Assassin City

[Dire Lemming]

Duke Melenova's surprise at learning Ethranor's origin is undisguised. "Well, you are right lad, I do not know your father. But what would cause you to speak of his thus? Perhaps the same reason that brings you to our fair city?"

Having been released from her father's hug, Diane listens for a moment to the conversation then puts her hands on her hips, frowning she says, "Daddy, are you going to make him stand in the hall all day while you interview him? You could at least invite him to sit."

"Oh, you're quite right my dear! Please lad, come and take a seat, have you had anything to eat?" The duke leads the way to a lavishly furnished sitting room with extremely comfortable sofas.

 

[Nightbreeze]

It's not that they didn't want to: they would profit a lot from such an union. Not me, however, and it was me that were going to be the sacrificial lamb...and that was NOT fine Ethranor shrugs, as he finishes his explanation Soon after, I agreed with my father to grow on my own. It's something like a test in the tradition of our family, but for me it was a way to escape that nest of vipers, too

 

[Dire Lemming]

"I... see." Duke Melenova is clearly a bit taken aback by Ethranor's answer. "Well young man, it is admirable that you are striving to succeed on your own, if a bit reckless. How exactly has-" The duke suddenly stops as Diane butts into the conversation.

"Daddy. How about inviting him to dinner tomorrow? You could introduce him to Luci and her husband."

"Now Diane, that's-"

"Come on... He won't cause any trouble, Alton isn't still coming is he? What will it look like if I'm alone?"

The Duke closes his eyes and sighs."Alright, Ethranor. My eldest daughter would be delighted if you would attend our table tomorrow night for dinner with my younger daughter, Lucia and her husband. You may of have of him, actually, he's a very successful merchant himself, Bartholomew Weyland."

Diane smiles at Ethranor expectantly, it's clear what answer she wishes to hear.

 

[Nightbreeze]

Ethranor blinks, and replies "Well, I am greatly honored by such an offer, and certainly I cannot refuse it, especially when it comes from such a charming lady and is supported by her father". Meanwhile, he skillfully hides his inner turmoil "What?? Then this was not only an opportunity to befriend a duke...but it's so soon!!! I don't know anything about the house, the servants, the target. Crap"

He will mantain the conversation witht the Duke and his daughter, exchanging pleasantries, and mantaining his facade. If asked about his business again, he will reply that he buys gems from secretive communites in the northern mountains, and sells them in the city. But until he can start an initiative that he has been planning about for some time, he will mantain a facade of a lazy nobleman who gets his money from his father.

Otherwise, he will just try to charm the duke and his daughter. [COLOR=Teal]Not that the latter is so needed for her, anyway...[/COLOR]

 

[Dire Lemming]

While the Duke seems to disapprove of some of Ethranor's decisions. He seems to respect him overall. They speak for some time, and it begins to get late. Ethranor can see the sun starting to set through the large windows of the room.

 

[Nightbreeze]

At the end of the dialogue, Ethranor stands up and bows It was a real pleaseure to meet you, duke Melanova. Sadly, I have a matter that needs to be organized in haste, so I have to leave you now. Thanks again for you kind invite, and will see you tomorrow then.

 

[Dire Lemming]

Ethranor is escorted by a servant out of the sitting room and to the front door. There is no litter waiting for him this time. Just as he starts down the steps he hears Diane call his name and spins to see her running towards him. She reaches him and before he can figure out what's happening embraces him, and plants a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you." Is all she says, smiling warmly, as she releases him and hurries back inside.

It's getting dark, and as such, the Winged Wench is likely to be busy now.

 

[Nightbreeze]

Ethranor walks, thoughtful, thinking about the opportunities and menaces. At the end, he arrives to the house, and goes to speak with his partner.

"....and so, they invited me at dinner, tomorrow evening. And guess who will be there to? Our dear client, together with his wife. What do you think?"

 

[Lord Slaw]

Spider continues practicing with his longsword as Ethranor speaks. Elegantly swirling the blade around his body, he speaks fluidly and casually. "A little sooner than I would like, but it all ends up the same, anyhow. But, Ethranor..." Breaking his fluid swings, he executes a few rapid, brutal slashes on his imaginary opponent, ending with a quickly drawn dagger thrown into the far wall, and gives a faint smile. "You spend far too much time flirting. Don't get attached. It gets messy far too quickly."

Spider sheathes his weapons, pulling the dagger out of the wall, and plops down into a chair, bringing his feet down on a nearby table. "This is quite the opportunity, you know. Large party, plenty of people... if somebody just slumps over and starts to bleed, a riot breaks out. Sure, it's not quiet, but it's awfully hard to pick out a single bull in a stampede." Spider idly balances his massive bow across his legs, plucking the string and listening to the reverberating twang. "All I need is a window."

[sblock=OOC]OK, let's get this moving! Sorry if I took a while, I should be able to post at least once a day now. By the by, I changed Spider's alignment to Chaotic Evil, in case it shows. Don't worry, I'll keep him in check. It's mostly his willingness to do just about anything, no matter how horrible, and enjoy doing it, rather than randomly killing people. But, hey, if they get in his way and there's no other way out of it... [/sblock]

 

[Nightbreeze]

Ethranor shrugs "Flirting creates opportunities, my friend. And anyway, I didn't put up pressure, this times. Seems that she was so used to boring and arrogant buffons, that she jumped at me as soon as I entered in her vision field".

Then he starts pacing around the room, thoughtful. "As I said, I'd rather avoid too much trouble in that house the first night I'm in....however I suppose we may do something really clichèed. We kill them when he goes to the toilet, then I assume his appearance for some minutes, while you hide the corpse. Then I go out of the room, and come back as Ethranor. That should give us at least some hours before the mess blows up"...."that is, of course, assuming that there will be several people and a lot of drinking. But I rather got the impression that we will be few...in that case we should kill him on his way to the party, or while he goes back home. The second case is the better, perhaps...he will be probably drunk and easy pray. I could pose as a servant and give a sickening wine to his guards during the party. I am sure you will make short work of them."

Then Ethranor stretches on the bad, and muses "Anyway, the friendship of Duke Melanova opens a lot of doors...access to the most elite parties...and so on...it can always come useful."

[sblock=ooc]DM, did I get the impression that he was speaking about a party, or a dinner?[/sblock]