The Fall of House Pancrazio Chapter One

[Griselda]

Tahl's entrance makes only a brief impression on Agna; she is too distracted both with the meal and her own jangled thoughts to deliver more than a very brief smile and glance in his direction, which is unlike her.

As Emilio delivers his orders, Agna's lips part momentarily with a sharp intake of breath, then close before she speaks or Emilio can give her any further retort. With a resigned expression, she sets about filling a pitcher with water and following him to the dining room. Walking down the hall, she finds herself remembering Luisa and the greenhouse from 10 years ago. What would she say about a man like Lothario? Probably nothing good, and the thought of Luisa's iron will gives her own nerve a boost. Her back straight, her jaw tight and doing her best I-am-professionally-disinterested impression, she enters the dining room.

Agna walks around the long table, reaching mostly from behind guests to pick up their water goblets and pour off-table into the glass in her hand, then returning the glass to the table. Her service is discreet and quiet, questions answered or requests acknowledged with a whisper in the ear as she reaches. If her answer must use a great many 's' sounds, she tends to switch out the 's' for 'th'; not lisping, but again, keeping it quiet, as 's' tends be more sibilant and carry farther. When Emilio has the wine decanted, she begins pouring that in the same fashion. She takes advantage of Tuke's performance to pour Lothario's goblets, which she accomplishes with the tightly wound nerve and grace of a novice snake-handler.

By perforce, she must miss most of Tuke's performance, but she manages to see bits in between service. As he finishes with the cut apple before Lothario, her eyes widen and her expression tells him, what are you doing?! If he is close enough to her as he departs, she lets one hand drift down to brush him as he passes her.

As the dinner goes on, Agna continues drink service in the same way, generally trying very hard to time pouring Lothario's goblets when he's distracted and staying largely behind the chair in the perhaps vain hope of giving him less to grab. Success does not spoil her, and she never relaxes in the slightest around him.

[RocEter]

Julian applauds and smiles. He then turns his attention to Lord Enzo and his swordmen, what was he thinking bringing swordsmen with him to a funeral reception, surely he doesn't expect some conflict or perhaps he intends to create it? Ezra let this be a peaceful night. he thinks to himself.

Julian grabs an apple from the fruit and bites into.

[Irving the Meek]

Tuke looks up at Agna as she walks past, with a little half-smile and a wink. "Sorry, my dear", his expression tells her.(1) Borca's short on heroes to save damsels in distress, sweet Agna. At some point, we all have to stand or hide. At least now that Roderigo's got some steel to lean on, your virtue's not on the negotiating table.

Tuke's ears burn at Lothario's passing insult, but he doesn't dare acknowledge it. Too far already, he thinks. He's going to lay low for the rest of the night - a little comedy, some sleight of hand, an a ready pipe for a wanting gentleman.

As he leaves for the main course, Tuke catches sight of Jullian. Hope soars in his breast. Jullian Pancrazio! I haven't seen him in years!, Tuke thinks as he racks his brain for any recent rumors of the champion's exploits.(2) With him here, things look much better.

Then he winces as he sees Jullian pick up the apple. I think that's one of the apples I rigged... I didn't have time to juggle it. Tuke hopes Jullian doesn't mind when the apple falls apart in his hands... or when he has to pick string out of his teeth.

(1) Bluff check, secret message, Sense Motive DC 18 to intercept.
(2) Bardic knowledge check, rolled 17, result 21.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Harold remains in the dining room, and tries to be as unobtrusive as possible. He simply stands against the wall, leaning against it to take the strain off of his tired knees, and keeps an eye on Phebe -- and Agna.

"I doubt my employer will appreciate it if I play the hero," he sighs to himself, closing his eyes then rolling them. "But then again ... I am employed here. Nothing too remarkable about an employee remaining on hand in case of need, is there? Maybe I can defuse uncomfortable situations if it comes down to it."

[RocEter]

Julian looks to Tuke as his apple falls apart in his hand. Julian smiles and continues to eat the apple pieces examining each one before eating it.

[JMaytr]

As the dinner comes to an end and several of the guests leave Emilio shows Lothario and his group to the parlor. The majordomo then alerts Tristan and Tahl that Roderigo's meeting is soon to begin.

Entering the parlor it feels as if the temperature is ten degrees lower.

Seeing the two armed men Lothario snarls.

"I see Lord Pancrazio has seen fit to bring armed men. It seems I was correct to bring some as well."


In the dining room
Roderigo pulls Jullian aside. There is a nervous look to his face and he keeps his voice low.

"I am so glad to see you as I've said. Lothario plans to cheat me in this deal, I'm sure of it. You don't happen to have a few gold on you to spare? Perhaps to help bribe this villain? I saw there was a glance between him and Agna. Perhaps I can sell her to him."

He quickly shakes his head.

"I can't believe I suggested such a thing." Roderigo moves towards the parlor.

[ewancummins]

As soon as he is told the time for the meeting has drawn near, Trsitan excuses himself to, as he says:

''Fetch a little something''

from his quarters.

Minutes later.....

The young Arkandaler walks into the parlor and take up a spot near Tahl. He's wearing the same buff coat we wore to the funeral this morning, and his ever present brace of pistols hang from his belt in their plain leather holsters. The belt now carries other wepaons, as well: a long dagger [of the style called an ''Arkandale Toothpick.'] and a steel tomahawk. A bandoleer of powder and shot hangs crosswise over his right shoulder and in his arms he cradles a musket with fixed bayonet.


Tristan smiles broadly at Enzo's men.

''Nice to meet y'all. You boys bring everybody that was supposed to come? Seems like there aren't too many of you...''

[Lord Skybolt]

"There just here for their Lord's protection on the road don't you think Tristan ?" Saying to Tristan in a joking manner . Giving Tristan one raised eyebrow in greeting .

[ewancummins]

"There just here for their Lord's protection on the road don't you think Tristan ?" Saying to Tristan in a joking manner . Giving Tristan one raised eyebrow in greeting .

Tristan laughs, answering -

''Haha- sure, Tahl. Everyone knows how dangerous these backcountry Borcan roads are, right? Why, I seem to recall that some fellows went missing a while back, just a little ways down the trail from here. I heard it was wolves, but you never know...''

He keeps his eyes on Enzo's men as he speaks, looking each of them in the eye in turn, counting their weapons, looking for any sign of fear, fatigue or restlessness. The whole time, he keeps smiling and laughing.

[Lord Skybolt]

"So I've been meaning to ask you but what's the best range for those muskets of yours any way ?"

[ewancummins]

"So I've been meaning to ask you but what's the best range for those muskets of yours any way ?"

''Depends on the light, the wind, the target, and the load- and of course the shooter. I've shot deer eighty yards off and put 'em down clean, and that was with a smoothbore. Really though, it's always best to get as close as you can, so you can't hardly miss. ''

[Lord Skybolt]

"So within 30 feet is ideal range I would assume . Of coarse you know me I like to get up close and personal when I kill something with my trusty blades . Either this one ."Rubbing his blade belted at his hip ." Or my courtbade ."

[JMaytr]

Lothario gives the pair a smile.

"If you're trying to intimidate my men, it wont work."

But the casual observer could tell it was working. The three swordsman with Enzo looked nervous at the mention of wolves and the gunslingers reputed range.

"Where is Roderigo? My patience wears thin."

[Lord Skybolt]

"Me trying to intimidate your men . Well me and Tristan are just talking shop is all ."

[ewancummins]

Tristan shrugs, just barely, in answer to Lothario's question.