"A truly charitable act," says the Magister with a poilte bow towards the Vashti. "You do a credit to your position, Vashti. I had heard that the girls were possessed by evil spirits, but I suppose this is just hearsay. I'm sure the Vashti would never condone anything as irresponsible as bringing evil spirits into the town."
"I would say that there is a big difference between helping an innocent child who is the victim of malice, and the deliberate raising of Netherworld creatures, wouldn't you, Magister?" asks the Vashti blandly.
"Forgive me, Vashti, I am just a humble servant of the law," replies the Magister.
A clerk approaches the Magister and mutters something to him. Just before he leaves he gives a brief nod of recognition to Growling Ape and Annika, who recognise him as the clerk who officiated at the Vashti's funeral. The Magister dismisses him, but he is quickly replaced by a tall woman in an expensive lashong robe.
"Are you going to introduce me, Magister?" she asks in a rich voice.
"Mistress Kumika Feloung, of the Merchants League," says the Magister. "I'd like you to meet our young Vashti, Aru Leng, and her guests, a Mistress Annika, Mistress Shakou, Master Grolwing Ape and Master.. where did he go? Ah, Master Mystal Mar."
"Honoured," says Kumika. "Are you the ones who visited the mines at Tigerskin Gorge recently? I was hoping to meet you to discuss a business proposition."
OOC: Rolled some Perception and Sense Motive checks, results below.
[sblock=Growling Ape]
Ape is able to overhear the clerk say "Will you excuse me Magister? There is something I must attend to."
Shortly afterwards he feels hostile eyes glaring at him, and feels a sudden inexplicable surge of anger that he manages to fight down. Someone or something in the room is trying to influence him.
[/sblock]
[sblock=Mystal]
Mystal is able to overhear the clerk say "Will you excuse me Magister? There is something I must attend to."
Unobserved, Mystal is able to assess the Magister more closely than the others. Although the Magister comes across as if he knows more than he is saying, there is something else about his manner, something slightly false and unnatural, as if he is under the influence of someone else.
[/sblock]
