brisk pace. "Too far?", he asks silently with one raised eyebrow. (2)

Sleight of hand, performance, rolled 19, result 29.
Bluff check, secret message, taking 10, Sense Motive/DC 18 to intercept.

[JMaytr]

Mariabella is quick to answer the elf.

"He has many farms around Sturben. His wineries use mostly the grapes from our vineyards. Lord Roderigo needs him to keep buying our crops and at the same prices Luisa enjoyed. The rumor is that Lord Enzo wants to reduce his cost by nearly half."

As the cook speaks she puts the first course plates together for the guests and lines them up on a serving table near the kitchen door. Emilio enters and begins removing plates, taking them to the dining room.

[JMaytr]

Miss Phebe claps loudly and grunts with glee.

Lothario seems to redden slightly as if offense is his first reaction. Then he appears to relax and smile.

"What a clever little man." He says his voice tinged with a coldness. "I recall his antics from Agosto's household back in Sturben. If I didn't think better," He picks up the apple and removes the knife with a forceful jerk, "I'd blame his performances for my Cousin's passing. Of course, I think better." His eyes pass from Tuke to Magenta's. He takes a loud bite from the fruit. Lord Enzo begins to applaud, other guests slowly join in.

Emilio quickly clears the apples with bites taken from them. The majordomo replaces the settings.

The look Roderigo returns to the fool is hard to read, but could be read as tread lightly...

[ewancummins]

Tristan says to Tahl

''Well, Mariabella knows a lot more about him than I do, Tahl.
I know I don't like the way Tuke reacted to learning he was in attendance today. ''