Bad Lies, Good People

Tenebrae - Sunday, September 15, 2024, 4:42 PM Sage Orum's Plaza, University District

There's a strong wind today, but it's the only complaint that one could truly find as to the day. It's beautiful out. Sun is shinning. The sky is blue. Even the breeze which is only a little too rough is clean and smells faintly of the ocean it hails from.

Three men in merchant garb walk close to one another. Two flanking the third and clearly hyping him up as they go. It's hard to get a good listen as to what they're saying, unless one is standing rather close, but it's clear that they are trying to convince their third of something that he is reluctant to agree to. By the end of their brief conversation though he is looking quite pleased with himself and proud. A bit puffed up around the chest and his head tilted back with a gleam in his eye saying he can take on the world.

(Or surely one Archmage.)

It's a good day! The sun is shining, the temperature is moderate -- not too hot, not too cold -- and from one of the roads leading into the plaza a young man can be seen walking with a faintly abstracted smile on his face. His hair is platinum, a spill of locks that hang loose down to his shoulders. His silk tunic shimmers in a hue between deep blue and violet, depending on the angle, and he's wearing black riding trousers tucked into boots embroidered with green stitching. The wind has convinced him not to wear a hat lest it be snatched away, but he concedes nothing else.

Telamon pauses to look around as he enters the plaza, his expression speculative and thoughtful. As though he's looking for something or someone. He taps his chin contemplatively, before ambling along a bit.

Auranar smiles brightly, her arm wrapped around Verna's with clear pleasure and joy. Though of late the elvish woman has seemed more down, that is not true at all today. No. The sun is shining and she is full of happiness and certainty. She doesn't seem to notice the merchants at all as she pauses. "Do you think we should visit Telamon and Cor'lana today? Or... Would you rather wait a while longer?" This question is clearly aimed at the woman she is leading.

To those unfamiliar with Auranar, it's not hard to pick her out of the crowd. Her milk chocolate skin is paired perfectly with the red dress she is wearing, and the soft pink that her black hair becomes toward the bottom of those bouncy curls adds to the welcoming nature of her expression. Though the bow on her back and the arrow quiver tied to her thigh suggest that she is someone not to be taken unseriously. "Oh, look! It's Telamon!" She doesn't wave yet though, just in case the woman with her doesn't wish to engage in social niceties today.

There are at least 1.5 sildanyari smiling, as Verna's echoes Auranar's own, perhaps transferred through their entwined arms. The point of her ears are visible around her short white hair, and her dark gray complexion makes the non-human half of her heritage rather conspicuous. "I would enjoy visiting them again, love..." That it is prudent is truth, though she leaves such unsaid. "Yet it could wait until after our-Oh!"

She is then made aware of Telamon's presence and spies him with Auranar's aid. "It seems we might engage in a portion of both?"

Blend in. It is something Jezzara has always tried to do, expecially since her hasty departure from Charn. She was never one who ever wanted attention drawn her way. She was never one who before ever sought trouble; that was until more recently in her life. Sometimes when trouble presents itself one must be patient in their reaction and she had waited years. She had been in the city for a little while now, but had not spent a lot of time in the University district. It simply was not a space she had ever wandered into, but today on this lovely day she found herself there, careful and methodical steps seemingly taking her nowhere specific as she took in the buildings and the figures entering and exiting them.

Her eyes fell to the three men as they passed by her, internally assessing if they had anyhting of value upon them. She loved the challenge and they did seem quite engaged in their conversation. She proceeded to follow them, not closely, listening in on their conversation to possibly determine their profession or status. She was one to weight risk versus reward. However it was a building they passed that causes her to pause and forget all about the men for a moment. She paused in her step and peered upon it. She felt as though she had seen that building before, but she knew she had never been to this part of the city before. Her eyes narrowed from beneath the grey hood of her cloak and she murmured to herself. "Strange." She felt herself being drawn closer to it out of curiosity, her steps taking her towards Telamon as well.

The three merchants spot Telamon, and they make a beeline for him. Almost running Jezzara over in the process. None of them stop to apologize; so focused are they on their approach to Telamon. "Telamon!"

The use of Telamon's given name is a surprise to the other two merchants who pull up a little short as the proud one in the middle puffs up. One of the ones on the side recovers quickly and announces. "Here, here! Announcing the Lord-Merchant Gobiru! Best listen and pay respect!"

The proclaimed merchant-lord nods twice. "I am at that! Mavlin Gobiru is my name, and I've come to allow you to make apologies for that incessant creature of yours!" The other two merchants nod their agreement and clap loudly.

"That's our Gobiru! You tell him Gobiru!"

Someone thinks highly of himself.

This clearly was not what Telamon was looking for, but the half-elf turns to regard the trio just the same. One eyebrow rises fractionally, and just for a moment there's the impression that despite Tel being a few inches shorter than the men physically, in reality he's so much taller. The dark eyes regard their leader with a languid expression, a look worn by many a nobleman.

He tilts his head then, a vaguely bird-like gesture, at their declaration. "Which one? My home is a haven for all goodly folk, and 'incessant' could cover a number of them. Though the pixies usually remain close to the garden, Jyndei is currently spending some time with his relatives, and Lana escorts Pothy."

A pause. "What did you say your name was again?"

Seeing that Verna is amenable, Auranar heads toward Telamon. "It'd be rude not to at least say hello." Indeed, now that they've seen him they should. She has to stop abruptly however when the merchants go whizzing by lest she get stepped on and she frowns after the threesome fiercely. "How rude."

This frown only deepens at their display of further rudeness to Telamon and she mutters to herself, "I could probably get away with shooting one of them so long as I shot him in his rear..." Auranar smirks a bit at Telamon's response though, finding as always that her quick-witted brother-in-law can cut anyone down to size with only a few words.

"You are as popular as ever, brother," Verna offers greeting and observation as she and Auranar near. Her eyes shift to the trio of men briefly before she offers a quiet "Indeed" to Auranar. Whether she agrees with the social assessment, the strategic application of arrows, or a combination thereof is left open to interpretation. While she is well aware that Telamon is perfectly capable (expceptionally, in truth) at handling social discourse, she does inquire to all four men, "Is something amiss?"

Did they almost just run her over? Such an action causes Jezzara to sidestep with a scowl, but no words said. They were not going to listen anyhow. Such an action as trying to walk through someone was only done by those thought self-entitled and anything she said would only be ignored. However, she was not exactly going to let the action go without some sort of reciprocity. She may not have much, but her pride was something she held onto and was not about to let it be tarnished by some a group of pompous men trying to make up in arrogance what they liked beneath their breeches.

She continued to walks towards the building, it just so happened that her path was to the men and Telamon. One good bump deserved another and this bump was going to be accompanied by an attempt to take something off the man on the end with a sarcastially delivered. "Sorry. Didn't see you."

GAME: Jezzara rolls sleight of hand: (13)+9: 22

GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20: (3): 3

The merchant frowns at Telamon. "My name, is Malvin Gobiru. Which you would know if you listened. Which your little monster does not. We're not talking about pixies or... whatever a 'jyndei' is. Even the bird is at least tolerable given the commissions that are made off of him. But! Those of us that catch and sell fish are being hounded by that golden *monster* you associate with! She's eating our livelihoods!"

"Here, here Gobiru! You tell him Gobiru!" The other two clap loudly again, backing up their comrade. He seems to feed off their energy, standing even more proudly.

Noticing that he's drawing a crowd - or perceivably drawing attention, the merchant draws himself up. "Why! Just yesterday she and a band of urchins *stole* a shark that I was going to auction off in the marketplace! And I was threatened!"

The merchant on the end of the group frowns at Jezzara as she bumps into him and mutters, "Yeah you're sorry. Stupid Mul."

GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (16)+33: 49

GAME: Auranar rolls Perception: (2)+5: 7

GAME: Verna rolls perception: (12)+29: 41

Telamon listens with that bland, vaguely interested expression. His dark eyes don't waver in the slightest, until Gobiru mentions, 'golden monster' and the depredations of fish. He means... oh damn. Not -again-. For a moment Telamon's face hovers between exasperation and laughter. After a long moment, he finally says, "Merchant Gobiru, what on Ea makes you think I can control her, any more than I could control the tides? I won't deny that her appetite is prodigious, but she's not a pet."

His eyes skate past Jezzara, the dark gaze suddenly flickering ever so briefly with stars in them, and then he turns to see Auranar and Verna. "It looks like it. I suspect it's the nature of things, people coming to you to solve--" And then he trails off as he -looks- at Verna. The indolent, vaguely bored expression he was wearing falls off so fast, replaced with shock and intent. "Verna-- you-- you're... how?" His stare switches to Auranar.

Auranar smiles with pleasure at Telamon's reaction and seems to take just a little extra happiness at how shocked he is. "I can explain later, after you've dealt with your rude merchant problem." She beams at Verna. "I have to admit that I am rather pleased with the results."

Is there something different about Auranar too? Her features haven't changed at all, but she seems to have gained a certain amount of easy confidence and reserve that isn't totally common to her. "I will explain everything later." Preferably, much later...

Verna also readily infers to whom the trio might refer to as a 'golden monster,' especially in the context of fish. Her smile does not have the opportunity to dim prior to Telamon's reaction, however. In fact, her smile beams for a moment. "All shall be revealed in time, as she stated." Auranar's arm receives an affirming squeeze. "I... we are delighted for now by the 'what', and I supsect the 'who.'"

Afterwards, her expression pans to the men as it firms. "If you refer to Tanithariairisixchel, she is no monster. She deserves our respect and admiration. If there is a concern of compensation, arrangements can be made." A brief pause and then her smile flattens fully. "That said, I disapprove of crude assumptions concerning entire bloodlines." Her eyes flick to the mul'niessa, lower brielfy, and return to her before moving back to the trio. "Not only are such impolite and crude, they are typically incorrect. To think another a fool out of hand oft only proves one's own folly."

Mul. The term did not bother her. She was proud of her race, even though at times it had proven to make things much more difficult for her. Besides, he could call her whatever he wanted, because she now had in her hand a small pouch and a piece of folded paper from the man. Like taking candy from a baby. Well, in this case a pompous jackass. The interaction between the men and Telamon was no concern to her. She didn't really care at this point what was going between them, aside from the fact it made her pilfer that much easier.

However, as she started to walk past the man she paused a moment and softly murmured with a wry grin. "I hope your a light sleeper." No explaination.

The pouch in her hand could be looked at later, but it was the piece of paper that intrigued her and she was going to do what she could to move away enough and turn her back to read it.

The merchants seem somewhat piqued by this turn of events. "Are you ignoring our complaint Telamon?" Again that use of Telamon's given name. "Perhaps if this woman is correct and you are willing to pay for her thefts from our inventory..."

The other merchants smile grimly. Seems like maybe this is what they came for after all.

GAME: Telamon rolls detectBS: aliased to sense motive: (15)+29: 44

GAME: Jezzara rolls sense motive: (16)+2: 18

GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (9)+10: 19

GAME: Auranar rolls Sense Motive: (2)+3: 5

GAME: Verna rolls sense motive: (2)+15: 17

It's always -something-. And this... this is so petty Telamon is starting to understand -why- wizards build towers in the back end of nowhere. He takes a deep breath, his face becoming set, and he offers a small smile to Aura and Verna. "We'll have to discuss it over drinks."

When he turns to the merchants, his stare is cool, remote. This isn't the bland indolence of before. This is like being stared at by the night sky. "I am called," he says flatly, "Telamon. Lupecyll. Atlon. You will -use- that name." The sorcerer takes a small step -towards- the merchants, as he continues, "You have made many claims and accusations, but have supplied no details." His lips quirk. "But since it has wounded you so deeply, I will intercede on your behalf. I will go to the great mountain where she lairs, and ask her about these... thefts. I will of course mention your name in particular as one with a grievance. I'm sure she would be happy to discuss it with you."

Auranar steps back just a little to give Telamon the space he needs to address the merchants. Personally she wouldn't mind stabbing one with an arrow, but that would not end well so she restrains herself from that and merely watches him handle the situation far more eloquently than she could have done herself.

Verna was not speaking on Telamon's behalf, per se, but she does not correct the men, now. Telamon is making his annoyance known, and she does not wish to interrupt this.

Damn it. Jezarra knew a good number of languages, but the one written on the neatly tucked away piece of paper was unknown to her. There was a moment of frustration as she furrowed her brow, attempting to make out anything. It became clear pretty quickly that what was before her was a lock she could not pick. The note was no good to her. She would have to find someone to translate it for her. And that is when another wry little grin came to her lips as she pivoted.

She kept the paper somewhat hidden in her palm, but she made it quite obvious she was looking at it and then at the various building in the plaza. "It has to be close to here."

Not one for tact or caring if she interrupted anyone, she walked over closer to Telamon. He looked important. He looked intelligent. He looked like he had sort sort of relation with the men whom she had just stolen the paper.

She walked right up to him and without even saying /excuse me/ handed him the paper and said in pleading tone. "I hate to bother. You look like you know this place well. Can you tell me where this building is?"

She looked directly at the man she had taken it from and stated. "Again. I am sorry."

The merchant blinks at Telamon's more imposing mien and it's clear that he's actually grateful for the intervention of the girl to give him a moment to think. The merchants withdraw a little, talking amongst themselves. Clearly the two are back to hyping up the third. Telling him how great he is and how he can handle ONE Archmage! (And some girls.) He manages to get a handle on himself and walks sternly back toward Telamon and opens his mouth...

Telamon looks puzzled at Jezzara, when she offers him the note, and then he looks down at it. He blinks, twice. Then, he offers Jezzara a surprisingly charming smile. "May I?" Deftly, he takes the note, staring at it again, before looking at the merchants. As Gobiru opens his mouth again, the archmage says one word.

"Silence."

Cold. Hard. Indeed, Telamon's hair is actually starting to float a bit around his face, and there's a slight chill in the air around him. "Do you recognize this?" He flips the note around to show it to the merchants. "I don't know if an uneducated boor like you could read this. But I can. It's in the tongue of the dragons. It -specifically- asks for a shipment of fish to be brough to..." He flips it back to himself, "A clearing northeast of town. And was probably affixed to a bag of gold." His dark, starry eyes are fixed on the merchant. "This is fraud, sir, and slander, and I am not going to stand for it."

Auranar blinks at the exchange of letter and the sudden cold fury of her brother-in-law before she nods in approval. She doesn't need to say anything, but just in case someone decides to do something stupid she releases Verna's arm so that her hand is a little closer to her arrows. She can have one up and nocked on her bow in an instant. Faster than most people would think she can. "Don't forget theft Telamon. If they took the money but didn't deliver the goods they *stole*."

Verna's brows arch as Telamon reads the note. "Indeed," she concurs with both her wide and her brother-by-bond. Her focus returns to the men. "It appears that compensation was provided in advance, and was accepted." She has no reason to not accept Telamon's presumption regarding payment given what she knows of him and Tanith. "You may wish to verify your accounting. If not, I believe that the city offers such services."

Quite frankly Jezzara had no idea what was going on. She had secured the note and the pouch which she assumed was gold. Nobody needed to know that she had the gold. She simply saw it as asset relocation and that new location happened to be in the pocket of her cloak.

She looked between the three merchants now, but her eyes settled on the one she had pickpocketed, a sullen glance of mock pity. "Not bad for a Mul huh?"

her finger raised to point at him, waving it a few times. "You Sir are a bad bad man.

Her eyes slid to Auranar and she nodded. "Yes, do not forget the theft/ Thievery is a terrible thing and shouldbe punished."

A side comment murmured. "Well, sometimes."

The merchants look at the note like it might reach out and bite them and then... well their entire facade falls apart. It turns out you can learn a lot by the squabbling of fools when their plan is proven out to be a big fat lie. These merchants it seemed were tired of getting the 'minimum' amount of money that was being provided by the pouches being ordered about once a week from various fishing ships. They thought that they could make more on the market and... maybe keep the bags of gold they found along the way since no one knew they were getting them.

This had fallen apart yesterday when the dragon had shown up at the marketplace with a horde of children to take a shark owned by the merchant in the middle by force. After being threatened he'd bemoaned his luck to his fellows who agreed that they might be able to wheedle some more money out of Telamon.

All of this they reveal as they squabble back and forth amongst themselves. Then one of them yelps and grabs his belt. "My gold! It's gone!" He looks at Telamon suspiciously. "You've the note! Where's my money?!?"

Telamon folds his arms and just stares at the merchants. "I've been standing right here, listening to your whingeing, and now you wonder where your gold is?" He rolls his eyes. "Oh, all right." He turns his eyes to Jezzara again, his lips quirking up. "Please give them the purse back, miss. I think they've learned their lesson." A quick glare at the merchants. "They -better- have, at any rate."

His eyes sparkle merrily as he regards Jezzara. "My apprentice has a knack for clever hands as well. Rather impressive, really. I'll tell you the story sometime if you like."

Auranar smiles at Jezzara. "I believe that there's a season for all actions. Sometimes quick fingers are needed to make the wheels of the world turn right." She looks at the merchants sternly, but doesn't say anything to them. It's really not necessary anymore. In fact, she puts them out of her mind entirely, taking Verna's arm up again and holding it gently. "I think tea is called for. Would you care to join us..."

She realizes then that she hasn't gotten the woman's name and offers her hand to her. "I'm Auranar by the way."

"I do hope so," Verna concurs with Telamon before turning her attention from the men to him and then the mul'niessa. "Your presence was most fortuitous and beneficial, indeed. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, if not the most calm circumstance. You may call me Verna," she offers some introduction, "and tea sounds a wondrous idea."

Did the half-elf elf just suggest that she give the money back? Did he know how this works? Pouch is taken. Coin is gained. Coin is spent by the taker. It really was quite a simple concept.

Her brow furrowed as she quite literally looked at Telamon with an open mouth and look of disbelief. Nevertheless, the pouch was taken from her cloak and dangled a few times in front ofher. "Oh, you mean this. How did that get there?"

She stepped forward and opened the pouch, taking one of the coins out of it and holding it up, as she offered the pouch back to him with the other hand. "You can have it. Except for this one coin. You see, this one coin is the reminder of your stupidity for not securing your pouch more...securely. And of the day a Mul made you look like an incompetent ass."

She stepped back and looked to Auranar with a slight smile. offering her hand to her. "Jezzara. Just Jezzara. And I think I could go for some tea." She held up the coin. "Afterall, my new friend is paying.

A glance now to Verna. "A pleasure as well...Verna. Most fortuitous indeed. Perhaps for me as well."

And now Telamon. "I think I should like to hear such tales. I look forward to hearing them."