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Post by Simmo33 on Apr 5, 2010 21:13:44 GMT
Raydus was sat observing the rather odd mix of adventurers in the room, when he saw a tall Nord man nod towards him. Raydus nodded back, showing his understanding of the subtle gesture, as if they were both thinking the same thing: Everyone else here is weird. The Nord came over to him and introduced himself as Aron. "What do you think of our chances of succeeding in anything with this jolly party" he asked, almost too cheerfully. Raydus was sure he detected sarcasm in Aron's voice. Raydus turned his head, scanned the room with his eyes and looked back at Aron. "I don't see what could possibly go wrong." he replied in his usual monotone, indicating his sarcasm with his eyes. "But at least I'm not the only one here with a bit of sense." he continued, nodding at the Nord beside him.
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Post by Elgen on Apr 5, 2010 21:21:08 GMT
Aron grinned widely. Atleast one good man in the group. But exactly how good? Aron closely scanned his associate with his one good eye. He was somewhat muscular, and armed, but didn't look like he was a bouncer or something like that. He didn't behave himself with the attitude men from the legion often did, always ready to scratch an officer's back. Mercenary, perhaps. In this job, they were all mercenaries, but maybe this man had history. Blackwood Company had some rough history. But so did the fighter's guild. Could be a good man in a bad company. And vica verca.
"Well, redguard, where did you get your training? Picked it up over the years, or were you in the legion for a while? Fighter's Guild, perhaps?" he asked, still without a name for the fellow.
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Post by Darkom on Apr 6, 2010 0:16:41 GMT
IC: Ja'Rashi kept smiling his cocky smile, muscles tensing under his uncomfortably fine robe. The Bosmer did not seem like one averse to killing, and apparently Khajiit were his favorite. One of border elves, always fighting over damn trees, The gangster thought, eyeing the elf's bone-crafted weaponry.
Just as he was about to speak to the Bosmer, taunt him a little, the wizened voice of an elderly man spoke out beside him. Had the Breton not been looking directly at him, Ja'Rashi would have thought he was talking to someone else.
"Ah, a fellow knowledge seeker. Good to know there are not only swordswingers amongst us." The man smiled, holding out one thin hand, only just beginning to show the leathery signs of age.
Ja'Rashi retracted his claws slowly, keeping the Bosmer in sight out of the corner of his eye. The Khajiit cocked his head slightly, ears flaring, and examined the mage with a quizzical look. He wore fine sea blue robes, embroidered with gold thread to resemble waves at the edges of the scholar's garment. Strangely enough, a simple and very out of place straw hat hung from his neck by a cord.
"Yes..." Ja'Rashi said hesitantly, taking a moment to realize the man thought him a true scholar. He took the hand gingerly, as though it might break, and shook in the Imperial fashion. "I am Daedra researcher from Leyawiin, known as Ja'Rashi."
He drew his paw back slowly, palm down, hoping the mage had not seen the tattoo emblazoned on it. The guard downstairs he hadn't worried about, but this man might recognize the symbol for what it was. His gaze flickered back to the man's light brown eyes, on the surface they held the simplistic optimism of a human, but deeper Ja'Rashi sensed a certain steel.
"I come help learn what happened to Daedra, with Ocato. You?" Ja'Rashi was well aware that his knowledge in the Imperial tongue was barely passable, and his thick Khajiiti accent hardly helped things, but nonetheless he was certainly proud that he had managed to maintain his disguise thus far. He only hoped that the personna would last- the number of legionnaires in the room made him rather uncomfortable in that respect.
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Post by shadow666 on Apr 6, 2010 1:58:14 GMT
<ooc> sorry, well just because it can be sensed doesnt mean shes right xD. but yea for the sake for your characters very hidy nature ill get rid of it. I like different characters, and yes they can be at times powerful (but i have had a weakling a one point too ) (Web: Slash goes the other way for tags. ) <ic> Nina shrugged off the feeling of someone else being there, as even though she could sense things, most of the time they were just feelings, and not fact. As her gaze returned to the Wilfric character, she saw the vial in his hand, her eyes widening, and a small curve formed on her lips. "I.. I havent seen one of those in a long time." she remarked genuinely amazed that someone had one on them. She had spent many years finding the ingredients for the poison and it was expensive. "If you find any more of these, i'd be sure to pay.." She continued and placed the vial in a small steel container under her vest armour. He could prove to be useful later on she concluded and then glanced around again. Everyone else seemed to be talking, but still no sign of octo. "Where is that old man.." She said getting a bit annoyed by his lateness
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Post by FC4 on Apr 6, 2010 4:56:22 GMT
Ja'Rashi. Malinus began his mental notes on the Khajiit the moment he uttered the name and shook his hand, taking note of that as well. The shake was gingerly and wary, despite Malinus' attempt at a firm shake in response. And pulled away slowly, palm down, as if hiding something.
Likely something of magical, ritualistic importance, as Malinus had felt the tingles of magicka streaming from Oblivion from the feline's paw. But they were faint, very faint. Far too faint to be an article of a Daedra worshiper, unless it was a side effect of whatever Ocato felt was occurring with the Daedra. He kept it noted.
"Roberto Malinus, Ex-battlemage of the 250th Legion." He responded in kind, giving the Suthay-Raht a nod. Simultaneously, he looked him over, analyzing the overly flashy robe. I wouldn't even wear that. Blind people much? The Khajiit seemed uncomfortable in it, and he certainly looked sizable for a scholar; even amongst the cats, magicians and bookworms were notably thin in comparison to warriors. Let's see how long he holds. It is looking more and more like he is not truly a scholar.
"I come help learn what happened to Daedra, with Ocato. You?" The accent and grammar were quite Khajiit, but Malinus adjusted the speech automatically in his own mind into a sensible sentence. Experience did that to a man.
"I've come to investigate as well; I worked with Daedra for a period during my service in the Legion, and I want to provide for my Empire again before my death. Retirement and cooking can be boring at times." He replied, smiling. "What do you think is happening with the Daedra, Ja'Rashi?"
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Post by DarkNova50 on Apr 6, 2010 6:13:15 GMT
With a notably improved mood, Selene's features lit up with a particularly happy smile. Finally! she thought, even as the kind old man, whose name she'd forgotten to get, strode over to address the oddly dressed Khajiit. At least there's one other person here who isn't a complete sourpuss. Scarfing down what remained of her flaky confectionary in a remarkably un-ladylike display, the young Paladin directed her attention towards the Bosmer the old man had mentioned.
True enough, the Wood Elf was standing there, staring intently at the Khajiit as though his very life depended on it. A slight pang of pity went through Selene as she watched the Bosmer: he was standing there alone. He seemed to have purposely kept his distance from the others in the room, standing there all by himself. Poor guy, she thought to herself. He looks so lonely, nobody to talk to or anything...
Without warning, the young Imperial bounded up from her seat, nodding silently. Exuding determination as though it were a palpable substance, Selene made her way over to the lone Bosmer in the room, consciously putting her own body between the Bosmer and the otherwise occupied Khajiit.
"Hi there!" she said enthusiastically, a broad smile gracing her vibrant features. "I couldn't help but notice that you over here all by yourself, and I thought to myself, that guy looks like he could use somebody to talk to." She nodded. "So, here I am!"
She stuck out an inviting hand towards the Wood Elf, her eyes bright and warm as they regarded the stranger.
"Name's Selene Artemis! Nice to meet you!"
________________________
Lieutenant Decimus continued through the massive halls of the Imperial Palace, noting the lack of Legionnaires in this part of the structure. Force Commander Callius had been worried about the adventurers trying to pull something, and so had pulled most of the guards from various sections of the tower to keep an eye on their guests. Personally, Decimus was happy to take the confiscated weapons from that assassin, Nina Othelu, to storage, so long as it meant he got to get away from all those odd looking adventurers.
Give me the creeps, they do... he thought silently.
"Lieutenant?" The voice addressing him was soft and feminine, coming at him from behind. He turned around to see Chancellor Ocato's newest...and surprisingly attractive, aide, Claire, standing just a few feet from him.
"Uh, hello there ma'am," he stammered uncertainly, shifting his weight a little. "If you don't mind my saying so, shouldn't you be in the waiting room with the Commander and the guests?"
"As a matter of fact, I was just on my way back. The Chancellor wants to see them," Claire replied, a faint smile forming across the young Breton's full lips. "But what are you doing here?"
"Taking these weapons to storage, ma'am. Commander Callius wants them as far from that assassin woman as possible."
Claire strode ever closer, running a sinuous hand over the belt of weapons. "Ah yes, assassins and their toys," she muttered softly. Decimus found himself taken in by the woman's fair skinned hand, enthralled even: so soft and delicate looking, as it glided across the belt of armaments, her supple fingers grazing across the grips of the throwing daggers that-
"Lieutenant?" Decimus recoiled slightly as reality snapped back into focus, and noticed Claire regarding him with a curious expression, tucking her hands gingerly into the folds of her emerald green dress. "Is...everything okay?"
Decimus cursed himself silently for a moment, before nodding quickly. "Uh, yes ma'am! I should, uh, be getting these, um, things, to-"
Claire giggled softly to herself, causing a sudden wave of colour to rise in the Lieutenant's cheeks. "Carry on, then," she told him, before turning around and gracefully striding back towards the waiting room.
Decimus watched in something akin to awe as she moved, before physically shaking his head. Must be having an off day, he decided silently, attributing his momentary loss of attention to that...and nothing else.
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Post by Simmo33 on Apr 6, 2010 13:52:47 GMT
"Well, redguard, where did you get your training? Picked it up over the years, or were you in the legion for a while? Fighter's Guild, perhaps?" asked the Nord beside Raydus. Raydus looked at Aron to answer his question, when he noticed that his left eye was in fact an eye-patch with an eye drawn on it. It surprised him slightly, and also amused him, but he showed no signs of it.
"I pretty much taught myself everything I know." replied Raydus, careful not to let his pride come through in his voice. He didn't want to give too much away. After all, he wasn't sure if he could trust this man yet, though he did seem like a decent guy. Aron's missing eye made Raydus curious. The Nord was well built and certainly looked like he could handle himself.
"What about you?" asked Raydus, "You look like you've 'seen' some action."
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Post by Darkom on Apr 6, 2010 20:55:30 GMT
Ja'Rashi did not like this Roberto Malinus, he simply did not trust the elderly human one bit. Warriors and criminals the Khajiit understood, even skooma addicts and fellow cultists, but scholars and battlemages were not part of the gangster's world. More than that, such a friendly legionnaire, even if a retired one, gave him an apprehension not easily shook.
"I've come to investigate as well; I worked with Daedra for a period during my service in the Legion, and I want to provide for my Empire again before my death. Retirement and cooking can be boring at times." The human said casually, smile wrinkling his sun dried face. "What do you think is happening with the Daedra, Ja'Rashi?"
Ja'Rashi frowned at the man. His cool humor, the friendly chatter, everything about the man sent off warning bells in the Khajiit's head. Silver tongue won't trap Ja'Rashi, human. Trying cause trouble, we see robe-man's plan.
"First Daedra seem to leave, forget us here. Now small Daedra everywhere, causing problem. Both fruit from same tree." The Khajiit said matter of factly, nodding with a serious finality. "Ja'Rashi think something shaking fruits from tree, something bigger than tiny fruit. That why we here, find what shaking Daedra tree."
But what big enough to shake Merrunz? Nothing good, that what.
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Post by FC4 on Apr 6, 2010 22:03:32 GMT
"First Daedra seem to leave, forget us here. Now small Daedra everywhere, causing problem. Both fruit from same tree." The Khajiit said matter of factly, nodding with a serious finality. "Ja'Rashi think something shaking fruits from tree, something bigger than tiny fruit. That why we here, find what shaking Daedra tree."
Malinus nodded at this, one hand moving to rub his chin while the fingers of his left rubbed gently on the smooth wood of his staff. That was a very good way to put it, actually. But it was more the metaphor that gave Roberto information. By using a tree, that meant Ja'Rasha was likely from the south of Elswyer; few trees in the northern grasslands meant they didn't contemplate on them much. But in the more forested southern regions, fruits from trees would be commonplace.
This could present a future problem along with the Bosmer, as he might share exactly the same sentiments. Malinus would have to try his best to keep things civil.
"That's actually a very good way to put it." Finally he looked at the Khajiit, noticing the frown. "I sadly got little chance to talk with Khajiit scholars while near Elsweyr's borders, and so far your views seem very uniquely simplistic." Malinus found himself momentarily pausing; the Khajiit seemed none too keen on continuing conversation, and speculation about the Daedric behavior could only go so far at this point in time. Perhaps a personal trouble with the Daedra.
"Perhaps we could carry on the discussion seated before some refreshments?" It was a simple offer, and Malinus briefly considered furthering it by pulling out a chair for the Khajiit, but reconsidered. That might come off too forward and kind, as if he was up to something.
Which in truth he was, but not anything that would cause the Khajiit trouble; only prevent it.
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Post by Vrek on Apr 6, 2010 23:32:33 GMT
Almar tensed, and nearly sprung upon the too-confident Khajiit. Almar had slain Senche-Rahts easily five times that one's size. Even without using his bow, the robed one wouldn't take half the effort.
With flexed his fingers, and loosened the knife just a fraction of an inch. The beast was practically begging to die. He tensed himself, ready for the dash across the room, prepared to drive the knife home.
Then the human woman appeared from seemingly nowhere, right between himself and the beast. In that instant, luck alone kept him for stabbing the human. He flinched, ready to drive the knife into the woman, but his instinct was to stab toward the chest, which the Bosmer pull slightly higher on the blade than he would have otherwise, causing the serrated edge of the knife to drag against it's sheath, which gave the archer just a moment longer to gather himself.
"Hi there!" she said, practically ignoring his near-attack. "I couldn't help but notice that you over here all by yourself, and I thought to myself, that guy looks like he could use somebody to talk to. So, here I am!" Almar spent a moment gathering his wits, confused by the woman's out of place demeanor. "Name's Selene Artemis! Nice to meet you!"
The Bosmer peeked over the woman's shoulder, to see that the Khajiit had been similarly accosted by an old man. They were trying to prevent the fight that Almar had been anticipating just a few moments beforehand.
He glared up at the woman for a brief moment, before his expression softened considerably. Beast or not, had Almar killed him, it would have been murder, and that would reflect badly on his people and his clan. He took the woman's accepted hand, gripping it at the wrist. "My name is Almar."
He offered one more glare the beast's way, then turned to face the woman fully, though he never let the cat out of his sight. "Do you think it's wise to allow a beast like him just wander around here? Their kind cannot be trusted."
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Post by webster52402 on Apr 7, 2010 3:08:56 GMT
Wilfric's own smile deepened as he saw the aloof assassin girl's lips twitch and curl slightly. Though it wasn't much of a reaction, it was more of one than he had expected... And more of one than many would get out of her, he had a feeling. On top of that, she actually recognized the rare poison he had offered her: That pleased him immensely.
"Oh, that particular concoction is one of my favorites." Wilfric crooned, his eyes flickering. Ducking his hand into his pouch, he removed a second vial of the blue liquid, twirling it between his fingers momentarily. He only had 3 vials - 2 now - of the stuff since it was so rare, but he always made sure to acquire more if he ever ran low. "If you enjoy it as much as I do, I'm sure I can arrange a fairly steady supply..."
Returning the vial of exotic poison to his collection, Wilfric set a hand against his stomach, and gave Nina a small, formal bow. "But, that is for later discussion. For now, I shall leave you to your own devices... Something I have no doubt you shall welcome."
With that, the serpent-like nobleman spun on his heel, and made his way back to his previous seat, sinking into it once more. He had no interest in the near-battles breaking out around the room... In his eyes it was nothing more than childish tensions, which would hopefully dissipate before they left. If not, then he really WOULD end up having to babysit them...
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Post by Elgen on Apr 7, 2010 15:27:54 GMT
Aron grinned, with his missing eye and eyepatch adding to his somewhat intimidating look. Should he go outside and try to make townspeople pee their pants, he would probably succeed very well.
"I've been with the legion forever, it seems. Sacrificed this and that for them too, without getting much back. But that's life, I reckon. Lately, I've served as heavy cavalry with the legion against dunmer separatists over in Vvardenfell. Got all my gear with my, but was a tad too much to drag all the way in here. Especially to meet Ocato. Guards might think I'd lost it, and have me apprehended." he said, looking over at the rest of the people in there. Maybe someone did intend to assassinate Ocato. Aron hadn't quite decided what he'd do in that case.
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Post by Darkom on Apr 7, 2010 22:34:06 GMT
More than anything else, Ja'Rashi was getting more and more confused by the elderly human. What little the ex-gangster knew of humans and their facial expressions told him that the man was acting politely, but what Ja'Rashi could make of his actual words said otherwise. Simple is Ja'Rashi? Then human is rude!
However, there was one thing the old man had said that caught the Khajiit's ear. Been in home-land, has he? As Legion man? Roberto, though Ja'Rashi had almost forgotten the name already, had not specified which border, leading the Khajiit to assume it had been the northern one. Ja'Rashi had a long history with the legionnaires there, the Gold Cat had frequently sent him as part of drug smuggling operations, "moving the sugar" as he had called it. Nonetheless, it gave the Khajiit no more reason to like the man.
"Perhaps we could carry on the discussion seated before some refreshments?" The man indicated the lavishly laid table not far from them. Ja'Rashi was beginning to get hungry seeing everyone else eating, and he had spied more than a few delicacies from the Tenmar. The jungle had been the main food source for the gangster during most of his life, even as a modestly successful criminal he continued to eat the sour-sweet fruit and salty meats.
"Ja'Rashi agrees," the Khajiit nodded, striding casually to the table. He looked at some of the Imperial pastries and strange yellow cheeses for a moment, wrinkling his dark nose in disgust. After grabbing one of the small yet finely decorated plates, the Khajiit proceeded the fill the platter with a wide variety of colorful fruits and slices of reddish brown meat.
His eyes flickered for a moment to the scholar beside him, then discreetly began studying the Bosmer who nearly attacked him. He had begun speaking to the dark armored woman, he supposed she would have appeared fair by human standards, though his seedy eyes still trailed Ja'Rashi. Forest elf is hunter, elf should know patience. Not look head-slow either, so why pick fight in human palace? Feared eyes watch forest elf, watch closely.
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Post by DarkNova50 on Apr 8, 2010 5:54:20 GMT
Selene allowed herself a silent, private sigh of relief when the Bosmer's brief glare suddenly softened, and he took her arm in something close enough to a handshake. The Bosmer having introduced himself as Almar, Selene quickly offered an affirmative nod in response. Whew, glad he's friendly! she thought. After her rather abrasive encounter with Nina earlier, and the cool dismissal of the Redguard warrior after that (though they both seemed to be carrying on conversations now...) she'd been genuinely concerned that Ocato had gone out of his way to round up some of Tamriel's toughest, grittiest and...well, just not very nice people! If Almar was any indication, though, then maybe the trip had a hope after all.
Almar quickly regarded the Khajiit once again, however, and promptly asked Selene whether she thought it was a good idea to have the 'beast' wandering around. "Well, uh..." Selene glanced back at the cat, who seemed equally intent on eyeing Almar, and shrugged uncertainly. "Well, he certainly does dress funny, I'll give you that," she offered with a bit of good humour. "Guess I just hadn't really thought about it. In Cyrodiil, the biggest thing usually at risk around a Khajiit is your wallet."
"But you know what?" She regarded Almar with a friendly smile, and winked slyly. "If you watch my back, I'll watch yours."
________________________
"Commander?"
Seraphin suddenly glanced to his side, his attention broken from surveying the room, keeping a keen eye on the collected riff raff assembled there. Claire stood calmly at his side, her delicate hands clasped in front of her, light brown curls dangling in front of her slight smile. "Yes, what is it, Claire?"
"The Elder Council is taking a short recess for the time being. The Chancellor would like to see you and our guests right away."
Seraphin nodded. "Very well, then." He turned towards a nearby Legionnaire. "You there. Tell the rest of the men to form up between here and the Council Chamber, and make sure there's at least half a dozen honour guards watching Ocato at all times. If any one of our adventurer friends does anything suspicious..." Seraphin narrowed his eyes. "Put them down. Don't let anybody endanger the Chancellor."
The trooper snapped a crisp salute, and set off to follow his orders. Seraphin, in the meantime, turned to address the group of assembled freelancers.
"Attention, all of you," he said with an air of authority, loud enough for everyone to hear. "The Chancellor is ready to see you now. I suggest you all finish up whatever it is you're doing, and get yourselves ready. You're going to be meeting with the head of the Empire, after all."
Seraphin paused for a moment, before crossing his arms haughtily over his chest. "One more thing..." He had to fight to keep a grin from forming across his features. "I'm not about to tolerate any trouble from you bunch. I've a dozen men outside with orders to terminate any possible threats. So...play nice."
"You enjoyed that, didn't you?" Claire remarked playfully, a slight glimmer in her eyes.
Seraphin nodded with satisfaction. "Damn right. People like them...they don't respect the Legion, or the Empire." The Commander narrowed his eyes slightly. "Well, they're sure as hell going to respect me...even if it means I have to beat each of them down personally."
Claire's entire body seemed to convulse with excitement, and she ran a cautious hand down the length of his arm. "Have I ever told you how sexy I find powerful men?"
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Post by Vicorva on Apr 8, 2010 8:06:30 GMT
OOC: Really sorry, this post was long, but I won't do it again! :/ I just haven't posted in a while.
The slinky aide swaggered into the room with a clear purpose burning in her eyes, heading straight for Seraphin, already trying out a flirtatious smile on her lips. Ephemera had rarely encountered flirts, although she had certainly seen them from a distance now and then, but something knotted uneasily in her stomach at the idea of someone who went to such lengths to be noticed. Especially in a servile position like aide to the Chancellor, she found herself doubtful of the integrity of this woman.
She supposed she wasn't flirting with the Supreme Chancellor, but even so, should any servant be so... visible?
"Commander?" This snapped Seraphin to attention. Claire had assumed a decent imitiation of a servile stance (although she didn't curtsy!), perhaps a little straighter than was appropriate...
"The Elder Council is taking a short recess for the time being," she recited. "The Chancellor would like to see you and our guests right away."
Seraphin gave a whirlwind of orders in a tone that seemed rather tight, as if he were clenching his teeth, and then turned to the group.
"Attention, all of you," he said loudly, and Ephemera could almost hear the echoing scum of his thoughts. He ordered them to make ready- well, he suggested, but there didn't seem to be a lot of room for disobedience. Ephemera recognised authority when it growled at her to get going.
"One more thing..." He looked somewhat demented now. "I'm not about to tolerate any trouble from you bunch. I've a dozen men outside with orders to terminate any possible threats." Ephemera licked her lips, and gripped her arms, steadying herself to hide the shakes. "So...play nice."
If she wandered around invisible and somebody caught her, they might well stab first and ask questions later. She might be a master sneak, but all it took was for her to come across a master sentry,and she was done for. She made a conscious decision not to be in the middle of such a mistake, and stood up from her seat, mirror-like eyes sweeping the room even as her lips twitched nervously.
She made for the door. "You enjoyed that, didn't you?" she heard Claire's voice, strangely husky now.
"Damn right," said Seraphin. "People like them... they don't respect the Legion, or the Empire." The Commander narrowed his eyes slightly. "Well, they're sure as hell going to respect me... even if it means I have to beat each of them down personally." She froze, not yet far enough away that she couldn't hear, and turned to watch with eyes wide.
Seraphin wanted to beat them?
Claire's reaction was nearly polarised to her own. She shivered all down her body and leaned towards him, running a hand down his arm. Ephemera wondered if she remembered that she was in a room full of people. "Have I ever told you," she murmured. "How sexy I find powerful men?"
And then Ephemera knew, down to the very soles of her well-worn boots, that Claire was a dangerous woman. And considering there was some kind of crisis going on at the moment, Ephemera couldn't help but wonder; how high did conspiracies go?
She very strongly suspected that they went at least as high as Ocato's aide. And that Seraphin might soon join in, purely in blind hatred of adventurers and lust for pretty women.
Ephemera started walking, ideas whirling around her head even as her skirts gently swayed against her legs. Her steps were very careful, very deliberate. She didn't walk fast and though she did nothing now to muffle her footsteps there was something naturally light about them that came with the care of someone who thought about where they stepped.
The trouble with people who lived the Shadow was that they were used to paying attention to what went on in the dark. The trouble with servants, even such servants as Ephemera, was that they were used to putting together stories. Even a false rumour can have consequences.
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