Q'Barra: Facing Truth

[Rolzup]

Darrick shares a glance with Kaelen, raising a sardonic eyebrow, and then turns fully to Kassel.

"Please," he says smoothly, "Do continue. And rest assured, we are all your friends here...and that most certainly includes our metallic companion. His heart, although it may not actually 'beat' as such, is as stout as any man's I've known. You can trust him -- and us -- with what's troubling you. You've done a remarkable job thus far, that's clear, and all we want to do is help."

[sblock]
Diplomacy check: 28
[/sblock]

 

[Pebele]

Kaelan is able to rest comfortably near the front window in Kassel's house. From what he can see, it appears the village is quiet outside, with people coming and going as normal for a settlement of this size.

Kassel sighs and places his hands on the table. "What I meant to say, is that, we lied, a little to those 'Forged that came for the kids. But they didn't buy it, and I guess that's why they only sent you here. We got problems, and I'm not sure that you can help us. But it's too late now, it took too long, and now I'm afraid for my town.

These folks are good people. We cleared this land and we're trying to make a life for ourselves. We don't ask for help, we don't take handouts. And we sure don't depend on no one for nothing". He slammed his fist in to the table for emphasis.

"But these folks showed up, and they started ruining our town. And we didn't have a choice, see. We had to get someone here to help us. And if you just want to go back to your school and leave us to die, well, I understand that. We should never have asked for help. We should never have got no one else involved."

By the end of his speech, it appears that John Kassel is perhaps no longer talking to the group. His body language is agitated, and he seems to be looking past all the faces in front of him. He finally sighs deeply and looks down at the table, shaking his head.

 

[Yeoman]

Taken aback by John's sudden outburst, Catherine takes a second to gather her thoughts before responding. "Sir, first you need to calm down. We need to know what is going on, before we can help. I assure you we are here to help you in whatever way we can, but you need to explain the whole situation to us. Obviously you couldn't directly tell the academy what was going on, but why not send a letter with one of the escorts? The academy had no way of knowing what was happening here, so that is why they sent a small expedition here. Now let's all sit back down and start at the beginning. Kaelan, Charles and Sepoto, can you look around to see if we are being watched? If we can reassure our friend here, that would be good." Catherine waits for someone to make the next move.

 

[Rolzup]

"Cath, ah...the Captain speaks the truth, Master Kassel. We're here to help, and we will protect you and your people with every fibre of our beings. This is our duty, and I can assure that we all take it very seriously indeed."

Darrick looks him in the eye, steadily. "So, please, tell us. Who are 'they'?"

 

[EvolutionKB]

Kaelan

Kaelan, Charles and Sepoto, can you look around to see if we are being watched? If we can reassure our friend here, that would be good."

Kaelan nods to Catherine and looks expectably at the other two, before opening the door and moving quickly and quietly outside. He circles the building twice, looking for anybody, even other townsfolk, that could be a threat. He thought, I don't know what is happening now. Could other changelings be the problem? The man seems to think people are watching him, that is the only explanation I know of. I hope that they don't continue without me, this has got me curious now.

Spot: 26, Listen: 20, Hide: 22, MS: 24

 

[Rookseye]

While Kaelan looks around outside, Sepoto takes a different approach. Things are beginning to become more clear in his mind almost as they become more obfuscated for his companions.

If the shifter's instincts have spoken true, the threat was a far more insidious one than what they were led to believe. The sense of being watched has raised his hackles since their encounter with the apes, and it has only grown stronger. He recalls the blank stare that Kassel gave while issuing his outburst a moment ago, and true fear begins to creep up his spine. When he looks at the unoccupied chair, he speaks.

"Goodman Kassel, of whom do you speak? Are they the ones for whom you have you left this chair for?"

Sepoto looks to Catherine and whispers under his breath:

"There is evil here, Catherine, do you sense it as well?"

Sepoto then looks to Charles and somewhat sarcastically mutters,

"Yes, relax have a potato, friend Sepoto... do you not see now?"

[sblock]Sepoto will focus his Spot and Listen checks instead on the room they are currently in, paying particular attention to the extra chair.

Spot Check = 12
Listen Check = 13 [/sblock]

 

[Yeoman]

"There is evil here, Catherine, do you sense it as well?"

Catherine whispers back, "I wish I knew. Do you sense something?"

 

[Pebele]

As Kaelan circles the building, staying close to it to hide in its shadows, he notices two figures that appear to be watching Kassel's house. The other people he sees are all moving about, going from one place to the other. However these figures are staying still, and appear to be looking right at the building he exited.

They are too far away for him to get a good look, but it appears that John may not be simply paranoid, after all.

 

[BRP2]

Charles smiles slightly, 'course. He stands up and follows Kaelen to the door. I'll circle the house in the opposite direction.

spot, listen, hide, ms (1d20+8=23, 1d20+8=16, 1d20+10=30, 1d20+10=28)

EDIT:

Assuming Sepoto makes his comment before Charles leaves to search...

"Yes, relax have a potato, friend Sepoto... do you not see now?"

Even if there is some problem here, those potatoes were delicious. Never let evil get between you and your food, I'd say...

 

[Pebele]

Inside the house, Kassel appears lost in thought for a moment, but he looks to Catherine once she speaks to him. He doesn't answer her, but Sepoto catches his attention.

"The chair? The chair is just a chair. We used to have meetings, here. Small ones, before we all got together in the meeting house. It was easier, then.

I hope the don't see your friend. I'm afraid that me being a stupid old man may hurt you young folks. And I'd not forgive myself if it did."

Kassel seems to have been calmed down, he shakes his head sadly. "They said they'd kill our crops, kill our animals. They said we'd starve and whither away."