Paridon Book II: A Taste For Power (IC) - Page 5

InVinoVeritas · 3rd June 2009, 01:48 AM

There's that eye strain again, Rhiannon notes, as Darian speaks with her. Looking away is easy, and it goes away as quickly as it came.

"You can also meet with Lord D'Marosso," Gis says as he heads down the stairs into the dungeon. "I have received word that he is ready to receive you, should you wish to head over to his manor."

In the hallway of the dungeon, things have grown quiet.

Rhun · 3rd June 2009, 05:06 AM

"Ah, well, I suppose it wouldn't do to make Lord D'Marosso wait overlong," says Skyler.

Neurotic · 3rd June 2009, 08:46 AM

"Weren't we planning to talk to Alek's slaves too?"

industrygothica · 3rd June 2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neurotic

"Weren't we planning to talk to Alek's slaves too?"

Darian pauses for a moment at the words, seemingly lost in thought as the strain of emotion briefly crosses his face.

Quote:

Originally Posted by InVinoVeritas

"You can also meet with Lord D'Marosso," Gis says as he heads down the stairs into the dungeon. "I have received word that he is ready to receive you, should you wish to head over to his manor."

"Well then," Darian rights himself. "There's a place to start!" Again without waiting he advances down the corridor, his footfalls echoing solidly off the stone floor.

jkason · 3rd June 2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InVinoVeritas

"You can also meet with Lord D'Marosso," Gis says as he heads down the stairs into the dungeon. "I have received word that he is ready to receive you, should you wish to head over to his manor."

Ru smiles slightly. "He's one of those, then, is he, Master?" the monk says. "Turns orders into 'polite requests'? I never was good at navigating those sorts of obstacles." Still, Ru readies himself to join the others in meeting D'Marosso.

Rhun · 3rd June 2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkason

Ru smiles slightly. "He's one of those, then, is he, Master?" the monk says. "Turns orders into 'polite requests'? I never was good at navigating those sorts of obstacles." Still, Ru readies himself to join the others in meeting D'Marosso.

"Just be pleasant and avoid saying anything to upset Lord D'Marosso, and you should be fine," says Skyler, giving Ru a friendly clap on the shoulder.

kinem · 3rd June 2009, 06:20 PM

"It would be helpful, to know how the case will likely stand with him." Father Berman heads out with the others, after making sure Pigglemorth's cell has been properly locked.

Theroc · 3rd June 2009, 06:36 PM

Rhiannon blinked as she looked away from Darian again, growing very curious about the man. But that curiousity was pushed aside as Gis arrived again, mentioned Lord D'Marosso.

"We don't have the case put together yet... why does Lord D'Marosso want to see us so soon?"

InVinoVeritas · 4th June 2009, 03:43 AM

Gis chuckles at Ru's comments, and gives an affirmative nod to Skyler.

Gis regards Rhiannon. "He will want to see the evidence we have. If there is a case to be made, he will be able to show the potential flaws."

The company leaves the dungeons, and heads outside, where coaches await. Standing just outside the gates, a small white carriage waits. It is drawn by two ponies. Its driver is also in white, and fully covered by a mask in the shape of a pony's head. He silently watches the coaches pass by.

* * *

The coaches travel through the cobblestoned streets, twisting their way through tight alleys. The alleys open into wider avenues, passing through manned iron gates to large, landscaped parkways above the rabble. They come to rest at a large abode, where footmen arrive to see to the policemen's needs as they disembark.

Cassilda welcomes the police.

"Welcome to D'Marosso Manor," a middle-aged woman greets. "Gustav is ready to meet with you. Do come in." She shows everyone in through the large, ornately carved wood doors, down a marble hall, into a study.

Gustav D'Marosso waits for the police.

The noble looks up. "Ah, good, you've arrived. Thank you, Cassilda, you may go. Please make sure lunch is ready for everyone."

"Thank you, your honor." Cassilda curtseys and leaves, closing the doors behind her.

Lord D'Marosso looks over the group, and grins magnanimously. "Ah, so good of you to stop by. So, tell me, what can you say about the Clocktower District murders?"

credit

Rhun · 4th June 2009, 05:10 AM

Skyler offers the nobleman a bow. "My lord D'Marosso, 'tis a pleasure to meet you," he says, his voice smooth, accustomed to such surroundings and meetings.

Tiali · 4th June 2009, 04:54 PM

Cliff steps forward. Cliff Hammerstriker at your service, mi'lord. He provides the local salute and steps back. I be new to this crew, so I will let them elaborate on what evidence we be havin' so far.

industrygothica · 5th June 2009, 06:38 AM

Darian takes off his hat as he enters the manor, revealing the thinning dark curls beneath. He extends the proper greeting, but lets someone else to the rest of the talking.

Neurotic · 5th June 2009, 08:09 AM

"Eugene Brasspin at Your service, Lord D'Marosso."

Eugene bows formaly and steps back.

kinem · 5th June 2009, 03:58 PM

Father Berman bows as well. "May the blessing of Ezra be upon you, Lord D'Marosso. I am Father Berman. As for the murders, I believe we have captured or killed those responsible, though a few loose ends remain."

jkason · 5th June 2009, 04:08 PM

Ru fixes the horse-masked carriage with a wary eye. "We should have sent someone to check Alek's cell," he mutters. Though somehow Ru doubts Alek is the type to go into hiding from the law.

At the manor, the opulance of the room slightly overwhelms the monk. Oddly enough, being in the presence of this Lord feels vaguely like his meetings with Alek: both seem to have an air of certain Superiority (whether Ru agreed to said superiority or not).

Taking a cue from his lessons with Gis, Ru chose to remain silent as he gathered his composure, bowing his greeting but allowing the good Father to take the lead in reporting on the case.

Theroc · 5th June 2009, 04:21 PM

Rhiannon stayed rather quiet on the carriage ride, not having anything to say. She did keep her eyes on Darian. The fact that her eyes strained everytime she looked directly at him made her curious, ad wary. She never usually had a problem looking someone in the eye, and the fact that she consistently had to look away from his gaze made her feel there was something more than simple presence of will or some such behind it.

When they entered the Manor, she blinked at the opulence the man seemed to exude. Wealth always made Rhia feel a bit uneasy, but it was just something she was unused to. As they entered Lord D'Morasso's presence, she bowed politely but remained quiet, watching.

Ivid · 6th June 2009, 08:00 AM

Calahan grins broadly as they enter the noble house. This is the kind of thing he would want to achieve in life...

...Though the wench at the door could have been younger...

Rhun · 8th June 2009, 04:52 AM

Skyler notes the tendency of the original team members to be fairly quiet. He didn't know much about the original case yet, but it was his duty to inform Lord D'Marosso of any knowledge he had. "Father Berman is correct; there are some loose ends to tie up. Most notably a drug created by the criminal Alek, which seems to be a most potent aphrodisiac. We would like to make sure this substance is taken off the street. But we must also ensure that Alek is brought to justice, though it is my hope that the evidence against him is ironclad."

InVinoVeritas · 9th June 2009, 06:03 AM

The judge smiles widely. "Very good, it is wonderful to meet you all. Yes, we'll definitely have to go over the details of the case... I understand that the evidence is hard to come by."

A younger woman appears in the doorway. "Lunch is served, your honor."

Lunch is served.

Lord D'Marosso tosses a quick glance to Calahan and gathers up some documents on the table. "Thank you, Camilla! We'll discuss the particulars over lunch! Come!"

A pair of double doors are opened, revealing a feast laid before everyone.

The lunch is filled with many delectables.

The tables are overflowing with fruit, meats, cheeses, and drinks. In the center of the table sits a chest.

"I've looked over some of the details so far, and the case looks difficult. The main source of evidence to date, Alek's manor, was burned to the ground by some killing machine. The most cooperative witness is the builder of that machine, presently in custody for multiple counts of murder, with a big grudge agianst him. He wants to kill the suspect. A good solicitor will bar him from even testifying. To be honest, your case is weak, almost too weak to go to trial. It could simply be the Strahd Street Irregulars. It could be his, er, 'pets' are the guilty ones, while Alek remains clean. And the accusations of a confessed killer? No, that is a simple brutality, a terrible weakness. No, I'm afraid that this case, as is, can only result in Alek's freedom."

Lord D'Marosso stops and smiles. "However, you've already done plenty for the city. So, I'm willing to share something with you. Something that not even your boss could handle. But if you've the stomach for it, you'll have what you want."

Gustav goes over to the chest, and opens it. Inside, there is a large quantity of ice, and four eels.

The contents of the chest.

"These are Saragossan delicacies, designed to be eaten still alive. I will grant a boon to whomever is willing to enjoy an eel. I have a lot of connections in the city. You could ask for a personal insight, some item of value, an unfortunate event, what you ask for is up to you."

credits

jkason · 9th June 2009, 03:27 PM

While Ru had expected a visit to the magistrate to test his intestinal fortitude, he hadn't expected such a test to be quite so literal. A lawmaker who based his favor on stunts such as this wasn't someone Ru trusted. For a rare instant, however, both his disciplined self and his raw primal aspect seemed in agreement: if anyone could pass this test, it ought to be him.

He didn't speak, wishing he had Gis' gift for reading people, to know what else might be at work here, but second guessing only ever managed to put Ru in a loop, so he threw it aside.

With the sparest of bows, Ru walked forward silently, snatched an eel, and bit off its head, willing his self-control to maintain his composure even as his natural blood-lust thrilled at the prospect of a fresh kill.