Paridon: The Dark Metropolis (Ravenloft)


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Ru Brike, barbaric human monk

InVinoVeritas said:
Alek chuckles. "Very astute, Ru. I am interested in helping. One of my close friends has gone missing, my little brother and his fiancée are witness to a murder--probably my friend's murder--and there is... something out right now terrorizing my people. This is not the New Year's I've wanted. Yet you have been trying to dig up dirt on me. Perhaps you've heard the rumors about my family. Perhaps you just want my pets. Whatever the reason, I am just simply interested in returning to my normal family, welcome Ada to the family, and enjoy the celebration. It's rather hard to do among all this death, mystery, and danger. Now you know what I want. What do you want?"

Ru moves to his knees, taking himself to Alek's level. It grates on his pride, but it's clear the gnome thrives on his own superiority; give him the appearance of it, and maybe he'll feel less of a need to prove he's the one in control.

"Information is an investigator's lifesblood," Ru says evenly. "Through your own networking expertise, you seem to be connected to several ... 'persons of interest' in the clocktower murder case. Your little brother and future sister-in-law. Your rogue employee, Lug. Darian, even, seems to feel your ... pets--" he chafes using Alek's term, but the less semantic debate he can engage in, Ru thinks, the better--"--might be useful sources. But in all those cases, we need to speak to them.

"Convince your kin their secrets are safe with us. Help us collect this stray who's making such a mess of your upstanding reputation in the community. And give us the key to safely remove the masks barring the tongues of your pets. If we get the information we need, we can use it to remove the threats to your kith and kin."
 


Torhan remains standing tall, watching over Ru's shoulder. He doesn't let Alek bate him; instead, he let's Ru do his job and question the gnome.
 

Alek stands. The pillow and the white immediately decay, leaving the cell in the dank condition it always is. "I'm... impressed. I completely underestimated you, Ru. That was beautiful. You have a deal. I will help."

He pulls a pocketwatch out and checks the time. "Temp and Ada should be married by now at Combledorn Manor." He pulls out a brass key, with a cat-shaped charm attached. "This is for Kitten," he begins. He reveals another brass key, with a hand-shaped charm. "This is for Marionette."

* * *​

Marionette slowly blinks her eyes.

You'll have to get the key from Alek.

* * *​

"I'll do what I can with Lug, but he is his own person. I don't know where he is."

Mogson clears his throat. As Alek discusses things with Ru and Torhan, Mogson motions for Fr. Berman and Calahan. He invites them outside of the cell.

In hushed tones, Mogson tells the two policemen, "Er, uh, sorry to pull you away, but I've just been told there's a development that you should be made aware of. Combledorn Manor's on fire."
 

Ru Brike, barbaric human monk

InVinoVeritas said:
Alek stands. The pillow and the white immediately decay, leaving the cell in the dank condition it always is. "I'm... impressed. I completely underestimated you, Ru. That was beautiful. You have a deal. I will help."

He pulls a pocketwatch out and checks the time. "Temp and Ada should be married by now at Combledorn Manor." He pulls out a brass key, with a cat-shaped charm attached. "This is for Kitten," he begins. He reveals another brass key, with a hand-shaped charm. "This is for Marionette."

(snip)

"I'll do what I can with Lug, but he is his own person. I don't know where he is."

(OOC: I'm assuming Ru can't hear the report on the fire, so his response ignores it for now)

Ru blinks a moment, surprised at his apparent quick success. He recovers almost instantly, though, taking the keys and pocketing them with a bow of his head.

"Thank you," he says, and it's genuine even if tinged with the slightest bit of disbelief. "If you can wait just a little longer while as we talk to your pets, we should all be able to return to the manor together. With that monster out there, I've become a fan of strength in numbers."

If Alek agrees, Ru shifts to return to Marionette's room, hoping his companion has indeed maintained control.
 

"Alek," Darian says, almost defeated. "I should think that he'd not give up your key too easily, but I will approach him on the matter. I shall only leave you for a moment."

Darian turns to leave. The prospect of a confrontation with the vile little gnome sets his blood to boiling again, as his palms begin to sweat and his breathing starts a slow and deliberate pace. How could he convince her to let him exercise such control over her, and in such a vile and twisted way?

He calls for the guard as he enters the corridor to put him on the door--too many have wandered away already today.
 


Ru and Torhan head out of Alek's cell, keys in hand. Darian heads out of Suki's, looking for the guard. Mogson and Fr. Berman stand waiting, obviously feeling the weight of some event. Calahan acts as the focal point for everyone, grinning profanely widely in malicious glee.

Once everyone is close enough, Calahan breaks the news: "Combledorn Manor burns! Alek's home is in flames!"
 

"Damn it!" Darian yells. "Just when I was getting so close!" His face is boiling, and any composure he'd regained is gone again. "I'd almost swear the little deceiver did it himself, just to throw us off. Now I suppose we must cease the interviews and tend to it?" Darian's eyes grow wild with rage, but he takes a deep breath, and swallows hard. "I should hardly believe that they'll be here when we get back..." His voice trails as he looks back at the secured door of Suki's cell.
 

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